Let the festivities begin...

Saturday was the start of the Christmas period for me with Christmas jumper night in Yarm. Well, it wasn't an official night, we just wanted to wear them! Of course, we were absolutely boiling but many others were out in their festive outfits and it felt good to celebrate in style (and in my amazing  H&M heels!)

Celebrations

This weekend I took a trip with my boyfriend to celebrate four years together. We try and go to a different city every year (Edinburgh, Newcastle and Durham), so we thought we'd see Liverpool next. I'd already been a couple of times for nights out with friends, but I wanted to show him what the city had to offer and also my amazing memory of where everything was. After a nightmare train journey, we arrived at Lime Street two hours late and completely knackered. Dropped our bags off at Novotel -lovely room- and set about the centre looking for an outfit for me to wear. The shops are amazing, with random escalators outside that take you to different floors that you never knew existed! It's the smaller things in life that make me happy. The Christmas decorations were lit and the market stalls were filling the streets, getting me in the festive mood.

 Anyway, with no new outfit found, we headed back and I put together a skirt and shirt I'd brought with me. We got ready and set off to Mal Maison (yes another hotel but it was the only decent looking restaurant we could get a table in). It looked amazing as soon as you walked through the door and the menu looked divine. The food came and after sending my main back to be re-heated, I wasn't really impressed with any of the three courses. At nearly £20 for steak stroganoff, I was expecting something a bit tastier and bigger (it came with a cup of rice). The other half had lamb and his was much tastier but you had to pay even more to get a side with it! The sticky toffee pudding was hardly sticky as well, after the teaspoon of ice- cream, both puddings were so dry we couldn't finish them- shame as well because we were still hungry. By the time we finished it was nearly 11 o'clock and after the events of the morning, we were too tired to even try any of the bars.

Look at the size of the dip and mini gherkins compared to the stroganoff! 

The really tasty lamb. 

The next morning we got Starbucks in bed to start the day properly and headed out to enjoy the sites. German hot dogs from the market and a look round the ice rink. There was an ice bar but the queue to get in was ridiculous and it was the same for every activity they had going! So I put my little tour guide hat on and we walked down to the docks to get out of the chaotic centre and take in some sights.

Dancers in a snow globe?

The ticket was stamped with a heart!

Despite the negatives, it was an amazing weekend and I've always said that mishaps make a trip more memorable. This trip was certainly memorable and I can't wait to see what the next city has install. 

xx

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A Sunday Well Spent

The weekend to me is a time for getting those jobs done and relaxing in between. I have worked Saturdays for the past six years, so Sunday's have generally been my day of rest. Now how you interpret rest is entirely down to the individual; it might mean cooking, shopping, organising, or simply lying in front of the T.V all day; just something other than work. I've been compiling photo's of what I've been doing over the past few weekends to take a look at how I spend my time off (note: it involves a lot of food). I love to start weekend mornings with a messy family breakfast, usually consisting of croissants, proper coffee and plenty of jams and spreads to kick start our sugar levels for the day! So healthy. I'll take forever to get ready and then I'll start working on my to do list or catch up with friends and family over plenty of cups of tea. With it getting colder, I stocked up on whipped cream and marshmallows for the best home made hot chocolates. Everyone comes round for them, as long as they do their own topping. I've even started adding caramel sauce and sprinkles to the top for the best calorie overload; but enough babbling, here's some images...

Big Sunday breakfast at Starter's in Yarm is always a good start to the day. 

The vintage rooms at Teesside Hospice are filled with glass cake stands and decanters, both of which I love to collect but will never actually use.

Afternoon delights at Lotti's in Stokesley (I always remember to take a photo half way through eating, sorry).
Kinder Bueno cake was amazing though!

Last Saturday I visited Jewellery By, which is Stokesley's hidden treasure; filled with jewellery by independent designers.  

You even get a piece of information about each artist! It's great for different and individual pieces.

Fajitas for tea is always a good alternative to a Sunday roast (who honestly has the time?!) 

Last, but not least, the famous home made hot chocolate. I could have a thousand of these daily, I'd be sick, but it would be worth it. 

Hair Ringsss

Hair rings have been doing the rounds in magazines and social media for quite some time and I tried some styles with them a couple of months ago. I never got round to putting the finished looks on here though, until now! I created a mini multi- coloured plait in my sister's hair, using hair chalk to give an edgier effect. Instead of paying premium prices on the high street, I found some small metal rings in haberdashery shop that would work just as well. Try it in a sleek plait or use some salt spray, loosely plait sections of hair then pin it all back for a messier effect.

Note: My hair wasn't co-operating with me on this, hence the top part that isn't plaited.