We have a beautiful purple Lupin plant in our garden and I noticed last year that after the petals flower, they turn into pods and, over time turn black, so this year I decided to research what this process was and realised that each pod houses seeds – what an amazing cycle!
Charlie, my eldest, noticed this too so we collected all the black pods and put them in a pot and sat down at a table to open them. He was amazed that there were seeds inside. It was such a nice calming activity to do together and once all the pods had been opened and the seeds collected we put them in little envelopes which we used rubber stamps to label.
The plan is to then sow these seeds next Spring and hopefully we’ll have a few more Lupin plants for the garden. I hope they work, as we’ve got so many we’ve decided to give them as little gifts to family and friends too, so if nothing happens that will be a bit of a disappointment/letdown!
Hello! Wow it has been quite some time since I’ve been on here, it’s safe to say this blog has been a little neglected this year, I think multiple lockdowns, working, looking after two little ones and a new puppy meant that something had to give and it was this. I regret not being able to make more time for this blog though as the whole reason I started it was to have a creative outlet for myself to mentally escape to all of my favourite things and at times I really needed it, instead of wasting time endlessly scrolling my Instagram feed for some escapism – writing and researching my own loves would have been just the medicine.
As I’m sure has been the case for many of you, 2021 has been just as crazy as 2020, but hopefully, now nearly at the end of July we’re starting to see a fall in Covid cases and hopefully life will start to get back to some sort of ‘normal.’ Another summer has come around with no holiday abroad, if i’d have known two years ago when we were in Menorca that we wouldn’t return until 2022 (fingers crossed) I would have definitely stocked up on my Avarcas! We’re very lucky though as my in-laws live in Pembrokeshire so we’re escaping to the Welsh coast for a couple of weeks in August, which is more than some people are able to do so I’m very grateful.
September is going to be busy with my eldest starting in reception and my littlest starting at pre-school so I will be navigating their settling in sessions and hope that it goes smoothly so the rest of August will be spent preparing uniforms and school bags. I’m excited for their new adventures but sad that they’re growing up and I won’t get to spend so much time with them.
I’ve been making notes of all the posts I want to write – everything from my journey with growing flowers from seed, to my current wardrobe wishlist, so I hope to update this space once, if not twice weekly with ideas that you’ll hopefully be interested in too. For now though I’ll leave you with a picture of our Puppy, Poppy, who is now 8 months (this is when she was 9 weeks old) and a big reason for my lack of posts, good job she’s cute! See you soon. x
It’s been a couple of busy months here hence my radio silence on this blog…so i’m making it my mission now we’re in Lockdown 2.0 to begin regularly posting again and updating the content here.
So where have I been? Nowhere really (like everyone!) but I’ve been busy helping Charlie settle back into pre-school from September having not been for 6 months. Jack also started at nursery which was a bit of an adjustment for him having not been looked after by anyone else for so long so we had a few extra settle sessions and (fingers crossed) we’ve turned a corner. I know it’s the right thing for him, especially being able to interact with other children his age.
I also started back at work having been away for 18 months. My boss has had a baby so I have gone back to help cover her maternity leave and it’s been nice working with flowers again and having some ‘me’ time to have adult conversations and be out of the house. But as luck would have it I had only been back a month before we had to close the shop under the new Covid restrictions. As much as flowers bring so much joy, they’re not essential, so for now I’m not working for a month again. I have to say i’m already appreciating having my Saturdays back and savour them so much more now I have the boys.
So while we’re in lockdown i’m going to take the time to address some interior jobs at home like re-painting the bathroom ceiling and sorting the shelves in our bedroom. I’m also tidying the garden getting it ready for winter, planting some Spring bulbs and planning what seeds to sow come the new year.
Oh, and we’ve also put a deposit down on a puppy! I’m so excited, but also a bit tentative, having never even had a goldfish as a pet before it’s going to be quite a change for me, but one that I think will be great for our family, so stay tuned for puppy news!
I hope you’re all staying safe and well.
(Images below taken while enjoying the Autumn sunshine this weekend!)
We’ve headed down to Pembrokeshire to stay with my in-laws for the month which has been so great for the boys to have a change of scenery, and us to be honest. The temperature is never as hot here as it is back in Leigh so during this heatwave we’ve been able to take the boys out to the beach and it’s not too much for them. I’ve been really lucky to have help with the mundane everyday chores like cooking and washing so I’ve relished getting stuck into some projects in the evenings once the boys are asleep. The first one on my list was to plan the garden (which I fear will have suffered from the lack of watering while we’re away.)
As I’ve mentioned in previous posts we’ve always tried to add a few plants and flowers here and there to the garden and slowly build it up after our budget was obliterated by the cost of removing all the conifers. But I felt like I needed more of a plan. during lockdown I planted some seeds, (of which the Cosmos and the basil were the only really successful ones!) but I feel like I’ve got to know the garden more, which plants do well in which spots, and what sorts of colours we want to try and add in as well as where the sun hits etc.
I’ve always liked the idea of a wild flower garden so plants attractive to bees have always been top of my list. Over the course of last week I drew up a plan of the garden with what plants and flowers we already had growing, and where there were gaps, what we’d like to fill them with. To add to the geekiness I also drew up an Excel spreadsheet and listed each flower, and what to do according to month, like when to sow the seeds, when to acclimatise them to outside, when to deadhead etc etc. Their position on the layout was decided according to whether that flower like full sun, part shade etc.
I feel like now I have the plan I’m excited to get started adding to the garden over the next year so that by next summer it feels a lot fuller and we have flowering plants to give colour and texture from Spring until the Autumn.
Here’s a list of the flowers we’re going to add, some we’ll buy as plants, some start from bulbs and others we’ll sow the seeds starting them indoors and transferring them outdoors when the weather is right. I’d love to know if there’s anything you think we should add!
If there’s one thing that Lockdown has made me realise, it’s how much I love to travel and visit new places. Not just getting on an aeroplane, but driving to lovely places in the UK too. My husband is from Pembrokeshire in Wales so we’re no strangers to a 9 hour car ride.
When I finished uni I took a year out and went travelling for 6 months of it where I was lucky enough to visit Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, America and Mexico and I loved experiencing the different cultures of each place as well as learning the history.
Since then I have been lucky enough to travel for friends weddings in the States or to visit friends in Amsterdam and family in Barcelona. Obviously there are so many more places to tick off the bucket list throughout my life – I’d love to go on safari in South Africa and see the cherry blossom in Japan, maybe when the kids are a little older and we don’t have to lug a pram with us!
I’m so inspired by Courtney Adamo’s family year travelling (here’s their travel blog, Something Slower) and it’s something I dream about doing with my family one day. Taking a year to travel and see the world at a slower pace than you would if you have to cram everything into your work holiday allowance.
Anyway, after all these travels so far there are some destinations that will always stick in my mind and stand out for me as stunning locations with amazing memories and I can’t help but smile when my mind wanders there. So below are my top 5, I think i’ll do a round up of the top 5 I wish to visit soon too, so keep a lookout for that!
In no particular order…
Thailand: Bangkok was the first stop on my post uni travelling adventure and arriving on the Khao San Road was a culture shock to say the least…but it was amazing! The atmosphere, the street food, the temples, the water markets. It was incredible to see the city, then travel up to Chang Mai to visit the countryside and then down to the breathtakingly stunning islands. Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta were favourites. I loved it so much I returned with a friend the summer after I got my first job.
Koh Phi Phi in Thailand
Binibeca in Menorca: I have only been here a couple of times but my husbands family own a house here so it’s a place he regularly visited when he was younger. A tiny fishing village, it has beautiful whitewashed cottages and a small marina to swim and moor your boat and the quaintest little centre with a few independent restaurants and bars. After going to Mallorca for quite a few years I love how opposite Menorca is and much more rustic and quiet.
Menorca
New Zealand: I love how beautiful and picturesque NZ is, and I fell in love with both the North and South Island. When we were travelling we booked a NZ experience tour (we were 22!) which took us everywhere from Nelson and Queensland to Wellington, Lake Taupo and Auckland. NZ is where I did a bungee jump and skydive, which looking back I can’t believe I did and probably wouldn’t now but the whole month I was there was adrenaline fuelled. Since working as a florist in London I have met great friends originally from NZ who have now moved back so I hope to return with my family one day to visit them.
Queenstown NZ South Island
The Amalfi Coast: I have great memories of Italy growing up as I went on a few family holidays there and after a massive Pinterest binge we decided to have part of our honeymoon on the Amalfi Coast. Italian cuisine is my absolute favourite and it didn’t disappoint, along with the stunning scenery along the coast and the most amazing hotels. We stayed in Sorrento for a few days and did a boat trip to Capri and then travelled around to Amalfi where we visited Positano by boat too. I can’t wait to go back, the pasta was just out of this world.
Positano on the Amalfi Coast, Italy
Santorini, Greece: This was the second destination on our honeymoon and it absolutely lived up to expectations. We stayed at the Astra Suites in Imerovigli and we had breakfast each morning feeling like we really were in Paradise. The white washed houses with blue rooftops covered in Bougainvillea are simply stunning and apart from a days boating and a trip to the main town we literally spent our days in the infinity pool, reading, sipping cocktails and sun bathing. Complete bliss.
I love a simple jam jar flower arrangement. When I worked at Scarlet & Violet in London we always had jam jar arrangements ready for customers to grab ‘n’ go – they make great dinner party gifts or a treat to yourself as they’re usually really reasonably priced. If you ask your local florist for a jam jar arrangement (they’ll usually have jars in stock for about £1 so they can make one up with flowers that you pick), and depending on the season they’ll usually come in under £20. In summer when florists can use more British blooms like cornflowers and scabious, a jam jar can look really abundant for not a lot of money. Obviously the more expensive stems you choose like peonies will take up more of the budget.
If you keep the jar, then its something you can refill yourself quite easily too with cuttings from the garden, and it can contain whatever you like, not necessary flowers but maybe just foliage if that’s what you’re feeling that week, A mixture of different greens against a white backdrop looks lovely and fresh.
Vases don’t have to be ornate to be effective and if you think you want to spruce the jam jar up a little then why not add different strands of coloured ribbon, or simple twine for more of a rustic feel? The humble jam jar will brighten up a dining table, mantlepiece or desk and is guaranteed to put a smile on your face when you catch a glimpse of it throughout your week.
This one below was a gift from a florist friend when she came to visit and looks beautiful filled with English Scabious, peonies, dahlias, cow parsley and fern.
This summer is a bit of a funny one isn’t it? We’ve all been on lockdown in our homes and gardens and haven’t really been able to venture out too far, and it seems like most summer holidays have been postponed until next summer. With that i’ve been a bit in limbo about whether to buy anything new without that excitement of ‘going away’ and therefore justifying making a purchase! There’s also a part of me that has embraced this slower way of living and become more aware of the effect of things like fast fashion on the planet and wants to go forward being a bit more considered when it comes to buying new things.
At home i’ve been mostly getting up and dressed and doing my make-up as I find it makes me feel more put together and ready for the day, and like things are normal I suppose. Usually jeans and a t-shirt is my mum uniform and when the weather has been sunny, either a t-shirt and culottes or an easy throw-over dress for playing in the garden. Instead of buying anything specifically ‘summer’ I have invested in a few key pieces which will actually see me through most seasons. it’s a good start to become a bit more sustainable in my clothes shopping to make it a permanent change.
Here are the pieces I have bought during lockdown:
That H&M tee: I’ve seen this t-shirt on so many people via Instagram, especially the WeAreTwinset ladies, it’s a lovely thick cotton t-shirt that will become a wardrobe staple. I bought a S for tucking into jeans and a M for wearing with joggers on lazy days and I bought the sage (my new colour obsession) and grey colours. At £8.99 it was a real bargain as I find good quality t-shirts that have the perfect fit hard to come by.
Veja Esplar 3 Lock Trainers: I’ve had my eye on these trainers for a while, I was drawn to the velcro fastening as I find when I have to get out the door for the pre-school run, I can’t be faffing around with laces. I went for classic white with black hoping to wear them with dresses in the summer and jeans in the colder months. I’m annoyingly a half size which Veja don’t come in, so I sized up and am going to add an insole. I’m hoping they’re comfortable after the hefty investment.
H&M Mom High Ankle Jean: I’ve usually steered away from high waisted jeans for fear they made my hips look huge but I decided to embrace this pair as they’re not as fitted as some which I hope will even out my features. They’ve sold out of my black ones but i’ve linked the style. I find black jeans such a wardrobe staple and these are so comfortable, I instantly loved them as soon as I tried them on. I’ll wear them with tucked in t-shirts or blouses in the summer and a lovely big cashmere crew neck for winter.
Taupe Suede Arizona Birkenstock: I’ve had my eye on this fabric and colourway of the Arizona for a while now having bought the black leather about 7 years ago. They’re such a neutral shoe that will go with anything and the soft suede upper meant they were a lot easier to wear in than my black ones. I love birkenstocks with jeans or dresses in summer and when worn with jeans and cashmere socks when it starts to get a bit colder. I think i’ll be wearing this pair for years to come.
Beauty Pie Smart Powder Blush in Peachy Dreams: It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of Beauty Pie having become a member a couple of years ago. Their skincare is amazing but I thought i’d update my blusher to make it feel a bit more summery and this coral does the trick. It glides on so nicely and really perks up my cheeks making me look like i’ve been away for a few days when really i’ve just been hanging at home!
I always worked with freshly cut flowers while at Scarlet & Violet, selling a few succulents in pots at certain times of the year, so it wasn’t until I started working at Bunched in Leigh-on-Sea after I had a baby that I started to learn about house plants as we sold them alongside the cut flowers.
Plants have so many advantages for the home – they add an instant hit of green to brighten a space, they add oxygen to the air which helps to purify it, they need relatively little care which makes them great for busy lives and putting them in stylish pots can really finish off a room.
Below I’ve listed the 5 most popular house plants with a few key benefits to each as well as some tips for keeping them alive. I’ve had a Rubber Plant for 3 years now, and even though I feel like I neglect it, it seems to always have new shoots, so I must be doing something right…
Rubber Plant: A Rubber Plant likes to be watered about once a week with a little water (about half to a full cup depending on its size) If you keep the leaves clean with a damp cloth it helps them to absorb more sunlight. Leaving it to completely drain with water before putting it back in place will also help keep the roots healthy. This is a great plant for steadily growing in your space and choosing one with three separate shoots will help make more of an impact.
Image via Pinterest
Fiddle Leaf Fig: This is the plant you see all over Instagram interiors accounts, as much as a lush Fiddle Fig can look amazing in a room, a lot of people struggle to keep them alive. They like a lot of light, so ensure you rotate it every couple of months so the plant grows equally. When the top inch of the soil feels dry, give the plant a little lukewarm water. They also like nutrient rich soil, so pop in some pant food every now and again.
Image via Pinterest
Boston Fern: This lush fern has a mass of bright green foliage that looks great on a kitchen worktop or hanging in a macrame pot. They need a bit more care from us, liking to be misted with water on a daily basis (a bathroom is a great place for these beauties to thrive) but what they take from us in care they give back. This plant helps to rid the home of harmful toxins and helps to purify the air, making them great for owners with dry skin or who suffer with dry throats.
Image via Pinterest
Sansevieria: This is also known as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue and is another great air purifier. It’s most well known for releasing oxygen at night helping to purify the air which makes them a perfect addition to a bedroom for a better nights sleep. A Sansevieria will also thrive on neglect and only needs a small amount of sunlight and the smallest amount of water, perfect for the forgetful among us!
Image from afloral.com via Pinterest
Cheese Plant: This is an easy to grow, large-leaved plant that has characteristic splits in the leaves. They’re perfect for filling a big space, they grow quite quickly, so will usually need to be repotted every couple of years. They have thick stemmed vines so sometimes need to have a bamboo stick attached to leaves to help them stay upright. Light and watering once a week will help keep this beauty healthy.
Image via Pinterest
Here are a couple of pointers to help keep houseplants alive:
Ensure the whole plant will be able to get natural light. If only part of it does, you’ll find that it starts growing towards the sunlight which could result in a wonky plant.
Most houseplants will only want a minimal amount of water once a week (apart from a Boston Fern) depending on their size. Try not to leave it longer and then compensate with a flood of water as this will result in yellow leaves and waterlogged soil.
If placing in a basket, keep the plant in it’s original pot and always remove from the basket before watering. Once watered, let it completely drain before returning to the basket.
If planting the plant into a pot, ensure that there is appropriate drainage at the bottom, such as broken pot pieces or hydrolica clay balls.
Give the leaves a dust or wipe every now and again to remove dust and ensure they’re lovely a shiny so they can absorb light properly.
I don’t know if its because we haven’t been physically able to go to a hairdresser since lockdown, but I feel more than ever that I want to do something a bit more drastic than usual when I can finally sit in the hairdressers chair. I had an appointment booked for just before Easter which obviously got cancelled, and while i’m desperate to get my usual free lights re-done, i’m also toying with the idea of having a fringe cut in, or going for a really choppy bob again (I had this last time but it has completely grown out!)
I’ve spent all of my life until I was about 10 with a fringe, which I then grew out when I went to senior school and have dabbled with it a few times since, most usually growing it straight out again, which is such a looooong process. But I think I’ve been inspired by Daisy Edgar Jones when watching Normal People and I quite like the idea of having one again.
My hair isn’t naturally straight, more of a frizz curl that I tame with my trusty hairdryer and GHDs but I find with a fringe it takes a few minutes to tame it and then you’re good to go, although humidity and rain are definitely my hair nemesis. I think fringes look so nice when hair is up in a ponytail too, as it helps to frame the face. The bonus of a fringe is that it will hide when I’ve been slack with my brow upkeep too!
I’m still undecided what i’ll do in a few weeks time when hairdressers and beauty salons will (hopefully) be able to open their doors again, but in the meantime I keep adding images to my Pinterest board for inspiration. Here’s a few I’m pinning right now:
We’re lucky to live by the seaside, okay the Thames Estuary, but at least there’s some sand and water to paddle in! But in times like these it’s been so nice to head somewhere super early to enjoy the space before it gets too busy. The weather has been so beautiful in the last few weeks and the skies such an amazing blue so on Friday we jumped in the car early and headed for some sandcastle building at 9am!
Hopefully this is the start of a beautiful long summer where we can enjoy long lazy days by the water, either here, or down in Pembrokeshire to visit my in-laws, where there’s some epic sandy beaches to explore. Sure, it’s going to be a bit different this year if social distancing stays in force, but if the weather is this beautiful it will make the fact we can’t travel abroad for family holidays an easier pill to swallow, and what better way to support the UK economy too?!
