If there's a good time to buy a new piece for the season it's right at the start. For some reason I'd got it into my head that I wanted a light jacket to sling on when the sun disappears. This biker jacket from Select ticks all the boxes. It's a good tan colour, fits well but loosely so I can pop a layer on underneath yet still maintain a decent enough silhouette plus it's not too precious to wear. I've worn it a couple of times already and hurrah, no regrets. I love it! It also comes in black and grey too in sizes 6 - 18 and is online and in stores at £24.99. You're welcome. It's not a sponsored post, I just found something I like and thought you might want to know too.

 Big earrings of the season too, I reach for them whenever I want to feel put together.

 The sunshine yellow bag has been used almost every weekend since it arrived with me, such a joy.
 I wore this dress last year but I like it better with the jacket and belt.

It's a wonderful three day weekend ahead of us which is absolutely thrilling! How are you spending yours?
Take care,
Sophie

The simple things are the most valuable in the whole world, with each passing week it becomes clearer. My passion for growing has been developing for the last few years, strengthening all the time. I don't recall precisely a spark which started it all off, maybe more of a gentle warming which notched up in a very gradual way. One year a neighbour grew some stargazer lilies which leaned almost over our invisible boundary and in my floral naivety, I had no idea what they were and became fascinated with them... leading to finding something similar to plant in our garden one year.
The new season range of outdoor clothing is now available at Lighthouse clothing and it's growing  each time. I've been a fan of this fabulous brand from the start for all the right reasons; the supreme quality and design of the jackets, the fit and feel, comfort and wearability, practicality and the choice of colours too.

These days we have expanded beyond the garden and into a plot and a half of allotment space. While C is all about vegetables and infrastructure, I am draw to flowers and weeding. It's unexpectedly harmonious. Above; the sugar snap peas have just gone in. Below: blossom to be seen on the fruit bushes and trees.



Lighthouse believe in the simple things in life; from shores to rural countryside. Come sail away with me to shores unexplored... While I can agree that a little adventure can hold a lot of excitement, I can testify that planting an unassuming, dry, meagre flake of a seed and nurturing it from day one can hold bountiful pleasure. From the teeniest little seedling just emerging from the ground, fighting to reach up to the sunshine, drinking in the water and growing into something beautiful, the magic is tangible.


I'm wearing the Fearne waterproof jacket in the shade called seagrass and it's a luscious shade of green, though you can also chose poppy or midnight too. A lightweight waterproof jacket is invaluable for spring and summer when the weather can be changeable if you want to stay comfy and dry. There's a hidden hood packed into the neck of the jacket which is neatly out of the way until nature decides otherwise. The drawstring to the waist is my favourite feature as it make me feel feminine, it's lovely to feel stylish in a practical jacket (and so rare). Good sized pockets and poppers and a zip. Lovely soft lining. I couldn't wish for more. Ah, and it must be mentioned that the Fearne is an ideal length to stop draughts and keep the rain off your backside too.


Apples, pears, cherries, plums... I'm keeping my fingers crossed the bees are working their magic.
Below: the first strawberry flowers!



It's all about the simple things.
Sophie

 It was the kind of day where you could hear far more than you could see. There were a pair of swans which swam past us on the river; feeding from the river bed, taking it in turn to stretch their necks and rifle through the sandy bottom to feast on what they sourced. Light, melodic chirping to be heard all around but precious little to be seen; more the case that little tiny winged bodies darted from sprig to twig but remained invisible in the maze of branches.
 I was wrapped up toasty with a good thermal vest and pair of thermal tights along with a warm dress and jumper. My gorgeous jacket from Lighthouse clothing is a shade called 'watermelon' and let me tell you, it was the most colourful thing for miles around! So pretty. It's a delightfully feminine colour without screamingly so. A coral of sorts. I adore it.
Lighthouse is a shiny new brand of outdoor clothing which has a really inspiring range of jackets for men, women and children (let's say everyone). Based in Belfast overlooking the Irish Sea, they have a visionary perspective which is to encourage the adventurer in us all and to savour the simplest, greatest moments. Now that, I can certainly concur with. Taking time to walk the shoreline, stroll along the riverbank and take in the quietest experiences are the most significant points of our lives.
My jacket is Fayda and also comes in midnight sky and seagrass (a practical dark blue and a sweet bright pea green), it has a lovely striped lining which makes it feel really nice to wear and a practical hood to keep the rain off my head.
 My jacket is breathable, waterproof and wind proof with taped seams and drawstrings to the hood and waist for adjusting to the most comfortable and flattering fit. The two way zip is particularly useful as this is a 3/4 length jacket; I love a good length waterproof as you are kept super dry as  it wont drip straight onto your trousers, plus draughts wont sneak up your back.
 Birds in flight, bunnies racing for cover, dry grasses lining the paths in their hushed, whispering way.... sharing their secrets only between each other.

The river must have recently swollen beyond usual capacity, reaching the path and beyond, stretching into every available slight trough. The path became impassible after a while, with boggier and wetter terrain and puddles wider than a running leap.

I'll be looking forward to returning on a drier day, when the water retreats to it's natural course and the land regains it's sturdy feel underfoot. The reeds will grow lush and green in the sunshine.
I'll be ready.
Sophie
Thank you to Lighthouse for sending me this fabulous jacket to feature. All content and opinions my own. 

Climb every mountain.

Succinctly put in the Sound of Music.

Sometimes you have to take each opportunity that comes your way and other times you just have to make things happen regardless. The last few weeks have been hectic and if I'm honest I think things had crept up on me more than I'd realised. On a spur of the moment thought a month ago we decided to book a weekend away for a little escape in the gloomy space between the last dregs of summer and Christmas. We love the Peak District for short breaks as the scenery and terrain is wonderfully undulating, so different from flat ol' Norfolk and yet it's within a convenient distance to drive for the weekend.

We hired a beautiful old cottage to spend three glorious nights over a long weekend. There is something so relaxing about sitting in front of a fire while the weather rages around outside. I brought books and writing paper, films and provisions and prepared for the worst; storm Abigail was set to hit.

Fortune prevailed and we found that we were able to get out for a good while. It did feel much colder than at home so I was thankful that my pessimism had insisted I take my hat, gloves and scarf. I also got my first opportunity to test out my new jacket from Mountain Warehouse which not only kept me warm but dry as well when the rain arrived. It's the Bracken 3 in 1 jacket in turquoise – such a gorgeous colour, but it also comes in purple and black too. It's down to £89.99 with the 50% off they are running at the moment,hurrah! The coat has a waterproof outer shell with a removal hood, then a warm inner lining which can be detached and worn alone, so there are 3 ways to wear it. As I prefer my coats to be more on the roomy side I always buy a size larger so I have plenty of space for baggy jumpers and the like underneath. My Merlin rucksack is also Mountain Warehouse and is now just £19.99 in the sale - I could buy one in turquoise to match my coat!

My most trusted Magnum boots kept me sure footed; they are the absolute best for ankle support and comfort, yet to find anything else that compares. Much to C's distaste I flatly wont wear le 'practical trouser', instead staying with the safer territory of a pair of skinny jeans. My super fun bobble hat is one I bought a few weeks ago in support of Masato's beanie collection campaign. They donate a beanie to a homeless charity for each one that is bought (you get to choose out of the four) (which I supported last year too). I bought this Masato snowstar beanie this time as I love the pattern and it's going to keep me warm and I feel guilt free as I know it will help keep someone else warm too this winter.

I'll share more from the weekend soon.

Sophie

Thanks to Mountain Warehouse for their gift voucher with which I bought this jacket. All content and opinions are my own as always.