The Slabb …

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“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” – Charles M. Schulz

I was sent some chocolate to trail a couple of weeks ago . I know, I know hard job but  somebodies got to do it !  It was quite literally like all my birthdays had come at once.

I’d love to say these ‘slabbs’ lasted a while, but truth be known we did them both in one night! The BF and I are total chocoholics BUT  that’s good going even for us…

I’m the kinda girl who hides chocolate all around the house , hoping I’ll forget where I’ve put it which will stop me eating it so quickly, if at all .  I never forget … never ever …not where chocolates concerned anyway. Car keys, pens and purse that’s a different story!

So let me introduce you … you never know you might find yourself up close and personal on the settee with a slab of your own very soon!

The Slabb is a brand of delicious fully loaded chocolate with something for every taste. I was sent two white chocolate bars: Continue reading →

The Fab 40’s – DIY …

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The Fab 40s are a group of over-40 seriously stylish ladies from all over the globe. Each month they pick a theme; create an outfit based on their interpretation [of said theme] and then share the results with us all over on their blogs.

What I love about all these ladies is they like to experiment ; they are not carbon-copies. Something I personally admire and try to aspire too myself. Who wants to look like everybody else?

Take inspiration but always make it your own. 

They take it in turns to pick a guest blogger to take part each month … and [drumroll] guess whose been asked to join in this time?!

Yep …only yours truly… little old me ! Ekkk excited much.

I was chosen by Diane the style blogger behind Fashion on the 4th Floor who I have been following for a while now. I adore her and her style. She always owns the look, has the biggest, infectious smile and is quite simply #fierce and very friendly.

I was both honoured and very, very surprised to be invited. So thankyou with all my heart you’ve made a lady from Yorkshire very happy indeed.

The Theme:

So I’ve got to admit I was a bit  like ‘oh oh this will be a disaster‘ when I initially heard that this months theme was DIY. Not for any other reason than I’m rubbish at anything remotely to do with ‘do it yourself!’

Like cooking … I’m rubbish / hampered /a disaster ! I am, as my mums says, cack – handed.

I’m from Yorkshire; we use funny terms of phrase around here . Let me explain.

Cack handed – an awkward or inept way of doing something; originally meaning left handed, stemming from cultures that use their right hand to eat and their left hand to wipe their behind.

“That shelf you put up looks a bit cack handed”

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Lunch with Marco Pierre White … 

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Sometimes I have to pinch myself at some of the opportunities I’ve been given this year via my little blog.

I’ve appeared on local radio, attended some fabulous launches, had a makeover by one of Charlotte Tilburys top MUA and now I’ve got another goodie, and a first, to add to the list.

Can you imagine my surprise and delight when I received an email earlier in the week asking whether I would like to attend the new menu launch at Marcos New York Italian Restaurant in Sheffield and  wait for it … to meet Marco Pierre White in person.

I didn’t have to think about it for long!

So that’s where I tootled off too yesterday afternoon. I almost cancelled at the last-minute due to mums health taking a turn for the worse but even on her hospital sickbed she insisted that I didn’t cancel , that she’d be ‘ever so mad’ if I didn’t attend.

So not to disappoint her … and because I was really looking forward to it off I popped with my ‘ladies that lunch’ partner Sue as my plus one.

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Wagamama Summer tasting…

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My favourite type of invite normally involves food and drink, so when Wagamama in Meadowhall got in touch to see whether I’d like to give their new summer menu a whirl … I was like the cat that got the cream.

It also happens to be one of the Mr’s favourite eateries, so when I told him it was a plus one invitation and would he like to join me … we are like a couple of cats that had got the cream!

So off we popped earlier this week …

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What will your dash say …

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It’s been a funny old day…

Funerals make you reflective don’t they? They are beautiful , yet tremendously sad at the same time. We’ve been to say goodbye to one of my best friends mums today. It’s never easy but it was a lovely service . For me the Vicar summed it up perfectly – her words resonated. She said on your grave stone amongst other things will be engraved your date of birth – the day you departed  [for example 1928 – 2017] but oh what meaning that little dash holds. Make your dash as for-filled as possible.

She’s right isn’t she? That little dash represents your life. What will yours say? Continue reading →

Fathers Day Goodies … the edit

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I’m not one for celebrating ‘faddy’ days pushed on us by advertisers intent on making loads of wonga out of us  … you all know my thoughts on Valentines Day.  If you don’t … head over here

There are a couple of days I do enjoy celebrating those being Mothers & Fathers Day. If there’s anyone I want to celebrate and say thank-you too it would be to my parents … mainly for putting up with me for all these years!

Perfect timing its Fathers Day in a few weeks time so I thought today I’d do a gift guide for all those deserving dads out there.  I personally always find it hard to buy for men, don’t you? Hopefully something might catch your eye and inspire you.

Saying that if your dads anything like mine he’ll not even know it’s Fathers Day. He won’t expect anything and would be perfectly happy with just a card and a pint!

Some of these suggestions are cheap and cheerful and some are investment pieces . Something to suit every purse string.

I’m still a big advocate ‘home made with love’ … If all else fails bake a cake ! Show me a dad who doesn’t love his sweet stuff. 

So here goes: Continue reading →

Introducing … Izabel London

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“I fell for her in summer, my lovely summer girl,

From summer she is made, my lovely summer girl,

I’d love to spend a winter with my lovely summer girl,

But I’m never warm enough for my lovely summer girl,

It’s summer when she smiles, I’m laughing like a child,

It’s the summer of our lives; we’ll contain it for a while

She holds the heat, the breeze of summer in the circle of her hand…

I’d be happy with this summer if it’s all we ever had.” Maggie Stiefvater

* * * * * * * * 

Hasn’t it been a glorious week… and about blooming time I hear you all cry! I love it when the sun makes an appearance, it generally makes for a happier place.

Rather than grunt as people walk past you, they actually smile. Big toothy, happy with the world  smiles.

To be able to leave the house without your jacket on and feel the warmth on your skin rather than wetness and the cold is fabulous. Hello Vitamin D !!

To sit in the garden and have breakfast alfresco is maybe one of my favourite things to do.

Coffee alfresco

Cocktails alfresco … you get my drift!

The little things.

* * * * * * * * Continue reading →

Summer time feeling … at the Botanist

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We all know that food generally makes me extremely happy. To coin a phrase it makes me as happy as a pig in muck …

To coin another I ate like one [a happy pig in muck, that is]

So last night I was invited by the lovely guys at The Botanist in Leopold Square, Sheffield to try out their new summer menu.

My usual eating companion is the lovely Sue. [the naughty 60] However last night as he’s never been before I decided to treat my boyfriend. He is really particular about his food and quite vocal. The perfect critic. He’s also been working ridiculous hours so I thought it would be nice to get him away from it all for a few hours… and actually speak to me! Hello I’m here… [ method in my madness]

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