Fashion Voyeur

People will stare, make it worth their while.

Categories: The Archives, The Beauty Cupboard, The Fashion Closet, The Glorious North East

Intu Eldon Square Fashion Spooktacular

Struggling for some Halloween outfit inspo?  Then The Intu Eldon Square Fashion Spooktacular is here to give your Winter wardrobe a shake up with an added spooky twist…

From October 23rd to 29th you’ll find the Intu Walk-in Wardrobe and resident Stylist Emma on hand to dish out advice on how to create the perfect Halloween glam outfit – there’s no cheesy fancy dress here, it’s all glam, high street pieces, with a scary edge to turn you into the perfect Halloqueen come October 31st.  Whether it’s taking layered tulle from New Look to create a Corpse Bride look, or using Topshop’s sugar skull makeup kit, or even visiting Ann Summers for a tongue in cheek take on Natalie Portman’s Black Swan, Intu Eldon Square’s retailers offer a variety of ways to tap into Halloween, without having to step near a polyblend costume.

Already got Halloween nailed?  There are a selection of short workshops available from finding the perfect Winter coat using FW17 trends as inspiration, to finding a festive outfit to turn heads – with only 8 Mondays left until the big day you might as well sort your outfit now and give yourself one less thing to worry about!

I was invited along to the Fashion Spooktacular preview evening, it’s one of my favourite events in the North East fashion calendar and as one of Intu’s team of Bloggers it’s always a lovely opportunity to get a good look at the Fashion Week trends that have filtered down to the high street.  Given the Spooktacular theme, I wore my Topshop Stranger Things tee (which you can shop here), and was greeted with paella and sangria from Tapas Revolution on arrival as well as some familiar faces.

After a brief introduction from stylist Emma and a preview of some of the key pieces to land at the shopping mall for Halloween, we were paired off and set challenges at individual retailers, fellow blogger Jen and I hotfooted it to Topshop for a series of mini games culminating in a Supermarket Sweep style timed challenge where we were each given two minutes to style a Halloween outfit for ourselves from scratch.  We also got to test out the latest glitter Lip Kits from Topshop Beauty, at £18 they may sound pricey but when you see the effect they create and just how easy they are to recreate, you’ll be adding one in every colour to your basket Voyeurs.  After all, glitter makes you fitter right?

My Halloween Style Challenge Outfit
Topshop Glitter Lip Kit £18

The whole evening was rounded off with some spooky cocktails at The Alchemist, which is about to undergo a very bewitching makeover just in time for Halloween weekend, when the bar will see some of its most popular cocktails on the menu given a creepy Halloween spin.

So, how can you get involved?  Well, the Fashion Spooktacular is open to everyone and workshops are run frequently throughout the day.  There’s no need to book, you simply turn up, listen, then go shop!

October 23, 25, 27 and 29:

11.30am Creepy crawly homeware
No dodgy paper garlands or wolf masks here, feast your eyes on the chicest of Halloween homewares to get your house or venue ready for the creepiest night of the year!

1.30pm How to pick a wicked Winter coat
Discover this season’s outerwear trends including checks, red, folklore, sports luxe and capes all in an Fall palette of orange, mustard, black, camel, red and gold.  Learn the perfect coat shape for your frame, how to identify the right size of pattern/print and which shade will make your skin tone pop.

3.30pm Autumn/Winter capsule wardrobe wizardry
Our personal stylist will work with you to build your perfect Fall/Winter capsule wardrobe based on key pieces which can be combined to maximise your looks this season extending your cost per wear.

October 24, 26 and 28:

11.30am How to pick a wicked Winter coat​
As Above.

1.30pm Our top ten must have Autumn/Winter items
Featuring a mix of trends, we’ll run through our top ten must-have pieces for this season including ‘wear everywhere’ dresses, slouch boots, statement tees, knits and earrings.

3.30pm Scarily-good Halloween costume ideas
This is the chic version of Halloween, for those who really want to wow at their Halloween party. We’ll show you the very best ghastly accessories that can help create a costume using items already in your wardrobe and also super cute kids costumes for your little ones.

Bewitching beauty

The best of the the shopping mall’s beauty offerings will be on hand throughout the week to give you tips on upping the ante and levelling up your makeup skills.  Fancy a Halloween makeover, or just want to learn some tips on how to create the perfect sugar skull look?  The swing by for one of these beauty workshops taking place throughout the day between 11am and 4pm.

  • 24 October: Topshop
  • 25 October: Mystical makeovers
  • 26 October: Inglot
  • 27 October: Inglot
  • 28 October: Topshop
  • 29 October: Mystical makeovers

So, now you’re armed with the dates and the deets, you’ll be rockin’ a bitchin’ and bewitchin’ Halloween outfit in no time!

Pixie xo

Categories: The Archives, The Beauty Cupboard, The Fashion Closet, The Glorious North East

Intu Fashion SS17 at Intu Metrocentre

With Bank Holiday weekend approaching, Intu Metrocentre is hosting four days jam packed with fashion shows kicking off today.

These fun shows will highlight  the latest trends, how to wear them and most importantly, where to find them.  With everything available to buy in the Metrocentre and a handy discount leaflet available from Customer Service desks, you’ll have that Summer wardrobe freshened up in the shake of a pineapple.

I was invited along to the VIP preview night for a sneaky peak at the shows you’ll be able to check out over the next four days and with streetwear, occasionwear, formal wear and even beach wear, Intu Metrocentre have you covered.  I rocked up in an A-line leather skirt from M&S (a Fashion Editor staple) and a Led Zeppelin tee with messy brows and even messier hair.

We sipped cocktails from TGI Fridays, ate chicken salsa from Bar Burrito and even played in a ball pool as we chilled in the Style Garden amongst the palm trees and flamingos before taking our seats on the frow for a fashion extravaganza.

With fresh Spring looks from Topshop, Coast, House of Fraser and many more, there’s something for every budget in the shows which take place in Town Square, right outside House of Fraser at regular intervals throughout the four days.  My absolute favourite look was a baby pink overlay skirt from Coast paired with a shimmer body top – if it looks familiar Voyeurs, it’s because I have that very same outfit and it’s awesome.  One of the real highlights of the show was actually Primark – with fast fashion for guys and girls of all ages, and some real trend led items, it was a surprising winner.

It’s nice to see Intu Metrocentre bringing back the runway show format to unveil the transitional collections.  They’ve really upped their game too, there’s none of the cheesy dancing that you often get with shopping mall fashion shows, this is slick and current and the outfits are styled to reflect a wide demographic.  So when I say there’s something for everyone, I really mean it.  If you’ve got a keen eye, you might just spot the current Miss Newcastle England, and Miss Newcastle England 2015 on the runway representing the North East too!

With hair and makeup services provided by SHOW Beauty and MAC at House of Fraser, they’ve gone all out to make this weekend a real treat for shoppers visiting Intu Metrocentre and you’ll find that there are a variety of offers and competitions on too in the mall.  So if you’re treating yourself, or someone else, be sure to swing by the show first to find out how you could win yourself some Mulberry swag, courtesy of House of Fraser.

One other little thing to sweeten the deal Voyeurs; you know all about my love of Decleor products and treatments and this Thursday to Saturday, House of Fraser are exclusively offering 20% off ALL Decleor product on counter.  If you’re familiar with the brand, you’ll know that this very rarely happens so get in, and stock up!

If you’re at Intu Metrocentre this Bank Holiday weekend and fancy checking it out, the Intu SS17 fashion shows will be held every day Thursday 27 – Sunday 30 April 2017 and you might just leave with a little vacation inspo…..

Pixie xo

Fashion shows will be shown at regular intervals throughout each day, time table shown below.

Thursday 27 April: 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm

​Friday 28 April: 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm

​Saturday 29 April: 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm

​Sunday 30 April: 11.30am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm

Categories: The Archives, The Beauty Cupboard, The Fashion Closet, The Glorious North East

Intu Eldon Square’s Walk-in Wardrobe Experience for SS17

Intu Eldon Square has had something of a makeover recently; from the subtle changes in lighting, right through to the brand new Grey’s Quarter which houses a whole host of new eateries including Tapas Revolution and The Alchemist.  There’s no denying that Newcastle’s shopping mall is looking slicker than ever.

But we’re not here to talk food, this time we’re looking at fashion, and in particular, how to take key trends for  SS17 and spin them on the high street.  If the thought of trend led dressing fills you with fear, then hang on in there Voyeurs, Intu Eldon Square have their Walk in Wardrobe experience with expert styling and beauty advice and dedicated workshops, to give you a helping hand towards Spring wardrobe success with Emma from Stylissimo as their secret weapon….

Venue: Mall space in front of Debenhams & New Look
When: Mar  24 – Apr 01

With a core collection of trends available to view in a handy wardrobe, you’ll be able to chat to a Stylist to determine the best trends and styles for your lifestyle and body shape.  Not only that, there will also be daily style talks, workshops and body mapping where you can find out exactly what body shape you are, and the clothing styles that flatter  and elongate your body.

Held daily at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm, styling workshops will look at transitional pieces, key trends and styling tips – it’s literally never been easier to get free advice from a personal Stylist.

Got an event on the horizon and want to know how to look like you aced Fashion Week?  Then you’ll want to see the schedule:

24, 26, 28 and 30 March:

11am – Florals: You’ll be learning about the impact of print on your body shape, teaching you how to choose the right floral print for your shape and stature and most importantly how to style the trend to ensure you look amazing.

12pm – Swimwear Masterclass: You’ll learn all about the science behind swimwear, including how to choose the right style and shape to accentuate your assets and ensure that you feel confident and ready to go poolside.

1pm – Blush Flush: Millennial Pink is a key background trend this season, whether it’s blush nude or a deep fuchsia, Intu Eldon Square’s Stylist will teach you how to identify the right shade of pink to suit and enhance your skin tone and hair colour.

2pm – The Perfect Spring Capsule Wardrobe: You’ll be given help and advice on identifying those key seasonal pieces in order to build a selection of different looks for all occasions.

3pm – All Day Makeup: The arrival of Spring means wedding season and vacation planning are upon us.  You’ll have access to expert MUAs from all over the mall who’ll deliver workshops on how to create the perfect “5 Minute Face” as well as tips on how to ensure your makeup can stand the test of time, while remaining fresh and perfect.

25, 27, 29, 31 March:

11am – Big Spring Occasions: Weddings, christenings, a day at the races, whatever your occasion, help is on hand to help you create the perfect look from head to toe.  Already found the perfect outfit?  Bring it along for expert advice on matching (or clashing) footwear and accessories.

12pm – Perfect Day to Evening Makeup: After work cocktails?  Expert MUAs will teach you all the tricks you need up your sleeve to take your makeup look from boardroom to dance floor.

1pm– Personal Stylist Suite: A style specific Q&A workshop where you can pitch  your fashion woes and get expert advice on bringing your look up to date.

2pm – 80’s Redux: Think 80’s glam at max volume.  You’ll explore putting together the perfect party outfit with some killer trends on the high street.  You’ll learn about how to style molten metallics and high shine fabrics to your own body shape and skin tone.

3pm – The New Athleisure: Sports luxe, Athleisure, Activewear, call it what you want, the trend for luxury sports based separates is going nowhere and here you’ll look at how to incorporate those influences into your own Spring wardrobe.

1 April:  The final day of the Walk in Wardrobe experience.  The contents will be refreshed and the Stylist will be joined by a live model who’ll be showcasing the key trends and looks for Spring.

You’ll also have the opportunity to overhaul your beauty regime and look at key makeup trends for Spring 2017 influenced by the runway but toned down for everyday wear.  The Spring Beauty Pod will host a variety of beauty retailers who’ll be on hand to pimp your look.

– Friday 24: No7 Makeovers
– Saturday 25: Elemis Skincare Demonstrations
– Sunday 26: Urban Decay Makeovers
– Monday 27: Urban Decay Makeovers
– Tuesday 28: Liz Earle Skincare Demonstrations
– Wednesday 29: NYX Makeovers
– Thursday 30: Benefit Makeovers
– Friday 31: NARS Makeovers and GHD Hair Products
– Saturday 1: NYX Makeovers

I had an exclusive VIP preview (natch) of the Walk in Wardrobe experience at Eldon Square prior to its launch this weekend, and can vouch that it’s a great place to go before hitting the shops (the pink carpet helps too).  With a curated selection of key trends, all laid out by retailer, it’s a good place to start if you’re looking to tap into seasonal trends.  Emma from Stylissimo is a great soundboard for style advice, you can even bring along an outfit and she’ll show you how to style it up for maximum impact.

The Walk in Wardrobe is packed out with clothes, accessories, shoes and even home styling – there’s a rose gold pineapple in there from Accessorize which I bought immediately after my visit – in a roped off area that you can peruse at your leisure so it’s a must visit if you’re lacking inspiration.

Think of it as a curated version of the high street – the best SS17 trend conversion pieces have been selected and displayed taking all the hard work out of weekend shopping.  Take advantage of it whilst it’s there and hopefully you’ll learn something new; whether it’s how to dress for your body shape, how to create the perfect eyeliner flick or just what colour will compliment your skin tone.  If you’ve always fancied using a stylist, now’s your chance….

Pixie xo

Categories: The Archives, The Glorious North East, The Lifestyle Edit

Join the Tapas Revolution at Grey’s Quarter, Newcastle

If you’ve wandered through Newcastle city centre recently you’ll have no doubt noticed some big changes.  Whether it’s the difference in the skyline, or the influx of great new retailers, the rate of response to our needs as customers of this awesome city is uber fast.  We’re a nation of shoppers who enjoy lunch with friends and drinks on a Saturday afternoon and Newcastle has acknowledged that and answered the call in a big way….

Anyone who spends time in Newcastle will know that Intu Eldon Square enjoyed something of a resurgence in recent years with a new floor space addition to the mall.  A victim of its own success however, this left older parts of the mall looking dull in comparison and well, a bit boring.  Not any more, the once tired Monument entrance is now the bustling Grey’s Quarter packed to the rafters with awesome eateries and bars which stay open long after the mall has closed.

Tapas Revolution is the latest in a string of restaurants to take up residence in Grey’s Quarter; the brainchild of Spanish TV chef Omar Allibhoy, it’s one mission is to serve true, authentic Spanish food, ethically sourced direct from Spanish farms and suppliers, with no middleman.  As part of the big re-brand, I was invited along to brand new Spanish restaurant Tapas Revolution to experience a little Spanish living with a tapas and beer pairing evening

“There’s a great restaurant and bar scene in Newcastle and I can’t wait to get involved in the buzz happening here and bring a little Spanish twist to the city. Tapas Revolution in Eldon Square is my version of the lively and bustling tapas bars in Madrid, Barcelona and Seville. We can’t wait to open our doors!”  Omar Allibhoy

Omar’s menu takes inspiration from family recipes that he grew up with and Spain’s culinary culture of sharing, socialising and eating.  When we arrive he talks us that in Spain, beer is paired with food rather than wine or cocktails and that’s because the flavours marry well to compliment each other.  Beers by Estrella Galicia (natch.) are paired with each course of tapas to accentuate the flavour of spices, I’m not a beer drinker at all but I get it, real Spanish beer with authentic Spanish food, it just works.

“My passion for Spanish food is really at the heart of everything I do; my earliest memory is of watching my Mum in the kitchen cooking crème caramel. She was a great baker but a terrible cook so I took over the helm as soon as I was old enough. When I came to the UK I was shocked by the lack of Spanish restaurants and how rarely anyone I spoke to cooked it at home. I decided it was time to do something about it and so my Tapas Revolution began”  Omar Allibhoy

Me and fellow North East Blogger Elle Blonde arrived to a super warm welcome and a round of opening cocktails spiked with chilli to ensure we stayed focused and awake.  Armed with tasting notes and a stack of Estrella Galicia beers, we were treated to Spanish tortilla, Iberico ham (some of the most expensive ham you can buy and I can vouch for how awesome this is, it’s what I cram my luggage full of when I visit Mama Tenenbaum in Menorca), patatas bravas so good you could forget you’re in a shopping mall in Newcastle and paprika smoked octopus so divine that I had to go back for thirds. Yes, thirds.

Tapas and beer pairing is like a re-awakening of my conscious mind, to me beer is beer, but after reading and absorbing the tasting notes, you really taste the top and mid notes in each beer and understand why each one is paired with a certain taste.  For the tee-totalers amongst you (that’s me too) there’s an Estrella 0.0% which is completely alcohol free, and a damn good dupe.

“Tapas is more than food, it’s part of our everyday culture: food and life are always best shared.”  Omar Allibhoy

I get the Spanish lifestyle – Mama Tenenbaum has it down to a fine art now and she’d definitely approve of Tapas Revolution, she’s quick to lambast the places that don’t quite hit the mark.  From the hanging Serrano hams to the open kitchen, the preparation and service is exactly as you would expect in Spain.  Even the tables are set up so the restaurant can receive large parties ready to socialise with really great food as the facilitator to conversation.

Whilst we’re chatting I notice two very important things: 1. Elle Blonde and I both have seriously strong shoe game, and 2. The breakfast menu is to die for.  Boasting Ranch and Florentine Eggs, Churros and Bacon Brioche, I make a mental note to return in the AM.

The quality of the food served at Tapas Revolution is second to none, in fact, it’s probably the only ‘real’ tapas restaurant in the city,   Omar takes great pride in sourcing only the very best, authentic ingredients, meats and spices for his dishes and it pays dividends.  With another five restaurants and a list of celebrity clients as long as his flowing locks, Omar Allibhoy is the real deal.

It’s not just beer on offer at Tapas Revolution, with a huge range of unusual cocktails and rare gins (no surprise there, gin is HUGE in Spain) on the bar menu including my favourite Mahon gin, Xoriguer (another thing I always bring back from Menorca), all served in a traditional balloon glass, exactly as they do in Spain.  Kudos Tapas Revolution, I’m really looking forward to bringing Mama Tenenbaum along to taste a little piece of authentic Spain whilst she’s here in the U.K.

Pixie xo