NEW YORK CITY!

New York, New York, it's a hell of a town!!!!

 

Sounds like a cliché, but it's true. New York is such a fantastic town with so many things to do that there's a good chance you'll book to go again.

It wasn't my first time visiting New York back in March this year, I had been twice before, but I was still excited to do the things I hadn't on the previous trips. 

As soon as you step foot out of the airport, everything is just bigger and better than back at home. This includes the traffic, which was awful when getting from JFK into New York itself - what with all the big cars, big queues and beeping, you wonder if you'll ever get to the picture perfect view of New York that you've had in your head all along.

Once you get to Times Square that all changes, some people may not like how busy the streets are or all of the noise but I honestly love the hustle and bustle of it and how everyone is busily going about their day to day business whilst you're only entering it for a few days or just longer. 

   


I find the whole place fascinating. 

My trip to New York included some things I had never done before like walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, visiting Dash NY and going to Madame Tussaud's ( a personal fave of mine since I have always wanted to go whilst in NYC and have only been to the Blackpool one before now). 

 

If I had my way, I'd move to New York in a heartbeat, I just love the city! 

People are so friendly all the time, which is a nice change from how it can be in other cities ( not mine, I have to say the people of Liverpool are the nicest people who will genuinely do anything to help someone in need).

I just loved getting up and hearing the noise from Times Square as my hotel was pretty central in it, getting ready for the day and then making my way to the little cafe we went to most mornings for breakfast. The owners of the cafe were always so chatty and the different things you could order for breakfast was brilliant - i went for scrambled eggs and toast - absolutely amazing with the little onion in the eggs, made my day. 

The breakfast's in New York really do set you up for the day.




One of my favourite days has to be when we all went on a trip down to Strawberry Fields. After looking round and buying a picture from one of the stalls - we just kept walking and walking, ended up finding the American version of TKMaxx, having a look in there and before we knew it, it had begun to go dark. Sometimes, there is that much to do that you're just doing stuff and don't realise the time. I love there being so much to do though, I like seeing it all and experiencing it. 



Going in March, I expected it to be freezing or at least cold enough to have to wear the big coat I took, but it wasn't. Some of the days we were walking round in t-shirts and cardigan's enjoying the sun. It was a particularly nice day when we watched the St. Patrick's Day parade through the streets, the amount of effort put in and the atmosphere was just amazing - for me, my day was made seeing someone else wearing Liverpool merchandise who were nice enough to say 'hello' or 'come on the redmen' since we were playing Utd that night for the second leg of our Europa league clash. It felt good!

When it came to the day to come home, it was safe to say I didn't want to leave. Yes, I wanted to see my friends, have a girly night out and give them the gifts I'd got them from New York - but I was going to miss this city.

I honestly think my city, Liverpool, is the best city in the world and I wouldn't swap it for anywhere.....unless New York came calling.....then I'd have to split my time between the two <3 

Ariana Grande : The Honeymoon Tour - Manchester Arena, 4th June 2015

(Photo Credit: Jenny Hunter)

The Honeymoon Tour 2015

With Ariana's fantastic, catchy music and meteoric rise - to say I was excited about going to see her live was an understatement. 

And she definitely didn't disappoint!

Me and my friend in the car on the way ... cat ears at the ready!

Going into the arena it looked full but you didn't realise how full until the lights went out and on came the light up cat ears that people had bought from the merchandise area....it looked amazing to say the least. 

The cat ears and phone lights in full effect! (Apologies for poor pic quality, thats my old phone for you lol!) Photo credit: Jenny Hunter.

As soon as the music began, the crowd went wild as it was obvious which song the petite songstress was about to sing. Opening with the massive hit she featured on with Jessie J and Nicki Minaj, Bang Bang really got the crowd warmed up and ready to dance the whole night away.

Throughout the show Ariana was really warm and friendly, seeming extremely at ease with the massive crowd in front of her. Ariana was constantly engaging with the audience much to the delight of her adoring fans. 

A stand-out performance for me was definitely her live version of the album track, Tattooed Heart....man that girl can sing live! It showed just what a set of lungs Ariana has on her for such a small thing - she could rival Mariah, she's that good!

(Video credit: Jenny Hunter)

As the show went on it became more and more obvious just how good of a show Ariana had come up with for her first headline UK tour. She had really thought about  everything from the song choices and background videos to the staging and costumes. Her and her team had also thought of the fans with the light up ears that constantly changed throughout the show to go with Ariana's stage lighting and colours - it really was fantastic.

(All photo credit : Jenny Hunter)

Another of the brilliant things during the show was Ariana's middle section where she jazzed it up a little. Arriving in a chandelier, Ariana looked amazing for her throwback to the golden times and fans were clearly impressed with this section as the noise seemed to go up a notch. 

(All photo credit : Jenny Hunter)

The time soon came for Ariana to finish her set, much to the audiences dismay. Most of them probably knew she would be back for her encore and most had probably worked out which song she was going to sing for it.....

.....PROBLEM! 

This song really catapulted Ariana to where she is today....touring all over the world to millions of dedicated fans who not only follow her music, but also wear her signature cat ears, dress like her and wear their hair in the same half-up/half-down do that Ariana loves to sport.

Problem was not only liked by Ariana fans, but was well received by the music loving public which saw it shoot to the top of the charts. As you can imagine, live it's even better. You just know when that beat comes in that you're just going to want to dance and sing (probably leaving you voiceless and aching for the next day, but you really don't care!).

(All photo credit: Jenny Hunter)

When the show had finished you knew you'd had a brilliant night. You definitely knew you had been to a proper 'pop' concert because that exactly what it was - a night of pure pop music, some infused with different genres, but a night where you could sing-a-long and dance till you could dance now more.

I would definitely go and see Ariana again and would recommend her to everyone, she has so much energy on stage, how she dances in them heels I will never know! Rumour has it she will be going into the studio soon to work on some new stuff (who knows maybe she already has!), when it comes out I hope its a progression from her previous music but I hope she keeps the same pop vibe infused with all of her influences because it works and it works well.

(Video credit: Jenny Hunter)

Go see Ariana Grande if you get a chance, you won't be sorry!

5 Seconds of Summer

Credit to photo owner.

Love them or hate them: They could be just what this music industry needs right now.

Now and again a band will come along who not only split the music world but have the ability to split rock loving fans in two as well.

Whether it be Fall Out Boy, Paramore or the numberous other bands that have come before them who posses something uniquely special - the ability to send fans arms sky high and make them enjoy the music they listen to - the world has always loved a good villain.

5 Seconds of Summer are no exception.

But why are 5 Seconds of Summer being cased in these villainous roles?

These four Aussie lads are not doing anybody any harm or going around as if they are the best band in the world. They are just a new band who are enjoying some really amazing success right now. The 5SOS lads have number one singles, a chart topping album and a worldwide tour with One Direction under their belts and that's just for starters. Currently travelling the world promoting their new album where they collaborate with the likes of All Time Low and Good Charlotte - who have both divided opinion back in the day but overcome it to become two of the most successful rock bands of their generation.

Back to 5SOS!

Some people love them, some people dislike them and some may even hate them. A lot of people are sceptical or have a negative view of these lads purely because of the One Direction connection. Although, getting seen by One Direction and invited on their tour for a band like 5 Seconds of Summer was massive, it has really given them a chance to get their brand of rock music out there a lot quicker than they would of otherwise been able to and in all honesty, I think they've shown themselves to be nothing like the One Direction lads.

I think that 5SOS should be judged solely on their talent and music alone, along with its ability to introduce a new generation of fans to rock music and bands they wouldn't of necessarily listened to beforehand. 

Credit to photo owner.

5 Seconds of Summer have graced the covers of, and been included in, many alternative or rock magazines in the past few weeks causing debate that hasn't been seen in a very long time. They've caused debates on whether they should be included in these magazines or not, whether they should of been given their own covers so soon or whether the industry should of waited to see how it pans out for the band over the course of the year.

Its clear that the answer to whether rock magazines should include 5SOS is simple: yes they should.

Why is it so unacceptable that a band of young, talent lads who write their own songs with their rock idols and play rock based music should be included in a magazine that covers 'rock bands' ? In my opinion these guys clearly fall into that category just like those who have gone before them, All Time Low, Good Charlotte and Blink 182. They're all rock with other influences infused.

In my opinion, these four guys in 5 Seconds of Summer may just turn out to be one of the most important bands of right now.

Look at it this way, it's not very often a band who love, then collaborate with, artists like All Time Low, Good Charlotte and Lower Than Atlantis become an overnight global sensation (and still have the likes of these bands bigging them up on twitter etc!)

Soon enough 5 Seconds of Summer could be responsible for more kids liking rock music (yay for rock!), for more kids picking up an instrument wanting to playing in a band and for more filling their walls with posters of rockstars from the bands me, you, 5SOS and other rock fans love.

That can't be a bad thing right?

Credit to photo owner.

I say keep an open mind when it comes to 5 Seconds of Summer!

Feeling Blue!!!!

This trend has come out of the BLUE but it is set to be around all summer long! 

(Yay for blue lovers)

This Blue Scallop crop vest from Topshop is perfect for the summer! For £12.00...it's a bargain too! 
(other styles available if this is not you).

This blue Miss Selfridge bag is the perfect summer bag to take to the park or on an unplanned night out. At £29.00 it's a steal too.

Don't want to feel blue, but want to wear blue? Why not try Dorothy Perkins blue bracelet and necklace? They're not exactly matched but would look great together - and at £8.50 and £10 they're such good value for money. 

Just want to add a little splash of blue to your outfit, then why not try doing it with your shoes? The trendy Fearne Cotton ones from Very are just a snip at £27.

If you don't feel like wearing the blues, why not add a little blue to your bedroom with the new Fearne Cotton home range for Very? Prices range from £20 to £349.

How about trying the blue trend on your nails? This 2True fast dry nail polish is perfect and a bargain at only £1.99!

Finally, since the trend is blue and it's coming up to the perfect time for sunglasses, then these little New Look beauties may be just what you're looking for and they're just £4.99!

Apologies

Apologies for lack of updates.

I have them all written its just I couldn't publish them due to lack of internet.

Will post everything tonight and then it will be back to normal.

Over to you....!

I blog about everything that effects us girls, but is there something I haven't looked into or covered that you would like me to?

Then why not comment and let me know. I'll then get to it and get a blog post ready on the subject you want me to cover?

There's no time limit on this so comment when you like, or if you saw this linked on Facebook, Tumblr or Twitter then why not message me on there....I don't bite :p 

Looking forward to hearing from you!!!

:)

Beauty: Tips for cleaning your make-up brushes

We all know which type of brush to use for our eye shadow, which brush for our blusher and which brush for our concealer. But did you know that you should be cleaning your brushes on a regular basis?

It is that important that washing them should become part of your beauty regime.

When you use your make-up brush it keeps bits of make-up, dirt and oil in between the bristles. So even though this seems trivial, it can lead to clogged pores and dreaded breakouts - which is what every girl hates. 

On top of all that, great make-up brushes are expensive so you don't want to be buying new ones regularly when cleaning them is such a simple task that won't take up much time at all. Learning how to clean them should be seen as an investment. 

The first step it to give it a daily spritz before you use it, A lot of beauty stockists sell a daily brush cleaner like Sephora but that's expensive so look out for a cheaper one. If not a spritz of water will more than do.

A deep clean is recommended to be done every week but every 2-3 weeks is more than sufficient, especially if you're realising your fresh faced beauty and using minimal make-up.

Here's a fantastic way to deep clean your brushes:

You will need...

1. A shallow bowl.
2. Gentle, lightly fragranced shampoo or even a specialist baby shampoo (its kinder and softer).
3. Your sink to be free.
4. A towel.

What to do:

1. Run your brushes under a lukewarm tap. This will help you to get rid of all of the old make-up on the bristles.

2. Make sure your bowl has lukewarm water in it, squirt a little bit of shampoo into it and then swirl your brush around in the bowl working up a little lather. 

3. Rinse under tap and repeat. You could leave your bristle dipped in the water for ten minutes and then come back and rinse again.

4. Use your towel to wipe your brush clean and get rid of the excess water. Then reshape your brushes bristles.

5. Have an extra towel ready to lay your brushes on to dry.

So, there you go. Keep your brushes clean and avoid spending more money buying more whilst also reducing the chances of getting spots.

It's a win all round!!