Lifestyle | Splendid Kitchen Manchester

On Wednesday I turned 23, and as always for each of our birthdays every year, we always try and go eat at either a favourite or new place. 

This year, I really fancied trying somewhere we hadn't been before and I had heard nothing but amazing things about Splendid Kitchen, so it was an easy decision to go there. 

Based right in the City Centre, on John Dalton Street, it really is easy to get to and let me tell you I am rubbish with directions and I found it perfectly fine. The restaurant itself is small and cosy, with an almost pop-up shop feel to it, which we both loved. There are booths which are nestled neatly into the far side, and the rest of the restaurant is filled up with old tables all of which have different chairs around them, which only added to the homely feel of the place. 

I had already looked at the menu beforehand online so I was pretty sure that I knew what I was going to have but I gave the menu a look anyway. It is filled with what I would describe as American Home Comforts with Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Burgers and Hot Dogs to name just a few. I decided to go for the Fried Chicken and Waffles, with a proper Cherry Cola Cocktail. 

The portion sizes are humongous. They are simply huge and I didn't think that would be able to manage it all but it was so good, that I was willing to put myself into a food coma to finish it all. The Waffles were perfectly fluffy yet crispy at the same time and the chicken was cooked to absolute perfection. It was so juicy and tender in the middle but with the most delicious crispy coating, and just the right blend of spices. All of this was topped with candied bacon which complemented it all so well, and the cutest little jar of maple syrup to pour over the top. Oh and the pizza fries. Just heaven.

Everything was just so amazing about Splendid Kitchen, we will definitely be returning. The service was great as the staff weren't too pushy but attentive and they were so quick with everything. I would definitely say that it is a must visit! The menu has something for everyone and on different days there are different deals, such as Wicked Wednesday or their lunch menu! If you're out and about in Manchester, you should definitely try here!

Sunday Share #3 A Catch Up

Well hello there! Remember me? It's been a little while since I've posted on here but I have to say that a little break has been lovely and refreshing. I've been making the most of my weekend off, as they are such a rarity for me that I always try my best to pack them full of exciting things....

Happy Thoughts...

1: Family Spending time with family and friends is always so lovely. I always get so excited at the thought of going back to Leeds to see them. This time was extra special as we had my Fiancés family with us and we showed them our wedding venue, which everyone loved.

2: Wedding Excitement A couple of weeks ago, my Grandma, Mum and I went out for a very exciting day of shopping for my wedding dress. I've definitely found the one and I'm so excited to wear it on the big day. As a side note, have any other brides felt trying on dresses was completely overwhelming?

3: Reading I've just finished reading Gone Girl and I was gripped right from the start. I've been trying to make more of an effort to read as it's something that I love doing. Using my commute to read has made me get through things so much easier, and I'm now looking out for another recommendation to try.

This Weeks Loves...

I have become completely obsessed with Orange Is The New Black. I've almost finished and I'm already counting down to the next series. I have binged watched so many episodes at once and it has made me lose track of time. Oops.

I'm also on a mission to get healthier, and part of doing so has been attempting to lose some weight. I've really been enjoying using the Slimming World Fakeaway book for yummy and filling meals, which are better for me and kind on my purse.

How has your week been?

Adventures In Madrid

A couple of weeks ago, we spent the most amazing couple of days in Madrid. I have always had a love for everything Spanish and have always wanted to travel the country. My fiance and I decided that we would do city breaks at least once a year and this year decided that we would finally travel to Madrid. 

We had so many things planned but as we were only there for three days we had to try and fit all of this in. Now that we have done it I thought that it might be nice to share all of the things that we did incase any of you are thinking of travelling there yourself, or are wanting a bit of inspiration for a new destination to try.

We flew from Manchester to Madrid with Ryanair - link as the flights were insanely cheap, which made our little break away much friendlier on our pockets.

Top 5 Places to visit:

Royal Palace of Madrid

This is so easy to get to and is such a beautiful building it is well worth a visit. We went both through the day and at sunset, and it was beautiful at both times. If you are an EU Citizen, then make sure to take your passport along with you as after 6PM you can enter the palace for free.

Almudena Cathedral

Right next door to the Palace is the stunning Almudena Cathedral. This isn't something we would normally do but we walked round and it was stunning. There are quite a lot of stairs but the views from the panoramic platforms at the top were just breathaking.

Estadio Santiago Bernabeu - link

As someone who is regularly a football widow, I knew there was no way that I was going to go Madrid and get away with not going. Well I eat my words now as it really was a great experience. The behind the scenes is really interesting and they have quite a lot of interactive areas for the young ones and big kids. My Fiance loved it, and the best part was that it was self guided so you could go at your own pace. 

Retiro Park

If you want to relax in the sun and watch the world go by then this is the place to do it. Imagine Hyde Park in the sunshine and there you have it. We sat by the lake, where you can hire little rowing boats. We sat here and planned our next moves and just had a few moments to relax our feet and catch a few rays. They have quite a few little cafes and monuments in the park too which all just adds to the laid back atmosphere.

Gran Via

Our hotel, Best Western Hotel Los Condes was based just off this street and was ideally located. Gran Via is the Madrid verion of Oxford Street with plenty of hotels, shops and restaurants on it. We could not have asked for a better location and I would definitely recommend having a little roam around on here.

To get around the city we walked mostly but did use their underground system which was incredibly easy and cheap. I would definitely suggest planning your journeys before hand as we found that walking was just as quick and easy, Definitely pack comfortable shoes as they are definitely an essential as we found out. 

There are a million and one places to eat in Madrid and they are all pretty cheap. Our favourites were Tommy Mels Diner on Gran Via and Choclateria San Gines for the best churros and chocolate I have ever had!

Out of all of the city breaks we have been on, Madrid is by far my favourite! We absolutely loved it and I know that we will definitely be returning!

Where is your favourite city break destination?

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*The Post Adventures in Madrid first appeared on RetroLove Blog*

The Wedding Series #6: Planning Tools

For a stationery fiend like myself, planning a wedding is an absolute dream. I'm always found in either the makeup or stationery aisle, and I love perusing the shelves of Paperchase as much as I do the beauty shelves in Boots. Once we started getting ideas and plans together for our big day, I realised that this was the perfect opportunity to get myself some planning tools and kick it up a gear. There are so many different things that I've found useful, and thought it would be nice to put them together on one blog post for other Brides and Grooms to be.

Pinterest Boards:

This little gem is by far my favourite thing ever, not just for wedding planning. However, if you are planning a wedding it might just be a life saver. Creating a wedding board on there has been a great way to put ideas from hundreds of different places and help us to understand more of what we actually want for our wedding. It has also been great for discovering ideas that would otherwise have never thought of. You can find my wedding ideas board here. 

Wedding Magazines:

I can't even begin to tell you the excitement I felt when I went and bought my first Bridal Magazine. It really is a lovely feeling flicking through the pages and thinking of your own day. I have found these really useful when planning our wedding because there will be such a wide variety of items in there. My favourite is when they include 'real' weddings in the issue as it gives a more realistic view of weddings. One thing that I enjoy doing is taking clippings or keeping pages of something that I really like, or want to show to a supplier as sometimes it's much easier to show a picture of what you want, rather than trying to explain. Hands down my favourite wedding magazine is Perfect Wedding.

Wedding Planner/Diary:

This is fairly new to me as I only got one a few weeks ago, but it certainly has been a god send. Imagine a filofax but solely wedding related. It's been a great little tool to keep track of costs, names, and contact details of suppliers, along with a check list of things still to do. This little beauty has not left my side since getting it and I just know how much I'm going to be relying on this as the day gets closer. It also makes a lovely little keepsake to look back on. 

These have been my favourite helpers when planning our wedding. I'm always on the look out for more tips and tricks on planning, so if you have any ideas I would love to see them. 

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Sunday Share #2

Having a day off on a Sunday is quite a rarity for me, especially having to work in travel retail, so I really have enjoyed making the most of today before being back at work tomorrow. This week, I've had a really time as I got to spend it with some loved ones enjoying a few days away. So here is what I've been up to this week...

Happy Thoughts...

1: Family Time Last weekend, I travelled back to Leeds to spend some time in my home town at my parents house. It was so lovely to spend some time with the family in a place that makes me incredibly happy. Although I do this quite often, it's something that always makes me feel content.

2: Holidays In 22 days time, Olly and I will be flying off to Madrid for four days. European City breaks are something that we both love and try to do as much as possible. Although I have been to Spain quite a lot over the years, Madrid is a new destination for us both. So, I have obviously been shopping much more than I actually need to and have tons of new things.

3: Making Changes This isn't a hugely important change but I have had a quite a big change in th hair department. After having long dark hair for a number of years, I now have a choppy mid length balayage, which I am absolutely in love with. It feels so refreshing to have a fresh hair do, and makes me put more effort in when styling it.

This Weeks Loves...

Following on from my effort to read more, I have just finished reading The Island by Victoria Hislop. If you haven't read this, I really can't recommend it enough. It's such a sad tale that is beautifully written, and really does make you use all of your senses thanks to the fabulous descriptions. I can't wait to pick up the next one in the series.

A little ashamedly I have been indulging in quite a bit of reality TV, mainly Keeping Up With The Kardashians and Say Yes To The Dress. I'm becoming slightly obsessed with both, and will probably need an intervention sometime soon. 

How has your week been?

The Sunday Share #1

For the past few months now I have been thinking about starting a Sunday post, and here it finally is. I have seen quite a few bloggers who do this, and I think that it is a lovely way to reflect on your week and appreciate all the little things that have made us all happy...

Happy Thoughts...

1: Weddings If you have been reading my little blog for a while now you will know that my fiancé Olly and I are in the middle of planning our wedding. This week things seem to have taken a giant leap in the right direction with appointments with supplier confirmed, and all the little details coming together nicely.

2: Active Lifestyle Getting fit is something that I have been wanting to do for such a long time now, but nerves and lack of willpower got in my way. Well now I have decided that enough is enough and with no more excuses I have finally got back in the gym and got a diet and exercise plan in place.

3: Sunshine and Friends The sunny weather that we have been having has been just lovely. I have spent a couple of evenings this week having a good catch up with friends with a glass of wine, enjoying the beautiful weather.

This Weeks Loves...

I've been trying to make an effort to read more, which is something that I fell out of love with after entering the world of full time work. This week I've been reading The Cuckoo's Calling which I have been loving so far, its quite gripping which is something I love in a book. I've heard that this is been made into a TV show but I'm not 100% sure that this is true. If it is true then I really hope that they do the book justice.

I've also been obsessed with reading travel blogs and tourist information sites. Olly and I have booked a little break away to Madrid at the end of next month, and as neither of us have been before we have both been doing tons of research. We think that we have found out about all of things that we wan to do but if you have any other recommendations then we would love to hear them. I am absolutely obsessed with Spain and their culture, so this trip is something that I am extremely excited about.

I have really enjoyed writing this very first Sunday Share, and look forward to writing some more :)

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Reds True BBQ | Manchester

A few years ago, I was 19 years old and preparing to move over the Pennines from Leeds to Manchester, and a couple of weeks before I moved, I found out about Reds True BBQ opening their first restaurant in the city centre. I was absolutely determined to go, and knew that I would be going on at least one trip back to Leeds. Fast forward around 2 years and I was so excited to find out that one was opening in Manchester, my new home and I knew that I would have to go!

Me and Olly had a rare saturday together, as I normally work most weekends, so we decided that we would go on a little date to Reds. Let me tell you that we were not disappointed in the slightest. It was incredible. Upon arriving at the restaurant in Albert Square, you are greeted with the sweet and smokey smell of a typical BBQ pit. This smell should be made available to purchase because it something that I could have lingering all day. We were only a table of two and it was an hour and a half wait, which we were more than willing to do. The best thing is that you don't have to stay in the restaurant to wait for your table, you simply give a name and contact telephone number, and if they hav something sooner, they will give you a call. We just nipped into the bar next door for some cheeky cocktails, that way we weren't too far away. The decor of the inside is pretty amazing. If you try and imagine a church and a BBQ moulded into one genius building, then you would have Reds True BBQ. The menu is put together in such a way that I just did not know what to have. Everything just looks so delicious even on paper, so you can only imagine what it is like in reality.

The Sleepy James

The Juicy Lucifer (Minus the huge onion rings as Olly couldn't wait)

I eventually settled on the Sleep James. I couldn't work out and still don't know whether to describe this as a burger or a sandwhich, but whatever you choose to call it, it is still amazing. It consists of two sweet waffles in place of bread/bun, peppered bacon, burger cheese, slaw and a juicy fried chicken breast. The contrast between sweet and spicy was incredible and I couldn't stop eating it, even when I was so full I made sure to finish it because it was just so good. I picked a side of sweet potato fries as these are my obsession. They were perfectly crispy and complimented the Sleepy James to a tee. Olly picked the Juicy Lucifer burger which was right up his street. A brioche bun with all the trimmings, peppered bacon and a thick meaty burger with a twist. Inside the meat was a jalapeno cheese which oozed out like molten lava. His sides were skin on fries which were the perfect mix of crispy and fluffy, and the biggest onion ring that you have ever seen. Seriously, I'm surprised that they don't require planning permission they're that big. Unfortunately, we didn't have room for dessert, but I'm already eyeing up the cheesecake for next time. 

The price was not to be grumbled at, with it costing just £31 for the two of us. We have spent more than that when we go to Nandos, and this was much better quality and more filling. Well worth the money.

If you're ever in Leeds, Manchester or Nottingham then make sure that you make a trip to Reds because I can guarantee that you will not regret it! You can find out more about them on their website here.

Have you been before? What is your favourite dish?

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The Popular in 2014 Post

Well hello there 2015, how quickly you came around. As I wake up this morning with tired eyes and a sore head, I thought it would be nice to reflect on 2014. The past year wasn't my best blogging year, there were some months when I didn't post at all, simply because my heart wasn't in it. However, I'm firmly back in the swing of things and can't wait for this years antics. Without further ado, here are my five most popular posts from 2014...

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel

This was one of my most favourite buys of 2014 and it has been a game changer. I wasn't surprised that this was in my most popular posts, as us beauty bloggers tend to go wild for French pharmacy product.

A Weekend In Amsterdam

Back in April I was lucky enough to go for a weekend in Amsterdam*, thanks to my Fiances job. Amsterdam is one of my most favourite destinations and I know I'll be going back for a third time sometime in the future. Travel is a huge hobby of mine, so I loved writing this post.

Makeup Revolution Make Believe Palette

Every single post about Makeup Revolution has been huge in the past year. They really have taken the beauty world by storm and have quickly become one of my favourite brands. This palette was one of the first products I had from them, and it's still a firm favourite today. If you haven't tried MR yet there are a ton of products for everyone and they're so purse friendly.

Battle of the Base: Foundation Edition

At the beginning of the year, I had a rummage through my stash and found that I had quite a few foundations. I realised that I used these all for different reasons, some being full coverage, some being natural and others being slightly different shades for summer. I decided to put them all to the test and figure out which I used the most. It was quite fun doing this post and I think Ill definitely be doing more.

Makeup Revolution I Heart Makeup Goddess of Love Highlighter

My most popular post in 2014 was for this little beauty. I'm really not surprised that this was the one that everyone loved the most. As a highlighter fiend, I added this to my collection with no hesitation and it seems that you all loved it just as much too.

So those were my most popular posts of the last year. I just want to thank you all for your continued support and I look forward to continue being a part of this lovely community.

I hope that you all had a wonderful night last, and wish you all a very Happy New Year!

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The Wedding Series #5: The Guest List

Some of you might have noticed that on my Twitter I have been extremely excited lately, and for a good reason. We have finally set a date and booked a venue for our wedding! Eeeeekkk! It's all starting to feel very real now and I am in full wedding planning mode. 

As we have quite a way to go until the date, 24th September 2016, I'm concious that it's going to come round really fast. Plenty of people have told me how quickly it is going to be here, so I'm starting to get everything together now and hopefully I'll be organised in plenty of time. I thought that today I would share my thoughts on one of the bits that I have found the most stressful and that is writing the guest list. 

After finding a venue, putting together a guest list has been without a doubt the most stressful part of planning our wedding. I have sat down to write ours and have found my mind going blank or getting half way through and being distracted. I also had to take into consideration the numbers that our venue would allow. For example, we have booked a package deal which allows us to have 60 guests, and then any extra guests on top of that have be paid for per head. This was fine with us which is why we booked this package, however, it is so easy to get a little carried away. 

Things to take into consideration:

 - Work out the number of guests that you want to invite/that your venue will allow?

- Prioritise people. As horrible as this sounds, some guests will be more important than others. Start with your immediate family and then continue from there.

- Understand that not everyone will be able to make it so set an RSVP date.

- Decide whether you will allow plus ones and children. Everyone counts towards numbers.

- Make two lists, one for your ceremony and reception, and one for your evening reception.

- Have you spoken to them in the last year? If it's a no and without good reason then do you need them at your wedding?

I'm so pleased that ours has finally been done and all that is left to do is send the invites. I've got a couple more wedding related things going on this week, so there will be more posts in the wedding series soon :)

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Why I Fell Out Of Love With Blogging...

It has been two months since I last posted here on my little blog, and even in the run up before my last post, it was few and far between. The truth is that I fell out of love with blogging for a while, a number of reasons played part in this but ultimately a break was exactly what I needed. 

Anyone who is a blogger, be it as a full time job or as a hobby, will know that sometimes trying to switch off from blogging is difficult. Trying to find a work/life balance was something that I started to find extremely difficult, and to be honest, I still do. I seriously applaud those who find it easy, because it's something that I'm still working on. When I was offered my job, I realised that I would need to come up with some sort of blogging schedule, but instead I just blogged as and when I could. This quickly meant that I was just forgetting about my blog, and finding myself making the most of my days off. I soon found out that I didn't really miss blogging, and I was enjoying reading them more than I was writing them. Now that I've had a proper break, I'm ready to jump back into the swing of things.

During my break, I've still been buying makeup and the like so I have plenty of posts lined up for you. I can't wait to be back blogging on a regular basis :)

Massive thankyou to you all for staying with me, I'm sure that I will have something to thank you all very soon.

Harry Potter Studio Tour

Okay, so I know that there have been a million and one posts about this, but I couldn't not write one! I had been looking forward to this day for so long, and whilst on the tour I was beside myself with excitement. I thought that I would share a few of my favourite photos from the day (I snapped around 400 pictures!), but I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't been so I'll keep the photos down to a minimum.

The Warner Brothers Studio Tour is located in Watford, and was relatively easy to get to. We drove, but there is a shuttle bus that takes you from the train station which did seem very popular. The outside of the building had me really excited, with wizard chess pieces and sound effects. The foyer was pretty impressive too. Pictures of the cast, props, a gift shop and Starbucks made waiting for our tour a piece of cake. 

The tour itself is absolutely incredible! I don't really want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't been so won't go into too much detail, but it really did blow my mind. The attention to detail is incredible, and even those who were not familiar with the films would be amazed. Each set has been perfectly presented, and the workmanship that must have gone into the making of it all is really something special!

I'm so pleased that I have been, being a huge fan of both the books and the films. I would happily go again and again. Definitely a must see!

City Break OOTD

Packing for a trip away can be extremely stressful. Packing for a trip away with 24 hours notice is even worse! For those of you don't know, last month I went to Amsterdam and was only told on the Wednesday that I was going the following day. Eeeekkk! I have never had to pack so quickly in my life, but thankfully I managed it! I tried to think about comfort as I knew that I would travelling on the coach through the night and then I would be walking around the city so I needed to feel comfortable in what I wore. 

So here is the outfit that I wore on the day that we explored the city...

Jumper : New Look

Cami : Primark

Leggings : Next

Hi-Tops : Adidas

This was so comfortable to wear whilst wandering around the city and taking in the sights. The weather was so nice too meaning that I didn't need to take a heavy jacket around with me. Unfortunately, all of the items mentioned are no longer available which I know is really annoying, but as the pieces are all really simple it shouldn't be too hard to find something similar on the highstreet :)

I hope that you have enjoyed this teeny tiny post. I think that OOTDs will be a bit more regular on my little blog, as I really enjoyed doing this one :)

The Wedding Series #4: Viewing A Venue

I've really been enjoying writing these wedding panning posts and they have had a great response from all of you so a huge thankyou for that! This week, we viewed our first potential venue to hold our wedding so I thought that now that we have been, I would share with you our experience of that and potentially answer any questions or queries that other couples might have.

The venue that we visited was exactly the sort of place that I had pictured my dream wedding. A large country house with beautiful grounds for pictures and plenty of accommodation for our guests. When we got there, I really was taken a back by how stunning it was and I was feeling pretty positive. Both us went to tell the reception staff that we were there for a viewing and along with my mum and dad, we were ushered into the bar and told that the wedding coordinator would be with us shortly. I was thinking of plenty of questions to ask and when she joined us and showed us the packages available, it was time for a tour. Pretty much everything I had wanted in a venue was there, to me it was perfect. Olly however, felt differently and thought that it was a little old fashioned and a lot more money than expected. I think that I had also

got my hopes up a little bit too much and thought that we were going to fall in love with it right away and that would be our chosen venue. Despite the fact that we have decided that because both of didn't like it, it would not be our wedding venue, we still asked plenty of questions so I thought that I would share my top three questions with you...

Check if they do an all-inclusive package. If they do what does it include?

This is one the thing that I think every couple viewing a wedding venue should ask. Most of the time, a venue will give you a price for the venue, the menu, the drinks package, and the evening food all as separate prices. Once you add all of this up, then the price can be extortionate. However, some venues will have an all-inclusive package available which will be one cost for everything that you need and that will be it. Just don't forget that this means that there will not be an open bar and the cost of bedrooms for the quests will still incur a charge.

Do they offer exclusivity?

This usually means that there will be no other functions going on in the venue on the same date as your wedding. This was important to me as some venues that we have seen online have stated that they do not offer exclusivity and therefore there may be another wedding on the same day. This was a no go for me as I want to be the only bride and groom there on our chosen date. For some venues it means that they will only ever have one wedding on any given day but by having an exclusive package, there will be no other people other than your wedding guests and staff. Exclusivity normally means that there will be an extra charge.

Do they have accommodation?

This might not be hugely important to some couples, but to us it is a major part of the day. Ollys side of the family will be travelling from Kent and so will need to stay the night before and the night of the wedding. Then some more of our friends and family will need to stay over too, and those who would like to have a little drink won't be able to drive home. This means that it is important to find somewhere that has enough accommodation for everyone who needs it, and that it is a decent price for everyone.

I hope that this post has helped those of you who are planning a wedding, or those who are interested in the planning process. I'm hoping that now that we have been to seen one venue, the rest will be a little easier and we will know a little bit more about what we are actually looking for.

Have you got any tips for finding the perfect venue?

The Wedding Series #3: Wedding Fairs

It's been a while since any blog posts have appeared here on RL, let's all blame my new job which has been great, but really tiring. So, I thought that I would spend my day off catching up on the lovely blogging community and writing a few posts. It's also been a while since my last wedding planning post, so it's the perfect time to fill you in on ha plans we have been making...

This instalment has to be my favourite one to date as it has been one the aspects of wedding planning that I was most looking forward to, and that is going to Wedding Fairs. I had been to them before with my Auntie when I was a bridesmaid for her, but it was so much different this time, with me being the bride and going along with the man who will soon become my husband. I thought that I would put together some of the tips and tricks that I thought would be useful to other Brides and Grooms To Be.

My biggest bit of advice would be to go with an open mind. You might have an idea in your head of everything that you want, but if you go there expecting everything to be exactly how you want it then it's likely that you will be walking away very disappointed. It's completely fine to have some ideas in your head but the companies who will be exhibiting there, will show you the products/offers that they feel showcase their company in the best way possible to as many people on that given day. With this in mind, their products might not seem to your taste or to your scheme, but have a quick chat with them and let them know what it is that you have in mind and they will tell you if it is something that they can accommodate. They will also try to showcase the products that they have that are 'on trend', so even though they may seem limited with the products that they have that day, but in reality they are likely to offer so much more.

Don't be afraid to tell suppliers exactly what you want. After all, it is your and your partners day. If you have a set idea in mind then tell every detail possible. If you have any questions at all, then a wedding fair is the perfect time to ask them. I asked so many different things that I wanted to make sure I was absolutely clear on, from anything to prices to availability.

My final tip would be to take someone with you. Both Olly and I went together but for the next one, I'm going with my Mum and my bridesmaid. I think it just helps to have a second opinion and someone else there for support.

I hope that you have enjoyed this instalment, I think as a Bride to Be attending a wedding fair is a really exciting part of wedding planning. Have you been to a wedding fair?

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This Week #5 A Weekend In Amsterdam

I've never been one for last minute trips, I like to have a definite idea of where and what I'm doing and like to sick to a plan. Not very spontaneous, I know, but this past week has been a bit of a whirlwind. I'll cut a long story short, Olly has got a new job which requires him to lead tours for various groups and societies around European cities. Last weekend was his first one and I was thrilled when I was told that I could go with him. The only problem was that I was told on Wednesday and we were leaving on Thursday. Cue mad panic and a rush, but we really did have an amazing time. Here's what we got up to whilst we were away...

I've been to Amsterdam* before so I kind of knew my way around and what was worth going to see. I'm sure that many people are aware of the culture of Amsterdam, but if it's not your scene there are plenty of other things to do. We travelled by coach, leaving Thursday evening, arrived Friday morning and left on Sunday so we had plenty of time to see and do lots of things. If you do want to do the typical Amsterdam like activities, then you won't be short of things to do. A visit to a coffee shop or two and a wander around the Red Light District and your eyes really will have been opened, but rest assured this is all legal in Amsterdam, and you can go on organised tours of these places if you prefer. If you prefer something a little more traditional and cultural then there are plenty of museums and sights such as the Rijksmuseum which is home to the famous "iamsterdam" sign. Also, a visit to Dam Square, Rembrantsplein and Leidesplein are a must if you want to see street performers, beautiful architecture and infamous surroundings. There are thousands upon thousands of places to eat and drink and somewhere to suit every budget, but my favourite place was Chipsy King, if you go there I would definitely recommend the fries with mayo. They were so good, I'm still craving them now! Finally, for accommodation, again there are plenty of places to suit every budget, but we stayed in The Hans Brinker Hotel, which is cheap, cheerful and in a great location for exploring. Also, the bar in the hotel has the cheapest prices in Amsterdam with the best atmosphere. I would definitely stay there again!

This is just a small selection of pictures from the weekend, and even though technically Olly was working and I was just there to help, it really was the best time ever! I just thought it might be nice to share a few of our snaps of our trip. I was hoping to buy some beauty items out there, but there was nothing that I absolutely couldn't get here at home so I didn't both getting anything which was a little disappointing. I'm also going to post an Outfit Of The Day from what I wore on the day that we really explored Amsterdam.

Have you ever been to Amsterdam? Where is your favourite city break destination?

For more information on City Breaks and Festivals, including the trip in the post then visit Outgoing - Link

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*Complimentary Trip

This Week...#3

Had a clear out: I have more clothes, shoes, handbags and jewellery than I know what to do with, so I decided that I would do a big spring clean of them. There were many items sent to the local charity shop and some were given to my mum. It felt good to de-clutter and free up some space.

Ordered new furniture: I know that this isn't that exciting, but when we moved into this apartment, it was supposed to be a stop gap. We've now been here almost three years so I figured that it was high time that I got some extra bits to make it homely. I'm really getting into home interiors, so this has been a nice little project for me.

Looked for jobs abroad: Some of you will know that I've just started a new job which I love, but working abroad is always something that I've wanted to do. I'm not fussed where in the world, but I just think that working somewhere warm and exotic would be so exciting.

Okay, so not the most exciting of posts but I do really enjoy looking back over my week and sharing it with you. I'm hoping to post a few makeup looks this week, so keep an eye for those.

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This Week...#2

I have been a little bit quite on the blogging front over the past week. Truth be told, I wasn't really feeling it and didn't want to publish half hearted posts. Time has come around really quickly since my last (and first) "This Week" post, but I have to say I have been rather looking forward to writing this weeks, as I have had a very full on week. 

Went back to my hometown: Travelling back to Leeds is always something that I look forward to, whether it be for a day or a week. Been a Leeds girl born and bred, I always feel so comfortable back there, and love seeing how the city is constantly changing.

Celebrated my Dads 50th Birthday: This was my reasoning for going back home, and we had some amazing celebrations. It was so lovely to spend some quality time with my parents and brother, and catching up with old friends.

Completed my training for my new job: This has been such a long time coming! I was offered the job in the January and have only just completed the training. It has been quite stressful and difficult at times, but it has all been worth it.

Got a haircut: This isn't the most exciting thing in the world but it is a big deal to me. The last time I went to a hair salon was October last year and my hair was desperate for a trim. Having really thick hair is such a pain, but now it feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

Discovered new beauty favourites: I had got myself into a bit of a beauty rut and was finding it hard to get out of it. When I was packing my makeup bag to go back to my mum and dads, I made sure that I put in items that were barely used or brand new as opposed to my everyday items. It ended up working really well and  have got some new favourite items.

I've really been enjoying writing these weekly summaries, even if I do ramble on a bit. What have you been getting up to this week?

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This Week...#1

I love reading posts finding out what people have been up to during the week or month. I never really thought about writing them myself and I'm not sure why. After a very busy week this week, I thought it would be nice to write something and fill you in. As I haven't been very good on the blog front this week too, I thought it would give me a chance to fill you all in. So, here is what I've been up to this week...

Started a new job: Finally!! After graduating from University last year, I have been on a mega job hunt! Like a lot of other graduates, this was harder than expected and took quite some time. However, this week I started a new job which has been pretty amazing so far, albeit stressful. My Fiance is also starting a new job tomorrow so it is good news all round.

Had a few to many cocktails: As my Fiance is starting a new job tomorrow, he had a arrange a leaving do in Manchester. I also used to work at the same place so I knew a lot of the people going and it was so nice to see some old friends. The cocktails were flowing and I woke up this morning feeling slightly delicate, and cringing at some of the photos.

Fell off the wagon: I've been trying to get fit and healthy in preparation for our wedding and to make a concious effort to drastically change my lifestyle. It's been a rather social week, which has meant meals out and drinks after, which we all know is not good for the diet! Determined to get back on it this week!

Resisted Boots 3 for 2: Whattt I hear you cry? I have to say I'm pretty pleased with myself. I walked all around Boots swatching and lusting, creating a mental shopping list too. However, I have decided to wait until I get paid and then treat myself to a few a lot of new items.

So that was my seek. I've really enjoyed writing this post as it has made a nice change. What have you all been up to this week?

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The Oscars 2014 Best Dressed: My Picks

The Oscars is undoubtedly the most coveted night of the year! The build up is so intense and the excitement about who is wearing what and who will win one those beautiful gold awards. Of course my favourite thing to see is all the beautiful dresses and dreaming of wearing them myself! So today's post is going to be a collection of my top picks from the biggest event on the Hollywood calender.

1: Lupita Nyong'o looked absolutely beautiful in a pastel blue gown that suited her perfectly. The simple cut and flow of the dress skimmed over her figure is what makes it so stand-out. The simplicity of it is what makes it so utterly stunning. If I were her, I would wear that Prada gown everyday of my life

2: Angelina Jolie can do no wrong in my eyes. She always looks chic and elegant, which makes me fall in love with her even more everytime! This Elie Saab beauty looks as though it was made especially for her as t hugs all the right places. The shade compliments her skin tone so well. I'm not jealous of her at all.

3:Jennifer Lawrence is my ultimate girl crush. Not only is she an ambassador of being real, she always looks perfect. Her orange peplum dress is so simple but the shade makes such a statement. It reminds me of one of my favourite lipsicks, MACs Morange.

4: Lady Gaga pretty much left me open mouthed. I was expecting something quirky and unwearable to the rest of us, but how wrong I was. Can we just take a moment to admire those curves? Everything from the detailing to the scarf is just perfection.

5: Kelly Osbourne got it absolutely right in my opinion. I have often slated what she has worn but this time, I find myself drooling over that beautiful dress. The elegance of the dress and the intricate gold bolero go perfectly together. If I had this figure, I would want something like this for my wedding, but I doubt my pennies would stretch that far.

So there are my top picks from this years Oscars ceremony. There were so many beautiful gowns this year that it was very hard to choose. I can only imagine that these were even more sunning in person. 

What were your picks for best dressed?

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Alternative Ideas for a Valentines Date

Another Valentines post today, but one that isn't beauty related. Instead I thought that I would put together a list of some fun ideas for that special date. I love going on days out with Olly and we're always looking for alternative options rather than just doing the same thing over and over again. So here are my picks for fun Valentines dates...

The Aquarium:

If your date is an animal/ocean lover then I think this is a great idea!. I think that they provide a really lovely setting for a date and it means that you probably won't have any awkward silences as you can discuss the sea life they have there and conversation will probably flow when walking around. If you have a look at the Aquarium of your choice they might even have demo's and feeding times so you can get a little bit hands on! Aquariums are one of my favourite places to visit to visit so this would please me no end!

TIP: If you can get to the Sealife Centre at The Trafford Centre in Manchester, they are doing a promotional offer for valentines. All you have do is quote "I love Sealife" at the ticket booth and you will get one adult free with one full paying adult.

Adventure Park:

One for the slightly more daring couple out there. I'm sure that most people are probably familiar with the team building sort of things that schools and businesses arrange, but how about an extreme one for individuals? You can be your very own version of Tarzan and Jane as you swing through the trees and create a sense of adventure. One of the best places is Go Ape, who offer 29 different locations across the country so there's bound to be one near you! You can find out more on their website here.

Do Something On Snow:

Okay, so I know that this seems bonkers because we have no snow on the ground. But there are some snow activity centres dotted around the country which provide facilities of do lots of snow based activities. Xscape in both Yorkshire and Milton Keynes offer Skiing, Snowboarding, Tobogganing and other snow based fun, to anyone even if you have no winter sports experience. The Tobogganing is particularly fun, I used to do this at Xscape in my home county of Yorkshire and it certainly would make a great alternative date! You can find out more from the Xscape website here.

Cocktail Making:

Who wouldn't love to do this? Plenty of bars in City Centres acorss the country offer this as part of their services. They do usually have to be booked in advance but they are really fun. You could make a cocktail to represent your date and then enjoy it together. I think that this is a great idea to do something to get to know your date and have fun at the same time. One that I would recommend is going to your nearest Slug and Lettuce for amazing cocktails and great lessons, along with a fantastic atmosphere. For information, visit their website here.

So there are my alternative picks for Valentines Day. I think that all of these would be perfect for any couple wanting to do something a little bit different than the usual meal out at a restaurant or cinema date. 

What ideal Valentines Day Date?

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