Boxing Day 2023

I usually enjoy Boxing Day a whole lot because it's really relaxed and fun. However, I slept really badly on Christmas Day night and felt awful in the morning on Boxing Day. I think my brain just broke a bit. I've had a lot going on and I think my adrenaline had just gone. I struggled to get up and showered, so it was nearly midday before I was dressed and downstairs. It didn't matter, really, but I did feel like I had wasted half the day! 

We had Christmas dinner leftovers for lunch at about 1.30. It was delicious, as usual. We listened to some of the records Lee and I had got for Christmas, and played some games. However, I still felt terrible. I had a very brief nap at about 4.30pm, and when I woke up literally about fifteen minutes later, I felt way better. I came round a bit! 

I hadn't taken any photos until this point, but then my mum gave my cats some treats and Poppy was being so cute asking for them that I took a couple of photos of her. We played cards which I always enjoy, and we had some Christmas cake later on in the evening. My stepdad and I had it with Wensleydale which is traditional in parts of Britain and it's delicious! 

I was wearing this Judi Love at Very dress which I love so much and it's perfect for a special occasion. It's black, with sheer sleeves and gold stars dotted on it. I wore starry tights from Snag too but you can't see them in the photo. 

The other photos are of a couple of presents - a poster from Lee and the hamper that his brother and sister in law put together for us. It's amazing, full of so many delicious things! Plus there's a couple of things in it that Lee doesn't like so I'll have to eat them myself, like the brandy snaps! 

We went to bed and I threw up - so maybe the problem all day was just that I felt under the weather? I'm not sure but I did feel way better once I'd actually been sick which often happens to me! I was happy to get to bed though. 

Look at Poppy's little feet stretching up to my mum for a treat. She's been overgrooming herself and has bald bits down both sides of her body. We've had her back and forth to the vet and can't find anything much wrong with her. It's the first week in January as I am writing this though and she's been diagnosed with allergies and we have to give her a tablet a day. It is growing back and she seems less stressed, just a bit bald!

She is too cute though. Jasmine was nearby too, don't worry!

This was what I got in The Broke and the Bookish's swap, which I've done for a few years now. The books are all off my wishlist and I'm excited to read all of them! I got some lovely things alongside, too, including treats for the cats which is a really lovely thought, and some handmade things which are beautiful

This was Gwen and Janet's swap and my partner was Kathryn, who you may remember from blogging back in the day. She and I have really similar taste in books so I am really intrigued by these books and will have to get to them soon

Lee bought me this poster and it's going straight on the wall, believe me

Judi Love dress in my mum's kitchen

Christmas cake and cheese, delish!

And finally here's the hamper Chris and Gemma gave us

Lunch Out on 17th December

On the 17th of December Lee and I were at a bit of a loss as to what to do. We didn't have anything planned and we could have done literally anything! We both had jobs to do later in the day (including wrapping each other's presents) so decided to not go too far but to go out for lunch. I decided we would go to Fox House Inn which is on the way towards Holmfirth past Millhouse Green. We've been before - two years ago we went on Christmas Eve and it was just a lovely piece of calm during all the madness. It's a really lovely country pub, in the middle of nowhere, that serves immense portions of home cooked food. It sounded like just what I wanted. 

We got there about 11.45 and it wasn't yet open so we sat in the car for a bit longer. It was blowing a gale up there! A few other parties started to arrive but I knew we would get a table as it's quite a big pub and it wasn't that busy. We were told to sit wherever, so we sat at the table we sat at least time as far as I remember! The pub has a really nice atmosphere and the staff are really friendly. 

Lee and I both had Yorkshire puddings with onion gravy to start with and then Lee had roast turkey dinner with all the trimmings and I had a mushroom stroganoff with chips. The food was absolutely gorgeous and we just had a really nice time chatting to each other and just relaxing. When we got home we tidied up the bedroom a bit and then did our chores each, but I'm glad we took the time to do this. I would recommend the pub if you're in the area!

I was wearing my red leopard print dress from Very, as it wasn't that cold of a day and I put my cardigan on just in case it was colder in the pub, but it wasn't. I was wearing some sparkly Snag Tights that I've been wearing a lot as they're so festive, and this patent pair of boots that I bought autumn 2022 but which I had put away because I've been wearing my Dr Marten ones! They popped up on Timehop so I dug them out again. They're really comfy and just look a bit fancy. 

The Christmas tree in the Fox House Inn looked absolutely lovely! 

My boots and tights before we set off

I took this picture of Lee and didn't realise until I got home that he had his eyes shut! 

Here I am

Oh yeah I had a lovely glass of red, it was recommended by the bartender and it was nice!

Yorkshire puddings and onion gravy, oh my

Lee's roast turkey

My mushroom stroganoff

And here's me in my Very dress!

What I Wore November 13th

On Monday November the 13th I went to craft club as I usually do on a Monday morning, but I wore a new top as I did it so I thought I would post about it. As you know, I really like the clothes I've got from the Judi Love range at Very - I wear the dress and cardigan I have a lot and was keeping an eye on the range on the Very website. This top and another one went on sale back in like March or something, so I bought them but I've been saving them for when the weather turned colder. And finally, it was time! 

This top has sheer sleeves which I like, but they're also long and fit well, which is nice too. There's a sheer layer over the front, too, adding to the ruffle effect. I wore my long sleeved black cardigan over the top because the room where my craft club is can be cold! 

I wore it with one of my Scarlett & Jo skirts - this blue one is lovely but sort of formal so I don't wear it all the time. But I think these two looked nice together!

Meeting Up with Friends in Huddersfield

On the 29th of October I headed over to Huddersfield to meet up with friends. There are five of us who went to sixth form college there together and still have a group chat. We try to meet up, but all five of us haven't been in the same place at the same time since 2015! I do see Gillian, Amy, and Michelle more often, but I hadn't seen Ailsa since the end of 2019. It was well overdue! She was up in Huddersfield at a spa weekend for some other friends' 40th birthdays, so we organised for all five of us to meet up on the Sunday at Northern Tea House, which I only visited for the first time quite recently.

Unfortunately, Gillian then couldn't come on the day as she was ill, but the rest of us still could. I set off nice and early and met up with Ailsa about 11.30. We got a table quite quickly, and we ordered some drinks while we were waiting. Amy arrived just after twelve, and it honestly felt like old times when the three of us would get together when we were home from uni. Michelle texted and told us to order as she'd be a bit late, so we did. 

I went for Yorkshire rarebit with mushrooms, which was absolutely delicious. I would eat it again! Michelle arrived and ordered her food, so the rest of us chatted while she ate. We never run out of things to talk about, which I think is one of the beautiful things about having been friends for twenty three years! We ordered cake but I don't think I took a picture of it. Mine was Victoria sponge, which was delicious. 

I managed to get a photo of all four of us before Ailsa had to leave about 3pm. The rest of us sat chatting for a while longer before we said goodbye at about 4pm and went back to the car park together. I was absolutely exhausted but really glad I'd been! I was wearing some more bat tights from Snag - black this time with white bats, and this leopard print red dress that I got a few weeks ago. I really like it, it's comfy to wear but looks really fun. 

Tights and boots before I set off

Chai latte - I love chai latte so was happy to see it on the menu!

Ailsa and I - it was so lovely to see her

Rarebit with mushrooms and chutney

All four of us - one Greenhead Girl down but it was still nice to see the others!

And finally my dress when I got home

Lunch with Michelle and Tea with Paul and Lianne

I had a busy day on the 12th of April because I had arranged to meet my friend Michelle for lunch and then mine and Lee's friends Paul and Lianne said they were coming down so could we meet up. I didn't want to cancel seeing Michelle because I haven't seen her since before Christmas, so we decided Lee would finish work a couple of hours early and we would meet Paul and Lianne for tea. We also then decided to go to my mum's for a bit so she and my stepdad could see Paul and Lianne as they always like that. 

I left the house about 11am and drove to Jct 27, where the Ikea is. I went for a coffee at Starbucks first as I was reading a book that was annoying me and I wanted to get a bit further with it. I then went over to Chiquito for about midday and Michelle arrived soon after.

I quite like Chiquito because even though it's a chain the food is always decent and I know they have lots of vegetarian and vegan options. Michelle and I both went for nachos which were lovely, I really enjoyed mine. We chatted about all kinds of things including birth and death! No trite conversations for us! I got home about 3.15 and Lee and I set straight out to my mum's. 

Paul and Lianne arrived not too long after. They had been at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and were staying overnight. We stayed at my mum's until after 6pm just chatting. Then I headed into Wakefield with Lianne so I could show her the way to the restaurant, and Paul went with Lee so they could chat and Lee could get some petrol on the way. Lianne is a really nice person - I don't know her super well but it's always nice to chat with her!

We had decided to go to Syhiba, which is an Indian restaurant in Wakefield where Lee and my mum and stepdad and I went on my dad's birthday in January, which I blogged about. I had remembered they had tons of vegetarian and vegan options (Paul and Lianne are both vegan) and they have an early bird special which is cheap. I had paneer pakora and then potato and cauliflower curry, both of which were so delicious. I would really recommend the place!

We said goodbye around 9pm, so when Lee and I got home we just got into bed and watched TV in bed. I finished my annoying book! It was Orlando by Virginia Woolf and I did enjoy it but I don't read many classics and I found the language too flowery by far! 

I was wearing my Libertines t shirt, my flamingo skirt, and my leopard print cardigan, which is such a ridiculous piece of clothing but it always gets loads of comments! 

My nachos. I didn't get photos of my tea but believe me when I say it was nice

Me and Michelle

Me and Lee and Paul and Lianne. The restaurant was really quite busy for a random Wednesday night, I'm glad they could fit us in!

And finally my outfit

Food Out with Sam in Slaithwaite

On the 22nd of March I went to Slaithwaite to meet Sam for tea. We went to Destination Indian, which I had seen recommended and which has a lot of vegetarian and vegan choices so I was keen to try it. I met Sam in Slaithwaite at about 4.15 and we had a drink in The Commercial first before going across to Destination at 5pm. It's much bigger than it looks from the outside. I liked the decor inside but in the photos there's a huge blue hue on everything, so my food photos didn't come out very well. 

We shared poppadums and dips to start off with, and then I had samosa chaat which I love, and then a paneer curry with a sauce made from cashew nut and fenugreek. It was all incredibly delicious and the plating was really lovely. A few more people came in so there was a nice atmosphere too. I would say the food was really good and would definitely recommend the restaurant if you're in the area. There's plenty of vegetarian and vegan choices - two pages full! We also had a mango lassi each which was delicious. 

Afterwards I drove Sam to the train station as it's up a big hill, and then I drove home listening to You're Wrong About, which is about the only podcast I listen to but I really love it! I was wearing this new flamingo skirt that I bought from Interrobang Art when it was on sale. It's an XXL in the midi length. The size is good on me, it would go much bigger and is very generous. The length is lovely on me too. I wore my Pits and Perverts t shirt which I love. You can't see them but I was wearing my hot pink Snag tights and my Dr Marten boots. Oh and the cardigan is new - it's from Very. I wanted a basic black cardigan and this is perfect - it's not too thick but it is really cosy, I've been wearing it a lot. 

My outfit before I set off. I swear the skirt is flamingos up close!

The decor in Destination before anyone else arrived

This is the second room - it is a big place!

Poppadums and dips - you can see the blue hue on the food so I won't bother showing you anything else

And me and Sam! She had also recently cut her hair like I had, it looks lovely on her!

Lunch Out with Helen and a New Top

On the 17th of November I went to Manchester to meet up with my friend Helen. We met on Twitter seven years ago and it turned out to be the sixth anniversary of when we met in person for the first time! So that was quite cute. We had met at Slattery's then, which Helen had never been to. I think we've been at least once since then, and we decided to meet there again this time too. I never mind driving over to Manchester as it's usually quite a nice drive over the tops. However, the rain was quite bad so I decided to go on the M62, and I set off nice and early. I was early enough to be able to wait for a space in the car park, and then have time to do some shopping in the shop downstairs too. I bought some Christmas presents and some bread and a piece of cake for Lee as he'd asked me to. I then went upstairs to the dining room and waited for Helen.

Slattery's does gorgeous savoury food, but I nearly always get the rarebit because it's really lovely. I had garlic mushrooms on top of it too, and one of their gorgeous hot chocolates. Helen had a club sandwich which I think she enjoyed. Then of course we had dessert - why would you bother going to Slattery's otherwise?! I went for the strawberry and marshmallow dippers, which come with two cups of melted chocolate - so good! I ate about half and brought the rest home for later. 

It was raining on the way to Manchester but the motorway was okay, but on the way home it was really bad. I ended up getting off and going through Cleckheaton - not a place I know well and I followed my nose until I got to Heckmondwike, where I know the way home! It took forever - I might have been better staying on the motorway, but who knows. Anyway it didn't really matter because I didn't have anything else to do, and once I did get home I could just get into my pyjamas and relax. It was nice to see Helen! 

I wearing wearing this old Scarlett & Jo skirt that I've had forever, but with it I was wearing this new top from Very, from the Judi Love collection that the cardigan I showed recently was also from. I liked the purple colour and I liked the cut out - I had two tops like this when I was a teenager! I also like the ruching on the sleeves, and the fact that it's long sleeved but still light enough for me to wear wherever. I was also wearing sparkly tights and my new boots. 

Delicious hot chocolate - there's melted chocolate all round the glass, which is filled with hot milk, and you have to mix them together. One is plenty! I tried two once and it was too much!

Rarebit with garlic mushrooms - so good

Helen and me - Helen is a very sunny and funny person and I count myself genuinely privileged to be her friend

Dessert! The chocolate is so delicious

New purple top and purple and blue skirt - don't they look really good together?!

And finally the ruching on the sleeves

Yummy Yorkshire and A New Cardigan

On the 13th of November I met up for brunch with my friend Gillian. We hadn't seen each other since July so it was overdue. She really likes going to Yummy Yorkshire which works out well for me because it's only about ten minutes drive away. I was a little bit early so I had an americano while I waited and looked at the menu. They have quite a lot of breakfast options, including some vegetarian ones. 

I went for veggie breakfast and Gillian had bacon, egg, tomato and avocado on toast. The food is really good there. We had another drink each and sat chatting until noon, when they needed the table back. It was lovely to see her! I love Gillian a lot - we have been good friends since we were at 6th form and I appreciate her presence in my life.

When I got home Lee and I went to Asda to buy some Christmas presents and also some new towels as I had a gift card to use. It was quite quick and painless which was good. We chilled out for the rest of the day. 

I had recently seen that Judi Love has a collection at Very - I saw a star print dress that I really liked so I ordered that, the cardigan below, and a purple top. I haven't bought many things off Very but really liked the collection - I like it when plus size collections push the envelope a bit. I am not usually a cardigan person but I love this one. I love the pattern and it's very soft and when I've worn it, it's been really warm too. I definitely will not go unnoticed in it! I wore it with my Libertines t shirt and a Scarlett & Jo skirt that used to be a dress. Perfect winter outfit, I think!

This breakfast was perfect for me!

I liked how the pinks and reds of the cardigan were picked up in the skirt - yes it's a bit clashy but so what!

What I Wore 7th June

On the fifth day of our holiday Bettie, Jen, Lee and I decided to go to Angouleme, which was about an hour away. We managed to get lost on the way so it took closer to two hours, but I'll save that for my next post. Here's what I wore, anyway.

I think the haze was making this photo look odd. Oh well. I wore this yellow Scarlett & Jo skirt with a new white top from Simply Be. It came in a three pack, with a grey one and a black one too. 

My leggings were from Very and are pretty ancient, but they're cropped which is nice in warm weather. I also wore my Dunlop trainers that I got recently as I knew they were comfortable for walking round in.

What I Wore 3rd July

I had a hectic day on July 3rd, I went to an exhibition of crocheted/knitted bikes that I will write about later, and then I had a date with some rad fat lasses at Meadowhall. It was an exhausting day but I had fun!

I decided to wear this bright floral dress that I got recently from New Look. I chucked my cardigan on for warmth. I'm also wearing new leggings. Leah recommended them - they're from Very (So Fabulous) and they come in a two pack; there's a shorter pair (these are those and they come to my lower mid calf) and a longer pair, for £20 which I think is reasonable. I got these in a size 24 because I like my leggings tight.

Dress - New Look

Belt - New Look on a different dress ages ago

Leggings - Very

Cardigan - Tu at Sainsburys

I did a bit of a shop in Meadowhall, I'll share some bits later!