This blog includes advertisement features with Gaston Luga and Stellar Projects
Well that went fast didn't it? Whilst there's probably something pretty depressing about looking at Festive photographs once the big day has passed I couldn't end December without sharing our highlights that didn't get featured on the blog. Prepare yourself for an abundance of Christmas - here's what didn't make the blog this month.
Christmas at the Post Box
When it comes to beautiful spots to dine at Christmas you wont find anywhere cuter than the Post Box in Ponteland. The stunning festive garlands hanging from their windows catch your eye as soon as you drive through the village and believe me it looks just as lovely inside. Wanting the full experience we booked ourselves in for Festive Afternoon Tea and couldn't believe our eyes when we were presented with the largest cakestand of treats we have ever seen. We feasted on giant sandwiches filled with Turkey and Cranberry, enjoyed homemade mince pies and mulled wine jelly. It's not often an afternoon tea defeats us but this one saw us taking a box of cakes home to enjoy later.
Adventures with Gaston Luga
Adventures in 2020 are going to get off to a great start now that I'm the proud owner of a brand new Gaston Luga backpack. I've had the same tired looking cheap backpack for years so am very excited to have something so practical and stylish to add to my wardrobe. The beautiful Scandinavian designer ticks all my boxes and my Parlan backpack in brown & sand really suits my personal style. I'm so happy that it fits in all of my every day essentials (plus all my husbands bits and bobs that he can't be bothered to carry!). It's water resistant, has hidden pockets and is made from really lovely quality Nylon and Leather.
If you fancy grabbing one for yourself you can check out the full range here and get yourself a 15% discount by using my code NEWGIRL
Breakfast at Cafe Royal
I'm really going to miss having breakfast by the Christmas Tree! This delicious Clementine and Vanilla French Toast was served up during a pre Christmas shopping visit to Café Royal. Before anyone asks those are not baked beans they're tea soaked sultanas and they were the most incredible addition to my breakfast plate. Having only ever stopped at Café Royal for cake dates before it was fantastic to finally try their early morning offering and we will definitely be returning for more. Breakfast destinations in Newcastle are just getting better and better.
Festive Flicks at The Jam Jar Cinema
Being huge movie buffs I can't believe it has taken us so long to get to Jam Jar, the lovely little independent cinema in Whitley Bay. It's been on our "must visit" list for years but it took a festive trip to the seaside to finally get ourselves into gear and make a plan. We went on a wet and miserable day in December to see "Last Christmas" and had a brilliant afternoon. I will always prefer small cinemas to big multiplexes and Jam Jar was everything I had dreamt it would be - comfortable seats, a perfect sized theatre and brilliant value for money. Jam Jar actually run a "pay what you wish" admission scheme making the cinema a real community lead experience. We can't wait to visit again, in fact we enjoyed our time at Jam Jar so much we've decided we won't be renewing our Odeon cards in 2020 and will instead support our amazing local independent cinemas.
Nightfall
We discovered the magic, myth and beauty of the moon at the first ever "Nightfall", an incredible collection of art installations using lights and sounds to tell stories of the moon. Organised by Stellar Projects, we had the most wonderful night following the colourful lights round Preston Park and seeing Luke Jerram's "Museum of the Moon" which was absolutely incredible. We couldn't believe how popular the evening was and locals were out in force to support this fantastic new event - hopefully this will become an annual thing.
Festive Cocktails at Jalou
You can always count on Jalou to deliver when it comes to seasonal cocktails and this Christmas they went all out with their Butter Beer, Frosty the Snowman, Tinsel Tini and the exciting return of their delicious Rudolph. With ten Christmas cocktails to choose from we managed to work our way through six and they were so delicious we're now counting down the weeks for December to roll round again.
Christmas at Helmsley
Christmas this year was a little different for our family, the first Christmas without Dad and as it was only four short months ago he left us it all still feels very raw. So this year we decided to do something a little different for Christmas and rented a holiday cottage in Helmsley in the North Yorkshire Moors - the perfect place to escape. There were seven of us sharing a beautiful house at the edge of the village with an abundance of lovely pubs, tea rooms and shops just a few minutes stroll away. Having only ever passed through Helmsley before it was lovely to finally spend some proper time there and I know we will definitely visit again one day.
I've never tried a cocktail in Jalou, how bad is that?! Need to get down there to try I think!
ReplyDeleteI feel like it's a Geordie right of passage!
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