Making the best of things; that's what I'm up to at this precise point in time. We're beyond the tipping point of ever hoping for that elusive Indian Summer and the clocks changing has meant that it's now getting dark early evening. The feel of Autumn is undeniable. I'm propping myself up with a few treats wheeled out at this time of year, saved to distract from my gloom.

I've done the big wardrobe switch with all my summer clothes now packed away 'til spring and all my winter clothes getting rediscovered. New inspiration is growing of what I want to wear over the coming months. Recent buys teamed with old favourites; new styles and reworked classics. Yes, this may be baffling to C (and many people) but my wardrobe is a collection of wonderful possessions and I enjoy putting together outfits to wear out and about. It makes me happy.

The abundance of pumpkins everywhere has prompted me to get busy in the kitchen. As well as my most favourite pumpkin tray bake recipe, I have made two batches of pumpkin soup to really get into this curious squash in a way I've never managed to before. Maybe I'll share the recipes soon.

Alas, our own pumpkins failed so I bought my two off roadside stalls. They have a lot of flesh on them so they do stretch a long way.

After eking the final dregs of colour out of the summer bedding plants I waved goodbye to them ceremoniously and refilled the pots with fresh compost and a mix of yellow and purple violas for winter. I've never had winter bedding before and my interest is captured by the idea of some pretty colour by the front door over the greyest time of year. I'll keep you updated on how it goes.

It's most pleasant to burn a berry scented candle in the evenings and snuggle under a cosy blanket. The fairy lights on the mantelpiece are omnipresent but now get switched on when it gets dark and I've swapped the bunting on the bed's headboard for more fairy lights like last year. It adds a little bit of sparkle to the dark mornings which can be just what's needed to put me in a great mood.

I have more cooking in mind and of course, more photography to indulge in over the coming months.

What changes are you making at this time of year?

Sophie

The last few weeks have been a somewhat miserable few it has to be said. It started with my grandmother thinking she was on the way out (false alarm) calling me just after 6am in a state so I spent a draining day making sure she was ok, which for someone who is by no means a natural carer, is exhausting.
Then I got struck down myself, thinking I had a kidney infection (I didn't, turns out my kidneys are not where I initially thought which is mildly embarrassing) which actually turned out to be a back ache which poleaxed me more than I would have possible really. After spending a day at home in a considerable amount of discomfort then a verging on miraculous recovery overnight I didn't know what to think.
The first day back at work was something of a reluctance, still feeling quite tired and miserable but my spirits were lifted when I received flowers by post. Even the postman was excited! He naturally assumed they were a surprise so I congenially played along with feigned shock that the were for me. Well, who wouldn't?!
The flower delivery from Blossoming Gifts was the best thing to happen midweek. I was excited to get into the neatly packaged box; the bouquet was really well protected and had a nifty wet/dry sheath to the stems to ensure they didn't dry out during transit but equally didn't flood the box. I didn't know which vase to use to display them so I prepped two and in fact had to use the larger of the two as there was a larger bouquet than it originally looked like (due to being arranged by someone who clearly knows what they're doing). I was delighted to find so many lilies amongst roses and more flowers (which I assumed were gerberas but I'm thinking now that they're not) plus a generous mix of greenery and almost daisy-like sprays.
The lowlight of the past weeks started at 4am on Monday morning when C started getting super ill with a vengeance. I spent the day checking on him and holding up glasses of water and cranberry juice for him to drink and checking he was still conscious (the kind lady at 111 really put the wind up me with her chilling advice at 6:30am of 'if he starts fitting or loses consciousness call 999 immediately'). So it was a worrying day, which fortunately was followed by a much less stressful Tuesday.
It's been a delight every time I pass the vase full of flowers, it looks so cheerful and smells heavenly that it distracted me in a most welcome way. My bouquet is called 'Summer garden' and it's a mix of gorgeous oranges and peaches which makes my heart sing.
I'm a fan of buying cheap flowers and love to treat myself once in a while, a pretty display in a vase is uplifting every time I set eyes on it. It works wonderfully as a gift from a loved one of as a gift straight to yourself.
Massive thank you to Blossoming Gifts for making my days so much brighter by sending me this gorgeous bouquet to review. Nine days in and it's still looking pretty.

Get yourself a whopper of a discount with my code BGIFTS33 which gets you 33% off a bouquet (except the flowers by post range). Let's call it a gift from me to you xx
Sophie

If there is one thing that I want from summer, it's bright colours outside. Pastels may be popular in spring but in the hottest months of the year I want to see all the bold and bright colours to really cheer me up and burst out all over the place. I spoke recently about taking a few cuttings to put in a vase in the house. There is something so celebratory about summer bedding plants by the front door; they greet me as I arrive home and make me smile as I leave the house each day. They don't cost much to buy (or grow from seed), I re-use the pots each year then water them if it's too dry (plus feed if you're really on the ball). What a delight.

During the colder months we have fairy lights round the bed but without them it looked so stark. When I found this pretty country cottage style bunting I knew what I wanted to do! Much nicer for summertime, one of my better ideas.

What little changes do you make for summer?

Sophie

Now this is a sight for sore eyes, a much longed for weekend treat. Sitting down on the sofa with a steaming mug of coffee, a scented candle burning and my latest assortment of books. The prospect of curling up under a blanket and having a good read is sheer bliss. Chris consults the Allotment Month by Month book as his bible for all things allotment based, it's a really good resource. The two others are recommendations I have procured for myself and intend to work my way through in the fullness of time.

This fabulous mug features artwork from local Norfolk artist Amelia Bowman who I have recently discovered and fallen in love with her style! Amelia creates collagraphs (which take their name from 'collages') which are beautiful designs created on a rigid surface and rolled through a print press, of course it is far more technical than that but you get the idea.

What I adore about Amelia's designs is that she has captured scenes from Norfolk which are familiar as well as further afield which she then produces in limited editions in her different patterns. If you notice the titles have the prevailing pattern in brackets. I'm pleased to share with you a small selection of pieces with you

Beach Huts (Ixia)

Cley Windmill (Clover)

London Skyline (Floribunda)

Wells Harbour (Anemone)

Norwich

Norfolk

Low Tide

Wymondham

I spent ages admiring the amazing range of patterns, oh my gosh, they are so pretty! I can't help thinking they would make for fabulous wallpaper or curtains, what do you think? My favourites are 50's Hydrangea, Daisy Daisy, Bobble Tree, Morris leaves and Folk Flower but they are all unique, what is your favourite? I'd love to know.

Amelia Bowman has an etsy shop selling a selection of prints, posters, mugs and tote bags and a range of stockists but for any enquiries you can contact Amelia direct.

I don't know about you but I'm looking to add to my collection!

Sophie

Thank you to Amelia Bowman for sending me the mug (and a tote bag, not pictured). All opinions my own.

Now that it feels like Spring is finally with us I've got the urge to continue the spruce up at home. It always feels like the best time to have a good clear out, deep clean and change around. I recently wrote about a few changes we made to our hall and how home-making has never been something I've focussed on all that much but it's something that is piquing my interest. In the month since we re-arranged it and added the new accessories I've feel a little burst of admiration each time I pass the table. While the vase may be empty more than it holds a bouquet, the table looks clear and bright while the picture is one which makes me smile.

I'd really like to continue improving different areas of the house and making it feel just as homely an 'ours'. We have a real mix of furniture, most of it being items we were given or bought cheaply on the quick when we moved it. One day it would be brilliant to upgrade to some quality pieces which give the rooms more cohesion, but that's something for the future. Furniture choice got in touch to see whether I'd like to give my bedroom a bit of a makeover on them, which came at the perfect time for our spring clean and reshuffle.

There are quite a few things about our bedroom that I really love already; our bed is hands down the best piece of furniture we own. It's perfect, even more so with the fairy lights on. I adore our yellow walls, golden curtains and apricot carpet. Yes, I realise they're not white, but there is something so cheerful about sunshine colours. Our white rug was a present from my parents one Christmas and is so soft under bare feet. The giant mirror-doored wardrobe holds a treasure trove of clothes plus allows me to get a good idea of what I look like wearing them.

This mirror is one from my late grandmother and is quite small and too high for me to see my face in, which was something of on oversight while positioning. You can make out a picture which was a present from my paternal grandparents of a horse out hunting. I didn't use to like it much at all but I now feel much warmer towards it.

This chest of drawers was a wedding gift, we didn't choose it but yet it fits in well enough, however it's had this stereo sat on it for years without being used. I thought this was the ideal candidate for a bit of attention so I popped my redundant jewellery box in a drawer and chose the following items to decorate the space: a countryside scene in 3d wall art, which is gorgeous! It can either sit on it's own or be hung.

In keeping with the natural theme, this wooden jewellery tree was an obvious choice, it's so cute (plus almost Twitter themed with the birds, shhh) and I can hang my favourite necklaces off it while keeping it tidy. To add some warmth I filled this Cylinder vase with these Noma frosted golden glass hearts which look rather nice if I do say so myself. I'm not sure I'd ever put real flowers in the bedroom so these white tulips in a vase make for an all year round compromise while staying within the white look of the table. Last but not least this pomegranate and cassis scented candle will most likely remain unlit for a while while I savour the flavour, we'll save it for a rainy day.

What do you think of my makeover?

Sophie

Big thanks for Furniture Choice for helping me out!