New loves this week are: this 80s vintage jumpsuit, and chamomile and lavender tea. The jumpsuit unfortunately didn’t show up well on the mannequin hence why I am wearing it, trying to give an idea of the cut and style for customers. The cat decided to get in on the photoshoot too as she often does, and doesn’t she just suit the autumn season colour theme! I spent yesterday doing my autumn/winter wardrobe switch over, whereupon I also discovered I have too many summer clothes, but have done a good job in editing the colder season garments.

These last few nights I have noticed it getting darker much sooner here in the UK. The lights in the neighbours’ homes are coming on earlier, the sky is becoming duskier at the last dog walk of the day, as summer comes to a close. Of course there will still be warm and sunny days, but the light breezy feeling of the summer will have passed. I do lament a little, as I am well aware that I have not taken full advantage of the season. As I write this I am already vowing that next year I will work less and enjoy the summer more! We did have some trips though, Mr Magpies and I took the camper out for a few idle days and nights in July. 

That being said, I do love this time of year; today is a perfectly chilly, cooler September day and I am loving it. A pot of soup simmers, while the animals are curled up tighter than usual. As we enter the dog days of summer, drifting into early autumn, it is still possible to sometimes sit outside in the early evening with a fire going as you enjoy the warmth. It’s time to prepare for cosy season, or - if you are in the world of retail - getting ready for the (hopefully) busy time of quarter 4. Time for making pear porridge too; I know some people go crazy for pumpkin-spice everything, but for me a bowl of slow cooked creamy homemade porridge holds a place in my heart at this time of year.

On the subject of the coming season, items of velvet, wool and buttery soft aged leather have been waiting patiently to be added to the shop. Without fully realising, I also seem to have acquired quite the collection of vintage tapestry bags. There is an ease and charm about them that I like a lot, they are casual and cute, and I like how the possibilities of patterns are endless. These will all be making their way into the shop soon…

But for now, I will be helping myself to some of the soup and editing a bunch of photos; so until next time.