Lee's Pre-Birthday

On the 20th of August we went out for pudding and a couple of drinks with my mum and stepdad. The 21st was Lee's birthday but he and I had plans for that, so we agreed to go out with my mum and stepdad the night before. We took Lee's presents so he could open them then too. My mum had also gone in the afternoon to pick up a cake for Lee for me. It was from Violet Boo Bakery and it was SO nice, really chocolatey with tons of chocolate on top too. We gave it to Lee when he and I arrived at my mum's house and then sang happy birthday to him, which he hates but which we always do anyway. 

Then we went into Wakefield to go to Rassams Creamery for pudding. We had all had tea beforehand but Lee loves desserts so the Creamery was ideal. I went for mixed cookie dough and he went for waffles with a piece of chocolate fudge cake on. I couldn't eat all of mine but it was really delicious! I went to the creamery in June with my friend Helen and they have this incredibly irritating robot that plays 1000 Miles by Vanessa Carlton as it's wondering around... 

But anyway. We enjoyed the food. Then we parked on Wood Street and went into Damelio. There weren't tons of places open I guess because it was just a random Tuesday night, but this was a nice enough bar and I had two nice drinks. One was lemony with whiskey and tasted a bit like cough medicine, and the other one was called La Dolce Vita. 

We left about 10pm and took my mum and stepdad home before going home ourselves. Lee liked all his presents - a bunch of vinyl records and two t shirts and other stuff. I was wearing my watercolour dress which came from Asos forever ago and a green shrug that came from Joe Browns. I like how airy it is. I also had on my guava capri tights and my Dr Marten shoes that I got from Vinted a while ago. They rub a little bit but I knew I wouldn't be walking far so could wear them! It was a good outfit all in all. 

Lee's amazing chocolate cake 

Lee's waffle and cake

My cookie dough with lots and lots of chocolate sauce on top

My two yummy cocktails

My watercolour dress

And my tights and shoes before we went out

What I Wore 17th May

My friend Sarah and I arranged to meet up on the 17th of May. We didn't really plan for it to be the first day we were allowed inside restaurants, but we were both free. Sarah has recently had a baby so I was looking forward to meeting her, of course. I had a lazy morning having a shower and using allll my Body Shop products to make myself beautiful. I even put make up on, which I haven't done in probably over a year. I pulled out a really old Asos Curve dress that I've had since probably 2014 when I wore it on holiday in Cornwall, and which I haven't worn in forever. I'd forgotten how much I like it. It's got a lined skirt which I like, and even though I think it's maybe a tiny bit short I decided to wear it anyway and style it out. 

I don't know if I said that Lee has a new job, working totally remotely for a much bigger company than he's ever worked for before. 17th May was the beginning of his final week and he had his exit interview and stuff, so I made myself scarce and was glad I was out for lunch! Sarah and I just went to Nando's. It was nice, every other table was blocked off so it felt safe enough, but it was quite busy. But I'm double vaccinated so I get that I can take risks that others don't feel able to. I think for a few months people are going to have different ideas of what they want to do, and I think that's fine. I'm just looking forward to seeing some friends because I've missed them so much!

I wore what was for me quite a lot of make up. I thought I went a bit heavy on the blusher but my friend said she liked it, so I left it. 

I was photobombed by Jasmine while I was taking this photo! Isn't she cute?

And here's my dress - it's a lovely gold and black pattern and I'll have to wear it again soon. It also has pockets!

Weirdo Zine Fest in Leeds

The 1st of February was Weirdo Zine Fest in Leeds. Lee and I tabled last year and had a good time so I applied for a table again. We set off really early and went into the cafe in the library for coffee and a cake before heading upstairs at 11am to get set up.

We were between Lou and Bettie and Jen, with Kate the other side of Lou. It was nice to be among friends! We sold quite a few zines and I picked up a few and traded a few as usual. I had three new zines out, actually - one is about our vow renewal, one is love letters to a few things, and one is about fifteen songs that I really love. As always, my zines can be bought on my Etsy shop, here.

After the fest had finished I wanted to take Lee to Bundo Bust as he hasn't been before, and Lou said she would come with us. Lee dropped us off and went to find a parking space and Lou and I went in. It was really busy but they have a good system in place so we got a drink and then got a table outside which wasn't too cold as there's heaters and it's pretty enclosed. Lou ordered her food as she had a train to catch. Her food came, her pomegranate salad looked so good. She left and mine and Lee's food arrived.

I went for the same as I had last time - bundo chaat and paneer tikka. Lee ordered bhajis and curried scrambled eggs which came with a puri flatbread. They were so good, I've never had curried eggs but I would make them at home!

Lee and I just came home after we'd eaten, we were both pretty tired so it was nice to relax and do not much for the rest of the evening.

I put this Asos dress on, I love the colours on it and it always cheers me up whenever I wear it. I usually wear it with a green cardigan but I remembered this mustard cardigan that I bought last year but haven't worn yet. I bought it in TK Maxx and it is from the straight sized section. It's a size L, so it really shouldn't fit me, but it's really stretchy and when I tried it on I was pleased with how it looked. It was only about £12 so I bought it, but hadn't worn it. I think it looks really lovely with this dress and will wear it again.

Plus it goes to show that sometimes sizing just makes no sense and that if you like something you should try it on.

Coffee and caramel shortbread for breakfast for me!

This is the ceiling in the cafe - the whole library is really pretty

Me behind my stall! I ended up selling mostly my own zines because I've just got so many at the moment! I'll probably retire some but honestly I'm proud of my writing in all of these

Bundo chaat - cold samosa pastry, chickpeas, tamarind, and yoghurt. It's so good!

Paneer tikka which was delicious but very spicy

Lee's bhajis - I tried some and thought they were nice

Then his curried eggs with puri - really good!

And here's my outfit! I love this dress and I'll be heartbroken when I finally have to chuck it - hopefully it's got many more wears before then...

Meal Out with Family and What I Wore 1st November

My aunt came up overnight at the beginning of November, to stay with my grandma. My mum said we should all go out for tea on the Friday night, so she booked a table at the Ruddy Duck near where I work in Wakefield. She checked first that there were enough veggie options, and told me there was a whole vegan menu! That's really exciting for me as a vegetarian.

We got there around 6.30 as Lee had had to drive home from work. It was quite busy, but we got served at the bar quickly and the food arrived in pretty good time. I decided to go for the buffalo cauliflower tacos which came with a corn on the cob and lime and coriander rice. It was so nice, all vegan, and really really delicious. I would eat it again in a heartbeat!

I had chocolate fudge cake and ice cream for dessert. Not vegan but they have vegan desserts including ice cream. Everyone else enjoyed their food too, and it's a cheap pub - two courses for all of us wasn't even seventy pounds!

We went back to my grandma's afterwards. I popped into Sainsbury's to get some wine to share, which was nice. We stayed really late but it was nice to see my aunt!

I had put on this Asos dress that I've had forever. I love the tartan skirt and the shirt like top. It's really unline any other dress that I own. I put a plain white top from Simply Be underneath. I think the whole look is "a little bit country and a little bit rock n roll". My aunt liked it too.

Really yummy food

And my outfit when I got home - I love the little peek of tartan in the breast pocket (which actually functions!)

A Low Key Day with Friends

At the end of September Lee and I invited our friends Bettie and Jen over for the afternoon/evening. The four of us chat a lot on our group chat and we all get on well, but we hadn't seen each other for a bit. We decided to get together at our house to hang out and play some board games.

I had been out all week and was quite tired, and also quite sore. I live with chronic pain and doing a lot of things makes it worse. One of the worst things I find is wearing a wired bra for a number of days in a row. My boobs are too big for me to go braless, so I have a soft bra to wear around the house. I also wear it to go to the gym because it's much easier to put on when my skin is damp. It's a Naturally Close one, I got it on eBay for £12. I decided to just put this bra on because I knew Bettie and Jen wouldn't care, and because we were staying in the house anyway. Sometimes, comfort and easing pain is just more important. I hate bras, they're never right!

I also pulled on this top that I got from Asos forever ago, it's also very soft and comfortable. I swear I'm not wearing this skirt alllll the time, but I do wear it quite often!

Trip to Bradford/What I Wore February 11th

My mum and I headed to Bradford in February to buy material for my vow renewal dress, which my mum is making for me. We have always gone to Bombay Stores for stuff like this, so we headed there after my craft club one Monday. We went to the cafe next to Bombay Stores for something to eat. It hasn't always been there, and when it first appeared the two businesses were linked and it was tiny, but it's now got a separate entrance and has quite a few tables.

I had chosen a paneer dosa when my mum asked if she would like it too - she tends to stick to things she knows she likes unless there's someone to reassure her. I explained that it's curry in a crispy and delicious pancake, so I thought she would probably like it. So she ordered a chicken one. When they came they were so good - hot, crispy, with delicious curry inside. My mum liked it and said she would have it again!

We went into Bombay Stores but the quality of the place has dipped since I was last there. It looks a bit like a jumble sale inside, with a lot less material than it used to have. It has more ready made things. We liked a few things, but nothing that really wowed me. And I want to be wowed! I want it to be a really special dress. I'm disappointed that Bombay Stores has gone the way it has.

We looked at a couple more shops and came across a bunch of nice satins in a small shop near Bombay Stores. I chose some there, but I'm still on the look out for some lace for the bodice and sleeves. We're going to Dewsbury soon to look!

It was late by the time we got home, it had taken hours! But it was fun. I was wearing this Asos dress that I've had forever, it's really easy to wear and was perfect for the weather.

I had this really amazing mango lassi

Paneer dosa! That green chutney was the spiciest thing EVER!

The material we did buy...

My green and white dress, and isn't my hair getting long?!

What I Wore December 28th

I went to Manchester on December 28th to meet up with three of the girls I'm still in touch with from 6th form college. We do this every Christmas and it's always a lot of fun. This year we met up in Manchester where Amy lives, we went to the Tea Hive in Chorlton which I've never been to before but I've heard good things about it. I parked easily nearby and waited for my friends.

I had an apple juice and a vegetarian breakfast. It was a muffin with garlic mushrooms, smashed avocado, grilled halloumi, and a poached off, with hollandaise sauce on top. It was fantastic! I then had a hot chocolate and a piece of cake. The cafe has plenty of veggie and vegan options.

And here's what I wore: this Asos dress from a few years ago with this gorgeous green pattern on it. It's been ages since I wore this so it was nice to dig it out!

What I Wore October 27th

At the end of October we had friends over for lunch, we had brunch which was delicious, and then Tom and Lee played Mario Kart and Gillian and I played with their baby, Lily, who is such a sunny and gorgeous little girl. She was very excited to get into absolutely everything in mine and Lee's living room. It was lovely to see them.

When they'd gone I was feeling a little bit stir crazy; I'd been in the house all week and needed to get out, so Lee and I went to Pot House Hamlet near us for hot chocolate and cake. It was pretty late on, but they don't close until 5pm, so it was fine.

I had pulled out this really old Asos dress to wear, I had forgotten how much I like it and it's really cosy and soft to wear, but looks pretty good too. I put a basic white t-shirt underneath, and wore it with leggings.

I'd also painted my nails for the first time in weeks. This is Nomad by Illamasqua; it's a gorgeous matte ish green colour and it applied like a dream - I only needed two coats for really good coverage! I have a couple of others in this range and I really like them

I love this colour!

I was representing Slytherin (I am not apparently a Slytherin)

Victoria sponge

We both had hot chocolate - there was mini marshmallows underneath

I love this dress and this whole look even though it's a bit of a different look for me. I also hadn't realised just how long my hair had got until this photo!

What I Wore September 20th

After we got back from Florence, we had a bit of a rest and then went back on deck to watch us sail out of Livorno and to watch the sunset. We had a gorgeous view of the sun sinking into the sea, which I've always wanted to watch and never quite got around to, and even though this wasn't perfect it was a pretty good approximation of what I wanted! I was happy it was so gorgeous.

Lee and I had booked a table in one of the restaurants that weren't free, one where we had to pay a cover charge. It was only $25 dollars each, so it was fine. We chose to go to the Brazilian barbecue restaurant so we headed down there about 8pm. We'd booked a table but we needn't have worried as it wasn't busy. I honestly don't know where most people ate on the boat, I guess Taste was usually busy but not packed. I'd love to see a graph of passenger activity on board a cruise ship, it would be fascinating!

I had a really delicious strawberry daiquiri and the food was gorgeous. There was a huge salad bar, I could have had a whole meal just from the salad bar to be honest! Then waiters kept bringing around skewers of meat. There was pork loin and filet mignon and other kinds of beef. Lee only eats chicken so as soon as he told a waiter that they brought out chicken cubes and drumsticks immediately for him, which was really good. I enjoyed the experience and the food!

Afterwards we went back up on the sun deck to meet my mum and stepdad; they'd eaten out there. It was a really tiring day but I'd enjoyed it. I wore this Asos lace dress which is really nice for a holiday, it's light and airy and looks really nice.

The pilot boat to help us get out of the dock, we liked to watch the member of staff jump on and off the ship every day

The docks

The pilot boat going out in front of us

A camera can never quite capture the colours of a sunset, can it?

Me and my mum 

Just dipped into the sea

A ship next to us in the harbour

This photo was off my phone, you can see the colours slightly differently here

Strawberry daiquiri and a real actual glass (all the glasses outside were plastic)

My dress

The pool area late on

A crab. I think?

In the restaurant a man came and took our photo and brought it back only a short amount of time later with the option to buy it. I was of the opinion that I wouldn't, that it's all just a way to make money, blah blah blah, but then the photo was so nice that we decided to buy it!