As we slowly roll into 2018 I wanted to do a quick post to reflect on the last year and share with you some of the highlights and my favourite things that happened to me last year!! I am hoping to share a little bit more about myself, my life and things I do so I hope you enjoy learning a little more about me in the process..
Here is what happened in 2017!!
1. Spending time with family!
Anyone who knows me, knows that family is the most important thing in the world to me! There isn’t many of us, but we are scattered around the world a little – Latvia, UK and Isle of Man!! I cherish every minute with the family and every time we meet it is extra special! We visited Latvia in July!
My beautiful sister and her fiance Ricky.
And we also had visitors in the Isle of Man over the festive period!
2. Amara Interior Awards
This must be the absolute highlight of the year (for my blog)! I was so nervous, excited and happy I honestly could not tell you how proud I was of my little blog that day!! I also got to meet so many wonderful people, enjoy the celebrations, get a fabulous goodie bag and spend some time with my sister! Oh, and I also conquered my fear and did my first ever interview on camera (thanks to my sister and a fair amount of gin cocktails !!)
Image Courtesy if IBA (http://www.interiorblogawards.com/)
3. Meeting New People
Last year I had the opportunity to meet some amazing people, from people I have admired for years to these like-minded bloggers and talented, beautiful and creative souls!!! Read more about Amara Interior Awards in my post and to see who I met at the Handmade Fair, go see this post!
4. Travelling
We normally do a fair bit of travelling over the year but as we were doing lots of work on the house, we didn’t really have a holiday last year… We did however travel to Latvia, Wimbledon, Liverpool, London, Surrey and Kingston-upon-Thames.
5. Working with Amazing Brands & Features in a Magazine
I cannot express how important it is to build great relationships with brands! I am proud to have worked with many great companies over the last year. This allows me to keep this blog going!!
I am also happy to have made it into my favourite magazine several times over the last year!
6. My Friend’s Wedding
My friend got married in May and it was a fantastic day!!! I also made her a handmade gift, which you can see here! PS>>> I take orders!! 🙂
7. Handmade Fair
I finally got the chance to attend Kirstie Allsopp’s Handmade Fair in September! I even wrote a whole post about my amazing experience!
8. Re-discovering my Love for Painting and Art
With so much going on in my life, I forgot how much I actually loved to paint.. Last year I created several paintings for our house and also donated some to the local hospital. Shaun got me an easel for Christmas so there are no excuses now… More paintings will be coming my way.. I don’t claim to be the next Van Gogh or Frida Kahlo, BUT I really really REALLY enjoy doing it!!
What a great year indeed, Evija! Love to see all those smiles and joy in the pictures! Congratulations for all the great achievements and wish you a wonderful 2018 🙂
OOOOHHH, you also did some art with the colour of the year Ultra Violet it seems! You are so artistic Evija, I really like that about you! So will you be selling your art through the blog or on a marketplace like ETSY?
Thank you Jenny! I haven’t decided that far yet.. Hopefully (if I can figure it out) I would love to add “shop” option on my blog!
Ah, Evija, what a great year! I remember watching the Amara IBAs online and was so happy when they called your name. I’m sure 2018 will be fantastic.
Thank you! I really hope so.. At the moment, I am not sure if anything can top the Amara Award win though…
What an exciting year you’ve had! Congratulations on the Amara award. And I love your paintings!
Thank you!
Congratulations, looks like you had a great year. I saw your stuff in ReLoved and well done for winning the blog award. Here’s to 2018.
Thank you so much Claire!
What a great year! And it’s so lovely to find out more about you.
Thank you, I do intend to share a bit more about my life this year along with my projects!
It’s great to look back at what a year it’s been! The Amara IBA awards was one of my highlights this year. It was great to meet you there. Such a great experience!
It was indeed Fiona!! Lets’s hope 2018 is even bigger adn better for us!!
Wow what a year you’ve had! Quite a lot to live up to this year 😉 I’m sure you will though xx
Thank you.. I know!! It will have to be something pretty amazing 🙂 xx
What a wonderful year you had! I think it is important to take time and appreciate and cherish moments and memories. Here is to even more wonderful 2018! best of luck with all your plans Evija!
Thank you Anna.. I wanted to make this post to concentrate on the good and important things that happened last year.. I think it is very important to look back and be proud of what you have achieved! xx
What an amazing year you’ve had Evija! Loved reading all your highlights x
ahh what an amazing year. Sometimes you don’t realise how much you have actually achieved until you write it down!