G.A.Y'ing it up in Manchester

This post won't interest a lot of people as it's not really beauty related but I'm using my blog as an online diary too, hence why I've decided to do this post on last night's antics in the fabulous Manchester!

Having never been on a night out in Manchester before, to say I was excited to sample some of it's famous bars and amazing atmosphere would be a huge understatement. It was one of my closest male friend's 22nd birthday and being as he's gay and camper than a pink christmas tree, he chose to spend his birthday evening on Canal Street, famous for it's buzzing bars and generally gay nightlife scene. Even though gay clubs perhaps wouldn't be my first choice of drinking locations, I can tell you it delivered on all counts and I had an amazing night, with the added bonus of no pervy strangers to avoid or lurking old men needing to be dodged.

Of Canal Street we visited Velvet, Queer, G.A.Y and Baa Bar ( who'd have guessed they were gay bars?) all of which blared out cheesy tunes consisting of the like of S Club, Girls Aloud and The Saturdays. Hilarious to sing and dance around to and the music got me very reminscent of my high school days in all honesty. A few mainstream songs were played too, which provided a welcome break from hearing divas and girl band anthems. The atmosphere was electric, I can only describe it as like being on a holiday bar strip in the likes of Spain or Cyrpus. Everyone was just in a good mood and out to have a brilliant time!

My favourite bar was Baa Bars, as it was slightly less queer and generally a bit more akin to the bars I'm used to. Amazing £1 shots too, which you won't find in many places in Leeds on a Saturday night. Here are some snaps from the night, which without a doubt will go down as one of my favourites all year!




On the train from Leeds. I was so happy I got to debut my Nars Blush for the fist time.



Lots of fur coats at the train station - freezing last night!

At Velvet Bar

Me at Velvet Bar. Wearing: topshop high waisted jeans, Peacocks Bandeau, Topshop lace top, Garage Shoes Boots and a Miss Selfridge jacket.

At G.A.Y club - Madonna most probably playing in the background. Birthday boy in the middle!

Geri Halliwell for Next

It's pretty much a guaranteed fact that any girl born in the naughty 90's once loved, adored and idolised The Spice Girls during their short fame and I'm definitely no anomaly to that trend. Everything about the five girls was iconic;  their attitude, the way they dressed, their music and their 'girl power' message. For me and probably many others, Geri Halliwell really stood out from the start. She was ballsy, confident, fiery and she always knew how to get attention.

Since their famous split I've continued to follow the girls' progress and Geri in particular. She's already designed lingerie and swimwear collections for Next, which I love, especially the figure-enhancing bikinis.  Now she's designed a few very patriotic clothing pieces, all created with inspiration from that infamous dress of 1997. The hem lines are now considerably longer than the 't-shirt' dress worn at the Brits, as it to be expected seeing as Geri's now 15 years older (scary!)




Sequin Dress £199



Below are my three favourite items from the range: a Maxi dress, a Bikini and a T-shirt. They look great on Geri and I think the fact she models the clothes herself really sets off the collection. I think these pieces would look great on any body types and are suitable for pretty much all ages. Judging by her last collections, the pieces shouldn't be too expensive, making them a holiday-wardrobe must! Being ridiculously patriotic myself, I'll definitely be popping down to Next when the range is released in early March, I need to get my hands on that Maxi dress! 










Outfit post: Country Grammar

Today's outfit for my lovely wintery walk in the countryside...

Fur headband - Craft Fair (but very similar ones available at Dorothy Perkins)

Quilted Jacket - Joules

Chunky Black Scarf - FCUK

Leggins - Next

Welly Socks - Hunter

Wellies - Hunter

I was also wearing two lots of thermal tops underneath but thought I'd be best leaving the details of those out! Warm yes, but hardly fashion forward :)

I had to take my revision cards with me although they were absolutely no use. I have my first January exam in a week and to say I'm unprepared is a HUGE understatement. 

Shoe Heaven - Hello Kurt Geiger Sale!

I'm not usually one for an impulse buy or a rash purchase, but on the evening of Christmas day I was fully captured and wholly consumed by a few of the fabulous online sales; there was one particular sale that I was drawn to more than any other - the Kurt Geiger shoe sale.

As soon as I set eyes on these beautiful nude Carvela heels, I KNEW they had to be mine. Half price and in my size too! The postman kindly delivered them yesterday and I've fallen head over heels in love...

BANGLES

Call me stuck in the 90s' but I'm LOVING bangle bracelets at the moment - especially sterling silver ones!

They look great on their own and can make a real statement teamed with a killer dress and minimal accessories. Equally, a few skinny ones can make a daytime outfit look that bit more classy and sophisticated. They also look incredible against tanned skin, making them a post-holiday wardrobe must!

The great thing with bangles is that the prices really range; you can either totally indulge and spoil yourself with an expensive piece or spend a tenner on one that looks just as good and you don't have to worry about losing!

Here are a few of my current favourites:

1) Mirabelle Oxydized Sterling Silver Dove Bangle (asos.com) - £60

2) John Richard Linked Heart Bangle - £12

4) Pandora Sterling Silver Bubble Bangle - £75

Swarovski Louise Bangle - £145

Alexander McQueen Silver Crystal Twin Skull Bangle - £160

ASOS Set Stone Clamp Bracelet - £14

Marahlago Silver and Larimar Liquido Bangle Bracelet - £262

The only downside is the noise they make if you're wearing a few and trying to type...very annoying!