Day 7

Thursday was quite a fun and unusual evening in Leeds. Both James and I ended up learning about something new. James did his coffee class (which you can read about here!) and I ended up in The Body Shop on Briggate, learning make-up techniques from a professional make-up artist!

I’m signed up to a mailing list from Pink Gorilla Promotions – a lifestyle promotions website that offers regular discounts on places in Leeds. I get daily emails from them with discounts on certain restaurants and bars in Leeds and every now and then they have a competition.

Last week, I saw that they had a competition to win an after-hours make-up masterclass at The Body Shop, complete with fizz and pampering. I never win anything, but as all you had to do to enter was submit your email address, I thought I might as well give it a go.

I ended up winning a place and was allowed to take a “plus one”. I immediately asked my friend Shayda as she’s a bit of a make-up aficionado (she did my make-up for my wedding!) and we ended up having a really fun evening.

I won’t go in to too much detail as there are plenty of lifestyle blogs for that, but I will say that as well as getting tips from professional make-up artist, Abby Ireland, I also won the Body Shop’s Advent Calendar competition! Two wins in one week! It’s been rather fun opening up a new box every day and getting a lovely Body Shop treat.

Winner!

Day 8

I shall keep my day 8 description brief as I actually spent the day in Manchester (traitor!) with my mum at the Trafford Centre. We went to The Lowry in the evening to see the new Matthew Bourne ballet – The Red Shoes, which is also coming to the Alhambra in Bradford next year in March.

Days 9 and 10

On Saturday morning I did some Christmas shopping with Lorraine in Mirfield (part of my tour of West Yorkshire) and then went for tea with my friend Cath at the Belgrave in the evening. If you’re a regular reader of the blog, you’ll know how much I love the food at Belgrave. We had a couple of slices of Dough Boy pizza, trying out their new festive themed pizza – the Mrs Claus: turkey, sprouts, pigs in blankets, cheese and cranberry sauce – oh my, it was good!

We then went to see Placebo at the Leeds First Direct Arena which was amazing. I used to really like Placebo but I’m not a massive fan, although do love their more well-known songs. They played for an impressive two hours, and even though I didn’t know all the songs, they were so good that it didn’t matter.

Sunday was a similar evening as I went for food again in Leeds (this time at Smoke BBQ – of course James and I went for the massive sharing platter) and then was back at the arena to see Brand New and Biffy Clyro.

I absolutely love having the arena in Leeds. It’s so much easier than having to go to Sheffield or Manchester, and with so many good places to eat and drink nearby, it’s always a fun evening out.

Biffy Clyro

Day 11

On our last “holiday at home ” day, James and I went in to Leeds to do a bit of Christmas shopping and have some lunch. I’ve just had to delete the paragraph I wrote about where we went shopping in case I give any hints away about Christmas presents!

In need of something a bit light and healthy (after gorging for over a week!) we ended up having lunch at Pho in Trinity Kitchen. Not wanting my body to be in too much shock after eating something with vegetables, we stopped off at Laynes Espresso on the way to the train station and I had a hot chocolate and salted chocolate chip cookie. Nom nom nom!

Heaven

I had a really brilliant 11 days at home. Going away is always nice, but this has been an excellent holiday in Leeds and nearby areas. I bloomin’ love this city!