February 14th

Thursday 14 February 2013


February 14th. The day after the 13th and the day before the 15th. Valentines day. I don't really celebrate it but I know there are some old sops out there who really enjoy it. Maybe it's because we've been married some time now, maybe it's because we're not the romantic kind anyway, maybe we don't like the commercialism and the overpriced flowers on this day but we've mutually agreed to let this day pass by without any hoo-ha. I always say, take me out the week after or buy me flowers when I don't expect it but I prefer the gestures which come naturally rather than the ones which are forced out because someone somewhere declared that it should be so.

And what could be nicer than a lunch date on Valentines day with the Grumps today when I least expected it. I was busily entertaining George in the car showroom and taking pictures of my feet whilst waiting for my car  .....

A girl's got to amuse herself somehow.

Why play with little toys when you can play with big ones !!!!


...... when I had a text asking me where I was and did I fancy lunch? Yes why not indeed? These offers are few and far in between! George and I made our way back in to Leeds. We walked past the market car park where they were setting up the big wheel for the annual Valentines fair ....

You're not getting me on that for love .... but maybe money :o)


And I had a return to do to Zara which meant I also had to have a little nosey to see if anything else new had turned up. I've seen another quilted jacket online and I wanted to see which one was better - the one I've got or the one I haven't got. As it was, the other one wasn't in store yet but mine has finally made it's way to the shop floor (smug for at least 3 days :o))

Do I now need a red suede bag?

A boy's got to amuse himself somehow.


I'm feeling a new love for my Converse at the moment and was delighted to be able to wear them today. I was also breaking in a new pair of jeans. I spent the last month hunting down the perfect skinnys whilst everyone was hunting down the perfect boyfriend jeans. During the last month I also realised I don't suit skinny jeans so once I got my head round that, it got a whole lot easier. There's no point going there if they're not you. So what do I do? I go and get some "low skinny" jeans from H&M. They say skinny on the inside waistband but honestly do these look like skinny jeans on me? These are more like a slim straight jean as they're not overly tight round the calves which helps balance out the thighs. I also said I was breaking them in ... these have very little stretch and I wanted to see how much they would give by the end of the day. These are quite a rigid denim so if you have been spoilt by extra stretchy ones - these may not be the ones for you but I wanted them for that particular reason. Also I've always been fascinated by the raw denim APC jeans and this is my cheap cheats version of a rigid dark (almost untreated) denim to see how I would get on. If you look on the first pic with the Converse, you might just make out the stiffness of the denim. I'm no expert on raw denim but I'm sure someone somewhere will enlighten me and correct me on what raw denim is. I'm happy to learn but please put it in simpleton terms for little ol' me.

We met the Grumps at Arts Bar which is one of my favourite lunch places in Leeds. It used to be a favourite for evening drinks as well when I was younger. I believe I may have fallen out of there in a squiffy state on the odd occasion but I am now a reformed character :o)

What's your poison?


Grumps took his leave and George and I went for a nosey around the Corn Exchange. It's had a makeover in recent years and it looks gorgeous - shame there isn't more business passing through.

Gorgeous but rather empty for a lunchtime period.

Needs a tea dance to rock things up a bit.

Little black dresses

Little small people

 
Flashback time. Remember Trumpton?
"Pugh, Pugh, Barney McGrew, Cuthbert Dibble Grub ...."


And then home as the wee man said his legs were tired. And there was Power Rangers to watch.

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So tell me - did you celebrate today? 

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Update 18.02.13  

The wheel is not for the Valentine's fair - it's just an attraction set in the middle of Leeds Market car park ????


26 comments

  1. Oh it all looks lovely and so familiar. Those little black dresses are beautiful. V interested in the not so skinny jeans fom H and M. George is adorable.

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    1. If you like the jeans you might be hard pressed to get them online now as the sizes are disappearing quite quickly. I bought a 28 waist 30 length originally and nearly stopped breathing after fastening them up. I went up a size to the 29 which is what I'm wearing now and I almost considered going up another size but thought if they give too much, then I will end up with them too saggy. They seem to be holding quite well - given a fraction but still on the right side of a happy fit. I also took them up and gave them an extra half inch to sit over trainers/sneakers nicely as I didn't want any gaps between shoe and jean. Attention to detail. Yup.

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  2. It looks like you had a brilliant day and how cute is George! We avoid the commercialism of Valentine's day in favour of a movie (or two) at home and home cooked dinner. We did a rack of ribs on the bbq so needless to say we were both happy :) I like that you've kept your outfit practical. See all the death defying heels on ice at fashion week? Crazy!

    xx Mandi
    www.findmeamuse.com

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    1. We definitely don't go out on Valentine's day - it has something to do with overbooked restaurants, harassed waiters/waitresses, too many orders, too many expectations and the likelihood of a bad meal. And a big bill. So we prefer to stay at home. An impromptu lunch was nice though and at lunchtime, it still feels quite normal. Rack of ribs sounds fab. Never done a rack on the bbq before but that might be something to try out this year if the summer is good.

      Yup - saw the heels - crazy. That's fashion for fashion's sake. I wouldn't even dream of putting my feet out there without socks on! Gosh I'm so old!

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  3. Love how cute George is in his little outfit! I'm the same about Valentines and Mother's Day and xmas is really all for the kids (barrel of laughs aren't I?).
    I have jeans just like yours I think from Gap - they're called Selvage and are a really dark, rigid (compared to the others) blue. Haven't worn them yet. I don't like them to be too stretchy in any case. Yours look really good! I've only bought Kids jeans for myself in H&M, they slim and the material is light enough for Spring/Summer wear without being flimy.

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    1. I totally get you on the Valentine's front. That makes two of us.

      I don't think I could get in to the kid's jeans at H&M. Joggy bots yes - jeans no. I'm quite enjoying wearing these at the moment (got them on again today - still breaking in) but I need some dark footwear that will sit under these which don't stain as I noticed some dye transferring from the jeans to my Converse by the end of the day. I think I know which jeans you mean from Gap - I've seen them but not tried them. When are you going to break yours in?

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  4. He is gorgeous Sue! Love the Zara jacket:)
    ~Anne

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    1. Thank you Anne. He's not being very gorgeous now :o(

      Hope you have a good weekend!

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  5. LOVE this little Leeds post! Very familiar with Arts bar too but it's been a while since i've been in. And I remember when the Corn exchange used to be THE place to shop, times have changed but still a gorgeous building x

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    1. I only manage a couple of lunches a year in Arts but that's good for me. I love their lunchtime platters - they are fab. Yes - the Corn Exchange used to be full of quirky shops and had loads of stuff going on. Do you remember the Condom Shop? I think it's become a little over sanitised - it's lost some of it's original character even though it now looks more upmarket.

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    2. Ha - that made me laugh, I do remember it now you mention it, what was that all about? There was another shop we used to go in, it was rather gothy at the time but used to stock some cool (un-gothic) t-shirts. I want to say Stomp but I really cant remember. I think the Trinity shopping centre opens soon - sound promising for us avid shoppers :)

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    3. Did you know I had no idea about the Trinity shopping centre till a few weeks ago - call me a shopper? I'm a disgrace.

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  6. I saw the jacket in our store for the first time this week - it is very lovely! We agree we don't 'do' valentines, but then occasionally give in and get a last minute card or box of chocolates. This year hubby decided on his way back from up North to pick up a cheap bunch of roses and left them on the shelves in the hall with no water overnight. Soooooo romantic. However, I got him nothing so we are about equal. X

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    1. He wins by one point :o) for just thinking about you ... a bit.

      My Grumps and I are even. He asked me to lunch and then told me to pay on my card ;o)

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  7. LOVE George!!! I want to just cuddle him. Looks like a great wee day all round, and lol at u searching for the perfect skinnies now! Typical!

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    1. I do that. When all around are doing one thing, I have to go and do something else. Not always but it has been known. But I tell you something for all the trouble people are having finding boyfriend jeans - I've had the equivalent squeezing myself in to skinnys. It is soul destroying.

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  8. HI Sue. Sounds like you had a lovely day with the gorgeous George. No romantic moments here either, maybe it is a thing that you get over once you've been married for a decade! I love converse and also I have a pair of Ash Virgin hi tops which I don't think have been off my feet this winter. Am thinking about buying a leather pair of hi - top converse. What do you think? x

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    1. For over the summer or come autumn/winter? For autumn/winter, I'd definitely consider the leather ones for the water resistant properties. Any particular colourway?

      I've been sending myself loopy the last few days - my new fixation is Golden Goose trainers. Love. Love. Love.

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  9. I like your converse. Looks very versatile with that colour.

    The place where you had lunch looks grand! :)

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    1. I'm thinking of a pale grey leather pair as well - not too different but I don't need it to be. I keep thinking I want some bright ones but then I feel I will spend all day looking at my feet which I probably will.

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  10. Oh I neeeeeed that jacket from Zara! x

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    1. Oh it's serious then? You neeeeeed that jacket rather than waaaaaant that jacket :o)

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  11. Love that boy, want to squeeze him, so cute! I'm no expert on denim I'm afraid but don't think I could go back to a rigid denim, we have been spoilt with softer materials that are more forgiving and comfortable. Didn't celebrate Valentines, seems a bit stupid at our age but wouldn't have said no to a bunch of beautiful flowers. I'm awaiting that H&M sweatshirt BTW x

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    1. What colour did you go for? I've got the blue but I feel like I need the grey now. May have to put an order in ;o)

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  12. your little man is SO CUTE and totally has your smile ;) i can never resist spending time in zara so i totally know where you're coming from!

    steph / absolutely-fuzzy.com

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    1. Especially when they have new stock in! I like just taking it all in and having a bit of play.

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Susie So So