Is halfway through February 2025 too late to talk about my 2024 favourites? 👀
It’s taken me a while to settle into this year – anyone else relate? But I feel like I am getting there. Slooooowly. So, I’m treating the first two months of 2025 kind of like my own personal new year. One thing I do love about social media around the end of December/beginning of January, is the influx of blogs and posts about ‘faves’ and recommendations. I’m a sucker for knowing what people have read, what skincare they’ve been loving, the best place they’ve travelled to. So, slightly late, let’s get into mine!
Books 📚
Lessons in Chemistry – Bonnie Garmus
Reading this in January 2024, it set the bar for all the other books I read in 2024. The novel was driven, full of complex (and sometimes, unlikeable) characters, and managed to divulge what it was like to be a successful woman of the nineteen sixties whilst still feeling fresh and relevant today.
A Court of Thrones and Roses (series) – Sarah J Maas
If I’m reading fantasy, I’m a traditional fantasy type of girl – I love me some Middle-Earth and Lord of the Rings. And romance novels? I’m always found them to be so meh, so boring. But to my complete and utter surprise, I really enjoyed ACOTAR! For me, the charm was all in the world building and the expansive characters; characters that didn’t always make good decisions and grew with each novel. Give me the next book NOW please.
I Am I Am I Am: Seventeen Brushes with Death – Maggie O’Farrell
Of course I was going to like this book. It’s a triple whammy – a memoir, all about health, and is named after my favourite quote from The Bell Jar. As a child growing up with a chronic illness and life-threatening allergy, to living as an adult whilst collecting more along the way, this book resonated with me in a way so very few have. The novel is mainly about the author’s seventeen near death experiences, and whilst I haven’t racked up quite that number, I felt I had a soul sister on the page.
Culture 🎨
Spirited Away – London Coliseum
Being a big fan of Studio Ghibli films and a huge theatre nerd, I am here for the Ghibli stage adaptations. I saw the Barbican’s production of My Neighbour Totoro back in 2023 and jumped at the chance to see the adaptation of Spirited Away. This show was a master class in puppetry, costuming, and movement, all whilst maintaining the nostalgic, hopeful, and sometimes eerie nature of the film.
Jesus Christ Superstar – touring production at Wales Millennium Centre
With my mum and my husband in tow, I was lucky enough to see the touring production of Jesus Christ Superstar. It’s easy to go either big-traditional-Bible-togas or full sex, drugs, and rock n roll with this musical, so I was excited to watch a production with a different spin. There was plenty of movement through performance and simple but amaaaazing set choices. Mixed with impeccable vocals for one of the hardest sings in showbiz, what a night out.
Sargent and Fashion – Tate Britain
I got to see one of my favourite ever paintings in real life. From a tattered copy of MacBeth I owned as a teen, I ended up smitten with John Singer Sargent’s Ellen Terry as Lady MacBeth. The Tate Britain held a ‘Sargent and Fashion’ exhibition where many of his works were presented with the outfits that inspired them. So as an early birthday treat from my husband, I got to see my favourite painting up close and personal, alongside the famous gown that she wears. Yes, I did cry. No, I am not ashamed.
Experiences 🌲
Northern Lights
Like a lot of the UK in 2024, I had my first experience with the Northern Lights. When the night sky was illuminated, I was really unwell with my endometriosis. So, my husband bundled me into the car with blankets and drove me around Hampshire to find them. Just magical.
Gladstone’s Library – North Wales
Staying overnight in a library? Writing for days on end? Exploring a historical town with my mum? My time at Gladstone’s Library has been one of my life highlights, not just a 2024 highlight. (PS I’ve already got a post up all about my experience!)
Pumpkin Time
We love a little tradition! In the autumn, my husband and I went pumpkin picking with our friends and their beautiful dog, Bucky. We all ended up moving to the same town and ever since then, it’s become a tradition. We got a wheelbarrow full of pumpkins for carving and for eating – pure, wholesome fun.
Place 📍
Tall Trees Trail – New Forest
After having my second surgery of the year, to get me out and about, my husband made sure we went on walks to keep my strength up. At the turn of autumn, we went to one of the most beautiful places on the planet; the Tall Trees Trail at Blackwater Arboretum. I love to go there every season but it’s just so magical in the autumn, with the colours changing and the leaves falling.
Projects Store & Kitchen – Winchester
Whoops, new brunch spot unlocked! When I lived in Winchester, I used to wander around Projects all the time, looking at the knick-knacks, trying not to buy the vintage lamps. But 2024 was the first time I tried the café and I became HOOKED. The food is delicious and allergy friendly, and don’t get me started on how good the coffee is…
Robin’s Nest – Southampton
If I could shop in Robin’s Nest every day, I would. This is a gem of a vintage shop in Southampton where different stalls take over a whole warehouse. You can find almost anything you can think of in there, from old circus signs, to crystals; gardens tools, to second-hand fashion. It’s a full array of mismatched joy.
Stuff and Things ☕
Skincare
Watch out, two new products have entered the permanent roster. First up, The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser; perfect for a second cleanse. The on the moisturisers front, coming in all dewey and silky is e.l.f’s SKIN Holy Hydration! Face Cream. The best part? They are both vegan and cruelty free – heck yeah.
MyOovi
Before my laparoscopy, I would have periods/ovulation/daily pain from hell. Apart from Tramadol, the only thing that offered some relief was MyOovi. It’s a portable little TENS machine that fits in your handbag, and interrupts those pain signals. A true game changer.
Coffee machine – De’Longhi Stilosa
One of the best birthday gifts I’ve ever received? A proper coffee machine; a De’Longhi at that! I only have one coffee a day (my hormones can’t handle more than that!) but I have fallen for the ritual of coffee making in the morning. A hot, fresh, homemade latte just how I like it, paired with journaling, meditation, and gratitude – that’s how to start your day.
New fence/garden
Growing up, you don’t think that the prospect of a new fence is that exciting. As an adult, it was one of the most thrilling points of my year. I can’t take any credit for it – it was all my husband and in-laws hard work. But it does mean that our previously tattered, unusable mud heap of a back garden has turned into a tranquil space of fairy lights and firepits.
Achievements 🎉
Getting through it
My 2024 started with an emergency surgery for appendicitis. Then I was in a three month flare up of endometriosis, followed by urgent surgery to treat and diagnose said endometriosis. A few months of recovery later, and a few mental health dips, I then had another hormone problem for the autumn. But now, with 2024 behind me, I can proudly say I made in through the year. And most importantly, I am in a much better and pain-free physicality and mind set.
Making our house a home
Unfortunately, we didn’t get to complete all of our home plans this year. That’s what happens when your dynamic disability disables you, and your husband has to care for you for months on end. But between all that, we managed to turn our dim, grimy and unused dining room into a bright and cosy centre of the home. We’ve become the go to house for board game nights, and I think that is our greatest achievement yet.
Making music
Over ten years ago, my husband and I met performing music. At the start of 2024, it wasn’t anything we focused on together, and we missed it. Throughout the year, we ended up reviving our music duo, performing at my sister-in-law’s wedding, and becoming resident musicians at a hotel. The best bit? We even got to perform at the RSC as a duo. What a joy that’s been.
Getting back to my roots
I gave myself the love I needed to pick up an old hobby; am-dram. In the spring, I performed in one of my all-time favourite musicals, Legally Blonde, as Enid. And then in the autumn, my husband and I directed a local production of Made in Dagenham. It’s been so good to stretch those theatre muscles, both on and behind the stage.
If you’ve made it to the end of he post, thank you so much! Now I am in partial remission of my endometriosis and am getting better at setting boundaries in my life, I will be getting back on the blog train 🚆
Choo-choo friends, and see ya later!
Rosie x
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