One Sparkly Life

A belated post wrapping up the year that was 2014. I mentioned it a little previously that 2014 started well but July to Dec was a pretty challenging time for me and my family all round. From work pressure and family grief by the time 31 Dec rolled around I was more than happy to say goodbye. On reflection there were some happy points but the last 6 months have been one big stress. I learned a lot about myself, my colleagues, my family and my friends along the way. I learnt to listen to my inner voice and trust myself.  I also learnt that your true friends will be there for you through these times and that some people have their own agenda and will step on anyone in their way. That was a hard lesson for me to learn as I trust people and believe in their good nature all the time. I am by no means "pollyanna" about things but I do believe that people are inherently good and not evil. This last year has shown me evil side of human nature. A side of some people I never thought ...

Happy New Year! Here's hoping you all had a fabulous start to 2015 and said goodbye to last year in a way that made sense to you. Before the posts about reviewing goals and and making new ones, I thought I would squeeze in a review of what my December looked it. Or at leaf the part that ended up in photos. A snapshot of the month that that was for you. Inspiration - Blanc de Blanc - White Dinner in Paris The Xmas Tree this year Summer sunsets on the balcony Homemade Honeycomb & Chocolate IceCream The drinks table at our holiday drinks Brunch - my favourite meal of the day Xmas baking - Choc & Cranberry Panforte Nan's recipe Lemon Curd Quick & Easy Raspberry Jam The finished gingerbread people ready for Xmas Xmas hampers for 2014 Fruit Mince pies The post Xmas lunch food coma Discovering Nan's original UK recipes The last sunset of 2014 Happy New Year from the balcony. I...

I nearly deleted this post a few times but thought what does it matter? You guys don't judge and there is a certain cathartic feeling of being able to share while holding some anonymity. So here goes…. This year is flying by. It seems that like everyone else, the older I get the faster the time goes past. I also realise more often how important it is to surround yourself with good people and do things that bring you happiness. Too much of the last 12 months have seen me stressed and upset. This time last year were joyous with news of me being pregnant. Though a  few short weeks later I had a miscarriage and things changed. I rode the tumultuous ups and downs in my job, took a wonderful break to the USA and came back to more craziness at work than one person should ever handle. Jumping out of that frying pan it feels I landed directly into the fire with my new role. Now the process of figuring out whether to get out or ride it out begins again. Phew. Bring on the end of the year a...