Meadowhall with Sarah

On the 27th of February I went to Meadowhall to meet up with Sarah. It felt like ages since we had got together, although she was there on my birthday. So it was nice to catch up! We had decided to meet at twelve at Yo Sushi. We used to go there all the time but haven't been together for ages. It's moved now, to just outside the Oasis, so Sarah was keen to see what it was like now. 

I set off from my house at about 11.15 and drove to Meadowhall in bright sunshine. I went in and bought a couple of presents that I needed, and then headed to Yo Sushi. I got seated and was waiting just a few minutes before Sarah arrived. It had been her birthday since I last saw her so I had presents for her, which she liked.

We ordered some hot food as well as grabbing things off the belt. I went for fake duck something which was lovely, but maybe a little bit dry. We sat for a while just chatting and stuff. It wasn't busy so it was fine. Then we went across to the Hotel Chocolat cafe because Sarah hadn't been and wanted to try it. 

Now, I've been three times there since it opened, and I've liked it each time, so I'm not really complaining about it, but each time that I've been they haven't had the cocoa whip available. They put it on top of drinks and it really makes them special, as it's not like anything I've had before. So it's a bit disappointing that it keeps not being there! 

I had a dark mint hot chocolate anyway, and it was lovely. We chatted more and then we headed back towards our cars. We went into WHSmith which is moving in Meadowhall so it's like an absolutely jumble sale at the moment. There really wasn't much left on the shelves but I did manage to get a couple of things I needed .Sarah headed to Boots so we said goodbye and I headed home. 

I was wearing my lollidot skirt that used to be a dress, which I haven't worn in ages but have recently pulled out again, and my Cheers Queers t shirt which I love, it's so cheerful. I had also put my [ink zebra print cardigan on which was fine for driving and inside the mall. 

Fake duck teriyaki and something, I dunno. It was nice but I'm not sure if I would get it again

Hot chocolates in the Hotel Chocolat cafe

Here are Sarah and I in the cafe looking gorgeous

And my outfit when I got home!

Hamilton in Bradford

On the 26th of February my friend Michelle and I had tickets to see Hamilton in Bradford. We had been talking about seeing it together for ages, but hadn't got round to booking it. Then at the beginning of February we finally did, and decided to go to the matinee showing because that just fitted in better with our lives. I picked Michelle up at about 11.30 and we set off to Bradford. I hate driving into Bradford but the trains were a nightmare, so I just sucked it up. I managed to get us to the car park that I wanted to, which was the main thing. 

We walked out of the car park towards the Alhambra, considering a few options for lunch, and decided to go to Nando's. Michelle loves it and I find it's fine for me, so it was a good choice. I had a mushroom and halloumi wrap. We headed over to the theatre and took plenty of photos of the Hamilton signs, because we're just like that. I bought myself a t shirt because I had Christmas money left and I wear the one I bought last year a lot! We had nearly the back seats in the dress circle, so it was quite steep, but it was a great view. 

It was so good! I think I liked it more this time and took more in than I had before. I really like it, I'm glad we saw it again. It finished at about 5pm and we walked back towards the car park. I had spotted a donut van on the way out so when I saw it was still open I stopped. We shared four donuts with chocolate sauce and whipped ice cream, sitting on a bench inside the shopping centre. They were delicious! Then I just took Michelle home before going home myself. I was wearing my Hamilton Schuyler sisters t shirt from last year, and a checked skirt that my mum made for me ages ago. I also had my Hamilton necklace and pin badge on! I went total fangirl. 

It was lovely to spend so much time with Michelle. It's something we haven't done in a really long time! We chatted about a bunch of things and we both really liked the show. Hopefully we will get to go to the theatre again at some point!

Inside the theatre

Michelle's photo of me <3

Then a staff member took this photo of us both, which was nice of them

I actually love all this stuff they use inside and outside the theatres

Michelle took this of the two of us in Centenary Square in Bradford, it's very cute!

 

Look how excited I was about my donuts

And here's my outfit when I got home

A Few Days in One

In the third week of Feb I had a few days of busy-ness with some friends, but I thought I would amalgamate it all into one post just for speed and convenience. 

On Wednesday evening I went to book club as I usually do once a month but don't often post about it. We were talking about the book Orlando by Virginia Woolf which Helena had chosen. It had been Lynn's 70th birthday so she brought a chocolate and beetroot cake which was delicious and nice to share. I was wearing new tights from Snag, they're grey marled and I do like them but I think they had a bit of a weird yellow undertone. But I will wear them anyway as I think they're really neutral and will go with anything. 

On Thursday I took my mum out for coffee. As a reminder, she had a mastectomy at the end of January due to a tiny tumour; she wouldn't have needed such a drastic op except that she had breast cancer forty years ago when I was tiny so this was the best thing to do. She is recovering well but it's taking her a while to get back to full health. She hadn't gone far at all but I said I would take her to Blacker Hall Farm for coffee which is really close to her house. I went and picked her up and drove us down. She's got a little heart shaped cushion that she uses under the seatbelt which makes her more comfortable. We parked and went into the cafe. I had coffee and a delicious piece of Victoria sponge cake. I think my mum had a cream tea. We both got some chocolates from the shop on the way out. 

On Friday I went to Wakefield again to see my friend Gemma. She was currently home from her job abroad and we had had a whole plan for the day before which had unfortunately fallen through, so we decided to just meet for lunch. We went to Robatory which is one of my favourite places in Wakefield. They have a good lunch menu so I had sticky Korean BBQ cauliflower and Chinese spice vegetable tacos, and loaded fries I thinl. It was nice, just lovely food! Gemma brought me this gorgeous biscuit from Ukraine - the biscuit is ginger and the icing is so beautiful. I called in briefly on my mum on the way home because I had got her stuff she needed from Boots. 

On Saturday morning Lee and I went to Fox Valley to meet my friend Ros, her partner Paul, and their kids. We went to Zorro Lounge for brunch. I thought we might have to wait a while for a table but we didn't. I went for a big veggie breakfast which was as usual delicious. I think that's what we all had actually except one of the kids!

After we had eaten we went for a wander round a couple of shops before we said goodbye. Lee got some jeans in the charity shop and we got some cake in the bakery. We drove home and went to the tip to take a load of stuff there. I had worn my cream flamingo skirt  and a rose pink long sleeved top that came from Simply Be forever ago but which I haven't worn much. It's a cute outfit I think. 

In the evening Lee went to Liverpool to play a gig so his bandmate picked him up at about 4.30pm so I just chilled out for the whole evening! 

New tights - they look fine in this photo but a bit odder in real life. But I will keep them and just not worry about it 

Chocolate and beetroot cake that Lynn made 

Victoria sponge with my mum on the Thursday afternoon

The gorgeous biscuit Gemma brought me, it came from Lviv

Sticky cauliflower

Tacos, these were delicious

Roslyn and I in the Lounge

Delicious brunch

Please look at my ridiculous flamingo earrings that my aunt gave me for my birthday. She probably made them! 

And finally my outfit. I was just wearing leggings underneath

Barnsley Zine Fair 2025

The 15th of February was Barnsley Zine Fest! I had a stall and Jason at The Civic did an absolutely brilliant job of organising it again. Lee and I rocked up to the space at about 9.30. Chloe was already there and our stalls were right next to each other so that was good. Lee had to go park a way away so I set up most of the stall by myself, but that was fine because when Lee did arrive, he had brought coffee. The fair started at 10 and it was fairly quiet for the first hour or so, so I wondered how busy it would actually get, but then it really picked up.

There were loads of people who had been there last February too, and at the Makers Fair in August, so it was nice to see some of the same people. And of course to meet new people! I bought a bunch of zines and traded some too which was lovely. I always love to trade zines because you just never know what you'll get. I bought a bunch of stickers, too. Lee went out and got sandwiches for lunch for us and he most likely went in the record shop too. Who only knows!

The fair finished at 4pm so we packed up and said goodbye to Chloe and some others, and headed to Market Kitchen for some tea. Lee was going out to play a gig but he had time to eat with me so we went there. I had Massaman curry which yes I had had the week before but I really like it and I don't care. I think Lee had pizza, but I can't be certain. Anyway. 

He took me home and then went out again so I just relaxed for the rest of the evening. I had been wearing my rainbow Topsy Curvy dress because it's perfect for a zine fair, and with it I wore the crop top jumper that I crocheted. I got a lot of compliments on it! I had a couple of nice conversations with other crafters about it, too. I was wearing new blue tights from Snag. I'm not sure about the colour of them. I think they're called Peacock and I thought they would be greener than they are. But I wore them and am still deciding whether I like them or not. Chloe did say she would happily take them off me if I decide I don't like them, so we can see! 

I sold quite a lot of zines which I'm happy about. The last photo is of what I bought. 

Getting my stall all set up

In full swing

Massaman curry, I had rice with it too 

Tights and boots. Like I said, I thought they would be greener than they are

Rainbow dress and jumper

And here's my haul!

Valentine's Day 2025

I'll actually start with the 13th of February, when Lee and I headed over to my mum's house to see her and have some tea with her and my stepdad. We had a nice night and as my mum had been declared cancer free we had some champagne to celebrate! So that was lovely. It isn't worth a whole post by itself except for my outfit. 

I was wearing a new My Little Pony t shirt that Lee bought me for Christmas. I had one but the print wore off it so I had asked Lee for another, but this was the first time I had worn it. It's very soft and cosy so perfect for wearing in the winter. As you can see I paired it with my lollidot skirt that used to be a dress but which I cut off to wear more, although I haven't actually worn it in ages before this. 

Then I put my new boots on - which were a bargain from Vinted, remember - and some new tights. I had recently bought a few pairs from Snag, and some pants because I wanted to try them, and this was one of the pairs. They're supposed to look like marl and they're red and black and I thought for the winter they were really nice. 

On Valentine's Day I had arranged to meet up with my friend Gillian. We had had a joke that as it was Valentine's we were on a date, and I decided to play into that so I stopped off and bought her a bunch of flowers and a box of chocolates. Then I drove to Arthur's Cafe in Mirfield which is near to her house, and I was there before she was so I ordered an After Eight hot chocolate while I waited.

When she arrived she had bought me a bunch of flowers too! It was too funny! Hers for me were beautiful purple tulips, which you can see in my final photo. They were lovely!

The food at Arthur's is also really lovely. I had Bombay potatoes and salad on a flatbread, which was really nice. Then I had a scone with jam and cream which was warm and extremely delicious too! It was nice to talk to Gillian for a long while. And it was nice to have a Valentine's meal with her!

Don't fret though - Lee and I had decided to not buy each other anything much but to save our money until later in the year when we wanted something in particular. I did buy him a box of chocolate orange truffles, and he got me a box of Black Magic. Perfect! 

My Little Pony t shirt, skirt, and my ridiculous pink leopard print cardigan that I've been wearing a lot 

Tights and boots! 

Extremely delicious After Eight hot chocolate 

Bombay potatoes, coleslaw and salad on a flatbread

Scone with cream and jam 

And finally my lovely flowers

Day Out with Sam and Jac

On the 8th of February I met up with Sam and Jacqui in Barnsley. We had had the date set for ages but hadn't decided exactly what we were doing. But then my godmother came over to look after my mum, and I volunteered to pick her up and take her back to the airport because my mum couldn't do it, of course, and my godmother really didn't need to hire a car. Picking her up was fine because it was about 2.30pm or something, but taking her back was a different matter... Her flight was at 9.40 so she needed to be at the airport at 7.30ish. Which meant leaving my mum's house at about 6.20! For goodness sake! Lee declined to come with me - sensibly - so I got up, quickly got dressed, and left my house about 6am. I picked Alison up and we went over the M62 to the airport, we got there in good time. I got back to my house about 8.30am and immediately got back into bed. I considered going back to sleep but couldn't, so I just rested. Then I got up and got dressed in better clothes, and went into Barnsley to meet Sam and Jac.

I had asked them to come to me because I knew I would be knackered, and happily they both agreed. So we met at Wetherspoons for breakfast. I was starving as I had been up forever, so I had veggie sausage, egg, and cheese muffin, and hash browns. We all had breakfast and we also all had cocktails because, you know, day drinking. I had an espresso martini and something else. Then we went for a wander into a bunch of shops. 

In the market there was a young makers market on which happens about once every month and which I really love. We each bought a couple of little bits and it was just really nice. Then we went around a bit more of the market, and eventually up to the Market Kitchen. I love it there; it has several different food counters which meant we could all have something different, although Sam and I both went for Thai food. By this time it was about 2pm and we were all hungry again. I had massaman curry which I love, with rice. We had another drink and then got some dessert too. Then about 4pm we walked downstairs and said goodbye. We got a photo in the market foyer as it was all closing. I waited for Lee outside in the FREEZING COLD RAIN so then when we got home I laid down for about an hour. 

But it was lovely to see these two and have good food and some drinks and so on. I was wearing my rainbow tartan Topsy Curvy dress and my Simply Be rainbow ombre jumper too because it really WAS cold. 

Spoons breakfast - you can't beat it sometimes

Espresso martini 

Then massaman curry later, I really ought to make something like this myself

Dessert, which was only okay, they gave me the wrong brownie and the ice cream was just a bit weird... but never mind

The three of us before we said goodbye

And finally my rainbow outfit for such a dismal day!

Lunch with Philippa

At the beginning of February Philippa and I met up for lunch. She had suggested going to a garden centre cafe in Loxley, which was fine by me and not too far of a drive. I set off, first picking up a very exciting parcel from the lockers near us on my way, and went over hill and down dale to get to Loxley. Philippa and I arrived at about the same time. We went through to the cafe together and easily got a table as it wasn't busy that day. 

I went for a vegetarian omelette which came with chips and salad - basic but it was cooked freshly and delicious. We were chatting and then we got pudding and another drink. I went for coffee and walnut cake which was nice, and a latte I think I had. We eventually said goodbye and I got home not too long later. 

I was wearing a pinafore dress that I have never worn before! I found it in the wardrobe with the tags still attached, and I didn't recognise the brand at all. I liked it so put it on with a long sleeved top underneath. The top is from Evans originally but I got it from a charity shop a couple of years ago, but haven't ever worn it, I don't think. It was ideal though because it was so cold! 

I like the pinafore but it was a bit out of my comfort zone to wear it, although I can't really explain why. But it's very cute on so I will persevere and wear it more, with some other tops underneath too.Sometimes it's good to push out of your comfort zone. I wore it with grey Snag tights. 

And then my exciting parcel - these boots! They're Dr Martens ones and very like my burgundy ones that I wear a lot in winter. They were on Vinted and were for the bargain price of FOURTEEN POUNDS. They had been uploaded for all of about fifteen minutes when I saw them and had to have them. They fit really well and I just love them. I am going to be wearing them ALL THE TIME.  

Omelette and chips

And then coffee and walnut cake

Pinafore dress - it's black stretchy material and really cosy. And it has pockets! I like the colour of this top, too 

And here's my new BOOTS

Family in February

As I said previously, my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer again at the beginning of January. She had a mastectomy on the 28th of January and it went really well. She came round from the op about 4.30, had a drink, had a sandwich, spoke to me and my stepdad, and alll three of us went to pick her up at about 6pm. I got her dressed and we took her home and she was doing pretty okay! It was obviously quite a big op but it had gone really well. 

My godmother arrived on the 1st of February to help look after her for a week. She lives in France but wanted to come over, so she booked a flight and Lee and I went to Manchester to pick her up. I'm so glad she came because it really cheered my mum up - they did a few little things including meet me for coffee which was lovely. My godmother did some housework and some cooking which really helped my mum and stepdad out. 

Anyway, on the 2nd of February Lee's mam and stepdad came down. They wanted to see my mum for a bit, but my mum said she couldn't cope with going out anywhere for lunch, so we just met Lee's mam and stepdad at my mum's house at about 11 o'clock on the Sunday. We had a cuppa and some biscuits and so on, and had a lovely chat. 

Then Lee and Bev and Gary and I all went to the White Rose Centre for lunch. We went separately so they could just go straight home northwards afterwards. There are a few restaurants at the White Rose but they're not all very exciting for vegetarians like me. So I suggested Wagamama and everyone else agreed. Yay! 

Lee and I shared the vegan chicken teriyaki to start with which was again delicious, and then I had tofu raisukaree which was really good too. Bev and I had a cocktail each - mine was lychee flavoured which was really good. After lunch we went into a few shops and then said goodbye and went home. It was nice to see Lee's mam and Gary. I was wearing this red leopard print dress from Yours that I've had a while now. Oh and starry tights! A bit of glitter for a cold winter Sunday. 

Here we all are in Wagamama waiting for food - Lee looks really impressed as you can see

Lychee cocktail 

Vegan chicken and mayo - Lee had some actual chicken wings with his stepdad too 

Curry, I love the flavour of this

And here's my outfit when we got home!

Films of the Month - January

I watched nine films in January which was down a bit for me, but as I said we were undergoing some difficult stuff so I just wanted to watch TV and simpler things so that my brain didn't have to work very hard. Plus of course I was still trying to catch up with my Christmas viewing! I saw the final season of Vera and thought it was a good ending, I'll miss it though. 

Here's what I saw: 

I started off the year with The History Boys, which is one of my favourite films and which I could play all the parts for. I just love it

Lee and I watched Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire again. We saw it in the cinema and liked it and enjoyed it the second time too. I like the kids and their mum and Paul Rudd never misses

Lee suggested watching Attack the Block, which I've never seen. I really liked it, John Boyega is great and it's generally just good. I would recommend it if you haven't seen it

Lee also suggested X Men, which I have seen but not for a long time. I prefer the prequels with James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender, but these ones are okay too 

As I said previously, I wanted to watch The Godfather on my birthday, so we did. I just love Al Pacino so much, he's perfect as Michael 

I had forgotten there was a film made of Mothering Sunday so when I caught sight of it I watched it finally. I absolutely loved the book when I read it for book club several years ago, so I was looking forward to the film, especially as it's got Josh O'Connor in it, who I love. I thought it was a great adaptation and would recommend watching the film AND reading the book

I've had Bottoms downloaded for ages and hadn't got round to it, so I eventually did. I liked it, it reminded me of Booksmart. It was funny 

I've seen Carol before, but only once I think, so I watched it again. It's a good winter film and I loved it

Finally I made Lee watch The Bikeriders with me. I saw it in the cinema when it came out with my friend Gemma, and loved it. It's exactly my kind of thing, though and I love Tom Hardy and Jodie Comer so that made it good for me. I liked the rewatch and got a lot out of it. Lee liked it, but not quite at my level of love. I'm glad he's seen it though!