Review of 2025

I love a little review of the year! It's a good excuse to go back over my camera roll and my calendar and match things up for all the crazy stuff I've done. And boy, it's been a big year! So, let's go in chronological order yeah?

January - No weddings! Three trials, a lesson, a makeover, a wedding fair at The Hilton and three content days with Perfect Silhouette kept me busy though! And Robyn and I went for dinner too! I was sick AF at the start of the new year and spent nearly a week in bed feeling awful, but enjoying a little of the snow that came to visit. I also went back to Wrexham to see my folks, and popped in to see Welshpool at the football club. (Photo: snow photo, ill in bed, dinner out with Robyn, and seeing Deadpool with Niall)

February - Boy, what a month. We sadly lost Charlie, our beautiful ginger boy, at the beginning of the month in a sad and traumatic way. It took us a long old time to get through it, like months, especially while trying to navigate work too. Sadly on the very same day, though I didn't learn until later, my lovely neighbour Mandy from my old house passed away, also under tragic circumstances. I did 3 x makeover, 5 trials, a lesson, my first wedding of the year, went to see Bowling for Soup and Wheatus with Joey, Katherine Ryan with Lizzie, and Seann Walsh with Niall. I also did a shoot with Bobbi Wren at Tipis at Whatton House, and two wedding fairs at Donginton Park Farmhouse and The Canalhouse. (Photo: beautiful Charlie, flowers from good friends, my first wedding of the year, and Wheatus supporting Bowling For Soup) 

March - This month, I attended Mandy's funeral to say goodbye. I saw Chelsea again for a makeup lesson, and did wedding fairs at both the Riverside and West Mill. I had a mammoth undertaking of trials for Deanna, Emma, Sarah, Rebecca, Violetta, Sheridan, Abby! Phew. I also got to go see Larry Dean gig again, do Sarah and Sinaed's weddings. We had some decorating done too, which was a bit of chaos but good to get done after we've been in the house for nearly 10 years. Niall and I also went to Compa for dinner, which was amazing. We've booked to go again at Christmas! We had such a lovely holiday in Wells and Woolacombe; we were only meant to be away for four nights but we decided to extend it to a full week. More joyful decisions please! It was lovely weather, and I'm so pleased we made the most of it (Photo: dinner at Compa, redecorating, beautiful Mandy, and selfie with Niall in Wells)

April - Another big professional and personal month. I did a gorgeous photoshoot with Megan Crook Textiles; always a joy getting to hang out with her and her team! I did makeovers for Hannah and Mia for a mother daughter makeover afternoon, Jazmine for a 1-2-1 lesson, and trials for Derenda, Amy, Grace, Paige, Esme and Lorna! Roisin had a makeover for her big birthday party, Andrea for her husbands big birthday party, and I fit in two weddings too! I spent Easter in Wrexham as my sister was over visiting from New Zealand. We went to see Wrexham v Bristol as a family too! Got to see Marcus Brigstocke at the Arts Theatre too. Cat photo is the gorgeous Sprout who I met when I went to see Holly at Holly's Merry Moggies for some cat therapy. (Photo: family at the football, dinner out as the fab four, gorgeous Sprout from Holly's Merry Moggies, and Marcus Brigstocke)

May - Started the month at Donington Park Farmhouse for the wonderful Violetta's wedding! I got to see Kara, Caitlin and Kara for their wedding trials, and did an incredible EIGHT weddings - phew! Andrea had a makeover for a charity dinner, Jeannette and her daughter had makeovers for their son/brothers wedding day, and I went to Lincoln to see Wrexham play in their final match of the season! The very next day we drove to Wrexham for their promotion celebration. Imogen and Rachel had lessons with me too! (Photo: Selfie at Wrexham's last match of the season, Steven Fletcher at Wrexham's promotion party, hot tub times at Costa Del Basford, and beautiful Mango at Holly's Merry Moggies)

June - A big month for holidays as I spent five days in Malaga for my bestie Claire's hen do, and then at the end of the month I had a week in Woolacomeb with Niall. I saw 4 wedding days, three trials and another wedding fair at The Hilton. I love doing these as they are just around the corner from my house! I saw Scott Bennett do his show at Nottingham Arts Theatre with Niall and ticked off bucket list comedian Greg Davies at the Nottingham Arena with Lizzie. I also spent a day with Niall at Nottingham Open, getting to see the legend Marian Cilic play! We also had some doors and windows replaced at home; quite exciting for this 38 year old, I'll have you know! (Photo: Pool times in Malaga for Claire's hen do, Niall and me at the Nottingham open, and new front door!)

July - I get to turn 39! I had some birthday drinks with gorgeous friends at Broadway cinema, as is tradition, and then luckily spent my actual birthday on Centre Court at Wimbledon, being lucky enough to get tickets for my actual birthday in the ballot. What a birthday! I got to see Novak Djokovic play Alex de Minaur, and Jannick Sinner play Grigor Dimitrov. I can now say I've seen the Big Four too (Murray, Nadal, Djokovic and Federer) as Roger was in the royal box! I'm sad to have never seen him play, but at least I've now seen them all. I also had a fleeting moment with Dominic West with two boxes of strawberries and cream! I also saw Holly for a much needed hair cut and dye before my birthday too. I also had a BIG thing happen this month... I started Path2Remission. A program for 12 months that starts with 12 weeks of total diet replacement, with the idea I'll put my Type 2 Diabetes into remission. It was HARD. Especially the first few weeks of learning to be on 800 cals a day, and a real test of my willpower. (Photos: Drinks with pals (lovely Louise), birthday at Wimbledon, total diet replacement, my lovely positive potato called Chip from Robyn)

August - The diet is starting to get easier after I stop eating the stuff I don't like! What a realisation, that I don't have to eat the flavours that are minging! I had a proper test of my willpower going to Claire's hen party at The Cosy Club, but I managed it! I did three beautiful weddings and held off the test of wedding morning pastries, saw 7 people for their trials, did two gorgeous lessons for trans clients, and got to see three gorgeous makeup artists (Alex, Adele and Joey) for three assisting jobs. I also went to Aqua Sana spa with Kath for a mid-point treat during my 12 week total diet replacement! Check out the photo of my egg omlette... (Photos: Omlette, dog walk with Louise, spa day with Kath, working with Joey)

September - The last month of total diet replacement, and then I can start eating again! September is a big month for me as I've got the most work in my diary and my bestie's wedding. I did wedding day makeup for seven brides, including my darling Claire, and trials for two nearlyweds. I did an open day at Cockliffe Country House too, three one to one lessons, and a pregnancy makeover for the lovely Krithi who was having a maternity shoot. I did my first ever masterclass at Handmade Nottingham, teaching people how to nail a smokey eye! I went to see Downton Abbey film on the opening day, and watched all the seasons and two feature films before it came out so I was wholly up to date! I also had a gorgeous spa day with Claire and Emma at Hoarcross Hall, and went to Leicester's King Power staduim to watch Wrexham. We also decided to foster a beautiful cat from Holly's Merry Moggies who needed a little home, called Mr Worldwide on account of him missing his ears after surgery to remove them due to skin cancer. He's such a babe! (Photos: Spa day at Hoarcross Hall, selfie with Niall at Claire and Andy's wedding, masterclass at Handmade, and Leicester v Wrexham)

October - I can start to eat again - hooray! I'll now slowly reintroduce food over the next 6 weeks. Gorgeous weddings for Claire, Becca and Tasha, Rosie, Amy and Lily! I got to see Kaj and her family again for three makeovers for her brother's wedding day. I did four beautiful 1-2-1 lessons, and a wedding fair at The Hilton again. I also attended an open morning for wedding suppliers at Nuroosa, a gorgeous new sustainable venue in Derbyshire, and did a PR event at Golf Fang. GREAT FUN! If you need a place for an event, that was epic. I also put myself "out there" and did my first branding shoot for two years, with the lovely Anna Rose Heaton. Having great suppliers become friends who are encouraging and kind is such a blessing. (Photos: My new festive mug from Stubton Hall, holidaying in Woolacombe again with Niall, going to see Uncanny at the Theatre Royal, and having a branding shoot with Anna Rose Heaton)

November - Hello November! You've been the first month where I've felt able to breathe a bit easier after the madness of summer, and total diet replacement. I got to do loads of awesome fun events, both as Sali and Ms Moo! I drove to London with friends for a trip to the Royal Albert Hall to see the music of Metal Gear Solid played by an orchestra! I went to see Five play in Nottingham, saw Desiree Birch at The Canalhouse, saw bucket list comedian Nick Mohammed at the Theatre Royal. I drove to Skegness for the first time ever (even though I arrived and left in the dark, so I don't think I can count it as a visit really) for Rebecca's wedding. I did an open evening at Folly at the Farmohouse in Derby, and my second masterclass at Handmade Nottingham. I was interviewed by Tia about lipstick trends for her university course and did lessons for Claire, Rosie, and Laura and two makeovers for special occasions too. My car spectacularly failed its MOT so was time to say goodnight to Boop Boop, and hello to Boof; my new car! I also did two trial runs of my new online service offering...

December - The Make Up Edit! It was great to officially launch this before Christmas, and get stuck into helping my clients with their makeup purchases over the festive season. I had some more good fun seeing Wheatus with Joey, going to watch some Christmas Comedy at The Royal Concert Hall with Niall and Kirsten, and had a trip to Essex to see Niall's parents. I arranged a little meet up in December for other hair and makeup artists and got to see three babes in the industry for a good chinwag. I also attended the My Kit Co Merry Kitmas masterclass with Adele and her Mum, which was great fun! I went last year too and have already booked to go in 2026! Christmas was spent with Niall having a chilled out few days at home (though we went OUT OUT on Christmas Eve for dinner at Compa and had cocktails and shots haha) before I did Miya's wedding makeup on 28th. We then spent a couple of days in Wrexham with my folks, before going to Derbyshire for my friend Cherry's 50th birthday and NYE!