Creative wondermind Samio Renelda started her self-named lifestyle blog in 2013, when she was still modelling full-time. Since then, her online space has evolved to include travel diaries and mindfulness and home styling tips, alongside regular outfit posts and poignant fashion musings.
As a self-anointed “style enthusiast”, Samio focuses on quality over quantity, and believes fashion doesn’t have to be ‘new’ to look good. A proud “outfit repeater”, she thrives off finding ways to present the same outfit in multiple ways. Indicative of her creative nature she is a self-taught photographer, honing her unique style through her #SamiosSelfPortraits series on Instagram, and developing further by embracing the quirky world of stop-motion animation.
She describes herself as a “city girl who also loves the great outdoors, and living in the Manchester suburbs with her husband, Damien, she has the best of both worlds on her doorstep. She opens up her (Hello Day) Little Black Book with me to share her favourite Manchester-based creatives, homeware store, and local coffee haunt…
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Favourite podcast? Manchester born-and-bred journalist and presenter, L’Oréal Blackett (who is also very good friend of mine, but aside from that I genuinely love her work as she’s amazing at what she does) has recently launched a podcast called The Edit Podcast in which she interviews guests and finds out what it really means to be influential these days, whilst finding out about the story behind each guest’s success and how they use their influence for good. It’s definitely worth a listen.
Favourite illustrator? Manchester based illustrator Laura Frances has recently launched her online shop selling cards and prints. Her work is bold, colourful and fun. Her artwork basically speaks for itself, so I’d definitely recommend you go check out her work.
Most frequented arts venue? HOME – I love this place as it’s such a lively creative hub. I love going here to watch plays and I’ve spoken on panels there in the past too. They also have great bar and restaurant, so I often find myself spending evenings out there as it has everything I want from an arts venue all rolled into one.
Favourite local coffee spot? I love Atkinsons coffee shop in Mackie Mayor. I love the decor, coffee (of course) and the relaxed vibe of the place. I also love that it has window seats where you can sit and watch the world go by. And they also have a lovely little outdoor seating area and I enjoy sitting out there with an oat milk iced coffee when it’s warm.
I love York and I always rave about it to anyone who lives down south or outside of England
Favourite shop? Oklahoma – I’ve always loved this little spot in the Northern Quarter, in fact I remember when they also used to have a cafe inside the shop and I would enjoy browsing round the shop before having a coffee. Now it’s solely a shop selling gifts and homeware and I still love it. It tends to be my go to spot for a quirky greetings card and I love all the colourful, fun and unique gifts they always have in store too.
Weekend brunch spot? Leaf on Portland Street, Manchester. I’ve spent so many hours at a time here, sat brunching and chatting with friends. It always has such a relaxed vibe, there tends to be plenty of space, whilst still having a cosy vibe and the food is really good too. Plus they have an extensive selection of tea, which is always good when in weekend brunch mode.
Can’t live without? My Hello Day planner. They’re a Manchester based small independent business, selling planners and stationary. I love my planner as it not only looks chic, but it’s actually the best planner I’ve had in terms of helping me with organising and planning out my days.
Next trip? Possibly York. I love it there and I always rave about it to anyone who lives down south or outside of England, but it’s actually been a while now since I last visited, so I’d love to take a day trip there once that’s all more possible again.
All photography © Samio Renelda, used with permission.