Since my blog began, at the end of every year I have written a ’round up’ post of all the memorable events I am thankful for. Some of the events have been blog related, and some more personal, but each time I have included it – it’s been extremely popular, so I thought I’d follow tradition and do another this year. If you’d like to read the previous years, they are here (2011) and here (2012).
2013, has been a memorable year for a number of great and not so great reasons. I won’t go into depth about the not so great parts, because this is supposed to be a celebratory post rather than a dull, dismal one – but it has proved to be a life changing year in terms of the opportunities I was granted.
London Fashion Week
2013 has marked my first and second experience of the ‘extravaganza’ which is London Fashion Week. As crazy and as rushed as it is, it really is a fantastic, unlike no other event which I am privileged to have attended. I’m no fashion expert, but going along has meant that I have learnt about the inner workings of the fashion industry and how what is presented on the catwalk is translated into real life. I never thought I’d ever be able to attend myself, let alone sit front row (next to some of my favourite bloggers) so to be able to have experienced that, is certainly very memorable. Read all about my LFW experience, here.
Travel
Although I’m more of a homebody than a free spirit, working in the world of travel PR inspired me to get out and see the world a little more in 2013, so I made a little resolution to travel to at least 4 new places. I ended up visiting Paris, Vienna, Munich, Venice, Tenerife, Murcia and Bath, which was absolutely amazing – and even though they were short breaks rather than one long stretch, I have definitely caught the travelling bug and want to explore more of the world (and maybe go further afield) in 2014 and 2015.
University
2013 marked my first term in University and the start of a new journey entirely. Moving away from home was really, really difficult for me – probably more so than I had imagined, but I think dealing with homesickness (is that a word) just takes time and perseverance. Whilst it is tempting to head home every week, although this would prove very expensive for me, sometimes immersing yourself in University life and what it has to offer distracts you and is eventually a cure. My course is very difficult, and learning teeline shorthand (although a fantastic skill to have) seems to be taking over my entire life, but I am looking forward to coming out at the end, equipped with all of the skills I need for being a working journalist! You can read all my diary posts, during my first few weeks at Uni – here.
Friends
2013 has also marked the beginnings of many new friendships, as cringe worthy as I know that sounds. University has brought upon many new lovely friends, of whom I don’t think I would have settled into uni life without and similarly, blogging has brought upon a number of new friendships which have really helped me through. Em Sheldon and I, headed to Paris for the weekend in March (post here) where we honestly didn’t stop laughing, talking and taking pictures the whole time. We seriously thought we might be long lost sisters at several moments!
Company Blog Awards 2013
Being nominated for a Company Blog Award back in May, and in the ‘Best Fashion Blog’ category no less was definitely a highlight for me. Although I didn’t win, it was lovely to be recognized for my blog and to have a nomination is definitely an accolade in itself that I will gladly treasure!
Although it started with a slight hitch, hosting my very first event back in June was an amazing experience which I can’t wait to do again (definitely next summer). 120 of you turned up to network, drink cocktails and chat all things blog related – and I was able to meet so many inspirational writers and bloggers who I have remained in contact with to this day. If you’d like to read a little more about this, or put your name down for the next one – the post is here.
Bloggers Bootcamp
In April, Travel Supermarket invited me along to a fitness/health bootcamp weekend along with 19 other lovely bloggers. Although the few days were tough (and I couldn’t sit down for days), No1 bootcamp in Norfolk really does motivate and inspire you in every sense of the word. Read the post here.
In Print
Amazingly, I managed to become a published writer in several magazines during 2013, something I thought was a long, long way off indeed. I really love writing and although I had a little inspiration block, I feel like I’m back on track and ready to have many more printed by-lines in 2014!
And moving on
I won’t go into depth about this one, but I am pleased to say after a rather rocky start to University and a revelation which left me feeling very lost indeed, I have moved on and I’ve found someone really lovely who makes me very happy.
Here’s hoping 2014 will be better for all the right reasons!
