2018 A Year in Review

These round-up posts are definitely my most favourite blog posts of the year to write (even though I haven't posted here for a while).  It always amazes me looking back and seeing how much I have achieved in the year so it was a no brainer for me to complete another this year.

January

I started the year off in January feeling positive about 2017 and all I had achieved.  I was adamant I wanted 2018 to be much the same, however I started the year off in bed with a horrendous cold and feeling very sorry for myself.  In fact much of January was spent feeling a bit under the weather and generally out of sorts.  I did still manage to get out and about and achieve a few things though.  An evening at the theatre to see my first pantomime, which was a great disappointment that saw us leaving very early on.  A couple of cinema trips one to see the new Jumanji film the other to see Darkest Hour both of which I loved.  A day by the sea visiting Walton-on-the-Naze walking along the pier, playing in the arcades and admiring the many pretty coloured beach huts along the sea front.  Dinner out with a friend at Bills.  Lots of cosy nights in drinking tea and reading.  Plus making plans for the year ahead with a day out to France with friends, my soon to be sister in law's hen weekend and a trip to Disneyland Paris to complete their 10k run all booked, the diary was fast filling up.

February

This was the month that saw me focussing on my fitness.  I went to my first boot camp session and started running regularly on the treadmill at home, all in preparation for my 10K run in Disneyland Paris in September (little did I know at this point that it would not continue through the year).  A weekend was spent exploring Oxford including an amazing dinner at the Malmaison Hotel.  I had a delicious vegetarian afternoon tea at Le Bouchen in Heybridge to celebrate a colleagues 60th birthday.  Lots of Valentines themed doughnuts were devoured at work.  Brunch was enjoyed with a good friend and her gorgeous little boy as we caught up on all that is going on in one another's lives.  A cinema trip to watch the new Jumani film again but this time in 4D, it was fantastic, and far better then seeing a film in 2D.

March

Lots of snowfall in March.  Crisp walks listening to the crunching snow underfoot.  Lots of cosy nights in reading with the candles lit.  A night out with friends celebrating a birthday.  I had my hair cut short, donating my hair to the Little Princess Trust charity.  And a day trip to France with some friends.

April

The month of April started in the beautiful island of Malta.  We were treated to a few days of sunshine although it could have been a little warmer but anything was a bonus following the snow we had been experiencing a few weeks previously back in the UK.  A little drive out in Essex to discover the picturesque village of Finchingfield.  Another highlight of the month was meeting Jenny Colgan at the Women's Prize for Fiction Baileys Book Bar event in London, I seriously love her books. 
  I embraced Spring in April, there were tulips and peony's galore, my favourite.

May

May saw me leaping above the treetops at Go Ape then spending the afternoon exploring Bury St Edmunds.  A day out in London walking through Kensington and Chelsea seeing the gorgeous wisteria adorning the grand houses.  After 3 years I finally got to fly in a hot air balloon.  One of the most peaceful and calming experiences of my life and something I've had on my bucket list for years.  I spent another day heading back into London to see Aladdin at the theatre with my parents, a really good show and a great way to celebrate my Dad's birthday.  An annual trip to the Essex Young Farmers Show and of course you have to check out the steam carousel.  And lastly the second Bank holiday Monday was spent in Halstead stopping for a bite to eat and checking out the antique centre.

June

An evening was spent under the stars watching Back to the Future at the outdoor cinema.  Riverside walks were enjoyed in the sunshine.  I was able to cross something else of my bucket list and ride in a helicopter, only I go to try my hand at flying it myself too.  This was followed by brunch with Mum and my Nan at one of my favourite little tea rooms The Doll's House Café in Harrow on The Hill.  It was during June that I picked up my new wheels after not having a car for a year and a half.  I celebrated this new piece of independence by driving to Wolverhampton with my Nan to visit the David Austin Rose Garden which literally blew me away with it's beauty, and of course we had afternoon tea to top of the day trip. I spent a weekend in Center Parcs celebrating my sister in law's hen weekend, it was here I got to try my hand at archery.  A day trip to Margate, walking along the beach and enjoying the rides in Dreamland.  Plus meeting the Gruffalo at Chessington World of Adventures with my friend and her little girl

July

The highlight of July for me was my brother and his now wife's wedding, it was such a beautiful day and I felt privileged to be a part of their special day.  I crossed the final thing from my 30 Before 30 list (only a year too late) and climbed the roof of the O2.  I celebrated my birthday with lots of cake and was treated to dinner at the Giggling Squid Thai restaurant in Brentwood, somewhere I have wanted to try for a while.  I spent a morning checking out the food festival at Cressing Temple Barns with a friend where lots of Disney chat took place.  I also got to visit the Lavender farm again this year, I last visited in 2016 and promised myself I would return.  This time I went along with my Mum, she loved it just as much as I did.

August

During August an evening after work was spent in London catching up with a friend visiting from America in Greenwich, the company was amazing and the sunset was beautiful.  A lazy morning was spent in a coffee shop, sipping on my Starbucks coffee and enjoyed my book with no interruptions.  Country walks were had.  After years of enjoying V-Festival on my doorstep in Chelmsford this year saw the arrival of RiZe Festival and it didn't disappoint with the highlight being Sean Paul who was just as good as I imagined him to be.  I took part in a 5K Bubble Rush run for a local hospice as part of my training for the Disney 10K Run of which little training has taken place and time was running out.

September

By far the best month of 2018 for me.  Finally after months of planning the month arrived that I would be going to Disneyland Paris and what an incredible trip it was.  I ran my first ever 10K, and it was such a great achievement.  I am so glad this trip happened.  September was also the start of the signs of autumn, my favourite season of the year and the return of Pumpkin Spiced Lattes to Starbucks and X=Factor to our TV screens of a Saturday night.

October

The month of all things pumpkin spice, a time when autumn becomes it's own. A visit to the Pumpkin patch, pretty much customary for October.  My Mum & Dad surprised me with a Mickey shaped pumpkin macaroon all the way from Walt Disney World that the managed to get back in their hand luggage.  A day tip into London to visit the Instagram famous Peggy Porschen Cakes to check out their Halloween décor and gorgeous cakes.  Pumpkins.  Country walks and discovering my first ever red toadstool. Pumpkins.  Lots of candlelit evenings with pumpkin scented candles of course.  Halloween night complete with carved pumpkins, I loved my Dracula Mickey pumpkin this year.  Did I mention pumpkins?

November

I managed to squeeze in two firework displays this month, the first the local display in Chelmsford and the second one being Disney themed which was pretty amazing.  A day trip to London to check out the 90th Mickey Mouse anniversary art exhibition in Shoreditch.  We spent the rest of the day checking out some of the museums around the city and spotting the first of the Christmas decorations and ice rinks.  A new destination was explored, a day trip to Ipswich, another place I have never visited before, the building were quite something.

December

Lots of festive days our were enjoyed during December including 2 visits to the Backyard Cinema on Clapham Common within Winterville.  The first to see Home Alone, the second to see Love Actually.  The lights around London were enjoyed including some festive cocktails in Covent Garden plus the beautiful festive displays in Liberty's, Covent Garden and Regent Street.  I picked up the keys to my new home this month too, a beautiful little cottage that I can't wait to share more on very soon.  A day by the coast to see the seals and their pups in Horsey was just what was ordered to blow away those cobwebs and to work off the Christmas dinner and all those hot chocolates I have been sipping on by the Christmas tree.  The month was ended nicely with a day out in Durham, such a sweet little city with beautiful architecture to admire.

And so another year draws to a close.  2018 you were certainly eventful.  I can't wait to see what 2019 has in store for us all.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year.

~ Gem x

2017 A Year in Review

Happy New Year and welcome to 2018.

I wanted to start the year off by recapping on what happened in my world during 2017.   It was certainly a very eventful year.

I was determined to make 2017 a good year after the upset 2016 brought me.  I continued with my monthly lists as well as my 30 before 30 and 40 before 40 lists and generally threw caution to the wind in order to make the most of life and grab any opportunity I could.

January

Considering January is usually a month that many find quiet and depressing after the madness that is December, it was actually a pretty good and busy month for me.
I started the month off in Yorkshire with a beautiful walk at Roseberry Topping.  Back home, we saw a sprinkling of snow here in Essex, although it didn't stick around for very long.  I discovered a new love for Everyman cinemas with two visits within one week to see Live by Night and LaLaLand.  A day out to Maldon walking along the promenade.  Dinner at Bills.  A bloggers event at Homesense, Chelmsford.  An afternoon in London with a friend visiting the Sky Gardens. Getting my reading mojo back and picking up a book after a few months sat on the bedside table.  And a walk around the castle grounds in Colchester.

February

The shortest month in the year but by no means the quietest.
A day in Southend with a walk along the pier, I can't actually ever recall having done this before.  Getting a new ear piercing, I'd had the itch for a new tattoo or piercing since getting my last tattoo in September 2016, but I was sensible and went for a third piercing in my left ear.  An afternoon was spent exploring Battlesbridge Antique Centre, I was good and didn't buy anything.  And the month saw lots of pretty flowers around the flat and time for crocheting squares for my blanket.

March

Spring sunshine arrived in all it's glory in March.  I ate lunch in the local park near work for the first time this year.  Enjoyed a day exploring Dedham and Flatford to celebrate my mum's birthday.  I rode the slide on the Arcelor Orbital in Stratford, wow that thing was fast.  March also saw the arrival of Holly into my world, she is such a cutie and a real character, it's hard to imagine life without her now.  The first cream tea of the year as devoured at Paycockes House in Coggeshall and the walking boots were dusted off whilst admiring the spring blooms during a long walk 

April

The month started off in the best way, a weeks holiday in Tenerife, lots of sun and sea was just what the doctor ordered.  On return back to Blighty a day trip to Duxford finished off with a quick visit to Cambridge to wander round the beautiful colleges.  Celebrating my Nan's 80th Birthday with the most incredible birthday cake.  A walk around a local orchard to admire the pretty blossom.  A few visits to Hanningfield Reservoir, walking amongst the bluebells, truly breath taking.  And receiving my caterpillars in the post ready to watch them grow into butterflies.

May

A wet start to May but another good one finally meeting the lovely Brook from Red Head Reverie, we have been communicating for years now so to finally chat face to face while she visited London was amazing.  Drives out in the countryside including visits to Grinstead Church and the 2 churches in Willingale, plus the station at Ongar.  Walks along the river in Chelmsford close to where I live.  Cocktails sipped on the rooftop of Selfridges at their Roofdeck Bar & Restaurant.  A walk alone in the rain, I had no idea how liberating that would feel.  Watching my caterpillars grow into butterflies was a great experience and setting them free was so lovely.  A visit to a steam fair in Maldon and going on the rides made me feel like a big kid again    

June

I decided to take part in The Wildlife Trust's '30 Day's Wild' this month, it encouraged me to walk more and appreciate what is around me.  Picnics were had in the park and bike rides in the countryside were enjoyed.  I travelled alone to Stoke on Trent to visit the Emma Bridgewater Factory, somewhere I have wanted to visit for a long time, it was well worth the wait I loved it.  An afternoon in Dedham, hiring a rowing boat.  And a day out with a good friend and her little girl at soft play.

July

My birthday month and what a month it was.  I had great fun doing a cake smash photo shoot.  Dinner on the Epping and Ongar railway.  Visiting the Harry Potter Studios.  A spa day at Lifehouse spa with Mum.  A posh birthday dinner at Cote in Chelmsford.  Dinner at Bills with the girls from work.  A trip to Blackpool riding on The Big One and standing at the top of the Blackpool Tower.  Camping in the Lake District and exploring the countryside.  A day in London with a good friend eating ice cream from Milk Train and going to Alice Underground.  Arriving at my parents house expecting to be going out for dinner only to discover they had planned a surprise party for me with all my friends and family there.  Honestly the best month in a long time, made me feel so loved and spoilt.

August

Weather wise a bit of an odd month, it literally went from one extreme to another with a fair few rainy days thrown in for good measure.  The colder days were spent with cosy evenings reading with the candles lit.  Hotter days were spent walking along the riverbanks with the sun beating down.  A visit to my Grandad's bench was enjoyed with my Nan.  A lovely day out visiting Bourne Mill in Colchester.  An evening was spent exploring the corn maze by torch light.  And I booked my flights for America in October.

September

A really busy month at work so a somewhat quieter month socially but I still managed to squeeze in a fair bit.  I moved back to my childhood home with my parents.  The first Starbucks Pumpkin Spiced Latte was had (and second and third and fourth, I'm sure you get the idea). A second visit to Cambridge, this time a full day to explore the colleges and wander the streets.  An afternoon in Lavenham, Suffolk, such a pretty part of the world and oh so quaint.  Preparations for Autumn began with decorations being brought out and some autumn baking, making and tasting my vey first pumpkin pie which was amazing even if I do say so myself.  An afternoon trip to Layer Marney Tower, gorgeous grounds but a spooky building, not sure I'll be rushing back haha.  And a pit stop at Norpar Barns to check out this year's Halloween barn and selection of pumpkins.

October

One of my favourite months of the year and a very busy one in 2017.  A visit to the pumpkin patch, a tradition I really love.  Knitting my very first chunky knit blanket using my hands and arms in place of needles.  Trying my hand at clay pigeon shooting, I'm certainly no pro but it was good fun.   Going to the Burnham on Crouch Carnival, something I haven't done for many years.  Playtime and cuddles with my favourite little lady.  Dinner at a friends first home was lovely and of course we made cocktails.  Flying out to America to spend time with my long term blogging  friend Brook was obviously the highlight and one of the greatest experiences.  Going to my first American Football game, experiencing tailgating and spending Halloween trick or treating in Iowa.  After meeting up with Brook face to face for the first time in May, I seriously had no idea then that I would be staying at her place later in the year and spending over a whole week with her, honestly so thankful for this memory.

November

An incredible start to the month in America, sadly having to say goodbye to the boys, then setting off for a girls trip to Chicago, exploring the city and taking in all the sights.  A tearful goodbye to Brook, but heading back home to the UK in time for Firework Night and going to the local display which was brilliant (I've not been to this display since I was a kid).  After watching some sports in the States I was keen to see what was happening near me and so my first ice hockey game was attended. A literary dinner with Giovanna Fletcher, such a lovely lady and so down to earth (a potential new bestie in the making perhaps).  Bratwurst was enjoyed at a German Christmas market in a neighbouring town.  Christmas light switch ons were witnessed and the festive spirit was well and truly kicked off including a baking session with chocolate gingerbread men.
   
December

Attended my second ice hockey game.  Sipped on the most gorgeous clementine hot chocolate from Hotel Chocolat. Wandered the streets of London to take in all the Christmas lights and decorations.  Witnessed the first proper snow we have had here in Essex for the past 6 or so years.  Endless Christmas films were watched including 2 drive in movies and Bad mom's at the Everyman.  Christmas jumpers were embraced.  Garden centre Christmas displays were explored.  Festive afternoon tea followed by cocktails with my work colleagues was devoured.  Dinner out with friends.  A spontaneous trip to Norwich, exploring a new city and admiring all the lights.  Christmas Eve dinner  out with family as sadly we were not all going to be together on Christmas day, and then Christmas day itself, a much quieter one than usual.  A second trip to London this time to see the English National Ballets Nutcracker which was just beautiful.

I think it is safe to say that 2017 was a pretty good year for me, mind you it wasn't hard following on from 2016.  It still had it's downs but the up's thankfully outweighed these this year.  I feel as though I have grown a lot this past year, I have been really selfish and focussed on myself and what I want.  It may sound bad but I know that it is what I have needed to do and I intend to do the very same in 2018.  I know 2018 will have it's struggles but I'm ready for them, so let's see what this year has to offer.

~ Gem x

2016 A Year In Review

It's been somewhat of a crazy year.  If anyone had of told me in January what I would be experiencing I honestly would have laughed in their face, told them they were ridiculous and would never have believed them.  It wasn't all bad though and looking back over each month I can appreciate the year so much more.  It is definitely a year that has seen me grow, made me a far stronger person and shaped me into who I am today.

January

January saw me learning how to crochet, attending a bloggers event at Lush in Chelmsford to check out their new Valentines range, discovering the delicious rose and pistachio mocha at Starbucks, trying my hand at pottery and lots of cosy nights indoors.

February

February consisted of a lovely spa day with the bestie to celebrate her 30th birthday at Clarice House in Ipswich, a bloggers event at Chelmsford's Lee Stafford hair academy, and lots more crochet during cosy nights in. 

March

March brought me a break away to Center Parcs in Longleat, beautiful sunsets, a day out at the Country Living Spring Fair London, meeting Cecelia Ahern at her Flawless book launch event, checking out the Easter Barn at Norpar Barns, a short stay in the shepherds hut at Freshwinds campsite to help out with lambing season and Percy the Peacock who decided to come and live with us at the bungalow.

April

April included a visit to the Hobbycrafts craft show at Excel, me taking part in World Book Night for the second year running, a couple of country walks, and afternoon tea at Mulberry House with family.

May

During May there were long walks, a visit to admire the sea of bluebells at Hanningfield Reservoir, beautiful sunny days, a trip to Blanes in Spain which included a day trip to Girona, a day at the Essex Young Farmers show and a day out with my Nan to Osterley Park. 

June

In June I received my first ever piece of fan mail in the post, made trips to the garden centre, woke up to find a very flooded garden, finished my Peter Rabbit bookmark and had a short trip to Grimsby for a family friends funeral and stayed in the most beautiful hotel.  

July

July was a tough one seeing the end of my marriage with James which understandably hit me pretty hard, but I received incredible support from amazing friends and family with copious cups of tea and endless hours talking, enjoyed a family wedding, a preview evening at the new Homesense store in Chelmsford, a spa day with my sister in law at Down Hall and a day with the bestie at Hitchin lavender farm. 

August

August involved getting some new ink after 11 years, dying my hair pink (which didn't work as well as I'd hoped) and revelling at V Festival with Michelle from Michelle Louise Love Blog.

September

September was a busy one trying a Pumpkin spiced latte for the first time and falling in love (many more followed after that one), trying out a writers group, attending the official opening of the Jane Means pop up stationary shop at Clifton Nurseries, going to watch Dirty Dancing at the Hylands House outdoor cinema, followed by Harry Potter the next night in Maldon, a craft day with Michelle, another new tattoo, a sneak peak of the brand new John Lewis store in Chelmsford and a night out with colleagues for dinner and drinks.

October

October was made up of walks in the forest, a trip to the pumpkin patch, meeting Giovanna Fletcher at the Fabulous Night In book event, going to a drive in cinema to see the new Bridgit Jones movie with a good friend, a day out in Greenwich, pumpkin decorating with Laura from Life By Laura Blog, a weekend up north visiting wonderful Whitby, A blogger event at Lush Romford to check out their new seasonal range and working with Laura Ashley on a Christmas themed post and having to decorate for Christmas.

November

November was the month of Christmas adventures with my sister in law to the Christmas Hobbycrafts show at Excel, experiencing Christmas at Kew spending quality time with my Mum, attending the Vuelio Blog Awards with Michelle and Laura, starting a new job and settling into a new home.

December

December was spent saying goodbye to my little bungalow and my chickens, ice skating at Somerset House, gingerbread house decorating with Michelle and Liv, spending Christmas with my family at Center Parcs in Woburn and generally enjoying the festive season.

As I'm sure you will agree a year filled with ups and downs.  But as I said earlier, it's definitely been a year that has made me a far stronger person and allowed me to grow as an individual and I intend to continue to do so.  Making sure to live for the moment and make the most of every opportunity because it really is true, you never know what is round the corner. 

Thank you to all of my readers for your continuous support.  I hope you all have a fantastic New Year.

~ Gem x

January 2017 Bucket List

Happy New Year to you all.  2017.  Wow, how did that happen?

I would really like 2017 to be a year of experiences and making memories.  It is something I started working on towards the end of 2016 after the ups and downs I'd been through and it really helped to lift my spirits and my mood.  So from now on I'm wanting to make the most of everything and really live for the moment.  

I still have my list of 30 before 30 to complete by July so that should keep me busy for at least half of the year, but I'm thinking it may still be a nice idea to start off each month with a monthly bucket list too.  These lists in themselves have become some what of a tradition In many ways.  So starting it off for 2017 I would like to:

*Read more blogs.

I seem to have mastered my own blog writing, however it has meant that my reading of other peoples blogs has slipped by the way side.  So I'd like to make some more time for that this month.

*Try to finish off a craft project or at least spend more time crafting

I've started quite a few different projects recently, but haven't committed all that much time to working on them.  So now Christmas is out of the way and the evenings are still dark and cold, I'm hoping it will be the perfect time to sit and craft.

*Make plans to meet up with friends.
We are all guilty of threatening to make a date to meet up with friends but I have been doing it way too much recently, so this month I want to make the effort to start getting some dates in the diary.

*Head to the coast to see some grey seals.
I've admired peoples images on Instagram for some time now and after doing a little bit of research the grey seals should still be around after giving birth to their pups.  A drive out to Norfolk isn't all that far from home so fingers crossed this is something I'll be able to do this month.

 * Put together a media pack for my blog.
This is a job I have been meaning to do for ages and I keep putting it off, hopefully I can change that during January.

All in all there are not too many things on the list this month, but they are all achievable (I hope).

Have you set yourself a list of goals this month or year?

~  Gem x

An Alternative List of New Years Resolutions for 2016

Let's not beat around the bush here, new years resolutions very rarely ever come to anything.  We've all done it, racked our brains for things we want to change and vowed that this year will be the year we do it.  Then we find ourselves getting down by the end of the year and feeling like a failure.  Why do we do it to ourselves?

Back in September I set myself a few goals.  Have I achieved any of them yet?  Well as it goes a few of them have been crossed off which has surprised me.  My year isn't up for this list either, so I still have time to achieve what is left.  Although I've already accepted that one for sure is un-achievable now, but hey, that's life, I shan't lose any sleep over it.  

For the start to 2016 I've decided to do something a little different.  Rather than setting myself more goals of habits I'd like to break and new things I'd like to learn I thought Id take a look at places I'd like to visit instead.  Much more achievable don't you think.

* The Emma Bridgewater Factory

* Hedingham Castle

* Hampton Court Palace Flower Show

* A Lavender Farm

* National Trust's Paycocke's House

* Krakow, Poland

Whether I will get to see them all is another thing altogether, but one every couple of months seems doable if you ask me.  I wanted to keep to a fairly short list just to make it a little easier to manage, either way it's better than a list of habits I'd like to break but know I never will.

Have you set yourself any resolutions or have you decided to do something a little different this year too?

~ Gem x 

2015 A Year In Review

I've never been much of a fan of  new years.  I would happily take it or leave it.  However one thing that I do like about this particular time of year is looking back on the year and reflecting on everything I've done.

At first thought I didn't really feel as though I had done all that much this year but taking a closer look, each month tells me otherwise.  

January

January as with every year was a quiet month spent pottering at home.  De-cluttering after Christmas and filling the home with the fresh scent of flowers.  If only I could get a job as a professional potterer, now that's something I'd be really good at.

February

The month of February included a day out in London for a visit to The Shard followed by a trip underground at Aldwych station.  We enjoyed a couple of meals out  and I was excited to receive a few little purchases for myself including my Home-Broidery by the lovely Sarah and my gorgeous bracelet engraved with the words to A Thousand Year's by Christina Perri (the song to which I walked down the aisle to last year).

March

Possibly the most eventful month from this past year.  I got to finally meet the lovely Bronwyn from Queen B Creative Me blog, we paid a visit to the gorgeous Columbia Road Flower Market and finished off with tea and cake at a cute little tea shop.  Myself and James spent a weekend helping out our friends on their farm with the lambing season (one of the best experiences of my life).  I also had the great opportunity to spend the day with Jane Means on one of her gift wrapping courses, such a lovely lady and a fantastic course, I learnt so much.

April

A day out at Audley End House.  A spot of baking (a recipe I've been eyeing up for a few years now, well worth the wait in my opinion) Afternoon tea And lots of daffodils, such bright and happy flowers.

May

A break away to Spain, James was working away so I tagged along for the ride, beautiful coastline and a stunning botanical garden.  Afternoon tea with a good friend and grey days out in the garden. 

June

I took part in the Cancer Research Pretty Muddy run with my brother's girlfriend which was really good fun, it's always nice to have a bit of a challenge in life and even more so to do something a little different to your usual.  A few evenings were spent as part of a community project building a garden at our local hospital.  Drives out in the Land Rover were had and summery afternoons were enjoyed outdoors.

July

I've wanted to visit Kew Gardens for some time and back in July I finally got round to it while celebrating my birthday with my mum and brother's girlfriend.  The circus came to town and myself and James got away for a week to Jersey. 

August

A day out on the Bluebell Railway with our cute little page boy.  We were blessed with beautiful sunsets.  I spent some more time baking, this time with apples.  A pretty keepsake plate purchase was made.  Celebrations were had at a friends wedding and regular visits from a hare were enjoyed during August.

September

Sunflowers, a field full of sunflowers were admired and photographed.  Relaxing evenings with plenty of candlelight were had as the nights began to draw in.  Another beautiful wedding was attended.  A new tea room discovered in Harrow On The Hill and lots of tea and cake consumed.  The fireplace got a little makeover.  Plus more blue skies and stunning sunsets were enjoyed.

October

Another month another wedding.  A month filled with lots of pumpkins including a visit to the pumpkin patch.  A day at the Cake and Bake Show held in London's Excel Centre.  Our first wedding anniversary celebrated with a forest walk and yummy dinner out.  A month of hunkering down with blankets and hot chocolates.

November

An adventure to Manchester for Kirstie Allsopp's Handmade Christmas Fair by myself, visiting the Christmas markets and meeting some familiar faces.  A trip to London with Mum checking out Shrek's Adventure on Southbank.  And preparations for Christmas are well under way.

December

A month of Christmas celebrations.  Decorations aplenty, and the tree in all its glory, proudly stood in the living room, twinkling away.  Baby cuddles enjoyed, isn't she just gorgeous.  Time spent with friends.  A short trip to Bath celebrating James' birthday.  A Christmas themed day with the bestie checking out the local Christmas Tree Festival and our annual visit to Norpar Christmas Barns.  And an Essex Blogger meet up at Lush in Chelmsford.

 It seems crazy to think I was able to squeeze all of this into one year.  It makes me rather quite excited to see what I can achieve from 2016, and what the year has in store for me and my loved ones.  I guess time will tell.

~ Gem x