New Competition: Win an Aperol Spritz Kit

So, you've just read today's post on the new Aperol Spritz Social bar at Spinningfields, and are now embarking upon one of two possible courses of action. Some of you will have noted that the sun is now shining, and are halfway to Spinningfields already, leaving nothing but a cloud of speedy dust in your wake as you bear down on the bartender with a fist full of cash ready to be swapped for Aperol. Some of you though will be wringing your hands in anguish, crying "Liz! It DOES sound amazing, but I have work tomorrow/am mourning the demise of Rafael Nadal/am engaged in a Breaking Bad marathon/fear the pyjamas I am currently sporting are unsuitable attire for a nice bar*"

*delete as appropriate

Fortunately, help is at hand, for you can win yourself all you need to make a whole phalanx of Aperol Spritzes right HERE. I have two Aperol Spritz Kits to give away, each including 1 bottle Aperol, 1 bottle Prosecco and 1 bottle Soda water, and it really couldn't be easier: just read the following, and then answer the devastatingly difficult question at the end.

How to make (Competition Kit includes the below)
Making an Aperol Spritz is as easy as 3, 2, 1 - just get a large wine glass and follow the simple instructions:
Add 3 parts of Prosecco or any other dry sparkling wine to a wine glass
Next add 2 parts of Aperol
Add 1 splash of soda
And top with Ice cubes and a slice of orange

Sunny and full of vitality, the achingly hip and unique Aperol Spritz taste is deliciously Italian but with total international appeal, fast becoming a cult aperitif in the UK, as well as throughout Europe and across all continents. To win one of two Aperol Spritz Kits, containing everything you need to create the perfect Aperol Spritz at home, all you need to do is answer this question:

What proportion of Prosecco to Aperol to Soda Water makes the perfect Aperol Spritz?

To be in with a chance of winning, simply email your answer to manchestercomps@outlook.com by midnight on Friday 5th July, when two winners will be drawn at random. Good luck!

Competition Winner: I Need Pampering - in which I am the WORST Noel Edmonds in HISTORY

Just a quick update on the winner of the lovely Manchester Spa Day from I Need Pampering - I think you all know I was looking forward to playing Noel on this one, generously bestowing gifts upon the deserving, pausing only to polish my halo. Well, turns out that I'm rubbish at benevolence, because I wish to give prizes to EVERYONE - even after a few entries had been ruled out (either because the nominee wasn't anywhere near Manchester, or because people had nominated themselves which, whilst not exactly against the rules, wasn't really in keeping with the spirit of the whole thing), there were still loads of really lovely-sounding people left.

So, I delegated. I chose a few I thought were particularly deserving and then passed them over to a more rational/neutral/cold-hearted friend (she can delete as she sees appropriate) to make the final decision. And she chose a lovely Manchester mum called Julie, nominated by her daughter for more reasons than I can list here; suffice to say she is a worthy winner and thoroughly meritorious of her day of pampering.

Have a lovely spa day Julie, and thanks again to I Need Pampering for such a gorgeous prize.

Competition Time - Win a Manchester Spa Day with I Need Pampering: Local Girl Gets to Play Noel

Toss your hat in the air and shout "huzzah!", for 'tis competition time again - and it's a good one. And, truth be told, I'm particularly excited about this one as it has a whiff of Noel's Christmas Presents about it - I'm already picturing myself all twinkly-eyed, sporting an unpleasantly-patterned sweater and a sinister little beard, benevolently bestowing goodies upon the deserving people of this world.

For this is a competition which invites you to nominate someone deserving of a treat, some pampering, some spoiling - perhaps your mum, or a work colleague, or a friend, or even your favourite blogger, who toils tirelessly and selflessly on your behalf, round the clock (oh no, wait - I'm Noel, aren't I - scrap that last bit).

So here's how it works. Manchester based gift experience company, I Need Pampering, have launched a competition for our readers here at Things to do in Manchester, giving away a fantastic spa day experience from a selection of their Manchester spa days gifts. The winner may spend up to £100 on a spa day of their choice - I Need Pampering have loads of different experience days and gifts in and around Manchester, as you can see via the attached link.

I would like to know who deserves a fantastic day out in a luxury spa, who has done something amazing this year regardless of how large or small? Is there someone in your life who has shown an incredible amount of kindness this year? Someone who has suffered this year and is deserving of a fabulous day out? Or, ahem, just someone who will make your life a misery if you don't nominate them?

You need to send me your nominations to the normal email address (manchestercomps@outlook.com), making it clear who this person is and why they deserve to win. At the end of October I will choose a winner, who will win a complimentary spa day with spa treatments included to be used at any time over the next 12 months. My decision is final, and may well be based on who makes me cry the most into my reindeer-patterned sweater (note - I will NOT then provide an "additional" surprise in the studio in the form of a pile of toys, car, do up your kitchen whilst you're out etc etc). I can however promise you infinite amounts of good karma if you're the person who nomintes the eventual winner (or they'll owe you a bottle of wine, at least).

So thanks again to I Need Pampering for this lovely prize - now go get nominating! *hankies at the ready*

Competition Time: Win a Pair of Tickets for Rat Pack Live at The Lowry, Salford in September 2012

One of the very nicest things about getting older is that you're allowed to like whatever music you want, without fear of recrimination. This is particularly true if you spend your daylight hours in the company of people in their late teens, who are uniformly so amazed that you can walk and talk under your own steam that they are in danger of passing out altogether should they discover that you shop at TopShop and have a passing familiarity with what I believe is known in modern youth vernacular as the Hit Parade. Even better, as in their heads you are approximately 115 years old they gape in sheer astonishment as you admire their Joy Division or Blondie t-shirt, or comment sadly on your inability to get hold of Stone Roses tickets.

However, whilst it's wholly acceptable (and indeed admirable) to cling fondly to the songs from your 80s and 90s teenage years, it is also entirely permissable to mock your long-suffering husband for listening to Old FM in the car. I have long since enjoyed this pursuit, soundly haranguing poor Mr Liz for his love of what can only be described as "music off of black and white" - until recently, that is. I have gradually come round to his love of Frank Sinatra (particularly the big New York, New York type numbers, which lend themselves so splendidly to singing along at the top of one's voice in the confines of a car, much to the delight of the person unlucky enough to be driving at the time) and Dean Martin, whose Volare simply DEMANDS to be belted out in an authentically sultry Italian style.

So it is with little reluctance that I am accompanying an excited Mr Liz to see Rat Pack Live at The Lowry on Friday 7th September - a brand new show featuring the music of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr which brings the stars from the West End hit Rat Pack Live from Las Vegas to the altogether more glamorous surroundings of Rat Pack Live from, erm, Salford. You can find out more about the show here, on The Lowry website, but - even more excitingly - you can win a pair of tickets to see the show HERE. Over to the experts...

Things to do in Manchester has teamed up with the producers of the Rat Pack Live concert show to give a lucky reader the chance of winning a pair of tickets to see the spectacular production at the Lowry Theatre, Salford on Friday 7th September 2012 at 7.30pm.

It's the ultimate tribute to legendary Fifties and Sixties phenomenon the Rat Pack – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jnr. They were the definition of cool during their Fifties and Sixties Vegas heyday – just ask Mr Liz. Combining the full sound of big band swing with charisma, panache and swagger, the trio – collectively known as The Rat Pack – had attitude to spare.

Join the UK’s original Rat Pack concert show, featuring stars of the West End smash hit Rat Pack Live from Las Vegas:

Following his triumphant portrayal of Dean Martin in London’s West End, Mark Halliday went on to tour the USA, Europe and the UK with the famous production. Other credits include two years in the States creating the role of Hades in Disney’s new musical Hercules plus lead appearances in runaway touring hit shows Girls Night Out and Aspects of Love.

The evening’s Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jnr boast similarly impressive credentials including, respectively:
· Starring roles with the BBC Concert Orchestra, Passadena Roof Orchestra and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra plus appearances with the likes of Sandie Shaw, Sophie Ellis Bextor and Mica Paris
· National tours portraying Sammy Davis Jnr with the West End Rat Pack and Nat King Cole in Strictly Swing.

Together the talented trio combine superbly. . .spectacularly. . . swingsationally in The Rat Pack Live. Featuring all the patter and razzamatazz of the Rat Pack’s infamous live stage show, join the UK’s number one Frank, Dean and Sammy live concert extravaganza. Prepare to experience the definition of cool…courtesy of www.easytheatres.com.

To win tickets please answer this simple question: The Rat Pack Live features tributes to Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jnr and which other famous Fifties and Sixties crooner? The first entry drawn will win a pair of tickets to the show.

Send your answer by email to manchestercomps@hotmail.co.uk with your name, address, email address and daytime phone number before the closing date of midnight on Sunday 1st July 2012. First prize will go to the first entry randomly drawn on this date. There is no cash alternative. Usual rules apply and my decision is final (I LOVE saying this).

To buy tickets contact The Lowry Box office via their website or by calling 0843 208 6000 between 9.30am and 8pm Monday to Saturday or 11am and 6pm on Sundays.

Good luck...and I'll leave you with this publicity shot of the cast, winningly entitled "New rats" - I'm off to practise my a-swinging and a-crooning.

Giraffe Competition Winners

Thanks to everyone who entered the competition to win vouchers to spend at any Giraffe restaurant; Mr Liz (sulking, as he wasn't allowed to join in) has drawn the following winners.

First place (and £30 of vouchers) goes to Vicky Morton of Macclesfield, second placed (£20) is Sian Jones of Heaton Moor, and third is Emma Meredith-Shone from Stalybridge. Now remember, while the camera is still on us, we need to smile graciously and applaud as if we're pleased for them; as soon as no-one is looking feel free to curse them for their good fortune (or ring up and angle for an invite if you know them.)

Thanks again to Giraffe for their generosity, and for being the kind of restaurant that won't mind at all if you spend your vouchers entirely on cocktails.

Win Vouchers For Giraffe Restaurant

If there’s one thing I’m partial to, it’s a competition. And if there’s another thing that's been known to tickle my fancy, it’s food. Now imagine, if you dare to enter such a glorious, unfettered fantasy world, a combination of the above that allows you to WIN FOOD, by ENTERING A COMPETITION. I know – amazing.

This is all courtesy of Giraffe, the jaunty restaurant chain with the pleasingly eclectic menu – as someone who likes pretty much every food on the planet, and can never quite decide what she fancies eating at any given moment, Giraffe is an excellent bet. My favourite menu items vary between the Lamb Focaccia Burger, the Hot Duck Stir Fry, the BBQ Baby Back Ribs, and the Falafel Burger (well, it does of course pay to select an, erm, healthy vegetarian option from time to time *saintly face*) but I’ve bravely tried pretty much everything, and never yet come across anything I didn’t like.

They also do some very enticing offers: any burger is just £5.50 on a Tuesday after 5pm; the Feel Good Menu any day after 5pm allows the greedy diner two courses from a selection for £9.95; and, even better, Bar Buddies (Mon-Fri between 5 and 7pm; Sundays from six) forces normally very sensible and abstemious girls to drink selected beverages for half price. So, yes, I know that independent is good, and interesting, and different, but sometimes I want to go a chain I know, and can trust to serve my husband a burger of sufficient magnitude to satisfy his exacting requirements. He also likes the fact they give you an enormous crate of condiments, and often puts a different one on each separate inch of burger, just because he can, and no-one stops him (they are VERY tolerant and friendly at Giraffe).

I’m delighted, then, that Giraffe Restaurants have kindly given me not one but THREE vouchers to give away, although I am less delighted to note that once again I am exempt; I mean, what’s the point in having a competition you can’t win yourself? Anyway, first prize is a £30 voucher to spend at any Giraffe, with £20 for second place and £15 for third. To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the following question:

One of Giraffe’s Manchester restaurants is located in the Trafford Centre; one is at the Airpoirt; where is the other?

Simply email your answer to manchestercomps@hotmail.co.uk, to reach me by midnight on Saturday 9th July 2011 - the first three selected at random will receive vouchers (as long as you're not me or Mr Liz - tsk). You can find the answer to the competition question on the Giraffe website; or you could simply go there to look at pictures of their lovely food, as I sometimes do. Good luck :)

Hilton Worldwide Hotels Competition - £400 of Vouchers To Be Won

I live in a perfectly nice house; indeed, I would go so far as to say that I'm not far off being one of those Ikea catalogue-toting fanatics who spend hours cooing over assorted throws, candles and paint finishes at any given opportunity. I have a whole variety of rooms that I may enter at any time, a bathroom filled with quality products in actual useful-sized bottles, and an entire fridge full of wine that I may drink from whenever I please.

So why am I slightly obsessed with hotels? Essentially these are places that charge you for a smaller version of the facilities you have at home anyway, except with slightly fluffier towels and a trouser press that your husband will insist on attempting to use after he's been rooting in the minibar. And yet, no matter where we stay, I practically SPRINT down the lushly carpeted corridors to check out my new temporary home, running from bedroom to bathroom and opening every cupboard and door to see what excitement may be lurking behind each one. What's more, I am fairly sure I am not alone in this.

So it is with much interest that I note Hilton Worldwide Hotels are running a Winter Sale at the moment, offering 50% off weekend breaks throughout 2011 as long as you book before 31st January. I have had some most enjoyable Hilton Worldwide breaks in the past; indeed, when my husband worked away in London for two years, although I obviously went through much pain, anguish, heartbreak etc etc, the blow was softened considerably by the fact that I could go and visit him (soothe pain and loneliness) AND bag a weekend stay at the Paddington Hilton (drink cocktails, eat amazing breakfasts) at the same time. We have also stayed at the Hilton in Glasgow, about which my husband makes the following claims:
1. There was a bottle of whisky next to the porridge that guests could pour freely over their breakfasts should they wish (scary, but true), and
2. He met Billy Connolly there (not true - I met his hairiness there, in the bar - Mr Liz was in the toilet and missed the whole thing.)

To celebrate the half price offer, Hilton Worldwide have very kindly offered two lucky readers the chance to share £400 worth of hotel vouchers, meaning two first prizes of £200 to spend at any Hilton Worldwide Hotel in the UK. To be in with a chance of winning, simply email me the name of the famously tall building in which the Hilton Manchester Deansgate Hotel is located - have a look at their website on the link below if you're not sure, and once you've found the answer go there immediately and drink Manchester-themed cocktails in the amazing bar. Winners will be picked at random from all correct answers received by midnight on Monday 31st January; much to my disgust I must confirm that none of my relatives - or indeed me - is eligible to win.

Send your answer to manchestercomps@hotmail.co.uk to be in with a chance of winning, but if, like me, you are perennially unlucky with competitions, investigate their amazing sale anyway - full details below. Good luck, and don't forget you can share your vouchers with me as a mark of gratitude if you'd like to...

To celebrate the last week of the Any Weekend, Anywhere Sale from the Hilton Worldwide portfolio, we are offering two lucky readers the chance to win £200 worth of Hilton Worldwide UK Gift Vouchers to spend at any Hilton Worldwide UK hotel.

The sale offers you the chance to save up to 50% on weekends in 2011, so if you aren't lucky enough to win this time, why not take the family to Dublin, or enjoy a romantic weekend for two in London? You can save up to 50% at more than 3,600 hotels within the Hilton Worldwide portfolio for any weekend stay in 2011 if you book before 31 January 2011.

If that wasn’t enough, rates include breakfast and late checkout until 6pm (subject to availability) plus kids under 18 stay for free and kids under 10 eat for free at many of the properties when sharing with an adult. Book now on www.hilton.co.uk/wintersale and make the most of this massive sale before it’s too late.

For voucher Terms and Conditions please visit http://www.hilton.co.uk/giftvouchers.