Sundaze 185

The end of October often feels bittersweet; I’ll usually find myself walking home after work or out ‘just because’, soaking up the beauty of tumbling leaves in a magical palette of pale golden yellow, molten orange and inimitable fiery red, lamenting how soon it all ends. But not this year. Thanks to a pesky pandemic, I’ve revelled in taking time (wondrous time) to watch as the seasons unfold in our garden. On Friday morning, I popped out for my morning coffee and noted just how charming our acer tree is. A glowing backdrop for my sweet sweet caffeine nectar. This year, I feel like I’ve leaned into the seasons and nature, a welcome certain amidst so much uncertainty. Fully aware that I’m one tree ode away from full-blown tree-hugger, let’s move on to a more pressing reality, shall we?

Oh, and before we get stuck in to our cosy Sunday morning daze. Ya girl only went and had to take a COVID-19 test, didn’t she?! After feeling incredible rundown, I lost my sense of taste and smell on Sunday evening. And when it hadn’t returned by the next morning, I immediately added my symptoms to the app, got a (free) test booked in on Monday afternoon, and got my results the next day. I tested negative, but am still sheltering at home and feeling generally ‘ill’.

Opening up, and a ‘thank you’

I finally pressed ‘publish’ on a post I was terrified of writing and even more scared to share, this week, and the response has been so kind. And what I gleaned from it is that many of us are in the same boat. Seeking pockets of joy – which I do so well – and also looking for the human, in an online world that often tries to stamp that out.

When I first started writing Daisybutter years and years ago, it was for several reasons. The one that still rings true is that it was a great place to chat with like-minded souls and share our similarities, differences, likes and dislikes. It felt natural and authentic, and yet that’s slowly been erased over the years; rubbed out in favour of chasing a polished aesthetic and lifestyle that others might look up to. I’ve never been that. But I’ve certainly tapped into it here and there. I hope you know that my posts here are always from the heart and from my real life. And from here on out, let’s be more honest and open. Let’s chat in the comments and share each other’s posts and stories. Thank you, for being so wonderful to me this week.

Back to the Barre

This week I also got back to the Barre (from home)! For some reason I’ve skipped classes for almost two months, but it felt good to get back to my favourite workout of all time. I’m not sure what it is that makes me feel alive when I’m pliéing and pulsing to within an inch of my life, but it lent happy vibes to the rest of my week. I think these weekly classes may just be my saving grace throughout autumn and winter…

Soaking up the best of autumn

After finishing The Overstory earlier in the week, I have spent all of my free time gazing at trees. I’m not even sorry! I definitely read this book at the ‘right season’ because watching the leaves fall has left a keen imprint of nature’s cycle on me. One of my favourite things to do at the moment is bundle up in wind- and rainproof clothing, fill up a Thermos with a hot beverage and head out for a walk. Autumn air hits differently.

Links I’ve Loved

The Promise, a BBC film based on a picture book by Nicola Davies and Laura Carlin, can now be screened online! It’s a magical tale that teaches children, and families, to seek action from those with power to bring nature back into the places we live.
My friend Bolly has started blogging again; for cosy, personal posts, head to Bolly and the Blog.
I also really enjoyed this personal catch-up with Rachy, whose blog is a brilliant log of her life thus far.
Enjoyed my ‘How Are You?’ post from Monday? You’ll LOVE Sian’s post about talking about feelings.
Zoella are sharing their picks of Grandad sweater vests. I LOVE a knitted vest, and have worn them with thin turtleneck jumpers or layered over shirts for years.
These are the best ‘autumnal ASMR rooms’ to play during your autumn reading session.
Roasted Delicata Squash via Love & Lemons
Cindy’s beauty picks have always served me well – these are her desk essentials for love-worn hands.
A Beautiful Mess shared an edit of the best Black-owned homeware brands to shop from. I always trust their recommendations!
And lastly, 30 non-boring rice recipes, because rice is life.