May started with factory visits in Portugal, saw a visit to the Rollright Stones, and ended with a family celebration in Wales for the late bank holiday.
It was a heartening experience to escape the sediment of gloom that has settled over the UK throughout the winter months, and visit the sunnier climes of Portugal where there are friendly faces, fantastic food, and a sense of hope. I felt buoyed by the sunshine and the creativity that flowed.
It’s always a pleasure to see the factories where my products are made by the highly skilled teams who work there. I produce with small, family-run factories, who’ve been in business for generations, and have the encyclopaedic know-how of bedding production. All of my beautiful bed linens are hand-finished by craftspeople, and all of our products are sustainably and ethically produced, meaning there is zero waste – including zero water waste – in the manufacturing process. When you purchase one of my products, you are purchasing something unique.
Like Mevagissey, the historic factory town is a buzzy hub of independent cafes, shops, and restaurants, all thriving. It served as a reminder of how the ubiquitous giants suck the heart and soul out of town centres which become monotonous and unpleasant places to visit.
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During my March pop-up at John Lewis in Oxford, a customer had spoken about the Rollright Stones, and I was determined to go to see them to feel their energy. Fate led me to them on a recent weekend in the Cotswolds, where I was scouting properties for a new Jenny Aves location. It could not have been a more perfect English spring day, the skies were cerulean, the hedgerows were verdant, the grass was a healthy shade of green, and there was a spellbinding silence that allowed me to pause, catch my breath, and absorb the quiet majesty of the historic stones. After a long winter, this felt like England at its finest.
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True to form, 2023 has been yet another year that hasn’t quite turned out as expected thus far, so I was glad to retreat to Wales at the end of the month to enjoy some quality family time with those I love. It was fabulous to catch up with everyone in one place to celebrate a special occasion, and to embrace the feeling of protection brought by sleeping in my childhood bedroom. I was reminded of the importance of roots, the importance of easy company with those who know you best, and the importance of a relaxed environment when life has carried you at a frenetic pace for far too long.
