Winter Gardens at Langdon Hall

 The gardens at Langdon Hall were designed within the British tradition and have a sprawling, Victorian feel.  On our recent getaway we took a tour around the grounds even though the morning was icy, overcast and cold.

We normally tuck right in to the hotel in the winter months (they do cozy very well) but somehow, despite the cold, the gardens still looked enchanting, especially the woods beyond.

 This post is quite picture heavy, and I have to tell you I'm still kicking myself for forgetting my real camera at home.  I hope you can still get a feeling for the look of these gardens in winter... and for the next seasons that lie in wait (thanks to a little adventurous side trip into the greenhouses).

The weather vane at the peak of the stable lofts is magnificent, we stayed in one of the lofts last summer and the views over the property are beautiful.

Weather vane.

Approaching the woods.

Garden arbour.

One of the greenhouses.

 The opposite side of the greenhouse, facing the Cloister, is in fact a beautiful old stone wall:

 Here is the a view of the Cloister from the greenhouse, this is where we stayed on this trip.  The rooms in this building are large and private, with wood-burning fireplaces and beautiful bathrooms.  Perfect for a winter getaway.

The Cloister, view from the greenhouses.

There's something about the bareness of the garden in the winter, it's quite beautiful.

Furious looking Roman god type face on the interior wall.

The greenhouse is filled with all of the materials used by the hotel in spring and summer.  I have to say I recognized some of the plants and containers from our visits in the warmer months.

 The plants were thriving, it's always so thrilling to enter a warm, humid greenhouse on an icy winter morning.

In flower.

I recognized the ferns from the summer.

Lots of rosemary for the kitchen. 

 Here, below, we have MrBP having a proper look around.
I'll tell you how it goes on an occasion such as this:
ME:  "We're not allowed in here, it's for hotel employees only."
MrBP:  "Nah, there are no such rules! If there are I'm sure they could be interpreted a number of different ways."

MrBP, interpreter of law.

 While I may not have the nerve to just barrel through the behind-the-scenes buildings on my own, I do appreciate it.  Even if these buildings aren't meant for guests, everything just looks so charming and organized.

 This red watering can was my favourite!

 Eventually we left the greenhouses and headed for the woods to do a little walk around, passing the pool house and more gardens along the way.

 A last look at the woods before heading back to the Cloister:

We'll be visiting Langdon Hall again in late April and I'm so looking forward to taking pictures of the gardens in early spring.  It might be early for planting but everything should look green and promising.
xoxDani

Winter Getaway Colour Story

 Before the Rascal Reunion began this past weekend we took a little twenty-four hour getaway to one of our favourite spots close to home : Langdon Hall.

I'll have some pictures for you of the grounds of Langdon Hall tomorrow, but for now I thought I'd share my packing-up colour story.

The temperature hovered around zero which by this time of year feels mild to us.  This was perfect because I was able to wear one of my favourite wool skirt suits to the hotel without loads of winter layers weighing me down.
When we go to Langdon Hall we try to arrive early enough so that we can have lunch in Wilks' Bar.  A skirt suit is the perfect outfit for this snug, cozy bar.

This Brooks Brothers suit is a few years old, and while I can't remember the exact year I bought it I know it was before Zac Posen took over designing women's wear at Brooks.  It's likely from 2013-2014.

I have a short sleeved Brora jumper that is perfect under the suit.  I cannot stand to wear long sleeves under a jacket like this: too much bunching.
The Brora jumper is also the perfect match to the scarf MrBP gave to me for Christmas, excellent because I really wanted to wear it on this Valentine's week getaway.

I have to show you the most beautiful detail on the jacket: the back has this pleated detail that is so charming.  It's actually a bit of tailoring genius, it allows the jacket to sit properly at the low back, where it meets the top of the skirt.

The back of the jacket.

 I really like using a scarf for pattern and colour because if I get tired of wearing it while I'm out I can always wrap it around my handbag.

Smythson Bag.
Hermes scarf.

 Here we have an amateur photo of my outfit in the wearing:

 I wore my recently refurbished black leather boots which have a quilted detail that echoes the checks of the navy wool:

 How about for dinner in the evening?  That was easy, my favourite winter dress.  This colour story really revolved around this dress, I knew I'd want to wear it for our late dinner in the dining room.  It's a wrap dress, and so comfortable.  It has pockets for lipstick, perfect because then I don't even have to bring my handbag.  The dress also pairs well with my tartan wool ruana from Scotland, which I really like to wear in the evening in place of a coat.
It continues the colour story of black with navy checks:

Eileen Fisher black velvet wrap dress.
Black Watch Modern Tartan ruana from Scotland.

 For the following morning I brought along a sportier outfit: my usual Theory Ponte pants, a black cashmere Brora turtleneck, and my Dale of Norway quilted vest.  You can see the boots and the vest are made for each other:

Dale of Norway wool vest with quilted detail.
La Canadienne quilted leather boots.

It was actually quite chilly in the morning when we decided to have a walk around the beautiful grounds, so I wore my tartan ruana over this black outfit.

I really had fun with this colour story, it's such a good method to planning a weekend away or a longer vacation.  I think I might do a couple of trial spring colour stories, then maybe you can help me with my packing up for our New Orleans vacation this spring?
Hope you have a good day today,
xoxDani
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Mop Philosophy Monday

Arrangement from Sweet Violets Flower Shop

 What do you think of red roses contrasted with eucalyptus in a bouquet?  I love the colours and shapes together, a perfect centrepiece for the table.

Making any healthy snacks?  I made this roasted carrot and red lentil hummus the other day and it has been a huge hit, everyone loves it, even Lil Rascal.
You can find the recipe here.

Roasted Carrots for the hummus.

 I've been plodding on with the storage room Death Cleaning.  De-cluttering takes such a long time whenever there are family mementos involved.
I have trunks in the storage room for my older rascal kids to hold various memories of childhood.  The blue trunk was Ole Rascal's camp trunk too, so it is a memory itself, before it's even opened.

Rascal Trunks

 Cooking up any detoxifying soups?  I made this one the other day and it would have been much better without the addition of beets.  I don't care for them in the slightest but I keep trying, they're so full of vitamins.

 The next time I'll skip the beets and just add more butternut squash.  Here is the recipe if you feel like giving it a try.

We've had a busy weekend not just with our rascals but with a little getaway to Langdon Hall.  I've got an overnight travel Colour Story coming up and some photos from our trip.  Stay tuned Tooties.
I hope your week is off to a terrific start.
xoxDani