Well. 2015 has been a stellar year. Exactly a year ago, I posted a similar blog to this one, named ‘2014- The Best Year Of My Life’… but I think this year has managed to top it.
Last year, I hit some major milestones like winning Miss Pinup New Zealand and getting married, 2014 felt like it was the year I truly believed in myself and the world of Miss Victory Violet really gained traction without me even consciously doing it.
I’ve always just done what I love and when amazing opportunities come around, I’m always so grateful as I never expect it. I don’t have a set ‘goal’, I just want to continue what I’m doing, have fun, and who knows what else the future holds.
This year was all about continuing that ride, learning to find balance between work/blog/home/life/husband/friends and having one of the greatest adventures of all… Around the world in 6 weeks with my best friend! (Sorry, there’s going to be LOTS of travel related highlights)
I don’t have a New Years resolution as such, but I do want to take better control over my general health. I’ve let being busy and working lots of late nights become a excuse for not eating as healthy as I could, so I’m going to be making a more conscious effort to prepare meals and exercise.
So without further ado, here are my 2015 highlights- thank you for being a part of it and for your continued support, it’s an amazing feeling having so many people cheering me on (I will never forget how overwhelming the amount of messages I got when I won Miss Viva Las Vegas was).
I wish you all a Happy New Year, I hope your 2016 is filled with friendship, kindness, dreams, passion, good health and love (including self-love!) <3
*I’ve embedded links in some of the highlights which lead to full blog posts about the event- click on those to read further, especially the travel ones*
January 19th- Flying down to Christchurch to be in Tami Neilson’s video clip alongside Anika Moa and Ria Hall!
February 2nd– I featured on the cover of Glory Days Magazine!
AND Elizabeth J Photography and I got to do a photoshoot inside the incredible Civic Theatre.
February 10th- Photos of me by Elizabeth J Photography go live on pinupgirlclothing.com
February 14th- Matt organises a romantic picnic on the back of his truck for Valentines Day
March 2nd- Sarah won a competition I ran here on the blog so I did her hair and makeup and she had a fantastic shoot with Elizabeth J Photography!
March 23rd- Elizabeth J Photography and I shoot at this amazing privately owned diner– the attention to detail was incredible!
Elizabeth J Photography
March 28th- We set off on our 6 week long adventure… first stop, Tahiti!
March 30th- I model for Pinup Girl Clothing while in Los Angeles… Dream come true!
April 5th- I shoot with the incredible Lars /Made In Eighty while in Las Vegas
April 6th- The Viva Las Vegas Carshow, a huge highlight on it’s own but I also won Miss Viva Las Vegas!
April 8th- We have one THE BEST TIME in San Francisco riding over the Golden Gate Bridge and eating pizza in Sausalito. Seriously, one of the most fun-filled days of my life <3
April 9th- Another great highlight in San Fran (we loved this city so much!), we went on a dinner and live Jazz cruise and had such a wonderful time.
April 10th– We arrive in New York City and are reunited with my Mum and spent 6 days with her.
April 11th- Our first year wedding anniversary, we were lucky enough to be in New York City and had the most amazing meal at The Russian Tearooms
April 14th- A unforgettable night, seeing The Lion King on Broadway! I had tears in my eyes at the beginning… I’ve been wanting to see it for years!
April 17th- We have just one day in Iceland… it was exhausting but amazing!
April 18th- We arrive in Paris which was my favourite place from our entire trip. We spend 4 days eating amazing food, gazing at buildings and soaking up the Parisian way of life. Everyday in Paris was a highlight!
April 22nd- I get to shoot at Frankie and Gerry’s Retro Studio in Newcastle, UK with Glamour Bunny Clothing… Thanks Gerry and Sophie!
Frankie and Gerry’s Retro Studio
April 23rd- We arrive in London and I get to spend the night drinking cocktails with The Tootsie Rollers!
April 24th- Seeing Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London. My favourite musical and hands down the best performance of anything I’ve ever seen!
April 25th– Spending the day in London with my beautiful friend Elissa who was travelling through Europe at the time and has now settled in Edinburgh.
April 26th- Being invited to have a drink with the wonderful ladies of Tara Starlet… one drink turned into a big night of crazy weird cocktails and lots of laughs!
April 27th- We arrive in Dublin, Ireland and spend a week with my Mum who currently lives there. We visit the Guinness factory, travel up to Belfast, Ballycastle, Giant’s Causeway and Derry.
May 4th- We spend our final 3 days of our trip in Tokyo, Japan. A huge feast for the eyes, so much going on and so many people!
May 24th- Photoshoot with warbirds with Mark Greenmantle Photography for Atomic Bomb Magazine
June 28th- High Tea at the Langham with girlfriends is always a fun day out!
July 19th- Getting to give my little cousin Sadie her first haircut <3
July 25th- Friends organised a congratulatory evening for me from winning Miss Viva Las Vegas. It was such a sweet thing to do and a wonderful evening!
July 31st- Booked our holiday to the USA in 2016!
August 12th- The one and only Cherry Dollface holds a hair and makeup workshop in Hamilton and I was her model for the evening!
August 17th- Elizabeth J Photography and I shoot at the amazing MOTAT Museum
Elizabeth J Photography
September 12th- I teach hair and makeup at Pinup Bootcamp in Christchurch
September 27th- and then another Pinup Bootcamp, this time in Wellington!
October 16th- Benefit Cosmetics hosted a Meet and Greet as part of their new product ‘Air Patrol’ launch
and later that day I got to give my best friends little girl her first haircut!
October 24th- Seeing the Glenn Miller Orchestra with my Grand-dad
October 25th- Our first outing on our boat, we spent the night at Islington Bay on Rangitoto Island
October 31st- Halloween! Esmerelda by day, Zombie Pinup by night
Pinup Girl Clothing Top and Mode Merr Skirt
Pinup Girl Clothing Skirt, Top and Belt
November 7th- The Atomic Markets in Hamilton!
November 8th- The final Pinup Bootcamp of the year, this time in Auckland
November 21st- Seeing Florence and the Machine with my beautiful bestie Alex!
November 23rd- Another amazingly fun shoot with Elizabeth J Photography, this time at Abbeville Estate!
December 4th- www.missvictoryviolet.com hits 1 Million views!
December 14th- Giving Christmas haircuts at the Ronald McDonald House
December 25th- Christmas Day!
December 27th- A couple of days out on the boat, relaxing, swimming and reading… bliss!
Categories: Events
I love reading your blog, and what an exciting year it’s been for you! Is there another pin up bootcamp planned for 2016 in Auckland? I hadn’t heard of it and would love to do one.
Thank you! I’m sure we probably will be doing one but possibly not until later in the year 🙂
Happy 2016 😀 hope it is a beautiful one for you xx
Hi Miss Victory Violet, it’s so exciting to see you and your husband sailing together. What kind of boat do you have? My husband and I are currently preparing our boat to sail from San Francisco to New Zealand in late 2017. If you and your husband ever make it back to San Francisco before then and want to go sailing, please get in touch. I hope to see you on the water someday! Ahoy!
Oh wow what a trip! I don’t know if I’d have the courage to sail internationally…. Our boat is too small anyway! It’s wooden 27 foot Gladden from the 70s 🙂
And thank you for the offer! Matt would love that ❤️
Managed to pack a lot in this year! Happy new year doll Also the lady photobombing you and Matt in your Dublin photo!
Your year seems to be amazing, and you deserve it! You are such a beautiful model, I look everyday your blog and try your brands and tricks!
(Sorry, I probably make more english mistake… Frenchie, you know 🙂 )
Have a sweet year ! 🙂
You know I adore you and your blog…one of my highlights was you taking notice, following me and liking a few of my posts…I was honored…so thank you.