As stated in a previous post - One Way Street,  Middlesbrough has some wonderful and diverse independent retailers waiting to be discovered by the curious crowd. This next event can settle those curious minds and do wonders for a local charity. So get involved!

DRUM is a new local retail brand that aims to pack a punch for Middlesbrough’s independent retailers and bring about the awareness that these eclectic emerging enterprises deserve. To celebrate Middlesbrough’s entrepreneurial charm DRUM will launch with a fashion show and pop-up shop event at La Pharmacie on Monday 20th May from 6pm until late.

“The evening is a collaboration of the town’s many independent businesses coming together to create an entertaining evening out witha  a difference” – Sophie Singh, La Pharmacie

The event in association with Middlesbrough Council will showcase this seasons hottest trends with Middlesbrough’s crème de la crème of independents including 9th Willow, Disgraceland, Vintageous Rags, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Clothing, Dandy Boy, Niamh’s Boutique, Sunday Girl, Kate Fearnley, Psyche, Voo Voo Rage, Lazy Joes and V for Vintage.

“Vintageous Rags are delighted to be taking part in the DRUM fashion show – I feel it will be a great success and I cant wait for the event!” – Gracey Stringer, Vintageous Rags

Tickets for the event are priced at £15 with a donation from every single ticket sold going to a worthy local charity, Teesside Hospice. The tickets will be available from The Empire and La Pharmacie (contact details below). Get involved, give to charity and see our independent retailers strut their stuff to the beat of the DRUM.

Much Love

F x

For more information contact Sophie at La Pharmacie – 01642 222 250 or sophiesingh04@googlemail.com

Hayley Jayne is well and truly putting her small town on the map by reaching the Regional Semi Finals of one of the biggest hair dressing events in the word! Wella Trend Vision Competition takes place every year and sees thousands of hairdressers from all over the world fight for the title of the Young Talent category. The wonderful stylist and mum of two is definitely making us proud!

“This is a huge event for hairdressers worldwide. We enter these sorts of competitions time and time again and usually come out being the underdogs from the little North East Village. In the salon Hayley to a lot of the creative drive, being out fashion forecaster and Hair Extensions specialist. The fact that Hayley has made it to semi-finals makes us all so proud to have her as an asset to our ND team” – Beccy Golightly, Salon owner (and Hayley’s sister!)

Hayley Jayne has a fantasticly supportive team and they are all ready and prepped for a road trip to remember as they get ready to travel from Skelton to Manchester in May for the regional heat. If Hayley is successful she will then be on to the nations capital for the Finals and then onto Frankfurt! This is no meagre feat!

Hayley is not shy of a bit of competition. Her creative flair has definitely got her noticed as she achieved second place in Lee Stafford’s ‘The Hairdresser 2′ back in 2004. Go on Hayley! Fingers, legs, arms and toes crossed she will be given the break of a lifetime and the break she deserves.

For updates on Hayley’s progress head to Nancy Darcy’s website – www.nancydarcy.co.uk

Good Luck Hayley Jayne!

Much Love

F x

The wonderful Kate Fearnley is searching for the new faces of Kate Fearnley bridal! Yes that’s right, Kate is searching for a mother/daughter modelling duo to be the new leading ladies!

The ‘Boro’ based fashionista established as an independent designer in 2002 and opened her flagship boutique in Middlesbrough in 2005. She has been designing Bridesmaid dresses, Bridal Gowns and Mother of the Bride outfits for many years now and she has taken on the role as Middlesbrough’s shining star of female wedding attire.

Kate will soon be launching her new collection and she is looking for lovely models that can represent her award winning style!

“I am looking for a mother and daughter modelling team from the area.” – Kate Fearnley

The winning pair will bag the chance to represent the brand in a national campaign as well as goody bags full to the brim of fab prizes! The runners up will not be left out either, snapping up hefty discounts on purchases from the Boutique! This competition can mean the the winners are catapulted into the modelling career of their dreams with current models of Kate’s reaching Rimmel London fame. Massive success can be achieved so get yourselves on it!

The competition is now open for entries! It closes at the end of May so dont miss out. Anyone interested in this fabulous oportunity should send both head and full body shots (max 2mb) via email to sarah@katefearnleyboutique.co.uk – The minimum age for entrants is 16 and there is no maximum! Entrants should be sizes 8-16.

This is also a great opportunity for those in the industry, so make-up artists, photographers and hair stylists from the area who would like to get involved and credited in the campaign, get in touch via the same email address!

This could be beautiful! Good luck!

Much love

F x

Since the wonderful Beccy Golightly, owner and proprietor of Nancy Darcy Hairdressing launched her thriving business at the tender age of 19, the boutique salon has proven to stand the test of time and it has grown to become a centre point of stylish village life.

Celebrating 12 amazing years, the team at Nancy Darcy which comprise of Beccy her baby sisters and her best friends are proud to shout about offering unique hair services in the local area and look forward to celebrating the next generation of the brand. With this, as a celebration of the salons triumph, Nancy Darcy Hairdressing will be giving away over £3000 worth of services back to the community over the next 5 months. How generous is that?!

“Looking back over the years, I am proud to say our business in the small village of Skelton has battled through hard times, including recent economic stress and it is thriving. We always have and will continue to support the local community with not only the very best in hairdressing, but with out apprenticeship opportunities, community spirit and charitable efforts!” – Beccy Golightly

Following the super success of their huge style event last year The Ultimate Style Experience, the team at Nancy Darcy Hairdressing have teamed up with local events specialists In The Fast Lane Events to try and give something back to the community.

“Reaching 12 years of hairdressing in the Skelton area makes us feel extremely luck, so we have come up with the idea of giving something back to the locals. We are really excited to announce we will be touring local communities as of May 2013 with out very own roadshow!” – Nancy Darcy Hairdressing

Held in local community centres, the roadshows will be a celebration of a thriving business and a home grown brand of style! The roadshows will be a showcase of all Nancy Darcy has to offer from their unique services and in true ND style wine and nibbles will be involved and of course a charitable donation to an organisation of the communities choice. The team at Nancy Darcy have really pulled out all the stops in order to give something back to those who have supported their constant growth and to celebrate further ND have an array of competitions and events organised through their salon and via their website and Facebook Page, so for your chance to win get liking and visit www.nancydarcy.co.uk for more information!

Support your local businesses and they will support you!

Much love

F x

The morning of my birthday was met by a piece of news I did not expect at all. It was the type of news which made me really asses my own life and how I plan on living it. So that trip to the lakes ended up incorporating a bit of a wet, cold and stress riddled walk to a secluded lake in the middle of nowhere. It was hard and I did it with a pack on my back full of supplies all the way up there just to prove to myself that nothing could stop me… and nothing did stop me, I was out of breath, I was cold and wet but it didn’t stop me… and I was met by this wondrous sight…

Dont let fickle things block your path and don’t let worries obscure your view… you might find something beautiful.

Much love

F x

Our story (featured in an earlier blog post on Fayerella – see it here) sparked the interest of the editor in cheif Sarah Tate and the rest as they say, is history! Thanks goes to Debbie Stogden photography, the fab hositality of Ormesby Hall and the amazing team at Kiss the Bride. What makes this event even better is that following that wonderful feature my first blog post on behalf of Kiss the Bride’s ‘The Blogger Bride’ went live on their new website! Go check it out!

To see the feature including the full second issue of the Kiss the Bride Magazine and to see my most recent blog post go to their fabulous new website – www.kissthebride.biz

Thank you so much!

much love

F x

This quaint sleepy avenue just off Linthorpe road has been given a boutique style make over, with the diverse miniature stores and salons to exhaust your inquisitive streak. Not only has this street provided the people of Middlesbrough something different to feast their eyes upon, but it has given truly British independent businesses the push they need to succeed. No two shops are identical and each one caters for a specialised clientele.

From the girly attitude of 9th Willow to the daring expertise of the Scarlet Moon hair salon and from Disgraceland at the forefront of vintage fashion to the unique and flavoursome delicatessen that is Chilli Cake Deli, Baker Street is quintessentially unique. Fancy a custom tat? Check out Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde for artistic inks and high-end vintage men’s togs. Baker Street has that something different about it that you wouldn’t normally find in Middlesbrough.

Go explore this not so dead end street!

Much Love

F x

Stores available on Baker Street:

The Copper House (Hair Salon)
9th Willow (Female Fashion – Punk/Edgy Style)
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (Mens Vintage Atire and Tattoo Studio)
Dandy Boy (Mens Atire from retro to on-trend)
Disgraceland (Unisex Vintage Fashions)
Chilli Cake Deli (Unique Deli – Honest healthy cooking)
The Beauty Clinic (Beauty Salon)
Niamh’s Boutique (Feminine Quirky Vintage Fashions)
Scarlet Moon (Hair Salon)
Vintageous Rags (Unisex Vintage Fashions)
Fat Dog Skate Shop (Skateboard and Scooter Shop)
Allan George (Hair Salon)

I would love nothing more than to open and run my own business, however other commitments have now taken over to which I need to see through to the end before I even think about a business plan. However it is amazing watching young trades grow and flourish into thriving businesses and help make the local area more prosperous by doing so. This has in turn encouraged me and gave me the ideas and inspiration I need to look to the future and to look at it in and driven and enthusiastic way.

I would love to hear more about local thriving businesses and your journeys! Feel free to leave comments below or Tweet using hash tag #nebusinessjourney

Much Love

F x

Twitter: @iamfayerella

Over the weekend I had the pleasure of attending a wedding fayre in the lovely local village of Stokesley. The fayre itself was organised by the team at Kiss the Bride Magazine and it was a lovely event. There weren’t masses of suppliers for you to get confused about and you could happily mill around the location without feeling pushed or pressured. It was very enjoyable.

I love a good wedding fayre, they are the best places to find inspiration when you are a little stuck and they can also provide you with ideas that no-one else has even thought of before! However wedding fayre’s don’t just provide this for weddings, they can give you ideas and allow you to make contacts for any event that you plan on having, birthdays, Christmas events the lot!

I met some lovely people and got some fabulous ideas (even for a hen do!) I will definitely be attending more!

Much Love

F x

I have made my first board, a little ‘Wedding Stuff’ collage of greatness. I would love comments and feedback on stuff! Check it out!

www.pinterest.com/fayerella/wedding-stuff/

Much Love

F x