5 Things Friday - Let's Catch Up!
It's been a while. Grab a cuppa or a mulled wine, put your feet up and let's catch up!
Hello you lovely lot. The past week has been a bit of a whirlwind, so I thought a final check-in before the Christmas holidays would be the perfect way to wrap up a wonderful year of 5 Things Friday.
Before I start nattering on, I want to say a huge thank you for all your support and love this year in our little community. It has been a busy one for me, both personally and professionally, with plenty of highs and a few lows, but showing up here every Friday with your weekly dose of fashion, beauty and travel has truly been a highlight.
Looking back, we’ve covered quite the spectrum: everyday dressing, event outfits, wardrobe edits, and making smart sartorial decisions. You came with me as I had my colours done, tested new skincare, and joined in on a few style challenges. And, of course, we travelled — from Lisbon to Switzerland, Ireland to the Greek Islands, Turkey to Whitstable and Margate - which meant holiday wardrobes, capsule packing lists and airport outfits.
All in all, it has been a brilliant year, and I’m honestly so grateful we’ve spent it together. As a little thank you to my lovely community, I’m offering 20% off an annual subscription to 5 Things Friday.
I know this time of year can be expensive, and this discount means an annual subscription works out at under 85p a week.
Next year, I’ll be kicking things off with some style inspiration to get us through January (because, let’s be honest, it can be a bit of a slog!). I’ve also signed up for a new fitness and nutrition plan (I know… pray for me 😅), so you can come along on that journey too. Plus, I’ve got a trip to Norway coming up, which I’ll be sharing with my paid subscribers.
So, if you fancy starting 2026 on a positive note, in the company of like-minded women, why not subscribe using the offer below?
Also, don’t forget if you’re still searching for something different for a loved one, a 5 Things Friday gift subscription could be just the ticket - and no heading out into the cold to get it! Just click the link.
1. What I’ve been up to - it has been busy!
Last week was a super hectic one for me, with a work trip to London and my anniversary party. The London trip was with Scamp & Dude and it turned into such a genuinely lovely evening.
I don’t get to attend press events all that often (it’s usually quite the trek from North Yorkshire), and over the years I’ve definitely become more selective about making the journey, unless it’s for a brand I truly love working with. Scamp & Dude kindly let me choose an outfit. I chose a black sequin dress (size down, I wore a 10!) and I absolutely loved it
I was so impressed by how comfortable and confident I felt in it, which, after a solid three months of searching for something to wear for my anniversary do, is no small thing! I was also sent the Scamp & Dude x Rachel Stevens Navy Wild Leopard Charity Super Scarf, which is stunning.
It makes a lovely gift, but also for every scarf sold, they donate one to a women with cancer. What a fabulous idea!
The event took place at Syon Park, which is just spectacular. We had the most gorgeous dinner inside a hot air balloon pop-up installation (don’t worry, it stayed firmly on the ground!), and I can safely say a fabulous time was had by all.
When leaving my teaching job a few years ago, I did wonder if I’d miss having work colleagues to chat to, but coming to events like this and catching up with my Insta buddies, gives me such a lovely dose of female friendship - something I really cherish.
And, let’s be honest, it’s not every day you get to meet the fabulous Alison Hammond, who is as much of a hoot in real life as you’d expect.
Then it was back home, a very quick turnaround and on with our anniversary party. Richard and I are celebrating our Pearl anniversary - thirty years!! Just saying that gives me goosebumps, as it honestly seems to have flown by. I spent a long time looking for that elusive special dress and finally settled, very last minute, on a Zara sequin dress that was under £50!
Honestly, I had looked at so many, including on Vinted where I nearly bought a Needle&Thread dress for £250, only to get cold feet at the last minute. I mean, supposing it didn’t fit! In the end, I was very happy with my choice. It felt special and very me, which is the most important thing.
2. A Festive Trip and the theatre
After a busy weekend with family and friends, I booked a last-minute trip to London with Richard. It’s always such a busy time of year for us, but honestly, I just want to soak it all in, it’s my favourite time of year. A trip to London always feels special, and at this time of year even more so.
We’ve done a few quick London trips this year and I reckon I’ve finally cracked the best itinerary to make the most of it, even when you’ve only got 24 hours. I’ve found that booking a hotel around King’s Cross works brilliantly — it means you can enjoy suitcase-free time before picking up your bags and jumping back on the train home. King’s Cross has become such a great little hub for shopping and restaurants too.
This time, we stayed at The Gyle, which is literally a five-minute walk from the station. It’s super convenient, small and friendly — perfect for a quick visit.
We arrived early evening and headed straight out for a Christmas lights tour. Thankfully, the weather stayed dry, so we soaked up all the sparkling festive lights, had a lovely walk around a quiet London and grabbed something to eat on the go. If you fancy following our route, you can find it here.
The next day was all about some last-minute Christmas shopping, before heading over to The Dominion Theatre to see The Devil Wears Prada. First time visiting this theatre and I can highly recommend it if you usually feel squashed in London theatres! The show itself was fabulous in my opinion. I know it’s had mixed reviews, but I loved it and we managed to get tickets for £30!
Read on to find out what I’ve been buying, how I prepped my skin for a glowing party look, my Christmas day outfit and a festive Christmas cocktail you’ll want to try!