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Tag: Valentine’s Day

  • A Romantic Guide To Manchester

    A Romantic Guide To Manchester

    This post is sponsored by Flybe

    Romantic may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of Manchester but you may be surprised to find several spots that are ideal for the perfect date or spot to woo your Valentine.

    I’ve teamed up with Flybe to bring you this post and when they asked me to show you around some of my favourite romantic spots in my hometown, I of course jumped at the chance. If you know me, you’ll know I’m always out exploring my city and discovering new spots. So if you’re thinking about taking a trip here this Valentine’s Day but you’re not sure which places you should visit, then look no further because your girl has got you covered!

    The Best Brunch Date

    Pot Kettle Black has got to be one of my favourite places to go for breakfast or brunch. The coffee here is great and these people know how to do breakfast just right, plus it’s served all day, so there’s no rush. Whilst the food tastes delicious, presentation is their speciality too, so you’re bound to impress your date with a tasty (and also Instagramable) bit of brunch in this spot. Cosy up in one of the window seats which looks out into the Victorian shopping arcade (Barton Arcade) and start your day just right.

    PKB Barton Arcade Manchester Review

    Breakfast at Pot Kettle Black PKB Manchester

    Art Is For Lovers

    Manchester art gallery has always been one of my favourite spots and if you ask me, I think it’s a great place to take a date. It’s free entry and with everything from historical paintings to contemporary pieces, there’s something for every art enthusiast to enjoy. I always think there’s something quite romantic about art galleries and you can easily spend an afternoon wandering around this place and taking it all in. They have a coffee shop and a pretty cool gift shop too.

    Lowry at Manchester Art Gallery

    Manchester Art Gallery Interior
    Manchester Art Gallery Romanticism
     

    Cocktails With A View

    I don’t know why but there’s always something so romantic about having cocktails high up in the sky…that’s if you’re not scared of heights of course. And if you’re not, then I definitely suggest you visit Cloud 23 whilst you’re in Manchester. Situated on the 23rd floor of Manchester’s tallest building (Beetham Tower) you’re able to get the best views of Manchester, and beyond. There may not always be blue skies but I don’t feel this dulls the romance of this lovely spot. You can easily spend a couple of hours here relaxing with a delicious cocktail (or two), watching the world go by.

    View from Cloud 23 Manchester Cocktails

    The Less Obvious Romantic Spot

    I realise not everyone wants romance to be in their face obvious and sometimes it’s actually the more bustling places that can turn out to be the most intimate. If you like a large open setting with a varied selection of great food and drink, then look no further than Mackie Mayor. This recently renovated Grade II listed building is one of my favourite spots in Manchester. It’s a great place to go with your date and I suggest taking a seat on the upper tier where you can sit and take in the views of this fabulous venue from above. My favourite thing about this place, aside from the great atmosphere, has to be the pizzas. I highly recommend the margarita pizza from Honest Crust, it’s seriously good!

    Mackie Mayor Margarita Pizza from Honest Pizza
    Mackie Mayor Manchester
     

    A Romantic Place To Stay

    What could be more perfect than an affordable and romantic hotel situated in my personal favourite part of Manchester, the Northern Quarter. The Cow Hollow Hotel is close to lots of great bars and restaurants but it’s easy to miss it, as it’s tucked away on a corner of Newton Street. I discovered this place after stumbling upon their bar, which I do believe is the cosiest and certainly most romantic spot that I have come across in the Northern Quarter. With great wine, great cocktails, excellent service and beautiful interior throughout, what’s not to love. This intimate little spot hosts a bar (which is open to the public as well as hotel guest) and 16 beautifully furnished hotel rooms perfect for your romantic getaway.

    Cow Hollow Hotel Bar
    Cow Hollow Hotel Manchester Double Room
     

    Cow Hollow Hotel Manchester

    The Refuge by Volta Winter Garden Romantic Manchester
    The Refuge Winter Garden

    A Romantic Garden

    You must visit Refuge when you come to Manchester because this place is just stunning. The huge building holds a number of different areas where you can dine, have drinks and relax. My favourite part of this place has to be the centrepiece, which is the beautiful Winter Garden. I like to call it the most weatherproof garden in Manchester because they have done an excellent job of brining the essence of the outdoors, inside. With it’s atrium ceiling, plush furnishings and large glass windows looking out onto the rest of the venue, you feel as if you’re inside a romantic secret garden. Whether you come here for a coffee during the day or for cocktails in the evening, it certainly makes for a perfect romantic spot.

    So there we have it. Those are a few of my favourite romantic spots in Manchester. I love sharing favourite parts of my city and showing you around. Hopefully this could give you some insight of some of what Manchester has to offer and if you are looking to visit, then don’t forget Flybe flies to Manchester from eight UK airports, including Exeter, Southhampton, Aberdeen and Belfast. So what are you waiting for, why not hop on a flight over. Hope to see you soon!

    Samio x

    Check out my video guide here.

     

  • 5 Valentine’s Day Ideas for Single Ladies

    Valentine’s Day is only two days away and although I of course will be spending it with my boyfriend, I realise that not everyone is in a relationship, nor do they all have a Valentine. So rather than doing a typical ‘Valentine’s Day Ideas’ post, where you can all steal my amazingly romantic ideas (I joke), I have instead put together this short list of ideas of what you could potentially get up to this 14th February, if you happen to in fact be single.

    Pamper yourself
    Who better to romance you, than yourself? Exactly… Why not wisk yourself off for a massage, or treat yourself to a mani-pedi or facial. On the other hand you could even just pamper yourself at home; A nice relaxing bubble bath, some candles and a face mask. Bliss.

    Have a sleepover with the girls
    If you’re lucky enough to have a gaggle of single girls, then this could be the perfect Valentine’s night in for you. Why not all get together and enjoy an old school sleepover, I’m taking face masks, nail painting, junk food and sweets. You can have a giggle, pig out on food and talk about which boys (or girls) you fancy, just like you would of in high school. All you’d need next is Dream Phone! (For those of you who remember that).

    Go for a Romantic meal… With the BFF
    I recently read in the latest Asos mag, an article on what different couples were doing for Valentine’s day. I read about one pair celebrating Gal-entines day (basically Valentine’s day with your best friend). I thought it was a super fun idea. Apparenlty the couple in the article do it each year and this year had thought about going for a ‘romantic meal’, which I thought sounded like a great laugh. Imagine how much fun you’d have with your best mate in a restaurant full of loved up couples, I know it would get me and my bestie giggling. One of the girls in the Asos article actually had a boyfriend and was ditching him to go out with the best mate for the night! Now that’s a true bromance (or should I say galmance) right there!

    Throw a party/gathering
    There are more singletons than you may think, so why not gather them together and make a night of it. Invite friends, work colleges, the random man walking down the street… Maybe not the random man walking down the street (well maybe if he’s hot and single). Get a bunch of you together and just have your own little anti-Valentine’s Day party. Who needs romance, love and sloppy over the top romantic gestures. Buddies and beers rule, hurrah.

    Go on a date
    Okay, this might seem like the odd one out on the list but if you’re single, what better excuse to ask that guy/girl you’ve had a crush on, for almost forever, out on a date? It doesn’t have to be cheesy or some over the top deceleration of love (and yes girls you CAN make the first move) but it could be approached in a friendly manner. For example if it were to a work college you could approach the situations like this: ‘So what are your plans for Valentine’s Day?’, if he/she responds that they don’t have any plans then it’s the perfect opportunity to say something like ‘Fancy going for a few drinks in the afternoon’ or ‘Fancy catching a movie’. Play to their interests of course, if you know they are into art, ask them if they want to go and check out that new exhibition that’s on or something like that. It’s just a casual approach that might bag you a date with your crush. Also It’s perfect that Valentine’s Day lands on a Saturday this year, as it means that you can arrange a day date which often isn’t as scary.

    If all else fails, stay in and make yourself something delicious to eat (or order takeout). I personally would suggest a large Dominos to ones self whilst watching a movie. Avoid Rom-Coms, Disney movies and Romantic Dramas at all costs. Films such as Sleepless in Seattle, The Notebook (I actually hate that film), WALL-E (even the robot finds love, how depressing) and Dirty Dancing should be strictly prohibited. Films I would advise however include; 500 Days of Summer (If you haven’t seen it, it’s not the typical Rom-Com you’d expect), Blue Valentine, Gone Girl, All Good Things and American Psycho. These are the type of films that will make you see that not all relationships are perfect, romantic, nor do all end well and even if he looks like Prince Charming, he could actually be a serial killer. So there you go.

    Happy Valentine’s Day

    Samio x

  • Get Kissable Lips in Time for Valentine’s Day

    Get Kissable Lips in Time for Valentine’s Day

    As Valentine’s Day is only a week away, I’m sure many of you may be marking the occasion with a bit of smooching. So what better time to give those lips of yours a bit of love and make sure they are kiss worthy in time for Valentine’s day. Even if you don’t plan on any kissing this year, these two little Lush products are great for giving your lips the perfect pout.

    Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub

    This first product is the Lush Bubblegum lip scrub. It’s basically just sugar crystals mixed with a load of other goodness to help exfoliate your lips. You rub a small amount onto your lips using your finger and it helps get rid of dead skin to leave your lips feeling smooth and soft.

    Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub Review

    Lush Lip Scrub Review

    The best thing about this product (aside from the fact that it leaves your lips feeling super soft), is that it smells delicious. It also leaves a nice candy floss taste on your lips too, so that after applying it, you can just lick it off (or at least that’s what I like to do).

    Lush The Kiss Lip Gloss

    And finally The Kiss. When I was in Lush purchasing my lip scrub I spotted this cute little lip gloss and thought I would give it a go. Again this product smells delicious (like candy) and it feels smooth on the lips as opposed to sticky.

    Lush The Kiss Lip Gloss Review

    I love this lip gloss’s subtle pink shimmer. It means that you can get away with wearing it even when you’re wearing no makuep and it leaves your lips feeling soft and looking kissable.

    Lush The Kiss Lip Gloss Swatch

    And there you have it, kissable lips in time for Valentine’s day.

    Lush Lipgloss

    Samio x

  • What I Got Up To On Valentine’s Day

    What I Got Up To On Valentine’s Day

    I’d been dying to see the David Hockney: Early Reflections exhibition for months, so when the boyfriend said that for Valentine’s day he’d booked us a hotel in Liverpool so that we could go to the gallery and also make a night of it, I was more than excited.

    We traveled up to Liverpool on Valentine’s Day and once there we spent some of the afternoon going round the shops before retreating from the worsening weather and heading to a bar. We did the touristy thing and went to the Cavern for a few drinks. Although I’ve been to Liverpool an uncountable amount of times, I’d never even been there so it was good to finally go. It got to early evening time and we decided to go straight for a meal, after which we headed back to the hotel to get ready for the night. That night we went out into the center of Liverpool for cocktails and had a great time.

    A picture of me the next morning in our messy hotel room.
    Samio Hotel Indigo Liverpool

    We were up and out early the next morning. We found Moose Coffee just round the corner from our hotel and so we decided to go in for breakfast. My eyes popped out of my head when I saw the menu and suddenly I had a craving for everything on it. I’m not usually one to get excited over breakfast but the options seemed endless and all equally appealing. In the end we both opted for Lone Star Moose, which consisted of ‘minute steak, gourmet chipolata sausages, homemade potato hash, two free range Moose style over easy eggs and a griddled tomato. Served with warm toast and Dijon mustard’ and with me being the greedy bugger I am, I also opted for extra bacon with my order. Needless to say, it was amazing and we each ate every last bit on our plates. The great thing is, I found out that they more recently opened a Moose Coffee in Manchester, so I shall be definitely visiting there in the near future!

    Samio Moose Coffee

    After breakfast we headed to the Walker Art Gallery, feeling more ready for a nap than ready to walk round a gallery but we powered on…

    I was happy I finally got to see the David Hockney exhibition and I loved some of the work displayed. Unfortunately no pictures could be taken in the David Hockney exhibition but we did get this snap of me looking at this amazing oil painting (in another part of the gallery) by Ged Quinn, titled The Exiled Forever Coming in to Land. This iPhone photo doesn’t do it justice but it is an amazing piece of art which I couldn’t stop staring at.
    Samio The Exiled Forever Coming In To Land by Ged Quinn 2010
    There was so much to see in the Walker Gallery, we would have stayed longer if it wasn’t for our slowly looming hangovers creeping in from the night before and the bags that were weighing down our shoulders. We left early afternoon and headed home feeling content, full and ready for a rest before getting ready to celebrate my Mother’s birthday later that evening.

    Samio and Damien
    Samio x

  • Valentine’s Day Inspiration

    I’m not usually an openly romantic person and the thought of being all soppy and seeing a mass amount of PDA kind of makes me feel sick. So as you can imagine, Valentines day isn’t the perfect occasion for me, however I can’t deny I do enjoy being treated and it can often be a good reminder to show your other half how much you appreciate and love them. So I’ve compiled a very small list of Valentine’s Day inspiration, either for the occasion or to buy as a gift.

    LOVE Ice Cream Pink Pleated Cold Shoulder Dress

    This dress is so cute. It would be perfect to wear for a Valentine’s date (if the weather permits) and it will be perfect to keep for summer too. It also comes in a darker pink as well as black which also look very chic.
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