MISJUDGED

You know the feeling when you feel like all your effort you put into something has been blatantly overlooked and you were being judged by a number? That's exactly what I experienced today. 

I'm not going to go into too much detail on the topic, but as you may have guessed it was work-related.

Anyway, anger and frustration aside, I went to calm myself down and cheer myself up with a lovely affogato at La Bottega Milanese - I requested for chocolate ice cream this time. 

Some retail therapy always helps to brighten up a bad day - I had my usual browse round T.k.maxx. Tried on some sneakers that were pretty comfy and casual. They were all decently priced below 15 pounds though I didn't get any of them today - maybe another time.

Some nice See by Chloe blazers/jackets were on sale, I grabbed one and am still contemplating whether it's a keeper or not hmm...

My mind is still pondering over the words that were exchanged earlier. I am aware of the importance of accepting constructive feedback, but when I feel that unjustified conclusions have been made, I feel that I should speak my mind. 

So tomorrow I will no longer be the timid girl that I usually am - assertiveness has never been my strong point, but I am slowly learning. I'll be leaving for a new job in a couple of days, but before I leave I'm going to make sure I have the last word. 

IT FEELS LIKE WINTER ALL OVER AGAIN

The chilly weather is back again! Just when you thought you could ditch all your winter woolies. Time to layer up and keep warm.

The weather was pretty grim in the morning but thankfully it got a bit brighter later on in the day.

I had a latte macchiato and a chocolate cake (can't remember what it was called, Sacha? or something along those lines) at La Bottega Milanese (surprise, surprise). The cake was nice and light so I didn't have that sickening feeling after as I sometimes do when the cake is too rich. I'm on a mission to try all their tasty cakes! It was about lunch time and the place was a bit packed so didn't hang around for too long before heading out for some window shopping.

There was a Vintage Fair at the Corn Exchange and I had a little browse around. Can't really see myself pulling off most of the looks, but some of the bags did look quite nice. Tempted to buy a cute high-waisted skirt with zebra (!!!) buttons, but forgot to withdraw enough cash...

Made a quick trip to the market, which may probably be my last before I leave - so many good memories of all my fruit bargain buys! I'm going to miss you Leeds market.

At Tesco, I spotted this cute little pack of biscuits that I just couldn't resist...

I mean who could resist Llamas...LLAMAS! Introductory offer of only a pound. It came in two different flavours - BBQ and sweet chilli. Nom nom nom...


My thighs have been having a good workout today...I've been busy STRADDLING...




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...BOXES!


Yes the move is now inevitable and here is a glimpse of packing Phase 1

I am packing my life into boxes...by the number of boxes piling up I must truly be living a very 'wholesome' life! And this isn't even all of it...stay tuned, more to come x

LAST FEW DAYS OF GOOD WEATHER

Had a short(er) work shift today and managed to get out to enjoy what could most probably be the best weather we're going to have before it all goes downhill after this weekend.

Feeling a bit out of place with my tights and coat in the warm sunny weather, I dashed home to freshen up and change into something more summery, and then dashed back out to get my 'mugshot' aka passport photo taken.

Stopped by La Bottega Milanese to enjoy an affogato while flipping through this week's Stylist. Loving every drink/snack I've had there so far.

I read about the Revlon Photoready Collection and tried the tester at Boots with the intention of purchasing the Eye Primer + Brightener. I have had really bad dark circles since like forever and concealers are one of my daily staples. Unfortunately the shade was a bit too pale and peachy for my skin tone, and it only came in one shade - bummer. Oh well, I'm currently still in love with my YSL Touche Eclat.

Revlon Photoready Eye Primer + Brightener

I tried on a really pretty blush pink dress with the intention of wearing it as my bridesmaids dress for my brother's church wedding. Unfortunately it was a bit loose at the sides, must have been a really big size XS. I may pop in again to give it another try. Maybe I could get it altered hmmm...

Been spending most of the day researching on removal companies and getting quotes...here begins the joys of moving house again. If anyone has any experience with removals in the Leeds area please do drop me a message, it would be much appreciated!

More posts regarding THE MOVE to come soon x

ANOTHER DAY OFF = MORE COFFEE & SHOPPING

As predicted by BBC Weather (which sometimes lies), the weather today was lovely, exactly what spring should look like. Ditching my dreary clothes, I rummaged for something more vibrant and picked my bright yellow Forever 21 dress to get into the mood.

My bedroom looks a bit like a warzone at the moment as I started packing away most of my clothes - years of shopping have resulted in a rather unhealthy heap of clothes, some with the price tags still attached (oops).

I've also started building up my (not-so) mini pile of clothes which I have labeled as the 'eBay pile' - basically stuff that I'm planning to try auctioning off on eBay. I don't think I'm going to manage to get through the whole pile before I leave, so I may try looking into the car boot sale option later on!

Dropped off a couple of winter coats at Johnsons Cleaners to get them de-germed before I pack them away during the summer months. I was a bit hesitant to leave my lovely Vivienne Westwood coat in the hands of a stranger - they better hand her back to me in pristine condition!

Good times together :)

Being off work is obviously not doing my credit card any good. As all my shopping ventures seldom end with me empty-handed, I bought a pair of GEOX casual comfort shoes - the shoe that breathes! I think mum would be pleased with my decision as she was nagging about me not wearing 'practical shoes' last time. And I only paid a fraction of the original price for it at one of my favourite shopping outlets which you all should know by now ;)

I have really broad feet and wearing my numerous pairs of cheap New Look pumps aren't really doing them any good, so it's important to invest in good quality shoes.

While heading to the cashdesk, I got distracted (as usual) by the dress aisle and picked up a slinky black Michael Kors dress - tried it on and as predicted my credit card got another beating. My excuse: a potential wedding dinner dress? x

Essential tan leather shoes for summer

I popped back into La Bottega Milanese for a quick coffee before I headed back home, this is probably going to be one of my favourite spots in the very short time I have left in Leeds. Today I tried the cappuccino, usually priced at 1.95 but because it was happy hour it was only 1.25 (woohoo!). 

I also packed home a 'Rum baba' which I wanted to try the other day - a yeast cake soaked in rum which also had some nutella filling. 

Random food bargain blurb: Yogurt lovers, if you think 2 for 3.00 pounds is a good offer, Rachel's Organic Yogurts are only a pound each at Morrisons!

Yummy

Ok, fun-time over, I better get off and practise my violin before Iveta kills me!

If only I looked this enthusiastic all the time!

A QUIET 25TH BIRTHDAY

Barely staying awake til 12 midnight last night, I decided to have a lie-in the next morning (and by lie-in I don't mean sleeping til 2pm in the afternoon, more like 8am by my standards).

After barely avoiding a wardrobe malfunction (!), I settled for my comfy dusky pink MNG playsuit, Zara knitwear jumper, silk floral scarf and Aldo white city bag. Really need to start making use of my pile of accessories in future, many of them have barely seen the light of day.

Decided to finally try out this little cafe @ The Light - La Bottega Milanese which opened a few months ago. I originally intended to try out one of the coffees, but then got distracted by the 'Specials' board and ordered the Coconut Hot Chocolate and 'Crostata di cacao' (chocolate and patisserie cream torte). The hot chocolate was served in a really dainty cup, which tasted really smooth and thick (not like your watered down, overpoweringly sweet hot chocolates at Starbucks). It had a good balance of sweetness and some bitterness, couldn't really detect any coconut-y taste but was good nonetheless. The torte was delicious as well, quite a sticky texture. It's a nice cosy corner with wi-fi internet, with friendly waitresses (my fork was immediately replaced after I dropped it on the floor in my flurry to balance my drink and torte). And it's also opened til quite late which is always a plus!

It can be a bit of a wait during the late evenings though as when I intended to takeaway a 'Rum baba', there was only one member of staff making coffee with no one else at the till which was a bit of a put-off.

    

Fueled with high sugar levels, I went on to indulge in some retail therapy. Tried a few dresses in T.k.maxx but wasn't too impressed, so settled with a Fiorelli pewter bag (originally 75 pounds for which I bought for 30 pounds - another one of my bargain buys!). And in the mood of getting back into my fitness regime I also bagged a couple of crop trousers for gym - investing for my summer bikini body! (though I don't think all the cake has helped). Tried on more clothes at Zara but came out empty-handed, I did see a lovely yellow scarf that I am still contemplating whether to buy or not.

As calories don't count on your birthday, I gathered some cupcakes to satisfy my craving (I have the excuse that I didn't have a birthday cake this time round) - a raspberry and white chocolate cupcake from the shop in the Queens Arcade, and two from Waitrose. The yellow one was the least tastiest but it did look quite pretty (89p!).

Rushed home in time to Skype with mum & dad - daddy who recently started playing the piano even played a birthday song on the piano for me hehe! And they even ate cake on my behalf!

Technology is amazing.

In the evening I met up with Iveta, my violin teacher - we went to have dinner at La Cafetiere, a cosy little Mediterranean cafe in Headingley. The food was served promptly after we ordered. We both order 'Kubah' which was rice and potato croquettes stuffed with lamb, accompanied by some sides - yummy. The dish only cost 8 pounds which is cheap and affordable. Loved the candlelit atmosphere - has a very home-y feel to it.

     

My lovely card from Iveta - with a flute and violin! and a french horn which I will apparently learn next year lol

Thank you Iveta for the lovely evening (as well as the chocolates and the card!), looking forward to our coffee sessions x

And thank you all for the Facebook/text/whatsapp birthday messages! Love you all x

Off to catch up on some beauty sleep now, appointment at the hairdressers tomorrow! ;)