Reflecting on my 2024 - Taking a look back on the years events.
- Paula Pace
- Jan 5
- 8 min read
Updated: Mar 23
It's been a funny old year. Some great highs and a few lows. So keep reading and join me for a look back at my 2024.
January 2024
As I have done every year, I aimed to get fit, be more organised, eat less chocolate (I rarely drink and don't eat meat, so chocolate is my devil on my shoulder) but I have no staying power, so I won't be promising this to myself 2025, but to just simply enjoy life, do more outdoors things and appreciate the life I have. (oh er that's a bit deep for me, but I think you get you picture).
As for work, I did my first makeup lesson to a previous bride. Although I have a teaching qualification (gained back in the much missed 90s) I've never been 100% confident in teaching someone how to apply makeup. But Dani was overjoyed and she said she managed a good job at a family wedding down south (otherwise she would have had me over to do it).
I also have been making and selling sugar cake decorations which kept me busy in these quieter January months .
February
I try and get my Wedding trials in at the start of the year, as I usually have lots of Saturdays available. so I met with brides Jasmine, Lucy and Samantha.
This was also the month we started getting on the wedding planning for my cousin Lisa for her Wedding in August. As well as doing the makeup, I helped design and order the invites (Canva was ideal for this). I also ordered the dresses (I must admit that ordering for someone was way more stressful than I had originally anticipated) AND...I was nominated to design and make the Wedding Cake - yeah for sure - it'll be fine she said...
March
The weather wasn't the best in March. Or April. Or May. Or June for that matter. So this month, I made plans, worked on my website, did the designing of the invites among family Birthdays, Easter and Mothers day - all of them include making cakes, seems my family really like them, and so do I, which is a problem for me. I also did trials with Danielle, Alena, and Lisa (my cousin) and with my wing man Simone Whitehead.
April
In April, there wasn't much activity, so I dedicated my time to working on the website and writing a few blogs. It seems that blogs can enhance your website's performance, provided they are relevant to your business (unlike this one). Nonetheless, the excitement of the August wedding continued, and we had the opportunity to visit the Roker Hotel during their open day, where it appeared truly stunning following a complete renovation. The Ballroom exuded elegance, reestablishing the hotel as a premier wedding venue in Sunderland, a city lacking many such options. The Roker Hotel stands out for its breathtaking views of Seaburn and Roker beaches, making it a must-visit. Additionally, I connected with Magic Momentz Wedding eventz, a Sunderland-based company responsible for decorating the ballroom for Lisa's special day. Facebook
Almost forgot to mention that I recently gave a makeup lesson to Sunderland author Glenda Young. It was a wonderful experience to finally meet her in person, especially after exchanging messages for the past few years and doing her niece's wedding makeup last year. Glenda was incredibly kind and even gifted me one of her books, Pearl of Pit Lane. If you're a fan of Catherine Cookson, you'll definitely enjoy Glenda's books, all set in Sunderland and its surroundings. Personally, I particularly enjoyed Belle of the Back Streets and The Tupenny Child, both featuring strong female characters. Go on Mackem lasses.
Novels | Glenda Young, Author - find them here.
May
The prom enquiries started to come in for the big glitzy prom month of June. Have you read my Blog post on Prom Makeups? You can read it here Prom Makeup Sunderland North East: Unleash the Glamour
I also did lots of trials with brides Leanne, Andrea, Rachel, Dorothy, Ashleigh and Phillipa and weddings at the end of the month for Alena who got married at Slayley Hall; and Kathrine at Hardwick Hall.
June
This month for me, was my hardest month. We sadly lost our little dog. Probably what was the hardest thing was having to do a Wedding makeup minutes after she died. I'm not really sure how I held it together. How I managed to still apply makeup remains a bit of a mystery. But the loss effected me for the rest of the month. I couldn't find any joy in anything. I have had and lost dogs before and none of them are easy. But for some reason this loss was huge. Maybe it was seeing how it affected my children even though they are 15 and 23.
We will miss her forever....
I got to revisit my Prom angels and they all looked so beautiful. It was nice to see that most of my prom girls were toning down the makeup more and going for super glowy natural makeup with subtle foundations and an emphasis on eyes with more natural lashes. Its what I have wanted since the 2010's when makeup went just a little over the top for such young and perfect faces.
July
The warmer weather finally decided to show up, and like all poor Brits - we never seem to get the chance to climatise. One minute we are raking out the jumpers, the next we are sweating our doodah's off.
This month I had a real mixed bag of work. There were graduations, trials, weddings, the last of the proms and even did some nails here and there (for friends and family, and they asked nicely). I also had a few sugar cake toppers to craft, like Paw Patrol and makeup items.
Like many, I found a breast lump this month and worried myself silly that it was something serious (you never know). I was sent for an emergency scan and relieved that it was granular tissue. I could have cried because there seems to be so many women having breast cancer diagnosis lately. I have become ever more grateful for everything and try my best not to take things for granted. Life is precious.
I made the figurines for Lisa's cake and some letters to add to it/
For the past few years me and my friends have been Sea dipping at Roker and sometimes Seaham beach and managed to keep it up since 2020. Its a fantastic way to meet up, get cold, have a laugh and just be together. If you have thought about it but the cold sea puts you off, I challenge you to just give it a try, as a bucket list tick off. There's benefits to getting cold, like boosting your immune system, your circulation, resetting your mind and much more. And its absolutely free.
August
My cousins Wedding was fast approaching and I had 3 cakes to make and decorate and I was an absolute nervous wreck about them. I've made Birthday cakes plenty of times but a Wedding cake was way out of my comfort zone. There was also final fittings. Nails and eyebrows to do along with Trials with Sophie, Laura, and Kaylees wedding at the South Causey Inn.
August 11th - the big day.
An absolute gift of Summer Weather at the Roker Hotel.
I of course, had a melt down about the cake - getting it set up and I couldn't get the groom character to stand up and a few things had gone wrong a few days before. I have since promised myself to never do a wedding cake again. Not for me. It did taste nice though.
Lisa looked an absolute vision. Her hair styled by my bud Simone Whitehead Bridal Hair.
I did Lisa's glowy look with airbrush and traditional foundations. It still looked good the next morning when we had Breakfast together and her hair looked gorgeous.
Did more August trials with Ardisa, Sally and Anita.
On the August Bank Holiday, went to the Fire station to see the play Present Laughter from the National Theater starring Andrew Scott, with Simone Whitehead Bridal Hair.
September
September was a really busy month for me. Tried my best to get more organised in the house, but it always ends up messy again. I decided I wanted to get another little dog, not to replace my little pal, but to just ease the loss. I can still cry about her at a drop of a hat. But the time has to be right.
I did trials with Nina, Katie Beth and Jess and weddings with kathy,(Ramside Hall Treehouse) Nina,( Alnwick) Ardisa (Black Horse Beamish),Pamela, Samantha (Lumley Castle) , Danielle (Shotton Grange) Sophie (South Causey). One seriously busy month of makeup brush cleaning!!!!
Simone Whitehead and me, went to see Prima Facey with Jodie Comber. I can't describe how amazing she was in this award winning monologue. I can honestly think back now and be sure there were other cast members, but this was all done by her in such a gut punching, thought provoking, dynamite performance.
October.
Began the first week of October at Centre Parcs for my Birthday. Lots of bike rides and a visit to Pooley Bridge.
After a few weeks off, I went back to Pilates (need to keep flexible with all these weddings).
I did some makeups for photo shoots and weddings for Jasmine (South Causey Inn) and Beth Roker Hotel and Laura at the amazing Brinkburn Priory (first visit to Brinkburn and didn't disappoint with its stunning grounds and the glorious golden Autumn sun. The perfect way to end a lovely October
November
November was a much quieter month, which was great as I could start thinking about Christmas shopping. (I admit I'm not the best at gifting but I did try and make an effort this year) I also decided that I didn't want to be one of those dashing to get fit in January types and decided I would give the couch to 5k a bash. I've never been a runner (childhood asthma always seemed to stop me in my tracks) but I'm sure I have outgrown that by now so no need to be scared of that burning throat feel.
I did a few makeups for Christmas parties, but no weddings or trials this month.
December
Made it to December. Continued the 0-5k, surprising myself that I could get through a session without feeling like I would pass out.
I finished the month with a trial for Wendy and a wedding for Beth at the South Causey Inn. This time I was the second makeup artist in the wonderful Hen House for Beth's bridesmaids and guests working alongside the fab Urzsula. I've followed her on Instagram for a while and love her work, so I was delighted to finally meet her. Not only is she superbly talented, she was super helpful and kind. Beth the bride looked gorgeous and the makeup was 10 out of 10. Love to work with her again. It was also great to work with RGM photography again too.
So that's it.
So, 2024 was Ok for me, could always have been better, but really I can't complain.
Bookings for 2025 are coming in fast, which is reassuring for my confidence (I admit I doubt myself - but then I've not met many artists or creatives who don't)
Looking forward to hearing from all you newly engaged 2025 and 2026 brides to be and working alongside some of the great Wedding vendors I've met over the year and particularly my partner in crime and good friend Simone Whitehead Bridal hair.
Paula x
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