I've been dreaming of the day that our patio is finished enough to set up a table and chairs on to sit out in the garden. We moved into the house last August and had to endure a crazy paving area and ugly rear of the house that we didn't even try to pretty it up for the end of last summer as most of it was getting knocked down. Then over winter we had the kitchen extension done and now it's mid summer 2017 and we have the outdoor area I've been dreaming of! I'm going to share the full patio/gravel/landscaping transformation soon but for now I'd love to share some quick accessories I've used to make the garden feel more summery for outdoor living with my favourite - The White Company {and most of the below is in the sale right now with an extra 10% off sale here with code - AR050 -  go go go!}.

We're still deciding what kind of table and chairs we want out here long term, we're also thinking of some kind of outdoor sofa area to the left of the patio and maybe a fire pit or something. But for now we've used the scaffold board tables Ben made for our old house {post here} with a mix of chairs we've collected from ebay/antiques markets and even Ikea. The umbrella is a cantilever bargain Ikea one we've had for a few years. But this summer I've added these linen seat pads to the chairs which make them so much comfier all of a sudden. 

I'm waiting for the garage to be finished so I can hang my festoon lights but at this time of year the evenings are so light that you don't really notice them anyway. So for breezy summer blue sky days I love this bunting set with the jute twine and white flags. I've just ordered another set tonight whilst it's in the sale!

Whilst the table area feels finished, this is the view to the right of the garage/greenhouse construction going on. Building mess all over the place but it changes by the day and I'm so proud of Ben for building all of this. I won't even show you the pile of gravel to the left of the table and the area that needs finishing around that side but we're slowly getting there. I'm so excited for the day I can decorate it all with galvanised tubs and flowers.

I ordered this outdoor mattress a couple of weekends back when it was so hot and I was lying in the garden really uncomfortably. Because it's been so hot the grass has really dried out and isn't as lush to lay on. My regular picnic blankets have some kind of nylon in I think that make you all hot and sticky. But then I found the answer. This arrived a few days ago and I've been trying it out today. It's HEAVEN. It is spendier than I'd normally go for {even in the sale} but I figured it will last me a few summers at least.

It folds up for taking to the beach/on picnics/to store in your shed and then opens out like a big cushion to lay on. Because it's made from cotton and linen, natural materials, it won't make you sweat when laying on it.

You can double it up if you want it extra thick or if there's a couple of you, open it right out and spread out.

I haven't had as much time as I'd like for the garden this summer but everything seems to be blooming away, if looking a little wild read messy. Watering is the biggest battle as it's been so dry. Full garden post coming soon I promise.

I bought some rusty crooks at the country brocante summer fair a few weeks back so I could hang some tealights in the garden but I also found these crooks online. I found these hanging tealight holders with the wire already strung so I ordered 8 of them for the middle borders. As soon as the evenings get a little darker I'm sure the garden will twinkle. 

I've been after a decent picnic rug for ages and I think I've finally found the ultimate! This one is plastic backed which is great for dewy grass yet the top is made from luxurious wool. It's huge yet rolls up with little carry straps.

Plus if you're quick it's almost half price online here!

I try to eat outside and plan as many picnics as I can during the summer. This bottle holder {which also doubles up as cutlery/napkins/condiments/flower holder} is the perfect alfresco accessory.

I'm in love with anything heart shaped so updated a couple of our plates for summer dates. These make eating feel like more of an occasion.

Have you smelt this candle? Soo good for the kitchen when cooking but also for summer picnics as it's in a cute tin that won't smash and has a lid to pop on once you're done.

We've been trying to make the most of the garden for dates rather than go out for picnics recently and on Friday sat out for a picnic dinner in front of the summerhouse. Picnic post coming soon with some new favourite summer foods.

{This post was sponsored by The White Company, a company I have truly loved for years and years. I was sent some of these items but proudly purchased the rest}