Everybody Dance Now

 This weekend was excellent! Just the tonic needed, and it left me feeling happy and energised.

Saturday evening the chap and I had tickets for Vernon Kay’s 90s Dance party at the Scarborough Spa. 90s and dance music, it doesn’t get much better!

I wore yet another dress that’s been languishing in my wardrobe with the label on for too long, and although I needed the jacket for the walk to and from the spa, I most definitely didn’t need it inside.

The venue was already filling up when we got there, and the support DJ was doing a great job of warming up the crowd.

By the time Vernon came on the (massive) main hall was absolutely packed! His set was amazing, over 2 hours of some of my favourite tracks. Me and the chap couldn’t stop dancing and, like the majority of people in the room, quickly became a hot sweaty mess. 

Early in the evening 

When a Prodigy mix came on I was elated, but to be fair pretty much every track had me going. We took some photos but it wasn’t long before I realised I could either dance, or take photos. I opted for the dancing and that in itself took me back to my original clubbing days. We didn’t have smart phones to catalogue every experience, so we were present, and it really made a big difference.

Hot and sweaty at the end of the night 

The moon over South Bay at the end of the night 

It’s probably why Saturday felt so good! Sunday morning we went and had breakfast on the seafront, and then took little Miss and Grandma out for some lunch but the rest of the day was chilled. A perfect end to a fabulous weekend. 

Puppies and Flowers

 No, I haven’t turned into Mariah Carey, demanding puppies and roses everywhere I go. I probably would if I could get away with it though. 

Thursday was my actual birthday and I’d booked the day off work. The sun was out and once I’d done the school run, I took my morning coffee along with Thelma, to South Cliff gardens to enjoy the view over the bay.

Coffee with a view

It’s a luxury I never get to indulge in, usually running home to log on and start work. I was grateful though that I was able to just take some time out and enjoy those views on my birthday.

The day before, a beautiful box of flowers arrived from the chap, which I added to the flowers I’d bought for myself for my birthday in what was a flower explosion. My idea of heaven, apart from in the summer when my allergies prevent such enjoyment.

The rest of Thursday was spent mostly drinking tea and eating copious amounts of cake whilst catching up with various people, until after school when I took little Miss to the fair to meet her school friend and go on some rides.

They have a great time at the fair, and I always love the lights and hubub of the fairground. Alas, they are growing quickly and I suspect that they won’t fit in the kiddies rides so easily next year. We ran into more friends while we were there and enjoyed an impromptu catch up by the tea cups, before grabbing hotdogs at the hotdog van and heading home. It had managed to be a relaxing and yet very busy birthday, and I had a great time.

As Saturday approached we were bracing ourselves for Storm Amy! We didn’t think we would get to do much, but actually by the time it got to Saturday afternoon it was just windy. We were able to take a drive over the Moors to Whitby.

What I wore to Whitby - head to toe black of course

It’s the first time we’d driven over that way since the wild fires in August and it was saddening to see the blackened devastation the fires had left behind. Autumn is usually a beautiful display of browns and purples on the moors, but there were just miles and miles of black charred land. Horrible!

A photo of the moors fire I took from Scarborough in August

Whitby itself was a good choice. We stopped off for tea and scones first, and Thelma even got a sausage in the cafe. Happy Thelma.

Then we spent some time perusing the streets. Bobbing in and out of book shops, herbal shops, Whitby jet jewellers and alternative clothing shops. I bought myself a new suncatcher for my living room window, and little Miss got another book to add to her collection. Many of the shops in Whitby are independent, which means it keeps its bustling and vibrant feel even though many high streets in other towns have died off.

Spot the suncatcher in my window

We finished the day at a regular haunt of ours, Abbey Wharf. Despite being busy, we managed to bag a table with a view over the harbour and Mum treated me to a meal of Fish and Chips, before we wandered back to the car park for the drive home. We’d really enjoyed a lovely day out.

Sunday, I headed off to York. The chap had picked up a new puppy on Friday and I was eager to meet the little scamp.

He’s a Cavalier King Charles spaniel and he’s beautiful, cute and full of mischief. I enjoyed my cuddles with him, he even went to sleep on me.

We popped out to grab some lunch at Prezzo and the chap gave me my birthday presents, including this fabulous Lego campervan that he built for me. The chap’s hobby is Lego, and he is excellent at it. I just need to find a safe spot from this away from the other Lego fanatic in my life. It’s my dream to own the real thing one day.

After more puppy hugs, it was time to head home and get ready for the week ahead.

Birthday Bonanza- Part Two

 I did warn you that I like to drag it out! This weekend was the second part of birthday celebrations, and it definitely came with some challenges. The chap and I had arranged to meet our friends S and S for a curry in York. I’d booked a city centre hotel for me and the chap, weeks ago. Then, en route to the hotel I get a call telling me a system error meant they didn’t have a room for us. Instead they’d moved us out to a hotel 2 miles out of town, The Pavilion.

As you can imagine, I was not impressed with the Double Tree by Hilton. All of our plans had centred around being in that hotel! I had a right good moan, which was a good thing because it meant that even though we had no option other than being out of town, we did get a posh four poster room and our taxi’s paid for. It was a stressful start to the night though.

View from our balcony

We arrived and got ready at what was, admittedly, a posher hotel, and I was glad to finally wear the dress I’d bought about a year ago, for the first time. Along with a pair of my Irregular Choice shoes and a lacy bolero I bought on Vinted a few weeks back.

The chap pulling a funny face

We made our way into town and met up with our friends in a pub, before heading off for our curry. I chose something different to what I usually have, and it was delicious. We had a long over due catch up, and then headed back to the pub.

This time there was music too. Afterwards we wandered onto a more hip bar that was full of students drinking cocktails, although I stuck to my half a lager, before heading off to get our taxi back out to the hotel. The night had turned cold and wet and I was just grateful for the warmth of the room.

Then, in the middle of the night I was so ill. I hadn’t drunk much so it couldn’t be that. Initially I thought it was food poisoning, but I checked with our friend who had had the same curry as me to find out, he was fine. It wasn’t that, but I couldn’t even keep water down. Needless to say, the chap was very worried. I made it home, and spent the rest of the day lying on the (new) sofa, unable to keep so much as a sip of water down for the whole day and well into the evening.

Monday morning I was still incredibly ill. I just slept until lunchtime, before I started being able to get some liquids down me and try to remediate the pounding dehydration headache I had. I still don’t know what it was. I’ve ruled out a few things, I wonder if I picked up a bug, or had an allergy to something in the curry. I guess I’ll never know but I definitely don’t want a repeat of that.

It didn’t ruin my weekend, the good bits were still really very good. It’s just a shame about the bad bits. I’m almost back to normal now apart from tiredness and the odd bout of nausea, just in time for my actual birthday tomorrow.

Another year older, not sure I’m any wiser though!

Birthday Bonanza - Part One

 I know, how many parts can there be to a birthday bonanza? Well given that mine and the chap’s birthdays are a fortnight apart, and I have a tendency to drag my birthday out for as long as possible, this could end up being a long series!

Where did last week go? From Wednesday onwards it just seemed to fly. Wednesday afternoon I took delivery of the new couch that my Mum kindly bought me for my upcoming birthday. I’ve been looking for a second couch for my living room for months now, so I was elated to stumble on this gorgeous herringbone tweed one the previous week. I don’t buy brand new sofas. Anyone with a young child and a dog will understand why, and I had in my head what I was looking for. Not too pale (for reasons given above) the right size for the space, comfy and inviting and robust. The new sofa ticks all of the boxes, although I thought having an extra sofa would give everyone space, it seems that wherever I sit, little Miss and Thelma need to sit too, but at least this sofa is a bit bigger so we can all pile on comfortably.

Wednesday evening we were back to swimming lessons for little miss. Given my tastecard is about to expire, I thought we’d have one last 25% off meal at the pub near the pool, afterwards. Everywhere seems to have some manner of ‘Oktoberfest’ on at the moment, so I had a delicious German style hotdog for dinner. Having been to Oktoberfest in Munich many years ago, I can say that this wasn’t quite the same, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Thursday I was off to York for a day in the office. It was also the chap’s birthday. We met after work, and walked up to Miller and Carter, a posh steak house that I’d booked a table at for the occasion.

The chap is a steak monster, so I’m always safe booking us a steak restaurant. We had been eyeing this one up for a while so it was nice to finally try it out. It was almost empty when we arrived, but soon started filling up as the evening progressed. 

We’ve agreed this year not to go too crazy with gifts and instead to spend the money on an experience. Maybe a show or a gig, we haven’t found one yet but we’ll keep looking. Nonetheless I’d brought him a small gift, which he opened before our three course feast was served.

The food was amazing! We both started with Calimari, followed by steak with various sides, whilst I enjoyed a Pavlova for dessert and the chap had a chocolate brownie, as well as a complimentary birthday brownie. All washed down with a glass of red wine. 

It was a lovely experience, and the waiters were absolutely splendid too. Admittedly we were so full by the time we left that I think we waddled along the river to the train station. Neither of us are particularly good at recognising when we’re full. 

In the blink of an eye it was the weekend. Saturday was a wash out and we ventured only as far as town. I had to pop into one of our local galleries, Woodend, to pick up the drawing that little Miss had exhibited earlier in the year.

This particular gallery was once home to the Sitwell family. The delightfully eccentric Edith Sitwell, her parents and brothers. It always makes me quite happy to visit here, not to mention the fabulous view from the back of the gallery on a clear day. Saturday was definitely not a clear day! 

Sunday was a completely different weather story. Whilst the nip definitely stayed in the air it was dry and bright. We decided to take a trip to Helmsley. I know I’ve mentioned Helmsley on the blog before, it’s a gorgeous town on the Moors and a favourite haunt of mine.

A lovely view from the cafe

A very inviting space

Lined with original stone cottages and a beautiful church. It’s idyllic.

Sometimes I think it’s even better on a Sunday. With less people around we were able to wander peacefully, stopping off in cafes and pubs along the way and perusing the beautiful shops. 

Everyone loves an old fashioned sweet shop

It was a perfect end to the week! 

Groundhog Day

You know it’s been a dull week when the highlight has been taking delivery of a new washing machine. Not that a new washing machine isn’t exciting, and being able to wash my clothes again after my old one died at the weekend is something I’m grateful for, but it’s hardly headline grabbing. No, the week has largely been school runs and WFH. 

In the absence of anything more thrilling, I will share my week’s outfits. Don’t get me wrong, I always love looking at other people’s outfits, I just usually only share mine if it’s special, a day out or a date or something, so here goes!

Monday - school runs and WFH. I actually like this little dress, and prefer it now the cooler weather is coming because I can wear thick tights.

Shoes - Kickers, dress - city chic

Tuesday - I’m not as fed up as this photo would suggest! I wear this dress a lot, as well as the Breton top, the DMs are about 8 years old now and still going strong.

Shoes - Dr. Martens, dress - City Chic, top - the Breton shirt company

Wednesday - washing machine delivery day! I didn’t realise this top was as unflattering as it is, until I saw this photo! Nonetheless I tried it with a belt later and it looked much better, and I like the sleeves so I’m keeping it.

Trainers - Adidas, jeans - Dorothy Perkins, Top - Avenue

Thursday - A favourite combo of mine, a t-shirt (Florence and the machine merch) and a long skirt. Ok, so the Ugg dupe slippers are doing nothing for my style credentials, but I did wear them for most of the day so I’m being authentic.

Skirt - Primark, Top - Florence and the Machine gig, Belt ?

Friday - My annual blood test for my hypothyroidism and working from home again. Fish and chip night and a welcome end to the week.

Shoes - Hotter, dress - homemade, duster - one hundred stars, scarf - gift from the chap years ago, belt ? 

I was also sad on Friday to hear that one of my favourite brands, Irregular Choice is ceasing trading. I have three pairs of their shoes and one handbag. I’ve loved their quirky designs for years, I don’t think there’s anything else quite like them on the market. I hope they can find a way to keep going.

My IC collection 

Friday evening, I decided a wander to the seafront for hot chocolate was in order. It was a good call. It’s so quiet down there now that all of the tourists have gone. It’s this time of year when I am most grateful to live here. I know everyone loves the sea in summertime, but as Autumn draws in and it starts becoming more of a wild beast, throwing seaweed up on the sand and spray on the air. That, for me, is when it’s truly beautiful.

The weekend was fairly chilled. A potter around town where I discovered a new crystal shop on Saturday. I didn’t take an outfit shot, but you can see a glimpse of my Beetlejuice denim jacket in this selfie, which got some compliments around town. Another well chosen gift from the chap a few years back.

A run to the tip and sausage casserole in the slow cooker on Sunday, and that was the week, done!