#light bown sofa

[qfabraywrites]

Open in Orange County

[adaniellelife]

Ever since Burberry left its giant tent in Kensington Palace’s garden’s it has had whole new creative direction, which hasn’t just inpacted its collections, which FYI I’ve been in love with, but also for the fact that each season Burberry opens its venues doors and lets us all in to see the collection up close alongside its latest concept. Last season, it was gorgeous capes and Henry Moore sculptures, the season before was a dedication to all things British, and for the September collection, the Burberry exhibition is celebrating some of this country’s most renowned social and documentary photographers, including Shirley Baker, Martin Parr and Dafydd Jones, under the impressive domes of the Old Sessions House in Clerkenwell.

What I adore is that Burberry really knows how to pick a venue, the Makers House was a divine old building filled with character, and they’ve done it again with the Old Sessions House, a Grade II listed building that used to be a courthouse, with its grand staircase, gorgeous tall windows, incredible domes, and shimmering chandeliers, and with it all stripped back to its exposed-plaster walls it made for the perfect backdrop for the catwalk show, followed by the photography exhibition and collection showcase.

I think I love architecture nearly as much as fashion and seeing both elements together is fascinating and inspiring, which was added to with the incredible collection of around 200 photographs from the likes of Bill Brandt, Brian Griffin, Jane Bown, Jo Spence and Janette Beckman, which document social portraits covering themes such as romance, the lives of the upper-class, the British weather, and even picnics. 

There is also a room to mark Burberry’s collaboration with Russian streetwear designer Gosha Rubchinskiy, who showcases Burberry’s trademark check in a whole new light, draped down the exposed wall under a leather sofa and football boots, to mark one of the most striking rooms in the Burberry exhibition.

The September collection itself is dreamy, an eclectic mix of pure British brilliance that was seen best in the outerwear from candy shade semi-transparent plastic raincoats to military-style striking jackets, and even pastel hue fluffy bear coats, which were all fake fur. There was also a gorgeous number of embroidered dresses, which looked incredible under check and tartan overcoats and paired with plaid scarves and argyle socks, and the accessories once again were fabulous with the tiny cross-body bags being the winners for me, as were the chunky studded boots. Also, don’t get me started on the jewellery, so gorgeous and decadent, I’ve never wanted a brooch so badly!!!

The Burberry exhibition is on until October 1 at Old Sessions House, 22 Clerkenwell Green, London.

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Step inside @Burberry's 'We Are Here' exhibition and see the September collection Ever since Burberry left its giant tent in Kensington Palace's garden's it has had whole new creative direction, which hasn't just inpacted its collections, which FYI I've been in love with, but also for the fact that each season Burberry opens its venues doors and lets us all in to see the collection up close alongside its latest concept.

[dwarva]

Stardew Valley 30 Day Challenge Day 23. Out of Energy

The snow crunched under his beaten old bown boots as Harvey gripped onto the fence leading to the farm. No fresh snow had fallen in days but the temperature stayed under freezing so the compacted snow was fast turning into an ice rink. The soles of his boots had mediocre grips but even they were struggling to keep him upright as the sun dipped below the horizon and the winds grew even more biting.

Worries about pulling a muscle if he slid or breaking an ankle if he slipped plagued his thoughts but still onward he moved. Before he'd left the clinic, he'd gone through a dozen potential injury scenarios and still decided that visiting Rae was worth any risk. The stitches from the creature's attack in the mines were due to come out tomorrow so he wanted to give it a once over before she came to get them removed at the clinic.

Careful now. One foot in front of the other. Tiny baby steps Harvey...

When he caught sight of the tall farm house with its temporary snowy hat he breathed a deep sigh of relief and dragged himself along faster, his gloves now sodden with ice crystals melting all over them. The sun was a mere glowing line on the horizon now and its absence had resulted in another drastic drop in temperature. Not for the first time Harvey was glad his upper lip was warm at least. Hopefully Rae had the fire burning and a cup of coffee ready for him because he wasn't sure he could manage without--

What was the thing on the porch? He edged closer and when he realised what was making the shape he abandoned all attempts at baby steps and began to jog full pelt across the path.

"Rae!" He shouted desperately. It seemed like all she was doing these days was scaring the life out of him, and as he approached the figure he realised she wasn't responding to his calls at all. "Rae!" He called again, louder; desperation echoing through the valley. The chickens chattered in response, safely tucked in their coop, but still Rae sat motionelss.

He whipped off his wet glove and cupped her hand. Even though he wasn't warm himself he could tell she was ice cold. As he leaned in closer he felt warm breath on his cheek and watched as her chest rise and fell regularly. Should he take her to the clinic or just inside? He didn't have anything with him if she needed medical help but, as though she could sense his concern, her eyes fluttered open and she gazed up at him, calmly smiling.

"Hey Doc. I must have fallen asleep..." Her voice was breathy and she squinted as she looked round at the farm. "It was much sunnier when I sat down."

By the time Harvey formulated an actual sentence he'd already picked Rae up and the breathlessness caused by lifting her weight wouldn't allow him to say anything. Instead he huffed at her angrily, cursed her out loudly in the silence of his own head and shoved the front door open with his backside. A dim lamp was on in the kitchen that cast shadows over the room and he looked around, trying to remember where Rae told him her bedroom was. He caught sight of the corridor to his right and shuffled his feet down it, hugging Rae into him before he carefully placed her on the bed. As he caught his breath he realised any other time he would venture to her bedroom he'd be looking around like a trapped animal but, just like seeing her half naked the other day in his clinic, he realised there were bigger fish to fry.

The bedroom was dark other than a slim patch of light coming in from the lamp in the living room. He looked around but could only see a candle on her bedside table. Next to it were matches. Did she really only have a candle in here?

"When did...." A sharp pain shot through his lungs as he still tried to catch his breath. His throat burned. He really should work out more. "When did you go to sleep outside?"

Her eyes edged open to the sound of his voice again, her expression completely serene and sleepy as though he'd caught her napping on the sofa. "Are you in my bedroom Harvey?" The last of his breath escaped out in a half laugh as he leaned in and felt the skin on her arm.

She was still ice cold. Her normally tanned skin had gone especially pale and her lips were tinged with blue. He leaned into her and looked carefully at her fingers. No frostbite that he could see.

He ignored her question. "Rae, do you remember what time it was when you fell asleep outside?" He turned and grabbed the matches and lit one, tossing it into the fireplace. Plenty of fresh wood still lay there and, after a few more matches he both realised he had no idea how to actually light a fire and hoped that putting in some fire with the wood would help them catch. He needed to get more warmth in the room. Rae's lips were still tinged with blue and her skin was pale.

He poked around the wood and they started to catch. As he looked over at her she stayed asleep, a blissful smile on her face. He pulled a patchwork quilt that was bunched at the bottom of her bed over her cold body and began to rub her exposed arms and legs. She began to shiver and stir and rolled over, reaching her hand up and grasped at his arm.

"Thanks Harvey." She murmured. Her slightly goofy expression still betrayed the fact that she was half asleep and as though he needed any more reassurance she whispered, "Are you coming to bed?"

Her voice was calm; as though she'd said the words a hundred times before and Harvey looked down at her with desperate eyes. But he didn't answer. He went back to the fire and gave it a few more pokes with the long metal rod that was propped up on the side. Quickly the fire began to roar and the room warmed up so much that he slipped off his heavy overcoat.

She lay still curled on the bed as Harvey knelt down next to her head. Her body was starting to heat up but was still cold to the touch. The blue was gone from her lips as Harvey idly ran his fingers over them. He tried to convince himself he was checking them for cold related injury but knew it was that he simply wanted to touch her.

Is this a wise decision, he asked himself as he settled what he'd do in his head. What is she going to think when she wakes up in the morning?

He took off his suit coat, kicked the snow boots into the corner of the room and lay down in the bed behind her. Without hesitation she shuffled herself back onto him and they were soon knotted around one another, spooning.

He rested his arm over her and was glad to feel her body coming back to life and her skin began to warm up. He could leave now, more than likely. He could make sure she wasn't in any danger and then go back to the clinic and he'd see her tomorrow when she came by to get her stitches out. But even though he considered a dozen reasons that it was the best thing to do he remained sided up next to her, the two of them lying in foetal positions curled up to one another with no space between them.

He breathed in the scent of her and almost moaned into the back of her neck. He nestled his nose into her dark hair and could pick out the familiar scent of rose and vanilla that she liked to wear. He gave her arm another brisk rub in a half attempt to show he was doing this for medical need only, and was grateful to see it back to its normal tone. She lazily reached back for his hand and pulled it over her stomach, snuggling further into him.

This was it. This is what he'd spent so many evenings imagining. All he'd wanted since he'd met Rae for that first time was to be so close to her that he could feel her hair tickle his face and have them curled up with one another. How had it even happened that he'd got so lucky? That she'd chosen him? Of all the people in town she could have chosen to be with, she picked him. A cowardly small town doctor with no prospects or ambitions other than to just keep her close and safe.

He loved her.

Damn, he was in even deeper than he realised. It was no longer a simple crush. He was in love with her and wanted to spend every single day for the rest of his possible mediocre existence making her happy.  

He gripped her tighter and she responded with a contended sigh.

"Harvey?" She asked drowsily. He moved his hand down onto her stomach and she knotted her fingers with his. "Don't go home?"

"I wasn't planning to." He muttered, exhaustion now fogging his own mind as well. He pulled the quilt over the two of them and silently decided he wasn't going back to a life of lying awake and alone in his apartment. If she'd let him he wanted to share his life with her. Starting tonight.

The last thing he thought of as he drifted off to sleep was a summers day with Rae and he sitting on a swing on the farmhouse porch, watching a little boy with glasses running around the farm with a stick.

----

When Harvey woke the next morning he found himself alone in a room he didn't recognise. The alarm hadn't sounded and he flipped over, grasping subconsciously for it on the nightstand. The sharp smell of ash filled the air and he looked around for something he recognised.

The room was bright as sunshine cascaded in, creating a square pool of yellow on the hardwood floor. A mirror hung by the window with a shawl tucked into the corner and a fireplace simmered an old blaze by the bed.

His face relaxed as he recognised the smell of Rae's perfume and the night before came rushing back. But where was the bedrooms owner? Had she been furious at him staying and taken herself off to calm herself down? She's specifically said she didn't want to take their relationship further until she was sure. Did she think he'd taken advantage of her?

His stomach lurched as he imagined what she must have thought of him. Swinging his legs around his bare feet hit the cold floor. Through the sickness in his belly he smelled something delicious wafting through the house. Familiar and reassuring scents mingling with something different he couldn't quite place.

Looks like if I have to face the music she's at least providing coffee to go with it, he thought to himself. She can't have been that mad or she'd just have woken him and kicked him out.....right?

Hesitantly he walked through the short corridor, not sure what he'd find on the other side. But what he saw made him smile in spite of himself and he leaned against the wall leading into the living area. "Good morning..." he said quietly.

Rae spun from where she was nursing something on the stove and offered him a mischievous grin. "Good morning." She responded and lifted the pan onto the dining table which was set with plates and cutlery. "Ready to eat?" She was wrapped in the quilt that normally lay over the back of the sofa and was wearing boot style slippers.

So she wasn't angry with him. Or, if she was, she was hiding it well.

He smoothed down his shirt politely but futilely and sat down at the table where she lifted some bacon on his plate and spooned him some eggs from a bowl in front of him. She did the same to her own plate and returned the pan to the stove, licking her fingers. She came back with a large pot of coffee and poured him some, again without asking if he wanted it. She knew he wanted it.

He nodded at her with thanks and the two sat in silence for a few mouthfuls, Harvey grateful for the food as it stemmed the nausea he was still getting over from the whole situation. Eventually she laid her fork on the half full plate and rubbed her mouth with a napkin, taking a long draw of the cup of coffee in front of her.

"I'm sorry."

His eyebrows furrowed. "You've got to stop saying sorry when you've nothing to be sorry about."

"Maybe," she muttered taking another long drink. "But I know you felt you needed to stay and look after me last night. And....I'm grateful. I sort of remember parts of last night but not all of it. I remember you carrying me into bed."

His cheeks pinked and he took a sip from the mug to try and mask it. Reassuring coffee slipped down his throat and he sighed gently. "I did. And I promise I only stayed because I was really worried about you."

"As my doctor?" She joked lifting her fork again and cocking an eyebrow.

"And as...." His mind raced as he thought about how he was going to define himself. He'd done it at the clinic without thinking but this time there was no emergency. "And as your boyfriend Rae." He smiled at her and she gave him a knowing look.

"I'm sorry I made you worry. But I can't say I was sorry when I woke up this morning with you tangled up all around me." His cheeks went from pink to crimson at that and an uncomfortable noise emerged from his throat She reached for his free hand and linked her fingers with him. "Maybe it's something we should do to more often?"

He looked at her peaceful expression, her hair still tousled from the night before and her eyes still dozy from sleep. He couldn't think of anything he wanted more than to see that sight every day. He nodded and gripped her hand ever tighter.

"Are you sure about this?" He wasn't sure if he was offering her an excuse to back out because of his own cowardice. But he desperately wanted to lean over and kiss her and his stomach churned again as he wanted for her answer.

"I'm very, very sure..." she whispered as she stood up, pulling him with her and lifting her mouth to his, kissing him deeply.

Harvey was sure too.