Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts

Thursday, 7 January 2016

Matfen Hall

Me and Phil decided after working so much over the Christmas period we needed to have a little get away. We went to Slaley Hall for my birthday in May and loved it so we thought we would try another Hall in the area. We decided upon Matfen Hall!
Even though the day was cold and raining the Hall itself looked amazing. It was so grand and beautiful. I had booked online via the Matfen Hall website I found the website really easy to browse and quickly booked us into a classic double room complete with dinner and breakfast.                                                
                         
On arrival we were given room keys and told where all the facilities were including the spa, dining room and conservatory bar. We headed up to our room and started to unpack. I completely forgot to take a picture of our room but it was very similar to the one pictured opposite. The decor was very simple but was lovely and cosy, which was a nice contrast to the weather outside. The bed was huge it could easily fit 4 people in and it was super comfy. The bathroom was basic but very clean which is all you can expect from a standard bathroom. The only thing I would say could be added to the room was a facility to make tea and coffee, but apart from this the room was amazing.


After we had settled in we both thought it would be nice to take advantage of the spa facilities, so we got into our swimwear and put on the robes provided before heading down to the spa. 

The first thing Phil and I wanted to go in was the jacuzzi, it was awesome we felt so chilled after. Then we swam a few lengths in the pool before heading to the sauna. I had never been in a sauna before and Im not sure how I feel about it, Phil loved it though.

Outside the sauna was an ice shower where you could choose to have a freezing shower! It was supposed to cool your muscles down and relax them.
I couldn't bare to stand under it for the whole shower time but I did give it ago.

We had now worked up an appetite after swimming about so it was time to head back up to the room and shower ready for dinner.

I choose to wear jeans, a loose black shirt and my chelsea style boots, this was because I didn't feel like dressing up but also didn't want to be too casual. I really liked my outfit.







I then straightened my hair (its getting so long now deffo need a trim soon! Kind of want my ombre back too.) and put on my make up. I kept is quite simple on my eyes just using a gold shadow, liner and mascara. I also used a 'your lips but better' coloured lipstick by maybeline and I was all ready for heading down to dinner. 

Because we had booked a room complete with dinner we had a £36 allowance to spend per person for our meal. Drinks were separate but we pretty much just had water as it was provided on the table. (what cheap skates we are haha) The menu had loads of options to choose from including fish dishes, poultry and vegetarian options. But the thing that caught our eyes was the fillet steak. It was £30 each and came with the usual trimmings. I was unsure if I wanted to order it as it was a lot of money for a steak but I can assure you you get what you pay for it was amazing melted in the mouth.

I had also spotted a side order of parsnips in honey and mustard. For those that know me you know how much I love roast parsnips, so of course I ordered those for on the side. They were delicious.

After eating all this food I was stuffed but after a rest I decided why not get a pudding I've paid for it.
I choose the apple tarte tatin, I had never had it before but always thought it looked lovely when watching cooking programmes. Just like with the steak it didn't disappoint it was fruity and sweet and just pure food porn. 

I enjoyed all of my food and would recommend both of my choices to other visitors to Matfen Hall. Phil and I were both so full we felt sick, we waddled back to our room and chilled out watching the tv before falling asleep in our lovely comfy bed for the night.

In the morning we woke up quite early as we had to vacate our room at 11am. We got dressed and headed down for breakfast. There was a continental spread we could help our selves too which included the cutest little pastries I've ever seen. There was also an option to have a cooked breakfast and an endless supply of toast. I had a small plate of bacon, sausage and an egg before sampling the tiny pastries.

Once breakfast was over it was time to pack ready to leave our trip was almost over. It had been short but sweet and just what we needed. All that was left to do was to settle the bill. I would stay at Matfen Hall again as all of the staff were polite and helpful and the standard of the rooms and food were really good for the amount we paid. Thank you Matfen Hall.

Have you ever stayed at this hotel? Would you like more hotel reviews?

Tarra
xx

    Great footwear choice Jess!                                                                            Yummy Parsnips!!













Monday, 6 April 2015

Slimming world journey so far….

Hello lovely people,
  Sorry for the absence again!! I have been so wrapped up in real life recently I haven't had time to dedicate to my blog. But things are a little less hectic now….well thats a lie as the summer season at work has just begun so I am going to be so busy but I am more organised so hopefully I should be posting regularly!

 The aim of this post is to tell you about my Slimming world journey so far!

Since meeting my boyfriend last year he  has treated me like a princess and took me out, bought me sweet treats and we just generally got comfortable with each other, which on one hand is bloody lovely but on the other, the scales were beginning to really hate me!
After a trip to the Drs I was made aware of slimming world and how because my BMI was high I could get a free trial, so not wanting to be fat any more and realising I needed to change I took the opportunity.

Since joining I have really changed my diet and outlook on eating and drinking :)
The group I go to is great, everyone is really supportive, we talk about any struggles within the week and recieve tips and help from other members which is really good as everyone just bounces ideas off each other :)

So like I said I had got to my heaviest and just wasn't happy with the way I looked.

I have been going to group for 10 weeks now and I must say I love it! In those weeks I have had ups and downs, cries of happiness and sadness! But I can now say I am 1 stone 1 pound lighter and well on my way to getting to the weight I want to be!


Since beginning Slimming world I have also learnt to cook so many more meals that before, I could cook the basics but now I am making really good healthy food that all of my family can enjoy.


I got myself a new recipe book from paper chase and have been filling it with lovely meals!


Below I want to share with you some images of my favourite meals I have been making for me, my boyfriend and his kids. His eldest Liam has even been enjoying helping me in the kitchen which is great to see.









So first up is Spaghetti Bolognese, I feel I am getting really good at making this dish. I love it using mince or even steak :)

Next is Chicken Chow mein, I love adding different vegetables each time to create a different taste each time :)

This one doesn't need much explaining!! PIZZA!! :D

Finally is my kind of made up Chicken and Chickpea curry, after a few different versions the one pictured is deffo the best, the taste is lovely!

So there you have it my slimming world journey so far, I hope to achieve so much more as I feel I have got the buzz for losing weight and also for cooking!

Tarra x

SW 14 stone 13 pounds
CW 13 stone 12 pounds
TW 10 stone 4 pounds

3 stone 8 pounds to go!!