the party...

after months of planning and a saturday evening set up in the rain, sunday saw the community summer party executed in the glorious yorkshire sunshine.

after the last minute emails were exchanged earlier last week i was actually getting quite exciting about the weekend. but nervous. so nervous because actually was putting the new street- food court in a separate are of the park really good idea? will party goers find it? do people really just want burger and chips? but it gets to a certain point and you cant change your decisions you just have to run with them and hope for the best...

so first decision of sunday was what does one wear underneath a high- vis vest for a day? i opted for practical double denim with a splash of colour.

first job of the day. coffee. our local park has the cutest little cafe with a library  and serves the most delicious coffee and breakfast products. so after coffee i made my first realisation of the day. decorations.

i live for decorating stuff. i thrive on decorating projects of the home or any form of event. and id forgotten to make any decorations for my food area. the so- named food court was behind a hedge, away from the lake and the hustle and bustle of the main party area. so making it ideal for families to sit and relax but not so noticeable behind the flipping high hedge. so first note made for next year; make some form of pretty bunting/ banner for the high hedge...

i threw up the little bunting we had left round a tree and continued set up...

the party started at 1 but the crowds were building far sooner than that. the main area was buzzing with community stalls, charity stalls and all sorts of weird and wonderful activities to try. there was a climbing wall and blow up rugby game and the usual bouncy castle and spinning tea cups to keep the children entertained. a particular favourite of Seb's was the miniture railway.

i held off going back into the food area for a little while, nervous that it would be quiet as there were so many people everywhere else. but when i walked in it was fantastic. there were people milling around and queuing to try out the culinary delights. families has set up camp in the gardens on picnic rugs and were happily sampling what was on offer. 

the whole afternoon flew by in a whirl of talking and directing and eating. feedback on the day was majority positive for the party overall and i was delighted that from my street- food traders it was purely positive. we left buzzing about ideas for next year. for a first insight into event management it was great. i was fortunate to be able to concentrate on one area of the party so as not to get overwhelmed with admin and headaches. last week i was umming and ahring as to whether i wanted to commit to another 6 months of planning next year but i think these things are kind of addictive. if it goes well then you want to build on that success no matter what kind of work is involved.

solo shopping...

i've been quiet on the writing front of late. feeling under the weather coupled with the park party fast approaching and my brain has been busy just functioning and getting everything done for next weekend. but i wrote this yesterday on my way home...

i took some time out today to head to Leeds on a little shopping trip on my lonesome. as usual there are presents galore to buy this month (why is it when we hit 30 everybody else turns 30, has babies, gets them christened, gets married and moves house?) so that was my main purpose but there's no point forgetting yourself entirely so the aim was also to pick up a bargain in H&M or somewhere.

so coffee in hand, new magazine in my bag (it takes me a whole month to read Elle at home) and i already felt worlds lighter. i didn't need to choo choo at every train that passed in the station, i  didn't need to fight to get on the train with a stroller and i didn't need to use bribery to get through a journey without kickoff. 

i jumped from shop to shop and back again choosing just the right gift and reasoning that I did need some new underwear. i chose a seat upstairs and enjoyed lunch (eaten still warm) and daydreamed. and now i'm on my way home again, absolutely knackered (why does shopping feel like a 10k after only 3 hours?) and looking forward to a lazy, family sunday afternoon. you can't have too much of alone time or a good thing, otherwise you'd never appreciate it.

Benetton printed trousers...

i love a printed trouser, or slacks as i like to call them because it reminds me of what Jessica Fletcher might call them in Murder She Wrote. i bought these beautifully coloured and printed pair from Benetton in Villamoura, Portugal, a few weeks ago...

ive been wearing them with a white camisole, white or grey slouchy tshirt or white shirt. shoes are also my favourite posh sandels (from Topshop) for when trainers or flip flops just wont do.

summer workwear...

                      image courtesy of www.misskasia.com

im fortunate enough to work somewhere without a uniform or strict dress code (although Stylist magazine published a fascinating article about a woman who wore the same outfit to work everyday to boost productivity...)this is also a bonus because it shakes me out of the jeans and tshirt rut its all too easy to fall into on a weekend with a toddler. but again its all too easy to wear the same skinnies and blouse week in week out.

so this re- surge of energy i wrote about post holiday came into good effect and i popped on my fresh wardrobe glasses and re discovered some beauts...

okay okay so i said this wasn't about wearing the same skinny jeans and blouse time and again but black skinny jeans are the base for a good working wardrobe (i swear by M&S 5 pocket jeggings) and this vintage blouse has been hanging in my wardrobe for about eight years and before that in some other ladies for about 20...

im all about fuss free. i cant be bothered to spend more than 5 minutes on my hair (a big reason its short) and i love anything that can be worn with a simple, slouchy tshirt. this cream lace skirt from Gap outlet has just a touch of sporty with the elasticated waistband and its boyed up a bit more with just a t. i think the best ones are H&M with the little pocket and only £7.99...

in the summer months its hard to know what to wear because its windy but boiling on your walk to work, you need comfy shoes but it might rain and once you get inside the aircon might be freezing. i found these tailored shorts, from Topshop, and i thought they worked perfectly with this loose white shirt (Barbour but bargain of the century from Oxfam) so there's flesh on show to keep cool but sleeves to keep the chill off. finished with good old tan loafers...

and my working wardrobe of the last month, actually the last year, is not complete without my smart joggers, again H&M. ease, comfort, smart. done deal. again with the white shirt or slouchy tshirt...

this fresh- eyes malarkey tends to happen every few months, thank god, because it saves me pennies and space. as much as i love a splurge as much as the next girl there is something far more satisfying opening your wardrobe doors and pulling out just what you want to wear. or fancy trying something new and finding that actually you have just the thing already.

ceilings...

sometimes some topics and ideas just go round your head for a few weeks. you have a discussion with yourself about them and you bring them up in conversation and then finally you just decide you want to have a mull with the keyboard.

i read an article about Charlize Theron a few weeks ago, in last month's Elle, and in it she discussed the double standards of Hollywood and the pay gap between male and female actors. ive read articles on pay inequality and the 'glass ceilings' women encounter in the workplace lots of times but for some reason this one article made me think. i discussed it with my mum and reasoned that ive never really thought about the subject in any great detail before. like extreme poverty, homophobia, racism; i know it exists but its not something i have felt has ever affected me.

this isnt to paint a picture that my (former) career was blessed with promotion, more that ive never worked anywhere where there were opportunities to progress within the time frame i was there. and significant pay rises (by this i mean more that £1 an hour extra) didnt come my way not because i was a women but because i worked for a small, family run business in an agricultural area. and, whether it was pure ignorance on my part, but i never once felt that i couldnt rise up the ranks, should i wish too, simply because i was female. i knew people who worked in London and said things like ''i need to give my clients more face time.'' maybe they saw the glass ceiling but i certainly didnt.

why this particular article in Elle struck me i dont know. but i was genuinely shocked to read that Charlize had achieved what had not been done before in the film industry, to be paid the same as her male co-star, Chris Hemsworth. i discussed in disbelief with my mum that i couldn't believe this hadn't happened before, surely the actors and actresses with equal screen time got paid the same? she was pretty accepting of the fact, that's the way it had always been, right or wrong. 

it was the Sony email leaks, disclosing the difference in pay between Jennifer Lawrence, Amy Adams and their male costars in American Hustle, that brought the Hollywood pay gap into the spotlight. and from that moment on i think there has been a jump- start of interest, again, in equal rights, in pay equality, in roles for women, in double standards, in sexism. basically lets call it feminism. because feminism became something of a dirty word, certainly in my teenage to adulthood years. we heard stories about Emily Pankhurst when we grew up, we listened to girl power in our tweens and then something happened. maybe we all started to view feminism and feminists negatively, in a very laddish way? we started to scorn and paint with a stereotype brush. whatever way a lot of us disregarded it i think. or we were too young for it in the wider world away from history lessons and wannabe.

maybe it was the birth of Heat magazine and the celebrity culture. maybe it was the fact that we were so keen to be as sexualised as possible because it was our right and it didnt mean we were knowing'(as my Nanna would call it) just because we dressed like it. maybe it was because women were starting to get tired of the 'have it all culture' they had grown up with and actually wanted to breastfeed and stay at home with their babies.

journalist and author Polly Vernon recently published her book Hot Feminist, touted as ''a brave new perspective on feminism'', basically an entertaining perspective on being a modern feminist and that its ok to want to be perceived as 'hot' as well as caring about women's rights. i havent read it yet but i read a fascinating article with Polly and ive also read many reviews on the book. and like it or loathe it, agree with it or not, she has a valid point in that one of the things that went wrong with 'feminism' in the last few years is that women kept judging women. we're all guilty of jumping up and down about men and the media labeling us but we actually do it to each other more. so women who felt they were true feminists would scorn at those professing to be one whilst still making sure they kept their waxing appointments. and TOWIE influenced girls would scorn at those eager to make a stand against sexulisation in the media. so Polly makes the point that why cant we just be as we are, and still be a feminist and be each others biggest supporters?

ive also been really inspired by Hilary and Chelsea Clinton of late, im a sucker for the American presidential election term on term anyway, so with Hilary running its going to be a fascinating watch. you could see years ago, when she was the First Lady and later when she became Obama's number two, that if there were to be a first female president, it was going to be Hilary. 

and i didnt know too much about Chelsea, other than she was a few years older than me, had a mass of curly hair and had a baby girl about a year after i had Seb. but after sacking off a career in finance she works closely with The Clinton Foundation and, in main, their initiative No Ceilings. this project aims to 'inspire and advance the full participation of girls and women around the world.' in short it covers education, violence, poverty, health and aims to build a report of real date on how women are progressing through all walks of life, so they can access the problem areas. what suck with me was, when talking about life since becoming a mother, Chelsea said she felt she owed it to her daughter Charlotte to try and make the world better for her. and i felt the same way. i want Seb to grow up with a full understanding of equality.

its all too easy to get drawn into your own world and stay there, without opening your eyes and your mind to whats happening out in the wider world. i live in a very white, very middle class area and a lot of local people work within the city walls; for the railway, in hospitality and tourism or for Aviva. maybe it wasn't just me and glass ceilings don't occur to that many women here either. but just like the casual racism that exists here (and many other places), maybe there is casual sexism and we just don't notice because we've grown up and live in a traditional place and that's just how life is.

thats why i think its important to read. and discuss. and not be afraid to speak out, in protest or in discussion. to keep our eyes and mind open and to teach equality on all levels.

father's day ideas...

there are posts galore on father's day gift ideas; luxurious, home- made, on a budget, and its something i started thinking about a few weeks ago. with so many events and occasions in the calender this year i'm trying to keep our present giving creative (and on a budget...)

ideas i've had...

craft ales. real ale, craft ale, bog standard lager; they are all popular with the men folk in our family. real ale is one of my father- in- law's 'things' and a box set of unusually named tipples is a favourite gift to give. the younger men in the family, and my dad, have always been more Carlsburg than Carbon Neutral but with familial influences and the growing trend for craft ales this could be an ideal gift for dads and grandads. Marks & Spencer have a fantastic selection of beer and cider and for Fathers Day are bringing out some good box sets if you want the job of choosing to be done for you. personally i love picking the daftest names or names that link to the receiver. if, like me you like to shop local, its worth scouting your high street or a bit off the beaten track to see if there are any individual wine and beer shops. here in York my favourite is York Beer & Wine shop, a treasure trove of a shop just beyond the city walls.

image courtesy of www.friendsofham.com

Not on the High Street. well this is just a one stop shop and basically i might as well finish my post here. this is my first point of call when im looking for ideas for any occasion (and also home and party decor.) you can find something for any budget, here are a couple of my favourites...

mini photo acrylic block & wooden calender keyring...

both priced around £15 they are a perfect, low cost present idea with a god dose of sentimentality.


chalk board. another totally unique idea is a pub style chalkboard, expertly painted by artist chalkboard illustrator. originally set up to provide a higher quality of work for local businesses, last year they started to design personal boards to be given as gifts. these can be a brain storm about the receiver complete with little images if you fancy, in any colour palate you choose. chalkboard illustrator has also designed personalised boards to be used at private parties and even table plans...so have a think about some good stuff about your dad and send him a message. 

good old socks and tshirts. when all else fails i go for some kind of clothing item. a traditionally boring choice is socks. rather than the 5 pack with days of the week on from Next im thinking big, thick, woolly welly socks from joules. perfect for the dad who loves to walk. or a farmer. tshirts; depending on their style id choose topman for cheap, simple and on trend, wierdfish for a more casual, beachy dad, wiggle for sporty dads and check out debenhams for the different labels...

happy shopping and fathers day! 

inspiration...

since we got back from Portugal ive been a bit quieter on the posting while ive been catching up with my mini jobs; chasing up traders and emails for the park party (which is fast approaching) and, now the season is in full swing, its write ups galore for the triathlon club.

but i dont think i could jump into these tasks with such gusto were it not for a break. we all know how much better we feel after a few days away, it doesn't have to be abroad (but a bit of sun often helps)it just needs to be a change from the norm. a switch off off the mental and the email type.  while i was away i found relaxation, peace and from that inspiration in the sun, the wine and the copious amounts of magazines i digested.

and it was while i was thumbing the pages of Vogue (£2 in Manchester airport's WH Smiths, bargain)that i started thinking about the constant complaints with women's glossies being demoralising, out of touch with normaility and encouraging eating disorders. now we could sit here until next week discussing the whys and should theys of the use of extreme skinny, that's a whole other post. and there's a whole world of truth that the upmarket glossies want to create an elitism, but I don't read them and feel demoralised and unworthy. i feel inspired and energised.

i feel encouraged to strive for more work wise, building my skills and my cv now to achieve a career i can be proud of once Seb is a bit older. i want to be able to afford some of what i see on these pages, it doesnt make me feel depressed that i cant afford it now. instead my brain sparks off ideas of where i can find similar items on the high street or second hand, it makes me think about whats already in my wardrobe. i dont see the models photoshopped stomachs and want to cheese-grater off some of my own mum wobble, instead it reminds me to keep working hard to stay fit and strong. and the beauty pages remind me to experiment more with colours and makes me feel happy i have the confidence to wear shorter hair.

the result is arriving home, albeit to a mountain of dirty washing, with a new energy to keep working, keep writing, re shuffle my wardrobe and push to run 10 minutes more. when we're abroad we often feel a confidence to try out new styles, some of which wont work at home, but i love coming back and keeping a little bit of holiday running through my wardrobe. at least for a few weeks.

so i might not have another holiday planned for the rest of this summer but i will make sure i continue to read and visit some new places on a weekend and keep that summer inspiration coming...

wedding details...

the last time i wrote i was about to attend the wedding of one of my best friends (and then jet off to a little week of sun with my family...)

anyone who knows me, or who has read old posts on here, will know im a sucker for a bit of decor. home decor and especially party and event decor. i still follow style and wedding blogs back from when i was planning my own wedding and the love and back- catalogue of ideas has just grown.

my friend's wedding was a perfect example of rustic prettiness with cute and colourful touches that really showed off the brides creative and fun personality. set in the beautiful North Yorkshire countryside, the service was in a little church literally down a dirt track and the reception afterwards in a stunning barn style building connected to a popular golf club just outside of York. 

i wanted to share a few of the details and touches... 

the groom's family are farmers and the happy couple are just about to move into their family home, complete with fields and sheds and cows. so the farming and country living influences were clear to see...

hilariously, and very much what i would expect of my friend, she had no idea who designed her dress. but it was beautiful. traditional to an extent, so so pretty, and pure bridal. she looked a million english pounds. the groomsmen were simple and modern in deep blue slim fit suits with pale blue ties. the look definitely worked for men more used to wearing overalls than a suit...

beautiful headpiece...

sandburn hall is famous locally as the perfect venue if you are looking for rustic simplicity where you can put your own stamp on the room... the bride made all of the decor herself...

simple, charming features on the card table...

love a letter light to mark out the disco area from the seating area...

and the most important of these is love...

rites of passage...

this week has been manic. from the 9am Monday blood tests to the traffic jam on the way to my parents house yesterday evening, it's been one of them weeks. and this is in part because I go on holiday on Saturday morning so the work/ life gods look down and punish you by multiplying your tasks and throwing in some unexpected traumas to sort.

but now I'm packed and my little boy is settled with his grandparents and the dog is settled with the grandparents too and I'm getting really really girlishly giddy and excited because today, before any holiday, one of my best friends gets married.

i've been to a good number of weddings over my 20s and I've been a bridesmaid 4 times in that time too, but I've never been to a childhood/ teen hood friend's wedding. and it got me to thinking about the rites of passage you experience with your friends, as a girl, along your lifetime. the first kisses, the discos, the fights, the first try of a cigarette, the heartbreak, the first drink. that night with a waiter on holiday, that affair... they might break us but our friends re build us. and we live to love and fight and drink and make mistakes some more with our friends by our side to watch and help where needed.

i jumped ahead of all my friends by getting married first and I've already had my first baby, so I'm super excited to watch them take the steps. another of my best friends, who I met in adulthood though, married at a similar time to me but since then everyone has steadied off, no life changes. it's all really new for me to be on the observation deck and I love it. i am expecting shed loads of tears on my part because a) I love weddings and b) because she's one of my girls. i know I can handle married life and babies because I'm here and I've survived 3 years of one and almost 2 of the other. but now she's going to do it all too and it's not always easy and sometimes it hurts. with babies it really hurts.

but above all I'm just so excited to start the journey again. to be there when a friend takes that leap of faith. so cheers to love, friendship and holidays.

weird fish...

this week a new store opened in York's premium shopping quarter and i popped out on my lunch break to see what it had to offer.
situated on the historical Stonegate, well positioned with White Stuff, Cath Kidston and The White Company, Weird Fish opened its whitewash doors of only its second northern store on thursday.

born in The Cotswolds, a brand that focuses on 'wearing the weekend', Weird Fish brings relaxed, coastal style dressing to the (carefully selected) masses. think about what you imagine you would live in if you resided in cornwall; loose knits, slouchy trousers or shorts, a rain coat just in case. so it makes sense that they position their stores in generally affluent cities and towns, where this kind of dressing appeals.

i was really impressed with the clean, crisp feel to the shop and the clothes were well positioned in stories and you easily moved from one piece to the next. there was a real White Stuff look to a lot of the pieces; laid back, comfatable, colourful. i must admit that i dont usually go for the sensible, comfortable look. i always appreciate what my mum buys from White Stuff and Joules but its not really for me. however, and here's the but...

there were some surprising pieces that i wanted to take away with me there and then. and there were some gorgeous textures, good quality fabrics and fun prints. think Joules and Boden.

my favourites were a holiday perfect white vest with a fun, seaside print on (£15.) some blue, tapered jersey trousers which were very The White Company, but without the £65+ price tag (£25.) there were a pair of printed, tapered trousers which would see you from may to september both by the seaside and in the city (£30.) and cleverly positioned on a whitewash table as you entered the store were some 'throw it on' jumpers in a choice of classic navy & ecru and coral & ecru. these are made out of a lighter weight version of Weird Fish's signature fabric, Macaroni in a slim yet relaxed fit. ideal for a walk in the dales or just the weekly shop (£40.)

so i think Weird Fish is a good addition to the casual wear retailers in York at a much more affordable price than some of its neighbours. and i will definitely remember them for some summer basics with a cute twist.

 

the day that the bikes came past again...

this weekend has been pretty special, not only because its a bank holiday and a princess was born, but here in Yorkshire we got to welcome back le Tour.

last July, York was one of the cities chosen to host the start of one of the opening legs of the Tour de France. the whole 'grand depart' was a roaring success and Yorkshire really put itself on the world map and visually it shone on both tv and print. eager to continue the sporting high of last summer, we were once again a host city for this new cycling event.

not only are we fortunate to live in one of the most historical and beautiful cities in the world, we are also lucky to live within its most vibrant and charismatic neighbourhood. just a stones throw from the Knavesmire (a large, open, green space which also houses York Racecourse) our part of the city, to the southwest, is now synonymous with community events and street parties. and as the tour passes down our main street to make its way to the finish line at the Knavesmire, it makes sense that we play host to the city's biggest knees up to celebrate. this year's street party, aptly named E by Eck street party, was perhaps bigger and better than last year French themed affair. 

we headed down to prepare for the bike's passing and soak up the atmosphere after lunch. we met up with friends and enjoyed a pint whilst the buzz on the street built. ive always loved how, in such a busy and complicated world that we now live in, simple pleasures like the gathering of a community and a sporting spectacle, bring a smile to people's faces. there wasnt a grumpy face in the crowd as the police on motorbikes started passing through. some flashing their lights and beeping their horns in chorus, some high fiving the crowd and fist pumping the air. and hats off to the police; they did a fantastic job of not only keeping everyone on the course safe but also getting into the spirit and, in the case of the bikers, really energising the crowd. 

as happens in the age of the smart phone camera, when the tour actually flew through at god- knows- what- per- hour, most of us were holding our phones high trying to get the best photograph we could and trying not to drop our phones in the process. a year of planning and thousands of pounds spent and Bradley Wiggins and gang were gone. but the atmosphere was electric and the smiles were beaming. after the first passing we decided to head towards the Knavesmire, where a small food and beer festival and children's carnival was cranking up, to see out the rest of our day.

its days like Saturday that really make me appreciate where we live. i know if we lived in London there would be event and community gathering every weekend if you really wanted to find one. but there's something satisfying about a lesser known place, a smaller city like this, getting its moment. its days like Saturday that bring a community together and it doesn't matter who you are, what you do or how much your house is worth (property prices are a huge thing in York) that saturday was for us. and it makes me feel lucky. 

Seb and Did enjoying the mini festival

obligatory family selfie...

a hen party in your 30s is a little bit more classy...a little bit...

last weekend myself and 14 other ladies took ourselves off to Newcastle for one of my best friends Sam's hen party. now 15 girls + newcastle + hen party does not normally equal a classy affair. think Geordie Shore but with Yorkshire women. but we're all in our 30s now and a lot of the party had children and the general consensus was that we were there for a good time, but we had to keep it fairly tame.

the weekend was well put together by the bride's sister, Laura, with help from Chilli Sauce events  who arranged our obligatory daytime activity and our evening meal (Zizzis, you cant go wrong when feeding the masses.) once we'd arrived in Newcastle we went straight to a hotel to all take part in a life drawing class, aimed at hen parties, so alcohol welcome and the model was a good sport with all the giggling and high spirits. most importantly it was a really good ice breaker for creating conversation with girls in the group we hadn't met before. which is the whole point of hen party activities.

once back at our hotel (with a pit stop at the local garage to get some form of lunch to soak up the prosecco) we were changed and ready to hit the toon (by 4.15!!!)its been a long time since ive been out in Newcastle, the last time was about 4 years ago for a hen do too and i must admit i was afraid it would be as full of black hair extensions and fake tan as back then, but it wasn't. we went in several bars that were expensive, busy and playing music that everyone in the group, bar me, loved. no surprise there, i haven't liked the same music as my peers ever. id imagine my music taste is more like Jeremy Clarkson's. so they were good bars; the atmosphere was good, the cliente was young and fashionable and thats what we wanted. most importantly, the bride loved it.

but, as often happens now, you hit a wall. whether its because sleep is so precious and the thought of going to sleep undisturbed in a double bed unshared is so appealing. or whether its because we havent got a back log of sleep stored i just cant get past midnight if the music isnt my thing. a few of us made it to 11.30 (pathetic i know) and we got a taxi back to the hotel. where we go into the beds in one of the rooms and the nice receptionist ordered us kebabs (classy) and we ate them in bed with flat prosecco (v.classy.) but we were happy, and our shoes were happily kicked to the floor.

and it got me to thinking. when did this happen? when did we find it acceptable to throw the towel in and go home at such a time? it creeps up on you, regardless of real age or situation, and before you know it you're a bit boring. i really thought i was going to have a proper burn out and stay out til 4 but no. give me some footloose and you might have got me til 2am.

the bride to be, Sam, enjoying a glass of pink fizz...

 drinks in The Botanist...

the obligatory group photo with hen party photo booth props i bought for the hen party goodie bags...

the search for the perfect tan loafer...

i have had a thing for tan leather for as long as i can remember. i covet tan bag after tan bag and it doesn't matter how many i have there is always more room for the creamy texture in my wardrobe. i say in my wardrobe i actually mean chucked on top or lounging on the stairs.

back when we only had enough money to do a basic weekly shop and baked beans were the go- to tea, I decided I really needed some tan loafers in my life. proper leather ones like a professional girl would have. from a good label that people who didn't need to worry about going over their mobile minutes shopped at. shoes like my friend Laura (my cleverest friend with a great job and Kate Middleton hair) would buy.

i kept my eyes peeled, trying on numerous pairs in Kurt Geiger, Nine West, Dune...but unfortunately £85+ was always out of reach for this girl and the credit card was already maxed. the other issue was that when I did find myself a little richer (thank you Nanna & Auntie Elsie) the shoes I found weren't just right. too fussy, too plain, not the right shade, too tough.

fast forward 6 tan loafer free years and I finally have them. perusing the size 6 sale rack in Debenhams with my mum a couple of weeks ago I spotted these perfectly simple, perfectly tan, perfectly soft shoes. i tried them, i loved them, i bought them. Nine West (my younger self would be so proud) and they were only £29 from £98. even my 20 something self could have afforded them. as long as i hadn't paid my phone bill.

arty projects for outdoorsy little boys...

this weekend has been a stereotypical family two days at home. we've run errands, endured our swimming lesson (I swear he just has a thing about that pool cos he's fine in all other pools), done the food shop, visited the park, walked the dog and pottered in the yard.

i set myself a task this weekend of completing a card to mark a friend's engagement. in theory this is easy to do in 4 days, particularly if Did is around for 1 1/2 days of it. in reality I've not got too far yet. it seems that whenever I sit down to write, on a laptop or my iPad, I'm the best form of climbing frame. if I dare to sit at the kitchen table to read, write or attempt to do anything remotely creative then after 10 minutes Seb's hanging off the baby gate screeching. so it got me to thinking about friends and acquaintances who discuss happily indulging in a hobby whilst their toddler plays at their feet (I once tried to put some photographs into some new frames while Seb 'played'at my feet, climbed up my legs, sat on half the photographs and picked up one of the frames and threw it in the fire place.) and I've pretty much decided that ain't going to happen for me but what about trying to get him interested in being creative with me?

it's been the general school of thought that Seb has the attention span of a knat and previous attempts to put crayons and paper in front of him are usually poo pooed after 2 minutes. so does anyone have suggestions on what to do with a live wire 19 month old who likes to throw and screech?

projects...

so post holiday, which was eventful but great thank you. and by eventful i mean late night ambulance calls, bed ridden mother- to- be, us taking a local pub by storm on more than one occasion, another ambulance and finally a door- bell ringing, late night mystery visitor (thankfully we had already left by the time the creepy could- be serial killer turned up.)

so post holiday, and post easter weekend, i've been mental busy with a couple of work non- work projects. so much so that i've had no time to myself or to this blog, which is frustrating when i've only just kicked it off again. but now the initial work for these two exciting projects is done i'm hoping things are calming down and its back to business. 

firstly, back at the start of the year, i decided that i wanted to get more involved in the local community. we moved here last may and, although we knew York as a city centre pretty well, we're really new to this area and it really is like a village within the city. so i enrolled Seb into a baby and toddler music group, Songbox, which is fantastic and a great way to meet other local mums. i also volunteered to be part of the team organising this year's summer party in our local park. Rowntree Park is situated close to the Ouse, just a short walk from the city centre. It was gifted to the residents of York in 1921 by Messrs Rowntree & Co (as in the Fruit Pastels) and continues to be a family favourite. The annual birthday party is held in the summer and i thought it would be a great local event to get involved with a) because its close by and i like the park and ill meet new people, locally. and b) anyone who knows me knows how much i love an event, in particular decorating or hosting, but i've never been a part of anything huge. so i am officially the food coordinator. here goes.

secondly, as well of wanting to get all grown- up, community focused and wanting to widen my event organisation portfolio, i also wanted to write more (hence blog) and broaden my pr skills, so i volunteered to do pr and social media for Did's Triathlon club. the Yorkshire Vikings started in 2014 and is rapidly growing. but the busy ladies that run the club cant do everything, so i've jumped on board to help.

so right now im fingers deep in emails back and forth with food traders and last week i posted my first write up for the YVTT. and im really enjoying it. a teacher at my old secondary school used to have a saying, and cheesy as it is, and as much as my younger self would hate me for using it, its true. you get back what you put in.

ive wanted to do more with my work life for a long time, but timing and situation has never been just right. but rather than sitting back and waiting for the right time to start a full time career again, and hoping that the skills ive built up will suffice, ive gone out and found some opportunities to better my cv, and myself...


p.s. there wasn't time to post about easter but it was brilliant. a lot of family, food and wine. this year Seb was able to get involved with a hunt in my parent's garden which was so cute.    

                                                                                                          

 

bolshy babies, beautiful views and lots of wine...

yes its extended family holiday time. eight reasonably sane adults, two toddlers and one feisty eight month old depart Yorkshire for the equally beautiful, if not more breathtaking, Lake District.

we do an annual jaunt away with Did's family, often the Lakes, usually in Spring, and its a few days of quality time with the family with lots of laughs and plenty of fresh air. in years gone by, before babies came along, it was daily walks and activities and late nightly drunkenness. we're still trying to walk a few miles and put away as many units as we used to but nap times and sheer tiredness are creeping in and interrupting.

what we all love about a week away, and it can be anywhere to be honest, is the pure fact its away. its away from day to day chores, work and stresses. as i write this i am sat in the large bay window of the front sitting room of our holiday home with views across farmland and fields towards Penrith. at home there would always be something else to do that would take presidence over just sitting and enjoying the art of writing.

so far we have spent a few gorgeous hours walking along the banks of Ullswater, skimming stones and taking photos. the boys have climbed Blencathra via Sharp Edge (apparently Wordsworth described this as the most treacherous part of the Lake District), the girls and babies have visited Keswick for a Sunday wander and suffered the diners of Abraham Cafe the most chaotic lunch. We've played in the park and sampled the offerings of the village pub.

ive also taken this holiday as the first opportunity to really give photography a go. my dad has passed me down one of his vintage cameras to get started with while i save up to buy myself a digital slr. ive not got the most technical brain but ive really enjoyed studying the manual, circa 1987, and getting tips and hints online. its frustrating knowing im restricted to 24 photographs but im choosing my subjects carefully and im looking forward to seeing the results.

im still not quite used to searching for 'family activities' when we're away but its quite exciting seeing familiar places through the eyes of a child. over the next couple of days we're hoping to take a boat trip (photograph opportunity for me) and visit a wildlife sanctuary. right now i need to make another cup of coffee before the boy wakes up (that will put the kiss of death on his nap...) and continue with my holiday.

new beginings...

my last post was over a year and a half ago and a lot has changed since then. back in june 2013 i was en route to Morocco with Did, on our babymoon, and we had a fabulous time.

fast forward a few months and 'little' Seb was born, all 9lb 6 of him, and we took it day by day and we made it. we survived those first few weeks, a house move, a whole new area, a job change for me, a promotion for Did and we are all the better for it. and we are happy.

its taken some time to settle in, in all aspects of our life, but over the last few months ive picked up my hobbies and my 'me time' again and it feels like the right time to start writing. to be honest the urge to write about absolutely anything and everything and use my brain a bit is pretty huge! so i will use this space to record our lives, to discuss what is important to me and to project creativity and art and fashion and life.

so to new beginings. to finding the direction you're heading in and enjoy the journey. to just writing and enjoy it.

and to mums. for nurturing us, teaching us, helping us and watching us become mums (or dads) too.
 



 

goodbye UK, hello Africa...

last night was one of those really good sleeps, where you close your eyes and fall excitedly asleep so tomorrow comes quicker. the sleep you have before Christmas Day (unless you're drunk), your birthday and the sleep before you go on holiday.

we're setting off leisurely in a few hours to Manchester airport (don't get me started how how exciting I find airports and the shopping) on our first break since last May that's just Dave and myself. we've done weekends away all over the Uk and centre parcs with family, but some lulu and did- bob time is well needed.

a holiday is even more welcome when it's a baby-moon. we've spent so much time together over the last few months, planning and prepping but not really stopping to just enjoy each other.

so Marrakech here we come. we're doing it the middle class tourist way and staying just outside in an all inclusive hotel, but to be honest, I need that right now. we'll take some trips into the red city during the day and when the sun sets but 6 months pregnant is not the time to back- pack it and ride a camel. we're seeing this as a taster of Marrakech, then we can come back one day soon with lentil.

so expect many photographs (one thing I love taking photographs of is markets and food) and holiday outfits on twitter and I'm looking forward to posting when I get home.