They have two candles every month which are candle of the month and these are little bit cheaper…read morethan usual. Now that summer is coming, there are some very nice smelling candles available. The shop isn't very big, but big enough for what they sell. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable about the products they are selling.

Incredible art store. I was blown away by how well stocked the store is. I loved the top floor with…read morecool crafts and unique art gifts to purchase. The second floor had every art supplies I could dream of, and the bottom floor was an amazing selection of paper and canvas. Truly a great art store for all

Incredible place, but dangerous at the same time as you could easily spend a lot of money in here!…read more The first time I popped in was when I needed a few items for an event and I thought I'd gamble on Fred Aldous having the stuff I needed - they did! Anything you need for arts & craft or decorations they have it and with some good choice! I've now been in a few times when I need to pick up bits and bobs or essentials for work i.e. scissors etc. Loads of interesting present and gift ideas in here as well so if you're out and about birthday shopping or it's coming up to christmas - I'd say Fred Aldous is a great option with some similar style stuff to Oklahoma! Most of the stuff here is well priced and I've always been fairly surprised that my total wasn't higher when purchasing as I think the interior and style gives off an expensive vibe but really it's good value for money! A short simple review for a top NQ shop!

This branch of Clintons is on the Lower Floor of the Manchester Arndale, it is basically next to…read moreLush and underneath Gap, opposite G-Star Raw. It is a fairly large store and is one of 360 branches the Clintons brand has in the UK, and one of 11 branches in just over 10 miles from this location which is quite an interesting statistic for a retailer specialising in novelty gifts and cards. Mainly when buying greetings cards, I use online retailers such as Funky Pigeon or use physical bricks and mortar stores such as Card Factory, who have two locations within a minute or two of this location on foot, also in the Manchester Arndale, I decided to visit Clintons to see how they stacked up - and sadly it didn't seem that they stacked up too well. The store has a slightly old-fashioned feel to it, yet there is a decent selection overall and the store is quite large however the prices seem to be much more expensive than other retailers such as Card Factory or buying cards from a supermarket, and some of the prices seem to be high enough that you'd associate them with personalised and bespoke cards, rather than pretty generic ones. The novelty gifts were scattered around the store, not in a specific area exactly in parts, prices seemed to go from average and competitive to slightly higher yet again. If you're in a rush and want to get a last minute basic card, this is a decent shout but if you have more time or you're looking to save some money on a card this probably isn't the place for you - I didn't find the quality of the cards to be too impressive to warrant the pricing, so these factors including overall feel of the store warrant just a two-star rating for Clintons at Manchester Arndale.

I remember, growing up in a small Northern market town, there was an independent card shop that,…read moreweirdly, sold a range of 'naughty' items. Like a provincial Ann Summers with a section for bereavement cards. It was really weird, looking back, that they had pink riding crops hanging alongside the Forever Friends mugs, but I guess it's just part of the charm of it having been an independent business. That shop serviced the town's needs for cards and second-rate erotic merchandise until the long-vacant Motor World shop got a make over. A Clinton Cards makeover. The local people were predictably outraged and the independent card shop decided to up their game. They painted the entire exterior of their little shop Pepto-Bismol pink and did mail-outs about the evil of Clinton Cards. It was all a bit mad really. Me, I wasn't that fussed as I was banned from the independent card shop at the age of 12 for unsuccessfully shoplifting a strawberry-scented gel pen, so I was glad that finally there would be a place where, if I so wished, I could buy cards without fear of being arrested. Of course, once I saw the homogenised crap that Clinton Cards sell, I was no more heartened. And a good ten years later, Clinton Cards is still totally rubbish. And their Arndale store is pretty much the worst place in the world. For a start, it is always messy. Not in a fun and kooky boutique kind of way, I like that kind of messy. It's messy in a way that seems to suggest that, gasp, Clinton Cards don't care about the shoppers and their experience. Thusly, instead of having wrapping paper, ribbons and gift tags all together while cards are over there somewhere, they seem to have organised everything into 'themes'. So you have your cutesy crap (Tatty Teddy etc), your tarty crap (wrapping paper with shoes on, and bits of diamante and feather boa on everything), your psychedelic crap (it's crap, and it's psychedelic...what more can I say?) and then, a very small corner for dad crap (any manly type stuff; brown paper and cards with labradors on them). Wandering round looking for plain crepe paper, I was struck by the ugliness and weirdness of all the Clinton crap. Witness; a card in the tarty crap section, depicting a pair of sexy legs in stilettos. Who am I gonna buy that ugly piece of crap for? A man who likes legs? No. A girl who...has legs? No. Useless. As well as being confusingly laid out and messy, this branch of Clinton Cards has some of the rudest staff I have ever experienced. But even if they treated me like a Maharajah, there's still no way I'm going back here. You need a card? Go to Paperchase or Oklahoma, or make one yourself. You need a wine-bottle-box with a bra on it? Come to Clinton Cards...

Wax Lyrical is what some people may call a girlie shop which maybe true as all girls I know like…read morethis place too. Alas, I am not a girl and I things is a good little place as well. Having thought this shop was an independent, after looking at their website I see there are a few of them around. This is a good thing because it has that nice independent feel to it and not in the least like a chain store which often feel so stale. The products they sell is rather self explanatory from the title, It consists of candles of all types, scented burning things whether they are Joss Sticks of these small cylindrical cones which I often buy. Of course everything comes in a variety of flavours and colours to suit your homes ambience and decor. They also sell various ceramic ornaments relating to the shops goods so you won't find any tacky ceramic Shire horses or cats (thank god), just the plates and utensils used in candle or incense burning. They also have a selection of Jelly Belly candles in tins which are great! If you are like me and lurrrrrrrve Jelly belly beans then these are a treat. Of course there are some beans which are just awful and same goes for some candle flavours, but on the flip side there are many to die for as well. All in all I like this shop and buy from here around once a month to top up all the things I have burnt over the previous weeks. So take a trip in, parking is free in the Lowry once any of the many retailers including Wax Lyrical, validate your ticket.

5 years have passed since I was last here.. Unfortunately time has not served this place well…read more Deciding to meet up before an event for some breccy I was not quite prepared for the upcoming events. The decor is still quite homely however the seating is still very close, to a point where my friend could not even sit opposite me due to the narrow gap between the chair and table. Embarrassment set aside I went to grab some menus to find there was none. I was informed by a waitress that I had to read off the wall..so for ease I took several pictures of the menu to enable my friend to browse with ease. The menu was limited, I mean when I think of breccy I imagine eggs to be present at the very least. But no this was eggless, baconless with just options of toast, avocado, and nothing inspiring really..also there were NO PRICES. Walking up to the till I was acknowledged by a grumpy guy. Perhaps he needed a Smile latte. Anyway I ordered a cold brew along with the avocado on toast, paying extra for some additional smoked salmon. After choosing what fresh bread I wanted, he slapped me with a £12 bill.. I was gobsmacked.. Returning to my seat I reassured myself " This is going to be the best avocado on toast ever". So the cold brew arrived with a fresh piece of orange floating in it. It was pleasing to note that the brew making is still top notch. Now the food itself.. this arrived on two pieces of toast, half a pear sliced on each piece with a sliver of smoked salmon. This was dressed with a light mixture of chili and lemon. My friends beans and toast was deconstructed, she had to make it up herself...this was I think £6-8 ...for beans on toast.. I found my victuals tasty enough but could not justify the price, £5.99 would have been more realistic at best. Anyway overall the service was poor, the lack of important details such as no physical menus, napkins, prices, inquiries if the food was okay and lack of logical seating. I might pop in for a coffee to take away but this I doubt.

Was happy to find this place after rather miserably trudging round the Northern Quarter in the rain…read morelooking for somewhere to sit down and have a hot drink. It has a comforting well maintained ambience (even the basement loo!) and the staff are extremely friendly. I really like the broad wooden table in the middle of the coffee area, feels calming and comfortable to sit at! I tried the Marrakesh loose leaf mint tea which was very nice although not as good a fresh mint tea - when I return next I'll try the peppermint instead. They have some lunch in a jar meals which is a fun concept although I'm not sure the actual contents would be that exciting. But it's a nice touch, also like the jugs of water with orange slices and sugar syrup. Shops like this which contain loads of really overpriced unnecessary home items I normally just dismiss as selling tat but for some reason the stuff here entranced me, especially cushions featuring a dog saying "Bonjour" /holding a French flag in its mouth (srsly I don't know why I found this so cute) and a wire basket for £18 which I for some reason felt I really need in my life. My friend felt the same about a set of colourful plastic spoons...I don't what this place does to you but I enjoyed it!

The most beautiful flower shop I've ever visited. The bouquets are simply jaw-dropping - a very…read moretalented and lovely bunch of expert florists that can't do enough to help make every occasion special. Highly recommend.

The Flower Lounge is a new florist on Barlow Moor Road that always catches my eye and occasionally…read moredraws me in. I love the minimalist layout of the interior which make the bouquets, vases and gifts jump out at you. The owners obviously are very keen interior designers too and they've done a great job. You can choose your own blooms to create the perfect bouquet or purhcase one of their spectacular arrangements. The colours combinations are so vibrant. You can tell a lot of love and talent has gone into each one and the best bit is they start at just £20! The gifts also appeal to every pocket, with candles, vases and hand made jewellery starting at only a few pounds. This florist really is a breath of fresh air.

Ever wanted a frying pan that makes heart-shaped eggs? How…read moreabout a grill that makes toast with religious figures engraved on? Or a polka dot suitcase with a smaller polka dot case inside? In short, Oklahoma's Gift shop is a living and breathing homage to the art of Kitsch ahd Colourful accessories. There's big items like lampshades and clocks hanging from the walls and ceiling, wallpapers and posters behind the main counter and dozens of shelves and tables stacked high with all kinds of weird and wonderful nonsense. One of my favourite items is the old American Popcorn Machine filled with jewellery and the desk overflowing with stationary, plastic moustaches and candy cigarettes.

I have wanted to go to Oklahoma for at least a year now and just never got around to it! Eventually…read moretoday was the day...and I was not disappointed at all! This quirky and cutesy store was everything I dreamed of! I couldn't wait to let my purse loose and I was didn't leave empty handed! This place is great for knick knacks, xmas presents and homely decor for those (like me) that are obsessed with kitchenware, signs and much much more! I was careful and only bought a little Christmas tree decoration (part of a family tradition) I buy my Mum one each year and this winter it will be an addition of a cute glass bottle with a wish and fairy (glitter) floating around inside! Picture to follow...

These guys produced one of the most beautiful bouquets I have ever ordered before. They will add…read moreLittle touches that really make a difference such as diamante pins and butterflies. The owners are really passionate about flower arranging and will give you tips on how to get the best out of your flowers. The shop is beautiful and flowers are always fresh. If your looking to really impress someone this should be your first port of call.

Row's petals is absolutely gorgeous. It isn't just a florist. Yes, they sell flowers, plants and…read morevases, but they also offer giftware, candles, balloons, teddies, hand-made cards and even antique furniture! It's like walking into someone's private residence. The flowers themselves are stunning. Always fresh and always well arranged, they're hand-tied, accessorised and posed in purpose-made bags. You can tell that this place is an all-woman show, and I love that.