On my last check our hashtag #seekinspirecreate had over 350,000 images under the it! Amazing! Inevitably there are plenty of non-relevant pictures, but equally there are loads of beautiful shots, so do take a peek here.
So what have the ladies behind 91 been seeking, getting inspired by and creating recently?! Here, some of our team share what they’ve been up to of late…
Hashtag Authentic book – Olivia Williams, brand manager
Sitting at the top of my reading pile is Hashtag Authentic by Sara Tasker who is the force behind Me & Orla, her phenomenally successful blog and Instagram account, with the book taking its name from her popular podcast. The book is an absolute beauty and I’m grateful to be tapping into it since feeling the need to reignite my connection with the creative community on Instagram. The book is broken down into four chapters – Story Telling, Making Pictures Archive Your Life and Sharing Your World – with stunning images on every page and Sara’s lovely girl-next-door narrative. She inspires and empowers in equal measure. What I particularly love is the positivity that radiates throughout, combined with the philosophy that by remaining authentic and true to yourself, anything is possible. My journey is just starting with this book and I’m looking forward to journaling my way through it, learning and growing mindfully.
pic via: Tinsmith’s IG
Tinsmiths – Sine Fleet, sub-editor
Every now and then, I get a little pang of nostalgia that pulls me back to one of my ‘happy’ places, the historic Herefordshire town of Ledbury. It has a wonderful mix of small independent shops and eateries, and to lose myself in its warren of winding lanes, gazing up at ancient timber framed buildings, is just magical to me. In contrast though, top of my to-do list is always a visit to the town’s most strikingly contemporary building – a large and undulating glass and steel structure that’s home to design store, Tinsmiths.
I love design in all its forms, but for the home, it’s nature-inspired, thoughtful interiors that draw me in, and I’m always on the lookout for timeless design that will be cherished for the long haul. Tinsmiths is a real tonic for this. Alongside textiles, furnishings, lighting, and all sorts of characterful homewares, there’s a beautiful collection of art, craft, and artisan ceramics. Both the unexpected architecture of Tinsmiths, and the curated collections inside, perfectly fuse the old and the new – and the result is something quite special.
28 day mind and body reset book – Caroline Rowland, editor
We recently hosted our second Seek Inspire Create day event, this time in Hastings, with a host of lovely local businesses involved. The group was treated to a talk from Daniela, a naturopathic nutritionalist who runs Beets, Pulse and Thyme. She shared a wealth of knowledge about exactly how and why what we eat and put on our skin affects our health and well-being, and how so many ailments can be treated or managed by simply improving our diet. (Daniela is proof of this as she manages her own auto-immune disease purely in this way).
At the end of the talk, she told us she only had five copies left of her 28 day reset manual and the group quickly scrabbled to get their hands on one, including me! The idea is to follow her 28 day programme to ‘reset’ your body and mind, looking at one thing each week – 1. Gut health, 2. blood sugar and adrenals, 3. the skin and lymphatic system and 4. hormones. As well as lots of meal ideas throughout, in the skin section Daniela has included recipes for how to make your own scrubs, face masks and deodorants – I can’t wait to give it all a try! Find more tips and ideas on Daniela’s blog and details of how to do the reset yourself.
Learning new skills – Shelley Welti, marketing manager
This year – inspired by all the wonderful makers we meet and interview for 91 Magazine – I’ve challenged myself to learn a new skill every month. So far I’ve made a purse (or to give it its full name: a necessary clutch wallet), been on a natural cosmetics course, honed my writing skills (hopefully!) in a workshop, sewn a wrap skirt and am learning how to make a macrame wall hanging. I’ve also continued with my pottery wheel course – I’ve just finished my third – and already miss the feel of the clay and how it magically transforms from a slab into a bowl or cup, just by using your hands. While my makes are definitely not in the league of the talented ceramists we feature, I’m really enjoying letting go of perfectionism and the day’s stresses and seeing what happens on the wheel. I still can’t quite believe I made a cup!
Rosendals Trädgård – Hannah Gambin, events co-ordinator
My husband and I recently took a trip to Stockholm to celebrate my birthday. One of many highlights was Rosendals Trädgård – a biodynamic garden cafe on the island of Djurgården. Our visit started with a stroll exploring their vegetable fields, rose gardens, wild flower beds and green houses, before stopping at their gorgeous cafe for the most delicious homemade lunch. Tasty goodies were also tempting us next door in their farm shop, from home-baked bread to their biodynamic vegetables. We couldn’t leave without taking a look inside their picturesque shop, a carefully curated space with a wide selection of flowers, plants and seeds. So much thought and intention has gone into creating Rosendals Trädgård – a must see when visiting the Swedish capital.
