Just as I was settling in to my ‘al fresco office’ (aka under the parasol on the terrace) to enjoy another cloud-less summer’s day, this email landed in my inbox and immediately had me hankering after smoky, grey autumn days, conkers, bonfires, misty mornings, damp earth and fallen leaves… Diptyque…
CF Eats: Friska, Bristol
You know you’ve got it bad when you start planning what you’re going to eat at a place, a full 24 hours before you get there. I started a new job in Bristol this spring, as Online Editor for a brilliant new health and wellbeing brand (frustratingly top secret at…
CF Travel Guide: Naples and the Amalfi Coast
Spending nearly a decade with a man from Southern Italy kinda rubs off on a girl. Namely a true and unwavering love for refined carbs, good coffee and gelato (spaghetti alle vongole! Pizza marinara! gjanduja!) – unfortunately he won’t let me share with you his family’s recipes (something about swimming…
CF Review: Christchurch Harbour Hotel and Spa, Christchurch, Dorset UK
So, we did it. A full 24-hours away from Country Bebe, holed up like a pair of giddy newlyweds in the Christchurch Harbour Hotel and Spa on the water’s edge in Dorset. CB was dispatched to his grandparents in Somerset and, after a minor wobble from us (CB had the…
Treasured possessions: my ceramics collection – Royal Doulton, Denby and Hornsea
So, I thought another installment was due in the ‘treasured possessions’ series (here’s the first, and the second); a little collection of posts about some of my most valued (note, not valuable) items I own, in a bid to counteract the blog tendency to be about the new and shiny.…
The onesie for grown-ups – from the Toast 80% off archive sale
Yes, you heard. I’ve bought a onesie. But a beautiful one(sie) from Toast, courtesy of their incredible 80% off archive sale. It was £25, instead of £90! I’m imagining it with some black Jackie O shades, floppy sunhat and my black Pierre Hardy for Gap sandals as a chic beach…
Kobo Glo e-reader – full review
I promised that I would come back to you with a full functionality review of the Kobo Glo e-reader I mentioned earlier this month. After reading it in 30 degree heat on the beach in Cornwall, as well as at night in bed, I can safely say it reads beautifully.…
CF Travels – A weekend at the Christchurch Harbour Hotel & Spa
This weekend we’re off again. This time we’re going right to Somerset and Dorset, instead of left to Cornwall. First stop is the parents-in-laws’ beautiful village near Yeovil in Somerset. It’s like the set of a Richard Curtis film it’s so British: We are spending a couple of days lolling…
NEWS! Countryfille.com guest blogging at Sheerluxe.com
Exciting news! I’m going to be doing a series of guest blogs throughout August on the inimitable stylish luxury lifestyle site, Sheerluxe.com. As a long-term reader, I’m tickled pink to be contributing – if you don’t know the site it is a carefully edited, sleek e-zine featuring high-street and high-end…
Countryfille.com for Hospicare Exeter
You may have noticed a new link on the right hand menu: Today I set up a JustGiving page: the Mark Williams Memorial Fund. My daddy was a tireless campaigner (namely for improving Dementia services in the South West) and chairman of a number of committees that spearheaded advances in…
Stopping and smelling the flowers…
If the last few months have taught me anything, its to stop and smell the flowers. On which note, has anyone noticed how amazing it is outside? Instead of moaning on Twitter about the intolerable heat, I have spent the last few days letting my body relax in the warmth…
Skincare routine for a heatwave
I don’t know about you, but I’m melting. Just as I turn to facial oils in the winter to boost my skin, in these temperatures I tweak my skincare routine to incorporate super light-weight and hydrating formulas – these are some of my favourites. Bioderma Sebium micellar water – full…