4 tools I use to follow my dreams (and you can too!)

FollowYourDreams_Bridge

You know those ‘out of body’ type moments?  When you suddenly “wake up” and see your life from an outsider perspective, even for just a brief moment?

That happened to me this week.

While visiting a good friend in southwest France, we were invited to a birthday dinner.  We arrived at a 1800s farmhouse in the French countryside – with a big, heavy table set outdoors, a bonfire, fairy lights, and (in true French style) copious amounts of good food and wine.

As everyone was bustling around getting food ready, I suddenly had this flash of perspective and gratitude.  How did I end up here at this moment?  After years (and years) of wanting to live in Europe and run my own business – I was finally doing it.  

Of course, it hasn’t always been this way.

Since I’ve left my corporate job and started my own business as a natural health coach, I’ve gotten lots of questions from readers, friends and people I meet asking how I did it.  So I thought I would share some resources and tools that have helped me along the way.

I am still in the early days of my business, so I can’t give you a recipe for success.  But here are 4 tools that I’ve used regularly to get myself onto the right path (which for many years seemed like just a fantasy …)  

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3 Natural Living Insights from Trill Farm

Natural Living Course at Trill Farm - Spring 2013

While sipping on a herb infused cocktail (made from ingredients foraged within steps of where I was sitting), I had a flash of insight:

Living well doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated.

In fact, the most simple creations with fresh foods and herbs (whether for eating, drinking, health or beauty) are often the best.

Since I’m in the business of natural health and beauty, I often hear that all this natural living stuff is great for people living the Good Life in the countryside – but that it’s not possible for busy urbanites.  

To that I say, au contraire.  

As you know I live in a small flat in London without a garden, and I’m telling you, it IS possible.  And my recent workshop experience has given me even more ideas and inspiration for making any lifestyle more natural and sustainable.

For the past 5 days, I’ve been at Trill Farm in Devon for their seasonal Natural Living course.  I had the opportunity to teach a full day Natural Beauty workshop, and participate in the entire course – from living foods, to foraging, to hedgerow medicine and mindfulness.  It was a relaxing, inspiring and nourishing weekend.

Yes there is gorgeous countryside, delicious organic food, and so much fresh air and space (essential for this city-dweller) … but more than that, this course was inspiring and insightful.

So today I wanted to share 3 natural living insights that anyone can use to bring more natural health, balance and creativity into their life.

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Vintage Savoir Faire has a new name!

vsf_namechange

In late 2009, I was living in a small flat in London (plus ca change…), still adjusting to this new country and a job that was less than inspiring.

I’d just taken an Introduction to Herbal Medicine Course and was fascinated at the rich history of using plants for health & beauty in England.  In less than a year I’d gone from a beauty product junkie living in central Paris to that moment in London when I realized that smearing hundreds of  chemicals on my body everyday wasn’t a very smart thing to do.  Hrm.

And I was desperate for a creative outlet.  New country, new city, newly living with my boyfriend, stuck in a cubicle all day and no friends – I had a burning need for change.

So Vintage Savoir Faire was born.

In the 4 years that followed, I’ve learned so much about natural health and beauty – which has completely transformed my life and my health.

I’ve become a certified health coach.

I’ve gotten engaged.

I’ve traveled more than I ever imagined.

I made friends and explored London.

I bought a real camera and learned how to use it.

And I’ve developed this active community of readers (and friends) through this website.

And now I’m so happy to announce another huge milestone moment in my life…

I’ve become a full-time entrepreneur.

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Alice in Wonderland Tea Party

For even more vintage inspiration (and a sugar overload) I was recently invited to an Alice in Wonderland tea party, hosted by the lovely Nicola of Rosie Ribbons.

I’m still discovering Britishness, and this tea party gave me lots of ooh-and-ahh about.

Warm scones with strawberry jam and fresh whipped cream.

Endless pots of tea.

Loads of decorations.  Unmatched vintage china.  A huge lemon cake.  And my favorite Cheshire Cat quote:

`Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?’ 
`That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,’ said the Cat. 
`I don’t much care where–’ said Alice. 
`Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,’ said the Cat. 

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Goodwood Revival

Just when I was feeling uninspired and a bit overwhelmed, I got a free ticket to Goodwood Revival 2012.  Goodwood Revival is a vintage extravaganza / car race.  (OK, really it’s a car race … but the outfits! The vintage boutiques!  Vintage hair & beauty salon!  Vintage high street shops!  I could go on and on…)

Here are some photos from the day so you can share in the inspiration.  Most people were dressed up in outfits ranging from the 1920s – 1960s, including lots of 50s crinoline-lifted dresses, military uniforms, fabulous hats, gloves, red lips, and of course, back-seam stockings.

I’m already planning my outfit for next year, including pre-booking a vintage hair & makeup appointment to complete the look.  So fun!

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weekend inspiration

My very favorite discoveries to creatively inspire your weekend

Happy Friday!

It was an exciting week here at Vintage Savoir Faire … I’m now blogging for the Huffington Post UK, and my first post went live this week!  Check it out here: Why Great Grandma May Hold the Key to Your Best Life.  It would be great if you could share that post on facebook or twitter, or leave a comment over there to get the conversation going.

And now, some links for your weekend…

Have a great weekend!

xx

Amanda

VSF Travel: The Goods Shed, Canterbury

Like to travel?  I do.  VSF Travel is a series where I share my favorite finds from around the world.

The Goods Shed is a farmers market / cafe / restaurant in Canterbury, England.   Yes, I love markets.  They’re my first stop when I travel.  But with the increasing popularity of the local food movement, some “local” farmers markets aren’t so local.  

(Have you seen lemons or bananas in your local farmers market?  Are they “local”?  Not if you live in England.)

The Goods Shed is local, seasonal food at its best.  They have food that is picked fresh from the local fields that same day!  They also have a butcher, bottle shop, sundries area, cheeses, bread, preserves and the best part … a restaurant and cafe that use ingredients from the farm shop!

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VSF Travel: Moscow

St Basil's Cathedral, Moscow

Market stalls filled overflowing with pickled vegetables.  Deliciously dark rye bread.  European-style cafes with good coffee and tooth-achingly sweet desserts.  Endless traffic.

Women walking their daily commute in 4 inch heels.

“Asian” restaurants that serve Georgian food, not Chinese.

And my favorite VSF find… herbal tea, everywhere!

I recently spent a few days in Moscow, and was captivated by the contrasts of the city.  Here are a few of my favorite finds.

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Creating Community: Ashley English from Small Measure

Creating Community

Our lives have changed a lot in the past 50 years alone.  We regularly talk about the need to rediscover whole foods, natural beauty products, home remedies and living more creatively.  But something else important is missing from our lives as well: a sense of community.

Creating Community is a new occasional series on Vintage Savoir Faire where we have a virtual “cup of tea and a sit down” with a kindred spirit.  

We start off with this chat with Ashley English of Small Measure.  

Grab a cup of tea, get comfortable and let’s meet Ashley…

Ashley English of Small Measure

Ashley English of Small Measure

Ashley English is a writer, mama to a 1 year old “wild child” and wife living in a small mountain community.  She is the Author of the “Homemade Living” book series which showcases topics related to small-scale homesteading and some of the diverse ways people are reconnecting with their food and food communities and taking up sustainable food practices.  Her fifth book, A Year of Pies: A Seasonal Tour of Homebaked Pies, is coming out in August 2012.

You might also know Ashley from her popular column on Design*Sponge, or her own blog, Small Measure.

Personally I’ve been a fan of her Design*Sponge column for ages, because we clearly share the same interests in kitchen experiments, natural beauty treatments, foraging, fresh herbs and whole foods!   If you like Vintage Savoir Faire, you’re going to love Ashley’s column.  Here are some of her posts you might want to check out:

Rosemary Hot Oil Hair Treatment

Edible Spring Wildflowers (foraging!)

Herb infused vodkas

Orange and Vanilla Marmalade

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Weekend Inspiration

My very favorite discoveries to creatively inspire your weekend

Step by step mindfulness meditation, from the experts.

Hooray for REAL food!  How butter and real food saved my health!

If you have a little person around, you might enjoy this honest account of how having a baby affects a marriage.

Diet sodas are not grandma approved.  They don’t seem that much better than regular soda, really.

20 plants to purify your home

 

Have a great weekend everyone!  Have any fun projects planned?

xx

Amanda

 

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