May Favourites

I haven't done a round up post in a while, and there's quite a lot of stuff I've loved over the past few weeks...

Go Air

So I went here with work a couple of weeks ago, and LOVED every minute of it. Trampolining parks are springing up everywhere at the moment, and if there's one near you I implore you to go! It's absolutely hilarious; you regress back to a state of boisterous childhood, where falling over is fun and throwing yourself into a foam pit seems like the best idea in the world.

Not only is it ab-achingly funny and will 100% put a smile on your face, but it's knackering (...and I burnt 300 kcals in an hour's session.).


Clif Bars

I've been eating my way through these all month; the team at Clif sent me these to showcase some new flavours. Favourites have to be...... coconut chocolate chip + white chocolate and macadamia.

H&M + Newlook Activewear 

I don't know about you but I've noticed some amazing activewear on the highstreet recently. Check out these amazing pieces I got from Newlook & H&M...

These leggings are Newlook, and I'm so impressed. They're totally opaque, which is a necessity when squatting in my books! The waist band is lovely and supporting, offering a really great structure. The pattern is bang on too.

I've been wearing these with *drumroll please*, this lovely top and sports bra below from H&M (as pictured above at Go Air, also..):

How nice is the mesh paneling on the top? (To quote my dad "what's the purpose of that though, Katie?" ~ he clearly doesn't get activewear chic). I'm also a huge fan of the bra, with its TRNG motif and racer back straps.

I know that they're all black, and summer is all about neons and brights but, I just can't resist a bit of timeless black workout wear.

I can't remember the prices off by heart but from memory I believe the leggings to be around £17.99, top around a tenner and sports bra £12.99? (If anyone knows then feel free to correct...)


Science Afternoon Tea

I was invited by Cloud23 to try out their latest Afternoon Tea selection - Science Afternoon Tea + Cocktails. If you know me, you'll know that I'm a fan of alternative afternoon tea, so I was excited to see what Cloud23 would pull out the bag.

Even if you're just up at the bar on the 23rd floor for a drink, bagging a window seat with a cocktail in hand is pretty majestic even on the gloomiest day in Manchester, so; when fashioning a lab coat and goggles, the experience is made all the more special...

As the pictures suggest, it was pretty cool. I'd definitely recommend it. As well as watching a cocktail demonstration we also got to make our own (no knowledge of the periodic table needed), and tuck into one of the nicest afternoon teas I've had. Faves included the pistachio macaroons (and I don't really like macaroons, so this was a revelation), smoked salmon + beetroot brioche and the spinach bresaola wraps.

The science lab has been created for the summer to promote three new science themed cocktails: Daltons Atomic, Old Thom Henry and Up and AT'om, as well as to celebrate Manchester being crowned European City of Science in 2016.

Recipe bookmarking 

How often do you buy cookbooks, drool over their amazing photography + long list of ingredients, and yet never actually use them as inspiration for cooking? For me it's a hell of a lot of the time. Yes, they look beautiful and are perfect for flicking through on the coffee table, but I've made a conscious effort recently to bookmark key recipes and actually make them. It's soo satisfying. Just call me Nigella.

Vogue Fashion Night Out

Vogue's Fashion Night Out hit Manchester hard last Thursday. It was the first time the style soiree was brought up north and the city was buzzing all week in anticipation.

In my eyes there's two types of female fashionistas in Manchester: you're either wearing high heels or hi-tops. You've got the WAG wannabes who's Mecca is somewhere along Deansgate Locks on a Saturday night and the cliff-hangingly edgy vibes from those who prefer to chill right out in the Northern Quarter.

You might think I'm being cynical. I'm not!I think these two styles leave you with a really great blend of grunge glamour, one of the most versatile trends to appear on the catwalk.

Anyway. Back to Vogue.

Our first stop was Vivienne Westwood to have a sneak peak at her collaboration with the Cambridge Satchel Company.

I'd be lying if I said Viv was a fashion idol of mine - sure, I admire her audacious style but find it a little too out there...

That said, what I saw on Thursday, I liked. Look at this gorgeous winter coat:

Mustard yellow is a firm favourite in my autumn wardrobe and if money was no object me and those double fronted buttons would be inseparable right now.

And these shoes....

Ok, so I'd probably give the toe-detail heels a miss, but I think an oversized buckle is a nice touch.

Anna, Sarah & Caroline

I went along with Anna from I Live This City, Sarah over at Sequin This and Caroline who's sweet tooth can be found at the Afternoon Tea Club.

I LOVE WINTER SCARVES

A big fashion no-no of mine has always been tartan. I don't know why, I've just never thought it a print I could pull off. But it's been all over the high-street lately and I think I've been converted.

This little baby helped the cure:

Classy and cosy at the same time.

A few Bellinis later we sauntered over to H&M just in time to listen to Pixie Geldof's DJ set.

nabbed from sequinthis.com ;)

Toni & Guy were there too but the queue was mental so we left in search of more fashion (and free booze).

We turned up at Coast. Despite the shop being empty (what was that about?) the cocktails were flowing freely, so we got stuck in - to choosing wedding dresses, that is.

Ahem. Back to reality. I need this chunky hunk of glitz around my neck this Christmas!

We perhaps window shopped for a bit too long and sensed the staff getting a bit fidgety so scampered off to Selfridges to join the masses.

As well as Jameela Jamil entertaining, designers like Henry Holland and the Made in Chelsea boiz made an appearance - as well as... wait for it... CINDY Beale from Eastenders (aka Michelle Williams)! Ha. It's the little things...

We soaked up the atmosphere and mooched over to Harvey Nics for one last fashion hit. No pics from here thereon, I think the free booze took its toll.

I hope Vogue's Fashion Night Out comes to Manchester again soon. Maybe I'll wear tartan!