What I enjoyed most about the day was getting ready for the do with the lovely Emma.

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
Some, erm, gardening (kind of). Birmingham.

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
For 2011 my resolutions were to ‘build on what ever success I achieved in 2010, but also work on getting the balance in my life right. To have more time for family and friends. To take better care of myself. And to properly ENJOY the ride.’

I think I achieved the first bit with bells on, the latter part, not so much, although it is a work in progress… So my resolutions for 2012 are to get closer to that balance thing, socialise more, get into better shape, and fingers crossed sleep more.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
The whole world most likely.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.

5. What countries did you visit?
Finland, Scotland, Malta, Italy (twice, woo!).

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
More sleep.

7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
25th of July as had a lovely lovely birthday party.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Maybe winning the title of ‘Best Wedding Photographer, London and South East‘ in the 2012 Wedding Industry Awards.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not being able to balance work and life.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Still dealing with the consequences of previous year’s injury…

11. What was the best thing you bought?
iPad!

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Susanna of course, and Stu goes without saying. Emma for keeping me sane and giggling, Steph for being my guardian fairy.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
No-one I’d like to publicly name and shame. But I am finding it quite hard to get over.

14. Where did most of your money go?
House stuff. It’s never ending.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Going to Italy, my birthday party, seeing Emma in a play.

16. What songs will always remind you of 2011?
Adele – Someone Like You.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier.
ii. thinner or fatter? Fatter (sigh).
iii. richer or poorer? About the same.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Sleeping, socialising, relaxing, loving life, exercising. (No change from last year there!)

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Stressing, worrying and doing things for people who don’t appreciate it.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
Christmas Eve at home with mum, Pauli and Stu. Boxing Day with Stu’s family.

21. How did you spend New Years?
At home making Bellinis with Sooz & Stu.

22. Did you fall in love in 2011?
More and more with watching my couples in love.

23. How many one night stands?
0. (Imagine the year when this suddenly has a high number! :D)

24. What were your favourite TV programmes?
Californication, True Blood, Dexter.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hate is such a strong word. Disappointed for sure.

26. What was the best book you read?
Sarah Rayner – One Moment, One Morning.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
New to me more than new in general… Angus & Julia Stone.

28. What did you want and get?
iPad!

29. What did you want and not get?
Holiday somewhere warm. Kitchen & bathroom.

30. What was your favourite film of this year?
True Grit.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I threw an actual party for my 35th! A lovely, lovely picnic in our garden filled with old and new friends. Loved it.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More sleep.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
I did start making more of an effort towards the latter part of the year. Dresses are back on the agenda.

34. What kept you sane?
Other lovely people in the industry.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Colin.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Riots in London made me so very angry.

37. Who did you miss?
Lots of people in Finland. Miikka and Johanna especially.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Emma & Pete, Steph, Ed… I can’t believe I only met these people this year, they are already such a huge and integral part of my life.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
You can’t please everyone.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I was a heavy heart to carry
My beloved was weighed down
My arms around his neck
My fingers laced to crown.

I was a heavy heart to carry
My feet dragged across ground
And he took me to the river
Where he slowly let me drown

My love has concrete feet
My love’s an iron ball
Wrapped around your ankles
Over the waterfall

I’m so heavy, heavy
Heavy in your arms
I’m so heavy, heavy
Heavy in your arms

And is it worth the wait
All this killing time?
Are you strong enough to stand
Protecting both your heart and mine?

Who is the betrayer?
Who’s the killer in the crowd?
The one who creeps in corridors
And doesn’t make a sound

My love has concrete feet
My love’s an iron ball
Wrapped around your ankles
Over the waterfall

My love has concrete feet
My love’s an iron ball
Wrapped around your ankles
Over the waterfall

This will be my last confession
I love you never felt like any blessing
Whispering like it’s a secret
Only to condemn the one who hears it
With a heavy heart

Heavy heavy i’m so heavy in your arms
(i’m so) Heavy heavy i’m so heavy in your arms
(i’m so) Heavy heavy i’m so heavy in your arms
(i’m so) Heavy heavy i’m so heavy in your arms

I was a heavy heart to carry
my beloved was weighed down
My arms around his neck
My fingers laced to crown

I was a heavy heart to carry
But he never let me down
When he had me in his arms
My feet never touched the ground

I’m so heavy, heavy in your arms.
Florence + The Machine – Heavy in Your Arms

Cameras used: Holga, an Ikoflex TLR (operations of which the eBay seller described as ‘esoteric’, and he wasn’t far off!), Polaroid Spirit and of course my iPhone.

Enjoy!

Photo by the lovely Steph.