It’s Sunny in Marrakesh

Earlier this week my Mum likened the sunshine to an LED bulb. It’s giving off light but it’s not heating up. I thought that was pretty accurate, but even the hint of Spring that the sunshine is bringing is making me feel a little more motivated.

On Wednesday I made my weekly trip to York to work from the office. I had a very productive day, and then after work the chap came to meet me. We had a little wander around town and went to see our friend S before her shop closed. We were heading for Tah Tien, a Thai restaurant that we’ve wanted to try out for months and never got to. Guess what? We didn’t get there this time either.

In my work clothes, and still layering

As we were walking to it, I spotted a fairly new (7 months open) restaurant I’d never seen before, Marrakesh. The name alone was enough to entice me. I love Moroccan food, but the carved door and general ambience was a winner for us. Next time Tah Tien.

Inside we were warmly welcomed and showed to our table. Commenting on the decor, the host explained how everything, right down to the carved wooden chairs and hand painted plates, had been imported from Morocco.

 

We started with some delicious halloumi and spinach parcels, which we shared. We agreed though, we’d have easily eaten a few more portions of those.

Even though it wasn’t open, I was able to check out the beautiful upstairs area while we waited for our mains. 

I’d ordered chicken tagine with saffron rice. The portions were huge, basically it was half a chicken, cooked beautifully and tasting amazing. I could probably have shared this too the portions were so large. It didn’t stop us from ordering Baklava to finish though.

Washed down with a Moroccan mint tea. I want one of these little tea sets for my loose leaf tea. It’s beautiful. 

We were stuffed, but we both agreed that not only was the food delicious but it was so welcoming too. We weren’t being hurried to get off the table like so many places do. Definitely one for a return visit.

The rest of the week was mostly just more work. Friday lunchtime though I took Little Miss for an ice cream at the beach. It’s half term here. We walked along the beach, and the sun actually felt like it was warming up, and then enjoyed ice creams from Holy Cow.

Then half an hour in our favourite arcade, before walking back to the car so I could head home and finish my work afternoon before clocking off for a luxurious week off work. Bliss. 

April - No Spend Challenge

 The irony of posting a no spend challenge hot on the heels of a post about an extravagant Mother’s Day treat, is not lost on me. I’m happy to say, the two are not linked. March was an expensive month for me. Between a broken oven which I had to get fixed, a broken car which I had to get fixed and a multitude of school runs in taxis whilst the car was being fixed, my finances took a battering.

That’s not the sole reason that I’ve decided to challenge myself to a no spend April, even though a financial reset in its own right is valid enough. As anyone who knows me will agree, I love to buy things. Bags and dresses is a particular favourite, but stationary, craft supplies, random toys for little miss all feature highly on my ‘things I don’t need but I’m going to buy anyway’ list. So, I feel a mental reset is in order too. I want to try to get off the consumerism hamster wheel at least a little. 

So, for the month of April I’m doing a no buy challenge. It’s not as strict as some of the no buy challenges I see people doing. I’m still going to be buying takeaways/meals out, day trips and socialising, because I don’t believe in torturing myself. What I will be trying very hard not to buy this month is.

Clothes - All clothes. I don’t need anything, I will use my current wardrobe more thoughtfully and hopefully at some point will be able to bring my spring/summer clothes out of storage too, which is like having a whole new wardrobe.

My most recent hat purchase, when I wear it I’ve been likened to Che Guevara and Citizen Smith

shoes, bags, hats, jewellery, in fact any accessories, for the same reasons as above.

Dug this photo out of the archive, and still use that Aspinal bag sometimes 

Books. My TBR pile is already huge

Stationary- My stock of pens and notebooks is also huge

Toys for little miss (aside from her birthday presents in April)

All the toys and she’s still sooner play with a cardboard box

Makeup - I have plenty, plus backups

Toiletries, unless I have totally run out of something and absolutely have to replace it as there’s no alternative.

Craft supplies - I should actually use some of the stash I have.

Reusable cups/bottles - I have a problem with these. I do use them, but I really don’t need anymore… and I have been tempted recently.

I will be buying supplies to do some decorating, as well as some days out over the Easter holidays so by no means will it be a totally spend free month. There’s no point, however in me just adding to the copious amounts of things I’ve already got.

I’ll check in at the end of the month to see how I got along.