Although it has been a strange Summer in so many respects, we have been blessed with some wonderful weather over the last few months. Plenty of sea swims and cold wine in the garden. It's been really very enjoyable. Having said that, we can’t help but feel a little tingly with excitement about the arrival of Autumn in all its rusty toned glory!

I have to admit to having a slight obsession with the tiny pumpkins and gourds that you can find at this time of year. Their quantities grow by the week on my table as I stumble across "just one more" that I simply can not resist.

  

The shop has been making its transition from the soft pinks and dusty greens that fill it throughout the spring and summer months, and into the ambers, rusts and deep greens of our Autumn collection.

 We burn candles all year round in our house but there is something particularly magical about coming home after the sun sets on a crisp Autumnal day and filling the house with golden candle light. Our selection of candles and candle holders this year is the best yet. From our classic coloured dinner candles to the beautifully scented Loam wick candles, and everything in between, we have something for every occasion with a candle holder to suit all.

 Harriet is deeply devoted to her annual traditions, one of which being baking Autumn biscuits with the girls. She uses a traditional Gingerbread recipe and makes a natural food colouring with turmeric and beetroot so the girls can get creative with the paintbrush. And yes, I did get to sample one. Very tasty indeed! Good work Sylvie and Rosa!

We have filled the shop with berries and foliage in deep earthy tones. These along with our coloured candles make it easy to bring a bit of Autumn into your home.

 I recently went foraging for some Autumnal bounty to make a wreath for my front door. I used a couple of stems of Pussy Willow from the florist that cost me £2 and formed a ring. Then I bound together 2 small bunches using faux berries, fresh berries, Eucalyptus, Rosemary and Oak leaves and attached them to the ring and Voilà! 

I love it!

A recent weekend break to a Safari tent at Swallows Oast Farm near Battle with friends really got us in the Autumnal mood! Lots of coffee, lots more wine and getting cozy around the fire was just what the doctor ordered. The farm we stayed on had plenty of four legged friends to meet and chat to including horses and alpacas and we even had some chickens to look after next to the tent! This made me very happy indeed.

I LOVE CHICKENS!

We made sage smudge sticks to cleanse away the multiple bottles of wine consumed

And what is better than crunching through the forest, knowing that there is a big glass or red wine waiting for you in a pub at the other end? And maybe some chips!

 We have new stock arriving every week at the moment. Our Scottish Fair Isle Knitwear is flying out both in the shop and online. A restock is due in early November, thank goodness! 

This is now the start of the festive season for us, so there is plenty to keep an eye on both in the shop and online. We are as busy as Santa's helpers working on bringing the Closet & Botts festivities to our online store. We will have the largest selection of goodies from the shop ever; including Advent calendars, Christmas cards, decorations, stocking fillers and gifts galore! 

But before all that kicks off, enjoy those Autumn walks and cozy evenings at home.

Thank you for reading x