After spending this afternoon going through all my photos, I’m feeling so grateful for what 2019 brought me!
I won’t lie – as I write this I’m still recovering from New Year’s Eve, but nonetheless, I’m here for some reflection and reminiscing over good times.
Over the last couple of months, my posting schedule here on The Cornish Life has slowed down to a crawl. I simply haven’t been inspired to write during the final quarter of the year, after years of posting 2 – 3 times per week. I had a very busy end of the year in my website design business, which has taken up most of my time, and over the last couple of weeks I allowed myself some proper laptop-free time off work over the festive period, so those are my excuses.
I hope to get back into posting more regularly again, but I’m easing the pressure by aiming for 1 post per week. Remember, if you’d like to see more constant Cornish content, go follow me on Instagram, where I post Stories and grid posts most days :)
Anyway – let’s take a look back at 2019!
My word of the year = Focus
Each year I like to assign a word that sums it up; 2018 was ‘Balance’, and for 2019 I have chosen ‘Focus’. This is because I think the last 12 months have been my most focused to date in my business – thanks to an epic goal setting day that Olivia and I did back at the end of 2018. I’ve hit pretty much all of my goals thanks to this process!
My intention for 2020 is to be the year of ‘Growth’ – but we’ll see how that turns out!
January
- I sold my house!
This was the main headline for January 2019 – after what seemed like forever trying to sell my old house in Redruth, it finally completed in January. It was a huge relief when this happened because (as some may know already), this house had a shit load of baggages/complicated issues that came with it, and I’m so happy to close that chapter! - My second time skiing
I was pretty terrified for my second trip skiing, I won’t lie. But by the end of the week I was starting to enjoy it, and now I am super excited to go again for my third time next week!
February
- I was listed in Cornwall’s 30 Under 30 Entrepreneurs to Watch list
This was an awesome achievement and my first ever award. Thank you to everyone who nominated me :)
Read the post > - A romantic Valentine’s lunch at Hotel Tresanton
On February 14th, Alex seriously spoiled me with a surprise trip over to St. Mawes with the dogs, for lunch at Hotel Tresanton looking out to sea. Best Valentine’s day ever!
Read the post > - Sarah’s Hen Party
I travelled up to Wiltshire for my cousin Sarah’s hen party, meeting all her friends and catching up with her and my other cousin, Susie, and my sister too. It involved lots of drinking, hiking and funny games!
March
- Restaurant Launch
This year, Alex took over the restaurant at The Valley, which was very exciting. We redid the branding and had a great launch with new decor etc. We had a few issues with our chef sadly, which means we won’t be doing it again this summer, but it was a great experience nonetheless! - Sunshine at Sennen and Mousehole
Looking back over some photos, Liv and I went for an adventure down to Sennen and Mousehole one day with the dogs – it was beautiful so definitely a highlight.
Read the post > - Paul Ainsworth No. 6 Lunch
For Alex’s dad’s birthday we went and had lunch at Paul Ainsworth’s in Padstow. One of the stand-out features of our meal was the amazing dessert taster menu designed as a fairground!
Read the post > - Sarah’s wedding
Alex and I drove up to Cheltenham for Sarah’s wedding, which was such a lovely day – although I failed to take lots of pictures – oops!
April
- A treehouse stay and visit to Longleat
For Alex’s 25th birthday, I surprised him with an amazing treehouse stay. It was such a beautiful location, and on one of the days we visited Longleat (Alex had never been before and we had the best time!).
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May
- Porthleven Food Festival
We went to Kota Kai with Sharp’s Brewery to enjoy a taster menu on the Friday night, and spent Saturday sat in the sun with plenty of drinks and music during the festival.
Read the post > - Stay at Rosehill Lodges
This was one of my favourite highlights of the year. We stayed for a long weekend at Rosehill’s eco lodges, and the weather was stunning the whole time!
Read the post > - Cycling at Pentewen
We headed to Pentewen for the day as a group to cycle the paths there and explore.
Read the post > - Tunes in the Dunes
The Watering Hole’s festival on Perranporth beach is an event I always look forward to! We spent the night dancing away and taking plenty of pics.
Read the post > - Afternoon Tea at The Scarlet
Yum! If you’re after a luxurious afternoon tea for two, The Scarlet is the place to go.
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June
- My first solo spa trip
Bedruthan Hotel kindly invited me for a relaxing massage treatment and spa day, and I ended up going on my own – but really enjoying it! It’s another level of relaxing.
Read the post > - Great Estate Festival
Another of my favourite events of the year, Great Estate is always so much fun!
Read the post > - Freewave Surf Academy
This was a huge highlight! I had SO much fun learning to surf and spending the weekend doing yoga and chilling out with new friends at Widemouth Bay. HIGHLY recommended!
Read the post > - Collaboration with Basho Skincare
The lovely ladies at Basho Skincare invited me to Crantock for an evening photoshoot.
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July
- Taster Menu at Kota
Yum! Kota is one of my favourite restaurants in Cornwall, and we ended up trying the taster menu with Alex’s family in July.
Read the post > - Kayaking at Swanpool
Frankie, Niki and I made the most of the great weather and headed out to explore the coastline around Swanpool (resulting in some topless sunbathing too!).
Read the post > - Discovering a secret cove!
Frankie and I made it our mission to find a secret cove… and we found it! The water was INSANE and we had the best afternoon swimming around.
Read the post > - Sharp’s Blue Flag Beach Road Trip
One of the biggest things to happen in 2019 was my collaboration with Sharp’s for their Blue Flag Beaches road trip. We spent 3 days road tripping around the coast of Cornwall to showcase all the best beaches, doing activities along the way. It was also featured in several Cornish newspapers too.
Read the post > - Leopallooza
BEST festival of 2019 – even though it was only Frankie and I who went, we had the best time. I can’t wait to bring all our friends with us this year.
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August
- Story by the Sea at Carbis Bay
Chef Tom Sellers brought his michelin star restaurant team down to Carbis Bay for a pop-up throughout the summer, and we were lucky enough to be invited to try it. Honestly one of the best meals I’ve ever had – incredible!
Read the post > - Spa days and puppy beach times with Susie
My cousin Susie came down to visit with her puppy, Percy. We celebrated her recent engagement with a lovely spa day at Fistral Hotel and Spa, and took Percy for his first ever beach trip!
Read the post > - A home-made Boardmasters
In 2019, Boardmasters festival was cancelled the night before it was set to begin due to awful weather. But this didn’t stop us! We created our own campsite and ended up partying the weekend away in Newquay instead.
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September
- We found a shipwreck!
Down by Sennen, we spent the day hunting for a famous shipwreck and laughing at Land’s End.
Read the post > - Baking workshop at Bedruthan
I was kindly invited along on a baking workshop at Bedruthan hotel, and had the best time making new friends and learning a totally new skill.
Read the post > - A visit to the Isles of Scilly
Frankie and I went on an amazing press trip the Isles of Scilly – something I’ve always wanted to do! I’ve been before lots as a kid and it was very nostalgic.
Read the post > - Paris for my 25th birthday!
Alex well and truly out-did himself and surprised me with a trip to Paris for my birthday. I had no idea until we were at Exeter airport and he told me – it was as romantic as it sounds.
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October
- A stay at Una in St. Ives
We were invited to stay at Una in St. Ives, and had a super relaxing couple of days chilling out in our lodge and by the pool.
Read the post > - A wonderful massage by Home Spa Cornwall
My first ever at-home massage was amazing! Would highly recommend this for a super chilled out evening.
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November
- A Stay at Pengelly Retreat
We stayed in a beautiful lake house for a tranquil escape to Pengelly retreat, and had the most peaceful time you could imagine.
Read the post > - I hit my income goal!
At the beginning of 2019 I set myself an income goal for my business and I’m proud to say I hit it in October, November and December! Really hoping I can keep this up for 2020…
December
- Christmas festive dinner at Star and Garter
Star and Garter kindly invited us to try their festive menu with a group of other press and bloggers – it was delicious and lots of fun to have a Christmas party (you don’t normally get one when you work for yourself!).
Read the post > - A Stay at The Alverton Hotel
We had a wonderful stay and delicious dinner at The Alverton in December, in the most epic room!
Post coming next week! - Time off with family over Christmas
It was so nice to actually take some proper time off without looking at my laptop over the last week or so. I rarely do this and it was the perfect way to end the year. - Masked Ball New Year’s Eve
This is what I am recovering from today! Based at Hotel California in Newquay, the night was so much fun – so I can’t complain too much.
Looks like an amazing year 😁