My Favourite Valentines Gifts For 2019
Valentines Day is just around the corner and if you're anything like I am, you'll have left it until the last minute! Fear not, I have a few ideas here which may spare you from that last minute scramble to the shops. All products here were gifted to us, however, they are all items I would use, like and would buy for my better half or myself. Hopefully, they will give you a little inspiration when it comes to gift giving this Valentines Day.
Guylian Belgian Chocolates - from £1.00
Valentines Day wouldn't be the same without a nice box of chocolates to tuck into! Treat your loved one to an eye-catching red box of romantic Guylian Belgian chocolate hearts, marbled and filled with roasted hazelnut praline. The 42g box (RSP £1), which contains four praline filled hearts, is the ideal love token, whilst the 105g heart shaped box (RSP £4) makes an even more impressive Valentine’s Day gift.
Alcatel 1 Mobile Phone - £69.99
If you really want to impress you're Valentine? How about a new handset? The Alcatel 1 is an impressive phone which doesn't break the bank. It features a 5 inch crystal clear screen with an 18:9 aspect ratio so fits comfortably in one hand, and easier to 'scroll' one-handed. It has a 8MP rear camera and 5MP front facing camera, ideal for taking perfect selfies or group photos. Find more details here.
Klean Kanteen Insulated Classic Bottle - £27.95
I've been a fan of Klean Kanteen bottles for the past few years. They are great for people who like to get out and about, for taking to work, using at home, or for those who want to cut down on plastic use. They even sell smaller versions, with the kids in mind. The Insulated Classic 20oz is based on Klean Kanteen classic stainless steel water bottle combined with Climate Lock™ double-wall vacuum insulation, keeping drinks hot for 20 hours and iced for 50 hours! Klean Coat™ powder coat finish is 4X more durable, chip-resistant and safe for people and planet!
I've been a fan of Klean Kanteen bottles for the past few years. They are great for people who like to get out and about, for taking to work, using at home, or for those who want to cut down on plastic use. They even sell smaller versions, with the kids in mind. The Insulated Classic 20oz is based on Klean Kanteen classic stainless steel water bottle combined with Climate Lock™ double-wall vacuum insulation, keeping drinks hot for 20 hours and iced for 50 hours! Klean Coat™ powder coat finish is 4X more durable, chip-resistant and safe for people and planet!
Satisfyer Partner Multifun 2 - £44.95
Want to spice things up and perhaps be a little more adventurous in the bedroom this Valentines? Then look no further than the Satisfyer Partner Multifun! This is a vibrator designed for women, men and for couples and there's an array of different ways in which it can be used. It's a great addition to any collection and for any relationship. To read more about its features and, ahem, benefits, do check out the website.
Derwent Bullet Journal Set - £29.99
Now, this beauty right here is perfect for my fellow bloggers, or for those who like to put pen to paper. Bullet journals are a fun way to document everyday moments, jot down notes, and create lists. The set contains an A5 Bullet Journal x 1, 120 sheets, 100gsm Ivory coloured ink proof paper, elastic closure, thread-bound- opens flat, 3 ribbon page marker. Graphik Line Makers x 4 -water-based fine liner pens in rich, semi-permanent tones, Black 0.3, Sepia 0.5, Graphite 0.5, Black 0.8, elasticated pen wrap x 1, holds 6 pens. The Derwent Bullet Journal set is the hybrid of the journal world as you basically get a 4 in 1 product for the price of one!
Phil Smith Total Treat Range - from £3.00
The Phil Smith Total Treat range is perfect for those who like to take care of their hair, making them a thoughtful and affordable Valentine’s gift. The Total Treat range includes an array of different products, from shampoo and conditioner through to hair treatments and hair oil. The whole range is infused with Moroccan argan oil to help repair hair to a natural, healthy shine however dry, damaged or coloured it is. It's also packaged nicely in bright pink bottles. What more could you ask for?
Zippo Leather Bi-Fold Wallet - £24.90
When looking for a stylish yet practical gift you can't go far wrong with a wallet or a purse. I also think they make great gifts for most occasions. If you have a man who appreciates style, then he would really appreciate a Zippo wallet! With over 80 years of expertise in creating leather goods, this pocket-size accessory does not only look and feel good but it’s also hard-wearing. The Bi-Fold wallets are available in mocha or brown leather.
Haribo Heart Throbs - from £2.99
Last, but not least, treat your loved one to a tasty gesture this Valentine’s Day with a Heart Throbs Gift Box from Haribo. Filled with pretty jelly and foam hearts, this cute gift box is the perfect present for the sweet lover in your life.
Are you prepared for Valentines Day? If so I'd love to know what you have planned or if any of these ideas appeal to you.
Are you prepared for Valentines Day? If so I'd love to know what you have planned or if any of these ideas appeal to you.
- AD: We were gifted these products for the purpose of this gift guide, however, all opinions are my own.
Porto: The Enchanting City Of Portugal That You Will Love
AD - This is a PR collaboration.
Porto is the second-largest city in Portugal that you will definitely love, as it has a more traditional and authentic atmosphere. Also, the size of the city makes it ideal for spending an unforgettable weekend, enjoying the lively culture, amazing food and stunning architecture.
In Porto, colourful houses are built on top of each other on the banks of the Douro River. Ruined buildings and churches in medieval towers seem to be gaining ground in the city's picturesque Ribeira district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In this unique city, you will also find great restaurants and some of the top boutique hotels. A trip to Porto is not complete without trying the drink that bears his name in one of the beach cellars in the port.
The highlights of Porto
Wine: The fortified wine that took its name from the city is ubiquitous in Porto. With cellars dedicated exclusively to this drink, and some of the world's top varieties to try, one can spend an entire weekend simply trying this excellent drink. Wines from the Douro Valley are also a great way to accompany a wonderful dish.
History: With Celtic, Roman and Moorish history, Porto has a strong heritage. At the mouth of the Douro River, the settlement at Portus Cale (present-day Vila Nova de Gaia) gave its name to the country that developed around it. Its ability to produce some of the finest and most exclusive wine varieties and its important historic centre make Porto a great destination for short trips.
Culture: Despite being relatively small, Porto is one of the most culturally significant cities globally. A former European Capital of Culture features a Romanesque cathedral, world-renowned museums, and one of the world's most prestigious architecture schools. Also, the bookstores here have great importance in the cultural life of the place and will enchant every bookworm and not only.
What to do in Porto
Due to its geographical location in the north of Portugal, the weather in Porto is a bit colder than the rest of the country, so the best time to visit it is between May and October. A good time is during the São João festivities, and enjoy one of the most exciting and big parties in Europe. Cross the river with a wooden private rabelo boat. You will pass under the Dome Luís bridge and visit exclusive riverside cellars. It is an experience not to be missed!
The best way to explore the city is by walking. The city has several hills; however, it is small, so most attractions are very close to each other. Also, the city is full of hidden diamonds that will surprise you in every corner: places with a unique view of the river, tiny shops with handicrafts and puppet restaurants with superb local cuisine. These diamonds can be discovered using a car, which can take you from one city monument to another in a short time.
And because you usually travel without your personal car, the ideal and economical solution to your travel problem is to hire a car. Among dozens of car hire companies in the country of Portugal, the one that stands out is the company Enjoy Travel not only for its offers but also for its vast variety of passenger cars.
The legendary symbol of the city is the Torre dos Clerigos, a baroque tower of the church of the same name. It was built in the 18th century and was at that time the tallest building in Portugal!
Right in front of it you will find the recently renovated Passeio dos Clerigos, a shopping street with a manicured garden and olive trees. The BASE sets tables outside and is a fantastic place to enjoy a drink or coffee. The Livraria Lello Library is housed in a building that is a work of art in itself and is the oldest bookstore in the world. Even if reading is not for you, just enter to experience the spectacle with its impressive wooden ceilings and magnificent crimson art nouveau staircase.
Tiles are a traditional art throughout Portugal, but Porto maintains the tradition in the best possible way, decorating beautiful galleries with them. Inside the train station of Sao Bento and the church of Igreja do Carmo, you will find stunning examples of this unique art.
Making Our Home Safer With Neos SmartCam
As a mother, there is always something I'm worried about. From the little insignificant things that I needn't worry about, to imagining huge catastrophic events that I saw in a movie five years ago! They all seem to swirl about inside my mind, 24 hours a day. I suppose the constant worry is something which comes part and parcel with parenting. It's normal right?
Anyway, with the constant worry, I'm always on the lookout for products which will help lessen those worries or even make them go away completely and a product that has recently done just that for me, is the Neos SmartCam.
When I think of security cameras the first thing that comes to mind is how expensive they tend to be. It's something I've always wanted to invest in, but quite frankly with a home renovation in progress, it’s something that I thought we couldn’t afford. As you can imagine I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the price point for the Neos SmartCam! It costs just £19.99 (with £4.99 p&p) and has the same capabilities as some of the more expensive models on the market. I couldn't wait to set it up and try it out.
What's included:
Inside the box is a quick start guide, 1.8m USB cable, plug, wall plate, mounting tape and of course the Neos SmartCam itself.
Getting started:
I had everything set up in a matter of minutes which was a relief as I'm usually a little hit and miss with technology. Knowing that I was able to do it so easily makes me confident that others would find it just as simple. I downloaded the app on my phone and then followed the instruction prompts that it provides. Part of the process involves setting up an account with your email address, and linking the camera to your WiFi, and after that, you're good to go. If you do find yourself with any issues there's also a Troubleshooting section on the app and information on how to contact customer services. I doubt that they are used often though - everything was so straight forward!
1080p Full HD - Captures sharp images to see every detail
Motion detection - Senses movement and sends alerts straight to the smartphone
Night vision - Includes high-quality night vision to see in the dark
Live stream - See through the camera lens in real time, anytime via the app
Auto-arming - Automatically switches on and off as you arrive or leave the home
Noise detection - Built-in motion sensor with push notifications and sound sensitivity controls in the app
2-way audio - Hear what is happening in real time and respond accordingly
8x digital zoom - Pinch and zoom to see more in live view and playback
Cloud recording - It automatically records motion, storing 12 seconds of video clips and audio on the cloud, where they are stored for 14 days.
SD card enabled - SD card compatible to continuously record video even without Wi-FiFlexible design - Simple installation and setup, with a 3-axis movement to point the camera in the best position
We've been using the camera in a variety of different ways, mainly for security reasons but sometimes for the social aspect too. For example, Nick misses the school runs in the morning as he's already at work by the time they wake up but that has all changed now we have the camera. I tend to move it around the house during the day, but in the morning I have it set up downstairs and he's able to watch the kids get ready for school, hear them, and talk to them. It's made him feel more involved where he feels he misses out. It's a great way to stay connected not only to your home but to your family too.
I have nothing but positive things to say about the Neos SmartCam. I don't think I'd be without it now. It gives me total peace of mind when out of the house, or when someone knocks on the door. It's also great for keeping watch on the cat when we're out, or for keeping tabs on the kids. It's a fantastic bit of tech and one which is a bargain at just £19.99 and £4.99 for next day delivery. For more information on the Neos SmartCam, or to make a purchase simply visit the website.
AD - We were sent this product for the purpose of this review and received a fee to do so.
AD - We were sent this product for the purpose of this review and received a fee to do so.
An Indepth Look Into Instragram Advertising
AD - This is a PR collaboration.
Social media has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. It all started with MSN and MySpace for me, those were the days, right? A few years later, I moved onto Facebook, and then onto Twitter, and what a jump what was! We were introduced to hashtags, status', check in's, all sorts! Social media had never been more personal, consuming, and in-depth. Well, that was until Instagram came into play.
Over the past few years my love for Instagram has gone from strength to strength, and as it stands it's my all-time favorite social media platform. I use it daily, without fail, though over the years my account has evolved. It's not just for personal use anymore, but I use it for work too, in a professional manner. As you can imagine, I'm always looking to learn more ways to improve my reach and interaction, or a couple of tips to help along the way. With this in mind, I was delighted when I was asked to share this article from the website, My Emma. Reading through it, I was blown away with all the advice and tips shared, and feel like I've learned a lot from it. Maybe you will too?
Over the past few years my love for Instagram has gone from strength to strength, and as it stands it's my all-time favorite social media platform. I use it daily, without fail, though over the years my account has evolved. It's not just for personal use anymore, but I use it for work too, in a professional manner. As you can imagine, I'm always looking to learn more ways to improve my reach and interaction, or a couple of tips to help along the way. With this in mind, I was delighted when I was asked to share this article from the website, My Emma. Reading through it, I was blown away with all the advice and tips shared, and feel like I've learned a lot from it. Maybe you will too?
Social media advertising has steadily grown in popularity ever since the opportunity to display promotional material on these platforms became available. It’s been a once you pop, the fun doesn’t stop type of trend. Creating targeted advertisements might be unfamiliar for many digital marketers, but there are a number of complexities involved in these platforms, and it can be hard to have insight into your return on investment. That being said, the benefits to advertising on social far outweigh the negatives (as we’re sure you know). And Instagram is no exception to that rule.
500 million users log into Instagram every day! This visually-heavy platform is an immediate attention-grabber. And it’s an easy platform for consumers and brands alike to browse through thanks to its aesthetic appeal. These factors alone make it a great platform for advertising—again, not to mention the 500 million daily users. Instagram advertising is booming, and it’s time to jump on board.
How Instagram marketing works
Instagram launched in 2010, and by 2013, the popular social media platform was acquired by Facebook. Any good social media advertiser understands the staggering benefits of Facebook ads. And that success easily transfers over to this image-focused platform.
From traditional posts to sponsored content, IG Stories and more, there are copious opportunities for marketers to take their brands to the next level through visually stunning advertisements. With 200 million users visiting at least one business profile every day, your brand has very tangible potential to make an impact on consumers by promoting products and services through images, videos, and even long-form content. And yes—it sells. In fact, Instagram mobile ad revenue hit almost 7 billion in 2018. Those numbers will grow through 2019 and beyond. Much like its parent company Facebook, marketers can create a variety of content and target it accordingly. But there’s one thing that differentiates Instagram from Facebook and other platforms—its sorting algorithm.
How does the Instagram algorithm come into play?
Instagram feeds aren’t the chronologically ordered feeds of social media past. Instead, there’s an algorithm in place that sorts and sifts through posts and accounts. This algorithm is customized to each user, putting content from real people before content from brands. If you need a little boost when it comes to the algorithm perhaps Twicsy Instagram likes could help. I would recommend taking a look at their website.
There are three key indicators that dictate how Instagram organizes a user’s feed: content quality, personalization and post engagement. Let’s dive a little deeper into each so your marketing team knows what to do when setting out to create Instagram ads.
1. Focus on content quality.
Just like Google and its Facebook counterpart, the Instagram algorithm focuses heavily on content value. It won’t just promote your post because your brand posted it. Instead, the content needs to make an impact. It needs to tell a story. And it needs to drive action. Your posts have to say something and tell a story in order for Instagram to promote it on a user’s feed. Some users follow thousands of accounts, with hundreds of businesses included in those numbers. They don’t actually want to see all of that promotional content. Likewise, your brand shouldn’t be posting ads that are too promotional either. Focus on answering questions or starting conversations. This gets more people—potential customers—involved, and gives your brand a better chance of scoring a top spot.
2. Personalise your Instagram ads to your audience.
This is where Instagram’s nifty native ad functionalities come in. With these Instagram advertising options, you can personalise your content to your specific audience. And that’s important, considering consumers want more personalisation when it comes to their interaction with brands. Only 22% of consumers are happy with the level of personalisation they experience from brands. Be better and give your audience what they want in the form of innovative and personalised messaging, targeting, and imagery.
3. Get your audience engaged.
The last, big-ticket factor in the Instagram marketing and advertising algorithm centers around engagement. The more people engage with your posts organically, the higher they’ll rank on a user’s feed. Similarly, if you post an ad with high engagement, it’ll be promoted to more people and shared in a way that gets more views, drawing more eyes to your products and offers. Whether you’re using Instagram in the traditional social media marketing way, or you’re using it for paid advertisements, keep these factors in mind when it comes to content creation. That being said, here are some more tips to develop an Instagram advertising strategy that drives results.
3 tips to boost your Instagram advertising strategy
1. Up your visual design skills.
80% of users follow at least one business account on Instagram. What’s better? 75% of users visit a website to learn more about a product or service they saw on the social media platform. That means that your brand is already in front of your target audience. Consumers want to follow brands on social media platforms—especially Instagram. But they’ll continue to follow you to see what visual assets you can bring to the table. Yes, Instagram is all about aesthetics. So you need to make sure that while your audience is there and ready to absorb your content, they’ll actually stick around to interact with it. This means you may need to invest heavily in your visual designs, or at least your design skills. Whether you’re promoting images, videos, photography, or graphics, they need to be eye-catching and engaging. There needs to be a very clear design plan in place for your designers, animators, and producers to follow. It’s your visuals that’ll stop people in their tracks. If your ad is on a user’s feed that knows nothing about your brand, you need to grab their attention with eye-catching images and video. Yet as foundational as that sounds, this takes time, patience, and creativity. Your first step in creating an Instagram ad is finding the right visual medium to get people interested.
2. Make use of hashtags.
Hashtags are a very low-maintenance way to instantly boost results: Instagram posts with at least one hashtag see a 12.6% increase in engagement. Hashtags are a vital tool in the Instagram advertiser’s arsenal. Hashtags target specific groups, conversations, and audiences. There are people who are spending their time searching for these hashtags, or that follow an individual hashtag in their main feed. Similarly, advertisers can target these hashtags through their ads and posts. Make sure your team is utilizing hashtags in all posts. There’s a sweet spot for every brand, but it’s important that you research and come up with hashtags that make an impact on your audience. Another effective way to make a splash with hashtags in your Instagram ads is by creating a branded hashtag. Think about your brand, its name, and its core values. Use this research to come up with a hashtag that can accompany all of your posts and compel audiences to use it in their own posts as well. This opens up the possibility for conversation, which brings us to the last tip to break through for Instagram advertisers.
3. Start and jump in on conversations.
Fact: 72% of users have bought a product they saw on Instagram. So if you can get your product in front of your audience, there’s almost a 75% chance that they’ll take this information and run with it. They’ll Google your brand or visit your website, and this will lead them to learn more, and then ultimately to purchase. I’m sure you can attest to this—almost certainly you’ve seen products on Instagram and immediately wanted to buy them.
But in order to sell products, you have to have the right messaging. And in most cases, that messaging involves asking questions, starting conversations, and giving your audience something to talk and think about. This falls in line with the part of the Instagram algorithm that focuses on engagement. Instagram wants to facilitate relationships and conversations, so use your ads to get inside the heads of your audience and get them interacting.
Wrap up
Whether you’re using Instagram to market more traditionally, or you’re using it for paid advertisements, you need to be aware of the complex algorithm that sorts your content. More than awareness, use our explanations and tips to use it to your advantage! From then on, focus on your visual imagery, whether that’s a photo, an animation, an illustration, or a video. Make sure to use hashtags to engage with more audience and demonstrate that you’re an approachable brand. Then it’s time to have fun! Engage in conversations, start discussions, and use your content to create a dialogue between you and your audience. This establishes trust and lets your audience know that you’re more than just a corporate entity.
Are you looking for more ideas for social media tactics, or do you have any you'd like to share with me?