Good morning everyone! It may be Monday but I am feeling refreshed and restored after sneaking away for a week of fluffy slippers, open fires, steaming coffees and the like. The first segment of the year has been such a drain for me and I was desperate to get away for a break, a change of scene and to relax in completely different surroundings in the way that you can really only achieve when in a fresh environment.
I booked a self catering cottage in the Yorkshire Dales; somewhere I wasn't especially familiar with in the hope of some new countryside to explore. The view from our doorstep was to die for on clear mornings; hills to the left and right and a valley connecting the two, an unobstructed panorama which no photograph could do justice. The number of shots I tried to capture my steaming coffee and the mountains (and failed). I thought these cow mugs were a bit of a taunt considering how much I loath encountering cows on walks though it transpired the owners had a bit of a thing for them. Typical.



In serendipitous timing I was sent a beautiful pair of slippers from Celtic & Co which arrived for me to pop straight in with my packing. It's been years since I've had a pair of slippers as the previous ones have always been cheap and cheerless only retaining a bit of charm while new before succumbing to slopping around and falling apart then being discarded.
Celtic & Co have an astonishing array of slippers, outerwear, women's sheepskin boots and knitwear made from natural fibres (even the slippers alone have a massive range) and there's very much an emphasis of keeping things natural, sustainable and recyclable about the company ethos. I chose the sheepskin bootee slippers in the colour claret - there were ten colours available of which I was tempted by the green, blue and lilac but plumped for this sumptuous, rich red.
Oh heaven; wearing the cosiest slippers in front of an open fire. It was a blissful arrival once we had unpacked and just sat down to relax.
The sheepskin is soft and luxurious. The helpful instructions brief you on putting your foot inside and not to worry that it's too tight and the interior needs to adjust to your foot (it soon does) and makes for a snug, cosy fit. The cuff can be turned down (as seen) for a fluffy collar or turned up to snuggle your ankle on cooler nights. I am very impressed, they are wondrous! With sturdy soles they are safe to wear without feeling too, too rigid. This design is a happy blend of traditional and modern; I can  equally picture my grandmother wearing a pair as well (Christmas idea, ping).
My other main ambition for our week away was for not feeling too tied into doing any one thing in particular, to go with the flow more instead of getting frustrated with not getting out enough/not reading enough/not feeling 'on holiday' enough, just to not think about things too much. I did read A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara which was heavy in both the sense of it being a whopper hardback tome as well as being an emotional wrecker too. Not a usual holiday read but I'm glad I was able to dedicate enough time to getting through it in just over a week as it would have spanned months at my regular pace (and couldn't have been taken anywhere near a bath).
There are going to be a number of posts from our time away; walks and castles and a few other oddments too. It's been good to get away and although all breaks come to an end it's always a pleasure to look back at the moments (sometimes already forgotten) and catalog them for future reference.
Many thanks for Celtic & Co for sending me the most fabulous pair of slippers which I'm sure will serve me well for a good long time to come. All content and opinions my own.
Take care,
Sophie

Perhaps you would consider my regular style more hedgy than edgy but on this occasion I fancied shaking things up a little. Say hello to my favourite new tee from Shropshire based Follow The River, an independent brand who offer a stylish range of organic clothing. When I saw this dandelion print I was sold, it's so 'me' as I am such a nature addict with a love for wildflowers. As my preference for tshirts is a little bigger rather than tight I sized up and love the casual fit. Capped sleeves are a winner with me!
Not only does the tee an indulgently soft feel, it makes your heart swell to know that the manufacture has been kind to nature too; the 50% organic cotton and 50% Lyocell (Tencel) mix is environmentally sustainable. Wood pulp is such a fascinating material as it makes for an incredibly comfortable fabric against the skin; all starting as carbon dioxide, water and a good dose of sunshine. Photosynthesis eh, what a process! In fact the Tencel manufacture process has received the European award for the environment from the EU so you can rest easy with a clear conscience. The design has been hand printed with chemical free water based ink too. Halo polished.
This tee is priced at £20 which I consider to be excellent value for organic clothing and such a lovely feeling piece; there are plenty of other designs on their site (mens and womens so nobody is left out), the fern is pulling at my heartstrings too but maybe a hoodie.

I styled my tee with a floaty pleated midi skirt, slouchy socks and ankle boots, a choker and wild loose locks. What do you think?

My hair is getting so long!

Many thanks to Follow The River for sending me this conscience clearing tee for me to style up. I'm popping a few more layers on today - these shots were taken on a much milder day in October.

Take care,
Sophie

There is so much potential over autumn and winter for outdoor adventuring. The crowds head out on Boxing day for a walk but guess what? The countryside is open all year round to be enjoyed so don't let the cooler weather put you off. Grab a warm coat, a fluffy scarf, hat and gloves and head out for some vitamin D and fresh air feelgood factor.
I'm an outdoorsy type anyway, so providing it's not howling a gale or raining cats and dogs then I'm game for a stroll my beloved camera round my neck for some happy time. To get me set up for some miles under the big Norfolk skies this season Keen have sent me a pair of their new boots - perfect!
I was amazed when I took them out of the box, they have a beautiful soft feel to the outer which is unlike any piece of footwear I've handled before, it's nubuck leather upper (and waterproof), they're not heavy or clumsy. It's always a good sign when you like the feel of a boot before even trying it on but the whole construction is super tidy with a lovely lining inside.

When I popped these on they felt great, really comfortable. Exactly what I ask from a boot; ankle support, easy laces which keep them nice and snug all day, a wonderful feel to the sole of my foot. It's got superb cushioning and support which give a strong sturdy footing yet keep things feeling light underfoot.
The Terradora mid leather waterproof boots are a women's boot and come in some fabulous colours. I went for the Scotch/mulch colour wave but they come in four shades including a beautiful wine red shade. This is both a practical brown shade which will suit whatever I'm wearing and yet with a pretty purpley quirk to add some character.

How were they to wear? Well, fabulous. I wore them for five hours straight as I'd intended to walk around the countryside before lunch but we had such a restorative time that I didn't want it to end so we dropped by Tesco for some sandwiches before heading out for a second walk and a second visit to Tesco for more supplies for tea. After coffee at home a trip to the allotment was in order to harvest our vegetables (and for me to pick the final remaining flowers) before returning home. I was so comfortable that I didn't feel remotely like I'd just worn new boots at all. I would classify these as a proper multipurpose boot; I think my primary use for them will be dog walking and my countryside jaunts. If you're into wearing trainers regularly then these are better than a low rise sporty type for general use.
The verdict? A resounding thumbs up from me. I've worn my Keen East Side booties so often from last October and I know that my new Terradora boots will get plenty of outings over the coming months.
I'd love to say a big thank you to Keen for sending me these boots to review, I'm a big fan of the brand and they stock a really comprehensive range of outdoor footwear for men, women and kids too - not just boots so they are well worth a look next time you want a quality pair.
Are you ready for an autumn adventure?
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

If there were ever the ultimate tonic to the dark and gloomy days heading into winter then a good book may be the one. I've been lucky enough to get a copy of Monty Don's new book Down to Earth and it's safe to say I know what my go-to book for the next few months will be. As a convert to the wonders of gardening over last few years I have to say that the more you delve into the whole lifestyle the greater the realisation that it's so much more about life itself than I ever imagined.
Monty Don has the most wonderful way of speaking, which not only serves to convey messages effectively, it also makes me feel reassured and filled with that little bit more confidence to try things out for myself. Both of my grandfathers were keen gardeners and always enjoyed showing me the latest goings on in their respective greenhouses and gardens. Starting to potter around in our own garden as an adult I felt distinctly out of my depth with regard knowing anything which turns into of course I can do this, look I'm doing fine but by gathering gradual experience it only ever reveals how little I know about everything else and how almost embarrassing that really is.

What a lovely book this is; Monty says it's an accumulation of his lifetime of gardening experience, sharing nuggets of prime know-how and thoughts on challenging pre-conceived ideas. It's a book to refer to about so many questions; what to do each month, how to work with what you've got and most of all its a pat on the back to the reader for caring about their little patch of garden. You can pick it up for five minutes and feel calmed.
Maybe it's back to the drawing board for our garden at home. We've been fighting a battle with shade, trees and bushes growing out of hand; having read this I feel enlivened into turning the problem on it's head. Work with what we have got, not against it. Stop trying to tidy away what nature is craving and instead let harmony and balance find itself instead of trying to impose something out of kilter. It's really got me thinking.

You'll have to get your own copy to see you through the darker months, I shan't be lending mine out!
Take care,
Sophie
I was sent this book to feature but all opinions and content are my own

I had to laugh as we drove through town yesterday, there were all sorts of outfits for the rather mild October morning. I saw everything from shorts and t-shirts to arctic parkers with scarves. Nobody knows what to put on each day with the descent into autumn. I've been valuating whether I'm sort of winter wear and although I simply cannot find enough jumpers, there are probably plenty of everything else in my wardrobe, though mu eyes are always peeled for more jeans. For outdoorsy types like me it's outer wear which really needs to pull it's weight; a good pair of boots and a coat is a must for the days when the temperatures never rise and cold winds whistle on by.
A practical coat always gets a thumbs up from C and this Raven coat from Lighthouse clothing is a great choice for this season. In fact, I'm not sure I've ever owned such a perfect winter coat!
Where do I start? Well, the shearling fleeced lining is gorgeously soft and warm to keep me super toasty and comfortable. The hood is also lined to make a snug hug around my head on those really rotten days. The outer layer is 100% cotton with a Teflon coating, it's waterproof, wind proof, the zips and poppers are sturdy. My favourite feature has to be the drawstring to the waist as it allows you to achieve a feminine silhouette while remaining warm. It's a great coat and the length is spot on too in order that rain drips off and away.


I'm a Lighthouse Clothing fan! These are high quality jackets which tick all the boxes for comfort, practicality and style as well as representing good value for money. The Raven coat is £99.95 which I consider to be entirely justified. This is going to be my go-to coat all through the cold winter.

While the Lighthouse ethos is all based around simple island living and nautical inspired design, there is no harm in taking their jackets all over the countryside. With practical outerwear for all members of the family (not pets though) there is a wonderful collection on their website. This coat is in 'midnight' but also comes in sunset yellow. The whole palette is beautiful, I love the 'bramble' and 'ocean deep' shades. So pretty.
Have you discovered Lighthouse Clothing?
Many thanks to Lighthouse for sending me this coat to feature, all words and opinions are my own as always.
Sophie

I remember a time when roll necks were something I lived in. Jumpers mostly. I remember a grey knitted on and a blue fluffy one that constituted part of my daily uniform along with bootcut jeans and a pair of Vans. There's something really safe about a roll neck, you can't accidentally expose yourself or fall prey to a draft bringing on a chill.



This Piper soft cotton top from Lighthouse brings back all the good memories of my mid teens. Long sleeves and a relaxed fit. Back in those days I wouldn't have dared wear these shorts, maybe a micro mini skirt (or the skirt over trousers look, remember that trend?!) .  But it feels good to pop on a semi tailored pair of shorts, belt and air my legs for almost certainly the last time this Indian summer. I've never been especially into stripes before but I recall with clarity my beloved zebra striped trousers from the early noughties, gulp.

It's starting to get a little sticky underfoot so ankle boots may have to make way for the occasion outing of wellies, boo!


Over the coming months I will definitely be layering this top under shirts and jumpers to add a good cosy layer and ensuring that should the sun pop out that I can soak it right up.

Are you a fan of a roll neck? I'm blowing the trumpet for all to follow!

Sophie
A big thank you to Lighthouse Clothing for sending me this top to feature. All opinions and content my own