Homegrown, home picked and home-made.
As we bid au revoir to the daisies and buttercups scattered across our lawns and parks, we now enjoy the sights of acorns, conkers and mushrooms, delight in the sounds of fir cones and leaves underfoot, the taste of blackberries from the hedgerows (so many this year!) as well as apples and pears on our fruit trees.
One of our favourite influencers recommended a local orchard where you can pick your own apples. So, the children and I spent a sunny Saturday afternoon gathering baskets of cox apples and Norfolk reds for juicing, eating, and stewing into crumbles and pies. (The perfect accompaniment to the blackberries we’ve been picking from the hedgerows).
It’s a great chance for quality family moments, and seeing the finished creation come out of the oven - served with crème anglaise, cream or ice cream - both rewarding and comforting!
My two favourite homemade crumble combinations are pear & blackberry and what I call my 4A Crumble: apples, apricots, almonds, and Amaretto. I use a topping of wholemeal flour and jumbo oats in a 50:50 ratio, and scatter in chia seeds, so it feels almost healthy (we’ve been known to devour left-overs for breakfast with yoghurt!).
At FB HQ it’s been the month for big buying fairs. A chance to meet our current suppliers and meet new manufacturers. It’s great to catch up face to face and maintain the hands-on approach to our products – how they’re made, how they feel, and how they present to the eye.
Watch this space for gorgeous new lights, home fragrances, and soft furnishings aplenty in my favourite colour pairing of the season – petal pink and sage green. As well as some Provence inspired jute rugs, with a feminine twist.
We have also launched some new pieces for autumn that I am swooning over. Our Settle Into Silence bed is upholstered in a vintage-inspired floral linen fabric that depicts a botanical tree of life design in rich and comforting autumnal tones. My team and I were inspired by the power of the tranquil sights and sounds of nature to evoke peaceful, calming moments – something increasingly difficult to find in our busy lives.
In addition, a brand-new complete collection of furniture that has stolen my heart is our new Avenue Montaigne range. The Gustavian-inspired collection offers the perfect pairing of elegance and practicality. The pieces are well made and purposeful; secret features such as hidden drawers, trays and shelves feature throughout the collection. The designs themselves are a fusion of French and Nordic styles, giving them cachet and French refinement.
Both new arrivals are off to a flying start being featured in the November issue of House & Garden magazine – you can expect to find us in many other interiors titles over the coming months!
Now curl up and enjoy our latest discoveries, and see who we've been having brunch with this month.
Sunday Discoveries
READ
The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben
Are trees social beings? How do trees live? Do they feel pain or have awareness of their surroundings?
Get answers to all these questions and more with this fascinating read about the hidden sensibilities of trees.
Wohlleben writes beautifully about the different ways in which trees communicate, how they can support each other in times of hardship and old age. It is a fascinating read - one not to be missed!
EAT
As the cosy season arrives, there's no better time to indulge in some true comfort food. Apples abound on the fruit trees in gardens everywhere right now, so why not make the most of them?
Home cook and food writer Audrey @pardonyourfrench shares her top ten apple recipes for autumn.
We’re big fans of the classic French Tarte Tatin (quelle surprise…) and the Gluten-Free Apple Crisp - proving that healthier desserts don't have to be boring!
SPRITZ
Spritz Wellness create products from natural ingredients that stimulate the senses and calm the mind.
As well as being very pretty, their popular lavender scented eye masks promote relaxation and help enhance sleep.
Founder Laura Colucci is draws inspiration from a combination of yoga, nature and the sea for her creations, made from all natural ingredients.
A portion of proceeds are donated to Surfers Against Sewage, keeping our beaches and coastlines clean and safe.
BRUNCH WITH... LAURA
We sit down with Laura Colucci, founder of UK company Spritz Wellness to chat about her idea of the perfect Sunday, and how she unwinds after a busy day.
Describe your perfect Sunday
My perfect Sunday would start with teaching a yoga class first thing, followed by a swim in the sea. I like to indulge in long lunches when I can on Sundays. Finally, to see out the day, a sunset walk on the beach with my boys is the perfect ending.
What does ‘Me Time’ mean to you?
For me, it's time when I am alone and doing something I truly enjoy. This is typically savouring a cup of coffee in silence, having a massage, going for a walk while listening to a podcast, or simply laying on my yoga mat with my eye pillow and connecting with my breath.
What’s your preferred sleeping position?
I always sleep on my left side - I don't sleep as well any other way!
How do you relax and unwind after a busy day?
Calming the senses with soft, comfy clothes or a warm bath have an instant relaxing effect on me. Reaching out to a friend or having a chat with my boys is also something that helps me unwind.
Scent is obviously very important to you. What are your favourite aromas, and what memories or feelings do they trigger?
Lavender is definitely a favourite scent. The Spritz Wellness Aromatherapy Eye Mask is scented with lavender and when I put on the eye mask before sleep it triggers a sense of calm. I also love the scent of lemongrass. The Energise Yoga Mat Spray contains lemongrass and when I practice yoga the fresh scent reminds me of a spa and my travels in Bali, where lemongrass is abundant.
