sparkle on cowgirl – Dawn. The Sparkle Diaries.

I have a half written song in my notebook and the melody in my head. It needs some verses but the chorus is there as is the melodic bridge. I get downloads of lyrics and melodies. I have to be ready with either the phone to record inspiration when it strikes or have one of my many notebooks around to write down the lyrics that are hitting me. Sometimes a random conversation with someone can prompt a lyric download, days or even weeks later. It could also be a shared experience that inspires a lyric, a feeling, a moment to record and then share when the song is complete.

There’s something about this particular song that feels emotional, exciting and also a touch of sadness with a hint of knowing that something is going to happen. You know, when you just know deep within you that something is going to happen, there is no doubt in your mind at all. It might take days, weeks or months but you just know.

‘take me by the hand and lead me to the floor, we’re dancing slowly, soul to soul, you don’t love me yet, but you will fall, you will fall’.

The song is called ‘Respect The Kiss’, it keeps floating into my mind so I think that’s a sign to get it finished and released. Although I have three songs recorded and ready to be released this year. However, I am the queen of procrastination… I’ll get there!

With love and sparkles xx

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.