L'Eroica Britannia - a jolly good weekender

Last weekend...

I got on a vintage style frock, wrapped a '40's stylie scarf around my hair and went off to Bakewell in Derbyshire to the  L'Erocia Britannia festival.

L'Erocia Britannia is a vintage cycling festival, doesn't sound like it's everyone's cup of tea? Well you are in for a surprise, it was fabulous. It was a glut of vintage, retro wares, all things cycling pre 1987, wonderful Derbyshire food, old cars, family fun, photo booths, brass bands, dancing and so much more!

Of course the phone box - how British!

Plus it was free for the day or you could do the weekender camping ticket including the Sunday ride for a fee. We loved the London cab photo booths...

Photo booth fun!

My little girl loved the music, rides and food, Mr.S a keen cyclist geek (his words) loved the bikes and I loved the vintageness and the pop up hair salon. So as we sat listening to a local brass band in our lovely county, I felt really lucky to have this on our door step. Plus we have heard it will be in the UK for another four years.

This was the back drop to the bar! Love it!

We are looking forward to next year already, it's worth buying a pre-87 bike, some retro cycling jumpers and plus fours... just to go and join in.

Ta-ta,

5 Things from My Day At Weleda

On Friday I spent the day with Weleda  here in Derbyshire, they are the people who turn plants into the lovely natural healthcare products and gorgeous toiletries. Have to say I'm a bit of a fan of using natural remedies just like my Gran did back in the '30's. Weleda have been going since the 1920's and have a great story to how they started the gardens in Derbyshire plus I love the fab vintage posters (more on this later).

Finding out how the vintage remedies are still grown and made today

I was really flattered to be asked to take a peek behind the scenes; see where they grow the plants, see how they make up the potions and see the lovely new products for launch this Summer. So here are my top 5 favourites from the day...

1. The Weleda Garden

 Just beautiful! As a Derbyshire lass, I really proud that these gorgeous gardens are only 15 minutes away from home so my garden could like this..right?!).  I was really inspired by the growing and planting in this fine Derbyshire soil. This picture is of the Calendula plant which goes into the baby range. We saw how the garden is planted using biodynamics and how they were set up back in the 1920's. It means that the gardens are planted in harmony with the seasons, planets and species so that they thrive. Something I'm really interested to learn more about for my own little vintage garden at home.

2. Making Tinctures Workshop

After picking some of the flowers using in the tinctures, we then started to make one. I am a sucker for a workshop and this one didn't disappoint. So with a hair net and a plastic pinny on, the flowers were weighed out and chopped up Jamie stylie... storks and all!

We then put them in a metal bowl with some alcohol to make a mixture. This is then set to one side for two weeks to ferment and will be strained to make the tincture. We saw a 'this has been made earlier' version to see how it changed colour and smelt different. I have a little box of tinctures at home for anything from pre-flight nerves to a relaxing bath potion. All the products at Weleda have a quality standard so none of these samples we made will make it further than the workshop!

I loved every minute.

 

3. Oh Baby!

 I've been using the Weleda products on myself and  Little L. The baby range is so soft, gentle, delicate and natural; everything you would want for you precious little one. You only need to put the bath lotions on your skin to see how easily they are absorbed and how light they are. Now Little L is a toddler she can apply it herself, it does go everywhere sometimes but washes out with no greasy marks.

4. Roses Mamma Treats 

 

Sometimes I need to unwind from being a busy Mamma and I love the Wild Rose body wash. I was bought this for my first Christmas as a new tired out new Mummy. It is bliss! The scent actually smells of roses similar to rose water and very unlike your standard creme bath. 

5. Vintage Poster Art

   

I'm crazy about Art Deco, so I just love this old Weleda advert from Germany from the 1920's. It would fit perfectly with my collection that I have in my studio room. 

Weleda was more than just a day sampling new product it was a peek into a world of natural products and more. I don't usually do product reviews as for me I really have to believe the product. I hope you are inspired to re-look at your toiletries and look at the power of natural plants and how they really can work.

Bye for now,

Win A Janome Sewing Machine!

As you know, I love sewing. I started when I was a teenager and got the bug! 

Making your own clothes and home textiles gives me such a sense of achievement. It's perfectly made to how I want it to be and at a fraction of the price of the high street.

So when Hobbycraft asked if I wanted to take part in a sewing machine giveaway I was so excited. This Janome machine is the perfect newbie machine or for sewers on the go! It travels easily, simple to set out and is light weight.

To enter, just tell what your perfect Crafternoon is. Enter here and good luck!

Samantha x

Happy Father's Day!

  

Freshly picked roses, handmade cards by Little L, something french and smelly and a few cycling related goodies!

Yesterday, we celebrated having the best Daddy in the world with his favourite... pizza made with basil dough. (You have to make the effort as he's a gem to us.)

Daddy is the best new Daddy and Little Miss L loves him so much. OK so this parenting things takes time to get used to, little ones change so quickly and with a two year old we have the joy of spending more time some days with her toilet routine... and we love him for all the effort, patience, love and support.

I'm back from a little blogging break full of creative, homemaking ideas...

See you later,

Samantha x