New Year Resolutions

Being away for New Year is totally surreal.

For as long as I can remember, we have celebrated New Year in Cheltenham or Yorkshire, alternating the hosting duties with our family friends. 

I've never done anything else, apart from maybe one attempt as a teenager to go out! I didn't enjoy it!

This year was very different. We spent New Year's Eve on the 30th floor in a hotel in Sydney. This was after a day of glorious sunshine and sunbathing. So we saw 2014 arrive much earlier than our friends and family did! 

The evening was quite surreal. We had free drinks and canapés from 6-8 so we arrived in plenty of time to make the most of them! The first fireworks were at 9:30, apparently for the kids. We had secured a good space by the window so decided to stay there til midnight, and the view was totally  worth it. 

In the UK we'd be playing games, prepping our own fireworks, making cocktails and there would normally be about 20 of us!  Instead there was the six of us in a private lounge with other hotel guests (yeah, I know, tough life). 

But the view was worth it. Sydney has long been heralded as the best fireworks, although Dubai seem to be trying to win that now, and they really were amazing. Fireworks fired off the opera house for the first time in years, and it really felt amazing. They didn't have edible fireworks like London though....

I managed to capture some shots which I'll share as part of my holiday catch up posts... They are not quite professional but hey, I didn't have a tripod! 

Anyway, on with the resolutions. Being away for Christmas and New Year really has let me think about these, because I've not been distracted by present shopping, work, hangovers... 

1. Friends 

In 2014, I will see more of my friends. I've got friends spread across the country who I don't see very much, or even stay in touch with enough, so they'll be hearing a lot more from me this year! Not to mention the ones in cheltenham who I rarely see! 

2. The house

I moved into a new house in mid October, and because of my travels I didn't really do much with it before Christmas. I bought a fridge and a bed! But I want to take the time this year and make it a real project, and really turn it into a house I can be proud of. Priorities when I get back will be the kitchen (I still have no oven!) and buying a vacuum cleaner! 

3. Photography 

Before we went on holiday I was really struggling to pick up the camera - my lovely SLR was languishing in it's bag, rarely used. I can't decide why - whether it was too heavy, or if I was using the iPhone or Panasonic GF6 just too much! The holiday has really kick-started the photography bug again and the main resolution will be to PRINT some photos, so I can look at my favourites more often. What's the point in storing thousands on a computer, never looked at!

That'll do for now, I think these will keep me busy for a while. 

Wishlist #13 Duty Free Special

So I'll be travelling through a few airports soon... what am I going to pick up in the airport shopping?

Nars Day Dream blush, £21.50

This special edition blush is amazing. Apparently it's a shade in the middle of my two favourites from Nars - Deep Throat and Orgasm. It is sooooo pretty. And it's limited edition. So, you know, I need it.

Benefit Hervana, £23.50

My favourite blush ever. I am scraping the last few pieces out of the corner of the pan so it really does need replacing!

Stella perfume, Stella McCartney

Now I'm normally a Chanel perfume girl... but this Stella perfume is fantastic. It's fresh and light, not at all overpowering, and I will definitely be picking up a bottle.

Chanel Les Beiges

The greatest powder ever. In the history of makeup. I love this stuff. You can wear it on it's own and it just looks pretty. You can wear over foundation.  You can just stroke it. Another product that needs replacing because I'm used every last morsel. And i get bored with things once I've used them once, so I normally try something different! I have a feeling I'll be using this one for a while.

If only it made me look like Gisele Bundchen in the advert!

Planning my holiday...

So I'm going away for a few weeks and I haven't really done any planning yet. I blame work and other stuff going on, like moving house (which has also left me very poor!)

But I'm going to do a few posts on my plans for when I'm abroad... the posts I write when I'm there will show whether my plans actually come into fruition or not!

First stop... Singapore...

We are in Singapore for a couple of days but given that I'll be jetlagged (I don't fly well - any tips anyone?) then we will take it easy.

Singapore Botanic Garden 
Apparently ranked number one place to visit in Singapore. It has the world's largest orchid display and is apparently a fantastic place to while away the hours. 

Raffles Hotel
Home of the Singapore Sling, their cocktail menu looks delicious!

Chinatown Food Street
Anything called 'food street' sounds pretty awesome right?

Funan Digitalife Mall
A mall that is dedicated to everything electronic? Ummm lead the way please! Hello camera shops!

I cannot wait to get exploring!

Next post: Melbourne...

Wishlish #12

I am going to have to start saving the pennies, because one day this will be mine.

It is a thing of beauty.

Mulberry, I love you.

November update...

So the daily blogging thing is hard. In fact it's near on impossible for someone who commutes and works all the time!

Anyway, here's what i've been up to!

Bought some nail varnish...

Went to Ikea... several times...

Got a onesie. Why have I never done this before?

Worked. A lot...

Went to PRCA awards - we won two!

Bought stationary... can't help it, I'm obsessed.

Audrey made the move to the new house.

Toasted the new house!
 

Went to Scotland...

Another pic from the PRCA awards... isn't George Lamb scrummy?

Built a table by myself!

A busy month!

What I want wishlist #11

When the Christmas stuff hits the shops I'm in real danger. I am a total magpie - those sparkles really do catch my eye!

And just because I'm not going to any Christmas parties doesn't mean I can't admire the many sparkly things on offer...

Sequin gold bodycon dress, Oasis, £68

This dress is totally ridiculous but it's so pretty!

Glitter court shoe, Ted Baker, £100

Pink dress, Warehouse, £68

Bag, Whistles, £75

Cheltenham Literature Festival

I love living in Cheltenham. We have horse racing, we have the bubble clock in the arcade and we have now a museum called the Wilson that seems to be annoying people.

But for me, the highlight is our Festival calendar. I am a member of Cheltenham Festivals and each year there is a Music, Jazz and Science Festival, all of which are fab. The best by far is the Literature Festival, which is currently running in town.

Being set in October is always a challenge weather-wise! Most of the activity is in tents/marquees but we always battle through the rain and it's worth it. They do great events for children and there's sessions for absolutely anyone.

Highlights this year included Helen Fielding (who signed my book 'Come the fuck on Bridget') and Afternoon Tease, a burlesque show! Brilliant night out.