Birthday month
Friday, 4 September 2026
I actually did have a little dip at the start of the month because it felt like the best summer ever was coming to an end but that was quickly forgotten with the help of all the great people I have worked so hard to have in my life now - and of course the sunshine did continue for the most part so no need to be sad about it!
Girls Weekend at Oakley Court
Birthday month started strong, waking up extremely peacefully in the Windsor countryside with Alexandra. We had a lovely weekend away at Oakley Court.
Painting by numbers
I spent a lot of time at home with my arts and crafts during the dark winter nights, and in an attempt to bring our winter activity into the sun, Paige and I have spent the month taking Amazon specials to the pub to paint whilst we have our Friday afternoon drinks in the beer garden!
Skating
I managed to go skating a couple of times this month which was nice and something I really miss having access to! Paige decided she wanted to try quad skates so we had a fun afternoon picking them out at the shop and going straight to Hyde park from there.
Battersea Power Station also had a pop up rink so we checked that out too!
BBQ
I finally had my first BBQ of the year, and maybe my only by the looks of it now! At least I managed one before the summer was out. Being home also meant I got to hang out with my parents and Molly. Plus my mum did my nails for my birthday!
Well Crafted events
I helped Alexandra out at a few more events this month, and our first one in Chiswick! It was a paper flower crafts night at High Road house and the space was my favourite of all the events I've been to with her. We arrived early to set up and have some food (wine and steak tartare have become tradition). It was a small private room with a big table and with the windows open, it was bright and airy, overlooking the high street; a lovely place to spend a summers evening. Also, the pretty bunch of sunflowers she got for my birthday!
Pints of Knowledge
I have been wanting to go to one of these for months. The last one I bought a ticket for got moved to (scary) East London so when I saw it being repeated more locally, again in Chiswick, I got myself another ticket. It actually fell on the same day as the eclipse, which as timing allowed, I was able to watch before heading inside.
The talk was called "Kinks and Connection: A Scientific Guide to Sex and Relationships” by Dr. Ashley Brown and I feel like I learnt a whole lot about communication within a relationship. It very much did reinforce all the issues I have come up against in the past. If someone isn't willing to tell you how they feel or what they want, then you've got no hope.
Lots of swimming
August was hot and swimming was the only form of exercise I could manage so I made it my mission to seek out swimming pools wherever I could find! London, Windsor, Lyon, St Tropez & Monaco. Nice.
Afternoon tea
Birthday week started with afternoon tea at Raffles - one of my favourite hotels in London! I didn't take many photos, but I did drink a lot of very fancy champagne. The OWO has a crazy wine list and I was able to two two very expensive glasses. What a treat.
Yasmin
Birthday! Yay! I spent the afternoon on a sunny soho rooftop with my mum, brother and aunt. We're all big fans of middle eastern food so Yasmin was the perfect spot. We got there at midday and they didn't leave until almost 10pm!
Ekstedt at The Yard
At 6pm however, I left my family on the roof and headed to Old Scotland Yard for an incredible tasting menu at Ekstedt. Described as a Nordic fine dining, I didn't have a clue what to expect but it was all very unique and I learnt about some new cooking techniques. Stand outs were absolutely their signature flambadou oysters which we were invited into the kitchen see being made, and the Swedish candy at the end. I love a handmade jelly sweet.
South of France
Two days after my birthday, we were off on what turned out to be an incredible road trip around the South of France and Monaco. What a dreamy way to spend the my first week as a 33 year old.
Summer party
I haven't been to a house party in years but my friend decided to throw and end of summer party and it was a great send off for the sunshine! It rained all afternoon, but that didn't actually bother us all that much, we kept the vibes in the kitchen (with the snacks) and did manage to grab one group photo when the sun came out for a couple of minutes. It's been a long time since I've been in a room full of people that I don't know but I made some new friends and look forward to building on those going into the winter.
Notting Hill on Carnival Weekend
I didn't actually go to the carnival but I did visit a friend who lives in Notting Hill over the weekend and it was quite the spectacle.
Anyway, until next month!
