Harry Potter - Warner Brother's Studio Tour

Hello lovelies,

For Christmas, James & I received two tickets to the Harry Potter Studios Tour from my parents & we finally got to go last weekend. You have to book about 4 months in advance for a tour slot, so we decided to go for 12pm on Sunday 23rd July. We luckily don't live that far away from Watford, about an hour & 20 minute drive so we set off in my new car (more about Connie the convertible in my next post!)

You have to arrive ideally about half an hour before your time slot, we accounted for traffic & arrived nearly an hour before, but it meant we were able to get some refreshments & take a few pictures in the lobby. You also have access to the gift shop, so if you do arrive early, there is plenty to look at.

 As you begin the tour, you are taken into The Great Hall. It looked exactly like it did in the movies!

The Great Hall

Professor McGonagall, Dumbledore & Snape  

This was one of my favourite displays we saw.. a table full of chocolate! If only it was real..

We also loved the little rooms they had set up; the Gryffindor Common Room, Dumbledore's Office & the Weasley's Front Room were so beautifully arranged.

Gryffindor Common Room

Dumbledore's Office

Potions Classroom

The Weasley's House

We also got the chance to experience the Forbidden Forest which is a new addition to the studio tour this year. Oh & if your not the biggest fan of spiders.. just be careful.. you never know what might jump out at you..

Buckbeak

Onto one of my favourite parts, the Hogwarts Express! It was so beautiful. You come out of the forbidden forest & turn the corner & magically appear onto Kings Cross station. You can also walk through the train & see the different carriages from each movie. 

Hogwarts Express

The Knight Bus

We then stopped for lunch & tried a butterbeer, the cream on the top was delicious but I wasn't keen on the actual 'beer'. It just tasted like cold, fizzy butter. Extremely weird, but glad we tried it. You have the option to either bring your own food, or buy from the café which actually wasn't too expensive considering where we were.

Another favourite part of the tour for me was Diagon Alley. I loved looking at all the shops, especially Weasley's Wizard Wheezes!

& finally, they saved the best till last.. A huge model of Hogwarts that simply blew us away. The music was playing, the castle was lit up & the whole room felt so magical.. there really isn't anything I can write to describe just how incredible it was.

Hogwarts

Hogwarts

Hogwarts

Hogwarts

Hogwarts

The whole tour took about around three hours. That included our lunch & time in the gift shop at the end, but you never feel rushed & I loved that you could just potter around in your own time. 

Have you ever been to the Harry Potter studios?

I can't recommend it enough, it was honestly so much fun : )

Twitter / Instagram / YouTube / Bloglovin' / Pinterest / Facebook

Life Lately #131

Hello lovelies!

It seems like ages ago now, but did you all have a lovely Father's Day? I stayed over at my parent's house the night before (I mean, just look at that sunset I was driving into, just perfection) & woke early the next morning to give my Dad & Grandad their gifts. Honey was so excited to see my Grandad appear, she ran the length of the garden & got seriously puffed out!

Our best friend Sheryl celebrated her 30th birthday last month & we organised a surprise evening out. She thought it would just be the two of us, but after I rocked up with Elisa, her little face was already beaming before she even knew where we were going! We drove her to a local pub called The Greets Inn, which she'd never been to before. We sat outside, next to the ducks & chickens & waited for Cathy & Mils to arrive (again more exitment!) We bought her a personlized book & some tiaras for us all to wear! It was so much fun.

We also managed to have a catch up with Allan & Maria now their back from their honeymoon. We had a family BBQ & got to see all their beautiful photos from their adventures last month! So jealous of the safari.

I met up with my tea ladies last week & we had lunch at Pretty Things. I've mentioned them before I'm sure, they just have the prettiest cafe in town. Everything is pink & girly, it's just so me! We had a slice of cake & a catch-up before heading to the park to sit in the sunshine.

Alex celebrated his 21st birthday this month! How scary is that?! Alex is James' little brother, so we met up with the family at Allan & Maria's for another BBQ in the evening, then headed to Valerie & Barrie's for dinner on the Friday night. A night or two of extremely naughty food.. but so worth it!

& finally, last Sunday I organised a brunch with the ladies I work with. As we didn't do Race For Life this year, I decided it would be nice to arrange a brunch to get us all together like we would have done for the race. We went to Sumners Ponds & sat in the safari tent, next to the pond. It was such a beautiful day & the food was delicious. I'd highly reccomend going if you're local.

How has your month been so far lovelies?

Twitter / Instagram / YouTube / Bloglovin' / Pinterest / Facebook

Summer Bargains!

Inflatable Flamingo - £6.99

I mean, not everyone has a pool where they have the option of riding a flamingo, but can we just take a moment to appreciate how adorable this is & also how in-expensive it is!? Absolutely amazing value & perfect for that 'instagram shot of dreams'. I'm so tempted to get one even though I don't have a pool to use it in! Aldi also have a crocodile & whale inflatable if the flamingo isn't your style!

Swimming Pool - £29.99

Ok, so you're gonna need somewhere to put your flamingo right? This quick assembly pop-up pool is perfect to cool off in when it gets a bit too hot. Alternatively, if you wanted a small cheap paddling pool just to dip your toes in, Poundland are selling this one for £1! Amazing.

Sun, Sea, Sand Hat - £3.49

I should re-name this post 'props for the perfect Summer Instagram shots' haha! How cliche is this hat? Saying that.. I would love it in my life.

Water Dispenser - £1

For £1, you get a 2 litre container, perfect for filling with cocktails / squash or fizzy drinks in the hotter months. I'm so excited to use these for my BBQ, they just look so cute.

Ice Lolly Moulds - £1

What I fell most in love with about these is the colours - they are so perfect for the Summer.

Flamingo Napkins

I think I might be a bit obsessed with flamingos at the moment.. but they just scream Summer! I did see some other fancy napkins in The Works the other day but I can't seem to find them online now, but I think these are just as cute! While searching for the napkins, I came across this website & thought how cute it was. Everything for your flamingo needs!

Heart Shaped Bowls

I bought some of these last year & they make excellent dipping bowls. Whenever we have people over, we always use these! Definitely a good investment!

What have you been loving this Summer? I'd love to know!

Twitter / Instagram / YouTube / Bloglovin' / Pinterest / Facebook

May & June Favourites

Lilac Nail Polish
I mean, can you get anymore Summery than a lilac nail varnish? I've found I've been reaching for my favourite pastel nail polishes lately & Utopia by Models Own has to be one of my ultimate favs. I've had it in my collection for years (I should really get another one because I'll be heartbroken when it's finished!) I'm also loving glitter polishes, who said they just have to be used at Christmas time?

Sweet Sheen Lipstick

I can't resist a lipstick that is easy to apply, keeps my lips in great condition & provides a healthy colour in the Summer. Well, all year round to be honest! This one is a complete bargain, only £2 in Superdrug. MUA have some of the most affordable products on the highstreet in my opinion & could be sold for a lot more.

Frazzled

I'm really enjoying dipping in & out of this book, especially now its warmer & I can enjoy it in the garden. It's perfect for giving you that little bit of reassurance that everything's going to be ok. I'd highly recommend it.

Sandals 

These have been my shoe of the Summer so far. For £4, they are an absolute steal & so so so comfy. They are perfect for work & evenings out when I can't be dealing with heels!

Garnier Summer Body Lotion

Every Summer, this lotion becomes my life saver. This year I was tempted by the darker shade & seeing as it was half price in Boots, I couldn't resist! I absolutely love how it makes my skin look beautifully tanned after just two applications, you just need to remember to keep applying it regularly otherwise it does become quite patchy.

TV

Love Island

I just have no words to express how in love with this program I am. It's fully taken over my life yet again! Who is your favourite couple in there at the moment? I absolutely love Marcel & Gabby!

Events 

On 21st May, James & I travelled up to London to see The Sidemen play in their second charity football match. We had such a wonderful day exploring along the Thames in the sunshine, followed by the game. 

James finally got to use his birthday present from me & drive 2 super cars around a race track last month! It was so much fun watching him, vlog coming soon!

We also got the chance to go away on a mini break to Wales at the end of May, which was so lovely. I'd only ever been to Wales when I was little. It's such a beautiful place. You can read about our full adventure here if you like.

Finally, Allan & Maria's wedding. Guys, how can I say this? It was basically one of the best days ever. I've written a full post about the day which you can have a read of it you like, but everything was just so perfect. I can't wait for another wedding! Mils & Craig.. : ' )

What have you been loving in May / June? : )

Twitter / Instagram / YouTube / Bloglovin' / Pinterest / Facebook