HELLO JUNE 2024

 

Chapter 6

Summer Solstice, vegetables sprouting, rose wine, Summer holidays are close, BBQ season begins, lawnmowers rumble, woodland walks, summer dresses, bare legs, blue skies, sandals, sunglasses, aeroplane trails in the sky, buttercups in the green fields, glorious dog walks, sunshine, windows wide open. Happy days, smiling faces, Summer is here at last!!

 

 

FABULOUS THINGS THAT HAPPENED LAST MONTH

1. Some gorgeous treatments at Alura beauty spa – Kirkburton,  Huddersfield

2. A gorgeous meal out at Da Sandro - Huddersfield

3. Max is working very hard on his exams

4. A fantastic weekend Adjudicating at a huge dance festival in Sherburn in Elmet - Leeds

5. We got Max’s prom suit!

6. 2 lovely Bank Holidays

 

LIFESTYLE, LEISURE, PLACES & HOME

The Importance of my daily walk 


For me, getting our dog 6 years ago was the best decision we’ve ever made as a family, and I really can’t imagine life without a dog in my life now. Apart from the love & joy she brings every single day, it’s also made me get out in the fresh air more. My daily walk with Dora brings so many benefits to my life including exercise, fresh air, time to think, time to grow and learn by listening to podcasts & audiobooks and also quality family time & family talks when we go out together. On days off it's also taken us to places we wouldn’t normally go in both our home town and further afield, to appreciate the beautiful place we live.       

 

BEAUTY, HEALTH & STYLE

Alura Beauty Spa – Kirkburton, Huddersfield

Alura is a lovely, friendly beauty spa situated in the village of Kirkburton, Huddersfield. I’ve been going for over 4 years and the beauty therapists are all highly experienced, friendly and welcoming & excellent at what they do. There is a large range of treatments for your every need and I highly recommend Alura if you’re looking for a beauty spa around this area.  

 

RESTAURANT OF THE MONTH

James Martin – Manchester  


A Sunday afternoon in Manchester in the sun has the most fantastic vibe! Everywhere is busy but in such good spirits that the busyness makes it better! So, what better way to spend it than at the fabulous James Martin’s restaurant on a day out with my little brother.  

We made our way straight from Piccadilly Station to the restaurant which is situated within the Manchester 235 Casino in the Great Northern warehouse, M3.

As its situated within a casino, it’s strictly an 18 & over venue.

We were greeted by a lovely front of house girl who showed us to our table immediately then were introduced to our wonderful waitress. The staff were all absolutely charming and seemed to genuinely enjoy working there. They also said they see James Martin quite regularly and he’s a lovely man & treats everyone of his staff with the utmost respect. I love to hear this, there’s nothing worse than hearing someone you enjoy watching on TV is arrogant in real life.

The Sunday lunch offers a 1, 2 or 3 course menu for £20, £25 & £30 which was extremely good value.

I chose the cod and crushed new potatoes and James my brother chose the chorizo & pork scotch egg for our starters. Both delicious & just the right size that you had plenty but weren’t overwhelmed.

There were approx. 6 choices for each course, and all sounded equally delicious. We both chose the roast beef served with a giant Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and seasonal vegetables for our main & I can honestly say it is some of the best beef I’ve ever tasted. The gravy was extremely flavoursome with all the vegetables perfectly cooked.

I finished with sticky toffee pudding and a salted caramel ice cream for desert and my brother went for the bread & butter pudding. A perfect end to a wonderful meal and I have already booked to return as both the quality and value for money, and I can’t recommend it highly enough if you’re in the area. 

 We continued our lovely afternoon by hitting some of Manchester’s top outdoor cocktail bars & I felt like I was in Ibiza at one point.

A fabulous day out and a wonderful catch up with my little brother.

www.jamesmartinmanchester.co.uk/

 

COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH

Pink gin spritz 


Pair fruity pink gin with lychee liqueur to make this refreshing spritz cocktail. It's beautifully delicate and floral – ideal for an al fresco gathering.

Ingredients

  • handful of ice
  • 50ml rose-flavoured gin
  • 35ml lychee liqueur
  • sparkling water, for topping up

Method

  • STEP 1 Fill a highball glass with ice.
  • STEP 2 Pour over the gin and lychee liqueur, then top up with sparkling water.

 

FILM/TV SHOW OF THE MONTH

Love your weekend with Alan Titchmarsh 


When I get a rare Sunday at home, I adore watching this with a cup of coffee. It’s so wholesome & who doesn’t love Alan?

 

BOOK OF THE MONTH

‘Confessions of a 40 something XXXX up!’

 

THIS MONTH I'M LOVING

Better weather at last!

 

THIS MONTH I'M NOT LOVING

Max’s GCSE stress!

 

THIS MONTHS FAVOURITES

1. Glow Up – Britains next Make-Up star

2. My rose quartz Gua Sha   

3. The Sam & Billie Show – podcast

4. Whispering Angel Rose Wine

5. Next online

 

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH



 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MAKE EACH DAY COUNT!

Image
  My family & I had a horrible start to the week as, on Monday morning, we were woken up abruptly to our dog Dora barking like mad and black smoke pouring in through our windows. We rushed downstairs to find our next door neighbours house was on fire & there were fire engines, ambulances, police & paramedics everywhere. Very sadly our lovely neighbour didn’t make it & died from smoke inhalation which has devastated us all as he was the nicest man who would do anything for anyone. It really does put life into perspective and how we really do have to make the most of every day we are given. I turn 50 this year and, whilst many people struggle with ageing, I see it as a privilege as I know many people, including one of my best friends in the world, who died very young, would have loved to be the age I am now. I’m sorry if this is all a bit depressing but life’s tragedies always make us assess our own lives & it really made me re think about making every day...
Read more

WELCOME TO ZOE LOVES X

Image
Hi,  I'm Zoe, a forty something business owner, blogger, dance teacher, theatre adjudicator, writer, wife to Tony, mum to 18 year old Isabelle & 15 year old Max and dog owner of our beautiful cavachon Dora.  As I navigate through 'Mid Life' I hope you'll join me on my journey through all things lifestyle, parenting, beauty, fashion, travel, dining out, cocktails, home life, gardening, cooking, reading, health, fitness, self care and of course the dreaded menopause. Hopefully along the way I can pass on some tips and inspiration to ladies of a certain age who love living life to the fullest! I post regularly & I can't wait to hear from you along the way!   BE HAPPY, BE FABULOUS, BE YOU! X         
Read more

HELLO OCTOBER 2024!

Image
  Chapter 10 My birthday month! Pumpkin lattes, red & gold leaves crackle under foot, harvest time, trick or treat, cosy coffee shops, brisk walks with bracing air, comfort food of soups & stews, lighting the fire for a cosy night in, boots & warm sweaters on, muddy dog paws, cosy pyjamas.   FABULOUS THINGS THAT HAPPENED LAST MONTH 1. Our puppy Frank is settling in beautifully! 2. Sober September was good after a fun Summer! 3. A September reset for the last few months of 2024 4. Max is loving college life! 5. Max got his first job and is now a fully-fledged Lifeguard after passing his course and a successful interview. My boy is growing up! 6. A very successful show for my theatre school!   LIFESTYLE, LEISURE, PLACES & HOME A day at Fountains Abbey  On a beautiful late summer day, just before the weather turned and storm Lilian decided to pay us a visit, my parents, Isabelle & I spent a wonderful day at the stunning Foun...
Read more