the last of Autumn

I was woken early this morning by my door buzzer, loud and continuous like a swarm of angry wasps. I scrambled out of bed and grabbed my oversized cardigan to appear slightly decent as I ran down three flights of stairs to catch the postman before he left me a collection card instead of a package. He's fast that guy, only too keen to walk away rather than wait a couple of minutes.

Well it was worth being up with the lark to receive my perfect surprise parcel. It was my Autumn swap package from Liz at Hey we made it.
Sofia runs this swap every Fall. And I love taking part. I wonder if my partner has received hers yet?

Inside were brown paper writing pads, beautiful soft Alpaca wool, traditional string, yummy spiced tea and the highlight, a bar of Mast brothers chocolate. I have been wanting to get my hands on some since I saw it on design sponge ages ago, to receive such a thoughtful gift really has made my week. Thank you so much Liz.

Staying warm.

Hi, how are you? Did you find lots of great things to make in the Sweet Paul Magazine?

Today for me has been spent staying warm, wrapping an Autumn package and eating all my favourite things.

Stay close as I have another super exciting giveaway tomorrow. x

November wardrobe inspiration

November wardrobe inspiration, cosy wraps, woodland colours and a sprinkling of sequins.

Good luck to all who entered the yesterdays giveaway. Todays is up next, and I will announce all the winners next Monday.

Sweet things

Morning, I am sorry for the silence, but I have been enjoying the season, baking a wedding cake and lots of other sweet things, will be back later with more pictures. I hope you had a lovely weekend.

Fallen leaves

Happy Sunday. I am off to collect pine cones and fallen leaves.

Natures treasure

I adore Autumn and all the colours it yields (as you well know, bla bla bla, do I ever shut up about it?) and that is why I love Plumo. This seasons collection makes me want to pull on snuggly socks and winter boots, wrap up in a blanket tied with a jute belt, and go collect natures treasure in a leafy woodland somewhere.

All images Plumo.

Early Autumn berries

Bright morning light, warmed soup in the evenings, early Autumn berries and cosy corners.

I hope you have a happy weekend.

Heavy charcoal clouds

I have been writing from my bed, about my travels to Lyon for Eurostar, this morning. Heavy charcoal clouds in the sky, window open so I can hear the last of the Summer rain falling in the yard below. Hot cup of my favourite coffee fresh from the stove. Home looks like this at the moment, but Autumn makes me want to move things around almost every day.

Hang on to Summer

If my embracing Autumn was too soon for you and you are wanting to hang on to Summer a little longer, these beautiful photographs by Nan Lawson will keep the sunshine season alive long after the first leaves start to gather at the sides of the road.

All images Nan Lawson.

Absent

My internet connection is being a nightmare or it could be this laptop of mine that needs a good cleansing. Hence my absence lately. I need my man to take it a way for a mac spa day and return it rejuvenated. A new one is simply out of the question at the moment.

I have had a lovely three day break, dark skies and rain, no husband and more rain have helped to get me motivated. I have been stitching cutting wrapping and packing. Making new garlands and decorations to put in the shop.

All the autumn colours outside my windows inspired me to use some vintage 1950's fabric in the packaging.

I also wanted to thank you for all your ideas for our holiday, I am feeling homely and thinking maybe we might hit the road and see some of the UK for a change, B&B's, chilly hands warmed by hot chocolate in little cafes bye the sea, lakes and mountains, rolling hills and castles. I am thinking head to Arundel then towards Bridstow to visit Bailey's home and garden store. Then a little of wales and so on until the week runs out. What are your favorite towns and places to visit in old Blighty? Any great tea shops or other things I should know about?

Happy October by the way!

ten leaves at a time

Autumn has arrived blustering in ten leaves at a time. Who better than Snippet and ink to inspire the season ahead with their beautiful mood boards.

Image Snippet and ink

No longer a stranger

Monday I received a red postal card on my door mat. A parcel waiting at the depot. I didn't know what it could be. The only thing I am waiting for is a calendar from Story by Mia. I picked up my mystery parcel with a sweet stamp bearing a polar bear. All day I kept it safe on the shelf at work. Lunch and tea breaks came and went. I did not peek. I clutched my surprise close to me all the way as I walked home in the dark.
A warm cup of vanilla tea and my favorite corner of the sofa. Then savour the unwrapping of this extra special Autumn gift from a kind and thoughtful stranger, Erika.
Inside I discovered a lovely handwritten note, a glistening silver acorn, scented candles, gloves, chocolate, the most amazing tea I have ever smelled, a book which I will keep in my bag and read in my breaks at work, a beautiful pewter candlestick and cup. Thank you so much Erika I love it all. Its perfect.

Thank you so much to sofia as well for organizing such a soul warming swap. What a perfect beginning to this season.

Sweet Sofia

I am so excited to be a part of the seasonal swap Sofia is organising. It's a sweet Autumn swap, I have so many ideas and I can't wait to find out who my partner is.

Harvest festival

Where I'd rather be. I love how the models, products and scenery all blend together to form one fabulous bohemian Autumn/Winter soiree. Join the party at Gucci

Fire wood and cable knit socks

There's no stopping me now, sorry to all you summer people trying to keep the dream alive, but I'm in full Fall swing. Due to being sat in the firing line of the the air con and one of my colleagues locking my coat in a secure area today. I got super chilled waiting on the breezy platform for my train. So when I got in, I donned my cashmere cardigan and my chunky cable knit socks, grabbed my laptop and began my search for cosy home accessories. A log basket is a must, we don't have an open fire, but we do have an empty fire place that needs filling with some kind of warming feature. Plus here are all the other Fall items that I covet. (so far)

1. Tobacco brown striped cushion
2. woven log basket
3. Lavender Cushion
4. Cashmere Blanket
5. Suri Alpaca Throw
6. Lavender Cushion

More lovely stuff here too!

All images Brora, Lombok, Papa stour, Peruvian connection,

Autumn winds and other stories

I know I have not been around so much this last week, but another first day at new job today. I have been mentally preparing (or ignoring and hiding from the fact until this very morning at seven AM!) Don't know why I do that? I seem to remember telling you this last time. I guess there's no point getting worked up with ifs this and ifs that though.

Anyway had a fun weekend. Saturday we saw loads of our friends. Bar hopped a little. Sunday we remembered that its much safer to stay indoors. Baked a delicious cottage pie and set up camp on the couch to eat it. Bliss.

So, the pictures. All from the new Toast catalogue called Autumn winds and other stories. Just what I love to find on my doormat when I get in from work. Now I will wait with anticipation for the home catalogue to accompany it and plan my Autumn everything. Bring on the log fires.

Durham Township

Carrying on my love for Autumn. Sunny or not too little too late, I'm over summer. Whilst visiting Moontree letterpress this morning. I discovered the link for these beautiful photos. Crisp leaves under foot and a big bowl of stew would perfectly compliment these heartwarming pictures from this project by kathleen Connally. It documents the residents, visitors, plants, animals, architecture, landscapes and farm life of Durham Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania where Kathleen lives. I think I would like to try a project like this about east sussex. Photography is a tidier form of creativity which I am keen to better myself at. Less glue and pins to get stuck in my husband bare feet if he braves the house without footwear.