Blog

Did you know that the benefits of exercising outdoors are tenfold? Yes, exercising outside has been found to reduce stress and mental fatigue as well as improve our moods. So as we open up our Buggy Fitness, Tuff Mumma’s and Outdoor Fitness classes this week, our wellbeing guru Jen Wood chatted to Restoration Yard’s in-house fitness expert and personal trainer Suzanne Maynard about the benefits of exercising outside. Enjoy their five minute fitness boosting chat! Suzanne Maynard, our in-house fitness expert and personal trainer, loves reaping the benefits of exercising outside What’s the best thing about exercising outdoors?Exercising outdoors has so many benefits for both physical and mental health. I believe lockdowns over the last two years have had a massive impact on our mental health and our confidence. Also, many of us have simply missed the group interaction from our gyms and exercise classes. People may need some support and friendly encouragement and motivation to get back into an exercising habit. I love training outdoors. I have a young family and being outside gives me head space and time to myself, while allowing me to recharge. I’m always encouraging people to get outside and embrace the good Scottish weather. In my personal training sessions with you, you’ve taught me to smash through my ‘exercising in the rain’ avoidance and I really appreciate that. I can’t say it’s been easy, but once I’m out there I feel great!Exactly Jen! It’s about feeling the fear and doing it anyway. When we break through our blocks and avoidance strategies, we feel a sense of achievement which stays with us all day. It builds up our inner resilience, confidence and stamina, which are fantastic skills to build as they are transferable across our everyday roles and responsibilities. When we get that dopamine hit and feel the endorphins that release during exercise, we can learn to use this to help us break through other blocks we might have. That sounds very like what I tell my clients in therapy sessions too. Stack healthy habits and feel the small wins – building up to a real feeling of achievement and satisfaction. It’s great for self-esteem.With my clients I use a similar approach, getting them to identify short, medium and long-term goals. We use this to monitor progress, to maintain motivation and build confidence in their abilities. I’ve certainly toned up and feel stronger since exercising outdoors. Is this always the case?Yes, when we train outdoors we can vary the intensity by using different terrain, hills and outdoor ‘furniture’ such as fallen trees/tree stumps, picnic tables, benches, climbing frames and play park equipment. It adds a fun challenge and then throw in the wind for added natural resistance, which in turn builds mental stamina. Buggy Fitness isn’t just for mums but it is a great way to get back to fitness post-baby! How does Buggy Fitness benefit mental as well as physical health?The classes are tailored to support postnatal recovery and contain exercises specially selected to burn fat, build cardiovascular fitness, while strengthening and toning muscle groups. All this enables us to cope with the demands of parenthood. I am a qualified pre and postnatal coach and have combined my knowledge with my experience as a mother of two young boys when developing these classes. I understand the challenges of the postnatal period and how we can become isolated. This is why it is important to get outdoors and meet up with others at a similar stage in life to us. Are Buggy Fitness and Tuff Mumma’s classes just for mums?No, all parents or carers are welcome – Buggy Fitness and Tuff Mumma’s + classes are for those who want to get or remain fit while pushing a buggy. It’s a great way to boost your wellbeing, spend time with your little ones while getting fit and meeting new people. All you need is a buggy and an open mind – and perhaps some waterproofs. Get fit outside. Join one of our new , small and socially distanced outdoor classes. Mondays at 6pm to 6.45pm ~ Outdoor Fitness with Suzanne Maynard Thursdays at 10am to 11am ~ Buggy Fitness in the Park with Suzanne Maynard Tuesdays at 10am to 11am ~ Tuff Mumma’s Postnatal Fitness Jen Wood is an emotional wellbeing coach, psychotherapist and mindfulness teacher with 20 years’ experience. She is also our Wellbeing Consultant at Dalkeith Country Park. Jen offers individual wellbeing coaching, therapy and mindfulness sessions via Zoom or by phone. For more information about Jen, visit her website at jenwoodwellbeing.com.

Sale shopping, online and in-store, can be a little overwhelming so we’ve done the hard work for you. Here are a few of our top Sale picks from The Store at Restoration Yard all pulled together in our easy-to-use Style Suduko. Try it out, from left to right and top to bottom, you can feel happily inspired by what gems could work together. Can you tell we love a bit of print? Come play. Suduko has never been so much fun. TOP SALE PICKS STYLE SUDUKO Selected Femme Dress, WAS £85.00 NOW £63.75 Karen by Simonsen Vest, WAS £99.00 NOW £74.25 Selected Femme Rollneck Top, WAS £28.00 NOW £21.00 My Essential Wardrobe Jacket, WAS £349.99 NOW £262.49 Masai A-shaped Top, WAS £85.00 NOW £63.75 Part Two Printed Trackpants, WERE £69.95 NOW £52.46 Part Two Rollneck Top, WAS £39.95 NOW £29.96 Part Two Printed Skirt, WAS £94.95 NOW £71.21 Selected Femme Knit Vest, WAS £50.00 NOW £37.50 These are just some of our top Sale picks. There are sooooo many more in The Store and online. Want to hear all the news from Restoration Yard first? Sign up to our newsletters. You can also follow us over on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

If you are looking to make kinder choices when shopping fashion – say hello to our new Label Love POM Peace of Mind. This UK based jewellery and accessories brand is very much focussed on kind fashion – in a world where fast fashion is one of the biggest contributors to pollution and often turns a blind eye to unfit working conditions within its supply chains. Pom Peace of Mind’s ethos is to create beautiful accessories which you can buy with the peace of mind that they are ethically and environmentally kind. All their products designed with exactly that in mind- your ‘piece in mind’. From vegan bags to socks made from bamboo and scarves made from recycled plastic – POM is doing all it can to change fashion for the better. Happy kind shopping! POM Socks, £7.50 POM Bobble Hat, £13.50 POM Socks, £7.50 POM Reversible Scarf, £24.95 POM Crossbody Bag, £35.00 POM Men’s Scarf, £13.50 POM Vegan Bag, £35.00 POM Headband, £10.50 POM Knitted Scarf, £14.95 POM Sock Gift Box, £22.00 POM Scarf, £17.95 POM Headband, £9.95 SHOP ALL POM PEACE OF MIND

Let them soak, soap and soothe in a wonderful array of pampering beauty, grooming and wellness Christmas gifts. The Beauty Department in The Store is awash (ahem) with gorgeous smellies for the best of bathtimes. Just don’t forget the addition of a scented candle or two to top off your gift recipient’s indulgence. Aaahhh. Select some seriously luxurious pampering for all… Sara Miller Handcream & Lip Gloss Treat Bauble, £14.95 Beefayre Organic Lavender & Bergamot Lip Balm, £5.50 Arthouse Lady Muck Rosemary & Mint Soap, £5.95 Beefayre Lavender & Geranium Hand Cream, £15.95 Restoration Yard Lemon & Sunshine Soap, £5.50 Restoration Yard Caledonian Pine Candle, £28.00 Fikkerts Lavender Bath Essence, £14.00 Restoration Yard Gardenia Candle, £28.00 Restoration Yard Wild Lemon Bath Oil, £19.95 Restoration Yard Olive Oil Soap, £5.50 Agnes & Cat Dead Sea Bath Salts, £9.95 Restoration Yard Wild Lemon Shower Wash, £19.95

The 25th of December isn’t so far away now so it’s time to get those special Christmas gifts for her and him ticked off. The Store at Restoration Yard is a haven for off-piste gifts to delight. Sparkly jewellery, quirky novelty socks, luxurious accessories, fabulous foodie treats, books of knowledge, beauty bits, fashion for all…the list of Christmas gift ideas for her or him is endless. Come visit us in The Store this December or check out some of our favourite ideas below. Under-the-tree-worthy Christmas Gifts for Her Tell her just how amazing she is with a selection of luxurious little pick-me-ups, splash out on statement jewellery or perhaps treat her to a little fashion accessory she would never buy for herself – cashmere wrist warmers anyone? There are so many surprising gifts big and small for she/her in The Store that you won’t go wrong. Pick up little treats to make her happy… Dansk Copenhagen Bracelet, £34.90 Rosie Sugden Wrist Warmers, £69.00 Sevin Face & Hair Oil, £36.00 Pearl Hair Clip, £5.95 Beefayre Votive, £9.95 Sara Miller Eye Mask, £29.95 Sixton Socks Gift Set, £29.95 Kusan Hat, £29.95 Portico Elephant Notebook, £29.95 Dansk Copenhagen Necklace, £39.90 Beauty Gift Pot, £43.50 Multi-colour Earrings, £13.95 The Most Desirable of Gifts for Him Is he a sartorial sophisticate, an outdoor kind of fellow or a bearded beaut? Whatever, in our Christmas Gift Guide 2021 we have gifts for him that will cover all bases. From little grooming treats, books for all interests and suave fashion accessories to quirky gadgets for all occassions, there will be something for that special ‘he/him’ in The Store. Shop classic gifts to quirky treats… Lime Tree Design Hankies, £35.00 Fiery Pepper Relish, £4.95 Robert Mackie Scarf, £39.95 Gloves £18.95 Octo Sweater Weather Candle, £25.00 Sing It Back Quiz, £9.95 Selected Homme Sweater, £45.00 Salmon Curing Kit, £22.00 Shoe Shine Cigar Box, £45.00 Bonnie Sauce Gift Set, £19.95

If you’re looking for the perfect gift for that green-fingered loved one – look no further. The Store is packed the best Christmas gifts for gardeners. From beauty treats for those hardworking hands to growing gifts that keep on giving season after season, there’s a little gardening themed treat that will make the gardener in your life smile come Christmas Day. Get inspired, here are some of our Christmas gifts for gardeners…find them online and even more in The Store Grow Your Own Herbs Kit, £22.50 Assorted Dutch Pots in Black & White, £8.25 Fikkerts Gardeners Survival Kit, £16.00 Gardening Glove Gift Set, £24.00. Mini Meadow Seedball Garden Bamboo Pots, £20.00 Glenstocken Grow Your Own Kitchen Garden, £30.25 Gin Lover’s Garden Kit, £22.50 Assorted Dutch Pots Teal, £8.25 Glenstocken Gardener’s Essential Kit, £19.50 These are just some of our bestest Christmas gifts for gardeners. There are sooooo many more in The Store. More presents to sort? Check out our stacked Christmas Gift Guide 2021. Get all you need for Christmas online and in The Store. Want to hear all the news from Restoration Yard first? Sign up to our newsletters to get 10% off your first online purchase*. Yay. You can also follow us over on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Toys and gadgets can come and go but the joy of books for kids goes on and on. Pick up the best kids books for Christmas gifts in The Store at Restoration Yard. Broaden the minds of the littles in your life with some beautiful books. The shelves in The Store are stacked with books that will enlighten, enhance and educate however, more than anything, they will enjoy. Old classics reworked, pop-ups to intrigue and just some wonderful stories to engage come bedtime. Which ones will you choose… In My Heart Book – A Book of Feelings, £12.99 Great Women Book, £6.99 Bee Book, £6.99 The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse Book, £16.99 Loving Kindness Book, £5.99 My Little Gits – A Book of Sharing, £12.99 Solomon Crocodile Book, £9.99 Sloth Finger Puppet Book, £4.99 I Am Human Book, £10.99 These are just some of our favourite kids’ books for Christmas gifts. There are sooooo many more in The Store. More presents to sort? Check out our full Christmas Gift Guide 2021. Get all you need for Christmas online and in The Store to make everyone you love have a most merry Christmas. Want to hear all the news from Restoration Yard first? Sign up to our newsletters to get 10% off your first online purchase*. Yay. You can also follow us over on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Meet this year’s Top Dog Presents Looking for the best Christmas gifts for dogs and doggie lovers – here they are. Well, wasn’t it so that 2020/21 saw the rise of dog? For so many this will be the first Christmas with their best lockdown purchase, their four-legged fur-baby. Make it one to remember with some of the most excellent dog treats for canines and their loving humans. Bake them biscuits, pamper them with beauty treats or pick up a cute toy – The Store at Restoration Yard is packed with gifting ideas for dogs and dog lovers. Show them the love with these cute ideas… Doggy Baking Co. Linseed, Oregano & Parsley Dog Biscuit Mix, £12.50 Doggy Baking Co. Droolworthy Banana & Pumpkin Seed Biscuit Mix, £12.50 Dachshund Salt & Pepper, £27.95 Kin Beekeepers Dog Shampoo Bar, £12.00 The History of the World in Fifty Dogs Book, £14.99 Petface Rope Toy, £5.99 Doggy Baking Co. Paw-licking Carrot Cake Mix, £12.50 Pet Face Buddies Lionel Lion Dog Toy, £7.99 Dog Matches, £9.95 So you’ve got your top dogs and dog lovers sorted in our Best Christmas Gifts for Dogs. Now check out our full Christmas Gift Guide 2021. Get all you need for Christmas online and in The Store to make everyone you love have a most merry Christmas. Want to hear all the news from Restoration Yard first? Sign up to our newsletters to get 10% off your first online purchase*. Yay. You can also follow us over on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

The countdown to Christmas only really commences when you open that first door on the perfect advent calendar. Or, in the case of our pretty 3D advent calendars, when you slot in that first character or detail to a traditional nativity scene or a Christmassy woodland landscape. Yes, we prefer creativity over chocolate treats in an advent calendar. And the bonus is these pretties can be used year on year – making them a sustainable option that will invoke memories each time you bring them out of storage. Start the countdown with own of these… Christmas Treehouse Advent Calendar, £12.00 Frosty Forest Wreath Advent Calendar, £11.95 Christmas Pawprints Advent Calendar, £12.00 Frosty Forest Advent Calendar, £11.95 Christmas Procession Advent Calendar, £12.00 Away In A Manger Advent Calendar, £13.95 Inspired by our perfect Advent Calendars? Check out our full Christmas Gift Guide 2021? Get all you need for Christmas online and in The Store to make everyone you love have a most merry Christmas. Want to hear all the news from Restoration Yard first? Sign up to our newsletters to get 10% off your first online purchase*. Yay. You can also follow us over on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.