Best of 2018

I always enjoy writing my 'best of' posts at the end of every year. In case you missed it twelve months ago, you can read last year's post here!

2018 had a difficult ending as we had some bad news just after getting back from New York. It's much easier to focus on the negatives when the chips are down, and these types of posts help to remind me that there were lots of good times to be thankful for in 2018.

You might notice that there's a definite 'food and Jessie' theme running throughout which pretty much sums up my day-to-day life. I'm perfectly fine with that.

I haven't been able to include every highlight which is always a good sign that it was a full and busy year, but here are some of my favourite moments from 2018.

Fake Christmas 

The annual Fake Christmas tradition with my university friends continued last January. Liz was my Secret Santa and I think you'll all agree that these gifts are perfect for me. 

Sunday lunch at the Vale Resort 

Neil's parents bought us a voucher for Sunday lunch at the Vale Resort for our third wedding anniversary, and we finally had the chance to redeem it last February. I blogged about it here. 

Went out for dinner with Sophie 

Sophie and I went to Penarth's Etc one evening in February for a nice dinner and cocktails. We left our husbands at home with the Playstation and takeaway pizza! 

Jessie's first snow

We had a crazy amount of snow at the beginning of March. Although she was extremely confused at first, Jessie loved it once her little legs had found their bearings.

Afternoon tea at Machynys Golf Club and Spa

I had a lovely week off before starting my new job last March. The week included a few days at my parents' house and afternoon tea and a manicure at Machynys with Nicola.

New job 

That leads me nicely on to one of my biggest highlights of 2018... starting my new job in March! I bought myself this 'celebration' necklace from Clogau as a treat to mark the occasion. 

Jessie's first birthday 

We celebrated Jessie's first birthday in April and she was spoilt rotten (even more so than usual). I blogged about it here.  

A weekend with my uni friends

I spent the weekend in Bristol with my university friends in April. We don't get to catch up very often so it was lovely to see everyone so soon after our Fake Christmas shenanigans.  

18 months all clear 

We had dinner at Viva Brazil in April to celebrate me being all clear at the 18 month mark. I had a procedure during the same week to get an irritating long-term eye problem sorted, hence the need for glasses in this photo! Horrible procedure, great result. 

Final support group meeting and lunch 

My support group sadly came to an end in 2018 due to funding cuts. The end of the group obviously wasn't something to celebrate, but we all had a lovely afternoon after our final meeting with a plastic jug of pink Prosecco... perils of eating out in Cardiff on a rugby day.  

Walt Disney World 

Neil and I spent an amazing fortnight in Florida's Walt Disney World in May. It's my favourite place in the world, and you can read a photographic summary of our trip here. 

My birthday 

We celebrated my birthday with lots of eating, shopping and more eating. I blogged about it here. 

Finished our major re-decorating project 

We finally finished re-decorating our house (for now), including a beautiful pink, grey and white makeover for our bedroom. I blogged about it here. 

Mad Hatter's afternoon tea with Sarah 

Sarah bought me a voucher for this amazing afternoon tea as a birthday gift, and we went together in August. I blogged about it here. 

Fourth wedding anniversary 

We celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary with a meal in Llanerch Vineyard and some lovely gifts. I blogged about it here. 

Afternoon tea with Liz and Abbie 

I went back to Pettigrew Tea Rooms in September after a long (for me) absence and had afternoon tea with Liz and baby Abbie. I blogged about it here. 

Afternoon tea in Portishead with Amy 

I visited Amy for the day in September and we had an absolutely MASSIVE afternoon tea in Portishead. 

Weekend with Sarah

Sarah came to visit for the weekend at the end of September. We drank Prosecco, went for a nice walk around Cardiff Bay, and had pancakes in Bill's for breakfast. 

Llangennith 

Neil and I took Jessie on her first holiday and spent a lovely few days in Llangennith, followed by a day at my parents' house. I blogged about it here. 

Visited Fee in Milton Keynes 

I spent a lovely weekend with Fee and Liz in October. The weekend was obviously structured around food... always the best way to structure a weekend. We did do a bit of walking to make up for it. 

Two years all clear 

We had a spectacular meal at Pier 64 in October to celebrate me being all clear at the two year mark. I blogged about it here. 

Christmas shopping trip in Bristol 

I went to Bristol for the day in November for the traditional Christmas shopping trip with my university friends. I blogged about it here. 

Afternoon tea with Jo 

I caught up with Jo for the first time in ages in November with yet another delicious afternoon tea in Pettigrew Tea Rooms. 

Weekend with Nicola 

Nicola came to stay for the weekend at the end of November. We did lots of shopping and had afternoon tea in Pettigrew Tea Rooms (I'm sensing a bit of a theme here). 

New York 

Neil and I spent a week in New York at the beginning of December and were completely and utterly wowed by all the Christmas lights. You can read a photographic summary of our trip here. 

Work Christmas party 

I went to my first work Christmas party with my new colleagues in December. We ate a lovely meal in Las Iguanas then went on to Rum & Fizz before finishing off the evening at Dirty Martini. 

Christmas 

No highlights post would be complete without mentioning Christmas at the end. I blogged about it here, along with a summary of our new year celebrations.

Have you published a 'best of 2018' post? Let me know if so, I'd love to read it! 

Highlights (and lowlights) of 2014

Wow... 2014 has been a busy year. As I haven't had much time to blog during the last few months, I thought I'd round off my posts for 2014 with a 'highlights' post as so many great things have happened this year. It can be difficult to reflect on the positives when you're constantly running around trying to get things done, so this post aims to do just that!


Our wedding
I got married in 2014! After months of stress and planning, we had a beautiful wedding day. Everything went perfectly and according to my very strict plan. Lovely weather, pretty venues, amazing food, good company and fantastic wedding speeches... what more could you possibly want on your wedding day?

Honeymoon
We went to Rome, Lake Garda and Venice on our honeymoon. Neither of us had ever been to Italy before, but we'll definitely be going back! All three locations were amazing in very different ways, and you can read more about each one in my previous blog posts. Also, in case you didn't already know, Italian food is just out of this world.

New house
We became home owners in 2014! Getting married and buying a house in the same year was a challenge (logistically and financially!) but it was all worth it in the end. We've bought a lovely little house in Penarth and it's coming together nicely. Best thing about having our own house? Decorating it for Christmas!

Award nomination
I was nominated for CIPR Cymru's Outstanding Young Communicator of the Year award earlier this year. I was also up for Outstanding In-House Team and Low Budget Campaign with my colleagues. Although I didn't win my individual award, I was so thrilled to be chosen for the final three out of so many potential candidates as it showed how far I've come during the last few years. And we won silver for the team award!

Fake Christmas
Fake Christmas is a ten-year-old tradition with my university friends where we exchange presents and eat a lot of food. We now celebrate our Fake Christmas in January as it's so difficult to find a date when we're all free in December and it's also something to look forward to in the New Year. We travelled to Minehead for the 2014 edition and ate a LOT of food. I haven't got any photos from the event which is very unlike me... I must have been too busy eating!


New nephew
My sister had another beautiful baby boy in July 2014 so I now have two handsome nephews. Owen was definitely the youngest guest at our wedding!

My hen weekends
I had two hen weekends in July. The first was with a combination of various groups of friends and involved afternoon tea and Disney fancy dress! The second was with my work friends and involved Red Hot World Buffet, cocktails and Rhys Williams masks. I felt so fortunate to have two lovely occasions with some of my favourite people, particularly as many of my friends are scattered all over the UK.

Disneyland Paris
We went to Disneyland Paris earlier this month to make sure we had our Disney fix for the year. One thing is certain... the Disney parks know how to do Christmas! The decorations were beautiful and it was great to sample some different rides as well as some of our old favourites from Florida's Walt Disney World. We also enjoyed lots of great food... can you see a common theme running through my highlights?

Cricieth
We went to Cricieth (North Wales) for a long weekend in May as we needed to recharge our batteries but couldn't afford to go abroad. We had such a relaxing time with lots of scenic walks and really felt as if we'd had a good rest when we came back. Proof that you don't always have to go abroad to have a nice holiday!

Christmas 
I couldn't possibly write a highlights post without including Christmas. Christmas is without a doubt my favourite time of year and this Christmas was extra special as it was our first one as a married couple. We spent Christmas Day at my parents' house and Boxing Day at Neil's parents' house. We also enjoyed lots of Christmassy outings as well as cosy days/evenings in during December which made it extra special. We love you, Christmas!

Lowlights

I thought I'd also feature a few lowlights from this year... I like a bit of balance. However, there are only three lowlights compared to ten highlights so that's definitely a positive thing!


Goodbye, Bobby
I had to say goodbye to my precious first car in 2014. I do really like my new car and am definitely accustomed to it by now, but I'll never forget my Bobby!

My phone 
My phone has been a constant source of annoyance in 2014 (and in 2013...). I stupidly decided to sign a 24 month contract for a Blackberry Q10 back in April 2013 as it seemed like a good idea at the time. Unfortunately, I haven't had much luck with the phone since I signed the dreaded contract. I'm now desperate to upgrade to an Android phone... 99 days to go until my upgrade date!

Stressful times 
I've suffered a lot with stress in 2014 as I've been so busy and have always had something (or ten things) on my mind, in spite of all the positives. I'm hoping for a calmer mind in 2015!


What were your highlights in 2014?