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Reminiscing on a busy but brilliant 2019

I really can’t believe this is my last column of the year. I feel extremely elderly when I say this but I just have to say: ‘where did that year go?’ 2019 has been a good if not super busy year so I’m quite pleased that this week I have been really winding down, and dare I say, almost putting my feet up.

I kind of feel like my Christmas holidays have come early this year as I finished up the last of my personal shopping clients last week.

People are always surprised that I don’t have clients up until the last minute or for the sales after Christmas, but really, it’s not an ideal time to be in the shops. Especially if you want to have a relaxing styling session with someone.

Really, November is my crazy time and the first week of December, so I like to take this time to rest after a very busy year and recharge myself ready to get out there and meet my clients once January hits.

I haven’t been in the shops in a few days and I have to say, while it’s kind of strange, it’s also nice to have some time away.

I’ve been catching up on paperwork, doing end of year reports and planning events and projects for the new year and generally just pottering around my office at home taking numerous coffee breaks and bringing Blanche for countless walks.

While I’m someone who loves this time of year, I have to admit I wasn’t feeling very festive and that’s probably because I’m normally so used to the festive buzz around town but thankfully my mother, who is an excellent decorator and all round festive fan, came and decorated my mantlepiece for me. I’m ashamed to admit I was considering not putting any decorations up this year but I think that’s more to do with the fact that we are renovating and the location of all the decorations I’ve been collecting over the years is unknown. So really, I’m very lucky that Mam came to the rescue on that one.

In much the same way it happens every year, it really does seem like Christmas always just creeps up on us, and with mere days to go before we all sit down to eat lashings of turkey or a vegetarian alternative, if you’re so inclined, it may come as some surprise that I still have not purchased a single present.

I’m usually somewhat organised but again for some reason this year I just have not been motivated to buy anything except perhaps a few self-gifting purchases and I did buy a jar of very delicious peanut rayu for my aunt. If you haven’t tried it, I strongly urge you to give it a go but be warned once you try it once it becomes highly addictive.

Also, does anyone else come to a mental block when it comes to buying presents for men? I have now resorted to demanding Rob gives me a list of potential items that he would like. We don’t go all out with gift giving really, just a couple of items we might have our eye on, nothing too pricey at all and in general we prefer to save our money and either go on a trip or eat in a nice restaurant, so you never know, we might be planning a mini break in the near future.

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and see you in the New Year!