I’ve also added to my button collection with these gorgeous little beauties - the reason behind my rapidly expanding collection is that I was going to add buttons onto the purl sections of one end of the scarf. The majority is knitted in garter stitch, so the two purl stripes create two indentations, perfect for sewing buttons into. Surprise surprise, I haven’t actually managed to sew anything on yet, but am justifying this by deciding that it should be done last, after the knitting is complete. Ahem.

As I was resizing the images, I got to thinking how much like the blog is currently like the Autumn season - lots of changes, everything from the past making way for new things and an overall sense of progression. I’ve finally got to grips with the fact that I can enjoy clothes and crafts and domesticity and going out for the evening, all at the same time. Liking fashion doesn’t mean you have to follow trends religiously, as I used to (and frankly, with a one-year old, who has time?!), and I’m currently reveling in bright colours, patterns, the Toast catalogue and pretty dresses. Reading previous posts makes me smile to myself, as it was only over the summer that I was convinced I had to keep up with the teenagers with regards to style and clothes - I’m far happier just collecting pretty things!

PS: I bought some great buttons yesterday!

I’ve got very definite ideas about what I do and don’t want (DO: a relaxed and fun day, vintage country style decoration and dress, minimal fuss, candles, flowers in jam jars, nothing too matchy-matchy, and above all, cost effective. DON’T: ‘Bridezilla’ moments, bows, frills, anything too ‘done’, one theme colour, anything avant-guarde or modern, anything ridiculously overpriced) and have decided to share some inspiration pictures with you. The idea is to keep expenditure down to an absolute minimum, and while food is one cost that is always going to be fairly large, I’ve got no intention of paying £200 per table for them to be decorated, so I’m intending on doing all that myself (with the help of my Mum and Maid of Honour!). Here’s how!

I decided rather than paying for expensive vases, we would be thrifty (and eco-friendly!) and use jam jars to hold the flowers and candles. I love the effect this has, and although it sounds cheap and tacky, it looks marvelous!

After researching table centre-pieces, and almost fainting at the price of them, we’ve decided to do as much with candles and flowers (probably bought from a supermarket and trimmed accordingly the day before!) as we can. I’m a big candle person anyway, so its not going to be a problem, and once lit they look absolutely gorgeous. Tea lights, church candles, votive candles…. they’ll all be in there!

We’re also considering the idea of using bird cages or lanterns on the tables, either with candles or flowers arranged inside - I just love the vintage country feel they add. Plus, then I’d get to take them home and adorn our house with them!

For the place settings, I’m almost a hundred per cent sure that we’re going to incorporate vintage china (picked up from charity shops between now and then!), simply because it’s so colourful and in keeping with the rest of the look.

Obviously the flowers are pretty important, and the main idea is to keep them looking as relaxed and un-arranged as possible. I love the mix of tea-roses and carnations, in delicate shades of pink, yellow and green, and want the same sort of things in my bouquet. My worst nightmare is anything that looks like it’s been strapped in place with florist wire - let the flowers be free!

I was browsing through Whittard during my lunch break last week, searching through for any mugs or plates that caught my eye for our new flat, when I stumbled across this tea towel. The teapots featured in the design are the exact style of china I love, and am aiming to start collecting, so of course it ended up in the basket (along with some tea bags and two bags of chocolate coins!).

Another lunch break (maybe I should just stay in the staffroom and read?!) led to the finding of (and this was actually written on the label, it’s not one of my awful jokes…) Lorraine Deer in Paperchase. She’s made up of such a lovely fabric, that I thought it would be something nice to keep with the Christmas decorations. The owl tissue paper was collected on the same shopping trip, and the intention is to wrap my Mums birthday presents in it in January, as she loves owls and I thought it would make a nice change from the usual ‘Happy Birthday’ rolls from Asda.

Lastly, and by no means least, a trip to Hobbycraft resulted in the gorgeous wool pictured below (on the ironing board - what a great cover!) and a French knitting dolly. The fingerless mittens are from Asda, and are to keep my hands warm while I labour over my own pair - although keen, I’m pretty new to crocheting and knitting, and projects tend to be slow and rather laborious.

I haven’t done French knitting for a while, and had to do a search on Google Images to see what could actually come out of it, and I was quite pleasantly surprised. Although the only thing you end up with is a long piece of knitted cord (which could obviously be used as a…cord…), there are plenty of things it can be transformed into, and I have an overload of ideas of using it for words and phrases, as well as weaving several together into a scarf. And not forgetting the rather obvious rug option, of course.

Above: Boden, left and French Connection, right.

Above: Cath Kidston

Above: Matalan

Above: Monsoon

Above: Next

Above: Topshop

As well as photography, I’ve been pondering on the true reason for the existence of this blog. While I love, adore and will always be preoccupied with clothes and fashion, my tastes have changed somewhat over the last few months, and I find as I grow older I’m drawn more to well cut, made-to-last, quality garments, rather than the disposable fashion of Primark and suchlike (I suppose this could have something to do with working for Paul Smith…). I’ve also been spending rather a lot of time on Etsy and Folksy, and have been really inspired to get out the paints and canvas, fabric and sewing machine, and attempt to bring to life the designs that I had intended would make up the Hilkat label. I’ve even learned to crochet over the last few days….

This blog was intended to be a platform to sell well-made, home-crafted and designed products such as paintings, knick-knacks and homewares, and somehow they’ve never appeared…. until now. Rather than spending all my blogging time posting the latest offerings from Topshop (although I am still looking, let it be known), I’ll be showing photographs and my latest crafty achievements, and general tit-bits from everyday life. (We’re moving house in January, so expect lots of interiors and homewares posts!) And I’m sure the odd dress will pop up here and there as well…

I’m also a sucker for a good crafty project, and despite being one of those people with half-finished garments all over the house, I’m knitting myself a chunky scarf for this winter.

The wool is a gorgeous fair-isle effect, and leaves a wonderful stripey pattern running through it. I’m particularly pleased with this as it makes me look like I’m a far more proficient knitter than I actually am. Although to be fair, I have done two purl panels at the end, and I’m planning on adding some tassel-y bits once it’s finished. I also want to learn to crochet after discovering the amazing creations by Lucy over at Attic 24, and am looking into getting an allotment since it looks very much like we’ll be in a flat for the foreseeable future. Ooohh, projects!