Image by Brandon C. Warren
Organisation. Planning. Focus. Positive-mental-attitude. Photography. Writing. Simple. Happiness. Fun. Holidays. Friends. These are just some of the buzzwords flitting around my head like a butterfly, to make 2010 just as good (if not, better) than 2009!
My Moleskine is at the ready, with my 101 in 1001 list at the back, so it’s never out of my mind & dates, goals & events scrawled across each page. I’ve simplified the blog, so I can focus on my writing, again. I’m tidying up my living & working space, so I can get stuck into my photography & not get distracted. The Wii fit is set up & ready to go! I’ve started collecting pictures, colours & leaflets to plan my wedding. The beginning of a new year is fantastic. I love it. So refreshing!
Plan your 2010 with Gala’s guide to getting organised
Create your own 101 in 1001 list
Read the Definitive Guide To Sticking To Your New Years Resolutions at zenhabits
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas & you’re going to celebrating the New Year, in style!
I am ready for you 2010.
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Filed under: 101 in 1001, Inspiration, Life and Love |
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It might be a week or so early to be looking back at 2009, but this has been the best year of my life so far, for all the amazing little things I’ve done, to the big life-changing decisions that have been made. Here’s a quick recap (mainly for myself), thanks to my Flickr & blog archives (drop down menu to the side):
January: Recovered from a great New Years party; had bright red hair (which I miss, a lot!); invested in a fisheye lens for my DSLR; started documenting What I Wore (& unfortunately, soon forgot about!); attempted to take part in a 365 project; started my list of 101 things to do in 1001 days; won £200 on bingo; wondered where my job was going.
February: It snowed, like I’ve never seen snow before!; co-founded the UK Lady Bloggers network; indulged in chocolate fondue at Harrods; my faithful Macbook died— but I got a brand new 20″ iMac!; started blogging for my local newspaper.
March: Answered your questions in Ask Me Anything; dressed up as Minnie Mouse for Comic Relief & did some facepainting, which I loved; started the Make-up Manual series; gave blood for the first time; gave up chocolate for lent; wrote an article for Green My Style.
April: caved in to my hair growing plan & got it all chopped off; indulged in one too many curries at my local Indian; wrote the third installment of Photo Coach; went to Paris & celebrated 4 amazing years with my boyfriend!
May: did some house-sitting for the majority of May with my boyfriend, while my parents were away; shopped in the lanes of Brighton; revamped my portfolio; was interviewed by The Sassy Minx; got my journalism fix by writing articles about Living & Studying in London, London Style & the Art of Revising.
June: turned 22, in (fancy dress) style!; went to the farm; hiked across the common for a birthday picnic; reviewed items for ModCloth; kitted out my camera with a whole bunch of new stuff; listened to your feedback from the survey; went to a great dub-step house party; interviewed Kim of Cupcakes & Mace; did a fun photoshoot with Fleshrot.
July: baked loads of things from my Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook; started writing 100 facts about me; went to the very first UKLB meet; enjoyed the sunshine!
August: my beautiful niece turned 1!; interviewed Youtube phenomenon Thea-Kate; moved out with my boyfriend, into our lovely little flat & spent a lot of time just chillin’!
September: went to the amazing Private Shopping Blogger Event at Joy, with Kate & had the best time; realised I never want to go on a typical girls, clubbing holiday; boycotted Fashion Week; passes an assessment for promotion at work!
October: became an Aussie Angel; wore NO make-up outside of my house, for the first time since I can remember; dressed up as a gore-nurse for halloween!
November: blogging became a little sparse, while I concentrated on my job & lack of sleep!; won jewellery from Rock ‘n’ Rose; got a new car!
December: Got engaged to my gorgeous fiance!
& here’s to even more amazing 2010!
What have you loved about 2009?
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Filed under: Life and Love |
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Snow! Yes, the magical white stuff that all the UK bloggers have been writing about. We had a couple of inches where I live, before the sun came out & unsuccessfully melted it— It’s all turned to ugly brown mush, or ice now— no snowmen for me! I love the idea of a white Christmas, but it’s completely impractical when you have places to go (bah humbug!)
I’m so disorientated right now, after working nightshift, last night & crawling in to bed at 7am, on a caffeine come down. One night down, three to go & then it’s time to celebrate!
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Filed under: Life Through The Lens, Photography |
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This gets me in the festive spirit every time:
I love hearing it on the build up to the big day. In fact, I’m even more excited now about Christmas, than I was when I was a child— I tend to get excited at the end of November, when I’m present buying! However, if the festive outdoor town centre lights, decorating the Christmas tree & carol singers haven’t quite put you in the mood yet, here’s my guide to getting festive over the remaining week(!) until Crimbo:
Friday 18th Dec:
If you haven’t finished (or worse still, started) your Christmas shopping yet, then get on it! Today! You don’t want to be panicking over the next week— you should be enjoying the season. Head out as early as you can, as every town centre will be busy, let alone your Oxford Street, Fifth Avenue or Champs Elysees! Have a precised list (presents as well as wrapping paper, cards, festive movies & CDs) of what to buy & where to get them, so you can do it all in one swoop. Returning at the weekend is not really a viable option (unless you want to be queueing for hours!) If you’re lucky you’ll be able to order from some online merchants still such as Amazon, & you might even be able to find yourself a bargain. If you’ve got toys to buy, then online is the way forward— Toys ‘R Us & the like are super busy at the best of times, let alone in December! Just remember to make sure you’re in when your parcel is being delivered— queueing up at the Post Office is even more hectic.
If you’ve finished your Christmas shopping, then have a mosey around a Christmas Market to end the week & start the weekend!
Saturday 19th Dec:
So, you have your Christmas tree up, right? I sure hope so! How else are you meant to feel Christmassy?! Remember, decorations aren’t all about the tree— put lights around your window, garlands on the ceiling, a wreath on the door, tack your cards to the wall & drape tinsel around photo frames! I like my Christmas to be a colour explosion, but even if you have a theme, make sure there’s lots of decs!
Chuck on your favourite festive CD or create one on Spotify to listen to, while you dress up your house and adorn yourself with glitter & sparkles for a night out! (If you’ve got Spotify, you should be able to listen to my playlist, here.)
Sunday 20th Dec:
Sunday is a day for chillin’. Even the big G himself says so. So curl up on the sofa, infront of the log fire with a cup of mulled wine or candy cane cocoa & have a Crimbo Movie Marathon! If you’re in the UK, you can catch:
- The Nightmare before Christmas – 11:30am – 12:40pm (BBC2)
- The Brady Bunch Movie – 1:00pm – 2:45pm (Film4)
- Scrooge – A Christmas Carol – 1:40pm – 3:25pm (Five)
- Matilda – 3:30pm – 5:30pm (Five)
- Jingle All The Way – 5:25pm – 7.05pm (E4)
- Miracle on 34th Street – 5:15pm – 7:25pm (Channel 4)
Ah, cheese at it’s finest.
Monday 21st Dec:
I worked for 6 years on the checkout / Customer Service dept. of a supermarket, so I’m telling you now, it’s gonna be busy. Today is around the time that the fresh turkey’s will be coming in & you can afford to buy fresh veg today too— & every other Tom, Dick & Harry has the same idea! Get to the supermarket before it opens, as there will be queues & you want to ensure you get the best dates / goods available. Make sure you have a list so you can get to the checkout asap! Be prepared for battle. It’s each customer for himself! One year, we ran out of Brussel Sprouts. Complete anarchy commenced.
The 21st is also the last day for 1st class post, so pop any last minute cards into the postbox on the way.
Tuesday 22nd Dec:
Some people like to leave presents out under the tree for weeks, but I like to keep that air of mystery, by putting them out just a few days before, especially if they’re easily recognisable shapes like CDs / DVDs & I don’t have another box to hide them in! Listen to your Christmas playlist or the radio while you wrap them up beautifully with bows & ribbon, & nestle them under the Christmas lights.
Wednesday 23rd Dec:
Little baked treats are a great gift, as well as indulgence for yourself! Make cupcakes, fudge, shortbread, sugar cookies, truffles or whatever your heart desires. Yum!
Thursday 24th Dec:
I once worked with a woman who took 4 hours to set the table for her Christmas dinner. She wouldn’t let anyone touch it, or even be in the room. I never saw her in action, but that’s somethin’ special, right there! If you’re like her, get out your finest silverware, bone china & butter dishes today, so you don’t have to do it tomorrow. (Or, if you’re like me, chuck out a few Ikea plates & cutlery!) My sister & myself used to make centre pieces for the table every year, with ribbons, candles & anything we could find— why not try making one too?!
Christmas Day!
Merry Christmas! Put on the turkey! Open presents! Pour the wine! Eat chocolate! Be Happy! Have an amazing time!
Photo by amb.photography
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Filed under: Articles, Inspiration |
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9 months ago, I invited you to ask me anything & now, that lovely idea (over)used by bloggers worldwide, is back on aimeemarie.com— & it’s bigger & better than before!
Maybe you want to know more about my personal life, have a make-up related query or you’d just like to ask something completely random? Either way just use the form below to send me your questions (anonymously if you like) & I’ll answer them just as soon as I can! I’ve placed a widget in the sidebar, so you can ask me whatever, whenever, in this permanent feature!
(You can see the results here.)
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Filed under: Life and Love, WWW |
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My day in Paris was better than any dream weekend I could have ever imagined. It was a lifetime of birthdays, Christmas’ & holidays all rolled into one. We were here to shop, be festive & merry, take a million photos & sightsee— but I came away with just a handful of pictures & a few souvenirs. Why? Because sitting on the steps of the Palais de Chaillot, time stopped, when the love of my life asked me to marry him… & I said yes!
The view from where we were sitting & the Christmas Markets below
My gorgeous engagement ring made especially for me! Rubies from Ashleys grandmothers ring & three diamonds, set in white gold
It was perfect, romantic, original & completely an ‘us’ way to do it! This is the icing on the cake to the end of a great year & just the very beginning of an amazing life together.
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Filed under: Life and Love |
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We Are Social asked me:
What would your dream weekend in Paris look like, if you had 1,000€ to spend?
Well, as luck would have it, I am going to Paris next weekend— although just for a day & I certainly don’t have 1,000€ to spend, unfortunately!
Paris is fast becoming my favourite place in the world. It’s rich in culture & history, with amazing landmarks, architecture & artwork, but it’s also modern at the same time— & let’s not forget, romantic too! So at Christmas, it’s going to be even more magical. Think Le Nouveau Paris. I have dreams of hopping off of the Eurostar with my boyfriend in tow, wrapped up warm, & starting the day by indulging in gorgeous pastries, croissants & pain au chocolat to remedy my sweet tooth, at a quirky little corner cafe & grabbing a takeaway hot chocolate to warm me up as I stroll around this gorgeous city.
Image Credit: meltingnoise
This will be my third trip to the city & already I know I won’t see all that it has to offer. Last time, we missed seeing the Catacombs by a few minutes! A labyrinth of bones & creepy stuff? Yes please! It’s a vast difference from the romanticised view that people have of Paris, but it’ll be at the top of our list. Once we’ve finished our out of time journey through the cavernous cemetery, it’s time to head back to the present & visit the Centre Pompidou. I want to see work from Warhol, Picasso & other greats, before geeking out in the Printemps Design Boutique & maybe even grabbing a unique gift to remember the day.
Image Credit: Phil H
All of this sightseeing can take it’s toll on a girl, so there’s always time for a fresh crepe from a street vendor, full of Nutella. Yum! Sometimes you find the greatest things just by strolling around– the guidebooks can’t tell you everything! I’d love to spend my Euro’s in the little stalls that are dotted along the River Seine, selling old books, photos, postcards & comics. I’m terrible at hoarding things, so this is like a little mini-heaven for me! And of course it’s Christmas, so there’s lots of extra markets to be found, selling anything & everything from gingerbread to baubles to french delicacies!
Image Credit: visitingeu
How lovely does that look?! This is one of the parts I’m most excited about. You can visit all the other markets any time of the year, but this happens just once & I think it’s going to be magical & sparkly & make this girl happy! The Champs-Elysees looks amazing when it’s lit up with festive glitter, so that’s another must see, even if it’s for a photo-opportunity! After a beautiful dinner cruise along the River Seine, I’d love to go up the Eiffel Tower (as would a lot of other people at this time, unfortunately!) & see the sunset. Standing up there, on top of the city, it’s time to slow down, wind-down & eventually get down & return to Hotel Crillon (only the most luxurious stay for me, eh?!)
Image Credit: Neno
Day two is all about blowing what’s left of that 1,000€ budget! I’m not a big designer fan, so I’d be all about hunting down the best vintage shops, one of a kind places & splurging out in cosmetics mecca, Sephora. Ah, Sephora. I love you. With less than 12hrs left, at this point, it’s all about cramming in everything— Notre Dame, open spaces & parks, the Louvre, Galeries Lafayette, Maison de la photographie, Colette & all the other places that Paris has to offer, both old & new!
One weekend is not enough & so the love affair continues.
What would YOUR dream weekend in Paris look like, if you had 1,000€ to spend?
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Filed under: Articles, Travel |
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