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Sustainable Changes in the Bathroom
As we started our journey on living sustainably, the first place to make changes was the bathroom. It seemed the easiest place to start, and I thought it would be, but I was so surprised with how much we used in the bathroom that was unsustainable. If I am honest, it was mainly a lot of my products I seemed to have a crazy amount of products for one person, there had to be a way to reduce.
First…
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Summer Jam at The Botanist & Babel Cheltenham
Summer Jam at The Botanist & Babel Cheltenham
Every year The Brewery Cheltenham invites you to enjoy their Summer Jam. Food, Cocktails and the best of local music. Basically, a jam-packed event for the whole family to enjoy. this year along with the gorgeous sunshine The Brewery Jammed in style.
Under the evening sunshine a group of mummies, bloggers and ladies in need of a fun Friday night enjoyed the upbeat funky remakes of songs sung by…
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Recently I have been taking part in a Social Mums Instagram challenge, one being the topic of ‘Self Care’
This for me was three important ways I make sure I have some Self Care whilst looking after my terror tot.
Bathroom Time – Rare and not for long but nevertheless essential
My Homemade Spinach Soup – my go-to feel well potion
Flowers – to bring a smile and brighten your day.
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For the last 10 years, I have been making this delicious soup to help me feel better in times of cold and generally under the weather, bad skin weeks and winter blues.
I used to make this in batches and take some to work for lunch, where I would get mocked at the disgusting green colour. I would chuckle inside because I was properly pumping my body with good stuff whilst they sat there eating your pre-made sandwich full of sugars and nasties from the garage on the way to work. (eyeroll)
What I did know was that my soup had zero sugar, it was a win-win situation when I decided to cut out sugar one year (basically, this did not work as I missed cake) Over the years I have tended to make this slightly differently – I found this is personal preference.
If I had a cold or felt run down I added more garlic, I started to not peel the potatoes because I was told nutrients are found in the skin. Let me just clarify this, potatoes have a significant level of potassium, iron, vitamin B & C, fibre and protein. The iron content is higher in the skin than the potato flesh contributing to 80% of this nutrient but also the skin has antioxidants.
As a Neals Yard consultant, I have recently added a new little boost by using a small scoop of their Superfood Detox Blend just for that inner cleanse and boy did it pack a punch to get rid of my toxins. (Of course, this is optional)
It is so lush and green, delicious and it is incredibly easy to make. This recipe feeds four
Ingredients
50g Butter
1 Onion – Chopped
2 Garlic Cloves – Chopped
1 Medium Potato – Peeled or not (Personal preference) chopped into chunks
450g Vegetable Stock
600ml Milk
500g Washed Fresh Spinach
Nutmeg
Double Cream to garnish if desired
How to make
Firstly, melt the butter in a large lidded saucepan, add the onion and garlic and fry gently for 5-6 minutes until soft.
Stir in the potato and continue to cook gently for 1 minute.
Pour in the stock and simmer 10 minutes
Pour in the milk and bring up to a simmer, then stir in half the spinach season with salt, pepper and nutmeg.
Cover and simmer for 15 minutes until the spinach has completely wilted down.
Allow to cool for about 5 minutes
Blend your soup and add the remaining spinach (this is what makes it so lush and green) until smooth
The soup can be frozen for up to 1 month and feeds four people. (Although I doubt you will freeze it as it is so delicious)
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as me. Bon Appetite x
Healthy Spinach Soup Recently I have been taking part in a Social Mums Instagram challenge, one being the topic of 'Self Care'
Sustainable Living
More now than ever, we are aware of the destruction our lifestyle has on our planet. Full of ignorance and greed we have damaged what Mother Earth has created. We are at crisis point with the oceans overcome with plastic and global warming at its highest.
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Since starting a family myself and my husband have become more emotional and sensitive to life, (children can do…
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My love for vintage clothing and clothing, in general, was taking over my wardrobe and then I had to stop – not because yes I had run out of space or the fact the husband said I did not need any more clothes. (He was probably right, but I do not agree). I had to stop buying once I learnt what the fashion industry was doing to our planet. It was quite shocking and the fact that I used to work and love that industry made me feel so sad.
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I certainly decided that I was not going to shop my season’s favourites from the high street, especially as I did not know where my clothes were coming from. I started to unravel from research the shops that we always shop at do not care about the impact the production has on the planet. It is all about money and sales. My love for vintage did not need to stop, as long as I was shopping sustainably then I was not funding those companies who are costing the planet.
LINC: The Leukaemia & Intensive Chemotherapy Fund is a charitable organisation whose mission is to work towards improving the care of cancer patients in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire. I was asked to share the impacts that the fashion industry had on the environment and how we could help at LINC’s Cinderella Couture Fashion Show. I am not good at public speaking so this was out of my comfort zone.
The fashion industry is the 2nd largest polluting industry in the world and the environmental damage is increasing as the industry grows. Fast fashion is an inexpensive mass production causing global clothing production to double since 2000. Catwalk trends are quickly available and affordable as a result we buy cheaper, poor quality clothing that is worn less and discarded when they are not trendy anymore.
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Every year the world collectively consumes more than 80 billion items of clothing – 40% of clothes are rarely or never worn. The western world throws away an average of 30 kilograms of clothing a year. Only 15% is recycled or donated, the rest goes into landfill.
It does not stop there, 72% of clothing contains synthetic fibres making our clothes non-biodegradable taking 200 years to decompose.
This industry is also a major water consumer. Used for dyeing and production processes the consumption of high quantities of water draining seas, rivers and lakes. It takes 2,720 litres of water to make a t-shirt – 1 T-SHIRT! That is how much we normally drink over a three year period.
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Every time we wash a synthetic garment approx 1,900 individual microfibres are released into the water, making their way to the oceans.
So, how can we help? The easiest and the most affordable way to ditch fast fashion is to shop secondhand. Why?
Occasionally, it is of higher quality. It has already survived a life cycle from its previous owner.
Most of the time it has been barely worn or even unworn – so it is as good as new, if not new!
You will find unique pieces, keeping them out of the landfill but most importantly you will be supporting a wonderful charity like LINC.
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In this fashion show, we showcased how you can reinvent and add life to clothing without adding it to landfill. Designs from fashion designers local to Cheltenham reinvented pieces from their own collections and to pieces from the LINC charity shop on the Bath Road.
If you would like to find out more information about LINC or donate you can do here: http://www.lincfund.org/
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Fashion Designers:
Melissa Antonious
Jan Knibbs of Atelier 19
Fashion Show Photography by Marcus Rice
Fashion Sustainability in association with LINC My love for vintage clothing and clothing, in general, was taking over my wardrobe and then I had to stop - not because yes I had run out of space or the fact the husband said I did not need any more clothes.
As a newbie to living sustainably and trying the switch of products, I had not given much thought into alcohol and how I would find a tasty alternative to some of the booze we drink at home even though it is very little and on a rare occasion.
As most of you know I do like a gin however, when Mr N brings home some beer or we are out and about on a sunny day a nice cooling pint is in order. I knew very little about beer brewing until I went to the newly opened Stroud Brewery. It’s purpose apart from making delicious beer is to support the environment as well as the community and its local businesses.
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The brainchild behind this unique brewery is Greg Pilley who even when started did not envision it growing into the amazing site it is today.
Starting with their first brew of pale ale ‘Budding’ named after the man who invented the lawnmower because their first little brewery just yards from the now bigger brewery you see today was on the site where this invention was created. After Greg had researched what the locals liked, it was this personable name and the feature flavours from Amarillo hops which made this an award-winning favourite.
Greg wanted to give Stroud back their brewery and at the time of starting his venture in 2008, Gloucestershire only had 12 breweries. Today there are 45 and even though people are opting to drink less and have a healthier lifestyle it is really about quality over quantity.
It was important to Greg that everything fitted nicely together for his vision, he wanted to use and work with businesses who had the same ethos, so the brewery teamed up with Warminster Maltings, one of two maltings in the UK that use the traditional floor method for their barley grown here in the Cotswolds.
Following the first recession in 2008 pubs were struggling and we saw more and more go out of business, however, this did not affect the young reinvented Stroud Brewery. Pubs wanted real ales and quality craft beers produced locally as the community seemed to pull together to shop local and support local businesses. By 2009 Greg and his small team moved into bigger things with funding from crowd fundraising and an EU grant Stroud Brewery where able to move from making 5 barrels to 20 and start to brew different things, alongside a community space for events and visitors.
The brewery is working towards becoming more organic and hope to be nationally recognised in the UK. They are currently one of a small few that are a 100% UK organic brewery producing premium and multi-award winning organic beers including the ‘Budding’. Certified by the Soil Association meaning there are no artificial additives in their organic beer, and fewer pesticides. They also recognise that the brewery is using environmental benefits with less pollution and enhancing soil quality, but it does not stop there, the standards they have to adhere to include not only the ingredients but also how organic beer is made, packaged and traded.
Offering a wide range of cask, keg, bottles or cans the best way to showcase these are to share them with the public in their fantastic new Taproom or as the locals call it ‘The Stroud Brewery Bar’ This space is the perfect place for the community to hold events, enjoy live music and have fresh sourdough pizza from Vélo Bakery and Pizzeria. Sharing the vision with Stroud Brewery, Vélo Pizza hand makes pizzas to order using local sources organic ingredients to complement the organic ales from the brewery.
Steven Lamb from River Cottage and a small team of experts gave their advice and wisdom to help us pair flavours with 4 of the Breweries offerings.
We started with Budding a delicious pale ale which was a nice balanced ale. I admit we are not ale drinkers but this was our favourite. It was served with a Pork Liver Pâté with Date.
Our second tasting was S’Wheat an American style beer, organic and vegan. Tried with Coconut Sugar to remove the bitterness of this beer, however, most tasters enjoyed the anchovies.
Next up on the list was Tom Long a bitter not to my tastes personally but much more enjoyable when teamed the small cashew nut, mushroom and wild garlic canapé.
Finally to end the tasting we tried Schwarzwalder a cherry stout teamed with a burnt carrot to make it again less bitter.
Following our tour and tasting we heard from a panel of experts their views on sustainability, organic produce and going forward in the future. For now, Stroud Brewery hopes to continue their success and grow.
For us, we now have a new understanding and enjoyment of organic beer. Also, a great new place to visit with friends and family for pizza and beer, I must say I am tempted with their hostings of Stroud Film Festival and the breweries version of Bingo! Any excuse to get my hands on a bottle of their Organic Lager or Budding.
The Taproom is open Monday, Tuesday and Sundays 11am – 5pm with Wednesday to Saturday 11am – 11pm. It is kid and dog-friendly but unfortunately for the kiddywinks only until 8pm. For tours, it is best to book through their website: https://www.stroudbrewery.co.uk
Stroud Brewery As a newbie to living sustainably and trying the switch of products, I had not given much thought into alcohol and how I would find a tasty alternative to some of the booze we drink at home even though it is very little and on a rare occasion.
I admit it when John Lewis and Partners was launched into Cheltenham, I felt the hype was too much. It would be like any other John Lewis department store, the plus side was the new jobs for people and increase the footfall for the town centre. In the early days of the store opening, for a mother, this store was a nightmare and for some reason, Baby T would have a complete meltdown in here and getting out of the store was so stressful, with not enough lifts or broken down lifts. Of course, I know better than anyone new stores have teething problems but it put me off coming in here with her.
As a mum, you tend to find yourself looking at your wardrobe and the days gone by with old favourites that fitted and you could wear without the worry of sticky fingers or milk stains. Throwing on jeans and jumpers or maybe just staying in comfort on a daily basis becomes your style. Why? We should treat ourselves to looking and feeling good without feeling guilty or worrying about being on our knees chasing our little ones around. You maybe Mama but you are still you.
A friend recommended I tried a John Lewis’ Personal Styling appointment, as she knew all too well how we stick ourselves in the mud with what we wear. She was glowing whilst sharing her experience over a cheeky gin and tonic. From her experience, she had to have these one particular jeans and a jumper she tried on. I was pretty confident I was not going to find a thing.
Looking at my wardrobe leading up to my appointment, I thought to myself, I do not need a stylist appointment, I need someone to ditch half of my wardrobe and leave me a capsule. How do you encapsulate a random vintage wardrobe?
The day arrives and I am immediately made to feel welcome and comfortable with Rachel my stylist for the morning, we chat for a while in my very own fitting room, with outfits already to try. Rachel tried to get the low down on what I’m looking for. Which, I did not really know myself. (Not helpful)
One outfit as I walked in the room caught my eye, I was in love before even seeing it on. I could not wait to try it on, once on, loved it even more. Parts of the outfit did not work for my shape but it set the groundwork for what to look for and what to avoid.
From this, colours I like but never wear were being tried on and then different styles that I have admired on others were styled for me. I had lost my confidence a lot, for someone who used to work in fashion. Finally, I was seeing styles, colours that suit me and I was trying things I normally shy away from. My confidence started to creep back in, my legs were on show even though quite pale and in despite need of a tan.
The trouble was trying to decide what to take away with me, how would I style at home without Rachel? Luckily with Rachel’s experience, she was able to match up key pieces that I had told her about at home. I was reassured that if I changed my mind, not to worry because I could always return the items. Luckily I do not want to return the pieces I brought.
I did not walk away with the most comfortable high-heeled pointed ankle boots I have ever worn but I did choose my two favourite pieces and I cannot wait to wear them.
I have immediately cleared my wardrobe and now looking at everything differently even the way I shop. I am basing everything around my new outfit and the styles I tried. The biggest buzz is the fact that the items I have kept in my wardrobe can be styled in different ways. I can see more now, how to take one outfit and dress it up for events or casually dress it down for every day. I have even let go of some vintage pieces after saying I would not be able to part with any of my collection.
I felt like a million dollars when I left Rachel, with new-found confidence. I want to Thank John Lewis and Partners for this amazing service and experience, however, it was Rachel who made it so special and made me feel differently about myself.
Booking yourself your own personalised stylist appointment is highly recommended, the service is free, so you do not have to feel that this would be an expensive experience unless you buy everything you try!
My John Lewis Personal Styling Experience I admit it when John Lewis and Partners was launched into Cheltenham, I felt the hype was too much.
Breakfast Recipe - Cinnamon Raisin Bread
Breakfast Recipe – Cinnamon Raisin Bread
5am wide awake and feeling pretty hungry one morning I thought about what I could make for breakfast. A few days beforehand a friend had posted a photograph of a delicious looking loaf that she had made for breakfast, so the decision for a breakfast loaf was decided.
However, the kind of breakfast loaf was not known so early in the morning, as well as I had not made one before. Plenty of banana…
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Every year I write something about the new year and the year ahead. Last years failings happened maybe two weeks into 2018 where realistically working out with a 6-month-old baby at home was not going to work for me. In hindsight, I realise I should have joined a yoga group or something and what it also surprises me is how quickly 2018 went, I could have sworn I wrote that post about the New Year a few months ago. The cold start to 2018 did not help, especially as we discovered a gas leak in the house. Fairly easy to sort right? Wrong, the pipe is under concrete so a new pipe had to be fitted. I am sure keeping up with exercise would have kept me warm, but the lack of shower facilities there was no way I was going to do that. Okay, you may think excuses and possibly, I cannot deny that I could have easily got back into the swing of things and I literally do not why I did not. Strangely I lost weight doing nothing, maybe it was the fact Baby T keeps me on my toes?
The one thing I want to start in 2019 was more time for me. I do not mean the treats in the bath with my favourite book, I do that regularly. I meant going out and having a mummy day, doing things I like or want to do without a toddler in tow. It dawned on me that when I do something, I have to take Baby T with me. So, I have gone on the hunt for a reliable babysitter.
We were a week into the new year and I have already failed this, I was looking forward to attending a 1950s evening. A whole new outfit was purchased fitting the era and I had a babysitter (well Mr N got the evening off) however, due to an emergency dental appointment, I was not able to go. This will not deter me, I am looking for exciting things to occupy an afternoon or day. Although this was could not be helped, it flatted my hope of progress for the New Year for about an hour or so.
The next kind of resolution I did start late into 2018, because why do we have to wait for January 1st every year to start new goals? If we need to achieve something new, different or change habits we can realistically start whenever we want. It is like the classic quote ‘Diet starts Monday’ and yet we never do. My new theory is starting when you are ready when you are comfortable with doing so, as long as you are motivated to do it. Says me who could not keep up with my exercises last year.
I keep clearing my wardrobe of unwanted clothes, clothes I buy and do not really wear or I never wear, what a waste of money. I made the decision to only purchase key vintage clothing. After watching a documentary on how the fashion industry affects the planet our throwaway fashion is killing it. I was in shock, all the cheap items I have purchased because it was this seasons colours, pattern or style. I just gave to charity, not saying this is a bad thing giving to charity but why aren’t we just filling it with more disposable clothing that someone else will probably throw in the bin eventually?
Here is the thing, vintage clothing stands the test of time, why? It was made to last and clearly in some cases do not go out of style. I stumbled across a post on Instagram about a blog with tips on a minimalist vintage wardrobe, now I admit cannot have a minimalist wardrobe because I have too many beautiful items I have collected on my travels and yep I wear them all (funny that), to part with them would be a disaster for me. The basics like shirts, jeans and jumpers are stylish and fashionable so why would we purchase cheap jeans etc, just to throw away after a few months?
Well, 2018 saw the return of some small sewing skills and the machine got dusted off, a new one purchased and for Christmas, an overlocker sewing machine was given to me. So, for 2019 I will be improving my skills somewhat. I made some great projects last year, so now it can only get better right? First stop, get myself on a course for the new toy as I admit I do not have a clue how to use it.
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Finally, on my goal list for 2019, reading. Yes, reading. For Christmas, I collected a huge pile of books that were on my Amazon wish list, alongside the two books waiting for me to read from Cheltenham’s Literature Festival. I absolutely have to make room to read, I love to read and I admit I need to look at my phone less.
Well, let’s see how I get on this year. It might not be straight away but as long as it is started, achieved and continued without it being given up easily it is a resolution right?
The New Year Every year I write something about the new year and the year ahead. Last years failings happened maybe two weeks into 2018 where realistically working out with a 6-month-old baby at home was not going to work for me.
Cheltenham welcomes another venue to share a cocktail and some delicious goodies, this time at the Brewery the popular restaurant and bars The Botanist joins Cheltenham’s finest places to go. Their launch showcased all they had to offer apart from what I hear a very delicious Sunday roast, but that’s a different blog post.
The first contribution for what The Botanist prides itself on was their specialities on gin, with a master class, that was right up, mine and my plus one’s street. The expert Harry talked us through three gins on offering with great knowledge and passion. Introducing to us Plymouth Gin, the longest manufacturing gin used by the British Navy and the first gin used in cocktail making, alongside Beefeater 24, the newest gin to the Beefeater’s collection of gins, inspired by Asian flavours.
Surrounded by the lush greens and plants the next showcase was a Rekorderlig Cider station where infused flavours were in a sense vaped and then complemented by a particular flavoured cider by Rekorderlig, it was a lot of fun. It certainly stirred up the senses and conversations.
With drinks flowing and the food starting to make its rounds, live music was struck up and the place came into full swing. The staff were smiling and happy to serve. It quickly became the most magical place to share an exciting cocktail. Although I must admit we are planning on returning to try some more cocktails on offer.
The Botanist – Cheltenham Cheltenham welcomes another venue to share a cocktail and some delicious goodies, this time at the Brewery the popular restaurant and bars The Botanist joins Cheltenham's finest places to go.
If there is one place to go this Christmas with your little ones it is Simpsons Fish & Chips on Priors Road, Cheltenham.
Every Saturday leading up to Christmas Mrs Christmas has come to Simpsons Fish & Chips to share her Christmas cheer. Baby T and I were invited to join in the fun, one Saturday and taste their delicious fish.
Dressed in Christmas Jumpers and with hungry tums, we decided to take the brisk walk in the wind to visit Mrs Christmas, and of course, baby dolly had to come in her pram too, so it took longer than planned. Worked out well as we arrived ravenous.
As Baby T loves chips and generally filling her face with food, she loved diving into her cod bites with a copious amount of ‘dip dip’ (Ketchup to the rest of us), whilst I enjoyed some divine Scampi with my chips.
What I particularly like is the fact that Simpsons believe in no funny business with their food. No MSG, salt, artificial colours or flavours or bulking agent, this Mrs Christmas proudly told me. She explains that is what she liked the most about Simpsons fish & chips and how she would not give it to her grandchildren if it had nasties in it.
Baby T loved the atmosphere of the restaurant and everyone was smiling or laughing. Simpsons offer such a friendly and warm family restaurant with attentive staff, it is the perfect place to take the family for traditional good fish & chips.
If Simpsons do this every year, we will definitely make it a Christmas tradition.
Mother Christmas is running 12-2pm on Saturday afternoons, please be warned you will need to book. Every child receives a little gift from Mrs Christmas and a copy of Mother Christmas saves the day book for bedtime.
Christmas Lunch at Simpsons Fish & Chips If there is one place to go this Christmas with your little ones it is Simpsons Fish & Chips on Priors Road, Cheltenham.
My Top 5 Beauty Products of all time but first let’s help....if we can?
My Top 5 Beauty Products of all time but first let’s help….if we can?
I am one of these beauty hoarders, that seems to have tons of beauty products and makeup, yet I seem to always buy more. I am turning over a new leaf in 2018, I am planning to use everything up and just focussing on the must-have products I use. Here are my top 5 Beauty products of all time:
Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream – this is the best cream in an SOS. Every time I have a cold, this is used,…
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For any mother or baby, 143 Sensory is the place to be.
When baby T was 2 Months old I had finally decided to look into sensory classes for her, after reading how important it is to develop your child’s senses and the world around them. I suddenly found my Facebook full of requests from groups to join, this was my first bite of how un-private Facebook had become, it was also quite overwhelming.
I decided to ignore these groups and look myself for the perfect class, I did not just want songs and lights, I wanted to strip the baby down to nappy filthy messy play too. Some mammas worse nightmare, although I am not a fan of mess, for my baby it was vital. I had met a few babies and toddlers that have a complete meltdown with the smallest amount of mess. In my personal opinion, babies are messy and they are going to make a mess.
My search led me to 143 Sensory a small group of babies who could enjoy songs, lights, messy play and lots of learning. Each class is specially planned and designed by Ashella and verified by teachers to ensure your baby gets beneficial learning.
Baby T has been going to 143 Sensory since she was 3 Months old, turning 1 years old next month she has come such a long way. The classes have been great even for me sharing and getting advice from other mothers. We even started weaning thanks to 143 Sensory, at 4 Months baby T was munching on delicious snacks, this may have been the start of everything going in her mouth. It gave us great confidence as parents to know she would be fine no matter she tried to eat she would be okay (within reason of course) we started to see her being more independent with grabbing and holding items and following her last sensory class she was clapping her hands and shaking the bells. Perfect timing for the next stage of her development with 143 with Messy Music.
Each week is a different theme, from Valentines Day to Cheltenham Races, going to space to a teddy bears picnic. All songs perfect fitting with toys and sensory items.
It is not just sensory Ashella offers Baby Massage so you can learn how to give your baby massage to help with relaxation or teething. Something we attempted to go but Baby T was on the move at that point and had no interest in lying down. Still, it was handy to know what to do so I could try at home.
Messy Music is the next stage of 143 where your baby can get messy and sing along to well-known nursery rhymes. Just bring along a swimming nappy, lots of wipes and clean clothes. It is great fun.
Outside of the normal classes if you love sensory you can book 143 for private parties, it is a great way to introduce friends and other parents to what Ashella offers.
If you are interested in trying one of Ashella’s classes you can find all the details you need at 143 Sensory on Facebook.
143 Sensory For any mother or baby, 143 Sensory is the place to be. When baby T was 2 Months old I had finally decided to look into sensory classes for her, after reading how important it is to develop your child's senses and the world around them.
Heavenly Holistics
As a new mother, (well a year in) time for pampering is not fully on the agenda, for the first time I am not having a monthly eyebrow appointment or that relaxing treat at the end of the month.
About 4 months into motherhood I was struck with agony down one side and then it transferred to the other side after visiting the Dr and given painkillers, I could not take the sleepless nights. It was…
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Being a gin lover, I love to try to find new gins. Every food fair, I am straight to the gin stall to try a sample.
This may holiday we attended the Spring Tide Food Festival on Hive Beach, you can see more of my blog post on this here: The Spring Tide Food Festival
Not being a local and most of the time seeing the same old gin companies pop at these things I was not sure what to expect but I knew there had to be a local gin trader there. Dorchester made Fordington Gin was there.
As I have mentioned in my previous holiday blog, I was struck down with tonsillitis, but do you think that was going to stop me from tasting some gin! Hell No! I very faintly say to the ladies, I’m sorry I have lost my voice, their immediate response was well only Gin will do! (I like these ladies thinking)
I am told that the lady behind this Gin, made it in her kitchen at home and that is how it all started. Created in Ros’ kitchen in Dorchester, the idea was to bring the taste of a London Dry Gin with a magical twist. Using different botanical ingredients, the twist finally came from absinthe botanicals.
As I neck back the simple of Gin, praying I can taste it, I am instantly hit with the aniseed, my favourite. Before thinking another thought, I purchase a small package which included a small bottle of Fordington Gin and a Fever-Tree tonic.
Why did I not purchase a big bottle? This was my first holiday with Baby T, along with packing up two cars and the kitchen sink I thought I could not possibly fit more in. However, this miniature was perfect for our time away, I just needed to feel better.
This gin has been the best I have sampled (and that’s quite a few!) Probably due to the aniseed flavours, which you can smell instantly as you take back the aroma. Unfortunately, getting your hands on this delicious gin is not as easy as popping down to your local shop. You have to order directly from Ros, which gives this a nice feeling of shopping locally and supporting local businesses.
If you would like to try Forington Gin, you can email Ros at [email protected]
Review – Fordington Gin Being a gin lover, I love to try to find new gins. Every food fair, I am straight to the gin stall to try a sample.
One of my favourite smells has always been lavender, I have always used oils, and products with 100% pure lavender in. I could not be without it when I am stressed or tired, it is known as having a calming and restoring effect. I have always planted Lavender by my front door for luck, growing up I always remember us having Lavender in the garden. Brushing up against the lavender in the summer months releasing the scent. Lavender has been used for its healing properties for years, being described as nature’s complete first aid remedy.
Through ancient Greek and Roman times, lavender was used it to treat ailments such as insect bites, headaches, dizziness, kidney disorders, jaundice and dropsy. The Roman soldiers used it as an antiseptic on war wounds and even used during the first world war with moss poultices when bandages ran short.
Thinking of a day out with Baby T where she could roam free of her pram or stroller as she is now fully walking about the place, here there and everywhere I could not think of anywhere better than the beautiful lavender fields I had heard about in Snowshill on the edge of Broadway. The fact it was on my bucket list of places to visit, was also a winner for the perfect day trip.
I admit we had left it late, in fact, the last-minute to see and walk the beautiful fields of blue and yellow. After the warm weather we had been experiencing, a slightly cooler day was the perfect timing. The cost of the entrance was half price as the lavender was coming towards the end, it was not all vibrant blue but it still was a sight to behold.
Cotswold Lavender is a third generation family of Lavender farmers in the heart of the Cotswold Hills. The fields were used to grow wheat and barley, however, in 2000 the first lavender was planted, being 1,000 feet above sea level it is the best place for growing conditions. The fields have over 450,000 plants spanning 120 miles. We planned the trip perfectly to showcase Baby T’s new little outfit from Cotswold Baby Co. Armed with my camera and both grandmas we headed to Snowshill, to make some memories.
For little ones this was a great place to wander, the fact that under fives get in for free is even better for parents on a budget. Once you have walked through the rows of different lavender, learning the different names or sat in the field of wildflowers, you can take a sneak peek at how they distil the lavender in their on-site distillery.
All of the exploring built up quite an appetite, just across the road in a converted barn was a coffee shop that served delicious lavender treats and teas. We all enjoyed a quick cup of lavender earl grey tea (a favourite of mine) and a lavender cream tea. All lovingly made with the lavender from the fields, before having a look around their gift shop. Obviously, we had to make a few small purchases.
This is such a lovely place to have on our doorstep for a moment of calm, to recharge your energy and enjoy family time. almost most of the other wanderers around us said that they are glad they came and how beautiful it was. Next year, we will definitely return, hopefully, seeing a more vibrate sea of lavender.
If you would like to purchase the Pretty Blue Romper modelled by Baby T from Cotswold Baby Co. you can here: https://www.cotswoldbabyco.co.uk/products/pretty-blue-floral-romper
Cotswold Lavender Farm at Snowshill One of my favourite smells has always been lavender, I have always used oils, and products with 100% pure lavender in.
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