DESIGN YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE // INSPIRATION

We're back from our travels and after a taking a little break from the blog I'm finally getting back into the swing of things as I sit in front of the gazillion emails waiting for me. After spending most of the week outdoors I wanted to share some outdoor space inspiration. As some of you might remember we live in a flat over in Bristol sans garden, which unfortunately means no outdoor space for us. Now normally I don't mind this sort of thing but after staying in an artist studio for a week, with doors that open out onto a garden with your own seating area and chairs to lounge in after hours, I'm starting to see what all the fuss is about.

Sitting outside, reading a book, wrapped in a blankets as it gets dark, gazing at the stars while sipping hot coco *sigh* yep having an outdoor space has suddenly grabbed my attention and has me pining for an open pit fire to toast marshmallows on and while away the evening hours. So I've started creating a wish list in the hopes it will somehow cosmically send a garden my way when flat hunting.

I do love a bit of accessorising and being able to buy for a whole new space could potentially be very exciting, so here are my favourites pieces from online interior store Love the Design to get me garden ready:

1. How cool would this geometric mirror look on a bare brick wall or wooden slats and reflect the light.
2. I've always wanted one of these statement chairs, I love the style and they come in so many colours plus are pretty durable in any weather.
3. I love making cocktails and this cool tray would be the perfect way to serve friends.
4. Having candles are a great way to transform a space and create a lovely ambiance and these glass candle holders are ace!
5. For those cooler nights a super warm and cosy throw would be fab to curl up in.
6. Totally loving this fun pink crystal jug to entertain with, it reminds me of parties from when I was a kid.
7. For the ultimate outdoor space accessory look no further than this hammock *swoon* I pretty much spent all my evening in a hammock when in France.

If you fancy a little bit of inspiration and a peek at outdoor spaces that have caught my eye recently then check out my Outdoor space Pinterest Board.




*This is a collaborative post.

BY THE CAMPFIRE LIGHT

This weekend passed quickly bathed in summer light, with grass between my toes and that smoky bonfire smell, clinging to my clothes and hair which only comes from cooking on an open fire. Not that I went camping much as a child, almost never in fact, but it seems that as an adult I have managed to conjure up a feeling of nostalgia and re-captured some lost secret youth by sleeping under the stars, and quite frankly I love it. We set off, car full to the brim with various camping equipment that we would probably not use and headed over the River Severn to the Forest of Dean, navigating windy roads and dirt tracks until we found our base for the next two days. Slow and steady we built the tent, which is always an accomplishment in itself and laid out blankets to rest upon as F ran round wildly, drunk with the evening light and the freedom from his bedtime routine.

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ARE YOU WILD ENOUGH? // PROJECT WILD THING

Image via blinkbox 

Last week I was fortunate enough to be invited to an event hosted by Yeo Valley HQ, situated in the rolling hills of North Somerset. This was something I had been eagerly looking forward to all week, a screening of Project Wild Thing with Director's Q&A. Over the last month or so I had seen the trailer being shot around various social media sites and with The Guardian stating 'This film will change your life' and I was keen to see if this was true.

'Children in the UK spend less than 5% of their time outdoors - less than ever before.'

That line is hard to swallow, less than 5%. Project Wild Thing is a film led movement to get kids and adults back outside and reconnecting with nature – despite how that sounds, it's not a a hippy movement, but more a concerned look at what extensive screen time and indoor play is doing to our children and future generations. This brilliant and witty feature length documentary follows front man David Bond, as he appoints himself the Marketing Director of Nature, to try and prise his two children from their love of the screen and explore ways to reignite our passion for the great outdoors.

Welcomed by the wonderful hosts at Yeo Valley, I sat through the private screening with moments of laughter, inspiration, acknowledgement, wonderment, appreciation and pangs of guilt. As I watched the facts weigh in heavily at the detrimental effects extensive screen time and indoor play has on a child, I wonder how much damage I'd already done? Thankfully this film doesn't preach, but instead carves a place in your heart using a fantastic cast of children, each telling their own story, while David leads you by the hand through his crusade. There is nothing more effective to a mama than hearing it from the mouths of babes.

Project Wild Thing doesn't ask you to throw your ipad out the window and become a recluse in the woods, but rather invigorates you to make a pledge to #wildtime, swapping screen for green and step outside the box. The campaign cleverly uses current technology to help you plan your time spent outdoors through the use of their free downloadable app, with fun ideas ranging from Grass Blade Whistles – remember those? – to Dinosaur Beach Hunts. All you need to do is put in the amount of time you have to spend outside and the app will give you ideas in return. Simple as that.

Recently I wrote a post about enjoying our urban playground, with the idea that slowing down allows us to see more beauty in our everyday surroundings. Moving away from the idea that nature has to be woodlands, meadows and mountains, I will be posting some ideas around mindfulness and how changing our perception can change the way we engage with our surroundings on our doorstep.

Project Wild Thing is more than just a film, it is a growing movement led by organisations and individuals who care deeply about engaging with nature and the benefits your kids will get from playing outdoors. With organisations such as The National Trust, RSPB, Woodland Trusts, NHS, Play England and many more backing this campaign, Project Wild Thing is forging the way forward for happy, healthy kids in the 21st Century. So please help spread the word, share a story, pledge your support on the website and make this campaign be heard in every school yard, parents group, planning office, city hall, with friends and family. Head over to their website and pledge your support by clicking on the join button and register as a Wild Thing.