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May 31, 2015 by: Sunny London

NFL in London- An American Expat’s Game Plan for Your Trip

Heading across the pond to attend an NFL in London game this Fall?

I’m here to help!

London can be overwhelming to an international visitor for the first time. Foremost, I advise you NOT to stay near Wembley Stadium. Also, there’s a slim chance you’ll get to Stonehenge or the Harry Potter Studio Tour. We’ll get to reasons why later, but first you need to know how I can assist with your trip, American mates. Also, don’t forget to place your bets with websites like Sports Betting America on your favorite/s to win! You never know, you could be going home with some money in your pocket.

NFL in London: The Sunny in London Blog Game Plan

Here’s the general outline from today to kickoff:
– Cover a ‘Trip to London’ basic information you need in this introductory blog post.
– Send you an email with ideas and advice for your trip. (You’ll have to subscribe to the blog via the sidebar to receive this.)
– Write blog posts, create vlogs and videos on YouTube, and post social media updates that answer your questions and show you what you need for your trip.
– Plan some events for you that make your trip easier and definitely more fun.

NFL in London: Why You Need the Weekly Email

These weekly ‘rays of sun’ will include information about hotels, restaurants, attractions, events, discounts, parties, and tips for getting around town. Oh, and Mr. Sunny will also feature a kick arse ‘Pub of the Week’ for beer drinking readers. As a lifelong Londoner, he’s devoted most of his waking moments to ‘studying’ beer. There’s probably quite a few sleeping moments where he did too. 😉

NFL in London: Who’s Your Sunny Cheerleader?

I’ve always loved football and have lived in London several years. I’m a Florida State University graduate. (Go ‘Noles!) Mr. Sunny and I met during my internship at NBC News- London Bureau. Also, I braved the weather in Buffalo for nearly ten years, as a resident of New York. My sister lives outside of Detroit, Michigan. Five of the six teams playing in the NFL in London 2015 season connect to my American life. I’m also planning on visiting as many of the stadiums as possible for inside information during my ‘Sunny’s World Tour of the USA’ this summer.

NFL in London: Post Codes

The biggest piece of advice I offer people planning their first trip to London is use Post Codes to plan. Unlike America, zip codes (AKA ‘Post Codes’) have clear meaning in London. In summary, you’ll find a series of letters and numbers after a street address. For example, while at the FSU Study Abroad Centre, I lived in WC1B. It’s a few buildings away from the British Museum on Great Russell Street.

There are 8 postal districts in London: E, EC, N, NW, SE, SW, W and WC.

– WC is the ‘center of London’ in terms of this is where nearly everything you probably want to do is located. You can remember that because it’s the only one with a ‘C’ in the post code.
– SW3 at one time was the most coveted Post Code to have. You could probably equate it to 90210.
– An ‘E’ designates East London and is where you find the historic financial hub of London. Over the last few decades, the financial area has shifted to Canary Wharf, and it could be very likely that you see many people using these Apps zum Traden (Apps for trading) when they want to improve their own financial situation whilst socializing in and around this hub. Unless you are clubbing at night, you’ll most likely won’t venture to an ‘E’ unless you’re visiting St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Tower, and Tower Bridge. They’re all next near each other. It’s also the oldest part of London and is where cockney slang originated.
– Aside from visiting The London Eye or Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, you won’t have much need to go south of the River Thames. So, skip hotels there too.

Wembley Stadium is located at Wembley, London HA9 OWS. Notice that HA isn’t part of the post codes above? It’s miles away from London’s biggest attractions. I even had to find Wembley on Google Maps to write this post. Never been there. You’ll have to zoom out from that map above quite a few times to see Wembley, which is miles North West of where I lived.

NFL in London: Getting Around London

This is the topic I will cover in the first post of the NFL in London series because it’s the biggest question I receive from Americans planning a trip to London. It will include transportation options from Gatwick or Heathrow airport in to London. I use the Underground (AKA ‘Tube’) as my main option for getting around London. You can read the 5 Strategies for Riding the London Tube to start getting ready now, if you’re eager.

If you’re going to brave the Central London traffic, the famous London buses are an option. I’ll detail how they work in the upcoming post as well. Finally, there are London cabs. I never use them. They’re ridiculously expensive! If you’re super posh, go for it. Alternatively, you could always consider hiring a vehicle at the airport if you wanted to drive yourself. This could be a good idea for those who might want to visit multiple places during their trip. However, it’s important that Americans consider the different driving rules in London. Also, London traffic is known for being difficult to drive in, so make sure you pay attention to the traffic and the road signs. In London’s city center on a match day, it will be busy and there will be a lot of diverted traffic. Be sure to follow the traffic cones that will have been placed out to help with traffic flow or to help drivers avoid any hazards on the road. People have to really pay attention when driving around a busy city like London.

NFL in London: Weather

Let’s just be honest. It rains in London. But, you know what? It rains every where. Even Hawaii.

‘What’s the weather like in London?’ is the most popular question I get when returning to Florida to visit my family or when talking to my friends from Buffalo, New York, where I lived for 10 years. Next, people say, ‘Doesn’t it rain a lot?’

I don’t find the sporadic rain that troublesome. In fact, I rarely carry a ‘brolly’ (British slang for ‘umbrella’) with me. Don’t pack one in your suitcase. My suggestion is, if you find it’s raining enough to warrant one, grab one from a news stand. The ‘I Love London’ umbrellas make great, practical souvenirs.

Regarding temperatures, I visited The London Eye (be sure to read my ‘Advice on How to Fly High’ ) on October 31, 2014. It was around 80 degrees that day. Rare in London, but it did happen. I find it never gets nearly as cold as New York here. As a general ‘projection’ I will say it seems like it’s always around 50-60 degrees during Spring, Summer and Fall. Watch the forecast before you leave, just like you would for any trip.

NFL in London: How’s the Food?

Food in London has come a long way since the first time I lived here during my FSU days in the 90’s. British food is phenomenal, if you know where to go and what to order. The traditional English breakfast might be a shock to you for the first time, as it has baked beans as one of its standard servings.

British people find sweets or sugary items wildly weird to eat in the morning. So, if you’re looking forward to pastries or donuts with ‘brekkie’ (British slang for breakfast), forget it. They think it’s very odd to have donuts any time before lunch. I doubt you’ll find Fruit Loops, Cheerios, or any other American cereal in your hotel. It’s damn near contraband in this country.

So, what is good here to eat?

If you’re looking for food suggestions, you can always click on Food/Drinks in the blog menu bar above. Or, use the blog search box to look for restaurants either by cuisine type or neighborhood. Of course, there’s already tons of features on different afternoon teas on the blog too.

If I had to pick two streets in London that you can’t go wrong with food options, they are Charlotte Street and Wardour Street. I’ve written about ‘All You Can Eat’ on Charlotte Street previously.

If you’re a fan of Indian food, you’re in luck. It’s the most popular cuisine alternative to traditional English cooking here. I learned this on the Eating London Food Tour. Part of the tour includes visiting Brick Lane in East London, which has over 50 curry restaurants.

Don’t plan on eating Mexican food here, especially if you’re from Florida. They just can’t get the ingredients right, so it’s a ‘skipper’.

NFL in London: Wifi

I wish I had good news regarding wifi. Your hotel should have it for free, but ask before you book your room if that’s important to you. I loved my stay at Every Hotel in Piccadilly Circus because it is focused on the electronic traveller. You can read other people’s reviews on TripAdvisor too.

When I was visiting Mr. Sunny and didn’t have a British mobile, I really struggled with wifi. You might even resort to using one of these…

The Apple stores in Covent Garden and on Regent Street offer it for free, if you have an iPhone. Good luck anywhere else. You can either get a pay as you go phone or call your mobile provider to get an international package before you leave.

When you land in London, if you have an iPhone it should automatically send you a text message with roaming rates and immediately shut down data capabilities. Last time I checked, incoming text messages are free. Sending them costs money.

NFL in London: What Do You Need?

That’s just a light introduction to help you get started with planning your trip. Since, I’ve been a London blogger for a while, there is already a lot here for you on the blog. To make it easy, you might want to start with this one page Guide to London for Americans Visiting for the First Time. It’s a collection of Sunny in London links including reviews of: cultural differences, travel tips, hotels, afternoon teas, pubs, restaurants, attractions, etc.

Just before you spend some time on that page and make sure you subscribe to weekly emails . I would love your ideas. Please write your questions in the Comments below. Or- find me on social media via Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube.

NFL in London: Things to Pack

Here’s just a few items I would recommend for your trip, if you’re already preparing your suitcase:

– A 3 Digit Combination Luggage Lock– This one is TSA approved and rated best luggage lock for travel safety and security.

– An Electronics Accessories Travel Organizer– This is great for storing all your electronic supplies in one place.

– A J Pillow, Travel Pillow– This is the Winner of ‘British Invention of the Year 2013’ and is consistently rated the #1 Best Selling Travel Pillow on Amazon.co.uk.

– USA to UK Adapter Plugs– ALL of your electronics will need adapters, so grab a few of these for you and the people who will share a hotel room with you.
– A Fun Passport Holder Cover! (click on the pictures below to see each one individually on Amazon.com)

Finally, if you’d like to order a funny shirt to wear for the trip (or even bulk order shirts for a group), be sure to visit With Luv Design. Use the promo code SUNNY10 to receive 10% off. I guarantee great customer service. It’s my sister’s company. Here’s a sample of some ideas:

September 23, 2015 by: Sunny London

NFL Games in London- How a Team Prepares

Have you been to the NFL games in London? Supporting professional football teams and attending their games are a huge part of American culture. The same can be said in Australia, where you can’t walk for long without seeing a brisbane lions jersey when it’s their time to play. So, when our teams have the honor of playing in London, there is a tremendous amount of planning involved to make sure the experience is a success for fans, the two countries, and obviously the players. Finding yourself out of America and missing your game? Maybe you;re thinking you may place a bet if you’re in a legal location to do so, if you’d like to learn more click here.

When I spent a day at #JaxCamp over the summer, I had an exclusive opportunity to learn how the Jacksonville Jaguars prepare for an NFL in London game. During the time I spent with the team’s Director of Football Logistics and Facility, I learned what it really takes to get the Jaguars from my sunny home state of Florida to London.

NFL Games in London: BIG NEWS

The Jacksonville Jaguars have a four year contract for the London games. 2015 is the third year they will play across the pond. As true to the past, they will announce next year’s game date on October 26, which is the day after they play the 2015 game in London against the Buffalo Bills.

NFL Games in London: Let’s Get it Started!

The Jaguars will claw through the rest of the 2015 football season, and in February of 2016 the Director of Football Logistics and Facility travels to London to start the coordination process for the next game.

He begins researching and visiting hotels to determine a location for the team to stay when they arrive in the Fall. In June, a bigger planning team travels to London which includes PR representatives, security personnel and more.

You would think that the team could just follow through with the same venue each year. However that is not the case.

For the first NFL in London game in 2013, the Jaguars left from Jacksonville, Florida and stayed in London for one week. Their hotel was in South London.

Last year, they left from Cincinnati, Ohio after playing the Bengals. For the first part of the week they stayed in Watford (North London). The hotel they chose had a rugby field next to it, which made practicing logistically easier. Then, they stayed in Central London for the final days of the trip.

This year they will only be in London for five days. Choosing a hotel was a bit more difficult because of the Rugby World Cup.

NFL Games in London: Passports and Appearances

Surprisingly, one of the biggest concerns of the planning process is making sure all of the players have valid passports. In fact, it seems that each year they’ve had a few players whose first trip out of the United States is to play in the NFL Games in London.

To ensure nothing goes wrong with passport applications, the team has a separate company come to the stadium and meet with all the players to review their documents prior to their submission to the United States Department of State.

Prior to the game, some team members will make promotional trips to London to generate enthusiasm for the event.

NFL Games in London: The Team Trip

The Jacksonville Jaguars fly on Virgin Atlantic. Normally for away games the number of people they take on a plane includes 160-180 people. For the London game, this can rise up to 220. Aside from including additional sponsors, they also travel with the practice squad of 10 players. And of course, the Roar of the Jaguars flies to London too!

NFL Games in London: Fans in the Stands

Because fans for the game include American expats in London, Londoners, and Americans who have traveled to London for the games, the team also wants to honour British culture and history. Last year they had poppies for the game because it took place on November 9th, Rememberance Day.

With regard to the actual game, it’s a bit different than those played in the United States. Fans tend to wear football jerseys for many different NFL teams, not just the two that are playing. They seem to still be learning the rules and customs of American football but arrive at the games excited and ready for fun.

NFL Games in London: Are You Ready?

There will be player appearances at the NFL on Regent Street ‘tailgating’ party held on Saturday, October 24th and many other events to be announced. If you’d like to be included on information for NFL in London activities, make sure to subscribe to the Sunny in London newsletter.

If you’ve attended the games in the past, please do leave a comment below regarding your experience. Of course, if you have questions about the games, leave those too!

I look forward to seeing everyone at the Regent Street party and other NFL Games in London events. Don’t forget, my Guide to London for Americans Visiting the First Time, which includes the blog’s best hotel, attraction and restaurant tips as well.

If you’re planning a visit to London, the Sunny News YouTube channel has regular updates of advice for things to do and what you’ll need to know about London. This includes safety tips, pub advice, and a shopping guide.

August 14, 2015 by: Sunny London

NFL Games in London- A Player’s Perspective

What would you ask a professional football player about his NFL Games in London experience?

In my American expat adventures around London, I find that people on both sides of the pond want to know about life on the other side. When I scored the chance to have an exclusive interview with an NFL player, I set the questions around the London game experience and his perception of London.

Recently, I spent an entire day with the Jacksonville Jaguars as they prepare for the upcoming American football season. After being on the field watching a gruelling practice in the sun and 90 degree temperatures, I hit the locker room with other media members for a chance to talk to players.

Ok, I didn’t actually hit the locker room. The PR team for the Jacksonville Jaguars figuratively pushed me. Anyway, I made my way around and took a look at the lockers and their designs. It’s quite interesting to see how stadiums and locker rooms are designed for such big crowds.

I’m not a sports journalist so my balls were a bit deflated when it came to approaching half dressed, sweaty men to ask them questions especially when some of these men are seen as icons. But, I quickly learned it was the only way I would get direct access to this story. I couldn’t just stand around and wait for cool stuff to happen.

As #21 Toby Gerhart sat exhausted at his locker, I approached him to see if he had some time to talk to me about London. He was fully dressed and mixing up a protein drink. It was a safety zone for me. He wasn’t hard on my eyes either, if you know what I mean.

After he looked at my ‘I make champagne disappear. What’s your super power?’ shirt with a bit of amusement, he agreed to entertain my questions. Surely he wondered how the hell I got in the room, but he didn’t indicate these thoughts to me.

In my best hard-hitting tough blogger with a media pass pitch I said, ‘I’m a Daytona Beach, Florida girl living in and blogging about London. I want to know how you and your team are preparing for the Jacksonville Jaguars vs Buffalo Bills game on October 25th in London.’

With no hesitation, he said the team prepares hard for every game.

‘Damn. Now what?’ I thought. I was verbally sacked like a rookie quarterback.

For the next 15 minutes, we instead had a truly lovely chat about what NFL players do when they visit London.

Let me assure you Sunny friends, when the Jaguars cross the pond, their focus is ON. THE. GAME. Specifically, they want touchdowns and field goals in the End Zone.

Buuuut, when they do have a window of free time, this is what happens…

Playing in the NFL Games in London: Attractions

Toby said he really enjoyed taking his wife on The London Eye, seeing Buckingham Palace, and taking pictures in front of Big Ben (the monument not the Burgh boy, if you’re a confused Steeler fan). He also said last year they were playing around Remembrance Day so their trip to see the Tower was extraordinary because it was when it was surrounded by a sea of poppies.

I also learned from a team representative that quite a few players hit the Warner Bros Harry Potter Studio Tour since their first hotel was in Watford.

Playing in the NFL Games in London: Beer

Since pub crawls weren’t possible due to the nature of his visit and obvious game focus, Toby said he only saw a limited amount of pubs but thought they were really interesting.

He said a friend of his living in London took him to one but he couldn’t remember the name. He said he thought it was the oldest one in London. Hmmm. I didn’t tell him that ‘fact’ didn’t narrow it down much for my readers 😉 Ye oldest pub in London is kind of on every corner.

Playing in the NFL Games in London: Ball Boy

Toby said the British were pretty swift in spotting him as a professional American football player. However, when they asked what position he played, they generally had no idea what to do when he said ‘Running Back.’ He said that once he explained to them that his primary job is to catch the ball and run, they thought he was bloody brilliant. (My language translation there, not his.)

Playing in the NFL Games in London: Royal Flush

At Kensington Palace, Toby and his wife had a chance to snack at the royal residence but didn’t see anyone rocking a coat of arms that they could recognize. Apparently his wife and I (and most American girls) share a Kate obsession too! She had hoped to catch a glimpse of a royal family member while in town.

Playing in the NFL Games in London: Tea for Two

Toby didn’t join his wife for afternoon tea last year during his NFL trip. Obviously, she had more time than him to dine and live the London life. I absolutely offered to take the NFL wives to my favourite afternoon tea and food spots when they return this year and hope they take me up on the offer.

Playing in the NFL Games in London: Here Comes the Sun

Another highlight of Toby’s trip included walking across Abbey Road. He said he made room for a little ma-ma-magical mystery tour on his free day and hit the infamous Beatles zebra crossing. And yes, he made sure his mom watched a video of his walk in the road too.

Playing in the NFL Games in London: Eleanor Rugby?

Toby spoke very favourably about his trip to London and looks forward to this year’s game when he can return. The team will be there for a much shorter time than last year.

He hopes to attend a British football game (AKA soccer) but doesn’t know if the team’s schedule will permit it. Since the owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars also owns the Fulham Football Club, I would guess getting tickets wouldn’t be a problem.

If he had the chance to hit a rugby game too, he said that would be great.

Playing in the NFL Games in London: Tackling the Tube

The team stayed outside of London for most of the 2014 trip. However, they stayed in Central London for a few days too. Toby loved walking around Hyde Park and didn’t throw up any flags when it came time to taking the Underground. He seemed to think this mode of transportation that most Londoners dread was ok actually. I imagine with his massive size, people probably didn’t get in his way too much during his journeys.

Stand on the right, pass on the left?

Playing in the NFL Games in London: Overtime

I chose not to ask this very congenial and Stanford smart NFL player for a selfie with me when we finished our chat. After all, I was a girl in one of the men’s locker. It didn’t seem professional or the right setting. So, I stuck to using the shots I took during the practice on the field for this blog feature.

What are your thoughts on that?

Upon leaving the NFL players’ locker room, I was whisked away to the Director of Football Logistics and Facility for a play by play rundown of how they plan for the NFL Games in London. I’ll have a separate post on that published for you soon, Sunny friends.

Be sure if you are American and visiting London for the first time and want a little help on what to do and where to go that you give my Guide to London for Visitors a good look. Leave questions or comments below about an NFL player’s perspective on London and anything you need from me to prepare for a trip to my favourite town too!

June 8, 2019 by: Sunny London

Carluccio’s Covent Garden, London Review

If you’re out and about exploring London in the Spring sunshine, it’s tough to miss Carluccio’s Covent Garden location on Garrick Street. If the weather is nice, you will find every outside table is full with people enjoying colourful cocktails.

But did you know the food inside is just as vibrant? The Summer Menu brings the seasonal flavours of the Mediterranean to the menu.

Recently, we enjoyed an opportunity to experience the new menu. If you are living in London or visiting London and want to learn more about our restaurant recommendations you can download our Local’s Pocket Restaurant Guide for free below.

carluccios-covent-garden-restaurant-review-summer-menu

Carluccio’s Covent Garden London Review- The Food

Mr. Sunny chose the Grandioso Sharing Board above, which he enjoyed. I had a few slices of Mortedella and it brought back lovely memories of our trip to Bologna in February. For my Starter, I chose the Burrata e Frittedda and loved it! As our server explained when I asked his opinion, Burrata just has a natural edge against a traditional Caprese salad. Face it- the Caprese Salad is everywhere. Burrata is bellisima! And this dish which features whole creamy burrata cheese from Puglia with marinated artichoke, soya beans, peas, spring onion and mint, finished with lemon dressing has a gorgeous combination of flavour and texture.

However, to be really honest, our favourite food of the evening is Carluccio’s balsamic vinegar. When we were in Bologna, we went to Eataly and spent time choosing several Modena balsamic vinegars as souvenirs from our trip. After all, we are foodie travellers!

During our dinner at Carluccio’s, we actually felt that in comparison, our winner in taste when it comes to balsamic vinegar is what this restaurant chain sells.

The new menu’s stand-out dishes include their new Langoustine Fettucce pasta with mussels and cherry tomatoes in a white wine, tomato and chilli sauce topped with pistachios and the Swordfish Muddica steak in herb and parmesan breadcrumbs with courgette, rocket and Parmigiano Reggiano. Mr Sunny had the Swordfish and enjoyed it.

I ordered the Lamb Gremolata. To be fair, this one was a disappointment. When they brought it to me, we felt it was very overcooked. Our server promptly recognised this and in not long at all returned with another Lamb Gremolata.

Finally, our desserts from the menu really lived up to the refreshing flavours we anticipated. Mr Sunny feasted on the Strawberry Cheesecake Coppa, which is vanilla and strawberry ice cream, fresh strawberries, strawberry coulis, meringue, ricotta-yoghurt and flaked almonds. I loved the Torta di Cioccolata. The flourless cake ended far too soon for me. I will likely dream about it for many summer nights.

Another refreshing ice cream on the menu is the Limoncello Coppa, with vanilla ice cream, candied lemon peel topped with limoncello syrup and amaretti biscuits.

Free Pocket Guide to London Restaurants

Subscribe to the Sunny in London weekly email and immediately get the ‘Local’s Pocket Restaurant Guide to London.’ It’s the ultimate free travel accessory for your London trip. The Guide has top recommended restaurants from a local, organised by neighbourhood. With it you can easily find a place to eat when you’re on a London street. Downloading the file to your phone means skipping Wi-fi and finding a fab foodie place- fast!

As part of the welcome, you will also receive several other free downloads that will guide you through trip planning, plus a weekly edition of the hottest happenings in London.

Carluccio’s Covent Garden- Masterclass

On 17th and 18th June, Campari’s brand ambassador, Paolo Tonellotto, will be sharing his tips on how to make the perfect Negroni at the Carluccio’s Covent Garden location on Garrick Street. Each 90-minute session costs £20 and includes two Negroni and antipasti and takes place at 18.30 and 20.30 on each evening.

In addition, visit any Carluccio’s across the country where three limited edition summer Negroni await – Negroni al Limone, a concoction of Campari, Cinzano 1757 Red Vermouth, and Malfy Gin (£8.50); Strawberry Negroni with Campari, Cinzano 1757 Red Vermouth, strawberry infused Pampero White Rum and strawberry purée (£8.75); or the Negroni Sbagliato with Campari, Cinzano 1757 Red Vermouth, and Prosecco (£8.75).

Carluccio’s – Hampers

Did you know Carluccio’s offers hand-picked hampers, filled with artisan Italian products from the deli?

Options include a small hamper (£23.95 and available to pick up from your local Carluccio’s deli) with fresh Pappardelle Pasta, meaty venison Ragu di Cervo and wild boar Ragu di Cinghiale sauces, and a bottle of Umani Ronchi Babylon Rosso red wine to finish. Also included is a Carluccio’s meat, poultry and game book packed full of Antonio Carluccio’s recipes that harness Italy’s variety of cuts and specialties.

Our experience was complimentary but this does not influence our ability to provide an honest review. Mr Sunny has purchased the balsamic vinegar many times from Carluccio’s in the past and stands by his opinion!

2019 Social Media Influencer Essential Gear List

To be a top social media influencer in 2019, you need more than just great content to enhance the appeal of your profile.

That is hardly a ground-breaking concept. But, what defines great gear for 2019 IS something new compared to when I started blogging via Sunny in London 5 years ago. Your essential gear now must be high quality and… wait for it… wait for it…

LIGHT!

2019 Social Media Influencer: Who You Are

In 2014 the bigger your DSLR, the better you appeared to be. Busting out that Canon 5D and a several thousand dollar lens meant you knew your stuff.

But times have changed. The quality available now in mirrorless cameras, mobile phones and digital action cameras now, compared to then, is outstanding. So much so, that I actually feel silly sometimes at an event or location if I have the biggest camera. In all honesty, I kind of feel- old!

One could easily argue that is just from the neck pains due to carrying around my clunky Canon 80D around my neck all day.

Now, let’s be honest. Professional photographers will probably disagree with a lot of what I am going to write. But, let’s keep in mind who the audience is. You are likely a micro-influencer with a growing blog, Instagram or YouTube channel. You need to post content often and fast because the competition is steep.

The only things you really want to be heavy is your follower list, likes and engagement. Becoming one of the top instagram influencers, for example, will certainly take time and dedication but when you have brands breaking down your door just for the opportunity to work with you, you’ll know that all the hard work’s finally paid off.

There are no doubts about it, if you want to become a successful influencer, then engagement is everything. So whether you want to gain a following on Instagram or YouTube, then it is crucial that you are posting content that is informative, entertaining, and engaging.

Without a doubt, YouTube is a fantastic platform for aspiring influencers to share videos about things that interest them. Moreover, it is for these reasons that businesses often choose to work with influencers. However, it is no secret that if you want to get likes on Youtube and build a following then you need to post content on a regular basis. Likes and comments on YouTube videos can only be earned through hard work and perseverance. Otherwise, there is always a possibility that your subscribers will no longer interact with your posts.

You probably aren’t going to be doing this full-time for a while yet. Let us be honest. Despite all the posts you see about people who ‘quit their jobs to travel the world’, it is unlikely that you will make enough money through social media alone to support yourself in the early stages of your online career.

Further, you might not have developed your niche in product reviews, so you are buying all of your own gear. That means this gear list will keep the overall cost minimized too.

2019 Social Media Influencer: Essential Gear

Your essential gear needs to be light. Compact is the way to go. Of course you will still need a bag to keep it all together, so we will start here.

A bag to keep all your stuff organised is key. After a real disaster with electronics at Heathrow Airport security in August, I have decided never to travel without this bag. It has tons of compartments that make it easy to quickly find my essential gear. It also has zippers and clasps to keep things from falling out or vandals from taking my equipment. You can see me using it throughout my YouTube video that has Travel Tips for Visiting Nice.

Next, I suggest you get a GoPro. The crisp video it captures on a sunny day is glorious. Plus, my GoPro Hero6 films in 4K. That’s something the Canon 80D can’t do. The stabilization on this tiny camera is like butter. Again, I choose it over the Canon any day for fast, beautiful video. I also travel with the 3 Way Mount with Tripod. It fits easily in a side pocket of the backpack or inside. This mount helps get shots that might be a bit out of reach, as well as the occasional selfie video if Mr Sunny isn’t around to help. Finally, a light device (but takes up space in a suitcase because I keep it in the original box to prevent damage) is the GoPro dome. It’s cheap and allows for those perfectly focused shots half in and out of water.

These three things make filming super easy. Oh- and did I mention that the wifi capability on the GoPro rocks when it comes to uploading stuff fast to Instastories! If I want to share a 15 second video with followers fast, getting a heavy DSLR involved is just a drag. With the GoPro app, I can edit fast on my phone and post.

2019 Social Media Influencer: Phone Gadgets

Next on the list is a mobile stabilizer. This gimbal is the way to go. Again, with the app designed for it, I can pull focus and do other little tricks while I film smooth video with my phone. It also comes with a little tripod so you can create panning shots that will make you the #InstaEnvy of the Gram!

Don’t forget to grab a little lav mic for your phone too. I find Rode makes the best mics for phones. I’ve had mine for several years and tons of live stream Facebook updates.

2019 Social Media Influencer: Ditch the Tripod

If you must use a DSLR when you film, there is one gadget I recommend that will save space and weight while you work. I adore my Joby GorillaPod. It’s the only ‘tripod’ I brought with me to Malta, Vienna, Prague and Nice. I can’t even imagine dragging around a full size tripod anymore. However, when I used it to shoot YouTube videos, I also made sure to have a remote so I could easily stop and start takes of my tips in videos.

2019 Social Media Influencer: Fake Tanning?

Last but not least, I need to recommend the most important item for filming, especially from the viewpoint of the Sunny in London blog 😉 That is real light, as in fake sunshine!

Yep. Aside from crisp sound, no one wants to sit through a video with bad lighting. So, skip the big soft boxes and just screw this mini-sunshine maker on your DSLR and go.

2019 Social Media Influencer: Final Thoughts

Of course, you will want to have plenty of micro SD cards with plenty of storage ready for your GoPro, but those are common sense. Aren’t they?

What other compact devices would you add to the list, Sunny friends? Have you had any luck with clip on lenses for your phone? I keep them in my camera backpack but always feel like they are a pain to attach and use quickly.

To shop the entire Sunny in London gear list and a foodie lover gift guide, visit my Amazon shop.

November 27, 2016 by: Sunny London

How to Be a Social Media Influencer in 2017

Are you ready to move from being a blogger or vlogger to a serious social media influencer? If so, there’s a list of things you need to do and have to rock 2017.

If you’ve been relying on still visuals and creatively drafted blog posts to achieve social media stardom, then you haven’t been paying attention the past few years. Everyone is moving toward video. Storytelling through moving images is now more important than ever. The ability to do that, at a high production quality level, is what will set you apart as a 2017 social media influencer.

Be a Social Media Influencer- Step 1

First, you need to have built a fairly successful blog or website with a clear brand identity and following. This means you’ve created a recognizable logo, guidelines, niche market and content focus. You’ve established your target audience and understand what they’re seeking. Furthermore, if you use Instagram frequently as a blogging tool, then you might also want to consider working out a plan to schedule instagram stories using a platform such as Sked. A book on How to Style Your Brand helped me discover key ideas when I rebranded recently. It was a short read packed with visual examples and rich information.

Be a Social Media Influencer- Step 2

You know how to deliver a pitch. It’s likely that many companies are finding you, but there is also value in reaching out to them too. Maybe you have a story idea that you know will work well and want to make it happen sooner rather than later? If you’re actively creating content that’s fresh, you’ll also want to make some effort to gain information proactively through outreach.

While I have had great success with PR and Media companies contacting me, I’ve also made substantial effort to pitch them ideas that I know my readers and watchers will need. There’s a whole section on my blog about how to work with PR companies. I even have an article about how to host an event with social media influencers for companies.

You must not only create a template of a pitch letter, and a visually stunning media kit that’s rich with information and statistics, but also have a contract of what you can offer and are willing to do.

Be a Social Media Influencer- Step 3

Your gear list. To reach people, you need fantastic moving images in great lighting with excellent sound quality. Once you capture those things on film, you need to make sure they’re stored and backed up. It’s not easy doing all this work. And, no matter what you read on the internet, it’s not really cheap either. Sure, there are corners you can cut. But to do it right, there is a list of gadgets that you need to use.

Cameras:

Obviously, the first item you need is a camera. I love my Sony RX100 M3 Advanced Camera for so many reasons. It’s super small, so it easily fits in to a tiny evening bag. Also, the picture quality is fantastic. Battery life is impressive too. I’ve also used one with a tiltable screen. While the day time pictures are impressive and it’s great for selfie photography, I don’t feel the second camera mentioned does as well in low lighting compared to the first one.

Next, you want a GoPro HERO for stories that have movement as a foundation. If action-adventure isn’t solely your content as a social media influencer, you don’t want to spend a lot of money on an additional camera that isn’t used regularly. The lack of a monitor or viewing screen makes framing shots difficult, but it’s the more economic answer for when a story surfaces that needs you to GO! I love its waterproof ability, as it comes in very handy for capturing water sports or video on the beach.

I used it for the video below. I noticed this London attraction hadn’t been covered extensively on YouTube but the few videos that were doing well were shot with a GoPro. When I showed myself riding the longest slide in Europe with this camera on my head and again on my chest, it achieved thousands of views quickly.

Of course when you film at home or are doing something more concentrated, you’ll want a DSLR. A brand that works well for me is Canon. Specifically, I love the Canon EOS 70D.

Stabilizers:

With video becoming more and more competitive, you want to bring your content as close to professional quality as possible. That funky hand held shot that’s shown on many vloggers channels is becoming less and less popular. To get a truly great shot, you need some type of stabilizing device for a camera or mobile phone. This means having a tripod that’s durable and sturdy.

I didn’t spend much money on my Tripod. For around £17, it has more than produced its ROI. I love the carrying case that comes with it. It’s very easy to throw over a shoulder and go!

However, to upgrade your video quality, you’ll want a tripod with a fluid head. That means you can pan and tilt smoothly. I’m not totally in love with my Manfrotto tripod because I struggle with moving the release plate quickly and it’s heavier that my other one. But, it’s clearly the better way to shoot video.

However, for livestreaming video from home, you want this little holder honey…

It holds my iPhone 6 either vertically or horizontally. The Universal Mini Tripod Holder Mount Stand cost me less than £5. BOOM! Finally, what you’re seeing becoming more and more popular are steadycams. Currently, the handheld Gimbal stablizer is the top rated. If you’re still cool with keeping it light and simple, stick with a Mpow selfie stick. I bought mine for a whopping £6. Again, I used it for the YouTube video above.

Lights:

You can have a fantastic filming device in a stable position, but if your lighting isn’t great, you’ll be a shadow in the social media influencer show. For this reason, I use the BPS Softbox Studio Continuous Lighting Light Box for all the videos I shoot at home.

To capture that perfect selfie in lowlight, don’t leave your house without a diva ring light.

Sound:

Great images with great lighting is good, but you won’t have the ability to be a social media influencer if people can’t hear you. The video below features both Rode microphones that I use. In the opening I use a lavalier mic with my iPhone, and for the rest I use the VIDEOPRO mic. There’s no way I would livestream video on Facebook or record anything while at attractions and events in London without my lav mic.

Accessories:

The little things in terms of organisation, power and storage go a long, long way. Without power and memory, nothing else can happen. These products travel with me everywhere:

Oh yeah, and just when you think it’s all about the electronic game, let’s not forget the power of the pen. Yes, you still need a good, old fashion writing tool. Well, sort of. I think to be a social media influencer with something to say in 2017, you need to have a kick ass stylus. When you’re sharing your wisdom and comments to the world on Snapchat or through Instastories, have some colourful style. I grabbed this set of 10 touchscreen pens for less than £1 and love every single one of them!

So, what’s on your gear list to be a social media influencer in 2017? Any suggestions you have to maximize your year and outreach? Most importantly, how do you carry all of your gadgets and devices from place to place?

If you found this valuable, please share it on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter or any other network.

July 13, 2016 by: Sunny London

Tips for Taking a London Helicopter Tour

If you’re considering a London helicopter tour, there’s a few things you should know. I don’t mean the obvious questions you should answer before booking a flight.

‘What are the obvious things,’ you might be wondering.

Well, choosing a reputable company is the very first step. After that, it would be a great idea to investigate online reviews. Since it is so easy for people to write and post their thoughts about experiences online for attractions, hotels, restaurants, and just about any activity, it would be well worth your time to do some research on what other people have to say about the company prior to even calling to inquire. Much like you’re doing right now 😉

Assuming all that meets your high expectation level, there are actually a few more extremely important steps you need to take.

Having flown in a helicopter over the Grand Canyon and an erupting volcano in Hawaii, I thought I knew what to expect for a great London helicopter experience. I even watched other people’s videos prior to my booking to get ideas about what would happen. However, there’s one thing I absolutely missed!

To avoid being surprised by anything when you take your London helicopter flight, spend six minutes watching this YouTube video below. It includes my tips for how to fly high through the sky with the London helicopter company. There are shots taken from the take off and landing, as well as highlights of what you’ll see from the air.

My flight with the London Helicopter company was complimentary for the purpose of a review. As you’ll see in the YouTube video, this does not affect my thoughts on the experience. I was on the ‘London Sights’ flight. I believe the cost of this experience for an individual is £200. Their website shows more about individual flight prices and group packages.

As I reference in the video, they’re highly rated on TripAdvisor.

There’s also a Guide for Americans Visiting London for the First Time on the blog, which has reviews for hotels, restaurants, attractions, afternoon tea, events and more. I look forward to reading your comments about the tips in the video and answering any other questions you might have about the American expat experience in London, or perhaps ideas for an NFL in London trip. Oh, and if you are planning a journey here, be sure to pin this to your London trip board. Of course, you can always share it with friends on other social media too.

May 23, 2016 by: Sunny London

Mango Tree Review- Belgravia, London

Who would’ve guessed that Mango Tree serves the swankiest cocktail in London?

At least that’s the story I am telling after my recent experience there. Sunny friends, I am not kidding. The ‘Bangkok Fizz’ is going to be my hot new drunk of choice. That’s of course after a cold glass of champagne.

This sexy mixture of Malibu, fresh lime juice, cranberry juice, lemonade with crushed ice and fresh mint really took me by surprise. But more on that later.

In the heart of Belgravia, literally on Buckingham Palace’s back door, is the ultra stylish Thai restaurant Mango Tree. With its original branch in Bangkok, this super spacious and feng-shui designed venue offers more than just a fun dining experience. It was featured on BBC1’s Masterchef and even has a mention in renowned Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling’s novel The Silkworm.

So, given all the hype, Mr. Sunny and I were excited when we received the invitation to take on this Thai food experience for a night.

We arrived just shortly after they opened, were whisked to the bar area and had colourful drinks in our hands within what felt like seconds.

And there she is, Miss Bangkok Fizz, front and centre. After the first sip, I fell in love. The smooth, silky feel of this drink hit me unexpectedly. Of course, the Malibu wasn’t too overpowering. I’ve always felt like it was like drinking suntan oil, light, luscious and tropical. It was the sheer lovely sensation of the drink and shock that it didn’t contain vanilla that resonated with me. For some reason it just seemed like it would have that ingredient hidden somewhere.

With nearly finished drinks, we headed to our table which was in a spacious area near a window. After ordering our food, a simple apple salad on a spoon arrived for each of us.

We both liked this little treat, as it had the right balance of a sweet and sour taste. Next, a seafood platter landed in the centre of the table and each bite was filled with excellent flavour. I may have taken more than my portion of the peanut sauce, but Mr. Sunny knows that’s one of my real weaknesses when it comes to food favourites.

For our Mains, I chose the Royal Pad Thai. Mr. Sunny picked the Pad Ka Pow. Now, I can guess that you’ve probably never seen a Pad Thai presented quite like this one below.

It is stir fried with lobster, Alaskan King Crab and the usual suspects for the Thai dish. For £32.50 I would’ve expected more lobster and crab, but the dish was tasty as served.

Mr. Sunny was a little surprised by the amount of chilli peppers in his minced meat dish and was happy it came with rice to ease the kick.

The Mango Tree restaurant in Belgravia, London serves genuine Thai dishes from each of the four main culinary regions: rich and mild dishes from the north, spicy food from the east, mild dishes influenced by the chinese cooking style from the central region, and hot and spicy food from the south.

We had excellent service and appreciate the complimentary experience. Naturally, I would be thrilled to return for the Bangkok Fizz and can only imagine how amazing the other drinks are until then. All the food I had was beautiful on a plate and rich with flavour. For an upscale evening of Thai food and swanky, spacious ambiance, Mango Tree in Belgravia is certainly an option.

April 18, 2016 by: Sunny London

11 Best Places to Take a Selfie in London

Planning a visit and need to know the best places to take a selfie in London?

With that in mind, it could be a bit overwhelming trying to figure out all the best #londonselfie places on your own. That’s why I put together this list to help you.

Places to Take a Selfie in London: #1 Big Ben

The top spot to show your Facebook friends that you’re having a good time is Big Ben. Specifically, it’s the most popular backdrop for selfies in the capital. Many people try to take selfies as they cross Westminster Bridge. Time and time again when I pass these tourists, I see them struggling with positioning their picture because it’s difficult to fight the oncoming crowds of people moving across the bridge. Not to mention the oncoming traffic made of busses, taxis and cyclists.

The best location to get you and your friend Ben in the same shot is actually from the opposite side on Great George Street. In fact, you can get a two for one here because there’s a telephone booth you can position yourself inside or near that is perfect for an iconic London photo souvenir.

If you go to 12 Great George Street on Google Maps, you can see the place to which I am referring.

Here is a street view. The telephone booth featured in the pictures above is on the left.

It’s likely you’ll need to wait in a fairly organised queue to get a great shot, but it’s worth it. However, try to avoid making too much of a scene.

Places to Take a Selfie in London: #2 Buckingham Palace

If you really want a royal way to remember your trip, then you must walk a few minutes from Big Ben to Buckingham Palace. It’s pretty easy here to stand in front of the gates and get a good shot of your faux visit with the Queen.

Places to Take a Selfie in London: #3 St Paul’s Cathedral

Another easy space to get a ginormous monument behind you is next to St. Paul’s Cathedral. However, take it to another level by being slightly more creative. Instead of just standing in front of the location and snapping a photo, walk from Southwark across the Millenium Bridge and position yourself with the cathedral behind you.

Places to Take a Selfie in London: #4 Madame Tussaud’s

If you’re looking to be just plain cheeky, there’s a Marylebone museum designed just for selfies. Well, almost.

If you want to win an Academy Award for Best Selfie on a Holiday, Madame Tussaud’s is THE place to travel. Inside you’ll see all types of fake celebrities which will surely give your selfie stick a genuine place on the stage. From Darth Vader to James Bond to the Royal Family, you can spend hours being star struck here.

Places to Take a Selfie in London: #5 Shrek’s Adventures

If you’re more focused on specific fictitious characters, then there are a few other options. While I feel Shrek’s Adventure in the South Bank area is primarily an attraction for people with small children, there is one alluring factor for adults.

Every group (which in my case on the day I visited was a party of one), gets a quick chance to pose with Shrek’s at the end of the experience. This photo op could make your friends really green with envy.

Places to Take a Selfie in London: #6 Platform 9 3/4

For a literal camera quest, you should add this spot which will make all your muggle mates curious.

While capturing the whole ‘illusion’ of finding Platform 9 3/4 is tough in a selfie, it’s every Harry Potter fan’s dream. I had a friend take this shot of me for the blog review of Hogwarts in the Snow at Christmas. Since you would need directions for getting to the Harry Potter Studio Tour if you’re just visiting London, you might want to consider just visiting a similar setup for a mystical photo at the King’s Cross Platform 9 3/4 area. Rather than take a full day of your trip to complete the Harry Potter Studio Tour, you can just hit the Central London staged setting.

Either way, both locations will let you get this picture of you that will produce magical results.

Places to Take a Selfie in London: #7 London Eye

Moving up your selfie itinerary, you can grab a shot at one of London’s newest icons in the sky- The London Eye.

Before you visit, be sure to read the blog on Advice for How to Ride High. While you are there, it’s pretty easy to get a great picture if you board the carriage and immediately head to the back. This perfectly positions you for a timely picture of you and one of the world’s most famous riverside views. While at the attraction, you can also snag a sneaky Big Ben photo from a different land angle too.

Places to Take a Selfie in London: #8 The Shard

For the highest horizon in Europe, you’ll have to go to the View from the Shard experience. I’ve visited twice and both times it was spectacular. From this altitude you can get a great shot of you and The Tower of London, the Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast and the Mayor’s office.

Places to Take a Selfie in London: #9 Regent Street

For all the fashion forward Sunny friends, put on your pret a porter gear and strut your stuff on this runway- the middle of Regent Street.

While you must be exceedingly careful to stage this shot, it is possible to position yourself in the center of Regent Street. I’ve actual done a Periscope broadcast from this location when I was promoting the NFL in London street party that’s taken place the past few years in the Autumn.

Places to Take a Selfie in London: #10 Tower of London Bridge Exhibition

For the most death defying selfie, there is no doubt in my mind that the glass floor in the walkway of the Tower Bridge Exhibition is the clearest way to get the best selfie in London.

Again, there is a whole blog review devoted to this attraction that’s part of the London Pass. In fact, many of the attractions listed here can be a part of that money saving system.

Places to Take a Selfie in London: #11 Piccadilly Circus

At almost any time of the day, you’ll find Piccadilly Circus flooded with eager selfie takers. With the bright lights and flashy displays, this spot is always a winner. In fact, if you look closely at the couple posing below, you’ll see they’re aiming for every angle.

Places to Take a Selfie in London: Final Thoughts

There is one spot in London that I have intentionally left out and that’s Trafalgar Square. It’s certainly populated with tons of tourists every day fighting to take pictures on and with the Nelson’s column monumental bronze lions.

It’s just not something I would advise. There doesn’t seem to be a safe way to get to them and planning a selfie seems dangerous because there’s no railing and minimal space to balance your feet. There is no doubt that it is a great photo location. But, I wouldn’t count on a selfie stick producing concrete results. Well, unless you want to be on one of those viral videos that shows you falling off the statues.

What are your thoughts, Sunny friends? Where would you suggest is a great selfie spot in London?

November 12, 2015 by: Sunny London

Fun, FREE Christmas Things To Do in London!

Finding free Christmas things to do in London is not as hard as you might think. In fact, when you live in one of the world’s most expensive cities, you are constantly looking out for discounts or free events and opportunities.

For Americans or other travellers to London who have a limited amount of time for a holiday, it’s nice to have a guide to direct you to ways to save money and effort on research. London has so much to offer during the most wonderful time of the year. Quite a few things will put you in the Christmas spirit while not costing anything!

To keep it simple, this guide is arranged by area. Further, all the suggestions are within walking distance of each other and can easily be seen in one day. For the most part, the focus is on the West End and surrounding borders.

Fun and Free Christmas Things to Do in London

Christmas Things to Do in London: Covent Garden

Naturally, we’ll start with the area that’s my blog favourite. Packed with theatres, shopping, restaurants, bars and hotels, Covent Garden offers loads of activities year-round. The free Christmas activities range from the obvious to hidden neighborhood treasures.

The decorations in the Piazza contribute to some of London’s most popular Instagram moments. This year’s theme is Mistletoe, which means the piazza is truly lovely!

After strolling through the Jubilee Market and Apple Market, you can spend some time taking selfies in front of the Covent Garden Christmas tree and watching the very entertaining street performers.

In the past there have been Santa’s reindeer on display for a series of Saturdays. I’ll be sure to update this list when they publish this year’s dates.

Walking North from the Piazza, you’ll find St. Martin’s Courtyard. Aside from numerous restaurants, you’ll be able to see the floral displays of the Covent Garden Academy of Flowers.

Just like the tree and decorations in the Piazza, the arrangements outside create fantastic picture opportunities.

If you are in fact Christmas shopping, I highly recommend one of their classes on making flower arrangements as a gift for a girl who ‘has it all’. Of all the workshops and courses I have taken in London, this class ranks as the best.

Christmas Things to Do in London: Trafalgar Square

In comparison to the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center, the tree in Trafalgar Square isn’t quite as grand. Nonetheless, visiting it is something I make sure to do several times during the holiday season.

Like Covent Garden, you are likely to see street performers dressed in holiday style. And, if you look very, very closely (in the bottom right), you might even catch a glimpse of Santa Claus.

Finally, there are Christmas Carol services that you can watch for free on evenings during December.

Christmas Things to Do in London: Carnaby Street

If you want your list of free Christmas Things to Do in London to reflect a more eclectic vibe, Carnaby is the area you need to be. Their holiday lights officially illuminated the sky on November 12th. The dangling disco balls are dazzling.

Christmas Things to Do in London Carnaby Lights 2015

Just around the corner from Carnaby Street is Foubert’s Place where you will find Choccywoccydoodah. This famous chocolatier has its own successful reality television show. If you take one look at the chocolate cakes, yes this all chocolate in the pictures below, you can see why.

Each year I make a few trips in to the store just to see the gorgeous displays. Again, it’s a great place to pick up fantastic chocolate for gifts. Or, if your diet is waiting until New Year, upstairs has a small but divine chocolate cafe.

Christmas Things to Do in London: Oxford Street

Not too far north of Carnaby is Oxford Street. This street is famous for many retail chains and countless red busses that travel tirelessly under all the strands of Christmas lights.

Aside from gazing at the glistening street lights, for free you can also view the displays at Selfridges.

free-christmas-things-to-do-in-london-selfridges (2)

Some people think Santa’s Grotto at Selfridges is the best in London. However, if you venture inside the department store, you’re very likely to spend money so I’ll refrain from pictures here in the spirit of the promotion of free Christmas things to do in London. 😉

Christmas Things to Do in London: Regent Street

Finally, the last stop is the biggest shopping street in Europe, Regent Street. Their seasonal events and decorations are unrivaled by any London neighborhood, in my opinion. From the Traffic Free Sunday’s in July, to the NFL in London Street Party, Regent Street promotes London love all year long.

Something you can do for free on Regent Street is visit Hamleys. At the entrance you are always greeted with something spectacular. The last time I visited I was showered with bubbles.

The Regent Street location has been there since 1881, so its absolutely iconic. It’s the oldest toy shop in the world, so it’s naturally always crowded.

Free Christmas Things to Do in London: Final Thoughts

When I have a leisurely day in London during the holidays, that’s the list of activities I do. I’m sure other areas have fun options, but the ones above are close to each other and offer beautiful picture opportunities, including some of London’s most iconic images.

What’s on your list of free Christmas things to do in London that you would recommend?