I'd be heading to Latitude this coming weekend if it hadn't been for Covid 19. I've been every year since 2015, either for the whole weekend or just visiting for a day.

We've always been pretty lucky with the weather, only encountering rain on a few occasions, and even then it was fleeting. Our days fell into a routine of watching comedy acts in the morning after a cheese and ham toastie for breakfast.

Then we'd find some music to listen to whilst sipping beer from recycled, refundable cups, and people watching as much as enjoying the many and varied acts.

We'd often find our way to the literary tent on the first evening, after a wander around The Faraway Forest, visiting the friendship tree, and admiring the art installations in the woods.

I miss the familiar walk down through 'the village', passed the security checks and over the bridge into the main area, which grows with each passing year. The dusty ground, the hum of people, the smells that linger in the air from the many, many food stalls.

I miss the feeling of being free to do whatever I like, having nowhere in particular I have to be at any particular time.

I love the freedom of camping, the simplicity of it. I go with teabags and porridge pots, and a few snacks, and just enough clothes to keep me warm in the evenings and cool during the day - with the necessary garments in case of wet weather. Toiletries are kept to a minimum. It's very freeing, just having just enough.

It's lovely to be outside for so much of the day, and sitting outside our tents at the end of the evening, usually sipping beer and eating biscuits, is such a treat.

The variety of acts is huge, I've seen so many different bands and artists, comedians and performers, some I'd heard of, others that were unknown, all of which take me back to the fields of Henham Park when they crop up in everyday life.

Latitude is different every year but also feels so very familiar. I can't wait to go back...

Well week 17 of lockdown, week 1 of Wearing It All 2020, didn’t look much like summer at all did it? I had envisioned lots of dresses and vest tops, sandals and sunglasses. Instead I got jumpers and jeans. The one day I did wear a short sleeved top it was soon covered with a sweatshirt. It's not that I dislike a jeans and jumper outfit, far from it, it's just not what I was expecting, it's July after all.

I hope the weather improves, I have far more summer clothes in my wardrobe than anything else, which seems daft for someone living in the UK, with our unpredictable and often disappointing weather, I’ve been hoodwinked by the hot summers we’ve had in recent years.

Why is it that my outfit posts so often end up being about the weather?

Not only has it been cooler it’s been windy too. And the wind makes taking outfit shots more difficult as you can see in the first and last photo of the week, I gave up trying to take a shot without hair covering my face on day 7. This was the best of them, in the worst my face was completely covered by my hair. Once again I forgot that windy days and lip gloss simply doesn’t mix and ended up with hair stuck to my mouth more than once. Irritating.

Wearing It All will help with my mend pile, I need to do some visible mending on a few pairs of jeans before I can wear them. But I need the sun to shine as I’m itching to get my summer dresses out. My favourite kind of outfit is one that doesn’t require layers.

I haven’t been far this week. Work is still busy enough to keep my occupied for most of the day. In the quieter moments I’m just pottering about, keeping the house clean and tidy, planning meals, and doing laundry. On Saturday Andy and I spent some time pulling wild oats out of a seed barley crop, it was warm but cloudy and not too hot. It's was a very satisfying way to spend time. We have our best conversations whilst outside together like this, or on long car journeys, probably because we have few other distractions.

We went for a walk on Sunday and came across a plot set aside for winter bird feed. It was full of wild flowers and butterflies. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many butterflies in one place before, apart from the butterfly house I visited on holiday in Wales as a teenager, but that doesn’t really count.

Almost all of the butterflies were Small Whites (which is a rather boring name for such pretty little things), I only saw one other but it was too fleeting for me to identify.

I tried to capture them in a photograph but it doesn’t do it justice. With all of them fluttering about I felt like a princess in a Disney movie, albeit one wearing skinny jeans and ankle boots.

I purchased a fine knit jumper in two different colours back in September '17. The grey one has just hit 30 Wears. Some might say that grey is dull and boring but it's a colour I'm drawn to, and it's lovely item to pair with bright patterns and colours, it's really versatile.

The navy one hit 30 Wears just over a year after purchase in October '18, and has now been worn over 60 times. I purchased the navy one to replace a very similar jumper, and when this one finally wears out completely, I know I'll want to buy another, it's an essential wardrobe staple for me.

Looking at most of the outfit shots I'm carrying a bag, it seems weird now, I can't remember the last time I carried a bag thanks to lockdown. Having to think about gathering phone, keys, and other such paraphernalia in order to leave the house seems like a lifetime ago!

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The #30Wears concept was the brainchild of Olivia Firth, founder of Ecoage, the idea is that the next time you want to buy new clothing or accessories, ask yourself if you will wear the item at least 30 times? If not, don’t buy it!

To see other items that have earned the #30Wears Badge of Honour click here.

I've sat in the sun, been battered by the wind, and rained on.

I've watched old episodes of Eastenders on Tuesday evenings.

I've made a bag of Cadbury's Chocolate Eclairs last for over a week (previously unheard of).

I've waged war on the carpet moths in my bedroom.

I've driven our new (to us) car and finally got used to the brakes.

I've been reading non-fiction.

I've eaten mangetout sun-warmed, straight from the plant.

I've worked longer hours than normal.

I've inhaled the scent of the old school roses in our garden.

I've eaten socially distanced fish and chips with my Dad in the early evening sunshine.

I've been trying to capture a mouse that lives in our kitchen for days!!

I've drunk a G&T at my desk at 3pm in the afternoon (see above).

I've had a day off, midweek, and spent the day doing just as I pleased.

I've completed a 21 Day Meditation Challenge.

I've wondered why anyone would want to sit on a crowded beach.

I've wanted to drive to a beach very early in the morning to avoid crowds. I haven't... yet.

I've wondered why anyone would want to visit a pub or restaurant any time soon.

I've found a Post Office that is easy to get to, devoid of people, and feels safe to use.

I've decided it's OK to start selling my unwanted clothes on ebay again.

I've been trying to decide when to dig up my potatoes.

I've cut Andy's hair for the second time.

I've just realised that I completely forgot to take part in #photoanhour in June.

I've just spent 2 hours ironing.

I've purchased moisturiser that isn't Olay for the first time in decades.

I've forgotten to send cards for people's birthdays.

I've eaten pasta everyday.

I've created a photo book of all the candid photos from our wedding.

I've been missing my yearly visit to Latitude, even though it wouldn't have happened yet.

I've enjoyed not having to be anywhere or see anyone at any particular time.

I've learned the meaning of the word 'alacrity' (brisk and cheerful readiness).

What have you been up to?

THIS YEAR

As we were in complete lockdown in April I'd assumed that I wouldn't buy any clothes, but I did.

During a bout of insomnia I was tempted by an email from New Look offering 25% off dresses. I placed an order, only remembering that I'd done so when I read the order confirmation email the next morning.

It's a midi dress (£19.49), very pretty, easy to wear, and good for slightly cooler summer days - you know the ones where it's not quite warm enough for short sleeves or hemlines, but you feel the need for something a bit summery? Well, this is perfect for such days.

In May I ordered a strappy black midi sundress (£26.00 not pictured), and a khaki print swimsuit (£25.99) from ASOS. Then I purchased a pre-loved dress (£9) from eBay despite having no idea when I'll wear it! It was the fact it has a full skirt and pockets that prompted me to place a bid, but it might find itself back on eBay if I don't wear it soon...

And this is when I decided that I wouldn't make another purchase for three months, partly to put a stop to my spending on clothes, new or otherwise, and partly so I can focus on another Wearing It All challenge, which I'll be starting tomorrow.

LAST YEAR

In April last year I purchased 18 items! 12 of which remain in my wardrobe.

These are the things that remain. Above: black pattern tunic dress, navy jumper, red floral top, black and tan shorts, white t-shirt, and grey jacket (which is over 30 Wears). Below: cream jumper, PJ bottoms, stripe scarf, pink jumper, navy jumpsuit, black v neck t-shirt.

The six items I no longer have were all sold on ebay in the summer, mostly because they didn't fit well. Overall I made a small profit. One day I'll learn to try things on in charity shops before I buy them.

In May I purchased a pair of sandals in the La Redoute sale (£28.00), and a pair of almost new Next jeans for £5.00 from a charity shop. The sandals are lovely and very comfy, and the jeans have been worn well over 30 times already too.

In June I purchased two new items, a red tropical print Warehouse swimsuit in the sale, £28.50 (from £36.00), a pair of Havaianas flip flops, £24.00. The swimsuit has only been worn a handful of times, but the flip flops, as you can imagine, were in almost constant use last summer, and have been worn a lot already this year too.

My first secondhand purchase of the month was a cornflower blue Escales Paris clutch bag for £6.50. I Googled the brand and discovered that these retail for over £200! It doesn't hold much so I'm tempted to sell it on ebay when the lockdown is over.

My second pre-loved purchase was a blue ASOS embroidered dress (£5.00). It's only been worn once but you can expect to see it again soon!

Total so far for 2020: £163.47

Total at this time last year: £219.25

Left of £200.00 budget: £36.53

Not much left in the budget! I'm going to go ahead and blame lockdown for my spending, if the charity shops had been open I'm sure I'd have spent less... maybe.

Anyway, not buying any clothes for the next few months will help to keep the total down, and who knows maybe £36.53 will buy me a few nice pre-loved bits at the end of the year and keep me within budget? I should feel more comfortable about venturing out and into the charity shops by the start of October.

Items purchased: 9 (pre-loved: 5) (new: 4)

My one purchase a month rule has been broken a few times but maybe a total of 12 items for the year still achievable? We'll see.

For the fifth year running I'm keeping track of my spending on clothes, shoes, and accessories with A Buyer's Archive.

It's hard to wrap my head around what's happening in the world when I stand looking over the landscape and it all seems so peaceful and still.

My days have fallen in to a gentle rhythm, a routine that includes morning meditation, and greenhouse watering, some sitting in the sunshine, when possible, to top up my vitamin D, a few hours at my desk each day, and an evening walk around the farm.

I've been slowly creating a schedule for all my household chores, something that I've wanted to do for a while, which is far superior to my usual ad hoc approach to domestic goddessness. Life feels wonderfully calm until I turn on the TV, so I keep that to a minimum.

I haven't ventured out into the world since my trip to the supermarket in week 11, preferring to stay at home, feeling as if it's far too soon for the current level of social interaction. There will be many people who'll stay at home for longer, and those who will rejoice at the easing and rush out, and that's up to each individual to make the choice for themselves.

We have to do what feels right, and for me that's to stay put. It's an incredibly easy thing for me to do as I work from home and haven't had my work interrupted in anyway, in fact I'm busier than usual. It's a very lucky situation to be in, and I'm very grateful for it.

I hope you're well

xx