Bedtime Stories

Here at The Amazing Blog we love to get out of the office and embark on new adventures. When the ‘Bedtime Stories’ press release hit our desks, we were so intrigued that we were ready to pack our PJ’s and explore.  

Now, don’t be fooled, ‘Bedtime Stories’ consists of far from your average list of slumber party fairytales. Hosted in interior designer David Carter’s house, 40 Winks in Stepney Green, the stories are mainly ghost based and are told by storytellers and actors in a specific, fantastic manner, acompanied by a a number of spectacular live musicans. If you are looking to take a break from the real world and truly escape from reality, this event is for you.

On October 15th is The Natural History of Ghosts, told from the best selling book by the author Roger Clarke. What makes this show so unique is that Clarke grew up in a haunted house, and became a ghost fan from the age of 14. On October 16th , Tales of Terror  follows with a comprise of two stories from MR James, the first acknowledged English master of the ghost story. November 19th sees the performance of Tales from the Chrysanthemum Kingdom, featuring an evening that will blend tales of old Japan, music and dance and offering a rare glimpse into a world that was closed to the West for almost 400 years. Finally, to bring a close to the seasons performances on December 10th the final performance of ‘Stories to Make you Weep’ will (as the name suggests), move you to tears as it brings to you Christmas stories from Scandinavia.

So, if you’re feeling adventures and eagar to put on your pyjamas, prepare yourself for a true treat! This event was voted the ’60 Best Things to Do in London. Tickets are £30, and include cocktails and nibbles. If you wish to book a performance, simply email reservations@40winks.org. Also take a look at David Carter’s beautiful house, and the venue for the performance at here.

Friday Favourites - Bath Feature

Calling all bath time junkies! Now that the end of the week has finally been bestowed upon us, we at The Amazing Blog are looking to wind down and take a break. What better way to end the week than taking a long, soothing and relaxing soak? Thanks to Abahna, Dr. Hauschka, Soapsmith, and Bathing Beauty products, no matter what kind of bath time rejuvenation you may be seeking, each will provide its own unique and individual qualities. Sit back, put your feet up, and check our favourite list of soak-time selections.

Looking for nothing more than a relaxing moment of peace and tranquilly? Containing the perfect mixture of gentle aloe and wild flower honey, Lilac Rose & Geranium bath foam will do just the trick. The scent of the soap is produced by all organic materials and essential oils. The combination of aloe vera, chamomile, and rich rose give off a romantic scent that will allow you to drift off into a daze and forget the world around you. Made in England, the product is created in small batches. This is to ensure that the foam is pure and the quality is impeccable. Browse around the website or indulge in lilac loveliness for £20.00.

If you are seeking more of an uplift to get you ready for a weekend full of excitement, Dr. Hauschka Bath Essence oil is the product for you. With the combination of sun-ripened lemon and exotic lemongrass, it is sure to uplift your mood and provide just the boost needed to awaken the senses and kick off your weekend. The Lemongrass Bath Essence contains 100% natural oils and is both vegan and gluten-free. Burst into your weekend and check out the website, where the oil is available for purchase at £15.95.

 No matter what mood you are in or looking to achieve, everyone could use a little soak now and then. Luckily for us, Soapsmith Lavender Hill soak has a unique scent and texture that works wonders for the skin. The soak is ideal for removing built-up toxins and allows the mind and body to be fully cleansed and relaxed. The featured ingredients include coconut milk powder, dead sea salt, Epsom salts, oat powder, and cocoa butter. All of the scents of each Soapsmith product are inspired by an iconic area of London. That being said, each product purchase includes a map of London, reflecting the area that your newly owned product is named after—how clever! Get yours now here for £12.00

Now that we’ve listed a foam, oil, and soak for your bath time body needs, don’t think we have forgotten about your beloved bunions! Bathing Beauty Pop will have you covered. This product is a fizzling foot tablet that refreshes and cleanses your tired and worn feet. The perky peppermint and tea tree oils partners with hazel tones and peach kemel oil that give the tablet the ability to truly nourish. The foot tablet contains a glorious mixture of Hamamelis Virginian witch hazel, peach kernel, peppermint, and Melaleuca oil. Take a visit here and treat your feet for only £2.40 a tablet.

Each product is free from parabens, is not tested on animals, and contains its own scent and one of its kind experience. Whether you are looking to simply surf the web or are eager to buy and try, Abahna, Dr. Hauschka, Soapsmith, and Bathing Beauty websites are worth the visit.

The Handmade Fair

Who loves pompoms and crafting? Well, we here at The Amazing Blog love channelling our inner artistic ambitions. When we are not busy plugging away at the office, we are oftentimes caught up with our own crafty hobbies. You too can experience your own creative adventures at The Handmade Fair this weekend at Hampton Court Palace.

Featuring the one and only crafting queen Kirstie Allsopp, The Handmade Fair will be an overall celebration of all things artistic, stretching as far as knitting to upcycling. The main event at the fair is dedicated to The Handmaid Fair staff and their attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records record for the most pompoms laid together from end to end. If you want to be a part of potential pompom history, you can participate at the event or make your own string of 3 pompoms, attach your name, and drop them off at your local HobbyCraft store. So, whether you want to show what you know, learn something new, or just want to see pompom history be made, The Handmade Fair is sure to be a fun filled event.

The fair is from the 19th through the 21st of September, from 930AM to 6PM everyday.  A general admission ticket can be purchased at the door for £12.50 per adult and £10 per child. Full experience tickets can be purchased online for £29 per adult and £26 per child. The full experience ticket will gain you entry to the event, a workshop, participation in the Grand Make, and the chance to hear a speaker among various crafting experts of your choice.

If you are interested in getting crafty and becoming a part of “World Pomination” history at The Handmade Fair,  purchase Full Experience tickets here and general admission at the event.  

Gluten Free Baking and Living - Gluten Free Baking Courses

The entire nation seems to be engrossed in The Great British Bake Off at present, and we here at The Amazing Blog are no exception. Week after week, we tune in to marvel at the delicious doughy creations, but it strikes us that it must be near torture for those intolerant to gluten, who cannot join in with the delectable delights. With this in mind, we were delighted to discover these Gluten Free Baking Courses, offered by Gluten Free Baking and Living.

We all know that gluten isn’t the healthiest of ingredients, but often find it hard to resist the pull of those mouthwatering cakes. Thankfully, married team, Ian and Deborah Thackeray are here to teach us how to produce scrumptious bakes, with none of the gluten. With a range of cookery classes throughout the autumn and winter months, Deborah and coeliac, Ian instruct on how to make a range of sumptuous treats like cinnamon buns and baguettes. As well as their beginners, patisserie and bread making courses, they also teach a hotly anticipated Christmas class, where you can master the art of Christmas cakes, Christmas pudding and delicious stuffing. And if you ask us, there's nothing like getting an early start on your Christmas checklist. If you’re desperate to get baking, but can’t make it to the courses, not to worry, as Ian and Deborah also offer ‘at home’ courses. Presented in a novel comic book style, you can teach yourself how to bake gluten free products like a pro in the comfort of your own kitchen. Speaking for ourselves, we can't wait to get adding to our baking repertoire.

The one-day courses run from the 7th of September to the 30th November in 3 different locations – London, Wirral and Harrogate. Priced between £75 and £110, depending on the course and location, courses include all the ingredients, tuition, refreshments and lunch. Book your place on a range of courses here, and perfect your gluten free baking skills. Alternatively, you can 'try before you buy' and sample the 'at home' cheesy scones course for free here. You'll be creating bakes to rival Mary Berry's in no time.

Carnaby Street - Men's Style Night

Here at The Amazing Blog, we know that shopping is an experience that men could happily live without. All of this is about to change, however, because on 11th September, Men’s Style Night will be gracing the pavements of Carnaby Street. Much like a fine suit, men will be able to enjoy a shopping experience tailored to their every wish. And as the event is held in association with GQ, we can expect nothing but the best in style.

Between 5-9pm, over 100 fashion brands, including Paul Smith, Vans and Fred Perry, are uniting to create the ultimate shopping experience. Registration for the event is completely free, and entitles you to a 20% discount in participating shops, as well as access to over 50 free experiences. Whisky tasting, shoe shining and an F1 simulator are just a few of the fantastic experiences on the agenda, as well as the plethora of trend talks, tips and masterclasses available over at the GQ pop up shop.

If you still aren’t all that interested in a shopping spree, fear not, as Carnaby’s delicious collection of restaurants will also be participating. Stax, The Rum Kitchen and Pizza Pilgrims will all be flogging their tasty wares as part of the event. Once you’re fed, head on over to fashionable watering hole, Cirque Le Soir, who will be running a ‘Vintage Circus’ pop up bar. Complimentary Ringmaster cocktails will be up for grabs, along with a selection of other intoxicating treats.

If that wasn’t enough for you, there are plenty of other exciting experiences on offer. From live music to camera workshops, if there isn’t something on offer that doesn’t entice you to dust off your credit card, then we’re not sure what will. Register for the free event here, and find more information here.