Last year was a strange year. It had some amazing highs and some spectacular lows for everyone, including my family and I.
I thought it would be interesting to look back over the twelve months, choosing my favourite picture(s), my favourite memory or adventure.
But of course you can’t have the highs without remembering some of the lows so I have covered them too.
So here goes… 2016 in review.
January 2016.
The highlight for me was the launch of my own website. Previously I had posted my blogs on “Blogger” But the wonderful Paul Burley of Pixelstylist had built my own site, navigated all my blogs across and made my page look pretty I really cannot thank him enough for getting me up and running.
New Website
My favourite picture of January – taking Little Chick to her first ever live production of “The Rocky Horror Show” with the lovely Daisy and her partner.
Worst part of January was finding my Mum needed to have a large operation.
February 2016
This was actually an amazing month for me. I had lots of adventures, my niece turned 16 and I did lots of new things.
My favourite activity was taking part in “Moriarty’s Game” Which is a mystery hunt around London, solving clues and visiting unusual places in the City. We had purchased it for my Sister and Brother in Law, and they invited us to join them. It was a fabulous activity and we would love to do it again.
Favourite photographs of the month was when I met up with some Blogger babes at LondonEdge.
Worst part of February? Trying to strip the dye out of my hair and it going a little wrong.
March 2016 was a quieter month. The highlight was going to see Post Modern Jukebox perform live at Cambridge Corn Exchange with the amazing Ruby Thunder. It was an amazing night, and my voice was hoarse for a couple of days from singing along with every song.
Post Modern Jukebox Gig
My favourite pictures were in the amazing outfits I wore at Florentyna Dawn’s blogger event. I loved them all, but fell in love with the black and grey one the most.
Florentya Dawn – Lovely Lilac
Worst part of March?
There really wasn’t anything at all! Far too much positivity over the whole month.
April 2016
This was another month of new adventures. The highlight was going with (nearly) the whole family to see Les Miserables in the West End. It was a magical performance and I sobbed my eyes out.
Les Miserables
My Favourite photo has to be this one. I had been wanting to get my nose pierced for several years and finally took the plunge.
New Piercing
Worst part of April? The shocking and sad news that my Idol Prince had been found dead at Paisley Park. Utterly distraught.
Rest In Peace
May 2016 was another busy month and the highlight was seeing all my plus size beauties at Curvy Convention. The sun was shining, the ice cream great and we spent hours chatting together. A perfect day… or so it seemed.
Curvy Girl at The Curvy Convention
Obviously my favourite photo has to be of all the curvy ladies!
The Curvy Collection
Worst experience was returning home from the Curvy Convention and getting abused and fat shamed in London, then touched up inappropriately on the train home. Horrible, just horrible.
June 2016 featured lots of visits to London, the most enjoyable one was to see West End Live, a free event in Trafalgar Square featuring all the top musical theatre and opera companies. The best thing is that it is all free! We got VIP entry into the Mastercard arena and had perfect views over the Square. The sun was amazingly hot and we loved every minute of it.
Ewa Harness and Lady Voluptuous
My favourite pictures of June area quick selfie at home. I am wearing a Lady Voluptuous dress along with an Ewa Michalak harness bra. The second favourite was at West End Live. a quick selfie at home. I am wearing a Lady Voluptuous dress along with an Ewa Michalak harness bra. The second favourite was at West End Live.
West End Live VIP Enclosure
Worst part of June? Work messing up my wages and paying me for only 18hrs a week, instead of 38!
July 2016
July is my birthday month so I had a fantastic time. I had a weekend in London and went to the “Pin up Picnic in the Pub” and met lots of wonderful vintage friends and made even more. I discovered a love of all that is “Lush”and spent lots of pennies in there. I went out for several meals with friends. I went to London. The highlight of the month was the announcement that I had been shortlisted for the Best Plus Size Blog in the British Plus Size Awards (more on this later in the year)
It’s Me!!
My favourite photographs? Well there are just so many!
Pin Up Parade
Feeling Fruity
Working Hard
Worst part of July? There simply wasn’t a bad part of the month at all.
August 2016.
This was another month of fun. Well, the summer usually has so much going on, doesn’t it?
Queue several visits to London, a vintage charity calendar photo-shoot, lots of clothes reviews and the absolute highlight? The Twinwood Festival, a weekend of music, dancing, drinking, shopping and camping. All with like minded friends and vintage lovers. I had such an amazing time there and made lots of new friends, whilst reconnecting with quite a few old ones. I took Little Chick to a festival in London and we sat in the sun all day listening to bands and drinking Pimms!
Charity Calendar Photoshoot
Favourite photographs? Lots from Twinwood!
Strolling in the Sun
The Marvellettes
Living it Large with Leanda
Pug Princess – The Monica Dress
London Festival with Little Chick
Worst part of August? Having a relapse of a long term health condition. Something that is still plaguing me a lot.
September 2016 started off with a bang and didn’t stop! Highlights included LondonEdge with Boo and Kerry. Going to London to see Billy Joel, Elton John, Madness, Gregory Porter and more. Then in the middle of the month Boo and I flew off to Budapest for 5 days. It was absolutely amazing!
Hyde Park Concerts
Photo’s galore here as it was such an amazing month.
Double Selfie at Billy Joel
Hyde Park Finale
Beautiful Budapest
Buda Castle
Szechenyi Spa
LondonEdge Autumn
Worst part of September? The negativity we experience in Budapest from some people. We are not sure whether it was due to the clothing, the tattoo’s or because we are fat. It was really unpleasant but the City was amazing and I would go there again.
October 2016 was another fun month. I went to a spa with my Mum and spent the day relaxing. I went to see The Bodyguard in the West End which was out of this World and I had my very first article published in the amazing Vintage Life Magazine. And I won a hair makeover with the amazing Lucie Luella!
Vintage Life Article
My favourite photographs from this month were the before and after shots of my hair. I still am rocking this colour as I love it so much.
Lucie Luella works Miracles
Horrible things in October? I genuinely can’t remember anything bad happening at all! BONUS!
November 2016
This was a month of activities too. The highlight was going to the British Plus Size Awards where I was shortlisted for Best Plus Size Blog. I had a surprise package of a new range of bra’s from Ewa Michalak. I went to a Prince tribute concert which was fanbloodytastic. I went to a forties social dance and learnt the Breakaway Blues, Social Foxtrot and the Square Tango. The best thing? My daughters turned 20. The end of the month saw me going to the Pin Up Tiki Christmas and meeting a lot of new friends, including my vintage Idol, Miss Victory Violet!
Lots of photographs again. It was a jam-packed month and I loved it.
Social Dancing
Prince Tribute Concert – Purple Reign
A Tiki Christmas in London
Pin Up Beauties
My Idol, Miss Victory Violet
My Awards dress….
The worst part of November? The last minute cancellation of the British Plus Size Awards leaving me and many others out of pocket. Disappointed, Hurt and very let down. The plus side was when Curvy Kate and Club Indulge got together and many of us plus size beauties boogied the night away at their function.
Just heartbroken
December 2016
This meant getting ready for Christmas and Boo and I jetted off to Prague for the Christmas Markets. Sadly it didn’t snow, but we had a whale of a time and took loads of photographs and saw all the sights. I finally met up with Jules, a very good friend I have had for a few years, having cocktails and dinner in London. I had a lovely family Christmas and Little Chick was home from University. Even better, I dressed as a mermaid for a Vintage Enchantment under the Sea ball.
I am a mermaid!
Awards Ceremony time
Of course, my favourite photographs have to be of Prague.
Happy Christmas!
Stunning Sunset over Prague
Worst Part of December. This was finding out I had actually won the “Best Plus Size Blog” award at the cancelled Plus Size Awards.
And the winner was….
So that pretty much is my round up of the year. Whilst the lows were few, the highs were many. I can’t wait to see what this New Year brings; hopefully even more adventures than the last one.