The very lovely Louise of Loubee Blooms is on the blog today to brighten up what has been a very grey week. A luxury wedding florist covering Bristol, Somerset and the surrounding areas, Lou is renowned for her elegant floral designs and wedding flowers. I recently had the pleasure of working with Lou to write her website copy and I’m really chuffed to be featuring her lockdown experience. So, get stuck in and enjoy - she’s got some great podcast recommendations waiting for you!

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?

Since lockdown I have tried to make sure I have a good morning routine starting with an exercise class/yoga on a fitness app before breakfast , I make sure my youngest child who is at senior school is up & ready to start home learning then I head out to walk my 2 dogs. I come home have a coffee then deal with any admin I have whether it be enquiries or updating my website or social media. Other than having other family home in the house this part of my day is not much different than before albeit I find I am enjoying more exercise!

2 How do you remain motivated while working from home?

For a lot of the time throughout the past year my focus has been on my family alongside reassuring couples by answering any queries I can. I would say focusing on the things I can control and accepting the aspects I can’t has helped keep me sane!

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

Yes! I’ve discovered so many podcasts over the past year. Some of my favourites have been Happy Place with Fearne Cotton, How to Fail – Elizabeth Day, Katie Piper Extraordinary people, for motivation, The travel Diaries because I miss holidays & look forward to discovering new places when we can!, Sue Perkins an hour or so with” & “Fortunately” with FI & Jane for a giggle, Grounded by Louis Theroux as I love his interviews ..think I will stop there I listen to a lot!

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.

Sharing, liking and engaging on social media platforms!

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.

We have generally shopped more local – we live in a village and have used our local stores As a family we have focused a lot on charities as so many are struggling. We support our local food bank each week, in the first lockdown I dug out my sewing machine & made wash bags for NHS staff uniforms, filled a rucksack for the homeless at Christmas funded a winter survival pack for refugee families, fruit baskets for Nurses along with donating to several other charities including animal shelters, you just want to help them all when you know how hard it is right now.

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

We have a virtual quiz night on Thursdays & along with a takeaway on a Saturday we have a cocktail on these evenings . A favourite is a bakewell fizz which is like drinking a bakewell tart!

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

FaceTime or walk with a friend, watching a film together as a family, lighting a nice candle, my dogs – they have kept us all going! Flowers always relax me so if I don’t have any to play with, spending some time on Pinterest creating some inspiration boards can really cheer me up.

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

I’ve got certain friends that we message each other most days or hop on facetime with a coffee or a glass of wine. Others close enough to walk with. We keep in touch with my eldest daughter on facetime & have regular virtual quiz nights through the week.

9 Name one lockdown pet peeve

Just one?! Ok well I guess not being able to make plans or look forward too far, you realise how much of time was spent planning! On the up side it certainly teaches you to live in the moment & appreciate what you have.

10 Name one lockdown love

We have discovered lots more local walks which was fantastic in the first sunny lockdown.

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

I’ve had tine to focus more on the look I want to develop & attract. I’ve found online resources to develop more green floristry techniques and developed some inspiration boards for couples & stocked up on different vessels for arrangements.

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

Without a doubt – see my family.

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

I could list far too many, but if I had to pick one it would be Bridgerton – The flowers, the costumes & sets were so beautiful – complete escapism.

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

I’ve read quite a few but a stand out was The Salt Path by Raynor Winn, I would love to complete the South West coastal path & this book was really inspiring, I’m currently reading Claudia Winkleman’s book which is very amusing!

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

I think like most people an appreciation for everything we have & the people around us. I have felt really proud of my children & how they have been prepared to take responsibility & help to keep others safe by acting responsibly & making important sacrifices without complaining, it has been heart warming to see.

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

Challenging, Reflective, Uncertain.