It’s officially September and it feels like summer is basically gone. It might be a bit dramatic to say that but I can already sense hundreds of Pumpkin Spiced Latte’s spamming my Instagram feed just around the corner.

When the August bank holiday is over the next thing I set my sights on is Halloween, then Bonfire Night and then on the 6th November everything turns festive practically over night. Good lord it’s basically Christmas already.

So, as it has been my first summer in London – and i feel like I have taken ample advantage of being in the here in the sunshine – I thought i’d summarise what a FAB time i’ve had in a handy blog post.

For me, summer begins on Epsom Ladies Day. So i’ll start there…

June

Friday 3rd June -Ladies Day @ Epsom Downs Racecourse

For the second year in a row now i’ve been to Ladies Day at Epsom and i’m hoping this is going to be an annual tradition with my pals as I feel as though summer begins on this day.

Its so British. Hats, horses, heels, Prosecco and £2 bets because I have NO clue about horses and am a big old wuss.

5th to 8th June – Bologna

My trip to Bologna has already been covered on the blog so i’ll keep it short and sweet.

Food, food, sun, history and food – read more here and here.

Sunday 19th June – Father’s Day @ Bills in Greenwich

For Father’s Day my family came to London and my sister and I took my Dad for a brunch at Bill’s followed by a big stroll around Greenwich (I love being tour guide Barbie when they visit).

Saturday 25th June – London Pride

The happiest most wonderful and lovely day of the year.

July

Saturday 2nd July – Beyoncè @ Wembley Stadium

July couldn’t have got off to a better start. Queen Bey playing the biggest show of her life and I was there. Tears were shed, it was magic.

Friday 8th & Saturday 9th July – Jakes Birthday Weekend

We took the Friday off work to celebrate my boyfriends birthday properly.

I planned a FULL day of activity including a trip to the Sky Garden, Junkyard Golf, record shopping and burrrRRRrrrgErrrrz.

Saturday 17th July – Citadel @ Victoria Park

I was lucky enough to be asked to cover Citadel for a website I write for and JUMPED at the chance because I didn’t have any festivals booked this summer and the line up was amazing.

Sigur Ros played, tears were shed…again.

Tuesday 19th & Wednesday 20th July – Aspirations Show @ The Towngate Theatre

I may not have mentioned this on my blog before, but on Saturdays I teach Ballet, Tap and Modern classes to little ones. It was our show this week and as always, all the hard work paid off and I was a super proud teacher.

Saturday 23rd July to Saturday 30th July – Cyprus

July came to a close in Cyprus with friends and family. I snorkelled, got sunburnt, ate my body weight in Halloumi and had the best week in the sunshine before I returned to the UK to begin August with a sun tan and a new job.

August

Saturday 6th August – Nick’s Leaving Party @ Lew’s House

Nick – who I also happened to go to Cyprus with – is a good friend of mine that is moving to New York soon. So naturally he was thrown a leaving party and it was so great to be at home in Essex with ALL of my friends even if I was a lost cause the next day.

Again with the Prosecco.

Wednesday 10th August – Nick’s Birthday

Happy Birthday to one of the major loves of my life, Mr Kyprianou.

Friday 12th August – Sunday 14th August – My Birthday

The beauty of having my birthday on a Sunday was that I ended up having a birthday WEEKEND. On Friday night we went to the Book Club in Shoreditch for drinks, my boyfriend whisked me to Brighton on the Saturday and on Sunday all of my family came to Greenwich for a picnic in the park – i’ve written it down here.

I think it was my favourite birthday yet.

Sunday 28th August – Notting Hill Carnival

I majorly regretted not going last year! It’s not hard to experience FOMO when you live in London and carnival is on.

So I ventured to West London and despite the grey sky and rain – classic Bank Holiday weather – had the best day with old faces.

Monday 29th August – Picnic @ Greenwich Park

I think this day will go down for me as officially the end of summer 2016. Two of my best friends, Tom and Emma came to visit Greenwich for drinks in my favourite pub (the Gypsy Moth) and an M&S picnic in the park.

Summer 2016 you’ve been my most favourite yet.

Here’s to autumn which already has birthdays, Berlin afternoon tea and fireworks lined up…