Yesterday was my birthday and I celebrated a good 6 hours of the day by myself, painting the whole day, uninterrupted bliss, listening to some wonderful chill out tunes and just going for it!

As i painted and collaged onto my 30×30 inch canvas (Yes I’m creating some larger pieces), I thought about all the fabulous things I have been lucky enough to have been part of, seen and enjoyed in my 37th year of being on this planet. It was my first official day in my new life away from the corporate world (I left on April 30th – woohoo) and here I was, on my birthday, painting….ahhhh heaven. :-). To celebrate, I’m going to be offering some giveaways on my blog from myself and one of my lovely sponsors – so check back on Friday! 🙂


So as I begin my journey into my 38th year, just having celebrated 37, I wanted to recognize some significant memories from over the last year, those small steps and fun times that have led me to where I am right now…. so as I say goodbye to 36 and hello to 37, here are 36 memorable moments from the last year (in cronological order!)…..

Celebrating my last birthday broadcasting a live radio show (Big Apple Brits Brunch) as part of my new Expat business Big Apple Brits!

Enjoying the summer, travelling, weekends away, visiting family back in the UK.

Feeling restless enough to realise I needed to change my life.

Starting to paint and create again & realizing I can live a more creative life

Taking that plunge and starting my own blog

Spending August exploring my creativity.

Joining the local art group “Hob’art” where I found my local art community

Attending a friends wedding in Sonoma Valley, where I had one of the most inspirational lunch conversations with 2 friends outside in the sun at a gorgeous place called “the girl & the fig”

Spending labor day weekend being creative with friends in Woodstock

Going back to the UK, seeing all my extended family and seeing my brother get married to Eva (who both share March 29 as their birthdays!)

Taking my first online ecourse with Marisa Haedike “In the Fish Bowl” where I met some amazing online friends, bulding my online art community.

Launching my website and online shop

Making my first sale of original art

Taking part in my first group show with Hob’art and selling art at the Hoboken Open Studio tours.

Getting comments and visitors to my blog!

Celebrating my fifth year in the US.

Raising money for The Royal British Legion through my art and expat business.

First solo show at the Sovereign Bank in Hoboken

My first of many features on Kelly Rae’s blog

Spending my first Christmas in the US

Setting my word for 2010 and Mondo Beyondo dreams

Holding my 2nd annual “Ladies with intention Brunch”

Putting my Mondo Beyondo Dreams out there

My first art retreat where i met some amazing kindred spirits and artists. Meeting Mati Rose and Kelly Rae (who inspired me to follow my creative dreams) was aaaammmmazing!

Creating a video on how I created my “Greenlife or Greylife…?” collage

My first real gallery opening in Watchung and inspiring a young girl to follow her creative dreams.

Welcoming new sponsors to my blog

My first solo art show NYC

Selling original paintings from my show.

Spring cleaning and creating a clearing for new possibiities in my life

Believing in Signs

Taking part in and being interviewed for the Digable Arts Festival

An inspiring trip to Artfest, Seattle and Portland.

Leaping fearlessly and leaving my corporate job to become a full time artist.

Having an Artist booth at my first Hoboken Arts & Music Festival

Spending my birthday painting, selling another original painting online and sitting on my front step with my best friend drinking champagne, overlooking our garden, under gorgeous trees after a storm, chatting to the neighbors and just…

…..watching the world go by.