Not being up to date.

The Classics

Another Dublin throwback, while I sit here wearing several layers watching Sunday Brunch with rain gently (for once) falling outside. If there's something I love about the Irish city, it's its architecture. I love all the red brick in Manchester (I mean, I ought to, as I've just bought an exposed brick dream), but I am a massive sucker for Georgian architecture and its symmetry; handily, this is available by the bucketload in Dublin. We had a little wander around St Stephen's Green and Merrion Square, paid my dues at the Oscar Wilde House (sadly closed)

To complement the classic architecture, I wore my old classic combination of a wideleg culottes jumpsuit and a silk blouse. If you believe I planned this, then you're a sorry naïve fool, but I'm happy that the two so serendipitously combined. I'm still umm-ing and ahh-ing as to whether I can get away with wearing this to my Christmas party, whilst also wondering whether I should just go out and buy all the sequins: life is so darn hard. If you've seen anything standout, please do send me a link on twitter @rebeccacohen!

Other than the work christmas do, most of the festivities this year are currently pretty lowkey, taking place round people's houses or mine. Mince pies and christmas trees a'plenty, and maybe a bottle of mulled wine or five too. I've been spending a lot of time with Laura recently, which has been great, but looking forward to catching up with my girls when I'm back down South (including ones you know, like Jazmine and Kavita!). It's all been very go, go, go recently, but somehow I've managed to not make plans this weekend so I've been enjoying eating everything and can confirm I'm up to date with vlogmas - something I never thought I'd say, particularly when I'm still posting photos here from August...

I'm considering writing up a "year in review" style blog post before 2017's up as it's been a very busy one for me, so if I get another chance to have an hour or so typing up, expect to see that soon!

What I Wore.

Warehouse culottes jumpsuit. Warehouse silk blouse. Claudie Pierlot chelsea boots. Urban Outfitters bag.

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Wrap star.

Layering Gingham Wrap Dresses

This outfit has a lot going on. We're talking ruffles, a tie waist, studs, gingham, even a coffee cup from Foundation (although that's not really the fundamental part of the outfit, just a fundamental part of my day). The guys at boohoo popped a surprise dress in the post, so when I unwrapped it and saw something I probably wouldn't purchase from an ecom shot, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to work out how to wear gingham wrap dresses my way. It's really bloody short (for reference, I'm 5'4" and there's no way I could wear this without something on my lower half, so tall ladies probs ought to steer clear), so unearthed an old pair of black skinnies when I went home to Essex to layer underneath as a decency saving exercise. Add in my new current obsession (white boots, who knew?), and you've got yourself an extra monochrome outfit.

Other than the outfit, I've also got a lot going on IRL. And I'm not talking about how many episodes of Gossip Girl I've been binge watching in the last month, although it is quite impressive. I'm moving house and starting a new job on Monday. My stress levels are through the roof so apologies to anyone who's seen me in the last month, 'cause I've either been short-tempered or drunk (everyone has their own coping mechanisms, right?). They say those are two of the most stressful things you can do, so talking from experience I would definitely advise against doing both of them within four days of each other. But everything's starting to sort themselves out and, fingers crossed, things will all come up Cohen by the end of the year - we can hope!

What I'm Wearing.

Gingham wrap dress: c/o Boohoo. Oasis cropped jeans. Public Desire studded boots (sold out, similar here). Urban Outfitters bag.

What's on Insta.

🔘 Stud life @publicdesire 🔘 #publicdesire #pdbae #shoes #ootd #lotd #wiwt #outfits

A post shared by Rebecca 😈 (@rebeccacohen_) on Oct 8, 2017 at 3:31am PDT

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I didn't forget, I swear.

Throwback Sunday

You know that friend you meet up with and you sit there trying to work out how long it's been since you last saw them, and then you get that guilty "oh crap, it was a lot longer ago that I thought" moment? Well, I'd like to introduce you to some photos from mid-May, which I will gloriously throwback with just a mere five months later. Whoops.

In all honesty, not that much has changed since, other than I wear a lot more bronzer because I look a lot like death in these photos. I also had to throw these jeans away as unfortunately skinny jeans and Laura's mini cooper do not a good match make. Otherwise, the last five months have been spent in equal amounts going to the gym and eating cheese, and having your standard mid-twenties crisis. You only need to scroll through Refinery29 for 10 minutes to find out that you're "not alone" and you're "doing just fine", but that's never going to stop a lil bit of doubt creeping in every once in a while. It's been a hard few months for me, with a lot going on. But, and here is your cheesy morale alert, there really is just something in paying attention to the little things and focusing on small bits that will see you through. Namely, not long until we can start talking about pigs in blankets - hurrah!

With all that in mind, this weekend is being spent with family, taking some much needed time out and heading back to Essex with white boots instead of white stilettos in my weekend bag. Might even burn a basic pumpkin scented candle, who know how crazy things will get?

What I Wore.

Primark leather jacket: £10. Arctic Monkeys top: £20. Oasis skinny jeans. Claudie Pierlot chelsea boots. Marks and Spencer bag: £43. Urban Outfitters sunglasses.

Where I went.

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My current favourite outfit.

Pride

Is it just me, or has this week lasted a lifetime? Clocking out on Friday felt like a long time coming, and this three day weekend is very welcome indeed!

After a few glasses of prosecco and, um, a jaegerbomb on Friday night, waking up on Saturday morning was a pretty slow affair. After what felt like some v rusty cogs started moving again (aka I made myself a brew), I met up with Kate to check out the Manchester Pride parade in the surprisingly glorious sunshine. I'm not entirely sure how I missed it last year as it's bloody big enough, but there is something about watching everyone come together and just be happy that left me with a smile on my face. It was definitely a vibe.

Afterwards, we headed to Grub and I was overwhelmed with happiness (again, what a Saturday) with the food options available. I'd only been on the vegan day before, so went for new-to-me Press de Cuba's sandwich and we shared some Fat Annie's redneck fries, i.e. fries covered in bacon and cheese, all washed down with some local cider. It's safe to say that I was in a very happy place.

I asked Kate to snap some photos of what I was wearing, as it's been almost a year since this jumpsuit graced this little blog even though I wear it at least once a fortnight. I'm generally one for an occasion dress, but when I picked this up last year I quickly found myself converted to the jumpsuit cause, and am trying to work out how much I'd wear the pink option if I added that one to my wardrobe too... I've lost the belt tie to the depths of my wardrobe somewhere so wear it without, but the panelling is super flattering, and I love wearing it layered with both blouses as pictured here and turtle and polo neck tops too. I do feel like I'm stuck in something of a style rut, so it's nice to have something to fall back on that I love, and think it looks ok on too!

I'm not entirely sure where the rest of the weekend will take me personally, but I do hope all of you have a good one - whether it's planned or not!

What I Wore

Warehouse culottes jumpsuit (I'm also eyeing up the pink one). Warehouse silk shirt (sold out, but similar here). Claudie Pierlot studded chelsea boots (sold out, but similar here). Urban Outfitters sunglasses.

This is a collaborative post.

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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

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A day off.

This post contains sponsored content from LionsHome.

Taking Time Out.

I am notoriously bad at doing nothing. I'm in the 1% of people who hasn't bothered getting a Netflix subscription 'cause this gal ain't got time for that. Instead, I tend to head out and do something (anything) to make sure that it's not a day "wasted". Whether it's heading to the gym or going out to a coffee shop to catch up reading the Times over something with a fair few ounces of caffeine in it, it's rare you'll find me at home. However, a couple of weeks back I took the day off work to do just that.

Waking late, I took the opportunity to start slow and poach some eggs while the kettle boiled. The daffodils bought a week previously had started to bloom, and served myself brunch (because you definitely can't call a 11.30 meal breakfast) while things outside were weirdly quiet. It's amazing what smokey eyes you can create when you're not against the clock, so make up did I headed out into town for a mooch and then sit down in Foundation with a coffee for an hour or so, before making the trip back home and cooking chicken pie for dinner. That evening involved watching Easy A, hot chocolate and candles, to fully live out the basic bitch life I'd always dreamed of. And you know what? It was great.

Who knew doing nothing could take up so much time?

If you're into your doing nowt, then definitely let me know your favourite ways to pass the time. Because, until next time, here I'll be constantly doing stuff. brb, going out.

What I Wore.

Uniqlo coat. And Other Stories tee. And Other Stories kick flare jeans (new season version). Urban Outfitters bag. Tatty Devine necklace. Zara faux fur loafers (similar).

What's On Insta.

Nope, no angle will make these shoes look pretty, but beyond caring #Zara #ootd #outfit

A post shared by Rebecca 😈 (@rebeccacohen_) on Feb 23, 2017 at 12:05am PST

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A really, really good food day.

Alabama's Brunch and Menagerie Afternoon Tea

I'm normally really organised when it comes to sorting out my social life. I like having everything in my calendar, because otherwise there's literally zero chance of me turning up (thanks to the constant chaos happening inside my head). According to aforementioned calendar, this post should be called "a really, really good food weekend" but, you guessed it, I clearly cocked up and ended up ubering from one side of Manchester to the other, but... that's another story.

I met up with Tori from @unfoldtheday for brunch at Alabama's in the Nothern Quarter early on Saturday. We'd arranged to go there as somewhere neither of us had visited before, and we managed to be one of the few people who nabbed a table immediately (hint: go pre-10am). I went for bannoffee french toast (yep) and Tori opted for eggs benedict. Even though I went for the "small" size of three slices, don't think you're getting a health meal as I was full to the brim and could quite happily have napped it away on the leather sofas. However, instead we headed to the Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art and mooched for a while out of the rain.

Next I met my uni pal Georgia for lunch at El Capo. No photos. El Capo and I are a friendship based on margaritas (this trip was no different), and we were halfway through a bottle of wine when I got a text from Clare saying they'd just been seated in Menagerie, so to just call when I was there. Apparently, Sunday was actually Saturday, so I headed off in search of something bubbly.

Afternoon tea at Menagerie is an event. A very long, very good event. Laura, Clare and I started with champagne (as all good stories start), and went through the courses of sandwiches, cakes and then scones, as well as them letting us try some sushi, which is always a welcome addition. I'd seen it on everyone's instagram prior to entering so I knew exactly what to expect from the venue, but it's true that Menagerie is beautiful, and you need to go if you're a fan of opulent interiors that give Manchester a good name.

We then went to Gaslight, but probably the less said about that the better.

For this odd but beautiful mix, I wore an outfit of ol' faithfuls. These & Other Stories kick flares have definitely earned their place in my wardrobe, and thankfully the guys over at Rooi had popped a Kate Spade umbrella in the post so I wasn't too soggy by the end of the day.

If you've got any more Manchester food recommendations, I'm more than happy to do a service to all and go try it out. Challenge, accepted.

What I Wore

Kate Spade umbrella: c/o Rooi. Laura Ashley trench coat. Oasis turtleneck top. And Other Stories jeans. Zara silver boots. Urban Outfitters bag.

Photos by Tori.

What's on Insta

Brunchin' with @unfoldtheday at @alabamas_mcr (and complaining about the lighting) 🍴 #manchester #mcruk #eatmcr #brunch

A post shared by Rebecca 😈 (@rebeccacohen_) on Feb 18, 2017 at 3:27am PST

Yep, definitely need avocado wall art of some kind now 🥑🥑🥑🥑🥑 #Manchester #mcruk #avocado

A post shared by Rebecca 😈 (@rebeccacohen_) on Feb 20, 2017 at 12:56pm PST

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MAN > SHF

A Culottes Jumpsuit and Embossed Watch

Let me just hold backspace for a bit.

I have a habit of leaving my emails for about three weeks, then replying en masse. It's not a technique I'd recommend. In fact, I'd actively dissuade you from adopting this method, as it's only going to make you stress and piss people off. Either way, when I got an email from the babes at Olivia Burton asking if I wanted to head to an event in Sheffield I was mid-way through typing a "cheers, but I live in Manchester" reply before deleting it all and saying "oh, go on then". 

Sheffield is one of those cities I've always loved. No beating around the bush, it's a solid 95% because of Arctic Monkeys, but it holds its own right too. I applied to university there way back when, and even though I didn't attend full time I did go a fair amount to visit my friend Selena. Last time I went was back in 2011 for an Arctic Monkeys gig (surprise surprise), and I've just never had a reason to go back.

Now I live up North, it's not hard to be a daytripper. Yes, trains are few and far between, but they're cheap as chips. That day I met up with Kavita to discuss what she'd been up to since we'd last seen each other. Sheffield weather was behaving, so we ate outside before heading into town for a quick walk around. I then headed to Meadowhall to visit boutique Goldsmiths. I was very lucky to be treated to my very own Olivia Burton watch, which has been personalised with my name: it doesn't just tell you the time, it also helps you out of tricky situations. You can get this done online, but it was super quick in-store.

Fast forward to the next weekend, and Laura and I were picking our brunch spot for the weekend. Not feeling a 45 minute (!!) wait for Alabamas, we just went round the corner to Allotment. One of those "should I eat where I drink?" establishments, but I am so glad we went in. Honestly, the eggs benedict comes highly recommended from me, and I've tried a fair few platefuls of it in my time.

Laura was kind enough to snap a few photos of my outfit before it proper peed it down. New fave combo of a culottes jumpsuit and anything chelsea boots that I picked up for a mere £7 in Zara. Of course, paired with my faithful leather jacket and a fedora hat.

What I Wore

Olivia Burton watch: c/o. Warehouse culottes jumpsuit. The Kooples leather jacket. Zara metallic chelsea boots: c/o Liverpool ONE. Topshop fedora hat. Urban Outfitters bag.

Where We Went

What's on Insta

Sunny skies in the steel city today 🔥🔥 #Sheffield #travel #summer

A photo posted by Rebecca (@rebeccacohen_) on Aug 7, 2016 at 9:11am PDT

Yesterday's kiwi special (apparently) mince on toast with @shewearsfashion #sheffield #acolorstory #green

A photo posted by Rebecca (@rebeccacohen_) on Aug 8, 2016 at 10:21am PDT

Get in me. 🍳 Brunch with @chambrayandcurls #eatmcr #brunch #manchester #food #breakfast #capturemcr

A photo posted by Rebecca (@rebeccacohen_) on Aug 20, 2016 at 4:15am PDT

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