When we slow down, we begin to notice the little things around us – the changing seasons, wildflowers growing along a hedgerow, the scent of herbs gathered on a morning walk. For Isobel, this connection with nature is more than a source of inspiration; it is a way of life.

Raised on a farm and surrounded by nature from an early age, Isobel is rooted in her love of plants, folklore, foraging, herbalism, natural dyeing, cooking and gardening. Guided by intuition, curiosity and a deep sense of care for the environment, she encourages others to pause, reconnect and find beauty in the small, often overlooked moments of life.

In this conversation, we explore the rituals, values and inspirations that shape her world and everyday life. From seasonal breakfasts and wildflower walks to early morning journaling, the grounding power of plants and what it truly means to live a slow and intentional life.

 

"To see a World in a Grain of Sand

And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,

Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand

And Eternity in an hour"

03 - Where the Wildflowers Grow

Meet Isobel. A creative, herbalist and lover of nature, her work and everyday life is shaped by her deep connection with the natural world. Inspired by the rhythms of the seasons, her days unfold among wildflowers, plants, gardens and the quiet gift of slow living. Her world is one of beauty found in early morning walks, herbs gathered from the garden, seasonal cooking and the small moments that invite us to pause and reconnect with nature.

We spoke with Isobel about her inner world, the small things that shape her days, and the inspirations and seasonal rhythms that continue to guide her way of living.


The Conversation


Where does your story begin and what are the roots of your journey?

I have always felt a deep connection with the natural world. I feel most at home in a mossy woodland or a wildflower meadow. I was very fortunate to grow up on a farm, where I spent my childhood playing in rivers with my brothers and making hedgerow jam with my mother.

I’m a sensitive person and tend to feel things deeply. I have a strong desire to create and a vivid imagination that comes alive when I’m wandering through the landscape.

Nurturing this connection with nature and sharing it with others has become both my life and my work. Through folk stories, herbalism, natural dyeing, foraging, cooking and gardening, I explore the many ways plants can bring us into a deeper relationship with the natural world.

Ultimately, I believe that slowing down and reconnecting with nature is something we all need. It has become my purpose to help others experience that connection for themselves - to notice the plants growing around them, to understand their stories, the gifts they offer us and what we can offer back to them.


What gives you a sense of stillness?

Plants! Having my bare feet on the earth or hands in the soil. Gathering wild flowers or picking berries. I go outside for a walk every day without fail, sometimes twice. I feel most at home connecting with the natural world.


What inspires you most in your work and life?

Gosh, I’m fortunate to find inspiration often and easily! It might be an interesting piece of medieval folk art, a particular word in a book or a piece of lichen on a walk. But I think what inspires me most of all is the seasons - the constant cycle of renewal, growth and decay. Each Season carries its own colours, feelings, smells and sounds. I feel like I get an opportunity to express a different part of myself every few months and that is very energising.


How do you spend the first hours of your day?

I love the early hours of the morning. I am a bit of a land lark and like to wake up as the sun rises. Perhaps a little before in the Winter. There is something sacred about the quietness of early mornings.

First thing, I draw the curtains and greet the day. I then hop back into bed and journal. I have copious journals filled with thoughts and ideas. I then go outside, rain or shine, for a short walk. I gather herbs to make tea with when I return home. I sip this slowly whilst doing some form of intuitive movement and meditation. Then I get dressed, which I always love doing. I enjoy being creative with my outfits and letting them express my mood or the season. This same approach applies to preparing breakfast, which is the last part of my morning routine before starting whatever I have planned that day.


What makes the perfect morning meal for you?

I eat with the seasons and so my breakfasts are ever evolving with them. That said, the foundation of my breakfast tends to be oats. I find oats to be so nourishing for my body, like a warm hug. I cook my oats slowly in the cooler months and simply stir them through yogurt or blend into a smoothie in the Summer. The toppings are the best bit! I adorn my breakfast oats with stewed seasonal fruits, nut butters, seeds, spices and edible flowers too.


Inside your kitchen, what can always be found on the counter?

You will always find a rather wild and characterful vase full of flowers gathered from a walk or cut from the garden on my kitchen counter! I love to bring the outside in and flowers bring the utmost joy.


What is your favorite flower?

This is such a hard question for me to answer as I have soo very many favourite flowers and feel guilty just settling on one. That said, I am most drawn to the wilder, more understated flowers. Wood anemones, Stitchwort, Cow Parsley, Lady Smock and Foxgloves come to mind. They all have a great deal of character and are steeped in enchanting folklore. Of course, I have a particular love for medicinal herbs too - rose, nettle and chamomile are treasured allies of mine.


If you could share one poem or verse that captures the way you see the world, what would that be?

"To see a World in a Grain of Sand

And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,

Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand

And Eternity in an hour"



"Ultimately, I believe that slowing down and reconnecting with nature is something we all need."

When you think of a successful life, what comes to mind?

Hmm, I love this question! Success to me is living a slow, intentional life full of joy, love and ease. I think being present enough to enjoy and appreciate all of the small moments that make up the day-to-day is what makes for a happy, fulfilling life.

Another aspect of success for me is to connect deeply with the natural world and sharing that with others.


What values guide the choices you make?

When making a decision, I try to ask myself - does this align with my authentic self? I have a strong intuition and when I am listening, I can feel whether something is aligned or not. At the core of my values is offering deep love, care and intention to myself, others and the environment. If I am acting from any or, even better, all of these places, I know I am on the right path.


What part of MOCHA feels most aligned with who you are?

I love the intentionality behind it and the emphasis on sustainability as well as creating beautiful, feminine pieces. It feels very aligned with my own values and the way I like to live.


Is there one medicinal plant you think everyone should know about? Tell us a little about it and how you like to use it.

I have a feeling most people do already know of this plant, but Nettle (Urtica dioica) is a medicinal herbal ally I would recommend to everyone! Poor Nettle gets a bad reputation because of the sting, but it is really the most generous and nurturing plant. Plus, Nettle grows wild in most places - countryside or city, so it is accessible for everyone.


What are its traditional uses and benefits?

Nettle is a warming and drying herb that stimulates the circulation and ‘sluggish’ systems, bringing about energy and vitality.

Young Nettle tops are nutrient dense containing high levels of iron, Vitamins A, E, K, C and D, folate as well as chlorophyll and polyphenols. Nettle is anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine. Nettles stimulate the lymphatic system to help gently detoxify sluggish systems too.

Nettle seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. They act as an adaptogenic and act on the adrenal system to help restore and replenish exhausted cells. Nettle seeds are perfect for those that are burnt out or in need of more energy.


How do you incorporate it into your own daily life?

In the Spring and early Autumn, I harvest the lush green tops of Nettle and drink fresh as tea for a little seasonal cleanse. I also add handfuls of the leaves into cooking - soups, with other sauteed veg or my favourite Nettle and herb spanakopita which I will leave the recipe below for you. In late Summer, I harvest the Nettle seeds from the female plant, dry and store them for use throughout the year. I simply scatter the seeds on my porridge, blend into smoothies or make nettle seed energy balls. All of the above are very easy and accessible ways to work with Nettle that you could try too.



Nettle & Herb Spanakopita Recipe

Ingredients

- 200g of nettles

- 1/2 onion, finely chopped

- 2 spring onions, finely sliced

- 2 tbsp roughly chopped mint

- 2 tbsp roughly chopped rosemary

- 2 tbsp roughly chopped thyme

- Squeeze of lemon juice

- Salt and black pepper to taste

- 200g feta or plant-based equivalent

- One pack of filo pastry (around 250-270g), thawed in a refrigerator overnight if frozen

- 1 tbsp of olive oil plus extra for brushing the filo sheets

- 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C and take filo pastry out of the fridge so it can come to room temperature.

2. Prepare your nettles by washing them well in water and then drying thoroughly.

3. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan or deep sauté pan and gently fry the chopped onion with a pinch of salt until softened.

4. Add the sliced spring onions and cook for another minute.

5. Remove the cooked onions from the pan into a large bowl and set aside.

6. Add the nettles to the pan and heat until just wilted. They don’t need to be cooked, just reduced in volume.

7. Mix together the nettles and onions and leave to cool. Once cooled, use a clean tea towel to press onto the mixture to absorb any liquid. It’s important that the mixture is quite dry so you don’t end up with soggy pastry!

8. Add chopped herbs and lemon juice to the bowl of onion and nettles.

9. Crumble feta cheese into the bowl, season with salt and pepper to taste and mix well until everything is combined.

10. Taste and add more salt, pepper or lemon juice if needed.

11. Time to assemble the pie! Brush a smallish pan or dish with olive oil. Line the dish with one sheet of filo and then brush with oil. Add more sheets, brushing oil on top of each layer, until you have used half the sheets. I alternated which way I placed the filo so I had pastry around all the edges. Spread out your nettle mixture on the filo pastry and press with a spatula to flatten.

12. Roll the edges of your pastry inwards and then brush with oil. Then layer your remaining sheets on top brushing each sheet with oil, but this time folding them so that they don’t overhang.

13. Sprinkle a tablespoon of sesame seeds onto your assembled pie.

14. Score the top of the pie with a knife which will help when you want to cut the cooked pie into slices (don’t cut all the way through, just through the top filo sheets).

15. Bake for about 30-40 minutes until golden.

16. Enjoy!


What should people know before using Nettle?

You might like to harvest Nettle with gloves and scissors as the plant does sting! It is actually the hairs on the stem which carry the sting, not the leaves though, so if you are careful, you can avoid getting stung.

Be sure to only harvest the fresh green tops in Spring and Autumn when they are still growing low to the ground and do not have flowers or seeds. The seeds are commonly offered by Nettle in late Summer when they have grown tall and turn dark green (do not eat the leaves at this time!)


What is something you feel deeply grateful for?

The love of my family. I am a part of a big family, with many siblings. There is such a deep unconditional love amongst all of us and I feel so grateful for that.


What are you looking forward to?

Learning to live in and appreciate the present is important for me, I really think it is the secret to a fulfilling life. That said, as we ebb into Autumn, I am looking forward to slowing down and leaning more into rest. The long dark nights offer me more time to be cosy by fires, read, craft and reflect on the season just gone.