Old Wellington.

Cherry Blossom in Manchester.

If there's one thing that the North does well, it's a roast. So when Clare got in touch to mention that the folks at Nicholson's were asking her to review the Old Wellington, Laura, Kate and I were on it before you could say roast potato. 

I've been past the Old Wellington countless times as it was on my walk to work on my old commute (more on that later), but had never stopped off to try it out. Let's be honest here, the beer gardens outside have a bit of a rep, particularly on match day, but once you step inside it's a beautiful old british pub and the food menu matches your expectations. It may have been the hottest day of the year so far, but that didn't stop me going for the yorkshires. Despite it not being wholly weather appropriate, it was still bloody fantastic and I'd be more than happy to head back when the temperatures drop back down again.

Located right next to the Cathedral, we took the opportunity to be as cliché as possible and take a few photos before the cherry blossom ended up completely on the floor. Who could resist, eh?

As you know, cherry blossom season is pretty much behind us, giving way to wisteria hysteria (because, you know, why shouldn't it have its own hashtag?). There's no point even apologising for the infrequent posting any more as apparently this is becoming more of a monthly thing, rather than weekly. I started a new job just after my last blog post, and things have stepped up a bit. The hours are longer and there's more out of hours work. That combined with my hospital treatment means that this hobby's taking much more of a backseat so I can concentrate on my career and making sure that I'm having a little screen-free time too. But after a lovely weekend, I thought it was about time to settle down with a cuppa and Miss Congeniality 2, and finally get round to editing the photos from a few weeks back. After all, better late than never.

What I Wore.

Vintage Levi's jacket: gift, but similar. Brandy Melville tee: £17. Vintage suede skirt: £7, Oxfam. Public Desire shoes: sold out :( M&S bag.

What's On Insta.

Sunny Sunday roasts 🐽 Head to @nicholsonspubs' insta stories to see @iliketweet's takeover too! #manchester #eatmcr #manchestergram #sundayroast

A post shared by Rebecca 😈 (@rebeccacohen_) on Apr 9, 2017 at 12:52pm PDT

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Cute but psycho.

Brandy Melville 'Cute but psycho' tee: £18. Vintage suede skirt: £8, via charity shop (similar). Zara velvet slippers: £9, via charity shop (similar). Karen Millen patent mini bag: £5, via sample sale. H Samuel and Pandora bracelets. Vintage and Forever 21 rings. Barry M "Road Rage" not-quick-dry-at-all nail varnish. Topshop "Really Ruby" lipstick.

As time passes, I like Maldon more and more. It's a pain to get to, provides dubious phone signal and the average age of its inhabitants is probably sixty, so I really don't see where the drawbacks lie. I did find it a little amusing when a brand took fifteen or so bloggers to an island just off its shores for a super-fancy event, as to me it has always been, and will always be, a place so far removed from "blogger life" - and the world in general, there's only one bus an hour - as it's possible to be. But there you go. This time we didn't head down to the river as is our usual way of spending the day there, and instead explored its bloody hills quaint backstreets, before heading to a café just behind M&S for a late lunch. Can't remember for the life of me what it's called, but it sits off the high street and serves a mean BLT.

There's not really much to say about this incredibly standard tee and no tights outfit, but I do have to give a special shout out to Jazmine who picked this tee up for me from Soho after I spotted it on Pinterest a while back, as Brandy Melville's online shop is appalling/does not have any stock. 'Cute but psycho' might not be the most PC turn of phrase, but after last night I will be acting with "abnormal or violent behaviour" towards my breakfast as soon as I drag myself downstairs.

I've popped links to old Maldon blog posts below (hello, second ever outfit post!), so you can have a tour of the town:

The Hythe | Promenade Park | Heybridge Basin | Beeleigh Road

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I have stolen ideas from every book I have ever read.

Laura Ashley trench coat. Topshop scuba top: €15, via Oberpollinger. H&M palm print trousers: £15 (I've got my eye on this similar pair of culottes). Warehouse lace up flats: £29. Gemporia ring. Brandy Melville "thug life" necklace: €9.

When it rains, go somewhere muddy. Obviously. 

Last week I booked a couple of days off work and headed over to Oxford to catch up with family. All plans to have a charming break in glorious August sunshine were quickly nipped in the bud when glancing at BBC Breakfast's weather report, but in true brit style we went for it anyway - that's what umbrellas are for, right? After dropping our bags off, we headed to the Botanic Garden. More than just your usual scrub of grass, this garden housed everything from cannabis to pineapples - something for every palate. I, of course, couldn't help but get some snaps in the palm house as opportunities to match your outfit with your surroundings should never be given up.

It was also a little bit of a special place for me to visit, as it's home to 'Lyra's bench'. Growing up, my absolute favourite books were the His Dark Materials trilogy written by Philip Pullman, from which grew my fascination with this little Oxfordshire city. Anyone else spend a little too much time trying to work out which animal their dæmon would be? I may not have explored Oxford by rooftop like Lyra (although we did climb up Carfax tower), but I couldn't help but visit the little memorial to her and Will whilst we were there.

Time to dust off my old books, and get lost in a novel on the 6.47 tomorrow.

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My girl's got a city to run.

Vintage leather jacket: £17.50. Brandy Melville trouble maker t-shirt: €26. Topshop leopard print skirt: £38. Clarks two-tone sandals. Autumn Bloom small tote: c/o Cath Kidston.

As Fashion Month draws to a close, I'm just getting around to posting the one London Fashion Week event I went to - maybe I'm stuck in the past or maybe I'm rationing the rare times I get to take photos, you pick. I decided to shy away from Somerset House again this season in favour of spending time with friends, working and, you know, sleeping, but when an invite to Lulu Guinness' party popped into my inbox I did think it'd be the best way to dip my feet into my favourite fashion week of them all. Of course I did my best to represent the British high street in my usual way with a little pop of Cath Kidston print, vintage leather, Clarks not-school-shoes sandals and good ol' toppers (after heading to an embarrassing amount of stores to try and get this bloody skirt), although my favourite Brandy Melville t-shirt did end up muscling its way in somehow. It was amazing to finally meet Clare after we started our blogs around the same time, as well as spending the evening doing something outside of the ordinary - even if we did leave early to make sure we could get to Nando's before it closed!

In more current news, it's finally starting to feel like Autumn. I haven't actually ventured outside today as that means finally accepting that it's time to do something, but from the breeze sneaking its way through my slightly open window things definitely feel chillier. Autumn's my favourite time to dress for, said every blogger ever, but it does mean that I can leave my bronzer alone for the next six months as everyone else looks pale too - hooray! And, sorry if it's a sore spot, I managed to get my first ever Glastonbury tickets, so I'm starting to mentally prepare myself for the mother of all festivals: I. Can't. Wait.

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It's late in the evening, glass on the side.

Dorothy Perkins floral midi skirt: c/o House of Fraser. Pink silk shirt: 75p, via charity shop. New Look heeled sandals. Urban Outfitters straw hat: £12. Brandy Melville thug life necklace: €6. Vintage belt: 20p, via charity shop. Vintage patent bag: 20p, via boot sale. Marc by Marc Jacobs bracelet: gift from Harriet. Topshop lip polish (this is the new season version).

It looks like taking photos at this sunflower field may become an annual tradition, and I am totally okay with that when it means that I can come home with locally grown blooms which perk up my early morning starts during the week. After lunch breaks perusing the rails at House of Hackney and reading Kim's blog, I've been pretty determined to work some tropical palm prints into my wardrobe, and whilst the HoH palm print dream remains up that pipe, I'm more than happy to take things the midi way with this beautiful Dotty P skirt from House of Fraser (and it's only £22, tell me that's not a bargain). I'm planning to wear it with my new black Bardot neckline top next time, but I think it works rather well with this hot pink silk vest top I picked up in a charity shop a couple of years ago, don't you think? Add in some more thrifty finds, and you've got a pretty me~ outfit, if on a rather girly day.

I prepped in true Cohen style for these photos by eating a massive two course meal at a pub down the road, and would truly recommend the seafood sharing platter if you're planning to head to a chef and brewer pub any time soon - those whitebait, you won't regret it. Finished off with a passionfruit cider and catching some rays in the beer garden, I really don't think that Saturdays come much better than this.

ps, don't forget to enter for your chance to win a Lilylulu kimono!

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