Keep Smiling

I wanted to get in touch, to chat with you about how you are all coping at this unique time. Are you working from home/ home schooling, or taking time to process and having some down time?

Hopefully most of you are creating pockets of happiness in your homes, to keep safe and well and comfortable where you can. I wanted to share a few ideas around how you can update your space, and also share tips on staying healthy and positive in the next few months.

But first, a little reassurance

As an independent online-based business I will be continuing to operate and process orders as normal. On Gov.uk it states that "online retail is still open and encouraged and postal and delivery services will run as normal".

So, my online shop is OPEN helping you to make your home the sanctuary you need right now, and encourage you to enjoy an inspiring and creative lifestyle when possible. All items are in stock (for now!) I will also continue to sell through Not on The High Street and Etsy. However please note, that I will be reducing postal/courier trips to twice weekly now on a Tuesday and Friday, I'm sure everyone will be patient at this strange time.

Understandably all upcoming face to face retail events, design fairs, and pop-ups have been cancelled, as have trade shows - meaning no cash flow, and potentially no new stockist relationships or partners for the foreseeable future. My existing stockists are closing their doors for now - meaning no income from those places either.

Can you help?

I'm aware many people are struggling and priorities have changed for many, however if you do still have the means, please keep shopping

I’m offering FREE DELIVERY on all orders for the foreseeable, use code KEEPSMILING at checkout :)

If you follow on social media; Facebook, Instagram and Twitter - please come and have a chat! I update them regularly so you won't miss a thing. This has a huge positive effect, and encourages others to do the same.

I’d also like to hear from you, how are you getting through this? What would you like to see/hear from Ruth Holly? email me at hello@ruthholly.co.uk

Healthly Vibes

An enforced pause - as we all embark on this time of change and new unknown territory, we can look for opportunities and lessons, we can choose how to react, how we perceive and how we respond.

Change and newness bring opportunities to develop and "go with the flow" (my new personal lesson!) This pause in your working lives can be a good thing, if you choose that. It’s not hard to practice gratitude when you count your blessings; we all have at least one thing that we’re thankful for.

I am trying to focus on mental health and physical wellbeing throughout all this. I am going back to basics, choosing healthy foods where possible, honouring meal times. Keeping hydrated, sleeping well, walking and running, keeping active, using the beautiful new spring weather to encourage garden time, moving into my body more and out of my head. Expressing! - illustrating, painting, journaling, writing out thoughts and feelings.

My Home My Sanctuary

I am personally making my home my sanctuary - cleaning and cleansing, reconnecting to my space, creating hope by adding art to bare walls, or changing and refreshing old pieces for new. Opening curtains, drawing back blinds, letting the natural light in! Doing this will energize you and keep going throughout a stressful day. I have been buying flowers and house plants where I can, bringing nature inside is good for the soul. I tried sage burning! (not quite sure about this yet), so I have been using scented candles and room sprays, try P.F. Candle Co. And finally, I've been using rooms for their purpose, sounds crazy but it works! During these weird times, boundaries get blurred. So sleep in the bedroom, eat at the dining table, relax in your happy place! The aim is to decrease the possibility of insomnia, overeating, etc and create structure.

Being responsible enough to stay at home means you are respecting yourself and others. So taking the time to give your space a little love is part of self-care, it's not indulgent or time-wasting, it's important stuff. No-one can work in an environment that is cluttered, chaotic and uninspiring.

We have time now, give your home some love. xx

Coming up next:

• Nomad, new for 2020! - This beautiful spring/summer collection was scheduled to launch at a trade show April 4th, but obviously it's been cancelled. I will be adding the new goodies to our online shop next month ready for pre-order, you will all get an email update and there will be social media updates so keep watching!

• Working from home during Covid-19 - I've written a new blog post with hints and tips around working from home, I hope it helps.

Sending you love and healthy good wishes. x