TGI Friday's: Cocktails, Tapas & Art ♥ @TGIFridaysUK

On Wednesday night, I had a text from one of my now best friends Rachael (who I actually met through blogging) asking if I wanted to be her plus one to a bloggers 'Live Art & Cocktails' event the next day at @TGIFridaysUK in Manchester. It was a night to celebrate their new range of cocktails - '100 cocktails as 100 unique works of art' as well as their tapas menu and of course I'm not one to turn down free tasters and, most importantly, free cocktails so I jumped at the chance!

I've only ever been to TGI Friday's once before and although the food was great, I have experienced the place it in a whole different way! We were firstly led upstairs to a bar where we were introduced to the event and were told how "they wanted their attendees to represent the cocktails as pieces of art."

Right from the start, Rachael and I could tell that these bartenders weren't just there to serve people their drinks and that be it.. they all had their own cheeky, fun sides yet were hugely knowledgeable about the drinks they were serving and it was a night that they could share their passion. We learnt very quickly that the bartenders know how to mix around 700 different cocktails.. amazing!

TGI's motto // Complimentary Cocktails Card // Popping Candy Strawberry Margarita

The evening was especially to showcase their newer cocktails inspired by American sweets and desserts: Popping Candy Strawberry Margarita, Passionate Rose and Lemon Meringue Pie. We were each allowed three complimentary cocktails and were also told to challenge the bartenders in our choices.. no mojitos! The first drink we both had was the Popping Candy Strawberry Margarita.. who in their right mind would refuse a drink like a strawberry margarita that included popping candy?! It was delicious and I suggest you all try it! - A winner right from the start! We were then told by people walking round to challenge the bartenders as much as we could and this made me realise how much they really know their stuff. The second and third time we were served drinks, I just mentioned some spirits I liked, and got given the most amazing cocktails! Rachael even saw some chocolate flakes behind the bar and her words were "I want something frozen, fruity, with tequila and a chocolate flake!" Amazingly, our barman @fastraksteve managed to come up with something! 

Popping Candy Strawberry Margarita // Fruity Frozen Cocktails (Can't remember the names!!) // Peach Crush

Throughout the evening, we were being served samples from TGI's new tapas menu alongside the cocktails. I would never have thought to go there for tapas but how wrong I was... the food was amazing and I can't wait to go back! - (It's a shame we had to share the food with other bloggers at the event as I'm sure we could easily have filled ourselves up all evening!!)

In between trying to keep myself from eating all the food, we wandered round the event to visit the artists that were there, each producing their own style of art to represent the three newer drinks on the menu. There was Caroline Dowsett, who painted a portrait inspired by the Passionate Rose drink, Millie Connors who made a lemon meringue pie from felt (of which we could take away packs to make a slice!) Lastly, there was Erin Echo who created illustrated Polaroid portraits for the guests based on their Twitter photos! 

Erin Echo // Caroline Dowsett // Millie Connors

As if that wasn't enough, the hugely talented bartenders from TGI's were also demonstrating their talents to the bloggers. A couple of them spent most of their evening showing off their flair bartending skills, of which Rachael had a go and was actually pretty good! Another of the barmen / waiters, Ron, was a magician.. you can find him on twitter @Ronismagic and he completely and utterly stunned us with his magic! I have never been more amazed by a close up magician before and will be telling everyone I'm photographing weddings for to get in touch with him... I just can't even explain how good he is! - You need to see it for yourselves!! (We even got his autograph for when he becomes famous!)

@RonisMagic magician // Rachael & I being wowed by Ron

I just want to say a huge thanks to all the TGI staff & guests for such an enjoyable evening, but also to everyone who organised it. Most of all thanks to Rachael for asking me to be her plus one! I had such a good evening and what I loved most was the genuine care the bartenders had for their guests, that they just wanted us all to have a good time and I loved that their passion for the cocktail menu utterly shone through!

Rachael & I with our first cocktails

I will certainly be visiting TGI's very soon for some more yummy food and cocktails, what a great place!!

(All photos are my own apart from photo of magician - some photos can be found on my instagram - search georgina_balmer_photography)

Weekly Ins and Outs...

Ins:

Have had a great time the past week enjoying the tiny bit of sun we have had and catching up with friends and my boyfriend. 

Gorgeous blue sky we get once in a long while!

On a walk with Liam in the village x

Tuesday night I went to my friends house for a BBQ with all of her family. She has a few older sisters all with young families so was nice to catch up with them all..and we took part in a little bit of face painting...maybe didn't help that they were the face painters so we just had splats of paint all over our faces! Nevertheless, it was a great evening and nice to see them all.

Wednesday after working 6am-12, Liam and I drove up to Manchester as we had tickets for the first group game of the GB Mens football at Old Trafford for Thursday night. I had such a lovely time away with Liam, was so nice to just be us for a change and everyone seemed to be so happy as the sun was out, lovely weather, but of course all cheering Great Britain on!

Ice Lolly in Picadilly Gardens before getting the tram, London2012 sign, Outside Old Trafford, Line up and crowd singing National Anthem

I didn't think I'd get so into it as I have been, but on Friday night I was at Liam's and we all watched the London 2012 opening Olympics ceremony. In my opinion, it was a great ceremony. Although I didn't really enjoy the beginning showing Britain in history, I know it all appealed to all different age groups. I loved the music, Mr Bean and the spoof with the Queen however, my Gran loved the bits I didn't so there was definitely something for everyone! It has been so exciting watching all different sports..especially the gymnastics today which was so exciting!

Outs:

Last week was a bit gutting...I have accepted my place on the course in Manchester to do a 2 year foundation degree. However, having rung student finance last week I then found out as I have already done a degree I get no funding whatsoever. Not one penny. Yet a man I spoke to the week before said I'd get max everything and even wrote on my notes that I would so some poor woman had to break it to me on the phone. I actually have no idea what to do at the moment.. am trying to save every penny I have and work out a way. But, I need to save £5,400 just for the first years fees let alone living costs...eek! So I will soon be having blog sales, many ebay sales, and also advertising spaces coming up..so let me know if you would like to be a part of it. - Details will come on a later post. Luckily this news came before going to Manchester, so at least I had a pick-me-up to look forward to!

Does anyone have any tips on how to save any money or earn money quickly, either with my blog or just in daily life?! Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Have a good week! 

Gina xoxo

My week in Manchester…

Having finished uni for Easter but Liam not finishing for another week after me, I decided to spend a week in Manchester so that we could get the train home together :) I really enjoyed it, as love spending time in his uni house..this could in fact perhaps be where I might live in September!!

I got there on the Thursday night and as Liam had loads of work to do we planned to stay in...however, this didn't happen once his housemate convinced us to go to a house party! We went there and then on to 5th Av, somewhere I hadn't been to before..it's quite an indie type place with mega cheap drinks but they played quite a lot of chart stuff and I just had such a good time - I always think the best nights out are the unplanned last minute ones! :)

The next day we just relaxed and I went to a couple of Liam's lectures (cos I'm cool, haha!) 

On the Saturday we had bought tickets to go and watch Tottenham Hotspur play Wigan..If anyone has seen an earlier post, you'll see that Liam is a huuuuuuuuuuge spurs fan, and he's also got me addicted! Not living in London means we can hardly go to any of the home games, but we have now been to quite a few of their away games that have been up north :)

Saturday was the start of the amazing weather we have been having lately. I love the atmosphere of people getting excited about football matches, even at the train station before anyone's left, and this day was no different.

Although the day was great fun, it was a very frustrating game..I think I jinxed it by saying 'looks like it's gonna be one of those games again when they just can't score' and that seemed true. The spurs fans were still committed to having a good day out whatever the score and I love that I can now take part in pretty much all of the chants now I know most of the words! (I think people are quite surprised that I actually enjoy going to games, and don't just go to make Liam happy..it actually makes me happy, no matter how sad that sounds!)

Although spurs should have easily walked away with 3 points, they did not, and again drew to a bottom team in the Premier League...but our day was not ruined in the slightest! We came out of the ground to see quite a few fans milling around. At Sunderland, we had missed out on getting photos and signings from the players so I said to Liam that maybe we should wait around just to see if they came out of this exit..and luckily enough, they did! We got the match programme signed by: Bassong, Dawson, Gomes, Modric, Huddlestone, Jenas,Tony Parks, Joe Jordon, Kevin Bond and Harry Redknapp and I got loads of photos..a few of which I have put on here!

My Liam and Gomes, what a lovely guy :)

Have to say Rafael Van Der Vaart is soooo good looking in person! yummyyy x

So I have to say that definitely made our whole week! :) We then got a lush sausage, chips and curry sauce from a chippy next to the train station which ended our perfect day so well!

Liam had won £20 worth of Wagamama vouchers on Friday just by entering a competition, so on Sunday he took me there. It's very much an oriental food type place, but we didn't know quite what to expect but I have to say it was gorgeous!!! Anyone that is debating whether to go or not, do it!! He had a teriaki orange chicken and rice, and i had a chicken curry and rice nomnom :)

Was a perfect end to a perfect weekend!

The next week we were both very hectic doing work and packing before going home for Easter, and I was helping Liam to pack for going to Cyprus for his brother's wedding. I went to a couple more of his lectures, managed to turn his alarm clock off so he missed one oopsie (!) , and did some shopping (the items bought will be on a separate post as this is getting quite long now!!) But all in all, had a lovely week spent with the other half before we came home for Easter and he flew to Cyprus today. Long story but I wish people wouldn't get people's hopes up til things actually happen..I should be there..but unfortunately was 'uninvited,' or at least, was invited before numbers were worked out properly. Nevertheless, am hoping they all have a great time, and am looking forward to the reception in the UK, am but missing Liam loads already and wishing I could be there with them all! 

Gina x