Tuesday 31 December 2013

New Years Eve


The scene is set - let New Years Eve commence.

2013 was an eventful and unexpected year for us as a family. 
Here's hoping 2014 is a little calmer! 

I wish all my lovely family and friends near & far, 
a VERY Happy New Year and all good wishes for 2014 x

Monday 30 December 2013

Personal 2013 Review of the Year

Well what a year 2013 turned out to be.

Two words best describe it 'eventful' and unexpected'

We have certainly been tested this year but I'm happy to say that as a family unit, we have come out stronger the other side. Jeff was made redundant, the children both started new schools, both cars were written off - the fault of the other driver in both cases (an expensive time), my Dad fought a little battle of his own and my Granny turned 90!
 Here's a little look back over my year.

JANUARY

 January was freezing cold with lots of snow, the only good bit was seeing my lovely little house featured in 25 Beautiful Homes magazine.

FEBRUARY

 February was bitterly cold and behind the scenes we were dealt a bombshell, Jeff had been told that his job was at risk of redundancy. Comfort food was the order of the day!

MARCH
  March was the worst month - Jeff 's redundancy was confirmed. It's such a horrible word 'redundant' and it was such a horrible time for us all. You can accept redundancy when it is fair and right. Sadly this was not the case and the Unions were involved and an Appeal Process took place.

APRIL

 April was a decidedly chilly month - we escaped to Cornwall for some fresh sea air to clear our heads and think what to do. I've never known it to be so cold. 
Our house was featured again, this time in Period Homes and Interiors Magazine - it feels special to see your home in a glossy magazine.

MAY

 Our holiday in May to Ibiza was to be a God-send - the timing couldn't have been more perfect.
Things with Jeff rapidly came to an end at his school and as a result of the Appeal Process, I found myself with him at home, on fully paid 'Gardening Leave' for the Summer. Thankfully he had a new temporary job to go to in September and somehow, we were now able to start to put the horrible turn of events behind us. 

JUNE


  June turned out to be a splendid month - the weather was glorious and I must say Jeff sat smugly at home, enjoying the sunny weather, swimming in the local lido daily instead of working. Sophie had made the brave decision to move schools and settled in fantastically. Finally things felt much more positive.

JULY

 July saw Sam leave his Primary school. He loved his time at Ditcheat but was ready to move on. He did very well in his SATS and left the school a much more confident boy.
July was also a big celebration month - my Granny celebrated her 90th Birthday.

AUGUST



 August was a time to regroup. As a family we embarked on a little fitness campaign, with daily walks, swimming sessions at the local lido and we all tried to get as much fresh air as possible. We enjoyed a few days away in Cornwall, where Sam celebrated his 11th Birthday. Part of his present was to spruce up his room and give it a little make-over fitting for an older boy. Sophie and I also enjoyed a little trip to Bristol to see Hairspray - it was fantastic.

SEPTEMBER

 September was all about new beginnings. Jeff started his new job in Bath. Sam started at his new Secondary School and Sophie started in Year 9. I also started a new little job, helping out my friend in her shop - Maddie Brown and I've loved it.

OCTOBER


 

 October was a mixed month. My Dad went into hospital to have an operation, the dreaded 'C' word was mentioned but thankfully the Consultants are happy that all cancerous tissue was removed and regular check-up's were now only needed. A huge relief for us all.

Jeff got some excellent news - he got a PERMANENT Full Time job, teaching Maths at Millfield, which he starts next week. To say we were happy would be an under statement. Finally we could see some good, come out of the horrible events at the start of the year.

Sophie and I also enjoyed a trip to the Country Living Christmas Fair and a jolly to see Mamma Mia!

NOVEMBER

November saw Sophie celebrate her 14th Birthday - she's growing up fast.
We also saw Sam's tooth! Those that follow the blog will know it's been a long time coming!

DECEMBER

 And now to December - this has been a busy month for me work wise but we have also enjoyed some much needed family time together and a have just returned from a lovely Christmas in Cornwall. 

I have loved looking back through the blog and all the photo's on Instagram - my year in pictures. 

2014

So 2014, what have you in store for us all?

I hope it's not as eventful as 2013 - I feel we all need a calm, steady year. I would like a couple of things to happen but I'm not going to tempt fate and share them with you yet. 

We have a holiday to Majorca already booked to look forward to, so the food and fitness campaign begins again! (when doesn't it!?!) 

This past year has reminded me of how important 'Family' is. We have survived this year because we are a close, supportive family. In testing times, we have come together and have come out the other side stronger and more together. 






Sunday 29 December 2013

dots and spots 2013 Review of the Year

Each year I like to take a moment to look back through my blog and this year my Instagram feed, at the good and the bad bits of the year gone by. It's been an eventful one personally, which I will share with you next but here is dots and spots year!

JANUARY

January was busy - many new products were introduced and were well received
 at Top Drawer, Earls Court London.

FEBRUARY

February saw us working hard over at dots and spots HQ, to fulfil orders.

 MARCH

 In March, we were busy designing again in preparation for our next Trade show in May.

APRIL

April was the perfect time to photograph our Christmas range!

 MAY


 In May, we exhibited at Pulse, London for the first time.
We had our biggest stand to date but due to personal circumstances, realised this may well be our last trade show for a while.

JUNE

In June dots and spots celebrated it's 5th Birthday.
I know, where have the past 5 years gone?
My studio at home had a little spring clean and makeover too.

JULY

July was glorious and I must confess, I enjoyed the perks of being my own boss to have sneaky lunches in the garden and maybe one or two extra long coffee breaks.

 AUGUST

 August was back to the grindstone, prepping for Christmas.

SEPTEMBER

In September we introduced our new phone covers, something I've wanted to do for a while.
It was also the month to get as much Christmas prep done as possible.

 OCTOBER

 October was a great month. My paper was used throughout the Christmas catalogue and website campaign for The Great Little Trading Company. It was also used by Agent Provocateur in their Christmas Window displays and Harrods not only became a stockist but if you had anything wrapped in-store this Christmas, it was with my paper!! Pretty chuffed to say the least.

NOVEMBER
November was head down, picking and packing orders and lots of them. I'm always very grateful and thankful to those of you, who choose to buy from dots and spots at any time of the year.

 DECEMBER

And finally December. Orders continued to 'ping' in, today alone I have packed 70+ orders. It's really lovely to think Christmas cards designed by me will be displayed in people's homes, presents will have been wrapped in my paper and one or two dots and spots gifts will have been given.

2014

2014 will see dots and spots take a slightly more conservative path. Jeff's redundancy earlier this year was a huge shock and although we are in a good place now, we had had to make decisions early on about the best way forward. As a result, we won't be exhibiting at any trade shows in 2014 and there won't be a glossy new catalogue coming out. We had to plan to be cautious as we had no idea what was around the corner, we've now turned the corner and the future is looking good but 2014 will be a year of taking stock I feel.