Wednesday 30 September 2015

A Foodies Guide To Manchester

I've lived in Manchester for just over a week now, and it's safe to say I'm loving the city life! It's the best feeling in the world being able to walk past all these amazing buildings, shops, bars and people on the way to and from work. I love the feel of it in Manchester, it's got such a good atmosphere, it's so busy and full of so many different things to do and see. Literally no two days are the same. You HAVE to try something new to eat in Manchester, simply because there are so many places you can go.

There's loads of Italians that you can get a very decent pizza or pasta from, from chains like San Carlo, Carluccios and Jamies Italian, to Manchester founded places like Croma, Per Tutti and Piccolino.

THE BEST ITALIAN: CROMA


I went to Croma the other day and the pizza was amazing! It's such good value as well, with the pizzas at around £5-£8 depending on your toppings. They do a deal too that gets you a pizza and a drink for around £10, so make sure you have a look at their website for any offers they might have on before you go.

You can try some good old greasy grub from one of the many american style restaurants like Dogs N Dough, Solita, Almost Famous and Crazy Pedros. You've also got your typical chain Americans too, such as Hard Rock Cafe, TGI's and Byron Burger.

THE BEST AMERICAN: ALMOST FAMOUS


At Almost Famous, they serve the best list of burgers you could ever dream of. Ever. They have really cool cocktails too, so definitely try one of them whilst you're there! I had the Johnny Mac, wow, try it.

If you're out and about in Manchester shopping, there's some great places to have a quick pit stop at too, there's The Living Room, The Slug and Lettuce and The Alchemist, which all do amazing cocktails (you can probably tell I love my cocktails by now). There's tonnes of fast food places and cafes everywhere you look in Manchester, so be it lunch break or a meet up with a friend, you'll be no longer than a stones throw away from somewhere delicious.

THE BEST LUNCH: THE SLUG AND LETTUCE



I went there today so I might be biased, but its so nice, especially if you sit outside and people watch for a bit too. I had the chicken skewer, but there are about 8 or 9 lunch options for only £6! Very very decent in my opinion.

If you're trying to impress you're mates, your parents or your date, treat them to a cocktail somewhere a little different. Pretty much everywhere you eat will have a cocktail menu, but these places will blow your mind, and deffo bag that second date. Try The Alchemist, The Botanist or Australasia for city centre chic bars, and Dusk Till Pawn, Apotheca or The Fitzgerald for something in the Northern Quarter.

THE BEST COCKTAILS: DUSK TILL PAWN


It's gotta be Dusk Till Pawn, it's so secretive and small it feels like the most exclusive bar in town. It's hidden away in disguise behind a store front, and it took me about half an hour to actually find it, but it was worth the wait, and in my opinion, it added to the mystery of the place. I had a pornstar martini, as always, but I'm 100% sure that anything on that menu will be insanely good.

There are a few more places in Manchester that I'd like to just mention too, simply because they are great. There's Turtle Bay, a Caribbean style restaurant, The Courtyard, probably the cheapest bar in town, just £2 for a cocktail? Yes please. Also, Black Milk Cereal, a cereal cafe in Afflecks Palace, you can get every cereal, topping and milk imaginable, and the milkshakes look absolutely life changing. And then there's B.Eat Street, an event that has actually finished, but if you come across any mention of it, then drop everything and GO GO GO.

If you've got any suggestions, want some more info, or you've been to any of these places, then let me know, drop me a comment or a message!


What I Wore Today - 30.09.2015

My nan came to see me at uni today so I took her into town for some shopping and some lunch. I wore the cutest outfit I think I've ever owned - a little burgundy corduroy pinafore white a white high neck tee and my loafers.



Top - Topshop
Pinafore - Topshop
Shoes - River Island

We went to The Slug and Lettuce on Deansgate for lunch and it was really nice. We also and one (ok, two) cocktails which were delicious, if you go, try the red berry iced tea, I think I counted five different types of alcohol in there??


Wednesday 16 September 2015

Long Live Fashion


Yesterday, I was shopping in town, and I noticed that H&M are currently running a campaign to get people to donate their old clothes in their local H&M store. They are aiming to have absolutely no waste from all the donations, which means that your clothes will be sorted, and anything will be sold in various shops all across the world, and anything you've ripped, stained or just over worn can be used to make new fabrics to make more clothes - yay!

Since I'm moving out, I decided to take my two carrier bags that have been waiting to be donated for weeks to my local store, and I was very surprised to receive a £5 voucher (only if you spend £25 - but that's easy done) just for bringing them in. 

I think this is such a good idea, and I know that charity shops accept donations, but the fact that a global company like H&M are backing such a good initiative will cause donations to increase, especially since you get money off for doing it! AND they are donating money to charities for every kilogram of clothing donated.

They are accepting any clothes, from any brand, in any size, in any condition - so bag up those pants that were such a good idea at the time, or that bundle of t-shirts you now wear to bed, and get down to your local H&M!

If you want more information, click this link for all the small print, how it all works, some Q&A's and a video if you're too lazy to read everything (not me, I promise).



Sunday 13 September 2015

What I Wore Today - 13.9.15

Today was my first proper day working at Ted Baker, and since I didn't manage to get any uniform last time I had to wear my own clothes again. I chose to wear my coated jeans, a khaki split top and my black boots.



Top - New Look
Pants - New Look
Boots - New Look


New York Fashion Week - My Favourite Looks

I'm so I'm not going to bore you to death with a long list of shows I loved and the reasoning behind it all as that's all I've been reading this week. Instead, I thought I'd show you my favourite looks instead. 

Each is credited below, and I'm sure you will see for yourself why I've chosen them. There will be a follow-up post later this week about the key colours, shapes, patterns and trends I've pulled from watching hours and hours of NYFW so far on live stream, so don't you worry! Now sit down and enjoy some visuals.


Alberta Ferretti


Balmain


Balenciaga


Zimmerman (LOOK AT THOSE SHOES)


Tadashi Shoji


Alexander McQueen


Whistles


Boss

 
Sally Lapointe


Rebecca Minkoff


Emilio Pucci 


Chanel (last but not least)

I hope you enjoyed giving your brain a rest from RFWR (repetitive fashion week reading) and your eyes the joy of seeing these truly wonderful designs.

Let me know your favourite looks from NYFW in the comments box!!

Ps: these pictures are NOT mine, they are credited to the designer underneath. 

Saturday 12 September 2015

What I Wore Today - 12.9.15

Today I was out searching for the perfect laptop for uni, and this called for some comfy clothes. I wore my high waisted loose jeans, a cosy top and my Adidas Superstars.





Top - New Look
Jeans - Topshop
Bracelet - Vivienne Westwood
Charm Bracelet - Pandora

Ps: Incase you care, I bought the HP Stream 13 in blue (RRP £229). So far it's been really good for the money, it's quick, you can do everything I need to on it and above all, it looks good.

Friday 11 September 2015

LBD - The Update

So we all know the classic little black dress, you can throw it on whenever and feel 10/10. BUT I do feel like we need to update our favourite one each season.

Here's my top three styles for the autumn:

1. Asymmetric 

I love this take on the LBD since it's so body hugging, and the asymmetric skirt shows a little more leg and makes the dress that much sexier. Pair with some black barely there heels or flats and a black clutch to stick to keep it simple, and keep jewellery to a minimum for maximum impact.


Asos - £20


Y.A.S - £50

2 - Lace

I love the girly look a bit of lace gives, and on a LBD it gives some detail rather than just having plain black fabric. Wear with any black heels and bag and you're good to go.


Missguided - £35


Asos - £58

3. Oversized

Oversized dresses give that sexy feel, I don't know how, or why, but they just do. Maybe it's the way the fabric drapes across your body, or because it leaves things to the imagination, who knows? I'd keep this style classy with some barely there heels and some gold accessories to bring the wow factor.


Whistles - £95


All Saints - £148

Ps - these pictures are NOT mine, and were sourced from various websites, with the brand credited with each image. 

My AW 15 Must Haves

As much as I hate to admit it, Autumn is fast approaching, which means that our summer (if you can call it that) is coming to an end.

I've been online shopping for some cosy knits, some leather and some boots to ease into the transition. 

Here's some of the best items I've found - think of this list as a survival guide for AW.

Starting off with the essentials, I've found my favourite colour of the season, camel, combined with my favourite coat, an omoversized boyfriend. I've seen this style of coat out and about, and I am in love. This is the perfect coat, it can transform a pair of skinnies and a blouse into a classy outfit, and then you can throw it over your favourite dress a la Cara Delevingne



My favourite high street style was this one, from Missguided for £70.



Next is a simple style of bag that I do favour most seasons, a small cross body bag. I love this style for so many reasons: you can wear it across you, on your shoulder or even tuck the straps in and use it as a clutch, and it's small enough that it doesn't annoy you on your shopping trip! You can pack in the essentials, and still look amazing. My favourite this season is a classic black option, like this one from Coach at £130.


The best thing you can invest in is a good leather jacket. You can wear them hear after year after year, and they seem to look better with age, unless they rip, like mine did today (argh)!

Luckily I have found the fashion equivalent of the holy grail in this amazing jacket from French Connection for £110. It's got a great texture, it's faux leather and it's perfect. It's quite modern with the texture, but it's simple enough that I can promise you it will still look like new season next year.


Obviously there has to be a skirt in this list, since what's autumn without searching frantically for some unwripped tights before work? I've been really into the boucle vibe this season, it channels your inner Chanel, whilst adding to the monochrome style we all love so much. 

I've searched high and low for one that's equal parts school girl and street wear, and managed to hunt down this one, at £30 from River Island.


Now onto shoes - I love a good pair of boots in the winter, but I'm loving these open toe and heel style boots, because I'm just not ready to accept that we have lost toes out weather quite yet.

Have a look at these from Daisy Street at £27.99


You've also got to have a splash of khaki in your AW wardrobe this year, I'd suggest investing in some pant and a top - minimum.

I've found these utility trousers at ASOS for £30. Classic and practical. You can wear these with all black to create an office look, and then pair with a white top for an evening look.

 

And as for a top, I'd recommend a new season style, such as the open wrap blouse, or a split side top, like this one from Stitch & Pieces for £26. I love the ribbed material, and the high neck, it just makes it feel that much more cosy and suitable for the anticipated weather.


What to carry forwards from your last season wardrobe:

A pair of barely there heels in a neutral colour, such as black white, grey or nude.

Your floppy hat, be it grey, black or camel, whilst there's still a glimmer of sun in the sky, keep your hat on for ultimate sass.

Your ripped denim. Keep it. Wear it. Love it. It's here to stay.

If you want any more information on these items, let me know and I'll do my best to help you!

Enjoy!

Ps - these pictures are NOT mine, and were sourced from various websites, with the brand credited with each image. 

What I Wore Today - 11.9.15

You Today I spied a little bit of sunshine in my back garden, so obviously, I had to put my white jeans on! I styled these with a black cami and my latest pair of Adidas trainers.






Top - Asos
Jeans - Miss Selfridge
Shoes - Adidas Stan Smith

I then had a spontaneous night out, so I decided to transform my white jeans with a khaki wrap blouse and some white barely there heels with a black purse-come-clutch bag.







Shoes - Missguided
Clutch/Purse - Vivienne Westwood
Watch - Micheal Kors

Thursday 10 September 2015

What I wore Today - 10.9.15

Today was my induction at Ted Baker, where I'll be working when I move to Manchester next week, I decided to go smart casual, and I wore a nude floral shirt, over the top of a jumpsuit, to bring a new lease of life to an old item, and my favourite flats again. I wanted to bring some pale, girly colours into my outfit to co-ordinate with Ted Baker style, and I'm now super excited to start! Big up staff discount!




Jacket - Miss Selfridge
Blouse - Primark
Jumpsuit - New Look
Shoes - Topshop
Watch - Micheal Kors
Necklace - Primark

Wednesday 9 September 2015

What I Wore Today 9.9.15

So here's my first 'What I Wore Today' post!

Today was pretty chilled, I got up late and did some damage to my bank card, courtesy of online shopping... And then popped into Ego Lytham for a spot of lunch with Matt (my boyfriend).

Since it was just lunch, I decided to keep it minimal and classic with some black skinny jeans, a white shirt and some black flats, added a small bag, a bit of gold, and I was good to go. When I went out I threw on my leather jacket to complete the look.






Hair and make up were both kept simple too, with some loose waves, and just a flick of mascara.



Jacket - Miss Selfridge
Shirt - LTB Jeans
Jeans - New Look
Shoes - Topshop
Bag - Fiorelli
Necklace - Primark
Watch - Micheal Kors
Bracelet - Micheal Kors

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