This season our carefully curated selection of contemporary and timeless
pieces are perfectly paired
Sincerely Madia & Matilda
Ladies, contemporary sustainable fashion
Wednesday, 3 April 2019
Style Spotlight - Linen
Monday, 1 April 2019
Places: Cotswold's, Bristol, London & Scotland - Easter Trips
Places to Go, Eggs to Find..
Cotswolds
Take advantage of the longer spring days and better weather, by camping, glamping or holiday cottages. Why not take an extra special Easter trip here are some of our suggestions below |
| Zen - Frill Top |
Bristol
Collect activity sheets from The Bristol Cheesemonger and hunt for brightly-coloured eggs in the windows of Wapping Wharf's eclectic mix of independent businesses. Crack the code to spell out an Easter-themed sentence and a reward awaits for your hard work!
 |
| Clover - Chiffon Top |
London
There's plenty of fun to be had in London from Good Friday to Easter Monday (Friday April 19 – Monday April 22 2019). Whether you're treating yourself to a Eggs Benedict or simply taking in the city in bloom,
socializing, visiting botanical gardens or finding the best places to eat; we’ve tracked down the some of the very best things do over your Easter weekend in London.
socializing, visiting botanical gardens or finding the best places to eat; we’ve tracked down the some of the very best things do over your Easter weekend in London.
Gastropub Bobin, Clapham. Does a cracking roast dinner, or Coal Shed, London Bridge, but on Sunday the whole family can pile in for a ‘sharing roast’ in traditional style
Peckham is blessed these days when it comes to decent food, and we have a particularly soft spot for this lovely-looking eatery attached to the Assembly Point Gallery – a cool hangout that regularly has bands plays to packed houses.
Scotland
Have fun and learn about wildlife at the same time. At Blair Drummond Safari Park, there’s a Giant Egg Hunt over Easter weekend where dozens of eggs will be hidden around the park for you and the family to find.
Shetland Craft Trail. Pick up a leaflet from a VisitScotland Information Centre and visit the crafty workshops and studios of everyone from carpenters to painters.
Sincerely Madia & Matilda
Sincerely Madia & Matilda
Sunday, 31 March 2019
Top 5 Tops - That Excite Us For Spring
5 tops that have us excited about Spring
 |
| Anabel - Top |
Oversized tees, ideal for casual sunday's
 |
| Carrie - Top |
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| Zoe - Chiffon Blouse Whatever the weather or climate we've got sustainable styles that will see you through |
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| Maddison - Pleated Top |
Shorter sleeves for warmer weather - plus new brighter tones
for when your feeling your self
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| Chloe - Sleeveless top |
Sincerely Madia & Matilda
Sunday, 24 March 2019
Spoil your mum - Handcrafted gifts she didn’t know she needed
With Mother’s Day around the corner, check out our latest spring-summer gifts and styles that will make perfect present with a difference. We’ve curated our most-loved brands in our Lifestyle selection shopunique..
 |
| Ella - Bag |
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| Francine - Dress |
From timeless accessories to little
essentials or luxury loungewear and unique jewellery, give her something she
actually wants this year.
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| Adian - Blouse |
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| Hex Mirror - Valerie Rose Gold Bracelet |
Because they deserve nothing short of thoughtful
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| Kiera - Blouse |
Our Tea Selection from Hoogly Tea
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| Anabel Blouse - Lacey Blouse |
Spoil your mum this mothers day with handcrafted gifts she didn’t
know she needed
Facial Serum by Jo Browne - Revitalising Beauty Booster - Om Skin Care
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| Our Selection of Vouchers |
Sincerely Madia & Matilda
Wednesday, 13 March 2019
An introduction to sustainable gardening
An introduction to sustainable gardening
Nicky Roeber is the Online Horticultural Expert for Wyevale Garden Centres, he got in contact with Madia & Matilda to share some insights for our readers & followers. Here, he outlines some ways in which you could be gardening in a more sustainable way.
At a time when we're all becoming increasingly concerned about environmental issues such as global warming and the plastic crisis, it's important to think about how our daily actions could be contributing to these problems. And, we're definitely making progress in this respect — in fact, according to Pinterest's latest report, sustainability is set to be a huge trend for 2019.
Eco-friendliness is something we should be factoring into everything from the foods we eat to the activities we partake in. For example, if you're a keen gardener, there are some steps you can take to ensure you're always doing this in the most eco-friendly and sustainable way possible. And I'm going to share some of my top tips for that here.
Use recycled pots and planters
In order to live more sustainably, it's vital that we all generally buy less and buy better. So, if you currently don't have enough pots and planters to create the garden of your dreams, consider trying to source these second hand. Car boot sales, markets, and charity shops are all great places where you're likely to find pre-loved but perfectly good plant pots. And, if you're feeling creative, you could even create your own using recycled or salvaged materials.
If you're struggling to find the types of planters you're after, you can always buy some brand new ones. Opting for natural versions like those made from bamboo, or metal styles that are going to last for years, is a great idea. As long as you’re planning to use them permanently, you could also pick out some plastic pots, as they are particularly durable. Just make sure you dispose of them in the most eco-friendly way possible if you do ever need to get rid of them.
It’s also worth remembering that you should always look to buy plants that come in sustainable temporary packaging, too. This will help to increase your green gardening credentials even further.
Give composting a go
It's a great idea to give composting a go if you're generally looking to live more sustainably, as it offers a great way of transforming your kitchen and garden waste into nutrient-rich food for your plants and crops. And, as explained in the guide to composting that you can find on the Wyevale Garden Centres website, composting your household waste not only cuts down how much rubbish you're sending to landfill, but it will also help to reduce your greenhouse emissions.
When composting, you should aim for a mix of 50% green and 50% brown waste. And, you should be able to use your compost within nine months to a year of beginning the process.
Take some steps to conserve water
According to The Guardian, at peak demand, up to 70% of our water supply can be used on looking after our gardens. So, when you're looking to make your outdoor hobby more sustainable, taking steps to conserve water is a great idea. There are a number of ways in which you can do this.
Firstly, by making a real effort to look after your soil, you shouldn't have to water your plants as much. Instead, you can add organic matter to your soil to improve its structure and help it to retain water more easily. Additionally, placing mulch in your flowerbeds and hanging baskets will help to prevent moisture from evaporating during dry spells.
You can also help to keep your plants hydrated without wasting water by checking whether they need it beforehand. To do this, inspect the soil about a spade's length below the surface. If this is still damp, you should be able to hold off for a while.
Plant and propagate food scraps
I've already explained how you can use your food scraps to make nutrient-rich compost, but you can also repurpose some of your kitchen waste by planting and propagating it. Carrots, lettuce tomatoes, and herbs can all be grown quite easily if they get the right amounts of sunlight and water.
If growing vegetables from food scraps is something you're interested in, make sure you check out Food Revolution's guide, which explains what kinds of foods you can do this with, and what kinds of conditions they all need.
Opt for organic
You might already buy organic vegetables from the supermarket, but have you considered taking an organic approach to looking after your own garden? This can apply to everything from looking after your soil to the way you control pests and weeds.
As previously mentioned, composting is a great way to provide your plants with all of the nutrients they need, but it will also ensure you're doing this in the most organic way possible. Just make sure that all of the food waste you put into your bin comes from organic vegetables.
You can also control weeds naturally by spreading a blanket of bark mulch, leaf mould, or composted straw across your soil. This will help to prevent pesky weeds from growing and breaking through the surface. You can also help to control pests by making your garden a haven for wildlife that will take care of them for you. Hedgehogs and toads will deal with slugs and snails, while ladybirds have a big appetite for greenflies. So, installing bug boxes and creating homes for these little creatures will work to your advantage.
Sustainability is becoming a growing concern for most gardeners, as we're all becoming more aware of the impact our actions can have on the environment. But, if you take these tips on board, you should be able to carry on with your gardening hobby in an eco-friendly way.
At a time when we're all becoming increasingly concerned about environmental issues such as global warming and the plastic crisis, it's important to think about how our daily actions could be contributing to these problems. And, we're definitely making progress in this respect — in fact, according to Pinterest's latest report, sustainability is set to be a huge trend for 2019.
Eco-friendliness is something we should be factoring into everything from the foods we eat to the activities we partake in. For example, if you're a keen gardener, there are some steps you can take to ensure you're always doing this in the most eco-friendly and sustainable way possible. And I'm going to share some of my top tips for that here.
Use recycled pots and planters
In order to live more sustainably, it's vital that we all generally buy less and buy better. So, if you currently don't have enough pots and planters to create the garden of your dreams, consider trying to source these second hand. Car boot sales, markets, and charity shops are all great places where you're likely to find pre-loved but perfectly good plant pots. And, if you're feeling creative, you could even create your own using recycled or salvaged materials.
If you're struggling to find the types of planters you're after, you can always buy some brand new ones. Opting for natural versions like those made from bamboo, or metal styles that are going to last for years, is a great idea. As long as you’re planning to use them permanently, you could also pick out some plastic pots, as they are particularly durable. Just make sure you dispose of them in the most eco-friendly way possible if you do ever need to get rid of them.
It’s also worth remembering that you should always look to buy plants that come in sustainable temporary packaging, too. This will help to increase your green gardening credentials even further.
Give composting a go
It's a great idea to give composting a go if you're generally looking to live more sustainably, as it offers a great way of transforming your kitchen and garden waste into nutrient-rich food for your plants and crops. And, as explained in the guide to composting that you can find on the Wyevale Garden Centres website, composting your household waste not only cuts down how much rubbish you're sending to landfill, but it will also help to reduce your greenhouse emissions.
When composting, you should aim for a mix of 50% green and 50% brown waste. And, you should be able to use your compost within nine months to a year of beginning the process.
Take some steps to conserve water
According to The Guardian, at peak demand, up to 70% of our water supply can be used on looking after our gardens. So, when you're looking to make your outdoor hobby more sustainable, taking steps to conserve water is a great idea. There are a number of ways in which you can do this.
Firstly, by making a real effort to look after your soil, you shouldn't have to water your plants as much. Instead, you can add organic matter to your soil to improve its structure and help it to retain water more easily. Additionally, placing mulch in your flowerbeds and hanging baskets will help to prevent moisture from evaporating during dry spells.
You can also help to keep your plants hydrated without wasting water by checking whether they need it beforehand. To do this, inspect the soil about a spade's length below the surface. If this is still damp, you should be able to hold off for a while.
Plant and propagate food scraps
I've already explained how you can use your food scraps to make nutrient-rich compost, but you can also repurpose some of your kitchen waste by planting and propagating it. Carrots, lettuce tomatoes, and herbs can all be grown quite easily if they get the right amounts of sunlight and water.
If growing vegetables from food scraps is something you're interested in, make sure you check out Food Revolution's guide, which explains what kinds of foods you can do this with, and what kinds of conditions they all need.
Opt for organic
You might already buy organic vegetables from the supermarket, but have you considered taking an organic approach to looking after your own garden? This can apply to everything from looking after your soil to the way you control pests and weeds.
As previously mentioned, composting is a great way to provide your plants with all of the nutrients they need, but it will also ensure you're doing this in the most organic way possible. Just make sure that all of the food waste you put into your bin comes from organic vegetables.
You can also control weeds naturally by spreading a blanket of bark mulch, leaf mould, or composted straw across your soil. This will help to prevent pesky weeds from growing and breaking through the surface. You can also help to control pests by making your garden a haven for wildlife that will take care of them for you. Hedgehogs and toads will deal with slugs and snails, while ladybirds have a big appetite for greenflies. So, installing bug boxes and creating homes for these little creatures will work to your advantage.
Sustainability is becoming a growing concern for most gardeners, as we're all becoming more aware of the impact our actions can have on the environment. But, if you take these tips on board, you should be able to carry on with your gardening hobby in an eco-friendly way.
Wednesday, 6 March 2019
International Women's Day 2019 - Women We Love
For International Women's Day, this year we have compiled a list of influential women that we love.
Emma Watson
British actor Emma Watson was appointed UN Women Goodwill Ambassador in July 2014. Watson dedicates her efforts towards the empowerment of young women and girls, and will serve as an advocate for the UN Women’s "HeForShe" campaign in promoting gender equality.
Stacey Dooley
Since 2009, Dooley has made social-issue-themed television documentaries for BBC Three concerning child labour and women in developing countries. Dooley has produce many documentaries and TV shows highlighting the impacts of ‘fast fashion’ and investigating the working conditions people endure in foreign countries to produce garments for companies such as H&M.
Clara Amfo
Clara is a regular presenter on the Radio 1 weekday schedule, she has interviewed the biggest names in the music industry, and presented from some of the most prestigious music festivals and awards ceremonies. Amfo aims to help women have the confidence to break through into the media industry as she was influenced by Lauryn Hill from a young age, a rare example at the time of a dark-skinned black woman whose talent was able to reach a large audience.
Lucy Siegle
Ethical living journalist, Lucy Siegle currently writes for the Guardian covering a range of topics from fashion and the environment to finance and food. Siegle has also recently published a book titled ‘Turning the tide on plastic’, that hopes to end the plastic pandemic and provide tips for long-lasting action.
Helen Clarkson
CEO of The Climate Group, Helen Clarkson, works internationally with leading businesses, states and regions to deliver a world of net zero greenhouse gas emissions. Experienced in the marketing and business industry, she ensures that sustainability is at the forefront of business strategies worldwide.
Kate Brandt
Kate Brandt is the current Google Sustainability Officer, leading Google’s worldwide operations, products and supply chain. Sustainability and cyclical economy are key to Brandt’s work, with her efforts being recognised by Obama in 2014 when he appointed her to serve as the Federal Environmental Executive.
Susan McPherson
Founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies, Susan consults and invests in businesses and start-ups that have social good at their core. With 25+ years of experience in marketing, PR and sustainability communications industry, McPherson ensures that corporations and growing non-profits on how best to partner, build advocacy and drive visibility for their causes and initiatives.
Anita Roddick
Founding member of the Women’s Environmental Network and The Body Shop, Anita Roddick has been an environmental ambassador since the early 80’s. In total The Body Shop had over 700 branches, and Roddick was awarded the 1991 World Vision Award for Development Initiative.
Dr Shakardokht Jafari
Dr Shakardokht Jafari
Originating from Afghanistan, Shakar is the Founder and CTO of Trueinvivo Limited, which with support from Innovate UK has developed a radiation detection system for cancer care that aims to save lives, money and offer a better quality of life to patients. In January 2018 Shakar received a prestigious Women’s award from the Afghanistan government and a recent meeting with a director could lead to a film biopic.
Sincerely Madia & Matilda
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