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This is my plotting chair.
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My husband runs for cover when I am sitting here. He knows therein danger lies.
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We have spent the past few days discussing how to make Christmas more special for the children if we can't see our family and just suddenly, bit by bit, the children's Father Christmas lists appear to be getting longer: "Mummy, I think a skateboard is actually an excellent idea, it will give me something to do if we go back into lockdown again" "Mummy, I was thinking that maybe a driving experience might be a good idea..." (my son is 11) "if I learned now whilst there are no cars around then it would save time when I am 17".
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As their lists grow, my thoughts naturally turn to my own Christmas requirements. I have brought up our googlealexawithyoutubemusicsonosmachine (I truly don't understand it but I do know that when I mention things in the kitchen they pop up on my phone in an advert later (not the walk in bath btw, I am pretty certain I have never mentioned that.. Although...)
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I need to focus on my list. Ahem "I really love soft non greying long but not trippable, wrap around but don't make me look michelin, not too heavy but still warm, you can choose the colour but nothing garish and definitely not towelling because that adds another person to my being dressing gowns".
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I am pretty certain Alexagoogle will have that noted and send the family my requirements.
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"And diamonds".
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"Over and out AlexaGoogle".
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Happy the plotting thickens Thursday x
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#countrybedroom #cabbagesandroses #hyggehome #bedroomgoals #makingahouseahome #shabbychicstyle #bedroomchair #mybeautifulhome #stylingtheseasons #bedroomstyling #floorboards #chandelier #charminghomes #countryinteriors #romantichome #mycountryhome #bedroominterior #nesttoimpress #cottagestyle #cottagedecor #shabbylove #shabbyvintage #hyggeliving #nestandthrive #countrycottagestyle #beams ...

Yesterday I was told that it was beneficial to sit in the sunshine, even when cold.
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That actually - surprisingly apparently - it is warm in the sunshine and rather pleasant.
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It was not.
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I dutifully took my tea and shortbread outside, wrapping myself in my blanket so that I couldn't feel the benefit, stuffed the shortbread in my gob and legged it back inside.
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I did manage to capture the beautiful NOT WARM sunshine playing on the winter jasmine and highlighting my well done me for putting off pruning the Wisteria.
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Happy win of sorts Wednesday. X
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#englishcottage #englishcountryside #britain24x7 #photosofbritain #winterjasmine #wintersunshine #jasminumnudiflorum #thiswintermoment #savourtheseasonalshift #beautifulmoments #beautifulbritain #thatchedcottage #myviewtoday #gardenview #gardensofinstagram #gardenlife #viewfrommygarden #fieldview #cottagelife #countryhomes #countrycottage #lovegreatbritain #countryhome #countrysidelife ...

Warning: Motivational imaging. Look away if you prefer to remaine prone/ inert/ cosy.
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Having banged my extra hip against the kitchen island for the 58 thousandth time, I know I must run today.
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It is cold.
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La Aga is calling to me "Sit here, on the cosy rocking chair filled with plump cushions. Take the weight off, rest, relax, enjoy my warmth".
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AHa! No thank you heated temptress! I heard your cheeky little "plump" and "weight" additions. You won't catch me out. No siree, I will run like the wind (more like a very old heifer, lumbering to keep up with the herd) but in my head I shall be glorious, faster than... actually I do run really almost surprisingly slowly, I can't even fool myself.
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I can however motivate with the dreams of a lovely hot bath on my return, candles lit, towels plumped (argh that word for again) and water r... Actually this is motivating: the plug doesn't quite fit which means the water slowly drips away... I better get a lumber on.
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Happy try to be speedy Tuesday. X.
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#autumnstyling #cottagebathroom #falldecor #bathroomdecor #moderncountry #bathroommirror #simplethingsmadebeautiful
#rusticfarmhouse #autumnvibes #oldhousecharm #rusticdesign #cottagestyle #cottagedecor #autumncosy #cottagecharm #countrydecor #bathroomdetails #bathroomideas #rusticdecor #shabbylove #bathrooms #countryfeatures #bathroomsink #modernrustic #bathroomsofinstagram #shabbychicstyle #shabbychichome ...

There has been a sighting of a rake in the garden!!!
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Yes, news just in, this is not a mock up, the rake has been moved from it's jauntily angled characterful pose leaning merrily against the stables... and has found itself jauntily and merrily angled by the fence instead.
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Yet this is immense progress. This is a sit down, attempt to pat oneself on the back, remember that from last week's zoom yoga that your right arm can barely angle behind your back yet your left is far more flexible, get lost in thought, drink too much celebratory wine and leave the rake to look at the leaves.
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Progress.
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Procrastinator's Progress.
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I expect that today I will stretch both arms and rake away the wildlife homes and laugh with gay abandon - the squirrels dared to climb my beautiful rose on the back of the house, steal all my glorious orange hips and then climb onto the thatch and use the old Shakespearian insult of biting their thumbs at me - I'm not sure if they have thumbs but it definitely looked that way.
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It is war and I have to show no mercy. Good bye creature retreats. Find another place to break lockdown rules. We are not your Bubble.
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Happy militant Monday. X
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#cottagecore #cottagelife #cottagelove #englishcottage #englishcountryliving #englishcountrygarden #leafseason #fallfeels #gardenliving #loveyourhomeandgarden #hearthome #lovewhereyoulive #lovemyhome #cottagedreams #cottagechic #cottagecharm #listedbuilding #oldhome #winteriscoming #barebranches #dreamyhome #dreamcottage #houseandhome #homelife #gardenlife #cutehouses ...

Well hello definitely not Christmas.
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Yes, there are elements of the festive season: glorious tablecloth, cosy candles, foraged festive foliage, perhaps a dash of berried holly and gifted linens from @torimurphytextiles but THIS IS NOT A CHRISTMAS SHOT BECAUSE I HAVE RULES AND I STICK TO THEM.
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This is simply a massive thank you to one of the coolest people that I have ever not met. I 'virtually' met Tori Murphy and begged her to let me interview her and cover my kitchen in her incredible designs.
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I appreciate this sounds more like stalking but she was very kind and sweetly answered all of my questions in amongst renovating an old cottage in Nottinghamshire, looking after her 3 beautiful girls (all under the age of 4...yes! Actually! How?) and founding an entirely made in England textile company.
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Argh.
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She is also beautiful and really, really lovely and very interesting. St Martins, Model Agency, Magazines, Royal College of Art and Italy to a successful textile business that was established with the simple aim to create products for the home with character and integrity, all woven and made in England.
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I knew they would be beautiful but my goodness they are stunning, they feel amazing, they look amazing and they whisper quality. Head over to my website (linkinbio) to read my stalking... Erm... interview.
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Happy stalky Sunday. X
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#kitchendecor #homelovers #patternandcolour #fabricdesign #maximalist #lovepattern #modernrustic #moderncountry #countrycottage #countrykitchen #farmhousekitchen #farmhousekitchendecor #farmhousetable #kitchensofinstagram #myhyggehome #homeadore #countryhomesandinteriors #cottagekitchen #countryinteriors #tablesetting #tablecloth #kitchentable #teatowels #britishmade #madeinbritain #kitchensofinstagram ...

Hello beautiful scrumptious incredible sunlight!!!
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Like the mouse under our piano, scenting the pieces of popcorn under the sofa "No Mummy, it's actually fine to have popcorn in here because it just pops in your mouth, it's really a very sofa friendly snack" I scuttled outside, greying dressing gown flapping under large coat, thick socks and garden clogs completing this eclectic look (let's call it an 'eclectic' rather than 'oh lord, lockdown hasn't been kind to her has it' look).
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The precious, precious sunshine (I may also be evolving into Gollum) lit up the treetops and created a glorious vintage look to complement the mossy roof and thankfully untrimmed Wisteria (sometimes procrastination pays off - imagine if I had pruned the poor love, there would be no colour, no joy, no passi.. Ok... mainly no colour).
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I managed to complete my little essay on vintage and antique items (it's only 150 words but I got so overexcited that I wrote an essay and then spent days editing it down!!). It made me realise just how much I love old things: a worn old blanket, a musty smelling book, a peeling painting, a greying dressing gown... ok, not the dressing gown, I may need to start my Christmas list!!!
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Head over to @the_vintage_seller_directory to read why I think old pieces are so important in a home. Oh and to look at just a few more photos of this precious, my precious cottage (begone Gollum, it's too soon, I'm not ready for full madness. Maybe after Christmas when I give up the Baileys and Micky Bubbles).
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Happy actually no need for image saturation but very shivery Saturday!! X
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#thatchcottage #oldhouse #hyggelife #listedbuilding #cottageliving #suffolkcountryside #mygardenthismonth #cottage #hyggehome #englishcountrygarden #englishcottage #suffolkcottage #gardenliving #thatch #cottagelove #myhomesanctuary #myenglishhome #mycountryhome #myhouseandhome #oldcottage #countrycottagestyle #seekthesimplicity #countryliving #countrycottage #countrycottages #oldbuilding ...

Books and candlight, that's all I need... No, no, not Christmas candles (I am still skulking into the stables to get my festive spices candle whiff), no just the Norfolk lavender candle from @homecountycandleco (which you also get 15% off with my code btw - see my highlights).
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Yup, I am pretty much comatose, lavender softly scenting the room, candles flickering invitingly and books calling me to fall face first into the velvet pouffes of rapturous relaxation.
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I just need to attack the school run, then actually run and then, then I can fall into this joyous escape... Oh and finish writing up my interview for Sunday's blog with @torimurphytextiles... and finish writing a piece on vintage furniture for @the_vintage_seller_directory which will be on here... tomorrow..., then, then I wil.... probably leg it to the car to be late collecting my daughter from school, but then! Then I will collapse and read... Well.. Probably fall asleep after a page as I appear to now be an old and nap at any moment where I am still for longer than 3 minutes.
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Happy focus Friday! X
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#fulllook #cozyreads #cozyreading #homelibrary #librarygoals #readingtime #readersofig #bookshelf #booksharks #windowseat #candlelove #windowseats #readinggoals #librarylove #bookfeatures #bibliophiles #bookshelves #igreaders #bookishpost #bookshelfie #bookworld #bookishfeatures #bookshelfie #classicinteriors #oldcottage ...

Warning! This scene contains multiple examples of intense and prolonged procrastination.
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Please look away now if you are sensitive to any of the following instances:
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*Unharvested apples.
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*Unmulched leaf piles ("but I can't rake it up! Look! There's a burrowed hole! It's worked! The mice have homes outside and not under our piano! Oh well done little mice! Little mice? Hellooo? Little mice?"... "It's a hole made by an apple that has dropped from the tree my love" was the crushing response from my husband.
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*Abandoned wheelbarrow (it's just too cold to bring in the logs).
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My English Country Cottage will not be held responsible for any trauma or visual impairment caused by this image.
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Terms and conditions apply: if you are compelled to dive into the garden and clear up the autumn detreitus then I am happy to be held responsible.
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If you feel the need to use up the slightly mouldering fruit in a crumble to laugh in the face of wastage, then credit me... although don't kick me if you eat the whole thing, I seem incapable of leaving anything on my plate/bowl/cake stand.
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#inmygardentoday #rampantlyrustic #cottagestyle #natureinspired #doorsandwindows #englishcottage #dreamyhome #englishcottagestyle #dreamylittleplaces #cutehouses #housebeautiful #soenglishithurts #soenglish #cottagecore #englishcountrygarden #loveofcountryhouses #countrycottage #cottageinspo #thatchedcottage #ukshots #cottagegoals #thislittlemoment_ #writerslifeforme #allwhatsbeautiful #chasingfacades #englishhouse #englishcountrygarden ...

My Victorian Lady Botanist senses were alerted to another unusual floral occurrence in the garden.
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I flung on my bustle, grabbed my photographic documenting equipment and rapturously ran down the stairs to examine the rose (only briefly pausing to admire the new bookcase in waiting, rue the day that my husband bought a spirit level, gaze longingly at the poor lonely, homeless books and begin to think of lampshades to accompany the not yet purchased brass lamp to light the new joyous shelves of bookish delight).
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Banishing all thoughts of decor, I ran full pelt into the rose garden (5 rose bushes in a bed doesn't sound as glamorous) and captured this glorious final flourish of summer rosery.
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A true beauty, the vibrancy was only equalled by my occasional over vibrancing of photos when I feel the need for colour. This rose shall be noted as the rose that tried it's darndest, The Rose Supreme.
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Happy triumphant Tuesday. X
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#mycountryhome #myhouseandhome #myhomesanctuary #oldhome #oldhouses #timberhouse #listedbuilding #cottagewindow #windowview #countryliving #countrycottagestyle #countrycottages #countryhomes #thatchroof #countryviews #countryside #mycountryhome #englishcottage #countrycottage #cottagehome #hyggehome #lastrose #oldhomelove #oldhouselife #cosycottage #cozycottage #cosyhomes ...

Yes! Hand up whilst being pushed up further by opposite elbow! This is a 'yesterday'.
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I just didn't have it in me, your honour, not this morning, no, i knew you see, your goverorship, that I would be tired, I would be unable to take any photos you see your goodliness because I had worked so hard gov, on the day of rest your worship.
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By the time I had overseen the thank you cards "I love playing with my doll scooter - I like to put one doll on the scooter and then laugh at the other dolls who have to walk to school"... "Well darling, I think your grandparents will love your card but it might scare them a little..." and helped to make the model replica of a mountain "But sweetheart don't we need the ignacious level in yellow fimo?!" Mummy!!! It is igneous!!! And no, it should be green because I was the one in the classroom listening to my teacher " (I didn't rejoin- actually 'you were the one destroying TWO compasses and filling a pencilcase with shavings' ).
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This was all whilst cooking the roast and overseeing the creation of The New Bookcase. It has only taken 3 years for The New Bookcase to be alived so no pressure, no, no: "it's fine darling, I'll just leave the stubborn little Yorkshires to refuse to rise and allow the fimo mountain geography project to burn and I will come and agree whole heartedly to The New Bookcase.
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Actually, it is brilliant. I am genuinely impressed and very excited. I shall probably spend my extra time this morning sat on this sofa buying pretty books to put in it and then complaining that I have nowhere to put my actual books.
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Happy no movement Monday. X
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#featuremyflorallove #candlelovers #modernrustic #kitchentable #farmhousekitchen #shabbysofa
#rustichome # #countrykitchen #kitchendiner #oldhousecharm #cosycottage #cottagedecor #cottage #cottagecharm #countrycottages #interiordetails #countryfeatures #kitchenlove #cosykitchen #mycountryhome #farmhousestylekitchen #cottagekitchen #countrydecor #englishkitchen #farmhousetable
#kitchendecor ...

I have attempted moody and mystical.
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Ok?
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This is very moody.
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And atmospheric.
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Just don't look at all the ruinous moss on the roof, this rather spoils the cloak like swish of mystery. It more suggests bird poo city...This is not my Sunday mood du jour (see - French adds a hint of mystique).
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This house was extended in the crazy 80's to include a snazzy perspex sun room that hid the joyous bottom mullion window and a super functional tack room that spanned the width of the house on the left hand side. Both useful. Both rather de trop in today's world - I just can't be friends with perspex and I absolutely REFUSE to countenance more horses or ponies after spending my formative years mucking out and poo picking. Both gone. Phew.
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This weeks cottage featured in my new blog series "Their English Country Cottages" is a gorgeous 18th Century cottage with a super modern glass extension which has been thoughtfully and lovingly brought back to life by @rosecottagerevival. Head over to my website to ogle more thatch and fall in love with the beautiful Cotswold Rose Cottage. Link in bio.
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Happy snazzy Sunday. X
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#thatchcottage #oldhouse #hyggelife #listedbuilding #cottageliving #suffolkcountryside #mygardenthismonth #cottage #hyggehome #englishcountrygarden #englishcottage #suffolkcottage #gardenliving #thatch #cottagelove #myhomesanctuary #myenglishhome #mycountryhome #myhouseandhome #oldcottage #countrycottagestyle #seekthesimplicity #countryliving #countrycottage #countrycottages #oldbuilding #theirenglishcountrycottages #cottagesunday ...

Help! I've been teaseled!!!
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These are the most wondrous foraging joys but by gum they put up a fight.
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Elsie (my older, more gin ridden wicker shopping trolley) and I went on a little wheel stretching ramble and collected these beauties. I have been eyeing them up for months, biding my time, allowing the rest of the world to enjoy their beauty until boom! The second I saw the first stem keeling over, that was it. Elsie and I plunged into the bridleway and secateured our way through bramble, hawthorne and some other spiky predators and took these bad boys down.
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I shall most likely allow Elsie to model them for the next month, wheeling her from room to room, photograph to photograph until I am ready to don my extra thick gardening gloves again to add these visciously glorious beasts to my Christmas decorations.
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Thank goodness Elsie is so steeped in gin that she can't feel a thing.
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Happy stickly Saturday. X
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#kitchen #moderncountrykitchen #modernrustic #myoldhome #farmhousekitchen #countrykitchen #countrykitchens #mycountryhome #countrydecor #sinkie #cottagekitchen #farmhousekitchen #cottage #happyhome #paintedkitchen #saturdaymornings
#oldhomes #kitchensofinstagram #kitchenideas #cottageliving #belfastsink #kitchengoals #mycottageinstincts #kitchensink #kitchenlove #kitchenview #butlersink ...

Rosehips and roses is terribly confusing but who am I to question the plucky little rose on the front of the house?
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One final break for freedom. One final "look at me moment". Who doesn't want one of those? Actually, I don't at the moment, mine is more of a "don't look at me", "avert your eyes", hang on, I DID wash my hair today actually "Look at my hair, no not at me!!! Not the chins, the hair, look! I even dried it so only the bits that I can't reach still have those awful broken sticky up bits like someone has just static ballooned me".
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Ooh and I have got on that new face serum which makes me glow, actually yes "Look at my glowy skin, just the cheeks, not the chins or rapidly wrinkling neck - is lockdown neck a thing?". Although I am still undecided about the glow, I think it looks healthy but there is a possibility that I simply look quite sweaty... "stop looking at the skin, go back to the hair, actually, just leave me alone, stop staring, so rude".
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I suspect my joyous rose doesn't suffer these thoughts, she just puts it all out there and absorbs the admiration. Be more rose. Once I have been for run number 2 of the week (yes!!! I am awesome, coach Bennett is right, I mean I haven't actually gone yet, but I definitely will) then I will channel my inner rose. I will definitely be more rose.
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Happy Feel floral Friday. X
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PS @flowersandlifestylebymargot has created the most joyous look at me autumnal foliage display, head over to my website (link in bio) to read how to be more rose with your autumnal leaves. It's a stunner and super simple. X
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#littlestoriesofmylife #countrysideliving #englishcottage #englishcountryliving #homeandgarden #cottageliving
#autumngarden #cottagelife #countrycottage   #cottagegarden #thatch #englishhouse #countryliving #englishhome #rosehips #autumnvibes🍁🍂🍃 #mygardentoday #oldcottage #cottagecharm #autumnalfeels #countrycottagestyle #oldhouses #charminghomes #englishcountrygarden #thatchedcottage #mycountryhome #thisprettyengland ...

I may have gently over vibranced this photo but the moment of sunshine was so wonderful that I got slightly carried away with sunshine dreams.
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Yesterday moved to mainly grimbly which drove me to light as many candles as possible. The few moments of sunshine were truly wonderful, I even contemplated stacking the second load from the log delivery.
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I didn't.
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Then I received my latest shaming junk mail: "Flabby Arms". This is actually becoming unbelievably rude. I may have to start replying. Thankfully I have zoom yoga this morning so at the point when my gorgeous teacher asks if anyone has any problems, any difficulties, I will shout (you have to yell over the dogs and delivery drivers and husband's percolating coffees in the background) "FLABBY ARMS!!!" and somehow she will create brilliance and we will joyfully plank our flabby arms away.
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Failing that I will brave the massive bag of logs. The first was fun, almost giddy making (yes! I haven't left it until they have sold out! I am awesome, last years logs are nestling by the fire, I have timed this perfectly and can stack these neatly and correctly... erm is it bark up or down.. I can't remember.. erm..), the second huge bag just hurts but it might stop "FLABBY ARMS"..
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Happy thoroughly junk mail shamed Thursday. X
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#cornersofmyhome
#cozyhomedecor #countryinteriors #storagesolutions #candlelover #paintedfurniturelove
#shabbyvintage #cosyvibes #lovetohome #myhallway #shabbychicstyle #myhallaphoto #cottagestyle #cottage #mycountryhome #cottagelife #storagebench
#storyofmyhome #upcyclefurniture #cottagelife #countrycottagestyle #daysofsmallthings #countrydecor  #thecottagejournal #hallwayinspo #shabbylove #hallwaydecor ...

It is peculiarly warm enough to sit outside.
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Obviously this is wonderful, just a little discombobulating, particularly for the poor brain that still thinks it's April- it's very confusing.
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I actually managed another Nike coach Bennett win yesterday & forced myself to go for a run. Actually I didn't force me, my email junk folder made me. It appears to have upped it's game in the last 2 weeks: I have progressed from walk in baths (which actually sound rather daring) to "Huge Tummy" "Ketorapiddietmiracle" & something about incontinence.
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Fine, these lockdown layers must be shed. I can't have my emails shaming me. Off I ran, I hit my target then decided to speed walk for a bit longer, adding in a muddy field for some serious inner thigh work. Grinning like a loon (so relieved to stop actual running) I waded through furrowed muddy fields & soaked my trainers to the insoles which really made me laugh, at which point I came upon a solitary walker. Thankfully she was deep in thought so I don't think she heard me snorting.
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The rider on the pale horse however, absolutely witnessed me considering jumping a ditch, getting half way, attempting to stride over it, giving up & turning to take a run up. Thank goodness I spotted this mysterious horse (where the heck had it appeared from? Had I really been cackling so loudly that I hadn't heard them approach?) I styled it out, pointed further to the walker as if we had been sharing an hilarious joke about me pretending to leap the ditch, then legged it as fast as my sopping trainers would carry me through the field until I found a narrower point in the ditch to leap to the safety of the road.
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I have earned this tea & cake in the sunshine, just don't tell my emails!
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Happy wet & wild Wednesday. X
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#littlestoriesofmylife #countrysideliving #englishcottage #englishcountryliving #homeandgarden #cottageliving
#autumngarden #cottagelife #countrycottage   #cottagegarden #thatch #englishhouse #countryliving #englishhome #autumnal #autumnvibes🍁🍂🍃 #mygardentoday #cottagestyle #cottagecharm #autumnalfeels #countrycottagestyle #countrystyle #charminghomes #englishcountrygarden #thatchedcottage #mycountryhome #thisprettyengland ...

Quickly!!!! It's tidy!!!! Take the photo!
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Boom!
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Now everyone will believe that my kitchen always looks like this...which obviously it does... every day... all day... I just wander round, lighting candles, inhaling the hyggeness (is it hyggeness or hyggeosity?), serenly chopping more apples and drying more flowers. Just an average day.
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There is NO WAY that I then spent a good 2 hours attempting to clear up all the debris that I had to move in order to take this photo. I definitely DID NOT almost wet myself because I had put all the kids painting and crafting gumpf in front of the hall door so was unable to go upstairs to the loo until I had cleared it all up.
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There is ABSOLUTELY NOT one lone bag of kitchen paraphernalia that I have slung into the cupboard under the stairs to party with the other bags of stuff that I have stuffed in there every time I have a massive kitchen declutter.
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I just hope I remember this time that the smoothie cups have been 'rehomed' along with all the useful tubs and lids that irritate the heck out of us all when searching for cups and bottles in the boxes under the island. I expect that I will have a good rant and rave and then give in to crumpets smothered in butter and honey for breakfast instead of a super healthy smoothie. Darn my memory.
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Happy totally tidy Tuesday. X
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Beautiful green jars kindly gifted by @blossomandbeehive.
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#kitchendesign #kitchendecor #kitchenisland #cottagekitchen #farmhousekitchen #farmhousekitchendecor #cottage #cozykitchen #countrykitchen #farmhousedecorating #cosykitchen #countryhomestyle #nestandthrive #countrystyle #cottagefurniture #driedflowers #cottagehome #hyggehome #homedecor #homeinspo #interiordesign #kitchengoals #countrytable #interiordecor #homesweethome🏡 #cosyhome ...

Ohhh admire the majesty!
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Ooooooh the amazing enormous bonfire!
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Ahhhhhhhh!!! The huge engulfing flames.
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Ok, I actually managed to double book in lockdown. Yes! I have been caught out before, in real life situations, many many, many times. I blame my propensity to say yes to everything. My friends and family blame my unbelievably poor memory.
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We have attended several parties in one day because I seem incapable of putting things on the calendar. We have 'married' many groups of friends in an "oh yes, absolutely, definitely still on for a bonfire party at ours, all welcome" ... thank goodness chilli and jacket potatoes go so far!
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But this is my first lockdown double book "ok my beauties, we can't have friends over for bonfire and chilli and sparklers but we will build the BIGGEST BESTEST bonfire and we will sparkle the night sky with our health and safety keep away from hair and wear gloves sparkler dancing party".
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I also eagerly and excitedly and unthinkingly accepted an old school friends zoom catch up, I brilliantly drank twice the amount necessary in the limited time, told them I loved them, logged out and staggered to the end of the garden to circle my sparkler most enthusiastically and slightly hurt my shoulder.
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Obviously I missed capturing the ginormous flaming bonfire. Obviously I only remembered to take a photo a million hours after the event, still feeling a little fragile and feeling the need to rehearse a routine for next year.
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Happy please give me my memory back Monday! X.
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#autumnleaves #cottagefarmhouse #ofwhimsicalmoments #cottageliving #mygardenthismonth #cottage #hyggegarden #englishcountrygarden #gardenliving #englishcottage #thatch #myhomesanctuary #outdoorliving #bonfirenight #thisisengland #country
#countryliving #countrycottagestyle #countrycottages #countryhomes #thatchroof #your_beautifulhouses #countryside #seekthesimplicity #autumnvibes🍁🍂🍃 ...

It's sunshine, lamps and candles.
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Add these to beams, wonky walls, thick curtains to protect you from burly Shane's broken window (and admittedly very old single paned windows but I prefer to blame Shane), shelves groaning with books, squashy sofas, raggedy rugs and precious heirlooms and the sum equates to a crumbly but loved old cottage.
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This is the topic for my new blog series on my website. There are a plethora of beautiful old cottages that I dribble and drool over (ooh this one has a roll top bath, that one has doors that close) so I thought it would be rather lovely to write about these cottages, to chat to the owners and to get their tips of the trade for how to create the English Country Cottage look.
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Today's cottage is White House Farm and it is a doozy, I love @ginger_beer_designs cottage and there are many similarities between our cottages: Suffolk borders, original brick floors, thatched roof, aga, beams.. but Jane has ratched it up a notch and added immaculate taste, glorious fabrics, subtle colour pallette and an heirloom rocking horse (although not for long because as soon as lockdown is over, I shall be inviting myself for tea and horseknapping this beautiful creature, I wish I could stop stealing animals but it appears to be an addiction).
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Head to https://www.myenglishcountrycottage.co.uk/or click on the link in my bio, grab a strong cup of tea (it's really beautiful so you may need to add a tot of whisky) and relax into a heavenly cottage that has been beautifully restored.
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Happy sink into scrumptiousness Sunday. X
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#shabbysofa #susiewatson #bookcase #countryinteriors #cottagelivingroom
#sittingroom #countryliving #charminghomes #mycountryhome #books #bookcase #oldhousecharm #windowseat #booksbooksbooks #cottagestyle #cottagedecor #cottage #cottagecharm #shabbylove #countrydecor #countrycottagestyle #livingroomdesign #interiordetails #bookslover #bookshelfie #classicinteriors #theirenglishcountrycottages ...

Hallo! An autumnal scene if ever I saw one!
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I swept and raked but then read @flowersandlifestylebymargot latest blog that recommended leaving some piles of leaves for wildlife, I have taken her at her word and now there are lots of cosy piles just waiting to care for the wildlife... where are the leaves for mulching?... Erm... I am just letting things happen more organically this year... (!)
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I couldn't quite bring myself to present an entirely leaf strewn photo so I added a bit of extra magic summer sparkle with @emma.perring s most beautiful peony painting. This was my fabulous me gifted birthday present (I am excellent at being kind to myself) which has brought me a lot of happy smiles over the past few months.
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Emma is taking part in @clartisans fair this weekend so please do pop over and have a look at her stunning collection, there's 15% off all her paintings, prints and cards.

She is also running a Christmas prize give away £200 gift voucher for emmaperring.com shop, all you need to do is subscribe to her newsletter via her website.
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Better take this beauty back inside, don't worry little Christmas trees, you'll be coming in soon enough - although maybe not you on the left, you have not lived up to expectations this year. You can look after the wildlife with the leaves. Mwoah ha ha ha.... ok, I feel awful, come inside now, let's get you warmed up, maybe La Aga can make you better?
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Happy support small businesses (and raggedy trees) Saturday x
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#autumnvibes
#flowersandotherstories
#autumnplants
#terracottapots
#gardeninspiration #gardenideas #greenfingers #pottingbench #gardeninspiration
#cottagesofinstagram #vintagegardendecor #stylingtheseasons #countrygardens #pottingtable #palletproject #flowerpots #flowerpot #countrylife #englishcottage #englishcountrygarden #flowerstyle #mygardentoday #flowerstall #supportartistsoninstagram #galvanizeddecor ...