Michael 84

I Am Off To Reykjavik! (I Hope!!!)

Lifestyle
Sunday, 24th August, 2014

Reykjavik Holiday

We have planned a trip to Reykjavik, it’s been booked for several months, and we’re finally going in a couple of weeks…If you have been following the news you may of heard that they have been having strong earthquakes, and thing that one of the volcanos, the Bardarbunga volcano could erupt any day. Earlier this week they increased the warning to orange, which is the second highest, and yesterday it was increased to RED! 🙁 They are now saying that it’s almost certainly going to erupt, they just don’t know when, and already small eruptions have happened under the glacier! 🙁

If you remember back in 2010 the Eyjafjallajokul volcano erupted, and not only knocked out flights around Iceland, but the whole of Europe!

I hope we get there, it’s been planned for months and we were going to see a lot of cool things, it was a holiday of a lifetime kind of thing, seeing the Northern Lights etc. I have never been to Iceland and it’s not your every-day holiday destination where you think of going. I can only hope that it doesn’t effect our holiday and we actually get there.

UPDATE – They’ve downgraded the warning to Orange again…Hopefully good news.

D&G Le Bateleur Number 1 By Dolce And Gabbana Review

Men's Grooming
Thursday, 21st August, 2014

Dolce And Gabbana Le Bateleur No.1 Fragrance Review

Dolce and Gabbana released an anthology of unisex fragrances back in 2009, each one numbered 1, 3, 6, 10 and 18. The idea of the range was that each scent was in fact a unisex scent, but later this was marketed slightly different, and they changed up the way they were marketed, with clear distinctions between the male and female scents. This is D&G Le Bateleur 1,a masculine scent.

Read More

Tokina 11-16mm 2.8f Lens For My Canon 600D

Tech Blog
Wednesday, 20th August, 2014

Tokina 11-16mm Lens Review

Yes, I got yet another lens!

After getting my nifty fifty only the other week, I have added another lens to my now-growing collection. I wanted and needed a wide angle lens, and after reading reviews and info for a couple of weeks, I finally decided on the Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 AT-X 116 PRO DX lens, and took the plunge and bought it. I do have a specific reason for this lens which will come clear later in a few weeks on my blog 😉 but I have always wanted and needed a good wide angle lens for my camera.

If you have a Canon 600D or any of the crop sensor cameras you’ll know that it’s 1.6x factor; That means even with the lens kit which is 18-55mm the actual range you get starts at 28.8mm, so it not too wide. This lens has been made for the APS-C sensors in mind, so the 11mm is really wide, and you get a great range. This is also the first “good” lens I have bought….The others have been the standard, plastic-cheap (although not cheap!) lenses, and they have been really good so far. When I got this I was impressed with the build quality, I read everywhere that it was “built like a tank” and it is! 😀 The first thing you notice is the weight; As I say I have only ever used the Canon lenses at the entry level range, and in comparison this is so heavy and feels very well built.

I am not a pro photographer so this lens is absolutely brilliant for me, at £425 it is hugely expensive for my usage, but since I do take lots of pics for the blog as well as taking it with me if I travel, it’s worth me having. If you are into cameras then you’ll probably know that this is not that expensive for a lens, such as a £2,000 Canon L series for instance 😛 For the regular folk who just like taking good pictures, this is expensive, but it is an investment 🙂

It does have a zoom feature, it’s only a few mm but I decided it was better than a prime with no zoom. The other lens I could have got was a Samyang 14mm, it was quite a bit cheaper, but this had far better reviews, it’s wider and has that little bit of zoom. The autofocus and manual focus are easy to operate, just slide the larger ring either up or down depending on what you want. It comes with a hood, which is detachable, it’s larger at 77mm so my filters I have for my other lens will not fit, but I am not worried about that.

This will be a great lens for landscapes, travel photography etc. so I really look forward to using it, I’ll probably be using it for general blog photography too, we’ll see how it stacks up for that 🙂

Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio Pour Homme Review

Men's Grooming
Thursday, 14th August, 2014

Acqua Di Gio By Giorgio Armani

A classic timeless scent which has been around for a long time, I am talking about Acqua Di Gio by Giorgio Armani. It may have been around for a long time, and is loved by many, however it’s one of my newest fragrances.

After all the hype surrounding it, I decided that I had to get myself a bottle, it almost felt like a crime not having this in my huge fragrance collection. It first appeared in 1996, and is still going strong, it’s a firm favourite with many, and makes a lot of people’s lists for a must have scent.

Read More

Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II

Lifestyle, Tech Blog
Tuesday, 12th August, 2014

canon 50mm 1.8 lens

I finally got myself a new lens, the infamous cheap “Nifty Ffity“. I read good reviews on this, and it’s a “must have” if you believe what you read. It has some good features such as 1.8f aperture which lets in a whole load of light which is great, coming from a 3.5f aperture on my lens kit.

Read More

Samsung NX Mini Review

Tech Blog
Friday, 8th August, 2014

Samsung NX Mini UK Review

I have been in need of a new pocket camera for a while. Over Four years ago I got the Sony HX10 which was an amazing camera, really good quality, it fit in my pocket and went with me on many journeys including London and Stockholm, as well as countless nights out.

I’ve been using a DSLR for 2 or 3 years now, and I love it, I don’t think I could do without one, and even thought of getting myself up the DSLR ladder with a new camera. But first thing is first, and I wanted to get a new compact camera.

My iPhone is pretty decent when taking snaps when I have no other option, and it’s always with me, but the quality is lacking. Is there still a market for a camera which sits in-between a camera-phone and a DSLR? I think so.

I have been looking around for a long time for the perfect camera with the qualities I need. First of all I want great quality images. Second it has to fit in my pocket; I’m not talking jacket pocket, I’m talking about it fitting in my jeans comfortably. Those two features are what I am looking for, and everything else is a bonus. I decided on the Samsung NX Mini, and I have to say it’s really good! 🙂

Read More

Tiger Hornsby Coming To The Quayside This Month

Newcastle Nightlife
Wednesday, 6th August, 2014

Tiger Hornsby Coming Soon To The Quayside

I remember being a 17 year old on a student night out, and trying to go to Julies 2 nightclub; When the bouncer asked for ID which I clearly did not have, he told me it was a 21+ and we went on to another place, probably Sea across the road. We went down the quayside a lot, back in 2002 it was the cool place to drink. Not that I’d have first hand experience of, but Julies nightclub was quite the place to be, as was most of the quayside, frequented by footballers like Keith Gillespie. Years later it became know as Blue, and since I was a lot older (around 21-22) I used to go. I loved the place, the layout was good, cool people, lots of drinks, friendly, great music and an all round good time. There were many great nights spent here, but then the place closed. It became Stein Beer Keller, which was a completely different kind of bar, I went once, it was not terrible but I only went the once so not great either.

Now it’s coming back, with a new name which in inspired by an old regular of the infamous Julies. Tiger Hornsby will be opening this month, with the promise of bringing back the good times with cocktails, new décor and first class service.

The quayside is having somewhat of a rejuvenation, with a brand new hotel replacing Chase, The Hop and Cleaver opening, the new Popolo is coming soon and now Tiger Hornsby.

Indigo Bar In The Gate Is Forced To Close Down

Newcastle Nightlife
Wednesday, 16th July, 2014

indigo bar newcastle forced to close down

Indigo…Indi-gone. Indigo Bar in The Gate is the latest in the long line of bars to close in Newcastle, as they’re told to make way for a more “Family Friendly” place. Owners of The Gate complex (Crown Estates) have called time on the bar, citing it is to “Rebalance the occupier mix to cater for a wider cross section of consumers, including families“. The popular and much missed Mood Bar and nightclub closed down quite a while back, and turned into a restaurant. The Gate still houses bars such as Keel Row, Opera, Beyond, and Players, with the latter not being very family friendly. It leaves you wondering if Indigo will be the first of many of the bars to go.

We used to go to The Gate a fair bit, especially in the early days. It was pretty fun, but we always referred to it as the shopping centre, because it does have that sort of feel. In fact, whenever we were planning on going, the line was always, “Are we going shopping?!” :mrgreen:

The owners want a more “Family friendly” place, However I am not so sure what kind of families are out at 11pm and later; Not to mention that other bars such as Tiger Tiger, Sinners and Sam Jacks are within spitting distance.

Indigo was always the loudest bar in The Gate when it opened, you did not have to go in or in fact near the door to hear the music blasting out the doors, but was a decent place in the gate if you happened to be in that area.

What’s the best bar in Newcastle? Check out the Best Bars In Newcastle

 

Newcastle Cocktail Week – Monday 14th July – Sunday 20th July

Lifestyle, Newcastle Nightlife
Friday, 11th July, 2014

Lovers of cocktails should clear their schedule for next week, as Newcastle Cocktail week returns to the cities hottest establishments. Lovers of cocktails will be able to experience cocktail master classes, as well as getting a taste of some of the best cocktails and non-alcoholic mocktails at unbelievable prices, starting at only £3. This year over 50 venues across the city are taking part, and I have the best deals for you below.

Alvinos Bar – £5 on all Cocktails

Alvinos are offering any cocktail from their menu for only £5.

Barluga – 3-5-7

Barluga are offering a selection of cocktails for £3, £5 and £7.

£3 cocktails include: Gin & Basil Smash, Caipirinha and Raspberry Caipiroska
£5 cocktails include: Tom Collins, Planters Punch and Kiwi mojito
£7 cocktails include: Poinsettia, The Classic and Watermelon Bellini

Bar Beyond – £3 Cocktails

Bar Beyond are offering Dib Dab or Skittles cocktail for only £3 each!

Bonbar 3-5-7

Bonbar are offering a selection of cocktails for £3, £5 and £7 each.

£3 cocktails include: Bonbar Gin & Tonic, Sugar Snap Daisy, Amaretto Sours, Raspberry Collins
£5 cocktails include: Disco Pisco, Amelia, Barrel Aged Negroni, Why Aye-land Ice Tea, Honey Margarita, Cosmopolitan
£7 cocktails include: Locomotive, Big Fat Sazerac

Browns Bar – £5 cocktails

Browns have a selection of cocktails available for £5 including Frog on the Tyne, Grey Street Collins, Ladies Day and Great North Rum

The Cocktail Project @ Fat Buddha

The Cocktail Project have their special Rum Three Way promotion with three cocktails priced at £3, £5 and £7 which include:

£3 – Lychee or Strawberry Frozen Daiquiri
£5 – The New Fashioned
£7 – Give me S”more

Floritas 3-5-7 Cocktail Week

Floritas  House Of Smith & Madame Koo are doing a range of cocktails starting at £3 each.

£3 cocktails include: Morello Cherry Sour, Double Cush Wor Kid and Whay aye!
£5 cocktails include: Mango and Lychee Collins and Seven Seas Mai Tai
£7 cocktails include: Zombie Nation, Gorgeous Geisha

Harry’s Bar – £5 cocktails

Harry’s Bar have a few cocktails for a fiver, including Lemon Merangue Pie, Raspberry and Apple Collins and Rock n Rolla.

Jalou – Cocktails for £5

Jalou have a range of cocktails for £5 including Raspberry Collins, Salted Caramel Colada, Tropical Caipirinha, Toothpaste Mojito, and Rhubarb & Custard.

Mimo – £3 cocktails

Mimo are offering any cocktail for £3 between 4pm – 8pm

Nectar – 20 cocktails for £5

Nectar have a selection of 20 cocktails for £5, ranging from classics to their own creations, which include:

Cherry Drop Amaretto, Cosmopolitan, Tom Collins, Black Forest Martini, Long Island Iced Tea, Gummi Berry Juice, and Black Russian.

Opera – £3 cocktails

Go to Opera in The Gate and you can get either a Stag Old Fashioned or Strawberry Cosmopolitan for only £3 each!

Revolution

Revolution cocktails are £5 and mocktails are £3 (excludes after 7pm on Saturday).

Mushroom – £3, £5, and £7 cocktail offers

A wide selection of cocktails for all price ranges are available at Mushroom, including:

£3 cocktails: Pink Lemonade, Tequila Sunrise, Cherry Bakewell
£5 cocktails: Singapore Sling, Long Island Iced Tea, Mojito
£7 cocktails: Derby Daiquiri, Mojitarita, Blackberry Caipirinha

The Town Wall

The Town Wall are doing £5 all day and all night, including the following cocktails:

French Martini, Bloody Mary, Margarita, Daiquiri

Tiger Tiger

Tiger Tiger have a selection of £3 cocktails , and £5 Mojitos on offer, which include:

£3 cocktails: Cosmopolitan, Woo Woo, Long Island Iced Tea, Miami Beach Breeze, Margarita, Jack Your Body, Mai Blue Tai, Pom Pom, Caipirinha and Club Colada
£5 Mojitos: Classic, The Royale, Pineapple, Strawberry, Raspberry and Watermelon.

Tokyo

Tokyo Cocktail Week offer includes cocktails for £3, £5 and £7.

£3 cocktails: Banana Heaven, Mojito, Grapefruit Twist, Lemon Sherbet, Fruit Fusion
£5 cocktails: Singapore Sling, Bramble, Margarita, Peter Piper, Rum Punch
£7 cocktails: Martini, Manhattan, Mint Julep, Carnival Caipirinha, Hemmingway Daiquiri

Terms and conditions apply to all offers, which may include time restrictions.

CK Eternity For Men Review

Men's Grooming
Thursday, 10th July, 2014

Calvin Klein Eternity For Men Review

Released way back in 1989-90, CK Eternity For Men is a fragrance you have probably heard of, if not tried. In a simple but chunky glass bottle, this Calvin Klein scent will take you back to the 90s and is not as refined as some of the fragrances of the modern day, however that is not necessarily a bad thing.

The citrus hits you as you spray it, with a mixture of aromatic and spicy notes making it an intriguing style of scent. Since I am rather young and was not wearing aftershaves or EDTs in the early 90s, this is an interesting style of scent which you don’t get very often these days.

It’s quite raw the way the citrus and spice is combined, with a hint of fresh notes and an even smaller hint of a woody scent. A great overall old school fragrance if you want to go for that style, but I prefer the more updated fragrances.

Read the best Calvin Klein Fragrances if you’re looking for comparison among the collection, and discover which CK fragrance is best.

Best season to wear – All rounder
Scent type – Citrus/Spicy/Fresh
Age Recommendation – 30+
Best Worn – Casual, Daywear, Evening, Retro

Top Notes – Mandarin, Lavender, Green Botanics.

Middle Notes – Jasmine, Basil, Geranium, Sage.

Base Notes – Sandalwood, Vetiver, Rosewood, Amber

What do you think of Calvin Klein Eternity for Men? Let me know your thoughts, and as always, you can read my aftershave reviews if you’re on the hunt for a new scent to wear this season.

Other Calvin Klein Fragrances


Home » Page 113