Season of Mists and Mellow Fruitfulness

Autumn is by far my favourite season. As time rolls towards October, the evenings close in, and the air becomes chillier. There's nothing I like more than wrapping up in woolly layers to go outside, and to feel the pink sting of cold air on my face. Autumn is the time of hot chocolate, cinnamon, soups, firelight, falling leaves. The trees are still in their summer greenery at the moment, but I am looking forward to the riot of colours to come (nothing like the spectacular New England fall colours, unfortunately, but still golden and stately).

Anyway, there is something deliciously cosy about staying in on autumn evenings (with a cup of mulled wine, perhaps?) and an enthralling book. Here are a few on my wishlist:

(Photo from PanMacmillan)

I love tales of the war, and this biography about a young woman who signed up for the Wrens (because she liked their hats, naturally) and was drafted into the secret services seems just my cup of tea. I can't even imagine her bravery - especially when she had to tell her family she was just working for the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. A fiction 'version' of this that I have read recently is Jackdaws, by Ken Follett (author of the amazing Pillars of the Earth and World Without End), which is about the heroic female spies parachuted into wartime France, whose bravery was barely acknowledged because the medals they deserved were not, at the time, awarded to women.

Also on my wishlist is Life After Life by Kate Atkinson. I've read so many good reviews for this, and the premise is so intriguing - the chance to live a life again, an infinite number of times, changing the path taken. I can't wait to read it.

Finally, although I've already read this, I had to recommend it to you. A love of Jane Austen (or at least, familiarity with Pride and Prejudice) is a must - it is such a joyful read. Simply put, it's Pride and Prejudice below stairs, but in reality it's much more rewarding than that. There are enough glimpses of the real P&P novel to make the Austen-lover smile, but it's actually an entirely different story of the incredibly difficult lives of the servants of Longbourn, the Bennets' residence, who, to be brutally honest, do not care a fig for the balls, Bingleys or romances occurring, and instead are exasperatedly calculating how long it will take to remove those six inches of mud from Miss Elizabeth Bennet's skirts. Of all the books I've read this year (and I've read a few), this is my recommendation! Let me know what you think!

E xxx

P.S. You know what I'm like about book covers, so I couldn't resist: the American version is infinitely superior to the British! Click here to have a look. It's so much more simple, elegant, and regency than the horrendous British purple cover, which seems more brash and Victorian to me...

The Places of Pride and Prejudice

Another academic year approaches, and I am in need of a book bag - I like the cottony ones that can be folded up when not in use (or, in my case, scrunched up and shoved to the bottom of my handbag). This lovely tote by Brookish on Etsy is definitely at the top of my wishlist - it's simple yet literary (and references one of my favourite books), and is big enough to carry the gigantic law tomes I've been given...

I also discovered Alphabet Bags the other day and am obsessed with pretty much everything they sell. I love the 'Bee's Knees' and 'Cat's Pyjamas' bags, as well as the whimsical 'Let's get lost' and, of course, the 'E' bags! Take a look, they have so much lovely stuff!

Do you have a favourite?

E xxx

Castle Key Bottle Opener

I'm not a beer drinker at all (for no reason other than I simply do not like it!) but I developed a certain fondness for Hunter's Dry Cider in South Africa, and bottle openers suddenly became an issue. No one ever seemed to have one (so we perfected the many ways of opening a bottle without one - except the 'opening with teeth' approach that I downright refused to attempt). Since coming back to England I thought it would be nice to source some bottles for the reunion this autumn - and to find a bottle opener more elegant than the top of my corkscrew!

This is what I found:

Isn't this totally lovely? By Oliver Bonas, it is so whimsical and mysterious (what does it open?) and is even pretty enough to hang up in the kitchen without looking like an alcoholic!

This one by Anthropologie is also pretty.

E xxx

Radio Silence

So sorry, I've been in Cape Town for the past month!

I thought I'd console you with a picture:

Isn't it glorious? 

Normal service will resume shortly.

E xxx

Pashley Bottle Bar Bag

My father merrily cycles to work and back in the middle of London rush hour, but the thought of getting on a bike in the city terrifies me - those buses! 

He consequently loves saddle bags and satchels, and recently showed me the latest on his wishlist, a beautiful despatch bag by Pashley. Pashley actually manufacture the most beautiful British bicycles, the sleek English-gentleman sort with little baskets on the front, but their accessories collection is so great. Needless to say, I spotted a little bag that I liked:

How smart is that? I can imagine cycling on a dreamy summer's evening to a dinner party with a bottle of wine for the host safely buckled inside..

However, this will have to remain a fantasy, as not only is this almost £200, but I also value my life too much. 

Anyway, am off to South Africa for a month now, so I won't post until I return. Have an amazing July!

E xxx

David Austin Ceramics

David Austin is a rose specialist - he breeds and collects roses, and has been developing English roses for decades. I do love roses but am also fairly bad at keeping plants alive (I do have the best intentions though!), so the fact that he has also recently launched a 'home' line, is more exciting for me. I have utterly fallen in love with his Shropshire Rose collection. I'm such a sucker for blue and white china - I'm obsessed with it - and my little flat currently has a charmingly mismatched selection (so I tell myself) - this jug would make a welcome addition!

It also comes in pale blue:

Which do you prefer? I'd also rather like this little notebook: 

(All photos from davidaustin.com)

E xxx

iPhone Cases

I've had the same iPhone case for a while now, and it's getting rather battered and scratched - it's been dropped a few too many times, I think! So, time to look for a replacement...

There is an overwhelming amount of choice out there, but here are a few of my favourites:

Here is a pretty Cath Kidston one, perfect for summertime.

(photo from Cath Kidston)

My soul aches for this beautiful Rifle Paper Co. case!

This one too:

(Photos from Rifle Paper Co.)

I love this tromp d'oeil 'watercolour paints' cover:

(Photo from etsy)

and finally, a dash of patriotism from Emma Bridgewater:

(Photo from Emma Bridgewater)

Which is your favourite? I want them all!

E xxx