Standen revisited

Top - Jumble sale

Skirt - Traid shop

Sandals - Topshop last summer

Bag - Charity shop

Necklace - Charity shop

To Standen once more. It's becoming a sort of yearly ritual to visit in the tail end of Summer/start of Autumn. I last went at the start of October 2011 in a heatwave and before that in September 2010, captured in this post - the bees are still at work! Standen was as gorgeous as ever, wish I could live there sometimes. Also the shaded area full of ferns was great in the heat. Clothing wise, lately I have been really drawn to a palette of blues/greens and neutrals. I think they are the colours I feel best in. Much like this lady who feels best in Kelly Green. The concept of only wearing one colour really intrigues me. I think I would seriously struggle but since different colours do effect my mood it makes a certain sense. In keeping with my colour direction, I bought a Hobbs blue two piece outfit from a charity shop. Normally I would think a two piece means a jacket and skirt/trousers but in this case it was a polka dot shirt and linen skirt, pretty odd but fine by me.

 I think one of the most interesting things about having a blog and getting to look back at old posts is seeing the changes. For me it's noticing that I have become way fussier about what I purchase (well to a degree) and I'm definitely looking for quality more than ever. Not so much from Primark round here these days. Could just be a sign of getting older though. Although September is just around the corner I don't feel done with Summer just yet, time is passing too fast.

In the Orchard

Top - Primark (a long time ago)

Belt - Belonged to my mum

Dress - Silence & noise from a charity shop

Tights - Topshop

Shoes - Charity shop

These photos are from a recent mid-week trip to Standen, another National Trust property, and one of my favourites.  It's been nearly a year since my last visit, which was the subject of one of my first ever blog posts. Standen is a lovely house, decorated during the arts and crafts movement, with many William Morris interiors. You can't take pictures inside the house, so we made do with various areas of the gardens. There's something about apples fallen from the tree that makes me feel very autumnal. The orchard was full of them, as well as the funny 'bees at work' signs all over the place. The picture of me between two posts is a sort of childrens area with a stage and a giant xylophone. I love the bench in the last photo, how nature is trying to claim it back. I'll be posting later in the week with some new things to tell you about.

Standen

A few weeks ago I took a trip to Standen . Standen is a national trust house famous for it's arts and crafts style interiors and beautiful gardens. Although it's not that far away I haven't been there in years. Unfortunately you aren't allowed to take photos inside the house, which is a shame because although it's a such a large Victorian house, inside feels really cosy and lived in. I've always liked visiting these old houses and imagining the lives of the people who lived there.

Standen was built for the Beale family in the 1890s, who continued to live there until the 1970s. There is a little exhibition inside the house about all the children who grew up playing in the house and grounds, with photos and toys. Apparently a favourite childhood pastime was to take down the fire shoot from an upstairs window and slide down it, another was to pack six children to a beloved rocking horse and ride it across the billiards room floor. The house is famous for being built in the arts and crafts style and is particularly well known for the William Morris

interiors.

Design for Windrush fabric by William Morris 1881-83

I really like William Morris designs, they are all very pretty without being too fussy. I am a big fan of off-colours and his prints usually involve plenty which always appeals to me. I felt really inspired after visiting and even found some William morris printed fabrics, although they are really meant for interiors, I can't help imagining these as sweet little dresses or skirts.

I think my favourite is the middle on, although the mustard coloured one would be good for an autumn shift dress. If I get any further with this project, I will keep you informed.