spice up your life

Back to the north of England and incomprehensible accents...

A morning in Leeds. Arcades, markets, Swedish Hasbeens, and Spice Girls. What more could a girl ask for?

Pour mes américains: Leeds is a city in West Yorkshire.
About thirty minutes from York on the train.

I arrived on a quest for Swedish shoes,
which I'll get to in a bit.


But first, I walked around a little.
I had no idea what to expect from Leeds.


So I was pleasantly surprised to find more Victorian
shopping arcades than I've ever seen in my life!
And a Louis Vuitton and a Kookai? Leeds is posher than I thought.


Some of the arcades are a bit run down, but
they give a sense of the splendour of Victorian Leeds.


I arrived in the city before 9, so it was quiet in the arcades.


But that's good for taking pictures!


Artsy windows I liked.


After I took this picture an old man asked
me in the thickest Leeds accent if this was high
fashion nowadays, shaking his head and laughing.


Leaving the arcades and entering the Leeds City Markets.


I'm gonna take her down to the market today/
'Cause that's where the trouble starts.


If I am honest, I'm just not hooked on your phonics.


There's something a little otherworldly about walking
around the empty markets in the early morning.


It feels like you've stepped back in time.


Until you are rudely awakened by the stench of
fresh seafood being unloaded into the market stalls.


This part of the market dates to the early 1900s.


Heading back outside, over to H&M.
Good Morning Britain.


Y-E-S.
Reason number one for the trip.
H&M's collaboration with Swedish Hasbeens shoes began.
The York H&M was being lame and not participating.
Thus the pilgrimage to Leeds.


I got the red ones. I have a thing for red shoes.
I ADORE Swedish Hasbeens, but can't afford the $300 real ones.
God bless H&M for making a cheap[er] version.


I can't wait to traipse around Glasgow in these guys this summah.


On Briggate, one of the main shopping streets.


This was the coolest window display, with pencils.
It didn't photograph well.


But I quite like the reflections of the buildings and sky.


And they were blue skies in West Yorkshire.


View from restaurant terrace over Millennium Square.


Keep Calm And Party On.


There's something about this corner building I just love.


Especially when juxtaposed with the white Leeds Civic Hall.


I think I like Leeds.


And now entering the Leeds City Museum
for reason two for the little trip.


Have you guessed yet from my post title?


Yep. The Spice Girls Exhibition.
I had to.


I think my love for the UK and all things British
began with the Spice Girls.


Not to mention the whole Girl Power thing, and actually
giving little girls positive role models.
Thank goodness I was a 90s child.


So on to the fun stuff... their stage outfits!
Scary Spice wore this one. She is from Leeds.


Baby & Ginger.


More Scary outfits.


How amazing are these boots?


I remember begging my mom for a pair
of platform boots like the Spice Girls.
She said no.


Baby.


Scary.


Vogue 1997.


On and on with the girls named Spice/
You wanna get with us then you'd better think twice.


Awww Posh & Becks's wedding!
I think I'm more excited to see what Victoria
will wear to the Royal Wedding than Kate.
I LOVE that they were invited.


I adore that W Issue of Posh & Becks from a few years back.


More Posh stuff. And Geri cuff links.


They were playing Spiceworld.
I can't tell you how many times I watched this movie.


When I saw the cases of Spice Girls merchandise from the 90s,
I was nine years old again.


Girl Power.


My friend Molly had a Spice Girls birthday in fourth or fifth grade.
That party was the stuff of legends.


Hey Mom, remember when you wouldn't let me get these?


And these?
[Yes I am still bitter about it.]


It's like a stroll down memory lane.
And that lane takes the form of a Toys 'R Us aisle circa 1997.


Scary, Baby, Ginger, Posh, Sporty, yes now, that's our lot.


It's crazy how much Spice Girls merch was made.


I actually really really want that lamp, lolz.


Ginger's Union Jack boots.
Hi-ci-ya, hold tight.


Walking back to the train station, I was filled
with Girl Power and "Wannabe" was stuck in my head.


Also: I'd like to view this sign as a sign.




Jamie Oliver's.


Until next time, Leeds. It's been real.
xx