Olympia

London International Antiquarian Book Fair

If you’re anything like me, you’ll use any excuse to read. Take this wonderful weather for example (have I mentioned how glorious the weather is?!), grabbing a book, a nice cold drink and a chair in the sun is my idea of heaven. So for all you bookworms out there, and non bookworms, this weekend’s London International Antiquarian Book Fair in Olympia is for you. And The Amazing Blog's very own Lucy (of Lucy’s Mondays fame) has her own book loving blog, www.theunlikelybookworm.com, so you can be sure to catch her perusing the stalls at the fair. This book fair is a book lovers dream – in its 55th year it shows no sign of slowing down. Considering the current decline of book sales, this fair is an impressive testament to book lovers everywhere. The fair attracts over 160 booksellers from around the globe – ranging from illustrated books, manuscripts, fine bindings, maps, prints, photography, books from the 15th century to today, there’s something for everyone. If you’re looking for more of an educational day out there are a variety of lectures for you to attend. And if you’re just looking to look at some historical and beautiful pieces, there are guided tours for you to see all the reassures on display.

If you’re an experienced Antiquarian Book buyer or just starting out, the fair is a brilliant place to make a stop at for any area of your book collection. The fair has an unparalleled array of books, perfect for collectors and newcomers alike, the books on sale and on show welcome all visitors. So whether you’re looking to add to your collection or just add some style to your house, the Antiquarian Book Fair is the place to be this weekend, don’t let another year pass before you attend!

Spirit of Summer Fair

If you’re a regular reader of The Amazing Blog, you’ll know that we’re always looking for products and events that are different and stylish. We love discovering boutique brands and smaller companies and sharing them with all you lovely subscribers, so we of course have to tell you about the Spirit of Summer Fair that’s happening next weekend!

From the 16th to the 19th of May, you can visit the Spirit of Summer Fair in Olympia, London, a perfect day out to discover new trends and creative ideas for the home and garden. You can spend the whole day wandering around the variety of over 200 handpicked boutiques, for inspiration on all things home and garden - and best of all you won’t be able to find these stylish picks on the high street! The quirky brands on show at the fair are great for anyone looking to find whimsical additions to their homes and gardens, or handmade decor that no one else will have.

At the fair you’ll also be able to participate in workshops, inspirational talks and food and wine tastings. Experts from Jo Malone will speak about the launch of their new room scents, you can take inspirational design tips from Nina Campbell, and also speaking is master perfumer Roja Dove. We know we'll be stocking up on Rhodes to Heaven's 'heavenly' natural beauty products and adding to our Summer wardrobes with Louise Sandberg's gorgeous kaftans. With workshops, stalls, and talks for everyone, the Spirit of Summer Fair is great for an afternoon or a whole day, with friends or family.

So whether you're looking for inspiration for your home, garden, or both, be sure to head over to the Spirit of Summer Fair next weekend. It’s open from 10am to 6pm each day, and tickets are available online or on the phone. Don’t miss it!