The Body Shop at Christmas 2015 - Frosted Plum

Full range: Frosted Plum Tin Of Delights £28 // Frosted Plum Feel Good Tin £17 // Frosted Plum Sugar Scrub £15 // Frosted Plum Body Butter £14 // Frosted Plum Bath Fizzers £12 // Frosted Plum Candle £10 // Frosted Plum Shimmer Mist £8.50 // Frosted Plum Shimmer Lotion £8 // Frosted Plum Treat Box £8 // Frosted Plum Hand Cream £4 // Frosted Plum Home Fragrance Oil £4 // Frosted Plum Lip Balm £4 // Frosted Plum Shower Gel £4 // Frosted Plum Soap £2.50

Last year, The Body Shop introduced Glazed Apple, Frosted Cranberry and Vanilla Brulee as their Christmas collection. This year Glazed Apple and Frosted Cranberry have both made a comeback along with a new limited edition scent for 2015, Frosted Plum. The Body Shop very kindly sent me the Frosted Plum Sugar Scrub*, the Frosted Plum Shimmer Lotion* and the Frosted Plum Bath Fizzers* to try. I am a fan of the scent, it's sweet but not sickly sweet and a scent that isn't just restricted to Christmas.

Before you start your night out, run yourself a bath and pop in a Frosted Plum Bath Fizzer. Apart from leaving your bath full of fizz, they provide a little bit of moisture and smell delicious. While in the bath, apply the Frosted Plum Sugar Scrub which has a lovely consistency. It provides a gentle exfoliation leaving your skin feeling softer and smoother and smelling delicious. A perfect start to your party preparation followed by the Frosted Plum Shimmer Lotion which is a lovely light lotion. It provides moisture and leaves behind a subtle shimmer perfect for any Christmas party.

Other products from this range that I really want to get my hands on are the Frosted Plum Candle and the Frosted Plum Hand Cream.

Have you tried any products from the Frosted Plum collection? What have you got your eyes on?

Rachel x

*PR Samples

Merumaya Mud Marvels Mask - Review

"A deeply cleansing and detoxifying face mask, for a glowing-with-health-complexion."

Merumaya Mud Marvels Mask* is powered by Activated Charcoal, which is treated with oxygen for super effective absorbency. This essential ingredient extracts toxins, deeply cleanses and unblocks the pores. At the same time, Volcanic Ash goes to work, drawing out impurities for a smoother and brighter appearance. A natural AHA complex promotes youthful radiance by sloughing away dead skin cells, to brighten skin and reduce blemishes. A complex of nourishing oils, antioxidants and vitamins, support the skin’s natural lipid barrier, improve water retention, leaving the skin replenished soothe and smoothed…not stripped. They include; Oat Oil rich in skin identical lipids, Sweet Almond Oil providing a rich source of Vitamin E and Cocoa Butter.

I have been using this mask once a week and my skin has definitely been thanking me for it. Merumaya suggest leaving the mask on for 15 minutes before removing. I have been relaxing with the mask on for the full 15 minutes before removing with a muslin cloth and rinsing off with warm water. Some mud masks can be very drying and feel too tight when on the skin. Mud Marvels doesn't feel overly tight on the skin and once it has been rinsed off, my skin feels smooth and nourished. It has a lovely scent which definitely helps me to relax. The packaging is quite simple but it's to the point and I would prefer a brand to spend time and money on the actual product than the packaging. My only negative - the mask has quite a thick consistency so I had to squeeze quite hard to get it out of the tube but that may be me because I'm weak!

I would definitely recommend the Merumaya Mud Marvels Mask. It is £19.50 for 50ml and it's available now at some John Lewis stores www.johnlewis.com, Amazon Luxury Beauty www.amazon.co.uk/luxurybeauty and www.merumaya.com.

Rachel x

*PR Sample

The Body Shop at Christmas 2015 - Frosted Cranberry

Frosted Cranberry Feel Good Tin £17 // Frosted Cranberry Sugar Scrub £15 // Frosted Cranberry Body Butter £14 // Frosted Cranberry Bath Fizzers £12 // Frosted Cranberry Candle £10 // Frosted Cranberry Shimmer Mist £8.50 // Frosted Cranberry Shimmer Lotion £8 // Frosted Cranberry Treat Box £8 // Frosted Cranberry Lip Gloss £7 // Frosted Cranberry Hand Cream £4 // Frosted Cranberry Home Fragrance Oil £4 // Frosted Cranberry Shower Gel £4 // Frosted Cranberry Lip Balm £4 // Frosted Cranberry Soap £2.50

Frosted Cranberry is back! Last year, The Body Shop introduced Glazed Apple, Frosted Cranberry and Vanilla Brulee as their Christmas collection. This year Glazed Apple and Frosted Cranberry have both made a comeback along with a new scent for 2015, Frosted Plum. The Frosted Cranberry collection is different this year with new and improved products although the packaging is very similar.

The products available in the Frosted Cranberry scent are the same as the Glazed Apple collection this year. There are a few gift sets including the Frosted Cranberry Feel Good Tin and the Frosted Cranberry Treat Box. There are products for bath lovers; Frosted Cranberry Bath Fizzers and shower lovers; Frosted Cranberry Shower Gel. For everyday products there is Frosted Cranberry Soap, Frosted Cranberry Hand Cream and Frosted Cranberry Lip Balm.

For those of you who love to pamper yourself and take some 'me' time regularly there is the Frosted Cranberry Sugar Scrub, Frosted Cranberry Body Butter, Frosted Cranberry Shimmer Lotion, Frosted Cranberry Shimmer Mist and Frosted Cranberry Lip Gloss. To make your home smell delicious this Christmas, you can invest in the Frosted Cranberry Candle and the Frosted Cranberry Home Fragrance Oil.

My favourite products from this collection have to be Frosted Cranberry Sugar Scrub, Frosted Cranberry Body Butter, Frosted Cranberry Bath Fizzers and Frosted Cranberry Candle. A trip to The Body Shop is in order.

Which products have you got your eyes on? Did you try this range last year?

Rachel x

Please note - this post isn't sponsored. I just love TBS!

The Body Shop at Christmas 2015 - Glazed Apple

Glazed Apple Feel Good Tin £17 // Glazed Apple Body Scrub £15 // Glazed Apple Body Butter £14 // Glazed Apple Bath Jelly £12 // Glazed Apple Candle £10 // Glazed Apple Shimmer Mist £8.50 // Glazed Apple Shimmer Lotion £8 // Glazed Apple Treat Box £8 // Glazed Apple Lip Gloss £7 // Glazed Apple Hand Cream £4 // Glazed Apple Home Fragrance Oil £4 // Glazed Apple Lip Balm £4 // Glazed Apple Shower Gel £4 // Glazed Apple Soap £2.50

Glazed Apple is back! Last year, The Body Shop introduced Glazed Apple, Frosted Cranberry and Vanilla Brulee as their Christmas collection. This year Glazed Apple and Frosted Cranberry have both made a comeback along with a new scent for 2015, Frosted Plum. The Glazed Apple collection is different this year with new and improved products although the packaging is very similar.

There is a wide variety of products within the range from Glazed Apple Lip Balm to Glazed Apple Shimmer Mist and a couple of gift sets including Glazed Apple Feel Good Tin and Glazed Apple Treat Box. I love the idea of creating your own gift set so it's personalised to the recipient. Some people don't have a bath so including Glazed Apple Bath Jelly in a gift set would be useless for them. Instead I would include Glazed Apple Shower Gel or Glazed Apple Soap and perhaps a Glazed Apple Body Butter.

The gift could be practical or more luxurious so they could truly pamper themselves. For a relaxing pamper, I would include any of the following products Glazed Apple Candle, Glazed Apple Body Scrub, Glazed Apple Shimmer Lotion, Glazed Apple Lip Gloss, Glazed Apple Hand Cream or Glazed Apple Home Fragrance Oil.

My favourite products from the collection have to be the Glazed Apple Body Scrub and the Glazed Apple Body Butter because these are classic products from The Body Shop with a festive twist. I have to get my hands on the Glazed Apple Candle and the Glazed Apple Home Fragrance Oil to make my house smell delicious this Christmas!

Which products have you got your eyes on? Will you be making any of your own gift sets this year?

Rachel x

Please note - this post isn't sponsored. I just love TBS!

Wagamama at The Trafford Centre

On Monday 12th October, Wagamama finally opened their doors at The Trafford Centre. I'm a massive fan of Wagamama but up to now I've had to travel into Manchester to visit. The Trafford Centre is much closer and easier for me to get to. As it was a new store, customers could apply for tickets to try out their new menu for free. I jumped at this opportunity and took along my husband who had never been before!

 We had the opportunity to share a starter. We went for the Duck Gyoza, which is tasty fried duck dumplings served with a dipping sauce. We had a giggle when it arrived as five dumplings arrived and there were two of us. This reminded us of The Big Bang Theory episode where three of them order dumplings and the order comes with four! I was kind though and let Rory have three! There were delicious and I would love to try the other varieties in the future, especially pulled pork!

We were able to choose a main each. I am normally a creature of habit and always order a Chicken Katsu Curry. I decided to be a little more adventurous as we were there to try the new restaurant so I wanted a completely new experience. After a while, I settled on Wagamama Ramen. Ramen is a hearty bowl of hot soup filled with fresh ramen noodles, toppings and garnishes, all served in a traditional black bowl. I think Wagamama Ramen is their special as it came with grilled chicken, barbecued pork, prawns, chikuwa and mussels in a miso, ginger and chicken noodle soup. topped with half a tea-stained egg, menma and spring onions. It was absolutely delicious and I'm so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone! I think I have a new favourite!

Rory had heard me rant and rave about Chicken Katsu Curry from previous visits and decided to see what all the fuss was about. He absolutely loved it and would definitely order it again. Since our visit, he has said a couple of times, "I want Wagamama again!" Hopefully this means we will be back very soon!

For dessert, we had to have the Mochi Ice Cream, which are little balls of ice cream wrapped in a layer of sticky rice, served with sauce. We had the 'Mix It Up' version which allowed us to try all three flavours. I was only a fan of the raspberry flavour and would order these again, although there are some delicious looking desserts on the menu. Rory enjoyed the coconut and raspberry flavoured ones.

We both had a lovely afternoon at the restaurant and we will both be back very soon! The restaurant is lovely and is in a brilliant location, upstairs in The Orient (next to TGI Fridays). We were served by an extremely friendly and helpful waitress who explained everything to us clearly.

Thank you to Wagamama at The Trafford Centre!

Rachel x

Makeup Revolution Beyond Flawless Eyeshadow Palette - Review & Swatches

Makeup Revolution Beyond Flawless Eyeshadow Palette £8

At the end of August, I purchased my very first Makeup Revolution product; I just couldn't resist that gold box plus I had heard great things about this palette! For just £8 you get 32 shades - it's worth a shot! I had been eyeing up Makeup Revolution palettes for a few months before actually making a purchase as I already have quite a few neutral eyeshadow palettes in my collection. I don't need another one or so I thought! On first impressions, I was impressed. The packaging is lovely. Firstly, there is the golden box which actually makes the product look more expensive. Then the actual palette packaging is black, sturdy and secure with a huge mirror inside. It actually took me ages to open it the first time so I'm confident it wouldn't open if used for travelling!

The eyeshadows are actually really high quality considering they work out to be 25p each! They are soft, easy to blend, (mostly) well pigmented and little to no fallout (depending on the finish). There are a few different finishes within the palette which I love and would suit most people's tastes. There is a good mixture of matte, satin and shimmery/metallic shades (these have a little fallout but even shimmery high end shadows have fall out). A lot of budget makeup brands don't give the shades names but Makeup Revolution have given all shades a name and I actually really like the names. These come on a clear piece of plastic and a suggestion would be to have these on the back of the palette as I've already lost mine!

A few shades are not as pigmented as the others and it was really difficult to get a good swatch of these. On the whole though, the pigmentation is really good. Some of my favourite shades are Spice, Cookie Dough and Expresso. I love reaching for this palette as so many different looks can be created with just one palette. I'm really happy I was attracted to this palette and I have my eye on some of the face palettes. If you have any recommendations, let me know!

Rachel x

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Meet Your Match at TGI Fridays

At the beginning of August, I was invited to TGI Fridays at Royal Exchange, Manchester to sample the unveiling of their new menu. Very kindly, I was allowed to bring a plus one. My husband is also a massive TGIs fan so I brought him along.

We were greeted by the friendly staff who chatted to us all night and it was very clear they love their job! The staff recommended cocktails as well as new items from the menu which they thought we would love. They know their stuff as we were not disappointed!

For starters we shared the Bucket of Bones. Oh My God! Heaven. I'm not usually a fan of ribs as they can be chewy, too messy and not enough meat. However these were amazing and I've been craving them ever since! The chicken wings were delicious too but the ribs stole the show!

I chose Tostado Stacks for my main which were nice but it wasn't until later that I realised I could have had chicken which I would have preferred. Rory went for The Warrior Burger. Obviously! He was very impressed but it was those ribs that left us wanting more.

We both had a lovely evening in a fantastic restaurant with delicious food and drink. Thank you very much to TGI Fridays for the invitation. We'll be back soon!

Double-Layered Nachos

"This is the dude that everyone gets on with. A single portion of corn tortilla chips with melted cheese, chilies and jalapenos, served alongside super smooth Fridays Spicy Guacamole, fresh pico de gallo and sour cream. All it wants to do is make you happy, which is why you can have it with either blackened chicken or Jack Daniel's Beef Chilli."

Jack Daniel's Pork Belly

"This tasty little number is guaranteed to melt in your mouth. Barbequed pork belly is smothered in Jack Daniel's glaze, toasted Sesame seeds and chilli flakes, served with fresh apple slaw. You'll remember this one long after it's gone."

Jack Daniel's Bucket of Bones

"Easy-going, laid-back, but packed with enough attitude to keep you coming back for more. Featuring slow-cooked pork ribs and chicken wings tossed in Jack Daniel's glaze, toasted sesame seeds and chili flakes, topped with Texan toothpicks - it's enough for two, so you'd better make it a double date."

Smoked Tomato Bruschetta

"Such a flirt! This smoky, saucy item features sumptuous tomatoes marinated in smoked oil with garlic, crisp basil and Mozzarella served on toasted ciabatta bread. It knows how to make an entrance, attracting attention wherever it turns up."

Chicken Finger BLT Waffle

"This one has a sweet side you perhaps wouldn't expect! Crispy chicken breast tenders served in a sweet waffle with melted cheese, rocket, fresh tomato, bacon and honey mustard mayo – it may be a little different but it'll never let you down."

The Warrior Burger

"Meet the alpha male of the group. Getting together with this one could leave you feeling like a champion – if you can handle it. Featuring two 7oz burgers piled high with Mozzarella dippers, Colby cheese, crispy bacon, American cheese, caramelised onions and Fridays Mayo. Served with crispy fries and onion rings, glory awaits those who can take on The Warrior."

Jack Daniel's Chili Dog

"Get your game face on and meet your match. One for all the Jack Daniel's sauce fans out there, introducing this grilled pork 'dog topped with hot and smoky Jack Daniel's beef chilli, diced onions, Colby cheese, chilies and American mustard. What more could you ask for from your perfect match?"

Tostada Stacks - Roasted Vegetable (v)

"The sociable type, you're going to want to get to know this one better. Featuring crispy flour tortillas packed with melted cheese, Cajun-spiced rice, chilies, garlic vegetables and topped with pico de gallo, Southwest sour cream and Fridays Spicy Guacamole, there are hidden, hotter depths when it comes to this dish. Choose chicken if you prefer."

Rachel x

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Daniel Sandler Long Lasting Waterproof Eyeliner in Grey Velvet - Review

Daniel Sandler Long Lasting Waterproof Eyeliner in Grey Velvet £9.25*

I've been wearing eyeliner on my waterline since at least year 9. I can remember holding up the mirror while we took it in turns to apply our eyeliner at the start of English. Strange memory considering I can't remember much else! I also remember being amazed when my friend no longer needed the mirror! She was a pro in my eyes!

Fast forward to over 10 years later and I still wear eyeliner on my waterline (I still need a mirror. I don't trust myself to not poke my eyeball!) I don't wear it for work though as I work in a school. As I have blonde hair and pale skin, I often get "Miss, why are your eyes black?" It's just not worth the hassle. Kids notice EVERYTHING! I do wear it when I'm doing my make up for an occasion or meeting friends.

For at least six months now, my eyeliner of choice has been the Daniel Sandler Long Lasting Waterproof Eyeliner in Grey Velvet. It's not as harsh as black but still defines the eyes beautifully. As I said earlier, I only wear it on my waterline so I'm not sure how it applies when using it to line your top lashes. When I swatch it on the back of my hand, the formula seems creamy and glides smoothly on my skin so I imagine it would be perfect. 

As the formula is waterproof, it's great for the waterline as it stays put longer than non waterproof alternatives. (Obviously!) By the end of the day, it has already wore off but I've read plenty of reviews that say it's easy to remove with make up remover or a good cleanser. Overall a winner in my eyes and I would repurchase again in grey or black as I'm a creature of habit and not brave enough for coloured eyeliners!

Rachel x

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COLAB Dry Shampoo Paris - Review

COLAB Dry Shampoo Paris

Some may say I'm lucky but I disagree. I only wash my hair twice a week as I was cursed with dry, straw like hair. Also, my hair is long and super thick so washing it, drying it and straightening it takes forever! I hate washing my hair and put off the dreaded chore as much as possible.

As I get closer to hair wash day, my hair can sometimes begin to get a little greasy depending on the weather and products used. On these days, dry shampoo is a saviour. I have no idea what people did before this little wonder product. Previously, as with most people, Batiste was my brand of choice. It has featured in my empties post several times. I don't have a problem with how powdery it is as I have blonde hair. It's actually better as my hair gets darker when it's due a wash so the powder makes it appear lighter. 

Ruth Crilly from A Model Recommends launched COLAB Dry Shampoo. There are currently five scents available; London, Tokyo, Rio, Paris and New York, which are all available in 200ml cans or 50ml travel size cans. I have Paris which is described as an enchanting floral bouquet packaged in a beautiful can. I'll let you into a secret though, I want all five scents. I just think they would look so beautiful lined up on my dressing table and I could pick which scent I want to wear just like perfume. 

COLAB Dry Shampoo makes big claims. A sheer and invisible dry shampoo. It sounds perfect for a brunette and although it doesn't matter much to me, I do prefer COLAB over Batiste. It feels a lot lighter in my hair while still refreshing my hair at the same time. Plus the scent. It's amazing. It's actually on offer in Superdrug right now so I may have to pick up the other 4 scents!

Have you tried any of the COLAB Dry Shampoos?

Rachel x

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Soap & Glory Thick & Fast Mascara - Review

Soap & Glory Thick & Fast Mascara £10

"This super volume mascara creates mascara creates amazingly, longer, fuller, fabulous lashes. Featuring SUPERFILL™ False Lash Fillers, SHINE AMPLIFIERS, and NOFLAKE24 technology."

Those are mighty big claims for one mascara and a drugstore one at that! On first impressions, I didn't think I would like the mascara. I didn't think I would be a fan of how it applies and I didn't think I would be able to apply it without getting mascara everywhere as the brush is on the larger side. Oh how I was wrong! I take it all back!

The mascara actually applies like a dream. It separates lashes, makes them appear longer, gives them volume - all without any clumps! It also holds a curl really well and the shade of black is a really nice shade but that may be down the 'shine amplifiers' reflecting the light. I find one coat is perfect for the daytime and during the evening when I like a more dramatic look, it can be layered without clumping.

I haven't got a bad thing to say about this mascara. I even like the smell! I definitely recommend that you give this mascara a try if you haven't found your perfect mascara. This may be the one! It's one of Soap & Glory's best sellers as for the past three years, it's been included in their 'Best Of' gift sets.

Are you a fan of Soap & Glory make up? Have you tried this mascara?

Rachel x

P.S. Don't forget to enter my giveaway to win a personalised planner from Personal Planner here!

Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate - Review

Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate £20 (10ml roller ball)

I've had this little wonder product for at least a year now and I'm only just under half way through. I always seem to dig it out of my skincare collection at this time of year so I thought why not share why I love it so much. It's actually Liz Earle's 'November Botanical Beauty Hero'. Superskin Concentrate contains 100% pure plant oils including hazelnut oil, lavender essential oil, neroli essential oil, avocado oil, vitamin E, rosehip oil, argan oil and chamomile essential oil/extract. It's suitable for all skin types as it helps to soften dry or mature skin and balance combination or oily skin. I love using it on my skin and because it contains lavender and chamomile, it helps me drift off to sleep.

Liz Earle suggests using Superskin Concentrate at night time after cleansing and toning but before, or instead of, applying your moisturiser; almost like a serum. I analyse my skin each time I use it as I find sometimes I don't need to follow with a moisturiser but other times I do. Directions suggest you apply sparingly and massage gently into face and neck two to three times a week, or as often as needed. As we get into the middle of Winter, I find I use it two or three times a week but at the moment, I'm just using it once or twice a week. As and when my skin needs it. Massage helps clear toxins, reduce puffiness, boost circulation, and aid lymphatic drainage.

At £20 for 10ml of product, it isn't affordable for everyone but you only need the tiniest amount and it really will last you a long time. As I said, I've had mine for over a year, maybe even two years. It has a great shelf life of 3 years so I think it's easy to justify the splurge. Why not add it onto your Christmas list? If you really want to invest into your skincare, Liz Earle have a 28ml pump bottle for £40.50 which works out cheaper per ml. Alternatively, you can purchase 2ml for £6 which is perfect if you want to try before you splash all that cash or it's a great travel friendly option. Personally, I love the roller ball as it's super easy to apply and you only use the amount you actually need. 

Rachel x

P.S. Don't forget to enter my giveaway to win a personalised planner from Personal Planner here!

Five Essence Lipsticks

From left to right - Essence Long Lasting Lipstick 10 Cotton Candy (I can't find this online so I don't know if it's been discontinued or not) // Essence Long Lasting Lipstick 13 Love Me // Essence Long Lasting Lipstick 01 Coral Calling // Essence Long Lasting Lipstick 12 Blush My Lips // Essence Long Lasting Lipstick 02 All You Need Is Red

Introduced to me in June, Essence was an unfamiliar brand which I have grown to love. The products, which average at £2, are high quality at affordable prices. At the UK Launch event in Manchester back in June, I was kindly gifted some fantastic products. Within the products were five of the Long Lasting Lipsticks in a great variety of colours. The full range includes nudes, pinks, corals and reds.

The five shades I have are; Cotton Candy which reminds me of Barbie Pink, Love Me which is an almost nude but kind of bright pink, Coral Calling is exactly that; a coral lipstick with pink undertones, Blush My Lips is a bright fuchsia pink, and All You Need Is Red is a sheer red which would be perfect for newbies.

The lipsticks do have a scent which is neither pleasant or unpleasant in my opinion. They seem a little moisturising as some lipsticks can be very drying. The finish of the lipsticks are similar to Cremesheen from MAC. They aren't too glossy but they're not matte either; a happy medium. They can be applied sheer or layered on for a more intense colour. All colours seem extremely pigmented.

I love the imprinted logo on the bullet; it makes the product feel much more luxe and I actually find the packaging to be quite sleek. The ring of colour is an excellent touch and allows you to identify the shade of lipstick that you want from your collection.

Considering the name of the lipstick is Long Lasting, I wouldn't say they are particularly long lasting which is unfortunate. Maybe 2-3 hours wear but I have found it to be less if I'm eating or drinking. This is the only negative that I can find and the lipsticks are so affordable therefore you can stock up several shades and have a wider variety in your make up collection.

Essence is available in Wilkinsons stores nationwide and they have their very own store in Westfield and Manchester Arndale. Within the Arndale, the store which is like a pop up shop, is located on the top floor actually just outside Wilkinsons! As I mentioned earlier, the average price is just £2 so you can be sure to pick up some great quality bargains!

Is Essence a brand you're familiar with? Have you used the products before? Any standout products for you?

Rachel x

TGI Fridays Fast Track Restaurant

Back in August, TGI Fridays opened a new style of restaurant located within Manchester Piccadilly Train Station - TGI Fridays Fast Track. It's actually the first of its kind and it's extremely exciting that it's here in Manchester. Providing a convenient dining location for locals and commuters, main meals are served to guests within ten minutes of ordering. The restaurant is equipped with technology for commuters including power sockets, USB charging sockets, WiFi and individual seating options.

The restaurant is equipped to serve 135 diners at any one time. The interior has a rustic colour scheme and memorabilia inspired by travel, local artists from Manchester, and has a particular nod to the most famous train station in the world – Grand Central Station. Even part of the restaurant is arranged like a train carriage and that is exactly where I chose to sit when I was recently invited to sample the breakfast menu. The new Fast Track restaurant has an open plan kitchen which allows you to see the food being made before your eyes. I love this feature and it makes the restaurant stand out from the rest. The man in the kitchen in the above photo was working his first day on the job and I captured it on camera!

The restaurant opens at 7:30am and serves breakfast until 11:30am. Rory and I headed to the restaurant to fuel up before a busy day of shopping. We were greeted by extremely friendly staff who showed us to our seats and handed us our menus. Chanel was our waitress for the morning and she shared her recommendations and told us a little bit about the restaurant. Rory opted for the Jack Daniel's American Breakfast, which looked amazing and tasted incredible according to his raving review. I chose the Breakfast Waffles with Candied Bacon and Fried Egg as I wasn't hungry enough to eat a full breakfast.

In Mexico, I tried pancakes, bacon and maple syrup for the first time which was delicious. When I saw the Breakfast Waffles with Candied Bacon and Fried Egg on the menu, I just had to have it but I wasn't sure about the egg. I thought I'd give it a try anyway but I'm so glad I did; it was AMAZING! The flavours went together perfectly. Our food arrived quicker than a usual restaurant but it wasn't sitting there waiting to be ordered like fast food restaurants. I would describe it as somewhere in the middle which is perfect for the location and purpose.

Although the service was quick, the quality of food or service is definitely not compromised. We will definitely visit again and it's my number one choice next time I'm in Manchester. I'd urge you all to visit if you're in the area, travelling to or from Manchester or in a hurry but still want that restaurant experience. Thank you TGI Fridays for inviting me to visit your new Fast Track Restaurant. I had a delicious meal and absolutely love the vibe of the restaurant.

Rachel x