Note: This blog post contains gifted items (PR invite). They will be clearly indicated when shown. I never get asked to write about events I attend unless otherwise stated. The activities in this blog post other than the Housewise Brunch are in no way affiliated with the event itself.
For my next blog about events, we are heading back to Rookery Hall in the Cheshire countryside for this year’s Housewise Brunch. This is the same place as last year’s Brunch, but who can blame anyone for not wanting to leave such an amazing venue. I was keeping a close eye out for news of another event, and jumped at the chance to go to this.
I was really looking forward to travelling back to my favourite part of the country and meeting some long distance friends and making great memories with new ones. When my place was confirmed, I spent a few days planning the trip, making a weekend away of it like I always do. That meant choosing where I was going to stay, asking for recommendations from followers on where to visit while I am over, and browsing around for outfit inspiration.
The Journey Over
But before the festivities could begin, I had to do the seven-hour car journey across eight counties, returning to the exact same hotel I stayed at for last year’s Brunch. To be honest, I don’t really mind this, as the travelling is all part of the experience. As usual, I stopped in Leicester for a different kind of brunch, then lunch in the big M&S in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
I arrived in Crewe, which would become my home for the next two nights.
I didn’t settle here for long though, as I wanted to visit a place recommended to me by a long-time friend who I first met at the 2018 Housewise Brunch…
July 28th – Dagfields Craft and Antiques, and a Walk on the Greenway
I quickly headed out to Dagfields before they closed. This is a really great place with barns full of all sorts of items you could possibly imagine, as well as some independent outlets. I always like to come away with something, and here I bought a couple of sets of hugging rabbits. One for me, and one for mum as she has a thing for rabbits and hares.
There’s also a really nice walk you can take between Crewe and Nantwich, so I went there to get a workout in and close those activity rings. I saw a bit of the Crewe to Nantwich Greenway when I was here last year but not this part of it. There were plenty of people out jogging too and I can see the attraction with people wanting to get their workouts in here.
Then, it was back to the hotel for some delicious food…
…and time for bed, ahead of an action-packed day to come.
July 29th – The Housewise Brunch
I headed down for breakfast at 9am, then after an emergency trip to Sainsbury’s to get the Apple Watch charger I embarrassingly left at home (oops), I got myself ready.
Given the venue is a countryside retreat, I chose an outfit with colours I thought matched the setting well. That said, there was definitely a rainbow of colours and styles. We certainly all know how to dress for these things!
I just wish I had a way of transporting clothes without them getting creased. Thank goodness the hotel staff had an iron to hand!
The nerves were definitely setting in around 12pm or so, when I was in the final few minutes before setting off for Rookery Hall. I had a minor hiccup with the sat nav making me sail right past the entrance, but I got there bang on time with the wonderful organiser Lauren being the first person I saw, standing at the front doors. Lauren had been watching my stories from the day before, as Dagfields came up in the conversation.
We all congregated in the reception and straight away you find yourself blown away by the beautiful style of the place. It is so ornate and characterful. I certainly wouldn’t mind being able to pay a visit here more often.
It wasn’t long before I could catch up with other friends too. Fatiha (acethetic_home) and Ria (thecourtyardhayloft) were both present, who I had met from past events, and at that moment Ria became one of the few people from Insta who I had met three times.
The atmosphere in the room was excellent as it grew ever busier and louder, though I would be lying if I said I didn’t need to take a breather every now and then outside! I mean that in the most positive way possible. I have often said that opportunities to spend time with people from Insta are rare, but I think that’s the case for a lot of us, even for many living in Cheshire which seems to be where the strongest sense of community is. The excitement at these events is palpable and even if you’re like me and can have sensory issues with loud and crowded environments, it’s impossible not to have a good time.
After a big group photo outside the front doors, we all made our way into the main hall.
Mocktail in one hand, bag in the other, phone in…another?! I saw the “Housewise Brunch” sign and the hall adorned with floral decorations, purple mood lighting and stands along each side with brands waiting to network with the guests.
As with the Brunch last year, we were treated to a fantastic motivational speaker, Adam Corbally, who had previously appeared on The Apprentice and Total Wipeout. I have to say, the juxtaposition of the two shows was something I think we all got a good chuckle out of, especially as we watched him coming a cropper on those big bouncy balls they had to run across, but that was the whole point. The talk was about pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone, which you absolutely have to do when networking with others. The talk ended with us fired up and ready to mingle.
There were so many stalls for us all to chat to small businesses, exchange details and collect goodies from. Swift Direct Blinds, Pagazzi, Home Bargains, The Rug Seller, Shabby Home, Star Brands, House of Picadilly, Griggs Bathrooms, Story Homes, and Le Cakepop Kitchen were all there. That last one, by the incredibly talented Lynsey, always brings cakes that are a sight to behold.
The weather was thankfully on our side, so some of us went outdoors where there was deckchair-style seating for us all to enjoy food from the impressive barbecue waiting for us at the back. It was a little daunting for someone like me who’s a veggie to ask for something that isn’t meat and I’m always so apologetic in these situations, but they were so accommodating and I loved what I had. It left me feeling so full I barely wanted any food when I got back to the hotel!
I took a photo of the seating, but everyone was inside at the time. Nonetheless, you get an idea for what the setting was like – beautiful views all around, just the right temperature, no rain and picturesque architecture. I can’t express enough how much I love this kind of setting. It is such an Instagrammable place and the atmosphere honestly made me feel so happy. Also, have you ever seen a branded burger? I am pretty sure I hadn’t before this day.
It’s never possible to talk to absolutely everybody at these things, but I did have a few special mentions to give to people I spoke to, some for the first time. Fatiha and Ria are amazing friends to have. Then there’s Celine (myfashionfixuk) who has been such a strong supporter of my past struggles and I am grateful to have her in my life. Becky (insidenumber5) was lovely to speak to as well, as was Stephanie (thecheshiregreyhome), Katie (homeofkg) and Chrissie (chrissiescorner). So many wonderful people were present and you just know when you naturally click with someone and they are people who you need to have around to encourage and support you.
I spent the rest of the afternoon just enjoying the occasion and having fun with the people I connected with. Fatiha and I spent some time in the front room discussing our various ventures. By this point, the event was beginning to wrap up and people were leaving. I thanked Lauren for the awesome person she is and what she has done for us all and we hugged before going our separate ways.
Back at the hotel, I still didn’t fancy much food, so I had a plate of nachos (normally a starter) and a drink before heading back up to my room and having a nice, chilled evening. I was exhausted!
July 30th – Snugburys
I checked out from the hotel at 10:30 that morning, but there was still time for one last place before beginning the long journey home.
When I was planning the trip, I asked in my stories for recommendations on where to visit. Ria recommended Snugburys, a farm that sells the best ice cream you could possibly imagine, and in more flavours than you could imagine too.
Like me, Ria was still in the area and hadn’t quite left for home yet, so we decided to squeeze one last little bit more out of the weekend, and met each other there.
Out of everybody I know from Instagram, I’ve met Ria more times than anybody else. I really enjoyed this nice little bonus at the end of a glorious weekend, and I am very grateful to have such a lovely and supportive person in my life.
That’s a wrap – time for home.
The Goodie Bags
Start of gifted items
The official goodie bag contained items from the following:
- Swift Direct Blinds
- The Rug Seller
- Alex Thurston Photography
- RD Wines
- Urban Home Fragrance
- Missy’s Beauty
- Story Homes
- Griggs Bathrooms
There was also a business card included from The Prop Shop, who created the signs and graphics for the event (Instagram: thepropshopstaffordshire).
Not pictured above, but shown below, was a wine bottle from RD Wines. Separately, there was a lamp from Pagazzi.
And finally, a sneak peek of the “Harvest” collection from Home Bargains, available September, shown below. Prices are listed for the items going from left to right. The bag is what they were given to us in.
- Pumpkin Cushion – £5.99
- Ceramic Pumpkin – £1.99
- Clean Linen Candle – £3.49
- Pumpkin Glass Mug – £3.49
- Rattan Pumpkin – £3.99
- Hey Pumpkin Stack – £2.99
A massive thank you to all the businesses who contributed!
End of gifted items
Some Closing Thoughts
I said at the end of my previous trip, a Birmingham event, that Instagram had given me four sets of memories I could cherish forever. Now, I have five, and Lauren is exactly the sort of person everybody needs in their lives. I am very grateful to have her in mine. When my health collapsed during the pandemic, resulting in a year-long Insta hiatus, I was willing myself to get better so that one day I could return and meet her and others again.
I always make a weekend away of it whenever I get those precious opportunities to go to an event and meet people in person. Here, I got to explore more great places in a part of the country I love. Many of the strongest friendships I’ve acquired from Instagram have come from Cheshire and surrounding counties, and I find all the various towns and villages so easy to explore, too. None of that crippling anxiety I get with driving into big cities I don’t know very well.
The only less positive thing about this trip is in the weeks leading up to it came the news that this would be the final Housewise Brunch, so my third time attending it would be my last. This is why, driving up the road to Rookery Hall, I had mixed feelings – the elation of being in my happy place, and the sadness from knowing I wouldn’t be doing this particular event again. One thing I think we all have to appreciate though is these events are huge and with that comes the sheer amount of work that goes into them. When new opportunities come up, sometimes something else has to give. What Lauren has grown her brand into is something she should be proud of. I said in the group chat on Insta that “thank you” feels so inadequate for what she has done for us over the last five years, and also for how she has enriched my life personally.
I came away from this weekend having made new friends and deepened connections with old ones. As usual, my goal was to make new friends and see old ones again. Me ever becoming “Insta famous” is pretty unlikely, but those experiences I have with such wonderful people is worth more to me than any number of followers or likes.
See you soon for the next adventure!
The Norfolk Home Diaries 