With spring behind us I'm hoping for less rain, more sun, and some warm weathered adventures.

Here's my list of ten things to do in summer '16.

1. Visit three different beaches in Suffolk - Felixstowe, Aldeburgh, Southwold

2. Try three new ice cream flavours

3. Go on a picnic

4. Visit a maize maze - Kezzie the Southwold maze opens on July 16th :)

5. Take a trip to Snape Maltings and Marlsford Mill.

6. Forage for and make elderflower cordial / gin (failing that, elderberry gin)

7. Go to an outdoor movie

8. Pick strawberries / raspberries and eat sun warmed berries whilst still in the field

9. Decorate until my arms fall off

10. Read 5 books - preferably whilst lounging in my hammock in the sunshine.

What do you have planned for the summer months?

Spring has been lovely. We've enjoyed a rather uncharacteristically sociable time. Summer means harvest, which means Andy is about to get very busy. So getting out and about, seeing people, and spending time together has been lovely.

We spent a weekend in Norfolk with my family, met our new niece, celebrated our first wedding anniversary, had dinner with 5 different sets of friends, been to see the bluebells (twice), went to a ball, tried a new steak restaurant, spent lots of time with family, and spent a weekend in London, seeing a show and catching up with friends.

I love the summer but I think spring is my favourite season. It gets warmer (and OK, yes, it rains too), people come out of winter hibernation, and Andy is around more than at any other time of year.

Here's how I got on with my list of things to do in the spring.

See the bluebells
Just as we did last year, we went twice as the bluebells weren't in full bloom on our first visit, but I'd rather this than miss it altogether. When we were there last year I had my photo taken in a large tree and couldn't resist another one this year... and here starts the Hazel-in-a-tree photo tradition.


Do It Myself
I have to be honest my DIY hiatus didn't start to abate until well into May when I finally managed to pin down our carpenter. After a few false starts he turned up and did a fabulous job hanging four new doors, including a new front door, and making some small alterations in the kitchen. I've made a start sanding and staining the doors, and my Dad is helping me with some shelves in the kitchen (as well as fixing a small crumbling wall and step in our garden).


So, technically I haven't really been 'doing it myself', I'm happy to turn my hand at most things but carpentry and bricklaying should be left to those who can. Now that these things are done I can make a start on decorating, the next obvious step is to redecorate the kitchen.


Plant up container pots and hanging baskets
Done! Just as they were starting to look really good, they got horribly battered in the downpours we had but they carried on regardless, and are starting to get back to normal. I've also potted put two roses that we were given for our first wedding anniversary, and planted a few new shrubs - every year when it starts to heat up and the skies clear, I head out to the garden and start pottering. As with the house we still have lots to do in the garden but I enjoy doing bits and pieces here and there and we're really starting to notice a change.

We've been here nearly five years now, we had so much to do when we moved in - everything needed to be changed or renovated, or decorated, which obviously takes time. Sometimes it's easy to forget how much we've done when we still have so much we want to do. But I feel like we're finally starting to get on the right side of things.

Complete my patchwork quilt
The patchwork bit is done, but I need to make it into an actual quilt. I've gone ostrich on this. It's the elephant in the room. I'm too chicken. And all sorts of other animal metaphors.


Make a wedding album
Done! After a trial run with our honeymoon photobook I used Photobox again. Several layouts, 400+ photos, and a few hours later I excitedly paid and awaited it's arrival. I'm so pleased with how it's turned out.

Mend the dress
Done. Although I'm yet to actually wear it.


Alter the skirt
Done. I love this and have worn it a lot. Being a midi skirt and of a fairly thick fabric it's been great for the not-so-warm days we've had, but it's also cool enough to wear on hotter days. Basically I've just been washing and wearing this over and over again.

Hit the beach
I didn't go, looking back I'm not sure when I would've found the time but I always say I need to go more often. Sitting watching the sea, listening to the soothing sound of the waves, breathing in the salty air, and switching off from everything else is something that should be done regularly. Just typing this makes me want to go.


Read three books
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
The Bees by Laine Paull
Tears of a Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith
Golden Son by Pierce Brown
And I'm half way through A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

What do you like to do in the spring?

When I was little, and my hankering for a kitten was at it's highest, I remember thinking that a tortoise would make a most unexciting pet. You couldn't hug it or let it sleep on your bed. It certainly wouldn't chase balls of wool.

Fast forward 30 odd years and having hung out with Tommy on occasion I have to admit that I was wrong.

I love this little dude.

He belonged to Andy's Grandma, and since she passed away Tommy has been living with Andy's parents. I get to pet-sit when they go away for the weekend, and I always look forward to his visits.

Most recently he spent a few days chomping on our wet-the-bed weeds - what are they called? As a kid I believed that if you picked one, you'd wet the bed that night. I was too scared to test the theory. I have no idea where that came from, but if my Mum had been savvy she'd have told me the same about picking strawberries from the garden and she'd have had a lot more for making jam.

Anyway - dandelions! - it just popped into my head - Tommy is partial to a dandelion or two. And we have plenty in our lawn that we're more than happy for him to chomp on.

We pop him out in his run in the morning when it's warmed up a little and leave him there until it turns cooler in the evenings. At night he has a box to sleep in with some newspaper bedding. We pop him in the pantry as our cats are partial to jumping into boxes, and we want to avoid any tortoise / cat related mishaps.


The cats are a little bemused by him. They get to within a few feet and the next move Tommy makes has them beating a quick retreat. It's so funny to watch.

I like to let him out of his run when he's here and we go for a walk. I discovered if I wear something bright he happily follows me around the garden. But I have to keep an eye on him, he's not slow by any means, he can really move!

We have no idea how old Tommy is. He's been around for as long as Andy's Mum can remember.

Many years ago Andy's Grandad drilled a hole in his shell, and attached a ring so that they could tie a piece of string to a pitch fork stuck into the ground, and leave him to wander in the garden without losing him.

Although they did lose him once, he went on an epic journey. He was gone for days before being discovered several gardens away. He was found by a neighbour who'd grown rather fond of him, she didn't really want to give him back.


He's sweet, his slow(ish) movements seem deliberate if a little doddery. When I go to his run he often greets me by walking over and trying to climb up the side. He'll always tip over his water bowl, and try to climb over your legs when you sit with him, always choosing the most challenging route to get anywhere.

Yes, I think a tortoise makes a most lovely pet.

I'm on the search for a pair of shoes for a wedding in early July. I'm wearing a dress I wore to a wedding in 2014 and I'm pleased, and looking forward to, wearing it again.

New Look is often my first port of call for shoes, particularly heels as they have a good selection at really reasonable prices, but most importantly, they're normally very comfortable.

I've done my time in painful heels, I now want style and comfort.

The wedding reception is going to be held in a marquee in the garden of the bride's family home, which means grass, and grass means a sinking heels, so I need a block heel suitable for the occasion.

Top  Pale Grey (or pink) Suedette Ankle Strap Block Heels  £19.99  |  Bottom left Pale Blue Ankle Strap Block Heels £19.99  |  Bottom right  Wide Fit Grey Pointed Mary Jane Block Heels £22.99

Light Brown Comfort Suedette Block Heels | £24.99

I'm thinking these are 'the ones'. I love the style and heel height, and I'll be able to wear them with tights if the weather doesn't behave itself. What's more I realised that they will also work really well with my Louche dress that I intend to wear for a work related meal in a few weeks - an excellent opportunity to road test them before the wedding.

These also caught my eye as a heel that's really versatile, not suitable for this occasion but nice none-the-less. I'll refrain. Probably.

Gold Glitter Sling Back Pointed Heels | £18.99

What's on your payday wish list?

A Buyer's Archive - keeping track of my spending on clothes and accessories with Elise.

At the end of last months post I wrote 'expect minimal purchases in May'. Ha! who was I trying to kid?!

When the good weather appeared and started to show gaps in my spring capsule wardrobe, I was forced (ahem) to make a few additional purchases.
To begin with I only added a few items and I genuinely thought that that would be it.

Asymmetric Knotted Sweater  |  Zara  |  £19.99
After posting my Zara Wishlist I caved and placed an order early in the month. The boots didn't fit (so much for third time lucky), so they've been returned but the top was every bit as lovely as I thought (and hoped) it would be. I'm tempted to buy a second as a back-up.

T-shirt bra (not pictured)  |  Asda  |  £4.00
A nude bra, not pretty but practical and necessary.

Then I made a few random purchases... 


Necklace  |  Next  |  £14.00
I saw this necklace in Next and slipped it into my basket. As with most of my Next purchases I was in store to buy a gift for someone else and gave in to temptation, although I'm not going to mention the fact that I had no reason to even be in the womenswear department in the first place...

T-shirt  |  Topshop  |  £14.00
I purchased this to replace one in my spring capsule that, on closer inspection, had several small holes in (I blame my cats).

Fatface top  |  Mind charity shop  |  £3.00
I really didn't need this but I liked it and thought it would be good to throw on when the nights turn chilly, and it's got lovely long sleeves that finish at my fingertips. Whilst in the shop I saw loads of items I'd donated months ago, it was really odd to see 'my' clothes hanging on the rails. I even contemplated buying back a pair of wedges but resisted on account of it being a ridiculous thing to do.

The good weather highlighted my need for some more summery items so I paid a little visit to the ASOS website.


Crew neck jumper  |  ASOS  |  £16.00
Not exactly what I'd gone onto the site to find but I liked it, it's light, nicely fitted and with lovely long sleeves. I didn't need it but it's already been worn a lot. It's perfect for chilly but bright summer days. I wore it the day after it arrived when the sun went in (and spent the day wondering if it would ever come out again).


Wrap top  |  ASOS  |  £26.00
For a change from the bog standard t-shirt, I decided to give this a try. It's a little on the sheer side, so it's good job I purchased a nude bra...

Total spend for May £96.99

Total so far £301.89

These purchases completed my spring capsule wardrobe, so expect very few purchases in June.

Check out the #buyersarchive hashtag to see posts from everyone taking part. Usually Kezzie, Lucy, Janet, Donna and, obviously, Elise.