Celebrating All Things Organic for #organicSeptember

I'm celebrating all things organic this September - and in Devon that means there is LOTS to celebrate!

But why organic? Well, there are many reasons but they can pretty much be summed up saying: I love bees.

I love that they like to dance. I love watching one bee who's found a really good patch of flowers go crazy getting all the goodness for himself. I love how fuzzy the bumbles are. I love that there is a queen bee named after Beyonce. I love watching them disappear into a foxglove and come back out. I love seeing them working away even when their pollen sacks are filled to bursting. They make me happy.

I mean just look at this guy?

When you see that little Soil Association organic mark in the UK, it means no herbicides or artificial fertilisers. It also means more sustainable land management and more respect for wildlife. And that means more respect for bees - and everyone else by default. And most importantly it means bigger flavours and even healthier foods.

Farming is at the root all things organic so I will be starting out the by looking at organic vegetable box schemes before moving onto farmers markets and some of my favourite organic food shops. And though food is the first thing that comes to mind, but the range of products that can be organically sourced is immense. Shoes, make-up, clothing, nappies and even holidays can be made organically, so I'll explore some of these too!

I'm really excited!

Reposted from RootnGreens blog

That Time I Ran Away to the Circus: Paulo Circus at Darts Farm, Exeter

There is something special about a circus. Big tent. Bright lights. Rocking up to a field near you. Literally bringing magic to the masses. The Paulos Circus is at Exeter's Darts Farm until 24 July. They come every year and this time, I was there for opening night!

Some serious hula hooping!

One of the oldest circus families in the UK, 2016 marks 200 years and six generations of The Paulo family in entertainment. Animal free and family friendly, the show lasts just over and an hour but will make a lasting impression. My little one absolutely loved it and didn't want to leave! There was magic, acrobatics, and some truly remarkable hula hooping! My boy was raving about a certain bit of percussive juggling, an act I had never seen before, all the way home. BUT my favourite by far was the high wire work - like, there's a reason why it's a classic.

Paulos Circus man on wire!

In the tradition of performers from the as far back as the Renaissance, stretching into the birth of 'circus' in the 18th century London and through the modern age, displays of extraordinary human skill are presented to amuse and inspire. During World War II, Paulo Circus shows boosted morale. And as recently as April 2016, The Paulos Circus presented a free show for more than 350 Yorkshire Boxing Day flood victims, earning them a nomination for the York & District Medal. Circus spokesman Kenny Darnell said: "We just wanted to give a little happiness to people who had suffered during the flooding."

Source

We enjoyed the adventure of it, the magic and heading to the source of a tradition that continues to captivate.

The Paulo's Circus on Tour Summer 2016 

Autumn is for Apples: Killerton Apple & Cider Festival Rings in the Season

Exeter's local National Trust property, Killerton House, is ringing in the harvest with their annual Apple and Cider Festival. On Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 October, visitors to their Sparrow Park orchard will be treated to food, drink, song, and yarn bombing at their annual event.

Along with the cider festival, they're laying on a hog roast, morris dancers, live bands, a magician, wood crafts, archery, cycle tours, cider press demonstrations and more. Not to mention the fact that it's all going to look blooming magical with all the leaves changing colours.

This epically autumnal event is in honour of National Apple Day and Killerton's truly epic apple collection. With over 500 acres of traditionally managed orchards on the Killerton estate, they are growing 100 varieties of old English apple including the Killerton Sweet and Killerton Sharp which originate there. Killerton's wardens and volunteers produced an award-winning cider using a 200 year old farm press, as well as apple juice, apple chutney and orchard honey. And because they use traditional methods, the apples are grown without any chemicals, fertilisers or pesticides.

I was lucky enough to get a hold of a box full of some of their summer harvest and have been whipping up a few recipes to countdown to the event and celebrate this fabulous fruit. In the weeks to come, I will be sharing them here on the blog, so keep an eye out for tastiness.

Restaurant Review: Byron Brings it Proper

Byron Proper Burgers

Don't let the sleek lines and clean design fool you, Princesshay's newest restaurant, Byron: Proper Hamburgers, is definitely about the food, and they're not messing around.  You see, the guys behind Byron are into American burgers - like really into them - and they've done their research. They've drawn from some of the States' finest establishments and most indulgent bun based cheekiness to inspire a menu with a few across-the-pond nods that you won't see at most other British burger joints. Delivered with style and ease, Byron is a welcome addition to the city centre dinnersphere.

Me and my meat eating wing man hubby popped in for an indulgent lunch, taking advantage of the best summer since 2004, for a little al fresco dining. Our friendly server greeted and seated us, and we got down to business.

Byron in the sunshine

We kind of went for it, starting out with the Tortilla Chips which came with a lovely fresh tomato salsa and a guacamole that might just be the best in the city - no really - both chunky and fresh. For the mains, I had the Veggie Burger of Portobello mushroom, goats cheese and Mediterranean veg with an order of courgette fries, and a glass of cloudy lemonade. And my carnivorous comrade had the Smokey burger with a portion of skin on chips and a side of macaroni cheese all washed down with a Brew Dog pale ale.

Lunch for two at Byron

For little old vegetarian me, my veggie burger was as good as any I've had, but the courgette fries(!) are something I only seen in the states and Byron were in fact BETTER than what I've had there. They were crispy, crunchy, perfectly seasoned and really worth the visit on their own.  My lemonade was just like mom used to make and, for research purposes, I sneaked a taste of the mac n' cheese and can attest to it being as rich as any of Uncle Sam's offerings. Vegetarians & vegans can also try the avocado salad or mix up the veggie burger with additional/alternative sides like sliced avocado, crispy fried onions and jalepenos as well as a selection of cheeses and sauces. 

The summer special: The Smokey

My partner also had high praise for his Smokey burger, saying that it fully lived up to its name with the taste of well...smokiness, coming through every bite.  All that smoked cheddar, smokey barbecue sauce, crispy bacon and crispy onions perfectly complimented his medium rare Scottish beef patty and made for some very happy dining. His beer was a light, deliciously malty, day time pale ale called Dead Pony Club by Brew Dog, part of a collection of quality craft beers available for on site.

And for puds, I had the brownie and he had the cheesecake. My brownie was hot and deliciously gooey and topped with a scrumptious drizzle of chocolate sauce. My husband's white chocolate cheesecake was an entirely different affair. This chilled cheesecake on a biscuit base, was decadently rich and well accompanied by the blueberry sauce.  A perfect end end to proper lunch.

And the kitchen were so quick as well.

Inside it's like a film noir set. Love the backlit factory windows.

Say hello to Jelly: City Centre Children's Shop Extraordinare

Introducing Jelly, quite possibly the most adorable children's shop in Exeter city centre and the only one with dedicated collection of great value, great quality, second hand, or 'preloved', goods. Run by a team of welcoming, committed, creative and inspired volunteers, this light and loved space is a must visit for tots in the city. Not just a clothes shop, this Exeter Community Initiatives project has got books, games, toys and is gearing up to take prams as well. Not to mention the lovely bits and bobs for kids up to 11 years old.

The thing that makes Jelly different is that even in this small space, the team behind it have thought of everything to make shopping with little ones more enjoyable. When you visit Jelly you will be greeted by a whimsical window display created by the volunteer staff. As you browse the racks and shelves, your little one can amuse himself in their play area. And should your family need a comfort break, they have a quiet space for changing and feeding.

Shop and play at Jelly

The shop is the brain child of the good people of the Exeter Community Initiatives and all profits go back into community projects throughout city. And the ECI does all kinds of amazing - childrens centres, projects for sustainability, urban farming, youth work, and even a city farm - so shopping here is better than getting cash back because it helps make Exeter a more awesome place for your awesome kid.

Visit Jelly at 9 Paris Street, Exeter City Centre.

Clothing for infants, tots and older children

Toys, games and gifts.

Books for children of all ages

Jelly at 9 Paris Street, Exeter, Devon

Film, Food, Fun & Frolics at The Globe's Blues Brothers Night

This Thursday, 30 Jan, Newtown will be abuzz with a night of Blues Brothers booze, food, music and a little bit of fancy dress when the Reel Collective kick off their brand new night at the Globe with a Blues Brothers party to make James & Elwood proud. I caught up with Andy at The Globe to get the scoop on what's in store.

So who are the Reel Collective? 

The Reel Collective is made up of Sal Hughes, Ali Pym, Ben Rothwell and Andy Miller. Sal works as a media lecturer at South Devon College and also co-hosts Ben and Sally's Film Show on Phonic FM. Ali is also a lecturer in media and film at Exeter College. Ben works at The Picturehouse in Exeter and as a projectionist, and is the other half of Ben and Sally's Film Show. Andy is co-owner at The Globe in Exeter. This collaboration came about through a shared passion for classic films, community engagement, coupled with having a bit of fun. 

What can we expect on the night? 

The first Reel Collective night is on Thursday the 30th of January with a screening of the cult classic, The Blues Brothers. This won't be your ordinary screening, the upstairs room will be lovingly decorated in a Blues Brother's style. A vegetarian friendly supper is included as part of the ticket price, as is post-movie dancing with soul, swing and Motown classics being lined up on the house record deck. If you're thinking of coming along, don your shades, pork pie hats, and anything else that gives a nod to the era and in particular the movie narrative itself. 

You guys have done a great job revitalizing the pub and giving it a welcoming & modern feel. This is should be a fun start to the new year, what else have you got in mind for 2014?

Thanks, that's really kind of you to say. 2014 is looking good already with lots of projects on the cards right from the word go. We aim to run the Reel Collective nights on a bi-monthly basis. We will be serving food for the first time within the next few weeks, which is very exciting, as the kitchen refit has taken much longer than we first anticipated. Live music will still be a major feature on the landscape at The Globe going forwards, with some exciting new nights in the offing. We plan on utilising the upstairs bar space a lot more going forwards, again we will be posting any new developments on our Facebook page - keep your eyes peeled for those in the next couple of months.

Source: black.zack00

Secrets of Exeter Beauty: Arbonne Product Review

Exeter Arbonne Independent Consultant Emma Tellesy

Exeter Arbonne beauty representative Emma Tellesy is confident, friendly, fabulous, intelligent and all round awesome. Not only is she a young mum and entrepreneur but she's also a pilot. That's right, 'ladies and gentlemen this is your captain speaking'....a pilot! And when a thoroughly modern woman invites you to try out something that she thinks the world of, you kind of have to give it a go.

So for the last week I've been moisturising like a boss with a beauty regime that has been truly lovely. Using the Arbonne RE9 Advanced Anit-Aging Set, I've been treating myself to a 5 step mini facial every morning and evening. There's a cleanser, toner, intensive renewal serum, eye cream, as well as a day and night cream. Now that might sound like a lot of steps - it did to me when I first got the pack - but by the end of the week I could do the whole routine in about 4 mins. And I found that because I knew I had to do it, I would get up just a little bit earlier and so actually had more rather than less time in the morning.

And how was it? Well to start with the bottles are all really pretty, which is a little thing but makes you feel glam even before you begin. The face wash is light and gentle, but effective. Even after a night of gigging with my band in heavy makeup, I got a clear wash without any irritation. Aiming the spray-on toner took a bit of getting used to but I've used toners before and the upshot of this was that I didn't have to worry about finding cotton buds to apply it. The intensive renewal serum was small but gave good even coverage.The eye cream was the bit I was most impressed with because even with just a week of use, I definitely noticed a reduction in dark areas that, I must admit, I normally have under my eyes. And both the night and day creams helped me to keep a supple exterior throughout the week. Truly a treat.

Add to this the fact the RE9 is part of a suite of products Arbonne products which are totally ethically sound - vegan approved for being free from animal testing and products, contain no petrolchemicals, use natural ingredients, and have a thorough environmental policy - and you've got a serious skin care contender.

After a only a week, I'm not sure if I'm flying as high as high as Emma, but I'm feeling well on my way!

6 Hidden Gems to see for Exeter Heritage Open Days

St. Nicholas Priory

Heritage Open Days is an annual celebration of all the places and spaces that mean the most to the towns, villages and cities around the UK.  From 7 - 9 September National Trust properties, English Heritage sites and many other places of special interest will be open to the public for free visits, tours and special events.

It's one of my favourite times of year because suddenly the doors are flung open to all of these wonderful places, some that didn't even know existed. I am a strong advocate of loving the place that you're in and learning more about where you live is a great place to start. Exeter's heritage is rich with Romans, Normans, Tudors and more, so there's plenty see and do. Here's a short list of my favourites for 2012:

1. Exeter City Football Club's St James' Park will be open for a tour on Friday 7 September, 10am. SJP has been home to the might Grecians for more than 100 years. Stop by to check out the new pitch learn more about one of Britain's only supporter owned football clubs. Booking essential, call 01392 413954 or email andy.gillard@exetercityfc.co.uk. Bookings available from 28 August (9am - 5pm Mon - Fri).
2. Tuckers Hall on Fore Street will be open Thursday 6 -Sunday 9 September, 10.30am - 3pm, talks at 11am, 12.30pm & 2pm for visitors to have good look around.  If you're wondering where this place is, Tuckers Hall is that really old building next to the Real McCoy Arcade. Part of the Exeter Woollen Trail, it's been owned by the Guild of Weavers, Tuckers and Shearman since way back in 1471! I've never actually seen it open so it's the kind of thing that Heritage Open Days were made for. For information, call 01392 412348. 
3. The Exeter Underground Passages on Paris Street will be open for free tours from Thursday 6 - Saturday 8 September 10am, 11am, 12noon, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm, Sunday 9 September 11am, 12noon, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm. The passage are one of the city's top attractions so this is bound to popular. Meet at the entrance on Paris Street 10 minutes before the start of your tour. Booking essential, call 01392 665832. Bookings available from 28 August (9.30am - 4.30pm Mon - Sat). 
4. St. Nicholas Priory Off Fore Street is free to see on Friday 7 & Saturday 8 September, 10am - 5pm. Learn about the building's monastic history, its spell as an Elizabethan household and basque in the Barry Lydon style ye olde lighting. For information, call 01392 265858.
5. Poltimore House will be open Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 September, 11am - 4pm. This Devon landmark is not a National Trust house but is held in trust and run by volunteers. Once a family home, once a hospital, and one point a college, this ever evolving property is rich in history and welcome to visitors. 
6. Exeter Synagogue on Synagogue Place is open this Sunday 9 September from 10 am - 4pm. Founded back in 1763, the synagogue has been a continuous resource for the Jewish community for more than 300 years.