What can I say about the festive shenanigans of last week in London?
I laughed so hard, I literally cried, in fact I spent a whole year’s laughter quota in two days I reckon (you know when you laugh so much you can’t breathe? It was that, on repeat)..I ate my favourite food: eggs Florentine, grilled salmon with Hollandaise sauce and new potatoes, halibut in a cream sauce and honey cake with caramel ice cream at my most favourite hotel, The Royal Garden Hotel..I drank gin (*cough, a fair bit of gin) and even bottled vodka at the launch of the super-chic Portobello Road Gin‘s new venue, The Distillery in Notting Hill (you HAVE to visit this place, it’s a distillery meets bar meets hotel that will blow your gin-loving mind), I hung out with amazing people I love and admire (Jason Collier, Lela London, Hayley Johnson, Neil Ransome-you guys) and returned home happier than I’ve been in a long time.
You see, I’m definitely an upbeat kind of gal, always seeking the good in life, surrounding myself with, and spreading those positive vibes but this past year has been a challenging one for my family and I (however rosy social media might seem). Whilst I’m incredibly grateful for the career highs of 2016 (signing with Neil Ransome at Insanity and Robyn Drury at Diane Banks Associates, a book deal with Piatkus/Little Brown, becoming a digital ambassador for the airline Jet2.com and Jet2holidays), the personal side of life has been challenging with an unwell relative we’re all incredibly close to.
A year of seeing someone you love, suffer is the worst thing ever so I’m praying for good health and happiness in 2017.
A few days away with friends was just what I needed as a break from the sadness. A pause from normal life and a chance if I’m honest, to go a little bit wild, and live a lot more. By that I mean enjoying a pamper day with my great friend and star stylist Jason Collier and one of my closest blogger friends, Lela London before partying all night (we got to sleep around 4.30am) before having to wake up and make deadlines pre Christmas dinner with my manager to celebrate the productive year that was 2016.
It admittedly took two days to recover from all the fun (the reality of being a 36 year old mum of two quickly hit) but the sore head and tired limbs were worth it as I felt myself again thanks to the tonic of laughter and real, uncomplicated friendship, along with the delicious food and utterly exquisite accommodation at The Royal Garden Hotel, my second home (I realise what a lucky blogger I am to write that too) and of course, not forgetting, the best gin in London town. What more could a girl want, hey?!
Those days away crucially reminded me of the importance of self-care, of carving out time out to rest, recharge and go a little wild when I need to- to not forget myself. To just be me again, the me ‘before kids, after kids’, that fun person who needs to let her hair down once in a while.
So I advise, if you can over Christmas, do the same, people, go have some fun yourself and don’t feel guilty about it.
I missed my kiddos like crazy but came back a stronger, happier mama for it. And those happy vibes last for weeks.
What a ball!
If you want to watch all the fun in moving image (you really should) then go check out my vlog!
Thanks to everyone for making my time away so special and Merry Christmas everyone *clinks a glass of Portobello Road gin x
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