Célébrations , Champagne et Bonne Chance!

Sunday, 26 July 2015

Lifestyle

Célébrations , Champagne et Bonne Chance!

' "We'll make a pot of coffee and celebrate. No. I'll get dressed and take you to lunch." '

The past week has been undoubtedly one of the best of my life. I've been in suspense, before living a surreal few days and now I'm ready to kickstart the Summer hols.

Last weekend I attended Beat-Herder Festival alongside friends (and around half of my year group/town!!). The stress of carrying our tent and pitching it was soon forgotten about as the tinnies were cracked open and chairs were positioned into a circle under our gazebo (which blew down within about an hour).  

(^ Sharing shots, throwing some shapes on shoulders, with smiles all round. )

Throughout the day it was a case of chilling and amusing ourselves, resorting to henna patterns being drawn on our bodies and glitter spread across our faces. The selection of food vans was enough to burn a hole in your pocket, as just about every type was available - just as good sober as when drunk!

From around 4 o'clock, the music became audible from the arena and flocks of people herded down to the stages. When the sun dropped, the festival did not, however, become dark. Instead the fairy lights draped on the branches way up high encouraged an enchanting vibe that lead one through the forest to the stages.

Everything was brought alive at night... late night conversations, late night snacks and late night walks back to your tent. What could be better? 

Friends egging on friends to drink concoctions, getting them drunk and then having to look after them as a result.

But no-one seemed to care, after all - "A good friend gets you drunk then walks ya home afterwards." 

All-in-all, the festival was a fabulous celebration towards the end of our school year, which would be over in just 3 days.

I was not, however, in the most excitable mood as other were when the last bell went in school. Instead, I was rather nervous for my Driving Test that was the following day. 

Just 24 hours on though... I was clinking glasses with my Mum to my first time pass!

I am extremely grateful to my parents who were patient with me as I learnt to drive and also to my instructor.

We celebrated on Thursday with a mouthwatering Mexican and cocktails in Leeds and a spot of shopping. The evening continued with a celebratory meal with friends and these celebrations continued over the next few days.

(^ Present from my best friend for passing.)

I honestly couldn't have asked for a better start to the Summer Holidays and I'm so thankful.

I wish anyone else taking their test the very best of luck, stay calm & cruise those 

roads!

Happy Summer everyone xo

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Heart-warming Wedding

Monday, 29 June 2015

Lifestyle

Heart-warming Wedding

' "...Course we'll be married. I've never been married before." Well, I had to laugh, hug and squeeze her: never been married before! '

The chiming of church bells and metal spoons tapping glasses echoes through my mind as I recall the spirited celebration, mirroring the rumble of laughter present on the day. Not only did the event bring out the inner romantic within us all, but the sun was brought out by best wishes for the couple to have the perfect day.

A tranquil ambience rang through the church, as the organ guided the incandescent bride and father arm-in-arm down the aisle, accompanied by two bridesmaids - whom clearly had her back, best interests and trailing veil. Without an ounce of negativity or doubt, the ceremony proceeded with uplifting hymns and the three letters that bound the couple together lifelong. 

Acting as a palimpsest of past events - be it weddings, dinners or anniversaries - the bridge to the hotel lead us into the wondrous afternoon and evening. Greeted by champagne and the recently married couple, congratulations were in order alongside photographs and mingling with the other guests.

The ascend into the dining area began and as we retreated to our name places, introductions were made between guests. Streaks of purple ran a theme throughout the room, with organza runners brightening the pristine white tablecloths and various glasses accumulating light rays and swirling them into patterns on the ceiling.

Four appetising courses later, when our stomachs began bulging and when restrained to our seats, the speeches were in order. The Father of the Bride, Groom, Best-man and Ushers maintained the humorous and emotional ambience fitting to the event.  


As the tangerine glow gradually descended to conceal its warmth in the trees surrounding the venue, other visitors (including my boyfriend and my brothers girlfriend) arrived for the evening party held in the basement of the hotel. Out onto the balcony, the chatter carried along the waves of the lake and entwined with the steady beats of the first dance; and the other songs unfurling into the night.

As I blog this post, I not only extend my huge congratulations to the newly wed couple, but I also raise a glass to the many that have learnt to love one another in the moments that aren't as easy. 

To my parents, whom have been lovingly married for 32 years, I raise a toast to you. 

To the millions of couples that never let the honeymoon phase end.

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Brighton Rock(s)

Sunday, 14 June 2015

travel

Brighton Rock(s)

"...out on the coast, there was a time it could've been different..."

"I can see the sea!!"

 A Mother-Daughter trip away for a couple of nights had been arranged and was thus the motivation for my exam revision... 

Leeds -> London -> Brighton...
Gone were the endless fields of buttercups out the train window and instead we were greeted by the city with a coast not yet visible. Peculiar though it may seem, within just under an hour train journey from London one can escape the bustling city in exchange for a peaceful stroll along Brighton Pier, ice-cream in hand.

Upon our arrival into this diverse city, it felt as though Summer had declared it's presence also, as the sun shone through streets to reveal the sea shore.

The Flour Pot served a fab iced frap...

Inside - the cafe had a great vibe

Bacon Sarnie to kickstart the day...

Not quite the Breakfast at Tiffany's
Holly Golightly would have had in
mind...

 More than anything, our few days away were a food fest. The extensive array of cafes and restaurants were suitable for anyone (it's a vegans and veggies' paradise!). 
Smoothies, Frappe's, and cakes galore during the day before our two nights of fine dining in the evening were the perfect combo.

Our first evening was spent in Côte, a French Brasserie where I indulged in a typically French "Steak et Frites" (accompanied by a glass of rosé). Sited in the old music library, the gentle murmur of voices combined harmoniously well with the darkly candlelit room.

As my Mum is a vegetarian (and owner of a veggie blog), we booked a table at Terre à Terre for our last night - a Michelin-star veggie restaurant which will transform anyones opinion about Vegetarian food being boring... Not only was the Churrosimo a divine pudding, but the clever take on fish and chips with battered halloumi instead was mouth watering!

In-between our mouthfuls of food, we managed to squeeze in a few cultural experiences. The impressive Royal Pavilion, King George IV's fantasy palace with Indian and Chinese elements merged, was breath taking and the audio tour allowed an insight into the many mistresses he bedded and the grand banquets he held in the decadent hall.

Having a couple of hours to kill on the Friday before our train, a quick stop was also made at the Brighton Museum/Art Gallery.             The paintings reflected the changing conditions for women over time and "encouraged the viewer to question whether gender matters when interpreting art".

Whilst shopping, a man approached us and asked if he could draw me. Hesitant yet intrigued, I was persuaded when he claimed he could do it within 100 seconds (as he drew catwalk models on runways and therefore had to be quick). 

As the charcoal hit the paper on the clipboard I was holding, I was amazed at how talented he was at 'capturing the moment'. Once done, I handed over a small donation in exchange for the drawing, which shall be framed in my room.

Our trip also involved a stroll along the pier, pit-stopping halfway in some of the deck chairs looking out onto the beach, before catching some rays on the beach for half an hour (yes, it was actually hot enough to in England!).

The City with a Sea; it's ideal just for a "Daycation" from London. Brighton, you served us well with a relaxing few days after a stressful few months and I shall be leaving here with fond memories (and a pocketful of pebbles).

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Post Exam Stress

Sunday, 24 May 2015

Lifestyle

Post Exam Stress

"...she hibernated like a winter animal who did not know spring had come and gone. Her hair darkened, she put on weight. She became rather careless about her clothes..."

Alas, after what seems like months of tackling revision (procrastination), wading my way through several packets of Maryland Cookies and consequently gaining weight and spots galore, the majority of my exams are over and I can return to what I love doing best: writing and blogging. 

(Alongside sorting my unhealthy obsession with cookies, sorting my face out and maybe even regaining a social life?)

( ^ Nutella/Banana fried toast. I've finally regained my Sunday Serenity of lie-ins, reading a magazine and consuming yummy breakfasts rather than revising!)

As May draws to a close, plans arise, the summer playlist is shuffled and the panic when my legs are too pale to wear suitably seasonal clothing launches. My worries about exam results are carried away by the defeaning beats of festival music whilst the intense heat of the sun soaks up the potent pressure for desirable grades. 

So, for those who still have exams left I wish you all the best and for those who don't - is it not time to flick the flip flops on, invest in some ice-cream and trade the stress for some recess?

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Uptown//Downtown

Wednesday, 25 March 2015

travel

Uptown//Downtown

" ...they must see this, these lights, the river - I love New York, even though it isn't mine, the way something has to be, a tree or a street or a house, something, anyway that belongs to me because I belong to it... "

Throwback to a month ago, when I was nosily listening into local New Yorkers conversation in order to soak up the dialect on our last full day in the city. Here we walked the New York Highline on a morning when the sun was just hitting the rooftops but was not, unfortunately enough to warm the streets.  

( ^ View from the New York Highline in the process of losing circulation in my fingers xoxo )

Once our fingers had turned to ice-cubes, we were ready to wrap our hands around a cup of hot char, so we headed to Chelsea Market in an area known as "the Meatpacking District". The brownstone boasts nothing intense here; from the gentle flow of people in and out of the stalls to the cream fairy lights illuminating the dark hallways. There is a rustic ambience - the feeling you've discovered a hidden humdinger you can spend your Sunday's tucked away in. Unfortunately, it is one of the most known about markets in NYC, so there's no keeping this one a secret. (P.S. The hot chocolate from Sarabeth's Bakery is to die for...)

 

Our next stop was a look at the Flat Iron Building, just as the sun decided to make an appearance again, although we didn't stop here for long. As lunchtime approached, we headed to Grand Central Station to explore the market, shops and the general premises. It is immaculately kept with light reflecting into the pearly cream building from above angles. 

I could people watch here all day; how fascinating it was to watch loved ones greet or depart from one another. After all, it is often said that New York is a lonely city lacking in love or friendship - but by taking a trip down here it was easy to remind oneself that it's still prominent, even in a city as big as this.

After our lunch at the Shake Shack in the food court downstairs, we were lucky enough to witness a couple getting married at the top of the station steps - how joyous they looked (even when everyone was crowding around taking photos!). Their photos and story later appeared on the "Humans of New York" page on Facebook.

In the afternoon, we were set free onto Fifth Avenue for the much awaited shopping trip. I resisted temptation in many of the shops until I arrived at Tiffany's, but more about that and Fifth Avenue in a later post (one paragraph just won't cut it!).

Feeling giddy at the though of my new purchases, I practically skipped back to the hotel, numerous shopping bags in hand, before getting ready to watch the musical "Wicked" on our last night. 

New York, you have my heart and although it might be a while before I return, you leave a numinous effect on me. Is it the sweet waft of men's cologne passing me on the subway that entices me? Or in-fact, how you can be the most elegantly dressed woman one evening to the most excessively casual gal the following morning? Perhaps, it's just the association to Breakfast at Tiffany's that does it for me...

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New York

Sunday, 1 March 2015

travel

New York

' Some time in February, Holly had gone on a winter trip with Rusty, Mag and José Ybarra-Jaegar. '

" Evening Upper East-Siders "...

As I sit typing this weeks (belated) blogpost, I am transported back to the bustling avenues boasting concrete skyscrapers; brought to life with splashes of yellow from traffic lights and taxis galore, the occasional puffs of steam rising from the manholes and the varying wafts of street food mingling, as the people do.

3 glorious days in NYC:
Upon arrival at JFK airport on valentines day itself, the tiredness from our travels was not enough to bring myself down, nor the other 45 students and teachers from my school. (Sadly, I did not feel like Serena Van der Woodsen stepping off her private jet, but the hype of being in New York was enough to keep spirits high.)

Having been to New York twice before with my family, I feared the cosmopolitan city would not overwhelm me with fascination like it once did. Instead, as I stood in the middle of Times Square, a pang of belonging and excitement hit me. There's a distinctive atmosphere about this city whereby nothing is inevitable - I was just waiting for a flashmob to break out around me like in the film "Friends with Benefits" (see here). After a Thai meal in an area called Hell's Kitchen, we headed back to the hotel to get some rest before the action packed day ahead...
Sundays in NY:

There's a pleasant serenity that fills the city on Sundays. As my friends and I headed out for our bowl of maple syrup (accompanied by a couple of pancakes and bacon), the streets were lacking in locals and cabs, which were instead replaced by tourists like us ready to cram as much into their days as possible.

Our day started with a Ferry trip to Ellis Island with beautiful views of the skyline and the Statue of Liberty. 

Later was a time of reflection for many devastating losses as we visited the Vietnam Memorial wall, the Ground Zero Memorial Fountains and St Paul's Church. Personally, I found the 9/11 tragedy was best reflected in the Church as it demonstrated through children's drawings and memorabilia how it affected locals, families and the emergency services.   

After grabbing some lunch, we then headed to an area called DUMBO (down under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). Here we admired Brooklyn Bridge in the freezing - literally, at -8 degrees - conditions!

Now onto my favourite part of the whole trip: The Top of the Rock...

At 5p.m, we headed to the Rockefeller Centre and within a matter of seconds in the lift, we were 67 floors high and towering over the toy cars and stick people 259 metres below us. As the sun began creeping below the rooftops, an orange haze was projected over the skyline. From one of the balconies was the view of a snowy Central Park and the other was an unmissable Empire State and Chrysler Building.

We were at the Top of the Rock for about an hour and a half, which was just long enough to see the city darken and witness the city that never sleeps. We couldn't have gone at a better time!

Our evening concluded with tea in Little Italy before heading back to the hotel via subway.

(More about Tuesday in New York to follow) 

xoxo - Holl

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Snow Days

Saturday, 7 February 2015

Lifestyle

Snow Days

"...it's cold. There's snow in the wind."

As the black winter nights we have all become accustomed to disappear, it has become apparent that we are leaving behind the shortest days. Instead we are greeted by lighter evenings and for some of us, the countdown to February holidays, Easter and the gradual decent into Spring.

That isn't however to say that the weather isn't still cold enough to turn our cheeks rosy and fingers numb. Having heard about the serious snow warnings in New York and getting our own share of snow here in Yorkshire last week, I thought it only suitable to dedicate this weeks' post to snow.

( ^ Ilkley Moor with a thin covering of snow )

The satisfying crunch of powdery snow compressing underneath a welly, the sprinkling of shimmery dust that covers the moors and the odd fleck of snow landing on a car windscreen are just 3 glorious reasons why I loved the snow here last week.

Snow Days can of course be an inconvenience for many people who can't get out, but for those of us lucky enough to spend the day curled up under a blanket, it's a blessing to escape work and just relax! 

How best to spend a snow day?

In the past, I've found that these three combined create the perfect recipe for spending a snow day wisely. You will need;

1). An unlimited supply of films // TV Series (Gossip Girl does the trick well)

2). Endless cups of hot chocolate (with lashings of whipped cream and marshmallows) 

3). A roaring fire to warm up those cold tootsies after sledging, a snowball fight or a walk outside.

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Soleil, Scènes et Sérénité

Wednesday, 21 January 2015

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Soleil, Scènes et Sérénité

"Don't wanna sleep, don't wanna die, just wanna go a travellin' through the pastures of the sky"

Sea water aromas evoke the memories of hours spent sprawled out on a beach towel soaking up the sun, as our pale bodies turn to darkened silhouettes. Icing sugar snow contrasting with the chocolate brown branches transports me to the pristine coated Alpine Slopes. Hooting horns and whistles for taxis awaken the city girl hidden within me, grabbing a cup of coffee to kickstart the day. 

(^ My Travel Journal )

As I flick through my travel journal, the crunch of travel tickets, polaroid photos and stories scribbled down trigger vivid memories of past holidays. My first journal entry from 2009 boasts of a skiing holiday in Les Gets when I apparently "had a great time!!" and seemingly thought I was "getting quite good". 
(To anyone thinking of starting a travel journal, I urge you to do so. I like to think of it as my slice of soleil, scènes et sérénité.)

Of course, everyone has their own reasons for travelling - whether it be to visit loved ones, leave a part of us buried with the history there or even to discover a part of us that we did not know exist. But so frequently travel is misunderstood; we assume we must fly 12 hours to the other side of the world to explore an unfamiliar country to embrace a sense of adventure and belonging. 

Why not be a tourist in your own city? So often we become oblivious to what is right in front of us, that we miss the beauty in simplicity. Wake up early, stumble across that coffee shop tucked away in the backstreet and learn something about your town that you had missed the first time round.   

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A Dry January

Monday, 12 January 2015

Breakfast at Tiffany's

A Dry January

' Holly tapped an empty martini glass. "Two more, my darling Mr Bell." '

    

( ^ Holly Golightly played by Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany's.)

The first few weeks of January see the return to those early school/work rises, or for those lucky enough, just to wake up early and witness the sunrise. We all complain, but surely that's what January is about; getting back into routine (6:45 alarm - no thanks), ridding our diets of those roast potatoes and for many waving adiós to their dear amigo, alcohol.

( ^ Cocktails: Covent Garden, London, in Summer.)

So, considering January is a month of cutting back after an expensive December, why should January not be perceived as a boring month?

1. The arrival of the S/S 2015 clothing in all the shops. Who can resist a peek at those shiny silver rails with row upon row of neatly stitched garments, even if it is still too cold to wear the dainty dresses?  
2. 31 days of detoxing to leave our indulgences behind. A fresh start with not only our diets, but also bad habits that we wish to leave in 2014.
3. January; the most popular month to book Summer holidays! What could be more exciting than looking into travel for the New Year? Although this weather can be a bleak in-between, planning ahead for vacations can prove useful for organisation of cramming as much as you can into your trip. (For myself, I am preparing for a school trip to New York and Washington DC in February - looks like I'll be getting plenty more wear out of my Winter clothing then!)

So cheers *cue clinking glasses with non-acoholic drinks* to a jubilant January.   

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Two Thousand and Fifteen

Monday, 5 January 2015

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Two Thousand and Fifteen

' At last the Christmas Tree had been dismantled, very literally '

( ^ "The secret of getting ahead is getting started" - my fortune cookie )

5 days into 2015. Drooping trees are taken down, ginger spices are tucked back into their shelf space and fairy lights retire to their cardboard boxes for another year. When put like that, it sounds like the saddest part of the year - but the reality is far from that.

31.12.14 // 11:59 p.m. The night consists of partying, clinking glasses and reminiscing the best mems of 2014, before someone checks the clock and it's suddenly 60 seconds until the New Year. The manic rush ensues to fill champagne flutes, flick the TV on and belt out "3, 2...HAPPY NEW YEAR!".

The days that follow are that of recovery and for many, attempted detoxes and diets. But how better to start the Year than by breathing in the New Year air, sitting for a hearty family meal and discussing resolutions (that I know I break within about 24 hours).

  (^ Dog walking, tucking into a Roastie and catching up with Winter Magazines )

I hope you had a wonderful 2014 and that 2015 brings success to you; however you measure it. And remember, love what you do. Do what you love. It's time to start living 2015.

 

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