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T - R - A – N - S - I - T – I - O – N
Let's Get Seasonal
One minute we’re enjoying the warmth of a little late afternoon sunshine on our faces, the next minute we’re dashing for cover from the lashing rain – ALL CHANGE - time to batten down the hatches, locate your woollies, wellies and waterproofs and say hello to all things Autumnal.
I personally love the seasons, in fact, when I dream about living abroad (which it’s fair to say, I do quite a bit), I think I’d miss the changing seasons too much? It keeps life interesting wouldn’t you agree? When I think of the Autumn, my thoughts go to slow cooking and red wine; reading my book in bed with a hot chocolate; watching ‘Bake Off’ under a fluffy blanket by the fire; of clear bright cold skies and wrapped up walks kicking the leaves and drinking in the rich colours (any excuse). We’re off to Winkworth Aboretum this weekend … well … petrol permitting that is? Fuming comes to mind … literally and metaphorically (don't get me started).
What thoughts come to mind for you when you think of Autumn?
As we’ll be spending more time in our homes over the coming months (in PJs in my case) and hopefully not just because of the fuel issues, why not invest in a little hygge at home to make it even more inviting - love that word, never say it right though. It doesn’t have to cost the earth either, it could be as simple as bringing the outside in, by arranging some berried branches / winter greenery in a vase or jug in your kitchen. Cook for comfort and make a batch of homemade soup, one of my old favs is a Spicy Sweet Potato & Butternut Soup it’s from an old 'Soups and Beyond' Covent Garden Recipe Book (2006 no less thanks Lea), sadly it doesn’t even appear anywhere online, hard to believe these days I know! I’ll add it to my stories over the weekend for anyone interested. This one looks and sounds amazing too by Rebel Recipes - https://www.rebelrecipes.com/spicy-butternut-squash-sweet-potato-and-coconut-soup/ I also enjoy cooking from ‘The Roasting Tin – Simple One Dish Dinners’ great for some mid-week inspiration, I’ve tried a number of recipes in this book now, all in one pot for the whole family, winner winner as the saying goes – if you order via this link too, little book shop owners will benefit too: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/the-roasting-tin-simple-one-dish-dinners/9781910931516 and if you’re feeling a little under the weather, why not try this ‘Hot Gin Toddy’ thanks to Abigail Spooner – https://www.sainsburysmagazine.co.uk/recipes/drinks/hot-gin-toddy
Low lighting can also transform how a room feels too – nothing beats the magic of a flickering candle (look for soy wax, bees wax or coconut wax ones), or fairy lights on your bookshelf, or the warm white bulbs vs. the bright ones. Getting into super soft sustainable clothing is also like a warm hug at this time of year – there are so many wonderful eco leisure wear brands out there at the moment - I particularly love BAM Clothing, they have great eco-credentials, lovely yoga gear and base layers, their socks as so soft too for men and women, I think I've bought them for my whole family - if you click on this link and enter my name in the basket you’ll get 15% off - https://bambooclothing.mention-me.com/m/ol/uq9xk-ruth-clougherty
Talking of lighting, the photo above is of us on a sunrise hike in Northern Ibiza earlier this month - it was truly magical - we started the hike by torchlight and then watched the sun come up before enjoying a breakfast on a rock and a swim - huge thanks to the very talented Davina Askew (@davinaaskewphotography) for this amazing photo.
What's been happening at Gin & Yin HQ?
This month started with a Stand Up Paddle Boarding session on The Thames with some of my lovely retreaters and event attendees – we had a hoot, we Sup-ed, Sip-ed and Picnic-ed in the sunshine – thanks to the gals who joined me, this was also on my big 5-0 bucket list, so thanking you all - there's a fun video currently on my @ginandyin Instagram page to see what we got up to.
I also (finally) managed to get out to Ibiza with a gorgeous group of ladies for my 'Down to Earth Retreat' despite the uncertainly around travelling and group on-site testing which was a retreat first! (so pleased they've scraped that now) we had an absolutely wonderful time, some great professional connections and friendships were made too, which I’m sure will last for years - an experience shared creates a special bond in my opinion. To see photos from this retreat once again thanks to Davina – click on my Facebook Link below: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=ginandyin&set=a.5116050035088162
Next stop Italy - I'll share all about that one next month, it's like buses ... nothing for 18 months and then 2 come at once!
So What's Next?
What's been happening at Gin & Yin HQ?
This month started with a Stand Up Paddle Boarding session on The Thames with some of my lovely retreaters and event attendees – we had a hoot, we Sup-ed, Sip-ed and Picnic-ed in the sunshine – thanks to the gals who joined me, this was also on my big 5-0 bucket list, so thanking you all - there's a fun video currently on my @ginandyin Instagram page to see what we got up to.
I also (finally) managed to get out to Ibiza with a gorgeous group of ladies for my 'Down to Earth Retreat' despite the uncertainly around travelling and group on-site testing which was a retreat first! (so pleased they've scraped that now) we had an absolutely wonderful time, some great professional connections and friendships were made too, which I’m sure will last for years - an experience shared creates a special bond in my opinion. To see photos from this retreat once again thanks to Davina – click on my Facebook Link below: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=ginandyin&set=a.5116050035088162
Next stop Italy - I'll share all about that one next month, it's like buses ... nothing for 18 months and then 2 come at once!
IN REAL LIFE
DJ'd Yoga Flow & Gin Tasting
&
A Dr-Ink & Draw - Life Art Class
Nov / Dec 2021
- - -
I'm so excited to be working on two in person events (actually probably 3 but more on the third one next month) - collaborating with some awesomely talented people. First up a DJ'd Yoga Flow class and Gin Tasting Session - this event will take place in a very cool urban space near Waterloo Station - details
out very soon.
PLUS A D-r-Ink and Draw Life Art Class collaborating with China Jordan, from Arstistand - taking place in an arty space in the Wimbledon / Kingston area. Tickets will go live for both of these events early next week - if you'd like to be kept in the know email me to make sure you're the first in line. Spaces limited.
Balancing the Yin & Gin
Where this is yin there is yang, where there is the moon, there is the sun, where there is male, there is female, where there is gin, there is tonic. As you can see, there is no hope of me becoming too woo woo, however, it does interest me. So much so, I recently bought 2 books about 'Yin' in an attempt to understand more about its meaning and Chinese philosophy. One of the reasons yin feels so nourishing to me is that it's also about creating space, moments of peace and quiet to notice the space between the inhale and the exhale and to enjoy
the moment.
On that note, I raise my copper cup of Strawberry Gin Mule to you all, enjoyed on retreat which tasted of fresh strawberries and sunshine thanks to Puerto de Indias for gifting it to us, we all loved it and thanks to you too as always for getting to the very bottom of my newsletter - gold star - see you next month.
Ruth x
Gin & Yin Retreats