Tuesday 30 May 2017

Make Life Easier With Bidvine*

Since moving into my house I have needed a lot of work doing and have struggled to get recommendations from friends for trusted tradesmen. Sometimes it is hard to know where to start when looking for people to do odd jobs around the home. When I heard about a website called Bidvine, all of my frustrations were resolved. Bidvine is not only a website for finding handy men, it is also the easiest way to find professionals from fashion photographers to painters and decorators and even yoga instructors.

Photo provided by Bidvine.

So I am sure you are wondering how Bidvine works? Firstly head over to the Bidvine website and tell them what it is you are looking for. This can be anything from a plasterer to a masseuse, whatever you need. It is very clear from the webpage where you need to type in this information. You then have to simply type in your postcode. The website then asks you a series of service-specific questions relating to what you first put in so for example Plastering Services, they may ask what size area needs plastering and so on. Once you have filled in all of the information, you can then create an account. Your job request is then sent to qualified people who will then ‘bid’ to carry out the services. They will tell you what they can offer and for how much, you can then select who you want to go with.


Professionals have up to 4 days to contact you with a bid but you should expect to get your first bids within hours. Depending on the nature of the job and the level of detail you have entered will all depend on the amount of bids you will receive but you will usually get 2 pros expressing their interest. Professionals using the site pay a small fee to send you a custom bid so all Bidvine ask is that you respond to everyone respecting their hard work and time. The fact that pros have to pay means you really do get dedicated people who really want to help you out on there.

After you have received your required service you can then add a review. Other people browsing the site will rely on reviews in order to make their decisions regardless of what type of experience you have had. Another thing to note is that Bidvine share the answers that you provide to the service-specific questions, your general location, and your phone number if you have asked them to. They don't share your email.

Photo provided by Bidvine

Bidvine really takes away the pressures of trying to find a professional. Once your information has been submitted you simply sit and wait for the bids to come in. You can then decide who you want to work with dependent on your budget and what quality of service you are after. Some of the other services offered on the site include, photography, language lessons, music lessons, painting, house clearances, fitness and wellbeing.

Will you be using Bidvine?

*Sponsored Post.
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Thursday 25 May 2017

How I Break out of Autopilot With Marks & Spencer #SpendItWell Campaign* #ad

The well know brand Marks and Spencer are encouraging Brits to make the most of every day moments and to really grab life by the horns all in the name of Make it Matter Day on the 1st June. If you follow me on Instagram then you may have seen that I have been sharing some of the ways that I make time for the things in life that really matter. I have been challenging myself to break out of autopilot and make the most of every day. M&S are working on a project that focuses on what really matters in life, making time for what is important and empowering yourself and the community. This campaign is called #SpendItWell and as part of it M&S have found that Brits don’t make the most of every day life.

Most lunch breaks are spent in the office for me with my packed lunch at my desk. Earlier this week I decided to break out of autopilot and go for a nice walk in the fresh air. I took a visit to is Elm Hill which is a well-known area in Norwich. Many of the buildings down Elm Hill date back to the Tudor period and it has even been used for film locations, most recently Stardust. It is said to be haunted, although I have walked down here many times at night and not experienced anything strange.. yet! The Briton’s Arms is a 15th Century building with cellars dating to the 13th century. This was one of the only buildings to escape the fire of 1507 which destroyed many houses. It is now a coffee house and restaurant and one of the only timber-framed medieval buildings left in Norwich.


I loved taking a walk and finding out about the history of my beautiful city. The best part is, I work about 10 minutes away from this lovely historic street and by heading outside for a change meant that I could really appreciate the walk around town. The fresh air also cleared my head and when I returned to my desk at work, I was raring to go again which in turn helped my performance.  M&S found that 96% of us feel like we spend life on autopilot, the result being that we say ‘yes’ four times a day when we really want to say ‘no’. I have now realised how simple it is to break free from that.

Today I took the time to take my mums dog for a long walk. It was so nice to get out of the house once again and gave my mum some peace and quiet at home. Both me and Macy appreciated the fresh air in the end!


Already by just doing these small activities I feel more content and happy in life. It doesn’t have to be big things, the small things also play a part in spending life well. 81% of us think that it’s the small things that make a big difference but we don’t make enough time for these things. Simply lighting a candle can be enough, or treating yourself to your favourite cup of coffee. How about having a delicious home cooked meal with friends and family.

Make it Matter Day on 1st June is a national day where M&S want to show what matters to them. You can get involved too by sharing the things that matter to you. Share the ways you break out of autopilot using the hashtag #SpendItWell. You only get one life. For more info, head over to the M&S Spend it Well page.



*Sponsored Post

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Tuesday 23 May 2017

Norwich Does Vintage Event*

Last week myself and fellow blogger and friend Kim from Romanovs Views jumped in my car and headed off to the Norwich Does Vintage event at Open Norwich on Bank Plain. The event was well sign posted around the city and we saw a number of billboards on our way to the venue from the car park.


When we arrived at Open, we were greeted by Alex who kindly passed us a leaflet and we stepped inside the hall. Entry was only £2 and you can return throughout the day. The fair was not as big as I originally imagined but there were a number of little stalls to keep us interested. The event was hosted by Britain Does Vintage which puts on similar events around the country.

On stage as we walked in was Sarah Probert  who is a professional singer. She is also available for events, weddings and parties. Her style is 1940's, jazz, pop, musical plus more. We thought she was a great addition to the Vintage Fair!


The first stall that caught my eye was the Sugar Buttons Creative stall with delicious looking cakes. There was a cupcake decorating workshop with Imogen which I couldn’t wait to get stuck into. We were each given a plain cupcake and were taught how to press an icing flower into a mold. I couldn’t believe how simple and easy it was to create such a lovely flower and I definitely need to buy myself some of these molds. I then brushed my flower with some rose gold to give it a shiny finish. Imogen then showed us how to pipe a rose shape with buttercream, then we placed our flower onto the ‘join’. I added some edible glitter and it was complete. I loved seeing how these were made and I have some great ideas for decorating my own cupcakes. The cupcake tasted absolutely delicious I must say!


Speaking of cakes, I then spotted the range of gateaux and pastry goods available from the Artisan Pastry Chef. I couldn’t resist leaving without a slice of the chocolate one, complete with seashell chocolate. It was absolutely delicious.


Other stalls included The Retro Edit, selling plenty of vintage items and a Funky Nail Bar by Dotty Designs.




I would definitely recommend attending future Norwich Does Vintage events. I had such a nice time and you never know what goodies you will come across. Please follow the Norwich Does Vintage Facebook Page for news of future events. Thank you to Romanov's Views for some of the photos I have used in this post.


*I received free of charge entry.
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Thursday 18 May 2017

Turtle Bay Norwich - New Menu Review*

It’s been a while since I last went to Turtle Bay in Norwich so when I heard that they had launched a new menu I instantly knew that I wanted to try it out. When Turtle Bay opened we had just moved house so it has been a busy few months of having no money, hence why we hadn’t returned since! This is the first big menu enhancement that the restaurant has undertaken since it came to Norwich and includes 15 new dishes, 7 new drinks and some new gluten free, veggie and vegan options. I was kindly invited to head down for a review and was allowed to bring someone with me. James and I hadn’t had a nice meal out together for a long time due to all of the house renovations so I thought I’d bring him along and turn it into a little date night for the both of us. We were greeted by Tom who very kindly took us over to our table and we started off by ordering some cocktails which I will talk about in more detail below.


The menu has been inspired by the feedback from guests but still stems from the Caribbean culture that Turtle Bay is all about. The dishes continue to celebrate Turtle Bay’s signature flavours with some fresh new twists and offer more choice for those with allergies and dietary requirements. I noticed there was also some healthier options on the menu. The classic dishes such as the famous Jerk Chicken and Curried goat that I tried on my first visit to Turtle Bay are still on the menu which I was pleased to see. We were served by Evelyn, who was very friendly and happy and always available if we needed more drinks.

For starters, I decided to go for the Sweetcorn Fritters which I had tried when I last came. I was given a little basket with 4 fritters in which was just the right amount. They were crispy and delicious and not greasy at all. I really enjoyed them. James went for the Crispy chilli Squid which he really enjoyed too. He said they had a great kick to them.


For mains, we were spoiled for choice. A new burger menu has been added which I was instantly drawn to. I love burgers and couldn’t wait to try one out with a Caribbean twist to it. The menu features a Jammin’ Lamb Burger alongside a Two Way Chicken Burger, Mushroom and Goats Cheese burger as well as the favourite Jerk ‘n’ Pulled Pork Bun. The burgers are pit grilled and come with a Caribbean slaw and either spiced fries or salad and when I come back I am definitely going to try one of these out.

Other new menu items include Bajan Beef Cheeks which is six hour slow cooked beef cheeks marinated in a Caribbean spice, okra, potato, garlic, ginger, star anise, cinnamon, coriander and toasted coconut. This dish was recommended by Tom when we arrived and said it was really good if you are a meat eater! It comes served with steamed rice and a roti flatbread. James went for this for his main and he said it was really nice and tender. He said it was spicy but not so much that you couldn’t appreciate the flavours. Slow Braised Beef Rib also makes a new appearance on the menu and comes served with sweet potato fries and a watermelon salad. I was very intrigued by the sound of this dish! I love watermelon and wondered how well it would go with beef so I thought I would give it a try. My generous portion arrived and I couldn’t believe how tasty it was. I had a choice of 3 jerk glazes so went for the pineapple glaze which was fruity and not too hot. The meat fell off the bone and there was hardly any fat on my ribs. It was absolutely delicious. The sweet potato fries were amazing and the watermelon went surprisingly well with this dish.


Not forgetting there is now a range of new vegan and vegetarian dishes too including the Spiced Chickpea Ital Wrap, Vital Veggie Beach Platter and the Spinach, Aubergine & Sweet Potato Curry. Okra Ladies’ Fingers consist of spiced panko coated okra fingers with mango mole, fresh lime and coriander mayo and  are a new side order from the Caribbean – vegan friendly, and you won’t find them in any other restaurants in Norwich! The new Beach Salad range provides a lighter, fresher superfood option for a quick healthy bite. The salads come as three bases and you can add a choice of toppings such as avocado, mango, chicken or even squid to really make it your own. 


It’s not just the food menu that has some new additions, the Caribbean cocktail list has also been livened up. Some old favourite’s have made a return due to popular demand such as Goombay Smash and Roots Culture which join the new arrivals Rum Negroni and Rum Margarita. Speaking of cocktails, it is now possible to book a ‘Cocktail table’ at Turtle Bay and enjoy drinks and snacks anywhere in the restaurant and bar. Don’t forget Happy Hour, available until 7pm and from 9:30pm Sunday to Thursday and until 7pm and from 10pm Friday to Saturday where you can take advantage of 2-for-1. It would have been rude for me not to try one of the new cocktails so I went for the Roots Culture and the Goombay Smash, both rum based and both absolutely delicious. As designated driver, James went for a watermelon crush which he really enjoyed. Turtle Bay also continue to be the venue of choice for those not drinking with their fabulous range of Caribbean Softs. New mocktails include Elderflower Cooler and Pineappleade. 


For desserts, we both went for something we had previously tried a small piece of at the press event. James went for the Dark Chocolate Brownie which he must have enjoyed as he didn’t even let me try a piece! I went for the Banana and Toffee Cheesecake. Both dishes were fantastic and really finished the meal off. We were then offered the rum menu or a choice of teas and coffees but both of us were completely stuffed!


There are also some new sharing platters on the menu to really get a feel for the laid back ‘liming’ culture of the Caribbean. Overall we had an amazing meal at Turtle Bay. So much that we are going to book to go back soon and really make a night of it. After your meal you can move to another table and continue the night with some cocktails! I love the laid back atmosphere in the restaurant, service was amazing and everything we ate and drank was absolutely fantastic. Thank you to Turtle Bay, especially Tom and Evelyn for having us and making it a really great night.


You can find Turtle Bay on Facebook, I visited the Norwich branch.

Turtle Bay Norwich
8 Swan Ln,
Norwich NR2 1HZ

*I received this meal free of charge for the purpose of review. All opinions are my own.
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Tuesday 16 May 2017

Pet Cleanliness in the Home feat. BISSELL*

Having previously never had my own house, I never really worried about cleanliness. This was something that was always left to my parents but since moving out and being a pet owner, I have really come to notice how much things really need cleaning. Biscuit is a fluffy cat so I am often left with his fluff and fur all over the carpets, as well as mud and whatever else he brings through his cat-flap. Luckily he does not go to the toilet indoors but he is a messy eater so there is always that to contend with too!


I first noticed what a difference Biscuit made when he moved in. We had gotten away with cleaning less often before he arrived but as soon as he moved in it was apparent that we needed to keep on top of the cleaning more. Some research has been done into the cleaning habits of pet owners and the importance of ensuring a deep clean to keep you and your family members safe. Dr Pixie Mckenna has teamed up with carpet cleaning experts BISSELL and I have been sent the following Q&A which outlines the importance of cleaning up after pets. I thought  it was really interesting and wanted to share it with you all. The Q&A dispels common myths and if you are a pet owner, I definitely recommend giving it a good read!

What germs, bacteria and other nasties do dogs and cats most commonly bring in to the home?
Not all germs carried by household pets can impact humans however, there are a number that do. These can be transmitted through a bite, scratch or more commonly though contact with a pet’s saliva, dander (dead skin cells) or waste. For instance, bacterial infections like Campylobacter can be spread through animal faeces and can cause stomach pain and upset, Toxoplasmosis a parasitic infection that is often hosted in cat litter and can cause symptoms from fevers to a sore throat and rash, or the fungal skin infection ringworm which manifests as a red, ring shaped rash.
It’s really shocking to hear that recent research by BISSELL* revealed that a fifth of pet owners don’t wash their carpets especially as 25% admitted to regularly having to clean up urine, vomit and faeces. We’re a nation of animals lovers and enjoy having our pets around the home, however it’s crucial that if our pets make a mess we clean it thoroughly to avoid making family members poorly, especially small children who use the floor as their playground.

How are these germs, bacteria and other nasties transferred to humans? Are these things harmful to humans and our furry friends? 
Just as it is with humans, any form of animal contact such as scratches, licks, kisses and even cuddles can result in the spread of infection. Whilst most such as ringworm are mild,  in both humans and pets they can prove very serious in certain circumstances. 
The parasite Toxocara, for example, is commonly found in the intestines of kittens and puppies and can be spread through animal faeces. Although symptoms such as stomach pain and upset tend to be mild, it can lead to pneumonia and liver problems with blindness occurring in very severe cases – something many of us are warned about when young.

What sort of bacteria and nasties can live in pet mess, saliva etc, and what sort of health issues can humans suffer from if they come in to contact with it/ingest it? 
There are numerous infections ranging from bacterial to fungal and parasitic infections. These include Campylobacter, Salmonella, Giardiasis, Cryptosporidium, Toxoplasmosis, Toxocariasis and Ringworm. Symptoms can include flu like symptoms, skin rashes, badly behaving bowels and general malaise.

How should the cleaning routine of pet owners vs non-pet owners differ, in terms of what is cleaned, how frequently and how deeply? 
You can never be too clean but pet owners need to go above and beyond to ensure that soft furnishings as well as the floors don’t just look clean but actually are. Recent research by BISSELL revealed that one in ten pet owning Brits* never wash their sofa covers whilst one fifth never wash their carpets. With these being two of the most popular places for pets and family to relax, it’s important they aren’t forgotten during the weekly clean as it will help to tackle unsightly stains, offensive smells and at worst, eliminate the chance of ill health.

How can pet owners ensure nothing nasty is left behind when cleaning up pet mess like urine, vomit and faeces? 
Although an area may look clean it doesn’t mean that nasty bacteria aren’t lurking beneath the surface. It's not good enough to simply remove the sight and smell of a pet accident. To ensure bacteria and germs are removed you need to carry out a deep clean with a specialist product if you want to avoid the risk of you and your family becoming ill. If you have small children playing on the floor, parasites that live in pet faeces can come into contact with hands, mouths and eyes leading to nasty health implications for your little ones.

What sort of bacteria can lurk in the carpets/beds that pets regularly sleep on and what are the implications for humans if we come in to contact/ingest? 
We call the infections animals spread to humans Zoonosis. This may surprise you but bedding down with your four legged friend can cause infections as serious as the bubonic plague – but don’t panic, it's incredibly rare! MRSA, worms, bacteria which cause tummy bugs, viruses which can affect everything from your eye sight to your liver...the list is endless. So although you love your pet and want to spend time with them you really shouldn’t let them in your bed.

What has been your biggest ever pet disaster and what did you do?
My dog once weed all over a brand new pair of shoes whilst I was sat having lunch in a restaurant! I was absolutely mortified and had to sit through the rest of lunch with a pair of very soggy shoes!

How have your personal experiences of owning a dog affected the wellbeing of and the way that you look after your family? 
I caught a Gastro bug early on in my puppy career and since then I have become hugely mindful of safeguarding my family against cross infection. Our dog isn’t allowed upstairs and I am constantly on poo watch! I paid the price early on with contaminated sofas so she now has certain ‘no go’ zones in our home. I love my dog and she has a hugely positive influence on our family but I’m also aware that sometimes, they can carry infections which they can pass on to us so I take practical measures to safeguard my family against ill health.

What would you say to pet owners who might not think their pets could bring ‘nasties’ into their home or happily kiss and share their bed with them?
Pets shouldn’t be allowed in their owner’s bed and instead should have a comfy place of their own to sleep. Just as we humans carry germs, pets can too and inviting them to share your bed can put you at risk of anything from a bacteria or parasitic infection to a virus. If you suffer from allergies these too can be triggered or worsened by contact not just with pet hair but also with their saliva and waste. Of course as a nation of pet lovers many will happily share their bed and enjoy being greeted by a slobbery kiss. However, with that territory should come a realisation that pets are not sterile, and as cute as they are, they can be the potential source of ill health. So we should take as many precautions as necessary to maintain a deep and meaningful relationship with our pets without challenging our health.

If you suffer with pet allergies, how can you help reduce allergy symptoms? 
If you suffer from allergies it is essential to deep clean carpets, drapes, soft furnishings, and bedding unless you want to worsen your sneezing, wheezing or skin condition. This should be a regular household job. Pet hair, dust and dirt can all trigger reactions so it is essential to do this regularly. Remember, it's the stuff you can't see that gives rise to symptoms so looking clean just simply is not enough.
BISSELL are experts in floor care and have the products to solve your pet mess and stain disasters – small or large, smelly or unsightly, wet or dry. So, whether you need to clean up pet hair, a little accident or spilt food and drink, BISSELL has the answers. 

I hope you have found this Q&A as interesting as I did. If you can relate to any of the points outlined above, I would recommend checking out BISSELL for yourselves.


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Sunday 14 May 2017

Philips Flite Headphones Review* #philipsflite

I am always on the lookout for a decent pair of headphones. I find that earphones don’t always sit right with me and I really enjoy having a paid that sits over my ears. When I was offered the chance to review a pair of the #philipsflite headphones, I couldn’t wait to see if they could top my usual ones. The Flite headphones come in four different models which are the Everlite, Hyprlite, Aerolite and Ultrilite. Each model is a different shape depending on whether it is over ear or in ear.


I was fortunate enough to receive the Everlite headphones which luckily for me go over the ear for ultimate comfort. The first thing I noticed about them is that they are so lightweight. They also fold up small enough to pop in my handbag, gym bag or even in my laptop case for when I am editing on the go.  The tangle free cable means that wherever I put these, they stay as they are. The design is sleek and minimalistic and although I received the dark chrome coloured pair, they also come in white and rose gold which I think would look amazing.


The Everlite headphones that I received have an RRP of £34.99. I am able to take calls, chat with its integrated mic and play or pause my music.

The Flite range are constructed with ultra-light materials and clean lines which follow the contour of your head for long lasting comfort. I have worn these in the gym and also when travelling in a car and both times I have felt comfortable wearing them. The sound is fantastic and clear and I barely feel like I am wearing them yet outside sounds are easily isolated and there are no hints of any ambient noise.


You can check out and buy the entire #PhilipsFlite collection, including the Everlite headphones over here. Check out @PhilipsSound on Facebook for more info.

*I received this item free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way.
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Thursday 11 May 2017

My First Tattoo - London Tattoo Removal*

I had my first tattoo over 10 years ago now and since then I have had a number of other tattoos in various places. When I got my first tattoo I was only young, I wanted one because everyone else had one and I was old enough so thought I would go and get one. Most people spend hours researching their first tattoos, it is a big commitment and it is one that will last a lifetime.


I chose a small and simple design of 5 stars that I placed on my hip. Looking back I am glad I only chose a small design and didn’t jump into having something so large. Back then a tattoo was for life and I did not want to live with regrets. There was no particular meaning behind the stars, I just liked them at the time. The modern age has meant that it is now possible to get tattoos removed if you do decide that years down the line it isn’t for you. This is also handy for those who have ex-partners names tattooed on them and want to get rid of them as soon as possible.

I recently heard about a Tattoo Clinic in London that uses PicoSure and PicoWay lasers which can remove tattoos in 50% fewer treatments than regular lasers. City Tattoo Removal can remove all unwanted tattoos and only 4-8 treatments are needed to fully remove a tattoo. These are super effective on all inks including blues and greens and suitable for all skin types. I thought this sounded like a fantastic idea if I was to ever regret one of my tattoos and with the experience they have, you know you’re in safe hands.

You can visit City Tattoo Removal in London at one of the following addresses, feel free to get in contact for more information or book a free consultation. The video attached goes into more detail on what I have talked about in this post.


Tottenham Court Road Clinic
5 Percy Street, London, W1T IDG
Tel: 0207 205 4085

Fenchurch Street Clinic
1st Floor, 152 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M 6BB
Tel: 0207 523 5158

Do you have any tattoo stories to share?

*sponsored post
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Wednesday 10 May 2017

New York Day 3 - Central Park, Dum Dum & Rockefeller

It was day 3 in New York and we thought we had done enough walking, but little did we know we were only just getting started. We began our day as usual hopping on the subway and heading for our first location which was The Museum of the City of New York. Mum had been recommended this museum by a friend and we had been told that it was free. Well after walking through what felt like the roughest part of New York yet, we finally found it. My brother actually thought we were being herded into a dead end as a lot of the “locals” kept asking us where we were going and sending us down strange roads – anyway we made it. The seven of us walked in and to my horror there was an $18 entry fee, suggested donation. Well I didn’t even want to go to the museum so I said I would rather not pay and head over to central park over the road but mum chose to donate $10 per person and in we went. At the beginning we watched a video about New York and how it all came about and to be honest it was quite interesting. I had a coughing fit half way through whilst sitting on the front row which wasn’t fun. 


The museum itself was ok. I’ll be honest it wasn’t really for me. I am sure if you’re into that kind of thing and wanting to learn then you’d love it but I just didn’t find it very interesting. It's like going to a museum about Norwich, I can't imagine many people living outside of the area would find it hugely interesting. We spent just over an hour here I would say then left and made our way to Central Park. When we first walked into central park, I noticed how ‘dead’ everything was. There were no leaves on the trees, the grass was fenced off and re-growing and there were no flowers. I don’t know what I expected but it just didn’t give me that ‘wow’ factor that is has on the films. I really enjoyed visiting Strawberry Fields, dedicated to the late John Lennon. The atmosphere was nice here, people crowded around a man with a guitar singing ‘Imagine’, lots of floral tributes and a good crowd.


Don’t get me wrong, the park was big but I expected it to be bigger. I pictured myself sitting in the middle and feeling lost in this wonderful paradise when in reality you can see the buildings all around you. I think it would be lovely to visit here in the summer, I imagine it really comes to life then. We walked around the reservoir and the sun was shining. I noticed a lot of runners about, this is a great place to get your fitness in!


We saw many bridges, but none of them were the one my mum actually wanted to find. She wanted to see the ‘Home Alone’ bridge. I’ve never really seen the film so no idea what she is on about there. I did however snap a photo of this funky looking bridge which coincidentally I then saw on the Will Smith film Collateral Beauty a couple of days later. Weird huh?



A trip to Central Park would not have been complete without having a hot dog. I only saw a couple of stalls, probably due to the cold weather so picked the closest and went for a large hotdog (which wasn’t that big) for $4. It was what you would expect from a tiny hotdog stall but it did the trick!


After our hotdogs we went to the next museum on our list, The Museum of Modern Art. I was mainly excited to go here as a Gossip Girl fan, as the stairs leading to the entrance are the stairs that feature on the lunch breaks of the upper east side girls! Me and Phoebe were so excited, we posed, we XOXO’d and we loved it. This museum was a lot larger than the last one. We spent around an hour here as we had things to do but barely scratched the surface. It’s worth mentioning that the reason we visited all of these museums was because we bought a City Pass. For just over £100, this booklet is full of tickets to some of the most popular attractions so it saved us the cost when we were out there.



The final museum we visited was by far my favourite, the Museum of Natural History. You may have seen this museum on the film ‘night at the museum’ and I was keen to find ‘Dum Dum’. Our tickets included the space show so we watched that first which was interesting until I decided to have a nap but everyone else said it was good. We arrived quite late so they had started to close off some of the exhibitions which was a bit annoying but not much we could do about that. I was on my mission to fond Dum Dum. All of the maps had ran out so I ended up grabbing a Japanese one and having no idea where we were going. Eventually I found Dum Dum! I was so happy. The museum is really big, we didn’t quite get to see everything but I saw some dinosaurs and animals so I was happy by the end of it. James bought me a beautiful heart shaped stone in the gift shop.



When we left the museum we decided to get some food near Times Square. We opted for Dallas BBQ, it looked good and had a big queue outside which is usually a good sign. The queue went down pretty quickly and we were soon seated in a booth. I ordered chicken and ribs with fries which also came with a massive slice of some corn cake which tasted like Victoria sponge which was ever so slightly random but in the end not too bad. I left suitably stuffed and by this time it had started to get dark so we checked out Times Square at night, which was a lot more exciting than seeing it in the day! It was here I got my selfie with an NYPD cop, a must for a tourist like me!


Finally we headed to the top of the rock. The queue looked pretty big but it turns out as we already had tickets in our city pass we could jump the queue and go straight in. We were up within minutes! I knew that I wanted to do one building at night and one during the day, I didn’t care which – they both had breath-taking views. It was lovely to see Central Park in the dark, being so high up was just amazing if not a little scary. I definitely recommend going all the way to the top as there are no glass/plastic barriers getting in the way of your photos. I even saw a live proposal up here! Aww!


I grabbed some goodies from the gift shop and made my way back down the elevator, which was really cool and had a glass ceiling so you could see the lift shaft as you went down. My ears popped annoyingly, but I had a great time in the end. We got on our subway and headed home, got back about midnight!


Once again, I vlogged the day and you can see this below.



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Monday 8 May 2017

My Little Garden Box - April

Another month has arrived and another My Little Box has popped through my letterbox. This month I had managed to dodge most of the hints so had absolutely no clue what the theme was going to be. As you can see, this month’s theme is all about The Garden, with some lovely products and little extras to go along with it. The only negative thing I have to say about this box is that it arrived a week later than usual! I saw that the French boxes were received a lot earlier than ours when usually we get them around the same time. Hopefully it’s a one off.


Instead of the usual print that we get each month, we received a monthly fruit and veg calendar showing you which produce is in season. I think it is a nice list, I am going to pop it inside my pantry to remind me what fruit and veg is available at what times so that I can adapt and change my meal plans according to the season. A nice item to receive I think! Alongside this was a magnetic shopping list pad ideal for the fridge with a few recipes thrown in. I do all of my shopping online but this is handy to have if I run out of something mid-week and need a quick dash to the shop.

We also received a ‘wear it your way’ scarf which can be used around the neck or to accessorise your handbag. You can even use it as a headband. The quality is nice, not as nice as the snood we received in a previous box but it is a pretty item and I like the colouring.


The largest item in this month’s box and the reason it felt so heavy was the full sized Mixa Sensitive Skin Restorative Body Moisturiser. Full sized this item costs just £6.49 and is aimed at people with very dry skin. In the summer months I definitely need something like this to keep my skin hydrated. I like that the dispenser is a pump so this is really easy to apply without getting residue all over the lid. It reminds me of sun lotion and has a similar scent but doesn’t leave any sticky residue. So far, I like the product but it doesn’t wow me as far as moisturisers go.


I love this water bottle with added fruit infuser. I had one of these a while ago but have no idea what happened to it. I like the design, however it could have been a bit brighter to fit in with the garden theme of the box. I am yet to use this but I picture myself adding kiwi and maybe strawberries to the piece in the middle then having lovely fruit infused water. I think lemon would also work well here too. I look forward to trying this out when the weather gets a bit warmer to enable me to have a lovely refreshing drink.


The next My Little Beauty item of the month was this Vitamin Shot Face Scrub. This is made with bamboo extract, apricot seeds and Argon oil so a real good mixture of nourishing products. The scrub has a gel like texture and is bright orange in colour but does not give off much scent. I would have liked this to be really citrusy to go with the bright colours and fresh ingredients. The scrub is nice on the other hand and leaves my skin feeling clean and soft.


The last My Little Beauty item I received was the Easy Morning Moisturiser which I have seen a few people say that this was a duplicate item from a previous box. I have looked back on all of my previous posts and it appears that I have never received this before and it is completely new to me. I replaced my usual moisturiser with this one in the morning and I have been enjoying it. It doesn’t make a significant difference to my usual brand but it gives me the option of trying something a bit difference once in a while.


As a little bonus this month we received these Ape Coconut bites. I literally got 3 and a half bites in the back so they were over before they were even started but they were quite nice. The coconut was sweet and crispy and I did really like these as a snack but I could have done with a few more. I imagine these are available in larger sized bags and I would like to try them out and find out if there are possibly more flavours/types available.


What do you think of this month’s box? I love the unique theme!


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