Showing posts with label Food & Drink. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Food & Drink. Show all posts

LEOPARD FAUX FUR JACKET




Evening guys, how're you all doing this fine Sunday night? Tonight I'm back talking fashion and I've got a pretty cool jacket to show you. Sadly the weather here in Manchester this weekend has been a total wash out, meaning the photographs are not as dry as I'd usually like them. No one looks good when slightly damp, but hey - I've tried my best with the weather not being on my side.





The jacket (even though a little wet) looks pretty sweet, don't you agree? To be fair I've been struggling seeing anything I like on the high-street or online recently which has been a little deflating. However, when this happens I always refer to searching for patterns or prints I know I'd love rather than actual pieces.

I always start the hunt by typing 'leopard print', 'western' or 'cowboy' in the search bar of places like ASOS and ZARA, then see what comes up in the filtered results. After searching for these styles it's then just the case of a lot of scrolling to see if anything takes the eye. Sometimes this doesn't pay off, or in this case it's come through with one killer jacket.





So what did I find? Well, It's a faux fur jacket with a thin pile meaning it's great to wear for the transition from winter to spring. I've styled it on top of an old black denim, which I think looks good as it definitely acts more a standard fit over-shirt. I bought the leopard print jacket in a small, but it's not the most tailored fit, it's more of a boxy shape. You may think it's a negative, however layered up in an outfit it's the perfect size.






Since this jacket has such a striking pattern (head across to my YouTube to see it close up and in more importantly in colour) the all black outfit counter balanced the power of the print. I also rolled my denim cuffs up and over the jacket to break the strong pattern even more in my outfit. Classic accessories followed, chains, belts, rings and hat - OBVIOUSLY.





The jacket has a classic silver zip up front and rounded collar. As you all know animal prints my bag and this jacket does not disappoint. To take a closer look at the jacket over on ASOS click the link here: ASOS Faux Fur Leopard. Thankfully the shoot wasn't all wet as we also hired a studio for BOYGIRL meaning I was also lucky enough to snap a couple of photographs in there too! 

Thanks to CJ for braving the weather with me and taking my photographs. LEGEND! Take a closer look at the jacket by viewing this weeks YouTube video below.


Cheers,




INSPIRATION AND COFFEE


Happy Sunday guys, tonight's post is all about where I write my blog posts. This usually takes place in my bedroom, however, if things aren't working out, I'll sometimes head out and sit in more inspiring surroundings. If I'm lucky, I'll organise, write and get my photographs on my two days off, if all goes well, this is at the beginning of the week. I also record and edit my YouTube videos in my room too, so my two days off, aren't really relaxing ones! I'm constantly thinking of new ideas for my blog, as that part of me never really switches off, but I love it.






I'm lucky enough to have a handful of really good coffee shops on my door step here in the Northern Quarter, with Fig & Sparrow literally downstairs and Foundation Coffee only a short walk away, I really am spoilt for choice if I want a caffeine fix. I feel like there's no better place to be inspired then sitting in a relaxing environment, sipping a coffee watching the world go by.



I shot these images in Foundation as this particular café has one super cool Instagramable interior. Walking here on my afternoon off is one of my favourite things to do, grab a table, sit down, open my laptop and start writing a post is something I actually really look forward too! Especially when there's a nice green tea or hot chocolate by my side as I watch the busy world pass by the window.





Recently its become a little tradition to head here after a shoot, which is awesome as myself and blogger pal Rags can sit, grab a drink and filter through our best photographs. This is a great way to work together, as you are able to view and 'favourite' the photos you want to feature, and start thinking about and plan an exciting post. We have the blogging game down, as I always say, if you're reading this and think its a good idea, come along and join! Just give me a shout!




As I've already mentioned Foundation Coffee's sweet interior, you really can't not shoot the obligatory 'look I'm in Foundation Coffee' shot in one of their bathrooms. You've probably seen this a thousand times and even the odd one or two on my Instagram feed, but, everyone does it! Hey, why not, it always makes for a cool photograph agreed?



So there you go, that's my blog writing post routine. I just think sitting in a nice environment really helps with creativity and writing, especially when you're stuck or uninspired, it's nice to get out and watch the world go by with a coffee in hand. Where are the places you find inspirational? Let's share those secrets. Check this weeks chatty YouTube video out by clicking the link below.



Photographs Rags Renewal



16 HOURS IN AMSTERDAM




Amsterdam is bursting with amazing things to see and do. Packed with museums, art galleries and even a botanical garden, this is a city where you'll never be stuck to find somewhere new to explore. I've put together this post, featuring my favorite places I visited whilst in Amsterdam last weekend. I still don't know how I managed to squeeze all this into just one day!





I did a little research on places to visit before my trip, so I had a rough plan to follow whilst over in the city. The first search had to involve food, hence the google- 'Best Apple Pie in Amsterdam'. This google actually threw up some promising results, this is how I discovered Winkel 43, renowned for their signature pie dish. I was starving after my early wake-up call, so this place was just what I needed to set me up for the day.

I can promise you this is no claim to fame, it's the real thing, not like 'the worlds best cup of coffee' in Elf! Their pie is amazing! Arriving, still warm in the middle, with a huge dollop of thick cream on top. I'd died and gone to apple pie heaven.

📍Winkel 43, Noordermarkt 43, 1015 NA








The weather in Amsterdam wasn't the best when we first arrived. Nobody wants to be wandering around in the rain, so it was a case of getting from A-B, with a beer stop in between to dodge the showers. No complaining there! We stumbled on a few good bars throughout the day, but my favourite has to be this little gem!







Louis bar takes the title for the smallest bar in the city. I found this bar when trying to find the bar from the Amstel advert, which sadly turns out to be fictional! Another reason not to believe everything you see on TV! Louis Bar was way better, firstly this place actually existed. We walked into the bar to find the smallest room imaginable, packed full of Stones fans with 'Satisfaction' blasting from the speakers. My sort of bar!

Louis bar is definitely worth a visit even if you only stay for one. It's a proper old pub, packed to the ceiling with knick-knacks and memorabilia. Climbing the stairs in there is like climbing a ladder, it's the steepest staircase I have ever come by, you wouldn't want to fall down that after a few shandies!

📍Café de Dam/Louis Bar, Damstraat 4, 1012 JM






I'll take this opportunity to explain the outfit. As I was heading to the gig later in the evening, I knew I had to channel some Mr. Richards vibes. I went for my Zara leopard print coat, which I wore over my Keith Richards t-shirt - Who the fuck is Mick Jagger. Paired with my signature staple black jeans, black suede boots (big mistake in the rain) and finally my new sexy hat. I think it made for quite a cool look, and it was great to spot other Stones fans whilst in the city wearing Rolling Stones gear too.

I love walking around exploring a new city, although I've been to Amsterdam before, it was so long ago everything seemed new again. Walking through the tight small streets, over bridges and canals, Amsterdam is undeniably beautiful in the Autumn. I even spotted a few classic cars, which looked at home on the cobbled streets.









After huge slices of apple pies and countless beers, we headed to Amsterdam's botanical gardens. This was another place I really wanted to check out, just to mix it up a little. I'm glad I did as this place was awesome! Wandering around its grounds and exploring the huge greenhouses, the botanical gardens was a sweet way to spend an afternoon.

📍Botanical Gardens Plantage, Middenlaan 2a, 1018 DD



The classic tourist spot of Amsterdam is just behind the Stedelijk museum, this is where you'll find the 'I amsterdam' sign for that obligatory tourist photograph. Sadly we were running late, we didn't have time to go into the museum, but I've left the details below if you want to add it to your list.

📍Stedelijk Museum/ I am Amsterdam sign, 1071 DJ










We did, however, have the time to visit a museum called Foam. This museum is a little less known as the other bigger museums in the city, yet I think it's one of the best. It spans over three floors and had some awesome photographs capturing moments in time throughout history.

📍Foam Photography Museum Keizersgracht 609, 1017 DS (Entrance fee 11 Euro.)









We finished the daytime in Amsterdam by heading to an amazingly tasty bistro for dinner. It was very special indeed, this was a little out of the way in a small neighbourhood of the city. Another place I found thanks to Instagram. I'd highly recommend this restaurant as the food was so tasty & filling!

📍Hummus Bistro Westerstraat 136, 1015 MP

Check out my vlog about my day in Amsterdam too.