I‘m a January baby and very much looking forward to the onslaught of Pumpkin spice latte insta pics, cosy knitwear and ankle boots ( snuck them in a bit early in this post, you may have noticed 😉 ). However, I’m not quite yet willing to let the last, sweet taste of care-free summer disappear. I’m off to Greece next week which has somewhat extended my summer timeline and made me really excited to make the most of thin layers and warm skin! This year has flown by and with that, summer a blur before my eyes. I’m taking the time to slow down, be still and catch the last breathe of the warmer months. This year I haven’t felt guilty for not attending a million festivals, going to a tonne of parties or living at the beach. Instead I’ve prioritised the simpler things and it’s felt seriously good.

These ideas might not be groundbreaking, they might not be nothing new and at best, a little cliche. But it is true what they say, the best things in life sometimes are free and I’ve felt really appreciative of just being in the moment this summer, whether it’s watching the sun slowly come down or playing board games in a haze, here’s a list of my 4 affordable things to do before the end of summer and what’s made my soul happy this year!

I bloody love disposable cameras, the images they produce always fill me with happiness and have a certain charm about them. I love how they’re grainy, often out of focus and capture the flare of a hot, summers sun. Go to boots or a supermarket, pick one or two up for about £4 each and whack one in your bag whenever you head out! Each take about 27 images and you can get them developed for a small price (about £4, including both hard copies and a CD for that all important insta shot 😉 )

People often laugh and wonder why I don’t just snap images on my camera all of the time, but I love having these blurry snaps from a chilled summers evening with friends or a holiday to put into frames and into photo albums. I took one on my french exchange to Paris in sixth from and I always look back on those photos and smile. They have that vintage look no filter could replicate and I love whacking it out when I’m having a happy moment, with absolutely no idea what it’s gonna look like, no need to edit or delete!

Camping is SO underrated! My childhood was filled with my dad taking us on camping trips around Devon, come rain or shine. (Because have you really camped if the tent hasn’t fallen on your head through the pressure of the down pouring rain? ) We decided to spontaneously go camping the other week and within 2 hours we had a packed up car, a pitch booked and were on our way! There’s something beautifully freeing about letting go of all your materialistic items, wifi & television for a night or so and just taking time out!

We brought BBQ’s, beer, prosecco, veggie sausages and snacks and wandered off for walks along the coast, star gazing under blankets and photographing the milky way. Looking up at that huge sky really put life and my small, petty troubles into perspective. These are the magical moments that make you appreciate life and our insane world and the beautiful people we choose to share it with! Pack up your car and head off, even nearby and just camp, play card games and have fun!