AUTUMN WALKS AND FALL COLOURS

As each season comes into play I happily announce my love for it, but nothing quite gives me that warm glowing feeling and fills my heart like autumn. The burnt ochres, reds and golden yellows fill the sky and pave the ground, crunching underfoot as F squeals in delight. Although this is the transition to winter, to darker filled days and low light, it does mean the excitement of Christmas will soon be setting in as well as hot spicy cider and mulled wine with friends *yay*.

At the weekend we took a walk, it's the same walk we take every year along the avenue of trees beside Clifton Down Road. I love this little stretch, I took the same stroll soon after F was born, him gazing up under the canopy of fall colours and autumn leaves. Now it's a rather more boisterous event with screeches of breaks as he zooms up and down on his bike, squeals as he runs to avoid thrown leaves and generally had fun as I gaze upon my growing boy.

My autumn wishlist for long walks are cosy boots, perfect for stomping through leaves and I love these stylish kids boots c/o Clarks. Even though they have a lace up front which makes him feel like a big boy, he can easily slip them on and off with the zip up sides, plus they're super comfy. I've already been coveting some of the women's boots and love these quirky Desert Boots and these slick Phenia Cresent boots.

F has started choosing his own clothes when we go into stores and it's interesting to see his style start to emerge without any input from us. He chose this zip up top from H&M and looks like such a dude in this pic!

As much as I love the outdoors I've been really feeling the need to bunker down and hibernate, to be close to home with slow walks for coffee, sit round friends dining tables and share good food, cosy sofa afternoons and general cuddles with my little one. In all honestly I've lost my mojo and been feeling a little down, like baby blues without the baby. I've been taking my time to just be and get all the busy out my head, so apologies that it's been so sporadic over here. For now I'm going to carve pumpkins, drink hot coco, take long walks, watch films, listen to music, get a bit crafty and enjoy the rest of the week before I have to hand F back over to the school timetable.

In case you were interested in our style you can see what I wore here:
Yellow Coast Waterproof Jacket c/o Joules
Louche Aria Leather bag c/o Joy

And what F wore here:
Hooded Jacket - H&M
Day Hi GTX Boots c/o Clarks

For a little more autumn inspiration I've created a board full of ideas, interiors and moods reflecting the changing season. What is your favourite autumnal pastime?

OUR URBAN PLAYGROUND

Earlier this week we stepped outside into the first real frost I've seen this winter. We were met by neighbours dutifully scraping their windshields, condensation rapidly evaporating with each breath, beautiful and blinding winter sun shining down as we cautiously shuffled forward, slippery underfoot.

After being cooped up in the house for most of last week due to F being ill, I was determined to get a little fresh air and stretch my legs, even if it was only for a venture round the block. After a few moments of toddler stubbornness and F refusing to get up off the step, we left our street and took a stroll. I love taking walks, normally I love strolling through the woods, surrounded by the rich green trees or wandering shoeless along the shore, toes wriggling down into sand with every step, but there is something to be said about an urban walk.

For me it isn't just tree lined streets with fancy houses, set back with their beautifully presented gardens that grabs my attention. Often it is the gritty, unloved areas that are most interesting. Where plants push their way through paving cracks and spill onto the streets unnoticed,  small graffiti marks tucked away in shy places, left for someone as a secret. The strong contrasts of cement, tarmac, brick and cobbles wash together to create a landscape waiting to be discovered. Normally in these places we tend to overlook our surroundings, these bricks, the same as yesterday hold no importance when running for a bus or popping out to get milk. So to take a slow walk – toddler speed – and breathe it all in is refreshing. I am an observant person by nature and visually take a lot in: shapes, colour, light, but to visit it through a child's eyes in the morning sun was as lovely as the cool blue sea.

The trick to seeing all this beauty, the mix of green nature versus mankind's grey, is one word. SLOW. Who am I to rush this boy when he wants to peer into puddled water, green algae, decomposing leaves, painted hearts, tangled weeds, faded numbers? If I can not stop to appreciate the small things then how will I ever realise when the big things are standing right in front of me?

This is our urban playground.