Cottagecore Finds: Handpainted Candles
File these under: utterly impractical but equally delightful. A handpainted candle that is so pretty you'd probably never want to burn it has to be one of the least necessary home goods, but at the same time I find myself contemplating whether I should get one or half a dozen. They're so pretty and give the best cottagecore vibes. They could be arranged in elegant candleholders alongside fresh and dried flowers on your mantleplace in a pretty spring display. I think my favorite might be these green candles with the daisy pattern, or these colorful bouquet candles. This shop has an excellent selection and a wide variety of candle colors. But perhaps most intriguing is this candle painting tutorial by Orna; she goes into detail on what tools she uses, as well as the specific paint, and methods! Perhaps instead of buying myself half a dozen painted candles I should take her wee class and learn to make my own...*this post was originally shared on my Patreon page; for more exclusive posts and early access to shoots in addition to downloads, wallpapers, postcards and more check out my Patreon page.
According to Celtic calendars spring starts in February with Imbolc; the midway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. It always still feels like winter to me until at least midway through April, but already signs of spring have begun to emerge in the countryside—graceful snowdrops daring to bloom even through frosty mornings and the first crocuses emerging from the soil in a burst of vivid purples. Slowly but steadily the landscape is transforming. Already I have seen the first buds of the blackthorn beginning to sprout on the spindly branches in the hedgerows and tiny lambs are beginning to appear in the fields as well. When 
While I’m usually more comfortable in dresses and skirts I have been drawn to the newer silhouettes of jeans lately—like this straight, wide cut pair. I’m not sure it’s the best shape for someone with my body type and height, but it does feel refreshing to wear something so loose after skinny jeans for so many years! The 
wearing: 
My other spring look is much more of my typical “cottagecore” style and my comfort zone when it comes to getting dressed. It’s funny looking at these two very different outfits I feel like most people would find the jeans outfit more “normal” but for me that silhouette and style is my getting out of my comfort zone and trying something different. The outfit I would wear most days and not think much about is definitely this one with the full skirt and floral print corset. Everyone’s normal and area of comfort is so completely different! I love how the 
While January turns most of the countryside to a bleak landscape of grey and browns, there is one magical wood near me that always stays green. The trees are towering evergreens only allowing the briefest glints of sunlight through, nearby there is a herd of fallow deer, and the woodland floor is carpeted in moss, ferns, and clovers. In winter I tend to stay very close to home; I can rarely be tempted further afield than what I can reach on foot when the weather is so cold and the days are so short, but this woodland is always worth the short drive. Wandering here is always like stepping into a fairyland, a little oasis where spring seems to always remain even in the bitterest months. I recently put on one of my folk inspired outfits and went looking for one of the few mushrooms I feel safe identifying--scarlet elf cups. 
I'm so happy vintage-inspired bodices and corsets like this are becoming more popular because it's a style I love so much. They're really nice because they add so much personality to the simplest of outfits; I'm only wearing a white blouse and black skirt but with this bodice I feel like a someone in an old folktale (like the peasant that glimpses a passing fairy procession while out gathering herbs). This particular bodice is by 
I edited these pictures with the Elderberry Preset from my 
These days most of my focus has been on growing 
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In the last few years I’ve tried to switch to a more ethical wardrobe; cutting out as much fast fashion as I could and investing in more sustainable brands. When shopping more mindfully certain pieces have been easier to find—I easily discovered brands that specialized in dresses and skirts in linen (one of the most environmentally friendly fabrics). Accessories have been a bit harder, one sustainable solution is to shop more secondhand so I’ve made an effort to buy vintage boots for the winter months but spring and summer flats in my style and size were a bit trickier to place. Which is why I was so excited to find Vivaia Collection this year. Classic and colorful flats that can be thrown in the wash? Yes, please! And they’re made of recycled plastic bottles? I was sold. Vivaia Collection shoes work so well with my vintage inspired outfits and help me follow my goals of shopping more sustainably. When I saw they had some new boots for autumn and winter I knew I wanted to try a pair for myself.
It always feels when November rolls around everyone is ready to focus on Christmas, but autumn is still lingering and golden in my region. There’s piles of leaves building up everywhere, jackdaws coming in to roost beside our lake and the smell of peat smoke lingers over the village in the evenings. So many days are still mild enough that you can get away with a few cozy layers rather than a full coat. As long as there’s still leaves around I’ll be embracing the autumn vibes. I always like to wear the colors of the season, so 
This last outfit is more of my everyday look; it might be a bit more whimsical than the 60s inspired outfit, but I love these romantic sleeves, corset, and the bold color of the skirt. It’s very peasant princess for the autumn months and that style to me always seems not too dressed up or fancy. I think some people would find this look a bit theatrical, but linen is such a practical fabric I always feel like I can wear these clothes anywhere. Linen is pretty easy to clean and layers warmly, even my Vivaia collection boots can be brushed clean if I end up wandering off the beaten path. I like the way the lace-up details on the Vivaia Tammy boots echo the lacing of the corset, it really ties the outfit together for me. We haven’t had a hard frost in our region yet so our nasturtium plant in front of the how is still quite green. It’s always such a contrast to the trees around us that are shedding their leaves right now, but soon this garden will reflect the season as well.
P.S. If you like these boots and want to try Vivaia Collection for yourself be sure to use my code ACH for 20% off!
