There is no denying that 2016 was a tumultuous one. However in our household it was also a good one. We had a sunny week in Cornwall, a rainy week in Tenerife, and lots of lovely days out and weekends spent in our PJs. Rich and I both started new jobs and Lyra even had her first ever taste of responsibility as flower girl. And most excitingly, we found out she was going to be a big sister. You can read more about that here.
So, as you can imagine, I’m hoping 2017 will live up to its predecessor. So far, it’s looking good. My January is shaping up as follows…
- I’m going to be joining Charlotte, Lauren, Lolly and Lottie on a photography course ran by Chikae Okishima-Howland. In November Lauren and I went on her flower arranging workshop and I learnt such a lot, so I’ve got high hopes for this one too.
- When I was expecting Lyra I went to a pregnancy yoga class where I met six lovely ladies who I’m still in touch with. At some point in January we’re going to take the kids on a soft play date. I’m just hoping my bump will fit through the tunnels.
- Slightly more rock and roll is a dinner date with Mrs O’Shea and our other halves. Last time we went out, a lot of champagne was drunk and I’m pretty sure I was trying to convince Charlotte to hold the next Rock My meeting at a Britney concert in Las Vegas.
- I’m typing this in our study which will soon be turned into a nursery. I cannot wait to start properly planning furniture, room layout, colour schemes etc. I can see myself spending a lot of time on Pinterest in the new year and hopefully finding a bargain or two in the January sales.
- This is the big one. We are heading to Dubai for a long weekend as our last holiday together as a family of three. We’ve never been away during the winter but always fancied it. I’ve heard good things about the shopping and plan on hitting the likes on West Elm and Pottery Barn hard. If anyone has any recommendations of other interiors shops within the mammoth malls of Dubai, I’m all ears.
What have you got planned for the first month of 2017? Hope it’s a good one! x
I’d love to hear about your trip to Dubai, particularly where you stay with a toddler as we’d like to go with our little boy in the new year! Enjoy your January!
We are staying at the Anantara Anna, will let you know what it’s like x
Sounds fab Lisa – we went to dubai in November and absolutely loved it! Unfortunately although there are definitely lots of shops it is SO EXPENSIVE! Not sure if it’s just the fx is bad at the moment or always like that but the shopping we did was definitely of the window variety! Does mean you can justify indulging at the airport before you leave though 🙂
Yey this has got me excited Emma! X
Your January sounds fab! Rather envious of your trip to Dubai. Next month for me will mark the arrival of our new puppy. I can’t wait! No January blues here!
Ahh Lucy how lovely! Can you please bring the pup to Rock My Towers for cuddles? My friend bought her little girl a cockapoo for Christmas. SO cute x
Most definitely! He is a cavapoochon so very similar to your friend’s cockapoo. Just a smaller teddy bear lookalike. X
Actually just squealed after googling cavapoochon ?. Too too cute x
Love Dubai! I used to work on a cruise ship that sailed out of there so got to go every week for a couple of months, and we have friends who live there. While visiting them we actually got engaged on a dhow at the Madinat so it’s a very special place for us. Definitely visit Atlantis on the Palm to see the aquarium and go to the water park. The fountains at the Dubai Mall are a must, if you can go at sunset it’s extra special. The view from the top of the Burj Khalifa is awesome, again sunset is a good time and it’s right beside the fountains so can do both at once. The metro is great, cheap and efficient. There’s masses of taxis which aren’t as cheap as they used to be but still not bad. The ski slope at Mall of the Emirates is cool to see and there’s slides and penguins for kids! You can literally turn up in shorts and t shirts and they give you all the gear. Hope you have an amazing time! Lx
Lovely memories and fab tips, thank you! ?
Hello and happy New Year! I live in Dubai so I’m happy to advise you on the shopping. Dubai Mall has Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids and West Elm on it’s ground floor, along with a huge Muji. I love Crate and Barrel, which is in Mall of the Emirates (closer to where you’re staying). There is also an interior store called The One, which is on the same stretch of the mall. All the home stores tend to be placed together. However, the current exchange rates aren’t very favorable to UK tourist. there is a shopping festival/sale until the 28th January, although these prices are far from bargains. Hopefully, you’ll still find a treasure or two! The weather at the moment is gorgeous, in fact it’s hotter than usual. The Anantara is fantastic, you won’t want to venture too far staying there. Have a ball!
Yey yey yey! (Although boo to the poor exchange rates). Thank you so much for these tips. I didn’t even know there was a Pottery Barn Kids! X