I don’t know about you but I really love the month of October. I still felt pretty summery in September with a late summer holiday, but there’s been no ignoring the Autumn leaves, a very distinct chill in the air, and all the knitwear making it’s way back into my wardrobe the last few weeks.

It’s been a month of some real highs, packed weeks, and fun weekends. It began with a work trip to Amsterdam in the first week of the month, which I really enjoyed as the full team I work with were there.

I like travelling on my own for work, but this time we did a team building treasure hunt around Amsterdam so that was a lot of fun, and we went to Haarlem for dinner one evening which was somewhere I’d not been before.

It’s now on my list to make time to visit in future, it’s so close to Amsterdam but so often overlooked. We ate at a place called Louisianna’s which was a very cool New York style bar.

While I was away for this meeting, Kieran and I made the decision to speed up the moving in together process, and rent somewhere for a while rather than skinting ourselves with a house deposit. We could have done it, but to do it quickly would have meant we would be left with very little left to enjoy life for a year or so.

Next year is a big year, with my cousins wedding, hen do’s and Kieran’s 30th, and I really want to be able to enjoy all of the events without worrying about money. In what seemed like no time at all, we had three viewings booked for that weekend, and went to bed on Sunday in love with one of them that we really wanted.

The Monday was a total stress, as there were three other parties in for it, and after what seemed like the longest and most Mondayest Monday ever we got the news that we got it.

It’s so exciting, and I’ve been absolutely loving researching interiors and house decor on instagram and pinterest. I have lived with friends in the past, but for me and Kieran this is a new chapter after five years and I can’t wait. Moving in day is less than two weeks away, and the White Company has gained itself an almost daily customer.

Amongst all the life admin that comes with moving, I’ve had some pretty good nights out too. I was really sad to say goodbye to a colleague at work who started not long after me, but her leaving night at Market Shaker was a lot of fun. It’s a cool little place, no frills, neon signs and pizza available by the slice – what’s not to love?

I went to the Botanist for lunch, followed by a LOT of pornstar martini’s for the lovely Hannah’s birthday, Aveika with some friends for sushi last weekend, and Jalou just last night to try their ‘Jalouween’ cocktails (I was invited here and received the cocktails complimentary).

If you’re out this weekend then their Halloween themed limited edition cocktails are pretty special – go for the Squadghouls it was my favourite by far!

The cocktails weren’t my first treat of the week, I was sent some delicious donuts by It’s R Place, their Autumn boxes went down far too easily considering how big they are. They’re available for delivery around the Newcastle area at a cost of £18 for six, delivery included. Have a look at their Instagram and you’ll see just how mouth watering they look.

You might have seen my post on the wellbeing and wellness evening I spent at Seaham Hall already, but I went along with my sister and it was the first time I’d been to that North East spa. It’s absolutely stunning, and I really enjoyed the treatment we had. Full details of the night at Seaham here.

Last week I was on another work trip, back to Amsterdam and then on to Copenhagen. Amsterdam had become very seasonal all of a sudden, and I really enjoyed an evening stroll around some of the prettiest parts of the city. I took so many photos, some of which can be found in this post on Autumn colours in Amsterdam.

Copenhagen was the same, and I took the opportunity to visit the Halloween season of Tivoli. It was my favourite one yet and earlier this week I shared a detailed look at how it was decorated and what you can see and do. I really really hope I get to go back around Christmas – it’s now the only Tivoli season I haven’t been to.

That is the majority of my work travel done for this year, I have a one night trip at the end of November, and that’s about it. I’m not even counting London next week as I’ve tied it in to a weekend there, and it’s in this country so barely counts as travel when you’re used to airports and passport queues.

Other than these things I’ve enjoyed some of the simple things in life, like the cinema to see Joker – amazing film, the rugby has been very entertaining let’s hope that continues for this coming weekend, and Netflix. We’ve been watching Line of Duty and oh my god how have I not watched it before now?! So bloody good.

And finally, I have to mention that I reached 10,000 Instagram followers this week, and after years of effort I am pretty chuffed. Every time I discuss this I feel like I have to say that I knowwww, follower numbers aren’t everything, but when you genuinely take a lot of time and effort over your photos and building relationships with people who follow you, it is always nice to know that people enjoy seeing what you create. It’s how I got into blogging to start with so no apologies for that.

Instagram has been a big talking point for me this month, not just because of this milestone, or the fact that it’s my daily job, but because I’ve had a copycat. I’ve noticed it with this particular person in the past, but there were just one too many to overlook this month and it really annoyed me.

I took screenshots and there’s no denying the obvious similarities when you see the photos side by side. While some people are probably thinking oh get over yourself, when you take the time to put a lot of effort into any sort of creativity it really isn’t ok when you see someone basically ripping you off. I am all for sharing inspiration and ideas, but don’t blatantly copy! I have a much bigger, more thought out post on this whole situation coming.

I also have one coming on how to grow your following organically, as I received a lot of messages on this particularly from people who run their own small businesses.

Looking into November I can’t wait for a weekend in London for a bottomless brunch, and moving house in just over a weeks time. Please send through any interior inspiration if you have it, it’s my current obsession and the more the better.

Have a great November!