As I enter the final year of my 30s, I thought I s As I enter the final year of my 30s, I thought I share with you some pictures of mine at 9 months, 9 years, 19 years, 29 years  to today 39 years old of age. Looking back at each decade, I feel both ‘older’ and ‘younger’, I see the change in my features, the change in my way of life, the change in my personality and the experience itched on my face. I am grateful for the life I have lived thus far and excited for the life I am yet to live. 
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

2026 - 39, (Home, England), I am ready for this final year before my 40s but also ready for this next decade. 
2016 - 29, (Oslo, Norway), this decade was about self discovery and building the life I dreamt about. The life that I am super proud of and truly grateful to be living. This decade, I built my financial life and in later years choose to heal from the trauma gained in the last decade and now I feel well equipped for the future. 
2006 - 19, (Glasgow, Scotland), I thought I was grown (look at the cheekbones 🤣🤣) and ready for the world, chiiiild was I wrong, let’s just say, I am still resolving the trauma the decade brought me but I am grateful because I met my best friends and made decisions for the future I wanted to have. (Spoiler alert - I did better than I dreamed). 
1996 - 9, (Home, Zambia) this was my birthday but my little sister insisted she had to be the one in the middle. The only way we knew whose birthday it was, was by standing in the middle but this year I remember baby sister crying her eyes out and refusing 🤨
1988 - 9 months, (Chililabombwe, Zambia) although my mother looks tired and traumatised😟, I know I was loved and happy. 
#happybirthday #happybirthday❤️ #newera #39
Attended #ascotraces for the second year running a Attended #ascotraces for the second year running and I am glad to have experienced the ‘Village enclosure’ this year, whilst I loved ‘Windsor enclosure’ last year, it’s not for me. Next year, I want Queen Anne’s enclosure. 💕 #girlsdayout #girlslikeus #ascotfashion
How I missed you my love 🥰🥰🥰 #hertripsabroad #bla How I missed you my love 🥰🥰🥰

#hertripsabroad #blackgirlstraveltoo #maldives #neverstopexploring #welltravelled
Tried being a #touristforaday and we chose #london Tried being a #touristforaday and we chose #london because why not. My feet still hurt from the thought of how much walking we did, the fact that we walked from #bigben to #buckinghampalace is still fresh on my mind. 

#neverstopexploring
🖤🖤MARCH PHOTO/VIDEO DUMP🖤🖤 So much happened and 🖤🖤MARCH PHOTO/VIDEO DUMP🖤🖤 

So much happened and yet I can’t find the words.
It has been an amazing week here, definitely recom It has been an amazing week here, definitely recommend @iberostar in Agadir. 
#neverstopexploring #wanderlust #welltravelled #lifeofadventure #hertripsabroad
I spent a week in #dohaqatar and had the most rela I spent a week in #dohaqatar and had the most relaxing and fulfilling time of my life. Sometimes taking it slow and living in the moment is what the soul needs. 🥰🥰🥰
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:
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 #hertripsabroad #solotravel #solotravelingisfun 
#blackgirlstraveltoo
I had such an amazing week in Doha, Qatar after no I had such an amazing week in Doha, Qatar after not visiting for almost 8years. 📍

#qatar #doha #qatarphotoinstagram  #solo travel #travelbug bestvacations igtravel travelpic travelblog beautifuldestinations tlpicks instatravel roamtheplanet traveldeeper travelgram travelinspo wanderlust instapassport exploretheworld travelpics travelmore passionpassport travelawesome lonelyplanet travelblogger travelphotography traveltheworld worldtraveler
Happy New Year, happy 2026 #firstpicture of the ye Happy New Year, happy 2026 #firstpicture of the year.
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A July Dreamer

A Travel & Lifestyle Blog

Lifestyle · November 30, 2016

Black Friday Purchases 

Black Friday craziness has definitely been creeping on this side of the Atlantic more and more over the years. There are so many things like Halloween, thanksgiving etc that are America centric that have made it here. Obviously not nearly as big as in the states but it’s catching on…fast. Black Friday is one of them and it’s not going anywhere.

I had told myself that I was not going to do any shopping and I intended on sticking to that. That was until I started writing my what I want for Christmas post and realised I really wanted  a camera. You see since I started blogging and attending blogger events I realised that I should up my game. It has been something I had been wanting to do but never got round to it. Then it was money issues thinking I couldn’t afford it, but when I actually could I choose to travel instead.Black Friday Purchases

Canon PowerShot SX530 HS

There say in life it is  all about priorities, I am still trying to figure out what are my priorities. I have not yet got the hang of it all but I am  slowly learning. When it came to my blogging journey I honestly did not have my priorities bang on. I figured the iPhone 6plus has good enough camera, why mess with something working just fine. There has been times when I really wanted to take pictures, when I did they didn’t quite come out right.

After a few searches on Currys PC world and hardly any research, I opted for the Canon PowerShot SX530 HS. The sales guy/person said it is a good enough camera and I bought it for £159.99. This is not an expense I had put on the budget so it means, no spend month. It’s crazy to have a no spend a month in December but spending on unnecessary things is banned, only essentials.

Before I decided to go on the no spend month, I had to treat myself to one last gift a weekender to Nice France. Nice is on my 30B430 Bucketlist but never had a chance to visit yet due to its popularity during summer. I figured why not go when no one is thinking of hitting up the south of France.

Easyjet had an awesome deal going for £50 return flight from London Luton. I have genius account with Booking.com so I found a 4* hotel for £60 for two nights and that’s me sorted. I can not wait to visit next weekend, I need to plan my weekend.

Did you get anything during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales? Did you get a chance to treat yourself or your family?

In: Lifestyle

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Comments

  1. Anosa says

    January 7, 2017 at 12:11 pm

    I am trying to buy a flat in 2017 so I can imagine the frustration

    Reply
  2. Lilinha Espindula says

    December 9, 2016 at 7:03 pm

    WOW! What an amazing camera, great deal too! 🙂

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      January 7, 2017 at 12:15 pm

      It was an awesome deal for sure

  3. Daniella Keating says

    December 6, 2016 at 8:17 pm

    That camera looks good would love to hear how it is for the price!

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      January 7, 2017 at 12:15 pm

      So far it’s been incredible I love it

  4. Tanya Brannan says

    December 6, 2016 at 11:02 am

    I need to do exactly the same and up my game in the camera dept. I am hoping for money for Christmas so I can get a better one for my blogging.
    I hope you enjoy your mini break – sounds perfect to me! xx

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      January 7, 2017 at 12:14 pm

      Thanks Tanya I sure did and yes the camera had helped up my blogging game

  5. Francesca Nelson says

    December 5, 2016 at 7:59 pm

    What a great price!! I love canons, thats what I use they are so easy to use! Also what a great deal for a weekend to France, can’t wait to hear all about it!!

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      January 7, 2017 at 12:13 pm

      I have loved canons for ever so made sense to pick one up

  6. Stephanie Merry says

    December 5, 2016 at 1:32 pm

    I didn’t get any deals but looks like you got a great two with the camera and flights! x

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      January 7, 2017 at 12:13 pm

      I sure did, I love my new camera and Nice was epic

  7. Rhian Westbury says

    December 5, 2016 at 9:26 am

    Looks like a lovely camera, enjoy trying it out in Nice. Such a great deal on the hotel too x

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      January 7, 2017 at 12:13 pm

      Thanks Rhian I sure did

  8. Elizabeth says

    December 5, 2016 at 6:02 am

    I hope you have a lovely time in France! Great deal on the flights/hotel! Lovely camera too, enjoy!

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      January 7, 2017 at 12:12 pm

      Thanks so much I did

  9. Kira L Curtis says

    December 5, 2016 at 12:29 am

    Wow you got some great deals, that’s such a good price for a camera! And the trip as well! Wish I had actually had a look now, I could do with a holiday!

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      January 7, 2017 at 12:12 pm

      I am glad I managed to get the camera and the trip was the icing on the cake

  10. Ana De Jesus says

    December 4, 2016 at 8:06 pm

    Woohoo that is an awesome buy getting your camera, hope it allows you to take some awesome photos!

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      January 7, 2017 at 12:12 pm

      I hope so too

  11. Ickle Pickle says

    December 4, 2016 at 7:36 pm

    Wow – two awesome treats! I didn’t buy anything, I am now working my way through my children’s Christmas List’s! Kaz x

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      January 7, 2017 at 12:12 pm

      Aww how sweet I am sure the kids appreciate it big time

  12. Elodie says

    December 4, 2016 at 5:30 pm

    Great pick! I haven’t ordered anything for myself this Black Friday but I did manage to buy most of my Christmas presents so it’s all good! ☺️

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      January 7, 2017 at 12:11 pm

      That’s awesome, I managed to buy my Christmas presents for the family before the Black Friday

  13. Beautyqueenuk says

    December 4, 2016 at 2:34 pm

    Great Black Friday purchase! I managed to get all but one of my Christmas presents for the family and I sent them all to my mum for her to wrap 🙂

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      January 7, 2017 at 12:10 pm

      Hahahaha bless love our mothers

  14. london_unattached says

    December 4, 2016 at 11:45 am

    I managed to avoid black friday this year – though in the past I’ve used it to buy things that were on my wishlist too. Love the camera!

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      January 7, 2017 at 12:10 pm

      I wanted to but last minute decision I went for it

  15. Laura says

    December 4, 2016 at 4:43 am

    Oh wow congrats on your new camera and your trip to Nice! I bought Le Crueset kitchenware in the sales this year xxx

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      January 7, 2017 at 12:10 pm

      Oooh sounds well posh lol

  16. Jazmin Williams says

    December 4, 2016 at 12:31 am

    That camera looks absolutely amazing and perfect for the trip in Nice! Have a fab time x

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      January 7, 2017 at 12:10 pm

      I know right, it was awesome having it with me

  17. Jess | The Indigo Hours says

    December 3, 2016 at 5:45 pm

    Oooh this looks like a nice camera! Have an amazing time in Nice, I went for my birthday weekend a couple of years ago and it’s beautiful <3

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      January 7, 2017 at 12:09 pm

      It sure is gorgeous and thanks

  18. Dena Jayne says

    December 3, 2016 at 2:07 pm

    Wow you got a good deal on the flight & hotel! Enjoy.xo

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      January 7, 2017 at 12:09 pm

      I sure did, I was very pleased

  19. Michelle Twin Mum says

    December 2, 2016 at 11:32 pm

    Definitely worth investing in a camera, I bought a decent one a few years back for the blog and have never looked back. Mich x

    Reply
    • Anosa says

      December 3, 2016 at 9:06 am

      I am glad to have invested in a good camera and can not wait to start using it for my blog.

  20. Anosa says

    December 2, 2016 at 8:22 am

    Thank you Heather, I can not wait to start learning how to use my camera not just on auto but manual too. I am invested in learning in the new year for the betterment of my blogging business

    Reply

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I'm Miranda. Travel-Addict. Blogger. Moscato Addict. Weekend Escapist. Homebody. Countryside dweller residng in Oxfordshire.

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