I HEART UNIQUE MONEYBOX FRAME

Is it just me or when you get older it becomes increasingly harder to buy presents for friends and family? Everyone seems to have what they need or want so its difficult to find the perfect present. When I was browsing the tinterweb I came across I Heart Unique. They sell a selection of novelty gifts such as works of art in frames, hanging decorations and money boxes, the best part is everything can be personalised! When I saw the money box I thought it was super cute and instantly knew it would be the perfect gift for my friends house warming. She'd finally got a mortgage and moved into her 1st forever home. 

I was nervous my parcel wouldn't arrive on time so I messaged I Heart Unique on their Facebook Page, they informed me that my order was dispatched. When my order didn’t arrive shorty after, I contacted the company through FB messenger. It turns out they confused me with another Kim and my order wasn’t on its way! I started to panic as this was a gift. Since there was a mix up they posted my order next day delivery so I would receive it on time which was very generous of them.

The frame arrived on time, I was extremely pleased with the product and was excited to give it to my friend. When I looked closer I realised that one of the letters wasn’t as smoothly applied as the others and had a rough edge, I contacted I Heart Unique and they were nothing but apologetic and helpful. They provided me with two options, to await a new acrylic sheet with the letters reapplied or accept a partial refund. 

The customer service I’ve received from I Heart Unique has gone above and beyond, everything was managed promptly and in a friendly manner. I have already recommended this amazing company to so many others due to the excellent customer service they’ve provided. 

Why not head over to I Heart Unique to have a cheeky look at what they have to offer, perhaps purchase a gift for someone special or even a little something for yourself. I'm really tempted to purchase a money box for myself <3

Sincerely, Kimberly.

xxx

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HOW TO SPEND 48 HOURS IN CHICAGO

Chicago is an amazing city to visit and I'm so grateful I was given this opportunity to jet off for work with a colleague. I had time to get lost in the city, explore and take plenty of photos. To say I only had one weekend and a few evenings I made the most of my time and managed to fit so much in. If you're heading over to Chicago and need some inspiration for your todo list, look no further! I've listed the highlights of my trip including activities and food, all of which can be packed into 48 hours if you plan it right! 

Michigan Park - The Bean

If you go to Chicago you have to visit Michigan Park to see the Bean. We were lucky and had a day with clear blue skies and managed to get some awesome shots of the skyline reflecting in the sculpture. The city looks incredible from the park also and is a lovely little walk. Unfortunately this area is always busy so it's difficult to get any photos without people.

James Hancock Building

Originally we were going to visit the Willis tower (Sears tower to Americans) although our minds were changed as a colleague at the office recommended the James Hancock building. We were told it's an amazing view and wasn't disappointed when we reached the top. There are a few ways you can experience this view. Option one is pay $25 to go up to the top, option two you can go for lunch or drinks at the bar and not pay $25 just to go in a lift. We were going to have lunch although when we arrived they informed us the only option was bunch for $50 per person. I like bunch but not this much, we headed one floor up to the bar and had a few snacks and drinks. We got the best view seated next to the window, the skyline was incredible.

Navy Pier
Out of everything I did I would say that Navy Pier was the highlight of my trip. It's such a beautiful place and for someone who loves photography it was perfect. I don't know what it is about ferris wheels but I think they look great in photos and the fact its on a pier is even better! It was quite chilly and there was still ice along the pier, combined with the clear blue sky and crisp air it was an awesome day.

Bulls Basketball Game

If you go to America and don't see a sports game whether that be basketball, baseball or ice hockey then you're missing out. Due to the time of year we could only see indoor sports. Some of my colleagues in our Chicago office decided to go to a basketball game and George and I were happy to tag along. What an amazing experience to see a real American basketball game! During halftime we were still very entertained with the cheerleaders, dancers and the mascot shooting t-shirts out of a canon. Luckily either the Basketball or Ice Hockey will be on every other night so plenty of chances to catch a game while in town.

Lincoln Park & Zoo

I've been told that Lincoln Park is a great place to visit while in Chicago, although in the Winter months its not as pretty as it would be in the summer. To be honest the park was very grey and gloomy, so I wouldn't say this is a necessary trip to make, especially if you've only got a few days in Chicago. Just off Lincoln Park is the Zoo that is free to enter, there is plenty to cover so leave yourself with a good few hours to look around all the animals. We made a little friend while walking around, a squirrel felt the need to follow us as he thought we had food. You could tell he does this on a regular basis as he was on the chubby side!

It's time to talk about the important things, the truly amazing parts of my trip. All the food ... and Snapple, how could I forget about the Snapple!

Wildberry Pancakes

You can't go to America and not have pancakes! George and I decided to go to Wildberry Pancakes as we had heard good things. I ordered chocolate chip pancakes with a side of strawberries and bacon, it was an unusual combination but it works!

Mindy's Hot Chocolate

Omg, if you're a chocolate lover then you need to go for a hot chocolate at Mindy's. There is a range of about 8 different variants to choose from and a variety of food and snacks. I had the Medium hot chocolate and it was sweet and so creamy, a little sickly after a while even for a chocoholic like me. George had the Chia one and it was just amazing. Food wise, I would definitely recommend anything with Avocado because Avo makes everything better! 

The French markets

We went to the French Markets a few times for lunch during the week when we were working as it was so close to the office. It's quite awesome, there are so many different type of foods from various countries. From Sushi, Italian, Vietnamese, Chinese and so many more. It gets very busy because there are lots of options but definitely worth looking at.

Pearl
After work one day we went to Pearl for food, it was so busy. I decided to try and be healthy and had a cob salad with grilled chicken and oh it was so good! One of my colleagues ordered a chicken parminagno which was huge, it came on a sub and also had chips! That was enough food for 3 meals in my opinion! 

Sushi

I don't know about you but I love Sushi. George and I were told about Sunda and it was so good. Everything was cooked to perfection and I wanted to eat more but I was super full. The one thing I would recommend is the Tiger Shrimp Tempura in creamy honey aioli, now they are the best prawns I've ever had.

Lou Malnati's Pizza

You can't go to Chicago and not have a deep dish pizza, we were told that the best place to go is Lou Malnati's. I thought it would be like any pizza you get in the UK but oh was I wrong. The best way to describe it would be its more like a pizza within a pie crust. You either love or hate it!

Sincerely, Kimberly.

xxx

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MY STAY AT THE VIRGIN HOTEL IN CHICAGO

I was given the most amazing opportunity to jet off to Chicago with work and help our office over there. Naturally, I took my company up on this offer and boarded my flight to this incredible city. I was advised I would be staying at the Virgin Hotel and couldn't resist having a cheeky look on the website beforehand and wasn't disappointed on arrival. Wow! The hotel is unbelievable. The reception area was shades of red and gold, it was a great first impression of the hotel.

The staff were so welcoming and checked us in without any issues. I must warn you if you stay at the Virgin and use a debit card to secure your room (incase you have any room service etc) they will ask for $100 a night reserve. This means you cannot spend the money from your account as it suspends it. Fortunately, I explained that I hadn't got that kind of money in my account, they were very understanding and only reserved $300 for my entire stay instead of $1300 (for 2 weeks, although I was only required for 1 week in the end). Since I was only in Chicago for a week I knew I wouldn't be using room service a lot and rarely have snacks from hotel rooms as its normally expensive. When you've got a 7 Eleven on each corner of the street who needs a $5 packet of M&Ms right? Later, I discovered that the prices in the room actually weren't that bad only $1.75 for M&Ms just FYI!

When walking into the room I was amazed, my company booked a suite for me! The room had a living room, bathroom, powder room, a little table and chair and bedroom. I had so much room to myself and I loved it! I can honestly say that I've never stayed in a nicer hotel. The room was very open and had loads of natural light which is always a plus for me. There was a mixture of modern and retro trends, the Smeg fridge and car seat chair added something quirky to the room. There were a lot of controllers and things on the walls which took me a few moments to understand what they were for. One of the highlights of my room is that I had automatic blinds, its such a luxury and I wish I had them at home.

I was on the 15th floor, the view was great from one window in my bedroom although the other was blocked by a huge building, in a city of skyscrapers what can you expect. My colleague who was 2 floors up had a better view but this sometimes comes at a cost as she had to wake up to see the Trump Tower each morning. If you're on a lower floor and are interested in seeing the city from above, head upto the rooftop terrace. This hotel has an amazing one, unfortunately it was very cloudy and foggy while I was there so I didn't get the full impact but I've heard its a wonderful view. While on the rooftop in the evening we did manage to see the protestors after Donald Trumps Inauguration, people were outraged and marching through the streets. Police were blocking roads off and it caused delays throughout the city but was interesting to watch from a distance.

If you're like me and enjoy a good gym session you won't miss out staying here, there is access to a full gym upstairs. Normally, hotel gyms aren't equip with everything you need but the Virgin hotel won't let you down. There is an assortment of machines, free weights and an area to stretch or do yoga. I had such good intensions to get up and start my day with a workout... unfortunately I didn't make it to the gym in the end as my trip was cut short so I spent the majority of my time sightseeing when I wasn't working.

There are plenty of options to dine, during my stay I ordered room service and had breakfast in the restaurant. The food on both occasions came quickly and the staff were so polite and happy to help. Even though I was in Chicago for a week I didn't quite get the hang of ordering correctly, American portion sizes are huge! I ordered eggs Benedict with turkey, this also came with a side of potatoes for breakfast! At least you'll never go hungry while visiting the states.

My stay at the Virgin Hotel was exceptional, I couldn't think of anything to complain about. The staff were so friendly and helpful, would offer advise of places to visit and eat. The hotel was clean and it was a home away from home for my weeks stay. I would definitely recommend it if you're heading to Chicago.

Since I was so busy with working and sightseeing I didn't leave much time to get photos of the room during the daytime. I would leave when its slightly dark and get back at nighttime. I only had a chance to snap a few quick shots before we headed out for a full day of activities. I think the photos still demonstrate how nice the Virgin Hotel is.

Sincerely, Kimberly.

xxx

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TIPS FOR TRAVELLING LIGHT

In 4 short days I will be leaving to attend not one, not two but three events/holidays in a row. I will need to have everything in one suitcase only weighing 10kg for 2 weeks! It will be tough but it's a challenge I am willing to take on! 

My first stop is Lockerbie, Scotland for my uncles wedding, I've been looking forward to this for months. Although there have been some complications since I couldn't fit into my jumpsuit I was planning on wearing. I've been on a massive health kick working out and choosing my food wisely to ensure I can wear my beautiful jumpsuit! It's working, I've lost 5 pounds by simply choosing the healthy option! If I continue at this rate I'll have no problem fitting into my outfit! Second stop is only a short train ride away from Lockerbie, I'm travelling to Edinburgh for 5 days to meet up with my Australian friends who I haven't seen in over a year. This will be an amazing opportunity to catch up and explore a new place together. Final stop is a week in Barcelona and I couldn't be more excited! I've been told nothing but good things about this beautiful city and I cannot wait to explore and experience this for myself. It's going to be difficult to fit everything in a 10kg suitcase for 3 trips but it's definitely doable, as long as I pack correctly!

1. Pack plain pieces that can be swapped and changed to create different outfits.

2. Be open to wearing things more than once.

3. Consider packing pieces that can be worn in the day and at night.

4. Two pairs of shoes is enough, a day pair and night pair. Although in my case I'll have 3 as I intent to keep up my fitness so I need my trainers.

5. Only take a carry on, then you won't have the option to over pack.

6. If you're going to a beach destination 2 bikinis is enough.

7. Lay all your clothes out before you begin to pack and eliminate about 40% of what you have put out, you won't need it all! 

8. Pack travel size toiletries, better yet if you're not fussy buy them when you arrive at your location.

9. Check to see if your accommodation provides hair dryers and possibly straighteners before you pack yours, failing that maybe invest in a travel hair dryer. I got one for £6 from Argos and it's still going after a few years!

10. Consider what technology you need, do you really need a laptop, iPad, iPhone, Go Pro, DSL Camera and Polaroid? Well you don't, try and reduce it to 3 items. To be honest, this is what I would normally pack but I need to learn to reduce what I take. Since I'll be traveling solo for a week I want my laptop so I can keep uploading photo's and keep my little space on the blogmasphere updated, my iPhone is a given and I'm thinking my Polaroid will be a good choice!

11. Pack only the essential make up items, I personally don't wear alot of makeup day-to-day so this is easy for me. Although for those of you who struggle to decide which shade of purple lipstick to pack it's alot more difficult. Only pack the bare minimum as you most likely won't use your think liquid foundation in a super hot climate.

12. Double check the weather and pack accordingly, no need to take up space for unneeded pieces.

13. Utilise all the space, pack things in your shoes and down the side etc.

14. If your plans include different climates pack layers so you can adjust easily. Considering I'm going to Edinburgh which isn't know for its sunny days and also Barcelona that is going to be very hot I have to choose my clothing wisely!

15. Don't carry jewellery in a large box, select a few pieces and pack in a small pouch of some kind.

16. Don't weight your case down with thick towels, either invest in some travel towels that are lightweight and small or check your accommodation to see if they supply them. I purchased some great travel towels from Mountain Warehouse, they're currently on offer so its an awesome time to invest. For the beach try using a sarong as this will dry quickly and save room.

17. Pack some travel wash, this way you can wash a few things on the go for free. If you're not a fan of travel wash perhaps you should consider washing some clothes while you're away. Since I'm going to Barcelona after Edinburgh I think I'll be doing this to save room.

18. Check your airlines luggage allowance before you travel. The allowance for hand luggage can vary and you don't want to end up paying extortionate prices for checking your bag.

Sincerely, Kimberly.

xxx

FUJI INSTAX CAMERA

Polaroid and Instax cameras have become increasingly popular over the last few years. Many companies like Fuji took full advantage of this trend and released different variations in size and colour. For years I've had my eye on one, originally I wanted a vintage polaroid, although after comparing the models, the Instax version came out on top!

Digital technology dominates the photography world but the magic of a Polaroid can't be completely replaced surely? Using a film camera makes you consider things like composition and angles before taking the photo. Whereas with digital cameras you are able to take 100 shots and choose the best one. Going back to basics makes you take better quality images as there is no space for trial and error.

Physical Images 

You can capture a moment as it happens and have an instant printed photo. I know its common these days but I can't wait to create a full wall of photos, documenting each event and random moment in my life. Although the instant photo's are a great idea, the cost of film can be expensive especially at £1 a shot, look for deals on Amazon or Ebay I tend to bulk buy my film so I pay a discounted rate. If you're worried about the cost of film, you could only use it for special occasions perhaps?

Light weight

The newer Instax cameras are made from plastic, so unlike some digital cameras they are lightweight so it won't weigh your bag down. Although the plastic material makes it prone to easy breakages if not taken care of properly. I would suggest taking out the additional warranty, I paid £26 for 3 years cover with Fuji, even if it's accidental breakage I'll get it fixed or a replacement provided.

Easy to use

The Instax cameras are very user friendly, I've got the Fuji Instax 90 which has a few more settings so you are able to adjust to your subject whether that be people, landscapes or close ups and also modify the lighting etc. These extra settings allow you to achieve the best possible image. 

Keeping the past alive

We are surrounded 24/7 by digital technology, whether that be TV or your iPhone. Using a film camera gives you sometime away from the digital world. The Polaroid style photos are so stylish and gives that vintage old fashioned look. If you want a change from the white frame, there are now hundreds of different designs and styles like the poka dot film in the photos above. 

Consider composition, angle and lighting 

Instax cameras are not like digital cameras where you are able to take 10 photos and choose the best before printing. Polaroids are designed to capture the moment and print as you shoot, sometimes these won't be the best photos. Ensure you have considered everything from composition, lighting and angle before clicking the button, doing this will help prevent a poor quality image being printed. Considering these aspects will in turn make you a much better photographer.

Overall Polaroid/Instax cameras are a great investment and I would recommend to anyone to purchase one.

Sincerely, Kimberly.

xxx

WHAT HAPPENS IN AMSTERDAM

I love to travel, exploring new and beautiful places is a big passion of mine. I've started to appreciate Europe more and more over the years, so I thought why not book a weekend away! I chose Amsterdam because its been on my travel list for a few years. Yes, it's known as being the place to try space cakes or smoke a little cannabis but it's also an incredible scenic and cultural city to visit.

I was originally travelling alone but my friend Barbara decided to come along and meet me there. Since she lives in France we rarely get to spend time together unless we travel. This was the best opportunity, especially since both of us hadn't visited Amsterdam before.

Thursday 10th December:

I decided to fly from Birmingham to give me more time to explore everything Amsterdam has to offer. East Midlands was my first choice but considering I wouldn't have arrived until 6pm, Birmingham seemed like the better option as I arrived at 12 midday. Thursday was an early morning as I had to wake up at 5am to drive to Birmingham at 6am. I was so excited I woke up every hour thinking its time to leave! 

Normally I'm good with flying but this flight wasn't one of my favourites. It was one of those little planes with propellers which meant you felt everything. Although, I arrived at Amsterdam in one piece! :)

I arrived at 12pm bright eyed and ready to explore a new and wonderful place but first I needed to find my accommodation. There are a few options for transport to the town centre, I went for the cheaper option and caught the bus which took about 30 minutes and cost 5€. Since Barbara booked the accommodation I didn't have all the details, I thought it was called Vondel Park Museum B&B, I wondered why they didn't have a booking for me and it's because we weren't staying there! Silly me... I then found our accommodation which was called Vondel Park B&B ... I wasn't far off!

The room was decent for our weekend away and the staff were very friendly!

Hot Chocolate at Ovidius Grand Cafe
After Barbara arrived we explored the city and stopped for a coffee, in my case hot chocolate at Ovidius Grand Cafe in the centre. It was reasonably priced and they made delicious drinks. A little warning for hot chocolate lovers, in Amsterdam it's chocolate milk heated up not what we English would consider a hot chocolate but still hit the spot! :)

The Red Light District

If you've heard stories about the Red Light District then all of them are most likely true! Prostitutes behind windows waiting for that lucky person to pay for anything really. I haven't got any photo's because I believe it's something you need to see with your own eyes!

Friday 11th December:

Anne Frank

We were on a mission to get into the Anne Frank House bright and early to avoid standing in the cold for hours. Luckily we only waited in a que for 15 minutes. The museum was inspirational and emotional, I only knew a little bit about Anne Frank before I visited the house. Everything she and others had to go through was terrible, after finishing our tour around the house I wanted to know more so I purchased the book to educate myself further. I would defiantly suggest this if you're taking a trip to Amsterdam.

Lunch at DeVergulde Lantaarn
This was a relaxed place to eat and was very festive inside, being Christmas its good to decorate! The food came fairly quickly although they did forget about my soup, oopsie daisy! I got it in the end though so no harm done!

So what do the Dutch class as their traditional dishes, apparently its Soup, Rookworst (sausages), Butterballen (potato with beef coated in bread crumbs), StroopWafles, Poffertjes (Small pancakes) and Appletaart. From this list I tried a few soups along with a Butterballen, Rookworst and of course StroopWafles! They all were delicious and I would eat them again if I visited Amsterdam or anywhere Dutch!

Amsterdam Sex Museum

I believe the title is self-explanatory. This was another first experience for me and was one of the cheaper museums I visited at only 4€ entry. There were photos, sculptures amongst other things... I got a photo with the giant penis as you do when you visit the museum!

Head shops
You can buy your space cake or a bong whatever floats your boat really. Plus you are able to fly home with all the cannabis products except for actual cannabis, so you can take some cookies or lolly pops home and apparently it's "legal". I think that is a weird concept because its illegal in the UK but we are able to bring cannabis products from Amsterdam? It's a strange world we live in with laws that don't make sense!

Souvenir Shops

I love souvenirs, I used to buy a lot of bits and bobs but my room is very cluttered and since I'm moving in the new year I simply don't have the space capacity! I started buying a postcard and stamp from every place I visit, this way I have something from each country but it's lightweight and doesn't take up room. Although it doesn't mean I wasn't temped by the wooden clogs or mini houses statues!

Saturday 12th December:

Iamsterdam sign

Do as the tourist do and take a photo with the Iamsterdam sign! We arrived at 10.30am but there were so many people and it was impossible to get a decent photo, so after several failed attempts we called it a day and went back on Sunday morning around 9am. At this time we managed to take a few selfies and great shots with only 1 or 2 people in the background compared to 20/30 people behind us!

Van Gogh Museum

I personally love museums, I find it relaxing to look at great art. The Van Gogh Museum was one of the highlights of my trip, he was and still is an inspirational artist who influences the artists of today. Make sure you leave yourself enough time to explore all the floors in the museum, it took us about 3 1/2 hours to do the entire space but it was well worth the time spend.

Edward Munch 1927 The Girls on the Bridge

Lunch at Blushing

We finally finished at Van Gogh at 3.30pm and had a late lunch across the road from the Museum at a cafe called Blushing. There were so many delicious choices on the menu, I wanted to try and remain healthy while away so I made decisions with that in mind. If you do eat at this cafe I would suggest the Tomato and Meatball Soup, I've never had homemade soup like that! Just yummy! :)

Dinner at Rancho Argentinia Grill

Surprisingly Amsterdam loves it's steak houses, after being offered a free drink and a discount on the food we were more than persuaded to have dinner here. I'm not much of a steak eater but I enjoy the occasional one, I ordered well-done with no blood although it did have some blood in the middle but in the end I decided to give it a go. Guess what, I actually enjoyed it. It pays to try new things.

The Bulldog Cafe

The Bulldog Cafe is Amsterdam's chain "special cafe" I believe I saw about 3 of these on my travels but there could be more! This atmosphere is not for everyone with the special menu and products it supplies. Down stairs is a cafe where you can have a coffee with some space cake and relax, whereas upstairs sells alcohol and you can smoke as much "herbal mix" as you like. Although there is one rule which they like to uphold ...

No Tobacco - Yes Herbal Mix.

It's space cake time!

Sweet Treats and Cheese!

If you love Cheese then Amsterdam is the place to be! There is a shop on every other corner so plenty of opportunities to buy something yummy to take back home, plus there are FREE samples so you can try before you buy! I fell in love with so many of these delicious options.

Amsterdam is also the best place in indulge your sweet tooth with all these amazing choices. I love cake, chocolate, macaroons anything sweet really. Although I was good and only had one brownie during my trip, simply because I'm trying to be good and stay healthy! But ... just look at these! :)

Sunday 13th December:

Vondel Park

I love walking through anywhere with greenery, the cool crisp air made it the perfect walk as we were wrapped up in our coats and winter warmers. A great way to wake you up in the morning!

Pancake Corner

All this walking around builds an appetite, I needed some good food because airport food isn't the best! We both had been craving waffles and pancakes so the Pancake Corner was the perfect fit. I had a savoury Mexican Pancake filled with a mixture of Pineapple, Chicken, Tomato, Onion, Sweetcorn and Sweet Pepper. I would recommend! Plus they do real hot chocolate, not just warm chocolate milk. REAL HOT CHOCOLATE :)

The Beautiful City
Walking around the city was an experience in itself. Amsterdam may be known for its unique cafes and specialised shops but its a beautiful city with history and architecture. You'll also notice where there is a wall, lamp post or any surface really there is a bicycle, they love bicycles! Be careful not to be run over by one, it almost happened every day for me!

Time to leave

As I made my way to the airport I thought about the amazing weekend I had. No, I didn't get to do everything on my list but that list was extremely long to begin with :) I still had a great time being a tourist, eating great food and catching up with Barbara.

One thing I was disappointed about was the lack of Christmas markets, when I researched it online I choose Amsterdam not only because it's a beautiful city but also for the Christmas markets. It was rated under the top 10 European markets. Unfortunately, no Christmas markets, I asked locals and shop owners but no one knew of any. Although I went to explore a new place and enjoy my time which I did! 

So would I suggest Amsterdam? Yes, it's a great place to escape life. If you want to try something new then it's your decision, you have the freedom to let go and enjoy yourself. Whether that be exploring "herbal mix" or being a tourist with your camera around your neck like me!

Sincerely, Kimberly.

xxx