Friday, 15 August 2014

I love Liverpool.

Photo credit: Shane Murray
Outfit: Blazer and Shorts: Lavish Alice via BANK* | Blouse: Glamorous | Shoes: C/O BANK

About four years ago, Liverpool was, to me, just another city that was famous for their distinctive accent, good stew, football and The Beatles. In fact, it was only my dad's enthusiasm for the fact that Brian May was the Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University that induced me to select that University for my chosen place of study for the next three years. So perhaps it's my dad's life-long obsession with Queen that is to blame for my infatuation with this city. But I'm glad it happened.

It is a common misconception for readers of my blog that I was born and bred in Liverpool, and it is only when I meet people at events for the first time that I am asked why I don't have a strong accent. I actually reside in a town called Warrington, slap-bang in the middle of Liverpool and Manchester- which means, yes, I am a woolyback, a scanc (an unfortunate combination of the words Scouser and Manc, FYI, not a skank)... But I consider myself a Scouser at heart as I have since developed a deep adoration for the city and a desire to move back there as soon as possible.
So, when BANK Fashion contacted me asking if I'd like to represent Liverpool and talk about some of my favourite things about the city for their upcoming campaign, I was honoured to take the opportunity. I perfected my eyebrows, put on my best BANK outfit and dragged my best friend in to the city to capture the essence of the place I now like to call my second home.

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Whilst I can't say a lot of positive things about my time at University, I can't fault Liverpool for being a fabulous student city. With three main universities situated in the heart of Liverpool, the city is buzzing with people between the ages of 18-25 and it has a nightlife to live up to all the expectations. I have many a memory of covering myself in body paint for themed student nights, taking advantage of queue jumps and discounted shots, losing my voice to the classic dance tracks circa 2010/2011 and ending my night sharing under-baked chicken dippers and chips with my flat mates. I mean... study hard, kids.

Something about Liverpool that I have come to respect a lot more now that I have grown up a little is the effortless beauty of the city. Whilst it has been a long while since I visited any of the museums and galleries there and I am by no means any expert on the history of the city (although I've heard many stories from my grandad), I can appreciate the contrast between the elegant Victorian buildings and the more modern architecture. Something that I really admire about Liverpool is it seems to do the whole "major city" thing without being overstated, and maintaining the culture seems to be of more importance than staying up-to-date. Did you know that Liverpool has more public sculptures than any other place in the UK besides the City of Westminster? No matter what street you turn down, there is a piece of art to look at, often with a story behind it.

What most people venture in to Liverpool City Centre for on a day-to-day basis is the shopping. With Liverpool's open-air shopping district, Liverpool ONE, housing over 160 high street stores, there isn't a shortage of places for you to blow your wages or student loan. However, if this isn't enough for you, Metquarter caters for your high-end and designer needs, St. Johns Shopping Centre is great for shopping on a budget and Bold Street is perfect for thrifting and quirky, independent boutiques. A great thing about shopping in Liverpool is that all these places are within a ten minute walk from one another.

Finally, I have to give a mention to the people of Liverpool. There isn't a single Liverpudlian who I have met who hasn't been able to make me belly-laugh out of pure wit. Not only are they natural comedians with an impressively unique accent and vocabulary, but contrary to the typical stereotypes, they are also some of the nicest people.

So, that is why I love Liverpool in a nutshell (It is impossible to write about everything in detail, this blog post was getting painfully long!). I find that Liverpool is such an underrated city and I am always surprised at the amount of people who say they have never visited, so I hope that this blog post has sparked an interest in getting to know it a little more. Below, I will leave you some of my personal recommendations for things to do and see if you ever visit. There is still so much for me to experience in the city so if you have any recommendations that I haven't mentioned, please feel free to leave them in the comments!

Have you visited Liverpool? What do you love about the city?

Frances x

*DISCLOSURE: Starred items are PR samples.

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Shopping
Liverpool ONE | Bold Street | Metquarter | Cavern Walks | St. Johns Shopping Centre

Food/Drink
Liverpool ONE (for restaurant chains) | Nolita Cantina: Bold Street | Moose Coffee: Dale Street | House: Bold Street | LEAF: Bold Street | Cuthbert's Bakehouse: Mount Pleasant | Mooboo Bubble Tea: Liverpool ONE |  Almost Famous: Parr Street | Alma De Cuba: Seel Street | Concert Square | Etsu Japanese Restaurant: The Strand | Amalia Italian: Campbell Square

Landmarks/ Famous places
Radio City Tower | Liverpool Cathedral | Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral | Royal Liver Building | Albert Dock | Echo Arena | Liverpool Big Wheel | Chinese Arch/China Town

Public Art
John Lennon: Mathew Street | Billy Fury: Pier Head | A Case History: Hope Street | Eleanor Rigby: Stanley Street | Queen Victoria: St George's Hall | Bessie Braddock & Ken Dodd: Liverpool Lime Street Station | St. Johns Gardens | Superlambanana 'Eight for 08': The Strand | Yellow Superlambanana: Tithebarn Street

18 comments:

  1. These photos are amazing Frances! You look so beautiful and I love the outfit.
    I've only been to Liverpool once but I loved the time I spent there, such a cool city!
    emmerliejay x

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    1. Aww thank you Emily! :) Ahh I remember when you were there, I'm glad you loved it! :) xx

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  2. Liverpool looks lovely! Love that shorts and blazer combo too xxx

    http://www.maisymeow.com/

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  3. I live near Warrington, Runcorn to be exact so I'm not far! I love Liverpool and think you sold it very well, defo is one of the most underrated cities and I wish people would see past the stereotype. Lovely outfit as well, those shoes are beaut! xxx

    hellotashaa.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Ahh, you're just down the road! :) I'm glad you liked the blog post sweet, I totally agree with you :) xx

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  4. Great shoot and I love the outfit! I've got such a craving for a Mooboo now too! Damn you lol!

    Liverpool is my home and I couldn't imagine living in any other city. I love the people, the places, the food, the music, the atmosphere, it ticks every box for me! Sure other cities are nice, but I could never realy see myself living anywhere else but Liverpool!

    Sarah :)
    Saloca in Wonderland

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    1. Thanks beaut! Haha, I LOVE Mooboo, I go like, every time I'm in Liverpool! Aww, no other city really compares does it?! xx

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  5. Ahh, you're making me feel homesick, Frances! Can't believe I've only been once this year, I miss it SO much. You're looking bloody lovely too, the white really suits you x

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    1. Aww no Rebecca, I make myself feel homesick and I'm only down the road haha! Ohh, you need another visit soon, we should have a Liverpool bloggers meet part II! Thanks doll! :) xx

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  6. Lovely photos, you look stunning. I'm also crazy addicted to Bubble Tea it's so good!

    http://www.abigailalicex.com

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    1. Thanks sweet! Ahh, it's ridiculous how much I love bubble tea haha, I'm slowly working my way through all the possible combinations! :) xx

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  7. I only live in Manchester, can you believe I've actually only been to Liverpool once! Your photos are fantastic, it really is an amazing city. You look stunning in your monochrome outfit, so classy and I just love your shoes!

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    1. It always baffles me when people from Manchester say they have never visited Liverpool or have only been once or twice haha! I suppose when you live in a major city though, you don't really need to! I'm really glad you liked it though :) Thanks so much lovely! xx

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  8. Liverpool is the best. I always take it for granted after living here. Almost Famous is definitely my favourite place to eat when out shopping!

    Jegz xo http://jegz-loves-tea.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. Aww it is :) Ahh Almost Famous is definitely a winner! xx

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  9. Great to see someone giving us scousers are good name! The amount of times I have been told to my face scousers are horrid (And I am a scouser!) It's a lovely city and the shopping is amazing I agree!! I am new to your blog so not sure what you study but glad to hear you enjoyed your time there!! :) xx

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    1. Aww of course! I know, the stereotype is ridiculous, I absolutely adore you all though haha! Thanks for following my blog, beauty! :) xx

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