In June of 2012, I announced to the world, or at least the fashion world, that I was taking a year off to go live on a farm in rural England. So here we are at the end of September 2013, and here I am. Still. People ask me from time to time when I am coming back or what my future plans are, and so I thought I’d let you all know what I’m up to.
For starters, I love it here. For more reasons than I can explain. But the main ones are the following: I have never been more clear about who I am and what is important to me. There is enough peace and quiet here to listen to myself – my mind and my body. I know when it’s time to work hard and when it’s time to rest. The tension is gone from my shoulders and the adrenaline that lived inside my belly for twenty years in New York has settled down. I know it because whenever I go back to New York, the adrenaline returns and I notice it now because I’m less used to it. My husband is as happy as I am, for similar reasons. And my kids are thriving. Thriving.
But the one thing that is different this year is that I am reintroducing accountability into my life. I want to this year to have purpose. Last year I had a bit of structure – I paid my bills and answered emails on Mondays, I wrote my blogs on Thursdays, I ordered groceries for the week on Sundays. But because it was my “year off” I often ditched my schedule in favor of a better option – a walk in the fields when the sun came out, a ride with a friend after school drop off, an ambition to cook three sit down meals a day (yes, I’ve gained a few pounds!).
The one work-related thing I did accomplish last year was that I started writing my next book, and this summer I sold it. Yep. To Blue Rider Press (at Penguin Random House). I am so excited. It’s a book of autobiographical stories spanning my twenty years in fashion. My goal is to share with you some of the most formative and transformative experiences I have had over the years and what I learned from them, who I learned them from, how I came to my most important decisions, and of course what I was wearing when all of this happened. It’s not my comprehensive “memoir,” just moments that shifted me from one perspective to another. There will be also lots of user-friendly sharing, like what I learned from packing for fashion month over and over again, how I figured out to match my red lipstick to my red nails, and the way I discovered how to wear more than one piece of denim at a time. And because no one loves a visual more than I do, there will be lots of great photos, but also more personal writing this time, because I’m just in that kind of mood. Can’t wait for you to read it.
So am I done with fashion? I don’t think so. I love the idea of living life in chapters, and this is just the chapter I am in right now. I like to think about my mentor-in-all-things-to-do-with-life-and-fashion Diane Von Furstenberg who took multiple time-outs throughout her career and now in her 60’s has more success than ever. She did it at her own pace. I’d like to do the same.
In the meantime, here I am in September on the farm! God it’s a great month. I have my strict writing schedule that I am (mostly) sticking to, while still managing to cook and ride a horse and pick fruit. Onward!
 |
| When we arrived back from New York, the whole farm yard was just overflowing with apples. It was a great summer for fruit growing. This is the smallest tree we have, but I love the intensity of it’s red apples. |
 |
| Whenever Coco and I have been away from the farm for a while, we love to jump on a horse as soon as we get back. It helps us to ease the transition (you know that “What the hell am I doing here” feeling?) by reminding us what we love most about living here. |
 |
| During August our entire giant thistle tree had collapsed. Christopher was sure he had cut it back enough so that it wouldn’t topple over, but it did. The good news was that I got to pick all the flowers for the house. They last a long time. |
 |
| We also got home just in time for The Feastival, a food and music festival at the next door farm hosted by Jamie Oliver and Alex James (the bassist for Blur). I love stuffing my face at all the street food vendors, and of course the kids get excited by the rides. |
 |
| I’ve been cooking my way through the blackberries and apples, one crumble at a time. I use Nigella’s recipe for the topping, but for the fruit I just cut it up, arrange it evenly and pour a few teaspoons of sugar on top (but not too much or it’s too sweet!). |
 |
| Zach and I had to drive a long way to get him a pair of shoes he needed for school, so we rewarded ourselves with a visit to the local antiques shop. He got some old Beano comics, and I got this vintage hunting hat, which sadly fits Zach better than it does me. |
 |
| Eartha Kitten, making a fast get away from the horse I am riding. |
 |
| Jack Bauer and Inspector Clouseau. I love these two. They belong to my husband’s brother but they live in our field at the moment. |
 |
| Racing up the hill, Coco edges out Christopher for the lead. |
 |
| Sweet homemade sign in Bledington. |
 |
| In honor of New York Fashion Week, the sheep decided to have a runway finale of their own. |
 |
| We have a gazillion pears as well. I have just gotten my hands on a recipe for the best pear compote that my friend Laura Bailey gave me made from her pears. Once I test it (tonight), I’ll share it with you. |
 |
| The horses are so fat after eating grass all summer, especially Shalom. Now we’re working hard to get them in shape. And yes, Christopher’s hat cover is cotton candy pink. The children recoil in shame when he puts it on, and so he wears it every chance he can. |
 |
| I’ve been eating fresh figs every morning for a month. It’s the first time we’ve been here to enjoy them. Last year we were here at the right time, but the summer was too cold and wet to make any fruit. And I surprised myself because I didn’t think I liked figs that much but fresh off the vine with sheep’s milk and honey? Unbelievably good. |
 |
| Christopher is a total sucker for a string of outside lights. Not just at Christmas, but year round. I like how they illuminate the last few roses of the year. |
 |
| I was wistful when I took this picture last Sunday because I knew it would likely be our last outdoor meal for a while. |
 |
| Jake and the killer sunset. |
 |
| The best afterschool playdate on Earth. |
 |
| Gingy girl, waiting for us to come back from a ride. Oh how she would have loved to come along! |
 |
| Taking a breather on the most beautiful day in September. |
 |
| At one point the fig bounty was so plentiful that I had to make something with them. I love this very simple recipe. |
 |
| I took this last photo of the house with the long grass. Christopher gave the garden it its winter haircut today. |
 |
| One of my September highlights was having my friend Taylor play hooky between London and Milan fashion weeks for a night of peace and rest. We rode horses, we chatted by the fire and we walked home from dinner at the pub in the light of the full moon. Maybe I should start a fashion month rehab here……. |
 |
| I never get over this face. |
 |
| Zach, worshipping at the alter of the last dandelion in the field. |
 |
| I’ve learned that in England, autumn announces itself with fog. I woke up this morning, and the new season was here. |
 |
| Today was one of those days when I had to postpone my writing schedule and jump on a horse. The mist and the fog was too compelling to ignore. It was scary at first – I really couldn’t see more than 20 feet ahead of me, but I felt like I was on the set of a film, especially when these two emerged heading towards me from from the cloud. It was too beautiful to be believed. |
I, for one, am so glad you're staying. I love your photos and stories from your new life. It's so beautiful and soothing and lovely to come and visit every week. I'm a longtime fan and silent reader who has never commented, but I felt compelled to on this post because I actually would love to know more about how you handle your work and writing schedule. I have been thinking about divying my week up precisely as you do, but have yet to pull the trigger. I'm a writer as well and constantly feel pulled in so many different directions when it comes to work, housework, and other responsibilites. I'd love to know more about your weekly schedule and what your writing schedule is! Thanks again for sharing the beauty in your life so generously.
thanks so much for sharing.. I also have been thinking of moving to England for 1-2 yrs with the Fam's & was wondering how you went about finding your home???
We live on the farm where my husband grew up. We had been coming to our cottage every year in the summer which helped make the transition smoother for all of us. xx
Oh my, how you paced your pics. Brava! In addition to myriad other talents displayed in the post. Total brain candy.
Garden & Be Well, XO Tara
One of my favorite posts! Truly inspiring to hear about your experiences in the country, Amanda. I hope to have my own some day! I blogged about you and the my inspiration on my own blog this morning.
http://citrusandcedars.com/2013/10/15/bucket-list/
What a charmed and wonderful life. Thanks for sharing
Your photography is gorgeous…so lush and atmospheric. Good for you for doing what feels right for you…sometimes that sounds easier than it actually is.
You are crazy to consider giving up this life ever. You're living the dream. If you get tired of it and want back to the meaningless rat race of New York and fashion, text me, and I'll move in.
Love this blog so much! 🙂 maybe we could follow each other on Bloglovin and/or GFC, Facebook?
Please leave me a comment on my blog and follow by blog!
http://kstylick.blogspot.com
You can also like my Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/Kstylick
I will follow you back! 🙂
Korean Fashion
I love your posts – so uplifting and positive and can't wait for your second book!
By the way, I love your grey pom pom hat and hope you don't mind me asking where you got it from as I would love one too. Stylish and useful! Thank you.
The hat came from a girl in London called Amanda Austin, but sadly I got an email from her last week saying she is closing her company:( xx
Thank you Amanda for replying. I really appreciate it and look forward to your blog and photos. I admire your energy and enthusiasm for everything you do; you inspire me with good intentions. Thank you for taking the time to share everything. xx
Well, I don't know about anyone else, but I'm ready to go plant pear and fig trees.
I, too, have found myself in the countryside (but rather, the Pennsylvania countryside) with more horses than humans for neighbors. It's interesting the pace it sets for everyone, and the (dare I say) reverence it demands, in gentle way. At first I objected to the quiet country life, thinking that quiet couldn't dare mean exciting. But that's so not the case. I love your photos and the thoughts that accompany them!
Reading about your life in England reminds me of the stories right out of Enid Blyton books. We moved to the UK five years ago and I'm still in awe of the beautiful countryside, the animals, misty mornings, dew hanging off a leaf…..etc.
hi Amanda!
I'm Clara – from Italy. I have been following your blog for a while – and i love your picture and stories about life in the E glish Countryside. I love english countryside and i would love to live there for a while!!! I do not know if i ever have the chance to actually live there, but i will for sure plan a trip in the future! Meanwhile, it's nice to enjoy your pictures! Everything seems really wonderful!!
I am glad you decided to continue in the farm, your life is like a dream. Can't wait to read your book.
Congrats Amanda! It's Sheila Erandio (former Barneys designer buyer). I just discovered your blog. It's fantastic! Glad to hear all is well with you. Cheers from Paris fashion week!
Hi Shelia – Thanks. Great to hear from you. I bet your baby is getting big!! xx
Here's an idea… you could adopt me. I am a 30 year old Canadian girl who can cook, clean, and would love to learn to ride. I come with two dogs and a husband (who is a farmer but there's nothing so painfully idyllic about our farm as yours). What do you say?
Reading you makes my heart happy ! I love how you respect yourself, how you and your family enjoy and find one authentic and true life. Your life gives me confidence, you are so linked with nature and so in tune with yourself. So rare ! Sunny Side
I just "found" you after reading the article in the July issue of Vogue. I think you must have my dream life! How blessed you are, and it is beautiful that you really get that.
The photo of your pig is stunning! Ha! Oh, I have to laugh at the subject matter but it really is a stunning photo. Really enjoy the juxtaposition of fashion-and-farm in your blog — very happy there will be more!
You're the classiest combination of down to Earth and sophistication!
I love your posts, and am anxious to read your new book.
Beautiful. Just beautiful.
Such beautiful photos and stories. I am always excited when I see you've posted something new. This is hands down my favorite space to visit every week. xx
Beautiful photos as always!
Have to say I love your book "I ♡ your style" found it in NYC about three years ago and since then I've read it and looked through it so many times the pages are about to fall off. You are a big inspiration to me! Thank you for that!
x
All the best to you!
Alvia
http://www.trendeneur.com/alvia
http://trendeneur.com/alvia/2013/07/11/the-inspiration-book/
The pictures are so beautiful, you make us dream
Nothing is as beautiful as nature
X fatima
I can't wait to read your second book! Loved the first and am very excited to see what the second book covers.
Love the sheep runway, and I can't wait to read your second book. Can you share a little bit about your writing schedule and how you organize your time? I'm in the same boat this year – research leave to write a book. Thank you!
I love this post. Good for you. Knowing what important right now and going with it. Enjoy. And lucky us!… more gorgeous blog posts. ALSO, congratulations on your book. I will of course be reading it
Best wishes
Caroline
Wow what a beautiful post, it's made me feel all autumnal and cosy.
I love what you say about finding your inner peace when you are in England. I feel the same way when we go to our house in Normandy for the summer after spending crazy 10 months in the U.S. with my kids and my husband's crazy work schedule. Great blog post…I love how introspective it is. Myla
Your photos are glorious! Thank you. I was wondering if you would share what you are using to get your beautiful shots. I know it is totally amazing what you can do with an iPhone and instgram, but I have seen pictures of you with a camera as well. I just love square pictures as well. Thanks from sally
I use a Samsung Galaxy camera (not the phone) because I can instagram directly from it, and also my iPhone. xx