There’s a new blog post over on my Clementine Rose website. I’ve shared a collection of 10 beautiful nature quotes that have inspired my slow living journey, featuring timeless words from John Muir, Claude Monet, Anne Frank, Henry David Thoreau, David Attenborough, L. M. Montgomery and many more.

I’m most definitely a collector of quotes. I love filling books with sticky tabs, saving little snippets in Notion and scribbling down words that I want to remember. I hope you’ll enjoy them too, and that perhaps they might bring a little inspiration to your own path as well.

I’d love for you to join me over on my blog. You can read it here.

Do you have a favourite nature quote?

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Just in case you missed it…

If you’d love to learn more about me and my work, you can visit my website here. I’d also love to connect with you over on Instagram - you’ll find lots of beautiful blooms and nature-inspired posts, alongside gentle business musings, reflections, and more.

Until next time…

If you missed last month’s, you can read it here.

If this entry is a teeny bit too long to read as an email, you can read it in full here.

Care for a spot of tea? I have an old KitKat tin filled with peppermint, turmeric, nettle, rose hip and all sorts of comforting blends, or perhaps you’d prefer some jasmine green tea? It’s my favourite. The fragrance is so delicate and lovely, perfect for accompanying us as we wander through the garden together.

You’ve arrived at just the right moment. I’ve just spotted four extra-fluffy, incredibly cute baby sparrows, with their parent darting back and forth to the bird feeders while the little ones wait eagerly for their lunch. If we stand quietly for a moment, they may grow curious enough to flutter down and land beside you.

I’ve also had the joy of watching the sweetest baby great tit nestled among the roses, carefully copying its parents’ every move. And the blue tits have been busy too, gathering food for their own hungry little families.

The roses and peonies are blooming beautifully right now. The bees seem especially taken with the purple wallflowers and toadflax, and by nightfall the moths flutter in to pick up where the bees left off.

Let’s make our way…

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We had a new fluffy (and very loud) visitor in the garden. Mr and Mrs Great Tit brought their sweet baby with them.

Our tiny garden never fails to leave me in awe. This single beautiful foxglove has magically appeared, which makes me SO incredibly happy, as I’m always admiring them when out on my walks, and have been dreaming of adding some to the garden for a long time.

Isn’t nature amazing! This verbascum has its very own pretty pink galaxy. I love how the buds first appear as tiny stars before opening up into the most beautiful flowers.

Do you have a favourite flower? What’s blooming in your garden at the moment?

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If you’ve enjoyed this journal entry, you can support my creative work with a virtual coffee from just £3, over on my Ko-fi page. Your support honestly means so much, and it really helps me A LOT!

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Just in case you missed it…

If you’d love to learn more about me and my work, you can visit my website here. I’d also love to connect with you over on Instagram - you’ll find lots of beautiful blooms and nature-inspired posts, alongside gentle business musings, reflections, and more.

Until next time…

If you missed last month’s, you can read it here.

As I sat staring at the books on our bookcases (we found 3 beautiful secondhand bookcases online, but could definitely do with another 5 at least!), it made me smile at just how eclectic our book collection is!

I don’t really have a particular genre that I love the most… I love nature writing, fiction, non-fiction, business books, cheesy romance (the cheesier the better), graphic novels, history, wellness, gardening and so many more!

I love escaping to different worlds, going on magical journeys, travelling back in time, discovering inspiration, learning all about beautiful blooms and the medicinal properties of herbs, and going on a seasonal adventure.

Do you have a favourite genre? Or do you like a bit of everything too?

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Here’s what I’ve been reading, what’s next on the pile, and a favourite pick from the bookshelf…

One I’ve read

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, is such an amazing, cosy, heartwarming book that gave me all the feels! It was emotional, but filled with such lovely and encouraging messages throughout.

“No matter what difficulties people face, they will always have the strength to overcome them.”

Through the pages we meet 4 people who, for very different reasons, wish to visit the past. Although first, they must wait for the mysterious woman (who’s actually a ghost) to put her book down and get up to go to the toilet, which she does once a day, and vacate the only chair that can take someone back to past. You must also make sure to drink the coffee before it gets cold!

I really enjoyed this book a lot - I’ve already added the next 3 books in the series to my wishlist! It was a lovely easy read and was very hard to put down.

One I’m reading

I really like historical fiction a lot, although it’s been a quite a while since I’ve read one, so it’s such a joy to begin reading The Seaside Girls by Tracy Baines.

With the country on the brink of war, Jessie dreams of a life filled with the theatre, but after the tragic death of her father, Jessie, an aspiring singer, and her family have no choice other than to go live with Aunt Iris. Jessie wants to escape and pursue her dreams, so she can create a better life for her family.

I’m enjoying this book so much, and I especially love that it’s set in Lincolnshire (being a Lincs girl myself!), and I also really love how Tracy so beautifully weaves themes of courage, family, friendship, community, and following your dreams throughout the story.

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One that’s next

Rough Patch by is a book that I added instantly to my wishlist (I keep a little corner over on my Instagram Collections where I save all the books I’ve recently discovered and hope to add to my reading pile). The cover immediately grabbed my attention, “How a year in the garden brought me back to life.” I was so pleased to then stumble across it in Waterstones. I’ve also been following Kathy here on Substack and have really been enjoying her posts, which made me even more excited to finally pick this one up.

“When Kathy was forced to quit her high-flying career in London, she was a wreck - burnt out, anxious, consumed by depression. But she found solace in an unlikely place - the veg patch. She put her hands in the soil and found a way to grow, to sow some small seeds of hope.”

I’m very much looking forward to reading this book!

One from the bookshelf

We throughly enjoyed Sarah Gristwood’s talk on the many notable women who kept diaries throughout their life, last year here in Lichfield, which was part of the Lichfield Literature Festival. So of course we waited in line straight after to purchase a copy of Sarah’s book, Secret Voices, which she also very kindly signed for us.

This is a beautiful book that I love dipping in and out of regularly. For every day of the year, Sarah has gathered extracts from women’s diaries spanning 400 years, from Louisa May Alcott, Anne Frank, Virginia Woolf, Beatrix Potter, Lady Bird Johnson, L. M. Montgomery, Queen Victoria, Emily Brontë, Anne Brontë, Emma Thompson, and so many others. It’s charming, fascinating, captivating and often deeply moving. It’s such a lovely and important glimpse into the lives, thoughts and everyday moments of women across the centuries.

“It’s an odd idea for someone like me to keep a diary; not only because I have never done so before, but because it seems to me that neither I - nor for that matter anyone else - will be interested in the unbosomings of a thirteen-year-old schoolgirl. Still, what does that matter? I want to write, but more than that, I want to bring out all kinds of things that lie buried deep in my heart.” - Anne Frank, 1942.

Have you read any of these books? Perhaps one or two have now made it onto your reading pile? I’d love to know what you’re currently reading?

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Just in case you missed it…

If you’d love to learn more about me and my work, you can visit my website here. I’d also love to connect with you over on Instagram - you’ll find lots of beautiful blooms and nature-inspired posts, alongside gentle business musings, reflections, and more.

Until next time…

Just in case you missed last month’s, you can read it here.

This morning’s task was gathering up all of the bird feeders (the hanging ones, the ground feeders, even the window feeder) to give them a good scrub and clean before leaving them out to dry in the sunshine. And what a beautiful sunny day we’ve had. The bedding dried in record time (one of my most favourite simple joys)!

At one point I turned to and said, “surely I deserve a Michelin star for this?”

Once everything had dried, I filled the ground feeders with the seed we ordered from a lovely little nature haven in Lincolnshire, which has thankfully been a huge hit with the birds. It’s always very satisfying when something gets the garden’s seal of approval!

Next I topped up the hanging and window feeders with their special robin feed (although the sparrows and blue tits seem just as fond of it) and some fat balls that disappear at quite an impressive speed. We also added another addition recently, a feeder for niger seeds, so fingers crossed the goldfinches will soon discover it.

I do spoil them a bit, don’t I?!

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This time of year especially, has me reflecting on how wildlife has become such an important part of my slow living journey. Making space for nature in everyday life has helped me to slow down no end, to pay closer attention to the world around me, noticing the little things I might once have hurried past. It brings such wonderful calmness to my days.

I’ve found myself becoming much more aware of the birdsong around me, the songs that echo through the garden and trees, ones I’ve heard thousands of times before but never really stopped to listen to properly. Now I find myself recognising them instantly like the cheerful chatter of a blue tit, the familiar song of a robin or blackbird, the calls of long-tailed tits, mistle and song thrushes, chiffchaffs, goldfinches and so many more. Even the slightly strange calling of a squirrel through the trees is something I immediately recognise now.

I always find myself looking out for the garden’s small visitors and residents too like the little mouse family living beneath the herb beds, the squirrels who provide endless entertainment, or the frog who finally appeared last year after I made a tiny pond from a large terracotta pot and waited so eagerly (and patiently) for someone to find it home worthy.

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I’ve slowly begun recognising the different types of butterflies and bees that visit too, thanking them for all the work they do to keep nature thriving. I find it so fascinating discovering which flowers they like best! (David’s actually shared a post all about just that, which you can read here.)

Last year, after wondering if I would ever be lucky enough to see one, I spotted a hummingbird hawk-moth hovering beside the flowers. It was such a short but magical little moment and one I know I would have missed had I not paused to look out into the garden. And high amongst the trees beyond the garden fence, I happened to glance up one morning while drinking my tea to see a great spotted woodpecker flying from tree to tree. Another little moment I might never have noticed if I hadn’t taken the time to pause and simply look up.

There are certain seasonal moments I’ve come to look forward to so much, like the return of the swifts, house martins and swallows. Earlier this week, I heard the swifts calling for the first time this year and it instantly took me back to warm summer evenings spent in the garden, watching them dart across the sky overhead. It’s incredible how something so small can bring back so many memories, while making my heart do a funny little nostalgia-filled flutter. And every year, without fail, spotting the first bee in the garden after what feels like such a long winter fills me with so much excitement.

I always find myself learning so much from the wildlife that fills our tiny garden. I’ve come to know the many pigeons, each with their own little quirks, distinct markings and unique personalities who visit daily. I love how the little mouse family immediately know when I’ve put seed out, making sure they get there first before the birds arrive. It makes me so happy knowing that they feel safe enough to come out while I’m stood right there next to them. I’m so grateful for their presence.

With all the craziness in the world, it’s so comforting to watch the sparrow family appear each day from the hedge behind the fence and make their way to the feeders. They sing, play and chase each other, coming and going throughout the day, then splash together in the bird bath, water spraying on to the unsuspecting pigeons below. They then fly into the rose bushes to see what insects they can find, balancing on the most delicate stems and somehow not weighing them down at all.

These beautiful moments ground me in the present, bringing some much needed slowness to my day. They fill me with joy and remind me that the world is full of beauty, magic and little wonders just waiting to be noticed. Our garden may be tiny, but it’s a lovely reminder that so much beauty can come from the smallest moments (and the smallest places too!).

What wildlife do you love noticing where you are?

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Just in case you missed it…

If you’d love to learn more about me and my work, you can visit my website here. I’d also love to connect with you over on Instagram - you’ll find lots of beautiful blooms and nature-inspired posts, alongside gentle business musings, reflections, and more.

Until next time…

There’s a new blog post over on my Clementine Rose website, all about how I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease and why it became the wake up call I needed to slow down.

With tomorrow (May 19th) being World IBD Day, I wanted to share my story in the hope that it might help raise awareness, and perhaps help someone else feel a little less alone if this is something they’re going through too.

I’d love for you to join me over on my blog. You can read it here.

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Has slowing down become part of your life because of health challenges?

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Buy me a coffee

Just in case you missed it…

If you’d love to learn more about me and my work, you can visit my website here. I’d also love to connect with you over on Instagram - you’ll find lots of beautiful blooms and nature-inspired posts, alongside gentle business musings, reflections, and more.

Until next time…

If you missed last month’s Simple Joys & Inspirations, you can read it here.

The first rose is officially out in the garden! I say rose, but since the first one has bloomed they’re all now beautifully waking up and there’s little hints of pinks and reds appearing all over. Each day I’m spotting something new in the garden and I’m sure some of the flowers have literally sprung up overnight!

Amongst the many pigeons that come to visit (or come purely for their breakfast I should say!), I’ve been enjoying watching two very sweet blue tits who come daily, along with Mr and Mrs Blackbird, the sparrow family who live behind the fence, a group of cheeky starlings and the little inquisitive robin. We ordered a new niger seed feeder and some seeds to go in it and I’m really hoping we’ll soon spot some goldfinches in the garden too! We only have a tiny garden, but it's amazing at what you can do in such a small space, especially for attracting wildlife. Something I’ll be sharing more about very soon!

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Here’s some of the little moments that have brought lots of joy and inspiration recently…

A natural and seasonal discovery

It was only very recently that we discovered Norfolk Natural Living. Over the past few years, we’ve been making a conscious decision to move away from products that contain harsh chemicals and are filled full of nasties and ingredients that I can’t even pronounce! I’m all in for using products that are natural and British-made. We were in London a few weeks ago, and happened to be walking past their beautiful London shop, and you can probably already imagine how excited I was!

As a little treat to myself, I purchased their seasonal perfume discovery set. I’ve been really enjoying trying them. All are so lovely, but my favourite is definitely the Spring one.

All are made in their micro-perfumery in Norfolk. They’re natural, vegan and are never tested on animals. They’re also unisex. We’ve been enjoying trying a few of their other lovely products too. They smell so amazing!

Returning to an instrument as an adult

I recently shared my journey of returning to an instrument as an adult learner over on ’s beautiful new website (please do give it a visit). I learned to play the flute when I was 10, but being a teenager, I decided I didn’t want to play it anymore and instead learned to play the drums!

I often thought about playing the flute again, but it wasn’t until I met David that I was inspired to pick up my flute again. I was so surprised by just how much I remembered, and I loved how natural it felt playing again. It’s taught me a lot, especially about myself. I’d love for you to give it a read. I love that it’s brought me so much musical joy.

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A ride on a water taxi

I was back to my hometown in Lincolnshire for a few days, and my mum surprised me by treating us to a ride on the Spalding Water Taxi. It’s something that has been running for many years and we actually first went on it not long after it had opened, and have been saying ever since that we’ll have to go on it again!

You catch the water taxi on the river in town, which then takes you to Springfields Shopping Outlet. It’s about a 40 min ride. Everything always looks extra magical when on water! We also had the most wonderful driver who was so kind and friendly and told us a little of Spalding’s history. As we made our way along the river and on to the Coronation Channel, you could literally be anywhere! I absolutely loved that we were surrounded by nature and spotted quite a few herons, grebes, ducks and swans along the way.

After a picnic in the gardens at Springfields (highly recommend by the way) we then headed over to the river for the taxi to arrive to take us back. It was so lovely and peaceful standing along the riverbank surrounded by the most beautiful green trees listening to blue tits, robins and chiffchaffs. Over the other side of the carpark and away from the hustle and bustle of busy shoppers, it’s a completely different world.

A sleepy pigeon

In my hometown there’s an incredible place called The Sessions House. It was actually a court for over 150 years - I remember visiting it on a school trip. In later years it has been privately owned. The lovely owners hold events there, and last weekend they had an art exhibition. There were so many amazing paintings by lots of incredible artists.

My very good friend Leanne was there with her daughter, Roxy. Roxy is such an amazing artist and was showcasing some of her paintings and as you’ve probably already guessed, I definitely couldn’t leave without this little sleepy guy called Piijgen!

What little things have been bringing you joy and inspiration recently? I’d love to hear all about them.

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Support my work with a virtual coffee… ☕️

If you’ve enjoyed this journal entry and would like to support my creative work, you can treat me to a virtual coffee (or a delicious hot chocolate) from just £3, over on my Ko-fi page. Your support honestly means so much, and it really helps me A LOT!

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Just in case you missed it…

If you’d love to learn more about me and my work, you can visit my website here. I’d also love to connect with you over on Instagram - you’ll find lots of beautiful blooms and nature-inspired posts, alongside gentle business musings, reflections, and more.

Until next time…

I’ve just shared a new blog post over on my Clementine Rose website, with a few of my favourite books that inspire me in so many lovely different ways. Perhaps they’re ones you’ve got on your bookshelf too, or maybe I’ve just made you add a few more to your reading pile?!

They’re such beautiful books that inspire storytelling, photography, lots of creativity and so much more. Plus they’re filled full of really helpful tips, advice, examples and prompts, and are a lovely reminder that there’s so much joy to be found in the small everyday moments.

Featuring books by , Tasker, and Sara Santini & Andrea Di Filippo.

As always, best enjoyed in your favourite cosy spot with a cup of tea and maybe a few biccies too. You can read it here.

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I’d love to know what some of your favourite books are too that inspire creativity?

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Support my work with a virtual coffee… ☕️

If you’ve enjoyed this blog post and would like to support my creative work, you can treat me to a virtual coffee (or a delicious hot chocolate) from just £3, over on my Ko-fi page. Your support honestly means so much, and it really helps me A LOT!

Buy me a coffee

Just in case you missed it…

If you’d love to learn more about me and my work, you can visit my website here. I’d also love to connect with you over on Instagram - you’ll find lots of beautiful blooms and nature-inspired posts, alongside gentle business musings, reflections, and more.

Until next time…

If you missed last month’s, you can read it here.

“Come the spring with all its splendour, all its birds, and all its blossoms!” - Christina Rossetti

Would you like to come with me among the trees as light sparkles through for a little moment of magic? We’ll wander through a carpet of bluebells while a gentle breeze carries the scent of wild garlic. Leaves rustle overhead as birdsong echoes all around, with blue tits, great tits, wrens and blackbirds flitting through the branches. Above us, the fluffiest pink blossoms hang like little clouds, and who knows… you might even catch a glimpse of a fairy or two.

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If it’s bringing a little calm, happiness, or inspiration to your day, you can support my creative work by gifting a virtual coffee from just £3. It helps to support all that I do so much! You can find my Ko-fi page here.

Buy me a coffee

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If you were to describe this walk in three words, what would they be?

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Support my work with a virtual coffee… ☕️

If you’ve enjoyed this journal entry and would like to support my creative work, you can treat me to a virtual coffee (or a delicious hot chocolate) from just £3, over on my Ko-fi page. Your support honestly means so much, and it really helps me A LOT!

Buy me a coffee

Just in case you missed it…

If you’d love to learn more about me and my work, you can visit my website here. I’d also love to connect with you over on Instagram - you’ll find lots of beautiful blooms and nature-inspired posts, alongside gentle business musings, reflections, and more.

Until next time…

I may have gotten a little bit carried away, and this journal entry might be a teeny bit too long to read in full in your inbox! If it is, you can read the full journal entry here.

I had to have a giggle the other day… I’ve come to the conclusion that I can’t seem to write anything without including a quote from a book I’ve read! Or, on the rare occasion I haven’t included a quote, you can guarantee that it was inspired by one.

But isn’t that the most wonderful and amazing thing about books? They inspire us in so many beautiful ways.

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Here’s what I’ve been loving and enjoying, what’s next on my reading pile, and a little story about a special book that was found unexpectedly…

One I’ve read

In last month’s entry, I had just started reading Do What You Love by Holly Tucker, and I can honestly say that I absolutely loved it! It’s such an inspiring book with so many helpful tips and such lovely and helpful actionable tasks (not just for product-based businesses). It’s like having your very own cheerleader in book form!

I especially loved all the beautiful images throughout, most of which showcase some of the many small business owners that you’ll find on Holly & Co. It’s such a lovely, special touch and a brilliant way for discovering lots of wonderful creations.

Here’s a little snippet of all the goodness you’ll find throughout the pages…

“Humans are hard-wired for stories. They are how we remember things. It's something we've been doing for thousands of years - just think about the tales around the campfire. We love to hear them and feel a sense of familiarity or comfort when one is told. Even better still, we love to retell the stories we have enjoyed or that have sparked our interest. So it is unsurprising that research shows that messages delivered as stories can be up to 22 times more memorable than just facts. This is why it is so incredibly powerful to think about the stories of your business.”

One I’m reading

Angels in the Cellar by Peter Hahn is also a book I shared in last month’s entry, which was next in my reading pile. I’m about halfway through now, and it’s SO GOOD!

Not only am I really enjoying it, I’m also learning a lot too!

Peter shares how his world began to fall apart. After working for 48 hours without sleep, he sat in the back of a London cab feeling emotionally drained. Looking at his reflection, he no longer recognised himself and started to long for a different life.

He went on to become a grower on vines and maker of wine on a small, ancient farm in the Loire Valley. Peter takes us through the seasons of his vineyard and shows how nature is the driving force behind every part of their handmade wine.

“When we moved here and I first walked through these rows of vines, almost trembling with anticipation, I was blissfully ignorant. The rental agreement the Saugers had signed with a local winemaker had not yet expired, which meant these vines were not under my care. But I wasn't a farmer back then, and what I failed to grasp was the terrible meaning of what I didn’t see in the vines. The person renting the vines had farmed chemically for several decades, and had I known then what I now know, I would have been aghast at the lack of plant life, the dearth of insects, the paucity of any wildlife. Fortunately, nature is tenacious and bounces back with uncanny stealth, speed and beauty, if we give it the chance.”

…It’ll definitely make you pause and think and you’ll probably never look at a bottle of mass-produced wine in quite the same way!

Also how beautiful is this bookmark by !

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One that’s next

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi is a book that I’ve seen a lot of in bookshops and online. I’ve heard lots of good things about it too. So it was a really lovely surprise when I found out it was part of a prize in a giveaway that I had entered and won. Maybe you’ve read this book?

I’ve also seen that it’s part of a series, so perhaps they’ll be a few more books added to my reading pile! Plus a cat on the front cover is always a huge bonus.

“In a cosy back alley in Tokyo, there is a cafe which has been serving carefully brewed coffee for more than one hundred years. But this coffee shop offers its customers a unique experience: the chance to travel back in time.”

…I’m very intrigued! From the reviews, I gather that this is going to be a very cosy read.

One from the bookshelf

For my bookshelf pick, I thought this would be a lovely opportunity to share not only a favourite book, but also the little story behind this particular copy of Rainbow Valley by L.M. Montgomry.

Quite some time back, I began collecting the Anne of Green Gables books, but not just any, the editions I was after were Harrap hardbacks from the 40s/50s. I managed to find most of them through World of Books and one was from the Oxfam website. I was finding it incredibly difficult tracking down a copy Rainbow Valley! I honestly thought it would take me years to find!

One day we were heading to Solihull for my Crohn’s infusion, and I half-joked to to check the Oxfam bookshop while I was at the hospital, never thinking he’d actually find it!

Afterwards, he met me with a few books he’d picked up and then, just as I thought he was done, he pulled Rainbow Valley out of the bag! It was the exact edition I’d been searching for, in great condition and with the dust jacket mostly still intact. I was so shocked and happy, but it was the most wonderful surprise! (All of the other copies that I have would have originally had a dust jacket on too, but they’d obviously got lost or damaged over the years.)

I wonder if there’s been book that you had been searching for, and you found it in the most unexpected place?

I’d love to know if you’ve read any of these books? Or maybe one or two have now made it onto your reading pile?

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Support my work with a virtual coffee… ☕️

If you’ve enjoyed this journal entry and would like to support my creative work, you can treat me to a virtual coffee (or a delicious hot chocolate) from just £3, over on my Ko-fi page. Your support honestly means so much, and it really helps me A LOT!

Buy me a coffee

Just in case you missed it…

If you’d love to learn more about me and my work, you can visit my website here. I’d also love to connect with you over on Instagram - you’ll find lots of beautiful blooms and nature-inspired posts, alongside gentle business musings, reflections, and more.

Until next time…

When it comes to food, you could say that I’ve always liked to keep things simple, just not always in quite the right way. I was such a fussy eater growing up!

When I was really young, I pretty much lived on the same few meals. Fish fingers and waffles, mashed potato with gravy, chicken with gravy, tinned hotdogs, and pasta with ketchup were my go-to choices. I wasn’t a fan of fruit, apart from the odd banana, which I later went off. As for vegetables, I mostly stuck to carrots, broccoli and of course potatoes. I don’t think I touched salad until I was much older!

I didn’t even drink water on its own until more recent years… now I’m quite happy leaving squash behind!

I could be very stubborn about what I would and wouldn’t eat. There were even a few times I got caught sneaking (and eating) frozen fish fingers and waffles straight from the freezer (which perhaps takes simplicity to a whole new level)!

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Thankfully as I got older I started to get a bit more adventurous with food and now I’ll eat almost anything. I really love food a lot! If there were ever a competition for talking non stop about one subject for an hour, food would definitely be mine!

I think was quite flabbergasted that it wasn’t until I was much, much older that I ate cake. Although I did eat the icing (of course)! Thankfully, I can’t get enough of David’s cakes.

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Something I’m quite often reminded of is how choosing a slower, simpler and more seasonal way of living naturally finds its way into every part of my life. And while my food nowadays is definitely a lot more interesting, the best meals are the most simple ones (not just fish fingers and waffles!).

I love wild garlic, and we’ve been lucky to get quite a lot of it over the past few weeks in our Riverford box. One meal I’ve really been enjoying is turning it into a simple pesto to have with pasta. The pesto is great for freezing too!

has been making some wild garlic scones this morning, and I’m very much looking forward to having one later.

I love seasonal veggies made into soup, which is always very comforting and nourishing. You also can’t beat homemade bread that consists of the most simplest and few ingredients, which I’m always in awe at.

I also love how just a few herbs can completely transform a dish. A plain egg omelette with fresh herbs from the garden is one of my favourite simple meals (highly recommend).

I’ve been enjoying making tea with herbs straight from the garden too. Lemon balm and rosemary are my favourites. I even have a jar of dried lemon balm in the cupboard from when we had so much growing at once.

Fresh mint tea is another one I really love. I’m so fascinated by how each simple herb carries such lovely health benefits as well… I have a growing collection of books all about herbs and natural remedies!

A few pine nuts toasted in a pan and added to a dish is one of the best things ever!

Most of all, I really love how this simplicity has taught me and brought so much gratitude for the food we eat. It’s made me so much more mindful about what I put into my body, more aware of what each food so wonderfully gives, and it’s deepened my love for eating with the seasons, and I’m so appreciative of all that nature freely and abundantly gifts us.

I wonder if there’s a food you used to dislike but now absolutely love? I’d also really like to know if there’s a simple meal that you enjoy and could never get tired of?

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Just in case you missed it…

If you’d love to learn more about me and my work, you can visit my website here. I’d also love to connect with you over on Instagram - you’ll find lots of beautiful blooms and nature-inspired posts, alongside gentle business musings, reflections, and more.

Until next time…

I’ve just shared a new blog post over on my website all about spring and the little things I’ve been noticing and enjoying lately.

It’s a mix of seasonal reflections, slow living moments, nature, food, and those small everyday things that make this time of year feel so special.

From birdsong in the early morning and blossom appearing almost overnight, to wild garlic in our meals, lighter evenings and washing on the line in a spring breeze, it’s a little collection of the things that have been bringing me joy lately.

If you fancy a slow, seasonal read with a cup of tea, you can find it here.

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What little things are you enjoying most this season?

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Just in case you missed it…

If you’d love to learn more about me and my work, you can visit my website here. I’d also love to connect with you over on Instagram - you’ll find lots of beautiful blooms and nature-inspired posts, alongside gentle business musings, reflections, and more.

Until next time…

If you missed last month’s Simple Joys & Inspirations, you can read it here.

How beautiful were those extra warm, sunny days we had recently? We even went out for our evening walk in short sleeves! I definitely made the most of it and soaked up as much as I could. It’s left me feeling really excited for many more warm days ahead. For a moment, I even wondered if spring had decided to skip ahead and go straight into summer.

It’s such a joy stepping into the garden and seeing all the flowers coming back into bloom. I love that sense of familiarity along with the lovely (and much needed) feeling of hope that spring always brings. I’ve shared a little more further down below about some of the blooms that are bringing me so much happiness and filling up plenty of space on my camera.

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Here’s some of the little moments that have brought lots of joy and inspiration recently…

My Pigeon

You may remember that last year I shared the story of ‘My Pigeon’. If you missed it, you can read it here. Sadly, last November during the bad storms was the last time I saw him. Although I’m still hopeful that he may return one day, and perhaps he felt it was simply time for a new journey.

My lovely (and very talented) friend Lea paints the most beautiful landscapes and portraits (especially animals and birds!). So when I saw her in our favourite little shop in town called Bespoke, where she sells some of her paintings, I asked if she would be able to paint My Pigeon! And hasn’t she done such an incredible job! The colours, the detailing, the expression… it’s perfect! So My Pigeon now sits above my desk looking down at me as I work, and each time I look up it wonderfully reminds me of my feathered friend.

Talks, books and lots of history

The Lichfield Literature Festival is currently on here in our little city. I’ve really enjoyed discovering new books, going to some of the talks and meeting the authors over the past couple of years. I’m so happy that we have this festival each year in Lichfield.

We actually saw Tracy Borman last year when she did a talk about her new book, which was all about The Ambassadors painting by Holbien. I included it in this journal entry. So of course when we found out that she was coming back to do another talk this year, as part of the literature festival, we quickly booked tickets. This time Tracy was sharing all about her new book, The Stolen Crown. It was such a fascinating talk and I’m really looking forward to reading the book, which she very kindly signed for us.

Although not part of the literature festival, our beautiful cathedral also sometimes hosts different talks, and the one we went to several nights back was with Janet Gough, which was all about her new book called Divine Light.

The cathedral was definitely the perfect setting for this talk, and you’ve probably noticed form the cover of the book (below), it’s all about stained glass windows. Although not just any, but ones from all the cathedrals in the country. I found Janet’s talk so interesting. When we spoke to her afterwards, she said exactly what I’d been thinking during it, that stained glass windows often just fade into the background. They’re beautiful of course and we admire them, but it’s easy to forget how much history each one holds.

…I only recently discovered that William Morris actually created some of the stained glass windows in our churches and cathedrals. How amazing it that?

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Spring garden blooms

I’m honestly in awe of how full of colour our garden has become. It’s very small, but it’s amazing what you can grow in such a little space. I like to think of it as our own little cottage-style garden.

One of my favourites, although it’s so hard to choose, is the dicentra, also known as Bleeding Hearts. What’s made it even more magical is that the tulip bulbs we planted last year have bloomed beautifully underneath them. I’m sure there are fairies hiding among them somewhere!

If you’d love your screen to be filled with lots more blooms, I think you’re going to enjoy last week’s Seasonal Moments in Nature journal entry…

What little things have been bringing you joy and inspiration recently? I’d love to hear all about them.

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Support my work with a virtual coffee… ☕️

If you’ve enjoyed this journal entry and would like to support my creative work, you can treat me to a virtual coffee (or a delicious hot chocolate) from just £3, over on my Ko-fi page. Your support honestly means so much, and it really helps me A LOT!

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Just in case you missed it…

If you’d love to learn more about me and my work, you can visit my website here. I’d also love to connect with you over on Instagram - you’ll find lots of beautiful blooms and nature-inspired posts, alongside gentle business musings, reflections, and more.

Until next time…

“So we know that everything does have its season, and we are now in the season of new life, of regeneration, of hope. It’s a time of transition.” - Spring by Michael Morpurgo

I feel this quote so beautifully captures what it’s like to be in this long-awaited spring season. It doesn’t feel that long ago that I was staring out of the window into the garden wishing for the first signs of growth. Then, when those little shoots began reaching up I found myself wishing for the first buds, the first leaves, and for greens of every shade to fill the bare ground.

And now, almost as if by magic, the garden has come alive with all the colours of spring. The daffodils have been blooming for a while, the tulips are bursting open, and even the dicentra seems to have sprung to life overnight, filled with the prettiest pink hearts.

The rose bushes have shoots appearing in every direction, and on our walks we’ve seen so many beautiful camellias, a sea of wild garlic (I even spotted buds beginning to form), forget-me-nots, and multitudes of hellebore. Trees are covered in the fluffiest blossom, and there are bluebells everywhere.

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Here’s some of the beautiful blooms I’ve had the joy of capturing on my camera…

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If it’s bringing a little calm, happiness, or inspiration to your day, you can support my creative work by gifting a virtual coffee (I also love peppermint tea!) from just £3. It helps to support all that I do so much! You can find my Ko-fi page here.

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I’d love to know what flowers have made you smile recently, whether in your garden or on a walk somewhere?

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Support my work with a virtual coffee… ☕️

If you’ve enjoyed this journal entry and would like to support my creative work, you can treat me to a virtual coffee (or a delicious hot chocolate) from just £3, over on my Ko-fi page. Your support honestly means so much, and it really helps me A LOT!

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Just in case you missed it…

If you’d love to learn more about me and my work, you can visit my website here. I’d also love to connect with you over on Instagram - you’ll find lots of beautiful blooms and nature-inspired posts, alongside gentle business musings, reflections, and more.

Until next time…

Thank you so much for joining me for this brand new monthly series. I’ve been doing a little spring tidying, a bit of pruning here and there, and planting some new seeds on my Journal of Soulful Reflections, which you’ll start to see more of over the coming weeks.

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As a huge book lover, I’m so excited to create a monthly space dedicated to books! I’m always a little nosey when it comes to what other people are reading, so this felt like the perfect place to share what I’ve been enjoying, what I’m currently reading, what’s next on my pile, and a favourite from my bookshelf that I absolutely loved… and that I think you’ll love too!

If you’re looking for a bit of bookish inspiration, your next favourite read, or you simply fancy a little peek at what I’ve been reading, I really hope you enjoy this series.

I’d love to know what you’re reading too, or if there’s a book you’ve recently loved?

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One I’ve read

Spring by Michael Morpurgo is a book I actually picked up last year, but by the time I realised I hadn’t read it, we had already moved into the next season. I decided to save it for this spring and I’m so glad I did, as it’s been such a lovely read while the season is just beginning.

It’s part of a series of four books, one for each season. I read Winter by Val McDermid at the start of this year, and as far as I know, the Summer and Autumn books are not out yet.

In this book, Michael has very beautifully captured spring throughout the pages along with his own personal journey through it, and how nature is such a huge important part of his life. It’s especially so lovely as a reader to experience the season in a different part of the country, on a farm and among the woods.

“Our spirits rise daily with every bank of daffodils we see, with the sight of the darting wren building her nest by the front door, with the pied wagtails washing themselves diligently in the gutters, with the blossom of the plum tree blooming in our garden, with the garden pots full of Delft-blue hyacinths, anemones purple and white, crocus gold and lavender blue, with the tulips almost there, with the rhubarb and the spinach beginning to grow again, and the blackcurrant and gooseberry bushes bursting with new life, with fruit soon enough.”

One I’m reading

I’m really enjoying Do What You Love by Holly Tucker. I absolutely love Holly, and I also really loved watching Be Your Own Boss (which you watch over on ITV catch up)! When I first flicked through the pages, straight away I could see just how wonderfully full of goodness it is. And even though I’m only a little way in, there’s already so many tips and helpful advice along with Holly’s own personal stories and journey of running a business. I especially like how each chapter wraps up with ‘Holly’s Hacks,’ offering lovely simple steps to reflect on and take action with.

“We live in a world full of smokescreens, preconceptions, closed doors, inner monologues, depression and anxiety. But we can break free of this if we value every day and we believe we have a reason for being here. If we believe that our precious time needs to be full of purpose, we can build a life that's full of goodness. It's a cure for the soul's ailments - I'm sure of this.”

It’s definitely not just for product-based businesses, because as a service-based small business owner myself, there’s so much I’m already taking from it. This is such a gorgeous book that’s full of colour, and I really love all the lovely images throughout. It makes reading it such a joy.

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One that’s next

Angels in the Cellar by Peter Hahn is a book I picked up last year from Waterstones. It’s one of those books where the title immediately caught my eye, especially with the words “Notes from a French Vineyard.” I remember picking it up, reading the back, and told it ‘you’re coming home with me!’…

“The fields have come alive, the vines are murmuring. On the first spring mornings, I am an animal coming out of hibernation, looking around at a new world frenetic with excitement and potential abundance. Everywhere there is something new: leaves, longer shoots, new colours and flowers, grasses growing lush and taller. For two months there is luxuriant, daily change all around me.”

The description shares how Peter found himself emotionally exhausted, sitting in the back of a London cab, no longer recognising himself or the corporate world that had been asking so much of him. From there, he begins a journey back to the land, becoming a grower of vines and maker of wine on a small, ancient farm in the Loire Valley. Through the book, we’re invited to spend a year with Peter through each season.

I’m very much looking forward to reading this one.

One from the bookshelf

I think I may have shared a little about Birds as Individuals by Len Howard in a previous journal entry. It was one of those Kindle 99p finds, and I loved it so much that I ended up buying a hardback copy, along with another of her books, Living with Birds.

Len really was such an incredible and fascinating woman. I found myself completely absorbed in the beautifully unique life she created, where nature was invited right into her home. In the late 1930s, she left her life in London, where she had been working as a musician, and moved to Sussex. There, she bought a small plot of land and built a little house she called Bird Cottage.

She opened her doors to the birds in her garden which include great tits and blue tits, robins, blackbirds, willow warblers, and so many others. She went on to live the rest of her life alongside them, with some even sleeping in her bedroom and many coming and going throughout the day.

I really loved getting to know the birds she shared her home with, and how each had its own personality and individuality.

Sadly I couldn’t find a video on YouTube of Len, there is however one over on Facebook (if you have it) on the BBC Archive page, which you can watch here.

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I’d love to know if you’ve you read any of these, and if so, what did you think? Have any of these books made it onto your reading list?

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Support my work with a virtual coffee… ☕️

If you’ve enjoyed this journal entry and would like to support my creative work, you can treat me to a virtual coffee (or a delicious hot chocolate) from just £3, over on my Ko-fi page. Your support honestly means so much, and it really helps me A LOT!

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Just in case you missed it…

If you’d love to learn more about me and my work, you can visit my website here. I’d also love to connect with you over on Instagram - you’ll find lots of beautiful blooms and nature-inspired posts, alongside gentle business musings, reflections, and more.

Until next time…

If you missed last month’s Simple Joys & Inspirations, you can read it here.

Just in case this journal entry is a teeny tiny bit too long for email, you can read it in full here.

The daffodils are out in bloom, the crocuses have brought such lovely colour to the bare winter ground, and the tulips are well on their way. A few other flowers in the garden are starting to appear too, and our hyacinth is currently filling the downstairs with the most beautiful fragrance.

Our neighbour’s magnolia tree is almost ready to bloom as well - the buds have officially started turning pink. If you’ve read some of my earlier journal entries, you’ll know just how excited I am about this!

Here’s a photo (below) I took from a little spot just up the road from us that fills with a sea of crocuses every year. I’m sure there were even more this year than last! There were daffodils and snowdrops dotted amongst them too, and even a few tiny daisies peeking through.

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Here’s some little moments that have brought lots of joy and inspiration recently… (This journal entry has ended up being mostly about books - completely unintentional, but I’m very much here for it!)

A double celebration

Last week I celebrated my 36th birthday, and and I also celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary. Many of you will already know that David makes the most beautiful cakes - I definitely recommend popping over to his Instagram page!

For my birthday he made the most incredible sticky toffee pudding cake… which was perfect because I’m a big sticky toffee pudding lover. It was every bit as delicious as it sounds.

We also enjoyed a meal out at Ego - they have a great birthday voucher if you sign up to their mailing list, which is well worth knowing about!

Although it ended up being a slightly busier week than expected, we made sure to carve out some time to rest, celebrate, and enjoy both special days together.

I also shared a post over on Instagram with a few photos from our wedding and a little about how we chose to spend our day, which you can find here.

Supporting a small business

One of my absolute favourite things is supporting small businesses whenever I’m shopping for things on my list. Recently I needed a few cards for some special occasions, so I picked some up from Yellowstone Art Boutique, which is run by Hannah - and of course I couldn’t resist treating myself to one as well!

I’m a big Harry Potter fan (I’m currently re-reading the books), and I spotted a card featuring a quote from Dumbledore - one of my all-time favourite quotes. It’s now sitting on the bookshelf next to my Harry Potter collection.

I especially love the beautiful quality of the cards, and there are so many lovely designs to choose from for every occasion.

My TBR pile

I love adding new books to my already very long TBR pile and having a stack of stories and ideas waiting to be discovered.

I received a few books for my birthday last week that I’m very eager to begin reading: My Gardening Life by Mary Berry (which is already giving me so much garden inspiration), Enough by , Home by , and What’s Stopping You? by Timothy Armoo. I’d love to know if you’ve read any of these? Or perhaps they’re on your TBR pile too?

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…there’s nothing better than a fresh pile of books and a cosy moment to enjoy them!

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A beautiful tale of light

A really lovely surprise from David for my birthday was a book called The Lightbringers by . Even more special, Karin has very kindly signed it for me. Along with the book were some of Karin’s beautiful cards featuring her needle felted animals.

I’ve always loved collecting books that bring light, hope and joy, and this one feels like such a perfect addition. In a world that can feel quite turbulent at times, stories and creations like these feel so precious, and are a lovely reminder that there is still so much light to be found.

“The Earth breathes out and the Lightbringers find each other as they follow the call of the Hare to Spring.”

Pottery and books

A while back, I awoke one morning to a notification saying that I was the winner of a giveaway that I had entered – which was such a wonderful surprise, especially as it was a Denby and Blackwell’s giveaway. Definitely the best kind of giveaway: pottery and books!

I won a few pieces from Denby’s Azure collection and they’re so beautiful. We already love using Denby pottery, so it was lovely to add these to our collection.

The books were a selection of Blackwell’s favourite picks: White Moss by Anna Nerkagi, Mornings With My Cat by Mayumi Inaba, Moral Ambition by Rutger Bregman, and Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. It definitely brought a lot of joy.

I’d love to know if you’ve read any of these books, or do any of them sound like something you’d enjoy?

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What little things have been bringing you joy and inspiration recently? I’d love to hear about them.

Support my work with a virtual coffee… ☕️

If you’ve enjoyed this journal entry and would like to support my creative work, you can treat me to a virtual coffee (or a cosy hot chocolate) from just £3, over on my Ko-fi page. Your support honestly means so much, and it really helps me A LOT!

Buy me a coffee

Just in case you missed it…

If you’d love to learn more about me and my work, you can visit my website here. I’d also love to connect with you over on Instagram - you’ll find lots of beautiful blooms and nature-inspired posts, alongside gentle business musings, reflections, and more.

Until next time…

I’ve just shared a new blog post about something that’s been on my mind lately. You may have seen people talking about the idea of an “analogue year”. The desire to step away from screens and reconnect with slower, more real moments is something I completely understand.

But as someone who runs a small business, being online is also a really important part of what I do. It’s how I connect with people, share my work, and gently nurture my business.

So instead of stepping away from my devices, I’ve been thinking about how I can work with them in a way that feels calmer and more supportive.

In my latest blog post I’m sharing the small things that help me stay present online while still bringing slow living into my days - things like slower mornings, making content creation simpler, being more intentional about what I consume, and creating space for the little moments that bring joy.

If you’ve been thinking about your own balance between online life and everyday life, I really hope you enjoy reading it.

You can read the full blog post here.

Support my work with a virtual coffee… ☕️

If you’ve enjoyed this journal entry and would like to support my creative work, you can treat me to a virtual coffee (or a cosy hot chocolate) from just £3, over on my Ko-fi page. Your support honestly means so much, and it really helps me A LOT!

Buy me a coffee

Just in case you missed it…

If you’d love to learn more about me and my work, you can visit my website here. I’d also love to connect with you over on Instagram - you’ll find lots of beautiful blooms and nature-inspired posts, alongside gentle business musings, reflections, and more.

Until next time…

Just in case you missed last month’s Seasonal Musings, you can read it here.

On Monday I turned 36, and as the day approached I’d been wondering how I might weave it into this month’s Seasonal Musings - especially as it’s my first entry of the month and the closest to my birthday. It thought it felt quite fitting to reflect on the year that’s just passed, and to share a few of the reminders each season has brought with it since my last birthday.

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I had such a lovely day celebrating. One of my favourite gifts was a sweet little bee house to hang outside, which I’m so excited about. What made it more special was the timing - as I was unwrapping it, a big, sleepy bee was quite literally getting drunk on nectar in one of the daffodils in the garden. Have you spotted any bees yet? I also caught sight of a butterfly the other day too!

also surprised me with Mary Berry’s new book, My Gardening Life, which I can’t wait to get stuck into. I’m really looking forward to gathering plenty of seasonal garden inspiration in the weeks ahead. I also love that it’s filled with lots and lots of photos of beautiful blooms!

I’ve spotted more and more trees filled with pretty pink and white blossom. I’m so excited for the tulips in the garden to bud and bloom too. Their ground is beginning to fill with their luscious green leaves, and there’s still a lot more daffodils getting ready to flower.

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If it’s bringing a little calm, happiness, or inspiration to your day, you can support my creative work by gifting a virtual coffee (or a peppermint tea!) from just £3. It helps to support all that I do so much! You can find my Ko-fi page here.

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Spring

Last year, I found myself drawing so much inspiration from spring, especially in my little business. I had a few small ideas I wanted to nurture, little seeds I hoped might take root, and the feeling of a fresh season gave me the encouragement to begin.

I started planning a new website (one I would build myself) and dreaming up new offerings that felt more aligned with where I am now. I experimented with different kinds of content and I even tried to lean into imperfection instead of waiting for everything to feel perfect and ready… I can be quite a perfectionist!

Spring reminded me that beginning doesn’t have to be perfect. Sometimes the most important thing is simply starting and seeing where things grow.

…I love how great things grow from the smallest of seeds!

Summer

I love how summer gently reminds me to nurture what’s already growing - to pause, notice what’s flourishing, and soak in the beauty of the season.

This past summer, I felt especially grateful for that nudge. It reminded me to return to the little things that bring joy and nourishment like sunlight streaming through the window, laundry drying outside in the warm air, bees drifting through the lavender, meals outside, reading a book in the garden with the sun on my skin, and time spent in the quiet and coolness of the night with a sky full of stars.

It was also the season when the small seeds I planted in spring began to grow. Ideas started taking root, plans felt so much more real, and I could see gentle progress through what was beautifully coming together.

Summer has reminded me how good it feels to celebrate the things that are actually happening right now - the little wins, the small joys, and all the pieces that make life feel full in the simplest ways.

Autumn

For me, autumn felt very much like a season of change. It felt the right time to gather what had already been planted and make space for something new to take root. It was also a season for reflection. I noticed this most of all here on Substack. As my business continued to grow and take on new roots, I wanted the same for this little corner too, especially as it’s a lovely extension of my small business, Clementine Rose.

Autumn also inspired me to look at what was no longer serving me, to think about what I wanted to let go of, and to consider what might be standing in the way of new growth. It felt like the perfect time to release a few things and make room for what I hope would flourish in the months to come.

Autumn reminded me how important it is to pause and take stock, to notice what’s working, what feels right, and what I might want to let go of. It showed me that releasing a few things isn’t a loss, but a way to make space for what’s next.

Winter

I’ve actually shared quite a few reflections here on Substack over the winter months. Last year, I wrote about wanting to make peace with winter and to reinvent my relationship with the season. Instead of wishing it away, I wanted to welcome it with open arms and to look for the beauty within it and perhaps even learn to like it.

This winter I found myself leaning into the quieter side of the season a little more. Taking inspiration from winter, I allowed things to slow down, do more of the things that bring light into my days (which is definitely very much needed during the darker and colder months), and tried to appreciate the renewal that winter can bring. I let the days feel more gentler, which felt like exactly what I needed.

I love how winter reminded me that slowing down isn’t something to resist. Sometimes it’s exactly what we need - a time to rest and recharge, and return to things feeling a bit more refreshed.

Looking back over the past year, what’s one thing each season has taught you?

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If you’d love some seasonal inspiration, you can grab a copy of both my digital marketing workbooks for just £39 - a lovely way to begin spring!

They’re nature and seasonal-inspired, filled with beautiful blooms, gentle reflections, and plenty of guidance to help simplify and support your digital marketing journey through spring, summer, autumn and winter.

You can find my workbook bundle here.

I help makers & creators gently simplify their digital marketing, so it feels lighter, less overwhelming and more in tune with you… with lots of nature and seasonal inspiration sprinkled in too!

Support my work with a virtual coffee… ☕️

If you’ve enjoyed this journal entry and would like to support my creative work, you can treat me to a virtual coffee (or a cosy hot chocolate) from just £3, over on my Ko-fi page. Your support honestly means so much, and it really helps me A LOT!

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Just in case you missed it…

If you’d love to learn more about me and my work, you can visit my website here. I’d also love to connect with you over on Instagram - you’ll find lots of beautiful blooms and nature-inspired posts, alongside gentle business musings, reflections, and more.

Until next time…

Just in case you missed last month’s Slow Notes, you can read it here.

This week, I thought I’d share a little more of my journey of learning to live more simply…

I think had a bit of a shock when he entered my bedroom (back in my hometown) for the first time!

Being totally honest, I was a bit of a hoarder! Under my bed were books, books, and more books. There were books stacked under my desk too! And more books dotted around various other places where I could fit them in. I also had A LOT of clothes - clothes that probably hadn’t seen daylight in a very long time. And more socks than one person can wear in a year! I also had clothes that no longer fit, clothes I was saving for when I lost that bit more weight, and clothes I had no intention of wearing again but kept them for ‘just in case’.

…There were even piles of shoes that I had collected but had never worn yet, or would never wear, and shoes I had kept for special occasions - which again, hadn’t seen daylight in a very long time, and I had absolutely no intention of wearing again, particularly the high heels, where each time I had attempted to wear them, I would almost fall over (or actually fall over). The last time I wore heels was for my 30th birthday party (they weren’t even very high) and I half fell over outside on my way to the toilets, and came back in with a bloodied leg.

In my journey of learning to living more simply, I think I’ve done a pretty good job of simplifying my wardrobe and my collection of books, along with plenty of other things too. I like to think that you can never have too many books, but in my case, I felt quite overwhelmed by them. Mostly because they were books I’d collected years ago and I just knew deep down that I was never going to read them (or re-read).

My wardrobe now consists of just a few items of clothing. I even said to David the other day that this is the least amount of clothes I’ve ever owned! But there’s still one area which I really want to simplify. I did make a start but it feels like there’s still just as much - and that’s my jewellery collection. We were watching ’s new YouTube video the other day on jewellery, and it’s definitely inspired me to revisit this area again.

I’ve found it incredibly hard to part with things (even a broken mug), especially when you can remember exactly where they came from and who gave you them. But at the same time (this goes for all materialistic items), sometimes there’s just so much that you just never end up wearing or using them. And that’s exactly what has happened for me. So I’ve given myself a gentle mission over the coming months, which I’ve chosen to accept, and it’s to get my jewellery down to a much simpler amount, and for it to fit in a smaller jewellery box which I can keep close, meaning I’m much more likely to wear what I’ve got.

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I must also say, that in my journey of living more slowly and simply, I’ve become so much more aware of choosing quality and story over mass produced. Some may say that this can end up being more expensive, and going back a few years ago I would have said the same. But in my own personal experience, I’ve found it to be the complete opposite. I’ve found that I’m actually saving money, and by choosing quality I find that items, particularly my clothes, last so much longer. And by just having a few items of clothing, it’s made me so much more appreciative of them and I really enjoy wearing them. It’s also why my more recent pieces of jewellery have been much more carefully chosen. I’m choosing quality, but I’m also choosing less.

…All of this even weaves into the food I eat - something that I wrote a little about here.

“I had always been stuck in the cycle of wanting more, buying more, and then needing more money. The ban uncovered the truth, which was that when you decide to want less, you can buy less and, ultimately, need less money.” The Year of Less by .

So, I thought I’d share with you a few pieces of my jewellery that are so special to me and the story and meaning behind them, and to offer a little inspiration too…

My engagement and wedding rings

When it came to choosing our wedding rings, we did look at different options, we even popped into a jewellers in town, but when the shop assistant got out a display of rings we automatically knew that we wanted something more bespoke and unique, something with a story and meaning. Don’t get me wrong, they were lovely, but we wasn’t feeling very inspired by them.

My engagement ring was beautifully made by Alice Stewart, whose jewellery is wonderfully unique, bespoke, handmade, and is inspired by nature and the changing seasons, and contains ethically sourced materials. David chose a beautiful birch twig design. So it completely made sense to have Alice make our wedding rings too. Plus we wanted to keep it simple and so that both rings beautifully matched. So Alice made us two stunning birch twig wedding rings, and she made mine to perfectly fit next to my engagement ring.

My turtle dove necklace

This dove necklace, which David gave me, was also beautifully made by Alice. We loved the story behind her jewellery so much, and as we had already experienced first-hand, the quality of her jewellery is just so incredible and amazing.

“Fond memories of hearing the graceful turtle dove singing amongst the trees on warm summer days, inspired this delicate turtle dove necklace… The iconic turtle dove is a symbol of devotion.” - Alice

My Flower ring

This ring actually belonged to my nan. I don’t know where it was from or the story behind it (although I like to think it has a lovely story now), but it had a stone missing from it and was very tarnished. After my nan had died, it had been left unwanted with some other items, so I brought it back home with me and took it to jewellers to get the stone replaced, which they beautifully did, along with giving it a much needed clean. When I picked it up, it looked like a completely different ring. They did such an amazing job. I’m so pleased that I chose to bring it home with me, and I know that my nan would be so pleased too.

We did also take it to a jewellers here in Lichfield who very kindly looked at it for me, and it turns out the stone in the middle is an Australian sapphire, which was a lovely surprise. It’s not a super old ring, but I’m so happy I was able to get it to its former glory, and it’s such a joy to wear, and knowing that it belonged to my nan makes it so much more special.

I love that learning to live more simply has brought so much gratitude, mindfulness, awareness, discovery and alignment to my daily life, while challenging me in the best possible way to make meaningful decisions that create such a positive change.

Is there a small area of your life right now that you feel gently called to simplify? Can you relate to holding on to things for “just in case,” even when you know deep down you no longer need them?

Support my work with a virtual coffee… ☕️

If you’ve enjoyed this journal entry and feel called to support my creative work, you can treat me to a virtual coffee (or a cosy hot chocolate) from just £3, over on my Ko-fi page. Your support honestly means so much, and it really helps me A LOT!

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Just in case you missed it…

If you’d love to learn more about me and my work, you can visit my website here. I’d also love to connect with you over on Instagram - you’ll find lots of beautiful blooms and nature-inspired posts, alongside gentle business musings, reflections, and more.

Until next time!

Just in case you missed last month’s, you can read it here.

I love how sometimes the smallest steps are the ones that change everything.

We recently spotted the very first crocuses popping up in our garden. I’ve been eagerly on the lookout for them, and it turns out they decided now was the perfect time! Although at first they don’t look like much, I love that they soon fill the bare ground with so much colour.

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Something I’ve been leaning into more and more since the start of the year is the power of tiny actions. Small, simple steps, and the kind that feel easy, manageable, and supportive, and yet somehow add up to something much bigger all on their own.

You just know I love sharing a little bit of nature’s wisdom…

Just like the crocuses, as they begin to appear they’re only little green shoots pushing through the soil, but before long they fill those bare patches of earth with bright bursts of colour - a lovely sign of all the growth that’s still to come.

At the start of the year, I wrote here, in my Journal of Soulful Reflections, that I’m not really one for New Year’s resolutions. I much prefer the idea that every season, not just January, can provide an invitation for change, growth, rest, and renewal. That taking small steps towards what feels nourishing is more than enough, and that there’s no rush, and just a gentle noticing of what brings light and meaning into our days. It’s something I’ve been weaving into both my life and my work.

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I’m currently reading The Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett (highly recommend!), and the section I’m in right now (at the time of writing this) is all about the small things - the tiny seeds we choose to plant today.

“…It’s not about making big leaps forward, but rather making small things better, in small ways, everywhere you can, on a daily basis.”

He also shares this perspective:

“The smallest seeds of today’s negligence will bloom into tomorrow’s biggest regrets.”

Those little seeds sure are mighty! Those tiny shoots pushing up through the ground, the buds forming on the trees, all the signs of new growth, just imagine what they’ll look like soon.

So I suppose my gentle message today is this: keep going with the small steps. The consistent, everyday things that don’t always look impressive at first, but create the most beautiful, lasting results. It’s actually one of my very favourite things to support my lovely clients with - helping them discover the small steps they can take now so they can beautifully bloom and flourish.

If you’re craving a little inspiration, here are some of the small things I’ve been doing in my own business lately. They’re simple things, but they’ve brought such lovely, rewarding results, and most importantly they’ve made the process feel joyful, manageable, and free from overwhelm.

One small question I’ve asking myself is:
“What small things can I do today to make things feel better and easier tomorrow?”

That one question alone has honestly helped so much!

For example, I created a simple content template in Canva that reflects my branding and style. Now, when I sit down to create, I’m not starting from scratch. It saves time, preserves my energy, and makes the whole process feel lighter.

I’ve also stopped pressuring myself to write long-form content in one sitting. Instead, I use small pockets of time throughout the day to write a little at a time. It removes the overwhelm, and interestingly I often finish faster because I’m not forcing it!

I also like to draft ideas in my notes app or on Notion as they come to me. I like to choose maybe just three priorities instead of ten, and I love repurposing one piece of content into two instead. I’ve also found it so helpful choosing just two platforms to focus on well, instead of trying to show up everywhere.

“What’s one small step I can take today?” Begin there, keep it simple, and allow it to grow from that lovely little starting point.

If you’d love some gentle encouragement, shared a beautiful post last year on stepping stones, and I definitely think you’re going to enjoy it…

Rediscover · Reconnect · Re-Emerge

Inspirations & Connections | XIII. Stepping Stones

Welcome to Rediscover · Reconnect · Re-Emerge. If you find the fleeting changes of modern life wearisome, maybe even overwhelming, join me on a journey, a path well-trodden, as I share heartfelt and often nostalgic reflections on living slowly, simply, and in tune with the seasons…

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a year ago · 28 likes · 15 comments · David Barton

Is there one small, manageable step you could take this week that would make your days feel a little lighter, calmer, or more supported?

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My Reflect & Recharge workbook was created for moments exactly like this.

It’s a 57-page journey through the seasons, helping you align your marketing with the natural rhythms of the changing seasons. Inside you’ll find gentle actionable steps, prompts, and seasonal reflections to support you all year-round.

…I also have a very special offer where you can get copies of both my Reflect & Recharge and Reflect & Nurture workbooks for you just £39! You can visit my online shop here.

Support my work with a virtual coffee… ☕️

If you’ve enjoyed this journal entry and feel called to support my creative work, you can treat me to a virtual coffee (or a cosy hot chocolate) from just £3, over on my Ko-fi page. Your support honestly means so much, and it really helps me A LOT!

Buy me a coffee

Just in case you missed it…

If you’d love to learn more about me and my work, you can visit my website here. I’d also love to connect with you over on Instagram - you’ll find lots of beautiful blooms, nature and seasonal-inspired posts, alongside gentle business musings, reflections, and more.

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Until next time…

If you missed last month’s Simple Joys & Inspirations, you can read it here.

Just in case this journal entry is a teeny tiny bit too long for email, you can read it in full here.

It’s been such a joy to see more and more green shoots emerging from the ground. We have a few daffodil buds in our garden that are just about to burst open into flower. The crocuses have also magically appeared over the weekend, and even the rose bushes seem eager now we’re getting even closer to spring. Mr and Mrs Robin have been making frequent appearances together in the garden… they do love their meal worms! They always know when I’ve got the bag out, and fly straight down to meet me to get the first pickings.

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Here’s some little moments that have brought lots of joy and inspiration recently…

Winter: The Story of a Season by Val McDermid

This book has been a lovely companion this winter. Its words illuminate the darker, colder months, capturing how the season invites rest, recuperation, and creativity, while encouraging us to seek out the quiet, and sometimes invigorating, moments that can only be found in winter. I love that it’s an easy but very cosy read. Perfect for days when it’s a bit too cold, wet or slippery to venture outside!

If you feel this is a book that you’d love to read too, has written a post all about it, which you can find here. We didn’t actually realise until reading, that it’s also part of a series of books about the seasons, written by some of Britain’s most celebrated fiction writers. As it turns out, we’ve actually got the Spring one on our bookshelf, so I’m very much looking forward to reading it next.

I’d love to know if you’ve read this book too?

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Sharing my journey

I feel very honoured to have featured in two amazing Substack publications already this month. has featured me in his beautiful Slow Spotlight series, and has very kindly featured me in her wonderful Whispers of Inner Power series. How exciting! If you’d love to read them, you can find them here…

Rediscover · Reconnect · Re-Emerge

Slow Spotlight: Clementine Rose on Healing in Rhythm with Nature

In this Slow Spotlight Clementine Barton reflects on learning to walk through life at a gentler pace, and on how living slowly, simply, and seasonally has helped her reconnect with nature, notice the quiet rhythms of each day, and find healing along the way…

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4 months ago · 10 likes · 2 comments · David Barton and Clementine Barton

Whispers of Inner Power

slow marketing that follows nature’s rhythm

Helloo, I’m Jessica, soulful coach, copywriter & content strategist for highly sensitives & introverts. This is Whispers of Inner Power, where you’ll find tools to help you build a slow and sustainable business, one that feels like home…

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4 months ago · 4 likes · 2 comments · Jessica Tefenkgi Ruelle and Clementine Barton

A Youtube favourite

and I have really been enjoying watching ’s videos over on YouTube. They’re so lovely and calming, and it’s such a joy journeying along with her throughout the day. Plus Charlie’s recipes literally make my mouth water!

I’ve become much more conscious of what I consume on YouTube. I think it’s especially important now to choose content that lifts us up - content that offers a calm, nourishing and enjoyable space, and leaves you feeling inspired and encouraged, and feeling genuinely good.

Enjoying this journal entry? ☕️

If it’s bringing a little calm, happiness, or inspiration to your day, you can support my creative work by gifting a virtual coffee (or a peppermint tea!) from just £3. It helps to support all that I do so much! You can find my Ko-fi page here.

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A charity shop find

One of my favourite things to do in town, or anywhere I happen to find one, is have a browse around the charity shops. I especially love when you stumble across an item that’s been on your wish list, or something you’ve been eyeing up online, and then find it sitting right there on the shelf when you least expect it.

I’m a big fan of Katie Piper, so I was really happy to come across her book A Little Bit of Faith in one of our local charity shops. I nearly walked straight past the book section in this particular shop, but then I spotted the beautiful colours and Katie’s name on the spine, and realised it was a book I’d been looking at online. Inside, there’s a lovely page for each day of the year, filled with faith and hope-inspired affirmations.

Here’s a little snippet from today’s page, for anyone who might need to read this:

“Sometimes you have to let go of the past with acceptance, value the present with gratitude and anticipate the future with hope.”

Snail mail

There will always be something so special about receiving a handwritten card, and honestly, nothing compares. I have a little box filled with handwritten letters and cards that have been sent to me (mostly all from David!), and they’re the kinds of things I’ll forever keep close. It’s so personal, and knowing that someone has taken the time to choose a card and beautifully write it brings such a happy, warm feeling… the best.

And that’s exactly how we felt when we received a beautiful postcard through the letterbox all the way from Australia, from . It completely made our day, and we’re so excited to send one back.

A cosy and cuddly read

We were also treated to another wonderful surprise all the way from Australia. David’s lovely cousin, who I had the absolute pleasure of meeting last year, very kindly sent us the most thoughtful gifts. Inside was a handwritten card for David and me, where she mentioned a book we’d once chatted about, one that had been on my list, along with the words, “the bunny will make for cosy reading.”

Tucked inside the parcel was that very book (The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams), along with the cutest pink bunny, who I’ve named Petal. It’s little things like this that really do mean the most.

Which simple joys are you most grateful for this month?

Support my work with a virtual coffee… ☕️

If you’ve enjoyed this journal entry and feel called to support my creative work, you can treat me to a virtual coffee (or a cosy hot chocolate) from just £3, over on my Ko-fi page. Your support honestly means so much, and it really helps me A LOT!

Buy me a coffee

Just in case you missed it…

If you’d love to learn more about me and my work, you can visit my website here. I’d also love to connect with you over on Instagram - you’ll find lots of beautiful blooms and nature-inspired posts, alongside gentle business musings, reflections, and more.

Until next time…