As we bring in the new year, I always try to think of the positives. For once I actually feel prepared physically, mentally and emotionally to enter a new phase in my life. By writing down achievements, memories and the highs (big or small) can help you to see the year in a better light. With the lists getting longer every year, I need to start planning ahead!
Every January it's another year we get the opportunity to for us to get it right. We learn, grow, flourish and become more aware of ourselves each day. My first memory of the year was actually work related. Having been in my graduate job for just a couple of weeks over a year I am grateful for how much I have settled in to working life. One of my favourite things was the company away day, where we had a chocolate experience with my chocolate. We started with the plans for the company before tasting, learning about the variations and making our own truffles. This was something I never would have thought to do but made such a excellent team building exercise and was very tasty too! Another work highlight to mention had to be my interview for 'Behind the Lips' of the Lulu Guinness HQ. For the first time I had my make-up professionally done and answered a series of questions regarding my role in Ecommerce, you can have a read here.
Gifting for Dad's can be difficult especially when they have the same response every celebration that echo's a similar sentence to "I have everything I need". Thinking outside of the box we came across the Motown The Musical which we instantly knew would be the perfect gift for us all to attend. Featuring some of his favourite songs and therefore known to myself too it was an enjoyable evening for all involved.
Living in London has opened so many experiences that felt so far out of reach before. Sometimes the spur of the moment decisions turn out to be one of the best days or nights you end up having. One of them in the year of 2017 was the Oxford vs Cambridge boat race. Although I didn't even acknowledge the start of the race and to this point could not inform you who won I had such a laugh. The atmosphere at Putney bridge was enough to keep me entertained and was something new to say I've done.
Although this has featured before in last years, I took another trip to Turin. This makes the cut once more because the experience was different to before. First of all I was not travelling alone but with my older sister, which meant more site seeing and a visit to the Egyptian museum as I didn't get a chance on my prior visit. My sister who lives there is currently working on a Lake house, which will be my next visit sorted.
You know I mentioned earlier about the smaller things? Well one of those was a random visit to the Bounce trampoline place with a few of my university friends. Whilst we were surrounded by children and probably the only adults there without a child for company, you would think we might have been slightly out of place. I haven't been on a trampoline for years but with such an open space and specialist equipment I was front flipping, swivel twisting and generally reliving my youth. Turns out that whole muscle memory thing is true - although we did go on one of the hottest days in the year (only regret).
For father's day we took a family day out to explore world heritage site, Kew Gardens. Again another scorcher in the heat, but what a beautiful day to view such an incredible place. It was both educational and interesting which made this the perfect family outing. I did a post all about it here if you want to read what we got up to.
The second holiday of the year was to Barcelona, my first time visiting this area of Spain. With the luxury of choice you can spend a day at the beach or enjoy the touristy attractions. We did a bit of both during our long weekend break, one of my favourite spots being Park Güell. You can read the day to day break down of my trip here and see exactly why this trip was undoubtably one of my highs.
From holidays to something closer to home. I made the most out of the bank holiday weekends this year, my favourite one including Notting Hill Carnival, a picnic on Primrose Hill and rooftop drinks on the top of the Roundhouse. One of my university friends came for the whole weekend and we caught up on old times whilst making new memories to add to the collection. You'll start to see the pattern of how my best points in time are because of the people I'm lucky enough to spend my time with, they have all had their own mark on making this series of events what it is.
For my birthday, my friends from home came to visit me at my little London flat. For the evening we headed out to see Damien Marley at Somerset House, which had to be one of my favourite concerts. There was a number of things that made this magical from the beautiful setting of one of my most loved buildings, watching the sun go down to the ease of reggae music. I will definitely be looking at the line up for the year ahead!
Speaking of my birthday it would be rude not to mention my family surprise of afternoon tea at The Ritz. As you probably already know from my birthday post, I was completely out the loop and had no idea where I was heading until we got off outside Green Park station. I've been wanting to go for years after my Dad took my Mum a few years ago, turns out asking when he was taking me finally worked. The perfect way to celebrate a new milestone in style.
I love the ballet and have now seen my fair share of performances. Watching Swan Lake at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden has to be the pinnacle of all ballets. The amount of times I have walked past the beautiful venue and the area known for the art form I had always dreamed of going, this evening certainly was a dream come true.
Another weekend of fun was when my cousins from Ireland came to explore London with my sister and I. We did so much including Junkyard Golf to afternoon tea at Sketch London (read review here). People were surprised with my love for pink that I hadn't yet visited the venue, but what a way to finish our weekend. This was the start of a new tradition for the four of us, which continued later in the year (part two is lower down).
The theatre makes another come back, with my tickets to see Aladdin. I was so impressed by the show with the use of fireworks, streamers and props galore it was worth every penny. Plus I will always be a Disney girl at heart, they even had a real flying carpet - what more could I ask for.
Family is really important to me and any chance I get to see them I will use it. I had lots of holiday to use up at work and instantly thought about going to Ireland to surprise my Grandma. To spend a few days with her on the farm was the ultimate escape, with no signal let alone wifi, I could truly switch off. We went through stories of her childhood and my mums whilst flicking through pictures, it was nice to hear and learn so much about my family that I didn't know. She also came out with some great one liners that still put a smile on my face even now. Whilst I was there I also had the opportunity to see my cousins and Auntie this time going out and doing the same in Galway and Dublin. We visited Powerscourt Estate and Gardens, Dun Laoghaire Harbour and had afternoon tea in the Pink Room at The G Hotel.
From one relaxing trip to another, for the day my fashion girls and I had a full pamper experience. We visited Champneys Springs near Ashby-de-la-zouch for a Spa day. This including time in the pool, a thalassotherapy session and a head in the clouds massage. Honestly my body has never thanked me more for how amazing I felt afterwards.
Last but certainly not least was my friends 25th birthday staycation in Suffolk. I was so honoured to attend such an important birthday gathering. With the cosy setting of Searsons Farmhouse which felt like a home away from home I knew we were going to have a good time. Filling the house with unicorn pinatas, prosecco pong and a sweet filled cake, I had the best time from start to finish. You can look back at my amazing double room here.
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This yearly round up has become a tradition from the beginning of this blog, it is crazy how much can change. When writing this I had a read/watch of my previous years and if you fancy a throwback here is my 2016, 2015 and even 2014 thoughts - oh how my life has evolved. Seeing how far I've come has taught me that you can get through the bad times by looking for good ones, so here is to 12 new chapters and 365 new chances.
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