I have stolen ideas from every book I have ever read.

Laura Ashley trench coat. Topshop scuba top: €15, via Oberpollinger. H&M palm print trousers: £15 (I've got my eye on this similar pair of culottes). Warehouse lace up flats: £29. Gemporia ring. Brandy Melville "thug life" necklace: €9.

When it rains, go somewhere muddy. Obviously. 

Last week I booked a couple of days off work and headed over to Oxford to catch up with family. All plans to have a charming break in glorious August sunshine were quickly nipped in the bud when glancing at BBC Breakfast's weather report, but in true brit style we went for it anyway - that's what umbrellas are for, right? After dropping our bags off, we headed to the Botanic Garden. More than just your usual scrub of grass, this garden housed everything from cannabis to pineapples - something for every palate. I, of course, couldn't help but get some snaps in the palm house as opportunities to match your outfit with your surroundings should never be given up.

It was also a little bit of a special place for me to visit, as it's home to 'Lyra's bench'. Growing up, my absolute favourite books were the His Dark Materials trilogy written by Philip Pullman, from which grew my fascination with this little Oxfordshire city. Anyone else spend a little too much time trying to work out which animal their dæmon would be? I may not have explored Oxford by rooftop like Lyra (although we did climb up Carfax tower), but I couldn't help but visit the little memorial to her and Will whilst we were there.

Time to dust off my old books, and get lost in a novel on the 6.47 tomorrow.

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We've got so good at pretending.

Dahlia stripy co-ord: £35. Clarks sandals: via Cloggs. Vintage saddle bag: won in Claire's giveaway. Emerald and white topaz ring: c/o Gemporia. Michael Kors Paige sunglasses.

It feels like forever ago (crikey) that I was doing my Art A Level, but four years on and I'm still as much of a fine art fangirl as I ever was, so when a trip to the scenes of John Constable's art works was suggested I grabbed it with both hands, and made sure that there'd be cake somewhere along the way. There's a National Trust spot at Flatford Mill which is where John Constable grew up and honed his skills before becoming a member of the Royal Academy, and after your walks around the area lapping up those Suffolk views there's a tea room (cake) and gift shop (cider) for you to while away an afternoon in. We skipped the aforementioned tearoom upon seeing the queue in favour of the Essex Rose in nearby village Dedham because neither could we pass up an opportunity to try another Tiptree tearoom nor be away from our beloved Essex for too much time in one go. You may have seen my instagram of the pastel coloured buildings, but if you missed it just know that Dedham is the prettiest little village around, and I'll definitely be bombing back up the A12 sometime soon.

For our little country excursion, I decided to debut my first ever co-ord and I have to say I'm rather taken by the trend. I picked up this stripy co-ord in the Dahlia sample sale (although I'd argue that it was just a sale with a few random bits and bobs on an extra rail, but never mind), and I'd like to think it looks okay on, even if the top's a little long #shortgirlproblems. After this small victory of trying something new and it working, I've been on the hunt for my next matchy matchy set. Despite being overwhelmed with the new season stuff at Oasis (you guys are gonna love it), right now Ark have got a load of co ords new-in that are really catching my eye, and I'm planning to pick up this top and bottoms set in store when I pop up to Liverpool next weekend. Because if I can get something that suits me and I feel happy in, it's totally fine to buy an entire wardrobe of them, right?

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