A Place for Pieces

Lavender Fields Forever

20:30

If only scratch and sniff was a thing on computers, you guys would be clawing away at your screens right now to get a chance to experience the overdose of this lavender.

Mayfield Lavender Farm is a farm in Banstead, that grows 25 acres of lavender crops and is open from June to September every year to the public. You've probably seen a few photographs of people you follow on Instagram frolicking through a sea of lavender thinking they're probably in Provence, whereas the reality is they were all most likely here - only about 15 miles from central London.

It has been a popular Insta spot this summer and for day trips, but what a lot of people don't know about Mayfield Lavender Farm is that there is a rather inspiring story behind how the farm got to where it is today. A story about a man and his pursuit for something he believed in.

This span of purple wonderfulness is the brain child of a man called Brendan Maye - hence the name Mayfield - who had the vision to revive lavender growing and leased the land from Sutton council in 2002. The field was planted in the first year and a half but then tragedy descended as crows and magpies pulled all the 70,000 newly planted lavender plugs out of the ground. This however didn't deter Maye and he went straight back into replanting the next year.

If that wasn't enough, three years later, the business that had originally sponsored the programme was sold and no longer continued to support the farm. Failing to find another sponsor, Maye decided to purchase the farm himself. This gave Maye direct influence over the farm with the ability to change the name and really hone in on making this a family brand by getting his wife Lorna involved, who learned how to harvest the lavender along with the logistics of coordinating the whole operation and sales etc. Today, both Brendan and Lorna manage the farm full time and employ 35 seasonal workers. Maintaining the farm takes a lot of elbow grease as they do not use chemicals which means they have to weed the whole field by hand! This gives them the opportunity to be able to make and sell a full range of products including bath and body products, home fragrances, lavender chocolate, tea and shortbread, organic essential oils, scented candles and tied bunches of freshly cut lavender straight from the farm.

Brendan and Lorna have noticed a real shift in the number of visitors they've been receiving in the last four years from all across the world, thanks to the likes of Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, which has been vital for business and so encouraging for them to see. With an entry fee of only £2, it makes the farm a must see for families over the summer holidays. They also took ownership over an old plant nursery in Epsom which they spent 4 years resurrecting and is now a stunning plant nursery and gift shop full of lavender filled scented and infused goods.

What is it that hits you first about the farm? Well that my friends, is the potent smell of lavender that your senses get bombarded with and my-oh-my, it is glorious! Secondly, it is the quaint charm of the place. There really are no gimmicks or dramatics to make this place what it is, it does the job itself. There is by far nothing that could make this place look even more beautiful than it is. If bees aren't your thing, then maybe the farm isn't the pace for you as it's heaving with them. There was a lot of holding my dress to my legs in case any decided to venture up there as they mainly buzz about in and around the lavender at the same level as your legs. If you're fascinated by bees however, and want to learn more about them, then you can book on to join their bee safari. It is not just about the lavender here!

Not only is this a place of beauty, but there is something so special about a place tucked away in Surrey that every year brings so many people joy and wonder, all because of a man who refused to give up. We don't have many spaces like this in London so Mayfield Lavender Farm is a special place indeed. Who needs a summer holiday to the South of France when you you can just go South of London! What a way to be able to support a small family business as well. Go! Experience it, soak up the view, soak up the scent, buy someone a bunch of lavender for only £4 and one for yourself while you're at it too. (My dress still smells of Lavender).

They are now harvesting all the lavender and sadly most of the lavender has lost it's colour, but the farm will only be open until Sunday 2nd September! If you you can't get there, then check out my video below ↓

Address: 1 Carshalton Road, Banstead, SM7 3JA, Google Maps
Entrance Fee: £2 for adults, free for children.
Website: https://www.mayfieldlavender.com

London

Spring-spration | The Floral Edition

13:27

Spring-spriation | The Home Edition

18:41

©lolatemie

All the best changes start from within and at home. The way your home is can play a big part in your mood and general countenance so it is always good to take care of your living space and in some cases give it a wee revamp from time-to-time. If you caught my first blog post in the spring-spiration series you'll know that I already touched on all the feelings that spring evokes. One of them being change and the birth of new things.

So if you're excited for all the transition in your own life that comes with this season, then making some changes at home is a great place to begin, without spending a fortune too.

| SPRING CLEAN MACHINE |

©idealhomeuk

Spring is a great time to face those household tasks. I mean, they don't call it a spring clean for nothing! For me, it doesn't just mean giving the house a quick clean, it means giving it a DEEP clean. Like on your hands and knees scrubbing the skirting boards deep clean! A lot of the time, just by being and looking that extra bit cleaner, it gives your home a better ambience Get the dusters out, get the heavy duty bin bags and intense cleaning products and once the place is looking spick and span, invest in some scented candles or room diffusers to give off fresh, floral, spring scents.

Now that the sun is a little more prominent and the blinds won't be shut all the time, I want nothing more than to let all that light in, so one of my favourite spring cleaning tasks, is giving the windows a good wash. If you're blinds are going to be open, it's easier to see the dirt and marks on your window that you would't usually notice and once they're clean, it also means we're that been closer to summer and having them open.

A thorough clean may sound like a tedious task but you'll feel so good once you've done it. Promise!

| DECLUTTER THAT CLUTTER |

@ikeauk

It is time to declutter. Yes, that pile of old books and mail that has been increasing over time in your bedroom and that corner of the house which you've conveniently "forgotten about" or not had time for is calling your name! Whether you're rocking life in your one bed flat or in a house full of family, getting the house cleared out of the things you no longer need that's taking up space and making you procrastinate like you've never procrastinated before is so necessary. However, if you're a serious hoarder or have just accumulated a lot more things since the end of last year, or just simply a busy person, this can also seem like such a daunting task.

What's great about doing a declutter and reorganise of your belongings is that you don't have to do your whole home in a day but you can spread it over a few days or weeks. Sort through your wardrobe and see what you can give away to charity, while at the same time making more room for all your winter coats and heavy jumpers that need to get stored away. Get yourself down to IKEA and grab some storage boxes, label them with the things that need to be kept and get rid of all those bits that you've been keeping for years 'just in case'. Be thorough and be brutal about what you keep and what you throw away, not only will you accumulate more space, but just like spring cleaning, it will feel oh, so satisfying!

| COLOURS AND TEXTILES |

©loafhome

Let's be honest, spring is ALL about colour, whether in the form of clothing, design and even just the day-to-day things that our eyes are drawn to. We all know that Burgundy plum and orange shades are associated with autumn. Similarly, bright, pastel colours are part of the spring palette. Adding distinct pops of colour to your home can help make it look new and different to match the changing seasons and also the changes that may be happening in your own life around you. Colour plays a crucial part in changing seasons as well as our own changing moods and personalities.

Now I don't mean do something drastic like repainting all your walls (emphasis on the word 'pops' of colour) but this can be as simple as getting some coloured vases or ornamental and decorative pieces and dotting them around the place. Changing the colour and fabric of your cushion covers on your sofa, can make a huge difference too. Velvet is definitely very much still in this season, so just by adding some vibrant velvet cushions to your sofa can help give it feel of revival and luxe. Trade in any darker shade of bedding that you have for something lighter, but more importantly, lighter fabric all round too now that the winter days are *ahem-slowly-ahem* making an exit.

I recently went to the Ideal Home Show and heard Kate Watson-Smyth at a seminar talk about her are book Mad About the House and share 10 design hacks. One of the things she said that stuck with me when it comes to making style choices, was to look at your own wardrobe, as the outfits, fabrics and accessories you wear will usually hold elements of what you would like to have style wise in your home decor. If you're also wanting your home to reflect fashion in terms of colour, why not use Vogue's Ten Colour Trends of 2018 as a guide and go from there too.

| REPOSITION, REPOSITION, REPOSITION |

©heals_furniture

Sometimes it isn't just about getting rid of or replacing things to really embrace and experience change, other times, it's more about actually physically repositioning things/yourself in life, whether that be going away on a break, getting a new job or moving location completely. With regards to the change in your living space, moving home every spring is a little farfetched but in this case, it can be just about moving your furniture.

Reshuffling furniture helps give a room you are familiar with a completely brand new feel and atmosphere without it costing an arm and a leg or doing anything too drastic (like moving house). Have a play with the placement of things - sofas, tables, cabinets even your digital devices (if wall sockets allow), photographs, artwork and decorative pieces. In doing this, it won't just make the room alone feel different, but it will make you feel different every time you're in the room.

| PLANT POWER |

©madedotcom

If you already love your home and are into home design and decor trends then I imagine you have extra housemates knocking about in the form plants. No? Then what are you doing?!?! Plants have regained a name for themselves in recent years, with everyone wanting to create urban jungles in their living rooms and with the new found knowledge of their health benefits, the houseplant hasn't just become a must-have trend accessory but also a home necessity for some; with studies showing that indoor plants offer improved air quality, psychological wellbeing and physical wellbeing.

You're thinking, "but spring is all about flowers and our dining table space is already occupied by an outrageous bouquet". Well the truth is, those flowers will be dead within a week so rather than just purchasing another bouquet, why not shake things up and make a foliage bouquet from palm and banana leaves or just using a simple bundle of eucalyptus can create a nice statement piece on your coffee table. If you change the water and trim the stems regularly, these will stay fresh for longer. If you've just done a huge spring clean and are left with lots of clear space, why not opt for a hanging plant or large standing house plant, which again, if looked after properly will last you a good while and save you some extra cash!

| GET GROWING THE GOODS |

©bandq_uk

Having a rather drawn out winter and just winter in general means that us Brits probably haven't spent all that much time in our gardens. We've recently spent a couple of days attending to our very overgrown garden. We've slowly spent a little bit of time here and there over winter doing a few bits, but now that it's bearable to be outdoors for longer than half an hour, it's meant that we can really give it our time and attention. It's a great time to get your garden ready for the summer.

For those of you who have your garden in order already, then spring being the season of bloom is your time to shine. If you grow your own flowers then you can also cut some of those, make your own flower arrangement and have them indoors. Jump on the homegrown fruit and veg bandwagon too. Nothing says change like eating healthy produce that's been grown in your own back garden. The possibilities are endless of what you can grow with what's available season. You don't need to be an Alan Titchmarsh to know you're way around the garden, a lot of products are very user friendly for complete novices, just start off with a small patch or even just a single plant. Who knows, it might even become a new hobby.

What do you usually like to do to get your home ready for spring or when you just feel like your home needs a little sprucing up? Leave a comment below to share your own tactics.

London

Spring-spiration | The London Edition

02:55

Easter

Spring-spiration | The Easter Edition

12:47

©bungabungaldn

There is no way I could talk about spring without first mentioning one of the best parts of it, and that is Easter. Just like Christmas, Easter has it's own trademark products, images and visuals associated with it that we get bombarded with every year. Some of which include Easter eggs, fluffy stick-on chicks for kids crafts, bunny rabbits and OTT cartoon illustration of Jesus with light beams radiating from him.

Now don't get me wrong, I appreciate the chocolate (Cadbury's Mini Eggs for the win 🙌) and those fluffy stick-on chicks take me back to my primary school days, but what are the original foundations of Easter?

Easter follows Lent (which you can read a little about in my Pancake Day post here) in celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ and pays a fundamental part in the heart of Christianity. Palm Sunday marks the first day of Holy Week, the week in the lead-up to Easter and honours Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem on a donkey, where crowds of people came to greet and worship him, throwing palm leaves on the road. Later in the week, is Maundy Thursday, the day that remembers the night of the Passover meal Jesus had with his disciples, most commonly known as the Last Supper. Here Jesus talks of his upcoming death and tells his disciples to love and serve one another. Today Christians remember this by breaking bread and drinking wine together, known as the act of taking Communion. Next is Good Friday, where the church recognises the crucifixtion, suffering and death of Jesus and what it means to their faith. But that isn't the end as Easter Sunday acknowledges his resurrection and his triumph over death. If you want to read the full detailed story, you can find Palm it in the Bible in the book of John chapter 12 (Palm Sunday) and Matthew chapter 26 to 28.

Easter is about redemption and love, but is also a time that celebrates, new life, hope and joy, all the things that also comes with spring too, another reason that makes it a great season. That being said, I enjoy celebrating Easter and am a sucker for all the extras the comes with it (chocolate included) so here are some great things you can do this Easter weekend. Speaking of chocolate...

| EASTER EGG HUNTS AND TRAILS |

If Easter is more of a family affair for you with little ones, head on down to Hampton Court Palace who are hosting an Easter Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt around the gardens, with other activities including chocolate tasting.

Or visit Lauderdale House for their Easter Egg-stravaganza, where they'll be, well, Easter eggs, an egg hunt AND Easter egg decorating!

If you're more of a Cadbury's fan than Lindt, Cadbury's have their own string of egg hunts at Ham House, Osterly Park and Morden Hall Park, just to name a few. If chocolate surrounded by beautiful surroundings isn't enough to make it a great day out for the whole family, then the fact that all proceeds go towards funding vital conservation work should do the trick.

| THEMED FOOD AND DRINK |

©astervictoria

Adults, don't worry there is some Lindt fun in the line-up for you as well. Chocolate Easter egg cocktails, Easter egg pizzas and about a billion Easter themed afternoon teas across the city. The Chocolate Surprise cocktail served in a giant chocolate egg at Aster is by far a fantastic way to jazz up an Easter themed brunch menu. The standout however titled 'The Eggs-troadinaire Pizza' complete with a custard base (instead of tomato sauce) and Creme Eggs, Mini Eggs and Lindt chocolate bunnies for toppings.

| THE PASSION OF JESUS |

©LondonTown

Come and see the story Good Friday, brought to life in a moving performance right in the centre of Trafalgar Square. Back for the ninth year in a row, with more than 100 cast members from the Wintershall Players accompanied by doves, horses and donkeys, will be putting on a lifelike rendition of the crucifixion. An event that usually draws in tens of thousands each year, and is an ideal event to attend before or after a contemplative service.

| WESTMINSTER ABBEY AND ST PAUL'S CATHEDRAL |

There will be services taking place at Westminster Abbey and St Paul's Cathedral and all churches across London over the duration of the Easter Weekend. All of which you can visit freely - a great opportunity to do so if you haven't been to either the Abbey or Cathedral.

Don't worry if you can't make it into the centre of London though, you can pop into your local church for any of the services happening. Going to a service is a a great way to connect to the heart of Easter. Different churches will have different service times, so be sure to check times on each date in advance.

| SUNDAY ROAST |

Now it wouldn't be Easter Sunday if there was no Sunday roast involved. I don't know about you, but a having a roast on Easter Sunday has always been a tradition. Whether that's going out to feast on your favourite pub lunch or cooking up a storm at home, a roast is a must. To celebrate Easter, Scoff & Banter in Kensington has been highly recommended, offering a signature roast to the sound of live jazz.

Whatever it is you end up doing this weekend, whether you'll be spending it reflecting and celebrating at church, or making the most of a long overdue bank holiday, I wish you all a Happy Easter. May it involved plenty of chocolate!

Dates in Operation
Hampton Court Easter Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt: 26th March - 15th April
Lauderdale House Easter Egg-stravaganza: 1st April
Cadbury's Easter Egg Hunts: 30th March - 1st April
Aster Brunch: 26th March - 2nd April
The Passion of Jesus: - Two 90min live performances at 12pm and 3.15pm
Scoff & Banter: 1st April, 1pm-4pm

London

Spring-spiration

09:46

Spring is FINALLY here! Despite the fact it is not in full swing just yet and the first day of spring has just been and gone, plus the clocks have now gone forward, I'm done with winter! I'm done with the freak weather changes, I'm done with too many close encounters with frostbite and I'm ready for spring to take over and make an appearance.

If you have spoken to anyone who lives in the UK recently or even just interact with any Brits on social media, you would have heard the complaining and seen the images and videos about the freezing weather and snow days this month. If you live in the UK you would have contributed to said complaining and probably enjoyed the snow for the first day but was over it by day two/three.

We've been waiting (for a while) and we're ready! The UK is ready for a new season! I definitely feel as though I have been wearing my winter coat for far too long now. It isn't just about the weather though. Winter can be tough. Quite like snow, it is nice at first but then the further in the season gets, the more challenging it becomes. December and January especially, can be the most difficult months for some people, who retreat into isolation, struggle with loneliness and feel distress about the next stages in their lives. The start of spring symbolises more than just the transition in seasons. It symbolises the start of new things, change, refreshing and hope.

What else do I think of when I think of spring? Longer days, Easter, bank holidays, sunny strolls, wearing less layers, pastel colours, seasonal salads, afternoon tea, daffodils, cherry blossom, spring cleans, revamped interiors and new found creativity. It just generally is a season to get excited about. Mainly because, let's be honest, it's a foretaste of summer.

So with all that wonderfulness in mind (whilst deliberately ignoring the reality of April Showers which plays a big part in spring as well), it is time to pack those thermal vests away and get stuck into all that spring has to offer. The thought alone has got me exhilarated and inspired, so much so that I'll be dedicating the next couple of weeks on the blog to all things spring-spiration! From things you can do in the capital, to how you can let spring motivate and influence your every day, all of which will be things to hopefully help put a spring in your step ;-)

Follow my blog with Bloglovin' here