Amazing Doctor Who Experience

For those who may not be familiar, Doctor Who is a British sci-fi drama, and it is shot right in Cardiff and earlier this year the makers opened a fan experience show. I was so excited to see it from the moment we bought our tickets.

!!!WARNING WARNING!!! SPOILER ALERT

By the time we arrived there were already a large number of eager fans of this cult program gathered. After we were greeted by friendly staff we were guided into a darkened room with a wide screen on already playing the famous Doctor Who opening theme. There was an excited buzz around waiting to see what happens next. The opening scene started with Doctor Who's voice guiding us into this adventure through time and space, taking in the history and scenes of the current Doctor Matt Smith.

The film finished with what appeared to be an old crack in the screen on the wall opening up to reveal a secret door into another room! That was a great touch, so unexpected. As we entered we were already on a different planet and this kooky creature from Gallifrey was talking to us and even mocking us, calling us all ''shoppers'' and was asking for our help in getting him out of his prison. Well, who can say no to the adventure?!

Then he guided us to the Tardis. Some of the lucky visitors even got to fly it and move it about in space (hydraulics did help :). Then somehow we got trapped by Daleks, we fought them through and managed to escape. Then while we were running away we were given 3D glasses that helped us fly through the a vortex. We were confronted by Dr Who baddies including Weeping angels attacking us but we were brave enough to find and rescue The Doctor!

So after being a part of this exciting episode we went on to see the exhibits with all 11 Doctors, lots of montors, the Tardis and more views inside the Tardis.

We had a silly photo taken in a green room which superimposed us onto a scene from Dr Who and at the end was a Gift Shop selling all kinds of Doctor Who collectibles.

I would say that visiting BBC Doctor Who Experience is a must thing to do if visiting Cardiff Bay and it was great for fans like us, being children at heart.

Till next time...

Kiss Kiss Girly-G

Relaxing in Cardiff, Wales

To go somewhere different and interesting my husband and I chose to go to Cardiff, Wales. And, this lovely city did not disappoint us.

The aim was to just have few days relaxing. The weather was sunny and not cold and we had a lovely view of the Cardiff Bay from our hotel room.

Besides using a spa and swimming we did lots of walking and sightseeing around Cardiff.

We saw Cardiff Castle and lots of Victorian shopping arcades. In Royal Arcade we stopped at the best deli in Cardiff; Wally's delicatessen (www.wallysdeli.co.uk) which has a little Viennese style coffee shop upstairs. I must say that Mozart coffee (with a bit of sherry brandy) was lovely.

After all the shopping we were hungry and a bit tired so on our way back we stopped at this amazing Caribbean restaurant called Mr G's Soul Kitchen (www.mrgs-soulkitchen.co.uk). Food was so good that next evening we went back again :) 

Mermaid Quay in Cardiff Bay is full of places to eat and relax and one of the Brasseries I would like to recommend is French Cote (www.cote-restaurants.co.uk), where the breakfast was amazing and the service was exceptional.

 

Also, one of the MUST things to do while in Cardiff is to visit the BBC Doctor Who Experience. More about that in my next post...



Till next time...

Kiss Kiss Girly-G

Fresh Orchid Jewelry

My favourite flowers are orchids, I absolutely adore them and grow my own (with mixed success). On my first visit to Singapore I visited Singapore National Orchid Garden (www.sbg.org.sg). It is a such a beautiful and inspiring place with stunning gardens and flowers. I still remember vividly the splendour of colour and lots and lots of different types of orchid flowers.

 

In the visitors shop I bought this gorgeous slider chain necklace, I just could not resist it.

It is made by RISIS (www.risis.com) and each pendant is created from fresh orchids and is as unique as fresh flowers in nature.

1. Each orchid is carefully selected for the ideal size and shape from the freshest and finest.
2. To retain their natural texture and shape, the orchids are preserved with delicate coat of copper.
3. Orchids are then plated with nickel and finally with pure 24 carat gold.
4. They are then hand finished to perfection.

 

There is a Greek myth that explains the origins of orchid flower. Story says that Orchis (literally meaning ''testicle'' because the shape of the root :o), the son of a nymph (amorous nature deity) and satyr (half human-half goat), came upon a festival of Dionysis in the forest. He drunk too much and attempted to rape a priestess of Dionysis(he was a God).

 

For his insult he was torn apart by the Bacchanalians (drunk, possessed people). His father prayed for him to be restored, but the Gods instead changed him into a flower.

Nowadays orchid is the most highly coveted of ornamental plants; it is delicate, exotic, graceful and represents love, luxury, beauty and strength.

 

 

Till next time...

Kiss Kiss Girly-G

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful Kites in Portsmouth

How lucky we are here in Portsmouth, our lovely Pompey is so rich in cultural events throughout the summer. Imagine the beautiful sunny coastal city, fresh air and sailing boats, with a Isle of Wight in the background. This is the perfect location of the Portsmouth International Kite Festival.

Every year Portsmouth City and Kite Society of Great Britain organise a Kite Festival during our UK pubic holiday weekend at the end of August.

Portsmouth International Kite Festival has grown year on year to be recognised by the worldwide kite community as one of the best kite festivals.

There were so many kites and lots of enthusiastic first timers as well as more serious kite enthusiasts.
My husband and I as well as so many other visitors have so much fun watching the skilled and fun kite shows, taking lots of photos of beautiful kites and having a picnic on the beach :)

 

 

Till next time...
Kiss Kiss Girly-G

Bambi Lashes With Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers

To be honest I thought these eyelash curlers were just too over hyped. All reviews saying how amazing a job they do and how they are makeup artists favourites. They cannot be all that good can they? Oh, but they are.

I have used few generic brand eyelash curlers and some of them have ended up straight in the bin.
I am lucky enough to have full eyelashes but they lack in curl. Eyelash curlers I have used so far I did not like as they always pinched my eyelids.

So, I decided to give Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers(www.shuuemura.co.uk) a go.

I had a look around to find out how much they cost, surprisingly in the department stores they are still rather pricey, around £20. Online they can be bought almost half price including shipping. I found mine on eBay.

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers are made in Japan by innovative brand that was founded and named after legendary Japanese make-up artist and beauty pioneer Shu Uemura. His big break came in 1962 whilst substituting My Geisha film make-up artist. He soon begun working with famous Hollywood personalities, one of them was Frank Sinatra.

I was curious to try Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers as soon as I received my package. They came with a spare silicone pad which should allow a good 6 months to a year use and more. The pad together with the curl of the eyelash curlers create the perfect tension and curl. Over time and use of course the tension in the pad goes away, thankfully they are replicable if you wish.

And I am happy to say I like them very much. After I curled my lashes - with no pinching at all - I applied mascara, and they stayed curled all day. Next day I curled my eyelashes and did not put any mascara on, and still they stayed curled all day. Well, what is there more to say?

Till next time...

Kiss Kiss Girly-G

Sunny Portsmouth And Sun Creams OLIVAL

You would think that we don't burn here or that we don't get any sunny weather but we do.

I have a  friend who every time she stays with us (carefully planed visits around sunny days) ends up looking like a lobster after only a few hours in the sun :)

My usual sun protection tends to be something from Nivea, as I love the brand, and have been their fan since childhood.

On my recent trip to Croatia I bought sun protection from a brand called OLIVAL (www.olival.hr). The company is based in Zagreb and is relatively new.

What I bought was Sun Lotions with SPF 20 and SPF 40 for face and body.

Olival Sun Lotions are made from a combination of natural, mineral and organic UV filters that provide complete protection from damaging UV-A and UV-B rays. These products contain natural cocoa butter and olive oil that make these lotions rich and nourishing, while simultaneously providing additional hydration and promoting even skin tan.

They are waterproof with a light coconut scent.

The reason I like them a lot is that they are not greasy and after applying to my face they don't break me out. So have I switched from Nivea to OLIVAL? Well let's just say every time I visit, I will now have another great Croatian product fighting for space in my suitcase on the way back!

If you end up in Croatia or if you know someone who will be going, I  would say get this products and try out the rest of the range.

Till next time...
Kiss Kiss Girly-G