There hasn't been enough shirt wearing round here lately. I have two nice blue ones with a white design, one has polka dots and the other has a chain link, both in miniature. Blue skirt, blue skirt and a burgundy jumper to contrast. Thin jumpers are a bit of a difficult middle ground with me but I've navigated their wearing buy either layering up underneath with a vest top and thin shirt then adding a big enough jacket to keep me warm or by sticking to them only in mild times.
Contrast of patterns.


Have a beautiful weekend, happy Valentine's day and be sure to take good care of yourself,
Sophie

I have a confession. There's a whole rail in the spare room wardrobe of winter clothes that I'd completely forgotten about. Along with a whole variety of unflattering skirts and vintage curios there are a few pieces that I can still wear (hooray) but for some reason had remained locked away and lost from mind. It was on another attempt to sort out the stuff we store in there I opened the door to find some clothes. Perhaps it was the items I hardly ever wore which found themselves relegated to the brink of Narnia but amongst them was this dress. There's a lot of reasons I could wave goodbye for this one, but I haven't because it is an absolute saviour when it comes to suffering a monumental bloat. The whopping great ugly sack of a dress completely glosses over all lumps and bumps to conceal all discomfort. It's a miracle. It's a sac magique!

I love this red turtleneck top which turtles it's way almost up to my jawline. The fitted arms for no explicable reason turn to lampshades at the cuff for amusement. Not only is it super warm but interesting too.
Cute necklace was a gift from lovely Hazel a few years ago.

A good hair day and a smile. All sins forgiven in my potato sack of a tunic. High five to all who remember where Sac Magique comes from.

Take care,
Sophie

Hello everyone! Hello from the most beautiful field of pink flowers! We drove past this and couldn't resist stopping to admire. I stood in the field entrance and smiled, who can frown when the countryside is so alive with colour? I believe it must all be red campion in bloom but as for why, well I really don't know.


This is a dress I bought recently from TK Maxx and it may still be in store, I've just checked and if you want it in an L then it's online reduced to £11 here. I bought it for £15 from recollection which I still considered to be a very reasonable price for something so perfect for allll summer long. The write up goads 'get that country bumpkin vibe' don't mind if I do....
The gingham backdrop with floral print, cute gathered waist, tied short sleeves, collar, ruffled neckline, lined swishy skirt and modest length all add up to utter summer dress perfection!

 I wore my vintage leather belt, ankle boots, bucket and spade necklace.
The sleeve ties were cause for a giggle as one slipped undone while we were out and I couldn't manage to re-tie it alone so had to ask C to sort it for me, however he ties in a completely different manner to me so they were non-identical bowes. I suspect his has a more military influence but who even knew there was more than one way to tie a bow?

It makes me so happy. All the colours, the liveliness and hope.
On that note I'd like to say a really heartfelt thank you to everyone who took the time to vote and for all your messages of support for the Country Style Blog Award over the last weeks, it's meant so much. The winner and runner up were announced last night and they were very deserving of the recognition.

Here's to all the colour and hope!
Take care,
Sophie

Bonjour! I discovered this morning that I have surpassed 1000 published posts here - isn't that astonishing? Not really; not when you consider I like to have a post published on every working day of the year (in a totally non-compulsive manner you understand) just for the neat regularity of it all.
In fact this should be 1013. There were of course several hundred of the first few years' worth that got binned after they didn't make me happy in the least. It felt refreshing to wipe the slate a little cleaner and build back up from there. So here we sit, at 1013 and enjoying the view. Often when I publish a post and scroll to the end it will suggest others to read that I had completely forgotten about and I take a little read myself.
It's been a funny few years, with plenty to talk about; there is something so alluring about writing. My fingers start typing, albeit in a faffy unprofessional manner as I've never mastered touch typing, and before I can believe it there's a whole episode in it's own right.
Logically I ought to talk a little about this outfit. Was it a windy day? Oh just a brief hurricane I guess. My hair went everywhere and knitted itself into a teatowel size blanket.
I haven't worn this punchy pink coat all winter, it's only drawback is that there is no loop to hang it up properly so it has a habit of collapsing in a heap on the floor without warning.
Fingerless gloves are my new thing on the chilly but not bras monkey days as I can keep hands and wrists much warmer but still retain use of fingers for using my camera. Back in my schooldays I wore them so often but haven't made use of them for years. I found this pair in one of those places you keep hats/gloves/scarves stuffed away only to rediscover them and give them a rejuvenating wash and wear in the winter. I've no recollection of buying them.


Miniskirts, thermal tights and ankle boots rule winter forEVER.
I'm feeling pretty good about the blog at the moment, can you tell?
Take care,
Sophie

Who's this? It's only me but you'd be forgiven for not recognising my face after such a leave of absence. Following the balmy warmth of last week the weekend's plummeting temperatures ensured distinctly more Autumn-appropriate attire. This glorious tweed jacket insisted it would compliment both the shirt and trousers so I'll graciously admit it felt right.
Notice my new boots? Well, they're Redback boots which are not only fantastically practical work boots but also super comfortable and stylish too so can multitask for many an occasion. You know how much my life revolves around the perfect ankle boot (oh yes) and this is the finest addition to my arsenal in quite some time. The boots themselves are Jarrah brown leather with a fantastic cushioned sole; I've never worn a boot which feels so comfortable from the off and trust me I have a lot of experience. It feels great to walk on, almost pops a little bounce in your step. The sole has a super grippy layer to increase practicality and they feel both a strong boot and extremely comfortable at the same time which I'm unaccustomed to.

The front and rear tabs help with getting these on with ease, although they were no trouble at all to me. Whatever you do, don't try to snip them off as they're part of the infrastructure. 

Hello red glasses! Still loving these frames.
But anyway, I feel like these beauties are suited to all occasions; walking, smart attire, town and all things in between. I'm wearing a 5.5 which is great because the extra half size is added width (not length) which suits my feet merrily.

Thank you so much to Bushgear for sending me these amazing boots to wear. I'm a total fan and of course all content and opinions are my own.
Are you a fan of practical boots?
Sophie

I'm thrilled to tell you that I've been named Country Style Blogger of the Year 2017. What an accolade, I'm absolutely over the moon and it really rates as one of my happiest moments in my adult life.
Without your wonderful support there wouldn't be much to show round here, thank you to everyone who took the time to vote but more importantly thank you for dropping by. It's odd to try putting it into words but here's my try. I've never been a particularly confident person, in fact I dislike the word confident as in my head it follows hot on the heels of arrogance. Over the last few years I'd describe my mindset as more as growing comfortable; feeling at home being myself and instead of making apology for my likes, preferences and character it's been a steady learning curve of shrugging off doubt and accepting that's who I am. You have made such a massive contribution to how I feel that I'm at a loss of how to say how grateful I am. Most people in my day to day life don't consider me creative at all, yet when I take a minute to scroll through my blog I can't help but feel like I've far excelled my own expectations of my capabilities.


It continues to be a real joy to put together each post and I hope it shows.
Sophie

Do you remember back to the mini heatwave we had way back on the Easter weekend? It was astonishingly hot, it must have been as I reached for a simple summer dress and set about frolicking with bare skin and loose hair in the warm air.
 The leaves weren't even vaguely out at that time (but the sunshine was in force)


 I plopped my camera down on the ground and had a go at shooting myself, although the pictures don't feature me in clear focus they do have a pleasant perspective and capture my playful spring spirit.
Just a little reminder.... I've been named as a finalist in the Country Style Blog Awards which is a real honour and something I'm absolutely thrilled about. 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 all your votes, you need only vote once and the voting closes on Friday 19th.
Hurrah for the warm, sunny weather! More please.
Sophie

 Making a daisy chain ought to be a priority for this summer, I'll pop it on my list.
In a fit of uncharacteristic optimism for sunny and therefore warm weather I chose my favourite blouse to wear with this fabulous brown tweed skirt, both Joules as it would happen, but even with the addition of my sparkly bronze knit the sharp wind had the upper hand. It was cold. My coat was left in the car as the skies duped us upon setting out, it made for a less than ideal time out. Pessimism usually reigns supreme when it comes to British weather, I shan't be caught out again in a hurry.
 In some really exciting news I've been named as a finalist in the Country Style Blog Awards which is a real honour. 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 all your votes, you need only vote once and the voting closes on Friday 19th.
Sit down a while and turn back the clock.
Sophie