Open the door to 24

If you'd have asked my single, fun-loving, holiday-enthusiast self on the day I turned 23, where I imagined spending my 24th birthday, I can guarantee there wouldn't have been any chance on earth that I'd have guessed I'd be spending it in a virus-induced lockdown with my boyfriend of nearly a year. Spoiler alert for my 23 year old self: he's right under your nose, he sits right beside you every day. While I may not have guessed it in my wildest of dreams, and it's not exactly been as exciting as the whirlwind of brunches, meals, parties, trips and cocktail sessions I normally plan on the run-up to my birthday, it's been perfect all the same.

Knock at the door 24

My birthday started with a nice little treat on the night before, when I got the most beautiful bunch of flowers delivered from Bloom and Wild. Peonies have long since been my favourite flower, and this sunflower, peony, and rose bunch are so gorgeous! Ollie has good taste (or a good sense of listening).

Well done Mr Soar 24

When I woke up on my birthday morning (ridiculously early thanks to my inner child), I was then trapped in the bedroom for an hour and a half while Ollie went off to arrange everything. Can I just give him a little shoutout for not only planning me the perfect birthday morning, but for also having a name that fits with the rhyming theme of this blog post? Very considerate of him. So when I walked downstairs, I had a massive smile plastered on my face for the rest of the day as he'd done number balloons, happy birthday balloons, confetti balloons, mimosas, presents, champagne and croissants.

Pour me some more 24

As is the law, I spent the rest of the day drinking! Aperol spritz' and prosecco to be specific, but I was so glad that the weather ended up being gorgeous after all, after saying for ages that it would rain all day.

Hit the floor 24

On the run-up to my birthday, our weekly Saturday date night had been planned as a bit more of an elaborate surf and turf but after spending all day drinking and snacking, neither of us were that hungry so we ended up just doing steak and salad with peppercorn sauce. It was still amazing and I let Ollie take the lead in the kitchen for a change (he's good round the house with lots of things but it's very much me who wears the chefs hat). And then (you guessed it), we carried on drinking! I wanted a birthday outfit that was special and summery without being too extravagant so I ended up going with this mermaidy dress that I bought for Staci's 21st party and haven't worn it since. I love the draped style and assymetric hem and it was a great choice for around the house (there's not much boob support so on a night out, not so much). I finished with gold high heels and a glossy lip!

From the one I adore 24

I feel very lucky to have a boyfriend who's an excellent present buyer and not only did he get me some fancy champagne, chocolates, and my favourite flowers (pink peonies) in a beautiful sunflower bouquet, he also got me a beautiful rose gold bee bracelet from Olivia Burton (he knows my taste very well) and a cute collage photo frame with a few of my faves. Including our iconic announcement photo of course.

What more could a girl ask for at 24?

Having a lockdown birthday may have scuppered the chance to be somewhere hot and sunny, or somewhere glamorous and fancy but I've had an amazing birthday. 23 was a big year for me - I bought my first house, I fell in love, I went on some incredible trips, I had mumps and the whole coronavirus pandemic happened. Memorable? Definitely. For all the right reasons? Debatable. But I've got a good feeling about 24 and I can't wait to see what it brings me.