The "Sheffield" look

In recent magazine articles and on several beauty programmes the older generations have been outraged by what young girls look like on a night out; saying that they wear too much make-up, show off their body too much and look like they have no respect for themselves.

So I decided to see if in Sheffield we conformed to this stereotype.

Is there a specific look girls in Sheffield (locals and students) should have on a night out?
I recently asked friends from Sheffield and off my course along with some other girls in the library whether they think that there is specific look to have on a night out in Sheffield.

This is what defines the "Sheffield look":
1. Hair extentions, the longer the better.
2. Fake tan (obviously a more natural holiday glow rather than tangerine)
3. Fake eyelashes, to make your eyes "pop".
4. Fake nails
5. Heels, a must have - the higher the better.
6. Show off as much flesh as possible whether in the new crazed TopShop hot pants or a short tight dress.

I very much doubt this "look" is just in Sheffield, but is all this too much? Aren't we just making ourselves into something we're not? Something fake?

The girls told me that they think we have a range of looks in Sheffield and that we're lucky that we don't all have to look the same like in most cities their friends go to, where they feel a pressure to look a certain way. To be honest I have felt in certain clubs there seems to be a subliminal dress code for girls but overall i don't think we have too much to worry about, and I don't think I have been converted to the Sheffield "look" just yet...

Girls Beware

The recent LADculture is on the rise! Too many little boys out there think that they're "big men". I've recently found out that several of my male friends have tested positive for chlamydia; and if that's not bad enough - they're proud of it! It's just one big joke to them. They see it as a trophy for all the girls they've "banged". So be warned that when you meet a seemingly nice guy on a night out he may only just want one thing...and give you another.

Are Tuesdays and Thursdays the new Mondays and Fridays?

I've recently discovered new nights out that i think need to be recognised! The University of Sheffield's Tuesday night out - The Tuesday Club, a night of dub step and quite often well known or up and coming djs. I really enjoyed myself, it isn't the sort of place that you dress to impress and in that sense it was pretty laid back. Be warned though there are quite a lot of hard core dancers and a lot of pushing and shoving if you gravitate towards the middle of the dancefloor -  i hovered around the edges. Drinks are reasonable (although it's no Leadmill with 80p drinks!) cans and jager bombs around £2.
http://www.facebook.com/tuesdayclub.sheffield?ref=ts

The new and i think possibly best big night out in Sheffield is...Carver Street!
£4 wristbands that get you into 4 bars and clubs on Carver Street - Beg Borrow, Steal, Paris, The Viper Rooms and Crysyal
Good drinks deals (e.g. 2 cocktails for £5) and good music! What's more do you want?!
http://www.facebook.com/CarverStreet

A Sad Day In Sheffield

the vintage shop with no name has closed down :'(

but there is a replacement! where GStarRaw used to be, a new shop has been set up; simply called 'vintage shop'. Obviously i have already been in and made a purchase! It hasn't got the same bargains as the previous shop (e.g. bargain priced levis shorts/jeans) but is good for jumpers, especially American Football ones - a particular favourite of mine :) 

Housing

From around October onwards the search for the perfect second year house/flat begins....


Some people go a bit crazy and get really stressed but remember that Sheffield is a big STUDENT city so it will have PLENTY of houses.


Always go to several viewings before deciding on 'the one' though, as many of my friends rushed into buying and then regretted it.


A few useful tips:

- Work out your budget as only some houses will provide all-inclusive bills like in halls. So if a house is advertised as £80 a week with bills added on top it isn't such a good deal. Aim to look for houses priced between £65-£75 and remember that generally you pay more for nicer/bigger houses.
- Work out what you want from your house before looking e.g. some people (mostly girls admittedly) want a bath and this is priority
- I would advise looking for somewhere with a reasonable kitchen and living area as if you're having people over you don't want it to be cramped and remember that you might all want to use the kitchen at the same time and if it's too small this may cause arguments.
- Make sure you are living with people you really get on with
- Make a rota as to who gets essentials you all use e.g. toilet paper, washing up liquid, paper towels, detergent etc. to avoid arguments over who used it last/most/who's turn it is to buy more


Best places to look:


Hallam:

1. Eccy (Eccelsall) Road [perfect for students at Collegiate Campus]

Pros:
- Eccy road is full of restaurants
- Home to some of the best pubs in Sheffield e.g. The Nursery Tavern (The Tav)
- Own washing machine


Cons:
- Some houses aren't as nice as others, stick to the roads nearest to the Uni
- It's about a 15-20 min walk from the city centre/ 50p bus ride with your student card (it's a longer walk than you think and if you have 9am lectures it isn't fun)
- Nearest supermarkets are Tesco Metro, Waitrose & Marks and Sparks so lots of £s, but that's what you get for living in a nicer area
- Will have to get cabs on nights out = spending extra £

2. Norfolk Park Student Village

Pros:
- Near Aldi
- Near the Casino
- Near Puregym
- Near 24/7 Maccys (perfect post night out food)
- Near Leadmill (one of the best if not the best club in sheff!)
- Quite far from West Street Bars and other clubs would have to get cabs = £!
- Near to City Campus
- Near to tram stops
- Near to the station
- Good size bedrooms & kitchen
- Easy to make friends with your neighbours

Cons:
- At the top of a massive hill
- A trek if you go to Collegiate Crescent campus (20-30mins walk)
- Can't get a 50p bus into town (i think it's £1.30)
- Does still feel like Halls (this could also be a plus point for some)
- Still have to pay £3.50 for washing
- Doesn't feel as homely as normal student housing
- Need to be careful with your belongings as it's a hot spot for thieves (I personally know someone who left their window open while they were in the kitchen making a cup of tea and there laptop was stolen)
- Need your keys to get out this could prove awkward with one night stands


Uni of:

Crookesmoor

Pros:
- Big houses
- Reasonably near to the uni (10-15 min walk)
- Nice local pubs
- Own washing machine

Cons:
- Up hill walk home
- Quite a trek to the city centre (15-20 min walk)
- Will have to get cabs on nights out = spending extra £

Both:

West Street
There's loads of flats on west street: above Tesco, above Tiger Works Bar, West One flats (by Vodka Revs)...
Houses there are less of but they are really nice, newly furbished and large. Situated behind Vodka Revs & West One

Pros:
- Ideal location for getting to both Universities
- Right in the city centre
- Won't have to get cabs on a night out
- Near to several cheap-ish supermarkets 
- Own washing machine

Cons:
- Could be quite noisy
- Prices may  be higher because you're closer to the centre


OR... You could always live in halls again...

Vintaaaage!

 

Sheffield is amazing for vintage/second-hand shops.
most charity shops in Sheffield don't have that much in the way of clothing, but we're lucky enough to have lots of second-hand shops with TONS.

COW., Freshman's and the vintage shop with no name as it's referred to in our flat (there's no sign above the shop but on the bags it reads 'it's not vintage it's second-hand stupid') are all you need to kit out your wardrobe with the latest trends at 1/2 the price!

Freshman's on Carver St. ideal for jumpers &bags & retro footie shirts. Also have visors - handy for Pub Golf.

COW on West St. is amazing for pretty much everything, men's & women's - i find in particular jumpers and bags.

The vintage shop with no name on Division St. has Levi jeans (they have piles and piles) that they will cut into shorts there for you at £8!

The Forum, voted a hot destination by Cosmopolitan magazine, is also good for vintage finds, but isn't as cheap as the one's above. This place is more for the die-hard vintage fans. The boutiques are lovely and quaint, my favourite being Vintage Style by Lottiebel's Boutique - a girls paradise with vintage clothing, jewellery, shoes, bags, hats, scalves, belts, sunglasses...