I went to London and visited Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model

I have to admit I haven't really watched the series, but me and my sister went to Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model Live at the Excel Centre,  London, last year and loved it. Who wouldn't love freebies, and discount fashion items.

We went to the catwalk show, which had twelve very fit male dancers and the girls walking down the catwalk in some great dresses. There was also some singers Bluey Robinson who was quite good and another band who were rubbish and I can't remember who they were.

The fashion show was really good though, I went last year and I do think this year was much better.

As well as the model and TV show element, there are also a lot of stalls of fashion and beauty items. Most on offer are online boutiques but there are also some big names selling items at discount prices.

If you are a bargain hunter you would love it!

Here is my load from the day....

So there is the goodie show bag, £5; the Cosmopolitan and Company bag £3 but we got two with the current issues and loads of goodies; you get loads of free stuff just walking about; I also got a Jelly Pong Pong cosmetics goodie bag £5 for two plus Rihanna's perfume Reb'l Fleur £20 for 100ml with a roll on version and clutch bag; and two new Saturday's Magnetism nail polishes and the magnet for £10 (I will do a separate post on this). I think that is it but it was a good day!

Winner Jade

Shows like this one and The Clothes Show are really good and you can just wonder round get some free drinks and food and just enjoy fashion.

I was surprised actually that two Essex's girls were there. My sister bought Lauren Goodger's fake tan (http://www.laurengoodgerofficial.co.uk/) Glam Tan, my sister has a very pale complexion but this tan looked really good and quite natural. I was surprised at the price points on it, obviously it was cheaper but at full price it was really good. Unfortunately we went home before we could see Lauren on person.

However, we did catch a glimpse of ex-TOWIE Amy Childs. She is launching her own clothing range which I do really like, if you have seen her in that red dress with the brown belt high top, tight fitting, well that is one of her own designers!! All the dresses are just gorgeous and priced about £50 to £70. We did try to meet Amy but you had to buy either her fake tan or eyelashes, which she would sign. So instead we had a look around the clothes and just got a peak of her. She is very pretty with massive hair. We did talk to her stylist though who was lovely. Amy's online store isn't open yet but her website is... http://www.amychildsofficial.co.uk/

BNITNM Live was really good and I would suggest going on the Sunday as a lot of the stalls slash their prices as it is the last. day.

So the live show is what it says on the tin 'a great girl's day out', it can tire you out though but well worth the handbag arm (the pain you get when you have your bag on your arm rather than on your shoulder). We came home with about six bags each. 

Web address: http://www.bntmlive.com/

Katy Perry, Bournemouth International Centre, 31st March 2011

***SPOILER ALERT***


Just to pre-warn you that this review does include details of the gig including the opening song and other songs she sings, so if you are going to see her and don't want to know, please do not read on!


Ok, warning over let the review commence.


First when we got to the venue there was a distinct smell of strawberry cupcake. I had heard that she perfumed the venues but I didn't actually believe it to be true until we got there.  It was a fantastic concept though; it got me thinking about what other singers would have, Lady Gaga? Bieber? The mind boggles as to what others would choose.


Anyway back to the gig if Gaga is showing the dark side of pop with the angular features and skeletons in Born This Way, then Katy Perry is certainly the sugary sweet side. Her set was made up of big lollipops, cupcakes and pink clouds.


The gig started with a little film about how she used to be butcher's helper but was sacked and while walking past a bakery she fell in love with the baker’s boy and bought a cupcake. Once at home she has a dream that her kitty disappears through the cat flap, she follows and ends up in a sugary dream world. The tour follows Katy's journey to find her kitty and to the baker's ball, a bit different from Gaga's Monster's Ball but equally as brilliant. It is very dreamy like and full of pastel colours, if it went on for longer than two hours you get an instant sugar rush and need a sit down. It is a feast for the eyes on your sweet tooth.


She came out to Teenage Dreams, I was really surprised as I do think its a good song but I didn't think it was as up tempo as say California Gurls or Hot 'n' Cold, which I thought would get the crowd ready for action. 


Perry sang a range of songs from both albums and delivered each note-perfect. Her voice is amazing live, you can really tell that she used to be a gospel singer, the quality of her voice carries around an arena like the BIC and I am sure that when she goes to the O2 it will carry there.

During the middle of the gig she said she would act as a jukebox and asked for people to throw a pound on the stage so she would sing any song they wanted (one pound hit Katy in the head, another hit the guitar). Apparently the crowd requested Rihanna Only Girl in the World, a Jay Z song, Lady Gaga Born this Way and Willow Smith Whip my head. She gave the songs a new twist and Born this Way was just mesmerizing! Her voice brought a new quality to the song, which made it heavenly.

Known for her crazy costumes she had about sixteen changes in total, she had about seven in one song. And one wig change from black to blue.

Fans from the beginning were not disappointed as she sung I Kissed a Girl, Hot 'n' Cold, You're so Gay, as well as new songs such as  California Gurls, and Fireworks.

She crowd pleasers, which seemed to get the room jumping, songs such as  Last Friday Night T.G.I.F, Waking up in Vegas and new song  E.T. At the same time her voice could change from a rocky number to the more melodic captivating, Not like the movies was sung on a swing and the emotion was raw, you can tell she is a woman in love.

Katy Perry talked to the crowd and seemed like a genuinely nice person. She told the crowd how she felt very British and how much she loved My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, and that over Christmas she gained two stone eating beans on toast and watching The Only Way is Essex. She's a true Brit, that’s for sure. J

Overall, Katy Perry is a stage performer with a heart. You can tell that she loves what she does and loves the audience. Her voice is amazing, she looks amazing and if you get the chance to see her, go, she puts on a fantastic show, not many shows have bubbles, fireworks, confetti, and beach balls.

Katy Perry is the kitty's pyjamas.

all photos were taken by me.