Welcome to the summer edition of Romantic Reveries. As I type I am surrounded by ‘to do’ lists as we prepare for our family holiday. We are taking the children to France to enjoy some family time whilst fitting in a few hours of work each day – working from the gardens and grounds of a Normandy chateau won’t feel like work at all! I know my inspiration cup will be filled to the brim after visiting the chateaux and brocantes of Normandy and Brittany, peppered with pit stops for café au lait and the odd verre de vin!
Summer is here, and with that comes trips to the beach, summer barbecues and memory-making moments with our loved ones. The glorious Windsor tote bags we had made for Chelsea Flower Show have been hugely popular with both customers and the team, so we thought it appropriate to take a literary look inside the team’s totes at FB HQ - our holiday essentials, our desert island must-haves!
From the Côte d’Azur to the BBQ next door, we take our Totes on Tour. What they contain and conceal, to you we reveal…
Alice, who works with me in purchasing, is taking a disposable camera:
“There is something so nostalgic about a disposable camera and the joy it brings when it’s time to pick them up from the printers” and a pack of playing cards: “I love an evening spent playing cards in the heat with a glass of vino. It’s also a great conversation-starter for meeting new people”.
Rachelle, our in-house illustrator and graphic designer recently visited Greece, and her tote contained a ball:
“I always take one so whenever I'm bored, an impromptu game of catch in the sea, football or volleyball is always fun to play” and sea shoes: “So much more comfortable than sandals, especially after snorkelling or walking around rocks.”
Josh, who looks after all things web design, development and user experience, is taking an insulated water bottle, his ever-present companion since visiting the Okanagan in the summer of 2016, and a shoelace:
“You don’t realise how useful a piece of string can be on holiday – I leave mine on my hold luggage to spot it on the carousel.”
Emma, who works in logistics is taking an umbrella: “Just in case of a downpour especially as I love holidaying in the UK” and hair ties: “You never know when you are going to take a dip in the sea or river, I need them to tame the mane!”
Ben, our Operations & Finance Director (and my patient husband) is taking: “A bag of Haribo to bribe the kids and a dog lead, as the latest addition to the family has just got his pet passport.”
Jen, our design and manufacturing font of knowledge is taking a corkscrew:
“For those lovely sunny moments you just want to sit back and share a bottle of wine” and a tape measure:
“Essential for the unexpected find in a brocante” and a large lightweight scarf as sun cover, a picnic blanket, or a toy to play with her toddler.
I am packing my Breton-stripe throw to keep warm (I’m finding I feel the cold a lot more as I get a bit older) and my trusty ever-present silk pillow case – it’s by far my best-travelled possession!
We hope this may have provided you with some fun ideas and inspiration for your holiday packing. Do let us know what's inside your bag and tag us on Instagram with a pic of you Windsor Tote bag - we’d love to see what far-flung shores they voyage to!
Back in Sussex, we have a huge and exciting photoshoot in late July for our new Gustavian collection of fluted French furniture. The collection of seven pieces is made exclusively for us from solid ash wood with natural linen upholstery in pale gentle tones. The collection features angular designs with beading, pretty brass handles, tassels and thoughtful design detailing. My desk is awash with green props and styling mood boards cover our office walls! The buzz of shoot planning is amongst my favourite moments at FB HQ.
In the meantime, I wish you a wonderful last few weeks of term, enjoy the speech days, the sports days, the school plays, music concerts, leavers hoodies, the tears and the joy!
Bisous et bonne vacances à vous,
