Sweater weather. That's how I'd describe it at the moment; spates of sunny intervals while the breeze picks up. Operation keep cosy is in effect. While I'm a jumper girl at heart, the merit of a snuggly sweater has not escaped my attention. (Count if you can, the number of times you've caught me in a cardi).
It's always a pleasure to share with you a new discovery when it comes to independent brands and on this occasion it's fabulous clothing label Whale of a Time from right here in my treasured land of Norfolk. What makes them brilliant is the ethos and direction that they have striven to employ. It really is inspiring to know that organic cotton is a priority and British design is being championed in what we are told is a world of 'fast fashion'. The best vessels are built to last.
If there is one thing I love it's a challenge on styling up a new piece!
I'm wearing the Minke sweatshirt which also comes in two other colour waves. It's a fun, retro style piece which is incredibly comfy to wear and is such great quality. The design lends itself to being worn with the majority of colours in my wardrobe but this time my navy skinnies insisted they were the perfect match to my sleeve stripes (they were right of course). Just in shot are my grey biker boots too.
What is easier to wear than a sweater? It's going to be perfect on those summer evenings just as the sun dips below the horizon and the cool night air flows in.

From this one piece you can gauge a fair amount about Whale of a Time clothing; simple, quality designs which can be worn everywhere. The new SS17 collection adds to an already solid range of t-shirts, sweaters, hoodies and bottoms as well as accessories; a well thought out theme runs through of colours, piping and striping and always with the cute little whale tail logo. It is immediately obvious that each piece belongs to the range.
I'm really impressed.

How would you wear a sweater? I have denim shorts in mind.
Sophie
A big thank you to Whale of a Time for sending me this sweater to feature. All content and opinions are my own. 

It's been a long winter but the return of flowers to my hair should be a near permanent feature from now on. It feels good to dance around with bare arms and wild hair; the sunshine brings out the best in everything it certainly brings out the best in me.
 As the temperatures are still lingering on the low side for the time of year I've not fully switched to summer clothes yet but in a fit of excitement I carefully retrieved this black lace tee. I haven't worn this beaut nearly enough considering how magnificently versatile it could potentially be. Naturally it needs something solid underneath but being black the possibilities are endless.


Little blue skirt seems to be getting littler! Oops.

 In some really exciting news I've been named as a finalist in the Country Style Blog Awards which is something that's left me feeling happy. I decided a long time ago that my own personal style was something I had to stay true to, regardless of what other bloggers are doing or the media dictates you ought to look like. I call myself a country girl and the vast majority of my outfits are perfect for a wander in the countryside. I've been ever so grateful for your support on my blog over the years and if you like you can vote for me here, any votes are sincerely appreciated. Thank you for making me feel like it's more than just ok to be myself.


Have a wonderful day!
Sophie

A long sleeved dress is a must-have as part of my wardrobe as you can sneak all manner of layers underneath it. My extremities suffer with the cold even indoors over winter - I often jest that I must be part lizard. Some people are naturally warm all the time which makes me so envious; how convenient! I used to think that increasing my exercise regime would increase my circulation to keep me warmer but there has been absolutely no discernible difference. Cold from the elbows and knees onwards. Nippy toesies and nosy.

There is something enchanting about a black dress with bold coloured florals. Until I reviewed these photographs I had no idea there were sold black squiggly lines down the front, back and sleeves. It would look nicer in my opinion to maintain a consistent covering of pattern all over - but there we go. In my mind's eye I would secretly love to design a range of clothing each season which would be made up of pieces that would be timeless and give a nod to the colours and trends of the time but not to the extent of rendering them out of place in years to come. It would make for an amazing project. Maybe one year?

Big sleeves! The fabric is regrettably too lightweight for a breeze as it billows and gets buffeted all over the show. Ah well, you live and learn.
It'll soon be bare legs weather which will be so much more pleasant.
Sophie 

I'll raise my hand and admit that usually I'm uncomfortable with asymmetry. There's something creepy about an absence of balance which normally makes me shy away. However, this retro top is one of the very few exceptions to the rule. there is something about it which fills me with excitement but why? Maybe it's the colour - a couple of bold reds, or the cute little sleeves which are a length I don't often wear. Maybe it's the snug turtle neck fit or the large pattern. I don't know for sure but most likely a mix of everything.

My mane is looking really long and wavy in these shots which makes me happy! I toyed with popping a flower in it but decided against it, but soon I will be unable to resist!
The landscape is looking so empty in these shots and it's fascinating how it suddenly springs into life to the extent that in a mere 4 or 5 months the growth will prevent me from standing here unless I battle my way through with a machete. In keeping with an appreciative state of mind, I'm feeling rather fond of the last fading grasses and hollow hemlock stems.
Let's roam wild in the meadow, rustling through the dry grasses and whispering plans for days to come.

Let's roam.
Sophie

Apparently embroidery is back in fashion (baby). I think there's a time and place for everything and this dress is worthy of being worn whenever , wherever. I last wore it in summer when bare arms and legs were the accessory of the hour. These days thermal tights are in order, just to err on the side of caution. I popped a dress underneath to keep toasty (and modesty as it's a tad short on it's own) and wore my grey ankle boots which I tend to wear all the time but as yet, haven't appeared on the blog.

Embroidery to the neck and sleeves with a few bangles and a statement necklace - it belonged to my grandmother.
I just adore the swathes of snowdrops on verges, under trees and lurking here and there. You don't need to make a pilgrimage to Walsingham to see a few - take note all those who fall into that cliche.

An alternative little black dressing up.
Sophie

 I love to wear precisely what tickles my fancy each day. Weekends and holidays of course. Much as I adore cosy knits and oversized jumpers, I wish they weren't a necessity (along with the twelve to twenty two layers beneath them to keep my warm. Vests that shrink in the wash and only reach my belly button are on my blacklist. As are tights which now seem to be a more appropriate size for someone half my stature. Let's face it, who actually has the time or inclination to hand wash anything these days?  

It's been so chilly the last few weeks that I'm practically living in this scarf as part of my permanent address. Fear not, I also went out wearing a coat, gloves and sexy bobble hat but I'm sick of the sight of myself trussed up in all that garb. The days of going out in a simple dress seem so distant.

This weekend was a bit of an uneventful one, mostly due to woeful weather. Neverthless this week has almost all it's posts started with plenty of pictures from last week and recent thoughts so there's lots to keep your eyes peeled for.
Have a great Monday,
Sophie

It was either a red top or a blue one underneath, red one. I say top, but it was sold as a tunic but it posed no danger of reaching the hem of this dress. In fact it's tested my patience to the limit really with it's amazing shrinking tactics. Maybe time to wave goodbye to it. The bi-annual wardrobe reshuffle still feels a heck of a long way off, I'd need binoculars to spot it at this range.

In my head it's likely my maternal grandmother wore a dress like this - though maybe longer. The colours are wonderfully retro and the great big buttons don't shy away from vintage styling.

These block-heeled ankle boots are one of my favourite pairs, especially for wearing into town.

Got a shift on.
Sophie

How to keep warm in winter. Aha, I know all the secrets. Lean in closer and I'll tell you in hushed tones. Layers, thermals and knits. Shhhh, we don't want everyone to know.
A good vest which overlaps your thermal tights is essential, you don't want a gap for the cold to sneak in. I love a thick cotton shirt, quality really pays dividends in the cold. A tank top really keeps my core sung then a jumper on top for maximum comfort and outdoors, a coat with all the scarfy trimmings.
Upon reviewing these pictures C commented that they looked distinctly photoshopped; which is rich because he took the shots in the first place and since then I've only resized them!

I like how in this last shot I look like I'm plotting something wicked. Maybe I am.
Sophie