Maillons

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Yay, it is fur collar weather, surely the most luxurious way to stay warm indoors as well as outdoors.

The old cherry tree

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There is an old cherry tree on the tiny plot of land behind the house. Despite the windy weather at the start of the month, there is still plenty of golden foliage, reminding me more of "Golden October" than mid November.

Daimyo for an important day

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I am woefully behind on posting but last Tuesday was a day that called for a special scarf.

The need for cashmere

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After a few long days of travelling in very foul weather conditions, the little gardener and I have arrived, unpacked and started to make contact with friends & family.

In a moment of madness I packed all my scarves that don't live in boxes; they reside in some luxury in mothproof zipped bags and maybe this was tempting me to fling all the bags into my suitcase.

Putting the gardens to bed for the winter

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The last few weeks have been a flurry of activity across all my gardens including my own.

A throwback to the 70's - Manège

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After the sartorial extravaganza of TF paired with zebra print, I indulged in a bit of 70's nostalgia tonight. Yes, the 1974 Philippe Ledoux design of Manège. 

I don't think it has been re-issued, so I think this is an original issue and the coloiurs so typical of the 70's would support my assumption.

All nice and simple, calm and collected. The cable knit sweater in a brown melange is a neutral base and the weave knot fits perfectly in this very neutral and unchallenging look. No need for jewellery really as there is hardware in gold neatly positioned in the corners.    

Weekend Eye Candy

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Dahlia 'Bora Bora'

Mixing patterns & styles: Tendresse Féline

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Sometimes it is lovely to get finished early enough at work and change into something a bit smarter for the school run. It is just cool enough to warrant a jacket to wear with my beloved Tendresse Féline.

Intense colour and a case of mistaken identity

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As we are moving into October, daylight and sunshine are becoming rarer here. It is with particular delight that I am now seeking out very bright colours to lift the spirit.

Stargazer lilies (?) are normally long finished by now. Forgive the alliteration but the bulbs for these beauties were found in a B & Q bargain bin for something like 25p a pack. The label was missing so I am not sure of the exact variety.

More September Flowers

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I have finished planting up the borders at another garden, a project that started in summer.

All photos are from summer planted plants, with all the wet weather they have bedded in very well.

H Au Galop

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I was very surprised and touched beyond words when a good friend of mine had hunted down a rather special birthday gift for me. Although we are very good friends but don't normally exchange much more than token for our birthdays;she must have remembered that I have a bit of collection of Hermès silk scarves going which we briefly considered when she was looking for purple scarf for a wedding outfit. Recently trawling Ebay she came across a little gavroche that she thought might suit.

September flowers

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As autumn is in the air, on a sunny day I could still be fooled into thinking it is summer.


There is still plenty of colour around. All pictures from the small town garden

Nature

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Over the last few years vacations for me and my husband have often been a bit of what is referred to locally as a 'busman's holiday'; we have often shuttled to and fro sorting out an elderly/poorly family member on either my side or my husband's side of the family.

We were fortunate enough, or maybe just plain selfish, to sneak off for a break in August without telling anyone, thus neatly avoiding helping with sorting out their gardens/repairing houses/dealing with tradesmen/picking up bills/cleaning/cooking/nursing....

We rented a small house just for us (and the little gardener of course), withing spitting distance of a massive nature reserve. Our prime concern was outside space for the little gardener to roam and play, great scenery, good walks on our doorstep, comfort when we returned.

Weekend Eye Candy

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Cosmos bipinnatus 'Purity'

Beating the post holiday blues

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I will post a little about the very unremarkable but totally enjoyable holiday soon but wanted to share today's look first.

I had packed a few scarves and gavroches for the holiday. Did I wear them? Nope, not even the shawl for cool evenings was worn. Shame on me!

Before the little gardener returns to school we had a final relaxing afternoon, enjoying the sunshine, our garden and making plans for a return visit. We both decided to glam it up a little, fairy wings for her and Cachemire Ancien for me.

Hippy chic(k)

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Before I embark on another family mission, I have a day of errands and packing to look forward to. A good opportunity to get out of work togs and into something a little less "chores".

As it is too hot for full on silk and a halter would be decidedly out of place for the day ahead, I am settling for a tunic dress with a silk sash. Yes, the trusty Trésors Retrouvés gets another outing. For ultimate hippy chic and comfort this will be teamed with patent Birkenstocks; persons with a sense of humor bypass and fashionistas need not click through ;)

Have a lovely day!

The small town garden in August

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This week took me back to the small town garden. Nicely maturing (it is in its fourth year), it is on the whole very low maintenance.

My only job for this month was to cut back the lavender border, deadhead the roses and trim the lawn edges. 

  

Teal

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My love affair with teal continues ....

... maybe because it is a colour that I don't come across in gardens
... maybe because it is a shade that suits my colouring
... maybe because it combines so well with grey/taupe/gold/silver/coral/etc
... maybe because I have a teal gavroche

 

Small fry

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Some of my clients, used to a season of rain, have become complacent about watering and the crops are not near as bountiful as a result. Others have a tiny veg plot but are keen to grow lots of different things and hardly ever get a huge crop of any one kind.

You can tell I grew up living frugally as I am not fazed by a small crop (although of course prefer a big bounty!).

Weekend Eye Candy

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Agapanthus 'Jack's Blue'