Category: ladies who lunch

Discover Sheffield … #StayDifferent

7 Comments

“We live in Sheffield, we write about things we see here. What else is there to write about“ – Alex Turner, Arctic Monkeys

It may seem strange to anybody looking in that I got invited to spend the night at St Paul’s, Mecure Hotel and Spa in Sheffield.

Why you may ask ?…

Well basically because I live in the steel city. Apart from a 2 year stint in Lincoln it’s always been home.

I did question why I’d been invited myself but as I often get asked where to stay in Sheffield AND as I am a massive advocate of the beautiful city I thought it was an ideal opportunity.

What better way to recommend a hotel than to have stayed there yourself .

What better way to promote a city than to see it through ‘first timers’ eyes…

So I said yes … if it was still ok with them then I’d love to take up their generous offer.

So that’s what I did last Friday night along with a group of bloggers from around the country. Continue reading →

Getting down in Dracula country – Whitby

11 Comments

You all know of my love affair with the North Yorkshire coastal town of Whitby. I mean if you don’t where have you been? … I’ve mentioned it enough over the years.

My obsession with all things vampire and especially Dracula only adds to the mystique. In the Bram Stoker novel Count Dracula’s ship crashes into the rocks at Whitby and that my dear friends is how Dracula came to be in Old Blighty.

On a cold, misty night as you totter along the cobbled streets, the Old Abbey looking down on you … I swear there’s the distinct smell of vampire in the air.

Today I thought I would do a photo diary of the few days we spent in Whitby last week, mainly because I took loads of photographs and it would be rude not to share them.

As I mentioned on a previous post the BF and I decided to take my dad away.

It’s been an awful few weeks and I think we all needed a change of scene, especially dad, whose finding it hard. Yes it would be extremely weird without mum but it’s something we all need to adjust ourselves too. Dad has spent some great times there with mum and was keen to return.

Firstly we stayed in the beautiful ‘Coachmans Cottage‘ which is situated just off Church Street. It was ideally located for all the major attractions and having only recently been refurbished it was like a show house.

It allows you to take your beloved dogs [ up-to 2 in fact], and was spread out over 3 floors. Kitchen , living area, bathroom and 2 bedrooms.

Perfect. Continue reading →

Jazz Hands & Cocktails … ‘Manhattan til Midnight’ 

8 Comments

Back  when I was a student studying art and design I did my thesis [ a long essay or dissertation involving personal research, written by a candidate for a university degree.] on jazz. 

I’d not particularly got an interest in jazz at the time. What I did have was an amazing tutor who sold the idea to me. Armed with books, tapes, vinyls and fully aware of my love of music he thrust them all at me and enthusiastically ran through his favourite artists – Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald … stopping to play excerpts and slightly losing himself while doing so.

“I still love the whole history of jazz. The old things sound better than ever” – Steve Lacy

I can remember him sitting me down and telling me that writing a thesis could be boring ; a long hard slog. That the subject matter must therefore keep your interest. This [ jazz ] he said most definitely would.

I admired his passion. I wanted to understand , I wanted  a part of it.

And that [in a nutshell] my friends is how I discovered jazz music.  Continue reading →

Lunch with Marco Pierre White … 

11 Comments

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.

Continue reading →

Wagamama Summer tasting…

2 Comments

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 …

Continue reading →

Summer time feeling … at the Botanist

7 Comments

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]

Continue reading →

Chunky Legs and Beautiful Burgers #ladieswholunch

2 Comments

The boyfriend told me earlier I had chunky legs.

Chunky flipping legs.

We are now not speaking. #worldwar3

I knew I had put a little weight on but the words chunky …. chunky and legs together were the wake-up call I needed.

Starting as of tomorrow I am dieting and working on getting fitter. This time I mean it.

Chunky legs – I’ll give him chunky bloody legs!

I don’t get it … I currently walk around Dam Flask once or twice a week with Mollie dog which is just under 4 miles the whole way around.

I figure my legs should therefore be looking skinnier not chunkier ! I’m gonna keep telling myself it’s muscle. I might even convince myself one day.

Chocolate and cake are my major weakness. I currently have the will power of a natt. A natt that’s due on her period and craving massive chocolate bars and carrot cake. With Mount Vesuvius about to erupt on my chin!

It’s a problem.

The BF has a sweet tooth, our fridge is always brimming over with his goodies.

Goodies that look at me and whisper ‘eat me … eat me … eat me’

I don’t take much persuading.

It’s a good job then that Sue & I decided to pay a visit to Gourmet Burger Kitchen last week [before the diet started]

We were invited down by the guys at GBK to sample the burgers;  words that make Tracey happy.

I love a burger …

Continue reading →

Going cuckoo for Kuckoo …

10 Comments

Cuckoo … a clock

Cuckoo … a bird

Cuckoo …  I’m going [cuckoo]

Kuckoo … Fabulous new bar. Amazing Soundtrack with equally as amazing cocktails.

Last night I had the pleasure of being invited along to the press evening for the newest bar to hit Sheffield City Centre – Kuckoo.

Based in Leopold Square it sits proudly on the corner above Zizis Restaurant with access from West Street. Continue reading →