Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them!

When can I go and see this again? Because honestly I don't think I can wait for the DVD or Blu Ray to come out which currently doesn't have a release date on Amazon (yes I have looked hehe) at the moment.

Before going to see the movie I asked for the book of the script along with some other items for Christmas as with being a Harry Potter lover and reading the text book of this I just had to see the movie. And I wasn't disappointed at all I fell in love instantly with Newt played by the lovely Eddie Redmayne who I have watched in numerous movies before which was another reason why I had to go and see this movie.

I'm not going to spoil anything here because I want everyone to experience it for themselves and me myself avoided anything other than trailers before seeing the movie on Sunday. What is great about the movie is that nobody knows what is going to happen because the book it relates which is written by Newt is just a textbook rather than a book so the only thing you do recognise is the creatures from which he has written about. That is why I am so happy that JK didn't release the script before the movie came out.

The story in this movie is brilliant full of such amazing characters and creatures which I really hope do stick around for the next films or at lease make appearances because I fell in love with them. Now Harry Potter is over I feel like I have something else to obsess about for the next few years and I can just feel like I am already! Seriously can the next one just come out already ;)

Have you seen it yet? What do you think?

Berlin - November 2014 - Part Two - Fassbender and Rausch

What is Fassbender and Rausch you say? Well Fassbender and Rausch is any chocolate lovers dream and is somewhere that cannot be missed on your visit to Berlin.

The family run business has been in operation since 1918 and they opened they're chocolate house and restaurant in Berlin in 1999 which has become a very popular destination ever since. The business is currently in its 5th generation being run by father and son.

Being a massive lover of chocolate when I saw this come up on google prior to our trip I just knew it was somewhere we had to go after looking at the variety of the chocolates and goodies on offer as well as the menu from the cafe upstairs.

Upon arrival you are greeted with the beautiful exterior of a very traditional building with huge bay windows decked in all the most wonderful creations and chocolate sculptures you could imagine. As soon as you enter the store the smell of chocolate hits you right away and it was incredible.

We headed straight upstairs to the chocolate cafe for some cake and hot chocolate and it was the best thing I have ever tasted and even 2 years on its still been the best hot chocolate I have had. We both decided to go for the Orange Hot Chocolate along with two tartlets. He choose the White Chocolate and Raspberry and I went for Orange which we both decided to share.

The whole presentation in the cafe was beautiful from the view out of the window to the staffs uniforms. The food we could see being delivered to other's tables looked incredible but me and partner are cake lovers so stuck with the dessert which was just incredible.

After we had finished we actually ended up spending a good half an hour deciding what we were going to buy for family and ourselves mostly ;) there was so much choice it was extremely hard to choose. I can't quite remember what we brought with it being 2 years ago but I know they're was truffles and boxes of chocolates involved.

I really recommend coming here if you do love chocolate, even if you don't make it to the chocolate cafe just the sights and smells of the chocolate shop downstairs is amazing and I would love to go back. Maybe I might have to make a purchase online.

Berlin - November 2014 - Part One

So I'm not really sure why I never blogged about my trip to Berlin in Germany back in 2014 but it occurred to me that I hadn't.

Can't believe its 2 years a go today! I can't quite remember what we ended up doing on each day but I thought I would just do a generalised post about our adventure out there and share some of our photos. I have to say that this was the first time me and Joel have been on holiday together and we had the most amazing and I would love to go back but maybe in the Summer time.

We travelled from London Gatwick to Berlin in Germany on Saturday the 8th November and due to the Thomas Cook flights we ended up getting a super early flight and arrived in Berlin early morning. 

Now me being Miss Organised I had everything planned on where we needed to go and what trains we needed to get which would have been straight forward if the websites prior to going had been updated. Our journey to our hotel was going so well until we reached halfway through and had no clue where we were going because the train we originally wanted wasn't running so we had to speak to the lovely lady on the help desk who gave us instructions of how to get there via bus which all I am going to say was a nightmare on a busy Saturday at this point afternoon.

So after arriving in Berlin around 10am finally by 2pm we were checked in to our Hotel and by that time we had already decided on a taxi back to the airport as we weren't doing that again! As by this point we hadn't eaten anything all day apart from sweets as we skipped breakfast because of an early flight we decided to head to Dunkin Doughnuts as there was one right by our hotel before going back for a long nap.

Hotel: Ku' Damm 101

After finally making our way to the hotel we were so glad to check in and get to our room. The staff on reception were so lovely and helpful they even recommend places for us to dine at on our first evening. The hotel was located just of a side road along one of the main streets that connected everything in Berlin which was great as we were right next to a small supermarket, lots of quirky shops which were right up my street and lots of love restaurants that we did dine in.

The room we stayed in was perfect it was big and spacious. It had a desk with a chair, an awesome retro style square TV and then a double bed well two singles that were pushed together. When we first saw the beds they were a little odd but actually very comfy.

We didn't try the breakfast as we decided it would be cheaper to grab food out and to try some of the pastries that were on offer and I am so glad we did because they were lovely. They did try to charge us for breakfast at the hotel when we were checking out but I advised them that we had never set foot in the breakfast room and didn't even know where it was haha.

If I was coming back to Berlin or knew anyone that was then I would definitely recommend staying here due to the good location, friendly staff and the hotel quality its self.

Sightseeing:

What I love about writing this post is that I get to relive my trip to Berlin and remember all the things we did and beautiful places that we saw it is truly a beautiful place.

Brandenburg Gate

When we arrived in Berlin this was one of the first places we took a wonder towards although I didn’t get to see it properly as there was some sort of musical festival going on and we couldn’t understand any of it with it being in German but the music was pretty good. We stopped here for some food where we actually ended up with 3 currywurst rather than 2 but that wasn’t an issue haha as it was so good we ended up eating it all.

Reichstag Building

  This building is so beautiful to look at with its mix of old and modern with the 360-degree viewing dome on the top. This building is actually the parliament buildings in Berlin and to gain access to the dome on the top you have pre-book in advance and it free but the security and checks in place are very tight. The view from the top is amazing and just the general structure of the place.

Berlin Wall

During our visit to Berlin we were lucky to catch the end of the 25^th Anniversary where they marked out the original placement of the wall with poles with balloons on the end which they lit up when it got to the evening. We didn’t walk the whole wall but we did walk most of it to the point where we ended up stopping and get the underground back to the hotel as our feet were so sore we needed a break. Shame I didn’t get to visit the gift shop as it would have been nice to get a memento of this occasion. I did enjoy doing the walk as it took us to areas that we wouldn’t have usually seen.

Potsdamer Platz & Alexander Platz

Now these two areas of Berlin we found our self stumbling across a lot of the time when we were in Berlin as in both of these places there were lots of things to see and do as well as places to eat and shop.

We took a look around the Sony Centre which at the time was holding a movie premiere but we didn’t have a clue what it was for shame it wasn’t for something like Hunger Games would have been amazing to hang around then. We decided in the end not to do TV Tower as a lot of the days were very overcast and the sights wouldn’t have been that great. TV Tower is this massive circular building which rotes a full 360 degrees and gives you some of the best views of Berlin during the day and evening.

Victory Column

After a lovely morning at the Zoo we decided to take a stroll through the parks until we came across the Victory Column which was right in the middle of the roundabout and we decided to take a look as you could see people were up the top. To get to the top you did have to pay as there is a museum beforehand which we did take a look around and I found it very interesting. At the top the views were beautiful and the tower its self as well.

 With how much stuff we did in Berlin in such a short space of time I thought I would split up the blog posts in to two or three just to keep them short and not to long hehe. So hopefully see you soon for part two.

Disneyland Paris/Paris February 2017

100 Days!

So literally and I mean literally after we returned from the day trip in September the lovely Chris who ran the organised trip announced that he was looking in to doing another in February 2017 and wanted to know who was interested and obviously I WAS and my best friend as well.

This trip is slightly different and won't be as heavy with the travelling this time as we will be staying over for one night in a local hotel located near to Disney itself. The plan being that we are to arrive at the hotel's around 3pm in the afternoon and then we are free to do what ever we want like go shopping, head in to Paris or get extra park tickets for the Saturday. 

Luckily me and my bestie were on the same page and decided it didn't make much sense getting park tickets for the Saturday as they would have been charged at the same cost as a full day and with having all day Sunday in the parks I was happy. 

As Jem loves everything French and is practically French she is going to show me around Paris as I have never been before and I am so excited to see the sights. As we will only have a select few hours in Paris and she knows her way around she will be planning our route and so far this is where we are going;

• We will catch the train down from Disney when we arrive stopping at the Arc De Triomphe
• If not busy then we will go up the Arc De Triomphe 
• After this we will make our way down Champs-Elysees 
• Along to The Louvre
• And finally to the Eiffel Tower 

I'm not sure what we will do for food when we are in Paris but I am sure Jem will recommend some things to try and places we can grab some bits. I would love to go to a French bakery again.

We haven't really spoken to much about our plans for Disney on the Sunday but with it being the weekend we both know its going to be really busy and have narrowed it down to 4 rides we must do as we know we will not have that much time to do all the rides. With it being Season of The Force when we go I am very excited to see all extra shows and parades they are putting on along with seeing Dreams and Disney Magic on Parade for the last time :( 

The rides we have chosen are Space Mountain, Tower of Terror, Crush Coaster and Ratatouille which are some of mine and Jem's favourite rides. We are both bringing our Instax cameras along for the ride so there will definitely be a lot of time taking some snaps on those in Paris and in Disney as long as it isn't raining like the last time. With regards to eating whilst we are at Disney I have no clue but when it hits 60 days I might book somewhere if she is up for it but where I have no clue!

I guess that's all for now with regards to this trip until the new year when I start planning what I am going to wear and when we have sorted out our final plans.

Immy xoxo

Review: October Tokyo Treat Box

Oh I sure do love it when the mail man comes with my Tokyo Treat box. I'm quite lucky that we have a lovely postman who starts at the top of the street then makes his way down to the bottom and if he see's you've come home in that space of time he will redeliver your parcel which is great because I nearly had to go and collect it so thank you Mr Postman!

Anyways as mentioned in my September review (link at the bottom) this months theme is Halloween/Autumn flavours yippie! I love each months box because it is always filled with snacks that I have never tried before but I have to say this box was lacking in Halloween items the two bonus items were Halloween themed along with the Koala March Halloween edition, I'm not to sure on the autumn flavours front as I don't really know what they would class as that over there but there was nothing Pumpkin in this box hehe.

As always here is the booklet which they always provide so you can see the full descriptions of the items along with my thoughts and comments below;

Items Received:

This time instead of writing in"Italic" what the products are as mentioned in the little book provided I will just give my own comments along with pictures and a rating out of 5 so here goes ...

Koala's March Halloween Edition (5/5)
Now I have actually had these on various occasions in a variety of flavours and I have never been disappointed. These are a standard chocolate flavour bit with Halloween themed biscuits and packaging which is super cute!

Pipo Chocolate (3/5)
Not really sure how this Autumn themed? Its just normal flavoured chocolate kind of like smarties but more like little balls. I love how they are presented in the pipe as when you actually take the end of it does actually make a noise.

Uncle Pierre's Strawberry Cream Roll Cake (5/5)
Where can I get more of these little beauties? Just a shame that its so small because it was amazing. This is basically like a mini roll or a roly poly cake filled with jam and cream. 

Hip Hop Berry Soft Candy (3/5)
This was basically like our version of strawberry cables filled with the white cream but this one is soda flavoured with a berry cream. I loved the flavours but not the texture it felt like I was eating bubblegum and even though the booklet said it wasn't I wasn't 100% sure.

Wasabi Nori Taro (5/5)
Love love love this basically a dried fish snack with a wasabi coating only downside was that there was only one sheet and felt like there could have been a bit more.

O'Zack Hot Carnival Chilli Lime Flavour Chips (5/5)
There is something about Japanese chips and the variety and flavours they have and so far I haven't come across a flavour I haven't liked. These were a simple chip with a chilli and lime kick which you start off thinking they aren't that spicy and after a few chips you begin to get a real spicy after taste.

Onion Taro (5/5)
Yay more crisps I love boxes with more than one packet in especially when one is normal and one is a corn puff type style. These were just a simple ball shape with an onion flavour which tasted amazing.

Nyoki Nyoki Cororon DIY Kit (5/5)
Now I am usually one to hate these DIY kits and think they are pointless but for the 2nd box running its another one that I could actually do without messing it up. To be honest it was pretty simple all you had to do was add water to a paste and then add 3 separate flavours to the sections and push down to make your own gummy worms. They were very soft but tasted amazing and had like a soda flavour tinge to them. 

Look Purple Sweet Potato and Sweet Chestnut Chocolate (5/5)
I have always wanted to try some of these LOOK chocolates but missed out on the Strawberry ones from the February box so was happy to see these this month although I wasn't to sure on the flavours in the end I did actually like them. It was more the sweet potato ones that concerned me but after a couple the flavour grew on me.

Premium Hi-Chew Chardonnay White Grape Flavour Chews (5/5)
I love Hi-Chew candy and never realised they did a premium version although I am not a massive wine drinker these tastes really good and more of just a grape taste rather than a wine flavour. I also liked that they were little circles with a slightly tougher outside and chewy inside rather than the usual square shapes.

Peppered Soybean Jerky (5/5)
So I was bit slow on the up that when it said "Soybean Jerky" that it was actually completely vegetarian until I read the packet. Now I love Jerky and I couldn't even see the difference apart from it tasted slightly different but I just put that down to it being from Japan and not the UK. Where can I get myself some more of this?

Halloween Themed Chopsticks (3/5)

TokyoTreat Original Halloween Sticker (5/5)
How cute are both of these? I have always loved the design of the Tokyo Treat boxes along with the booklet provided all the graphics are bold, bright and colourful so its nice to have a special Halloween sticker I can use its now just finding somewhere to put it.

I have marked the chop sticks down only because the packaging is Halloween and once you take them out they are just orange and plain but its still cool because I now own a pair of chop sticks and before I didn't.

Tropicana Season's Best Mix Fruit Juice (3/5)
I love fruit juice's and I drink a lot of the British Tropicana but I just wasn't too keen on the flavours of this one it just didn't taste all that nice in my opinion.

Kinoko No Yama Chestnut Chocolate Autumn Edition (5/5)
Biscuits and chocolate? What more do you need. I love how cute the packaging is on these little mushrooms and how cute they look look. What I like is how the stalks are biscuit and the tops are solid chocolate with a nutty taste.  

Bubbly Salty Lemonade Puccho Gummy (0/5)
Just no! These were the worst things I have tasted and to start with they are NOT gummy at all and are rock solid. They remind me of lemsip but in a bad way as when you suck it starts to fizz before you final bit in to it. I've had one of these and I haven't dared have another.

Next months box is one that I am really looking forward to trying as it all about Japan's most Iconic Snacks and will be filled with the classics and some in seasonal flavours which will be great to try. As I type this the box has actually just left Tokyo so roll on next month.

You can read my other Tokyo Treat box reviews for March, April, June, August and September here:)

Thanks for reading. I purchased with my own money and I was NOT paid to review this by Tokyo Treats.