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Life And Style Through The Eyes Of An Optometrist

What Lizzy Loves
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2020: It’s A Wrap.

  • 18 December 2020
  • 6 comments
  • 2K views
  • Elizabeth

2020 was a year of milestones in my family: Ian’s 50th in January, my mum’s 70th in April and my parents’ golden wedding anniversary in October. It was set to be a year of celebrations, neatly spaced throughout the year. My brother and his family had booked to come from NZ to celebrate at the glittering birthday party, arranged a year earlier, for my mum, her brother and her sister, (she’s a triplet). We were looking forward to meeting Rose Bear, my (then) 5 month-old niece, our own little kiwi, for the first time and were going to spend Easter together.

Ian and I were due to go to Savannah and Charleston back in March; a brilliant job opportunity. . And we booked a holiday to Nerja – a beautiful mix of our blended families. My happy place that I’ve been desperate to share with Ian since our very first conversations. Poppy secured a coveted place on an anthropology field trip to South Africa. She should have gone in September.

So many things couldn’t happen this year. And so much changed.

I was furloughed during the first lockdown for almost three months. I returned to work  in mid-June, during the hottest week of the year. Those first few days were exhausting. Wearing nylon scrubs, a mask, a plastic apron and medical gloves for an 11-hour shift are not conducive to keeping one’s cool. My safety goggles, despite their anti-fog claims kept steaming up. I tried a visor instead but that made it impossible to get close enough the eyepieces of the optical instruments. Thank goodness for Optifog spectacle lenses.  Now, I work three consecutive loooong days with half of the usual team. The other half picks up the baton for the subsequent three days. It’s still gruelling but I love my work more than ever. It really is the new normal.

Poppy returned to Durham in September to begin her second year which has so far, been taught entirely online. Like every student, she missed the summer ball and end-of-year celebrations. Harry submitted his UCAS form without setting foot in any of the universities to which he’s applied. Lockdown and knee surgery have conspired from enabling him to start driving lessons despite him turning 17 in March.

But so many things DID happen…

Ian had a fabulous 50th birthday party at the start of 2020 before we even knew of Covid-19’s existence. And 100% Optical shortly afterwards was a huge success. Ian and I had a wonderful, and very fortunately-timed holiday to Crete. We booked a photographer, a florist and a fabulous live band for our wedding. Poppy and I said yes to the first wedding dress I tried. I had my eyesore of a garden transformed into a beautiful Mediterranean-inspired space and I learned how to “share my screen” to deliver a PowerPoint presentation via Zoom. My cooking mojo returned. I revolutionised the way in which I do the food shop and have significantly reduced food waste, courtesy of a fascinating collaboration with Arla Cravendale. I wore A LOT of gorgeous dresses. There has been so much to be grateful for.

Health, happiness and time are priceless commodities so I’m taking a few weeks off from writing the blog to spend as much time as I can with my most-loved ones.

Thank you so much for reading and for the lovely comments. I raise my glass and wish you good health and a very happy Christmas and I bid goodbye to 2020.

Disclosure:

Like many bloggers and content creators, I use affiliate links. I identify these with an asterisk. I identify gifted items within the body of the post. I am a paid ambassador for STEPPER Eyewear and for MAC Eyewear. For links to my current clothes, accessories and homeware, click here. Thank you for reading

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6 comments
  1. Sue says:
    18 December 2020 at 2:50 pm

    It has certainly been quite a year. Loved reading your blogs and following your year. It has been different for everyone, and insights into others and the the impact it has had have been vital. All too easy to be isolated this year. Anyway, have a well earned break and enjoy your family time. Lets hope that 2021 is the start of a new normal that sees the things we enjoy and have missed actually become reality again. Seeing and visiting family and friends indoors, sharing meals and also supporting actual pubs and restaurants and local businesses, not just doing things online. Here’s to a happy and health 2021.

    Reply
    1. elizabeth says:
      21 December 2020 at 8:06 pm

      Health and happiness to you Sue and to your family. Thank you for reading and commenting on my blog posts. It really does mean the world. With love, Lizzy x

      Reply
  2. Michelle Springer says:
    18 December 2020 at 3:45 pm

    I have to admit, I am completely jealous of those who had January and February birthdays this year!
    I’m glad that there were good things that happened to you in this incredibly weird year, and I hope that next year proves to be better for everyone!
    Mele Kalikimaka and Hau’oli Makahiki Hou Lizzy! 🎄❄🎉🍾

    Reply
    1. elizabeth says:
      21 December 2020 at 8:04 pm

      Happy, happy Christmas Michelle. Thank you so much for all of the lovely comments and support- it means so much to me xxx

      Reply
  3. Suzy Turner says:
    20 December 2020 at 10:41 am

    It certainly has been a year to remember for so many reasons! I’m excited to see what 2021 brings. Merry Christmas, Lizzy! And I hope 2021 bring all the wonderful things you wish for.
    Hugs
    Suzy xx

    Reply
    1. elizabeth says:
      21 December 2020 at 8:02 pm

      Happy Christmas Suzy. Let’s hope 2021 is memorable for more positive reasons xxx

      Reply

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Outfits | Eyewear | Lifestyle
House Renovation: @built_in_1873
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Elizabeth
~ Specs by Prue 👓 ~ Yesterday, @benjaminoptici ~ Specs by Prue 👓 ~
Yesterday, @benjaminopticians, we had an open day to celebrate the practice’s 70th birthday. I was delighted to be sharijg the full collection of @specs_by_prue courtesy of @mac_eyewear_uk_ireland. It is a stunning, vibrant collection which is very wearable, very comfortable and beautifully fabricated. I always encourage patients to try something out of their comfort zone and it’s amazing how many will fall in love with a style they wouldn’t have gravitated to. 
I’m wearing model 22012 in colourway 3, tortoiseshell and aqua (with my prescription lenses in). Swipe to see it in detail and in other colourways. 
#teammaceye #specsbyprue #benjaminopticians #skiptonopticians #skipton #optometrist #eyewearblogger #eyewearstyle #whatlizzyloves
~Jumpsuit~ I absolutely love this jumpsuit. A wor ~Jumpsuit~
I absolutely love this jumpsuit. A wore it a few weeks ago for our friends’ Silver Wedding party and I’ll be wearing it again in Sicily next week. I cannot wait for some sunshine and a bit of relaxation with Ian 💚☀️🇮🇹
~Yorkshire Sculpture Park~ Today we met up with I ~Yorkshire Sculpture Park~
Today we met up with Ian’s brother and sister-in-law at @yspsculpture. It was my first visit and I thought it was brilliant with sculptures by @damienhirst, @erwinwurm and more, (swipe through). The lunch was rather nice too (artichoke bruschetta if you’re interested)💚. 
#yorkshiresculpturepark #yorkshireblogger #visityorkshire #damienhirst #whatlizzyloves
~Good Luck Poppy 🍀~ I’ll be thinking about y ~Good Luck Poppy 🍀~
I’ll be thinking about you all day today as you start you grad job in London. So excited for you and proud of you 🩷🩷🩷xxxx 
@p0ppyisabella #whatlizzyloves
~Flowers~ Roses, rosemary and Fatsia Japonica fro ~Flowers~
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#builtin1873 #familylife #loveroses #whatlizzyloves @ian.monty70
~Good Luck Poppy🍀 ~ Last night- dinner and dri ~Good Luck Poppy🍀 ~
Last night- dinner and drinks in Leeds to wish @p0ppyisabella good luck as she heads to London to start her grad job. Also wishing her boyfriend @olivertonkinson all the very best as he embarks on the next step of his legal career tomorrow. We’re so proud of you both and excited for you xxx
@bibis_kitchenleeds #leeds #family #whatlizzyloves
~Inaya Sandals 🤍~ Ad(reason: #gifted shoes). T ~Inaya Sandals 🤍~
Ad(reason: #gifted shoes). The beautiful @lotusshoes1759 Inaya sandals I wore to my cousin’s wedding a few weeks ago. I wore them from midday to midnight and danced for several hours in them- they are supremely comfortable and absolutely beautiful. 
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~Silver Wedding~ The loveliest afternoon yesterda ~Silver Wedding~
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#friends #friendship #sezanne #meandem #agelessstyle #whatlizzyloves
~Trouser Suit~ We’re now in Lichfield, ahead of ~Trouser Suit~
We’re now in Lichfield, ahead of our friends’ Silver Wedding anniversary celebrations tomorrow. I really enjoyed wearing my trouser suit- a rare departure from wearing a dress 🩷
#meandem #trousersuit #checkedtrousersuit #femininetrousersuit #agelessstyle #whatlizzyloves
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~Wedding dress-up~
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