Daylesford Organic Farm

I've been feeling pretty sorry for myself in a sea of tissues, eucalyptus salve and Olympic commentary. I have a cold, people! But now I am in the in-betweeny boredom stage where you're too weak to really do anything but have come out the other side of the 16 hour sleeps interrupted by fidgeting and fever - I am daydreaming of the things I want to do or rather something I want to do again, that is to visit Daylesford Organic Farm. Maybe I should go convalesce under the shade of a sturdy old tree and a hand woven blankie...

My sister has long been a fan of this beautiful organic farm in Gloucestershire and has chaperoned my entire family there on many occasions. Although I have been to the shop and cafe in Pimlico which is pretty divine in its own right, my turn on the farm was long overdue and so we went a couple weeks back to have a mooch, eat some delicious lunch and stock up on naturally, ethically and sustainably produced treasures.

Quick FYI - Daylesford Organic Farm in Gloucestershire is owned by Sir Anthony and Lady Bamford (oh my) and has been organically producing food and livestock for 25 years. There are a couple of sister companies, Bamford, a luxury natural skincare line and Château Léoube, an organic vineyard in France. On site in Gloucestershire is a farmhouse cafe, cookery and farm school, spa, gardenware, homeware and farm produce shop. And apparently you can sleep there too.

The place is beautiful. Did I say that already? Well it is. I can't say it enough. The menu in the cafe is simple but totally delish, the cheddar rarebit is most recommended as are the salads. Obviously pretty much everything comes from the farm. The interior is light, muted tones, classic farmhouse beams, it's earthy but oh so neutral and very calming, even if the room is alive with happy chatter and hearty chomping. I can't actually believe I didn't take any pictures of the cafe or my food, how unlike me?

Take a look around though...

The homeware range is lovely. A nice mix of traditional and minimal, simple ceramics, hand blown glass, chunky chopping boards, that kind of feel. The palette across the whole range is neutral. Woods, whites, mushrooms, stone, slate. I got myself one of those nice white wicker hampers to stash towels in, it's pretty big for a mere £14. I couldn't quite believe that value. Some things are particularly expensive here, don't even consider the clothing line unless you live in a house made from gold and can just lob off a bannister or something to buy one of their cashmere stoles but other things are miraculously cheap in comparison.

Sorry for cruddy photos here. I kind of worried I shouldn't be taking pictures but I did all the same.

Walking around Daylesford is a pretty slow-paced, relaxing affair and when you walk into the Hay Barn Spa it's easy to let go, stay awhile longer and slip... deep...into... a gentle... and blissful.... ........sleep. Ahem. Sorry. 

In the Hay Barn Spa you can a buy more from the Bamford skincare line (it's dotted throughout the various shops), plus a few other brands like Fushii and Aromatherapy Associates. The treatments on offer sound heavenly, and will definitely demand closer consideration, trial and review! Actually, I reviewed a hand cream by Bamford a long time ago now, one of the first reviews I did. It's a great range, simple luxurious packaging, heavy, green glass jars and nice, neat, white tubes. Clean formulations (obviously) and gorgeous signature fragrances. 

You could say Daylesford is a kind of lifestyle shop. It's not a lifestyle I actually lead in so far as I don't live in a converted barn with floor to ceiling windows and room for a pony (and when you are there it's easy to get swept away thinking you do or you will. Or that you even want to....) No, far more importantly, it's a lifestyle shop that says something about how you live your life. It's a business that favours what is wholesome and holistic over what is most profitable and proliferative. It's taking responsibility. And it lets us take responsibility too - as the products we choose to consume can go towards supporting not just a business but a whole theory on living.

Daylesford Organics Farm
Pop in if you can or get yourself to Pimlico, Notting Hill or the roof terrace atop Selfridges for a spot of Afternoon Tea. (I have to try this!!)

Little Update

So, again, I have been somewhat absent from here, mainly down to working on a short film last weekend. Quick review of that: Stressful. Car broke down. Early mornings. Crying scene. Script supervisor as well as only make up artist. Shock and panic of no tubes on a Sunday morning. Great food. Lovely actors and crew. Happy in the end.

But now, I'm back with not much else to do so here's what's new.

I'm still (very slowly) reading Toxic Beauty by Dawn Mellowship and I have to say if you have been inspired in any way reading this blog, this book is a must read! In fact, it could almost be shelved in the Horror section of your local Waterstones because, without trying to sensationalise the issues, its pretty terrifying. But it's great to get some proper facts from reliable studies. I will be posting up little tit-bits for you soon.

I'm loving the new Pai cleanser as reviewed in the last post. Such a great brand and I'm definitely going to have a look at the rest of the products. Here's a great review of their eye cream on a model recommends. I want to try that one next for sure!

And I would like to give you an update on using the NYR Beauty Sleep Concentrate- it's working wonders! The little lines around my eyes have really and truly gone! I couldn't actually believe it! Because I'm certainly not getting any more sleep. But my skin hasn't felt nor looked this good for years! So how exciting! Products that work!!!

My biggest issue right now is natural make up. Skin, hair and body care is pretty well covered in that there are some fantastic brands, producing some excellent products which really give results (like the above mentioned!) But I have to admit I'm struggling to find make up that I genuinely love. Working on this last job and reading this book has given me the inspiration to make not only my own make up bag natural and green but also my make up kit as well, at least as much as possible! It's all about reducing exposure to the synthetic chemicals we encounter and if I can keep a working make up kit that uses natural skincare and make up that would truly be something remarkable. So then, any discoveries that you might have made, do tell! Otherwise, I will be striving to find the products that will actually convince me (and maybe you) to put down the Chanel without compromising on the look! GULP! What have I said??

Watch this space...

Pai Camellia and Rose Cleanser

Pai meet Sarah, Sarah meet Pai. Nice to meet you Pai, I've heard so much about you! Yes, all good. Well mostly from magazines, from Natalie Portman raving about you in interviews, from browsing around Planet Organic and Whole Foods etc. So good to finally meet you.

This is how my first introduction to Pai went. We're firm friends now, me and Pai. Here's why I love it.

I mean look at it, it's beautiful. But that's not all...

You may have clocked how I'm into my cleansers. And I was trying to find a truly lovely natural one (after realising that I was using one which wasn't so natural after all and I was running out of another one I was relying on instead) It was time to be bold. And try something new. Something uncharted. How exciting!

I have come across Pai from the many hours I have spent loitering in organic shops and I have heard a rumble of applause and appreciation around it recently too. Pai, formulated with sensitive and allergy prone skin in mind, are very purist in their approach to caring for your skin. They are very transparent about the ingredients included and excluded (and why) and all completely organic, certifiend by the Soil Association. Top marks!

So then, the Camellia and Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser. This is the only cleanser Pai does, which I think is kind of nice and straightforward in its suits-all kind of simplicity. Who doesn't want gently cleansed skin that feels hydrated? No one! That's who! As the packaging suggests it's gorgeous. It comes in a lovely pump bottle and a little organic cotton cloth. Just massage into damp skin and remove with the cloth and warm water. It's a light and creamy formula and is just such a joy to use. It massages in well, doesn't dry out or start to drag the skin (unlike others in this family of cleansers.) You could go around and around your face for hours if you want to! And when you have and it's time to remove, the cloth does a very good job of exfoliating away dead skin cells and lifting dirt. It actually has quite a rough texture which I wasn't used to but it makes me take better care of how I handle my skin. There's no need to scrub away at it!

And then there's the smell. So calming! Like a stroll through a garden in springtime. It's kind of herby, but subtle. But here's what I love about it the most. It can also be used as a very effective eye make up remover. I hate taking off eye make up. I was always put off cream removers (until now) because they seemed too thick and just got in my eyes and made them blurry. Liquid removers often used to sting. I used to use wipes but they too would sting and make the skin red in the corners. I thought I had found a decent, gentle one but decided it was full of rubbish. And then I started using the Trilogy Everything Balm (which is still good and I still like). But this is just so easy! Pop a bit on a cotton pad and sweep over eyes. Done. Its so soothing, doesn't sting or make my eyes sore in any way which I can honestly say it a very rare find. And it does the job so easily and quickly. I love not having to bother with another product! Again, so simple!

Camellia oil is full of Omega 3 and vitamins A, B, C and E and has been used for centuries for nourishing skin and hair. Rose helps skin retain moisture and has rejuvenating properties.

The results, a very happy, balanced complexion. My skin tone appears more even, brighter in fact. And I'm all the more happier for it. Thanks Pai, great to meet you and I can't wait to try the rest of the range...

Pai Camellia and Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser £25.00 (including cloth) 100ml
Available from Pai where if you sign up for their newsletter you receive 10% off your order.
And if you fancy trying a few samples for FREE, see here for a trial pack. WOW.