2013, a round up

2013 was a fabulous year, full of firsts, adventures and amazing experiences. Here's a round up of some of my favourite moments from the past twelve months.

2013: Spring

To me, the new year always means days out and nights in as the weather is so cold. The Boy and I spent a white weekend in snowy London town, an evening at the theatre (seeing Wicked, finally) and Zsa stayed over for food, films and a bit of a gossip.

In March we headed to New York as a family and, although it was absolutely freezing we had a marvelous time exploring the city. I took Mum to a spa, The Boy and I tried out an amazing restaurant and we all got to walk the High Line. It was the trip of a lifetime and one we'll never forget.

I particularly loved the graffti that had sprung up on the storm damaged Brooklyn Bridge.

2013: Summer
We spent a week in the Summer visiting various friends all over the country - and I spent a week cooing over a selection of babies and children. Even The Boy came away feeling broody.

On returning to London we whiled away the Summer months doing what we do best: eating and exploring the city. We had my good friend Kat and her son Leo to stay which allowed The Boy to revert back to his childhood, and spend some sunny days playing in the garden with lego and various Poundland remote controlled aircraft. Which was perfect as it meant Kat and I could spend some time laying in the sun.

We checked out Feast with Zsa Zsa and Ben which, although it was delicious, was far too hot for me.

I took Mum to Fortnum and Mason for Afternoon Tea one day in the summer which was amazing and a real treat.

In August Kimmy and I went to Secret Cinema's screening of Dirty Dancing and it was amazing. A great afternoon/evening with great company in the sunshine, you really can't beat it.

2013: AutumnWith Autumn came my thirtieth birthday and with it many a celebration. It all kicked off with birthday drinks in Hammersmith but also included a weekend break to Paris and a trip to Derbyshire with Ma and Pa. It was a wonderful few weeks spend with my absolute favourite people.

In October I ran my second half marathon, the Royal Parks Half in London. It was more of a struggle than last year as it was so hot but I still loved every minute and am considering running it again next year.

2013: Winter
The colder months brought with them lots of gatherings and festivities with friends and family as Christmas got ever closer.

We spent a weekend in Manchester with Sarah and Ryan exploring the Christmas Markets (and basically eating as much as we could), had a big family dinner at Duncans, and Christmas party season kicked off with a bang, it was a great final few weeks of 2013.

And of course the year ended with a proposal, but there will be more on that later.

A life worth living

My friend Sam recently made a somewhat spectacular decision to pack her bags and head to New Zealand for what started as a two week holiday and has now turned into 9 months on the other side of the world, a fresh start and a new adventure, which is still continuing today. 

Reading Sam's blog and seeing the pictures she puts on Facebook have got me thinking about what I want from life, what I value most and mostly, about regrets. 

Will I look back in five years and regret things I didn't do? Chances I didn't take? Opportunities I passed up? Or, will I be content with my lot in life, happy with the choices I've made and be able to look back over the years with few regrets?

Today's Blogtember topic is: if you could take three months off from your life and do anything in the world, what would you do? 

Although making something so drastic possible is somewhat dependent on money, I certainly have a few ideas of what I would do if I could throw caution to the wind.

Firstly I'd pack my bags and jump on a plane to the US of A, starting off in LA then travelling across the country for a month, finishing up in New York City. 

New York is the one city in the world where I would love to live. I'm not sure if it was the years I spent watching Sex and the City and Friends but I feel almost as much at home in NYC as I do in London.

I'd love to be able to spend an extended period of time in the city that never sleeps, exploring even more of the different neighborhoods but money never really allows for me to take a break for longer than a week or so. 

I'd love to rent my own little apartment or plush hotel suite, take my sketchbook, paints and iPad and get creative.

As with most people, achieving a good work-life balance can sometimes be tricky so by the time I've been to work, worked out, made/eaten dinner, done my chores and blogged there's little time much else! I'm determined to start sketching again and buildings are what I love to draw. So what better place to while away three months than travelling around the country that I love, doing my favourite thing, finishing up in the city of my dreams, perfection. 

Well, maybe one day. For now I guess London will have to do and I'll just have to try and make more time for the things I love. And who knows, if I'm sketching and not spending maybe I'll be able to afford that trip to America.

This post is part of Blogtember, the brainchild of Jenni over at Story of My Life.

Meet me half way

One of my favourite mornings whilst away in New York was spent on Brooklyn Bridge. This Manhattan landmark is one of my favourite spots in all the world and one I've visited many times before, but never with my family. They loved it just as much as me and, thanks to the current repairs taking place, we all enjoyed reading the hilarious and often moving phrases and lyrics people have begun to write on some of the metal hoardings. 

Here are some of my favourite pictures from our morning on the bridge.

Love struck locks

The Boy - looking fabulous

Hello cute little dream flat

Fishs Eddy - A New York fave

For me, an element of any visit to New York City is always going to revolve around shopping and this trip was no different. Although I didn't spend as much money on fashion as in previous years, I did make up for it on crockery after the discovery of Fishs Eddy an amazing homewares store right in the heart of Midtown.

Damn you flight weight restrictions.

  Fishs Eddy have a great blog which can be found here. Or, if you're ever in New York you can visit the store at 889 Broadway (I certainly will be next time I'm in the city).