My 2016 Round Up, A Year of Adventure

I can’t believe I am writing my third yearly round up, woohoo I have survived nearly 3 years of blogging.

And still love it as much as I did the very first day I pressed publish. I remember that feeling of nervousness and sheer excitement at what was ahead. But actually I had no idea how much it would change my life in so many ways. I still can’t believe it now!  How a job can make you so very happy and excited about sitting at your desk each and every day. The opportunities we have enjoyed, the people we have met and the lessons I have learnt.

This year has been an odd one, wonderful in many ways, yet tinged with so much sadness and worry. I don’t think I have ever seen a year with so much illness and loss. Not just in the world of celebrity, but amongst my own family and friends. I am so hoping next year is a better year on this front.

But there have been many moments of light, of things to make us all smile.

In January

I make the decision to start a photography course, I have to say it was definitely on of my better decisions. My tutor was incredible, he taught me so much. I still have a lot to learn, but the fact that I was shortlisted for a BIB award in photography later in the year meant so much to me.

February

Chris and I took a little pre valentines trip to Manchester to see Mary Poppins. This really made me realise that we didn’t spent nearly enough time in Manchester. We are so lucky to have one of the best cities in the UK on our doorstep, and to not access that would be madness.

We also took our very last Q Hotels Hop in February and had a wonderful trip, which included walks on beaches, bowling and chilling in a luxury lodge at Belton Woods. And we had an incredible time being Q Hotel Family Ambassadors it was sad to say goodbye.

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March

Started out with a girls trip to the stunning Carden Park in Cheshire and a little time to be pampered and have a catch up with friends over great food and cocktails. And finished with a gorgeous family wedding at Hylands House in Essex.

Whilst April saw us head of to Greece for a week of chilling out and luxury at Ikos Resorts,

A friendship I will always treasure as it is such a special place. So special we are off there again very soon. And we can’t wait; we have decided to go to its sister hotel the Olivia that promises to be every bit as amazing as Oceania.

In May my very first post was published on the Laura Ashley Blog,

Over the moon is an understatement. I LOVE Laura Ashley and have adored working with their amazing team this year. I also headed to London for a fab girls weekend at the Montcalm Shoreditch working on a project with the lovely people from Nice N Easy and Mumsnet.

At the the beginning of June

We headed over to France for a trip of the Burgundy region, and what I can only describe as a trip of a lifetime. We met some of the most incredible people and experienced things that will stay in our hearts forever. Whenever I think of this trip I feel a little emotional, it was so very special.

July

Was a glorious month when we possible saw the best of the British weather and we headed up to Richmond for a wonderful weekend at Holiday at Home’s Brompton Lakes, a breathtaking luxury lodge village. Somewhere we would love to visit again, the perfect place to relax and chill with the all family. And somewhere that is wonderful no matter what the weather.

I am not sure if you know how much I love cruising? In July we headed down to Southampton to spend a day on the amazing Navigator of the Seas. We made a weekend of it and spent a couple of days in Southampton chilling, shopping and going out for dinner. It made me realise how much we miss cruising as a family. We also had a lovely family lodge break in Nottingham, with lots of laughter.

In August

When I should have been going back to work after the summer we set of to Dubai for a wonderful week thanks to Visit Dubai and Tots 100. Dubai was always at the top of the boys travel wish list and it didn’t disappoint.

September

A month of celebration with friends at the Mad Blog Awards and a girls weekend in Richmond, this time to Greenbank Barns and omg they are just breathtaking. I also got to visit the Denby Potteries and see how my favourite pottery brand makes all their products, this was like a dream day with a full behind the scenes tour and I loved every single second.

October

Was a beautiful month with crisp frosty mornings, and we made the most of that weather a head to loch Lomond in Scotland to Cameron Lodges and totally fell in love with Scotland. So much so we are debating on a little romantic trip there whilst Joe is away with School in June. If it wasn’t for Toby we would most definitely spend Christmas there next year. I am just not sure I could leave Toby at Christmas.

In November

I head off for another girls trip to Birmingham with the lovely people from HomeSense for the HomeSense Christmas party.  Then to London for WTM, and a week immersed in all things travel. Plus spending a little time chilling at the Le Meridien Piccadilly.

As a bake-off lover I was beside myself when I got invited by the lovely people at AO to make cake with John Whaite.

 I thought that was my year all sewn up

Until I got invited on an incredible last-minute trip to Stuttgart to visit the Christmas Markets and many other incredible experiences. And to find out just how stunning Germany is, I so want to take Chris and the boys back.

My last little trip of the year took me down to London for the Tempur Sleep Event; which was the perfect opportunity to spend an afternoon mooching around the Fashion Collection at the V&A.

Just to think the year I have enjoyed is all because I had that opportunity to chase my dreams? I am so glad I went for it, for my sake and for my families’ sake. Because one thing I have learn’t this year is life is too short. The worse thing you can do is moan about a situation, I did that for too long rather than just going for it.  I am glad I saw sense in the end. I feel so lucky and honoured to have had these wonderful opportunities and shared these experiences with my family and great friends.

But please, if you listen to any of my waffle listen to this, don’t put anything off until tomorrow, live for today. Not the big things, the little things, spending time with loved ones, visiting cities in the UK, changing your career, whatever it is go for it. You don’t have to be the best, the prettiest, the brainiest, you just need to be the bravest and the happiest.