Meeting Up with Katie and Kate in York

On the first of October I went to York to see my friends Katie and Kate. We met at university - York St John - twenty years ago this autumn and we haven't seen each other in ages so it was high time we got together! Katie and I have seen each other more recently because she only lives in Wakefield, but I haven't seen Kate since 2019. 

We all lived in the same house for a few weeks. I introduced myself to Katie on the first day and we ended up both doing Theology and both being from Wakefield, so that was weird! In the other room was a girl called Gemma, and she knew Kate from home in Darlington. Kate hadn't got a room allocated, so uni told her to wait a few weeks until someone dropped out, and then she would get one. So she slept on Gemma's floor for a few weeks - she says it was about three weeks into term so that wasn't too bad. The four of us lived together in second and third years, in a lovely Victorian house near the Nestle factory. It always smelt of chunky Kitkats! Katie, Gemma, and Kate were three of my bridesmaids when Lee and I got married when I had just finished uni, but I lost touch with Gemma in around 2007. The others don't talk to her now either, but I'm glad the three of us are still friends. It's strange because I didn't get my first choice accomadation (which had ensuite rooms and an internet connection) and I was absolutely furious about it, but if I had, I wouldn't have known Katie and Kate. I would have been on the same course as Katie but might not have become friends. It's funny how things work out! 

We had mentioned meeting up in Leeds but that was earlier in the year, so as it was our twenty year anniversary (how am I old enough to have gone to university TWENTY years ago???) we said we should go to York as that's where we met and lived for three lovely years. My friend Jac lives in York so I went through early and had a cuppa and a chat at hers for a bit which was also lovely before getting the bus into town. York isn't always that accessible for me anymore but parking at Jac's and walking to the bus stop was ideal. I got off the bus at the theatre and walked down to The Ivy where we had booked a table. It's a bit more expensive than we would usually go for but we had decided to push the boat out. 

Katie and Kate weren't too far behind me. It was so nice to see Kate! We ordered a bottle of prosecco (I just had a glass) and some food. We all went for twice baked cheese souffle and then I had avocado and poched eggs with hollandaise sauce, which was lush. We shared some chocolate bombs for pudding. 

We weren't moved along quickly and there were tables free, so we sat for a long while chatting. Then we went to the Pitcher and Piano just near City Screen for a drink - I had a virgin mojito which was really nice. It was late before I set off home but so worth it as we'd had such a lovely day and had chatted so much. It was just like old days!

I pulled out this old Simply Be black dress with a pattern on it - I love it and don't wear it enough. It's strapless so I also pulled on my Beth Ditto heart cardigan which is soft. I added some more of my new tights - black with a gorgeous gold pattern on them. I found some gold jewellery including a gorgeous vintage brooch that I've had for ages but haven't worn before. 

The three of us in The Ivy

Cheese souffle, I could eat this again right now

Avocado eggs - really simple but so good

Virgin mojito - as you can see they both an Aperol Spritz

In Pitcher and Piano

My outfit - the dress is cotton and really simple but I really like it

Close up of the gold pattern on my tights

And my jewellery - I made the earrings!

What I Wore 16th October

This is what I wore to go out with Sam. I was just browsing my dresses and spied this pink Lindy Bop dress that I've had forever, so I pulled it out. I was looking for my black cardigan to wear with it, but I couldn't find it (we had recently done SO much washing, it seemed to pile up from before and after our holiday) but I spied my Beth Ditto heart print cardigan so I pulled that out. I like the clash of prints and colours, I think it works. I put on my cropped leggings - just after this was when it dropped colder so this might be the last wearing of the cropped leggings this year - and my Dr Marten shoes. I've had them forever but only started wearing them properly a couple of years ago. They're broken in now and pretty comfortable, so perfect for the winter. I haven't worn them in forever through the summer, but took them on holiday.

I put a little bit of make up on, including a bright pink Clinique lipstick that a friend gave me - I love the pop of pink!

What I Wore 15th February

It feels like forever since I've done an outfit post and I think that's partly because I haven't been going out that often recently; I've been kind of hibernating. It's partly because I don't have many new clothes to wear; I'm trying to save money and I do already have lots of beautiful dresses. It's just a thing, and it's fine, but it does mean there haven't been as many outfit posts. But then this blog is a catch all of stuff for me and that's how I like it!

Anyway, Lee's dad phoned a couple of days before the 15th and said he and Lee's stepmam were going to come down to stay in Wakefield over night (all of Lee's family live in Durham still) and would we like to go out for tea with them. We didn't have any plans for the weekend except that my cousin and his girlfriend were going to arrive around 10.30pm to stay overnight, so we had mentioned going out on Saturday evening before that. Lee's dad told us to choose a pub so I booked a table at The Sovereign pub in Shepley, about 20 minutes from our house.

We had a nice meal with them. The Sovereign is part of the Vintage Inns range and although their vegetarian selection isn't amazing, they do have a dedicated vegan menu. I went for spiced cauliflower soup, which was nicely spicy but not amazing, and then their vegan burger, which was really good. It came with chips. Then I had banoffee pie to finish with. It was really lovely to see Lee's dad and stepmam, it's been ages since they've been down so we've only seen them at Christmas.

We got home and Peter and Beth arrived eventually, so we chatted for a bit before bed. The next day they wanted to be off around 11am. They'd come to Sheffield to do indoor climbing, something they both enjoy. We made breakfast before they went, which was nice.

I wore this blue spotty Lindy Bop dress to go out in. I love it because it's easy to wear and comfortable but looks really good on. I pulled out my Beth Ditto heart cardigan to wear over it as I knew I'd be warm in the pub.

I had painted my nails just the day before with Barry M Caspian, which is a gorgeous gold polish with a rose gold flash. I'm really trying to paint my nails every week as I didn't manage it at all this year until the 6th of February!

Barry M Caspian

Lindy Bop dress and Beth Ditto cardigan. Thanks it has pockets!

A Friday Day Out

On Friday 8th June I went out for nearly the whole day for a whole day of fun. I had made plans to meet Laura at Meadowhall at 2pm for cake and coffee, but I decided to go a bit earlier to get some lunch. I'd not been to Yo Sushi for ages so I packed my Kindle and took myself off. It was nearly empty so I easily got a seat. I had some of the hot food and a couple of rolls from the belt, along with the bubblegum flavoured soda I had last time, which I'd really recommend. I had a pleasant time sat reading by myself.

Laura arrived at 2pm and we walked down to Debenhams. I wanted to buy some of my favourite perfume - I've been saving up for it for ages because it's not cheap. I'd looked in House of Fraser but they only had 100ml, so I hoped Debenhams would have the smaller bottles. They did! I bought one and we headed back to House of Fraser.

Laura had thought there was a Cheesecake Factory in HoF, but apparently it's not there all the time, so we just went into the cafe instead. I had chocolate fudge cake, it was nice enough for the price I paid for it. We sat there for a couple of hours chatting, which was lovely.

By the time I got home it was almost 5pm, so I just laid on the bed reading for a bit until Lee came home. We had made plans to go to the Showcase cinema in Birstall to see Solo. It was starting at 6,30 and I wasn't sure if traffic was really bad, so we set off quite early. We got to the cinema, bought the last two seats in the screen (the next screening was entirely sold out!) and went in. We were on Row B which was really close to the screen, but the seats at Showcase recline really far and are quite comfortable.

I really enjoyed the film. I know it's had mixed reviews and it wasn't perfect, but I thought it was kitsch and camp enough to get away with it. Woody Harrelson was great and Paul Bettany was too. I enjoyed Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo, but he gave me young Jack Nicholson vibes. I am going to write more about it for my Star Wars zine which I really need to get to working on! Lee enjoyed it too, although he's much more cynical than me.

After the film finished we went to Chiquitos for food. Lee had a chicken burger, but I wasn't hungry so I had nachos from the starter menu, which were really nice. We had a really lovely time and I'm glad we went out to the cinema although I'm also really glad we had made plans to stay in for the rest of the weekend!

I was wearing this ancient Beth Ditto at Evans dress, I scored it on eBay a few years ago but have only worn it a couple of times I think. It's plain black, but it has sort of ruffled edges and a belt which I think sets it off nicely. I feel like it is slightly short on me, but with leggings on I decided not to care too much about that. I don't often wear all black but I do think it's a good look on me!

Bubblegum soda in Yo Sushi

Chocolate cake in House of Fraser

My very favourite very expensive perfume

Nachos!

Beth Ditto dress and leggings, along with my favourite trainers!

What I Wore 2nd September

I saw this dress on eBay in August and paid around £24 for it, it's from one of the Beth Ditto collections at Evans which were such excellent and groundbreaking collections, sob!

It's quite short on me, but with a pair of leggings it's nothing to worry about! I love the collar, it's really cute. The waistband is elasticated too. I love the shape of the dress.

What I Wore 2nd September

I used to search eBay for the Beth Ditto collections quite regularly, but then in 2013 I got the heart cardigan for Christmas, which was the piece I really wanted, and so I hadn't looked in ages. But I was browsing and this spotty dress came up. I nearly didn't win it, but I figured it was worth spending a bit extra on, and now it's mine!

I like the Peter Pan collar and I love the buttons on the sleeves, little details but they help it be very cute!

What I Wore March 18th

This was an ordinary work outfit although I did meet some friends afterwards. I look awful - I've been quite ill. But I really like this top and cardigan combo. Such pattern! 

The top is leopard print at the front and plain black at the back. The heart cardigan is from the Beth Ditto collection way back. I liked the outfit a lot. 

What I Wore 31st January

I went to Meadowhall to see my friend Sarah and to give her her birthday present (which I'll share in another post). We went to Carluccio's where we had yummy starters and main courses. We wanted to go to Ed's Diner for milkshakes but there was a queue so we had ice creams instead. 

This dress was from Yours clothing a couple of years ago. It has tiny red hearts on it. The cardigan was a present from Lee, it is the Beth Ditto cardigan from a few years ago and he managed to get it on eBay for me for Christmas. It is maybe a tiny bit tight on me but I love it so much. The hearts are gold thread, so beautiful! 

What I Wore 21st August

21st August was Lee's birthday. He was born on his dad's 21st birthday, and also happens to share it with the late great Joe Strummer. During the day we went swimming at a leisure pool in Sheffield, and in the evening we went to Akhbars in Leeds for curry with my mum and stepdad. It was so good!

Here's what I wore. I didn't get the Beth Ditto dress the first time around but I managed to get this on eBay for around £15 a couple of years ago. I've only worn it once before but I can't for the life of me remember why! I love it! I'm wearing a cardigan because I'm self conscious about my upper arms, but I did take it off in the restaurant as I was just so hot!

Dress, Beth Ditto at Evans

Cardigan, New Look

Leggings, H&M

And here's my face. The lipstick is Russian Red by MAC, it was an anniversary present that I bought in Manchester airport on our way to Spain. I scrub up alright, don't I?