“… made glorious summer by this sun of York…”
William Shakespeare’s Richard III
Summer — a season for a bit of relaxation. Although if your summer was anything like mine, it involved a lot more than I planned and went by much quicker than I anticipated.
I wanted to share with you some of the highlights of my summer in York. Some of these were mentioned on the blog or at least on Instagram, but others were just for a bit of fun. I thought this would be the perfect way to share just a little more about me by sharing a recap of Summer 2018.
To be honest, most days were spent either in my flats or in a variety of York cafés writing my dissertation (which I still finished the day before it was due because I’m a master procrastinator). But here we go, month by month, and what I did this summer:
MAY
Day trip to Lincoln
So this was a complete last minute trip. CMS’s guardian angel and administrator, Gillian, emailed me about an opening for a day trip to Lincoln, and I wasn’t about to miss an opportunity to travel to this gorgeous city with the rest of the medieval gang. The day was filled with touring the cathedral and seeing some of the collections kept in the archives there.
CMS is such a lovely program with many wonderful alumni who so graciously share their time and passion with us, so I was ecstatic to travel to a new city and learn a bit more.
Hobbs Shopping Event
I’d heard about this event through Fashion City York and knew it would be the perfect opportunity to be introduced to another high street brand. The evening was filled with Prosecco and treats while I got to try on some truly gorgeous dresses.
The staff were all incredibly lovely and I still gaze enviously at each stunning collection in the store windows. I fell totally in love with a linen dress and knew it would be a perfect addition to my wardrobe.
York Mansion House
It’s crazy how many times that I walked past the York Mansion House without realizing it. How is it that I passed the residence of the Mayor of York so many times and didn’t realize it?
But, as much fun as walking around and checking out the artifacts was, I preferred getting to dress up the most. But definitely check out what’s hidden behind one of the paintings in this room because it’s wild!
Royal Wedding Celebrations
I was literally known for my love of the British Royal Family in high school. I did a 15 minute presentation on them in sophomore year; a presentation which I failed miserably because it had to be timed and I honestly waffled on and on about Prince Harry for much longer than I was supposed to.
For Will and Kate’s wedding, I woke up bright and early to watch it on television. But this time, I was actually in the same country! Which, like, I get that the United Kingdom’s big, but still! I was hours away from the wedding!
I got together with my friend Megan and we had two live streams going so that we caught every single moment. I picked up some biscuits and champagne from Marks and Spencers and we celebrated the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex on their wedding day.
It was such fun, even though I was, and still am, a bit heartbroken that I will never get to marry Prince Harry.
JUNE
University of York’s Festival of Ideas – “The Afterlives of Medieval Kings” at Kings Manor
The whole reason that I came to York was to pursue a MA in Medieval Studies. Therefore, it’s only right that I did a bit of academic stuff (besides writing a dissertation, of course).
My research was primarily about Richard III, so when I saw that the director of my course would be chatting about my favorite medieval king… You know that I was there.
The talk was done by three academics who chatted about the lives and the posthumous reception of three medieval kings: Edward III, Henry V, and Richard III.
What was so sweet was that Dr. Sarah Rees Jones said that if she couldn’t deliver the talk (since she was feeling a bit under the weather that day) that she felt confident that I’d be able to handle it. I was super flattered, but was definitely impressed with how well she argued for the afterlife and reputation of King Richard III.
I also finally got to meet Dr. Mark Ormrod after reading some of his articles for my first term Gender and Sexuality module essay, which was super cool as well.
Dress Rehearsal of Romeo and Juliet at the Rose Theatre
I was a theatre kid for the majority of my high school days. And each year of drama class brought Shakespeare monologues. My favourite was always one of Julia’s from Two Gentlemen of Verona. Of my amateur drama credits, the majority are actually Shakespeare plays, which I’ve totally always found fascinating.
So you can imagine how excited I was that the first EVER pop-up Shakespeare theatre in Europe was going to be in York ALL SUMMER LONG.
The University of York were given a number of tickets for two dress rehearsals, and I was lucky enough to make it to one of the final dress rehearsals of Romeo and Juliet, starring Alexander Vlahos and Alexandra Dowling as the titular characters respectively.
Still a bit giddy when I remember that I got to meet so many talented and gracious actors this summer.
The Bar Convent
Something that not all of you may know is that I was raised Roman Catholic, and I mean I was raised super Catholic. My grandfather went to church every morning, and I went to Catholic school for basically my entire educational career.
There was something really calming about visiting the Bar Convent and learning about its history. Whether it was reading the accounts or actually experiencing what it might have been like to hide away in a priest hole, the Bar Convent is definitely a nice and serene location to collect your thoughts and reflect.
JULY
English Civil War March at Marston Moor
Now this was an experience. Imagine this: marching in wool uniforms in the middle of a hot summer in the sunshine and carrying this large musket. Literally thought I was going to pass out a good few times along the way. But Sealed Knot was such an encouraging and lovely group of people.
I got involved because I volunteer with the two men pictured above and they somehow convinced me it would be fun (and they weren’t wrong)!
That day, I got to march alongside the musketeers, fire a musket, and then have a couple pints all while dressed in an English Civil War kit.
York Fashion Week 2019 Brochure Launch at The Principal York
York Fashion Week 2018 was one of the highlights of my time here in York. I was so fortunate to be involved and honestly met people that I hope to be in touch with the rest of my life.
And this year is going to be bigger and better than last year; so please do get in contact if you’re interested in participating in any capacity because you won’t regret it!
Honestly, some of my favorite memories are with this incredible and inspiring group of people.
Moments of Sense and Style
One of my lovely Instagram friends, Megan (@wanders_in_wonder) alerted me of Moments of Sense & Style, a lifestyle brand that she had heard about in a podcast. So I wandered into the city centre and was lucky enough to meet Syreeta at the Shambles Market.
If you’re ever looking for inspiration, definitely check Syreeta and Rob out. Their story is absolutely incredible and I was so pleased to take a little bit of it home to my flat.
Bloom York 2018
Flowers are a great decoration. Flowers are a great gift. Flowers are a great accessory. In summary, I love flowers.
And then York’s Bloom festival happened and the city centre was bursting full of colors and gorgeous blooms!
Book Signing with Dr. Janina Ramirez
Dr. Janina Ramirez is seriously so cool. She’s an art historian who does it all. Like seriously, podcasts, lectures, books, documentaries. And she’s actually one of the coolest people in the world as well.
I was super lucky to be in town while she was having a book signing and dropped by to have a quick chat. I had listened to a few of her Art Detective podcasts, and was happy to learn that she is an alum of the same MA programme that I was in!
Can I be Dr. Janina Ramirez when I grow up, please?
Project You Launch at RUSH Hair
Sometimes, we hit a slump. In life, in style, in work. But there’s where the beauty of Project You comes in.
Started for two amazing women, Caroline and Sonia, Project You is helping to bring people confidence through their wardrobe and makeup. Both of them have such an eye, are so sweet, so knowledgeable, and ready to help you find the best you.
Dinner with Philippa Langley
I first really heard about Richard III from Starz’s show, The White Queen. But then I heard all about the saga of finding a medieval king in a car park in Leicester around the same time.
It is because of the passion and dedication of this woman that I am in York. In case you don’t know, the woman above is Philippa Langley, MBE.
She came into York and I was supposed to meet her at a press call, but was unable to attend. So I went out on a limb and contacted her through her website, and SHE ACTUALLY EMAILED ME BACK.
From there, we set up a time to meet and I was starstruck. It was the work of this woman, with the help of other dedicated people as well, that helped spark a whole new discussion about Richard III.
Not only did I have a lovely chat with her, she also invited me to dinner where I got to chat about history and Richard with her and some lovely members of the Richard III Society.
Moral of the story: go out on a limb because you never know who will reply and who you may meet.
The York Dungeon – Richard III Campaign
I finally made my first visit to The York Dungeon.
Honestly, this was the summer for Richard III in York. He had a campaign at The York Dungeon and I was literally having the time of my life getting spooked and learning a bit more about York’s darker history.
AUGUST
Lords of Misrule – Henry IV Part I
I never seem to get away from Shakespeare and my summer was full of it. Not only did I see three shows, but I also acted in one.
Definitely the highlight was getting to sword fight Alice (who had a stellar Scottish accent) and casually have to die and lie in the grass for a good few minutes.
Mystery and Magic Exhibit at Barley Hall
I will take any and every opportunity to dress up. So I was living my AHS Coven dream when I visited Barley Hall for their exhibit, Mystery and Magic. Besides dressing up in a cape and making a magic wand, I did learn some more about magic and science in the medieval period.
Barley Hall is a wonderful medieval townhouse literally within the city centre of York. Definitely worth a visit at least once!
A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Rose Theatre
When I saw this dress in TK Maxx, I knew that I had to wear it to A Midsummer Night’s Dream. As an early birthday present to ourselves, Sam and I attended a matinee performance and actually had, like, the best time.
It was a stunning performance and I was left so exhausted afterward because of the emotional and physical intensity of the play. Like the actors had such high energy throughout that somehow I got tired as well?
York Fashion Week Meet up at Cut + Chase
Cut and Chase is one of my favourite spots in York so I was quite excited to meet up with my creative gang again this summer for a bit of a chat about York Fashion Week.
It was also the perfect break from dissertation writing!!
Richard III at the Rose Theatre
If you thought you’d heard the last of Shakespeare this summer, you’re wrong.
Because the day before my birthday, I attended a performance of Richard III. It was AMAZING. Actually no complaints about it. The play is one of my favourites because of all the themes that are touched on, and also it’s about my favourite king (even if it’s a bit nasty to him).
I was seriously so so so excited to get to have a couple brief chats with Dyfan Dwyfor (Richard) and Alexandra Dowling (Anne + Elizabeth of York). Both were super sweet to me as I fangirled.
Turned 23
I stayed off social media for the majority of my birthday. It was a day that I just relaxed and spent some quality time with some of my friends. I spent the entire day not thinking about my dissertation and just enjoying the company around me and the city that I’m so fortunate to be in.
Special shout out to Megan, Erin, and Isaac for going to dinner with me on such short notice. (And Isaac, I still haven’t read the biography you gifted me of “an actually good medieval king.” Sorry.)
My first ever Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks
As a white sorority woman, I often got teased for being basic.
In fact, I recall walking in a Starbucks once and having the male barista presume that I was ordering a PSL and getting psyched for Christmas by listening to Justin Bieber’s “Mistletoe.” And to set him straight, I ordered a white chocolate mocha with peppermint because it tastes like Christmas and told him that I prefer Michael Bublé, even though “Mistletoe” is still a bop.
But this fall, I was determined to live my best American girl stereotype life and get myself a Pumpkin Spice latte from Starbucks. Gotta say, I was a bit disappointed. Like, it wasn’t bad, but it didn’t fulfil all my basic girl dreams unfortunately.
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It felt important to include some events that didn’t make it into previous blog or Instagram posts. Because, even though I’m kind of a blogger, most of my life is offline. But I do want to start sharing more and more of everyday life with you all.
Because you’re my friends and my family.
Thank you all for all the love and support through my MA programme. I couldn’t have done it without each and every one of you.
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