Brighter Outlook

Hi there! Hope you have enjoyed the type of Christmas you hoped for?

 I had a lovely time, particularly as I have my Grandson now, a new little one, now 13 months old, totally enthralled with all the new things to look at and make a beeline for! Unfortunately I now have Laryngitis, singing and talking being the culprit!!

This morning I opened the back door to find the torrential rains have dissipated, leaving behind extremely strong winds, the type that blows everything all around the garden.......Hurricane Frank! But then amongst it all I saw this! A beautiful pink rose that either I have not noticed before or has sprung overnight. It really stood out after all the devastating weather experienced.

We are lucky, we live high on the moors and the water continued past our house along with stone and rock. I do hope you have not been one of the people who sadly have had to fight to keep family, pets, homes and belongings safe. So many people in Cumbria, Yorkshire, Lancashire and Manchester spent Christmas Day trying to  keep water from their homes or baling water out of their homes, having to leave their homes. Absolutely devastating.

& so, I saw the rose. I like to think it is a sign. A sign of brighter days (& better weather) to come :-)

Back Soon Lovely People!
XX

Birthday Fun

Last week was my birthday and I am feeling just a tad spoilt!

Although I had to work and it took me hours to battle home in the snow, I felt loved! Aaaahhhh.

Here are just a few thoughtful gifts I received....

My stag fetish knows no bounds - Mr.L says these are the last stag gifts he buys!! I love that he tries to find something unusual - he gets me every time :-) 

These from my best friend, she knows me sooooooo well!

This ring is beautiful. From the Mama and Papa. Love the aesthetics of Tutti & Co

This from my Daughter. This baby has brought so much love to our lives. 

Waking up to those gorgeous cheeks every morning! Imagine!

I had a lovely night out in Manchester, discovering a new restaurant Thaikhun. In the trendy Spinningfield's area of Manchester. Loved the decor & traditional tuk tuks

We moved on to the Oast House, also in Spinningfield's. 

How pretty? Live music (every night too)!

 Where you choose your drink from an Almanac!! ;-0

 & this was just the start of a fabulous weekend! Fun all the way!

Thanks for dropping by - hope your weekend was fun!
XX

Dressing Up

Whilst at a Western Wedding in July, the best man & his wife had on the most amazing western outfits and shared with us that they were from Royal Exchange Costume Hire.

So on Friday Mr.L & I headed into Manchester to choose outfits for my Niece's fancy dress party the following evening. Who knew a theatre company of this calibre would hire out the costumes worn not just at the Royal Exchange Manchester but all over the UK?

We had made an appointment and were met by the Manager Luda, an amazing lady with a wealth of knowledge of both history and costume, supported by a team of wonderful volunteers. 

Luda just knew what to put with what, the period, where it could be found - no mean feat as demonstrated by the pictures below. The department was just bursting at the seams with clothing replicating various eras; hats, shoes, jewellery. I was absolutely in awe and had a wonderful time looking around.

The outfits below were picked out for me to try on, the bright blue dress had the most 

exquisite embroidery, but sadly was too big.

Up close details...

Shoes, shoes, shoes, all sizes, colours, shapes!

Amazing fabrics, it was like wearing a piece of history! :-)

So, what's in the bag???

Here we are - a Tudor Master & his wench. I absolutely adored our outfits and 

had so much fun wearing them ;-) 

I am not so well endowed but those corsets do amazing things haha!!

 Tudor's in a Western photobooth....

Thank's for dropping by, hope you have enjoyed this post!
Also thank's to Luda who said she was going to visit!
XX

Kindness & A Thank You!

I visited the Manchester Welcoming Spring Market in May. Held in the Orangery in 

St. Ann's Square, one of my favourite places in the City.

Perusing the stalls I discovered the Artist Steve Valentine's work (cool name!)

Beautiful ceramics - I particularly loved his platters - rugged & natural with a depth of colour, with sparkles and a cracked finish that is difficult to capture. 

I bought a platter, went on my way, with my French friends to Primark (cattle market) where someone knocked into me and the bag dropped to the floor. Onto my hands and knees, opened the packaging and......was distraught, it was broken.

I ran back to the stall as fast as I could, I think hard before I buy anything, I have to really really love it, so obviously I had to have another.

I couldn't get over Steve's kindness, he actually gave me another, choosing it with me, pointing out its intricacies and unique qualities.

Steve also gave me the postcards below - the pintail boat sculpture and the platters - 

looking great stacked .

So, thank you so much Steve, this is a tribute to you and your beautiful work!
Click here to see more!
XX

52 Weeks of Happy (27, 28 & 29/52)

Well, there just is not enough hours in the day at the moment.

I have enjoyed lots of moments over the last few weeks, but so caught up in these moments that I have no photo's - sometimes that can be a good thing yes?

• Visited Richmond Tea Room again with a friend - and had a surprise visit whilst there from my 'L' who happened to be in Manchester for work!! He then decided to stay a couple of nights as Mr.L was away and he had an open return. Happy? Hell yesssss!

• After a particularly stressful day at work, these were waiting on my desk. I'm honoured to have such supportive work colleagues.

• A lovely parcel for moi arrived after a massive wardrobe clear out the week before - I have yet to find time to try them on - when I do I shall share here!

• My family being together for Easter - best feeling in the World. We enjoyed the company of my friend's Son and Daughter too on Good Friday, who I love very much.

• Prior to all of the above Mr.L and I had helped 'A' to move into her first home with her lovely partner 'S' - must get a good photo of him/them!! :-)

• Impromptu night in York with 'C' (best friend EVER! - You know the one!) We ate here again - it's just the bee's - if you ever visit York you must go, but ssshhh please don't tell everyone, Ha.....

• I am from a large family and as such there are lot's of Cousin's. We all decided to meet up in Manchester for a catch up and a boogie here. I was gutted when I had to leave for the last train home but am looking forward to doing this again ;-0

• I enjoyed a cheap as chips carvery with fabulous company over Easter after work - lots of nattering - we looked around when we came up for air to find we were the only one's left - it was heaving when we arrived.......

Now I'm ready to replenish the next couple of weeks - a slower pace is needed!
Thank you for dropping by. Wishing you all a wonderful Bank Holiday weekend.
XX