A Manchester Brunch at Evelyn's with Little Mistress

Hey,

So firstly - wow, I've been gone a long time. There's no particular reason for this other than simply just having come out the other side of an incredibly busy time. I've just moved into a new flat and started a new job too! It's been stressful at times but now I'm through it, I'm incredibly happy and content with things.

This post flashes back to a few weeks ago, when I spent a wonderful morning with clothing brand, Little Mistress who took us out for an incredible brunch at the superb Evelyn's Cafe and then onto their new concession at Debenhams in Manchester city centre.

I was actually yet to try Evelyn's but it wasn't exactly a hard sell; it was set-up by the folks behind Mughli -  my all time, hands down favourite Indian restaurant in Manchester, so I pretty much knew it'd be great!

It was so hard to choose something from their small but perfectly formed menu (everything sounds incredible) but I eventually settled on the buttermilk pancakes with blueberries and honeycomb butter and was not disappointed - they were definitely among some of the best pancakes I've ever had.

The décor in Evelyn's is just as impressive as the food. It's simple but oh so artisan. There's fresh flowers and plants everywhere and hints of copper hardware in the tableware and lighting.

After a great chat with some familiar and new bloggers, as well as the girls representing Little Mistress, we headed to the Debenhams concession for a first-hand look at the new collections, including a high-profile range in collaboration with Chloe Lewis of TOWIE fame.

Little Mistress carries a few different lines under their brand. The new Chloe Lewis collaboration is girly with a a bit of a vintage twist. There's lots of pretty pastels and soft floral prints - it's glam but can be worn every day. 

Then there's the Paper Dolls collection which is more based around occasion dresses and formal styles. If you're looking for a great dress for the races or a wedding, or even as a bridesmaid, they've got some gorgeous yet affordable styles.

Finally there's Girls on Film - which is my favourite range. Still in keeping with Little Mistress' glamorous look, the GoF collection is more casual with a bit of an edge. There's lots of great co-ords and plenty of pieces with bold, unique prints and detail like fringing - perfect for festivals!

Above, I'm wearing the Chloe Lewis White Hippy Top with a lace up front, which I wore to the brunch. I don't often wear white (such a queen of darkness) so this is a nice change for me, especially for summer - I've actually been wearing this loads!

I also took home the Girls on Film Light Grey Tassel Jacket from one of the photos above. It's made from a super soft faux suede and makes for a perfect semi-light cover-up with this unpredictable weather we're having. Hopefully I'll get a post up soon with it styled up!

Have you spotted anything you like from the collections?

A Day With Chiara Fashion

Hello!

Wow, this post is so overdue! I lost the photos on my SD card from my day with Chiara Fashion last year, but luckily I've managed to recover them.

Chiara Fashion invited me and a handful of other bloggers to their HQ in Leeds for a day of pampering, clothes and a photoshoot.

We took it in turns to have our makeup done by the fantastic, Marta. In between having our hair and makeup done we were running around trying to get our five chosen outfits together - which was an ever-changing challenge as we all kept discovering new pieces we loved!

It was great to spend time with my blogger buddy, Jess and also get to know some great girls I've never properly met before; Sarah of Sequin This, Laura of A Forte For Fashion and Hollie of Hollie's Closet.

My favourite outfit of the day was the grid print co-ord pictured above, worn with a black duster jacket. I also fell in love with a red tartan jacket which I took home with me and have worn so much since the day of the shoot.

Thanks to Chiara Fashion for a great day. They really looked after us - getting us Domino's Pizza for lunch sealed the deal for me!

AX Paris Autumn/Winter'14 Press Day

Hello!

I was recently invited to attend the AX Paris Autumn/Winter'14 press day. It was nice to see the brand host the event in their hometown of Manchester- there's so much going on here at the moment, I can't keep up!

The press day was held at Black Dog Ballroom on New Wakefield Street where I've attended a few blogger events before, though AX Paris really made the private terrace space unique. We were greeted by cocktails, cupcakes and rails and rails of stunning partywear.

Black tattoo choker- eBay

Gold moodstone chain choker- ASOS

Vintage gold chain- charity shop

Tartan duster jacket- Rare London*

Black T shirt- The Ragged Priest

Black high waist jeans- Primark

Reebok Classic trainers- Bank fashion

Above is what I wore to the event. I wore my new Reeboks as I was going into town to meet friends afterwards and these are so comfy, though kept things a bit smarter with a longline jacket. I'm loving duster jackets at the moment, they're so easy to throw on, and this checked one from Rare London is perfect for Autumn. 

Everyone loves a good photobooth and me, Irena, Martyna and Lily got stuck right in! Always great to see these girls. I was also really pleased to finally meet Gail from The Equinox Fashion who's recently moved over to Manchester from Thailand. There was a bit of a fangirl moment too chatting to Amy Valentine, who's blog I've read for ages.

After catching up with some lovely bloggers- we checked out the clothes! The AX Paris AW14 collection is full of sequins, embellishment and sparkle; perfect for those Christmas parties!

My favourites were the faux fur pieces above- a beautiful cream shaggy faux fur coat (seriously want) and a black gilet.

After a while, the team at Black Dog Ballroom started bringing out an amazing buffet with sweet potato fries, pizzas and mini burgers- my kind of food!

There was also a henna tattoo artist which unfortunately I didn't get chance to indulge in, though from the seeing the other girls who'd had it done, it looked awesome.

Keep your eye on AX Paris' New In section for these beaut new season pieces!

Have you spotted anything to add to your wishlist?

A Bucket Hat and Manchester Bloggers Meet

Hello!

Earlier in the week I had the  pleasure of meeting up with some other Manchester-based bloggers at the first #WeBlogMCR meet, organised by the lovely Holly.

We congregated at the fabulous Whim Wham Cafe in the city centre. The venue is such a little hidden gem; it describes itself as a 'Gin Saloon' and boasts loads of gin-based cocktails (we may have sampled a few of those...). The interior is also really cool and like an old Speakeasy inside. I noticed some flyers around the place advertising regular vintage clothing fairs taking place there too which I'll definitely be checking out.

There were more bloggers at the meet than I expected and it was great to see loads of new faces who I've never come across on the Manchester blogging scene.

I mostly chatted to Emma, Cat, Jess, Laura, Claire and (another) Cat; thank you for being super friendly girls.

I had such a fun evening and even won a prize for social media activity on the night which was a voucher for City Spa Escapes- I can't wait to book in!

I didn't stay as long as I'd have liked as I wasn't feeling too well but it meant that with these light nights we're having, I was able to take a few snaps of my outfit outside.

Bucket hat- Lazy Oaf

Earrings- Gogo Phillip (via ASOS)

Choker- ASOS

Chiffon maxi shirt- eBay

Vest- H&M

Monochrome backpack- Primark

Jeans- Primark

Sandals- SpyLoveBuy

I'm loving this choker from ASOS with little 90s-style moon and sun charms. I'm sure you'll soon get fed up of seeing it around my neck, i think it's going to be a firm favourite.

Must admit I've had a fair bit of stick for this hat! I don't know about you but I'm loving the bucket hat trend; long may it continue. Adding a touch of Kevin and Perry can never be a bad thing in my book.

Would you rock a bucket hat this summer?

Love,

Foxy x

Parklife 2014: A Festival Date with Forever Miss Vanity

Hello!

So yesterday I had the most incredible day at Parklife festival in Manchester's Heaton park with blogger Jessica of Forever Miss Vanity.

It all happened in a bit of a whirlwind when Jess invited me to attend the Saturday line-up at the weekend festival with her on Thursday evening. If a VIP press ticket to one of the best festivals in the UK (also happening to be in my city) isn't worth clearing your calendar for, I don't know what is!

I actually want to take this moment to say how hugely appreciative I'm feeling at the moment. This being the second VIP access high profile music event I've attended through my blog in the space of just a few weeks. I also haven't announced it on my blog yet but I've just landed a new job too which I'll be starting in two week's time. I'm literally on cloud nine right now and so thankful for everything coming my way.

Anyway back to the festival.

Despite having a bit of a nightmare arriving at and leaving the festival, the duration in between was so much fun, despite the typical curse of Manchester's rain!

Above; me and Jess arriving to a wet start. I got absolutely soaked in the queue to pick up my ticket and rushed out to buy a rain poncho as soon as I got it. I think I would have paid the guy I bought it from any money for it!

Thankfully the weather cleared up a bit a few hours later and it actually ended up being pretty sunny later in the day.

Earrings- vintage

Choker- eBay

Dress- Motel

Hoodie- borrowed from boyfriend

Camo jacket- army shop

backpack- Primark

I was out on Thursday and Friday evening so didn't have any time at all to outfit plan. I threw the above on yesterday morning as I peered out of my window to be greeted with a downpour. I would've loved to have worn any number of hats or my gorgeous Rock n Rose flower crown but I was a bit scared of getting them ruined by water. My outfit was a bit on the safe side!

After getting a thorough soaking and a bit of a rave in the Hospitality tent, we decided to check out the press area. We were absolutely delighted to discover that Tigi had a styling tent; it was just what we needed for our limp, rain-ruined hair! Jess and I were equally excited about the whole thing, finding out that we're both massive fans of the Bed Head brand.

We had some fun in their photo booth and were given an amazing bag full of products. Mine included the Superstar Queen for a Day Thickening Spray which is my absolute favourite styling product; I use it every time I wash my hair and my current bottle has almost run out so this came at the perfect time.

The stylists at Tigi gave our hair some much needed zhuzzing-up, I opted for extra volume and curls. You should be able to see the difference in my picture at the main stage below.

It was also amazing to spot super blogger babes Lily and Zoe who were in the tent promoting the Bed Head brand with Tigi. I had a chat to them both and they're such lovely girls.

After getting our hair did by the talented team at Tigi, we rushed out to the main stage to catch Katy B who we both were really looking forward to seeing. She didn't disappoint- her live version of 'Katy on a Mission' was amazing and really got the crowd going.

After Katy B, quite a lot of the crowd filtered out so we took the opportunity to get to the front which was the best decision of the day.

We watched Annie Mac, who I've seen a few times before and think she's just the most talented female DJ and achingly cool, and Rudimental from the very front.

Rudimental were absolutely phenomenal with bags of stage energy. They had some amazing vocalists and the trumpet player really added that extra dimension to make it a fantastic performance.

We then managed to get ourselves on the front row at the barrier for Snoop Dogg which was just insane. It's something I'll never forget. I can't believe how good he was live and his engagement with the audience was wicked.

The Snoop pictures are little blurry. Probably to do with me not being able to stay still while he was on stage.

A huge thank you to ID&C Brand for the festival wristbands and to Jess for taking me with her for our festival blogger date- I think we should have many more days like this!

Have you ever been to Parklife or were you there this weekend?

Love,

Foxy x

Sharing the Love

Hello!

This is just a quick one to show off my lovely new bracelet.

This came about via Debenhams who involved bloggers in a really cool campaign for Valentine’s Day (yeah I'm a bit late here, I know!)

They basically asked bloggers to nominate another to receive a piece of jewellery from their collection.

I was lucky enough to be the last link in their blogger chain and received this beaut bracelet, selected for me by the lovely Lily of Lily Kitten- thanks girl!

(excuse my bedding as a backdrop)

I thought this was such a cool idea.

Have you been on the receiving end of any random acts of kindness recently?

Love,

Foxy x

A MCRFW Meet and OOTD

Hello!

A couple of weekends ago, I met with the Manchester Fashion Week gang for a chat about things to come, a browse through some new pieces from Ark Clothing and take part in a shoot with the lovely Charlotte of WamBam Photography.

The meet was held at the rather grand Radisson Edwardian hotel where we were treated to refreshments and had a good nosey around the hotel including their gorgeous spa.

Browsing some of Ark's new Spring arrivals which feature lovely pastel jumpers and collared dresses.

I loved the tartan dress most.

Chilling with these babes whilst waiting to have our photo taken; Katie, Danielle and Lola.


My outfit of the day:

Choker- eBay

Oversized shirt- charity shop

Lace bralet- Forever 21

Riding pants- American Apparel

Bag- Vivienne Westwood

Boots- eBay

It was great to have our outfit photos done by a professional for a change, certainly an improvement on my shots! (Sorry cameraman boyfriend).

We went up to the top floor of the hotel to have our shots done against the huge windows. The view across the city was awesome.

I love this shot of us all on the glass staircase. Look forward to seeing these girls again very soon.


Love,

Foxy