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Looking Back on 2018 – A Mix of Good and Bad

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Hilda
Wednesday, 23 January 2019 / Published in Friends and Family, Health & Wellbeing, Home, Lifestyle & Leisure, News, Style & Beauty

Looking Back on 2018 – A Mix of Good and Bad

2018 – what a year! Like most years it had a mixture of bad and good.

 

GORGEOUS GRAHAM!

Health-wise, GG certainly had a mixed year. He had a hip operation in March and while a lot better than he was before the operation, I wouldn’t say that he is back to full mobility yet. He is not the most diligent at doing his exercises and going for his walks, but gently chiding him does not work, nor does nagging. It is not that he sits around: he is always busy helping out one or other of the darling daughters, or helping out in the various local clubs and societies in which he is involved.

Then, of course, he blacked out in August and was rushed into hospital by ambulance. Many of you read about that EPISODE and the subsequent fitting of a pacemaker. Let me just say we were blessed and I cannot even imagine what could have happened. The good news is that he is now sleeping better than he has slept in the past few years.

 

HILDA’S HEALTH

In 2018, I have had minor issues with a knee (well, I think they are minor) and some re-occuring back problems and a problem with the rotator cuff in my left shoulder. But these have all been helped by visits to Andrew Smith at The Willows Clinic in Glasnevin  and Patrick Leahy in The Laser Centre and, of course, I had a pre-cancerous lesion removed also (above). Otherwise, I am fine and dandy!

 

GOOD TIMES

And we had some really good times, too. Looking after our grandson Logan on Mondays gives us great joy and lots of laughs (pictured with me at Dublin Zoo). We enjoyed going to the theatre, eating out and socialising with great friends, while I also managed to play some Golf and lots of Bridge.

 

GETTING AWAY

We had several short breaks – Kilronan Castle in County Roscommon (above) and two nights in Galgorm Resort & Spa near Ballymena and even a night in the newly revamped Morgan Hotel in Dublin (post will be up soon). Travel Department sent me on a press trip to the beautiful city of Salamanca and in October we went on an adventure in India with TDactive.

 

WEDDING

And, of course, the highlight of 2018  was our daughter Kirstin and Mark’s wedding. Thank you everybody for all your lovely comments on my recent post and yes, I can totally recommend the venue, the photographer, the videographer and the band. I have amended my post to include the florist (a total error on my part) who was wonderful and reasonably priced too. And would you believe, I also forgot to mention my sandals. They stayed on for over twelve hours and as most of you know I have problem feet. I was wearing sandals that tango dancers wear, bought from dancer and pilates instructor Susanne Liiri (susanne.liiri@gmail.com).

 

OVER THE HILDA

Blog-wise, I write at least one post a week and put up some outfit pics on Instagram. My readership has really grown and I would like to thank you all for your support.

I was delighted to be nominated in the Beauty Blog Awards in the ‘older bloggers’ category

I was also fortunate to be featured in several media outlets during the year:

  • Evoke.ie did a feature on me in February and the contents of my make-up bag were revealed to all and sundry.

 

  • The Sunday Business Post mentioned me in a piece on older bloggers and  instagrammers worldwide and I  (and Susan Jackson aka eternalstyle) were delighted to be mentioned alongside some very famous names such as Maye Musk!

  • Irish Country Magazine included me in a feature on Style Over 60 with Celia Holman-Lee and Eileen Smith as ‘older influencers’ in Ireland.

 

  • And thejournal.ie interviewed me for their Christmas Magazine about my first married Christmas – that will give you a laugh!

 

COLLABORATIONS

I really enjoyed working with Shaws Department Stores  once showcasing some summer styles and again in the autumn.

and also with Marshes Shopping Centre in Dundalk where I joined Louise from StylemeCurvy, Rebecca from Rebecca Rose Stylist and the fabulous duo Mike and Paul that make up Funky Fashion Frolics. You can still see my fashion haul on my Instagram highlights.

 

BEAUTY

I have enjoyed many beauty treatments and have written about those I thought were worthwhile.

The most relaxing, plumping and revitalising facial I had in 2018 was with Elaine Butler Doolin in her Bespoke Beauty Salon on Morehampton Road. Pictured below after my facial, I look like the cat who got the cream.

 

As for lotions and potions, I believe you need to find the right one for you and, of course, nothing is more important than sleep, hydration and avoiding stress and toxins. I really like all those I wrote about and because I like them, I finish them.  So, I am probably a pretty useless beauty blogger.

If I don’t like a product, I write to the company and tell them why. But, of course, it might suit you. We all have different needs. I like super hydration and I find products work so much better following a treatment such as a peel.

 

LOOKING FORWARD…

2019 already looks to be a busy one and I am still enjoying blogging and challenging the norms about ageing. I will continue to share my journey with you.  I am looking forward to trying some new products including retinol this year and I am toying with trying out the Plasma Pen! Have any of you heard any feedback on this? I will need to hibernate for a week if I do it!

By the way, you can follow also on Instagram and Facebook or can sign up for notifications on Facebook. And I would be grateful if you could spread the word.

Oh and to my email followers I am so sorry about the glitch in notifications and thank you to all those who brought it to my attention. I believe it is fixed now.

I know we are already well into January, but goodbye 2018 and I hope 2019 is good to you.

Chat soon.

Hilda x

 

 

 

Tagged under: 2018 holidays, 2018 review, 2018 summary, 2018 the good and the bad, beauty treatment, Bespoke Beauty, evoke.ie, Health, Irish Country Magazine, Sunday Business Post, the best of beauty treatments, thejournal.ie, wedding

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12 Comments to “ Looking Back on 2018 – A Mix of Good and Bad”

  1. suzanne smith says :Reply
    January 23, 2019 at 10:11 pm

    Wow you had quite a year in 2018. I hope that your husbands health continues to improve every day! A wedding is one of the most exciting things and so time consuming. Congratulations! You have beautiful skin by the way! I look forward to reading your posts this year and I wish you every happiness in 2019!

    1. Hilda says :Reply
      January 24, 2019 at 10:44 am

      That is so lovely Suzanne. I hope 2019 is good to you too xxx

  2. Heidi says :Reply
    January 23, 2019 at 10:48 pm

    What a great way to do a recap of the year. Health challenges are exhausting physically and emotionally. I wish you all the best in 2019!

    1. Hilda says :Reply
      January 24, 2019 at 10:43 am

      Thanks Heidi….you too. x

  3. Zinda says :Reply
    January 24, 2019 at 4:05 am

    Happy New Year to you and GG! A highlight for R and me in 2018 was visiting with you both the weekend of the wedding!! It was so nice to catch up with you – time for you to pay a visit to the west coast of Canada 🇨🇦!!

    1. Hilda says :Reply
      January 24, 2019 at 10:42 am

      Zinda it was lovely to see you both..pity it was so brief x

  4. Gail says :Reply
    January 27, 2019 at 1:45 pm

    Great recap Hilda. All the best to you and GG for a healthy and happy 2019.

    1. Hilda says :Reply
      January 27, 2019 at 11:28 pm

      Thanks Gail and I hope you have a wonderful 2019 too.

  5. jacqui berry says :Reply
    January 27, 2019 at 8:59 pm

    A wonderful year Hilda, some wonderful memories and even better outfits. So good to look back on, gain ideas from and start planning the next year. Thanks for sharing today . x Jacqui Mummabstylish

    1. Hilda says :Reply
      January 27, 2019 at 11:26 pm

      I love having the recap for myself. Thanks Jacqui xx

  6. LA CONTESSA says :Reply
    February 1, 2019 at 4:19 pm

    A beautiful year with a little HICCUP!
    YOUR SKIN is STUNNING!
    XX

    1. Hilda says :Reply
      February 4, 2019 at 1:24 am

      Thank you friend x

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