I have loved this week, particularly the darker evenings. Aside from a major ‘showdown’ Win and I had one morning over getting dressed it has been very peaceful, laid back and low key. We’ve seen friends and grandparents, been swimming, worn wellies every day, baked and played lots of games indoors.
Yesterday we spent the day at my parents house playing with cousins, and I loved having a good catch up with some of my family members. We carved pumpkins, ate soup, chilli and jacket potatoes, followed by a torch walk, hot chocolate and biscuits. My mum has a way of making them feel so special and welcome. I don’t quite know how she does it.
Read
I’m a little obsessed with Fashion Me Now written by Lucy Williams. She travels to the most stunning places in the entire world, all whilst looking completely gorgeous. I love reading about her travels and dreaming a little – ok, a lot.
Watched
On Wednesday night I saw ‘Suffragette’ with three of my sisters. One of the most moving and beautiful films I have ever seen. I got home and literally kept Jared awake for hours going on and on about it. Every emotion was captured perfectly and I hadn’t quite realised just how much so many women sacrificed. It should be compulsory viewing for all women in our country. We went to see it at the Hyde Park Picture House in Leeds after gelato, which added so much to our little evening together. I’d like to see it again before it leaves the cinema.
Heard
Jake Bugg every morning during breakfast. Jared is a big fan.
Made
I’ve been working on a lovely little project in collaboration with Oxfam and ParcelHero. A charity advent calendar that will be auctioned on the Oxfam eBay account. 24 bloggers, 24 individually decorated boxes and 24 handmade gifts. I painted the sides to look very Christmassy, but I don’t want to give too much away! It goes up for auction on the 18th November and the best thing is that you can keep the wooden boxes year after year. Win and I had fun making the gifts to go inside.
We also made some sweet woodland bunting out of brown card. I am an awful artist, so I have no idea how the animals came out recognisable! I used Google to find silhouettes and then I just used a pencil to draw an outline. After cutting them all out I then used a sewing machine to create a garland.
Wore
Black jeans, trainers and jumpers…every.single.day. Trainers and I are getting on beautifully at the moment.
And lastly…
There are only a couple of days left to enter my giveaway to win two tickets to The Handmade Fair in Manchester. Enter here!
Have a lovely (and not too spooky) weekend.
E xx
Your woodland garland is so cute. The charity advent calendar boxes are a great idea, your box is decorated beautifully. Have a great weekend x
Thanks Louisa! x
That sound like a perfect day with the family – I really fancy a jacket potato now, we so rarely have them! Your Christmas Box looks lovely and for a fab cause. I hope it all goes well. Have a lovely weekend x
Probably sounds ridiculous but I ‘remembered’ about jacket potatoes recently and now I look forward to having them a couple of times a week for lunch. Thanks Gemma – hope you had a lovely one too xx
Hi Esther, I have just discovered your blog via Laura Ashley’s and have thoroughly enjoyed reading your posts. I have a little boy aged one and have recently moved to the country. I have been keeping a diary of our country life and have been playing with the idea of blogging it for ages, until now , I have only dabbled on Instagram under the name Elegantly-wasted-vintage, reading your blog has inspired me to finally put my plan into action! Keep up the good work and love the woodland garland! X
Oh Tara. Thank you so much for your lovely message. I so enjoyed reading it. How wonderful that you have just moved to the country and that you’ve been keeping a journal. I loved that image. I told barely anyone about my blog for a really long time (18 months), as I thought it seemed such a weird thing to do. I have grown to love it so much and I never knew I would enjoy writing so much. Very late to Instagram too (which is my biggest regret), but now I feel I’ve got the balance. Good luck with whatever you decide. I’m sure it will be fantastic! xx
Ah thank you! I’m looking forward to getting going with it, although it is a lot harder to find the time now I’ve returned to teaching part time after my maternity leave. My husband and I have just started ‘creative Tuesdays’ where we turn off the TV and turn our hand to more a creative pursuits (he’s a writer too) so hopefully I can actually sit down and figure out WordPress! Thanks for the lovely reply!
‘Creative Tuesdays’ sounds amazing! What a fantastic idea. It is so important to take time out and unplug isn’t it? WordPress is easy to navigate, but the initial set up is time consuming 😉 xx
Oh what a lovely week you have had. I love the beginning to look a lot like christmas. So lovely I love everything about the lead up to xmas. Love that tractor my kids would have a blast looks like yours does too. Hope you had a lovely Halloween darling and weekend with family. Sounds great. #littleloves
Thank you so much Jenny! x
Your week feels very similar to mine what with family, friends and wellies! haha
Suffragette was incredibly humbling and inspiring isn’t it? I am in complete agreement with you that all women should see it.
xx
Wellies – so essential aren’t they? Oh, I just loved Suffragette xx
That woodland garland is so cute! I want one! There is no way I believe that you are an awful artist when the animals have come out that well! Sounds like a lovely week xx
Thanks Louise! It seems I can cope with an outline at least! xx
Your Mum sounds lovely! Thanks for a heads up on that blog, I’ve subscribed! Her images are amazing, it’s like they’re out of a magazine. I really want to see that film!! xxx
I think he boyfriend is a photographer – oh my days. I just think she looks incredible! You must follow her on Instagram too, although she goes on holiday ALL THE TIME! Hahahaa xx