And suddenly it’s the week before Christmas. I’m not sure how that happened, and I swear it was autumn only moments ago, but I know for a fact that we’ll be singing spring’s praises, and filling our vases with cheery Daffodils before we know it. So, let’s all take a deep breath (long pause) and enjoy the festivities and silliness while it’s here (pours another sherry)… I love visiting cities at this time of year, and if I can get…

From left to right: Spectacles by Sue Perkins | The Bees by Laline Paull | Yuki Chan in Bronte Country by Mick Jackson (released in Jan) | Wildflower by Drew Barrymore | Kate: Inside The Rainbow by John Carder Bush | Hunger Makes me a Modern Girl by Carrie Brownstein | The Life Changing Magic of Tidying by Marie Kondo | We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson Like most people I’ve been glued to the news…

I don’t have much luck with the memory cards I use in my camera. I constantly have ‘doh’ moments when trying to take a photograph, realising I have left the SD card in my laptop back at home. Or sometimes, I lose them completely, like I did with my holiday SD card, that had photographs of my trip to Paris in September. Anyhoo, I found it in a zip pocket in my Orla Kiely tote bag (along with a packet of TicTacs –…

October, like all the months this year, was fleeting. I’m sure I only turned over the page in my calendar last week. October was good in many ways; a restorative month of homely goodness and learning the ways of our 18 week old Polly pup. It was also a month of putting myself back together after week’s of feeling rather ‘meh’, run down and ill. I’m getting there, I just need lot’s of sleep, more puppy cuddles and comfort food. Oh,…

Via Homey Oh My! With October Half Term coming up I thought I’d write a list of things to do this holiday to help you embrace autumn with the kids, your OH or friends and family. Seasons come and go, but autumn surprises me every single time with it’s beauty, magic and general awesomeness. It’s the perfect season to still enjoy the outdoors, without completely freezing your fingertips off, but there’s also lots of fun to be had indoors too…

It is almost a month since we went to Paris, and visited the Maison et Objet trade fair. My delay in sharing my photographs from the fair gives you an idea of how busy it’s been at home since my return. I’m already counting the weeks till the Christmas holidays! I’ve been to a few trade fairs before when working in retail and also for freelance work, but Maison et Objet was on another scale; a mighty beast of interior…

As soon as autumn lands the desire to nest, drink mulled wine and layer up hits hard and fast. It’s my favourite season for sure. We have the chimney sweep booked, we’re planning Halloween fun and I’m browsing the shops for winter clothes, like you do. Don’t get me started on blankets, books and hot chocolate! Oh my. Before the frost hits, I’ve been taking advantage of dry days and tidying up our garden borders, adding a few bedding plants…

#Sharethepositive moments on Instagram (sources via link) Did you make your list of all the great things that happened in August? Here’s mine: Seeing your #sharethepositive moments on Instagram, going to Cambridge for the annual university meet up, visiting Dean Clough with my buddy Julia, preparing for Polly coming home, starting roller derby training, gardening with the family, getting a new gate for our back patio, having a delicious meal out in Haworth, seeing a gorgeous sunset coming home from my parents,…

It seems all I really need to put a smile on my face is a picnic-filled rucksack, good company and a camera. It’s official, we have caught the great outdoors bug. I just hope the weather is kind to us this weekend so we can enjoy another adventure into the hills. Why so rainy, UK? The other week we walked from Hebden Bridge to the neighbouring village of Oxenhope, where The Bay Horse Inn awaits, via Lumb Falls where you can try a spot…

I wanted to quickly get this blog post up before the cheerfully decorated trees in Hebden Bridge lose their costumes later in the week! Once again, schools, community groups and businesses were invited to decorate the trees in town as part of the Hebden Bridge Arts Festival Tree Trail. This year’s theme was ‘The Hills Are Alive’. I was on my holiday for most of the festival but when we returned home it was a treat driving through the town and…

Last week the clouds descended over Hebden Bridge and the rain fell hard; the perfect opportunity to stay indoors and settle into an afternoon of crafting. Luckily, it just so happened to be the day I was going to a Cardmaking Workshop at Julia Ogden’s Art Studio. So while the rain worked its magic outdoors, we got busy making greeting cards and envelopes using printing and collage techniques that Julia taught us. Hurrah for making a big crafty mess! The best part of…

I mentioned in a previous blog post what a silly, busy, stressful time this next week is going to be before we go on holiday so you may wonder why I’m blogging and giving myself more things to do? In truth, the blog is my happy place. If I don’t pick out the joy and share the moments that put a smile on my face then I’ll be consumed by everything else. Plus I think it’s really important to take out…