My gardening year

I wanted to document my gardening year. It’s a little late in the year for this post I know. I normally write up a post at the beginning of summer, but the year has flown by and here we are, already into October.

I can’t believe I have been living in the house for nearly four years. Originally, the garden was a general two slabs of lawn with a concrete path running through the middle.

It’s a small garden, completely decked now with just potted plants that I have nurtured, grown on and loved these last few years. This year I wanted to add some new additions to the garden. So here is the update.

My gardening year still has a couple of outfit shots that I want to share with you

Of course, it wouldn’t be a regular post without an outfit or two would it? The dress above has to be one of my most worn during this summer. I only recently realised that it hasn’t been featured here on the blog yet. I’ve been seen wearing it loads on my YouTube channel and socials.

This broderie anglais dress is from Damart. It is a beautiful dress that ticks all the boxes for me. Shirt dress design ( my favourite ) that is feminine but not too frilly for my age bracket. A tie belt and three-quarter sleeves.

The dress is on sale now, I’m pretty sure, but that’s what I like about this classic style of dress. It will never date and I will enjoy wearing it for years to come

This gardening year I fell in love with Cosmos

This is the first year that I bought Cosmos. Yes, even I’m wondering why not! These beautiful delicate flowers brought me a lot of joy and I will have them again, even more of than this year.

I love having my morning cuppa in the garden, deadheading any plants that need it and I find this so therapeutic. I kept the Cosmos going by religiously deadheading them, they are still making an appearance now in our mild October temperatures.

I concentrated on lighting in the garden

I wanted to light the garden a little in the evenings. We’ve had many BBQs or family roast dinners in the garden this year that have carried on into the late evening. These lights were gifted to me along with some beautiful solar fairy lights for my large Olive tree from Lights For Fun. I recommend that you pop over to see what Lights For Fun has to offer, especially with Christmas coming up.

I tried to get a photo of the fairy lights in the evening time but I found it difficult! They look so lovely as well. I’m really pleased with them.

I had some birthday money burning a hole in my pocket and I decided to buy a solar-powered umbrella. I call it my flying saucer! I found the umbrella in The Range (now on sale ) and it covers all of the seating area. I wanted a large umbrella so that I could sit out in the garden and edit on my laptop. It has made a huge difference for that, plus the extra lighting for when friends or family are visiting.

I repotted two huge plant pots and found an ant nest!

I have two of these tall planters on either end of the garden sofa, they did have small olive trees in them, one that I thought looked unwell.

I also decided that I wanted to change these planters for potting up seasonal flowers, pots that I could change on a whim if you like. When I took out one of the olive trees I discovered an ant nest, eggs, the full works! No wonder the olive tree didn’t look well.

I left the tree alone, laying on the decking for a couple of days and all the ants dispersed thank goodness. the olive tree, re-planted looks a lot happier too.

I have a discount code for Cyberjammies!

I’ve enjoyed wearing my Cyberjammies all through the summer. I shared my pyjamas with you earlier in the year, but not this gorgeous dressing gown. I’ve just ordered a couple of pairs of Cyberjammies for the winter so that I’m ready for those cosy nights in and I thought I’d remind you of the discount code that I have running constantly. So, if you want to buy later, come back to this post and the discount will still be here.

Get 10% off any Cyberjammies order with the code VANITY_AND_ME

I had a little play with tablescaping

I collected some bits and pieces for tablescaping. Nothing too elaborate and done on the cheap. I bought cushions and a tablecloth from H&M. Napkins from TK Maxx and the little set of three vases and placemats from Amazon. The cushion covers were £9.99 an absolute bargain! I also purchased some cushion pads from Dunelm at a good price too. I’m pleased with my first result and I look forward to collecting different themes for the table.

Shop The Look

Before I go, please let me know what your favourite annual plants/flowers are. I need some ideas for next year!

Please be aware that there are affiliate links included in this post at no cost to you if they are clicked on

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XO LAURIE