Whenever we can, Ian and I try to get out for a walk. Right now, time is a precious commodity. Among home improvements, birthday parties, Easter and more, we haven’t had much of it to spare. But this weekend, we managed to fit in a walk around Skipton Woods. (And here I’d like to thank him as always for taking my photographs). Skipton Castle Woods, (to give it its full title), has over a thousand years of history. It used to be part of a hunting forest that stretched across the north of England. The woodland gave rise to Skipton Castle which established the town. Later, the wood helped power the town’s industrial revolution by supplying timber and water to the cotton and wool mills. Now, Skipton Woods is managed by the Woodland Trust.
We love it all year round but I think it’s at its most impressive in spring because of the abundance of wild garlic that carpets the ground and scents the air. (Spot the ladybird in the second photo down).
Last autumn The Woodland Trust commissioned a local artist to produce two beautiful willow sculptures. The Spirit of the Medieval Hunter, (below) and The Stalking Horse, (which is on a different route to the one we took).
I was very much in weekend mode so rather than blow-dry and straighten my hair, I let it dry naturally, hence its “undone-ness.” My outfit was practical but smart enough to stop for a glass of wine on the way home.
The Perfect Pair
What is the perfect pair to wear for a woodland walk? What eyewear compliments a casual jeans outfit? I cannot think of anything better than sustainable wooden sunglasses.
This style is the award-winning Blackcap by Bird Sunglasses. I’m particularly proud to wear it because I briefly met Ed Bird, the founder of the company, when I was at 100% Optical earlier this year. It’s a Devon-based start-up owned by Ed, his two brothers and his wife. Bird’s mission is to create eyewear which looks good and does good. The company uses sustainable materials including FSC-certified wood, repurposed aluminium and recycled packaging. Every pair purchased brings solar light to families in Malawi, Zambia and Uganda through their Share Your Sun partnership with SolarAid.
The Blackcap was named Frame of the Year at the 2019 Opticians Awards. It’s been highly engineered using multiple layers of sustainable bamboo, sandalwood and beechwood, plus aluminium for strength. Its distinctive colour palette and shape nods to retro-round designs and I love it.
Bird glasses are available online at www.birdsunglasses.com and in a range of stockists. My white pintuck shirt is a gift from Yorkshire-based company Pure Collection. it is currently reduced from £85 to £63.75.
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11 comments
Great venue, shots and more importantly outfit. You really can;t go wrong with basic jeans and white shirt. I love the three quarter lengths, but need to find myself a pair that fit perfectly. Thanks for sharing your fun in the woods. Jacqui Mummabstylish
Oh thank you Jacqui. Yes, sometimes simple, stylish basics are the best! xxx
Gosh! So much to say. First, your hair is DARLING undone. I wish mine looked like that air-dried! The photos of you in the forest are magical. How can anyone look so beautiful in jeans and white shirt?!
Let Ian know that in addition to his Instahusband duties (which my god, his photos are amazing, so he doing brilliantly there), he needs to flex his culinary muscles and make a tonne of wild garlic pesto out of all of that ‘bear’s garlic’ as the French call it. I’ve never seen so much in one place. Lastly, those glasses and their sustainable angle have my heart, and are so stylish as well! Your recent posts make me want to move to Skipton… I’ll burn off all of the restaurant calories walking in the woods! xxx
Oh thank you Lisa. Sometimes I simply can’t be bothered to dry and straighten my hair so I just let it be! As you know, Ian is a great cook so I’ll definitely tell him to harvest some wild garlic and make pesto. I didn’t know it is is known as “bear’s garlic” either. That’s so cute! I can’t wait for you to come and see Skipton. you’ll have to have a few days here when Ian and I get married xxx
What a beautiful location, Lizzy! And that sculpture of the woman with the bow and arrow is incredible, isn’t it?!
Love the shirt, jeans and trainers combo. You look lovely!
Suzy xxx
It really is lovely there Suzy. Tranquil and very pretty. The sculpture is amazing. Such a strong-looking woman but soft and feminine too. I never tire of seeing her xxx
This is your natural hair?!!! Wowzers I love it Liz, please wear it like this more often. Mine is a humongous frizz when left to dry naturally, you are very lucky my friend.
These Bird sunnies are very cool, I love this particular shape right now. It’s easy to see the quality and superb design of this pair especially in your tight shots. Beautiful x
It is yes. Really quite wavy. I have been wearing it more like this, mainly out of laziness but I do put smoothing cream on it or it is just a frizzball!!! xxxx
skipton looks great so do you
short but sweet
toodle oo
Hi Lizzy
What a beautiful area! I have yet to visit England, but have seen some wonderful sights just from blogging. Classic style and those sunnies are a great shape. You look great in them! I wish I could wear more round pairs.
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Hi Jess. Thank you so much. Yes, there are so many beautiful places near here. I think you’d love England! And thank you. The sunnies are super. I love that they’re sustainable too. Thank you so much for commenting xxx