Monday 27 February 2012

The Good, The Bad And The Downright Scary


The good? That's this gorgeous Indian embroidered maxi Sabine kindly sent me last week. I wore it out on Saturday night and it's set to become a firm favourite. I love it.


Notice a slight difference in my favourite posing patch? Whilst the weather's been so Spring-like I've been busy weeding, pruning and digging. 


The fennel, comfrey, sea holly and flax have been dug up and chucked on the compost heap, as they've been killed by the frost, leaving just a handful of spring bulbs and poppies. The pots have been scrubbed out and the galvanised steel window boxes are ready for planting once I've checked out what's going cheap on the market tomorrow.


I've pruned back the herb patch leaving rosemary, sage, chives, alpine strawberries, tarragon, oregano and rocket.


I've dug out a dead tree and cut down the brambles in this corner,creating an exciting den for the cats.


The bad? My gardening outfit. It will hardly surprise you to know that no shop was entered to create this ensemble, the tiger print leggings, Jethro Tull tour teeshirt and Converse boots all came from various jumble sales. Oh, the glamour.


The scary? My attempt at sorting out the garden's a mere drop in the ocean. The blasted thing goes on for another 90 metres with a grand total of twenty-seven trees, fourteen of which have preservation orders on them and despite our pleas to the council they won't even let us prune them.


There's parts I can't reach without a scythe. There's a pond just to the left if you look closely.


It's all so big, overwhelming and scary. Most of it's too shady to grow anything and it's permanently covered in a carpet of leaves.


Any tips, ideas and advice?


Fortunately it's just started raining so I can down tools and forget about it for the rest of the day.

See you soon.

76 comments:

  1. The bad and scary sounds just like me. I love the dress Sabine sent you. How thoughtful and especially kind. What are blog friends for?;-)

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  2. that dress is so you Vix! I'm no gardener so can't help you out there! :(

    xo

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  3. Amor,
    Indian frocks were made for you!
    love the detail of this dress.
    I amar you in gardening outfit totally rocks. not bad at all. cute leggings and scarf.
    Your garden looks like a mystery to discover.too bad those trees don't grow fruits.
    besios

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  4. That's one gorgeous garden Vix. I'd leave it as it is all mysterious hide outs and place to discover! I'd put sculptures around corners and in places where you'd not expect to find anything. xxxx

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  5. I love the Indian maxi. Please may I have one, too? And I love your garden. Leave it just as it is and cut back occasionally. It looks so secret and exciting. Of course you won't think so but it looks so private. (What's the building in the background?) You've worked hard and deserve a rest. The garden looks great.
    Love from Mum
    xx

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  6. Actually...I like your gardening outfit. Is that a Broadsword shirt I spy...? X

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  7. This is when you need Alan Titchmarsh to hide out in the last 90 woody meters of your garden! If only I knew of some gardening tips myself!

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  8. my tip as a gardener would be to send me that dress!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    all kidding aside that dress is amazing and you are so lucky to have it.

    i know what you mean when you say your work is but a drop in the bucket. that's how it is here too. it all grows so fast and there is so much to do. is that bamboo i see growing there too? we have masses of it that threaten our existence if we don't keep it trimmed back. and everything and i mean everything is always covered in leaves. my garden will never ever be manicured.

    again, don't forget to send me that dress! hehe.

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  9. The dress looks beautiful on you!

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  10. This dress is spectaculer and fits you like a dream! I love all the beautiful details! Your gardening outfit, HA I love it too, but the scarf is the best touch, you are so cute Vix no matter what.
    Holy crap your yard is HUGE!!!!! I will say I like the wildness of it and you seem to have so much privacy no houses or nosey neighbors peeping in. You defiantly need a hammock for the summer time and lots of fairy lights otherwise I love your yard my dear! Nice job!
    XOXO~
    Krista

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  11. Stunning dress Vix, really beautiful. But you still manage to look funky doing the gardening. As to the wilderness - mini music festival?

    ***Faith Hope and Charity Shopping first blogiversary giveaway open now***

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  12. Oh I love the maxi dress!! Ugh I am so missing my sewing machine I could use a new dress and even a skirt....Wow great gardening outfit hehehe love the socks...beautiful yard and what a challenge indeed. Have you tried composting all those leaves....Maybe you could thrift a nice big composter or get a book maybe on how to do it. That would be one way to use up the leaves and put them to purpose. ~You look beautiful in your new maxi!! ~Love Heather

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  13. Love the maxi, and love your gardening outfit too!!
    How weird that you can't prune the trees, wonder what kind they are to warrent that? I love the idea above to place hidden art in the garden.

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  14. That maxi dress is gorgeous. And you look pretty good in your gardening gear too, why be boring?

    I can't offer any gardening advice unfortunately, I hate it!

    x

    Amy
    http://everytimeatillrings.blogspot.com/

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  15. mmmmmm dressssss mmmmmm

    OK

    http://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/projects/creative-projects/how-to-make-leaf-mould/191.html

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  16. Beautiful garden! I can't wait the day I will have my own secret place in my future backyard :)
    This frock is amazing, love its details so much!

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  17. Your gardening gear looks a lot like my day-to-day housework/garden clothes! :)

    We've got to tame our garden too...erm also not sure where to start haha! Well I am sure...up on the leaking garage roof trying not to fall in to my doom as I repair it! Erk.

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  18. I'd leave the rest of the garden as it is! Maybe pull out the weeds, plant some daffodils and scrape up some of the dead leaves but definitely leave it mostly as it is! Also get that lovely pond uncovered, it would be awesome!

    I love wild over-grown gardens, I wish we had a larger one! Ours is covered completely with patio slabs.. once we get around to sorting out the garden they are all coming up! I plan on having borders around the whole thing with lots of plant pots dotted around and a pebbled seating area in the middle and climbing roses on the old brick walls! I'm very much looking forward to the landscaping aspect! It won't happen for a few more years yet though!

    I love how you still have that pretty neck scarf on even when wearing your scrubs to get down and dirty! xxx

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  19. Loving that maxi dress Vix, it fits you so perfectly x

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  20. Comfrey, sea holly and flax should all self seed so you never know you might get some new plants come up in the spring. The fennel might well have come up again despite being frosted.

    That's a hell of a project you have on your hands! I would love to tackle it, wish I were closer I'd be round in a shot.

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  21. Your garden is fantastic. It's the kind of place to explore and have adventures in. I would just tidy it up as much as you can and drape the rest in fairy lights and candles. Your home has so much character. I love your gardening attire too! x

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  22. I'm no gardener so can't help out but I would leave it as it is I agree it's mysterious and natural I like it! Mine has no plants and just grass blumming awful!

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  23. Very impressed by your gardening skills, a little goes a long way and I am more than sure one day you will create the garden of your dreams. I must admit I never thought I would see the day you wearing converse boots, but it sure is a novelty and of course if any rock chick can pull them off, it’s you xxx

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  24. That garden is beautiful. I'd find a way to work with its wildness. I can see how the prospect would be scary though, normal gardens are high maintenance, that's a woodland. Are you allowed to hitch a hammock between sone of the trees?

    Xx

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  25. I think your gardening outfit is rocking! I'm planning to really get into gardening this spring and I have no clue wot I'm doing there. I usually just end up killing all the plants. Practice makes perfect (or in my case most likely insane!)

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  26. What a beautiful dress, you lucky duck!

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  27. What a glorious wilderness. I would just put fairy lights in the trees and pretend you are in Narnia. Sorry for lack of comments lately, I hope you understand xxx

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  28. Best gardening outfit ever! I love the leggings!

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  29. I freaking love this dress! And though it's a lot of work, you are so lucky to have such a big garden. I just love it.

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  30. you look great just doing the gardening! Despite loving green spaces I'll terrible with gardening so no suggestions - sorry! x

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  31. Love your garden and gardening outfit. If I had your garden then I would make a big effort with the beds near the house and keep the lawn tidy, then let the area where the trees are become a wildlife haven and look at ways to encourage this...nesting boxes and so on...x

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  32. Oooh nice nice nice dress!!!! You look lovely! I would gladly wear this!
    Wow, amazing garden! It sounds just like my Grandad's. His useed to be so kempt and lovely, now it's a bit of a wilderness!

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  33. That is a huge garden Vix. But you have made a great start and it looks fab. how come even in gardening clothes you still look stylish? Bet you were glad it rained today!

    X x

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  34. just how i expected - you look amazing in this dress. it fits you like a glove....

    gardening... isn't my fave hobby... ;)

    http://wardrobexperience.blogspot.com

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  35. I love you in that gorgeous dress, and also in your working ensemble.
    You also rock my world, wonderful woman.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  36. Wow your garden is huge ;-) What will the council let you do to the trees? will they prune them? i love a natural looking garden its nice to sometimes just tame it but leaving it wild looking. You could hang things from the trees and have leave the undergrouth for the animals i bet you get alsorts of wildlife. Love your maxi dress it looks lovely and fits you like a glove. dee x

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  37. The real good is that even your gardening attire is in fact FUNKY!Gah,I want to like gardening,I really do,but I am essentially lazy and can't bear dirt under my fingernails,what there is of them! I quite like watching G do it,though.Whilst I drink a cocktail.
    The new frock is fab,is it cheesecloth??Love the shape and the embroidery!I can see how such a frock could become a fave!!!
    Jeez,but your garden is HUGE!I'm overwhelmed just looking at the pix!Never mind,one day we'll play drunken hide and seek in there,and we'll love it!!!
    Like I love YOU!
    Love Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  38. That dress is just beautiful and you even look glamourous doing gardening! The cats will love that little den where they can hide and watch birds. Tommy has secret hideaways in our garden and the neighbours...luckily our neighboour are an lovely old couple and they love him. He even takes to sitting on their garden bench in the sun....the cheek of him!

    Jethro Tull thats a blast from the past xx

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  39. Lovely dress, definitely a keeper!

    Your garden is great - a real secret garden, although I can imagine the scale of work it needs. We have a huge garden, but no time to do much with it. You could maybe look out for some woodland wildflower seed mixes to go under the trees? Something along these lines maybe: http://www.horseshoe-nurseries.co.uk/993620

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  40. I love your garden, it looks perfect to me. If you want to get it a bit more organised, maybe host a gardening party, get everyone clearing and sorting, then supply booze and curry once it gets dark.

    That dress is beautiful,I am in love with it. Your gardening outfit looks like something I'd wear on a night out!

    I've missed you, good to see you looking so well.

    Lucy x

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  41. I love that dress, it so gorgeous and your gardening gear makes a super change from those navy quilted waistcoats that I see so many gardeners wearing on tv.

    BTW: check out this website for some TPO info: http://www.tree-care.info/protectedtrees/tpo

    It might be worth trying to appeal if your local planning authority turns down another application from you to prune back those trees. After all, its not as if you're felling them completely.

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  42. Blimey Vix your back garden is humongous! I can just about manage mine which is 25 square foot so can't really offer advice. Must be a great party space in the summer tho'.
    That dress is fabulous on you, you look so pretty and the beads are lush. You even look stylish in your gardening get-up.
    x

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  43. Oh goodness firstly you look cute in your gardening outfit! That dress looks like it was made for you. The embroidery on it is so pretty. Also I loooove that necklace!

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  44. Your maxi is a beauty, no wonder its now a firm fave, looks like it was made for you! Your garden is huge! I have no tips at all as im rubbish at garden stuff therefore i would have to bribe the local kids to do it for me ;o) Scarlett x

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  45. No tips as I don't have a yard yet myself, but your property is just magical... no wonder you always look so perfect in it!

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  46. Aaaaahhh, the dress looks AMAZING on you, Vix! It needs someone with your willowy figure to carry it off... I have to admit I kind of love your work outfit, too :)
    xoxo

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  47. What a fabulous dress, it's gorgeous, and you are gorgeous in it!
    Well done for all the hard work. I'm like Helga, I WANT to enjoy gardening but it's such hard work and I don't know what I'm doing...
    I guess you're limited if you can't do anything about all the trees which create the shade. So I agree with all the other people who have suggested going with the wild flow! I love the suggestion of little statues and treasures to stumble across, what about mirrors too? And lights and hammocks. Bet your cats LOVE the garden just as it is!
    And you are a super-funky gardener! xxxxxxx

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  48. That dress fits you like it was made for you--what a lovely gift! You may think your gardening togs are bad, but compared to what I've seen other people wear, yours are pretty funky. Can't help you with gardening suggestions; all I have is a flower bed!

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  49. The scarf on the gardening outfit is a great chic touch! You certainly have your work cut out for you, but your progress is visible and NOW is the time to get it done.

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  50. so pretty dress and necklace, you look fabulous!, and you're also stylish in your gardening outfit!
    I can't offer any advice about gardening, I think it's an overwhelming job!
    besos

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  51. Oh that frock is GORGEOUS and you are BEAUTIFUL in it! I love the lovely details on it - and of course your jewellery is perfection. The yellow pendant is spectacular!

    I am amazed that the council can stop you from pruning trees on your yard... go ahead and prune them, honestly, would they even know? Do they have cameras and security guards on the trees?? I have zero advice re gardening... my backyard is a waistland of bindiis and prickles and roo poo!

    Love! Sarah xxx

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  52. I reckon you're the funkiest looking gardener I've ever seen, LOL, you'd sure be giving my neighbours something to look at if you were here doing mine.xxxxxxxxxx.

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  53. Love that dress! The fit is perfect as if it were made for you. Cute gardening outfit too : )

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  54. Advice? Get stoned and enjoy the ride! The bamboo is gorgeous!

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  55. You do realize that your "bad" gardening outfit is better than what I see most gardeners wearing when they AREN'T in the garden, don't you? In fact, it looks so cool that I am going to remind myself on a daily basis that even though I'm digging in the dirt I can still look cool!

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  56. still fashionable gardening....I say! Large tress & shade is tough to grown anything....same with my back yard. Love the maxi dress!

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  57. The hat yesterday and now the dress -- I'm swooning. That maxi is one of the most beautiful items of clothing I've seen. Now I'm trying to figure out how to replicate it without actually doing any embroidery. Hmmm...

    Do you own a single item of BORING utilitarian clothing? I don't think so.

    Happy gardening :)

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  58. Phwoar! Head to toe - perfection (the dress/necklace combo).

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  59. What a gorgeous woman you are in your beautiful blue dress!! And I love your gardening gear!! Well done with the gardening, I like your wee gnomes in your herb patch. Where is Buddha??

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  60. Vix that is one very gorgeous dress, I just love it on you. I can see why it is now a favorite.
    Your garden is such a haven, I am sure there must be pixies and fairies playing amongst the trees.
    Tell the council it was the pixies who pruned the trees, naughty naughty pixies!!! They do all the naughty things around here.
    Love v
    PS I love that my little car started it's life being made close to you!!! That's got to be good energy, from 1973. V

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  61. The dress looks even better on than I imagined, stunning. As for gardening advice I'm afraid all I can grow are daisies and mint (yes I am THAT bad!)

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  62. That dress fits you perfectly! It sucks that the council limit you from cutting your trees. I do love the woodsy feel of your garden though. xx

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  63. It might be worth asking a tree surgeon to look at the trees. If you appeal to the council with the advice of a tree surgeon that may swing things in your favour.If they are told a tree needs work or it may die, or if a tree is dying and therefore potentially dangerous and you can show them that this is the opinion of a professional. Unfortunately it's not cheap :-(

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  64. super dress.
    i would recommend hardy geraniums for under trees. also comfrey and hostas if you don't suffer from too many slugs.

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  65. Hello Vix,

    Firstly thank you very much for following my blog, very kind of you.

    Secondly I adore your gardening outfit, it's exactly the kind of thing I would wear!!

    Lis xx

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  66. That dress is great!
    Your gardening outfit, well, why not look fun while doing the weeding?

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  67. I think the dress is fantastic, something I would probably wear to death! lol.

    I rather like your gardening outfit you certainly look a lot more funky than I do when tending to seeds!

    I love your garden but can understand your frustration with the shade. What about a woodland garden you could grow your own little magic fairy glade!


    MBB x

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  68. Your maxi is stunning, and I just love that pretty yellow necklace! Your choice of gardening clothes is just perfect, also!

    I am IN LOVE with your house and gardens. Beautiful! It's a shame that you can't prune the trees on your property as you wish, but I really love the overgrown look of it. I'll bet it's the perfect place for summer dining.

    Have a lovely day! xo, Anita

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  69. I want that dress!! Although it wouldn't fit me....hummm I want a dress the same as that which fits me perfectly!!

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  70. That dress suits you down to a tee! Your garden looks amazing - both the wild and tamed bits of it!

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  71. Wow, your garden is a dream! You are having your own little forrest. I wished I've had a garden like that.
    Love your dress by the way. :)
    xx

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  72. Love the blue maxi! You look stunning as usual!

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Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix