Life List – No Small Plans https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk by Yael Saint Laurent Sun, 14 Dec 2025 14:34:36 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 https://i0.wp.com/www.nosmallplans.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/cropped-MNSP-favicon.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Life List – No Small Plans https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk 32 32 138053266 2025 State of the Union https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/2025/12/13/2025-state-of-the-union/ https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/2025/12/13/2025-state-of-the-union/#respond Sat, 13 Dec 2025 16:21:59 +0000 https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/?p=2517 2025 is the last year of my thirties and as such, I’ve tried to pack it in with as much fun as could possible be had. I know I say this each year but this year truly has gone the fastest – I blinked and 12 months had gone by.

A big highlight: *Finally* making it to Japan, a dream decades in the making. It was worth the hype and lived up to every expectation.

A lowlight: My grandma passed away in September and while she had been struggling with her health for a long while, it was still a huge shock. I don’t think I properly grieved in the immediate aftermath as there was a lot of chaos surrounding it, and a lot of people who needed looking after. Still working through it.

Biggest surprise: With death comes life. My gorgeous niece was born only shortly after grandma died. She’s the sweetest, smallest little bub, and I love her so much.

Biggest change: Switching my job role again at the start of January. My previous role was moved to California and so I was asked to move to support a new area. I had been hoping for more job stability but it wasn’t to be. Luckily, I’ve now been in role for a year and currently am still going to be in the same area for 2026, so it’s looking good that I’ll be in the same team for over 12 months this time round!

Favourite moment: This was a HUGE year of countless, amazing moments. One beautiful moment that stands out though is when my gorgeous nephew, Harley, snuggled up to me recently and told me how much he loves me. Those are the moments that mean the most.

Some other highlights to shout about:

  • Going to Amangiri in June and having the absolute best time
  • Paris for my birthday, and Florence for Lu’s
  • Buying a dream car
  • Doing even more home renovation – our lower ground floor is now fully complete and looks INSANE
Life List items completed:
  • Visit 50 different countries and territories
  • Visit 30 European countries:
    • Poland
  • Visit 15 different Asian countries:
    • Japan
      • Go on a bullet train in Japan
      • See Mount Fuji in Japan
  • Visit all 50 States of America:
    • Texas
    • Utah
    • Visit Antelope Canyon, Arizona
  • Visit every country in South America
    • Argentina
    • Have a real Argentinean steak in Argentina
  • Make a terrarium
  • Buy a luxury car
  • Stay at the best luxury hotels…
    • Amangiri
    • Amanemu
    • Four Seasons George V, Paris
    • Four Seasons Florence
    • Four Seasons Hampshire
    • Ritz Carlton Nikko
    • Ritz Carlton Kyoto
  • Go to a film premiere
  • See Beyonce in concert (again!)
  • Finish the Lower Ground Floor
  • Flying to Paris for a luxury shopping weekend for my birthday
  • Become an auntie again
  • Celebrate Friendsgiving
  • Experience being a VIP guest at Louis Vuitton
]]> https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/2025/12/13/2025-state-of-the-union/feed/ 0 2517 2023 State of the Union https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/2023/12/30/2023-state-of-the-union/ https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/2023/12/30/2023-state-of-the-union/#respond Sat, 30 Dec 2023 20:32:48 +0000 http://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/?p=2150 2023 was a rocket ship, in the best possible way. It took off in January 2023 and then just kept on rising and rising, at incredibly fast speeds. I barely feel like I took a breath all year.

Like 2022, it was another year of incredible blessings, its stressful moments, but ultimately a ton of adventures and new experiences. A summary of the year would look like:

A big highlight: Safari in South Africa, finally ticking off one of the longest-standing life list items!

A lowlight: Health challenges for my Grandma and supporting my Grandpa through these

Biggest surprise: Getting a nephew! Born in March, and I fell in love instantly. It’s been incredible to watch him grow so fast already and I can’t wait to be the best auntie in the whole world!

Biggest change: Switching my job role again towards the end of 2023.

Favourite moment: Honestly, any time I was on my cosy sofa, snuggled up with Zola and Lu <3

Some other highlights to shout about:

Life List items completed:

]]> https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/2023/12/30/2023-state-of-the-union/feed/ 0 2150 2022 State of the Union https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/2022/12/27/2022-state-of-the-union/ https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/2022/12/27/2022-state-of-the-union/#respond Tue, 27 Dec 2022 15:59:03 +0000 http://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/?p=1783 After a hell of a crazy couple of COVID-focused years, I am so pleased to report that 2022 was finally the year where we got back to some semblance of normality.

That’s not to say that there wasn’t stress to deal with. The year began with a health scare and continued to rocket from there. I changed jobs and survived a round of lay-offs at my company. We also had some extended house guests for the latter bit of the year which was at times great and at times highly stressful!

But overall I was so lucky to have another incredible year of life, and honestly I feel like this year has been a blessing where we got to finally feel like life was back on track. Some huge highlights that are top of mind:

  • Installed a crazy bar in our home! This was a true luxury to be able to do, and it was an awesome experience to make happen!
  • Holidaying in the Maldives – a life long dream come true, so thankful we got to experience this this year, particularly in the depths of the English winter
  • Celebrated my birthday in style – we christened the bar at home with a big party that was everything I wanted and more.
  • Saw Craig David live – this has been on my list for time, and he did NOT disappoint! Tune after tune, one of the best gigs I’ve been to.
  • Stayed at the best suite at The Beaumont – this was for Lu’s birthday and it was such a cool experience to stay in a living sculpture.
  • My brother getting married – my little brother got married this year!? How crazy is that because he is still like, five years old. Mad.
  • Designed and built the utility room of my dreams – you know you’re old when… you get excited about utility rooms. Honestly, this was THE room that I was most looking forward to getting done in the house, ha!
  • Rode in the Wes Anderson carriage on the British Belmond train – this was like something out of a movie, super cool!
  • Spent an amazing few days in Oslo – we went to visit our friends who live in Oslo and had an absolute blast with them in the absolute HEAT of an Oslo summer.
  • Celebrated Zola’s birthday in style – we had a great second birthday party for ZoZo at home and she/we loved an afternoon surrounded by doggies!
  • Went back to our favourite Greek holiday destination for a SIXTH time – we try to go every year and this year was just as amazing. We spent two whole weeks there this time, and had an incredible time simply tanning, swimming, cocktail-sipping and relaxing.
  • Spent two weeks in Portugal with my in-laws – a surprise bonanza trip, we got to tag along to my in-laws villa in Portugal.
  • Visited the Blue Lagoon and saw the Northern Lights in Iceland – we went for one night and had the best time visiting the Blue Lagoon Retreat spa, going in the geothermal pools, and even had a bonus midnight spotting of the Northern Lights! Incredibly lucky for only being there for 24 hours!
  • Tried two new, beautiful afternoon teas! A fashion-themed one at the Berkeley and the festive one at the Ritz!…
Life list items completed:

✅ See the Northern Lights

✅ Swim in the Blue Lagoon, Iceland

✅ Visit 2 more Scandinavian countries – Norway and Iceland

✅ Visit the Maldives

✅ See Craig David in concert

✅ Eat dinner at Hakkasan

✅ Afternoon tea at… The Berkeley

✅ Afternoon tea at… The Ritz

✅ Create a home bar

✅ Celebrate Zola’s second birthday in style

✅ Celebrate my brother getting married

✅ Create a utility room from scratch

✅ Stay in the best suite at The Beaumont

✅ Celebrate my birthday by having a huge party at home

✅ Ride on the British Belmond train

]]> https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/2022/12/27/2022-state-of-the-union/feed/ 0 1783 2021 State of the Union https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/2021/12/30/2021-state-of-the-union/ https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/2021/12/30/2021-state-of-the-union/#respond Thu, 30 Dec 2021 10:10:00 +0000 http://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/?p=1215 What happened in 2021:

2021 was the year that I thought everything would finally get back to normal, given that the COVID vaccine was being distributed.

How wrong I was! Two vaccine doses later, plus a third booster, and the latest COVID wave is still running rampant, dictating how we all live.

There is no certainty anymore. The best we can do is make plans and hope for the best, plan for a lot of stress and execute on what is in our control. So that is what we did!

  • Continued to survive the global pandemic! Although we did finally get COVID. I still don’t fully have my sense of smell back so if I have one New Year’s wish, its to stay as healthy as possible in 2022.
  • Finally sold our flat and moved to our new house!
  • Began our home improvement journey. This has been a true highlight and bright spot of the year – and you’ll see that many of my life list items relate to this.
  • Managed to pull off two fantastic family celebrations this year! My parent’s 40th wedding anniversary was looooong in the making and even though Omicron tried its best, it wasn’t able to destroy all my plans. We also celebrated Zola’s first birthday in style and have continued to love her with all our hearts.
  • Adopted our gorgeous Bertie. We were and still remain completely devastated at his loss – he had instantly become part of our family and his loss broke my heart entirely. All I can hope for is that he is having the best time wherever he is, with unlimited chicken, snuggles and tummy rubs – his favourite thing ever.
Life list items completed:

✅ Make something in a pottery class

✅ Afternoon tea at The Langham

✅ Afternoon tea at Fortnum + Mason

✅ Sell the flat

✅ Own a house

✅ Renovate a kitchen from scratch

✅ Renovate a bathroom from scratch

✅ Create a walk-in wardrobe

✅ Celebrate Zola’s first birthday in style

✅ Celebrate parents 40th wedding anniversary in style

✅ Adopt a doggie

✅ Go back to Manchester for a weekend

✅ Host a Christmas

]]> https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/2021/12/30/2021-state-of-the-union/feed/ 0 1215 2020 State of the Union https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/2020/12/20/2020-state-of-the-union/ https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/2020/12/20/2020-state-of-the-union/#respond Sun, 20 Dec 2020 15:09:00 +0000 http://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/?p=949 What happened in 2020:
  • Survived a global pandemic
  • Became a family of three with the arrival of our beautiful Zola Saint Laurent
Life list items completed:

✅ Launch Little Goat Supplies

✅ Make my first £100 with Little Goat Supplies

✅ Get a dog

✅ Celebrate Lockdown Birthday #1

✅ Celebrate Blue Monday

✅ See Drake in concert

✅ Eat at… Hide

✅ Eat at… Ikoyi

✅ Afternoon tea at The Grove

✅ Afternoon tea at Tiffany Blue Box Cafe

✅ Start building an investment portfolio

✅ Paint a feature wall

✅ Celebrate Mum’s 60th

]]> https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/2020/12/20/2020-state-of-the-union/feed/ 0 949 2019 State of the Union https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/2019/12/24/2019-state-of-the-union/ https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/2019/12/24/2019-state-of-the-union/#respond Tue, 24 Dec 2019 15:01:00 +0000 http://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/?p=947 What happened in 2019:
  • Went abroad 4x – Brazil, Mauritius, Greece and Mexico
  • Did some seriously good London eating
Life list items completed:

✅ Visit Sao Paulo

✅ Visit Mauritius

✅ Have a hot Christmas!

✅ Visit Chichen Itza

✅ Get to 20k IG followers for I Am Not My Pixels

✅ Learn how to make a Xmas wreath

✅ Eat at… Core by Clare Smyth

✅ Eat at… Chiltern Firehouse

✅ Eat at… Circus

✅ Eat at… Duck + Waffle

✅ Go to a Secret Cinema event

✅ Eat at… Coal Office

✅ Do a murder mystery event

✅ Afternoon tea at The Savoy

✅ Buy an iMac

✅ Have a beautifully dressed Christmas tree

]]> https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/2019/12/24/2019-state-of-the-union/feed/ 0 947 2018 State of the Union https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/2018/12/16/2018-state-of-the-union/ https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/2018/12/16/2018-state-of-the-union/#respond Sun, 16 Dec 2018 14:56:00 +0000 http://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/?p=945 What happened in 2018:
  • Moved from the BBC to [tech company]
  • Got married
  • Visited [tech company]’s California and Singapore offices
  • Went abroad 3 times – USA, Singapore, Majorca
Life list items completed:
  • Stay in a villa in Majorca
  • Visit Singapore
  • Join [tech company]
  • Get married
  • Celebrate Dad’s 60th
  • Stay in the Presidential Suite at the Grove
  • Own shares in something
]]> https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/2018/12/16/2018-state-of-the-union/feed/ 0 945 2017 State of the Union https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/2017/12/17/2017-state-of-the-union/ https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/2017/12/17/2017-state-of-the-union/#respond Sun, 17 Dec 2017 14:40:00 +0000 http://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/?p=943 What happened in 2017:
  • Got bloody promoted from senior designer to Creative Director
  • Got engaged!
  • Went to Vegas!
Life list items completed:
  • Become Creative Director at the BBC
  • Go to Leading Design conference
  • Do a printmaking class
  • Get engaged
  • Visit the Houses of Parliament
  • Do a UK Spa weekend
  • Go to the Athletics World Champs
  • Watch a Cirque du Soleil show (in Vegas!)
  • See Britney Spears in concert
  • Visit Madame Tussauds
  • Afternoon Tea at The Sanderson
]]> https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/2017/12/17/2017-state-of-the-union/feed/ 0 943 2016 State of the Union https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/2016/12/11/2016-state-of-the-union/ https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/2016/12/11/2016-state-of-the-union/#respond Sun, 11 Dec 2016 14:36:00 +0000 http://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/?p=941 What happened in 2016
  • Bought a flat with Lu!
  • Went on two trips abroad
  • Finally paid off that goddamn student loan
Life list items completed:
  • Visit Portugal
  • Visit Greece
  • Have regular Hebrew lessons
  • Do a sketching workshop
  • Experience Romeo + Juliet Live
  • See Whose Line Is It Anyway Live
  • See an NFL game
  • Do a hospitality experience at the footie
  • Own a flat with my partner
  • Pay off my student loan
]]> https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/2016/12/11/2016-state-of-the-union/feed/ 0 941 2015 State of the Union https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/2015/12/06/2015-state-of-the-union/ https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/2015/12/06/2015-state-of-the-union/#respond Sun, 06 Dec 2015 14:20:00 +0000 http://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/?p=939 What happened in 2015:

My goals for 2015 were all about moving myself towards stability. I wanted to really invest in moving myself towards being a properly set up, comfortable grown up. My priorities were:

  • Having a brilliant first year at the BBC and excelling in all areas
  • Nurturing my relationship
  • Saving money
  • Continuing to grow my outside-work income streams
  • Moving to a more grown-up home base

I’m really pleased that nearly in all areas, things went well. I have learned so much at the BBC in my first year, my relationship is going from strength to strength and I’ve moved to my own place.

The areas that struggled more were saving money. This goal is diametrically opposed to moving to my own place! God, its expensive.

But all in all, I’m really happy with my progress. This is a marathon, not a sprint.

Life list items that I completed:
  • Visit Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen at Christmas
  • Visit New York
  • Produce a great event (UX Stories)
  • Go to a chocolate making class
  • Go to a cocktail making class
  • See John Legend in concert
  • Experience ‘Above the o2’
  • Go to London Pride
  • Go to a Chelsea match
  • Go to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park
  • Start a pension pot
  • Move into my own place
]]> https://www.nosmallplans.co.uk/2015/12/06/2015-state-of-the-union/feed/ 0 939