Easter Weekend

 When I logged off last Wednesday it was in the knowledge that I wouldn’t be back online (for work purposes at least) for well over a week. As much as I enjoy my job, there’s nothing quite like a week of freedom! I met the chap after work, and we went for a pizza and beer to celebrate. 

On Thursday, we were unexpectedly graced by the sunshine, which was welcome since we had appointments in town. An eye test for little Miss and nails for me. Although the sun didn’t bring much warmth, it was perfect for wearing these Joe Browns boots Mum bought for me a few Christmases back. I love them but only cool dry days work for them.

Boots - Joe Browns, Dress - River Island.

Thankfully, little Misses eye test came back perfect. After a spot of shopping, including getting some gifts for little Misses birthday later this month, and raiding the Claire’s accessories clearance sale for bag charms, it was time to get my nails done. I plumped for a beautiful iridescent pink for my nails, and then it was a relaxing evening ahead.

YSL Cabas tote and Claire’s accessories bag charms!

Good Friday was very relaxed. I spent the morning reading in bed. That’s a rare luxury because I always feel like I ‘should’ be up and doing stuff, so I rarely allow myself the luxury of staying in bed to read. Later in the afternoon we went to mass, stopping off afterwards for a coffee. Later in the evening me and little Miss made some collage bookmarks before settling down to watch Zootropolis 2. 

Easter Saturday arrived and with it the first blusterings of storm Dave. It wasn’t too terrible though, so we took a trip to one of our favourite failsafe destinations, Helmsley. I took the opportunity to wear my new Fairfax and Favor boots for the first time, and was surprised at how comfortable they were for a full afternoon spent perusing the boutiques. 

Boots - Fairfax and Favor, dress - Jolie Moi, awkward facial expression models own

The lady in the Fairfax and Favor shop complimented how good they looked when we went in there for a browse. I was also overjoyed to find some vintage long faux pearls in a little vintage market in the town hall. These replace some I broke I while back. I know faux pearls are ten a penny, but modern ones are always too lightweight and white in comparison. I like them to look old!

Making the most of so much free time, on Sunday me and the chap took a trip to Saltwick Bay near Whitby to hunt for the shipwrecks on the beach. Ever since the chap told me about this place I’d been eager to visit with my camera. It did not disappoint but I won’t share too much until I get my images back from the film lab. Sufficed to say, after walking 8 miles we were very grateful of our fish and chips in Whitby.

This week has already started off strong, but I’ll save that for my next post. 

Week number 27 of January

 Is it just me or does this month seem to be taking forever to pass by? I don’t know if it’s the transition back into work, or if it’s the fact that it stays dark for most of the day on most days. Perhaps I should take a vitamin D supplement. Earlier in the week I took the afternoon off to take Mum to a dental appointment. I also got my nails done. After an extended gap since I last got them done during Christmas week, my nails which grow like wildfire were starting to get in the way while typing and the glittery green nail polish was looking more than a tad worn in places. 

Fresh nails

I do love long nails though. If I didn’t have to do stuff I’d grow them very long. 

Thursday I was in the office for my end of year review, which I’m pleased to say went very well. I had a productive day in the office too. After work the chap took me to Byron for dinner. We haven’t been there in a while, it was quiet at that time of day but there seemed to be a lot of delivery drivers doing pick ups. I had a delicious chicken burger, but I always end up in a mess with burgers. Why do they make them for people with a flip top head? 

Nonetheless it was delicious. We’re definitely a foodie couple! We spent our time catching up, puzzling over the state of the world and watching the world go by while we sheltered from the freezing rain outside. 

Dark and wet streets of York

Friday arrived at long last, my car was back in the garage to have the thermostat replaced. Hopefully that’s resolved a niggling issue. After work, I popped out to meet my lovely friend Mrs. C at Wilson’s food hall for a well overdue catch up. Mrs. C is the first proper friend I made when I moved to Scarborough and even though many of our catch ups coincide with play dates (we have children of the same age) it’s always really lovely when we get to have a proper catch up.

Wilson’s was packed, even though it was early in the evening. We had wine, I had pizza, there was live music and we talked non-stop. Catching up on life in general. It was a lovely end to the week.

Live acoustic music at Wilson’s

Saturday, with a fixed car and the weather still being miserable, we decided to head over to the outlet at York. It wasn’t a burning desire to shop, just a burning desire for a change of scenery and safe refuge from the crappy weather. 

As usual most of my money was spent on eating out, and treats for little Miss who just loves to get to Claire’s accessories. I did buy myself a lovely new lip oil from Clarins though, as well as a few other small cosmetics from one of the other shops. It was good to do the trip though just for assurance that the car is fixed.

My new lip oil in my handbag makeup pouch

Today I drank my coffee while marvelling at how fierce the sea is at the moment, before heading into the gym for a workout. The rest of the day is going to be spent putting a dreaded PDF sewing pattern together ready for me to dip my toes back into dressmaking. 

Wild seas this morning 

Now, is it February yet? 

C’mon baby light my fire(pit)

 I actually quite like this time of year. I like the quick succession of festive days that make it not seem quite so dark and dreary. Last week of course, it was bonfire night. Poor Thelma had been beside herself for a couple of weeks with all of the fireworks going off, so I definitely don’t add to that anxiety by setting fireworks off too, but I did set up a cosy little fire in my fire pit, and me and little miss toasted marshmallows and lit some sparklers.

It was unseasonably warm, and it was really nice just to sit out there and enjoy the fire and the fireworks that were being set off around the area. 

Little miss loved it, especially toasting the marshmallows.

I was more excited about my Swedish torch than is normal

Thursday I was off to York. I stopped off en route to the office to say hello to my friend S, and lots of people were in the office from London so there was a nice buzz. After work, I met the chap and he treated me to fajitas at Las Iguanas.

Then we walked up to the train station and waited what seemed like an age for my delayed train. It was a long day and I didn’t get home until late. 

York at dusk

Too dark for these photos to work

With Halloween and Bonfire night behind us, it was time to change out of my Pumpkin bag. I opted for my lovely Michael Kors tote bag this time around. It’s not been out of the wardrobe for a while, such is the case when you’re a handbag fanatic. 

I think it’s only a matter of time before little miss starts skimming off my collection anyway so I best get using my good ones! Saturday afternoon we took a trip down to the chap’s house to see Bruno and introduce him to Thelma.

He’s so adorable, I’m not sure Thelma quite knew what to make of him. After a peruse around town, it was time to head home. Another late one indeed.

Sunday was more relaxing. A lazy morning and some grocery shopping, catching up on laundry and general pottering. Then, in the blink of an eye, another week has passed. Where does it go? 

Packing for Paris

It won’t be too long now before I’m heading off for a week in Paris. I do love Paris, although the last time I visited was about 20 years ago and it was a very different trip to the one I have planned this time. Not only will this be my first trip abroad in about 11 years, but it will be my first time travelling abroad with little Miss too. Exciting indeed.

We’re going on Eurostar, which means very generous luggage allowances as well as no restrictions on liquids. Given I’ve got to carry it all from Yorkshire to Paris though, I’m still trying to pack economically and to combine both mine and little Miss’ packing together. So, what’s made the cut? 

Well of course, there’s our toiletries and first aid supplies (a necessity when travelling with a child). I’ve bought some travel sizes as well as decanting some of my day to day cosmetics (eye makeup remover, toner, moisturiser) into smaller travel size bottles. The Molton Brown travel sizes were something I picked up the last time I visited York outlet, quite fancy, but they had a good offer on. I have of course packed suncream too, although it didn’t seem to make the photos. 

I’ve made up a little first aid kit in an old mint tin, and I’ve got my European plug adapter too. I hope it still works! I always have to bring sting cream because I seem to be like a giant orange ice lolly to wasps and regularly get stung. Everything has fit nicely into this Cath Kidston wash bag which I bought before Cath Kidston disappeared from the high street some years ago. 

I’m packing my makeup bag. I don’t have an excess of makeup, I tend to wear variations of the same look every day so I’ll just be throwing my usual makeup bag in the case.

Very old Marc Jacob’s makeup bag with my day to day makeup

I’m bringing my favourite pyjamas which are linen ones that the chap bought me from piglet in bed for Valentine’s Day and they are just getting to the stage of being delightfully soft and comfy that linen always needs a few washes to achieve. 

Weather wise, it should be around the late 20s while we’re there, so considerably warmer than Scarborough, cities always feel warmer too with the heat from the buildings and lack of a sea breeze. 

A colourful skirt, and three different options of tops is an easy way to create a few different outfits without having to overfill the case. I’ve opted for my bright Roman originals (via vinted) skirt with a vest top, a satin camisole and a vintage lightweight peasant blouse that I bought last year from a vintage shop in Chester.

I’m packing one dress, a lightweight cotton one from Kharibu, and the Zara skirt I bought last week ended up getting thrown in too. I’m taking a leather ‘bum bag’ that I bought from Etsy, for days when I want to carry less, and in terms of shoes I’ll be travelling in my new Adidas Gazelles that I bought to replace my Vans which fell apart. I’ll be packing my Dr. Marten sandals, as well as a folding summer hat an umbrella and small jacket just in case.

I’m going to travel in my favourite denim dress, and I’ll be taking my large Michael Kors cross body bag. My Mum gifted me this bag 7 years ago when I started working for the company I’m still with now.

I used to use it a lot, but I don’t so much now. It’s perfect for a city break though because it fits plenty, (travel wallet, passports, camera) isn’t too heavy and it’s secure. 

I managed to fit it all (and all of little Miss’) holiday outfits into this one Antler luggage bag (with wheels) that’s been unloved in the back of my wardrobe for years. There’s no space for souvenirs but I’ll deal with that problem before I return home. 

Bon Voyage.