Friday has finaaaaally come around again and as aways, I’m ending the working with with another snippet from my #LockdownLife series. Today I’m over the moon to welcome Ella-Mai Elopements to the blog, a Scottish Elopement Planner + Stylist. Ella curates heartfelt elopements for couples who are wildly in love and you'll see that her 'gram is utterly gorgeous.

During lockdown Ella gave birth to her little boy, Casper, so has been juggling motherhood and running a business during a worldwide pandemic - what a hero! I’ll hand you straight over to Ella so you can find out all about her lockdown experience…

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1 So, let’s talk about life in lockdown. What time do you get up? What’s your morning routine? Has this changed since working from home / being in lockdown?

During lockdown I had my wee boy, Casper (who is now 7 months) so our morning routine has changed a lot, not only with lockdown but with having a brand-new baby in our lives! We tend to get up 7am (or if its been a bad night of sleeping for Casper, my husband will take the boys downstairs at this time for me to catch up on one/two hours sleep!) and after getting the kids breakfast and have a bit of family time, I get to start work about 11-12pm. It has definitely got harder working from home in lockdown, Mason (my eldest) was supposed to start nursery so that would have given me some time during the day so at the moment I have to deal with him asking me not to work and to play. Mum guilt is at its worst!!

2 How do you remain motivated while working from home?

I absolutely love what I do and I’m so lucky to be able to work with amazing couples and suppliers. It’s also my break from parenting! Plus it’s the only way to get food on the table and pay the bills!

3 Do you listen to any podcasts while working from home?

No I don’t, I find it really hard to work with noise (hard with 2 children and a husband in the home!) so I always try to find a quiet space in the house.

4 Lockdown has impacted businesses all over the world. How can people support you? E.g. #ShopSmallBusiness, sharing a post on FB, commenting on an Instagram post etc.

It has been awful, and my heart goes out to every single person affected. If people comment or share (or now save) a post on Instagram that helps massively!

5 Tell me one local business that you’ve decided to support during lockdown. It could be your local coffee shop, someone who hand-makes masks etc.

Our Lovely Goods – a gorgeous candle/gift company in the area. I use them for my clients thank you gifts!

6 Tell me your favourite isolation cocktail / snack / treat?

White Chocolate – as I don’t drink tea/coffee/alcohol this has been my go to. I have eaten waaay too much chocolate during lockdown.

7 What’s your go-to ‘pick me up’ during lockdown life / working from home?

From work – it’s definitely hanging out with the family, going on walks, playing in the snow or doing some crafts with Mason. From life – I’ve found a new love for Nintendo Switch! I never thought I would be in to games but when the kids are in bed it’s a great way for me to unwind and think about something insignificant.

8 How are you keeping in touch with friends and family?

Facetime! Thank goodness for it. My family don’t live near me anyway either in New Zealand/Australia, England, Ireland etc.(I live in Scotland) so we’ve always loved facetime for keeping in contact and so my Mum/Dad can see baby Casper and Mason growing so fast! They had planned to be here for the birth of Casper but then covid happened!

9 Name one lockdown pet peeve

People not wearing masks!

10 Name one lockdown love

Spending time as a family. Having Casper in the middle of the lockdown was actually a blessing. I gave me guilt-free time to muddle through the newborn days without feeling I had to be out and about seeing people.

11 What do you have in store for your business? What’s got you feeling inspired?

This year is set to be my biggest year for business yet. I have many styled shoots coming up, shoot days for photographers, a newly launched course for couples looking to elope and many other amazing secret plans. I’m hoping to be on social media more, showing my face and interacting with my followers.

12 What’s one thing you want to do after lockdown restrictions are lifted?

I want to take Casper & Mason (and hubby!) to New Zealand to see my family!! I miss them SO much.

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13 What has been your favourite Netflix series to binge on during lockdown?

Like everyone – Bridgerton!

14 Are there any books on your shelf you’d recommend reading during lockdown?

I don’t get to read much but when I was heavily pregnant and had insomnia I read ‘The Last Letter From Your Lover’ by JoJo Moyes and ‘Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine’ by Gail Honeyman, both books were great and I could not put them down!

15 What will you take from lockdown? Is there anything you’re grateful for or that you’ll do differently going forward?

What I’ve realised to me what is most truly important – spending time with family and friends. It’s not physical things we need but having the time to do what we love and see people who are so important to us.

16 Describe lockdown for you in three words. (E.g. life-changing, emotional, challenging).

Overwhelming, emotional, momentous.