Bonjour lecteurs! Christmas is coming! Are you in a festive mood? I hope so and if not, don’t worry as I have two more Frenchie Christmas Giveaways 2023 coming this week! But for now, time to reflect on November 2023. In my new Monthly Highlights, I look back at all our recent adventures. But I am also actively preparing for 2024. And you know why I decided to call it ‘Back To The Beginning’? I feel I need to look back at all that I have achieved over the last 7 years for me to decide on goals that really matters to me.
Family Life
Let me explain in a bit what I mean by that. But for now, let’s look back at November 2023.
As you already know, we were in Bournemouth just after Halloween and we made it home safe despite the storm that was hitting the UK.
Once back in Kent, it was all about simple things like building a Lego set with him or going to the park.
It looked so pretty outside with the leaves dans le parc! Now, it’s all gloom and rainy…
The start of November 2023 was my définition parfaite of succés. I am at my happiest when we are out and about, exploring other régions or somewhere in Kent.
London And Kent
Add up a bit of the London life et voilà! That’s what I call paradis.
I might love being in the country, but I very much love a little escapade to la capitale from time to time,
The second week of November, I made it to one of my fave press days with my dream friend Angy, followed by some yummy Korean food in Kensington.
I would love to go on a tour of Korea or Japan one day.
Grumpy Boyfriend used to live and work there ages ago and we want to take Stanley there too.
The Wishful Thinker
The following weekend, we stayed at the beautiful Wishful Thinker in Lenham.
It was l’excuse parfaite to explore the area and visit le village. It’s one of my faves for a country walk with my boys.
The hotel was lovely and we came back home happy and relaxed.
To then fight a bad ear infection! Is there ever a month when I am not sick?! I swear, the cold season is not my préférée at all.
I don’t know what it is with me, but I always feel at my lowest at this time of the year. I always end up with something wrong… It might be time to go on a detox in 2024?!
Xmas Fun In London
But not before a bit of Xmas fun in London!
Just as the festive season was kicking in, we had a beautiful day with a sumptuous brunch at St Martins Lane Hotel.
Now that’s what I call some good food! Even better, we went on a shopping mission on Regent Street as I took the boys to Uniqlo.
And just like that, Grumpy Boyfriend is now part of the cool Heattech Uniqlo crew.
We’ve been huge fans for years of the range that keeps us warm in the winter! I swear by it to go on my bike and Stanley looks so cute with his fleece.
Oh, and we made it to Frameless on Tottenham Court. You’ve got to see it. It’s absolutely AMAZING!
I have seen the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibition in the past, but this is the next level.
Xmas Traditions
It was then officiellement time to be in a festive mood!
What’s your favourite Xmas tradition to do every single year as a family? We love going to Leeds Castle for its annual Christmas Trail and the 2023 edition did not disappoint! It was so beautiful with its mini funfair and all the illuminations.
We also made it to a Pantomime at the Marlowe Theatre. It was my first ever one and it was so much fun!
There is no pantomime in France; it’s a very British thing. But I LOVED it! Have you seen one this year?
What else?
The same weekend, we made it to Greenwich and its fameuse Queen’s House Rink. I was terrible but the boys had fun. Not to worry, I loved the vintage market and visiting the Queen’s House.
November 2023 was also all about country walks, lots of work, and projects on the side.
But also a month full of prizes for you to win thanks to my Frenchie Xmas Giveaways.
Getting Ready For 2024
Once again, we made a lot of beautiful memories with a mix of all my faves: Kentish days out, London excursions and so much more.
November 2023 has been full on and I am now ready to think about next year. Let’s be honest, give it a week or so and everyone will be off for the festive season.
What’s been your biggest achievement in 2023? I have been very lucky in so many areas. We traveled a lot and discovered so many new beautiful places.
I am also very happy with the way my work moved forward. After a bit of a hiatus over the lockdowns, I am now back on track and we worked on a lot of exciting campaigns this year.
November 2023 – Back To The Beginning
But I feel it’s time to go back to the beginning. Back in May 2016, I created my blog while on maternity leave.
Later in 2017, I took the plunge and after buying our first home at the end of the year, I decided to go freelance and quit teaching.
I have learned so much over the last 6 years with some great opportunités. It’s been exciting, it’s been hard work, but also a great journey.
I am not yet ready to leave it here and I will carry on my blog and social channels. I love the freedom it gives me and there is nothing better than being your boss.
Between 2016 and 2018, I took some things for granted. I miss them and I feel it might be time for me to go back to the source. Reminiscing what it was like to have a blog back then.
I still have a few weeks to think about it, but I reckon 2024 should be exciting with more personal projects.
I am so excited for it! December will go quickly and then it will be all about the festivities and the good food that goes with it. Now, that is something we can all look forward to!
Disclosure: This post might feature some sponsored content I recently published but it is merely a list of my highlights of the month! This a post where I share some reflections as a mum in the country and in London. I hope it will inspire you to get on more family adventures.
I lost my mother late last year, so this has been a somewhat difficult first year without her. I’m ready for a new start in 2024 renovating / modernising the house she has left behind for me. Busy year ahead.
Author
exciting project ahead, good luck with it all
I think this blog goes to show that social media can never truly portray how a person really feels until they tell you. October and November tends to be the time I start to feel down too which makes me believe I have SAD (Seasonal affective disorder). But it’s not long when the nights will start to get shorter and the days longer so hopefully we will start to feel better.
But as always, I love how it doesn’t stop you from going for your dreams and goals. Wouldn’t have known you were ill all this time. Hope you feel better now. So envious you got to go to Frameless thiugh. It’s gone on my bucket lists of things to do next year.
Take care Cecile and looking forward to hear your last month of adventures of 2023.
Author
oh thank you so much. I really recommend Frameless if you liked Van Gogh.
SAD?! I have never heard about it but definitely looking into it. I am for sure a summer lady more than a winter one. It’s so miserable at the minute lol. Merry Christmas and HNY to you to and your family too
If you are thinking that you might have SAD, many people find light boxes helpful.
Author
thank you so much, I will have a look! that’s very helpful!
Thank you so much. Merry Christmas and happy new year to you too. I am hoping I can randomly bump into you and shout out your name. Would be lovely to meet you in person :). You’re always round my area!! I’m always around Canary Wharf, Stratford and Covent Garden.
I might need to look into light boxes myself to be honest. Thanks Lyn, for the recommendation.
Author
Oh it would be so nice to bump into each other. I am not that often in London really but who knows, maybe one day? Merry Xmas and HNY
Another great month for you and Stanley. I’ve followed you for several years and enjoy your blog posts and the great competitions too
Author
Oh thank you so much, the support is much appreciated, have a lovely xmas and new year with your loved ones
What fun for you all – enjoy the festivities – peace joy and happiness
I have followed many blogs but yours is my fav. My granddaughter is the same age as Stanley, so it is great to see him growing up like her. When I went to college on a course about learning how to make a blog/website I gave your blog as an example of what my perfect blog would look like and the whole class had it up on the big screen and we all studied it and discussed your layout etc with the teacher, as a great example of a well organised and well presented website. So many thanks for your wonderful content!
Author
Oh I remember you talking about this before. Literally blushing. To think that a class looked and a evaluated my blog 🙂 Any less positive feedback your class had? Happy to learn and improve myself always. Thanks and have a lovely Xmas and HNY
Looks great fun
I can’t believe how grown up stanley looks now!
Author
I know he is going to turn 8 in January. I am not getting younger that’s for sure LOL
Our family unfortunately lost the final 2 great grandparents generation this year, next year will be an opportunity to reflect, reminisce and create new memories
Author
Oh I am so sorry to hear, I hope 2024 is a better year for you
Thank you so much. Merry Christmas and happy new year to you too. I am hoping I can randomly bump into you and shout out your name. Would be lovely to meet you in person :). You’re always round my area!! I’m always around Canary Wharf, Stratford and Covent Garden.
I might need to look into light boxes myself to be honest. Thanks Lyn, for the recommendation.