Well 2016 was a bit eventful wasn’t it? For me, it’s been a busy one! Lots of work, lots of blogging, lots of family adventures, and making more of an effort to attend events and travel. In a nutshell, it’s been brilliant.
Busy is just the way I like it. Thanks to opening myself up to saying ‘yes’ to a lot more, I’ve met some of my favourite fellow bloggers and collaborated with some incredible interiors brands.
Whilst not wanting to make too much of a declaration for New Year, I’m simply looking forward to doing more of the same in 2017, and when I look back at 2016 I’m really happy with what I spent my time doing.
Below are my personal highlights in the blogosphere. If you missed a post, go back and take a look! Likewise, for any of my new readers, this is a great chance for you to catch up on what you’ve missed. I’m always happy to get feedback, and if you have a request for what you’d like to see in the future – go for it!
I’ll be taking a break now until the New Year, although still floating around on Instagram most likely.
I hope you all have the most amazing festive break, whatever you’re doing, and thank you a million times over to all of my readers who make working on Well I Guess This Is Growing Up such an adventure.
JANUARY
Last January I was a little unsure where I wanted to go with my blog, but after seeing my house featured in both Home Style and Style at Home, I can’t pretend that didn’t give me a total nerdout! I’m so proud that the little place I call home was worthy enough for a proper mag. Chuffed.
FEBRUARY
Every parent will mark important milestones in their kid’s life. For me, February saw Luna’s first proper trip to Ikea and you’d think we took her to Disneyland. SO. MUCH. EXCITEMENT. Sort of like how I reacted when I saw the cat curtains there. Must keep an eye out in their Jan sales. I still want them.
MARCH
I’ve been trying to add more personal touches to our home for a while and finally decided that it would be easy as pie to print out some wall art at home. This is one of mine & Joe’s favourite phrases from the US Office and I finally got to put my gold skull frame to good use.
APRIL
Flower arranging was never my strong point. I’ve definitely always been one of those to just throw flowers in a bouquet and hope for the best. BUT, I attended a flower masterclass with Manchester’s Frog Flowers in April and absolutely loved it. I got to chatter away to some of my favourite interiors bloggers, sip champagne, and make a beautiful bouquet. Check out the post to see what I learned about flower arranging.
MAY
Whilst I’m Manchester based, I made the effort to test the waters out in London this year, and I’m so happy I did. I visted an event hosted at a lovely homeware store called Olive Loves Alfie, and learned all about colour psychology in interiors from expert Karen Haller, as well as how to add personality to your home from interiors stylist Ashlyn Gibson. I learned a LOT. Read my posts to see how you can use these tips in your home decorating.
JUNE
I’ve made a real effort to try and shop independent in 2016. I’ve discovered new stores, visited more markets and generally just tried to support local. So when one of my favourite brands opened their new showroom in Altrincham, I was thrilled to bits. If you haven’t yet visited Rose & Grey, either in-store or online, do it. Do it now.
JULY
Which brings me nicely onto this little styling challenge I did for Rose & Grey over the summer! I’m not an interior stylist by trade but do enjoy playing around with the many many ornaments and feature pieces in my home. This mini glass greenhouse made it all around our home and we still get compliments on it to this day.
AUGUST
Pokemon Go took over the world in August. Was anyone else playing? I know this is a bit of an odd one for me to write about, and it was a shortlived phase, but I loved how many of Manchester’s hidden quirks it showed me, including the many many colourful buildings we have! It inspired me to do a little makeover of our garden planters in a beautiful pastel lilac colour.
SEPTEMBER
Out and about again, I took a tour of Manchester’s London Road Fire Station. It is under new management this year and will be soon renovated into a boutique hotel and restaurant, which I can’t wait to visit! Whilst plans are ongoing though, tours were available and even though it has been sadly neglected, the interior is stunning.
OCTOBER
Remember when I said I was able to work with some amazing brands? Well, Denby Pottery invited me to their Pottery Village for behind the scenes action and some throwing of a pot! I had such a wonderful day, learned just how much effort goes into the production and design of crockery, and am so thrilled that such a British classic asked me along.
NOVEMBER
You know when you spontaneously decide that a room needs decorating? Well in November we decided to do just that with our Hallway. It’s been scrubbed and newly painted, and as part of the makeover – which I’ll be finally blogging in the New Year – we’ve added marble windowsills to the mix, but shhh they’re not real! See our DIY on the post.
DECEMBER
And here we are at the end of the year. I was absolutely thrilled to be included in the first #UKHomeBlogHop where some of the greatest UK interiors bloggers came together and showcased a little festive cheer in one week. For my contribution, I showed off exactly how we decorated the house for Christmas this year, mixing felt garlands, pom pom decorations and authentic nutcrackers from my trips to Europe this Winter (which will feature on the blog in January).
And there you have it! What a brilliant year. Do you have a favourite? Here’s to 2017. I hope you’ll pop in and visit as I’ve got big plans for the new year.
