I would love to hear how you guys take time out to relax and look after yourself!
Je veux bien savoir comment vous vous détendez et prenez soins de vous-même!
I would love to hear how you guys take time out to relax and look after yourself!
Je veux bien savoir comment vous vous détendez et prenez soins de vous-même!
ICELAND
The absolute top of my Travel Bucket List for 2016 has to be Iceland. After glowing recommendations from my sister, mum and dad who all (separately) visited this enchanting country last year, I am dying to go. I want to see the pretty colourful houses of Reykjavik, bathe in the Blue Lagoon and try to catch the Northern Lights – which is an ultimate life goal of mine. Alas, Iceland might be just a pipe dream for now because it is so bladdy expensive to get there from Barcelona. Anyone want to pay for me?
Photo by Jessica Hardy
MADRID
Before living in Barcelona, I really had no desire to visit Madrid – I just thought that Barcelona must be better. However, lots of Barca dwellers that I have spoken to rave about Madrid, seeing it as a much edgier, more London-like city in comparison. Well that sounds right up my street and seeing as I am living in Spain, I really must make time to visit the capital. Do not let the Catalans read this because their pride will be hurt and they will probably chop my fingers off!
JAPAN
I have never been to Asia but Japan is definitely top of my list. I want to be able to spend a decent amount of time there so that I can experience lots of Japanese culture and see different parts of the country. I have never really been anywhere before where you have to change the way you act to fit with (or not offend) the locals and I think I would find this so interesting. I am fascinated by the craziness of Tokyo – the neon lights look amazing – and how beautiful is the cherry blossom?!
COSTA BRAVA
The Costa Brava is the coastal strip stretching from Barcelona up north to the French border and it looks like the perfect break away from the city. What makes the Costa Brava special is its mix of both gorgeous sandy beaches and lush natural parks, which means there is something for everyone. Seeing as it is on my doorstep, I will definitely be heading up the coast when the warmer weather hits, in particular to Tossa de Mar, which has the gorgeous little cove in this left photo.
MOROCCO
I have wanted to go to Morocco, and more specifically Marrakesh, for soooo long. I mean just look at all those colours and pretty buildings! That is certainly not something that us British folk are used to! I know that it would be an experience like one I have never had before – different climates, foreign attitudes and intriguing cultures. And of course the most delicious FOOD! Let’s be honest – the food alone is a pretty good reason to go to Morocco.
Which places are on your Travel Bucket List for 2016 and why?
Happy New Year! Bonne Année! Feliz Año Nuevo!
I hope you had a fabulous New Year’s Eve – whether it was a quiet night in, a wild night sending you to bed at the wee hours of this morning or a little bougie after a few too many glasses of Prosecco, it is all a good way to enter 2016. I had a lovely dinner at home with Lewis, joined some friends for drinks at their apartment, watched the fireworks at the beach and then was in bed by 2am after wandering through Barcelona’s buzzing streets. Perfect.
I am not generally one for setting new year’s resolutions but I have found it really useful to look back on the past year – which has had some extreme highs and extreme lows – and recognise my own achievements and set some realistic (and big dreamer) goals for 2016.
MY 2015 ACHIEVEMENTS
1. I changed my blog look and bought my own domain name.
This is something that I had wanted to do for a long time but, typical me, I put it off. Finally in September I got round to it and I feel that this has given my blog and I a new confidence boost!
2. I moved from Paris to Barcelona and started learning Spanish.
This was a pretty big deal for me. I had been putting off and putting off leaving Paris for over a year because it really is just my favourite place in the world. I am glad I made the change and I am proud of settling into a new city and picking up Spanish so quickly. My heart still does lie in Paris and with French though!
3. I worked with some amazing bloggers and brands.
The big one for me this year was continuing my relationship with Motel Rocks and being able to represent them at Paris Fashion Week twice this year.
4. I travelled a lot as well as spending the year living abroad.
After years of wanting to go, I finally went to Sweden this year and loved it! So my kind of place and gave me the Scandi-bug! I also explored France more including Brittany and Lyon, which was lovely.
5. My relationship is still going strong after nearly eight years together.
He is my rock and the one thing that makes me truly happy.
MY 2016 GOALS
1. Continue to work hard on my blog content and social media channels.
I want to improve my quality and quantity of content, including having some (but not exclusively) regular set times of posting so you guys know when to check back here for new posts. I hope to improve my photography to have cleaner and brighter imagery.
2. Increase my blog readership and work towards the goal of full time blogging.
I know that blogging is not all about numbers but when you are working so hard on content, you want it to get seen! Blogging full time is a BIG goal but a girl has got to dream eh?
3. Get a job in an industry I am passionate about.
I am done with working shitty customer service jobs and I want to find my calling this year. Wish me luck!
4. Get to a decent level in Spanish.
I love learning languages so I need to knuckle down and do some serious self-study. I am not being just another Brit living in Spain who cannot speak the language!
5. T R A V E L! And also move to Canada/Berlin/London/back to Bristol.
Travel is my big passion (other than fashion) and I want to see new places this year. I am actually going to do a 2016 Travel Bucketlist next week so look out for that. As for moving, Barcelona is great but we are not staying long. A couple of months ago we managed to get Canadian visas so moving to Canada is a real once-in-a-lifetime possibility! Otherwise I would love to live in Berlin or settle back in the UK in London and Bristol and finally get a cat. We will see!
6. Live more in the moment, stop worrying and take some god damn risks.
I have not spoken a lot about this but I am the world’s biggest worrier and have the occasional severe anxiety episodes. I want to live for the now, not worry about the future and push myself in 2016.
7. Go on a yoga retreat.
I love yoga. It is my therapy from all my worries and I had already started working extremely hard on my practice towards the end of 2015. I want to keep learning and I would love to go on a yoga retreat away from technology and worries.
8. Start a YouTube channel?
Having dabbled in YouTube for my job in Paris, I think this year might be the year that I take the plunge and start my own channel. Hell, I may even shoot my first video today! I feel that YouTube is a lot more personal and I would like to connect more with you guys!
So there you have it! My 2015 achievements and 2016 goals! What do you think of them and are any of yours similar!
Parce que c’est bien de ne pas prendre soi-même au sérieux. Parce que c’est génial de pouvoir rigoler à soi-même. Parce que c’est bien de vous montrer la côté non-glamour de la vie d’une bloggeuse et les photos qui ne sont pas prises pour la vraie poste. Voilà mes chutes préférées de 2015 – les beaux, les moches et les super bizarres.