A Weekend in Manchester Part 1

This was the first weekend I stayed here in Manchester and The Big One came up to explore it with me. We had a terrific time, we went to see the amazing Sufjan Stevens on Thursday night (see well deserved dedicated blog post), then Friday after rehearsals we stayed in to watch The Omen (the original of course).  But on Saturday after a sufficiently luxurious lie in we went exploring.

We started with The Manchester Art Gallery which is currently hosting a terrific Anish Kapoor exhibition called Flashback. I had never seen his work before and was quite literally 'mind blown'. It was so intense, so exciting, so challenging in terms of optical illusion that I could barely take in the Victorian collection we saw afterwards.

The gallery was really lovely and entirely free including the exhibition. We liked it so much that we stayed for lunch which was also pretty marvellous.

A 'Manchester Brunch'

After filling ourselves right up we headed to the People's History Museum to swot up on the Cotton Industry during the 1850's (the time the play I am doing is set). Another great and free museum that I would thoroughly recommend. Loads to see and take in and lots of fun interactive bits.

From here we headed to explore The Northern Quarter. A really fun and cool area of Manchester full of independent boutiques and cafes. They have converted the old Fish Market into an Art & Craft centre full of designers whose little studio spaces double as shops to sell their handmade wares. I took some lovely pics but...The Big One has just got on his train back to London, in a hurry, and I forgot to rescue my camera from out of his jacket. As soon as I get the images I shall post them up.

After muchos wandering we felt justified in stopping to have a lickle tea and cake at a lovely little cafe North Tea Power.

pretty pretty plates!

We then headed to Ancoats so I could revisit a fantastic yarn shop I had found the previous week, again I took lots of photos on my camera not my phone so I'll have to write that post another time....

From there we went to the cinema to watch Attack The Block, written and directed by the brilliant Joe Cornish of 'Adam & Joe' fame. It was really really good, I was scared, laughed and was throughly entertained.  Ratings!

Now you're probably thinking, gosh it must be time for more food and yes! It was! Don't ask where we put it all cos I genuinely have no idea but somehow we managed to put away a LOT of delicious Chinese food at Red Chilli.

What a full to burst day! On our way back to my digs we decided Manchester is definitely a great city, so much so that I am tempted to pur-chase one of these before I return to London in July...

"Manchester's got everything except a beach."

- Ian Brown

Painfully Gorgeous

Today I saw the 3.1 Phillip Lim Spring 2011 collection and it actually made my heart ache with appreciation.

I have been a long time admirer of Phillip Lim but this collection makes me want to utterly surround myself with his looks, materials and silhouettes.

The  textured contrasts and shadows that his looks and design creates are incredible.

I couldn't narrow my favourite looks down so you've rather a lot to drool over.

P.S The shoes are pretty amazior too...

All images are courtesy of Style.com 

 So I shall seek and search to incorporate mini satin collars, apron tunics and sheer lace pieces into my outfits. Any success I have I shall share but I think it's safe to say unless I can buy one of his looks (unlikely) it's hardly going to look as breathtaking.

"Over the years I have learned that what is important in a dress is the woman who is wearing it."
- Yves Saint Laurent

I see a Red Door and I Want it...

We went for a wander around Lautrec the other day, it was absolutely stunning.
It's a small medieval village built on a winding hilltop.

I took a lot of pictures as the buildings were fascinating, the textures and colours against the blue blue sky quite mesmerising.

I also became quite smitten with a lot of the doors.

"Reality is a sliding door."

  - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Fashionably Late

You may remember that I said last month that I would try and introduce a new banner each month, 13 days into September, I can finally unveil my exclusive Unkle Baxta designed Paper - Rock - Scissors banner!

My ridiculously talented younger sister is the brains and vision behind the incredibly successful design label Unkle Baxta. She is a hot young British print designer who launched her clothing range a couple of years ago now. 

It has already been worn by Lily Allen

Pixie Lott

recently Gok Wan wore UB to present T4 on The Beach

and the label launched with support from Mr Jerry Dammers of The Specials

As you can see the label has a few fans! Not least ME! I have about 3 t-shirts and at least 1 bag and I absolutely love them - the designs are essentially multi layered electro pop collages all inspired by music, urban youth and legendary adventures.

So there you go, my exclusive new banner designed especially for me -  it's fashionably late but ain't it been worth the wait!

P.S Within the banner you can see a couple of her designs which are available to buy on tees, dresses, vests and leggings. See the Unkle Baxta website for more info, details on customised designs and the stockists list.

"Fashion is very important. It is life-enhancing and, like everything that gives pleasure, it is worth doing well."

 - Vivienne Westwood 

My Light needs Shade...

I still need lampshades - my flat is full of bare hanging bulbs because I can't seem to find anything I;

a) like

b) can afford

I am on the hunt...

re-surface.net $350

Colin Chetwood £95

Helen Minns £85

The Hare looks a bit dead though...

Heals £55

The French Bedroom Company £150

Bhs £56.00

"There are two kinds of light - the glow that illumines, and the glare that obscures."

~James Thurber

Super Duper Treasure to Share

I discovered the Etsy shop, Super Duper Things via the Kingdom of Style blog and instantly fell in love with her limited edition fairytale prints.

I bought a 10x8 print as quickly as you could say 'Etsy sign up' and it arrived just the other day, beautifully packaged with my address written in a hand-drawn house on the envelope.

The print is absolutely gorgeous and is going to look delicious opposite my 1930's mirror in the living room accompanied by the Dan Hillier piece I bought from Bust last month. I am delighted with it and I think you can see why.

I framed it today so it'll soon be on the wall.

Her shop is full of all sorts of delights, go on have a peek!

"I used to be Snow White, but I drifted."

-Mae West