There’s something undeniably nostalgic about turning a bowl of tart, jewel-toned crab apples into sparkling jars of homemade jelly. Crab apple jelly is one of those old-fashioned preserves that feels both simple and magical—an everyday fruit transformed into a clear, ruby spread that tastes like autumn and tradition. Whether you’ve gathered a basketful from your garden tree or stumbled upon some at a local market, making crab apple jelly is a rewarding way to slow down, savor

As the mornings turn misty and the evenings draw in earlier, Dorset starts to slip quietly into winter. There’s something so peaceful about this time of year — and I look forward to when the fields sparkle with frost, the sea air feels sharper. Even the streets of our little towns seem to slow down. Living here through the winter months always feels like a gentle reminder to pause, get cosy, and make the most of the simple things — a lovely dog walk, a warm meal, and time wit

Welcome to the Foodies’ Christmas Gift Guide 2025  — your ultimate source of inspiration for the culinary lovers in your life! This year’s guide is packed with delicious ideas to satisfy every taste bud. Whether you’re shopping for a passionate home cook or someone who simply loves a good snack, we’ve curated the most exciting, thoughtful, and mouth-watering gifts of the season. Get ready to make this Christmas a feast to remember — because nothing brings people together qui

Welcome to the Home & Garden Christmas Gift Guide 2025 , your go-to source for gifts that bring warmth, comfort, and style to every corner of the home. This year’s collection celebrates the joy of home living and outdoor beauty, featuring everything from elegant home décor and smart appliances to lush garden accessories. Whether you’re shopping for a design enthusiast, a green-thumbed gardener, you’ll find thoughtful ideas to make their space shine all year round. Give the gi

Welcome to the Wellness Christmas Gift Guide 2025 , where self-care meets the spirit of giving. calm with a scented candle, a well overdue pamper, or simply the joy of slowing down. This year’s guide celebrates all the ways we care for ourselves and others, featuring thoughtful gifts that nurture body, mind, and soul. From soothing Wellness looks different for everyone — it can be a moment of skincare sets to fitness equipment and cosy comforts, each item is designed to insp

Welcome to the Dorset Christmas Gift Guide 2025! As the festive season sparkles across our beautiful county, there’s no better time to celebrate the magic of local giving. From handcrafted treasures by Dorset artisans to indulgent treats inspired by our coast and countryside, this guide is your go-to source for thoughtful, sustainable, and uniquely Dorset gifts. Whether you’re shopping for loved ones or treating yourself, discover the charm, creativity, and community spirit t

Delicious warm cinnamon iced buns fill the house with a wonderful aroma. The joy of baking cinnamon buns is a sensory and emotional delight, turning a simple activity into a heartfelt experience. From the moment you begin mixing the dough, there’s a sense of anticipation as soft, fragrant ingredients come together under your hands. Kneading the dough provides a soothing rhythm, and watching it rise feels like witnessing a little miracle. Rolling it out, spreading the sweet ci

Pumpkin soup with cumin is so warming There’s something magical about autumn, isn’t there? The air turns crisp, the leaves crunch underfoot. Suddenly I find my kitchen starts calling me to create dishes of roasted vegetables and warming spices. Autumn is the season for food that’s comforting, colourful, and oh-so-satisfying. The Joy of Seasonal Produce Autumn brings a bounty of fruits and vegetables that are perfect for hearty meals and sweet treats alike. Think pumpkins, sq

This is a collaborative post. When you’re looking at upgrading your bathroom, it’s easy to get caught up in the fantasies of completely new layouts and upgrading every single surface in the room, but your budget and time don’t always really allow for that. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t make a few improvements in the meantime. If you really want a sense of comfort, safety, and quality of life, even just a few of the following smaller upgrades can make a bigger impa

As the darker evenings draw in, autumn is the perfect time to slow down and focus on wellbeing. Nourish yourself with seasonal foods, stay active, and make the most of daylight to boost mood and energy. Embrace cosy routines, restful sleep, and mindful moments to stay balanced and well throughout the season.

After a week away, the allotment is bursting with surprises — sweet, sun-ripened tomatoes and tender salad leaves ready to pick. Autumn’s bounty has arrived!

In just over a week I was surprised to notice how quickly the leaves are turning as autumn creeps in. After a week basking in warm sunshine—bare feet, salty hair, and that deliciously lazy rhythm that only holidays bring—coming home to Dorset felt like stepping into a completely different kind of beauty. The moment I opened the front door, that familiar mix of cool air and countryside calm wrapped around me like an old jumper. It’s early autumn now, and Dorset has started its

October on the allotment has a certain calm about it, don’t you think? The frenzy of summer watering, weeding and harvesting has eased off, and the ground feels a little quieter. There’s a nip in the air, the leaves are starting to colour up, and the plot starts to look less like a jungle and more like a place to tuck in for the colder months. But there are still plenty of bits and bobs to keep us busy – in that slower, more reflective autumn way. Harvesting the last of the s

If you’ve ever found yourself wandering through Dorset, chances are you’ll have stumbled across Dorchester – our county town and a place...

This is a collaborative post. Have you experienced that moment when you flopped onto your sofa only to find it didn't quite feel the...