April 13, 2018

How to Spend a Day in Sheffield

As part of my visit places closer to home resolution I decided to spend a day in Sheffield. I went with a very loose plan and a spare day of annual leave. I mean Sheffield wasn’t really on the top of my must visit list but its only 45 minutes down the motorway and I thought I’d give the steel city a few hours of my time.

Eat & drink

1. Mesters’ Social

I’m just going to start with this was the best French Toast I had ever had. Yes, I’ve eaten a lot of French Toast so I think I’m an authority figure on it now! I stumbled across the very lovely looking instagram of Forge Bakehouse and planned to get a late breakfast and a coffee there. But when I rocked up I saw the menu for Mesters’ Social and the rest they say is history.

2. Tampa

Tampa is a coffee shop and they do damn fine coffee. I find it firstly difficult to get a good decaf and secondly one made hot enough with almond milk. Well Tampa you win. Not only was my coffee hot and decaf it, was hidden away and even though busy the service was excellent.

The Outside Inside

Creative heading I hear you yell. Are you intrigued? Apart from bakery products I knew I wanted to visit:

1. Botanical Gardens

Giant Victorian green houses have always had a place in my heart, they’re intricate often have beautiful plants hidden inside and have been saved from the elements.

The botanical garden in Sheffield isn’t as large as I expected but it was still filled with exotic plants. Plants that I wanted to smuggle home but we all know that Kevin wouldn’t be happy with a 6ft palm tree appearing in the kitchen.

2. The Winter Gardens

The Winter Gardens I pretty much stumbled across. I parked my car in what I think was the University district where I found all the awesome street art and followed the signs into town. This is where the winter gardens are not so secretly hidden. It is the one of the largest greenhouse built in the UK in the last 100 years. So seemed perfect to find into my Sheffield day trip.

Independent Shops

A record shop I hear you cry. Why yes of course I had to visit an independent record store. Now it wasn’t the friendliest I have ever been in but it was full to the brim with records. It was however the only record store ive been in that had a buffet for me to stand on. This is a bloody excellent idea. I can never normally reach the 2nd boxes and have to stand on my tip toes. So well done the Record Collector Sheffield.

There you have it, thats my mini roundup of how to spend a day in Sheffield! Have I missed any of your must visits in the steel city? Please let me know!

April 8, 2018

Finding Amazing Street Art in Sheffield

Hunting for street art is one of my favourite things to do in a new city. I even did it in Reykjavik.

I wish I could create a Sheffield street art map but I didn’t drop a pin in a single location. But just wandered around the Sheffield university area (I think). Basically I parked my car on street, hoped I remembered where I parked it and followed the street signs to the Winter Gardens. These are the ones I spotted along my route.

Sheffield Street Art Colourful fox graffiti on a garage or parking lot wall

Sheffield Street Art Colourful birds, a blue tit and a yellow tit graffiti on a garage or parking lot wall

Sheffield Street Art black and white Skull on a brick wall

These 3 pieces were all together, I guess in a find one find them all kinda thing. I did however almost miss the birds on the wall. And really Sheffield Womens Lib … did you really need to tag this? I don’t think you did. Is there a difference between ‘street art’ and graffiti? I think there maybe. Without hitting up my old friend google, I see graffiti more as a nuisance. A badly written tag or something that destroys property in a negative way. Such as covering signs, maybe this makes me old?

Sheffield Street Art Colourful kingfisher graffiti on a garage or parking lot wall

Sheffield Street Art paper art of brimham rocks

Street art doesn’t have to be spray paint I don’t think, this is fun isn’t it, I don’t even have a GCSE in art. I just like things that catch my eye and grab my interest. A plain brick wall wouldn’t of. It also stopped me looking at the run down building it was attached too. Also the dodgy looking tag that it seems to be hiding.

Controversial Sheffield Street Art

Lets ya know end on a controversial one.

April 1, 2018

Let’s Celebrate Spring 2018

Spring is springing. Today is the 1st April and it’s also Easter Sunday. It’s not raining outside for what feels like the first time in ages. This morning I got up, hand a cup of tea and ate a creme egg. Maybe not the most exotic start to Sunday, but hey why the hell not.

So this Spring what do we have in store?

Exploring more local places. I had a few days off work a couple of weeks back and went exploring Sheffield. Next I want to go to Harrogate, Snaith and Runswick Bay. All places that are close enough for a day trip.

Make use of our National Trust Membership. Long walks around country estates and having a nosey around the grandest houses in the country.

A trip to Heidelberg. This is just next week. A little European city break.

We all know I love open water swimming, well I got a wetsuit for my birthday and I’m hoping to start using it soon. Currently the water temperature is too low. But now spring is here I am hoping that I’ll be able to get out and leave the pool behind again.

Spring cleaning. Urgh. So we’ve almost finished adding the bits to our home, it has taken a good few months but we’re finally nearly there. Just in time to empty the last few boxes and put everything away. Finally.

March 19, 2018

Bundobust and A Snackers Dream

My love for food is never ending. I mean I’m a constant snacker, from the moment I wake until I go to bed I could eat. My name is Michelle and I am a snacker. (I feel like there are a lot of admissions on this blog). I was invited to try the new menu items at Bundobust in Leeds and I suggest you do too. Leeds is absolutely killing it at the moment with menu revamps of some of our favourite places to eat.

Firstly, Bundobust is a little hideaway on Mill Hill, you know next to THAT kebab shop. I promise you the that Bundobust is the better option not only for you late evening after drink snacks but also for an after work pint and food. Its all Veggie too. Please don’t turn your nose up at this fact because it’s actually really good. I was going to write ok, but that doesn’t really do the majority of the items justice.

What we ate:

Onion and Kale Bhajis £4
Okra Fries £3.75
Raghda Pethis £5
Nav Bhaji £6.50
Puri Bread £2
Basmati Rice £1.50

Sounds dreamy right? So the stand out items were definitely the Okra Fries and Raghda Pethis. I could do with a tub of okra fries and a beer any night of the week. Now the actual dream item for this Yorkshire Lass Raghda Pethis. Simply put a Yorkshire/Indian fusion of bloody mushy peas. Heaven in a tub. Honestly I could of eaten 2 or 3 of theses.

What I wouldn’t order again was the Nav Bhaji, a cauliflower based street food dish. It was just a bit meh. Didn’t really do it for me. The brioche bun it came with though. Now that was perfect for dipping into the Raghda Pethis.

Location

BUNDOBUST
6 Mill Hill
Leeds
LS1 5DQ

March 8, 2018

Don’t Call Me Princess – International Women’s Day 2018

Something happened as I was walking through Leeds the other day that really got me cross. Like really chuffin’ cross! And since it’s International Women’s today lets have a chat (rant) about it.

I like to think I’m a nice person and every so often I stop for the promo people in the street and have a chat. After all it is just there job and everyone has to earn a living. See I am a nice person. And I have got to my late 20’s semi successfully.

Now, I spent a good few minuets talking to a young gentleman that was trying to get me to sign up too a new fancy app. I was pretty convinced, to the point of almost agreeing to download it and give him my details. This is where it went wrong very quickly.

‘Miss, Mrs OR PRINCESS?’

Oh. You just did didn’t you! Wow. I was rather polite and gave this young gentleman a quick lesson in why it was very inappropriate to call a 28 year old woman in the street a fucking Princess. Or well any female a princess unless they are under 5, wearing a tiara and dressed like a Disney Princess! Even then do it at your own peril.

I am not someone who normally gets riled about things, but this just really really bugged me. Would he of asked a man if his title was Prince? I very much doubt. In fact I would go with a cold hard NO he wouldn’t of done.

This is the problem.

We need to collectively teach young men that this is not ok. Trying to be funny or even flirty it is still not ok. Just don’t do it. It is condescending and down right rude.

International Women’s Day

“International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.”

As a woman here in the UK, I am lucky that I many more rights than I would have in other countries. I am free to wear what ever I would like, to drive and pursue any career I desire. But there are still problems. Women overall are not paid the same as men, there are more males in politics and business compared to women and overall female health, educations and violence towards women is worse.

So make a stand, even if it’s just teaching someone why calling a total stranger on the street a Princess is wrong. If everyone male or female makes little change then we will eventually get there. Equality is all women want.

March 1, 2018

Why I Started To Believe In Taking A Vitamin Supplement

It maybe on record somewhere that I said I don’t believe in taking extra vitamins and what not. That you should just get everything you need from eating a healthy varied diet. Well I’ve changed my mind. Shock Horror! Vitamin D, is my new bea. Ugh I used bea. Catch me saying that in real life and you have permission to shoot me.

*Let’s get this out here that I’m not a doctor and I’m not recommending anything and you should talk to your doctor before you try anything etc* Firstly check out the NHS website on vitamins and minerals.

Now I started taking vitamin d almost by accident. I had a bone density scan with a medical trail I was on and randomly the data was collated for an episode of the BBC’s Trust Me I’m A Doctor and one of the Doctors I saw recommend I take Calcium tablets and vitamin d. So off I popped to holland and barretts. I’m a cheap skate so obviously went and bought the recommended daily allowances none of the higher doses ones, as I try and eat pretty healthily so want to get as much as I can from my food.

Now it’s not sunny here in blightly. It’s bloody Siberian out there. It honestly is. We are in the grasps of the beast from the east and I don’t think Ive seen any sun in what feels like weeks. And we know that S.A.D is a genuine condition and linked to low exposure to sunlight in the winter months, so a lack in sunlight also must affect our ability to make our own Vitamin D.

Vitamin D

“We need vitamin D to help the body absorb calcium and phosphate from our diet. These minerals are important for healthy bones, teeth and muscles.” NHS 2018

So I’ve been taking 10µg of Vitamin D a day for almost 2 months now (January/February). This is the recommended daily allowance for adults in the UK for the winter months and it aid the absorption of calcium, this was my main reason for taking vitamin d.

What Have I Noticed While Taking Vitamin D?

My energy levels have increased.

I wasn’t expecting to feel anything. I honestly wasn’t. I’d have been happy with it just doing its thing in the back ground helping to absorb the calcium.

But normally it gets to 3pm and I’m desperate for that sugar hit or that giant mug of tea to stop me falling asleep.

Yet when I remember to religiously take Vit D, I’m feeling more alert and have significantly more energy between 2pm and 4pm.

I don’t think it’s a placebo either. I did a little bit of my own research and it seems to that it’s a genuine thing.

I’ve read a few articles on the more upstanding websites and a couple of peer reviewed papers and I’d recommend you do your own research and speak to your doctor.

So there you have it!

My name is Michelle and I now believe in taking a vitamin supplement.

Vitamin D – £3.59 for 100 tablets

February 20, 2018

Hyde Park Book Club Brunch O’clock

If you’re from Leeds you probably know of the Hyde Park Book Club even if you don’t actually know it. That fancy dress shop in an old petrol station? Right? Told ya you knew where it was. Well for the last 2 years it’s been a cafe come events space with a corner of vintage and fancy dress. And I was lucky enough to be invited to try their brunch menu.

Hyde Park Book Club Leeds Hyde Park Book Club is a little rough around the edges, but I kinda liked that. There is a cozy feeling, one that isn’t pretentious but welcoming. I have a feeling it’ll be that place where locals want to keep it a secret but will recommend it too anyone that listens. As that secret cafe that you must visit.

The whole menu is vegetarian, something that the owners decided on early on. They stuck to their morals been veggies themselves and devised a menu which includes sausages from the vegetarian butcher!

Hyde Park Book Club Leeds Breakfast bagel vegetarian sausages

Hyde Park Book Club Leedsbig breakfast with ketchup and brown sauce

Hyde Park Book Club Leeds chocolate coconut waffles

Don’t they look good? I had the breakfast bagel which was egg, veggie sausage, avocado and spinach. Other offerings included rather fancy looking waffles topped with fruit and an almost rather healthy full breakfast.

So if you want to just pop for a coffee, hearty breakfast or check out some of the events that they this is the place to be.

Hyde Park Book Club Leeds Handpainted sign

Hyde Park Book Club Location

HYDE PARK BOOK CLUB,
27-29 HEADINGLEY LANE,
LEEDS,
LS6 1BL

February 14, 2018

Before and After: Den Makeover With A Velvet Sofa and A Giant Tropical Wall Mural

There are sometimes in life when you have to indulge yourself with them crazy plant lady vibes. And when you move into a new build house where every wall is white this urge comes sooner than anticipated. We’ve been in our home for 3 months now and I was getting that itch to decorate everywhere. I’ve even had Pinterest Boards filled with ideas on how I wanted to decorate right from the moment we started looking for a new house early last year.

So when PhotoWall* got in contact asking to collaborate with me, how could I say no? Bye bye white walls hello something bright and colourful. I did have to talk Kevin into this mural but it turns out he loves it now it’s on the wall … (actually he just said “I think it’s OK which I translated from man speak into “I love this”) You’ll find that it’s a recurring theme in interior decorating within my life. Someone can’t quiet visualise the end goal.

Before and After

Lets have a look at how we got to something that was just a bare walls, to a Pinterest worthy den area. I’m not sure if its technically a ‘den’. But its not a living room and the dining area is to the other side of the room. It’s a space where we listen too music and drink Gin if I’m completely honest with you. Oh and Pixel has taken permanent residency there.

The Wall Mural

Lets talk about the wallpaper first. It is a well known fact, that everyone hates wallpapering, or maybe I made it up. Who knows? But this was surprisingly easy. I chose this Tropical print in the premium quality as I loved the colours in the leaves and the fact that I am a crazy plant lady it felt like the perfect fit. (I was originally planning to have something printed up from our Iceland Trip as Photowall can also print your own images, maybe a mural of the northern lights but as they alluded us I went for this instead)

You measure your wall very carefully and double check the measurements. Pop them into the dimensions box and it magically works out how much paper you need and the cost.

The paper arrived within a couple of days and it comes on one giant roll. You then have to cut the roll into lengths (hopefully you checked your measurements because if its wrong the mural won’t fit your wall), mix up the paste, paste the wall and hang your lovely new paper.

Honestly we didn’t even have an argument while hanging it and it took less than 2 hours. Photowall even have some videos showing you how too hang the murals.

The Sofa

Hello teal velvet sofa of my dreams. Now this sofa has a history. I saw it on someones instagram stories when they went to the Tesco Christmas preview evening. Yes you read that right dear readers, TESCO. Well I instantly fell in love with it and knew it had to be mine. I eventually got to make my order in November last year and a whole 3 months later it arrived. It’s one of the best things I think I’ve bought for the house. It sits perfectly against the wall mural from Photowall and has the hint of vintage to go with the bar cart and the record player that live nearby.

Things and a Cheeky Discount Code

Wall Mural – £168* use WanderingCuriositiesCampaign2018 for 20% off PhotoWall until Friday 16th March 2018
Teal Velvet Sofa – £379 (it was on sale)
Rug – From £99
Light Shades – £22
Side Table – £29 from Aldi so you’ll have to hunt for them

So there you have it. How I turned a dingy room into a bright, colourful and cosy corner. As always all words and love for the wall mural are my own and I only write about products I love and would recommend to others.

February 10, 2018

Alcoholic Iced Peach Green Tea

Do you know what I love? Iced Tea. Not the weird American Iced Tea though because thats just literally cold tea. Oh and alcohol. Not in a dependant way. In a ooo alcoholic iced tea sounds like a good idea way. So when Pago offered to send me crate of juice to create something with an idea was born.

Ok, it wasn’t really born. I wanted to make my own version of Starbucks Iced Peach Green Tea Lemonade. With a hint of something more weekend about it.

Pago comes in a variety of flavours but since I’m not so patiently waiting for summer to come and well my above mentioned love of iced tea I went for the classic peach.

Alcoholic Iced Peach Green Tea Ingredients

1 bottle – Of Pago Peach Fruit Juice Chilled
25ml – A Spiced Rum of your choosing (I used a cheapo Aldi one worked fine)
50ml – Chilled Green Tea
A Handful – of Ice
1/4 – sliced peach to make it look fancy

Directions

– Add plenty of ice to glass of choice
– Add sliced peach to glass if feeling fancy
– Next add spiced rum, green tea and peach juice
– Give it a good stir
-Sit back relax and enjoy *responsibly because you know alcohol

You can find all my other recipes here. And you can find Pago on twitter and instagram where they show case all there flavours. Next I need to try the Rhubarb and Pear because you know I live in the Rhubarb triangle and it would be rude not too!

February 8, 2018

Is It Worth Going On An Organised Northern Lights Tour? – Iceland

One of the many things Iceland is famed for is the chance to see the northern lights. The aurora borealis. They are elusive and notoriously difficult to predict, but they draw 1000s of tourists every year to Iceland on a hunt for these magical lights.

Spoiler alert: We didn’t see them.

So is it worth going on an organised tour to hunt for the northern lights?

Kind of. Hear me out on this will you.

Aurora the greek goddess of Dawn, it makes sense when you think about it. Dawn brings the light. Aurora Borealis. The Northern Lights are inspiring and captivating. They say seeing them once is never enough.

What Causes the Northern Lights?

My non astro physicist, GCSE science explanation is: The sun throws out solar flares (think of the sun been sick), these travel through space on the solar winds and hit Earth magnetic field. This is where the particles from the solar flares interact with the gases in our atmosphere. These then appear as the northern lights. Green most commonly seen is the interaction between these gasses and solar particles with oxygen, other gases such as nitrogen produce different colours.

If you want a elegant more technical explanation you can check out NASAs website.

Icelandic Mythology say the Northern Lights can predict the weather; if the lights are still in the sky there is good weather ahead, if the lights are dancing there are storms coming. Also more obscurely, if a pregnant lady looks at the lights while in labour the baby will be cross eyes and if she does not look at the lights she will have a painless birth.

Hunting the Northern Lights on an Organised Tour

This is where things get interesting of sorts. So our holiday had 2 tours included and one of these was a Northern Lights hunt. They call it a hunt because there is no guarantee you will see them. (If you don’t see them many tours will take you out again for free the next chance there is).

I’m going to be honest here, I was a little disappointed. In my head I expected to go with a small group of people into the country side miles away from no where and have this ‘romantic’ hunt for the lights. It most definitely was not that. We got on a coach, drove around an hour outside of Reykjavik to a golf course. It just happened that this was the choice of the evening for multiple companies and 10+ other coaches turned up too. Thats a lot of people in one area. You’re looking at close to 600 people. All looking for the Northern Lights.

The location wasn’t necessarily a bad one, there was a church to one side and they had some huge flood lights which made it difficult to see the night sky. (You can see in the bottom left of my picture the light bleeding in)

Even though there were lots of people around we managed to bag a spot away from the crowd and I set up my tripod and camera. And patiently waited.

We stayed in the location for around 3 hours, the clouds parted a few times and I managed to get some lovely pictures of the milky way but no elusive lights. I was expecting to go to a few different locations in one evening hunting the lights. But I guess that this would have been difficult with a coach load of people. More so that some people got fed up after an hour and went to sit back in the coach.

Is Worth Booking an Organised Northern Lights Tour?

So I guess is an organised tour worth it? I’m sticking with kind of. If you don’t have your own car then yes, the tour will take you to a relatively dark area which has a good chance of a clear sky. The staff will check the weather and take you to where they think is the best spot to see the northern lights. There is no guarantee though. You literally are at the mercy of the solar gods.

If you have your own car, I would recommend going hunting by yourself. The Icelandic Met office has its own website that tracks the solar flares and cloud cover so you can have the best chance of seeing the lights. But ultimately you need to remember a few things, 1. you need to be patient 2. there is no guarantee you’ll spot the northern lights and 3. get away from all light pollution.

May the luck of the Norse Gods be with you.

You can read about my other Icelandic adventures here

Wandering Curiosities