My Favourite Things To Do In The Autumn

Just a quick one from me today, as I'm just back from a hospital appointment and am so shattered I can barely keep my eyes open. 

Now we're officially in Autumn, I thought it would be a good time to share a list of 50 of my favourite things to do in the Autumn, so that is exactly what I'm going to do.

1.  Go for long walks, preferably in the countryside.

2. Crunch through paths of fallen leaves.

3. Take photos of the colourful, pretty scenery.

4. Listen to the sound of the rain.

5. Curl up under cosy blankets, and read for hours.

6. Visit museums.

7. Explore cemeteries.

8. Buy new school supplies / stationery- even though I've not been a student in thirteen years!

9. Shop for new gloves, scarves, hats, and winter coats..

10. Watch fireworks pirouette across the night sky.

11. Go to bonfires.

12. Play with sparklers (responsibly, obviously!) like an overgrown child.

13. Wear ankle boots with everything.

14. Watch Halloween-themed films and scary movies.

15. Spend dark, cold, dreary days cross stitching.

16. Crunch over frost-covered grass. (Am I the only one who finds that satisfying??)

17. Carve pumpkins.

18. Spend free time at home crafting.

20. Paint my nails in gorgeous deep jewel tones.

21. Wear clothes and accessories in deep colours like burgundy, forest green, raspberry, plum, teal, mustard, rust, and emerald.

22. Eat comfort food.

23. Bake delicious food. 

24. Watch The Bake Off.

25. Take long hot bubble baths.

26. Write to my heart's content.

27. Take trips to the theatre to watch musicals.

28. Start lighting candles every evening again. (I don't tend to burn candles during the warmer seasons; I reserve them for those cosy cold, dark evenings in).

29. Go shopping for new Yankee Candles. (At this time of year, I love the ones that smell of baked goods).

30. Go blackberry picking.

31. Spend time walking around beautiful Oxford- it's so pretty in the Autumn.

32. Go for a walk in the rain, get soaked (on purpose), and come home to a hot shower, and comfy PJs.

33. Eat soup with freshly baked bread.

34. Get a fresh hair cut- new season, new me.

35. Start preparing for Christmas.

36. Have pamper evenings- face masks, mani pedis, delicious food, a few drinks, the works.

37. Make blackberry and apple crumbles, and apple pies.

38. Breathe in the smell of bonfires and wood fires.

39. Barricade the windows and doors to keep out daddy-long-legs'. (Failing that, just burn the house down!)

40. Prise conkers out of their green, thorny pods.

41. Drink hot mugs of cocoa.

42, Have movie marathons in my PJs, wrapped up warm like a burrito under cosy blankets.

43. Learn something new.

44. Take random drives in the country. (The Cotswolds, which I live just on the edge of, are picture postcard pretty during the Autumn, so random drives are always gorgeous at this time of year).

45. Go to a farmer's market.

46. Spend time outdoors.

47. Watch a scary movie at the cinema- the suspense and scare factor is always more intense.

48. Dig out my sketch book and art supplies and spend time drawing and painting.

49. Lie back and look up at the stars, while wrapped up warm.

50. Go to a zoo or wildlife park.

What are your favourite things to do during the Autumn?

It's The Little Things

I've not had a lot of fun or excitement in my life for a while, but I've still had a few reasons to smile lately. I think the little things in life are often even better than the big things, anyway. Anyone agree? Either way, the little things make me smile, and here are three which recently left me beaming.

Last week, my best friend sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers, which totally took me by surprise- particularly because there was nothing to tell me who had sent them. I never get sent flowers, so I was completely baffled for hours until my bestie confirmed they were from her. I had a hunch. She'd sent them as an apology for not being in touch for a while, which of course wasn't even necessary. You know how life gets. It's not always easy to catch up regularly as adults, especially when you currently live 150 miles from each other, and one of you is a single Mum (her, not me!). I definitely didn't deserve a bouquet of flowers, but I was touched by the gesture, and the flowers definitely brightened my day. The white roses and lilac freesias are gorgeous, and they're still looking great over a week later. 

Last Saturday, another surprise landed on the doormat; a box of mini American chocolates from Dandy Candy. This parcel was also anonymous, which had me confused again. Had I won it? Had I been sent it for review or something? I wasn't sure. My first thought was to check with the bestie again, and yep, she'd sent me the chocolates, as well as the flowers! She sure did spoil me last week!

I love American sweets and I'm looking forward to working my way through these. There are several I've never tried before, and a few I love- Butterfingers, Baby Ruth bars, and peanut butter cups. Nom!

And last, but not least... a month or so ago, my sister and I stopped off for a drink at a riverside country pub. It was the first hot day of Spring, so we both grabbed a pint...of coke...(how exciting are we?!), and sat outside in the sunshine by the river. There were only a handful of people in the beer garden with us, and it was so peaceful. 

Just across the river from us was a beautiful brown and white horse. She was galloping around her paddock at lightning speed, rolling around on her back, demanding attention from everybody who walked past, and whinnying as happy as can be. I don't think I've ever seen a horse look so happy!  I don't think anybody else had, either, because she had the whole beer garden transfixed and smiling! It was really lovely to watch. 

This is how domesticated horses should be able to live; not raced and whipped to death for sport. In my opinion, it's far more entertaining watching a horse enjoying life out in the country than being forced to race around a race track. I could've sat there watching her all day. 

What little things have made you smile lately?

Incoming Mail

Before Christmas, I was lucky enough to win a giveaway hosted by the lovely Dani of the blog DIY Fatshion, and a few weeks ago, a box turned up on my door step all the way from Texas, USA.

Being the girl who loves to take too many photos, my first thought was to take photos of the beautifully wrapped gifts before I opened them. I was far too excited to wait until morning to open everything (in good daylight), so I'm afraid a couple of the photos were taken at night with too much flash.

Everything was so beautifully wrapped in tissue and ribbon, and surrounded by colourful confetti.
.

I wasn't expecting to be sent so much! Opening them all felt just like Christmas!

In the giveaway I won a gorgeous purple and blue cotton scarf which was hand made in Southern India through a fair trade company called Handmade Expressions using traditional Batik art. This is a wax-resist dyeing technique. The American based organisation partners with artisans in India, and teaches women and people with disabilities new skills so they can earn a fair and dignified living. Fantastic right? 

The scarf is so beautiful, and I love the unique print of the fabric, and of course those gorgeous colours! It's very well made, and the cotton is thick yet light. It'll be perfect for taking the chill away on a Spring day. I can't wait to wear it when it gets a little warmer!

Dani also sent me lots of other lovely things, including five nail polishes, some notecards, and a set of pretty bow earrings...

...and also a gorgeous beaded statement necklace, and an ELF Lip Exfoliator. I can't tell you just how excited I was to receive something by ELF; I've wanted to try their products for ages as their make up is raved about all over the blogosphere. I've already given the exfoliator so much use, and it's amazing! I don't know how I ever did without it.

Dani knew I loved painting my nails, so she sent me this lovely lot. I'd never tried any of these nail polish brands before. I was particularly excited by the OPI nail polish, and it didn't disappoint! I also really love the bold green polish, and can't wait to try the others.

I love bows and these earrings are so pretty. I already have an outfit in mind for the mint pair for when Spring rolls around!

I just wanted to take the opportunity to say another big thank you to Dani for sending me all these lovely goodies. I'm so grateful, and feel very spoilt by your generosity! Everything is very much loved and appreciated! Thank you, Dani! xx

I don't know if many of you know this, but Dani's blog was actually one of the very first fatshion blogs I discovered when I stumbled up on the world of fatshion and body positivity blogs on Tumblr about two and a half years ago! Until then, I had no idea that such a world existed, but seeing normal ladies like Dani looking confident in their own skin and rocking fashionable outfits with their heads held high helped me to see myself in a new light. They helped me to accept myself for who I am and gradually aided me further and further along that yellow brick road to self-acceptance with each passing day. And thanks to Dani and many other fabulous bloggers that I discovered along that road, I'm closer to the Emerald City than I've ever been before. 

If you're on your own journey to self acceptance or just love reading great fashion blogs, I'd recommend checking out Dani's blog. I'm confident she will inspire you! Why not pop on over and say hello?! 

Have you won anything recently, or been surprised with something lovely?

What's the best prize or gift you've ever been given?