Get outta town.

Houses in Didsbury, Manchester

When you're done spritzing that anti-pollution toner all over your face (guilty), it's an idea to jump on a tram and head out of town, even if just for a day. And that's exactly what Tori and I did. We explored Burton Road and Didsbury in South Manchester for an entire Saturday, and walked a very long way in the process! I could wax lyrical about how much I like the area, but I'll let the 'grams do the talking, and ice cream recommending. 👇 Of course I shoved my camera into Tori's hands to take some photos in front of the beautiful houses in Didsbury, so apologies for publishing more photos of my ugly mug. Feel free to scroll on by. If you know of any more Manchester districts I need to see, then definitely comment below as I'm always on the lookout for more recommendations.

In what would appear to be my monthly "how stressed is Rebecca Cohen this time?" update, this week's not been totally great on the chill factor, but I'm feeling rather positive about the week coming up. I'm heading down to London for a shoot tonight, then hopefully will have a full week in Manchester rather than heading halfway across the country multiple times. Since my last blog post, I've done rather a lot: from heading to London and back in an evening for an awards event, to shooting with Olivia Buckland and Megan McKenna, to We Are FSTVL, to going to Dublin, it's been more than a little non-stop and the bags under my eyes are very evident to prove it. I'm looking forward to chilling with Clare, Laura and Kate over a gin this afternoon, and I hope your Sunday is just as peaceful.

Of course, as someone who's made Manchester my home over the last 17 months, the last few weeks have been very testing. Everyone grieves differently, and as someone who chose Manchester as my home and has only been welcomed, I can only say that the love shown to me has been manifest throughout the city. I've never seen community spirit like it in the face of extreme tragedy, but the city's still a hive of activity and creativity. And the bees still buzz.

What I Wore

The Kooples leather jacket. New Look bee embroidered shirt. And Other Stories jeans (similar). Collective tee. Primark fishnet socks. Adidas Superstars.

What's on Insta

Just because I haven't used it, doesn't mean I'm not v v aware of #wisteriahysteria and check it a bit too frequently to be normal 💜🏡 #manchester #wisteria #doorsofinstagram #green #didsbury #purple #england

A post shared by Rebecca 😈 (@rebeccacohen_) on May 8, 2017 at 12:19pm PDT

When you realise you haven't Instagrammed food for a few days so it's time to whip out your pub lunch from last weekend, yeah buddy. Fish and chips with @unfoldtheday! 🍟 #didsbury #Manchester #mcruk #eatmcr #fishandchips #weekend #food

A post shared by Rebecca 😈 (@rebeccacohen_) on May 7, 2017 at 1:08pm PDT

Exploring more of south west #Manchester with @unfoldtheday today 💙 #fwis #mcr #andotherstories #newlook #ihavethisthingwithtiles #adidas

A post shared by Rebecca 😈 (@rebeccacohen_) on Apr 29, 2017 at 3:34am PDT

Because bank holidays are for eating, amirite? 🍦 #manchester #mcruk #icecream #weekend #didsbury

A post shared by Rebecca 😈 (@rebeccacohen_) on Apr 29, 2017 at 10:42am PDT

Read more

She was a day tripper.

Pretending to be a Liverpool fashion blogger again.

Photos by Laura.

Blue skies = boozy opportunities. As soon as the clouds cleared, Laura and I headed to Liverpool as she'd never been and I didn't need an excuse. Seemingly on a tour of its most instagrammable spots, we headed straight to Oh Me Oh My's roof garden for a gin in the sun, and one hell of a view (see the insta shot below). This place had been on my to-visit list for a bloody long time, so we took the sunny opportunity with both iphone-holding hands and got the shot in no time at all.

On the hunt for food, we next headed to instagram-famous Love Thy Neighbour on Bold Street. I headed here with Jade the last time I was in Liverpool, but knew it'd be up Laura's street because what's not to love about a living ceiling and great branding? As always, service was shocking, but at least we had something pretty to look at while we were waiting. After wandering up to the Georgian quarter (always ma fave, luv u the Quarter) and taking these photos, we headed back central and ended up at the Clubhouse for a glass of wine before catching a train back to Manchester. Not bad for a 'we'll see where this takes us' day, eh?

I definitely need to make an effort to visit more northern cities, but I just can't help heading back to Liverpool again and again. Any recommendations on where to head next? I keep fancying Leeds and York, but just got to get my act together!

What I wore.

New Look embroidered bomber jacket: £45 (similar). Asos smock dress: £36. Topshop bug embroidered boots: £30. Urban Outfitters bag: £15. Sainsbury's polo neck: c/o. Lord and Berry purple lip crayon in 'la fiesta': c/o.

What's on Insta.

'When I feel that somethin', I want to hold your hand' #liverpool #itsliverpool #pink #weekend

A post shared by Rebecca 😈 (@rebeccacohen_) on Apr 28, 2017 at 12:42pm PDT

Trying out purple lips yesterday with a crayon from @lordandberry 💜😈 (god knows what I'm meant to hashtag, but the girls at @sparklepruk sent it to me) #lordandberry #makeup #fotd

A post shared by Rebecca 😈 (@rebeccacohen_) on Apr 23, 2017 at 3:15am PDT

Forgot to take any photos today cos I was too busy catching up with @jade_fung/eating, so here's a photo from last week's trip to the 'pool #liverpool #itsliverpool #weekend #blue

A post shared by Rebecca 😈 (@rebeccacohen_) on Apr 30, 2017 at 10:15am PDT

Back with bae 💕 #liverpool #itsliverpool

A post shared by Rebecca 😈 (@rebeccacohen_) on Apr 22, 2017 at 10:21am PDT

Read more

Coffee and antique books.

An afternoon in Manchester.

When my mum visited, she came armed with a Time Out guide to the city. Me being me, had refused point blank to invest in one, instead relying on word of mouth recommendations and mcr confidential. But I'll give the guide book its dues: it does have some pretty good shouts on its books. On this day, we started off in Federal (my suggestion, get that smirking emoji out), before heading off on the recommendations of some London ponce.

We started off at the John Rylands library, which is slap bang in the middle of town, Spinningfields way. I've gone past it countless times and always thought "I should probably check that out". Of course, me being human, saying something and doing it are quite different things, and I'd never quite managed to make it inside. But, word of advice, make the effort. It is absolutely beautiful in there, and has been perfectly restored and cared for. It houses fragments of the bible which I believe is a people pleaser, but if you want a true insider tip you've gotta check out the toilets in the basement. Now I know why their slang term is throne.

We then had that awkward "it's not quite dinner time, but we sorta can't be bothered to go shopping" period of time, so we headed to another one of Time Out's recommendations: Pot Kettle Black. Now, being a sucker for a good name, I was on side from the off. Add in a good playlist and free chocolates, and I'm pretty sure I've found a new favourite. (And it's owned by two rugby players who are in there loads, if you're that way inclined.)

I don't have any photos, but after we headed to Sam's Chop House, replete with bronze statue of Lowry propping up the bar. The portions here are massive, so definitely don't expect just a tiny bite to eat, but it definitely had some old school charm to it.

I'm slowly starting to get to know Manchester (via my stomach), and I can see why so many people cite it as their favourite city. You've still got a way to go to beat Liverpool, but you're getting there. Do let me know if you've got any must-go places I need to try!

What I'm wearing:

New Look top. Warehouse skirt. Laura Ashley trench coat. Adidas Superstars (via Office).

Read more

In many ways, they'll miss the good old days.

Vintage leather jacket: £17.50. Aubin and Wills stripe top: £30. Chinos (in 'Navy' and 'Chalk'): c/o Fat Face. Vintage bag: gift from Jazmine. New Look sandals. Rotary watch. Nail varnish on both fingers and toes were both Nails Inc freebies - winner.

It's not every day you're met with a sea of bluebells. In fact, I can date the last time I visited Blakes Wood as precisely five years ago. Since, I've seen a whole lot more places, and nowhere really compares to here for the mid-May blooms.

Back then, I'd just finished a shift at my weekend job in Fat Face, so it seemed apt for this to be the location for a little blue and white themed post with the brand. I'm queen of packing little for a long time (if I want to, I can also pack a lot), often turning up at a friend's for the night with essentials tightly packed into something smaller than my gym bag. So, when they asked me to pick two things from their holiday shop to style up, I went for the least Summery chinos, on the basis that they're travel-friendly for running through airports and up escalators, yet look good with everything from stripy tees to silk blouses when things are a little more chilled. I probably wouldn't recommend shimmying into the white pair after coming out of the sea as they're a bit see-through, but we all know I feel more comfortable at a bar, swimming in a hot waiter's eyes. Now, all I need is a flight...

On another completely unrelated note, have you started to get into Periscope yet? Find me @rebeccacohen for insights into my day, to hear my not-very-Essex accent and lower the percentage of weird men telling me it's OK to be drunk.

Read more

High dive into frozen waves.

Oasis butterfly bomber: £5, sample sale. Asos top: £10. Oasis Isabella jeans: £28. Missguided heeled boots (old). New Look backpack: £23 (now only available in black). Topshop + H. Samuel rings. Rimmel Kate Moss 08 lipstick.

Photos by Hannah.

After missing London Fashion Week in favour of staying inside, the next weekend's blue skies and a little invite from New Look coaxed me out vampire-style for London Fashion Weekend. If you haven't heard of LFW's little sis, I'm going to assume you're new around here. In short, it's your chance to see the oncoming season's trends in one handy catwalk show, with a little bit of Sia playing to keep you going after navigating the Circle line's part-closures. After meeting a load of lovely bloggers outside, we went in to sample the high life shows and talks, before popping along to the Delaunay for afternoon tea and an education in gugelhopf.

After a few weeks of existential crisis and whatnot, it was truly inspiring (vom, I know) to spend the day in the company of such hardworking and focused girls. Sometimes all you need to put things in perspective is three tiers of cakes and a few hours of getting-to-know-you.

Read more