I didn't write any New Year's resolutions this year - at least, not here - because the ones from 2011 pretty much still stand and were well worth keeping up. But, 2012 has been hectic so far and it doesn't look like it will slow down anytime soon, so I thought I'd share what I've been up to...

Ticking the 'Over 25' box

In January I turned 26, which is terrifying for obvious reasons. I'm closer to 30 than 20. I should probably start using eye cream. I still haven't accomplished any of what in my mind I would by the time I reached this age, and still feel 21 at heart. So naturally, I was dreading this birthday a little - but funnily enough, it was quite possibly my best ever. OK, so in all the Christmas rush I forgot to take the day off work for it (muppet), but I planned a night out at LVPO and invited pretty much everyone I know in the hope that maybe a handful would show up, and was overwhelmed by how many friends came along. I danced like a moron (see previous 21-at-heart comment), saw people I hadn't seen in 6 months or more and generally had a brilliant night. Yay!

Learning some moves

I've been moaning about getting fit for a while now, and while I wait for WaterCrew classes to return to London (or until someone buys me a WaterRower - those things are SO expensive!), I've been getting fit the fun way with Zumba. Now, I know that this word is everywhere, together with quite irritating pictures of people looking like they're laughing AND exercising (freaks) but it actually is brilliant. And you will laugh. As a lover of all things Shakira, the music is right up my street and even if I am wearing a sports bra and lame trainers, I love the moves and little shimmies that are involved. It's fun, energetic and not too expensive - fitness win. (Plus, Wahanda have offers on Zumba pretty often. And you can use JJ21 for 10% off anything. You're welcome.)

Blogging, blogging, blogging

I know I'm not the most dedicated of bloggers when it comes to this site - but the thing is, I'm writing for lots of other sites too! In February I was very happy to start writing for the brilliant folks at Aigua Media - they have such a great range of sites and I'm proud to be part of it. So, tune in to sites like Dollymix and Kiss and Makeup to see me writing about television, break-up songs and much much more. And of course check out their other sites such as Catwalk Queen, Shoewawa and The Bag Lady. You won't be disappointed!

Continuing to not understand men

Yep, I still don't get them. After countless chats with my ever-patient girlfriends about one guy who, despite me liking him (and him displaying signs of liking me but then disappearing again), I have had to put in the Never Going To Happen file, and very little else going on, I am still very single and a bit bored of it - last year I enjoyed it, but now it just seems so 2011. Add to that a very, very random bunch of flowers landing on my desk on Valentine's Day, with nothing but a weird quote from Keates (thanks Twitter for telling me), and I'm as baffled as ever. (Please, can someone own up? Thanks!)

Plotting and planning

This year, I promised myself I would see more and do more (yeah, maybe I did make a little resolution after all) - so I've been planning my getaways. Fingers crossed they happen; I've got my ticket secured for Hideout Festival in Croatia (aka the new Ibiza, although frankly, who needs a new Ibiza when you already have awesome original Ibiza?), plans to visit my friend in Dubai, tickets for Blood Brothers, and the lineup for Lovebox is looking pretty good too. This year is going to fly by, isn't it?

Did you start any New Year's resolutions this year? How are they going?

I've been a bit quiet on the blogging front recently; life tends to get in the way a bit, as does a good old dose of the blues and a snowstorm of change going on around me that doesn't allow time to think, let alone write the slippery thoughts down. I've always had a bit of a grudge against change, but for once I am coming around to the idea... even if it does mean my world keeps turning upside down a little. Melodramatic, me?

With my parents about to leave my beloved hometown for good, a best friend living on another continent and a crazy work life, the last couple of months haven't been the easiest - particularly when I am also the only single one of my friends, with no other half to lend me a shoulder when things get a little bumpy. Everyone is moving on in some way and I appear to be the only one staying still - not a great feeling, particularly when I am one of those thinky types. Funny how writers usually are, eh?

But, the parentals are doing the right thing after a long long stretch of bad luck, the beauty of Skype means no one is ever unreachable and I have achieved one of my New Year's resolutions to write something I'm proud of - my first ever print feature, for Expert Beauty no less, and about breast awareness in light of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I'm just hoping it's the first of many and that's not it for my career in journalism! So I haven't been neglecting the blog for no good reason (though I still feel a tad guilty)  - and I have a few more reasons to post about too, so if you haven't given up on me just yet, stay tuned.

So hello change - maybe I can deal with you after all...

I was recently very lucky to review the brand new, first-of-its-kind Hed Kandi Bar in Clapham for View London and I just wanted to share it over here. Putting Clapham on the map as a pretty decent destination for a night out (and on my map for potential places to move to!), the Hed Kandi Bar is, for any Hed Kandi fans out there, a bit of disco heaven. 

Slick booths, friendly staff, feel-good music, obviously, and cocktails that would put some of the best cocktail bars in London to shame; it's ticking all the boxes. It's also covered in the amazing Jason Brooks' infamous illustrations - one day, I want my house to have a room like that (with David Downton too, of course).

Yes, I say this as a huge Hed Kandi lover but also as a reviewer who has tried, ahem, quite a few cocktails in quite a few places. Plus, they gave me chocolate and fake eyelashes - what more does a girl need? Just a tip if you're at a loss for somewhere to go - get thee to Hed Kandi and be sure to try the Kandi shots... you won't be disappointed.

Just a quickie to say I'm very pleased my review of Drop Dead Diva, Season 1 has now gone live on Screenjabber! 

I watched the entire season in one weekend... it was long, involved a lot of tea and biscuits, but was fun all the same. If you like Judging Amy, Legally Blonde and Ed, you'll like it. Go read it!