City of the Month: Sheffield

Sheffield city centre

Sheffield city centre - Photo by Amy-Elizabeth Jones

October: SHEFFIELD

The ‘Steel City’, home to Meadowhall, the Winter and Botanical Gardens, oh and not forgetting Sean Bean. I’m a big fan of Sheffield, and have visited quite a few times. Whether you’re a fan of the city or the countryside, it offers the possibility of both as it’s only half an hour from the Peak District and there’s a number of things to do in the city (theatre, museums, shopping), almost like a mini-London. The best time to go is probably summer, when the sun’s out and there’s a wider variety of events going on.

Positives: Close proximity to Chatsworth House, home of Mr. Darcy (well in the film) and Bakewell, home to many a tart (the baked variety) and charming bus drivers – coming from London, it’s a shock when they even say thank you!

Negatives: the layout of Meadowhall shopping centre, the weather (it’s the North remember) and the accent (sorry!)

Verdict: ‘Ace’

Having fun with fashion and stepping out of your comfort zone!

I always find myself getting bored when I go shopping, I can never find anything I want or the shop doesn’t have it in my size, so where does that leave me? Well, don’t tell anyone but it’s almost turned into a hobby…I regularly go into shops and just try on everything and anything, I mean who knows what really suits them until they experiment? The next time you go out, why not try it! It’s fun and you don’t even have to buy anything. Here’s a few I tried on earlier…

Floral top

Floral top

FLORALS
“Something you’d wear to the races”

I wouldn’t go as far as agreeing with my friend, but I wouldn’t go to Tesco in it either! Florals are always around leading up to spring and this year is no different. As I browsed the high street, this batwing blouse jumped out at me as both elegant and comfortable. It has a rose print and an essential tie-around middle that holds in the waist (always a good thing). It was a comfortable wear, but a little too see-through for my liking – you can always add a strappy top underneath to feel less exposed. I would pair with a black body-con skirt or leggings. What would you do?

Long black cocktail dress

Long black cocktail dress

LONG BLACK DRESS
“It looks like a cross-between Snape’s cloak and a flamenco dress…I like it.”

The ‘little black dress’ is so last season, how about a sweeping dramatic number? I was immediately drawn to the almost coat-like quality to the dress with the collar and pulled-in waist. It felt great on, although my small excuse for a chest didn’t do me any favours – I would definitely recommend wearing a push up bra before trying something as low-cut as this. Wear with heels or flats (it’s too long to notice anyway) and some stand out accessories for maximum effect. What’s your favourite party outfit?

Camel trousers

Camel trousers

CAMEL
“Your trousers match the colour of your hair”…”Thanks?”

The colour is in at the moment and so is the style – whether its designer or high street, the shops are crammed with camel. I try not to follow trends, preferring to experiment with old and new styles, as well as not having disposable funds unfortunately. But on this occasion I think I can be forgiven, I needed new trousers and having looked in every shop in Lincoln (there aren’t that many) for a comfortable pair, I thought there wasn’t any harm in trying them on. I found this pair in Topshop and although at first I had reservations on whether they would suit me as I have the annoying combination of wide hips and skinny legs, I ended up spending 20 minutes in the fitting room deciding whether I liked them or not! I took some photos – cameras never lie (only photoshop!) and decided to get them, after all I had the receipt and could bring them back if I changed my mind. Do you have a favourite camel coloured outfit?

Faux fur coat

Faux fur coat

FAUX FUR COAT
“PETA approved”

A friend to the animals and the pimps, just kidding! I’m not really a fan of fur or leopard print but this winter saw the arrival of fur and lots of it. Every shop I browsed, I couldn’t get away from it so I took it upon myself to try out this “guilty pleasure”. To my surprise, I didn’t look as stupid as I first thought I would – in fact I quite liked it.

Warm = check
Comfortable = check
In trend = check

Having said that, I couldn’t get the image of Del Boy and Raquel from Only Fools and Horses out of my head so when the fitting room assistant asked “any good?” I politely responded no and gave it back. So what is your fashion or beauty guilty pleasure?

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