It’s not too late to sow sweet peas - so easy to It’s not too late to sow sweet peas - so easy to grow and blissfully fragrant in the summer months. 
They were my mum’s favourite flower, so growing them now feels like a precious connection. Especially when I pick some and arrange them in her beautiful old blue and gold jug just as she used to do with the sweet peas my dad grew for her every year.
There are some really handy tips for growing success from founder of The Real Flower Company Rosebie Morton over on the blog (link in bio). Rosebie has a whole farm dedicated to sweet peas near Chichester so she knows a thing or two about the subject!
Main thing I’ve picked up from her is to allow lots of depth for root growth at this stage and to make my own supportive wigwams from twiggy branches when the plants are really starting to go for it and need a bit of direction. This photo is making me yearn slightly.
I love this image of my friend Jo - we were trying I love this image of my friend Jo - we were trying out tiny living for a feature I was writing - this was taken on our way to indulge in a spot of forest bathing. To be totally honest, we were both a little sceptical beforehand. But we were only saying the other day how taken aback we both were by the amazing effect it had. I’m working on some new ideas around the subject - will keep you posted. X
I’m currently working on a redesign of the whole I’m currently working on a redesign of the whole site - which has meant lots of photo editing and reorganising so much content. What’s been lovely (despite the claw hand from so much keyboard work!) is revisiting work and becoming engrossed all over again. I thought I’d share a few of the things I’ve been (re) loving - with links in the bio to the old site for now, but not for long…! X
This  image is from a feature about preserving garden roses. I’m going to give this a really good go this year, now I have a better idea what I’m doing. I know there’s nothing quite like a fragrant fresh rose in Summer but there’s a fragile beauty to dried and preserved flowers that I also love, don’t you?
Snowdrops 🌱🤍 . . . . . . #capturequiet #ins Snowdrops 🌱🤍 
.
.
.
.
.
.
#capturequiet #instabritain #natureandnourish #thewildernesstonic #cornersofmyworld
Signed copies of Bex Partridge’s new book Flower Signed copies of Bex Partridge’s new book Flowers Forever to be won! My bio has the link to enter as well as to get a peek inside. Beautifully photographed by Laura Edwards, I really enjoyed escaping into the pages and making plans for my own garden - hope you do too! X
To the Moon and Back Hares KNITTING PATTERN by Cla To the Moon and Back Hares KNITTING PATTERN by Claire Garland aka @dotpebbles_knits has to be the perfect post Christmas craft project 😊 
If you fancy getting your needles out to make this adorable pair, the link to buy Claire’s pattern is in my bio. Happy knitting! X
Thank you so much to Sarah @floribundaroseflorists Thank you so much to Sarah @floribundaroseflorists for a wonderful wreath making workshop yesterday. Such a special and creative space to spend time. I loved making my wreath - I went for a mixture of greenery arranged quite randomly with red waxed fresh apples, dried hydrangea, dried flowers, poppy and nigella seed heads and a winter white velvet bow. 
There were so many wonderful ingredients to choose from we were really spoiled for choice. 
Sarah’s new studio is such a beautiful, creative space. Think fragrant botanical candles flickering everywhere, mulled wine and apple juice simmering on the stove and containers full of fragrant festive greenery, waxed fruit, dried flowers and oranges, pine cones, lichen covered branches and even tiny gold wax-dipped fresh crab apples. 
Thank you for being so patient with my lengthy ribbon choice deliberations Sarah - and for bagging up a second choice option (dusky pink) to take home! X.  #wreathmaking #wreath #wreathsofinstagram #sustainablewreaths #wreathdecor #christmaswreath #velvetribbon #christmasdecor #festiveflowers
I’ve loved Olga Prinku’s work for ages now - s I’ve loved Olga Prinku’s work for ages now - she came up with the genius idea of embroidering on tulle using nature as her thread - and the results are sublime - like this Autumn colours beauty from her latest book.
I’m delighted that Olga is offering a fantastic prize bundle to my readers. For a chance to win one of her beautiful new dried flower embroidery kits (in collaboration with @driedandfloral ) as well as a signed copy of her wonderful new book(published by @quadrillebooks , pop over to my blog (link in my bio). It’s easy to enter so why don’t you give yourself a chance of winning this very lovely prize? Good luck! 
#driedflowers #driedflowerembroidery #olgaprinku #embroideryhoop #flowerembroidery #competitiontime #signedbooks #embroideryart #flowersontulle #autumn #autumncolours #hoopart #allthingsbotanical #instacraft
This beautiful image is by Laura Pashby @circleofp This beautiful image is by Laura Pashby @circleofpines and is from her beautiful new book Little Stories of Your Life. 
It’s packed with inspiration and practical ideas to help you become a visual story teller. Because, as Laura says, it’s the little moments that make up the fabric of all of our lives - and those moments are worth capturing and sharing with others.
We have three signed copies of the book to give away - just click the link in my bio to find out more. There’s a peek inside and a lovely film by @xantheb to enjoy too! X 
#littlemoments #littlestoriesbook #alifeofwords #lostinwords #competition #booksarelife #mindfulphotography #bookstagram #booksmakemehappy #booksconnectus #igreads #whatareyoureading #signedbooks
Thanks to Lisa from @inthemaking_aprons who has sh Thanks to Lisa from @inthemaking_aprons who has shared her wonderfully creative ideas for visibly mending well-loved clothing in need of repair and a little TLC.
She had me at ‘sometimes I like to use giant sequins…’ 
Hope you like Lisa’s ideas as much as I do. The link to head over to my blog and get all her step by steps is in my bio x
  • LIFESTYLE
  • MEET
  • MAKE
    • KNITTING
    • CROCHET
    • Sewing
    • FABRIC CRAFT
    • FELTING
    • Craft
    • Christmas craft
    • VIDEO TUTORIALS
    • Recipes
  • FLOWERS
    • FLOWERS
    • Dried flowers
    • GARDENING
    • WREATH MAKING
  • Home
  • About
  • Features
  • Shop
  • Directory
  • Contact
  • Join

From Britain with Love

Sustainably Made in Britain

  • Home
  • About
  • Features
  • Shop
  • Directory
    • Makers
    • Workshops
  • Contact
  • Join

MEET · December 21, 2017

Slow Living in Snowdonia with Kayte of Simple and Season

Settle back with a cup of tea and enjoy reading about slow living in Snowdonia with Kayte of Simple and Season. We first came across Kayte Ferris  via her Simple and Season page on Instagram. It’s such a beautiful and atmospheric album of her new, more soulful life in Wales and so we followed – and fell a little bit in love with her dream and lifestyle. A creative business coach and marketing mentor, as well as blogger and writer, Kayte sets out to help her clients to create the simpler, soulful lifestyle they crave. We wanted to know more about Kayte and her cosy life in Snowdonia, so we asked her to share a little of her story. Here’s an insight into her take on slow living – as well as some tips for achieving a more soulful lifestyle – even if you live nowhere near a welsh mountain or rushing stream…. 

Meet creative business coach, marketing mentor and blogger Simple and Season Kayte Ferris. She shares a little of the story behind her slow living lifestyle in Snowdonia as well as tips for achieving a more soulful lifestyle wherever you live

What prompted your move to Snowdonia and when/how did it happen?

My boyfriend grew up in Shropshire and would holiday here as a child every single year, so he knows the place like he grew up here –the quiet, tucked away waterfalls, the best beaches and the mountain paths. Naturally he brought me here for our first weekend away together, and we’ve kept coming back ever since.

Earlier this year, while on one such holiday, he ended up having an interview and being offered a job as Head Chef at a local hotel. I was eager to leave my job to set up my business, as well as to move out of the commuter belt into an area that was slower (and also much cheaper). So it was almost as though the planets aligned to give us both the opportunity to follow our career dreams in a place that we loved.

Slow living in Snowdonia. Meet creative business coach, marketing mentor and blogger Simple and Season Kayte Ferris. She shares a little of the story behind her slow living lifestyle in Snowdonia as well as tips for achieving a more soulful lifestyle wherever you live

How did it feel when you first settled there, compared to where you’d lived before?

Having always come here on holiday, it took a long time to shake that holiday feeling – it felt strange to cook a meal in our own kitchen rather than go have fish and chips on the beach! Particularly as I moved here in August, it was slightly weird having Dan go off to work every day and not take me off exploring in the woods.

Slow living in snowdonia wales. Meet creative business coach, marketing mentor and blogger Simple and Season Kayte Ferris. She shares a little of the story behind her slow living lifestyle in Snowdonia as well as tips for achieving a more soulful lifestyle wherever you live

Where we lived before wasn’t exactly the Big Smoke, but it was a large commuter town less than an hour away from London. Very quickly I began to realise how much more isolated we were here – in our old house the Tesco superstore was 3 minutes up the road; now I have to travel 25 miles to go to one. The nearest train station is a request stop on a single track line that only goes to Birmngham, 3 hours away, we you have to change to go anywhere else. So now, a trip to London will take over 6 hours! But I rather like this isolation, and I’ve found that it makes you appreciate what’s around you, but also make special plans and do more when you do leave the area.

love this little welsh chapel. Slow living in snowdonia wales. Meet creative business coach, marketing mentor and blogger Simple and Season Kayte Ferris. She shares a little of the story behind her slow living lifestyle in Snowdonia as well as tips for achieving a more soulful lifestyle wherever you live

What is it about the Slow Living philosophy that appeals to you and why?

I first started reading about simpler living about 18 months ago, in a period where I was seeking more meaning in my life. I was working a 9-5 job, sitting in front of the TV all night, then going to bed, and that was all my life was. I wanted more intention, more creativity, more purpose, and I found that in slow living blogging.

I’ve always found consumerism a little uncomfortable (a very contradictory thing for a marketer to say, I realise!). I’ve never been into buying stuff; I’m not into trends, gadgets or having the latest thing – it’s never been important to me. Add to that my concerns about the wastefulness of our culture, as well as my love for all things handmade and indie, simple living came naturally to me, and slipped onto my life as easily as an old glove.

Slow living in snowdonia wales. meet creative business coach, marketing mentor and blogger Simple and Season Kayte Ferris. She shares a little of the story behind her slow living lifestyle in Snowdonia as well as tips for achieving a more soulful lifestyle wherever you live

Now you’re living it for real, what would you say is the key to living the slow lifestyle?

To accept that there is no one ‘correct’ slow lifestyle! I’ve written on my blog about these impossible standards that seem to be holding up the slow living movement, especially on Instagram. I see images of fresh apple pies and knitting by candlelight with a hot cocoa and it makes me feel like a bit of a fraud, that I’m not slow living ‘properly’.

All this perfection we see around slow living can be very off-putting, and I definitely fell out of love with it a bit over the summer. While I was setting up my business, of course I didn’t have time to be slow roasting things and baking sourdough everyday! So for me, I went back to the heart of why I set up Simple & Season in the first place – to help people with busy lives bring parts of that slow lifestyle in. Whether it’s taking a walk without looking at your phone, or taking half an hour to really enjoy your breakfast, it’s the little things that are important.

Unless you’re really lucky and live on a self-sustaining farm, we can’t block modernity and all its pressures out of our lives – we still have to work, to see friends, have responsibilities that prey on our time. The key to slow living, for me, is to recognise that and make small steps to balance it out in a way that is meaningful to you.

Love this shot of grey stones and hands in clear river water. Slow living in Snowdonia, wales. Meet creative business coach, marketing mentor and blogger Simple and Season Kayte Ferris. She shares a little of the story behind her slow living lifestyle in Snowdonia as well as tips for achieving a more soulful lifestyle wherever you live

How can we all add slow living benefits to our life, no matter where we live or how busy we are?

For me, it’s down to the individual – what is most important to you? Perhaps it’s food, perhaps it’s the outdoors, perhaps it’s crafts. Find what it is about slow living that is most important to you and focus on that one thing, rather than try to do everything.

Slow living interiors in Snowdonia - click through for more ideas and tips on living the slow lifestyle wherever you are

So maybe you make the time to cook a meal from scratch on a Sunday, taking 6 hours to roast some meat from a local farmer and foraging for some herbs to go with it. Or maybe you batch cook some delicious soups using seasonal ingredients every week. Maybe you make time to read a chapter of a book three times a week, or set yourself up a cosy corner that’s just for crafting.

squashes and gourds on welsh stone windowsill. Slow living in Snowdonia wales. Meet creative business coach, marketing mentor and blogger Simple and Season Kayte Ferris. She shares a little of the story behind her slow living lifestyle in Snowdonia as well as tips for achieving a more soulful lifestyle wherever you live

Please describe your home to us. What are your plans?

We are at the end of a small terrace of old miners cottages, clad in the huge grey stones that all buildings in the National Park have to have. Being old, it has all the quirks you’d expect – steps up and down into rooms, not a single straight line and walls a metre thick.

Blue distressed doorway in welsh stone house. Meet creative business coach, marketing mentor and blogger Simple and Season Kayte Ferris. She shares a little of the story behind her slow living lifestyle in Snowdonia as well as tips for achieving a more soulful lifestyle wherever you live

We’re renting, so there’s not much we can do with it, although it was refurbished before we moved in so it’s a nice blank canvas. The décor lends itself to a Scandi style design with wooden floors, light walls and gorgeous bare pine doors. I lean towards that kind of style anyway so I’m going with it.

Rhaeader Falls Wales. Slow living in Snowdonia. Meet creative business coach, marketing mentor and blogger Simple and Season Kayte Ferris. She shares a little of the story behind her slow living lifestyle in Snowdonia as well as tips for achieving a more soulful lifestyle wherever you live

What’s the dream for the future?

I’d like an orchard. I don’t know why, and I bet they’re a nightmare to upkeep, but I just have this thing about orchards! Preferably one with chickens and rescue donkeys in too. But in all seriousness, after so much upheaval over the last 12 months I think we need to let the dust settle for a while. One of the exciting things about starting a new business is that you don’t know what the next month is going to look like, let alone the next year, so for now I’m focusing on being intentional in my work and letting that guide me.

Meet creative business coach, marketing mentor and blogger Simple and Season Kayte Ferris. She shares a little of the story behind her slow living lifestyle in Snowdonia as well as tips for achieving a more soulful lifestyle wherever you live
A local welsh stone cottage in need of some TLC…

Please describe what you do, and a little bit about the story behind this and your journey

I am a creative business coach and marketing mentor helping creative people find their own clarity and direction in their business and help them grow with soul. The inspiration behind my business came out of the blog and Instagram, and all the amazing creative people I was meeting online. I was an in-house marketer for three years and for some reason it’s something that’s always come very easily to me, but through meeting others online I realised it doesn’t always come easily.

There’s so much online advice out there full of ‘must dos’ and ‘these 5 simple things will make you a millionaire’, and navigating it all is so overwhelming for people trying to get a business off the ground or take it to the next stage. And a lot of that advice is a bit disingenuous and misleading, particularly for small creative businesses. So I wanted to use my knowledge and skills to help people grow their businesses in an effective but soulful way, in a way that was meaningful and sustainable for them and didn’t make them feel, well, really gross!

On my blog, as well as talking about slow living and lifestyle, I simplify key marketing concepts, re-framing them in ways that are essentially human and easy to understand. Through my newsletter Monthly Mail I also set monthly marketing challenges and creative prompts to inject some inspiration and help people do at least one thing that month that will move their business forward. The main part of my work, however, is one-to-one coaching, working with creatives to find out what’s holding them back, where they want to be, what they want to do, and putting a strategy together to make that happen. In 2018 I will be launching e-courses and group workshops and retreats too!

The importance of to do lists and the secrets of slow living no matter where you live by Kayte Ferris of Simple and Season who lives a slow living lifestyle in Snowdonia

What’s your favourite way to start the day and when do you start work?

I must admit that I’ve never been an early bird, and I’m trying to make peace with the fact I never will be. Especially as I live with a chef we don’t have a normal 9-5 routine in our house, so I do find it easier to work more in the evenings distraction-free. I’ve also taken to doing one task from my bed most mornings – maybe replying to emails or posting on Instagram. Not only does it feel kind of opulent, but it puts me in a really productive frame of mind to know I’ve ticked something off my to do list before I’ve even got out of bed!

Meet creative business coach, marketing mentor and blogger Simple and Season Kayte Ferris. She shares a little of the story behind her slow living lifestyle in Snowdonia as well as tips for achieving a more soulful lifestyle wherever you live

But every day starts with a dog walk along the river which is a few minutes from our house. We have a little Jack Russell who absolutely loves the water! There is a pebble beach at the side of the river and in the summer he can spend hours swimming in and out chasing stones; it’s getting a bit cold and fast now but he’s still hopeful every morning.

Love this moody window image with welsh mountain view. Slow living in Snowdonia - meet creative business coach, marketing mentor and blogger Simple and Season Kayte Ferris. She shares a little of the story behind her slow living lifestyle in Snowdonia as well as tips for achieving a more soulful lifestyle wherever you live

Where/what is your work? Describe the setting for us.

Our house has three bedrooms, so the two attic rooms are his and hers – I have my office and he has his man cave! I sit at a lovely wooden desk, and when I turn to my right I have a big window that look directly over a couple of grey slate rooftops to the mountains. Dolgellau, the town where we live, is dominated by Cadair Idris, Wales’ second highest mountain – I liken it to Mount Crumpet in The Grinch. I never tire of this view and am grateful for it every day, particularly as I watched the trees and change colour over the seasons.

Love this painted sign on welsh stones and slates. Slow living in Snowdonia - meet creative business coach, marketing mentor and blogger Simple and Season Kayte Ferris. She shares a little of the story behind her slow living lifestyle in Snowdonia as well as tips for achieving a more soulful lifestyle wherever you live

Where’s the best place to watch the world go by? Please describe it for us

As a town Dolgellau is very huddled together, the buildings are very close so there’s no one place in town to sit and have a view. The best place to watch the world go by is actually the path we walk each morning. It’s at the start of the Mawddach Trail, a bike and walking path that follows the old railway line 9 miles along the banks of the Mawddach Estuary to Barmouth and the sea. So at all times of year, this is quite busy with both tourists and locals.

T H Roberts coffee shop Dolgellau

Best find for a quiet coffee/cake?

Someone told me that Dolgellau has the highest concentration of listed buildings in Wales, so most places you go are quite quirky. My favourite, however, is the T.H. Roberts coffee shop. The café has had to form itself around the architectural features, like floor to ceiling wooden shelves, a huge haberdashery desk with lots of tiny drawers and an old office plonked in the centre complete with intricately frosted glass and an old fireplace. There’s so much to occupy your eyes in there that you almost don’t realise what you’re eating – but the coffee is good, and the cheese scones even better.

Dylwanwad winebar in north wales is one of Kayte Ferris of Simple and Season's favourite local picks. Click through to discover more about her slow living life in Snowdonia and tips on getting a more soulful lifestyle no matter where you live

What’s your favourite place to eat out and what do you order?

Gastronomy has yet to really hit North Wales, so anything with chips is still what you’ll find on most menus (although there are some Michelin star restaurants popping up more regularly now). My favourite place for a relaxed evening and good food is the Dylanwad wine bar. They don’t do meals as such, but you can order plates of local cheeses, meats, breads, salads and soups until you’re properly stuffed. And wash it all down with Welsh wines recommended by the chatty and knowledgeable staff.

Blue and distressed doorway in welsh stone house. Slow living in Snowdonia - meet creative business coach, marketing mentor and blogger Simple and Season Kayte Ferris. She shares a little of the story behind her slow living lifestyle in Snowdonia as well as tips for achieving a more soulful lifestyle wherever you live

Describe your typical working day for us – best and worst bits?

I’m lucky because I don’t have a particularly typical working day – I’m working on several different projects as well as my client work, and what is needed from me changes week to week. Some days I’ll have my head down writing blog posts or my e-course, others driving down the country to host a workshop, and others I’ll spend on coaching calls with my clients and working on exercises for them. I have a habit of giving myself too much to do, so the worst bit is when I hear my boyfriend’s key in the door and think of all the things I haven’t done yet!

The joy of cups of tea and welsh wool blankets. Slow living in Snowdonia. Meet creative business coach, marketing mentor and blogger Simple and Season Kayte Ferris. She shares a little of the story behind her slow living lifestyle in Snowdonia as well as tips for achieving a more soulful lifestyle wherever you live

What keeps you going through the day?

Looking out the window at my breathtaking view, warm slippers and cups of tea – I never used to really drink tea at home but I rely on it so much for punctuating the day (and warming me up!). When I’m really struggling to get my head down and finish a task I’ve started using the Pomodoro Method – setting yourself a 30 minute timer and doing nothing else but that one task solidly for half an hour. I’m finding it really helps me get into a flow.

Glosters interiors shop in Porthmadog Wales, Click through for slow living lifestyle tips from Kayte of Simple and Season

How important is sourcing British/local to you – and why?

Sourcing things locally is one of the elements of a slow lifestyle that was really important to me. I believe strongly in living in time with the earth around us, both because it’s healthy for us and for the planet. Shopping locally does exactly that, cutting out transport and flying an out of season vegetable half way around the world.

love the turquoise of this handmade ceramic vase by Glosters pottery in north wales. Click through to discover more about Glosters and other great local finds by Kayte of Simple and Season - blogger and creative coach slow living in Snowdonia

From an economic standpoint too I want to keep money circulating in my local area to enable it to thrive – particularly here where it is not quite so affluent. The whole premise of my business is built on wanting, in some small way, to help fight back against multi-national domination and create diverse high streets and help small businesses thrive and achieve what the lifestyle they long for. Shopping locally and independent where possible is my way of doing that.

discover lifestyle and pottery store Glosters in Porthmadog, one of slow lifestyle blogger and coach Kayte Ferris' favourite local finds. Click through to discover more

One of my favourite local discoveries has been Glosters, a gift shop and pottery in nearby Porthmadog. Run by husband and wife Myfanwy and Tom, she selects exquisite pieces from independent makers in Wales and beyond while Tom beavers away upstairs creating beautiful modern pottery. I’m coveting their scented candles inspired by the local area and already have a couple of milk jugs in their signature glazes.

jwrnal welsh makers

A great resource for finding Welsh makers is my friend’s project Jwrnal – a directory of contemporary craft and makers in Wales. Welsh craft has a tendency to play to the tourist crowd and go down the dragons and daffodils route, but Jwrnal is really rallying against that and bringing young, innovative designers to the fore.

Creative and slow living in Snowdonia. Meet creative business coach, marketing mentor and blogger Simple and Season Kayte Ferris. She shares a little of the story behind her slow living lifestyle in Snowdonia as well as tips for achieving a more soulful lifestyle wherever you live

What’s your newest/most exciting creation?

I have an e-course launching in 2018 all about blogging for business which I hope will help people who aren’t necessarily at a point where one to one coaching is something they can invest in. What I’m most excited about, however, are my group workshops and retreats. I’ve found some beautiful venues in Wales and elsewhere in England and am putting together a schedule now.

I have been on a few workshops myself this year and the energy you get in a room of creative people all thinking and wishing for each other is kind of transformative. Learning in a room of like-minded people, getting all your questions answered and devoting a day, or three days, to just your business is, I’ve found, the best way to shorten your learning curve and make genuine progress.

Love this vintage map. Slow living in Snowdonia - meet creative business coach, marketing mentor and blogger Simple and Season Kayte Ferris. She shares a little of the story behind her slow living lifestyle in Snowdonia as well as tips for achieving a more soulful lifestyle wherever you live

Best place to unwind/escape to in the British Isles?

I’d always recommend people coming here to Snowdonia because I think it’s still quite wild and untapped – it’s a real escape coming here. Having said that, now that I live here I find myself craving travel elsewhere. I have a soft spot for the Lakes, the Devon and Cornish coasts and the Forest of Dean in the autumn.

love this beautiful red apple in hand simple image. Slow and seasonal living in Snowdonia - meet creative business coach, marketing mentor and blogger Simple and Season Kayte Ferris. She shares a little of the story behind her slow living lifestyle in Snowdonia as well as tips for achieving a more soulful lifestyle wherever you live

Best piece of advice you could share based on your experiences so far?

What I’ve found across the board when working with clients is that a feeling of confusion, of not knowing where to turn or do for the best, comes from a lack of clarity across the key foundations of business. So making sure that you have a strong business purpose, one that anchors you, directs you and drives you, as well as an in depth knowledge about your target customer are the most important things in building a soulful marketing strategy.

And if you think you’ve got those things, niche down on what you’re great at. We have a tendency to want to be all things to all people, but all that really does is confuse our customers and dilute our offerings. Focus on what you want to be known for, get really specific on what you’re amazing at and people will understand. That’s exactly what I did.

INFORMATION


Simple & Season is listed in the From Britain with Love directory

Get all the info you need to connect with Kayte and Simple & Season – and to find out about her coaching packages, workshops and retreats from the listing >>

Feeling inspired? Take a look at the Creative Workshops category in our Directory, where you’ll find a variety of inspiring courses, from art and crafts to fashion and beauty, interiors, cooking and flower & gardening.

If you run a creative course that would interest our readers, please get in touch. Email us at editor@frombritainwithlove.com


A pin to share to Pinterest

slow living in snowdonia with Kayte of Simple & Season. Click through for insight into her soulful slow lifestyle and get lots of great ideas for finding simple soulfulness wherever you live

 

 

In: MEET

You’ll Also Love

sophie englishMeet Sophie English, founder of So English beachwear
oorla morgan shares her inspirations and one or two of her local lovesJewellery designer maker Oorla Morgan
meet sarah statham of simply by arrangement seasonal flowers in yorkshire who shares her inspirations and a few of her local lovesSarah Statham of Simply by Arrangement flowers

Comments

  1. Alison says

    November 16, 2017 at 9:08 am

    I like what you are doing, Kayte! I may be interested in learning about blogging for businesses. I am a complementary therapist as well as working in the post office and library! (yes, the ‘gig’ economy is here!) I have a rented plot (not strictly an allotment as the council here sadly don’t provide them here) where we grow mostly fruit – fruit trees are generally low maintenance which is why we are going in that direction (too much time spent playing out on bikes!!) I could let you know about pruning and grafting courses which my husband did nearby
    All the very best

    Reply
  2. Laura Dunkley says

    November 17, 2017 at 5:14 pm

    Hi Alison. Glad you liked the post. If you would like to make contact with Kayte, she’s listed in our directory under Simple and Season https://www.frombritainwithlove.com/listing/creative-workshops/simple-season – all the contact details you need are there! x

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Post >

Editor of 91 magazine, Caroline Rowland, shares her Christmas gift wish list

About Me
I'm so glad you're here. I'm Laura - national women's magazine editor and journalist now sharing my passion for sustainable and creative living here. Hope you find something to enjoy and inspire! X

Categories

  • MAKE
  • MEET
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FLOWERS

Reader Favourites

The Directory

Browse Makers & Workshops

Pinterest

Login (directory listees)

Log in

Create account
Forgot password?

trending now

instagram

Follow @frombritainwithlove

It’s not too late to sow sweet peas - so easy to It’s not too late to sow sweet peas - so easy to grow and blissfully fragrant in the summer months. 
They were my mum’s favourite flower, so growing them now feels like a precious connection. Especially when I pick some and arrange them in her beautiful old blue and gold jug just as she used to do with the sweet peas my dad grew for her every year.
There are some really handy tips for growing success from founder of The Real Flower Company Rosebie Morton over on the blog (link in bio). Rosebie has a whole farm dedicated to sweet peas near Chichester so she knows a thing or two about the subject!
Main thing I’ve picked up from her is to allow lots of depth for root growth at this stage and to make my own supportive wigwams from twiggy branches when the plants are really starting to go for it and need a bit of direction. This photo is making me yearn slightly.
I love this image of my friend Jo - we were trying I love this image of my friend Jo - we were trying out tiny living for a feature I was writing - this was taken on our way to indulge in a spot of forest bathing. To be totally honest, we were both a little sceptical beforehand. But we were only saying the other day how taken aback we both were by the amazing effect it had. I’m working on some new ideas around the subject - will keep you posted. X
I’m currently working on a redesign of the whole I’m currently working on a redesign of the whole site - which has meant lots of photo editing and reorganising so much content. What’s been lovely (despite the claw hand from so much keyboard work!) is revisiting work and becoming engrossed all over again. I thought I’d share a few of the things I’ve been (re) loving - with links in the bio to the old site for now, but not for long…! X
This  image is from a feature about preserving garden roses. I’m going to give this a really good go this year, now I have a better idea what I’m doing. I know there’s nothing quite like a fragrant fresh rose in Summer but there’s a fragile beauty to dried and preserved flowers that I also love, don’t you?
Snowdrops 🌱🤍 . . . . . . #capturequiet #ins Snowdrops 🌱🤍 
.
.
.
.
.
.
#capturequiet #instabritain #natureandnourish #thewildernesstonic #cornersofmyworld
Signed copies of Bex Partridge’s new book Flower Signed copies of Bex Partridge’s new book Flowers Forever to be won! My bio has the link to enter as well as to get a peek inside. Beautifully photographed by Laura Edwards, I really enjoyed escaping into the pages and making plans for my own garden - hope you do too! X
To the Moon and Back Hares KNITTING PATTERN by Cla To the Moon and Back Hares KNITTING PATTERN by Claire Garland aka @dotpebbles_knits has to be the perfect post Christmas craft project 😊 
If you fancy getting your needles out to make this adorable pair, the link to buy Claire’s pattern is in my bio. Happy knitting! X
Thank you so much to Sarah @floribundaroseflorists Thank you so much to Sarah @floribundaroseflorists for a wonderful wreath making workshop yesterday. Such a special and creative space to spend time. I loved making my wreath - I went for a mixture of greenery arranged quite randomly with red waxed fresh apples, dried hydrangea, dried flowers, poppy and nigella seed heads and a winter white velvet bow. 
There were so many wonderful ingredients to choose from we were really spoiled for choice. 
Sarah’s new studio is such a beautiful, creative space. Think fragrant botanical candles flickering everywhere, mulled wine and apple juice simmering on the stove and containers full of fragrant festive greenery, waxed fruit, dried flowers and oranges, pine cones, lichen covered branches and even tiny gold wax-dipped fresh crab apples. 
Thank you for being so patient with my lengthy ribbon choice deliberations Sarah - and for bagging up a second choice option (dusky pink) to take home! X.  #wreathmaking #wreath #wreathsofinstagram #sustainablewreaths #wreathdecor #christmaswreath #velvetribbon #christmasdecor #festiveflowers
I’ve loved Olga Prinku’s work for ages now - s I’ve loved Olga Prinku’s work for ages now - she came up with the genius idea of embroidering on tulle using nature as her thread - and the results are sublime - like this Autumn colours beauty from her latest book.
I’m delighted that Olga is offering a fantastic prize bundle to my readers. For a chance to win one of her beautiful new dried flower embroidery kits (in collaboration with @driedandfloral ) as well as a signed copy of her wonderful new book(published by @quadrillebooks , pop over to my blog (link in my bio). It’s easy to enter so why don’t you give yourself a chance of winning this very lovely prize? Good luck! 
#driedflowers #driedflowerembroidery #olgaprinku #embroideryhoop #flowerembroidery #competitiontime #signedbooks #embroideryart #flowersontulle #autumn #autumncolours #hoopart #allthingsbotanical #instacraft
This beautiful image is by Laura Pashby @circleofp This beautiful image is by Laura Pashby @circleofpines and is from her beautiful new book Little Stories of Your Life. 
It’s packed with inspiration and practical ideas to help you become a visual story teller. Because, as Laura says, it’s the little moments that make up the fabric of all of our lives - and those moments are worth capturing and sharing with others.
We have three signed copies of the book to give away - just click the link in my bio to find out more. There’s a peek inside and a lovely film by @xantheb to enjoy too! X 
#littlemoments #littlestoriesbook #alifeofwords #lostinwords #competition #booksarelife #mindfulphotography #bookstagram #booksmakemehappy #booksconnectus #igreads #whatareyoureading #signedbooks
Thanks to Lisa from @inthemaking_aprons who has sh Thanks to Lisa from @inthemaking_aprons who has shared her wonderfully creative ideas for visibly mending well-loved clothing in need of repair and a little TLC.
She had me at ‘sometimes I like to use giant sequins…’ 
Hope you like Lisa’s ideas as much as I do. The link to head over to my blog and get all her step by steps is in my bio x
Thank you @therealflowerco for these heavenly swee Thank you @therealflowerco for these heavenly sweet peas - the perfect way to celebrate #britishflowersweek 
I just wish I could share the blissful fragrance with you too 💕🌸
#locallygrownflowers #flowersofinstagram #supportlocal #britishflowersweek2021 #britishseasonalflowers #flowersfromthefarm #sweetpeas
This heavenly knitted lamb is by Claire Garland ak This heavenly knitted lamb is by Claire Garland aka @dotpebbles_knits and just one of the creative spring projects you might enjoy immersing yourself in right now. To discover other inspirational ideas and to get all the info you need - including this free pattern by Claire - click the link in my bio. Hope you find something that brings you a little seasonal joy x
Thanks to Erin at @floretflower for sending me a s Thanks to Erin at @floretflower for sending me a surprise signed copy of her dreamy new book Discovering Dahlias - and another signed copy to share with one of you. 
To enjoy a peek inside - and for a chance to win - click the link in my bio. 
The truly beautiful photographs (including this one) are all by Erin’s husband Chris Benzakein #discoveringdahlias #floretflowerfarm #dahliasofinstagram #flowersgivemepower #giveawayuk
Thanks to @sarahravenperchhill for sharing a beaut Thanks to @sarahravenperchhill for sharing a beautifully simple way to arrange snowdrops and other early spring flowers over on the blog (link is in my bio). I’ve already made my own simple flower grid using foraged twigs and it works brilliantly! 
As well as sharing her simple step by steps, there’s also a video tutorial where Sarah shares more inspiring ideas for creating with early spring flowers. The beautiful photographs are by @jonathanbuckleyphotography - hope you enjoy! X
Last call to enter our Pippa Greenwood Grow Your O Last call to enter our Pippa Greenwood Grow Your Own gift bundle competition!
My favourite #gardenersquestiontime panellist @pippa.greenwood offers a range of totally brilliant Grow Your Own gift bundles - which include garden-ready veg plants sent out at the right time for planting, email growing advice, tips and recipes from Pippa herself as well as signed copies of The Gardener’s Year. It’s the perfect gift for anyone interested in growing their own fresh produce - and comes with the best expert advice!
We have two Pippa Greenwood GYO gift bundles to be won - the link to enter the competition, and to find out more is in my bio - Good luck!
Last call for anyone who’d like to enter our Cla Last call for anyone who’d like to enter our Claire Garland Christmas Mouse knitting pattern competition. The link to enter is the top one in my bio. Good luck!
If you’re finding the world a somewhat shouty an If you’re finding the world a somewhat shouty and overwhelming place right now, you might like to get behind Sarah Corbett @craftivists new project - she’s crowdfunding to create the final part of her Craftivism trilogy: the Craftivist Collective Handbook. It will be a beautiful hardback with 20 gentle protest Craftivist projects and tools to help readers become positive and effective change makers. Because slow and gentle can be more effective in the long run than fast and loud. I am 100% behind Sarah’s project and have no doubt that those of us in the crafty, creative community have plenty to contribute when it comes to making a better, fairer world. 
Stitching a powerful message can be  more effective than shouting it at someone who’s not listening to you. If you’d like to get involved or find out more, follow the top link in my bio.
Thanks to @botanical_tales for sharing beautiful d Thanks to @botanical_tales for sharing beautiful dried flower wreath ideas over on the blog - link in bio. I love this dried mini wreath as natural gift wrapping decoration (you can buy ready-made too) - all the links are in the post.
Thanks too to Kirsten @henthorn_farm_flowers for sharing her step by steps for creating a stunning giant foraged dried flower wreath as well as her beautiful simple wreath in silvery winter whites. 
I’m increasingly obsessed with the idea of growing my own flowers for drying and creating lovely things with them. Watch this space for more dried flower inspiration coming soon... X
One of the joyful things about this time of year f One of the joyful things about this time of year for me is making plans for next spring and summer in my flower cutting garden. After two years of growing cut flowers, I’m ready for some fresh ideas and to raise my game a little more. I would like to fill some gaps in shape and colour and to extend the flowering season in particular. I’d also like to start drying and preserving my flowers... so I am thrilled that Kirsten of @henthorn_farm_flowers has shared a beautiful glimpse into her seasonal and sustainable flowery world as well as lots of fantastic expert tips and ideas over on the blog - the link is in my bio. I hope you find some inspiration too. Kirsten lives in a very beautiful part of the world - the Ribble Valley in Lancashire. It’s an area very close to my heart as I grew up not far away. Loved spending a little virtual time there again, thanks to Kirsten - and I am yearning to go back in person one day soon and breathe it all in again.
To be honest, I’m still clinging on to the last To be honest, I’m still clinging on to the last moments of Summer. I do always eventually embrace Autumn but, this year in particular, I’m wanting to hold on for as long as possible to the quiet bliss of the last few months. 
I do really worry about what lies ahead for us all, but spending time outdoors, connecting, really up close, to what’s going on in the garden definitely helps. I still have roses, sweet peas, snapdragons, zinnias, asters and LOTS of dahlias blooming so there are always jars and jugs of flowers on every available surface. Rose geranium leaves have been a revelation for adding a fragrant green frilliness - and now I’m full of love for abelia. 
This beautiful photo is by @gandgorgeousflowers and captures the between-seasons beauty in the flower garden right now. I am inspired to create something similar as I have many of the same colours. 
I do realise that it’s silly (and utterly pointless 😂) to resist Autumn as it’s actually one of the most beautiful times of year. As soon as the leaves really turn, and everywhere starts to smell like Autumn, I’m sure I’ll be fully on board. 
With that in mind, I’ve shared lots of inspiring Autumn Flowers ideas over on the blog (link in my bio) from some of my favourite flower creatives including @gandgorgeousflowers @simplybyarrangement @therealflowerco @wildbunchflowers @floribundaroseflorists @thesussexflowerschool @electricdaisyflowerfarm 

Hope you enjoy - and find a little bit of creative inspiration too. X

INFORMATION

  • Join Us
  • Get in touch
  • About us

DIRECTORY LISTEES

Log in

Create account
Forgot password?

BROWSE

  • Shop
  • Directory
  • Features
  • T & Cs
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy

Copyright © 2025 From Britain with Love

Change Location
Find awesome listings near you!