Pasties, corsets and burlesque

Last night we had our first event at Kiku Boutique in the Northern Quarter in Manchester. TT member Jayne had a fab night:

"When I saw the Thirsty Thursday Event listing Corsets and Burlesque, I already had an image in my mind! I was more interested in the Burlesque side, as I think I secretly hanker after showing off in seductive under wear, thinking I am a poor man’s Dita Von Teese! I find the whole red lips and curvaceous women thing fascinating and was really excited at the prospect of being shown some sexy moves.

I was not disappointed. The event was held at Kiku in Tib Street and is an absolute delight of a girly shop. I defy anybody to enter the shop and not give out an audible sigh of pleasure! I have never seen so many corsets, nipple tassels, which I now know are known as pasties., and gorgeous silk underwear. I tried a black and white corset over a little gypsy top. These are known as under bust corsets, as I have not been blessed with a larger bosom. My word, did they look good. Where have those babies been hiding. I had wonderfully shaped boobs and the tiniest 26” waist. I just wanted to walk down the street in my pencil skirt, 6 inch heels and my 26” waist and yell, “look at me, I am all woman” . The beauty of these corsets are that you can dress them up or down, under a jacket with trousers or as I tried with a pencil skirt. I was gutted to have to put on my ordinary outfit back on, as I really wanted to go out in my corset, it was like stepping into a movie."

Fab night, we had Cosmopolitans, Rocky Roads, fab homemade samosas, and with a fantastic performance from the gorgeous Bambi le Beau we even learned a few key moves to practice at home. Thanks Lynn for a top night, we will be back again soon.

Have You Heard The One About Our Lovely Rev And The Nipple Tassles...

Welcome Our First Guest Blogger, the gorgeous Jan Harney...

Apparently, the way to get nipple tassels to rotate is to jump up and down with your arms raised (you read it first here). I picked up this tip from my daughter, Kate, after winning a sparkly red pair at Thirsty Thursday. She demo’d the technique very ably to Emma and me before rushing off to text and alert her dad that I was on the way home with them. My husband was working hard on a document with a deadline, and hadn’t seen the text, so he barely noticed my dramatic entrance - but at least the dogs and the kittens were fascinated!

Kate learned the art of tassel swinging via Thirsty Thursday when Bella Besame came to one of our monthly networking sessions. Bella showed us how to peel off cocktail gloves in a sensual manner. I’ve tried it with my Marigolds but it lacks pizzazz somehow. Bella did try to add me as a Facebook friend afterwards but I’m ashamed to say I didn’t accept. It didn’t seem like a great career move at the time, especially as the Bishop is also on my Friend’s list. I forgot to tell you I’m a ‘woman of the cloth’ and there’s not much cloth in a nipple tassel…

Anyway Kate was hooked and booked onto Bella’s Burlesque classes and said it was very confidence boosting and great fun. We both really enjoy Thirsty Thursday and have been members for over 3 years. It’s our 'Mother & Daughter’ girls night out and we’ve made loads of new friends. Every month is at a different location with a variety of freebie pampering, things to buy and interesting people to meet. It really is a treat and the team work hard behind the scenes to make it seem effortless and relaxing.

Thirsty Thursday is not a business networking group, and thankfully no-one bustles up and forces business cards onto you. But, in the course of Social Networking, mutually beneficial contacts are made and the mantra ‘People do business with people they know, like and trust’ works better when relationships develop naturally. As a result of coming to this group I’ve been commissioned to run some confidence courses with vulnerable women’s groups. I’ve also had some clients come to my studio for Colours (I’m a trained Colour Consultant) and I occasionally sell some of my hand-made Organic products. I make body butters etc. Thinking about it, that’d make black gloves slide on more easily. I must email Bella. 

Obviously I’m not a regular Vicar. My background is media and communications and I now represent the Church of England at wedding shows/ wedding websites/ blogs/ media campaigns etc. The CofE website refers to me as Virtual Vicar. I choose not to have a regular parish but I do ‘supply’ - so at weekend I might be anywhere around Manchester taking a service, conducting a wedding or taking an occasional funeral.

Most people at Thirsty Thursday know I’m ordained (hence the hilarity over the prize draw this week). Sometimes people seek me out in an unofficial chaplain role – others just know I’ll be delighted to hear about their forthcoming wedding. And of course I can bless the nibbles and cocktails to take the calories out –bonus!

My pastoral instincts mean I’m usually conscious of people who look as if they need drawing in or introducing to others. But other members are equally friendly and it’s easy to get to know people. Thirsty Thursday is definitely not cliquey. It’s just a great place to meet like-minded women and have fun. We would thoroughly recommend it.

Here endeth the lesson….

(Ed:Check out Jan’s fab website full of wonderful things to make life better http://www.asineden.co.uk/)

What Makes A TT Bird?

In the 8 years that we've been running Thirsty Thursday, we've seen lots of women come and go. But we have had a fabulous amount of Birds arrive and stick with us. So what kind of woman is a TT bird?

Well, she likes to meet her friends, but doesn't always have enough time to see everyone, so its great to once a month 'speed socialise' by getting them all together under one roof to stay connected.

She definitely likes a drink - whether it's large glasses of white wine, or a glass of pop cos she's driving - its the social side of meeting for drinks that works for her.

She has some favourite venues in town like Great John Street Hotel and The Lowry, but likes to keep abreast of other new spots as they open.

She loves to shop, and to be pampered.

But what really makes a TT Bird is that she is a kindred spirit. She has a natural wish to help out, to share contacts, to think what she can do to help another Bird on her path.

And that is what makes TT Birds the best Birds in town.