five things to see and do in edinburgh

So. It’s been nearly a year since I last posted… either I forgot I had a blog or my life clearly got far too exciting and busy. I thought I would relaunch by covering a recent girls weekend to Edinburgh. It was my second time in Scotland and once again, I loved it! There were 8 ladies and we stayed in New Town in one of the Cumberland Mews apartments which I can highly reccommend. Here are five places we went and things we did…

1. Monkey Barrel Comedy Club at The Beehive.
A cramped room above a pub, amateur comedians, 30 people and a bottle of wine. On paper, sounds like a nightmare yes? (apart from the wine) No! Endearing and huge fun. The Beehive was the second place we looked for tickets (the first – The Stand – does not allow ‘same sex groups of any kind’…alright thanks for that). It was around £12 a ticket and there were 5 acts plus the compare. There was even an impromptu Canadian chancer who turned up half way through claiming to be a stand up who got his 10 minutes of fame… he was actually really funny! He also used me as part of the act, I was teased a a lot, used to it! All 5 acts had totally different styles, so there really was something for everyone. Great value and a great way to start your night.The only thing I would say about The Beehive is that the drinks weren’t cheap. I suppose they can class it as a venue rather than a pub so the prices were above average (£6 for a 270ml wine). Luckily, we weren’t far from a few of the bars in Old Town too, so we made a 10minute walk up to The Devil’s Advocate for a cocktail afterwards.

2. Edinburgh Dungeons.
We did The Dungeons on our first visit to Edinburgh and it’s the best Dungeons attraction I’ve been to! The tour is nearly an hour long so you get your (£15ish) money’s worth. Situated right by the station it’s easy to find and worth a visit. I won’t ruin it by telling you just what happens, but expect very dark rooms, effective props, hilarious actors, loads of scary Scottish ghost stories and a little bit of geeky history. There’s a ‘ride experience’ at the end of the tour too – it’s not as extreme as you think, so give it a go! As a group of girls of course you could expect there were plenty of screams and giggles. This year, we went on a ‘City of the Dead’ ghost vault walk and it wasn’t as good as the Dungeons. I wouldn’t recommend it to small children though… at some points we were genuinely freaked out. YEY!

3. SHOPPING (particularly, Primark).
Located on Princes St, you really, really can’t miss it. However you will, most defiantly, get lost once in it. The only other Primark store I have experienced of this size is in Blackpool, but I think Edinburgh beats it by around 100,00,000 ft. So, primarni lovers, you’re in safe hands. There’s all your other high st shops dotted along Princes St, as well as the typical tourist and gift places. Old Town is your place for the independent and vintage shops. Just a walk off Royal Mile was Cockburn St where we found a couple of lovely boutiques as well as a spot for lunch. In particular Pie in the Sky and Miss Katie Cupcake are worth a visit for second hand clothes, vintage stuffs and hand-made gifts.

4. Leo’s Beanery.
Best. Breakfast. Ever. I love breakfast. I love bread. And I’m considering shares in bacon I love it so much. So Leo’s was the place to be. Well priced, brilliantly situated and very accommodating. We went here both mornings during our stay and as there were 8 of us, we needed a big table, obviously, so we got taken into the back room which we practically had to ourselves. Eggs Benedict, fresh leaf teas, beautifully cooked bacon with no fat… and cakes! The only negative for me was on the first morning when I ordered a bacon sandwich (which was actually gorgeous) I was gutted because is was too small. It took me and my greedy self a few hours to get over the food envy of the other’s. Go for the full brekky or one of the Egg combos. You will not be disappointed.
5. The Boozy Cow.
Okay I had to include at least one bar, I’ve done well to keep it down really. The Boozy Cow is again quite hidden away underground, but can be clearly seen from the main street near Primark. Their menu outside boasts crazy cocktails or shakes made up of everything from iron-bru and sherbet to peanut butter and bacon (yes, that’s the meat kind). A few of the girls went for the cocktails (minus the bacon) but I stuck with a good old beer. They have american brands, mostly in a tin so I trusted the bar man to choose me a nice light larger (served in a chilled stein) and it didn’t disappoint. The decor is quite out there, we described it as an art-pop, spray-painted slaughter house…..which is better than it sounds, honest. They do food too, which we didn’t try, but looked gorgeous! Again, following an american theme with chilli dogs and the like. You’ll be looking to pay between £4-6 for a drink here. Cocktails £7-10.

My lovely pals Helen and Sarah (cocktail in a tin)

A couple more snaps from over the weekend…

five stages every 20-something female goes through at a one direction concert

So yes, I am going from one of the most momentous gigs in rock history to the pop machine and d’oohhh so cuuttteee force of nature that is One Direction. Hey, whats a warm blooded female to do?! I actually experienced these two events within a week of each other, so the comparisons are fun. This being my second 1D experience (yep, I am that person) I have noticed some embarrassing yet embracing phases one goes through when caught up in the ‘Directioner’ phenomenon…

(I wanted an awkward or creepy photo. Nailed it.)

1. The lead up.
Telling people you are actually attending a One Direction concert at the grand old age of 22. With your friend who is also 22. No minors to supervise. Just you two, and your womanhood. Mmmm.

2. Reality.
Going from over-excitement at the time of purchasing your ticket – to a sense of disgust and unease when they finally arrive nearly a year later and you remember that £50 you are never going to see again has gone right into the back pocket of Simon Cowell.

3. La la land.
Back to that state of over-excitement (and genuine confusion at times) when you remind yourself of Harry’s bouncy locks and Zayn’s inability to do little more than make high-pitched noises and dance with two left feet… N’awwww I can’t wait, dey so boootiful and sillyyy!

4. Age issues.
Joining the crowd on your way to the concert. Half of you is scanning the train for a bewildered-looking child to borrow for the evening to make your presence at the concert more acceptable, while the other half looks on in envy at the sea of 1D banners, hair bands and t-shirts… Hey bitch, I have breasts to fill that out, gimmie. 

5. Right where they want you.
You quietly find your seats in the mass of toddlers, teens and devoted dads wearing ‘I heart the D’ t-shirts, and after having no clue who the ‘warm up’ act are, One Direction tumble onto the stage. You are unexplainably sent into a state of screams, giggles and spontaneous arm flinging, before realising who you are 2 hours later hanging your head in shame on the train home… Harry though?! He’s mucky, I can tell. Mmm next year will be amaze babe.

 Suggest a list of FIVE for me to cover.

Tell me to get a life and grow the hell up.

five things: arctic monkeys at finsbury park, london

At the end of May I was one of the the lucky 80,000 people to witness the great northern monkeys grace London’s Finsbury Park, and they did not disappoint. Here’s why…

Opening: Brianstorm    //    Closing: R U Mine

1. Alex Turner.
His hair. His attitude. His voice. In that order.

2. No conversation or cheap crowd pleasing was needed.
They knew their job and they knew just what we wanted to hear. This band manage to put their audience into a state of poetic chants without so much as a ‘How ya doin’… sing if ya know it.’

3. People went crazy.
The best crazy I have ever seen. So many happy northern (and the occasional southern) faces. There was a spell cast upon the south that evening. The best crowd I have ever been part of. Thank you, and you’re welcome.

4. R U Mine.
I’ve seen Arctic Monkeys three times now but this was the first time I experienced R U Mine. I felt it from the bottom of my toes to the ends of my hairs… and will remember it forever (SO cringe, but true – haters gon’ hate).

5. Pitch perfect performance and true musical maturity.
Arctic Monkeys are the strongest they have ever been. AM is a true reflection of how far they have come as artists, and I am delighted to have shared nearly ten years with them.

See you later, innovator.

Suggest a list of FIVE for me to cover.

five things to do in leeds

Living right in the middle of the pennines, I’m very lucky in the fact that I’m not far from most northern cities and Leeds has always been one of my favourites. I know it’s not one of the biggest or most iconic places, but Leeds really does have a lot to give. I’ve been a few times in just the past month, so here’s five things I got up to that you should try.

1. Have a night out.
A slightly predicable place to start – sorry! It’s taken me a few years of drinking out in Leeds to get my bearings but I’ve realised you can’t go wrong with Call Lane. Now, it depends what your idea of a good night is, but if you’re anything like me you will love what Call Lane has to offer. From hidden Tiki Rooms in Call Lane Social to Tequila shooting club atmospheres in Neon Cactus, I never need much of an excuse to spend a Saturday (or Friday… or Tuesday) down there. There’s something for everyone. I’ve recently been partial to an exotic bottle of beer in Hirst’s Yard (or Mook) just down the small alley off Call Lane. Go upstairs for the old-school stevie wonder tunes and live music.

Cocktails and potions at The Alchemist

The Alchemist  is one of the new cocktail bars on the top floor of the Trinity Shopping Centre. I love to kick-off the night here as it’s right round the corner from the station. If you’re a lover of quirky cocktail bars and slightly classier joints, this is the place to be. Be prepared to pay around £8 for a cuppa though! (an alcoholic one)…

I must also mention Bierkeller on South Parade for an oompah-ing good time! If old men with white beards singing old german folk with big brass instruments and strawberry beer sounds like your perfect night, get yourself over there. Groups usually need to book on Saturdays if you want a table to watch the band, otherwise call in for this hilariously fun experience as soon as you can.

A couple others I recommend:
The Hilton SkyBar – pricey but a great experience.
Tiger Tiger – good choice of music/rooms and has a karaoke booth.
Revolution – two to choose from, Call Lane and Electric Press.
Distrikt – it’s near call lane, plenty of DJ sets.

2. Go venture outdoors.
Me and my friend Helen had a day off work a couple of weeks ago and the weather was surprisingly good. Helen suggested Tropical World and Roundhay Park which is around 3 miles North of Leeds City Centre. I had been to Tropical World as a kid but never ventured across the road to the park. We paid around £3 to get into Tropical World, which I thought wasn’t bad as we got to see some  beautiful wildlife. There’s butterflies, birds, tortoise, fish, meerkats (my favourite) crocodiles and a creepy nocturnal animal walk, too.

Lunch at Roundhay and baby meerkats

Just across the road is Roundhay Park. Hidden away in the gardens of a beautiful mansion house, it took us nearly two hours to walk around and we didn’t even cover half of it. We stopped for lunch at the Lakeside Cafe at the bottom entrance and managed to get a table out on the decking which was worth the £8 I paid for a jacket potato and salad! The park was clean and kept up to with new spring flowers bedded everywhere. Apparently there’s some castle ruins which we didn’t get chance to see so I’ll be having a look next time.

3. Go to a gig.
I’ve been going to live music venues since I was 14 and Leeds is where I first started broadening my reach for new gigs. There’s a few to name which are worth visiting from the bigger venues like the 02 Academy, to Oporto and Carpe Diem where you’ll find more local and unsigned acts. However The Cockpit is still one of the best venues I’ve been to.

Ella Eyre live at The Cockpit

It’s situated under the viaduct near the station which makes it really easy to get to. Because of the shape of the room, it gives off great acoustics yet is still small enough for pretty intimate performances. You can pick up a ticket starting from around a fiver depending on who you want to see. They have big acts on as well as unsigned and club nights, so there’s always a chance to stay and have a few drinks.

 

4. Go shopping.
Since the opening of Leeds Trinity shopping centre on Albion Street, there’s all the best bits for an afternoon of shopping all under one outdoor-indoor roof. If you have ever been to Liverpool One, it’s pretty much the same concept.

The roof at Leeds Trinity

Trinity doesn’t just have all your usual array of clothes shops, but eateries, bars and the Everyman Cinema (which I am yet to try!) where I’ve heard you can get yourself a beer and a pizza before watching a film on the cosy double sofas.
If your not satisfied with what you find in Trinity, there’s always the rest of Leeds. From the boutique high-end Aqua and Vivienne Westwoods in Victoria Quarter, to the saturday market and second hand vintage outlets. And of corse, there is everything in-between from the high-street shops to independent retailers in the Corn Exchange. I’ve always loved Blue Rinse just down the road for some great 80’s and 90’s clothing.

5. Go eat.
Yeyyyy everyone loves eating and there’s plenty to choose from in Leeds. For now I’ll just focus on the most recent place I tried. Last week I ate at the Botanist, just next door to the Trinity shopping centre.

Hanging chicken kebab

We went on a Friday night so it was full of after-work drinkers as soon as we got there but we had booked a table in the back. The place is a play on herbalism, I’m presuming, so you feel like you’re sat in a post-war greenhouse, which I quite liked. The food was amazing. I dined with 7 other people and we all had a good variation from the menu. From deli boards to steaks, the Botanist don’t seem to specialise in just one thing. There were no complaints, just mmms and ahhhs. The whole thing was reasonably priced, the place had a great atmosphere and there was decent service. Similar to the Alchemist, there were quirky cocktails on offer as well as draft beer, wines and spirits.

Other places worth getting your gnashes around:
The Pourhouse – Great for food or just a drink, really cosy and calm atmosphere.
Red’s True Barbecue – like meat? Just go, you won’t be disappointed.
Zizzi’s – another chain, but it’s a good one!

Have a gander at what else is going on in Leeds from fodder to the arts here.

Suggest a list of FIVE for me to cover.