We experienced an eight-week summer break with the children this year and were determined to fill it with lots of fun things to broaden our minds, culturally and creatively.
We were lucky enough to have time in Edinburgh, Camber, Rye and Aberdare in Wales.
Re-discovering the joys and delights of a UK summer holiday was wonderful. When the weather is fine, there really is nowhere in the world like our 'sceptred isle'. No raincoats, no jumpers, no muddy shoes. Just throwing on a dress, filling our water bottles, and enjoying the moment.
I highly recommend the Four Falls Trail in Aberdare. The path takes you through beautifully peaceful forests, with the bubbling sound of the falls never far away. It was a true immersion in nature.
At times, when Ben and the children marched on ahead and I wandered the path a short distance away, it was so quiet and calm that I felt I could be the only person on the planet.
Time spent in nature always has that effect on me. The trick is learning how to hold onto that sensation when the holiday is over, and the hustle bustle of daily life begins all over again!
Adding to my list of happy places was the Merchant & Mills store in Rye. Browsing the aisles of unique and beautiful fabrics is a delight for me, not to mention a source of inspiration for French Bedroom upholstered beds! Ben patiently found a comfy seat in the store and waited for my blood-sugar levels to drop!
So, summer is almost over – even though it doesn’t feel like it! The aggressive heat of this season has taken its toll on many of the more delicate summer blooms, and the leaves are already turning.
I can’t wait for the arrival of autumn, the sights and sounds of it. The feeling of snuggly socks inside Wellington boots, the crunching of leaves under foot, the crackling of the fire, watching the steam rise from our warm mug of tea, candles at suppertime, and the smell of marmalade filling our home.
In fact, French Bedroom’s newest addition – coming soon – is inspired by just these sensory treats. Read on for a sneak peek of our brand-new bed and our monthly self-care discoveries.
Bisous,
SUNDAY DISCOVERIES
EAT
This blood orange and vanilla marmalade recipe from French food writer Audrey Le Goff @pardonyourfrench is magnifique!
It's indulgent, warming, and gently spiced - with just the right amount of sweetness.
Not only are marmalades delicious, they also cut down on food wastage by preserving seasonal fruit to be enjoyed whenever the craving for something sweet hits you.
It’s one of my favourite autumn breakfasts, slathered on granary toast, with a steaming mug of tea.
It's even a great partner to cheese and crackers.
SLEEP
The muted tones and tranquil feeling of autumn meadows were the starting point for the inspiration that created our new Settle Into Silence Upholstered Bed – coming soon! Here is a sneak peek, just for our readers.
Silence is increasingly hard to find in modern life between social, work and family commitments. We wanted to design a bed to inspire calming moments.
Ones spent with tea in hand, from a peaceful corner of our favourite room, far from the madding crowd.
This unique floral design depicts a botanical tree of life, in rich and comforting autumnal tones. So you can embrace the sensation of being immersed in nature; in your quiet place.
Keep your eyes on French Bedroom next week for the official launch!
RELAX
How often do you make time for yourself? In a recent Instagram poll, 68% of you responded to this question with ‘hardly ever’!
When we may only have a few minutes to ourselves at the end of a long day, it’s important to maximise that time.
This doesn’t mean ticking another task off a list – it means putting the list to one side, and unwinding.
Before going to bed, try a meditation app like Headspace, voted the best for sleep by Verywellmind.
There are a range of meditation guides for all levels, helping you settle into a silent night’s sleep.
BRUNCH WITH... JOSH
We chat to our e-commerce whizz Josh about the best type of tea, and his favourite Sunday activities.
What's your idea of a perfect Sunday?
The perfect Sunday is a crisp, clear morning, and I am about to embark on a 50 mile cycle ride around the South Downs, culminating in an appropriately sized roast dinner. (Beef of course!)
How did you come to work at French Bedroom?
I've always been interested in aesthetically pleasing items, and having studied art and architecture French Bedroom and I were a perfect fit, with my extensive history working in the luxury sector.
What's on your French Bedroom wishlist?
Some of my favourite pieces are yet to be released (a benefit of Georgia sharing the sourcing and design process with all of us here!) However, the Love Story Naturelle Linen Upholstered Bed flew straight to the top of my wishlist as soon as I saw it.
Especially when complemented with natural materials like the Paolo Polished Concrete Lamp (I'm sure my colleagues are bored of my passionate rallying cries of how under-appreciated concrete is as an architectural and design material.).
And of course a French Bedroom bed would not be complete without a luxury mattress, and Vispring are the crème de la crème when it comes to these.
What's your preferred sleeping position?
I am a side sleeper, will always start on one side, and then flip to the other just before fully going to sleep.
How do you take your coffee?
I very rarely drink coffee, however I am a big tea drinker. Normally I will be found at my desk with a cup of Earl Grey (no milk), or at the weekend I will pop down to Bird & Blend, a small Brighton based Tea Company, for something more adventurous.
