For me, I'd rather have it a bit too hot than a bit too cold any day. The beating sun and a gentle breeze make for one very happy Sophie.
One mid length summer dress, with enough fabric to swish and swirl yet heavy enough not to misbehave in the breeze. Always ankle boots.

Is there anything more beautiful than an English country garden in summer? All the colours, shapes, scents and wildlife it attracts.... We had the pleasure of taking a stroll around a gem of a garden at the weekend and I couldn't resist taking some pictures of the wonderful array of flowers so here's the first part to share with you.
Above, a fabulous shade of purple on the pompom dahlias.

 Sea holly! Instead of greenery, it's bluery. Such a stand-out plant!








Above, a lovey pale yellow cosmos. I'm hoping to grow cosmos in lots of colours next summer.
Below, agapanthus in full flower. How vibrant!



More to come another day.
Sophie

Forgive me my indulgence. At this time of year especially my fascination overflows for the simplest
I love the long grasses which sway in the breeze, jangle their seeds and jostle for position.


I love to crouch down low and peer through the tall stems to see the world in a different way. The hundreds of varieties of grass make it so interesting; something to see. Explore. Study.




I like to watch the light dance behind the wispy ears; the world drifts on by while the grass stays stoically rooted in the ground.

Sophie

That hot weekend the one before last was the perfect opportunity to break out the summer dresses and head out into the sunshine. Upon laundering, I discovered that one of the straps on this dress has almost frayed through so it could have been a literal break out too. It's a sort-of vintage one, with a silk-cotton mix I think, which makes it feel delightful but also holds the creases something chronic.
In keeping with the change of seasonal feel, I wore my beloved Nova Silver honey bee necklace which is a favourite as well as my Pia bracelet and popping some roses in my hair for good measure. Socks and ankle boots as per summer standard.

Have you been out enjoying the sunny days?
Sophie

The sun has got his hat on! I've been enjoying the weather for the last week and a bit; things are feeling so bright and full of promise again. The days are here when you can sit in the grass and savour the warmth and cheer all the season has to offer. Note my shirt as a cover up, no thick jumper in sight, something of a milestone this year!
Of course, I'm still transitioning my footwear at the moment. Last week I was (still) forced to wear my big sturdy boots so I could squelch my way through the mud on a favourite wander. I can't deny, I'm keen to pop something lighter on my feet and (heaven forbid) get my toes out! A pretty pair of ballet pumps or sandals would be perfect. Naturally, I'm likely to plump for a pair of flat sandals or light ankle boots for a good walk. Variety is the spice of life.
The sunshine just makes me smile!
Sophie
This is a PR collab but all content and opinions are my own.

Above, I bit the bullet and just planted things out. Fingers crossed!
Slug bait is an absolute must, the pests are everywhere and I'm determined not to feed them any more.


Above: C has put up vanes and netting for the peas and beans. Hurrah!
Below: Really  pleased with the onions, garlic and shallots. I hoed in between the rows.

Above: C has widened the holes for the strawberry plants. They should be flowering soon.
Below: The asters and marigolds I re-potted are not only clinging on to life but actually growing big and strong.
I have larger pots for some plants. Begonias have now all been planted out and just need to hang out in the greenhouse for a week or so until it looks like the risk of frost has passed.
Upon reading the small print I learned that sweet peas will not be flowering until next year, irritatingly, but they needed to grow in the individual pots.
Methembrembomebresimisms (the big furls of greenery on the left, below). They have done a bit too well. Confusingly, the strong looking plant has a cotton-like piece of thread connecting the foliage to the root so planting out has been a delicate process. I should have thinned them.
In the middle we have a few aquilegia which are teeny tiny but I'm optimistic they'll grow soon.

Selfie.
Sophie