#lake district homewares

[lymphomalass]

This watercolour landscape of a mountain view with a gate down towards a lake, from Lonscale Fell towards Derwentwater, is available printed on all kinds of things, including bath mats and shower curtains, at: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/93336705

Thanks! Sam aka LymphomaLass xx

[thesustainableswap]

BLM Master Post / Resources

No blog post this week. I felt like this was much more important. Here is a master post of everything I’ve found regarding the BLM movement, from petitions, to where you should donate, to reading, to accounts, to business... hopefully most of what you’re looking for can be found below. If I’ve missed anything vital please let me know and I will add it.

Petitions:

Justice for George Floyd (White House) | Justice for George Floyd (change.org) | Justice for George Floyd (change.org) | Justice for George Floyd (color of Change)

RAISE THE DEGREE - Remove bail for Derek Chauvin, murderer of George Floyd (White House) | Arrest The Other Three (White House) | Raise The Degree (change.org) | The Minneapolis Police Officers to be charged for murder (change.org)

#JusticeforBre (MoveOn.org) | #JusticeforBre (color of Change)

Justice For Ahmaud Arbery (change.org) | Justice for Ahmaud Arbery- Pass Georgia Hate Crime Bill (change.org) | Disbarment of George E. Barnhill (change.org)

Trayvon Martin Law (change.org)

Hands Up Act (change.org)

Justice for Belly Mujinga (change.org)

Justice for Tony McDade (change.org)

Justice for Alejandro Vargas Martinez (change.org)

Justice for Regis Korchinski-Paquet (change.org)

Wrongful Conviction: Julius Jones is innocent (change.org)

Wrongful Conviction: Kyjuanzi Harris (change.org)

Willie Simmons has served 38 years for a $9 robbery (change.org)

Defund The Police Minneapolis (Every Action / Reclaim The Block) | Mandatory Life Sentence for Police Brutality (change.org) | National Action Against Police Brutality (change.org) | Against Police Brutality in France (change.org)

Demand Racial Data on Coronavirus (BLM) | Coronavirus: Demand More from the Government (BLM)

Get Schools to Speak Up (change.org)

Stand with BLM (organizefor.org)

Organisations to Donate to

George Floyd Memorial Fund

Minnesota Freedom Fund

Black Visions Collective

Reclaim the Block

Campaign Zero

Black Lives Matter

UKBLM

National Bailout Fund

Black Earth Farms

Communities United Against Police Brutality

Unicorn Riot

Louisville Community Bail Fund

Rebuilding the Community (We Love Lake Street)

United Families and Friends Campaign

COVID-19: Supporting BAME Communities

House of GG

Trans Justice Funding Project

The Okra Project

Youth Breakout

SNaPCo

Black AIDS Insitute

Trans Cultural District

LGBTQ+ Freedom Fund

For If You Have Little Money to Spare:

Check out these YouTube videos and play them while you go about your day (or actively watch! Up to you.) The ad revenue will be donated to organisations supporting black lives - but make sure you turn off your adblocker first.

By Zoe Amira

By Francesca Grace

By Cindy Marshall

By Danni and Emmyn

Instagram Accounts (source)

Nova Reid

Layla Saad

Rachel Cargle

Check Your Privilege

Rachel Ricketts

The Great Unlearn

Reni Eddo Lodge

Ibram X. Kendi

Galdem

The Irin Journal

Women Who

For Working Ladies

Thyself

Black Girl Fest

UK isn’t Innocent

Readbyrachelaa

Mikaela Loach

Podcasts

About Race with Remi Eddo-Lodge

Conversations with Nova Reid

iWeigh with Jameela Jamil

The YIKES podcast

Have You Heard George’s Podcast?

The World Wide Tribe

Zero Hour Talks

1619 by the New York Times

TV / Film (source)

13th

When They See Us

Selma

The Black Power Mixtape 1967 - 1975

I Am Not Your Negro

The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution

If Beale Street Could Talk

The Hate U Give

American Son

Trial by Media

Books: (Source)

How To Be Anti Racist by Ibram X. Kendi

Me and White Supremacy by Robin Diangelo and Layla Saad

Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race by Remi Eddo-Lodge

So You Want To Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin

Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong

America’s Original Sin By Jim Wallis and Bryan Stevenson

The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander

Blindspot by Mahzarin R. Banaji & Anthony G. Greenwald

Good Talk by Mira Jacob

Between The World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

How Does It Feel To Be A Problem by Moustafa Bayoumi

The Fire This Time by Jesmyn Ward

White Fragility by Robin Diangelo

I’m Still Here by Austin Channing Brown

When They Call You A Terrorist by Patrisse Khan-Cullors, Asha Bandele, et al.

An African American and Latin History of The United States by Paul Ortiz

Citizen by Claudia Rankine

An Indigenous Peoples’ History of The United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

Mindful of Race by Ruth King

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson

Tears We Cannot Stop by Michael Eric Dyson

Stamped From The Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi

Have Black Lives Ever Mattered? By Mumia Abu-Jamal

The Coloraturas of Law by Richard Rothstein

The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson

Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? By Beverly Daniel Tatum

Stamped by Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi

This Book Is Anti Racist by Tiffany Jewell and Aurelia Durand

Brit(ish) by Afua Hirsch

Children’s Books: (Source)

Malcolm Little by Ilyasah Shabazz

Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters by Andrea Davis Pinkney

Something Happened in Our Town: A Child’s Story About Racial Injustice by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins and Ann Hazzard

My Hair Is A Garden by Cozbi A. Cabrera

Separate Is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh

Young Water Protectors by Aslan Tudor

My Family Divided by Diana Guerrero

We Are Grateful by Traci Sorell

I Am Not A Number by Jenny Kay Dupuis and Kathy Kacer

Schomburg: The Man Who Built A Library by Carole Boston Weatherford

Lailah’s Lunchbox: A Ramadan Story by Reem Faruqi

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson

The Whispering Town by Jennifer Elvgren

When Harriet Tubman Led Her People To Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford

When I Was Eight by Christy Jordan-Fenton & Margaret Pokiak-Fenton

Happy In Our Skin by Fran Manushkin

Chocolate Milk, Por Favor by Maria Dismondy

Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer by Carole Boston Weatherford

When We Were Alone by David A. Robertson & Julie Flett

Shining Star The Anna May Wong Story by Paula Yoo & Lin Wang

Little Leaders: Bold Women In Black History by Vashti Harrison

Maddi’s Fridge by Lois Brandt

Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry

Sulwe by Vashti Harrison

A Is For Activist by Innosanto Nagara

Intersection Allies by Chelsea Johnson, LaToya Council & Carolyn Choi

What Is Race? Who Are Racists? Why Does Skin Colour Matter? And Other Big Questions by Clair Heuchan & Nikesh Shukla

Black Owned Businesses: (source)

Wales Bonner

Casely-Hayford

Daughter of a Bohemian


Daily Paper

Aaks: Basket Bags

Martine Rose

Nubian Skin

Sincerely Nude

Liha Beauty

Beauty Stack

Bouclème: Afro and Curly Hair Products

Afrocenchix: Hair Products

The Afro Hair and Skin Company: shampoo bars, hair masks, face masks

Prick: Cacti and Plantcare

La Basketry: homeware

Bonita Ivie: stationery & design

Reset travel: travel cards and workshops

Bespoke Binny: homeware

New Beacon Books: Specialists in African and Caribbean Literature

Original Flava by Craig & Shaun McAnuff

Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen by Zoe Adjonyoh

Hibiscus by Lopè Ariyo

Ethiopia by Yohanis Gebreyesus

Belly Full by Riaz Phillips

Chika’s Snacks

Berry and Brie Grazing Boxes

Yard Confectionery Chocolate

Cabby’s Rum

Cham Cham Hot Pepper Sauce

Stay strong, and get learning (or unlearning)!

[rememberthattime]

Chapter 53. Lockdown

It’s been almost five months since my last post:  Finland at the start of February.  That seems so long ago – in fact, it’s by far the longest Chelsay & I have gone without a trip in our five years abroad.  

These are extenuating and unfortunate circumstances though.  The global Coronavirus pandemic has put the entire world in lockdown, with far more dangerous and deadly consequences for the millions infected. I don’t want to go into the staggering statistics, but I can safely say that every single person on Earth has been impacted. Even saying that, it is likely we won’t know the virus’ true toll for many years.

However, the purpose of this blog is to “record” Chelsay & I’s present thoughts, emotions, and experiences. In 20 years, I want to read these words and relive our time abroad.

The 2020 lockdown is historically and personally unique – likely more noteworthy than an individual trip we’ve taken. That said, there would be a gap in this record if I didn’t post about Chelsay & I’s lockdown experience.

I’ll start out by saying that Chelsay & I have been very lucky. We’ve been bored more than usual, but with lockdown coming to an end soon, we’ve made it through relatively easily.

The biggest reason: Indy! I briefly mentioned our new dog in the Finland post, but we didn’t bring him home until a few weeks later, just before the lockdown began. It was absolutely perfect timing:

Chelsay and I had stressed about how we would alternate working-from-home while Indy was a puppy. After coronavirus, this was a moot point… I’m not sure Chelsay or I will ever go back into our London offices.  

Chelsay & I would’ve been painfully bored being locked at home for months, but Indy has been a blast. Play time, training, and walks have filled our otherwise open schedules.

That said, things weren’t so easy early on: Indy’s first two weeks with us were painful. Really really bad. He had a stomach bug when we picked him up so, starting with the first drive home, he was either throwing up or pooping every 45 minutes.

Making matters worse, we were staying in a terrible basement AirBnB – the only one in London that allowed dogs. Beyond the complete absence of daylight, the other downside of this AirBnB was the thin walls… We tried having Indy sleep on his own, but he would HOWL incessantly. The neighbors were unexpectedly understanding for the first 15 minutes, but their (and our) patience ended when his crying hit the 1-hour mark.

With all this pooping & howling, I’ll freely admit that I regretted getting a dog.  I’d expected a much easier transition, but the combination of his stomach bug & our dreadful AirBnB changed everything. That said, we stuck it out, and I actually think I learned a lot about patience & perseverance… And I’m just really happy Indy pooped all over the AirBnB instead of our permanent home.

This is a good transition to our other main lockdown activity: settling into our new house. In my last post, I mentioned that we found this place within 24 hours of landing in London – a testament to our organization, motivation, and ability to fight off jetlag.

Settling in is always tough, but we had reason for optimism: Chelsay had meticulously coordinated the furniture & homeware shipments for our move-in date. Although most of the deliveries were completed without hiccup, some of the larger items were derailed when the UK went into lockdown. …The shipping company refused to deliver our items – I eventually found a creative solution that I won’t go into, but it meant out our couch, TV, and all kitchen cookware were locked away in a warehouse for an extra few weeks.  

In the meantime, Chelsay, Indy, & I were living the college-lifestyle: we put the guest mattress in our living room as a couch replacement, used a computer monitor as a TV, and ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner for an entire month with only two forks!

That said, the benefit of missing furniture was the extra room for Indy to run around.  Actually, we had plenty of space even once ALL our furniture arrived! Our new flat is twice the size of the Manly apartment, and nearly the size of our previous THREE apartments combined! And that’s without considering the backyard, where Indy could roam freely, play fetch, get his zoomies out… or participate in the 2020 NFL Combine.

Although it took a few weeks to fill the house, we immediately felt settled in our new neighborhood. Chelsay & I loved Hampstead the first time we lived in London, so it was our top choice house hunting… All 24 hours of house hunting.

Hampstead is undeniably London’s most charming & cozy neighbourhood: knobbly alleys, off-kilter homes, mossy lattices, vine covered brick facades. Close to the city, but very much an English village.

It is also home to one of London’s largest parks, Hampstead Heath, which isn’t even really a park. It’s a forest. A wild, unmaintained maze of trees, vines, and brush, with pockets of open heath sprinkled around. Every weekday morning around 6:45 and every night around 6:30, Chelsay, Indy, and I set out for a walk through the park. Indy loves the night walk especially (when we bring his frisbee), but the walks aren’t just for him: Chelsay and I love the fresh air in the morning, and relaxing wind-down at night.

These walks are one staple of our weekday routine, with the other being Chelsay & I’s daily lunch together. Despite work being busy for both of us throughout the lockdown, we’ve found time to take lunch together every single day.  It’s a flashback to Seattle, when Chelsay & I both worked in South Lake Union and we’d meet up a few times per week. These little breaks split up the day, and help us both prepare for busy afternoons. …The only problem is that we’re getting really tired of cooking. We haven’t gone to a restaurant since February 22. Today is June 26.

Weekends have their own routine as well.  Although we wake up early (a new talent of Chelsay’s), we’ll take our time with a bigger breakfast like huevos rancheros. We’ll then saddle Indy up for our primary weekend activity: a 2-3 hour walk through the Heath. These walks have been excellent for so many reasons:

The Heath is gorgeous, as described earlier. Each walk is unique, and we haven’t followed the same route yet.

The weather has been historically great: May was the sunniest month since Britain began recording in 1862!

It tuckers Indy out. He’ll go to sleep for 6 hours after we get back from our weekend walks.

Indy’s exhaustion gives Chelsay & I a chance to FaceTime with our families, a weekly highlight. With everyone in lockdown, its far easier to find a time when everyone can join: both our parents and our siblings (it’s not like we were doing anything else!). Our typical agenda goes: game night, recommend shows, make fun of each other’s unkept appearance. 

The rest of our routine weekend day is spent planning.  Both Chelsay and I have our own roles:

Chelsay tends to handle household preparedness. I have to give her credit – she was way ahead of the curve on Coronavirus. A week or two before the rest of the world caught on, Chelsay was already stocking up on essentials – and more importantly, reserving our online grocery delivery orders into May. This was SO. DAMN. CRITICAL. We went into Waitrose once in early March, and it was a genuine nightmare. You could feel the anxiety in the air: long lines to enter, with everyone panic-buying, irritable, and on-edge while trying to socially distance. It was so important that Chelsay stocked up beforehand and reserved those slots, ensuring we wouldn’t need to visit the grocery store.  Once lockdown started, every delivery service froze new member sign-up and locked delivery scheduling.  

While Chelsay made sure we survived the lockdown, I was ensuring our travel agenda hit the ground running once restrictions were lifted. I’ve probably planned 15 different variations of trips in the past four months, scrupulously researching options that were exciting, feasible, and most importantly of all, cancellable. Although Puglia in April and the Lakes District in May ultimately needed to be cancelled, the following trips *seem* like they might be okay: Scotland road trip in July, Paris by train in late August, Central Europe road trip in September, and Egypt in October. KNOCK ON WOOD!

Now, the standard weekend includes these long walks, family Facetimes, & planning sessions, but Chelsay and I have still fit in a few exciting breaks from the routine.

First, Chelsay’s 30th birthday fell in the middle of lockdown. We’d originally planned to relive her favorite trip by visiting Scotland, but obviously that was no longer an option. Determined to celebrate her milestone birthday from home, I surprised her with balloons around the house and a ready-made dinner including lamb shanks, potatoes dauphinoise, and glazed carrots. Chelsay pre-baked dessert: a funfetti cake.

Second, as lockdown measures began to ease, we started taking day trips within England. Our first escapade was a short drive to Richmond, where Indy got sick in the car… With our Scotland roadtrip booked, we knew he needed better driving experience, so we immediately booked rental cars for the following three Saturdays. These trips were great car training for Indy, but more importantly brought us to some of the UK’s prettiest locations: Richmond, the Cotswolds, Seven Sisters, and Peak District.

I’ll end this post by emphasizing how lucky Chelsay & I have been during this lockdown. As I mentioned in the introduction, every single person in the world has been impacted by Covid in some way… but Chelsay and I have made it through relatively easily.

We’ll always remember this Global Pandemic and our four months stuck at home, but we’ll also remember the extra time we got to have with our new new puppy, or enjoying our new home and neighbourhood. We’ll remember how the extra planning time made our Scotland, EuroTrip, and Egypt trips that much more special. And most of all, we’ll remember that our friends & family remained safe and healthy throughout.

[absoluteescapes]

Your Perfect Cumbrian Christmas Stocking Filler



There’s more to Cumbria than just rolling hills and picturesque lakes. Within the county, you'll find a wealth of independent and artisanal producers with a range of gift ideas ideal for Christmas. Some small enough to fit in a Cumbrian Christmas cracker or stocking, which is what we’re going to present to you here.

Whether you’re buying for someone mad about Cumbria and the Lake District, or a local who’s all about local produce and craft, these gift ideas are sure to be a hit. Not only do you get an out-of-the-ordinary gift for your loved one you also help out a small business in the run-up to Christmas.

Without further ado, here are our picks:

The Lakes Distillery

"Bassenthwaite" by Adam is licensed under CC BY2.0

Making a huge splash in the world of drinks, only a stone’s throw away from Bassenthwaite Lake, the Lakes Distillery produces several spirits in addition to its flagship ‘One’ blended whisky. They sell a range of cute, smaller iterations of their products perfect for any stocking/cracker. They even make their own crackers with samples of their spirits inside and glass baubles filled with booze too.

There’s a plethora of small gifts ideal for spirit connoisseurs, from drinks themselves to invaluable paraphernalia.

Whisky stones are a useful, permanent alternative to ice.   

A full range of gifts including baubles, crackers and miniatures can be found here.

If you really like the person you’re buying for, you can even buy an Enhanced Distillery Tour With Extra Tastings, that might fit in a stocking or cracker.

Herdy

"Herdwick Ewe" by Andrew is licensed under CC BY2.0

Iconic and responsible Lake District brand specialising in homeware and gifts. Their image is centred around Herdwick sheep, the hardy, fell-dwelling breed plentiful in the region. The 2010 winner of the BITC (Business in the Community) Small Company of the Year, has various options for small gifts perfect for a stocking or cracker.

The Marra Earrings, depicting a pair of Herdwick ‘marras’ (Cumbrian dialect for friend) make an adorable stocking filler.

Yan Socks offer an endearing twist on the tradition of socks for Christmas time, featuring Herdy’s face on one side and bottom on the other. Available in a range of colours.

There are more items including badges, jewellery and more bearing the adorable face of Herdy the Herdwick sheep can be found here to delight your loved ones this Christmas time.

Romney’s Kendal Mint Cake

Probably Kendal’s most famous export. This sugary treat has been produced in Kendal by Romney’s since 1918 and has accompanied the most intrepid of adventurers on treks up Everest, Catbells, and everything in between.

Through their online shop, Romney’s offer multipacks of their famous mint cake, so if you have a few people with a sweet tooth to buy for, you could kill several birds with one stone. In addition to their main product, they also sell modified versions in bar form with added brown sugar, chocolate and more, which you can browse here.

Hawkshead Relish

A shining success story for both small startups and Cumbrian businesses, Hawkshead Relish is now stocked all over the UK and even by some retailers across Europe and North America. Founded by family owners of a Lake District cafe, who were already making their own relishes and preserves, Hawkshead Relish began life proper in 2001. In response to dropping tourism in the Lake District because of the Foot and Mouth crisis, they decided to take the Lakes elsewhere and approached garden centres, cafes, and other potential stockists with their products and the rest is history.

The company offers a range of gift packs for sale on its website, perfect for sampling the famous reserves. Available are Savoury Selection, Black Garlic, Sweet Selection, Christmas Selection, Cocktail Selection, and much more.

Grasmere Gingerbread

"Sarah Nelson's Original Celebrated Grasmere Gingerbread" by Andrew Bowden is licensed under CC BY2.0

Invented in 1854 by Sarah Nelson in idyllic Grasmere, the village’s eponymous gingerbread is somewhere between a cake and a biscuit, both spicy and sweet.

Today, Grasmere Gingerbread, makes a wide range of ginger-based products, from the gingerbread that started it all to ginger-infused drinks, toiletries, and more.

We recommend the six pieces of Grasmere Gingerbread if you’re wanting to introduce someone to the wonderful world of Grasmere Gingerbread. If the person you’re buying for is already au fait, there’s a number of exciting variations perfect for a stocking or cracker, which can be ordered online.

Friar’s Chocolates

Buying for someone who loves Cumbria AND chocolate? Then Friar’s is probably the right choice.

Setting up shop in Keswick in 1927, Friar’s is one of Cumbria’s most prominent chocolatiers, now with a store in Ambleside as well as an online shop. They specialise in luxury chocolates, as well as novelty chocolates and gifts, all designed in-house, perfect for many occasions. Every holiday they launch a new range of products, so there’ll always be something for you to come back to.

There’s almost too many to choose from; Friar’s range of stocking fillers can be perused here - including truffles that look like Brussel Sprouts.

Wax Lyrical Candles

Nestled away just outside the Lake District, near Ulverston, Wax Lyrical is the UK’s largest home fragrance manufacturer. Inspired by the rugged, changing Cumbrian landscape Wax Lyrical has crafted candles and fragrances since 1980.

There are scents and designs for everyone, with wintry ‘Baby It's Cold Outside’ range ideal for providing comfort in the cold, dark months surrounding Christmas. The titular ‘Baby It’s Cold’ candle features an endearing penguin illustration and comes with a scent combining jasmine, white sandal, and amber, with hints of saffron and rock rose.

Or as part of their ‘Lakes Collection’, you could give your loved one ‘Fallen Leaves’ tealights, stirring memories of crisp autumn days scented with amber, heliotrope, vanilla, and rich musks.

There are almost too many candles and fragrances to choose from; you can shop the full range here.

Love the Lakes

Stockist of gifts from different Cumbrian brands, they also make their own covering a wide range. Love The Lakes has stores in Keswick and Bowness-on-Windermere aiming to showcase the best consumer products Cumbria and the Lake District has to offer. There’s a focus particularly on ethically-produced items, handcrafted in the Lakes with organic ingredients.

If you’re buying for a loved one who’s environmentally conscious, Loves the Lakes own Earth Savers range has several options including natural shampoo bars and fragranced natural soap.

The full range of Love the Lakes products can be viewed here including prints, mugs, and even gin.

Honister Slate

"Lake District - Honister Pass from the Slate Quarry" by Gareth Williams is licensed under CC BY2.0

What about a gift from England’s last working slate mine? Something from deep within a Lake District mountain? This family-run business is located at the top of Honister Pass, one of the UK’s steepest roads. As well as supplying building materials, it stocks unique gifts made from Honister green slate from the mine itself inside Fleetwith Pike.

Honister slate appears on many notable buildings, including Buckingham Palace, New Scotland Yard and other esteemed places across the country.

Small gifts made of Honister slate you can get include these rustic slate hearts, stylish key rings, and these distinctive slate cufflinks. 

Of course, all the brands we listed also stock gifts far too big for a stocking or cracker. We’d encourage you to look at those too, if you like the person you’re buying for enough, that is. 

Despite being a sparsely-populated county, we found Cumbria to have a wealth of producers, so many in fact we’re bound to have missed some of your favourites.

What would go in your ideal Cumbrian Christmas cracker or stocking? Maybe we’ve missed something glaringly obvious that should be on the Christmas list of every lover of Cumbria. Or maybe there’s a real hidden gem that you think everyone should know about. If so, let us know so we can help spread the word, you can get in touch via our contact form or Facebook.

Perhaps the ultimate Cumbrian Christmas gift, however, would be a stay in the beautiful county. If you're interested in staying in Cumbria or the Lake District during the festive period, why not check the availability of our self-catering Lake District cottages and spend Christmas in a winter wonderland.

from Blog https://ift.tt/2P49j2H via https://ift.tt/2LLs9c2

[yatrikatour]

Bali is one of the most evocative and popular tourist islands of the entire Indonesian archipelago. A visit here sparks the senses. Despite the clamor and chaos of the main tourist areas, the island is rich in natural beauty, with attractions for every kind of traveller. Surfers come for the legendary swells, hikers can trek up jungly volcanic peaks and to misty waterfalls, and cyclists can bike through lush landscapes bristling with rice terraces and traditional villages. The island's rich arts scene is another top draw, and if relaxation is your top priority, the shopping in Bali and spa treatments are fabulous - and affordable.

Pura Tanah Lot

About 20 km northwest of Kuta, Pura Tanah Lot ("Pura" means temple in Balinese) is one of Bali's most iconic temples thanks to its spectacular seaside setting on a rocky islet surrounded by crashing waves. For the Balinese people, it is one of the most sacred of all the island's sea temples.

Every evening, throngs of tourists from Kuta, Legian, and Sanur find their way through a labyrinth of lanes lined by souvenir sellers to watch the sun setting behind the temple.

Mount Batur

This sacred active volcano lies in Kintamani District in Bali's central highlands, about an hour's drive from Ubud, and the hike to the summit to watch the sunrise has long graced the list of top things to do in Bali. The hike along the well-marked trails is relatively easy and usually takes about two to three hours. Guided treks typically include a picnic breakfast, with eggs cooked by the steam from the active volcano. On a clear day, the views are spectacular, stretching all the way across the Batur caldera; the surrounding mountain range; and beautiful Lake Batur, the island's main source of irrigation water.

Uluwatu Temple

Presiding over plunging sea cliffs above one of Bali's best surf spots, Uluwatu Temple (Pura Luhur Uluwatu) is one of the island's most famous temples, thanks to its magnificent clifftop setting. In Balinese, "Ulu" means "tip" or "land's end" and "Watu" means rock, a fitting name for the location of the temple on the Bukit Peninsula along the island's southwestern tip. Like Pura Tanah Lot, sunset is the best time to visit, when the sky and sea glow in the late afternoon light.

The temple is believed to protect Bali from evil sea spirits, while the monkeys who dwell in the forest near its entrance are thought to guard the temple from bad influences Only Hindu worshippers are allowed to enter the temple, but the beautiful setting and the sunset Kecak dance performances that take place here daily are more than worth the visit.

Ubud Monkey Forest

The Monkey Forest, also known as the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, is one of the top attractions in this tourist town and a must-see for animal lovers and photographers. The forest is intended to represent the harmonious coexistence between humans and animals. It also conserves rare plants and is used as a location for researching macaque behavior, particularly their social interaction.

The 14th-century Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal, where hundreds of monkeys swing through the trees and clamber over the walls.

In the northwest of the forest, an ancient bathing temple, Pura Beji, nestles next to a cool stream and makes a beautiful backdrop for watching the monkey's antics. While visiting the forest, make sure to secure your belongings and avoid direct eye contact with the animals (and smiling), as this can be interpreted as a sign of aggression.

Ubud Art & Culture

Made famous by the book and movie Eat, Pray, Love, Ubud is also the epicenter of Balinese art and culture. Today, several excellent local museums and galleries celebrate its evolution and traditions.

If shopping for art is more your style, don't miss the the Ubud Art Market. This labyrinth of stalls brimming with carvings, sculptures, jewelry, sarongs, paintings, and homewares is one of the top tourist attractions in town. Bargaining is essential, and a good rule of thumb is to counter with half the asking price and barter upwards from there, always with a smile.

Tegallalang and Jatiluwih Rice Terraces in Bali

Tegallalang Rice Terraces are one of the most famous areas to photograph these iconic landscapes and absorb their timeless beauty. Be aware that locals ask for donations along the most popular trail through the rice fields here, and many request fees for entrance and parking along the road. A relaxing way to enjoy the lush landscapes is at one of the many restaurants and cafes overlooking the fields.

About a 90-minute drive from Ubud, the Jatiluwih rice terraces cover more than 600 hectares of rice fields along the hillsides of the Batukaru mountain range and tend to be less crowded than Tegallalang. You'll also find fewer tourist touts here, so it's easier to walk around and explore without being hassled. Both of these locations use the traditional water management cooperative called "subak," a UNESCO-recognized irrigation system that dates to the 9th century.

Waterbom Bali

Waterbom Bali is an action-packed waterpark, in the heart of Kuta, with something for every member of the family. Kids can splash in the swimming pools; drift down the Lazy River; or zoom down one of the many twisting water slides and rides, with names like the Python, Green Viper, and Super Bowl. Moms and dads can relax with a reflexology session, manicure or pedicure, or fish spa therapy. Restaurants and cafes cater to a range of different diets, and the grounds are landscaped with large, shady trees and beautiful tropical gardens, making this a refreshing respite from the heat on a hot tropical day.

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan

On a small island along the western shore of Lake Bratan, in the cool highlands of central Bali, the 17th-century Pura Ulun Danu Bratan is one of Bali's most picturesque temple complexes. Set against the imposing backdrop of Gunung Bratan, the thatched temples reflect on the lake, and when the water levels rise, they seem to float on its surface. Lake Bratan is one of Bali's main sources of irrigation and drinking water, and the temple complex is dedicated to Dewi Danu, goddess of the sea and lakes.

This sacred Hindu temple complex is best seen in the soft morning light, before the tourist buses arrive, when cool mist sometimes cloaks the lake and the mountains beyond. You can also hire a canoe and paddle out on the lake to explore the meru (thatched shrines) at close range.

 The Nusa Islands

The most popular of the three islands is Nusa Lembongan, about 20 kilometers offshore from Sanur and easily accessible by speedboat. Surfing, snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and paddle boarding are the main activities here, and the top attractions include beautiful Dream Beach; Mushroom Bay; and the Devil's Tears rock outcrop, with views of crashing surf erupting over the rocks. Many locals still make their living from seaweed farming, and you can watch them harvesting it by the shore.

The Sidemen Valley

The emerald-hued Sidemen Valley evokes the feel of Old Bali, before the tourist throngs descended on the island. Sleepy villages snuggle in the valley amid cascading rice terraces, and cloud-capped Mount Agung looms in the background like a benevolent sentry. A highlight of a visit here is strolling around the small villages, surrounded by farmland and rice paddies, where the locals still tend to their traditional activities. You can also hike through the countryside to the summit of Mount Agung or trek through the rice fields and lush countryside past cocoa and coffee plantations.

Sekumpul Waterfall

The Singaraja region in Bali's north, Sekumpul Waterfall, actually a series of about seven falls, is considered by many to be Bali's most beautiful falls. Most hikers hire a local guide to do the three- to four-hour round-trip trek, which passes by bristling rice terraces and local villages rimmed with rambutan and durian trees, and continues through dense tropical jungle. It can be strenuous in parts, as you need to hike down slippery steps and slosh through a river, but once you arrive, you can cool off with a refreshing swim at the base of the falls. This is a great adventure for nature lovers who want a taste of wild Bali far from the touristy resorts.

Tirta Empul Temple

Tirta Empul Temple (Pura Tirta Empul) in the lush tropical forest of Central Bali, offers a glimpse into a sacred purification ritual. This important temple complex, a national cultural heritage site, is divided into three courtyards, and the focal point is the large rectangular pool, fed by a holy mountain spring, where locals come to pray and soak in the healing waters that gush from a series of sculpted spouts. If you wish to join the locals in the cleansing ritual, it's best to ask an experienced guide first to make sure you respect the customs. You must enter the water fully clothed, wearing a sarong and sash, and it's best to explore the temple complex first as you are not allowed to drip water in the courtyards. To avoid the tourist buses, early morning and late afternoon are the best times to visit the temple.

[cumbriacrack]

Herdy Announces “Hunt The Herdy 2019” Event for “Random Acts of Kindness Day” Herdy—the gift, homeware, and accessories brand inspired by the Lake District’s lovable Herdwick sheep—have announced a “Hunt The Herdy” event Full story: https://www.cumbriacrack.com/2019/02/05/herdy-announces-hunt-the-herdy-2019-event-for-random-acts-of-kindness-day/

[mergersacquisitionsadvisory]

Metro Atlanta Oregon Coast Shopping Gems

Several of the UK discount shops are part of multiple operations with the identical shops cropping up repeatedly. Just as odd purchasing malls have their solid of the same old suspects of global manufacturers, the UK discount shops have an assortment of regulars all around the Oregon Coast shopping.

<h3>For An Even More Exclusive Personalized Shopping</h3>

An outlet retailer, factory outlet or manufacturing unit shop is a brick and mortar or online retailer during which manufacturers sell their inventory on to the public. Traditionally, a factory outlet was a retailer connected to a factory or warehouse, generally permitting customers to look at the production process similar to in the unique L.L.

Fashioned by main European designers and crafted in excellent element, Yves Delorme is internationally acknowledged for its nice French linens for bed, bathtub and table. Burkes Outlet sells girls's clothes, men's clothes,footwear, purses and equipment to mattress & bathtub, home and beauty. Burkes Outlet has what you're looking for at unbelievable prices! And as always, $7.ninety nine flat delivery on all orders and free returns to any of our four hundred+ retail shops.

Designers on this heart include Gucci, Armani, Michael Kors, Burberry and Mulberry. It's also a place to nab a Kate Spade or stylish Lulu Guinness bag at 50% off and a few foolish Haribo sweeties.

Learn extra about our new buying procedures and digital queuing, developed consistent with authorities steering. You can now take pleasure in shopping from the consolation of your individual home with a bespoke service provided by collaborating brands. Dollar ​ United States Choose a country/area for shopping. In 1974, Vanity Fair opened up the primary multi-retailer outlet heart in Reading, Pennsylvania.

<h2>Outlet Shopping In Los Angeles</h2>

Note that Clarks Village isn't part of Clarks Shoes although there is a Clarks Factory Shopping shoe store. There are over 130 boutiques with up to 60% off names like Cath Kidston, DKNY and Hugo Boss. It's not all high-end shopping, although - different stores include Clarks, Levi's and The White Company.

As properly as outlets, plenty of the UK purchasing outlets have extras too, including free wifi, cafes and restaurants, children play areas, an Owl Sanctuary , craft markets , a cinema and particular household events. However, some of these might stay closed as a result of Covid-19 restrictions. So have a look through our gallery to seek out the most effective UK purchasing shops, their opening hours, their high retailers and how to get there. Wherever you are in the UK, there’s an outlet centre close to you – our listing of the top 10 consists of shopping retailers from Somerset to Scotland.

Linen Green This designer village has the unique feature of being situated within the historic Moygashel Linen mills. In 2019, 30 niche designer shops filled separate buildings named to reflect their origins - The Workshop, Cloth Loft, Weaving Sheds, Framehouse, Warehouse, Dyehouse & Bleaching Sheds. The mills, began in the 1700s, were, of their day, among the most advanced water-powered linen mills in the world. The house owners are planning a museum on the website, highlighting the areas industrial previous. Meanwhile, at present, you can shop in a range of independent designer shops, many unavailable in outlets anywhere else.

This one claims to be the UK's largest designer mall with 145 stores. The chi-chi line-up displays the well-heeled locals in Cheshire - a favorite residence of Manchester footballers.

So whether or not you need to purchase issues for you, your kids, your husband or your own home, you’ll be able to discover some nice bargains all 12 months round. There’s nothing like an excellent shopping journey, and who doesn’t love a permanent sale?

This is a small shopping heart, stuffed with outlet manufacturers - the ones that present up more at discount centers than anywhere else. Livingston Designer Outlet in West Lothian, between Edinburgh and Glasgow, has 70 designer manufacturers, but don't count on a particularly Scottish twist to your buying right here.

Gretna Gateway Outlet Village on the Glasgow Road, in Gretna, is close to the well-known Old Blacksmith Shop, where elopers used to marry. Sterling Mills Outlet Shopping Village in Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire, Central Scotland has the excellence of being positioned within the smallest county in Britain.

Wilton Shopping Village in Salisbury, Wiltshire has a fairly compelling selling level. Besides the national model retailers available, the center has a courtyard selling space surrounded by the outlets of unbiased designer/makers, craftspeople and artisans. It is also the home of well-known British Wilton carpet manufacturing so, while you're there you will get some discount floor masking, discontinued colours and usable-sized carpet roll ends.

<h3>North Georgia Premium Outlets</h3>

There are a lot of great shopping retailers within the UK where you can find bargains on excessive-road and designer items at shops like M&S Outlet and GAP to Hugo Boss and Calvin Klein. develops, manages and operates designer outlets and innovative outlet buying concepts to drive value for patrons, brand partners, buyers and communities throughout Europe. Creating desirable outlet shopping destinations throughout Europe.

Tanger Outlet Center - Locust Grove is south of Atlanta off I-seventy five and provides many of the similar outlets, together with Banana Republic and Gap. The surrounding areas are full of restaurant options from quick-food to sit down-down eateries, if you need a relaxation. Burkes Outlet is the place to search out name-model products, items, and classy clothing at up to 70% off different shops' costs, every day.

Factory outlets have been round longer than outlet shops and had been sometimes built next to the factories the place the products were manufactured. At factory outlets, the merchandise bought are from one brand only. Manufacturers who promote solely their own products at a decreased worth run manufacturing facility outlets. On the other hand, retailers run outlet stores, and varied manufacturers are offered there.

Homeware stores embrace Denby and for sports activities goods there's Nike Factory Store and Sports Direct. Next, GAP Outlet, M&S Outlet, John Lewis Home Outlet and Levi's are some of <a href="https://oregonsnorthcoast.com/what-to-do-at-the-oregon-coast/activities/oregon-coast-shopping/">Oregon Coast shopping</a> the high-street names at Swindon Designer Outlet. Designer stores include L.K Bennett, Jaeger and Hugo Boss and you can save up to 60% all year long.

<h2>Finding Super Deals On Designer Fashion Is Easy At Georgia'S Outlets!</h2>

York Designer Outlet Village close to the city of York, is operated by McArthur Glen, an organization that runs quite a couple of of these shops around the nation. Expect to see plenty of the same manufacturers you'll discover all over the place. But there are some good designer retailers too - Michael Kors, Margaret Howell, Paul Smith, Kate Spade among them in 2019. The mall has greater than a hundred stores and, if you're touring with children, they may benefit from the Haribo retailer. The European producer of gummy sweets sells their complete line here.

Women can discover Playtex and Wonderbra, manufacturers not available in the UK. Bicester Village close to Oxford is world-famous, attracting guests from all over Europe and the Far East to its large assortment of designer retailers.

Useful when you happen to be within the space and need to do some purchasing for the children or Denby housewares. The Galleria Outlet Centre in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, has greater than 80 shops and food retailers, most of them acquainted high avenue brands. The center's services include an Amazon Locker service the place you'll be able to pick up or return items from the net retailer. There's a jungle-themed journey playground for children - with a restaurant where adults can rest from their exhausting purchasing - and a multi-display screen movie theater. With over ninety designer and excessive-street stores from M&S Outlet, Monsoon and Next Clearance to Timberland and Jaegar, this outlet has a huge variety of shops with up to 60% off.

Orlando's original outlet purchasing center, Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores is lower than 10 minutes from Walt Disney World® Resort. Covering 238,000 square ft, the village-fashion center is home to greater than 400 designer names inside 50 of the world's most sought-after outlet shops.

North Georgia Premium Outlets is about 45 minutes north of Atlanta on Georgia 400 in Dawsonville at the foothills of the North Georgia mountains. Standouts among the many 140 shops embrace Michael Kors, Kate Spade New York, Burberry and Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th. Add residence furnishings and housewares giants Pottery Barn Outlet, Restoration Hardware and Williams-Sonoma Outlet, and you’re in buying utopia. There’s a big indoor food courtroom with Auntie Anne’s Soft Pretzels, Freshens, Caribou Coffee and, if the youngsters get antsy, they will frolic in their very own courtyard playground. Make certain that the situation of what you purchase is acceptable to you as a result of most UK low cost and designer shops have a no return policy.

Situated next to world-famous Wembley Stadium and within the coronary heart of London’s most exciting new district, Wembley Park, LDO is just 12 minutes from central London by Tube or rail. There’s ample parking, and LDO is served by three stations and 8 bus routes. With outlets open ‘til late every single day, and eating places even later, make a day – and evening – of it at LDO’s 70 outlet shops, eating places and occasional retailers, 9-display Cineworld and play park. London Designer Outlet is London’s authentic and easiest to achieve outlet centre. Get a head start on your day of shopping with our new buying packages, that includes unique guest companies.

[jessicakehoe]

These Are the Local, Artisan-Driven Markets to Shop At This Holiday Season

One Of A Kind, Toronto This hotly anticipated biannual event brings Canada’s extensive community of makers, designers and creative entrepreneurs under one roof. With over 800 artisans showcasing creations ranging from jewellery and ceramics to stationery and food, the craft-focused show is organized into five categories: Flavours, Fashion District, Green, Original Art Gallery, and Rising Stars. Some of the standout vendors from this season’s showcase include Toronto-based jewellery designer Michelle Ross, who mixes semi-precious stones and metals with glass, ceramics and vintage findings; Hamilton-based skincare brand Artifact Skin Co, whose offerings include face masks, body oils and bath milk; and Toronto-based candle company Lohn, whose scents are inspired by the Amber Road, a historic trade route through Europe.

The event runs from November 21 until December 1 at the Enercare Centre in Toronto. Those outside the GTA, meanwhile, can head to the online shop, which carries goods by hundreds of OOAK exhibitors.

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There’s a fine art to entertaining, but what matters most is the good company you keep. In gathering those you love this holiday season—whether it’s over a candlelit multi-course dinner, decadent cheese plate, or custom cocktail— remember, above all, to enjoy the ones you’re with 👉 To get us ready for the 2019 Winter Show, here's the One Of A Kind Guide to Being Together. From entertaining friends to spending quality time with family, here are some ways to slow down, connect and make the most of your time doing what matters most . Join us at #ooak19, buy your tickets today via the 🔗 in our bio . Creative Direction @whitmanemorson Photography @burstynphoto Stylist @chadxchad

A post shared by One Of A Kind (@ooak_toronto) on Oct 23, 2019 at 1:47pm PDT

Christmas Market by Fabrique 1840, Quebec City Hotel Auberge Saint-Antoine in Quebec City is collaborating with Maison Simons’ artisan-focused platform Fabrique1840 on a 100% local Christmas Market. Featuring everything from home decor, ceramics and jewellery to toys and modern art pieces, the Quebec-based vendors at the market include jewellery designer Anne-Marie Chagnon, glass and ceramics homeware brand A + J Metissage, and artwork and stationery brand Laucolo. The market runs on Saturday, November 30th from 10am to 6pm and Sunday, December 1st from 10am to 5pm in the Auberge hotel lobby.

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{Marché de Noël} Les 30 novembre et 1er décembre, venez faire un tour à @aubergesaintantoine pour notre marché de Noël! 💜 Produits de plus d'une trentaine d'artisans locaux 💜 Nouvelle collection exclusive de @annemariechagnon 💜 Atelier à venir de @hub_nutrition 💜 Accessoires déco, articles de cuisine, bijoux et jouets pour enfants en bois : la sélection de ce marché de Noël révèlera le meilleur du design québécois. #marchedenoel #marchedenoel2019 #artisansquebecois #artisansquebec #fabrique1840 #aubergesaintantoine

A post shared by Fabrique 1840 par Simons (@fabrique1840) on Nov 20, 2019 at 6:32am PST

SOUK, Montreal This Montreal design event is back for its 16th edition with 95 designers, selected by a jury of experts for their aesthetic and design value. Products range from “eclectic curiosities” to ceramic creations, books, food, toys, clothes and more by brands like unisex sneaker brand Atelier Hotel Motel, jewellery brand Harakiri and perfumer Jazmin Sarai. SOUK runs from November 27 to December 1 at the RCA Building at 1001 Lenoir Street.

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En préparation de l'espace afin d'accueillir 95 designers d'ici ainsi qu'une série de nouvelles expériences. Restez à l'affût! ⁠ –⁠ Getting the space ready to welcome 95 local designers and a series of new experiences. Stay tuned! ⁠ ⁠ Édifice RCA: 1001 rue Lenoir, St-Henri⁠ (Entrée rue Lacasse) ⁠ Crédits:⁠ ⁠ 5 Pound Media (www.5poundmedia.com / @5poundmedia)⁠ Director: Kyle Smith & Adrien Taret (@kyle.cc.smith / @adri_trt)⁠ Cinematographer: Kyle Smith ⁠ Editor & Sound Design: Adrien Taret ⁠ Producer: Glen Carter & Ryley Mahoney (@glencarter / @ry_man16)

A post shared by soukMTL (@soukmtl) on Nov 19, 2019 at 9:37am PST

Pleasure Seekers Market, Toronto Hosted by The Lake, a recently launched community and online shop dedicated to finding more pleasure in one’s day, the inaugural Pleasure Seekers Market brings together “pleasure-seeking brands” like Seedlip, the world’s first distilled non-alcoholic spirit; Sharebloom, a plant and flower subscription service; Grape Witches, a duo of natural wine-focused sommeliers; and Ferly, a sexual wellness app. The market runs from 11am to 7pm on December 6 at Lovt Studio at 888 Dupont Street.

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This basic soft bra is basically the best thing ever. Shape and fit is natural and designed to feel like a second skin and flatter your shape. The shop is live and that means you can shop this beauty via the link in our bio ✨ #MyLakeTime #ItsMyPleasure #TakeYourPleasureSeriously #PleasureIsSelfCare

A post shared by The Lake (@thelakestore) on Nov 1, 2019 at 1:10pm PDT

Stackt Holiday Market, Toronto Stackt, Toronto’s open-air market comprising of shipping containers, is hosting a one-day holiday sale on November 30. Participating vendors—all proudly Canadian—include leather jacket brand Bano eeMee, jewellery brand Cat Janiga, and menswear designer Rhowan James. The Stackt Holiday Sale runs from 11am to 7pm on November 30 at Stackt Market Studio, 28 Bathurst Street. The sale is part of the market’s month-long Holiday Hills festival, which runs from November 22 to December 22.

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11.22 Holiday Hills, discover your new tradition. Stay tuned. #holidaymarket #holidayhills #torontolife #discoverstackt #stackt

A post shared by stackt (@stacktmarket) on Nov 1, 2019 at 3:00pm PDT

Vancouver Etsy Collective Holiday Pop-up Market, Vancouver This one-day market features a curated selection of independent brands, artists, designers and Etsy sellers from across Vancouver. Over 90 vendors are coming together for the first time for this event, with handmade goods from a wide range of categories including home decor, children’s wear, pet accessories and artisanal food. The market runs from 11am to 6pm on November 24 at The Pipe Shop Venue at 115 Victory Ship Way.

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@gandtdesign uses 100% sustainable linen and screen prints a collection of table and cocktail napkins, tea towel and other housewares with vintage and hilarious design. A modern twist on an old world luxury. . . You can find @gandtdesign and 90+ other talented vendors, artists and makers at the Holiday Pop Up this Sunday at the @pipeshop_venue – early bird tickets available 👉🏼 link in bio

A post shared by Vancouver Etsy Collective (@vancouveretsyco) on Nov 20, 2019 at 9:17am PST

The post These Are the Local, Artisan-Driven Markets to Shop At This Holiday Season appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

These Are the Local, Artisan-Driven Markets to Shop At This Holiday Season published first on https://borboletabags.tumblr.com/

[lymphomalass]

Does anyone else love meerkats?

Here’s one of the mob at the Lake District Wildlife Park at Bassenthwaite on look-out duty!

My A5 (14.8cm by 21cm with rounded corners) unframed original pen piece titled “Meerkat on Guard” is available for £35 including UK postage, or framed for £55. Please just message me to arrange your purchase.

It's also available in a mix of different types and sizes of prints, and printed on all sorts of lovely things (like accessories, apparel, homewares, gift items, etc) at:

Thanks!

Sam aka LymphomaLass xx

[opticien2-0]

Joules reports fast growth online and in stores

Joules [IRDX RJOU] says a multichannel approach to growing its brand at home and in international markets helped it to report double-digit rises in half-year sales, both online and offline.

The lifestyle brand, a Top150 retailer in IRUK Top500 research, reported group revenue of £96.2m in the half-year to November 26. That’s 18.2% up on the same time last year. Retail revenue rose by 16.2% to £65.9m, as ecommerce sales grew by 19.7% to £23.6m and store sales by 14.2% to £38.9m. Wholesale revenue grew strongly, by 23%. Pre-tax profits of £8.3m were 22.8% up on last time.

Chief executive Colin Porter said: “The Joules brand has continued to perform very well, delivering growth in customer numbers and further expansion across channels, product categories and target markets.

“The creativity, energy and ability of our entire team remains critical to driving the business forward. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all colleagues across the world for their outstanding efforts throughout the period.

“Joules’ brand, with its distinct heritage and values, underpins the group’s exciting growth potential as we continue to develop as a British lifestyle brand with broad international appeal. Whilst trading conditions look set to remain challenging across the sector, with our differentiated brand, unique product offer, loyal and growing customer base, exceptional team and well-invested infrastructure, Joules is well positioned for continued progress and expansion.”

Here’s what the retailer, which, as of November 26, sold through 118 stores and online, in the UK and the US, Germany, and other European markets, said about its multichannel strategy.

The customer The retailer said a combination of a growing store estate and effective marketing, alongside wholesale expansion, had increased brand exposure. During the half-year, active customer numbers grew to 1.09m, 18% up on the previous year.

Expansion at home… Joules opened 11 new stores and relocated six more with a focus on sites both on high streets and in shopping centres. It opened four in “lifestyle” locations including Ambleside in the Lake District and Salcombe in Devon. It said the payback period for new stores to recoup initial investment was “comfortably” below 24 months.

…and abroad Joules’ primary international focus was on the German and North American markets during the year. In the US it expanded its presence in Nordstrom and Dillards stores.

Mentioned in this piece…

IRDX: RJOU

Joules, also trading as Tom Joule, designs and retails country-inspired clothing, accessories and homeware. The company was founded in September 1989. (more…)

Image credits:

from InternetRetailing http://ift.tt/2rSoB15 via IFTTT

[lymphomalass]

Do you like wildlife…?

Steve and I love going to see the animals at the Lake District Wildlife Park. The keepers are so friendly. We can see they look after their charges with so much care, so we bought ourselves annual tickets.

Today I wanted to share a piece of art I finished just a few days ago: Meerkat on Guard at the Lake District Wildlife Park at Bassenthwaite, Cumbria.

My little A5 (14.8cm x 21cm) unframed original pen piece is available for £35 including UK postage. Please just message me to arrange your purchase.

It's also available in a mix of different types and sizes of prints, and printed on all sorts of lovely things (like accessories, apparel, homewares, gift items, etc) at:

And there’s currently 25% off everything across the webstore!

Thanks!

Sam aka LymphomaLass xx

[lymphomalass]

Do you like fell walking in the Lake District…?

Have you ever walked to or past Dubs Bothy within Honister Slate Mine estate…?

My A5 (21cm x 14.8cm with rounded corners) unframed original pen and watercolour sketch of the bothy is available for £35 including UK postage. Please just private message me to arrange your purchase. It's also available in a mix of different types and sizes of prints, and printed on all sorts of lovely things (like accessories, apparel, homewares, gift items, etc) at:

And there’s up to 60% off at the moment!

Thanks!

Sam aka LymphomaLass xx

[lymphomalass]

Do you enjoy days out that get you in the mood for Christmas…?

Last year I found myself a cracking one!

Steve and I headed up to Keswick driven by my yen to see the "Santa Splash on Derwentwater".

It's basically a bit of a PR exercise for Keswick, in which teams from local businesses dress up as Santas and elves and take to the chilly waters of Derwentwater for a rather shambolic canoeing race. It was absolutely hilarious!

Some of the boats just went round and round in circles, till the competitors worked out that they needed to paddle on both sides of the boat! Several boats hadn't worked out what the course was, and there was a fair amount of squealing coming across the water as novice paddlers struggled to round the marks!

The same team of competent canoeists won as the previous year, but the large crowd of onlookers appreciated the efforts and spirit of all those who braved the cold lake to take part in the spectacle! And I'm sure the various businesses and Visit Keswick, the local tourist board, really appreciated the chance to get some cracking promotional shots!

If you'd like to see the Santa Splash for yourself, I believe it's on at 12 noon on 1st December this year (further details at: https://www.keswick.org/whats-on/keswick-at-christmas) with the week's accommodation available at Burnmoor, our holiday let (which sleeps 6 in three bedrooms with two bathrooms - pets welcome) at

https://www.cottages.com/cottages/burnmoor-cc111341

This A4 (29.7cm x 21cm) unframed original watercolour (just titled “Santa Splash on Derwentwater”) is available for £75 including UK postage. Please just private message me to arrange your purchase. It's also available in a mix of different types and sizes of prints, and printed on all sorts of lovely things (like accessories, apparel, homewares, gift items, etc) at:

and Redbubble currently have a sale, with up 60% off some items!

Thanks!

Sam aka LymphomaLass xx

[lymphomalass]

Do you like traditional Christmas characters, or do you think they’re a bit of an Elf and Safety risk…? 🤣🤣🤣

I finished this A4 (29.7cm x 21cm) unframed original watercolour titled “Santa Splash on Derwentwater” just last month and it’s available for £75 including UK postage. Please just private message me to arrange your purchase. It's also available in a mix of different types and sizes of prints, and printed on all sorts of lovely things (like accessories, apparel, homewares, gift items, etc) at:

and Redbubble currently have a sale, with up 60% off some items!

Thanks

Sam aka LymphomaLass xx

[lymphomalass]

How's your day been....? I've been cleaning windows and ironing curtains.... Well, just 3 panels of fine cotton with lace at the bottom and one rather large curtain... My back got too sore (not surprising with my collapsed vertebrae), so I've got to leave the other one of the pair till tomorrow... So, for a spot of light relief, I thought I'd tell you about my goose... It's not a "real goose", just a paper one, but I'm not sure I'd be competent at tending a real one.... I created the pen drawing "Greylag Goose struts out in Keswick" in one evening, while paying not too much attention to the TV program Steve and I were watching. I'd just been doing so much admin for my art business and was desperate to just do a bit of art in any time I could fit it in! I showed it to people on my social media platforms soon after finishing it and people immediately loved it. Art can be like that. You can slave away for days to create something you think is as good as your best and it not win much support. And then you can just happily sketch in front of the TY for a couple of hours, and it immediately speaks to people. Maybe it's something about that relaxed work-state that then enters the piece of art and communicates to people. Who knows? Maybe people just like whimsical geese... This A5 (14.8cm x 21cm) unframed original is available for just £20 including UK postage. Please just private message me to arrange your purchase. It's also available in a mix of different types and sizes of prints, and printed on all sorts of lovely things (like accessories, apparel, homewares, gift items, etc) at:

Thanks! Sam aka LymphomaLass xx

[lymphomalass]

Do you like geese…?

This A5 (14.8cm x 21cm) unframed original is available for just £20 including UK postage. Please just private message me to arrange your purchase. It's also available in a mix of different types and sizes of prints, and printed on all sorts of lovely things (like accessories, apparel, homewares, gift items, etc) at:

And at the moment there’s 20% off everything on Redbubble! Thanks! Sam aka LymphomaLass xx