WHY YOU NEED A TRIP TO THE COUNTRYSIDE

Hello Autumn, is that you I see? 🍂Autumn has crept up after the long hot summer and I am really excited about it. To me, Autumn conjures up thoughts of exciting layered fashion, Strictly Come Dancing, hot chocolate and long walks in the woods followed by cosy cuddles by the wood burning fire. With the kids going back to school, adults back to work and the roads and trains being busier in the mornings, it has got me thinking…I need a long weekend away 😉 As a bit of a suburban dweller it has taken me a few years but I believe I have aced the art of a long weekend in the countryside. Let me tell you why you too need a trip to the countryside…oh and also the fashion items you will want to take with you.

This post is sponsored by the wonderful Celtic & Co. Shop their clothes here.

RUN THE MOUNTAINS

Wether you walk or run, go and seek some adventure. Relaxing is so much more rewarding after working. My parents’ house is surrounded by mountains. They are right in the middle of the Brecon Beacons so we are spoilt for choice when it comes to picking our spot. Liam and I tend to run the Skirrid, Derry or the Sugar Loaf. Once you reach the peak and see the epic views you will feel accomplished and literally on top of the world. Once you have conquered your mountain or field or even the block you will be filed with fresh air and ready to justify a pub lunch.

LAZY PUB LUNCHES

Long lazy pub lunches are so much better in the countryside. The pubs feel so much cosier, especially in Autumn/Winter. There are often log fires and cosy little nooks to sit in with your loved one. What I also adore about the country pubs is that 99.9% of them I have visited have allowed dogs. I know not everyone is a dog person but I feel they add to the relaxed care free vibe. I am vegetarian and spent my childhood avoiding pub lunches with my family because they were so bad at catering for veggies. With time that has completely changed, you can’t get away from sweet potato fries and halloumi and for that I am forever thankful.

• TRACKIES • SLIPPERS • CARDIGAN •

QUIRKY CAFES

Continuing on the food conversation, I am here with my love of cafes. I love stumbling across quirky little cafes around small towns. They all tend to be little independents which makes you feel like you are supporting the community. Abergavenny in South Wales is filled with them, my favourite being The Chapel. The food is fresh and exciting and they even serve alcohol to go alongside your cake…perfecting at it’s finest. I am in Abergavenny this weekend for the Abergavenny Food Festival and can’t wait to eat all the cheese.

SIT BY THE FIRE

My parents have a lovely wood burning fire and we light it the second we arrive. If we aren’t going out for the day we light it first thing in the morning giving full on Little Women vibes (one of my favourite books). The sound and heat of a roaring fire with a cosy old movie on in the background is absolute heaven for me. I do however have to fight my dog Coco to the hotspot in front of the fire.

• CARDIGAN •

FORAGING AND FARMER’S MARKETS

As I said earlier, I am off to a food festival this weekend which we do most years. The opportunity to discover new food and nibble goodies whilst talking to the owners is something that I am loving doing more as I have got older. When I was younger I hated my parents taking forever between each stand but I am now that person. If you go out for a walk make sure you bring a bag, you never know what you may find. Liam and I have been known to come back with berries, mushrooms and even apples to cook up a storm with.

CUDDLE

If you are in the countryside with a loved one then a cuddle is definitely in order. Pop on your cosy clothes and snuggle up together for extra bonus romantic points. I adore these lounge pants (remind me of Rachel from Friends ‘Apartment Pants’) and slippers for perfect lounging attire.

Are you a fan of being in the countryside or would you rather be in the City?

WHAT TO PACK

The weather can be obviously be a bit skitty. One minute it is raining and cold, the next sunny and warm. The most important factor for me was to have a pair of boots for walks and slippers for the minute you walk in the front door. This cardigan was my saviour last time we went to Wales, it was warm-ish so I was in a dress and flip flops but when we were walking around town there was a strong breeze. I popped this cardigan on and I was super cosy. I am not your best friend when I am cold 😉 . Oh, also, I got Coco a matching jumper to my cardigan for ultimate cuteness. I also adore these lounge pants because even though they are merino they don’t itch, even in the slightest! Also, after 3 days of lounging about the house in them, they didn’t get saggy knees, that’s a sure sign of an amazing pair of trackies.

• BOOTS • SCARF • DOG JUMPER •