cake – Lessons I learned after I turned 30

Saturday, 3rd of November 2018.

My first Communicare Vintage and Craft fair as a volunteer.

I’ve been before with my SingNow friends a few times. I still vividly remember the scrumptious slice of carrot cake I had the first time I’ve been and that’s where I got the hand-knitted peach hat from my brother Andi loved so much, he kept after climbing Snowdon because it reminded him of me and brought back with him to Ben Nevis a year later.

If you haven’t heard of Communicare before, is a great charity offering befriending, shopping, DIY, transport and other services to those who need it in Southampton.

I always loved the bi-annual Communicare fairs and now I got to be part of it. I’ve been volunteering with Communicare as an events assistant for a while now but since I unfortunately work full-time I can’t attend many of their daytime events, I couldn’t wait for the Vintage and Craft fair, the first event I could help out with.

I was asked to design a flier for it months ago and thanks to Canva, an online platform with free templates- I highly recommend if you want professional-looking leaflets and posters, I came up with this one:

After months, the day finally came. And I had such a wonderful time, I went home tired but with a huge grin on my face that lasted for days (well until Monday morning, when reality kicked in and I had to go to work and spend hours staring at spreadsheets).

I made it on time, I know, some of you may be surprised but I always make it on time for things I really care (getting a taxi also helped!).

Collecting the prizes for the raffle gave me the opportunity to meet and have a chat with all the wonderful stallholders. There was a great variety from antique items, to Beach themed crafts, Christmas decorations, jewellery and paintings.

I spent some time giving out fliers outside with Vicky who was dressed as a bear, adorable, and I was so happy some of the people I gave fliers to, a lovely man with his three daughters who promised to pop by after the girls had their nails done and two couples, amongst others, decided to pop in and see what it was all about.

After a little wander and some purchases- it was hard to resist- I had a break for some delicious cake, again it was VERY hard to choose because of the endless options but I went for banana and chocolate. Yum!

I spent the rest of my time manning the stand for the impressive hand-knitted Nativity kindly donated by Bob ( I think, apologies if I mixed up the names) and selling our wonderful Communibears, of course I bought one too, they were too cute not to, and hand-knitted hats and scarfs.

I loved everything about it. The atmosphere, the live music, Jim Rogers (I can’t believe he sang one of my favourite Ryan Adams songs, Come Pick Me Up is a tune) and Serena Lin, who initially thought a CD was on, she was that good, were incredible, the stalls and all the lovely people I got to meet (and of course lovely people I already knew such as the wonderful Barbara, I love that lady so much, one of the nicest people I’ve ever met).

I’ll never forget Margaret, a retired teacher who went around to sell more teddy bears and ended up buying one for a little girl, she then bumped into one of her students from 30 odd years ago who told her she was the best teacher she ever had. After she took a picture of herself and her student’s family all together she asked her if she could record her saying that she was the best teacher she ever had. The joy in her face was indescribable.

Margaret was just one of the many wonderful humans I had the pure pleasure of meeting that day. There are too many to list and it’s impossible to remember all the names, but every single one made me feel welcome, something I always worry about as an expat living in the UK.

I wish I got to do this every day. Spend all my time making people smile. Maybe one day I’ll start my own charity to do just that. Who knows. Maybe…

In the meantime, I can’t wait for the next Communicare event. Thank you to the lovely Annie, Bryony and everyone else at Communicare for letting me be part of their wonderful charity and help a little little raising money for such a noble cause.

Eleni

PS Communicare is always looking for more volunteers, so if you fancy joining this beautiful community, or you’d like to donate or attend future events, all details are here.

Day three of Blogmas…

I don’t usually get up early on Sundays, but the first ever local Etsy festive market was taking place at Mettricks at 11am and I really wanted to get there early, grab a goody bag and check the stalls out before it got too busy.

So Shebz and I were meeting Barbara at Mettricks at 11, but when we got there, there was already a long queue of ladies, children and men who you could see in their faces they’d rather be anywhere else, but that’s what love makes you do I guess!

I must admit, I queued for a gig, at the tube, at the airport but never outside a cafe, let alone Mettricks that feels like second home, I’m there most days. So there I was, at 11am on a Sunday, queuing outside my second home. Who would have thought!

The staff at Mettricks were lovely though and we ordered our coffees whilst queuing outside, so as soon as we got in, they were ready to collect.

It was extremely busy and there wasn’t much room to spend a lot of time at each stall but the actual fair was lovely and so very pretty. Cards, crafts, jewellery, knitwear, pinatas. The photos speak for themselves.

My favourites were Sprig knitwear, Tumble and Rose’s jewellery and Katie Moody’s cards but everything was just beautiful, even their business cards! Thank you to the organisers for a great event and for bringing something different in Southampton. I’m sure it will be even bigger and better next year.

I could not not tell the lovely man next to the first stall we had a look at that I loved his accent. We all had a chuckle.

On my way out I fell in love with the cutest, sweetest little dog, who let me cuddle her and gracefully posed for me. Look at her sweet, friendly eyes.

We planned to stay at Mettricks for another cup of coffee and cake as lovely Sophia, a work friend who recently moved to London was also there and another friend was on their way but there was no space so we popped to Coffeelab.

We shared a slice of an amazing, creamy, festive Chocolate cake accompanied by tea. I went for my favourite tea at Coffeelab and probably my favourite tea of all, Amaretti.

At that moment I realised that this is probably the last time that the three of us will be together.

My best friend, my third sister, my partner in crime, Sheba, is leaving Southampton for good in a month to explore the world and Barbara will at some point move back home to be with her family. And I, well I don’t know if I’ll stay in Southampton. I’ve been saying for a long time that I need to find a job I enjoy and even if that doesn’t happen soon, I’m definitely leaving my current job for something different the first chance I get. Wherever that takes me.

I consider my self superbly lucky and blessed for a fun, beautiful, special day I’l always remember.

Namaste

Eleni

Tag: cake

Cakes, Christmas, Crafts and bears: Communicare Vintage and Craft Fair

Blogmas day 3- Etsy festive market and tea and cake with friends.