Wild Flowers Company Review inc Discount Code

I was recently sent some beautiful flowers in the post by a wonderful little company called Wild Flowers Company.  Wild Flowers Company was set up to offer seasonal, British, farm and love-grown flower arrangements. They are based in Kentish Town in North London, have just launched in the new year, only sell online and solely offer to send on a regular basis flower arrangements (and one-offs arrangements by way of exception). 

Flowers are sourced from UK growers, from Cornwall to Scotland. A sustainable business from which the farmers, the environment and the customers all benefit. The company is also part of The British Flower Collective, a group of passionate British flower growers and arrangers who are working together to put seasonality, local, home grown (and British) back into the flower industry.

The box arrived and was beautifully simple with just a touch of glitz, with the gold stickers sealing the box. I love flowers and somehow receiving them in the post just added to the excitement, who doesn't love receiving things in the post?

Inside the box, the flowers were wrapped in brown paper, tied with simple raffia and attached was a handwritten tag with the names of the flowers, I love this touch, which made it so personal.

Simple and beautiful packaging just makes for a more exciting time opening the flowers.

On opening the paper you are presented with the flowers and attached around the bottom of the flowers is a water pack that has kept the flowers from getting too thirsty. Some of them were a little bit limp, but after being in water for a few hours they perked up.

The flowers had faired well during their journey, they were all still perfectly intact, none were broken or bruised. 

The flowers themselves were beautiful, not something I would have chosen myself but they they all worked so well with each other, it was this fact that made them so special. Not bright and gaudy like supermarket flowers, they were earthy and natural and perfect for this time of the year.

The great thing about these flowers are you don't need to be a florist to arrange them, once I had undone them I placed into a large Kilner jar and they just looked stunning. They fit in with the fireplace and just bring the outside inside.

I adored this display, I really did, once the Narcissus had died the Anemones came out and once they had died the Magnolia buds started to come out so the whole display has lasted over three weeks and is still going strong.

Here is a little bit more about the available subscriptions:

A three posies a week package costs £24 p/w
A weekly package costs £28 p/w
A monthly package costs £32 p/m
A seasonal package costs £128 p/a and delivers four seasonal bunches a year
A pregnancy packages costs £168 p/a and delivers 6 seasonal arrangements over 6 months.
Subscriptions can be one-off, for a specific period (usually for gifts purposes) or on open-ended basis (when buying flowers for oneself).

One-off arrangements can be arranged but only shipped on Thursdays

Why order with Wild Flowers Company?

• Because the flowers will look nothing like the ones you usually see at the supermarket or online, or even at your local florist.
• Because our flowers have not travelled for days but instead are cut the day before we ship, because they have not been frozen nor heated to control their flowering, they arrive fresh and last long.
• Because the flowers are curated every week using what's in season, it creates surprise and anticipation.
• Because a gift says a lot about you, and this one will show consideration and thoughtfulness as opposed to cheap and easy.
• Because this is a gesture towards the environment, as there is no air mile attached to it, and it is beneficial to vegetation and pollination.
• Because one minds the provenance and the conditions in which his purchase have been put together.
• Because the recurrence/regular delivery shows one cares beyond past the past the tinsel and Christmas cheer.
• Because one choose quality and sustainability.

If you like what you see and would like to order a beautiful display for yourself or a loved one, perhaps for Valentines Day or Mothers Day or just because then you can 20% off with code MUMD20 until the 31/03/15.

I cannot express enough how much I love these flowers and how impressed I am with them.

NB: I was sent the flowers for the purpose of the review, all opinions and photos are my own.

Christmas Cake Decorating with Sweet Success

For the last few years, I have baked my own Christmas cake, but for one reason for another they haven't turned out great. So, when I was approached by Sweet Success to try one of their Christmas cake bundles, I jumped at the chance.

Arriving with everything you need to create the perfect Christmas cake, the bundle includes, a 4" rich fruit cake, cake board with box, marzipan and sugarpaste to cover your cake and some decorations and ribbons for you to add to your finished masterpiece

It comes with thorough step by step instructions, so even if you are a cake decorating novice you are able to go through the steps with ease. Other than the jam, everything you need is in the bundle and you really don't need anything other than a rolling pin and pastry brush.

I absolutely loved putting together this cake, I didn't have to worry about baking the fruit cake which really isn't my forte and instead could concentrate on the icing task at hand.

The decorations are super cute and have a vintage feel to them, I love how the cake turned out and will be back to buy another one before the big day, as I feel this one may have all gone in no time.

Although not a huge cake it is the perfect size to have as a centre piece on Christmas day.

I think this bundle is the perfect way for those short on time to make a Christmas cake, a little piece of homemade for just £10 (available in store only). Sweet Success are a lovely little bakery and cake supplies shop in Nottingham, they have a great selection of pre baked cakes that can be delivered to your door.

So why not have a look over on their website, they are also on Twitter and Facebook too.

NB: I was sent the bundle to create my own cake, all words, opinions and pictures are my own.

Little Herbert Shoe Shop Southwell - Shop Local

I recently visited a beautiful little shoe shop in the gorgeous town of Southwell in Nottinghamshire.

Now this post will only really be relevant to those local to the area but I felt the need to shout about this little shop.

Not only are the shoes all beautiful, the shop is owned by Amy, a knowledgable and helpful lady who loves shoes and making sure you get the right ones for your child.

For me, my children's shoes are an important investment and one that I take seriously, knowing how important feet are for a healthy back and to support your whole body.

Stocking everything from Ava & Luc to Bobux, Crocs and more it is a little haven for trying on shoes, there is no feeling rushed and like you can't give them a proper try!

Southwell has some lovely coffee shops and other independent boutiques with everything from clothing to gifts, so it is well worth a trip to this lovely little town.

Here are my daughters lovely Ava & Luc boots, I was only a little bit jealous!

You can find Little Herbert Shoe Shop on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Rocket and Rose Competition

Today I would like to introduce you to a lovely small business called Rocket and Rose, I've chatted with Gemma the owner for a while now on Instagram, she works hard and is an inspiration to the small business world and I am amazed at how much she does.

Polka Dot Apron

Running an online business selling clothing is difficult enough, I should know having run one. But making personalised items is a whole different ball game,  her items are beautiful and can be custom made to your requirements.

Big Brother Tee

From birthday to race for life t-shirts, mugs to canvases, she does it all, here is a little about why Gemma does what she does.

"My idea for Rocket & Rose started back in November 2011.  My twin girls were very tiny and whilst they napped I started designing tutus and outfits for them and for family and friends.  I decided to venture into boys fashion and my ideas and drawing and practise outfits and clothing items soon escalated into the wonderful world of Rocket & Rose and here we are now! 

I design and create all the items you can see on the Rocket & Rose website whilst still raising my gorgeous Twinklies.  I am a part time working Mum and Wife, hence why there is a short waiting list for my items - but I have been assured they are worth the wait! 

I studied fashion and textiles at the Kent Institute of Art and Design, followed by a degree in Theatre Costume Design for the Performing Arts at the London College of Fashion, so I am delighted to be able to use my skills more than 15 years later in a career that I absolutely adore. 

Along with my husband, Dan we run the business from a lovely workshop in the heart of the Devon countryside." 

I hope you’ll agree she is a pretty amazing lady, not only does she run this business she also has three young children too.

Tutus

Finally she has offered a brilliant competition prize, one lucky person will win a £25 voucher to spend on the Rocket and Rose website. So whether it is something for your little one to dress up in or some goodies for a birthday or Christmas there is something for everyone.

Entry is via the Rafflecopter form below, T&Cs apply. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Q&A Session with British Bag Maker Emma Cornes

On the blog today I have an inspiring Q&A session with a fab British bag maker.

Firstly, tell me a bit about yourself

I’m Emma Cornes. I’m growing our British Bagmaking business that started as a hobby in our spare bedroom in our Cheshire home. We now send bags around the world and it’s a full time job for my husband and I.

Sounds exciting, what is your job within the business?

Everything and anything related to our little business. Everything from the fun bits like designing bags and sourcing amazing materials, to the dull bits like the accounts and cleaning our workshop. I used to make every single bag too, but I started to get far too many grey hairs and just couldn’t keep up so now we get help from a British manufacturer.

You sound like a busy lady, when did you start your business?

Just under two years ago, when I got married.

What made you decide to take the plunge and start your own business?

My bag making journey started when I bought my first sewing machine. I set up my little Singer on the kitchen table and ran off a few hundred metres of bunting for my wedding. Then while visiting family in Scotland’s Tweed valley where I grew up I happened across one of the mills making tweed.

I’m the kind of person who only ever has one bag at a time. It has to work for every occasion. I’d use them until they were threadbare, and then struggle to find a replacement. So I thought maybe I could make the bag I wanted with the tweed I’d found. I guess I probably shouldn’t be a bagmaker!

After watching a few YouTube videos on how to make bags I got started. The first few months were spent making really terrible bags, but then I started to get the hand of things and people liked what I was doing.

Very impressive, what do you love best about working for yourself?

There are so many reasons. The freedom to do what I want. Not having to answer to anyone, no commute, no office politics, only working with people who love what they’re doing too – that’s a really important.

No commute is great, is there anything you don't like about working for yourself?

It can be easy to not see another person, other than my husband for days. I start to feel a bit like I’m living in a bubble. Now I make the effort to leave the house more often – having a puppy helps!

Looking back is there anything you’d do differently?

I’d have got help with manufacture sooner. I hadn’t realised how much toll making every bag was having on me and the business. If I’d handed it over sooner I’d have had much more time to do the fun stuff that actually helps sell more bags.

Do you have any advice for someone thinking about starting their own business?

If you think you’ve got a good idea, don’t spend too much time agonising over it. Find a way to test it out on your target market – make up some samples and get out there.

Make sure you get the right people to help you with your visual identity from the start (stuff like your logo and how everything looks). First impressions count. 

Websites – I’ve seen so many people fall down here. There are good web developers who listen to what you want and build it, but there seem to be lots of not so good ones out there. You need to be really clear about what you want. Get a recommendation from someone who already has a good business website. Make sure you draw a wireframe of what you want where and create a of map of how you want someone to use it and what the outcome should be.

Thank you Emma for a wonderful insight into the running of your business, it was super interesting and an inspiration to anyone out there thinking about starting there own business.

About Emma Cornes bags

Emma Cornes bags are made in Britain using the very best British fabrics. Emma takes inspiration from the landscapes that inspire the Scottish estate tweeds that she’s best known for using. As well as striking designs, her bags include details inspired by how people really use their bags – whether that’s using waterproof canvas for the liner or the range of handy pockets on the inside.

Handbags Rosie Kirsty Nicola

Messengers Hopper Fairweather

You can only buy them at www.emmacornes.co.uk or at the handful of shows Emma visits each year.

A New Look

So this week my blog got a new look, I wanted to tell you a little about the fabulous designer who made my new header and social media icons  and ask you to pop on over and like her Facebook page in case you don’t already and maybe have a look at her wonderful little online store.

 

Bethany at Loving Dot is 16 years old, now I don’t know about you but  at 16 I certainly wasn’t this talented or strong minded, certainly not to set up a business and use my skills in the way in which Bethany has.

 

I already had a few items from Loving Dot and when I saw she was doing logo design I knew straight away that I wanted her to redesign my blog header.

 

She was patient and put together something I absolutely love and adore, if every youngster coming out of school and college has as much get up and go as Bethany then I see a bright future for us all. She is an absolute inspiration and I wish her all the best in the future and hope you will too. 

Supporting small businesses is what I am all about, it is a tough world out there but hopefully determination and talent can conquer!

 

Prettiness and Supporting Small Business

So you may or may not know I have a small place in my heart for all things small business, if I can I try and buy from small businesses for birthdays, christmas etc I will.

This week I would like to tell you about two fabulous businesses I found on Instagram, both offering a gorgeous array of products, designed by themselves.

First up is Loving Dot, owned and all products designed by a fabulously talented sixteen year old. I don't believe I could have done anything this amazing at that age.

I ordered a goodie bag for £5, it costs a mere £1 shipping whatever your order value and it was dispatched within 24 hours so I received quickly and all wrapped up beautifully.

I received a gorgeous badge, mirror and some nail transfers, now if only I could just master doing my nails right ;)

Next up are these gorgeous felt brooches from Revamped Betty's, I cannot even begin to convey how gorgeous these are. I have got these to pop on my jacket, the bunny is perfect for the run up to Easter and well the toast….eep the toast.

I am sure you'll agree these are beautiful and if you pop on over to their Facebook, Twitter or Instagram page you'll be able to see regular updates on beautiful new items.

Loving Dot - Facebook - Instagram - Twitter

Supporting Small Businesses this Spring - Poppy Sparkles

It is my mother in laws 60th birthday on Sunday and since my husband is away it is left to me to sort out her present.

I had been wanting to buy myself something from Poppy Sparkles for a while so this gave me the perfect opportunity, whilst also supporting a small business.

For my mother in law I chose this gorgeous Pearl and Peridot Pendant, although it isn't her birthstone I think the green will go great against her skin and suit her hair colour.

For me I chose these two gorgeous bracelets, yellow for a pop of summer colour and I adore the turquoise teamed with the gorgeous pearls I think they are simple and lovely, plus pearl is my birthstone.

I ordered on Sunday night and they arrived this morning, what better service can there be? With shipping only £1.50 for the first item and free for the rest this was a darn site easier and cheaper than traipsing into town with two children.

Plus they were beautifully wrapped in tissue paper and within that a gorgeous organza bag with little paper hearts....plus a little heart lollipop in the packet.

This is one reason I love buying from independents, they always put a lovely personal stamp on it and for me the washi tape the parcel was sealed in and lovely note really made my day. Thank you Viv :)