My Adventures In Manchester.

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“Adventuring in Manchester”

A week ago I went on a little adventure. With the week I had off I was supposed to be going away with my now ex to Majorca, I wanted to make sure I was doing something that I didn’t let it play on my mind. I’ve been so good with shutting things out and not letting them get the better of me, so I didn’t want a week of not having any plans change that. Henceforth, why I went to Manchester to visit my best friend. Being in the city for the week made me realise just how much I needed to be there.

Fiona comes back on weekends so on a Monday morning I said I would hitch a ride with her when she drove back to Manchester before she went to work. I left my suitcase in her car while she went to work. I ventured into the city on my own to get a real understanding of how the city works and where things are. Being someone that lives in the countryside it just baffles me how easy places are to get too. From Salford, I hopped onto the tram and got into the city centre in less than 11 minutes.

This was something big for me. Dealing with anxiety is something I’ve dealt with. Being in a big city I would have thought it would set it off but having so much to see and potentially do, the anxiety was curved. While in Manchester I got up to so many different things. Visiting the city centre was the main one. Visiting the many different museums and galleries on my own was such an amazing experience. Once Fiona had finished work we walked to the nearest bar and had a few drinks in Salford. A bar overlooking the water amongst the city lights.

Lazy Days

As well as visiting the city I had some lazy days where I stayed at the flat and caught up on my blog and my favourite tv shows. That’s what a holiday is all about right? Where Fiona is renting there is a beautiful park. I knew I had to go see it. It was like home from home. Although I love the city, I needed a little break away from the hectic life of the city. Walking around the park I totally forgot I was in Manchester.

Meeting new people was something I wanted to do while I was in and around Manchester. So many bloggers I’ve talked too and read their blogs for years lived here. I wanted to meet as many people while I was there to make connections within the blogging world and also meet people I’ve spoken too for a long time. It was amazing to meet people and hear all the encouraging and lovely things people have to say. As well as talking all things blogging. One of my favourite places I was taken too was Harvey Nichols cafe which was so amazing. Somewhere I’d never thought I’d go as I feel I’m not good enough to go somewhere like that. But the view was gorgeous from there. The place itself was just incredible.

While there we decided we needed to go out one night. Have a proper night out in Manchester. With this in mind, we needed new outfits. Heading to the Trafford centre we decided to shop till we dropped. The Trafford Centre is a beautiful and opulent shopping centre with its late baroque architectural. Eating within the amazing food hall which is made to look like a ship. I felt like I was on the Titanic. Staying open late we made sure we packed in every shop to make sure we had the perfect outfits.

SPICE UP YOUR LIFE

 

 

 

 

With Fiona and I going home on Fridays, Thursday was our night out. Once we got dressed up and we had a few drinks beforehand, we got into an Uber and hit the city. First stop was 20 Stories.

A beautiful rooftop bar with beautiful views of the city. The rooftop was open to the elements which were beautiful as it wasn’t a very cold night and the weather was calm. But the fire pits and heated lamps were an amazing touch. Around the edge of the room was little pods for VIP guests. You had to pay for these but they were stunning to look at. Little pods with flowers and ivy all over them with fairy lights to light up the night.

Whilst there we made friends with these 3 guys who stayed with us most of the night. Lots of laughter, talking and drinking happened. The night was young, therefore, moved onto the next club. I can’t remember the name of the club but it was super lively for a Thursday night. From then on out we danced, danced, danced to the early hours of the morning. Before getting our uber back I spotted something that I wish I had a photo of. THE SPICE GIRLS BUS. It was across the road from the club we had just been in. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I could hear the little Spice Boy inside me screaming. However, Fiona was drunk, I made the decsion to make sure her wellbeing was better than a photo of the Spice Girls Bus.

Manchester was an amazing experience. It has made me realise just how much I’d like to be within the city. With so many things to do at my fingertips. So many amazing bloggers and people that are just like me. So many amazing places to visit. 2019 can’t come quick enough. I can’t wait to be able to have Manchester at my fingertips. Manchester you was amazing!

Boxrbox Luxurious Underwear Collaboration

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“Underwear should be like a second skin”

When it comes to underwear style and how comfortable they are is a major thing for me. Feeling comfortable in them can bring out so much confidence within yourself.

I recently came across a brand of underwear that has completely changed the way I look at my undergarments. BOXRBOX is a men’s luxurious underwear company founded by Christoper Barlow and his wife Georgia. The both of them are very passionate about supporting the British textile industry and the British economy. All of the materials sourced and made into the garments are sourced in the UK.

BOXRBOX offers 3 different product styles.

1) BOXR Brief

2) BOXR Trunk

3) BOXR Short (in development)

The essential BOXRR briefs and trunks are handmade in the UK from a blend of soft, durable micro modal with a hint of elastane for added stretch and fit. Both designs feature a no-fly design, soft lined pouch and a stylish. Ultra soft waistband with embossed BOXR logo.

Unlike cotton, the micro modal textile fibre is shrink resistant and more resistant to fading. Obtained from Beech trees, the high-end, breathable fibre notably absorbs up to 50% more moisture than cotton. The fitted briefs and trunks are designed to sit low on the waist, offering incredible comfort for everyday wear.

The Review

When I received my delivery for my underwear I was so excited it came in a very well packaged boxed with the BOXRBOX logo all over it. Once I had opened the box a little card lay on top of the underwear which showcased a little of the information about the product. I thought this was a great touch as it made me realise just how passionate the owners of the company are, also knowing how the products are made is some extra information that’s always good to know. Trying on the underwear and parading around my bedroom was the highlight of getting this underwear. After a few stretches and squats to test them out I came to the conclusion they are the most comfortable underwear I’ve ever owned. I don’t normally wear briefs but these are next level comfortable. As a Visual Merchandiser, I’m always on my feet, always moving and in very warm conditions within windows. The BOXRBOX underwear stood up to the test to keeping me comfortable throughout my long days at work. Completely converted and I shall most definitely be investing in some more pieces.

Head over to www.boxrbox.co.uk to check them out!

Mistakes That Men Make When Wearing Accessories

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Accessories Make An Outfit 

If you know that you want to start accessorising better or if you know that you are not quite happy with the accessories that you have right now then it is important to understand that it is more than possible for you to turn this around. After all, a few simple changes are all you need to make in order to own your fashion game and when you put the work in, there is no telling what you could achieve.

Not Wearing your Jewellery with Confidence

If you are a stylish man then it is important to know that it is okay for you to push your own boundaries from time to time. One problem that a lot of men experience is that they find it hard to own it because they are just not confident enough. The best and the easiest way for you to try and get around this is for you to practice. Go to a jeweller or even a local department store and try some things on.

When you are able to do this, you can then get a feel for how things look and you can also find out what works for you and what doesn’t. Those who work in these types of stores are usually pretty knowledgeable and they may even be able to advise you on what is going to look best so you can try things you never normally would.

Man in Blue Suit

Not Paying Attention

If you don’t mind sporting the odd accessory then it is so vital to make sure that it is suitable for the situation. The environment that you wear your accessories in is so important. If you are going to a funeral for example then you won’t want to wear anything that could get you any attention. If you are going to a work interview, wear something that is going to coincide with the business. When you are able to do this, you can easily make the most out of the outfit you have and you can also really stand out from the crowd as a result.

Overdoing it

You have to know that sometimes, you can overdo it. You need to make sure that every statement piece you are wearing is contributing something to your outfit. For example, you may want to go with the Armani AR1452 watch but you won’t want to wear a bracelet as well on top of this. If you do then you risk taking the attention away from your watch and this is the last thing that you need. Another thing that you need to take into consideration is the type of outfit that you are wearing your accessories with. Think about it, does it really work?

Man Wearing Brown Coat

Ignoring Balance

Jewellery is all about balance. You don’t want to draw too much attention to one part of your body. Think about necklaces for example. There are so many men out there who wear necklaces on top of necklaces, and this can throw the whole look off. Go for one, and make it count. Wristwear is another thing that you need to think about. If you like smaller watches then don’t wear any bulky bracelets as well because this can make your whole look uneven.

Try and make sure that your accessories reflect one another and also make sure that you are doing everything you can to make sure that the tone is the same as well. If you have an accessory that is a specific type of metal, such as gold and you want to accent this then you will need to compliment this by wearing other jewellery pieces of the same type. Sure, it is possible for you to add silver and even rose gold tones but always make sure that you have a dominant tone.

Not Thinking About Skin Type

It is a known fact that some jewellery types will work better with your skin tone when compared to others. If you are not careful then you may end up wearing something that does not reflect your skin tone. This is the last thing that you need when you already have so much to think about in terms of your style. For this reason, you need to find out what works for you and you also need to think about the colour of skin you have so that you can automatically gravitate towards a specific type of jewellery or even a specific metal so do keep that in mind when you do go out shopping.

 

Hello Autumn – Favourite Outfits

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“Autumn is the second spring where every leaf is a flower”

Today marks the first day of Autumn.

The season where we say goodbye to the summer. Bask in colder mornings and by noon it’s warm again. Halloween looms over us in every shop right next to the Christmas section. Jumpers and boots slowly make a come back from the wardrobe.

Autumn is the season where new beginnings start to happen. Everything must die in order for the new to come back in the spring. Leaves start to fall off the trees, flowers start to shrivel, animals begin to prepare for hibernation.

It marks the seasons of a change in fashion. As I’ve said the boots come out. The chunky knits come out. The big wool overcoats make the statement piece in any outfits. This post I wanted to showcase some of my favourite Autumn outfits I’ve done in the past as I prepare to get myself into the Autumn spirit.

I went through a phase where I love vintage fashion, clashing colours and experimenting with layering. I was always dipping in and out of charity shops and the vintage side of eBay. I loved having something that other people didn’t have. Working at the time in a vintage cupcakery my style fitted perfectly. I loved nothing more than throwing on the chunkiest knits and pairing them with my skinny jeans and boots. It made me feel so good.

I’m always been known to push boundaries and wear something a little different so when I saw this cape from Topman, I knew I had to own it. Pairing it with my favourite fedora hat and cravat it was one of my favourite outfits. A little bit more out there than the previous outfit. I loved experimenting with my fashion and pushing the boundaries and getting out of my comfort zone.

Everything grey. This outfit was another of my favourites. When I put outfits together I start with foundation piece. In this outfit it was the coat, I then built my outfit around the coat. I love everything grey and contrasting it with the hints of black really makes the outfits stand out! I wore my fedora a lot during these times. It came out everywhere along with my black Chelsea boots.

I’m a massive an of tartan. I’ve always loved it. So getting a pair of Tartan trousers was a big thing for me. A little more on the Christmassy side of the spectrum but I love this outfit. Again, with my fedora hat and matching tartan bow, I felt so good in this outfit.

Fast forward to last year and I developed my style into something more sophisticated and less out there. I was getting awful comments about my fashion and since I was going to the gym I wanted to change the way I looked. That meant an overhaul on my fashion which is ever changing to this day.

I’m so excited to start fresh this year. I already have ideas for what I want to buy for my staple pieces for Autumn. Mostly out of anything is a brand new coat. Due to bulking up I’ve outgrown the old camel coat that I loved so dearly. Looking back at past outfits inspires me to push boundaries again this year. I’m so excited for Autumn…. fashion.

What’s your staple go to pieces for Autumn?

Never Stop Dreaming – Life Update

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Never Give Up On Dreaming

The past week or so has been a whirlwind for me.

As many of you know my best friend recently moved to Manchester. Buying her first house, it’s being built, with the things that have happened in my life over the past few months, it’s made me realise I need to start fresh. I need to get away to a city that is what I’m about. This is why I’ve decided to follow my day dreaming and move to Manchester.

Manchester is a beautiful city, up and coming, with so many different things going on within the city. Not only will it open countless opportunities for jobs. It will also open up opportunities for my blog too! Being in a city will be a complete and utter change for me, but it’s for the best.

Keep Going!

Last week the regional Visual Merchandiser wrote an email to stores In Manchester and the surrounding areas. After she told me what stores she had emailed, I just kind of thought they wouldn’t get back any time soon as jobs like mine are hard to come by.

3 days later I had a phone call from a store in Manchester City centre asking me about my experience in other fields of Marks and Spencer’s. I did specify I wanted to be a visual merchandiser but if it meant I get to Manchester then I would look to be a customer assistant. I let them take my details and to ring me if anything else came up.

The day after the regional visual merchandiser rang me and told me two other stores were keen to have me move to their stores. I was absolutely amazed at the fact news travelled fast and other regional visual merchandisers wanted me on their teams. The two jobs were in-fact visual merchandising jobs and full time. Exactly what I wanted.

On cloud 9, I was about to come back down to earth. The tenancy agreement for my house was for a year and could not be terminated early. Which meant I couldn’t move to Manchester at a drop of a hat. So disheartened and upset I started to go back to how I felt before. But then I realised. I didn’t give up on my dreams to move there. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and those job offers came calling.

In light of things my friend’s house won’t be ready until the end of my tenancy so therefore it will be good to wait instead of rushing things. I’m still in shock at just how many jobs came through. It’s so exciting to think I was so close.

The moral to this story is to not give up on something that you want so bad. Nothing creates drive and passion more than when you’re in a bad place and I was. I bit the bullet and just went for it. You can do just that! When you’re asleep at night keep dreaming and dream big. Push yourself out of those comfort zones. You never know what is around the corner for you!

Disney Mickey Mouse Collaboration With Boohoo Man

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“Oh Boy – Mickey Mouse – Disney”

There is no question about it. I love Disney. From as far as I can remember I’ve always been a lover of the magical world that is Disney. Sleeping Beauty holds a very dear place in my heart, being my favourite Disney film of all time. But my favourite Disney character has to be Mickey Mouse. The iconic ears and upbeat voice is always something that has made me so happy. Being 27, I can still say I’m in love with Disney and Mickey Mouse and I’m not afraid to say that I am. 

When I turned 24 I went to Disney Land Paris and fell even more in love with Disney. Seeing the characters and how much happiness it brought to people was such a lovely thing. It has to be one of my favourite holidays I’ve ever been on. Seeing Sleeping Beauty’s castle and coming face to face with some of my favourite characters was beyond amazing. Since then my love for Disney has grown even more.

Boohoo Man has created a special collection to celebrate 90 years of Mickey Mouse! When I saw the collection on their website I instantly fell in love. The collection is a mixture of traditional BoohooMan slogans and cheeky Mickey Mouse illustrations.

Boohoo Man kindly gifted me three of my favourite items. It was so hard to try and figure out what I loved more but my picks are….

The Long Sleeve T-Shirt 

I loved this long sleeve T-shirt just because it’s fun and really easy to wear with different outfits. It can be a stand-alone piece or a piece that can be used as a layering piece within an outfit. I love the bold Mickey font that is on the front mixed with the signature of Mouse which is just like the signature range for Boohoo Man. The sizing on this T-shirt comes up small. So if you want the oversized look I’d say go up two sizes. I’m wearing the small and the arms were a little short but nothing a little bit of arm rolling can’t do. 

The “Oh Man” T-shirt.

I instantly fell in love with this t-shirt because of the oil slick part of the t-shirt. Not only that but it has Mickey Mouse on it. The quote “Oh Man” is just like the quote that Boohoo Man uses on their clothes, which is taken from Mickey Mouse’s quote “Oh Boy”. It’s a fun t-shirt which again is a perfect stand-alone piece or a layering piece under a jacket.

The Denim jacket.

When I was looking through the collection on Boohoo, I fell in love with a different denim jacket instantly. The jacket was blue and had a mini Mickey on the front and a massive red M on the back. It sold out instantly. I’m not surprised as it was gorgeous. However, I also found this stunning black denim jacket that has the print on the back. I love the oversized feel to the jacket. But I really love the Mickey motif on the back of the jacket. It’s a fun, quirky but also a very cool jacket. It’s a jacket that I know I won’t take off for a while.

I had so much fun showcasing these products. Combining my two loves of fashion from Boohoo and Disney together was such a dream. I wanted to make sure I showcased this in my photos, I wanted them to be light, fun and edgy all at the same time. I really had so much fun and can’t wait to wear all of these pieces with my own little twist.

Be sure to check out all of the collection over at Boohoo Man. 

The Leopard Print Shirt

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“A Leopard Never Changes His Spots”

 

There’s no question about it, leopard print has stormed the high street even filtering down into menswear.

From the greatest Shania Twain right to Mel B in the Spice Girls. Animal print has always been somewhat of a personal taste. From Snake to even zebra

Sometimes it can look really nice if it’s in small doses, however it can sometimes look a little cheap. I was one of these people, I’ve never really liked it. I thought it always looked cheap. However, Fast forward to autumn 2018 and I’ve started to become a fan. Fashion retailers have really jumped on this trend massively. From shirts, jumpers, boots and even bags. I’ve turned the corner for animal print.

 

 

In love with Animal Print

Bold printed shirts are something I’m known for. So it comes to no one’s surprise that I’ve fallen in love with leopard print. What started as a joke with my best friend has started to become a new love of mine.

My best friend and I had organised a night out and she had found a gorgeous leopard print denim jacket and denim skirt in Primark. She then said it would be funny if we both wore leopard print to match on our night out. I scoured the internet for the perfect shirt as our night out was less than a week away. Finding a shirt that I could get in time was proving hard.

 

I walked into River Island and there it was. The print I needed in my life. Purchased. I tried it on with what I had imagined in my head. I instantly fell in love. Me? falling in love with an animal print?

I felt so good in my outfit. Teaming my Leopard print shirt with my ripped jeans and Chelsea boots. Throwing my leather jacket over the top was such a good shout for a night out outfit. I had so many compliments from people saying how they loved it or how good I looked in it.

Now I’m on the hunt for my leopard things to add to my wardrobe. Let the addiction begin!

Shirt: River Island £25

Whatevs With Officially Neat

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“Just Say Whatevs”

The past month has been an eye-opener for me. I’ve recently come to terms with being single and I thought it would be really hard but this time around it’s been a lot easier. Learning to shrug things off and just say Whatevs has helped me a lot.

The time I’ve been in and out of blogging I’ve found myself contemplating what I wanted to do and where I want to go. I would work myself up and worry myself sick about what was going to happen next. But as the days go by I realise I have nothing to prove. I have nothing to worry about! I find myself wanting to prove that I’m better off on my own but another part of me says “whatevs” just like my Officially Neat t-shirt says and who cares. There is no reason for me to prove anything to anyone. In fact, I’ve become so detached from the idea I was ever in a relationship at all.

I don’t want this to be a blog post about bashing anyone or hurting anyone. That isn’t who I am but so many of you have been asking me questions about the whole thing. I won’t be doing a blog post about it all but I want you to know I’m fine. I’m doing well. I have times where I lose myself a tiny bit but that’s normal. I’ve just been broken hearted. It’s going to take time to heal. But things seem to be getting so better for me.

Every time my minds wander to thoughts of the demise of the relationship I remind myself the pain and hurt that I’ve been put through, not just this break up but twice before with the same person. I don’t deserve any of that, I don’t deserve to be second best. I deserve the best. I’m not the one that should be sad because I’ve lost him. He should be sad because he lost someone who loved him for who he was. He lost someone who loved him more than he could imagine. I shouldn’t be sad. I’ve been given a second chance for someone to love me properly.

My blog seems to be taking off because I’m working on it more, my anxiety doesn’t seem to be as bad at the moment as I’m not worrying about what’s going to happen with my love life. There are talks of me transferring to Manchester with my job.

I can’t believe how many people have reached out to me during this time. Being a blogger you don’t understand how many people value you and you’re health. So many kind words, gestures and even hugs have passed through within this last month and I couldn’t be more thankful. Everyone has been amazing and I can’t thank you all enough!

Find The Perfect Present With Prezzybox

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Prezzybox – Find Your Perfect Present

There’s nothing worse than trying to buy a present for someone you don’t know what to buy for. What if I told you that those days were over. Bring in Prezzybox. A website that has creative presents.

Prezzybox is a website full of creative, imaginative and fun gifts for all types of people. From the cheap and cheerful gifts to the more extravagant experience days Prezzybox has it all. Not only do they sell gifts for everyone but they

even have a section to personalise your gifts to give it the little extra touch.

I was lucky enough to be chosen to be gifted a gift of my choice. Endlessly scrolling through the many choices of gifts I finally came to my decision. I chose to have the personalised “Great British Retro Sweet Box”

The sweets were perfectly presented within a wooden case which gives it the retro feel. The front has photos of all the amazing sweets that you get inside. If anyone knows me then they will know just how much of a sweet tooth I have so this was heaven for me. Opening the box have separate compartments which contain a retro sweet. Many of the sweets took me right back to my childhood like the white chocolate stars with the sprinkles on, the pink and blue cola bottles and not to mention the original cola bottles.

The gift came with a card that you could personalise for the recipient. But due to the person I got this for no longer in my life I haven’t taken a photo of the card but the website shows you how you can personalise the card. It’s a cute little way to make the present more personal. If I received this as a present from someone I’d be so happy.

I’ve only touched the base of a few things on this blog post. But over at their website, they have so many ideas to treat that special person in your life.

Check out the full range over at Prezzybox.

www.prezzybox.com

Trend Alert – Sporting Vibes

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S P O R T I N G  V I B E S

Everywhere you turn on the high street at the moment there is a sense of inspiration from sportswear. The sporting vibes trend either has a side stripe, a little bit of mesh, a bold statement colour or even some 90’s throwback poppers down an arm or leg.

 

 

I’m a massive fan of the sporty/athleisure vibes trend. I’ve touched on it a few times on my blog as it’s such a massive trend. It’s an easy style to wear that almost anyone could pull off. Primark is so quick to touch on trends that are hitting the catwalks with a big turn around. Before we know it the next trend is hitting the shops and we’re in awe of it. Both the men’s and women’s section are filled with items that hit on this trend just right.

While walking through the men’s section I spotted this red (which is one of my favourite colours) jumper. The bold red statement colour at the top made me fall instantly in love. However, at closer inspection, I spotted the additional text that broke up the bold red and white on the jumper. I’m a sucker for anything that has bold colours and some text. The thing that finished me off was the high top neck. I love anything that has a high top neck. Even better if it has a zip as you then can turn it from a polo neck to a low neck. This jumper was instantly purchased.

This jumper is so warm and cosy and a complete steal at just £12. But be aware the sizing is a little off at Primark, I purchased a small and this is a little snug around my shoulders. Either that or the constant working out on my body is doing me some favours! It’s a perfect statement piece and now the weather has gone bipolar and can’t make its mind up whether it’s warm or cold, it’s perfect for those colder days. I’ve paired it up with some skinny ripped jeans also from Primark to give it a more edgy and laidback feel. But I also have some tricot joggers that I’ve purchased from Primark that also go so well this jumper.

This trend doesn’t just stop at Primark. All stores around the high street and the internet are jumping on this massive trend. Boohoo is another contender with fast fashion. It’s always refreshing its new in pages to compete with the new trends. Along with ASOS, Topman and even Zara tapping into the trend. This sporting vibes trend looks as if it’s to stay in the Autumn and Winter months. I’m most certainly going to jump on the band waggon as I adore the trend!

Are you loving this sporty vibes trend? Let me know.

 

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