Weekly Musings

2017 - Week Twenty Five

'You can tell me I have a pretty cover but I only date men who read.'
(Lauren Eden)

This week has been quite quiet by my standards; on Wednesday I met up with the girls for a couple of drinks at Carluccio's in Hale as we hadn't had chance to give Hannah her birthday present. It was a welcome mid-week catch-up to break up working, and I had their lemon prosecco spritz again, which is tasty.

My track for this week is an oldie that came up on shuffle on my iPod a while ago, and I have been playing it most days since. It never fails to give me goosebumps, and I love when the beat kicks in right at the beginning, such a fab uptempo record.  



On Thursday I went on a first date with someone who 'super-liked' me on Tinder (that's a new thing since I've been back on it, and to be honest I still don't entirely get the concept). I wasn't going to stick with the app in the UK after coming back from Magaluf (one failed two year Tinder relationship is quite enough for me), but everything deserves a second chance right? With this one (let's go with F) we had been chatting for a while but with my birthday and being in Barcelona we hadn't had chance to meet up. He was better than I expected, more attractive than his photos, cracking banter, and considering I kept him hanging around in town by himself for nearly 2 hours because I finished work late he was good company, and we seemed to have a lot of random kooky things in common, which is a plus for me!

We started in Kosmonaut for a few drinks, and then moved onto Cottonopolis at about 10pm which I hadn't been to before. It's rather swanky in there, all exposed brick, moody lighting and copper pipes, and I had a lovely margarita before scuttling off to catch the last train home. F was an ideal combo of gracious enough to let me do lots of talking, but bold enough to take control now and again, including making the first move to kiss me, which I definitely didn't complain at!

On Saturday my friend Claire came to visit from London, and we took Ferryn to Styal Mill for a little walk before heading home for some slow cooked beef casserole made by yours truly, and to get doled up for my birthday night out on the town. Amanda had come over from Paris for the weekend, and Timna popped out for a couple, as well as a few of the girls who came to celebrate with me as well. 

We started in Epernay champagne bar near The Great Northern, which has a gorgeous little terrace overlooking the square for sunny days, and does loads of different champagnes and other fizz by the glass for really decent prices. We managed to get through 4 bottles (whoops!) before heading over to a new bar called Impossible, where I was kindly bought an industrial strength zombie cocktail made in a conical flask, by Amanda. We finished the night in The Liar's Club, but to be honest the music was shite, so we didn't stay long - old school hip hop is one thing, but monotonous rap is kind of difficult to dance to!

The following day Claire and I had a lie in and then after breakfast went into Didsbury to And The Dish Ran Away With The Spoon, one of my favourite cakeries. I had a snickers brownie with a chai latte, and we went for a walk around the Maker's Market that happened to be on. It was a successful shopping day! I got a beautiful vintage 9ct gold ring with topaz and diamonds in with some of my birthday money, and found a cute poster of some sheet music with an S drawn over it for 3 quid to add to my hallway wall in the flat. I nipped to Mum's afterwards for a cuppa and to collect the dog, and gave Claire a lift to the airport before coming home, and posting a new poem up on Instagram, read it here. I am now firmly stationed on the sofa with champagne truffles (cheers Claire!) for Love Island, which I am getting right into!

Weekly Musings

2017 - Week Nineteen

'An ounce of performance is worth pounds of promises'

(Mae West)

This week has been really enjoyable and varied; I have done a lot of different things but am still ending the week rejuvenated and chilled out, a state which I haven't been too familiar with recently. I am the first to admit that I hate being stuck in my flat feeling bored, but sometimes chancing upon a few solitary hours with nothing planned, or even just doing something a bit more low-key than a mad night out, is exactly what my body and mind needs.



My track this week is from NAATIONS, another Candid Magazine find. It is a massive throwback to '90s house which I love, but also has a sort of Chase & Status modern vibe to it too. After being sent it a couple of weeks ago it was featured as a track of the day on Radio 1 this week, so I'm being that person that says I found it first!

On Tuesday it was the second Band and Bean event for Matter of Sound at Grindsmith coffee shop in Media City. This time Fears Chella, Gazelle and Cassia played, although due to finishing work late I missed the first act which was a shame. Lots more people turned up and it was another cracking night, I'm glad to be a part of the team again!

On Wednesday it was a glorious day, so Abi and I spontaneously went to Carluccio's in Hale after work for a few bevvies in the sunshine. Abi was on the Aperol whilst I opted for the Lemon Spritz, a refreshing concoction of prosecco, limoncello and soda water. It definitely got us feeling summery!

On Friday after work I met up with Ellie and Hannah at the Old Granada Studios in Manchester for an event called Cocktails in the City. The room was filled with pop up bars from notable joints around Manchester, who had each developed their own signature cocktail for punters to try for the price of one token (£6.50). Tickets were £12 + booking fee and included entry, a brochure with all the options on offer and their ingredients, a Duppy Share rum cocktail, a token for another drink of our choice, and a free £20 membership to CITC for the year to celebrate it being their fifth anniversary.  

I actually attended last year, so was excited to sample some new tipples after having a ball trying some really quirky concoctions last time. Unfortunately it was way too busy this time around, so the majority of the night was spent stood in queues, including for the food kiosks and toilets outside in the rain which ruined the atmosphere somewhat. However, the tunes were on point, and the featured establishments had pulled out the stops making their areas look themed and funky. The cocktails I had were tasty, even if they weren't all my first choice (some of the ones I wanted had upwards of a twenty minute wait). I had creations from Laundrette, Tusk, The Alchemist, Cottonopolis, and The Washhouse - click each for details!

After the event ended - last orders were 11.30pm - we walked to Albert's Schloss for a few more scoops and some dancing, and ended up in the ol' faithful 24 hour McDonalds on Oxford Road at 2am. It was a blessing as thanks to excess chicken McNuggets I woke up at 9am feeling fresh and hangover free yesterday!

I spent the morning cleaning the flat, and then went into Altrincham to meet Emily at her bridal hair trial and we had a coffee at Velo Espresso afterwards - just two weeks until the big day! A quick food shop and I headed home to catch the train into Manchester to meet my cousin Stephanie arriving from Leeds. We went to Atlas Bar for an elderflower gin on the sun terrace, where we met Jasmine and her friend Frankie, and then we went to Castlefield Food Festival held under the big arches of the railway bridge which was a cool arena. We had cheese toasties to eat (mine was with pepperoni, the girls had caramelised onion and mozzerella) and a variety of different flavoured ciders, I opted for sour cherry which was bright green and looked radioactive!

It started getting a little chilly around 9pm, so we sought shelter in Dukes 92, which was rammed but raving! Stephanie had a suitcase with her, which some hot guys who were clearly off their tits on something took onto the dancefloor as a prop, much to our amusement. It sort of set the level for the night, as we then got approached by a similarly wired Irish guy who was entranced by my red hair, and his truck driver friend, who chatted to us for the remainder of the night (needless to say, no romance ensured!). We left at midnight as Stephanie had an early lecture today, and all had a girly sleepover back at my flat.

This evening I went to Salford to a clothes swap event that my friend Hattie was running. The premise was to take any old clothes you didn't want anymore, make a £5 donation to charity (Girls Out Loud) and take home as many items of clothing as you wanted. It was such a lovely idea: we had prosecco, the hosts had baked some amazing healthy sweet treats, and despite donating five items I managed to come home with seven! Two pieces - an olive green playsuit from Zara and a pastel blue tasselled skirt from H&M - still had labels in, and I also scored two French Connection blouses, a grey waterfall style blazer, a sparkly peach jumper and a silk floral track jacket - see picture above. I ended up giving £20 as I felt bad taking so much home for only £5, and still made it to Mum's in time for a roast dinner to top off a bloody brilliant week.

Weekly Update!

Food, Food & Food!!

So this is it, the final post of 2014! On Monday I went to Carluccios for lunch with Aum and his friend AJ, and Abi joined us. I had the chicken and prune salad which was delicious, washed down with a couple of lattes. On Tuesday we had quite a lazy day at work, and then ate at the Country Club - I tried the chicken breast with king prawns and red curry sauce which looked very nicely presented and tasted even better. It was my last day at work so I swapped presents with Aum and his parents and toddled home for the evening.

Wednesday/ Thursday were of course Christmas Eve/ Day (see previous post) and on Friday it was Boxing Day and Mum's 50th, so we had the whole family descend on us for a massive buffet spread and some fun and games as usual when we all get together. Yesterday I did a yoga class, and then Grandma, Grandad, Grandpa and Mum came round for lunch at the flat, as the oldies hadn't seen it for ages and I've done a lot to it since then! In the evening Mo came round and we got a Chinese and chilled out, was nice to have some peace after the chaos of Christmas! 

Today I went into Stockport shopping with Mum and Jasmine, got a few Primark goodies (nice new underwear and some gym stuff) and then went round to Abis for a glass of wine and to see Srishti who was home for the weekend. Excited to enjoy my next week off and for New Year's Eve next week! 

Weekly Update!

Stoke, Singing & Stalls!

Aum has been off school this week, so it has been a usual one of going out for lunches and doing fun stuff! On Tuesday we tried the Oxford Road Cafe (see previous post) and on Wednesday we went and played crazy golf at the Trafford Centre. Thursday we had a lazy day and a swim in the pool,and it was Diwali, so they gave me a box of Laduree macaroons as a present, which didn't last long! I babysat in the evening for one of Aum's old HPS school friends.

On Friday we went to Carluccio's for lunch with one of Aum's current school friends and his family. I opted for a salad, but it was still pretty naughty as it had blue cheese, walnuts and bacon on it! I finished work quite early and rushed home to pack for a night at one of my old uni friend's houses in Stoke with all the usual crew. We just stayed in as people were all arriving at different times, had a nice spaghetti bolognese and quite a lot to drink!

The next day we had traditional oatcakes for breakfast, which were amazing! Definitely something I will seek out again. Then after a lazy start we went bowling for something to do, which was actually pretty fun, I haven't been with anyone other than Aum in forever. I set off for home at about 3pm as that evening I was at a Katy B gig with Emily. We drove in, and then afterwards went for a couple in Piccolinos in Hale to meet up with the girls who were already out there.

I stayed at Mum and Dad's and today have been for a mooch at Altrincham Market with Jasmine and Mum which was cool; it has recently been renovated and is full on trendy market chic, with an artisan pizzeria, home ground coffee house and live music. We stayed there for a while, grabbed some food and looked at some of the stalls (which sold everything from art prints to fur coats, to jewellery made from cutlery and home baked brownies!) and came home early this evening for some tea. Great week of fun, socialising and eating!

Weekly Update!

Crumble, Dress-up & Perusing! 

This week has been a proper chilled one, as I had Monday afternoon and Friday off so plenty of time to enjoy myself! After Carluccio's on Monday (see previous post) I met Jasmine for a drink in the Moss Trooper and then had a quiet evening at home.

On Tuesday I went with my dad to the Adidas factory in Stockport and got a few bargains, including some new neon vest tops to stick with all my other bright gear! I went to The Cake Gallery on Wednesday with Jasmine and had a slice of rose and pistachio cake, which is my favourite one that they make, and then I babysat in the evening before Aum broke up from school on Thursday.

On Friday I had my nails done and then Abi popped round for some homemade crumble in the afternoon, before I headed round to my mums for some tea and to go out with Jasmine and her friends for Charlie's birthday. We had predrinks at his house, and then went to Cane and Grain in the Northern Quarter before moving on to a more clubby place afterwards. I met up with my mate Benn who was out in town and we went for a drink in a cool bar called The Gas Lamp that was underground and quite Victorian in style.

The next day I was so hungover, and had a family party to go to at my grandparents in Leven, Yorkshire. We picked up a McDonalds on the way and then I tried to sleep it off, which didn't really work! It was my cousin's 8th birthday so we had some bits of food and took some funny photos with a kit my mum had bought which had a big photo frame and then accessories to change your appearance, like moustaches and hats, funny lips and noses etc, was good fun. I drove back that night and we got a Chinese for a late tea - lovely healthy hangover day as usual!

On Sunday Mum, Jas and I went to the new Altrincham market which is lovely, it has lots of vintage and handmade craft type stalls with illustrations, jewellery, fur coats and lots of knick knacks to pass a lazy Sunday. We got a 'New Yorker' panini from one of the food stands that had pastrami, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard on it, and I bought a brownie to take home with me. Jam packed week but lots of fun!

New Tastes...

Carlucchio's, Hale

Today I headed to sample Hale's latest restaurant addition - Carluccio's. I went with Tasha and Abi, and we ended up staying there for ages as I wasn't needed to collect Aum from school so didn't need to rush.

I got a latte to drink and the tortellini all'Emiliana, which was pasta parcels filled with prosciutto in a creamy sauce. It was quite a small portion but perfect for lunchtime, and meant there was room for a dessert! I chose the chocolate bread and butter pudding, which was gorgeous. It was packed with chocolate and the custardy type liquid that the panettone bread was soaked in had lots of vanilla pods in so gave it a really fresh flavour.

We stayed chatting for a while, until the waiter seemed to be getting a bit impatient! The bill wasn't too bad considering I'd had two drinks, a starter and a main, it was £21 with a tip so didn't break the bank. Comfortable setting and good service, bit pricier than somewhere for an everyday meal, but nice for a special occasion or when you're not counting the pennies.