image via Twitter
I’m done, I can’t take anymore, I am officially partied out! These past two weeks I’ve been out 5 times, all of which have been absolutely brilliant, but I can not half feel it now. Last night I slept like the dead and didn’t wake up till 8am, which for me is a big lie in indeed!
On Friday James and I went to the Funk and Soul Christmas Party at the Boiler Shop Steamer in Newcastle. The venue is an old railway workshop, basically a warehouse, which is home to a monthly pop up event featuring live music and local food. We’ve been meaning to go for a while now, and when we saw that one of our fave bands Smoove and Turrell (who we saw last year) were on the bill we had to get tickets. We had an awesome night…
We finally met John Turrell from the band as well, he was so lovely! I wore my crazy printed vintage dress with a leather biker jacket, ankle socks and my shoe boots:
We shared a pizza and had nutella crepes as well as various drinks. The Expresso Martini made my local coffee company Ouseburn Coffee Co was amazing!
After Smoove and Turrells set, Craig Charles came on to DJ, but by that time we were knackered so hoped in a taxi home. Such a great night, looking forward to going along to future events!
In between the drinks and indulgent food I’ve been craving the healthy stuff to balance it out. All I wanted yesterday morning was a green smoothie:
I made this with spinach, banana, vanilla sun warrior protein powder, coconut water and ice, then topped it with all sorts of goodies. I felt like all was right in the world after eating that! I was pretty shocked when later that day I started craving juice. I had a load of carrots that needed using up so I made a carrot, clementine, apple and ginger juice:
The addition of the clementine made this taste quite festive!
In another ‘use up’ meal, I roasted some brussels and made a salad with beetroot and feta:
Three ingredients was all this needed! Simple food has been a comfort after some bigger, richer meals.
Last night we went out to dinner with my parents, sister and brother in law. I was driving so drink was off the menu anyway but I was able to make a really healthy choice. No pics as it was too dark, but I had salmon with kale, new potatoes, beetroot and a creme fraiche dressing followed by honey frozen yoghurt with berries. Feel so much better after that!
This weekend was also the Winter Solstice so I’ve quietly set a few intentions for myself going forward into the next half of the year – it gets lighter from here thankfully, although I know it often doesn’t seem like that in January and February!
Have you had many Christmas parties and social occasions this year? I’ve loved every minute of mine, to me they are what makes the run up to Christmas special, I love seeing friends and family, sharing food and drink and having a bit of a dance! Now that we are almost at Christmas I’m ready to relax, although we do go out on Christmas Eve, I’ll have to get myself geared up for that, as well as getting the flat clean and preparing my contribution to Christmas lunch! How are you spending the last few days before Christmas?
That espresso martini looks amazing! I’ve had a hectic last couple of weeks, looking forward to just chilling out on Christmas day as it’ll just be me and the parents at home – can’t wait! So glad that the winter solstice has passed, find the darkness at 4pm really difficult although spring still seems like a long way off! x
That sounds lovely, it’s boxing day when I can finally put my feet up, bring it on!
Just read that whole chalkboard drinks menu, I am so fancying a good booze up but holding off until Christmas eve!Well done on your 5 nights out :)
Don’t they all sound good! I really wanted a sloe gin but had to moderate myself ;-) Hope you have fun tomorrow!
Oh wow, that smoothie looks insanely delicious!!
I love juices and smoothies, but I definitely don’t have it enough.
{Teffy’s Perks} X
It was fabulous, but they are more difficult to keep coming when it’s cold!
Ha! I feel exactly the same way about all of the eating out I’ve been doing recently, but I guess it’t the season for it. :-)
Absolutely! If you can’t do it at Christmas when can you :-)
Nutella crepes = heaven!
I am spending today working- I am hoping to get my work done in the morning and spend the afternoon wrapping and decorating cakes, but at the moment I am procrastinating a bit (although I have written an art plan for next half term so I can tick something off the list!).
Last night I decorated my gingerbread house- it looks very home-made!!
Ooh can’t wait to see your gingerbread house!
I’ve been out to a few parties and festive gatherings, and it’s been really nice to catch up with friends and family. I’ve tried to stay away from too much drink though as I just can’t take feeling shit and wasting the next day anymore!!
Urgh, tell me about it, I’m so over it. I am going to have a few glasses of wine today, but will be alternating them with soda water so I don’t have a hungover Christmas!
looks like a great night out!
Thanks, it was great!
I’ve been to very few Christmas engagements this year, it’s been so chilled, I think I’m even spending NYE home alone, probably an early night!
That sounds lovely, I’m hoping we can just have a quiet NYE this year, I’d happily cook a feast, drink wine and watch a movie!
Looks like you’ve had a fantastic time! I was feeling exactly the same by yesterday afternoon – I have spent every weekend of the last four out, with some other nights in between. Last week I couldn’t really sleep as, no matter how organised – or my version of organised – I felt with this week, there’s always the jiggly work/life things to think about. But trying to live in the moment and soak up all the atmosphere.
Love the Winter solstice intention – we had a moment at work today when we all grinned when we realised nights were technically going to get lighter! Can’t really imagine it now with all the rain and winds lashing outside. I quite like winter but love having the sun out so much prefer the cold, sunny days.
Thanks for a second year (for me) of inspiration – can’t believe it’s nearly two years since I started reading the blog! And look at what’s changed ;))) I hope you have wonderful, festive, safe, and fun Christmas with all the family, and sad asl it sounds I’m loking forward to getting back on the health wagon next week.Must say, though, that although he hasn’t realised it, Matt’s bought all the ingredients for your healthy snacking so thankfully we’ll have a good balance between all the treats xx
Living in the moment is definitely something I’ve improved on, and so important at this time of year!
I love winter right up until, well now really! Once Christmas and New Year have past I find January and February a bit of a struggle, just so dull!
Thanks so much for reading and commenting, it means a lot! Definitely not sad to be feeling like that, I’m feeling so over the crap already, but two more days of it will do me no harm I guess! Have a great Christmas!
What a fun night! I love evenings like that – a bit different to the norm!