2023│The Highlights

Happy New Year Everyone!

The new year is almost here and I can't quite believe how quickly this past year has gone, mentally I'm still in summer sipping cocktails on a beach somewhere (or at least I wish I was). 2023 was a year I walked into feeling inspired but also apprehensive and now looking back I can say it's been a year of adventure, new friendships and plenty of fun!

This year saw me travel to two stunning destinations; Corfu & Ibiza, run around a Greek Island pretending I was in Mamma Mia, drink cocktails whilst watching the sunset at Cafe Mambo, celebrate Eurovision coming to Liverpool, watch some amazing musicals and of course, finally see Peter Kay live! All of which I did with the most beautiful group of people who I feel so lucky to call my friends.

Tonight I'll be welcoming in the new year with my family, friends and a glass of gin. I'm feeling quite positive and grateful about the year ahead and I'm hopeful that it's going to be a lovely year, but for now here are some of my highlights of 2023!

The 1975 At Their Very Best

I started the year with one of my favourite bands; The 1975. My friend Hannah and I booked some last minute tickets to go and see them on their At Their Very Best tour in Liverpool and they were amazing, as they always are. They played songs from their new album as well as some of their most loved tracks from previous albums, and to be quite honest I can't actually believe they've been around for 10 years!? We sang and danced the whole show. They really are at their very best. 

Puppy Yoga

The following week my lovely friend Chloe and I booked onto a Puppy Yoga class in Liverpool. I know this may be a controversial one to include with the bad press these classes have received in recent months, however from our experience the puppies were looked after, they had water at all times and they weren't forced to socialise if they didn't want to. It was such a lovely afternoon, we grabbed a coffee before the class and then had the most amazing yoga session whilst the puppies ran around the room, some wanting to play and others just wanting to cuddle. However if one saw their friend enjoying a cuddle then you were guaranteed a puppy pile on! I'm a complete yoga novice and the class was so easy to follow, both Chloe and I left feeling happier and incredibly zen. 

Theatre Trips & Musicals

And so the theatre trips for 2023 begin!

February and March saw me take a few trips to the theatre (3 to be exact) so I thought I'd compile them into one highlight as they were all at the Liverpool Empire. 

The first show I went to see was Bugsy Malone which was a High School favourite of mine and one of the first shows I watched that really made me want to pursue acting whilst at school. The production was amazing, exactly how I remember it with all the classic costumes and songs and of course the cream pies! 

Following on with the High School theme, a few weeks later I went to see a production of An Inspector Calls, the play we all remember from our English GCSE exam. I remember being hooked when I first read the play in Year 11, so ten years later I just had to go and see it live. It was incredible to see the characters come to life and the whole show was captivating; my inner English Literature and Drama student was very happy!

Then at the end of March, Mum and I went to see The Bodyguard and as a huge Whitney fan I had very high expectations. Despite having people around us who clearly knew nothing about theatre etiquette and sang their way through the entire show, it was actually really good. The vocals were on point, the costumes were gorgeous and in some parts the show was actually quite scary (if you know, you know).

Eurovision

Hello Liverpool, this is Eurovision calling!

I'm sorry but how did my home city host the biggest song contest in the world!? There was such a buzz about the city and it was so heartwarming to see so many different nationalities fall in love with the place we call home. In the weeks leading up to Eurovision I think everyone was just trying to soak up every last bit of the atmosphere because it truly was a party. I was gutted that I didn't manage to get tickets but the girls and I got together and had our own Eurovision themed 'bring a board party' and we had the best night! Although I still think Belgium should've won.

A Thong For Europe

Continuing nicely with the Eurovision theme, Mum and I went to see A Thong For Europe at The Royal Court in Liverpool. It was absolutely hilarious, just pure Eurovision joy! It's also the first show I've ever seen at The Royal Court and it's such a gorgeous little theatre who really do host some of the best productions. I wasn't joking when I said Liverpool really got into the Eurovision spirit! 

My 26th Birthday

Don't even ask me how I'm 26 because I really don't know, I still only feel 22! 

I had such a lovely day celebrating my birthday, we had gorgeous weather and my family and friends made me feel so special. I started the day by volunteering at my local Dementia Group who treated me to a lovely card and birthday cake, then Mum and I called for a spot of lunch before having a BBQ with my family in the evening and enjoying the sunshine in the garden. 

Corfu

A few weeks later Chloe and I headed to Corfu for our girls holiday. It was my first time travelling in three years and what better place to go than one of the stunning Greek Islands. I've been to Corfu once before when I was younger and it's just as lovely as I remember. We spent our days exploring the Old Town, drinking cocktails at Imabari, relaxing by the pool, swimming in the sea and trying plenty of Greek cuisine. Our hotel was right next to the runway so we'd constantly have the planes flying over our head and we loved sitting at Sky Bar on an evening watching them. I was literally living my best Mamma Mia life. Corfu is truly one of the most stunning places I've ever visited and I can't wait to go back!

Mambly's 90th

At the beginning of July a very special lady celebrated her 90th birthday. My lovely Mambly had such a gorgeous day celebrating with the family and her meal of choice was, of course, fish and chips. Although she still refuses to believe that she's 90 and refers to herself as 89+1.

Soul In The Park

A little known fact about me is that I was brought up on soul music and it's one of my favourite genres to listen to, this is why I can never choose a favourite type of music as I listen to such a variety it would be impossible for me to pick just one. In summer Mum and I went to the Soul in the Park event which is a big soul music party held at a hotel and every function room plays a different type of soul music. We had such a fun evening dancing to some of our favourite songs and it was one of my favourite days of the year!

Barbie

It was the big decision of the summer; Barbie or Oppenheimer? In absolutely no surprise to anyone, I chose Barbie. I mean who wouldn't want to have their own Dream House and can we just take a moment to appreciate her wardrobe! The girls and I had a Sunday roast at Alberts Schloss before watching Barbie at the Everyman Cinema in Liverpool and it was such a gorgeous day, the film was SUBLIME!

Ibiza

Two holidays in one year? Who do I think I am! 

In September Chloe and I decided to book a very last minute holiday to Ibiza and I think it's the best decision we've ever made. I can't even begin to tell you how much I loved this holiday and how much I've fallen in love with the island. It truly is the most spectacular place, we hadn't been there an hour and we'd already decided that we were coming back next year. I've always wanted to watch the sunset from Cafe Mambo and it was more stunning than I could have ever imagined. From drinking cocktails at sunset, to exploring Ibiza Old Town, to sunbathing on rooftop bars, I can honestly say Ibiza is one of my favourite destinations ever and gave me some of my favourite memories of the year!

The Body Shop Events

I've been lucky enough to be invited to some lovely events with The Body Shop this year and I still pinch myself every time they ask me to attend. I've met some of the most amazing people and made some gorgeous new friends who are literally just the most supportive girls you could ever meet. I feel so lucky to be able to work alongside some of the most talented bloggers and amazing brands.

A Scouse Panto

Then it was officially Panto season!

And what better way to start the festive season than with A Scouse Dick Whittington at The Royal Court. It's the first scouse panto I've ever seen and it definitely wont be the last. It was hilarious from start to finish, even though it's the most bizzare panto I think I've ever seen!

Bents

In the middle of November, Mum and I did our annual festive trip to Bents Garden Centre which is quite possibly the most festive garden centre in the world (and that's not an exaggeration). Christmas officially started this year with the Panto and then a trip to Bents a few days later and the decor this year is as gorgeous as ever. We had a mooch around all the festive displays, grabbed a hot chocolate at the Christmas Market and then treated ourselves to some new advent candles which is a tradition in our house.

Peter Kay Live

At the start of December, it was finally time to go and see Peter Kay live!

Liv and I have been waiting for over a year to go to his show and he was as hilarious as ever. I don't want to say too much as I know people have tickets to go and see him in 2025 but all I will say is that you're in for a treat and it's so worth the wait!

The Light Before Christmas

Last year, Mum and I attended The Light Before Christmas at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral and we loved it so much that we booked tickets again this year. This time the show was called The Light Before Christmas: The Manger and it was just as stunning as the previous year. The cathedral walls became a canvas for the different light displays as the magical sounds surrounded you; from the Christmas story, to A Christmas Carol, to Father Christmas himself making a special appearance, it was just pure magic. I think this is going to be another one of our festive traditions.

Festive Celebrations

December has been filled with plenty of festive celebrations, from Christmas meals and Christmas Markets, to impromptu nights out and festive shopping trips. I feel so lucky and so grateful to have spent this year with some of the most amazing people and to have celebrated the festive season with them all.

The Wizard Of Oz

My final theatre trip of the year took us to the merry old land of Oz. A few weeks ago Mum and I found ourselves back at the Liverpool Empire to see The Wizard of Oz and we absolutely loved it. I used to be obsessed with Dorothy when I was younger, she was my go to character for World Book Day, so my inner child was having the best time. The show starred Aston Merrygold as the Tinman and The Vivienne as the Wicked Witch of the West, both of whom were incredible in their roles. It was such a lighthearted production and such a lovely show to watch.

Family & Friends

2023 has had some amazing moments but it's also had its challenges too. I've made memories to last a lifetime and I know that's mostly thanks to the gorgeous, supportive, wonderful group of people I have around me; from friends who will get up and sing karaoke without a care in the world, to the lovely new friends I've made this year, to my own family who show me so much love every single day. I will never be able to express my gratitude and love for you all. 

From the theatre trips and soul parties with my Mum, to the rugby chats with my Dad, to singing Sinatra with my Mambly, to all the cuddles and walkies with Buster, to booking spontaneous holidays and having cocktails with the girls. These amazing people have truly been part of my happiest memories this year and I couldn't have got through the year without them.

Overall, it's been another crazy but lovely year. It's had its highs, its lows and challenges along the way but we made it and I'm proud of us. I've travelled to the most beautiful places, seen some amazing shows, met some lovely new friends and I'm thankful that my family, friends and I are entering 2024 healthy and happy. It's been a lovely year and I know I've got a lot to be grateful for. I'm hopeful that 2024 will be another good one.

I hope you have a fantastic New Year and that 2024 is filled with happiness, success and love!

Lots of Love,

Meg x