WEEKLY REMEDIES

This week, I am loving...

1. Mason Jar Recipe Cards, Pink Bathtub 2. Faux Bois Notebook, Oh So Good 3. States United Print, Beauchamping

4. Nana's Cottage Pie Reversible Handbag, Where's Becky Bean 5. Willie Pillow, Spruce Home 6. The Quilters, Mary's Granddaughter

7. Billy Goat Ring, Soop 8. Couture Necklace, Untamed Menagerie 9. Chair with Storage Box, Natymosko

THE 28th ANNUAL PERU FAIR

The Peru Fair is something of an institution in Vermont, voted one of the Top 10 Events by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. It was recently resurrected after a couple of barren years, and is going from strength to strength (last year over 3500 people attended). The Peru Fair celebrates it's 30th year today, although it is the 28th annual Fair!

This year's Peru Fair Committee.

My roving reporter at 10engines can tell you more about last year's event, and more here.

I love how they take the same sign, and paint over the date each year even if the paint doesn't match (image from 10engines at the 25th Annual Peru Fair). Make do and Mend!

Probably due to the nature of a tiny town and a more rural approach, there isn't a website for you to wet your appetite for all the crafts people, artisan foodies and entertainers that will be appearing today. Anyway, it just couldn't do it justice. Suffice it to say, this is as New England rural as you will get, and every member of the 400 strong population of Peru has helped in some way, to make it a success.

Peru is my Stateside home town, and I will be moving back their soon. Will have to cover next year's event personally!

This is our Main Street where the Fair takes place, and me making the place look busy, thanks Jamesy!

As my brother mentions in his coverage of the Fair, Peru was the location for the 80s movie Baby Boom with Diane Keaton. Stereotypical country bumpkin characters abound, but the movie is kind of a favourite of ours as so many of our friends and family (Apple Blossom our cow for instance) feature in it. My absolute favourite part is a scene where City Folks go shopping in the local General Store (shown above with the red roof, in real life it is the 140 year old J.J. Hapgood Store).



This is such a perfect parody of the way tourists in Vermont behave when surrounded by Country cuteness! It isn't all Maple Syrup, Turtle Necks and Plaid.

DESIGN THERAPY: Bungalow 360

For the cutest totes, messenger bags, wallets and accessories, Bungalow 360 has it covered. A California based company that works with an ethical and eco-conscious approach to business, Bungalow 360 makes bags that are affordable, colourful and gorgeous. Using natural canvas materials and water based inks, each sale of their products from their website generates donations to animal rescue organisations. This is the ultimate feel good factor in shopping for the perfect bag. I love the preppy styling to the Deep Blue Sea range featuring lobsters, whales and alligators.

Their line of cushions are fabulous too! Visit their website for the full range, here.

HARRIS TWEED

The world famous Scottish handwoven cloth, Harris Tweed, is being used in all manner of new and exciting forms. Handbags and accessories in every conceivable colour and pattern can be found on Etsy and beyond.

If you are not familiar with Harris Tweed, let me give you a little round up. This is unique stuff, and produced in a cottage industry way, even today. The cloth is woven by residents of the Scottish islands of Lewis, Harris, Uist and Barra, in their homes. They use pure wool that is dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides. The Harris Tweed Act of Parliament 1993, has ensured that all cloth certified with the famous Harris Tweed Orb trademark symbol must comply to this, in order to secure it's authenticity and quality, and to protect the brand. It is the world's only commercially produced handwoven tweed, with approximately 350 weavers currently creating this beautiful cloth. Read the full history and more here, via the Harris Tweed Authority (established 1909, although this Tweed began it's life in the 1840s).

Traditionally Harris Tweed was used for men's suits, ladies coats, and skirts and more traditional clothing. Today, talented artists are making contemporary accessories with this material. Remember, if it doesn't have the label (above), it isn't Harris Tweed. There can be only one...

Wee Hottie, Fieldy Tweed

Blue Harris Tweed Coat, Under 13 Threads

The Ultimate Bag, Katherine Emtage

Queenie Day Bag in Hunting Macleod, Catherine Aitken

Bags by Breagha

It is getting chilly out there...time to get your Tweed on!

DESIGN THERAPY: Clare Nicolson

Clare Nicolson is a Scottish textile designer using vintage images for inspiration to create the most beautiful cushions, tea towels, little birds and more. Her work is nostalgic, cute and colourful. By digitally printing her designs onto silk and cottons she creates delicate florals, patterns and images of birds. Her website is the CUTEST, with twittering birdsong and cockerel crows to accompany your browsing.

"Designs for clare nicolson textiles are taken from paper collages which she creates using decorative papers and packaging. Inspiration for collages can come from almost anything; an old teapot, a walk in the country, even the birds in her garden. Pattern is an integral part of the textiles. Layering pattern on pattern, designs develop as each new paper is uncovered. "- via Clare Nicolson

A small sellection of my favourites, cushions, wall hangings, tea towels, silk scarves and little birdies....visit her online store for a full round up here.