Up North.. Birthday celebrations and farewells

The long bittersweet weekend I spent up North has come to an end, and although we say are farewells, our memories shared are sweet.
My birthday celebrations took us to Manchester, a metropolis brimming with favourable delights of culture, arts and history. The Northern hub is stimulating to the eye and promises a photogenic walk around its streets. Comparable to London with its mix of urban hipster and historic surroundings, Manchester is not so overcrowded and has a friendly northern vibe.

The approaching hum and rattle of the tram followed us around as we rambled the city, discovering endless shops, galleries and street food markets. The Manchester Art Gallery held the Cotton Couture exhibition, which featured a short film explaining the history of cotton manufacture in Manchester. On display were rows of elegant 1950’s gowns made by British and French designers in unconventional cotton fabrics. The gallery also hosts an exquisite permanent collection, featuring some of my favourite artists- Turner, Alma-Tadema and John William Godward.

Upon trailing back to the hotel after a long day touristing, we were captured by the stunning grandeur of Manchester Central Library in St Peters Square. We nestled ourselves into a cosy corner of the neoclassic rotunda, quiescently absorbed into the library’s publications.

Pastels of Portmierion

Harmonious with macaroon coloured walls of Portmierion, this pastel co-ord I made was the perfect outfit for a mannerly meander through the romantic village.

Simple, soft and clean cut- I tailored a fit and flare skirt with a box flared crop using a light scuba fabric.

North Wales, Part III. Picturing Portmeirion

Staycations have prevailed this year, and although I am an advocate for UK adventuring, I can’t help but pine for sun kissed, Mediterranean meanders through a pretty white washed village.
Portmeirion did not disappoint. My lust fulfilled, we left behind the rural backdrop of Wales for an hour or two and became captivated into an Italian-esque, fantasy village.

Influenced by the Baroque movement, designer Sir Clough Williams-Ellis has manipulated this artificial village with sublime opulence.
It is beautifully constructed upon the landscape, with dramatic architecture accentuating the hillside that gazes down onto the River Dwyryd estuary.

Portmeirion succeeds at seducing you into this pursuit of perfectionism of macaroon coloured buildings embellished with romantic Renaissance art, stucco sculpturing and peeping arches that overlook the river.
You become part of the idealism, playing a role as you stroll along the cobble stoned paths, pretending you are Lucy Honeychurch in ‘A Room With a View’.

So, after a pleasant wander through the gardens, a ponder in the fountain square and an alfresco dine outside the gelato shop we were ready to head back to reality.

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