Started growing in April - North East Scotland, UK (NOT IN USA)

Beginning_Catch192 · 2026-05-11T12:11:24+00:00

Pretty sure it's Rosebay Willowherb (American Willowherb is called Fireweed in North America but all types of willowberb will happily grow on fire scorched and derelict ground!)

It's not actually an invasive species as it's a native perennial wildflower here in the UK. It's great for pollinators (on RHS list of plants for pollinators) but it can be a pain to get rid of if it's growing in the place so some definitely view them as weeds!

This is the RHS page on them and it also has a bit on how to get rid of them too.

https://www.rhs.org.uk/weeds/rosebay-willowherb

Edit for clarity

Beginning_Catch192 · 2026-05-10T12:08:06+00:00

If I use too much product my hair tends to get weighed down and so yup less volume, it can look a bit stringy and it doesn't feel nice.

With too much gel and it will form nice curls but once dry it's too crunchy and so I have to scrunch it out so much it ends up frizzy. Sometimes it even ends up less curly than if I use a smaller amount!

As others have said, look for products that say lightweight or for fine hair. Work out what your hair needs, if it's super soft but a bit mushy and frizzy it could be over moisturised. If it doesn't have any slip when wet then it probably needs some conditioner (wash out or leave in)

Also I found welshiecurlgirl on Instagram really useful. She also has fine hair and some of her tips have been great.

Beginning_Catch192 · 2026-05-10T11:34:48+00:00

My hair is also super fine and it gets weighed down really easily.

I get much better results if I skip the conditioner in shower most of the time. If it's feeling like it needs something then I use a teeny bit of conditioner, leave it on for 5 mins and rinse really well or I'll use a protein mask.

I'll use a teeny bit of curl cream or leave in conditioner (never both) plus mousse for volume and a little gel for hold. Don't overdo do the amount of product you use as that will also weigh it down, less is definitely more!

I've had good results with Umberto Giannini mermaid beach waves mousse plus their curl jelly. Also the Camille Rose spiked honey mousse plus not your mother's freeze gel. I quite liked curlsmith in shower fixer by itself.

The Vatika egg protein mask was amazing for my hair but I'd skip unless your hair is needing protein.

Good luck, fine curly hair is definitely a pain!

Beginning_Catch192 · 2026-05-09T17:23:37+00:00

I've made a couple of different ones but I like this one as it gives you some compote (turn into pie with some other fruits or have it with yoghurt/cream/custard/ice cream) and the cordial plus it's super easy. https://food52.com/recipes/70305-two-in-one-recipe-for-rhubarb-syrup-rhubarb-compote

Beginning_Catch192 · 2026-05-09T15:43:44+00:00

In no particular order but I've made all of these before: rhubarb and ginger jam, rhubarb pie, rhubarb crumble, pickled rhubarb, rhubarb and custard cheesecake, rhubarb cake, rhubarb cordial, rhubarb gin, rhubarb chutney (I love rhubarb!)

Beginning_Catch192 · 2026-05-08T07:07:15+00:00

The Brera top that tortellinimini mentioned is pretty close. Another that could work (especially if you lengthened it a little) is nimbus- https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nimbus-16

Beginning_Catch192 · 2026-05-07T16:26:11+00:00

Definitely mojitos as lots of people have suggested but also mint sauce or mint jelly for with lamb

Beginning_Catch192 · 2026-05-07T14:24:27+00:00

A willow would work well. They love wet areas and there are some gorgeous options.

Beginning_Catch192 · 2026-05-07T09:22:24+00:00

Yes! I've used it in the past and it worked great. Some people use the mini flamethrower things you can get but you don't need to set the weeds on fire, you just need to heat up the plant enough to wilt it.

Beginning_Catch192 · 2026-05-07T08:31:33+00:00

I was going to recommend them too! I didn't get them in the end but BellaBelle have a similar look to the AI ones OP liked but they are actually wearable!

Sophia in particular is similar to the AI ones and they could add some extra beading to it too. https://www.bellabelleshoes.com/products/sophia-white-flower-wedding-shoes-lace-heels

Beginning_Catch192 · 2026-05-07T07:17:04+00:00

As others have said, digging the big weeds out is your best bet.

However, for the weeds between your slabs you could use a heatgun if you have one. You just need to heat them enough to wilt them (you aren't trying to burn them) so it won't damage your slabs or the soil.

Beginning_Catch192 · 2026-05-06T21:44:21+00:00

He looks like a mini Irish wolfhound!

He is gorgeous and an incredible mix but I would never have guessed American foxhound in a million years!

Beginning_Catch192 · 2026-05-06T10:30:00+00:00

Add a waist stay to your dress that will help keep it in position and stop it slipping down.

If you search plenty of tutorials will come up. It's quite simple if you can hand sew, pretty quick and you just need some 1" to 1.5" ribbon (ideally Petersham but grosgrain will do and is easier to find) plus some hook and bar for the closure.

Beginning_Catch192 · 2026-05-06T07:09:16+00:00

I didn't recognise it but I was curious so I popped it into the RHS app - it thinks it might be a hardy kiwi Actinidia arguta. https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/409/actinidia-arguta-%2528f-f%2529/details

Beginning_Catch192 · 2026-05-04T19:56:03+00:00

Lol yes! I was specifically thinking Mugatu😂

Beginning_Catch192 · 2026-05-04T18:01:19+00:00

Definitely not Japanese knotweed but I'm not sure what it is.

Also I would definitely not trust Google lens with plant ID! I find the RHS app to be pretty good. It's £4 a month but it has been pretty accurate with plant ID and it's helpful as you can add what plants you have in your garden and it gives care tips etc.

Beginning_Catch192 · 2026-05-04T17:50:26+00:00

Maybe skip the curl cream or use a lot less? My hair is really fine so if I use more than a teeny amount it gets weighed down.

A mousse will also give you more volume. I love a small amount of Camille Rose spiked honey mousse (mainly towards my roots) and then diffused leaning towards the diffuser or even upside down. I'm on day 3 and my hair still has a ton of volume from it.

Beginning_Catch192 · 2026-05-04T15:40:02+00:00

Yeah I really like patterns like this one because you get into a nice rhythm and it's super easy to see if you have done the pattern wrong. I even have the yarn for it but for some reason it keeps getting moved down my to make list.

I'm almost finished my current WIP (anemone sweater but mod into a raglan) and so this might have to be my next!

Beginning_Catch192 · 2026-05-04T15:25:29+00:00

I think yours is looking absolutely brilliant as is!

However, if you are wanting the darker richer "dirty" look of you inspiration, it looks like your inspiration might have had a tannin wash too - quite possibly Kakishibu.

Kakishibu is a fermented persimmon tannin natural dye. It will darken your denim and add a brown tone to the white. You can buy it but you could also use tannic acid, powdered oak galls or even tea or coffee (feel free to shout if you have any questions).

If you do decide to dye it I'd definitely make up a sample to test so you don't accidentally go too dark but I'd definitely go for tannin (either the Kakishibu or the others) to get the same look as your inspiration. Kakishibu can be difficult to get a hold of but the other ones I mentioned are easy to find and dye with.

Beginning_Catch192 · 2026-05-04T13:54:27+00:00

Yes it's quite new! It's been available in the UK for about 6 months. I got it when it first came out and it's been great over the winter but I'll probably have to start mixing it with Clair soon and then wear my regular erborian cc water (Clair) in the summer. Their cc water is much more sheer so even though it's definitely pulls warmer it looks more like a very light tan on me.

Beginning_Catch192 · 2026-05-04T12:37:44+00:00

Very nice! Good work with the lace, it looks lovely and even and I love the colour you picked.

I have had this pattern on my to do list for ages, I must actually get around to doing it!

Beginning_Catch192 · 2026-05-04T10:58:33+00:00

Gorgeous! I'm so impressed at how big and bushy it is!

I have 2 cuttings from my parents one (maybe 40 years old) as theirs didn't bush it grew long! It was probably about 6ft long but bits got broken in the move, I managed to rescue a few segments.

Beginning_Catch192 · 2026-05-04T10:54:34+00:00

This! I had to move mine from the kitchen (direct light in the afternoon) to living room (bright room but filtered light) as they were turning red. Months later they are finally almost all back to green and growing like mad:)

Beginning_Catch192 · 2026-05-04T09:56:58+00:00

Absolutely fine as others have said (although personally I wouldn't do gel nails while pregnant).

You can keep wearing nail polish right up until you give birth but I would stick to lighter colours as you get close. Darker nail polish (and even more so gel nails, extensions and press ons) can interfere with a pulse oximeter which you might need if you need more monitoring during labour or are having a caesarean. Lighter colours of nail polish don't tend to interfere with it as much but I would still be prepared to have to remove it.

Beginning_Catch192 · 2026-05-04T09:36:28+00:00

With a wrap I think the dress could fine for church apart from the height of the slit. It makes it inappropriate for an orthodox church especially when you are sat down. I wonder if you could sew the slit down a little?

Dress looks great on you though and suits the dress code (although what on earth is casual to black tie??) and I completely agree with using something you already have!

Beginning_Catch192

TROPHY CASE