Sheffield has recently had an influx of new cool places to hang out . We have always been a bit behind the rest of our neighbours Manchester and Leeds so it’s good to see us catching up. At last. Though saying that our Christmas market is seriously lacking !
Last week I, along with a few other lovely bloggers friends , were invited along to The Library Cafe and Restaurant to experience their weekly Jazz Night ‘Jazz on the Cliff’ which is held every Thursday evening.
I can remember my first experience with alcohol like it was yesterday …[ not including the Baby Cham mum used to let us have on special occasions and the glass of Sherry I had with my Grandad on Christmas Eve ] … it was actually 30-odd years ago!
Let me take you back. It was my first and only Jamboree [Brownie/ Guide/ Scout Camp] over in Luxemburg. I was only 13 ; I guess Mum and Dad thought I was in safe hands.
On our first night of freedom my friend Jackie [ lived next door but one, year older than me, pretty, big boobs, all the boys loved her] and I bought a bottle of Advocaat each . Luckily Jackie looked older than her years and like I said – boobs. She got served.
Advocaat was thick and creamy like custard and I remember I didn’t really enjoy the taste. We hid in a bush just off camp and necked it all. Let’s just say half an hour later I had literally turned green and began throwing up. I was sent to bed … the Camp Leaders believing I had picked a bug up while travelling. [Face of an angel me …far too sweet and innocent to even consider I had been drinking ] Continue reading
It suddenly dawned on me today that I am 48 in a-round-about a month [15th December if you’re contemplating sending a card] … or as the BF keeps reminding me – You are 50 in 2 years!
Firstly how the bloody hell did that happen; it only seems two minutes since my 40th which I celebrated in some style if I say so myself. I can party hard when I set my mind to it. I love nothing better than letting loose and having a good time. My celebrations dragged out over a whole 3 weeks and included amongst lots of other things a weekend in Manchester with the girls, The Kings Of Lyon at Sheffield Arena, lots of family and work meals / nights out. Lots and lots of champagne and cake.
40th Birthday celebrations in full swing
Well you are only 40 once…
I thought it might be fun today to list ‘47 things I’ve learnt in my 47 years’… some serious, some silly … If I can muster that many up that is.
I’m older but definitely [when it comes to somethings] not wiser. I still feel like a child at times and I’m constantly evolving… which for some bizarre reason makes me sound like a chuffing monkey.
So here goes …
There are various situations that send me into a mild panic ; make me anxious .
I had been worried about my eyes [especially my right one] which over the last few weeks have felt heavy and hard to open in the morning – on awakening it felt like my eye was stuck to the inside of my eye-lid. Eekkk I know .
It was freaking me out to the extent I daren’t sleep for fear I’d not be able to open my eyes ever again! [ I’ve always been a bit dramatic ]
Rather than ignore it and hope it would go away [ something I promised mum I’d never do ] I booked in with favourite opticians Eyeye in Sheffield to get it checked out.
Unfortunately not everything in life can be resolved by sticking on some Barry White , turning up the volume and dancing around your living room like a woman possessed .
I love Cornwall…
I , along with my Dad, Boyfriend and Mollie our dog , visited last September for the first time in a long, long time.
Our base was a beautiful house that belonged to ones of Dads friends in Carbis Bay. The views were amazing and on a good day you’d be forgiven for thinking you where in the Caribbean. Glorious.
As we had access to a car we took advantage and travelled around the area.
Amongst other places we visited Charlestown which was one of Mums favourite places in Cornwall. She and Dad spent quite a few holidays there. By themselves, with Nan and Grandad, with Dads brother and his family, who live down there.
It is situated on the outskirts of St. Austell on the south coast of Cornwall. It’s an unspoilt, purpose-built harbour. It’s been used as a film location for recent credits such as Tom Hardy’s Taboo and Poldark.
It’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in Cornwall.
Pretty pastel houses line and look down onto the harbour. There are various pubs and cafes to sit , rest your legs and take it all in… maybe indulge in a cheeky Cornish cream tea. There’s also a little pebble beach that DID let dogs on. [I say did, as a lot can change in a year.] The majority of beaches in Cornwall don’t allow them on so it was a welcome sight, especially for our giddy dog Mollie who adores beaches and swimming in the sea. I swear she was a fish in a former life.
Charlestown is a beautiful spot and it will always hold a special place in my heart as it’s where we said our final good byes to Mum.
My Boyfriend and I climbed the steep hill that looked out across the sea. We stood there for a moment to compose ourselves. We each said a few words then we threw her ashes into the wind.
With tears in our eyes we let her go.
We set her spirit free …
I hope you’ve travelled far mum; to the moon and back .
I miss you terribly but I hope you are finally at peace 💗
Tracey x
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Further reading about our trip to Cornwall // HERE
Hey how are you all doing?!
This is a fairly quick post I’ve jiggled together on a Tuesday afternoon as I wanted to show you a fabulous new venue that’s recently opened its doors in Sheffield .
Its visually a delightful post.
I was lucky enough to be invited along to #LOVE event which was held at The Mowbray on Sunday.
If you are looking to get married or need a space to host a meeting or an event then this could well be the place you have been looking for.
The Mowbray is based on Mowbray Street, which is in the Neepsend area of Sheffield. It was built in 1889 and over the last 3 years has lovingly been restored. Its owned by the same team that have the Chimney House , which regular readers will know I fell in love with at the Viking Stationary event I attended. [ You can read about that HERE ]
Basically I wanted to move in and the same can be said for The Mowbray.
It has a similar feel to The Chimney House but it is a lot larger catering for 200+ people. It is open plan with high ceilings, ‘that’ stunning feature light, a bar at the far end of the room and a roof terrace. If rustic industrial was a ‘thing’ then this would be it.
My mum used to call me Mrs Gunna , “gunna do this, gunna do that . . .“
She has a point I guess [ aren’t mums always right!] I am full of broken promises. Mainly that I’ll start to do some more exercise , get fit and run that marathon I keep threatening to do . Yes this is something I often spout on about, usually during the weeks following the London Marathon when I’m feeling suitably inspired.
So when Asquith London approached me to road-test some of their clothes I was chuffed [ I always am when I get offered to work with a brand ] I thought ha ha I’ll show them all. If I look the part , maybe just maybe I’ll feel it too and get off my arse and do something.
Makes sense right?
After posting some photos over on my stories while in Malaga last week, I had a few ladies ask me about my holiday makeup and beauty routine.
By a few make that 4 … [oh to be popular] but I thought it might make for some interesting reading and went with it anyway.
First off we only had a 10kg hand luggage allowance each which meant we were restricted on what we could take with us. Nothing bigger than a 100ml bottle and any liquids had to all fit in just one of those airport approved plastic bags.
I suppose we could have waited and transferred all our liquids across into a free bag at the airport. However to save messing around we [ rather Karen ] ordered some gear from Amazon, 2 plastic bags and 5 plastic bottles [ great to decanter shampoos, suncream etc. into ] for £6.00. I think Primark do something similar.
When I go away with the girls, I also know they’ll not be much time to ‘phaff’ or that I’ll get much sleep , so I pair it all down. Simple is best.