Showing posts with label Candid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Candid. Show all posts

Sunday, 9 April 2017

Weekly Musings

2017 - Week Fourteen
'And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.'
(Nietsche)

This week I have been off work, and had specifically not planned very much with the intention of chilling out, getting some jobs done around the house, and having a few spontaneous days/ nights out; and I have done exactly that! 


I eventually got the review of Lewis Watson's gig that I went to last week up on Candid, read it here.On Monday I had a seriously lazy day after the busyness of last week; I watched a load of telly, got a poem up on Instagram (read it and my other from this week here) caught up on some work emails, did a relaxing yoga class in the evening and then made barbecue pulled pork with roasted sweet potato and squash for my tea. 

On Tuesday I met up with my friend Hannah and we went for a walk around Tatton Park with the dog. The weather turned out to be gorgeous in the afternoon so we even managed to have a cheeky honeycomb ice cream in the courtyard before walking back to Hannah's for a brew.


That evening I went to C's house in Poynton about 15 mins from me, as he had invited me round for dinner. He cooked us some lovely spicy fajitas and I had some prosecco, though I was driving so had to be sensible. I still didn't really know what to expect after last week's date (if it was even that?!), so went with an open mind. Again it wasn't awkward, conversation flowed and considering I was pretty much sober this time I felt totally chilled and had a good time. There was a bit more flirting, but even after walking me to my car at the end of the night there was still no proper kiss, which is completely unheard of for me haha! Not sure if he was nervous or just waiting for me to make a move...weirdly though it doesn't worry me, I know he's interested, I think I've just not had my head in the game recently so have been a bit oblivious. I left definitely feeling more into it than before so I'm just letting things happen, maybe it's a slow burner!


On Wednesday I met up with Rosie for a late lunch at Beech Road Cafe in Chorlton. I had the most amazing poached eggs, served with tomato chutney, spinach, grilled halloumi and mushrooms on a buttered bagel - it was that delish that I took home a slice of their coconut and raspberry bakewell tart for dessert to try. On Thursday my mum and dad were finally back from Sri Lanka, along with crazy tans, lots of photos of cute elephants and some great presents; I got some Sri Lankan tea leaves, an elephant keyring and some incredible harem pants that I cannot wait to wear!


On Friday I met Ellie in Alty for tea and a scone at Sugar Junction on her lunch break, and afterwards I did a spot of shopping and had my nails done. In the evening a few of us went to Ellie and Jordan's to celebrate their housewarming with some homemade sangria, and I managed to find some prosecco scented candles in cut off bottles, which I thought was a fun twist on a traditional bottle of fizz for a gift!


Yesterday we headed to Leeds mid-morning for my cousin's wedding at Woodlands Hotel. The weather, bride, venue, in fact just about everything was beautiful, and lots of family had travelled a long way to be there so it was a fantastic celebration. Lots of prosecco, dancing (the above track for this week had everyone on the dancefloor!), photographs and laughs were had by all, and I eventually made it to bed at 4,30am after doing sambuca shots at the bar with the Best Man, and Groom's friend. 


A very sore head was endured today, but luckily the sunshine kept up and we enjoyed a huge picnic and couple of pints of cider at a local cricket club before going back to Manchester, where I am about to go back out to Gorilla to watch 2manyDJs, making the most of still being off work tomorrow - update to follow!

Sunday, 2 April 2017

Weekly Musings

2017 - Week Thirteen
'Those who love you are not fooled by mistakes you have made or dark images you hold about yourself. They remember your beauty when you feel ugly; your wholeness when you are broken; your innocence when you feel guilty; and your purpose when you are confused.'
(Alan Cohen)

 Welcome to April guys! I can't believe how quickly this year is flying by, I have now been single for nearly 3 months, I am going to Ibiza in 20 days and my best friend gets married next month - lots of exciting things to look forward to.

On Monday I scored some free tickets to The Royal Exchange theatre from my boss, to see a performance called The Suppliant Women. I went with Emily, who kindly lent me a top to wear and cooked me tea beforehand as we were in such a rush that I had to go straight from work. It was definitely an interesting play - probably not something I would usually watch but it was entertaining even if we didn't entirely understand what was going on! 



We popped into the Slug and Lettuce for a boozy hot chocolate post-show, where I was approached by a (completely sober!) guy who awkwardly sat and talked to us before asking for my number as we left. He was lovely and fairly good looking, and despite not being my cup of tea I still fist pumped in my head considering I was completely void of makeup. As an ex-acne sufferer who endured Roaccutane for 6 months, getting chatted up without my war paint was a fantastic ego boost for a Monday evening!

The track above is one I discovered via Apple Music, as it is on their 'Today's Chill' curated playlist under the 'Chill' tab on the 'Activities & Moods' section. The whole playlist is really cool just to stick on as background or car music as it is a mix of uptempo dancier beats with some more sombre relaxing tunes now and again, but this particular song kind of has a sad quality to it that, being a bit of a glutton for sentiment, resonated with me this week.



On Wednesday it was tattoo day! I went to Sacred Art in Chorlton at 10am for my appointment with Marko, who specialises in line and dotwork and realism, and loved what he had drawn up for me based on my specifications. It took a little over an hour for him to do and hurt like a bitch but I am so thrilled with the outcome, it was worth the pain, and now I have a little homage to Manchester on my calf. I treated myself to a triple chocolate brownie and a hazelnut praline hot chocolate at Cocoa Tree chocolatiers around the corner from the parlour afterwards, some sugar for the shock!


That evening I went into Manchester to Matt and Phreds with one of the first guys I matched with on Bumble ages ago (enter alias C). We were messaging for a while and arranged to meet up a couple of times but he was flakey and I lost interest so deleted his number. He recently randomly got back in contact and suggested meeting for a drink as he doesn't know many people around here. We shared a bottle of wine, did tequila shots, watched a jazz singer and had a laugh, and conversation was easy, but there wasn't much flirting or chemistry, so it felt more like a good platonic fun night, but we shall see!


On Thursday I went to Victoria Baths in Manchester for the Gin Festival with Emily, Ellie and her friend Hannah who I have met a couple of times before. What a venue! I fell in love with the place, it is all Victorian coloured glossy tiles, glass ceilings and fairy lights. There was live music and magic tricks, and of course, lots of my favourite, gin! We had to swap our money for tokens (£5 each) and one token got you a gin with mixer and funky garnish, in a gorgeous goblet that we were given as a souvenir upon entry. 


Across four bars (two British, one international and one flavoured gins) there were over 100 types, and many that could be sampled in the second smaller room next door. I tried Brockmans with ginger ale served with pink grapefruit and blueberries, Wight Mermaid with light tonic served with cucumber and juniper berries, Le Gin 1 & 9 with ginger ale served with chilli pepper and Zymurgorium Sweet Violet with lemonade served with lemon, which is made right here in Manchester, and tasted like Parma Violets! 


On Friday I got a review up on Candid of GOOSE's new album (read it here) and after work I drove to my friend Luke's near Garstang with the dog, as a group of seven of us were heading to the Lake District early yesterday morning. I didn't arrive until half nine so just had a glass of red with some chocolate and got an early night, ready for action climbing some mountains. After a bacon and sausage sarnie and packing the cars up we drove for a couple of hours to Wasdale Head, and started our ascent of Scafell Pike. It took us 5 hours to get up and down, but that was tying in conquering Lingmell next to it, so pretty good going, and I was super proud of Ferryn, who has never walked more than about 5km! 


We were in the Wasdale Head Inn for 4.30pm with a pint, and left the four guys to put up our tents (£5 per person to camp, bargain!) whilst the three girls had a natter, and we all stayed there for the rest of the night having a few drinks and some tasty food (I had duck spring rolls and then a sticky toffee pudding with custard). James, Kirk and I were troopers and made it to midnight before creeping to bed slightly worse for wear after a 7am start. I had come prepared with fleece pyjamas, a sleeping bag and a blanket so was nicely toasty in the tent, and although it rained during the evening/night it had cleared up by the morning ready for a day of glorious sunshine today! 


We did another walk today up Kirk Fell, but it was incredibly steep, to the point where we were using our hands at one point, and when we hit some loose shingle I had to call it a day as knew the dog wouldn't be able to make it to the top. Andrew and his girlfriend Sarah came back down with me, and we had a drink whilst we waited for the others to complete it which only took another 90 mins or so. Then we all packed up and drove home (with fish and chips for tea on the way) and now after a much welcomed hot shower I am so ready for a proper bed!


I've got to admit it has been a bit of a mixed up week. I've been sleep deprived due to having so much on, which has manifested in some pretty zany dreams so I've woken up feeling on edge and anxious on a few days. Because of the constant going out I have had alcohol every day bar one, and I've only got into the gym once which is usually what gives me some focus and headspace, although the walking at the weekend helped. I've also had out of the blue contact with 4 of my 5 exes (how's that for bad luck ha) which though majority positive, doesn't do wonders when you're already feeling drained and sensitive! 


I'm not saying any of that for a sympathy vote, but purely as I know a lot of my posts are very... WOO, party, gigs, fun, tea, cake and prettiness, and it serves as a reminder that being continually busy, boozing lots, not looking after yourself physically, or taking time to process things mentally just equals a tired, emotional, skint human. I have had an awesome week socially but my God I am glad I have next week off work to recharge!

Sunday, 26 March 2017

Weekly Musings

2017 - Week Twelve
'Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, charm to the sadness and life to everything.' 
(Unknown)

My parents have gone to Sri Lanka on holiday for a couple of weeks this week (lucky buggers) so I went 'round to theirs for tea on Monday evening before they left, I'm going to miss having them around the corner when I am at a loose end/ need a natter! I had a quiet couple of days after that, I put my latest poem up on Instagram on Wednesday (read it here) and babysat for Aum that evening, I am penny pinching at the moment so the extra money was gratefully received! 

The track that I have chosen this week is one by a young girl from Oslo in Norway that I was sent to review for the magazine. I think the progression from the delicate vocals at the beginning to a more punchy electro feel is bang on trend with other current successful artists such as Purity Ring and MØ, and I have been playing it a lot recently.


On Thursday I met up with Hannah, Tasha and Abi for a meal at Cote in Hale, as I was owed a bottle of wine (a lovely Bergerac Sauvignon Blanc for £24.95 - not bad for a freebie) for joining their rewards program last time I went. After a complimentary pea-puree starter as an apology for running out of mussels, I had the pork belly, which came with savoy cabbage, baked apple, thyme and calvados jus and a separate ramekin of gratin potato, and for dessert I had the praline pancake (sans caramelised banana, anyone who knows me knows my hatred for the fruit!). All tip-top as last time, seriously impressed with the quality of the food considering it is a chain restaurant, albeit a higher-end one.


On Friday evening I stayed in, and after taking the dog for a little walk, I baked some blueberry muffins and enjoyed a glass of red wine and a couple of said muffins in front of the telly (watching The Replacement on BBC iPlayer, SO gripping!). I don't often give myself down time - I can't stand being bored so try to fill every second I am free - but sometimes a chill-out at home is needed.


Yesterday the weather was glorious again, so I decided to get out of the flat and took the dog to Wythenshawe Park. I packed my book, a thermos of tea and some more muffins and literally just sat and basked for a few hours whilst Ferryn ran herself ragged. My friend Ellie and her boyfriend Jordan are in the process of moving into their new house just across the road, so they popped in for a while for a chat and a break from the chaos of unpacking which was welcome.


I got my review of last Sunday's Little Comet's gig up (read it here) in the evening, and then babysat again until 11pm before an absolute mad rush to drive home and get changed - I wore the pencil skirt pinafore I bought a few weeks ago with a lace tube bra underneath - in time to catch the last train into Manchester at 11.30pm. I just made it, and met up with some friends for my mate Jonny's birthday in Dusk 'til' Pawn, before moving next door to Noho for a boogie. With the clocks going forward the night flew by, and I eventually got in at 6am, a valiant effort!


Today aside from being completely knackered and hungover, I actually managed to make it to a gig at Sound Control with Rosie. We had a drink (latte!) at Font Bar beforehand, and then saw Lewis Watson, who is very Ed Sheeran-esque, so wasn't too raucous for our sore heads, my review of the show for Candid will be up on next week's post. I had to go via Mcdonald's on the way home for much needed late-night sustenance, and now I am off to bed; it has been calling me all day!

Tuesday, 9 December 2014

Candid Article 68

Bombay Bicycle Club

Click below to read my review of Bombay Bicycle Club's Manchester gig last night:

http://candidonline.com/live-review-bombay-bicycle-club-2/

Thursday, 27 November 2014

Candid Article 67

Sofar Sounds, Northern Quarter

My latest Candid article on my second Sofar Sounds experience, can be viewed here:

http://candidonline.com/sofar-sounds/

Saturday, 22 November 2014

Candid Article 66

Time Of My Life

This week I did a slightly different Candid article - a theatre review of my friend's production of Time Of My Life by Alan Ayckbourn. Read it here:

http://candidonline.com/troublehouse-theatre/

Tuesday, 11 November 2014

Candid Article 65

Kim Halliday

For my latest article, a bit of a different one this time, click the link below:

http://candidonline.com/new-music-kim-halliday/

Thursday, 6 November 2014

Candid Article 64

Indiana

I went to watch my new girl crush, Indiana, perform at Deaf Institute on Sunday. Review for Candid below:

http://candidonline.com/live-review-indiana/

Sunday, 2 November 2014

Candid Article 63

Klaxons

I saw the Manchester leg of Klaxons farewell tour on Tuesday, review for Candid here:

http://candidonline.com/live-review-klaxons/

Wednesday, 29 October 2014

Candid Article 62

Aquilo

I reviewed newcomers Aquilo's gig at Manchester's Soup Kitchen on Monday, see below:

http://candidonline.com/live-review-aquilo/

Sunday, 26 October 2014

Candid Article 61

Katy B 

Click the link below for my latest Candid article on Katy B at Manchester's Academy:

http://candidonline.com/live-review-katy-b/

Friday, 10 October 2014

Candid Article 60

Max Jury

For my latest article, a review of Max Jury's gig in Manchester's Northern Quarter, click the link below:

http://candidonline.com/live-review-max-jury/

Monday, 29 September 2014

Candid Article 58

Sofar Sounds, Manchester

For my latest Candid article on the Sofar Sounds event I went to in Manchester with my sister last week, click below:

http://candidonline.com/live-review-sofar-sounds/

Wednesday, 24 September 2014

Candid Article 57

JAWS

For my most recent Candid article on the JAWS live show I went to on Monday, click below:

http://candidonline.com/live-review-jaws/

Monday, 22 September 2014

Candid Article 56

Rachel Foxx

For my latest Candid article on up and coming singer/ songwriter Rachel Foxx, click the link below:

http://candidonline.com/new-music-rachel-foxx/

Wednesday, 10 September 2014

Candid Article 55

Barclaycard Mercury Prize 2014

For my latest Candid piece on the nominations for the Barclaycard Mercury Price 2014, click the link below:

http://candidonline.com/barclaycard-mercury-prize-2014/

Tuesday, 9 September 2014

Candid Article 54

Ella Martini

For my latest article on singer/songwriter Ella Martini, follow the link below:

http://candidonline.com/new-music-ella-martini/

Sunday, 7 September 2014

Weekly Update!


Burgers & A Four Day Weekend!

This week has been quite exciting as I started a new role at Candid Magazine. I am now their Online Music Editor, so it is my job to source all of the material for articles from press releases I am sent, and then find writers for them all. It has been hard work as there have been lots of introductions to be made and stuff to learn, but I find it really enjoyable and it means I get to stay on top of loads of fab new music!

Aum has been off school for half of this week, so we had a chilled day on Monday, then went to Applejacks Adventure Park on Tuesday (see previous post) and on Wednesday we met Abi for some lunch at Gastronomy. I had eggs pesto which were delicious, and then in the afternoon we got Aum's hair cut and uniform ready for his first day at Manchester Grammar School.

My workload was really building up at this point, and I was getting a little stressed, but then luckily I had Thursday and Friday off as his mum wanted to take him and collect him from his first couple of days at his new school, so it gave me time to catch up. On Thursday afternoon Mo and I went to the Trafford Centre for a mooch around, and then he stayed afterwards. He went home the following morning, and then we met up for a late lunch at SoLIta in Manchester. I had the KFB which was a beef burger with Monterey Jack cheese, bourbon barbecue sauce and Kentucky fried bacon, and was supposed to have jalapenos on too but I chickened out and asked for it without! In the evening I had an article to write so had a quiet one and chilled out.

Yesterday I cleaned the house, and then in the evening Ellie, Emily and Laura all came to mine for some predrinks before we went out in Manchester. We went to Terrace in the Northern Quarter, which was a cool place, if rather expensive (£7.40 for a double!). Music was good, and we stayed until half 2 before getting taxis home rather merry!

Today I got ready and have just been shopping in Stockport with Mum, got a few much needed bargains from Primark (a white dress, two going out tops and a cute knitted top for work) and then I came home ready for Mo to come round for some dinner and to stay. Very much enjoyed my four day weekend!

Thursday, 5 June 2014

Candid Article 52

AWOLNATION

For my most recent Candid article on the AWOLNATION gig I went to last week, click here:

http://candidonline.com/live-awolnation/

Monday, 2 June 2014

Candid Article 51

Klaxons - Love Frequency

For my latest Candid article on electro group The Klaxons new album, click here:

http://candidonline.com/new-music-the-klaxons/