30 Before 30 (A Realistic List)

I’m 30 this year. Granted, it’s almost as close to the end of the year as it can be (see below), but it’s still this year. Like most people with an impending ‘milestone’ birthday, I want to mark it in some way. And not just with a massive party, although I’d like one of those too (family, take note).

No, I’d quite like to work my way through a ’30 before 30′ list. And before you say it, I know. They’re cheesy. Like, horribly cringeworthy. “Swim with dolphins”, “do a skydive”, “learn a new language” – earnest pursuits to get out of the way before the big 3-0 hits and you give up life to raise children. That’s how these things usually work.

But I’m not interested in enriching my life or improving my intellect. I want to have fun. So this is my 30 before 30 list. Warning – contains gin, piercings and tattoos (family, take note).

Updates in italics!

1. Get a nose piercing
I’ve wanted one for years and never had the nerve, but now I’m totally ready for a teeny gold stud.
Done! It hurt. A lot. Here’s a pic.

2. Cut my hair off
This is an easy one for me – I’ve had all sorts of hair lengths and colours over the years. It’s time for the extensions to come out!
Done! And here’s the proof. 

3. Go to a roller derby
I absolutely love rollerskating. I’d love to go watch the Leeds Roller Dolls in action and maybe have a go myself… failing that, a roller disco would be similarly awesome.
Sadly I didn’t do this before turning 30… one for the 31 list!

4. Have a least 10 spa treatments
Because they’re amazing, restorative and so worth the money.
12 in total! Done. 

5. Learn to cook
Ok, so this is a little earnest. And I can cook, but I want to learn more and be better.
I totally lost my way with this around July time and my eating habits descended into Pizza Hut territory. Whoops. 

6. Visit San Francisco
My beautiful friends Adam and Heidi moved to San Fran last year and I’m determined to get out there to see them.
Ok, so I didn’t quite manage it in my 30th year but we’ve booked our flights for May 2016 so I consider this… done!

8. Do a 10+ mile walk
I did a 10 mile walk in 2013 for St Gemma’s Hospice and loved it. Not sure I’m ready for the Three Peaks, so something a little less intense would be great.
I did the 16 mile Yorkshire Three Peaks Valleys walk! 

9. Go to a gin tasting
I love gin but I’m so set in my ways – Hendrick’s with cucumber or Gordon’s with lemon. I’d love to go to a proper tasting session at Lazy Lounge in Leeds and mix it up a bit!
I did the Lazy Lounge gin tasting in November and it was super fun… if a bit heavy! Did you know the history of gin is actually quite devastating?!

10. Bake a cake
I literally cannot do this. Every cake I’ve attempted has been a disaster – maybe this will be the year I pull it off?
Gonna be honest – I didn’t even attempt this. But I *did* bake mince pies at Christmas so… progress?

11. Volunteer [updated]
After the election results I’ve felt a real need to be a more active member of my community, so I’m looking into volunteering at my local food bank or at the very least, donating some food.
I set up a monthly donation to Amnesty International, I raised money for Heart UK and I donated lots of food to my local food bank. And I’ve started the ball rolling on a volunteering opportunity for the coming months, so… done AND ongoing!

12. Go on a girls’ holiday
Girls’ holidays are just the best. I’m thinking Ibiza or Dublin.
I went to Lisbon and it was AMAZING! Here’s the vlog and here’s the photo album. 

13. Do a yoga workshop
I did an ashtanga class for the first time today and it was tough – I think a workshop would help me understand the movements more.
My interest in yoga petered out right around the time I decided Deliciously Ella was bullshit… so I failed on this. Oh well. 

14. Find the perfect jeans
I wear jeans almost every day, and yet I’ve never found my perfect pair. I’d like to go to a specialist denim shop like Donna Ida and treat myself to some designer denim.
They might not be entirely *perfect*, but I rediscovered my love for Joni jeans and now I have three pairs in constant rotation. So I declare this one… done!

15. Try contact lenses
I’ve never worn contact lenses. They freak me out a little. But I’m interested in life without glasses, so…
NOPE. Couldn’t do it. Glasses for life.

16. Have a night out in Liverpool
I’ve heard it’s great. Any recommendations?
Didn’t manage this one, either!

17. Nurture my nails
I’m really into nails at the moment – I’ve been wearing mine long and more pointed, applying almond oil every night to keep them strong. I want to get them perfect!
Until I decided to try acrylics, I was doing really well on this. The acrylics looked perfect but they did screw up my nails just a lil bit… but I’m back on track now and they’re looking much better, so I think this one is DONE.

18. Get serious about cycling
I’ve dabbled in cycling on and off for the last few years, but I really want to do it properly and cycle to my studio.
I cycled to work for about 3 months over summer and loved it. I’m definitely a fairweather cyclist and my bike’s been in the cellar since September, but I’m planning to get back on it when it’s a little warmer outside. So, done! 

19. Learn to DJ
I’ve done a few ‘sets’ over the years and I love making playlists… I’d never do it professionally, but it’d be good to mix my songs rather than just click ‘next’!
This is the one I’m really annoyed at myself for not even attempting… I did two more ‘sets’ over Christmas and loved it even more, so I’m putting this back on the list for 2016.

20. Explore Scotland
I’d love to go up to Aberdeen and spend more time in beautiful Scotland.
I went to Edinburgh for my 30th and stayed in a completely new part of the city, which was amazing. My favourite trip yet!

21. Get another tattoo
This one’s already in the works – I’m going to Paris in May to get my second piece!
Done and done! Thanks Rebecca for tatt number 2 and 3 x

22. Master lipliner
I wear a lot of red lipstick but I’ve never got the hang of lipliner. This is the year.
Lipliner was massive back in early 2015 and I was all over this trend, but then I decided drawing on my lips every day was way too much faff.

23. Read at least 10 books
Can I sneak a final earnest one in? Don’t tell anyone.
I managed about 7 books last year which is a pathetic attempt. Improvement needed.

24. Attempt flower arranging
I have a vague idea that modern floristry might be what I do when I’m through with this social media game. So maybe a course, or just some practise at home?
I bought lots of flowers and did lots of practise – it all looked very pretty, so consider this one done.

25. Get some office space
This one’s happening quite soon – in April I’m moving my business from its current open desk space into a studio of its very own!
I moved into my studio in July – post coming soon!

26. Go to the ballet (and not to see The Nutcracker)
Ballet is one of the most beautiful things to watch, and I’m lucky to live in the same city as Northern Ballet.
Done – I saw Romeo and Juliet and it was wonderful!

27. Learn how to blend eyeshadow
I’d love to create a perfectly-blended smoky eye – surely YouTube can help me with this?
Getting much better at this after watching loads of Jennie Jenkins videos!

28. Sing karaoke
A few years ago my friends and I were obsessed with Singstar, and I’ve been to my fair share of karaoke bars – there’s nothing like belting out Beyoncé! I’d love to get back into it.
When we went to the Christmas cottage late last year, there was a karaoke machine with a few classic tracks and we had a ball belting them out. Done!

29. See the sunrise over New York City
I want to recreate Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, basically.
Not quite, but as part of our US trip in May we’re visiting NYC and I am determined to do this. So let’s say ‘in progress’.

30. Have afternoon tea at Claridge’s
Wouldn’t that be a great way to spend my 30th birthday?
I missed out on this for my 30th but now I know about Sketch I’m desperate to go. Maybe during my trip to London in March?