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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 #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

Home · April 29, 2025

How to Prepare Your Garden for Summer Parties

With summer on the horizon, I would like to share how to prepare your garden for summer parties if you intend to host some this year. One of the best things about having access to a garden is the opportunity to invite friends and family over for a party. This is particularly worthwhile during summer, when the warm weather might allow you to enjoy the space long into the evening.

Ever since I became a homeowner, I have loved hosting my friends over, not just during the summer but all year round. However, this year, I want to invite them over for summer parties that my family and I are planning. But getting the best from your summer garden parties often means getting the space suitably prepared. But what does this mean in practice? Let’s consider a few worthwhile considerations.

How to prepare your garden for summer parties

*Disclosure – This is a collaborative post

Declutter and Clean Your Garden

If your garden is packed with junk and clutter, then you might find it much more difficult to entertain in it. Worse, you might expose your guests to safety risks. If there are loose hose pipes and garden tools littering the pathways, then it’s possible that an elderly relative might trip over something. 

Set aside a few hours one weekend to thoroughly clear the space. If the garden has been neglected, then this might take slightly longer – so it’s worth forming a habit and staying on top of it.

Lawn and Plant Care

The quality of your lawn will exert a huge influence on the overall appeal of your garden. Make sure that you care for it by keeping the grass at a reasonable length, and the edges sharp and trimmed. You might also spend time dealing with weeds by hand.

Your choice of flowers will matter, too. Not only do these plants look fantastic, but they also draw predators into the garden, which will act as a natural form of pest control. Look for hardy plants, especially if you lack the time to water and fertilise them.

Ambient Lighting and Decorations

As the evening wears on, the right lighting can make a big difference. Not only will it allow everyone to see where they are – it might also contribute to a warm and welcoming vibe. Look for warm hues in your bulbs, since these tend to approximate firelight. You might even consider a real fire pit. Festoon garden lights across the patio will tend to be effective. You might also use ground-level solar lights to accent pathways and other important features.

Comfortable Seating and Shaded Areas

Your guests will want to spend a fairly significant portion of their time sitting down. They might want to eat and drink at the same time, which generally means setting up adequate seating and tables. You can accommodate additional guests with the help of picnic blankets. Setting up canopies and parasols will allow you to shelter from the sunlight, especially at midday. This will allow your guests to enjoy themselves without fear of being burned.

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

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