the Elle next door: TIME OUT IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

Taking time out. Now that is something that I really need to do, but am truly awful at/don't even really know how to. As a full time blogger, blogging - and more recently, Youtube - is quite literally my life. And that's absolutely fine, in fact, it's more than fine, it's bloody amazing. I appreciate the fact that I get to do something that I adore and make a living from it more than anything in the world, however sometimes... it all gets a little too much.

In a (blogging) world where it's no longer just about writing a post, taking a photo and bob's your uncle, and much more about constant social interaction, being able to reply to lovely comments within minutes and engaging with readers in real time, I recently realised that I'd gone around 3 months without having an actual day off.

Ain't nobody got time - or the mental capacity - for that...

So last weekend, Dan and I headed down to his parent's house in the countryside in an attempt to switch off from all things Blogging/work.

... which was going really well until we noticed the spot below, pulled over to the side of the road and started snapping outfit photo's. Blog photography productivity? Winning! Completely disengaging from the blogging world?... maybe next time!

After being blown away - literally #HagridInDisguise - by the beautiful English Countryside, we headed to Dan's family home and more specifically, the ~~jungle~~ garden.

Dress - Savannah Miller at Debenhams / Boots - Dorothy Perkins / Bag - Stradivarius / Ridiculous "Am I snow white yet?" apple eating pose - Model's own!

After exploring what to me feels like a forest because my London garden reembles the size of a shed, it was time to get arty. Well, my vision of arty i.e taking close up shots of animals/insects.

Arty skills = 0. Freaked out by creepy crawly levels = 100!

Once I stopped ~~fannying around~~ photographing outside, it was time for a delicious Pork roast with all the trimmings, which I didn't photograph close up because there's a time and a place and all that. Next time, when I'm not attempting - and failing - some time off from the blog. ;)

After second portions of our roast (and dessert) it was time to head home, keen to get back to wifi and blogging life, but ultimately, just that little bit more refreshed!

I would love to know your tips for taking time out? What do you do to get away from social media and daily stresses? I would love to hear your thoughts.