So, you've survived the first half-term. Your children are (hopefully) settled into school. You're probably feeling tired, a bit battered but also elated to have the first holiday in sight. Maybe your child has just started in reception, or maybe you're a seasoned pro. Whatever. The feelings are ...
Bringing autumn indoors
This time of year is all about colour and warmth. Crunchy golden leaves, shiny conkers and bright pumpkins. I like to bring some of this natural charm back indoors with me. Gathering together warm throws, candles and treasured finds is as instinctive as pulling on a pair of woolly socks. Here are ...
Three things I’m loving this week
A new coat... a classic camel coloured coat has been on my radar for a while. I spotted this one in New Look and fell in love with it – and the price, which was only £34.99. It's maybe not the thickest coat ever, but it's lined and about right for autumn weather. Plus, you can fit a thick jumper ...
Cold weather florals
Wearing florals on bright summer days is easy. It's harder in cold weather. You need to find the right combination of warmth and wit – without looking like you've just added a pair of woolly tights to a summer dress. I like to swap my pastel, ditzy florals for something a little darker – still ...
Dahlia heaven
A couple of weeks ago we visited dahlia heaven. Otherwise known as the annual Anglesey Abbey dahlia festival. But I prefer my version. For heavenly it really was. We arrived and followed a trail of dahlias, which looked as if they'd been scattered across the ground, but were actually sitting ...
The coatigan
A coatigan. Sounds a bit silly doesn't it? But actually, it makes perfect sense. October is a classic in-betweeny month. Most days it's a bit too warm for a coat, but you want something. That's where the coatigan comes in. Half way between a coat and a cardigan, it looks good but doesn't weigh ...
#OnePerfectThing in September
#OnePerfectThing is a community I’m growing on Instagram. Perfection often feels out of reach. But however imperfect you’re finding life, you can make an effort to find #OnePerfectThing. Something which makes you pause, smile and feel thankful. Since starting this idea, I've really taken the time ...
An Arts and Crafts inspired bedroom
In summer I like to sleep on a bed of flowers. Ok, not literally – but, when it comes to bedlinen it's all about the florals for me. The prettier the better. When the weather starts to cool, all those blowsy flowers and pretty pinks don't feel quite right. My autumnal bedroom is about making ...
Be a bookish beauty this autumn
I love autumn. It's not just the cooler weather and the swirling leaves, it's the clothes. There are so many and they're all lovely. Over the next few weeks I'm going to share some of my favourite autumnal looks. First up is the bookish beauty...or librarian chic. My student days are long behind ...
Life lately: back to school, new cats and autumn treasure
We're a few weeks into the new autumn term now and we're all happily getting back into the swing of things again. I've been getting my head down after a summer off, and the boys are settling back into school. That's year 1 for my youngest, and year 3 at a new junior school for my eldest. The ...
Kitchen inspiration and a lesson learned
Earlier in the year we repainted our kitchen in soft dove grey. I was thrilled with it. Sadly, I bought the wrong kind of paint. Ordinary emulsion does not work in a kitchen. I repeat, it doesn't work! The pristine finish lasted about a week before it was covered in grease marks and dirt which ...
The perfect dungarees
A few years ago I wouldn't have dreamed of wearing dungarees. They were dangerous territory – would I look pregnant? Or just plain silly? Ironically I never even actually wore a pair when I was pregnant. But all that's changed now. They're everywhere. In that funny way that fashion has, dungarees ...