Showing posts with label New Year. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Year. Show all posts

Hello 2016!

Sunday, 3 January 2016

Hi everybody and welcome to the first Berrysmiles blog post for 2016!

I always love the start of a new year as it does feel like a fresh start. Everything that happened in the past 12 months is now fully in the past and you've got a full new 12 months to look forward to. It feels different, even though it is just the start of another normal day. With the build up to the new year and since it's turned 2016 I've been thinking about the year ahead, what I want to achieve and what my plans are and I'm hear today to share them all with you. So here goes...

January to March

I'm very excited for the first three months of the year. Although work is going to be busy, and I have an exam coming up in March, there's some fun stuff happening too. I'm starting a new contemporary dance class this week which I'm really looking forward to. I love contemporary dance and can't wait to meet some new people and learn some new technique. It's also my Dad's and Mum's birthdays in the first 3 months of the year. We're already beginning to plan the celebrations for my Dad's birthday which I'm really looking forward to, and I'm sure we'll end up with something exciting for my Mum's too when we get to it. It's also Valentines day coming up and I'm hoping to do a couple of posts in the lead up with some ideas and inspirations for dates, presents and food. And finally, to finish off the first quarter of the year, I'm heading off to see Shane Filan in concert with my Mum. The tickets were part of my Christmas present and I can't wait to go. His last concert was amazing.

April to June

April starts the countdown to my final CIMA exam. I'll be back at college studying again ready for the final exam in May. It's probably going to be a very quiet few months as I make sure I pass that last exam, but once it's over I get to enjoy myself. The plan is once the exams are over to go to the Harry Potter Studio Tours. Harry Potter has been such an important part of my life for so long I can't wait to go and visit the studios. I'm also hoping to do a series of tips and tricks for exams and assignment writing as I know a lot of readers out there will be going through some really important exams around this time.

July to September

I love this time of year as it's summer and that means it's my birthday! I'll be 25 this year....which is a very scary thought. It's also Omar's birthday a few weeks before mine which means we get double celebrations. But firstly we have to survive July which is when I find out the results to my CIMA case study exam. I'll either be delighted or devastated! Fingers crossed for the first one and then I'm free. I'm also thinking about having a little trip to Leeds in the summer for a dance summer school. I love the idea of a week long intensive learning technique and routines but it's all dependent on cash and being able to get the time off work at the moment. I've also got some ideas planned for some blog posts on life after university and what to expect when starting university.

October to December

This seems so long away now but I'm sure it'll come around quickly. At the moment I have no confirmed plans, I'll be just getting ready for the build up to Christmas. It'll be mine and Omar's 6 year anniversary in November, we didn't get to celebrate our 5th anniversary very much last year as there was so much else going on, so hopefully we'll be able to celebrate this year. And it's also my best friend's birthday in November too, so another celebration to look forward too. If I get myself organised, I'd love to participate in Blogmas this year. I really enjoyed reading everyone else's blogs and have some ideas I'd love to do for this Christmas.

* * *

As I said the other day, 2015 wasn't a good year for me but I have learnt a lot, and I want to carry some of what I learnt forward into 2016. I want to stop putting myself under so much pressure and getting so worked up over everything. 2015 taught me it's ok to admit that things are getting too much, and to ask for help rather than struggling through. I want to make sure that I keep pushing myself to achieve more, but that I don't let people take advantage of my willingness to do more and to help.

In 2016, I want to achieve everything on my 25 things list and I want to enjoy myself. I want to get back into my gym routine and healthy eating that I did so well with last summer and get back feeling confident and comfortable in my body. I want to save some money to be able to afford nice new things for my house, but not restrict myself by missing out on things with my friends and family. I want to read more books, see my films and catch up on all my TV shows.

I want to grow my blog over the next 12 months, build up my following, post more regularly and come up with some new content. I want to be more engaged in social media and start to interact a lot more with my readers. I have some ideas for content already in the pipeline, and I've shared some of them above, but if there's anything you would like me to blog about, please let me know in the comments below.

* * *

So 2016, we've got a lot to do this year. Let's work together and have a good year. Let's make this one of the best years we've had.

Sarah x

Goodbye 2015!

Thursday, 31 December 2015


As far as years go, 2015 is one I'll be glad to say goodbye to. There's been some good points; my holiday to France in the summer was amazing (you can read all about it here). The sun, the heat, the relaxation, the sights. I'd go back in a heartbeat! I've also gotten to try out some new things like Pointe and pole dancing, and I've got to see Wicked and Les Miserables on stage. Two shows I've wanted to see for a long time. I also got a weekend away in London so after 24 years of living in the UK I can finally say I've visited my capital city.

But there's been some low points too. Failing my exam was definitely one of them. I've never failed anything in my life before, so this came as a shock to me is something I didn't cope well with. Work making the changes it did, and the impact that has had on everything else has made this year very difficult and on occasions, very overwhelming. But by far the worst thing in 2015 was losing my Grandad. Not being at home meant it came quite out of the blue  and took a long time to come to terms with. He was a big part of my childhood and it's very weird to think he's not around anymore.

The things I've been through this year, both good and bad, have taught me a lot and I've had to grow as a person to cope with some of them. It hasn't been easy, and at times I have wanted to throw in the towel and give up on some things, but I've persevered and come out at fighting at the other end. I may not have enjoyed you 2015, and I am glad to see you go, but I just need to say 'thank you' for all that I've learnt. Goodbye!

Sarah x

Resolution Roundup

Tuesday, 29 December 2015


Hi everyone! Sorry it's been so long since my last post, the world outside of blogging has been pretty intense and I was forced to take a break for a little while. But I'm back today hoping you'll all forgive me, and with a little Resolution Roundup for you all!

This time last year I set myself some New Year Resolutions, and to be honest I haven't really revisited them since. So we're well overdue a progress up date on them.

To get fit and healthy

This was definitely a very cliche resolution to make. I wonder how many other people made this resolution and how many actually achieved it?

I must admit, I probably didn't do too badly with this. I had spells where I was really good, kept up exercising regularly and ate healthily, but there were other spells where I was really naughty. I suppose that happens to even the best of us. I can't complain though, I did loose weight and drop a dress size, and I do feel a lot better in myself because of it. Just need to get back into my good spell again and keep it up for as long as I can.

Pass 4 more CIMA exams

Woo, this one I achieved! But it wasn't easy by any means. I finished off my final 2 management level exams by May 2015 and sat the first of my strategic level ones in September. All passed on the first attempt. The second strategic one I sat I wasn't so lucky with. I failed on the first attempt. BY ONE MARK! I still haven't got over that even if it was over 2 months ago. But on the second attempt I passed.

In total now that's 9 exams down (4 in 2015) and only 2 more to go! My aim of completing my qualification before turning 25 and ticking it off my list is on track.

Make more effort on my blog and in the blogging world

For the most part of the year, I did quite well on this. I was post regularly. I give my blog a whole new look. I came up with some new content ideas. I did more promoting and interacting through social media. I participated in some blogger chats. I worked with a few brands. I was getting there. And then work and exams became overpowering and blogging took a major back step. This is the one thing that isn't on my 25 before 25 list that I'd like to carry forward into next year. Make more effort with my blog. Even if it's just regular posting (once a fortnight at least) and keep my social media going. Then I don't feel as bad if work does get too much and I have to take a break. Lets see how it goes.

Read more books

Not including college books, I read 12 books this year. I achieved my goal!!!! The books I've read are: My Side of Life by Shane Filan, Now and Then by Brenda Rothert, Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes by Denise Grover Swank, The Homecoming Masquerade by SpencerBaum, The Festival of the Moon by Spencer Baum, The Rose Ransom by SpencerBaum, The Bonding Ritual by Spencer Baum, Looking for Alaska by John Green, Off Balance by Terez Mertes Rose, GoneGirl by Gillian Flynn, Paper Towns by John Green, Turning Pointe by Katherine Locke. I really need to learn to start doing my book reviews as soon as I've finished reading something. I did a few, and I've linked them above if you're interested, but I didn't get round to the others. I should really catch up on them all.

* * *

I'm not setting myself any resolutions for 2016 as I'm still working my way through my 25 things before 25 list. But there will be a new post within the next week or so welcoming in 2016 and detailing some of my plans for the New Year. I hope you'll all stick around to enjoy them with me.

Happy New Year to you all, and thanks for putting up with my recent absence.

Love Sarah x

The Year Behind and The Year Ahead

Wednesday, 31 December 2014

Well here we are, at the end of 2014. It's crazy how quickly this year has gone! It feels like a complete blur with work projects and college keeping me occupied for a large proportion of it. But, I've had some good moments this year, and some not so good moments.

To say 'Goodbye' to 2014 and 'Hello' to 2015, I thought it'd be nice to do recap moments from 2014 in pictures, and a 2015 resolution post.

Moments from 2014

1. Participated in my first dance show in over 8 years - such an amazing feeling being back on stage
2. Said 'Goodbye' to my beautiful little girl - such a sad day, I miss her!
3. Got to see Shane Filan on his first solo UK tour - such a great concert
4. Spent a lovely day at Hardwick Park with Omar
5.  Finally got my flat keys and moved into my first home
6. Had a relaxing holiday at the Lake District - wish I was back there!
7. Lovely birthday meal with Chris - even better when you get a tasty free drink
8. Said 'Hi' to a Penguin - I want one!
9. Passed 5 CIMA exams - only 6 more to go.

2015 Resolutions

To get fit and healthy

A very cliche resolution, I know, but it's one I think I should have. I've been discussing summer holiday plans already and this year I'd like to lie by the pool in a bikini and not be hiding my tummy under a swimming costume or baggy t-shirt. I'm not going to starve myself, I'm going to be good, eat healthy and exercise more.

Pass 4 more CIMA exams

I want to complete CIMA by summer 2016 and to do so I need to pass at least 4 exams in 2015. It's al lot of work but it'll all be worth it in the end.

Make more effort on my blog and in the blogging world.

My blog will be one in February, I can't believe it's been nearly a year since I started blogging. I started with very good intentions with blogging but some writers block, and busy times meant I lost motivation, and readers as a result. To those of you who've hung around, I really appreciate your support. I want to build up my blog in 2015, get more involvement in the blogging world and confidence in myself with what I'm writing.

Read more books

When I was younger I used to read, a lot, but since I got to uni reading took a back step. In 2014 I've read more than I probably have in a good few years, but 2015 I want to read even more. I'm aiming for 12 this year, which may not seem much, but it's achievable around college and work.

Thanks to everyone who made this year special, and here's hoping next year will be even better!

Sarah x