I still haven’t worked out what to do when I grow up! I’m mainly a writer, an artist, and a fairytale dressmaker with various crafty hobbies! Here (and on YouTube) I share bits of my life, thoughts, and what I’m learning along the way. Let’s find magic and inspiration; join me for this creative living adventure!

 

Yearly Archives

2018

jack o'lantern blaze
Visiting the Jack o’lantern Blaze & wearing my new purple coat
October 30, 2018
We couldn’t be in America without visiting a Halloween event, could we? Friends recommended the Jack o’lantern Blaze at Croton-on-Hudson in New York, and we were lucky enough to get tickets. This event sells out weeks beforehand, but I think I happened to be online when a new batch was released for an 8:30pm time slot on Tuesday. So I bought the tickets in a bit of a panic, but didn’t really know what it was I was buying them for!…
A 1950s dress styled for fall
Styling a 1950’s dress with a mustard jumper for autumn
October 23, 2018
We’ve had a real mix of weather lately haven’t we?! I’m actually across the pond in Connecticut right now, but I think it’s fairly similar to the UK – lovely and sunny one day, and then cold and grey the next. This outfit would have been perfect the day before we took the photos! However it was ten degrees cooler when the weekend rolled around and I have to be honest, my bare legs were a little chilly! Anyway, this is a great way to layer for changeable weather, but maybe pack a pair of skin-coloured tights too!…
styling a pink maxi dress
Styling a Pink Maxi Dress and Going all Jane Austen!
October 12, 2018
I’m not quite sure where the idea originally came from – it was probably just a few influences that all came together. First, I bought a maxi dress from Amazon to wear over the summer, and thought it looked a bit Pride and Prejudice. Then we happened to need to go to Bath for Chris to have his computer fixed at the Apple shop; and then I think I was inspired by the bookstagrammers of Instagram to borrow a copy of Northanger Abbey. And lo and behold, we have this fashion blog photo shoot….
Adagio teas
Tea for people who don’t like tea! (And for those who do.)
October 3, 2018
When Adagio Teas asked if I’d like to work with them, I had to be honest in my reply; that I don’t actually like tea. On my trips to America, this is like saying I’m not actually British, but my main disgruntle is that I couldn’t join in with all the beautiful Instagrams of cups of tea! I do, however like fruit infusions, and the mango flavoured tea I had at the Jane Austen Centre a couple of weeks ago was very nice, so I asked if I could try their flavoured tea….
Afternoon tea in Bath
Afternoon Tea with Mr Darcy at the Jane Austen Centre in Bath, Somerset
September 21, 2018
We asked what Jude would like to do for her Twentieth birthday (yes, you did hear me correctly: twentieth birthday) and she asked to go out for afternoon tea. I’ll be honest, when I agreed, I was thinking more like at a National Trust cafe, but Jude had in mind the full afternoon tea experience. Apart from on a cruise, I’ve never done this, (it’s the sort of thing I’ll do when I grow up) so was looking forward to experiencing the proper deal….
making a new patio area
Making a social outdoor dining area
September 16, 2018
We have been dragging our heels for ages over buying a new set of outdoor furniture. Our old wooden table and chairs are well and truly rotting away. We have also had it in our minds to build a verandah at the back of the house, leaning against the kitchen wall. However, each spring has come along and we’ve ended up spending any spare money we’ve had on a holiday instead. So it hasn’t happened, but the idea was still there, and it made a choice on the garden furniture difficult to make…..
how to transition your wardrobe from summer to autumn
Do you need me to tell you how to transition your wardrobe from summer to autumn / fall?
September 10, 2018
‘How to transition your wardrobe from summer to autumn’ is a typical title for blogs and YouTube videos at this time of year, but really the cynical side of me wonders why? Why on earth do we need someone to tell us how to dress? It’s not rocket science: As the weather gets colder, our clothes get warmer. Right; let’s go home! However, as you probably know by now, I love all things fashion, so I absorb this sort of content all the same. So here’s my take on how to transition your wardrobe from summer to autumn…..
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