LEEDS, OUT AND ABOUT.

Way, way back when I was just starting out I did a post featuring some of the buildings in and around the city centre, focusing on the details in the architecture. I definitely feel spoilt for choice in this city because there really are some beautiful buildings to be found so I decided to head out and capture them again. These were taken one afternoon last month, trying to capture the last of the light.

MY LEEDS/ LIGHT NIGHT

Once a year in Leeds when it's starting to get dark, something called Light Night happens... not that I was really aware of this despite living here for 5 years! All over the city buildings open their doors to the public and sections of the streets are closed off to host art installations all about light. We were only free to squeeze in one or two pieces on display but it was a fun and different way to spend an evening. Check out the rainbow room and a light parade with a massive owl (which personally I thought was the double of Hedwig) below. One of my favourite pieces was the projection in with window of 'Nation of Shopkeepers', very cool.

I love that there always seems to be going on in Leeds whether I know about it or not!

HARRY POTTER AT KIRKSTALL ABBEY.

Here's a post for your weekend..

Almost a year ago I went to my first outdoor cinema screening, blogged about here, and last month I headed to my second! This time it was the final Harry Potter film which for some unknown reason I realised I hadn't seen since it came out. Shocking. I have unashamedly been a big fan of Harry Potter for most of my life so I knew that this would be a lot of fun, especially with my youngest siblings to accompany me.

 JUST YOUR AVERAGE PHOTO OF CALEB AND A HOUSE ELF.

 POTIONS CLASS.

SET IN THE BEAUTIFUL, AND APPROPRIATE, KIRKSTALL ABBEY.

DUELLING VOLDEMORT.

 FIRE BREATHERS!

ALL SET TO GO!

I had the best time!

Not pictured - the owl flying extremely low over the crowds which unnerved a lot, hot chocolates and blankets (it was pretty freezing) and the camping chairs we unnecessarily brought and then stored under our seats. Ooops.

Have a lovely weekend.

xx

LEEDS FEAST.

May was a good month for food! The Leeds Indie Food Festival finished with a pretty epic feast held at the Tetley, filled with all sorts of food trucks, stalls and a ferris wheel. Unfortunately I didn't manage to make it to any of the events throughout the two weeks leading up to the feast so I was extra keen to make it to this. I'm usually quite restrained at these sorts of things but this time I didn't hold back and it was delicious. I had dumplings from Dorshi, pork from Norse, dessert from Noisette Bakery and coffee from Laynes.

It was so tasty and there was so much choice I ended up going back again the next day to try so of the options I missed out on! Very much looking forward to next year. Yum.

xx

MY LEEDS/ KENDELL'S BISTRO.

Kendell's is a little French Bistro in the middle of Leeds. I first heard about it at the Leeds Food and Drink Festival back again in a couple of months! and have been wanting to try it ever since. 

From the outside, it seems tiny and you would hardly know it was there but it's well worth seeking out. Inside Kendell's is packed with lights, candles, posters, huge chalk boards and wooden furniture. There is such an authentic feel and the food is absolutely delicious. We decided to go for the set menu and I was not disappointed with french onion soup, duck and profiteroles. It was so fun to spend the evening together for no reason but to eat tasty food and try a new place. I'm looking forward to heading back soon and trying everything else on the menu.

xx

INCREDIBLE CANDELABRAS. 

ALSO SPOTTED ON THE CEILNG, A TRUMPET AND A GIANT EIFFEL TOWER.

CANDLELIGHT IS NOT THE BEST FOR PHOTOS BUT I LOVE THIS DESPITE THE YELLOWY BLUR!

ALL OF THE LIGHTS.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVE!

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned" 

Isaiah 9v2

Here are a few (definitely not all, sorry) of the lights around Leeds this year. I love the magic of this time of year and the lights make it all the more special. The most special thing is what Christmas really represents - God sending Jesus into the world to save us and that is what I am most thankful for. I am also so thankful to be surrounded by amazing family, especially as last year I worked for part of Christmas.

I hope you have a wonderful day tomorrow!

xxx

TODAY.

Today involved a lot of good food, getting festive, embracing the cold outside...followed by warming up inside and a whole lot of good people. Not picture... Christmas shopping (unsuccessful), baking (successful) and little Christmas party

x

 A FROSTY START TO THE MORNING.

 PANCAKES ARE ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA.

 THE WONDERFUL BELGRAVE WITH A CHRISTMAS EDITION OF THEIR MONTHLY STREET FEAST!

 THE HUGEST PORTION OF CHIPS I HAVE EVEN SEEN, THANKFULLY I HAD SOME HELP POLISHING THESE OFF!

 BUNTING AND LIGHTS ON THE ROOF TERRACE.

 OVERLOOKING THE CITY.

MY CHRISTMAS TREE!

JENI + COFFEE.

For the past few days I had the pleasure of hanging out with a wonderful friend of mine as she came to visit Leeds with work. Time with Jeni is time well spent, trust me.  In amongst sleepovers, shopping and a much needed catch up we called into Mrs Atha's and snapped a few pictures. 

Thanks so much for visiting Jeni, see you again soon please!

xx