Hi there! It’s been a while. The truth is, I thought I was done with blogging. Between the long term commitment of writing books and the instant gratification of Instagram, I felt it was extraneous to keep going with the in-between of maintaining a blog. I also felt I’d evolved beyond the look, feel and function of my starter blog, and while there was maybe something charming about the low tech aspect of it, I was left craving a more effective way to communicate with you.
But after a year of freedom from my blog commitment, I missed it. In retrospect I realized that my best ideas had actually come from the discipline of sitting down a few times a week to clarify and express what was going on in my creative mind. Blogging helped me maintain focus and track the progression of thoughts and inspirations. In fact, my next book, about what I’ve learned from living on a farm, was sold to Penguin based on the collection of my blog posts on that subject. I’m always preaching about the importance of gathering visuals and displaying them together so you can actually see who you are aesthetically, and it turns out that my blog is simply that – an inspiration board of ideas and experiences and images that capture my attention.

Snack time in the garden with elderflower cordial I made from the tree in our garden. For you Americans, cordial is like a concentrated syrup that you add to sparkling water. I love that you can control the sweetness by how much you add. Also, you can add gin to make a great summer cocktail. Photo by Harry Crowder.
So over the last 6 months I hired an expert to help me redesign the blog in a way that is easier for me to use according to my practices – I love a simple snapshot, I love having a chat, sharing a recipe, telling you a story, and I love a collage. I have also evolved the overall focus and aesthetic to reflect the city-girl-moves-to-a-farm double life that I live today. For the most part I live and work on a farm in the English countryside. General wellbeing and family come first. Work comes second. I love to do all the countryside clichés – cook, ride horses, make jam, and spend most of the day on my own in a garden-shed-turned-office without a telephone. I am surrounded by open fields and more animals than I can count. It’s a beautiful life that I have worked hard to pull off. But I am also an American – a nearly life-long New Yorker with a passion for travel and a long history of working in fashion. Those variations are included too.

I bought these vintage jodphurs (worn here with Chloé flats) on eBay. I had this romantic idea that I would embrace the Ralph-Lauren style exaggerated hips. My jury’s still out on whether they work or not. More on this later……Photo by Harry Crowder.

This is my daughter Coco’s old bedroom, which at 14 years old she has sadly grown to big for. Now it’s a guest room, still displaying her loves of all things horse-related. Photo by Harry Crowder.
The result is that my blog is highly personal, and I plan to keep it that way. I am not a reporter, nor do I have a team of people working for me. I won’t post every day, more likely two or three times a week – make sure you subscribe so you know when I do. I hope you have fun exploring the site. Move your cursor around over the images to see captions and more photos right there on the home page – the glorious benefits of technology. And I would love to hear from you – feedback and questions are welcome!

The track leading up to our cottage from the main driveway. I’ve tried so hard to make the grass grow more heartily in the middle, but as it’s a bridleway, horses trod on it each time I re-seed it. I guess the gods of the countryside don’t want my path to be too tidy.
In this post, I’ve included some photos by Harry Crowder that were taken for Harper’s Bazaar UK. I loved this shoot because I feel the pictures reflect the real me – I’m in my own clothes, wearing little makeup, in my quiet little paradise away from it all where I can enjoy my family, talk to my animals, get my work done, and feel connected to my surroundings.
Enjoy. And thank you for finding me, or for coming back.
Thank you for your blogging. Iloveyourblog.
so delighted to see you back blogging, You have a unique voice and i so enjoy reading your delight and experiences in the english country side, especially as I had a similar (ish) path moving to the depths of the irish countryside after 10 yrs in NYC, and working in fashion also and writing a blog as a way of gathering thoughts and ideas together in some sort of organised way, i really relate to that. So thank you for coming back to us and i cannot wait for your next book i am still delighting in Always pack a party dress” Bravo
Helen your blog is beautiful! Looks like there are some great recipes on there. Thank you. Will deep dive on the plane tomorrow. Thanks for your note! xx
Thank you that means so much !! I have severely neglected it in the past 2 years but your post may be just the final little push i needed to get back to it, so Thank you xx
Glad to see you’re blogging again. Although I’m Canadian, I have a life-long love of both New York and the English countryside. Your blog definitely fits the bill! Looking forward to reading more. I have both of your books on my shelf- love them too 🙂
So glad you are continuing the blog! I get to live my English countryside dreams vicariously through your posts. Thank you for sharing your experiences and all the beautiful photos!!
Welcome back Amanda, hurrah!
Amanda, I love that curtain rod mounted on the low vaulted ceiling in Coco’s bedroom. So good.
Well done! Thoughtful and intentional. Love the authenticity. So glad you made it happen.
So happy to see you are back! Yours is one of my favorite reads.
I’m glad you’re back, Amanda, with you’re sweet and very genuine blog. The design is really pretty!
I wish you lots of inspiration!
A while?!;) CONGRATULATIONS! And so great to have you back blogging, your blog is one of my favourite! Wish you all the best!
so happy you’re back!
Throughout the years I’ve followed fashion and style I knew of you, particularly as street style became popular post 2007. But, it wasn’t until the article in the July 2013 (August ?) issue of British VOGUE that I thought, ” I connect to her experience.” For four years I taught fashion design and studio art at an international boarding school in the middle of a red rock canyon in Arizona. It was when I discovered Isabel Marant and ordered online from Creatures of Comfort in LA, investing in pieces to mix with jeans as I walked the dirt roads, and taught in the cabins at the school. trips to LA from Arizona were so inspirational, but I was always so in love with returning to the space and nature. The mix of it, style for styles sake, that comes in the country is a unique juxtaposition that you captured so well in that article. I loved your blog before, and you are one of about five I follow on Instagram, and I feel grateful you are back at it on the blog. P.s. I have the same j.crew summer dress, and it gets better every year, no?
Good to hear from you Yasamin. You sound like a kindred spirit! xx
So glad that your blog is back:)
It is great to have your blog back! I have spend my summer vacations reading I love your style and look forward to the beginning of autumn with more stories from the farm.
I am so happy to see you blogging! You have such a unique voice and as a new mom I am inspired by you. Thank you for returning and I look forward to following you!
Welcome to the mom club Tina! xx
You have no idea how long I’ve waited for your blog to come back! (Also super excited hearing that you’ve got a new book coming out!) Your Instagrams are perfect and I’m so glad you have another outlet for sharing your life.
Sophia
plaidismyfavouritecolour.blogspot.com
Thanks for being such a loyal follower Sophia. xx
OMG, I’m in heaven with this giant content dump! Thanks for the inspiring glimpse into your personal world.
I LOVE YOUR BLOG!!! So happy you are back. It is a joy to read and see
Yes I agree that while instagram has its place there is no real longevity to the feed either unfortunately where as blog posts have a way of making ideas concrete as you say. Looking forward to more posts.
So beautiful. Of course, I love your style! xx
So good to have your blog back and I really like the design and navigation.
Best wishes for the new beginnings.
Maria
Hi Amanda, i love your new blog, thank you so much. Im inspired you found an outlet for your creativity to blossom and play. Xo
Adore your writing and style. And also your house in the English countryside is so dreamy.
Great to have you back! Love the nlogs new look, LOVE the photographs, can’t wait to see more!
Hi, it’ nice to see you back.
WELCOME BACK!!!! I’ve been checking the site every week or so for the past few months and I am very happy to see that you have retuned. I look forward to more amazing pictures, posts and the little stories along the way. Congrats on your return! And from one half-city half-country mouse to another – you really can have the best of both worlds!!
Glad to read you again ! I follow you on insta since you left the blog and I think this different way to deal with the same subject will be a interesting complement. Je vous souhaite un très bon retour &
I wish you the best from Paris.
Merci Caro! xx