HELLO SECOND YEAR

Back to Manchester, back to blogging after having such an amazing non stop summer, I'm extremely excited to get back to a good routine. Having been back a week already without any WIFI in our new house in Fallowfield it has been hell, although I have made the most of it going out numerous times to catch up with everyone and celebrating my twentieth at Juicy VS. Murkage at the HMV RITZ joining the flood of Manchester University freshers. It was such a good night, absolutely packed out but the atmosphere was amazing, makes me jealous to think of what a year all the freshers have ahead of them. 

As MMU freshers doesn't officially start until this weekend, I'll have plenty to blog around the next week, excited!

Revolution

I haven't blogged in a while, apologies! I'm annoyed with myself about this as I promised myself to keep this blogs updates regular, I will get there, I promise! I've been extremely busy over the last couple of weeks as it has been my last few weeks in Manchester, so it has been all go, moving house and getting sorted before I headed home for the summer.

In the next couple of posts I'll go back over some things I've done over the last few weeks, starting with an evening in Revolution on Deansgate Locks. I have only been in the Revs on the locks a few times before usually on a night time so I hadn't had much time to sit and enjoy a few decent cocktails which lets face it is what Revolution is all about.

We headed down early evening for a few drinks and a good chat. The interior of the bar is soo nice since it's recent renovation work, the layout provides a nice chilled out atmosphere too. We started with an Apple and Vanilla mojito teapot to share and it was delicious, so refreshing and served with tea cups. Cute.

I then tried a lychee cocktail as I fancied a change it was served in a little jar with a glazed cherry, (they know the way to my heart) again it was extremely refreshing which is what you need after a long day at work. After these we found ourselves more enticed to try some of their shots... the choice is endless! Luckily one of my flat mates currently works there which meant I had some prior advice on what to try... Birthday Cake and Bakewell Tart were amongst my favourites... sweet tooth! 

Later we were asked to join a groups birthday celebrations and they were also offering out the shots! We could hardly refuse, after taking my pick (not aware of which flavour were which) I had to be the one who landed the CHILLI shot! I think the previous few drinks might have numbed the shock.

A few quiet drinks definitely didn't end that way but it was such a good night! I also think it looks like an ideal place to start of any type of celebration with a 20 shot stick and all the flavours you can't go wrong.

Retro Wednesday's

Retro Wednesday's, Venue 

I haven't blogged in a few days as I was visited by a friend from home as she came down to Manchester for the MMU open day. After having her own personal tour of my halls we headed down to the business school in the sunshine again, actually getting used to this summery weather, please don't go away. She decided she would rather have a tour of the shops instead... shock! 

We headed straight for northern quarter to Aflex as it's my favourite place in town and something unique to Manchester, It's fun getting lost amongst the range of different shops. We spent a good few hours rummaging through vintage clothes... I managed to bag myself a bargain at Blue Rinse, an oversized silk shirt which was big enough for me to wear as a dress for the nights plans at Venue's, Retro Wednesday's. 

Shirt - Blue Rinse Clothing

After shopping we decided not to waste the nice weather and headed to Courtyard for a few ciders, before coming back to get ready for the night! We all like a casual night sometimes and Venue is the perfect place to let your hair down and wear flats... perfect!  

Free entry before midnight,  £1 drinks & shots,  some great sing along tunes... Rock the Casbah being one of my favourites, It's guaranteed to provide one messy night and that it did. Here are some of the nights snaps...

                                                  

 

DRY

Dry Bar,  Northern Quarter  

This afternoon we decided to head out for some shopping and lunch in the sunshine again, yay. After rummaging through a fabric shop in the Northern Quarter we decided to have a well earned break at Dry Bar.  

Situated on Oldham Street with its on street, outdoor seating area it is perfect to have a sit down whilst still being so close to all the hustle and bustle of the Northern Quarter, especially in this weather. A pint of refreshing orange juice can't be beaten to quench a shoppers thrust on a hot day. 

I'm just trying not to act jealous of the others having an alcoholic beverage as I have work this evening. 

We ordered Chilli Nachos to share and they were amazing. Not lying when I say they were probably the best Nachos I have ever had. I was weary to choose them because I've been so disappointed with them in the past... so glad I did. There was too much which is never a bad thing but we couldn't manage to finish them and now looking at the photos is making me wish we had, mmm. 

It's such a nice atmosphere both in and outside the bar and can imagine it to be even better in the evening, I'm definitely going to return for a cocktail or 2 with their 4pm-7pm offers some time soon! 

Father's Day

Father's Day 2013 

As it was Father's Day yesterday I'm going to dedicate this post to the best man in the world, my Dad. Yesterday I was up at half 7 in the morning to head back to Newcastle to give him a big surprise! I had managed to tell a few little white lies that I couldn't manage to get out of work for a couple of days which meant I couldn't head back home.

Family Snap

Leaving his present last time I was home and posting a personalised Funky Pigeon card,  he was even less suspecting... thinking he was picking up a friend from the metro station he was shocked to see me! Once we arrived home, he made his home made scrummy Sunday roast... it was delightful (being used to my student budget food and less than average cooking ability.)

We then spent the rest of the afternoon chilling in the sunshine in the back garden with some strawberries and cream and headed down to the local beach for an evening stroll. The day was well worth the coach journey from Manchester just to be able to spend the day in the company of my parents and be all cosy at home.  Sky+ and a bubble bath will always be a miss.

Tynemouth Beach, North East, UK

I hope my Dad enjoyed his surprise, I want to thank him for all the support he's given me this year, along with my Mum. They made it possible for me to move away for university which has been the most incredible experience of my life and has opened so many opportunities which I didn't expect for first year. Excited to see what the future has to hold and it wouldn't have been possible without the two of them.  All soppy but true.

Parklife Weekender

Parklife Weekender 2013, Heaton Park 

Still wishing it was this time last week I thought I'd make a post about the 2013 Parklife Weekender at Heaton Park, Manchester. I knew it was going to be a heavy weekend as everyone headed back to halls and friends came to stay from home for the festival, the buzz around the city had been going on for weeks and everyone was ready to see what the weekend had in-store... 

We chose to pay for the shuttle bus service they had put on for everyone from the city centre however when we got they're the queue was huge so decided to jump in taxis anyway. Once we arrived we headed straight for the log flume... I was drenched but it was so much fun. The festival was so much bigger than I expected the amount of tents, stages, shops, rides and even a Nando's!  

The lineup for me was much more appealing then evolutions... eager to see acts such as Netsky, Disclosure, Julio Bashmore, The Temper Trap and Example to name a few. Throughout the whole weekend non of the acts disappointed however I'm so gutted I didn't get to see Disclosure as the tent was so full so we decided to leave a tiny bit earlier to head for Afterlife at Avici White. 

Bassface at Avici White was one of the best nights out I've had in Manchester for a while... over exam period I cut down on my nights out so I think that is what made this so good! 

Bassface has always been a favourite throughout

first year so it was nice to sample one of the last ones of the year and it did not let us down, rolling in at 4am to get some much needed beauty sleep before day 2. 

I couldn't have thought of a better way to spend my weekend in the Mancunian sunshine which, lets face it, doesn't happen that often. My highlights definitely included Netsky, Julio and Example, the view from the top of the big wheel and the log flume.  

Nice shot of us soaked through for the rest of the day. -->

I would recommend this weekender to anyone that has the opportunity to go to it next summer, well worth every penny! The lack of signal and missing Disclosure were the only downfall so I plan on purchasing WHP tickets for them in November ASAP. 

Evolution Festival

Evolution Festival, Newcastle Quayside 

As it's my first post I have decided to go back a few weeks to Evolution Festival or as us Geordies like to call it EVO! The festival is always held the same time and place every year, the last bank holiday in may on the beautiful Newcastle quayside... I decided to choose this weekend to show a couple of my university friends, what my hometown has to offer... 

The sun shining, we headed straight down to the quayside to collect our wristbands for the whole weekend, their was absolutely no queue at all and once we had them we decided to do what we do best shop, as the music wasn't due to start until early evening. 

After falling on some bargain shades and purchasing some old school disposable cameras, (the photos are still a secret, why I have such a love for them) we met some more friends from the train station and headed down to the festival. The first act we saw was Rudimental after seeing them twice last year in Mallorca Rocks they did not disappoint again, waiting all night being a current favourite! The Vaccines headlined the stage for the first night and they did literally manage to blow it up... so soo good. 

Not opting for an early night in we decided to head straight for Newcastle's biggest night club Digital, I was eager for my uni friends to see what I had raved about for so long and they LOVED it! There was a DJ set on by Chuckie which did make it quite an expensive night by my standards however we did get £5 cheaper entry with our bands and the money was well worth it! 

Suffering a little from the night before we headed out for day 2 of the festival a little less up beat because of the weather but excited non the less, opportunity to show off our lovely, matching £8 Primark macs! Jake Bugg was the highlight of the Monday and the whole weekend for me, he was amazing and I haven't stopped replaying his album since. He was shortly followed by Paloma Faith, stunning voice and an even nicer personality, a good role model for girls if I ever did see one. 

In all for around £35 the music was well worth it however I did feel amongst the older majority of the festival goers... in all though I recommend the weekend especially for people to see the city as the festival creates a great atmosphere throughout the city.