Faffing Friday Edition #33 February 2025
Substack universe discoveries, Murder on the Midnight Express, disappointing French food, movies, streaming recs, books, a hearty family recipe and much more
How quickly the weeks have passed since I shared that I was going to revert from weekly Faffing Fridays to a monthly Faffing Friday newsletter.
Here we go then .. here’s my February Faffing - things I’ve enjoyed reading, watching, eating, drinking, shopping, basically everything that’s brought me joy this month.
SUBSTACK UNIVERSE 🧡 You know how I love to share my discoveries on here. This month I’ve been enjoying reading these so I know you will, too ..
My friend, Sophie has started writing here as and I really enjoyed reading The Way You Talk To Yourself Matters.
FUN TIMES 🤩 I started the month with a trip to Leeds with my husband. We went to stay with our eldest son and his partner for the weekend. Officially, this was January 31st into February weekend. We went for dinner at a restaurant called Six by Nico.
Including Leeds they have 12 locations across the UK. They don’t have a menu in the traditional sense. They have a six course themed tasting menu that changes every six week. Our themed dinner was ‘Murder on the Midnight Express’.
We gave it 3 stars out of 5. The idea and the way it was delivered is really cool but for us the food missed the mark. Great evening, though.
We were back in Leeds 2 weeks later. We met up with some of my son’s partners family. His mum and stepdad and one of his brothers and his girlfriend. We met at Harvey Nichols 4th Floor Brasserie where a glass or two of champagne was quaffed. I love it here. I often catch up with my friend, Tracey here. We once managed a mammoth 7 hours one afternoon of champagne, lunch and cocktails!
We then went to eat French food at Brasserie Blanc. Despite it having a great vibe and being packed to the rafters once again the food was disappointing. Not just for me. Out of 8 of us, 6 of us had a gripe. They did knock something of the total bill. I had excitedly chosen the mushroom duxelle & oak-smoked Cheddar soufflé, truffle cheese & chive sauce, French beans and mixed leaf salad for my main. It was as dull as ditch water with little taste 😭
Look how fabulous it looks from their Instagram page.
We agreed we would try again another time.
Maybe it was just because they were so busy.
The following weekend on the Saturday it was a cinema date with my friend, Jo back home in Teesside. We caught up for brunch first at Barker & Stonehouse. I love the coffee and smoothies here.
SHOPPING 🛍️ I’ve kept a reign on the old purse strings this month. I decided there isn’t really anything I desperately needed. I’ve started saving things in the shopping bag when I’m online and going back a couple of times to decide if I really want/need. It’s worked. I did save something on the Marks & Spencer website and went back yesterday and the items had gone in the sale. Result! I pick them up on Monday so will let you know next month if I keep them.
The only thing I couldn’t resist was a new sweater for Barney Boo. Here he is posing it it. I think he looks better than the dog on the website, don’t you? 💚
I did share a fabulous discount code for one of my all time favourite skincare brands in my latest post ⤵️
Here’s the rest of February’s posts in case you missed them ..
And this one was especially for my paid subscribers ..
STREAMING & CINEMA 🍿 This month I’ve seen The Brutalist. We saw this in Leeds on that first weekend of the month. I agreed to see it without knowing anything about it or how long it was… yikes. There was an interval which was quite novel. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a movie where there was an interval. Remember when they used to come in and sell icecream in the interval? There wasn’t any of that. I think it was more for a comfort break.
In the end it didn’t feel like 3.5 hours worth because the story was so good and just kept evolving. We really enjoyed it. Adrien Brody is superb. It’s won a slew of awards so far so will be interesting to see if it nabs an Oscar this weekend.
And of course I’ve been to see Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy. It followed my brunch date with my friend, Jo. I watched the previous three movies in the week before just to get me back acclimatised with everything B. I loved it!! I’d almost go as far as it could possibly be my favourite. I can’t wait to watch it again when it’s available on streaming somewhere. It’s great to see her growing older and have her life challenges. Sad, though sometimes. Even with my stoney heart I still had a few sniffles.
Streaming wise I’ve watched Season 3 of From. Here’s a clip of Season 1. It’s like a horror version of Groundhog Day. Oh how I love this. It gives me a bit of Lost vibes, too. Remember that? Catch it on Amazon.
One weekend I binged Amanda and Alan’s Spanish Job. This was just what the doctor ordered as I had gone down with the lurgy everyone seems to have suffered with since Christmas. Catch it on BBC iPlayer.
I’ve just this week started watching Season 3 of White Lotus. You know, that series where we are supposed to care about rich people’s problems? Can we talk about the music? It’s very cleverly scary. Sets me on edge 😬 Catch it on Sky.
READING 📖 I’ve set myself a target of reading 36 books this year. I used to be such a bookworm for most of my life. I think I watch too much on screens rather than on paper. I was doing well but this latest book Unruly got me.
I really wanted to enjoy it.
I did in parts as I am a bit of a history boffin.
I even imagined Mitchell's voice in my head but that wasn't enough.
Too many boring Richards and Edwards!! Gonna start something light this weekend.
Catch up with me on Goodreads.
RECIPE 👩🏼🍳 I just have to share this with you. We’ve had it twice so far this month. We do that until we sicken ourselves when we find something new that we all enjoy eating.
This is so hearty and moreish.
Easy chicken and chorizo pasta bake.
I have it on very good authority from the husband that it really is easy to cook. Tastes lush.
EVERYTHING ELSE 👉🏻 I’ve set up a new business this month. It’s been in the planning stages for about 6 months. I’ll probably write a post up about it in March to explain. Never too late to do something and all that.
My Best Before End Date shop is back open after a hiatus where you can buy my feminist, pro-ageing tees, prints and totes. Everything on the Teemill platform is printed to order and made from natural, organic materials and is shipped in plastic free packaging.
Teemill have free UK shipping this weekend. They do ship worldwide but no free offer on that, I’m afraid. The offer is until midnight Sunday.
Here’s me in my Power Surge Menopause tee and my 82 year old mum modelling my Not Past My Expiry Date tee.
February is a wrap and lighter nights are on the horizon now.
Lots of love,
Thanks for your lively round-up, Sharon, and thanks so much for the mention of my piece about funeral music. Appreciate it.
I wasn’t as fond of Bridget Jones - touching moments, but the goofy bits grated (and I know that’s part of her personality). Love The White Lotus, though.
Sharon, thank you so much for mentioning my last post. It's much appreciated. What an interesting read this is! I love Barney Boo's expression as he's posing in his cool sweater. I can't wait to catch the film The Brutalist when it's in town. Adrian Brody is so good in everything he does.