Hello and welcome back

Today's blog is a different vibe

I bring you

The Draper of the dog and cat world

(a person who sells textile fabrics)

To shop

Esty

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/waggybumthecatsmeow

Insta to view

https://www.instagram.com/waggybumandthecatsmeow/?hl=en

Facebook 

https://www.facebook.com/waggybum?__mref=message_bubble

On it's way to completion

www.waggybum.com

The Waggy Bum Ethos 

I am a passionate animal lover and crazy dog lady! I design and make dog/cat collars and accessories. I am constantly sourcing new fabrics for my designs so as to keep my shop looking fresh and interesting. I pride myself in the love and care I put into every piece. If you cant see what you would like please contact me for custom items.

Pearlesque 

This beauty

This perfectly British dog

The Daper dog bow tie 'n all

How adorable

These reviews

This blog was brought you in collaboration 

with Waggy Bum and the Cats meow

Hello and welcome back

I have been really busy attending events and dinners 

Huge thanks to all that invited me,cooked for me was hosts etc etc

Let's start with 

The last leg of Hull's 

Humber Mouth literatute festival

HULL V'S LONDON

http://humbermouth.com/event/hull-v-london/

I knew little about the night ahead, what to expect who would be there, if it would be a full house or anything.

Held at one of Hull's premiere locations 

Kardomah94

https://www.facebook.com/kardomah94/?fref=ts

In a building my mam used to work in many a moon back

Hosted by the dry humour of Russ Litten

The room was packed, happily I arrived just before it began if you know me well enough you know I normally don't cut it so close but needs be and all that

I had spent some time with Mike Watts, a dear friend during the day having lunch and happily he was there and greeted me

I took my seat and waited I took a fall before I got there, landed in a bush in the dark did not even ladder my tights

Don't ask, it involved a phone and a leafy wet path and legs up in the air

Russ got on stage and set the night off

An array of people from all walks of life

Most enjoyable 

A story was read, that came to an abrupt end

Some powerful poems spoken by a lady with the most delicate and infectious tone

A true Londoner telling us quotes from conversations he heard

(one of my fave ones)

JJ Bola who held his mark on stage and swept the room with his words Russ was indeed right he's a very attractive guy

Then to Mike

A friend which is foremost and the first time I saw him on stage, impressive energy a good northern soul telling us how it is

The night was the closing event, audience joined in there was smiles and laughter I look forward to next years events

Then to Lunch, 

Ladies who lunch

York

The Star Inn The City

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/StarInnTheCity/?fref=ts

Website

http://www.starinnthecity.co.uk/

The Star Inn The City is sat in the beautiful grounds of Museum Gardens just over Lendal Bridge

If you arrive from the train/bus station you'll go over the bridge to enter the city's heart

I have heard only good things about The Star

Vegan/veggie and meat eater alike 

I will and have to admit I was not expecting the rapture

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/rapture

You walk through a tunnel, into a yard with a wood burner and logs. It smelt divine

Edible flowers growing which made me smile

you just know that's a great start and then the door

Pretty staff, dressed for what was a stupendous lunch

Polite attentive and informative staff who listened and did not hover over us

( I am not a fan over over attentive staff,managers need to be aware both staff and guest need to be thought of. Yes I said it, I meant it!)

A menu was presented to us and then the specials menu also

I had no idea where to start or what to eat but made sure to have a coffee first as there was much to talk about

So to the food, it's all to easy to let you know I loved the place and did not want it to end

Venison Bolognese 

I went straight to the main dish

I ate a very good Ragu in Venice

The setting was equally perfect

Oh where do I start?

Mama would be pleased, it's a dish worth going back for over and over

Do i have one word for that dish

No sorry there's many

The pesto (which normally I loath) was luscious it was light in volume and perfectly balanced 

The venison it's self was warming, tender flavourful without being over powering

An instant satisfaction which can only be obtained through sheer good cookery

The Star is bold, yet calm

Huge windows to see out and more so to see in nothing like being sat near the water in a great city dining and feeling good, nothing!

Michael who's become some what of a friend is the head chef, we share social media platforms /chef life and food is the topic

I forgot to inform Michael of the date I would dine my bad we both came to the realization and Michael sent over these petite, stunning eye watering morsals 

(Okay, I admit I did in fact cry a little it was very very kind and I was humbled at the kindness)

My guest and I enjoyed every last mouthful

The see such talent, such dedication and to produce this splendour is a mastering technique of years of practice,dedication and love

The whole experience was an art, dinning at it's best I am telling you to book a table, dine stay over in York and don't forget to 're book to eat there again

Hello and welcome back

So let me explain this latest blog

Why I wrote it, why this subject

I intended to get a ticket to this event, I saw it in a brochure set across the city 

via

The Humber Mouth Literature Festival

I left it till the very last day

Yep I know what you are thinking, why the hell would I do that

Partly because I underestimated and because I was busy, really busy

Photo Courtesy of

Jerome Whittingham of Photmoments

To see more

http://jerome.photoshelter.com/

 Thankfully after talking to Dave Windass who is widely known throughout the city of Hull I got myself a seat

I can not begin to tell you how grateful I was and am for that thank you again Dave!!!

So I arrived, a little later than I hoped the room in Hull's central library was packed, rows upon rows of people chatting quietly away

There was a buzz, a hyper feeling of excitement 

I did/don't know Akala at all but when I showed friends the gig I wanted to attend they all was saying how they wanted to go and how Akala is very talented, educated and interesting

For deatils on the Central library Hull for events and day to day 

see more here

http://www.hullcc.gov.uk/portal/page?_pageid=221,687961&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&p_display_mode=LIBDTLS&p_id=29

So I sat among the crowd

The mc came on and then introduced Akala 

Of course I knew he had something to give, something to share and would truly educate me

After reading this 

Founded in 2009 by BAFTA and MOBO award-winning hip-hop artist, writer, poet and historian AKALA is a label owner/social entrepreneur who fuses a unique sound with fierce lyrical storytelling. The Hip-Hop Shakespeare Company is a music theatre production company that explores the social, cultural and linguistic parallels between the works of William Shakespeare and that of modern day hip-hop artists

I just knew, I knew I would see and hear things I never knew about because let's be very honest here when did you ever see such an eloquent set of words jump of the screen and make you want to go see something?

Me neither...

Okay, okay I had a little crush mainly because clearly this guy is interesting, I was and am curious about him

A warm tone, gentle, open so upbeat and knowledgeable which is totally humbling by the way

This 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=12&v=6QGeju9ejgo

I need to add that it is a 'refreshing to see a man of his depth to be such a a positive and influential gift

Of course a gift, teaching is maybe not the right word educating is too formal and straight laced 

He talked to the crowd not at them, that is a factor you need to know

This

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXlP5Io0cQM

Firstly there was a great interaction 

rap quotes or quotes of Shakespeare

A raise of hands for which it was, I was hesitant to raise my hand to some

Despite what you see of me, think of me and what the outer Sydell is I am shy I can be very private 

However I joined in mostly and was happy to see I knew more than I thought

This old school 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKVt0v6uRI0

Then to learning some lines and reciting them back, which I stayed out of but did enjoy

The conversing of stage to audience was magical 

Akala seemed to have us all in a grip, this young talented man had us all

Akala's website

http://www.akala.moonfruit.com/

It flooded into a Q&A many hands raised many points spoken all with beautifully answered replies

Given all the American "Trump gate" that did come up resoundingly Akala gave us an insight 

It was fun, I wanted more so to learn, listen and become more of what he is and what he knows

Akala is a well rounded and open man with a lot to give 

I hope he enjoyed Hull, I hope to see him again!

Here's some more about 

Humber mouth 

http://humbermouth.com/

Hull events page

http://search3.openobjects.com/kb5/hull/events/event.page?record=rtTwAJyivto

Hello and welcome back

I am home from my travels 

Here's my heads up

This shot from the Premier Inn, Hull

Via

BUZZFEED

Chilling yet funny funeral business stories

https://www.buzzfeed.com/lucasfauno/funeral-home-secrets?utm_term=.jwP9N3949#.ixQJpNJ8J

My friend was here from Canada

So we ate at Butler Whites

Huge thanks go out to Chris serving us the this platter drowned in British produce

Meats, cheese, pickles and chutneys

The perfect location to showcase Hull and the food culture we are proudly growing.

Things you'll never hear a CHEF say

https://www.facebook.com/uniladmag/videos/2378229015533477/

Coffee at Thieving Harry's

This Kilmt Giff 

https://66.media.tumblr.com/2e859283d56fe9fde9c479bfe8b09e0c/tumblr_ofyw1bScg51su83wto1_400.gif

Barcelona and these specks

Timeout gives us this

Santa Monica Vintage Penquin Coffee Shop to 're open

https://www.timeout.com/los-angeles/blog/santa-monicas-vintage-penguin-coffee-shop-is-re-opening-as-a-mels-drive-in-110316

If you are an avid reader to my social media you'll know I LOVE to bike!

So, I hired a bike to cycle Barcelona again

This time though was a monster ride

HUGE

After google managed to get me through the city I got to hills, many many hills.

Turning of a huge eight lane street there was a hill that would have killed me.

However, I carried the bike up a hill and the rest was esculator.

See the fog in the background/the distant buildings that's where I biked from to get to this view.

I was heading to The park Guell

http://www.barcelona.de/en/barcelona-parc-guell.html

I stayed in the Born district of Barcelona 

At an amazing boutique hotel

http://www.chicandbasic.com/hotel-barcelona-zoo/en/?gclid=CjwKEAiAjIbBBRCitNvJ1o257WESJADpoUt06stiiYQZoTsVJtS3_4grJPtMy9xIUPLxSEPehyjxsBoCxbrw_wcB

I drank a four chocolate hot chocolate for breakfast here 

Oriol Balaguer 

http://www.oriolbalaguer.com/eng/

I believe the man who owns this place is famous 

The link above is actually very impressive and gives you more of an idea on the high standards within the business

I really liked this place, it's fancy and very very easy on the eye.

Barcelona's borne is contemporary yet chic every street throws you something more amazing.

It was like drinking velvet, a warm chocolate velvet. Deep, rich indulgent warm with a scent to match.

However you fucking want it, don't follow any rules

Via

Warning Curves Ahead

https://warningcurvesahead.com/2016/06/04/24-things-women-over-30-should-wear/

Those SPECKS

Clean eating ha 

Then this 

Via 

The Pool

https://www.the-pool.com/food-home/food-honestly/2016/42/bee-wilson-on-clean-eating

Because even the V&A 

LOVE

women and celebrate

http://www.dazeddigital.com/artsandculture/article/33498/1/gal-dem-take-over-va-with-londons-most-inspiring-women

This idiotic article

Via

Pucker Mob

http://www.puckermob.com/moblog/skinny-hurts?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=facebook_page&utm_medium=PuckerMob

People was queuing out of the door for this place

Billboard brought me and my fellow Tribe lovers this

http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7564721/a-tribe-called-quest-album-elton-john-kendrick-lamar-andre-3000-busta-rhymes-jack-white

More from Harry's 

Avocado, poached egg on soughdough

Dazed homage to the man who's my inspiration and fashion 

IDOL

McQueen

http://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/27210/1/alexander-mcqueen-s-most-dark-and-twisted-moments

The boardwalk bike ride

Barcelona beach just goes and goes

Food stands, beach bars fancy restaurants and oodles of beautiful people

Banana's 

Bacelona

http://www.bananas-barcelona.com/?lang=en

Mexican trip with a very very hip feel

Of course it was cocktail O'clock

I loved this place, so colourful and the place just went on and on. 

The decor was tropical and bright totally fun 

I had soft shell crab for the first time here, they was crisp, light and meaty

I hope to be able to find them here in England

I attended service also

This epic brand

http://www.angelalangford.com/

Flamenco

In this space

I always wanted to see a true Flamenco dance

It's full of passion and heat

We was all taken into this space and beyond into a stunningly decorated room draped in paintings and gold

The music started and the dance began

Harry's health kick

Crepes Al Born

https://www.facebook.com/CrepsalBorn/?fref=ts

Great menu, great drinks

Same street as I ate in pretty much the whole time

Funky, soulful packed with a punch place 

Wanna have fun, this is the spot!

Versace has always been good to me

The Born, Zoo balcony 

This place is even pretty from the street

Born zoo is a non staffed hotel, in an old building

Over looking the zoo surrounding park you have an amazing vista from your balcony

There is a little sitting area, filled with coffee's,tea's and cookies all for free

So if you need a morning pick me up happy days!

This tapas

Of course I ate them, there did not seem to too many places to get it actually but all that did seemed really good quality, well priced and looked fresh

This flamingo

The winding streets of Barcelona are so so full of full, biking around was this place

La Fabrica

https://www.facebook.com/lafabricaborne/

Who'da thunked it???

Empanada's in Barcelona 

Not me, however I did not just walk by I went in.

The pastry was do light, the fillings were crazy amounts of choices

Of course I shared a few, nothing wrong with breaking bread with a fellow foodie or two!

I sat at this beach bar in the lovely shade from the twenties fulled heat

Biking the hills gave me this

No regrets, although I almost died getting up there the sunshine was hot, people was happy and the place was epic on a grand scale

You can see the whole city from there

Barcelona Zoo was an outstanding day out 

The zoo is located in Born

Not expensive to get in but you can spend the whole day there

This needs to be on your 

"EAT"

list for Barcelona

http://bodegalapuntual.com/

It looks like a tourist haunt, it looks tacky out font and then you are taken to dine

Heaven awaits you

Say no to abuse...

It does not have to be physical to be abuse

Words and manipulation are as bad or if not worse

For example, trying to mold some one by manipulation into what you want them to be is highly abusive

There are many ways a 

sociological narcissist

works, 

they think highly of themselves. 

They down anyone they see better than themselves constantly.

They hunt and hunt to be better than someone they see as a competitor. 

The mental health of such a person is constantly is under stress, always looking to be better.

That is not to say they are not intelligent, in fact they are highly functional.

They just lack any common decency and pray people will not see what lurks behind their front door. Although it is only a matter of time before they are outed and people see for them selves, then they have to move on to a new crowd in the hope that people will accept again.

To have that exposed it a total fear for them, I mean no one wants to know about their real thoughts, affairs,lies and extent of true madness 

There is no cure, their mental health gets worse the more it is fed. 

To starve it is an infuriating for them... no attention, no belief and being made a laughing stock would totally destroy them

Remember they will fight nasty,cruel and battle where there is no battle.

They'll create things that never happened, they are jelous beyond how me and you are. 

They can not tolerate someone having things they want and will do ANYTHING it takes to destroy you having it so they can or at least pretend they have it of course.

They pretend they have money, they don't they are poor and live off others money.

They pretend they have healthy, happy relationships but they are shattered, broken and are built on fear. Remember the abuser talks badly about people to you, they will talk about you to others also.

Be aware, be careful and remember abuse is not legal, it is NOT okay.

ww.huffingtonpost.com/entry/maybe-he-doesnt-hit-you-but-abuse-is-abuse_us_5739f723e4b08f96c183ada1w

Streets see's

Hull's

Fish & Chip Kitchen

Sam making me cocktails

There are no words..

Banana's decor is that of things in my mind

Well you can't have Mexican without shots now can you

From my bed

Farggi Born Vintage

https://www.facebook.com/farggiborne/

Farggi is in a prime location on a very pretty street lined with tree's 

restaurants, bars eateries endlessly

If you want to hit somewhere full of choice's 

this is your place

Farggi has open/pulled back windows that you can sit at, on a corner so great to people watch

LUX ice creams with an array of flavours.

Stupendous flavours with beautiful colours.

The gelato overload