The Weather Cafe is not just a cafe, it’s also a public art installation created by artist David Shearing, featuring the voices of over 100 people living and connecting with Leeds. When you enter you become part of the installation too. As the name suggests the theme is weather and how it affects us (and for us British folk, this is our favourite subject), as David’s website explains:

“Inspired by the weather conditions of the moment, the sound responds to the shifting winds, the rising and falling humidity and the visibility of the sky – the space becomes its own digital microclimate.”

Upon on entering it’s a feast for all the senses; touch, taste, smell and sound. There’s a thick carpet of grass which meets you at the door and runs throughout the cafe, offering you the sense and smell of rainy summer days that this wonderful island is known for. Watch out for the rain too, but don’t worry, there’s plenty of jars to collect the falling drops! There’s also a display of what appears to be scientific experiments depicting air/pollution levels and temperature gauges. Against another wall old televisions play scenes of clouds and birds flying in the sky, which all fit with the weather playing out inside the cafe.

Take a seat at one of the wooden tables and you will be offered three things; a menu, a set of headphones and a booklet. Choose your tea wisely and depending on your mood maybe try Noon Grey, Lingering Fog or Fresh Breeze? I opted for Yorkshire Clouds; a strong, bold tea, a perfect pick me up after a morning rushing around the city. Whilst enjoying your tea pop on your headphones and take time to listen to the stories told by the local people of Leeds, recorded over the past three months, covering subjects such as the weather, money, illness, personalities and even death. I noted that these stories made me feel human again, that everyone goes through tough times and whatever you may be feeling at that particular moment, there is someone else going through it too.

The space is small and intimate and perfectly submerges you within the elements. It’s great fun too to experience the weather indoors. The lights brighten then dim to reflect the sun. There’s sporadic burst of fog, and those fans in the corner? … it can get a bit breezy! All this happens whilst a melodic soundtrack plays in the background, perfectly suiting the mood of the weather at that moment. Listen, feel and immerse yourself.

At the end of your experience you’re invited to write down how you feel, mapping it out on a graph, and I can guarantee you’ll notice that you feel a lot calmer and rested than you did when entering the cafe. I urge anyone to visit The Weather Cafe and be part of the experience that David has created, you won’t regret it.

The Weather Cafe is on The Headroom, opposite the Art Gallery, 1st – 20th March 2016

The post Feeling rested at The Weather Cafe appeared first on Danni Saw This.

Something a little bit different for today’s post. The lovely guy’s at Daniel Footwear have put together a great guide for spending 24 hours in Leeds, which includes ideas where to eat, drink and of course shop. Over the past few years there has been lots of wonderful and unique places opening in Leeds, some of which are on this list.I’ve visited a few and can wholly recommend them, and others I’ve still yet to visit; they’re on my to do list.

So, if you’re looking at spending 24 hours in Leeds or just want a recommendation for a night out with friends, then this guide if for you…

As the third-largest in the UK, there’s plenty going on in the West Yorkshire city of Leeds. To help you make the most of your time there, we’ve put together this handy guide to the very best places to eat, drink, sip, dance and shop.

We’ve even thrown in some style tips as well, so you can look the part too. Read on to find out more…

Eat

Exploring all that Leeds has to offer can leave you feeling hungry! Thankfully, we’ve picked out the finest eateries in the city to keep you refreshed and refuelled.

Trinity Kitchen

Located in the popular Trinity Leeds shopping centre, Trinity Kitchen caters to every taste, so it’s perfect for groups of fussy eaters! Incorporating a cool, street food-inspired vibe, the kitchen is home to a variety of vibrant restaurants and eateries, each offering their own unique take on traditional cuisine.

One of our go-to eateries is Rola Wala, a must-visit for fans of Indian street food. All meals are made fresh using the finest ingredients and their classic naan roll is something to be experienced.

Find out more about Rola Wala at www.rolawala.com. More information about all of the Trinity Kitchen restaurants can be found here: www.trinityleeds.com/trinitykitchen.

Reds True Barbeque

If you’re looking for barbeque food in Leeds, there’s only one place to go: Reds True Barbeque. Located close to Leeds’ famous Corn Exchange, the super-cool restaurant specialises in ribs, brisket, steaks, burgers and more.

Whichever meal you choose, make sure you give the mouth-watering table sauces a try. Will you stick to Judas Ketchup or dare you try the Triple 6 hot sauce? As you’d expect, the restaurant gets super busy, so it’s always best to reserve your table in advance.

Find out more at www.truebarbecue.com.

Town Hall Tavern

No trip to Leeds would be complete without a generous helping of traditional Yorkshire food and the Town Hall Tavern does not disappoint. Despite being located in the city centre, the pub has a definite village feel. Give the Yorkshire beef pie a whirl midweek, or visit on a Sunday to experience the pub’s incredible roasts. The homemade Yorkshire puddings are to die for!

Find out more at www.townhalltavernleeds.co.uk.

Drink

Leeds presents a magnificent blend of cocktail bars, exclusive lounges and homely British pubs. You’ll find a list of our favourite hotspots below:

The Alchemist

Heading out for cocktails? You need to try The Alchemist, located in the Leeds Trinity shopping centre. Serving up laboratory-inspired cocktails that bubble, smoke and even change colour, this polished bar is the perfect place to start your night or refresh after a long shopping day.

If you’re in Leeds for a special occasion, check out The Alchemist’s Cocktail Masterclass. Perfect for groups of 6 – 12, a dedicated mixologist will show you how to craft the brand’s signature cocktails.

Find out more at www.thealchemist.uk.com.

SkyLounge

Located at the top of the Doubletree by Hilton Leeds, SkyLounge offers incredible views over the city’s canals. The bar boasts a fantastic selection of cocktails, wine and champagne with a sleek, modern décor — it’s the ideal location to celebrate a special event.

During the weekends, the bar even offers afternoon tea, so you can enjoy a relaxing bite to eat as you take in the views of this incredible city.

Find out more at www.doubletree.hilton.com.

The Maven

Located on Call Lane, you may struggle to find The Maven. With an unmarked entrance, you run the risk of missing this hidden gem — keep an eye out for a plain black door.

Once there, you can experience all the bar has to offer. While enjoying the chilled vibe, you can watch as the experienced mixologists serve up tasty cocktails to your exact preference. There’s even a Hendricks gin bar for good measure too.

Find out more at www.themavenbar.com/.

Sip

Laynes Espresso

Just minutes from Leeds Central train station, Laynes Espresso is a haven for coffee lovers. Using artisan-roasted coffee beans, the shop creates quality brews. As well as their signature beans, the coffee shop is host to guest coffee like The Barn. Whether you opt for a cappuccino or latte, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a hot drink and sweet treat.

Find out more at www.laynesespresso.co.uk.

Dance

Time to hit the dancefloor? Here’s where you should head:

Smokestack

If you like soul, motown, blues and funk, make sure you head to Smokestack. The venue itself is super-cool. Split over two floors, the ground floor is home to The Lounge. Decorated with music-inspired art, it’s the perfect place to enjoy the bar’s fine selection of liquor.

After a tipple, why not make your way upstairs and onto the dancefloor? The resident and guest DJs play tunes you just have to dance to. Find out more at www.smokestackleeds.co.uk.

Shop

Splash the cash in the finest boutiques, department stores and high street outlets. Here are our retail therapy hotspots in Leeds:

Trinity Leeds

With over 120 shops, Trinity Leeds is the city’s largest shopping centre. Featuring everything from high street fashion stores to designer jewellers, this open and modern shopping arena is the perfect place to enjoy a spot of retail therapy.

Find out more at www.trinityleeds.com.

Victoria Quarter

For high-end boutiques, head to Leeds’ Victoria Quarter. There, you’ll find prestigious brands like Louis Vuitton, Mulberry and Paul Smith, as well as the exclusive department store, Harvey Nichols. Spend your day perusing the designer goods on offer or admire the exquisite Grade II architecture that houses the boutiques.

Corn Exchange

If it’s something different you’re looking for, you need to visit the Leeds Corn Exchange. The Grade I Victorian building is home to a selection of Yorkshire’s finest independent retailers. Whether you’re looking for a quirky gift from Culture Vulture, handmade jewellery from Outrage Jewellery or want to browse Mad Elizabeth’s vintage clothing offering, this place truly has it all.

Street Lane

A little further out from the city centre is Street Lane, home to a selection of designer boutiques including our own Daniel Footwear store. Also in the area is luxury clothing store Room 7 and Share Jewellers, which offers incredible designer jewellery.

Dress Codes

Overall, the residents of Leeds tend to adopt a relatively laidback dress code. During the day, women can be seen in casual dresses, tights and flat shoes, with a chunky cardigan thrown over to combat the cooler Yorkshire climate! For men, jeans, relaxed shirts and casual trainers is the order of the day.

Your evening dress code will largely depend on where you’re heading. If you’re going out for drinks and food, we suggest keeping it smart casual. An on-trend blazer paired with a blouse, chic pair of trousers and pointed heels will work well for ladies. Men should wear a pair of dark jeans, crisp shirt and classic brogues.

When celebrating a special occasion, you may want to swap your outfits for a cocktail dress and tailored suit.

The post 24 Hours in Leeds with Daniel Footwear appeared first on Danni Saw This.

I have a serious case of the Monday Greens today, not the blues, as I share with you some of my favourite green illustrations that I’ve been collecting over the past few weeks on Pinterest.

There is a beautiful eclectic mix of illustrative styles here, and as a collective I think they all sit well and compliment one another. The light green hues used in these illustrations are very delicate and offer a sense of serene for this Monday morning, in light of a busy week ahead.

1. La Librairie de la Pomme Verte by Vincent Mahe  2. Girl by Dung Ho  3. Budgie by Dimdi  4. Sink Dipping Illustrator Unknown  5. Wall & Deco by Alessandro Gottardo  6. & 7. Synchro Swim Patten by Simone Massoni  8. Dove by Rob Hodgson  9. Just Swim by Monica Ramos

I urge you to check out further works from these talented illustrators, there are some wonderfull illustrations on offer that will surely raise a smile today.

The post My Favourite Green Illustrations appeared first on Danni Saw This.

Well that went quick. We’re only a week into 2016 and I’m roaring, sorry raring to go! Not only do I love this photo, (colours, styling and wallpaper!) but it perfectly shows how I’m feeling right now; I’m back having lots of fun blogging and my spirit is fearsome haha! There’s no stopping me and let’s hope it continues for the rest of the year.

Happy weekend x

The post Roaring into 2016 appeared first on Danni Saw This.

Hello November, I can’t quite believe you’re here already. I woke up this morning thinking ‘how has it got to November so soon?’ But then I started to think about all the things I love about this month…

The misty dark nights that make you feel cosy.
Bonfire night and the smell of fireworks in the air.
Big scarves and wooly hats.
Bright blue skies that fool you into thinking it’s warmer than it actually is.
We’re slowly moving into the depths of Winter.
The colours, oh the beautiful, crisp colours that nature offers.

And finally… the anticipation of Christmas, without wishing the month away. November, I’m pleased to see you.

What’s your favourite month?

The post November Details appeared first on Danni Saw This.

These mesmerising skull designs are by Ali Gulec of Ikiiki Design Studio and they instantly caught my eye when I found them. I particularly like the skulls that seem to either melt into or push through the backgrounds, like the designs above, depending on how you first interpret them, making them appear three dimensional.

I have a soft spot for skulls and with Halloween just around the corner, I thought it would be a perfect time to share them with you. I love how Ali has used various subjects to build up the designs, giving each skull it’s own character and personality.

More of Ali’s work can be found on his website here. All images are copyright and courtesy of Ali Gulec.

The post Ikiiki Skulls appeared first on Danni Saw This.

Andrey Plotnikov 

Robot Food

Work

Nora Kaszanyi

Boheem

Absolut Vodka   YiRan Carroll

More of my favourite packaging designs can be found on my I Love Design Pinterest page

The post My Love of Packaging appeared first on Danni Saw This.

There is a lovely vintage feel/style to the photos, with the use of inanimate objects as support. I would love to see these images replicated but using males instead, how would they look and what objects would be used to offer their support?

More photos from the Sleep Elevations project can be found on Maia’s website along with other great work.

Images are copyright and courtesy of Maia Flore

The post Sleep Elevations by Maia Flore appeared first on Danni Saw This.

Each planet seems to take on it’s own personality, with a different gelato chosen to represent said planet. And the colours… oh the colours… pastel brights, which are some of my favourite at the moment, they perfectly balance and compliment the gelato without taking away the focus. These are just a few of the prints from Tom’s Gelato System project and more can be seen on his Bechance page here

Images are courtesy and copyright to Tom Jueris

The post Planets as you’ve never seen them before appeared first on Danni Saw This.

Today I’m enjoying an extra day to my weekend and the last bank holiday until Christmas, eek! Instead of posting nothing I thought I’d share with you a few images I’m loving over on Pinterest right now. I really like the colours and the simple imagery used, they compliment each other well. I hope you like them too.

Gelato System by Tom Jeuris.
Unfortunately not all of these images are credited as I cannot source the original designers. If you know who they are please let me know so I can credit them accordingly, thank you!

The post Enjoying the Bank Holiday appeared first on Danni Saw This.