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A decade of Memoirs of a Metro Girl!
Reflecting on a decade of blogging about London
Ten years ago today, Memoirs of a Metro Girl was launched! At the time, I was working as a digital journalist for a national newspaper and I was finding myself unfulfilled by some of the content I was writing. After a colleague told me about WordPress, I decided on a whim to launch my own blog. I had read a few other London blogs around at the time and many were written by newcomers or visitors to the capital. Blogs by tourists obviously have a very different view of London to myself, although hopefully they love the city as much I do. Having been born, grown up and spent my adult life in London, I hoped I could add a real insider’s insight to the capital, reflecting on how certain areas had changed over the years – sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse! Admittedly, the blog went ‘live’ with only a couple of pages, when I should have built up more first… but hindsight is an amazing thing. I also cringe at the quality of my photos in those early posts, but thankfully camera phones have rapidly advanced and acquiring a SLR camera has also improved my imagery. I’ve also stopped getting embarrassed about taking photos of food in restaurants, despite some friends often rolling their eyes when I do so!
I initially wanted to cover events, pop-ups, bar and restaurant reviews in London as I played as hard as I worked. I was known amongst my friends and family for my wide knowledge of London and always had recommendations and tips to hand, from cocktail bars to hidden treasures. In addition to blogging about my hometown, I thought I would slip in the odd travel piece about my holidays – a topic area I have purposely neglected in recent years to focus specifically on the capital, preferring to just pop photos of my travels on my Instagram instead. Read the rest of this entry
Happy New Year! A look back on blogging in 2018
Memoirs Of A Metro Girl’s #2018bestnine on Instagram
Happy New Year! In the last few days of 2018, many of us have been taking stock of what has happened in the past 12 months. I’m definitely ready for a new year to begin, although with some trepidation with how Brexit will change the UK and our economy.
I’ve been able to devote a lot more time to my blog this year so have enjoyed delving into some history of some lesser known London buildings. Going forward with my blog in 2019, expect to see more restaurant and bar reviews, history pieces, what’s on guide and more exploring of my hometown.
Wishing all my readers a very Happy New Year and see you in 2019 for more London adventures.
Metro Girl
P.S. If you still haven’t sorted your New Year’s Eve plans, check out my guide on where to see in 2019.
Merry Christmas to MOAMG readers and some tips if you’re staying in London
Wishing all Memoirs Of A Metro Girl readers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
I would just like to wish all my readers a very Merry Christmas wherever you will be. As usual, it will be another traditional Christmas with my family in my hometown of London.
For those who are staying in the capital over the festive period, here’s a few ideas of things to do:
– Bring the family – or relive your childhood – at The Snowman Experience at Winter Wonderland.
– Sip on a Christmas cocktail from one of these London bars and festive pop-ups.
– Or if you fancy a spot of ice-skating at one of London’s many pop-up rinks, check out where to go here.
– For a guide to what’s on in London this Christmas, click here.
– Why not check out some of the capital’s Christmas lights and decorations.
– Or if you need some ideas of how to see in the New Year, click here.
See you in 2019 for more London fun and frolics!
Metro Girl
Happy New Year! A look back on blogging in 2017
Happy New Year! Here we are, about to move into the latter part of the decade. 2017 has proved a turbulent year with politics and some horrific terror attacks in our great city. However, I’ll always be proud of how us Londoners stay strong in the face of terror and refuse to bow to fear. As we continue to move through the Brexit process, the fate of the capital and country as a whole seems uncertain as ever, with our economy expected to show more unpredictability in 2018.
As well as looking back on the year, I’m also taking stock of my blogging and how it’s gone. When I started my blog in 2012, there were dramatically less bloggers than there are now. Sometimes it feels difficult to stand out and be heard amongst a sea of other blogs. Occasionally, some people have suggested I try to find a USP. However, to me, my blog isn’t to make money and win ‘likes’. I started my blog to write about what I want to write about, to showcase my passion for and knowledge of my hometown. My interests and hobbies cannot be pigeon-holed into a certain ‘type’ and I often enjoy polar opposites. I love both luxury and bargain restaurants. I love history and art, but I also love clubbing and concerts. I would expect many of my readers are the same – we are versatile people with a range of interests. I don’t know how long I will continue blogging, but for now, I still enjoy it and am committed so expect more London events, restaurant reviews, history and more from Metro Girl in 2018.
Taking my what’s on guides out of the equation, here are Metro Girl’s most popular blog posts of 2017.
- Bolton House: A rare piece of Art Nouveau in the City of London.
- Granada Tooting: A neo-renaissance cinema masquerading as a bingo hall.
- Is this London’s smallest alley? Squeeze down Brydges Place in Covent Garden.
- Beauty And The Feast review: A fabulous and playful immersive, theatrical dinner experience. (On until 4 January 2018).
- Neal’s Yard Water Clock: A quirky timepiece in Covent Garden.
Wishing all my readers a very Happy New Year and see you in 2018 for more London adventures.
Love Metro Girl
Happy New Year! A look back on Metro Girl’s 2016 of blogging
Here’s to a sparkling new year
Happy New Year! It’s that time of year when we look back and reflect on the past 12 months. Well, it goes without saying that 2016 is going to be one year that stands out in the history books years from now. The huge volume of celebrity deaths, the shock Brexit and Trump results, among other events, have provided plenty of things to talk, lament and worry about.
In terms of my blog, it has continued to grow and the feedback and engagement I get from my audience is encouraging. Every new year since I launched MOAMG back in 2012, I wonder how long I can keep my blog going. Well for now, I am still enjoying it as much as ever and documenting my exploration of my hometown so expect plenty more posts in 2017.
Taking my listings guides out of the equation, here’s Metro Girl’s most popular blog posts of 2016.
- Artist Julian Opie creates new permanent artwork for Carnaby as Lumiere London kicks off
- Revisit the romance and energy of Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet with Backyard Cinema
- Beyond The Waterfall: Take a boat trip to a magical cocktail bar at Westfield London this Christmas
- Trade Union review: London’s most versatile day and night destination opens in Wapping
- St Katharine Docks: A hidden oasis in the centre of London
Wishing all my readers a very Happy New Year and see you in 2017 for more London adventures.
Love Metro Girl
Wishing readers of Memoirs Of A Metro Girl a Happy Christmas
Wishing all MOAMG readers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Wishing my readers a Merry Christmas
We’re approaching the end of 2016 and it’s been quite a year. Politically the country and the world is in turmoil right now.
It’s that time of year when London becomes somewhat of a ghost town for a few days when many of the capital’s residents flee to their hometowns across the country and overseas to spend the festive period with family… or perhaps in the sunshine.
As for me, I’ll be spending another Christmas here in London, as I always do, with my family. Yet again, my lifetime hope for a white Christmas is unlikely to be realised this year.
For those who are staying in the capital over the festive period, here’s a few ideas of things to do:
– If you fancy a spot of ice-skating at one of London’s many pop-up rinks, check out where to go here.
– Sip on a festive cocktail from one of these London bars.
– For a what’s on guide to what’s on in London this Christmas, click here.
– Or if you need some ideas of how to see in the New Year, click here.
See you in 2017 for more London fun and frolics!
Metro Girl
Wishing readers of Memoirs Of A Metro Girl a Merry Christmas
Wishing all MOAMG readers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Would just like to wish all my readers a very Merry Christmas wherever you will be. As for me, it will be another traditional London Christmas with my family (have given up expecting to see a white one in my lifetime!).
For those who are staying in the capital over the festive period, here’s a few ideas of things to do:
– Visit the London Eye for a special festive adventure above the capital with Christmas cocktails or skate in their pop-up ice rink.
– Sip on a festive cocktail from one of these London bars.
– Or if you fancy a spot of ice-skating at one of London’s many pop-up rinks, check out where to go here.
– For a what’s on guide to what’s on in London this Christmas, click here.
– Or if you need some ideas of how to see in the New Year, click here.
See you in 2016 for more London fun and frolics!
Metro Girl
Happy New Year! Metro Girl looks back on blogging in 2014
Seeing London from The Shard at a Silent Disco was the most popular post this year
Yes, it’s that time of year again when most of us reflect on the past 12 months. Personally, 2014 was one of my best years in… well years and I hope 2015 will equal it. No doubt there will be many more restaurants and bars to review, history to discover and festivals to party at. Memoirs Of A Metro Girl has really grown in 2014, having over doubled my traffic in the past six months so I’m grateful to all the readers that have taken the time to read and share my posts.
Taking my listings guides out of the equation, here’s Metro Girl’s most popular blog posts on 2014.
1) Silent Disco at View From The Shard: Shaking your booty at 800ft
2) Secret Cinema presents Back To The Future review: Great Scott, I’ve gone back to 1955!
3) Swiss glockenspiel in Leicester Square: The last survivor of the Swiss Centre
4) Who do you sphinx you are? The history behind the camel and sphinx benches on Victoria Embankment
5) Duck & Waffle review: A pretty fabulous brunch on the 40th floor
Wishing all my readers a very Happy New Year and see you in 2015 for more London adventures.
Love Metro Girl
Happy 1st Birthday to Memoirs Of A Metro Girl
Memoirs Of A Metro Girl turns one today!
One year ago today, I finally made a long-held fantasy of becoming a blogger a reality. I’ve worked in the media, and more specifically online, for over a decade and was eager to fulfil my passion for my other interests outside work. Anyone who has read my blog, won’t take long to realise I’m a vehemently proud and patriotic Londoner. I had an amazing childhood in the city, am loving working and playing here during my career years… and health and finances permitting, hope to retire here too. This blog has made me find out more about the city I live in and has inspired me to utilise my free time more.
Over the past 12 months, I’ve reached many milestones, have had thousands of hits and am currently at over 200 Twitter followers. I really appreciate all the support of my readers by sharing, retweeting and ‘liking’ my posts. However, I am still striving to grow my blog and reach even more readers, so if you like what you see, please tell your friends, family and colleagues about MOAMG.
Here’s my top five most popular blog posts of the past year:
Follow the Wenlocks: Olympic discovery trails around London. August 2012
Can lampposts be fashionable? The myth of the Coco Chanel street lights. February 2013
Rock ‘n’ rollin’ at the Rivoli: Jive Party at a 1950s ballroom. November 2012
Inside out: A rare chance to step inside the Lloyd’s Building at Open House. September 2012
Ooh la la! Crazy Horse cabaret comes to London with Forever Crazy. October 2012
Thanks for the continued support.
A Metro Girl in London
A Liebster Award Nomination
I was thrilled to be nominated by Lizzy at The Ropes in London for a Liebster Award, so thank you! I’ve been blogging for about nine months and it’s become my saviour. I work erratic shifts in my full-time job which leave me exhausted a lot of the time, so finding time to blog is hard, but I love it. The Liebster Award is a fun way to recognise and promote new up and coming blogs of a good standard with less than 200 followers (on WordPress). Liebster comes from the German word for ‘dearest’ or ‘favourite’, which is cute.
As a nominee, I’m required to:
1. Thank the Liebster Blog presenter who nominated you and link back to their blog.
2. Post 11 facts about themselves, answer the 11 questions they’ve been asked and create 11 questions for your nominees.
3. Nominate 11 blogs of 200 followers or less who you feel deserve to be noticed and leave a comment on their blog letting them know they have been chosen.
4. Display the Liebster Award logo (there’s two of ’em).
11 Random Facts About Myself
1) I was born, brought up and live in South London, went to university in North London, spent most of my working life based in West London and have often partied/ate/shopped in Central and East London so I like to think I have a good, balanced knowledge of the whole capital.
2) I’m an adrenalin junkie – I’ve done two skydives, a bunjee jump, a trapeze lesson, abseiling and a parachute jump off a mountain.
3) I have travelled to over 40 countries, although as I get older and obtain more financial responsibilities, my goal of visiting 100 before I die seems a bit optimistic.
4) I make a mean Mojito – taught myself the recipe after drinking a lot in Cuba. Do NOT grind up the mint leaves!
5) I hate winter and the cold, I was born in August so I would prefer to be in the warm all year round.
6) I was a camp counsellor in New Jersey when I was 19. It was quite possibly the hardest job I have ever done in my life. I didn’t sleep for the best part of three months while looking after seven seven-year-olds 24 hours a day.
7) I published a book in 2007 – a biography of a pop act. Not what I dreamt my first book would be, but I am proud of it.
8) I’ve been a pescatarian since I was eight.
9) Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day – the possibilities are endless: pancakes, waffles, English muffins, fry-ups, muesli…
10) If money was no object, I would love to buy National Trust ‘at risk’ properties and restore them.
11) I try to live by the slogan ‘Do it, move it, make it happen – no one ever sat their way to success’ – although I am guilty of not always applying it to my life.
Now, here’s my answers to my questions from Lizzy:
1. Which is your favourite month and why?
August. It’s my birthday month and tends to be warm.
2. What is your single, most important possession?
My passport.
3. Describe your very first memory?
Sitting on Father Christmas’s lap at daycare when I was three. I was very self-conscious of being stared at.
4. Who is your favourite author?
Arthur Conan Doyle.
5. If you could only visit one city in the world, which would it be?
Hong Kong.
6. Facebook, Twitter or both?
Both.
7. What would you choose for your last meal?
Lobster with garlic butter with buttery mashed potatoes and spinach and sultanas on the side.
8. What made you decide to start your own blog?
After years of being the ‘go to’ girl for London information from friends and family, I thought it was time put it down in writing in the run-up to the Queen’s Jubilee.
9. What is your favourite film?
Back To The Future
10. Who do you think is the world’s most loved celeb?
Nelson Mandela (not technically a celeb, but he’s one person that doesn’t divide opinion)
11. What is the last song you listened to?
You’ve Got The Love – The Source and Candi Staton (the original and the best, sorry Florence And The Machine!)
And here’s 11 other blogs and 11 other questions.
Here’s my questions for the nominees:
1) What’s your favourite (non-blog) website?
2) Given the choice, what holiday would you prefer – city break, beach break or adventure holiday?
3) Is there any world city you found disappointing or underwhelming when you visited it?
4) What’s your favourite book?
5) What epitaph would you have written on your gravestone?
6) What is your favourite dessert?
7) What is your ‘guilty pleasure’ TV show or film?
8) If you could time travel to any decade in the 20th century, what would it be?
9) If any Hollywood star, dead or alive, could play you in a movie of your life, who would it be?
10) First record/cassette/CD/download single you ever bought [depending on your age ;-)]?
11) Favourite colour?
Memoirs Of A Metro Girl 