2026 has become a much busier year than I ever expected it to be. I didn’t see an engagement or wedding planning on the cards but we had been planning some renovation work and for me to move to his place and now suddenly we have got into gear on all fronts. I’m decluttering at my home, still finding lots of things belonging to my parents which I hadn’t yet dealt with and somehow you have to look at every single object, piece of paper or random birthday card you find. I have a couple of small storage boxes to keep the very special items in and people are right when they say, you can’t keep everything but nothing can take away the memories you hold in your heart.
My bathroom needs serious renovation. It’s the original bathroom from when the house was built in 1982 alongside some very quick and makeshift changes I had to make when I was caring for my parents. Now, it needs to be fully re-done and ready for whoever may live in the house next. After a couple of years deliberation (you can’t rush these things) I have finally chosen the items and the builders will be coming on 7th April to get started.
Over at himself’s house, a long overdue job is the small ensuite which has been out of action for a couple of years. That job is being started today…just think of the dust!!
We’ve had some long conversations about the wedding and what we would like to do. Himself is a quiet man, not one for being in the spotlight, not comfortable with being on show and no interest in social media whereas I love the few socials I’m on and I have got used to being up on stage. Neither of us were interested in a big formal wedding. I think we have waited so long to get to this point, we love the idea of just going off and getting married. An elopement wedding. Sounds very romantic doesn’t it? We have decided on Sorrento which is where we went on holiday for a week last year. How bizarre that I was there last year, walking around the area that I’m actually going to be getting married in this year. Life sure is strange at times.
We have chosen The Cloisters of Saint Francis for the ceremony, located in central Sorrento. It’s such a stunning setting and lends itself to both formal and informal marriage ceremonies. There is a lot to sort out and I have chosen Perfect Weddings Abroad to work with to get everything arranged. We have decided not to wait until next year until the kitchen renovations have been done. We have already waited a long time to get to this point so yes, let’s go for it. I will run everything past himself of course but the wedding planning is my project and the kitchen renovation is his project although as the woman of the house to be, I will be having a big say in what’s what in the new kitchen (of course).
Alongside all this, my open mic nights have taken off and I’m singing at least once, sometimes twice a week. So it’s all systems go on all fronts. A huge flurry of activity after such a different period of life. It certainly is a new era of me.
In other news, I joined the gym!!! More on that in the next post…
With love and sparkles xxx
Dawn. The Sparkle Diaries. 
My darling Sparkles, you have almost made me cry with the beauty of this post. SO happy for you and wish you both the very best forever. xxxxxxx
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Thank you so much, it’s been quite the journey to get to this point and I wouldn’t change a thing. Only happy tears allowed from now on. Sending you loads of love and sparkles always xxxxxxxx
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I know it has been a long time coming. I have followed your blog all the way back and I am so happy for you both and that you are doing this in the best way too xxxxxxxxx
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One of the most lovely things about me coming back to my blog is reconnecting with lovely you. You have always supported me and sent so much love my way and I have always appreciated that, through the bad times, the dire times and now the good times. It’s just so good to be back in touch with you and of course the dudes. Thank you with a heartful of love and sparkles xxxxxxxxx
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I missed you Dawn. You’re a beautiful soul–end of–when it came to showing the real things that matter in life. You put these things before yourself. It is your turn now and what a turn and I am so happy about that for you, happy for you both. xxxx.
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That’s just so lovely of you to say, such beautiful kind words, I do appreciate them. It’s great to be re-connected with you and the dudes again and it’s exciting to be writing about happier times xxxxx
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Dawn darling, all my life I’ve just called it like I see it, whatever that see it is, that is the truth. Life’s too short not to. SO thank you for THIS beautiful comment. I also love reading your posts how you are both happiness in the simplest things, wine and fish and chips, the kind of wedding you are planning. For me, they have always been the best things and times. xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Thank you so much, those are the most beautiful words and you truly are the most beautiful soul. I do appreciate our connection so very much (and with the Dudes too of course). It’s so lovely to be back in touch and also I’m enjoying writing my blog again. I always found it very therapeutic and I am blessed and grateful for the connections I made through writing it. Have a wonderful week ahead beautiful Shey xxxxxxxxx
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You too, lovely lady. Those who sneer at online connections have no idea actually of what it can bring to people.
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You are so right, I have made some fabulous friends, who I meet up with when I am in Ireland, via Instagram. I’ve also met a lot of people via the Irish Country Music scene who I first connected with on FB and I see them at gigs and concerts in Ireland. It’s a real blessing to have made such a lovely connection with you via my blog. Connections that would not have happened without being online xxx
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