So, September has been and gone and it was definitely a month of two halves for me. The first half was so much fun, full of promise, I had loads of great pieces of work lined up and I fell in love with working from home almost instantly (although I admit I did have a little wobble the first couple of days!). However, I spent the second half of the month either in pain, hospital, or on bed rest after having a double ovarian torsion and haemorrhage. All very scary and I am now precariously propped up on a mountain of pillows in bed, as I type this post, as I had surgery at the weekend. Thankfully, all seems to be well now, I just have to force myself to rest properly so that it doesn’t happen again, which is the risk, and move onwards and upwards…
That brings me on to this month and what it means to me. October is a month of nostalgia, filled with childhood memories.
The first thing that comes to mind is that it is definitely the family birthday month: mine, my sister’s and it was my grandfather’s. Therefore, I have chosen to style the top of a really sweet antique writing bureau that my parents gave to me for my seventh birthday. My older sister, Juliette, had a similar bureau in her bedroom that had exciting compartments and lots of little drawers that I used to rifle through – I was super jealous of it and wanted somewhere to hide all my secret things. When my parents bought me my own, I will always remember seeing it for the first time and feeling such happiness.
I have used a jelly mould because we always had big jellies at our birthday parties, and just because who doesn’t love a jelly mould? The picture above the desk is of me and my little sister, Amy, whose birthday it is on the 22nd of the month. I have styled the surface with Observers Books of Garden Flowers because this reminds me of my grandfather who was an avid gardener right into his nineties and whose birthday it was on the 15th of this month.
The other two things that I think of instantly when it comes to October, and the reason for using the mini pumpkins (one of which I made into a tea light holder for cosy Autumn evenings), is Harvest Festival assemblies at primary school – it is so odd the connections you make as a small child that stay with you into adulthood – and Halloween, which was always one of my favourite celebrations. We always used to get so dressed up and join up with loads of the children in our neighbourhood and go trick or treating. So, so much fun.
What does October mean to you? Charlotte and I would love to know and see your styled surfaces. It is such a lovely thing to stop, reflect and re-style a surface in your home, clearing what was a dumping ground – I promise it will make you smile every time you walk by or sit and look at it so please do join in! Tag me and Lotts and Lots and use the hashtag #StylingTheSeasons – either write a blog post or post on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Happy October styling everybody!
Katy x
P.S. If you would like a bit of inspiration from last month’s amazing Styling the Seasons posts, you can find them all on my Pinterest board. Such a gorgeous collection of posts, pictures and words and so many beautifully styled surfaces, so you must take a look…
I love this! <3 I'm a bit obsessed with autumn.. love the colours ! I've filled my home with pumpkins and pine cones, dry flowers and candles ! It smells delicious!
Thank you so much, Sofia. I loved your Instagram shots too – what a lovely Autumnsl collection x
Wishing you a speedy recovery! Autumn is my favourite season… I grew dahlia’s for the first time this year, and they have been glorious (if somewhat larger than anticipated!). I currently have three blooms glowing like small suns on the dining table and they make me smile whenever I see them.
Thank you, Louise! I love Autumn too, the low sun light and crisp walks with crunchy leaves underfoot. Enjoy the Dahlias (love your description of them) and hope you have a great October x
Hope you get well soon! I love autumn! The way everything has a special golden glow, and it’s socially acceptable to stay in, wrapped in a blanket, watching Netflix marathons! Love it.
You’ve got to love a Netflix marathon wrapped in a blanket – although I’ve had my fair share of those over the last couple of weeks 😉 Also love the golden glow. Hope you have a great month xx
So sorry to read that you’re unwell Katy. Rest lots and don’t be tempted to do anything that will slow your recovery down. Love Autumn but also love the idea of an Indian summer. Btw I’m going to nick your flower display ideas in preparation for Eid this weekend. Xx
Eid Muburak, Nahid! VERY flattered you’re going to use my ideas. Hope you are well – missing LPS believe it or not! Enjoy this weekend xx
Wonderful. I have now missed September and hope i’m not too late to join in this month!
Yes, you must, KP! You must! Xx
Hope you are feeling a lot better soon Katy! Love your beautiful autumnal styling, particularly the mini pumpkin tea light holder!
Thank you so much, Laura. I’d love for you to take part in #stylingtheseasons – promise it’s worth the effort. You will smile every time you look at your styled surface xx
This is lovely, gorgeous colours. Isn’t it funny how family birthdays always seem to be grouped like that, hope you are fully recovered by yours xx
Thank you, lovely Emma! Birthdays are funny like that, aren’t they? Not sure I’ll be recovered by mine, unfortunately, but at least I won’t have to ‘go to work’ this year so expecting to be spoilt 😉 xx
Beautiful styling of October and such memories came flooding back… Birthday parties and Halloween… What happy times we had- sending you so much love you very very clever and very very stylish girl… You must come to lewes soon… I think we must spend a day together getting inspired! Oh…. And having coffee chats too…gardening books beautiful…so much love xx sophs
I was definitely thinking of you when I wrote this, Sophs – you rounded us all up each year for trick or treating. Probably the only time I was allowed to hang out with the big girls!! I feel like everyday someone else is telling me about an amazing shop in Lewes. We MUST arrange it xxx
Oh I adore this. And that bureau?! I’d love something similar to hide all of my treasures (or more likely, shopping receipts). I remember having very similar shaped jelly too. I was tempted to look out for one but can you believe that neither of my boys like jelly? I thought that all children were meant to like jelly?
I hope that October is also a month of rest and good health for you. September sounds like it was quite scary x
Thank you, Rachel! And I LOVE your Styling the Seasons post, so beautiful and simple. Enjoy October x
sorry to hear you’ve been so poorly :(, do take care of yourself! have been following your styling the seasons altho’ not had(made) time to do it myself but so inspired by autumn styling that I’m definitely going to do it this month- what better excuse to go gathering conkers:) & am definitely going to make pumpkin tealights -delightful!
I’m so happy you’ve been enjoying it, Mary, and I would be thrilled if you could take part! You’ve got to love collecting conkers! x
What a traumatic end to September! I hope your recovery goes well. X
Thank you very much, Katie. I hope you have a good October. I also hope you do a Styling the Seasons post this month, too – loved your September post x
Gosh, I really love this, Katy! Just perfect. And I love the little pumpkin candle idea #borrowingthat :0)
Hope you’re taking things easy & feel better soon x
They are really cute, aren’t they? They last about 10 days before they start to mould x
Hi Katy. I was sorry to hear about your surgery but encouraged to learn that three weeks later, your mobility is much improved and you are back blogging. I mention this, because I’ve just started week two recovering from not dissimilar surgery; I guess I feel you to be something of a kindred spirit. Wishing you all the best, Sue x
I hope you are feeling much, much better now, Sue. Positive vibes being sent your way x
Thank you Katie, I am already thinking of something for November…it gives me a great opportunity to have a nice surface in my living room we can all enjoy !
The test-tube vase I mentioned in my post is called the April Vase, and I had it for years. The 2 designers are Tsé-Tsé, and they have a fabulous number of hit…I have another vase called the Lazy vase, but it’s been 5 years since I have been renting a place where you can’t hung things from the ceiling…I hope to have it back very soon…