Who's excited for 2016? |
2015. Blog started. Blog died a slow death... I've had this blog on the go for nearly a year now, and had great intentions at the outset, but have not achieved nearly as much as I wanted to. The reality is that it is pretty tricky trying to maintain the writing, photo editing and ideas whilst working full-time. Perhaps if I wasn't out of the house 12 hours a day (5 days a week), I might have been able to add a little more content to the blog. Maybe this year, I'll get more organised and dedicated. Or maybe not. We'll see...
Anyway, I thought it would be nice to look back on what was my 2015 and share a few of the highlights (that probably didn't make it onto the blog). Most of it's on Instagram, if you fancy having a nosey there (@s11ona).
January
The worst month by far. My mother was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Not the best way to start a new year. Quite the shock and the horrible feeling that this was going to be the worst year on (my) record {see my previous blogposts on this}.
Mother dearest |
February
Mother had successful surgery (huge thanks to Neurosurgery team at Hull Royal Infirmary) and made a speedy, and quite surprising, recovery. Whilst at my parents, Fraser and I managed a day out in Bridlington; one of my favourite childhood places. What's not to love about the seaside in freezing February?
March
I tested my handwriting skills and attended a calligraphy workshop with Quill London. It was a lot harder than I thought, and a lot more practice is required. We also had our first mini break of the year. We like to see places out of season so as to avoid crowds of people. We visited Dorset for the weekend, staying in Lulworth Cove at the beautiful Cove House B&B. Dorset is truly stunning (see my blogpost for details).
Mother had successful surgery (huge thanks to Neurosurgery team at Hull Royal Infirmary) and made a speedy, and quite surprising, recovery. Whilst at my parents, Fraser and I managed a day out in Bridlington; one of my favourite childhood places. What's not to love about the seaside in freezing February?
Breezy Brid |
March
I tested my handwriting skills and attended a calligraphy workshop with Quill London. It was a lot harder than I thought, and a lot more practice is required. We also had our first mini break of the year. We like to see places out of season so as to avoid crowds of people. We visited Dorset for the weekend, staying in Lulworth Cove at the beautiful Cove House B&B. Dorset is truly stunning (see my blogpost for details).
Durdle Door |
March was also the month I found £10 in the street. What a turnaround for 2015...!
April
The start of spring meant a busy month at the allotment, with seedlings being germinated and beds being dug over. It was a lovely warm and sunny month, so I recall, and we had a trip to Windsor Great Park with friends over the Easter holidays. I also got to visit the south coast (again) with work and stayed by the beach in Hythe. I even managed a wee trip to the Dungeness RSPB Reserve, and what a beautiful day it was. Let's hope April 2016 will be as sunny.
April
The start of spring meant a busy month at the allotment, with seedlings being germinated and beds being dug over. It was a lovely warm and sunny month, so I recall, and we had a trip to Windsor Great Park with friends over the Easter holidays. I also got to visit the south coast (again) with work and stayed by the beach in Hythe. I even managed a wee trip to the Dungeness RSPB Reserve, and what a beautiful day it was. Let's hope April 2016 will be as sunny.
Sunrise in Hythe |
May
I enjoyed May as I took part in the SYGM Married May challenge - such fun. A different theme each day and the perfect showcase for your wedding. Not sure I will do it again this year, but would definitely recommend it to any bride to be, or those recently married.
We also had a day out in Chelsea, ogling at all the expensive properties. We stumbled upon the Chelsea Physic Garden, which was lovely. Definitely worth a visit - I'll certainly be returning in 2016.
I enjoyed May as I took part in the SYGM Married May challenge - such fun. A different theme each day and the perfect showcase for your wedding. Not sure I will do it again this year, but would definitely recommend it to any bride to be, or those recently married.
We also had a day out in Chelsea, ogling at all the expensive properties. We stumbled upon the Chelsea Physic Garden, which was lovely. Definitely worth a visit - I'll certainly be returning in 2016.
Chelsea Physic Garden |
June
I went to Edinburgh with work and made a weekend out of it with a colleague. I've visited Edinburgh so many times but have never done the touristy thing. Who knew there were so many cashmere shops and Christmas shops. Yes, in June (!). I made one of my favourite purchases of the year in Edinburgh - Minnie Mouse Vans {heart eyes emoji}.
I went to Edinburgh with work and made a weekend out of it with a colleague. I've visited Edinburgh so many times but have never done the touristy thing. Who knew there were so many cashmere shops and Christmas shops. Yes, in June (!). I made one of my favourite purchases of the year in Edinburgh - Minnie Mouse Vans {heart eyes emoji}.
Minnie! |
July
It was the beginning of wedding season, with a Hen Do in Newquay - it was pretty epic. Butlers in the Buff, glamping, paddle boarding and plenty of Stags. It's a pretty crazy town in the summer.
It was the beginning of wedding season, with a Hen Do in Newquay - it was pretty epic. Butlers in the Buff, glamping, paddle boarding and plenty of Stags. It's a pretty crazy town in the summer.
Miss Heath, the Hen |
August
We attended our first wedding of the year in Somerset. It was a beautiful outdoor ceremony and the rain managed to hold off. It was a very drunken affair with friends old and new. As we had travelled all the way down to Somerset, we decided to make a long weekend of it, staying in yet another fabulous B&B (The Cross at Croscombe). The owner Terri is fantastic and can't do enough for you - another highly recommended visit. We also visited places like Cheddar Gorge, Watchet, and the quaint Wells. I never got round to doing a blogpost on this trip. Ho hum.
We attended our first wedding of the year in Somerset. It was a beautiful outdoor ceremony and the rain managed to hold off. It was a very drunken affair with friends old and new. As we had travelled all the way down to Somerset, we decided to make a long weekend of it, staying in yet another fabulous B&B (The Cross at Croscombe). The owner Terri is fantastic and can't do enough for you - another highly recommended visit. We also visited places like Cheddar Gorge, Watchet, and the quaint Wells. I never got round to doing a blogpost on this trip. Ho hum.
One of my favourite photos of 2015 |
I chopped all my rotten hair off too. Back to the old me.
September
Wedding number two in bonnie Scotland. Another outdoor ceremony, which even the Scots couldn't believe. More drunkeness.
October
My birthday month. My favourite month. Afternoon tea at The Ritz {woooooh!} and a mini break in the Isle of Wight. Who needs the Caribbean when we have our own beautiful islands? The most wonderful birthday dinner at The Shed in Bembridge, discovering Steephill Cove and The Crow's Nest spa {what a view} and visiting the donkeys at the IOW Sanctuary. Take me back...
November
This is my second favourite month as it is our wedding anniversary. This year was our first wedding anniversary. Yay, we made it through year 1. I chose The Gallivant in Camber Sands for a few days away, and it was everything we hoped for. With a slogan of "Eat. Sleep. Beach" what's not to love. A truly beautiful part of the UK. We paid the famous Mermaid Street in Rye a visit and visited Hastings and local villages, which were all beautiful. I really do appreciate living in such a beautiful country. Happy Anniversary Hubby {heart emoji}.
December
It's Chriiiistmaaas!! Our final adventure of the year was a wee trip to Rome for my sister's 40th birthday. This was a surprise for my sister, who got the shock of her life when she saw us there. Man, I love surprises. Rome is now my favourite City - I totally fell in love with everything: the culture, the pace of life, the food and the huge statues and buildings. Stunning.
{I plan to do a blogpost on Rome in the new year - keep your eyes peeled}.
Christmas has now been and gone and so I'm thinking about what 2016 holds. For us, it's the promise of owning our very first home, which excites and scares me in equal measure.
Here's hoping you have something equally exciting planned for 2016 and wishing you a year of health and happiness.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
S
xoxo
September
Wedding number two in bonnie Scotland. Another outdoor ceremony, which even the Scots couldn't believe. More drunkeness.
October
My birthday month. My favourite month. Afternoon tea at The Ritz {woooooh!} and a mini break in the Isle of Wight. Who needs the Caribbean when we have our own beautiful islands? The most wonderful birthday dinner at The Shed in Bembridge, discovering Steephill Cove and The Crow's Nest spa {what a view} and visiting the donkeys at the IOW Sanctuary. Take me back...
Cakes at The Ritz |
Chintzy tea |
IOW |
November
This is my second favourite month as it is our wedding anniversary. This year was our first wedding anniversary. Yay, we made it through year 1. I chose The Gallivant in Camber Sands for a few days away, and it was everything we hoped for. With a slogan of "Eat. Sleep. Beach" what's not to love. A truly beautiful part of the UK. We paid the famous Mermaid Street in Rye a visit and visited Hastings and local villages, which were all beautiful. I really do appreciate living in such a beautiful country. Happy Anniversary Hubby {heart emoji}.
Wedding wrapping paper {how awesome?} |
Our cards to one another |
December
It's Chriiiistmaaas!! Our final adventure of the year was a wee trip to Rome for my sister's 40th birthday. This was a surprise for my sister, who got the shock of her life when she saw us there. Man, I love surprises. Rome is now my favourite City - I totally fell in love with everything: the culture, the pace of life, the food and the huge statues and buildings. Stunning.
{I plan to do a blogpost on Rome in the new year - keep your eyes peeled}.
Roman seagull |
We finally ticked off our first activity from our wedding bucket list |
Christmas has now been and gone and so I'm thinking about what 2016 holds. For us, it's the promise of owning our very first home, which excites and scares me in equal measure.
Here's hoping you have something equally exciting planned for 2016 and wishing you a year of health and happiness.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
S
xoxo