It's been a long while since I last blogged. A mixture of reasons for this... since getting engaged we're saving a lot so not really doing anything half as exciting as I spent my first two years in Singapore doing! Also, starting my new job has taken up a lot of my time. But, I do have one big thing to talk about. And that was recently turning 30! I was so lucky enough to be spoilt rotten by my friends and family with celebrations beginning in Singapore the weekend before and continuing on the week after with a spectacular weekend in the Cotswolds with family and friends in the UK.
I'm truly blessed to have such amazing friends. Rachel, Sarah Radford, Sarah Sherry and Betsy planned an incredible night out for me. Dinner. Drinks. Dancing... and KTV! Most definitely a night to remember. A massive thank you to the staff at Halia Restaurant, Raffles, for making us feel so welcome and for making it such a special evening.
Joe arrived on my birthday and we were celebrated with an engagement party and birthday party at Beaujolais organised by one of my fantastic bridesmaids, Betsy! It was so nice to have Joe back for my special day and knowing we were heading home the next day made it even more exciting!
Joe has visited the UK before, but this was to be his first time visiting "Wales" and also his first time meeting a lot of my family. I wanted it to be a trip to remember! First stop Windsor, my adopted home! I love heading back to Windsor as it holds such great memories, and there are still so many of my friends living there. I've always wanted to stay at The Sir Christopher Wren hotel, and took the opportunity this time round. Fantastic service, impeccable rooms and an amazing view of the Thames. I wish we could have stayed longer!
The next part of my trip...Gloucester! We rented out an absolutely incredible "farmhouse" in the countryside where all of my close family and four of my five bridesmaids came to stay for the weekend.
What an amazing place:
"Blanchworth Farm is a handsome Grade II listed former farmhouse which is understood to date back to the early 18th Century. Subsequently extended, the house has also been significantly improved by the present owner and now cleverly blends period character with contemporary features. The older part of the house includes the original reception rooms divided by a central entrance hall and a splendid oak staircase. The remaining reception rooms are divided between the drawing room, the dining room and a superb kitchen which opens into a wonderful conservatory, thus making an ideal family room. French doors open out into the garden and there are lovely views across it to the land beyond.
On the first floor there are four bedrooms and two bathrooms, one being en-suite. The three second floor rooms can be used in a number of different ways and are served by a third bathroom.
Behind and surrounding the house on two sides is the landscaped garden which is mainly lawned and includes a paved sun terrace adjacent to the conservatory. To one side of the garden is the hard tennis court and beyond that, the grazing land, studded with mature trees and providing excellent summer grazing. In all the property extends to about 13 acres."
I can assure you it was just as incredible as it sounds. We rented the farmhouse through Acacia Cottges, who have assisted me now with two bookings. They are a great company to work with and will tailor your weekend to suit your needs.
www.acaciacottages.co.uk
How amazing is Jennie's fiancé Stuart who completely wowed us all with his marvellous cake creations. This, my 30th birthday "suitcase" cake, covered in flags of all the places that I've visited over the last few years. Absolutely incredible and such a talented guy! Joseph was lucky enough to get a personalised rugby ball...
The rest of our time was basically spent celebrating. The family joined us for the day on Bank Holiday Monday, on Tuesday we celebrated Joe's birthday and we were bought a nights stay at the fabulous Celtic Manor which we used later on in the week.Thanks Mam and Dad! I did however find time to do some shopping. Wedding dress shopping! Could the week get anymore exciting! It seems it can...
Ever since I've been living in Singapore I have wanted to swim in the Marina Bay Sands swimming pool. What more of a reason than turning 30, to treat myself and Joe to a stay at the hotel. A staycation to end the holiday, we were lucky enough to get upgraded to a suite on the 43rd floor with incredible views of the city...
I'm truly blessed to have such amazing friends. Rachel, Sarah Radford, Sarah Sherry and Betsy planned an incredible night out for me. Dinner. Drinks. Dancing... and KTV! Most definitely a night to remember. A massive thank you to the staff at Halia Restaurant, Raffles, for making us feel so welcome and for making it such a special evening.
Joe arrived on my birthday and we were celebrated with an engagement party and birthday party at Beaujolais organised by one of my fantastic bridesmaids, Betsy! It was so nice to have Joe back for my special day and knowing we were heading home the next day made it even more exciting!
Joe has visited the UK before, but this was to be his first time visiting "Wales" and also his first time meeting a lot of my family. I wanted it to be a trip to remember! First stop Windsor, my adopted home! I love heading back to Windsor as it holds such great memories, and there are still so many of my friends living there. I've always wanted to stay at The Sir Christopher Wren hotel, and took the opportunity this time round. Fantastic service, impeccable rooms and an amazing view of the Thames. I wish we could have stayed longer!
The next part of my trip...Gloucester! We rented out an absolutely incredible "farmhouse" in the countryside where all of my close family and four of my five bridesmaids came to stay for the weekend.
What an amazing place:
"Blanchworth Farm is a handsome Grade II listed former farmhouse which is understood to date back to the early 18th Century. Subsequently extended, the house has also been significantly improved by the present owner and now cleverly blends period character with contemporary features. The older part of the house includes the original reception rooms divided by a central entrance hall and a splendid oak staircase. The remaining reception rooms are divided between the drawing room, the dining room and a superb kitchen which opens into a wonderful conservatory, thus making an ideal family room. French doors open out into the garden and there are lovely views across it to the land beyond.
On the first floor there are four bedrooms and two bathrooms, one being en-suite. The three second floor rooms can be used in a number of different ways and are served by a third bathroom.
Behind and surrounding the house on two sides is the landscaped garden which is mainly lawned and includes a paved sun terrace adjacent to the conservatory. To one side of the garden is the hard tennis court and beyond that, the grazing land, studded with mature trees and providing excellent summer grazing. In all the property extends to about 13 acres."
I can assure you it was just as incredible as it sounds. We rented the farmhouse through Acacia Cottges, who have assisted me now with two bookings. They are a great company to work with and will tailor your weekend to suit your needs.
www.acaciacottages.co.uk
After an amazing weekend in the English countryside we made our way to Wales where it was great to be able to show Joe some of the places where I grew up. Bridgend will always be "home" to me...
The rest of our time was basically spent celebrating. The family joined us for the day on Bank Holiday Monday, on Tuesday we celebrated Joe's birthday and we were bought a nights stay at the fabulous Celtic Manor which we used later on in the week.Thanks Mam and Dad! I did however find time to do some shopping. Wedding dress shopping! Could the week get anymore exciting! It seems it can...
Ever since I've been living in Singapore I have wanted to swim in the Marina Bay Sands swimming pool. What more of a reason than turning 30, to treat myself and Joe to a stay at the hotel. A staycation to end the holiday, we were lucky enough to get upgraded to a suite on the 43rd floor with incredible views of the city...
This birthday will most definitely be one that I won't forget. I do feel blessed to have such wonderful friends and family and not forgetting an amazing fiancé who now shares all these memories with me. Here's to many more special birthdays together.
