Sunday Fun-day (Two weeks ago)

On Sunday 25th January (two weeks ago) my family and I took a trip to Dublin Zoo.

For Christmas my mother bought a Family Annual Pass for Louise (sister) and I.

On the day there was 5 adults and my niece Perrie. (Children under the age of 3 are free) 

With the family annual pass Louise and myself are the card holders but with the different covers example: 

Pass holder + 3 Adults or 

Pass holder + 2 Adults + 2 Children or 

Pass holder + 1 Adult + 4 Children or

Pass holder + 6 Children

There was 5 adults on the day and Perrie who was free.

Thankfully I had an extra free pass as Mark had previously adopted me a Humboldt Penguin and with the pack you get a free pass to the Zoo, a teddy, a picture of your adopted animal and adoption certificate. 

I must say this was a great gift and they have other animals to adopt. 

Would make a great Valentines gift to someone. Adopt an Animal here.

The best of all is the price of the Family Annual Pass which is only €172.00 and to think for one visit for an adult is €16.80. If the five of us where to pay that Sunday it would have been €84.00! 

I personally love the Zoo and would go a few times a year so from now on I'll be purchasing the Family Annual Pass. (Buy Here)

The Wishing Chair - Dublin Zoo

Later that evening Mark and myself got all dressed up to head out.

Black Polo Neck: Pennys
Black Scuba Skirt: Topshop
Red Jacket: Zara (Old)
Sequinned Clutch: Pennys (Old)
Black Over the Knee Lace Up Boots: Last year from Australian Shoe Shop
Necklace: Betty & Biddy Buy Here

Close Up

Mark had received a voucher to Peploes Wine Bistro on Stephen's Green for his 30th and I was happy to go along with him.

Dinner was amazing, the wine, the service and atmosphere just lovely and this was 7pm on a Sunday evening.

Dessert: Whiskey Creme Brûlée 

We will definitely be going back again. 

Afterwards we didn't know where we wanted to go. So took a short walk around to 37 Dawson Street. The barmen here are always great fun and will make you a cocktail by just telling them what drinks you like. We stayed for two drinks and some great music by Rob Cullinan who plays there every Sunday Night.

Fancying something different I took Mark to Ukiyo on Exchequer Street. Its a really cool Asian restaurant and bar with Karaoke!

Mark loved it!

To rent the Karaoke booth its €25 per hour and was worth every cent. We had a ball. The staff popped in and out to check if we would like more drinks and looked after us so well until we were the last to leave of course (haha)

All in all a great night was had and I would 100% recommend to others to for a group night out.

Kym

XOXO

DIY Valentines Ideas

I would like to say I'm not a fan of Valentines Day but I'd be lying. When you see all the hearts and chocolate what's not to love?

Sometimes you can forget the day is about love when you see some gifts on sale. Yes of course I'd love a Celine Knot Bag (wink) but really I don't think Mark getting me that means he loves me more.

I believe for every guy and girl its the little things.

I can't show you what I've gotten Mark as he'll probably be the first one to read this post. (He's asked me everyday this week "What do you want for Valentines?")

So with all the dilemma around this Hallmark Holiday I thought I would share some cute things I've come across that I thought were great DIY ideas and don't cost much.

I put this up on my Instagram @kymsmyth5 This looks so easy to do I'll give this a go myself next week. 

Cut a strawberry in half turn over and hold together with tooth pick. Cover it in melted chocolate and let it set. Then you can decorate as you please. Easy. (Don't forget to remove the tooth pick!)

Instead of a card why not write your Valentine a note/letter and put in a bottle. I find this so cute and reminds me of Christina Aguilera I'm a Genie in a Bottle.

Use what you have at home. If you have a vase with branches (if not go on a walk and pick some up) then stick little hearts on them. I think I would even be tempted to keep this up longer than the 14th.

Cut up strips of red (or pink) paper and staple as you can see above. Paper Love Heart Chains.

If you have children this will be great for them to make too and decorate your home for the day. Spreading the love.

This looks just great. Imagine waking up and walking out of your room to this. Curtin of hearts. This could take some time to do but worth it!

I can't get over these. Rose Strawberries. Just need to buy some wooden sticks to give them height in a glass. I would say be careful cutting here as you only need small slices into the strawberry. 

A dozen strawberry roses please Mark haha.

Enjoy your Valentines whatever you get up to. Mark and myself are talking of drinks in town Saturday night (Thankfully have my outfit ready) 

If you are staying in please do this...

Make a tent. Bring in your duvet and pillows. I know Pennys have little twinkle lights to put around the tent similar to the picture. I'd love this even for my own space.

Kym

XOXO

Thursday Update 5/2/15

Evening Ladies (or gentlemen if this is your thing too)

My update tonight is I've gone back swimming.

I can't believe I even went but so glad I did. I hear it and I know everyone else in the world hears versions of it everyday. No matter what it is, go on a walk, go back to dance class and the worse I'm sure for us all, do some exercise. It's so true when you've pushed yourself to do it you feel so much better afterwards especially in yourself.

I use to go Lifesaving every week for years I was a real mermaid, but I gave it up like all my crazy sports. Tonight myself and Mark went for a leisure adult swim in Clondalkin Leisure Centre and I bumped into my old coach! Delighted to see him looking so well and after a catch up he has roped me into going to class next week. The odd thing is I'm now looking forward to it.

With all that for me I really must say if you miss doing something no matter what that is go do it NOW! I know it can be sometimes hard (I'm the worst procrastinator) but the feeling you get afterwards is so worth it I promise you.

Haha my Snapchat: kymsmyth5

In other news I just finished reading

Without You Saskia Sarginson. I did feel I knew where the book was going only a couple of chapters in but it was an easy light read and would be a perfect holiday book.

Since this year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two I wanted to read something on this topic as I am very interested in history and especially wars.

This book Man's Search For Meaning By Viktor E. Frankl it is his accounts of what happened and when on in an Auschwitz concentration camp. The book intends to answer "How was everyday life in a concentration camp reflected in the mind of the average prisoner?" I've only started and I'm hooked.

Valentines Day is approaching and I like to do things that don't need to cost a fortune so I've started putting up some DIY ideas on my Instagram @kymsmyth5 

Loving this idea using strawberries and chocolate to make hearts

Lastly tonight I picked up Smashbox's new cosmetic Primer Water.

No silicone no alcohol and no oil. Contains revitalising electrolytes to wake up tired skin and restore moisture. As we all know make up looks better on hydrated skin.

I will review after I have tried and tested it.

Its almost midnight and we all need our beauty sleep as you can't buy that.

Kym

XOXO

Toronto

On the 8th of November 2014 Mark and I set off for Toronto Canada. 

My best friend Sarah had moved there from the start of the year and I promised her I would go visit. When Mark said he would come and we can make a holiday out of the trip it was perfect.

We left Dublin at 10:30am that morning and reached Toronto downtown about 8:30pm.

Sarah was turning the big 30 at midnight and had asked her friends to meet up that night to help her celebrate. So as you can guess as soon as we got to the hotel we changed and were straight out. The venue The Supermarket was odd like a restaurant/bar but later it was like a proper nightclub. Found myself the next day thinking how cool the place really was and the DJ playing all 90's hip hop and pop it was great no wonder Sarah and I were on the dance floor all night.

Sarah and I in place called The Supermarket

Mark and I 

Next morning when we woke from our hotel on the 21st floor this was our view.

Eaton Chelsea Hotel

Sarah and her fiance Will met with us to show us around and also take us for a drink.

Us all down at the water front

Then we stopped in the brewery to sample some beers The Steam Whistle

The next morning Mark and myself went on an adventure to Ripleys Aquarium

Selfie with a SHARK

Sharks everywhere

Shark couple

Jellyfish

Petting a shark right there!

Baby shark

To say I was in my element is an understatement. Loved the aquarium and would say it is definitely a must see. I've seen a few aquariums but this is world class.

We then went to Sarah and Wills place just a short subway ride away and we went to their local pub Rose and Crown. We loved this pub and since its their local and after our visit to The Steam Whistle we ordered all the same drinks but were given these.

Steam Whistle tanker mugs

Mark and I took a bus to Niagara Falls on another adventure.

Beautiful day in Niagara

Ready for the Horn Blower Boat

The Falls

Soaked

Just how crazy it is

The trip to Niagara Falls was just great fun and the centre point of it all is the Horn Blower Boat. Making your way all the way there you must go on the boat. The Falls do ice over so the trips stop from December to March just to remember.

Fun in the Casinos too

Myself and Mark treated ourselves to dinner in the 360 Restaurant in the CN Tower

We booked the perfect time 4:30pm so that we could watch the city go from Day Time to Night. It was amazing (even though I will be honest and say the height got to me and going up in the lift) food was delicious.

At dinner

The amazing view of the city

Under the CN Tower

The next night was probably my favourite because we went to The Air Canada Centre to see the Toronto Raptors.

If you have never been to a NBA basketball match you must go! I loved every second of it. The energy the supporting crowds the red dinosaur mascot and then the DJ who could get the whole room off their seats. 

Just a snip of the experience

Early before the game

Beer and sport equals happy Mark and Kym

WE THE NORTH

Drake was there on the night supporting his home team. Unfortunaly we were not that close to him but he was there ha ha.

Fell in love with the game here and many of the athletes.

DeMar DeRozan, Amir Johnson, Kyle Lowry, Terrence Ross and the big guy himself Jonas Valanciunas. Watched a lot of NHL Maple Leafs and wish we had gotten tickets to a game but they were so expensive so we watched on TV. Phil Kessel 81is a hero to me. (Also Mark kinda looks like him ha ha)

Our last night out was in Royal Ontario Museum.

This was just something so different I would have never believed it.

The museum had so many things going on. DJ's playing in different rooms and different ages of time. Bands too and a range of vendors with some tasty treats to eat. All while drinks were served. I don't think this would ever take off here in Dublin but it really should. It gave going to a museum a whole other level of coolness.

T-Rex coming for us

Saying goodbye was horrible. I'd falling in love with the city and knew my way around by now. Didn't want to say goodbye to my best friend and of course not head back to work.

By far this was my most favourite holiday I've ever been on. (Close with Vegas) I would and will 100% go back again.

Last picture with CN Tower in background

Toronto Canada you have a piece of my heart.

Looking forward now to my next holiday but this time I'm thinking sun.

My body needs to feel some heat!

XOXO

Kym