Vauxhall - Article 3

"So much of my inspiration comes when I’m exploring our local area."

By pursuing a lifelong dream, Aylsa has been able to find real contentment. “I feel honoured that people want my creations in their homes,” she says.

Aylsa set up her business to provide a more eco-friendly alternative to fresh blooms. “Dried flower arrangements last a really long time,” she says.

Aylsa had always been artistic but it took her 12 years to find the confidence to pursue this as a full-time career in floristry

“It has a great range of up to 201 miles, which can get us away on a family camping trip and back without any stress. I like to think that by driving an electric vehicle, I am helping the environment. We teach the girls about turning taps off, switching lights off and just being better in the home – we all need to do our own little bit, so we try to bring sustainability into our lifestyles.” While daunting at the time, Aylsa says making such important changes to her career has been key to finding real contentment. In fact, she feels freer than she has ever done before. “I feel honoured that people want my creations in their homes,” she says, beaming. “It makes me feel good. It’s really nice to get good feedback. Most of all, I feel very comfortable and love what I do now. I feel like I’m able to express myself. I’d definitely encourage people in the same position to take the plunge and pursue a career that inspires them.”

Finding the right “flowers to match the changing seasons” is the biggest challenge for Aylsa, one she embraces when exploring her local environment with her young daughters. Typically loaded with dried pampas, oat, wheat and bunny’s tail grass, the autumnal arrangements, she explains, are full of warm oranges and coppers, while winter is about whites, deeper golds and burgundy. Aylsa says she really values having a fully electric vehicle to easily get in and out of the city with her family. She uses her Vauxhall Mokka-e to take her customer packages to the post office and can charge the car at home [using a fitted domestic charger] or top the battery up at the local Sainsbury’s while she does a shop. One of the biggest highlights, however, is just how quiet the car is on the road, without the usual roar of a fuel-injected engine.

After 12 years, Aylsa – supported by her husband and two children – made the life-changing decision to leave her secure job and turn her love for arts and craft into a business. Having created a successful Instagram account, sharing the ins and outs and beautiful results of their house renovation, Aylsa, inspired by the natural environment near their home in Durham, decided to set up an Etsy business – Hopps and Blooms – selling dried flower arrangements. Providing a more eco-friendly alternative to fresh blooms, this creative leap of faith allowed her to indulge her artistic side in full. “Dried flowers are something you can keep, and they last a really long time. They are something people can hold onto for years. So much of my inspiration comes when I’m out with the children, exploring our local area,” explains Aylsa. “At this time of year, we take coats and wellies, all the practical things that come with having a young family. We pack our fully electric Vauxhall Mokka-e and off we go. We grab a coffee in the city centre, walk along Durham’s riverbanks and sometimes even go camping in the Lake District with friends. I take so many photos while out there; of sunflower fields, wildflowers – that’s where ideas for my arrangements often come from.”

It’s a common feeling that many of us have experienced at one time or another. The bewilderment of what to do with our lives. For Aylsa Hopps, that moment came when she left university, armed, somewhat disparately, with a finance degree and a passion for art. At the time, not yet confident in creating her own path towards the arts, she chose the only option she felt was open to her – to follow a family tradition by joining the police force. However, deep-down Aylsa knew this wasn’t her forever job. “I was always very creative and spent most of my time at school doing art,” she explains. “I never felt that I suited the police, and there was a part of me that felt restricted from being myself.”

When nature intervenes: Why Aylsa Hopps swapped a career in the police to become a dried flower artist

‘I love what I do – I finally feel like me’

Stay connected on every journey with Vauxhall Connect, a smart technology service that includes Emergency Call, Breakdown Call and Vehicle Status – which will alert you if your electric vehicle needs repairs or servicing.

Make sure your family is warm and comfortable from the moment they step into your all-electric car by using the MyVauxhall app to precondition the car to your ideal temperature.

To make the switch to electric easier, Vauxhall offer a Smart Solo 7kW charger, provided by Pod Point, for fast and reliable home charging overnight.

You’re always covered with Vauxhall’s All Electric Range

DID YOU KNOW?

Pack up the car and head to the quaint old fishing village of Robin Hood’s Bay for a family-friendly outing by the sea. With rock pools to examine and winding, cobbled streets to explore, this beautiful little east coast town in the North Yorkshire Moors is the perfect place to embrace nature, but also stop off for a warming hot chocolate. After a day of sightseeing, return to the glorious 16th Century Hallgarth Manor House in Durham for a cosy night’s sleep in the Sanctuary Suite. Book a room at nearby Hallgarth Manor House, to enjoy the full experience.

Explore the North Yorkshire Moors with Secret Escapes

Find out more about Vauxhall’s All-Electric Range

The bold hues and lush furnishings of this 16th century manor house will get you feeling instantly inspired.

While the village is wonderfully picturesque, with its clusters of charming cottages perched right on the edge of the sea.

Robin Hood's Bay makes for a perfect artsy retreat, with brooding cliffs looming over the bay, famed for its smuggling past.

Fuel economy and CO2 results for the Vauxhall Mokka-e 100KW (136PS). Mpg (l/100km): N/A. CO2 emissions: 0g/km. Electric range up to 201 miles (WLTP). Fuel economy and CO2 results for the Vauxhall Corsa-e 100KW (136PS). Mpg (l/100km): N/A. CO2 emissions: 0g/km. Electric range up to 209 miles (WLTP). *WLTP Figures shown are for comparison purposes and should only be compared to the fuel consumption and CO2 values of other cars tested to the same technical standard. The fuel consumption achieved, and CO2 produced, in real world conditions will depend upon a number of factors including, but not limited to: the accessories fitted (pre and post registration); variations in weather; driving styles and vehicle load. The WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure) is used to measure fuel consumption and CO2 figures. The CO2 figures display a range to reflect the highest value for the highest emitting version with all available options added, through to a minimum value to represent the lowest emitting version in standard specification. For more information contact your local Vauxhall Retailer.

Choose your next Autumn adventure with Vauxhall

Find out more about Vauxhall’s All-Electric Range

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