Michelle Louise: February 2015

'Guilt-free glamour, that doesn't cost the Earth.'

Supporting small businesses is something I'm passionate about, so this week I'm happy to introduce a new aspect to my blog!

Each month I'll be featuring an artist, maker or crafter that I love. For my first month this will be the wonderful Bough to Beauty, and it's owners Vix and Lou.

Bough to Beauty create design led, up-cycled wooden jewellery and gifts that are both ethically made and environmentally conscious.

Each piece is inspired by their travels, adventures and passions, with real attention to detail and a strong emphasis on quality and value showing through.

"We wanted to be ethically conscious as customers, questioning where things come from, how they're made, who made them and what they're made of. We were surprised at how hard it can be to answer these questions.

"We wanted to learn more about living sustainably and being kinder to our planet (while having the adventure of a lifetime), so we quit our jobs in London and headed to Portugal to volunteer on organic farms, and it was there that Bough to Beauty was born."

I was so excited to receive my package; the boxes are hand stamped and made from recycled card, and the accessories inside were just gorgeous! Vix and Lou have managed to create some truly special, fun and retro inspired accessories whilst still being environmentally conscious.

With their design and philosophy, it's easy to see why they've been awarded Ethical Trader Status.

There's a great selection of colours and styles, and with earrings, rings, pins and necklaces there's so much to choose from. (I'm still eyeing up the retro Italian scooter badges!)

I'd like to say a huge thank-you to Vix and Lou for letting me share their accessories, it's been so much fun!

If you want to shop Bough to Beauty or find out more about their products and philosophy you can visit their website www.boughtobeauty.co.uk

Or find them on social media here:

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Have a wonderful week ahead! x

Featured here are: retro radio pin in black, ice-cream earrings in white, retro camera earrings in black & white and retro cassette badge in blue.

The Lake District has to be my favourite place in the world. Whatever the season and whatever the weather it's always beautiful.

Growing up my family had a caravan in the South Lakes area, and it just so happened that my husband's family did too. We both have so many happy childhood memories around here it makes sense to us that our son has this connection as well.

The Great Langdale Valley is only about 3 miles out of Ambleside and offers some truly stunning views. The walk between Skelwith Bridge and the village of Elterwater has become so popular there's now a pathway through the fields, which means it's just perfect for an afternoon stroll whatever the weather, and for families with young children taking the pushchair isn't a problem.

White-washed cottages with slate roofs, smoke rising from chimneys and a good old fashioned pub with an open fire greet you in Elterwater, with the pikes rising to one side and the lake stretching out to the other. It doesn't get much more picturesque than this.

These kind of days are my favourites; strolling through the countryside with my boys, low clouds and light rain, not a breath of wind to stir the waters, all wrapped up against the chill. They're just perfect. And then just as the cold is starting to set in and our legs are beginning to tire we get to call in at the fabulous Chesters By The River for a deliciously decadent hot chocolate (Honestly, I have no regrets).