2015 In Review

Happy New Year!

I wasn't going to do this sort of post, but after enjoying so many fantastic ones over the past few days, I just had to!  Here are my best bits of 2015 (if you want to read my 2014 in review post, click here)!

Best Film - Insurgent
I adore the book trilogy by Veronica Roth, so this was a highly anticipated one for me.  Although (as always) I much prefer the books, the films are actually pretty impressive - I really enjoy them! Admittedly I have yet to see Spectre - that might change everything; I'm a big Bond fan.
Close Calls: Inside Out, Pitch Perfect 2, Star Wars The Force Awakens

Best TV series - Luther
I was so happy to see this return, it's without a doubt my all-time favourite TV programme and even though it was only two episodes long, I still loved every second.
Close Calls: Suits, Pretty Little Liars

Best Song - Little Something
In November I was lucky enough to go to the Above and Beyond Little Something charity concert in Wembley (official after movie here) and we had such a brilliant time - this song will always remind me of that fantastic night... and Rob singing it on repeat for about three months before the concert.
Close calls: Galantis - Peanut Butter Jelly, Sigala - Easy Love

Best Book - Robert Galbraith: The Silkworm and Cuckoo's Calling
I have reviewed The Silkworm separately (here), but these are both the sort of book that you just can't put down.  I guess it's not much of a surprise as Robert Galbraith is a pseudonym for JK Rowling, and even though her writing is completely different, it's just as intriguing.  These novels about a private detective are full of unexpected twists and turns, and I can't wait to get my hands on the next one in the series.
Close Calls: Veronica Roth - The Divergent Trilogy, Angela Marsons - Evil Games, Lucy Christopher - Stolen, SJ Watson - Before I Go To Sleep, Peter James - Roy Grace series 

Best Month - December
Although there's been a lot of fab memories made in 2015, I have enjoyed December the most.  For the first two weeks of the month I was in my little Portsmouth flat with Rob. I enjoyed the relationship I have build with my class as they have finally begun to behave during lessons, and it was so sweet watching them get excited for Christmas.  Work was filled with food, parties a bit of assessment (which wasn't too painful) and a few sad goodbyes.  The last two weeks of the month have been spent back at home in South Wales with my family and friends celebrating Christmas - I've loved every minute!

Best Trip - Marbella
Rob and I spent a week of August sunning ourselves in Marbella.  I've written a post about our holiday here (part one) and here (part two) but in a nutshell we had a brilliant room with a sea view in an incredible location and the weather was amazing! We loved everything about Marbella and I'd definitely like to visit again in the future.

Best Meal - A Bar Bistro, Portsmouth
In case you haven't noticed by the amount of posts in the little 'Restaurant Reviews' tab at the top of my blog, since moving to Portsmouth in 2014 I have loved trying out loads of different places to eat.  my favourite one this year has been A Bar Bistro.  I have a full post (here) about my visit in July, but I've eaten there two or three times this year and every time it's been incredible!
Close Calls - Langland Brasserie, Swansea; I Italian, Portsmouth; Azzuro, Portsmouth; Southsea Beach Cafe, Southsea

Best Day Out - Isle of Wight
In July, my parents came down to visit Rob and I to celebrate my 22nd birthday and we hopped on the ferry to spend the day on the Isle of Wight.  The weather was stunning and we had such a fab day - here's my post about our brilliant day.
Close Calls - Bristol Balloon Fiesta, Winchester Christmas Market, Southsea Food Festival, Abergavenny Food Festival, Brecon County Show

Best Post - Favourite Lipsticks
According to my stats, my most-read post of this year is this post from June about my favourite lipsticks (at the time - there's been a few changes since then, I might have to do an update soon!). I hate the photos in this post though, I'm hoping to work hard to improve my blog photos in 2016!
Close Calls: Lush Intergalactic Bath Bomb, Isle of Wight

Best Instagram Photo - Gwen Stefani x Urban Decay Palette
Although the above photos are apparently my 2015 Best Nine (get yours here), my favourite Instagram upload of this year is this shot of the gorgeous UDxGwen palette. By the way, if you don't follow me on Instagram, I'm @lilieslipbalm.
Close calls: Charlotte Tilbury goodies, Christmas presents, Marbella sunset, MAC Cut a Caper selfie  

I would love to read about your best bits of 2015- if you have a similar post or a review of your year please let me know in the comments!