Weekly Update!

Bargains and Black Forest Eton Mess!

Weekdays this week were a little slow. I had lunch at Costa on Monday with the girls, and then worked at the pub in the evening where I had my usual pad thai noodles. I got to finish a little earlier than normal as we were really quiet, which was a bonus as I was so tired from the weekend! I didn't do anything on Tuesday, and on Wednesday I was babysitting until 10pm so slept pretty much as soon as I came in. On Thursday I went for a quick coffee at Abi's while Aum played football after school, and then had a nice chilled evening which included a deep hot bath now it's getting so cold during the days!

On Friday I went shopping in Altrincham with my mum, I got some amazing bargains! I got a knitted houndstooth check dress for £10, and a sheer houndstooth check sleeveless blouse dress for £15, both in the River Island sale. In the evening I had my eyebrows dyed again - it's been a revelation! Then I went to a gig and for a night in Manchester (see previous post). 

On Saturday I worked at the pub - my last Saturday shift ever, woop! - and then I went shopping at the Trafford Centre with my mum. I was looking for a nice formal winter coat from somewhere like Karen Millen or French Connection, but I couldn't find one that I really liked. I settled for a pair of citrine coloured skinny jeans from Forever 21 - they are definitely a statement! We had tea at Spud-u-like as we weren't feeling hungry enough for a full meal, and then went home at about half nine as we were both dead on our feet. It is the first Saturday night I'd had in for absolutely ages, but it was actually really nice to just veg out in front of the TV and have an early night - I'm clearly getting old!

Today when I woke up I didn't have anything planned so lay in until 11am, but then I got a text from Tasha asking if I fancied lunch, so I got ready and we drove to the Alderley Grill. 

Although we didn't intend to, we had a full three course meal and wine, and ended up staying for over two hours having a good chatter which was fun. I had asparagus with hollandaise sauce and a poached egg for starter, followed by smoked haddock risotto and then a Black Forest Eton mess which was amazing. It had brownies at the bottom, topped with alcohol soaked cherries, meringue balls, cream, chocolate ice cream and chocolate covered popping candy! Considering I normally end up in bed all day on Sundays with a hangover, it was a pleasant change to get out of the house and enjoy some social interaction!

Autumn Sounds...

The Portlands

Last night was our final night before Hana leaves us tomorrow so we were all up for a good night. We went round to Hana's house at half seven as her stepdad had made us all spaghetti bolognese which was gorgeous. We had a nice catchup with the family, and a few glasses of wine, and I took some coconut and banana cupcakes that my mum had made for dessert. 

At about half nine we headed into Manchester to Ruby Lounge in the Northern Quarter, where a friend of Hana's band, called The Portlands, were playing. It was free to get in, and they were headlining a BBC Introducing event, which was supposed to be really good.

We bought a drink, and then the band came on, and they were actually really good! They reminded me of the Maccabees in terms of the sound of the lead singers' vocals, but the backing music was much heavier and had a more edgy, rocky sound. They played for over 45 mins, and then came back on for an encore as the crowd went wild! They have done a US tour, and are about to embark on one in Germany, so we may hear from them again in the future!

Afterwards we got a taxi over to Deansgate Locks (we wouldn't normally, but it was hammering down with rain!) and went to Revolution where we met up with Natasha, who was out with her workmates. We had a few drinks and some shots, and had a good boogie downstairs in the club room. By half past midnight we were all really tired so we jumped in a taxi, and were home by 1am. It was a good way to end our last night with Hana though - no drunken mishaps or sick involved!

Saying Goodbye!

Hana's Leaving Party

On Saturday after work was one of my best friend's leaving parties as she is moving to Australia. Although obviously tinged with sadness, we all agreed to try to hold it together and enjoy ourselves for the event, as we still have next week to see Hana before she leaves.

We all got dressed up for it which was fun, I finally got to wear my new French Connection dress, which got a lot of compliments. We arrived at about half past seven, and the party was already in full swing, so we were promptly handed glasses of Prosecco and thrust in front of a camera for some pictures which I am excited to see next week.

There were probably about fifty people there, and it was a really good atmosphere, there was lots of gorgeous food (especially dessert) and Hana's brother and stepdad both gave brilliant speeches which made a few of us get teary! Afterwards we went into the garden to let off some helium balloons that had a lovely message written on them, all down to Hana's mum, which I think was a great idea and really original.

At about midnight, the young 'uns wandered into Hale to Suburbia for some more booze and a spot of dancing. I managed to wangle half price entry for all the girls, a good job when it is a pricey tenner each, but once we were inside it was well worth it as it was busy and had some good tunes on. We all left at different times, but I got home at about half 2, so not too bad compared to the lateness of some nights out! 

It was a really great send off for Hana, it is just a shame she has to leave us at all!

Weekly Update!

Self-Indulgence & Tea

I seem to have packed quite a lot in this week, which has been fun! On Monday I picked up my new car, woo! and then I worked as normal. On Tuesday I went shopping at The Lowry with my mum, originally for a Karen Millen coat, but seen as their outlet had closed, I made do with a few other purchases instead. I got a mink coloured leather skirt for £3, and a really nice yellow dress with a cream lace back for £7, as well as some cards and some perfume just for during the day time. In the evening Aum and I made Toffituff (see previous post for recipe), and then on Wednesday I went for a few drinks in Bloom with Hana, Abi and Tasha which was nice. I was driving, but still had a couple of small spritzers so I didn't feel too left out.

On Thursday I treated myself to a little present in the form of a Molly Brown necklace, as they were on sale in Plum in Hale. I got the chain with a lime green jellybean, and the whole thing was £28.50, which I thought was very reasonable. Afterwards I took Aum to the Cake Gallery, where I had a pot of tea and a slice of Bounty cake, which was amazing. In the evening I went for a gorgeous meal at Danilo's with all the girls. We shared a couple of garlic breads, one with cheese and one with tomato, and then I had a half portion of the cannelloni for my main. We shared a big carafe of wine and had a good giggle and catch up. I was feeling pretty rubbish earlier in the week, but Thursday definitely perked me up!

On Friday I had a couple of the guys I went to Benicassim with round to mine as I had a free house for the weekend. Although I bought quite a few spirits, I honestly wasn't expecting to drink them all, but we did, and so for my shift on Saturday I felt pretty rough, despite having a full cooked breakfast before I started!

After my shift I went to my friend's leaving party (see next post) and then on Sunday after a lazy morning, I drove into Manchester to meet Laura (my friend who used to live in Paris) and her fiancé Dickon, as they had been to a Bridal Fayre there. We had a cup of tea in the cafe in Harvey Nichols, which was surprisingly reasonable, and then I had to run back to the car in the pouring rain as I had left my umbrella in there. Overall, a delightful week!