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!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE BOY!

Totally forgot to post this on time! It's ok, only a day late! Teehee x

Just a short post dedicated to the little boy CASEY CHAN WAI KIT! 

Happy TWENTY-SIXTH Birthday!

One of my favourite candid shots together:

We are no longer equals!

xoxo

DAY OFF WORK

Feels a bit strange to be off work on a weekday...not that I'm complaining ;)

Had my daily dose of caffeine at Opposite in Victoria Quarter today - a cup of Mocha, served in a cute paper cup. This is probably my second time having a drink here, it's a small little shop with some stools and tables to sit around, ideal for a quick drink and chat. I've also been to the original Opposite (opposite) Leeds University site (the name speaks for itself). It serves good, affordable fairtrade coffee and snacks - my mocha cost me 2.30 pounds. Modest-looking but good quality stuff.

Sold a couple more items on eBay - trying my best to unload as many things as I can. For those of you who don't know, I am moving soon! Big, exciting news on the horizon but I'll wait a few more days before I publish an official post on it! 

Coming soon...

Spring is the season for...salads! I've re-stocked my tiny fridge with my salad essentials - much more economical making my own than buying ready-made ones. And healthier! 2 months-ish to get fit before the wedding! Ok, don't get too over-excited now, I know it's not MY wedding but looking good is essential! Who knows there may be eligible bachelors lurking around the corner...

Some shops have started their mid-season sales - not ideal if you're looking for key items for the coming spring/summer as most are leftovers from autumn/winter. So many pretty pastels on display in shop windows though! I cringe everytime I see my reflection and notice I'm still stuck on my dull browns - time for a wardrobe makeover soon. I'm still eyeing that scarf in Zara...hmm, not long now till my strong-willed side gives in to temptation.

I did get a cute candy pink and grey striped scarf/snood from the GAP sale - 9.99 pounds. I have a soft spot for pinks and stripes.

On a rather random note, I saw some pigeons savaging an abandoned piece of fried chicken wing on the roadside today - I wonder if they realized that they were eating one of their own feathered friends.

"We'll be watching you..."

Right, I've got some serious packing to do. I think I'm procrastinating a lot these days...so many things to do I don't know where to start!

Hmm...lets watch an episode of New Girl first shall we x

WEEKEND IN NEWCASTLE

DAY 1

Good morning Newcastle!

I woke up to a seal, bear and tiger staring at me - guess I'm not the only one into soft toys at this age!

After many attempts I finally managed to drag Sarah out of bed - and we had pancakes for breakfast!

Wonky-shaped pancakes, but made with love nonetheless!

Sarah in her element!

Matching ribbon dresses with contrasting colours!

Me and Sarah spent the day at Tynemouth, first visiting the market which had an array of antique (and not-so antique) items on display for sale - from old coins and jewellery to larger pieces of old furniture.

There were also some cute looking cupcakes/muffins on sale - each for only a pound! Who could resist.  We each had a raspberry and white chocolate muffin, couldn't really taste any white chocolate and there was only a measly raspberry in mine - then again it was only a pound so can't complain.

We then went on to have some fish & chips at Marshall's, apparently one of the best in the area - there was a queue for both takeaway and sit-in when we arrived so it must be pretty good. The inside looked like any other average local diner but then again I suppose it's the food that matters most. I don't think we realized just how big the portion sizes were - the guys who stared at our food when it arrived must have thought we were both gluttons! As expected neither of us even finished half of our plates - well at least I finished the fish, Sarah only finished half of it, such a lightweight! ;) 

We should have had what the senior citizens beside us had - theirs was half the size of ours. 

As usual I get this sickly feeling after having fish & chips, probably from all the unhealthy oil and fat - then again it never stops me from doing it all over again!

Headed back into town and to do some shopping at Eldon Square - quite a disappointing shopping day but managed to bag myself a tan-coloured dress from Republic for only 10 pounds! I have a bit of an obsession with browns as boring as they can be, my wardrobe is in serious need of a seasonal makeover.

I had dinner with some friends back from university days at St. Sushi where we ordered a huge platter of sushi to share. The wait was a bit longer than expected, I believe it took almost AN HOUR for it to arrive by when we were all starving and probably finished within 10 minutes when they finally served it. I have previously reviewed this place on Tripadvisor - had a mix of experiences in the past with regard to the service and food. It's an alright place to visit, but if given the choice of other options this would definitely not be at the top of my list (probably a bit more biased because my brother also experienced some rubbish service here). I also think the waitresses need to smile more hehe.

Japanese fried ice-cream

When we had almost finished dinner, Chloe and Sarah made a surprise pop-in entrance with a birthday cake for me! The initial 'plan' was for Jeannie to keep me away in the toilets (???) so they would have time to light it up and surprise me when I came out. But it sort of failed hehe - I still LOVE you guys so much though for making the effort!

I also received more birthday cards and gifts! A lovely Anna Sui perfume from Chloe and Sarah, and a spa weekend voucher from Jeannie, Nicholas and Cathy! Thanks you guys, I LOVE them!

Gift from Chloe & Sarah

Cards from Chloe & Sarah 

Spa Weekend! - Thank you Jean, Nic & Cathy

DAY 2

Had our usual visit to Starbucks (Sarah will not be pleased with this photo hehe) and then had lunch at good ol' Jasmine. Wan Tan Mee - yum.

Sarah has also introduced me to the wonderful world of 'Bakery Story' which I have become a bit obsessed with! For those of you who haven't played it before it looks a bit like this

My business is slowly growing!

Looks like I'm going to become more glued to my Iphone more than ever before - I blame Sarah!


It's been a good weekend on the whole, celebrating my belated birthday and just spending quality time with friends. 


And a final surprise before the weekend ends - my birthday card from Mum and Dad all the way from Malaysia - LOVE you both lots!

Back to work again on Monday after a whole week off! 
Hope everyone else had a good weekend!