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The Store at Restoration Yard is a very special place. It inspires joy as well as creativity. Its nooks and crooks, filled with gorgeousness, make us happy and we think it makes a lot of other people happy too. While we can’t visit it we thought it would be lovely to pay homage to the beautiful space it is by asking the team at Restoration Yard what they love most about The Store. What they love buying from it? And why? Shelley Gibson, marketing manager “What makes me happy…My Bombay Duck ‘Happy’ doormat, £24.95, from The Store gives me a cheery welcome every time I walk through my front door. And also hopefully spreads a little happiness to anyone walking past it or making a delivery! I love their designs and have already bought the multicolour ‘Happy’ and ‘Hello Gorgeous’ for friends who also love their uplifting vibes. We’re all at home so much just now, it’s the little things that inspire joy. “When The Store can re-open again I just can’t wait to spend time browsing the new collections and soaking in the RY atmosphere. I love the quiet of the book nook, the delicious scents from the beauty department, rails full of fashion possibilities in the womenswear section followed by one of my favourites – the Foodhall! I’m always buying gifts for friends and family plus will be designing my own cheese night in using the I.J. Mellis Cheese Counter. The best around for sure!” Shelley’s doorstep complete with Bombay Duck’s Happy Doormat, £24.95 Stephen Begg, events & activities manager “What makes me happy…The Store’s Children’s stationery collection! The colouring books, pencils and origami sets. The colouring notebooks that were given as gifts by Santa, several years ago, are still treasured. My daughter points them out whenever she sees them in The Store. Also, the origami sets are a great way to keep everyone occupied for a few hours and away from screens!” Stephen’s daughter loves Djeco Origami, £6.95 Gillian Heath, food & beverage manager “What makes me happy…I love everything about The Store. Every department is absolutely stunning and oozes quality. In particular, though I adore the womenswear. Wearing anything from this department is sure to make you stand out in a crowd and create interest from others asking where the garment is from. Each time I take a look in store something new always catches my eye! The whole store makes me happy – I am a huge fan.“ Gillian is making do by shopping RY womenswear online for now! Catriona Tanner, marketing manager “What makes me happy…I love all the Tweedmill throws, especially at this time of year when all I want to do is cosy up at home! Just seeing them all piled up on the shelves is so inviting and I can’t wait to see the new collection when it arrives online. Even though spring is coming, I just want to wrap myself up in them all.“ Catriona adores The Store’s Tweedmill Throws, from £24.95 Louise Aylesbury, store manager “What makes me happy…Everything fashion! From buying for each season to it arriving in The Store. I love helping customers find something that brings them joy, suits their personality and needs. Even better, if I find them something totally unexpected. Something they didn’t realise they suited or needed. Oh and also the fresh chocolate counter brings me extreme happiness!” Louise loves The Chocolate Counter when The Store is open. We do have other chocolate online for now! Sisi Gibreel, head of retail “What makes me happy…I love just walking through the store. The journey from the kids department through to The Foodhall makes me truly happy. I get so much joy from seeing all the little details, colours, patterns and textures dotted around. The fun and quirky kids department, admiring all the beautiful Djeco mobiles and the stunning displayed wall. Then perusing through all the books on our shelves. I am forever picking up a kids book or two for my son Hugh or a cookbook for my partner Gamble. “The wonky goose on the ceiling always puts a smile on my face. I adore Mia Sarosi’s jugs, particularly the cheeky Ostrich Creamer, £29.95. As for the rugs, I am now banned from buying anymore. It must be the Arab within me, you can’t move in my home without a rug or two from Waltons. Stepping into the Beauty department is always such a wonderfully fulfilling sensory experience. I simply adore the new Restoration Yard Beauty & Wellness collection. A sensational collaboration with local producer Laura Thomas, which many a friend and family were gifted over the festive period. Oh and I can’t go through Beauty without talking about Sevin. It’s the ultimate luxury brand. DIVINE!” Sisi says Sevin London is divine, from £9.00 Jen Wood, wellbeing consultant “What makes me happy…buying gifts for friends or family. I missed seeing a lot of my family over the festive season so I enjoyed sending them some lovely RY gifts. When my loved ones are happy, I’m happy. I gave my mum and sister bags from The Store – and they went down a treat. I have a Pom Amsterdam blouse for a friends 50th, which I’m looking forward to giving her. Also, I gave another friend a pot of beauty and pamper products. Of course, Sisi wrapped it so beautifully. I love giving soaps, socks and journals too. What also makes me happy are all of the of beautiful journals, which is dangerous for a stationery addict like me.” Jen likes to gift journals from The Store Alison Burke, projects & park manager “What makes me happy…I love Sisi’s silk flower arrangements in The Store. Also, the blue ceramics are just gorgeous. Every time I go through the store I look at them. I love the woollen rugs and covet them. I dream of being able to buy all the perfume and jewellery. And the large giraffe makes me smile inside. However, what I love most is the sense of style across the whole of The Store. I wish that Sisi and her team could come and make my house and wardrobe lovely. I would definitely pay for that if I won the lottery!” The faux flowers and beautiful ceramics are Alison’s most-wanted. Missing The Store too? Let us know on Instagram or Facebook what your favourite things are – #restorationyard. Fancy picking up a little RY love for yourself or someone you love? Shop our online store.

Richard Bouglet, director, l’Art du Vin Valentine’s date or just a lovely night in with your most-loved? To make the perfect evening you need the perfect wines for a romantic night in. Richard Bouglet, director of l’Art du Vin is best placed to help. Richard says: “It’s all about the concept of sharing that brings the magic. A romantic evening is about sharing a moment, a meal and choosing a wine that you’re both going to like. OK one of you might love a big red wine but the other can’t stand the tannins. So there should be a compromise. Don’t try to convert the other person. It does depend on what you’re going to eat but food and wine matching is not complicated – it’s not rocket science. It’s about avoiding extremes. Also, to make it special you want to opt for a lovely artisan produced wine. There is no effort in picking up something from the shelves of the supermarket. Choose quality. Show you’ve made an effort by choosing a beautifully and thoughtfully made wine.” Richard’s Perfect Wines for a Romantic Night In Finca Fabien Garnacha Rosada, £11.50 Richard’s Wine Notes: “Not wanting to put a particular “cheesy pink angle” to the wine suggestions but dry rosé wines are actually very versatile when it comes to food and wine pairing. They can match a wide range of dishes from seafood with a Mediterranean style to pasta dishes, to light grilled meat dishes and also curries! I love this Finca Fabien Garnacha Rosado, £11.50. ” La Jara Prosecco Frizzante, £15.95 Richard’s Wine Notes: “This is a dry, bright and lively bottle of bubbles and will bring sparkles to your romantic evening. What a better way to start an evening or dinner than sipping some refreshing, fruity bubbles? La Jara Prosecco Frizzante, £15.95, is organic and slightly lighter in alcohol with flavours of summer berries and apples. The perfect wine to start a romantic night in.” Hunting out your perfect wine for a romantic night in? See more of l’Art du Vin’s wines in our online store’s Wine Department.

Gillian HeathHead of Food & Beverage at Restoration Yard Gillian Heath, our head of food and beverage, picks her 8 best tasty treats from The Foodhall. She may not be greeting you in our beautiful restaurant, The Kitchen just now. However, she is working on the new menus for when we do open. Gillian does have exquisite taste when it comes to all things delicious. So we asked her what her favourites from The Store’s Foodhall were. Her choices are inspired. Perfect for family meal ideas and just in time for giving us a heads up on some tasty options for a Valentine’s date night. Thank you Gillian. 1. Brilliant Beef Gordon Rhodes Sticky Beef Without The Grief, £2.55 I love love love The Gordon Rhodes gourmet sauces, particularly this Sticky Brisket Beef Without The Grief, £2.55. Every one of these sauces is so tasty and super easy to use. I’m a busy full-time working mum so adore that these sauces are so quick and straightforward, you just bung them in the slow cooker. Et voila! 2. Hero Oils Supernature Oils, from £2.95 Supernature’s rapeseed oils are amazing so of course I had to include them in my best picks from The Foodhall. The Red Hot Chilli Oil, £2.95, or Oregano Oil, £2.95, are my favourites but there are many more flavours. I use for dipping hot toasted sourdough bread into. I also use as a flavour when cooking my veg that I add to couscous. Love them. 3. Perfect Rubs Smoky Brae Rubs, from £3.25 All of the Smoky Brae rubs are great flavour makers! My top pick though is the Smoky Brae Smoked Sea Salt, £3.25. Sprinkle some on top of a delicious hot bread and eat with a good butter. Very delicious – especially with a great wine. 4. Must-have Mustard Restoration Yard Mustards, £3.95 All of Restoration Yard’s mustards are really good but the one that has my heart is the Restoration Yard Hot Yellow Mustard, £3.95. I have it on absolutely everything. 5. The Perfect Pastry Diforti Aragostine Pistachio Pastry, £3.95 For a super sweet treat to accompany a good cup of tea or coffee, I love this Diforti Aragostine Pistachio Pastry, £3.95. Everyone deserves a little luxury in their life! 6. Clever Curries Spit Pots, from £3.95 All of my family enjoy a curry and these Spice Pots are delicious. I tend to make a couple at a time for us. I opt for the Spice Pot Korma, £3.95, for my youngest kids, Jenna and Max, and make either a Spice Pot Bhuna, £3.95, or Spice Pot Goan, £3.95, for the the rest of us. 7. Hot Sauces Bonnie Sauce Company Sauces, from £2.95 I like to add a little heat and all of the Bonnie Sauce Company sauces can do just that. My must-pick would be the Fiery Scotch Bonnet Hot Sauce, £2.95. Add on to chargrilled chicken or a burger for that extra hit. Also use as a dipping sauce for spring rolls and hot prawns. 8. The Gin-tastic Gin Pink Elderflower & Jasmine Gin, £14.95 I adore The Old Curiosity Pink Elderflower and Jasmine Gin, £14.95. It’s just a really lovely gin. I drink it with tonic and ice as it doesn’t need anything else. It’s my Friday night to start the weekend! Enjoyed Gillian’s pick of tasty treats from the Foodhall? Check out our Foodhall online for these and so many more treats.

Jen Wood, our Wellbeing expert at Restoration Yard, explores 10 simple ways to connect with nature for our wellbeing “I am in awe of anyone who can swim outdoors in winter. I really really want to, but every time I’ve tried it in the summer I’ve felt wiped out for the rest of the day. I know there are other ways to enjoy our stunning natural heritage. Usually I am great at getting out there. However this year has already felt different. Earlier in 2020, I embraced fitness and outdoor exercise and felt as good as I could during a national lockdown. Then the festive season arrived although not as we expected it. This resulted in some self-soothing with food. So I decided to set an intention for 2021 to learn to love and embrace nature more fully and see how it impacted my wellbeing.” Here are my 10 wellbeing-boosting tips for learning to love nature. Enjoy. 1. Get outside first thing in the morning, especially if it’s sunny. According to my nutritionist, if we can get sunlight on our skin, it helps us generate Vitamin D. I take supplements, because at this time of year in Scotland we have a tendency to be deficient in Vitamin D. Natural sunlight will give us an energy boost and improves our immunity. 2. Make friends with a tree Trees and forests can be very healing, particularly at times of stress and uncertainty. I practise a Japanese type of mindfulness in nature called Forest Bathing. This simply involves spending mindful time around trees to reduce stress. Don’t worry – tree hugging is not required! I live next to the beautiful Dalkeith Country Park, so I am blessed with some wonderful trees which I watch through the seasons. They can become like friends and they are great listeners. 3. Be active and exercise outdoors If you usually go to the gym, why not try something new and join an outdoor fitness class. Last year I started doing outdoor personal training and I intend to keep this going as soon as we’re allowed. At Restoration Yard, we have our own Personal Trainer Suzanne Maynard who offers a range of classes in our Wellbeing Lab and one-to-one PT – all outdoors (although to keep everyone one safe her classes are currently online). Check out our previous post on the benefits of exercising outside. 4. Go for a walk As a Mindfulness teacher, I often hear that it’s hard to find stillness while sitting. This is so common, and I always suggest starting with a mindful walk. Walks can take so many forms; a walk with friend, or a dog, or a silent and contemplative walk. From a brisk power walk to a slow amble, I find that one of the best ways to change our state is to move and walking is available to most of us. 5. Come back to your senses When we reconnect with our five senses, we come back to the body and to the present moment. This can be tricky at first as we habitually get caught up in thinking. However, it feels wonderful when we start to notice the breeze against our cheek, and notice the benefits for our wellbeing. 6. Breathe Breathing is wonderful for helping us to relax and let go of stress. Deep breathing is one of the best ways to lower stress in the body. When we breathe deeply, it sends a message to the brain to calm down and relax. Breathing is great to do anywhere, but I love to fill my lungs with fresh air. 7. Learn something new Learning keeps our brain active and improves our wellbeing. The natural world has so much to offer. I got a wonderful book about clouds at Christmas, which has led to some sky gazing. 8. Slow down Another of my intentions this year is to slow things right down, so I notice more. When we soften our gaze and develop our peripheral vision – rather than being focused on detail – we activate our parasympathetic nervous system – the relaxation part of our nervous system. My colleague Sisi Gibreel, head of retail at Restoration Yard, has been exploring slowing down with this book The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down, £8.99. 9. Appreciate natural beauty When we start to slow down, we notice the beauty of the nature surrounding us. It’s wonderful to look, and it can be fun to take photographs and share them with others who may not find it so easy to get out at the moment. 10. Take off your shoes and be barefoot I used to think this was a bit silly in winter, but I find it really grounding to feel the earth beneath my feet. I have even dipped my feet into the water, so I might even manage that swim one day. These are just a few of my thoughts on how to connect with nature for wellbeing. I’m sure you have others. How can you boost your wellbeing by connecting more with nature today? Jen Wood is an wellbeing coach, psychotherapist and mindfulness teacher with over 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.

Let’s say hello to some good intentions instead. Goodbye New Year’s Resolutions! Yes. It’s that time of year when we are under pressure to be a New Year, New You. New Year’s resolutions are part of that drive for so many of us. However, whether it’s a small easy win goal or a huge, life-changing goal, it turns out people tend to fail at the same rate. According to research by Strava, approximately 80 percent of people who make New Year’s resolutions have dropped them by February. Actually, many don’t make it that far. The same research reveals 19th January as the day most people are likely to give up on their resolutions. For some, resolutions are hopeful and positive changes as we turn the page on a year. That’s great. For most though, these intentions are a way of changing a negative part of ourselves and a way to shed that little bit of us that we feel is wrong or bad. Perhaps, because these resolutions start from a negative place, they most often fail. As we trot on into 2021, the New Year doesn’t show yet the promise we held for it when we were in the depths of 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic raging and we’re still mainly confined to our homes. Although the vaccines are providing new hope, it’s still not quite the “new year, new me” we were all hoping for. But rather than despair, perhaps here is an opportunity. Is 2021 the year to put an end to New Year’s resolutions? Is it time to adopt life-long good intentions and a new way of looking after ourselves? TEACHERS’ TALK We asked our resident Wellbeing Lab teachers for their views on New Year’s resolutions, intention setting and how we can all look at our learnings and challenges of 2020 and using them to create positive mindsets in 2021. NINA GOLDBERGER Vinyasa Flow Yoga ~ Mondays 6pm to 7pm Yin Yoga ~ Mondays 7.15pm to 8.15pm Nina is one of our resident yoga teachers. She has practised yoga since 2009, initially coming to it for the fitness aspects. In 2014 she discovered Ashtanga yoga in India and was thrown into the deep end with an intensive period in Mysore, India. WHAT INTENTIONS ARE YOU SETTING FOR 2021? ARE THESE DIFFERENT TO ONES THAT YOU HAVE SET YOURSELF IN THE PAST? I don’t set intentions at a new year. I live my life by intentions that I set many years ago. Ones that I continue to cultivate: self-acceptance, self-love, acceptance of others, kindness for all and green living. ANY TIPS FOR THE REST OF US ON HOW TO SET REALISTIC BUT POSITIVE INTENTIONS FOR 2021 AND BEYOND? Well, you won’t get that Ferrari but you can do something useful with your energy. Spend time with others. Live the joy. Making small changes like this will affect your wellbeing for the better. YOU AND YOUR FAMILY SUFFERED ILLNESS AND LOSS IN 2020 – HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THOSE CHALLENGES? Time. Accepting things as they are is all part of life. Some things you don’t ‘overcome’, you learn to live with them and ensure to make every moment precious. Also, through stillness, reflection, meditation, contemplation and routine. If I were to give any tips on overcoming challenges I’d say find something that makes you feel good/better than you thought you could. Stick with it. WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPECT TO GAIN FROM JOINING YOUR CLASS? Positivity, joy and accessible ‘yoga’. More ease, mobility and clear thinking. DECLAN MUIR Yoga For Beginners ~ Tuesdays 6pm to 7pm Yoga For Everyone ~ 7.15pm to 8.30pm Working by day and yogi by night, Declan uses yoga to find balance, stillness and peace in the chaos of modern life. Declan has completed a 500hr teacher training course with Yoga Scotland having previously practiced for many years. WHAT INTENTIONS ARE YOU SETTING FOR 2021? I want 2021 to be great. While we’re not close to that yet, I still hope that it can be. There are a lot of things I just want to do and the last year has taught me that we should just do them when we can. Don’t wait.WHAT DID YOU FIND MOST DIFFICULT ABOUT 2020 AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THOSE CHALLENGES? Over time, not being able to physically see people became difficult. As great as Zoom is at keeping us all in touch, it often felt like a lot of work and just wasn’t quite the same. My yoga practice works wonders at keeping me sane. So I definitely held on to that. You can easily get lost in negative thoughts because that is all too easy to do with everything going on. But I’m keeping positive in the hope that it’ll all be over soon enough. While I think we all thought Covid would be long gone by now, I think the end is somewhat in sight. We’ve made it this far and we can keep going a little longer! COULD YOGA HELP OTHERS IN WHAT SEEMS LIKE A FEW MORE MONTHS OF CHALLENGES? Yoga is not just moving and stretching. Yoga translates as “to yoke or join”, the aim being to join consciousness between the mind and the body. Through practice in class and working with our breath we can become a little more aware each week. As we build this awareness of ourselves we understand how things may affect our mood whether it’s the food we eat or thoughts we have. Through our practice we become equipped with tools to either calm ourselves or try to prevent the negative emotion coming to the forefront. This awareness has certainly kept me pretty level throughout the year. WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPECT TO GAIN FROM JOINING YOUR CLASS? During a class you will work through your whole body; gently stretching it, building strength, finding balance. As you slowly engage with your body your mind will still itself. Gradually you will find your energy levels have been replenished; and you are ready to carry on with the rest of your week. I aim to keep classes quite light and have fun while we all practice together. TESS JOHNSON Forrest Inspired Yoga ~ Wednesdays 7.15pm to 8.15pm Pre & Post Natal Yoga ~ Thursdays 7.15pm to 8.15pm Tess started practicing yoga to help with a back injury, but soon found its benefits in helping to process stress and emotions as well. WHAT NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS ARE YOU SETTING FOR 2021? ARE THESE DIFFERENT TO ONES THAT YOU HAVE SET YOURSELF IN THE PAST? Resolutions are a funny thing, at this time of year there’s always lots of chat about them. It’s never really been my thing. By the end of January any I half-heartedly made were generally forgotten by the end of January. The only New Year’s resolution I have ever kept to this day was to practice yoga every day. That doesn’t mean a long intense practice with advances poses every day. Sometimes it can be 10 to 15 minutes to wake up. Or, at the end of the day, ease me into sleep. Also, sometimes it’s to focus on a physical or mental niggle. My intentions for my practice also transfer off the mat. These change depending on what I need and what’s going on. This past year with everything going on there has been a big focus on treating myself with kindness. Learning to connect with my strength and power. Meanwhile, it’s about maintaining softness to help me through to navigate all the change with calmness and integrity. These themes have transferred into my classes too. ANY TIPS FOR THE REST OF US ON HOW TO SET REALISTIC BUT POSITIVE INTENTIONS FOR 2021 AND BEYOND? For me, any lasting change in life has to have a real tangible benefit in boosting my wellbeing. To do something that feels good in body and mind. That then becomes the motivation for it to stick. This has become so important at the moment. As we know other plans haven’t been easy to stick to in this past year! WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPECT TO GAIN FROM JOINING YOUR CLASS? The key focus in my classes is to breathe deeply. I want to bring ease to the body while developing strength and build on self-awareness. I am teaching two classes. Forrest Inspired Yoga focusses on connecting with your core. It’s about relaxing your neck, shoulders and hips, to help you find ease and bring aliveness to your body. So you feel revitalised. The class is designed to focus on different themes. For example, helping to ground ourselves with the whirlwind going on around us, or breathing in a nourishing way. My other class, Pre & Postnatal yoga, is designed to help you create more physical and emotional ease during pregnancy, labour and postpartum recovery. We focus on breath, alignment, using the support of our legs, feet and core, as well as learning to soften through intensity. Suzanne Maynard Virtual Fitness ~ Mondays 6pm to 6.45pm Tuff Mumma’s Postnatal + ~ Wednesdays 11.15am to 12.15pm Pilates For Beginners ~ Wednesdays 6pm to 7pm Suzanne Maynard is our inhouse Personal Trainer, as well as a qualified and knowledgeable pre and post-natal coach. Her classes are a place to meet others at a similar stage in life. They are all about staying active or safely returning to exercise. WHAT DID YOU FIND MOST DIFFICULT ABOUT LOCKDOWN 1? ALSO, WHAT DID YOU LEARN THAT YOU’RE BRINGING TO THESE MORE RECENT RESTRICTIONS? Balancing time for myself against being there for my children. I found that being present for them and trying to keep things as ‘normal’ as I could was, at times, quite overwhelming. My own self-care was ignored. This lockdown I’m trying to change that by taking a few hours each day to myself. I advocate exercise as a good solution to the challenges of lockdown. Taking time away to exercise and focus on my mental as well as physical health. You don’t need equipment or expensive clothes. You can do something you enjoy. Something, that raises your heart rate and gets you slightly out of breath to feel the benefit. WHAT INTENTIONS OR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS ARE YOU SETTING FOR 2021 AND HOW WOULD YOU ADVISE OTHERS IF THEY WANT TO START 2021 IN A MORE POSITIVE MINDSET? I’ve not set any intentions for myself. Instead, I’m focusing on supporting my family and friends to get through this year because of the challenging situation we all find ourselves. As best as I can. But if people do want to I’d say start small and make it achievable to build and maintain motivation. Get the support of family and friends by telling them of your intentions and goals. WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPECT TO GAIN FROM JOINING YOUR CLASS? When people join, they will be working with a knowledgeable, friendly instructor. Also, they will be being supported and encouraged to safely challenge themselves within their own fitness levels. Most of all, they will enjoy being part of a group and meeting people (yes even online) at a similar stage in life. These these are fun and enjoyable sessions. Thank you for reading! So you did or you didn’t make New Year’s resolutions? Whatever, do you want to feel fit and healthy in mind and body? We’ve all learned in the last 12 months we don’t have full control at the moment. As a result, taking control of what makes you feel good is important. We are excited to relaunch our Wellbeing Lab timetable (online only for now) for this purpose. Come along. Join one of our sessions with our expert teachers. They too are finding their way through these strange times. Let them show us all how to do it with a positive mindset. WELLBEING LAB TIMETABLE

Who better to ask for the best from the Restoration Yard Sale than our head of retail, Sisi Gibreel? Self-confessed shopaholic, Sisi has pulled out her Top 10 Sale Picks from our online store. Fashion, interiors and food are all in her latest haul from this season’s Sale. Get inspired by her must-haves from across fashion, home, Foodhall and more. Sisi Gibreel, head of retail, Restoration Yard Shop the Sale now. Selected menswear and womenswear is now at 40% off and you can also use the 15%SALE code (only valid until 31st January) at checkout to get treats from across The Store for 15% less than their full-price swing tag (excludes beauty, books and alcohol). 1. The Printed Dress Hartford Japanese Print Royaume Dress, WAS £295.00 NOW £177.00 Sisi says: “I eyed up this dress all season and decided it had to be mine. It is so beautiful to wear. The fabric is so fluid and the print is so beautiful. I love wearing it on its own or layering it under some of my other recent purchases – granny-style cardies!” 2. The Wall Art Must-have Bombay Duck Delightful Wall Art, WAS £17.95 NOW £15.26 (using code 15%SALE) Sisi says: “So I love these rope wall art pieces so much I have three. Above my little boy Hughie’s bed I have ‘Hello‘, ‘Delightful‘, ‘Sunshine‘. Together they combine to create a beautiful little message.” 3. The Granny-chic Cardigan Part Two Forest Brown Else Cardigan, WAS £104.95 NOW £62.97 Sisi says: “Talking of cardies – with all the recent cold weather, as well as feeling the need to be comfortable when nesting at home, I’ve gone a little knit crazy. I loved this Part Two Else Forest Brown Cardigan so much I also bought it in the Pigeon colourway too.” 4. The Quirky Print Blouse Pom Amsterdam Carousel Ride Blouse, WAS £115.00 NOW £69.00 Sisi says: “I buy at least one Pom Amsterdam blouse a season. This season it had to be this one. I love wearing it layered under a knit with its collar showing. Get it before it goes as there are only a couple left!” 5. The Statement Trainers Selected Femme Famy Trail Runner Winter Moss, WAS £130 NOW £78.00 Sisi says: “These trainers are next on my hit list. Trainers suit my crazy days of running around the store and the stockroom but still needing to look presentably chic to customers (when we are open of course). The problem ~ is which colourway? Or do I just bite the bullet and buy both?” 6. The Perfect Pasta Sauces Tenuta Marmorelle Amatriciana Pasta Sauce, WAS £5.25 NOW £4.46 (using code 15%SALE) Sisi says: “Number six on my Sale top picks just has to be the whole of our Tenuta Marmorelle collection in our Foodhall. The sauces are delicious and the pastas are perfect – they make family dinners super easy, every time.. authentic Italian deliciousness. OK so we can’t go to Italy right now but we can bring a taste of it to the table – for a little less in our Sale.” 7. The Luxe Slouchy Sweater Pom Amsterdam Bordeaux Sweater, WAS £115.00 NOW £69.00 Sisi says: “The neckline, the colour, the cable detailing ~ I love it all. This sweater is super soft too and of course layers beautifully over my silky blouses with jeans or slung on over my favourite printed dresses. Adore so so much I also bought the sand coloured one too.” 8. The Perfect Welcome Bombay Duck Hello Gorgeous Doormat, WAS £24.95 NOW £21.21 (using code 15%SALE) Sisi says: “What’s not to love about a doormat that makes you smile every time you reach your front door? I love all our quirky doormats ~ ‘Hello‘, ‘Hello There‘, ‘Love‘ and ‘Happy‘ but this ‘Hello Gorgeous‘ one is top of the list.” 9. The Showcase Necklace Dansk Daisy In Bloom Leather Necklace Gold Plating, WAS £39.90 NOW £33.92 (using code 15%SALE) Sisi says: “This is my hint for an early Valentine’s gift! I love Dansk Copenhagan jewellery and this piece is simply exquisite. The perfect finishing touch to any look – day or night.” 10. The Cosy Socks Joya Socks, WERE £7.25 NOW £6.16 (using code 15%SALE) Sisi says: “Comfort is key for all of us as we stay safe at home. Nothing says comfy to me more than a gorgeous pair of toasty socks. Joya socks are a bestseller at Restoration Yard because they are cosy and look super-cute too. They are my go-to happy socks.” Enjoyed Sisi’s Top 10 Sale Picks? Shop men’s and women’s fashion for 40% off and remember to use the code 15%SALE for 15% off across The Store online (excluding beauty, books and alcohol).

By Jen Wood Our Wellbeing expert Jen Wood explores mindfulness matters. Giving us insights into turning any negative experiences of the last two years around to start this new year with a positive mindset Reflecting, Learning and Moving Forward 2021 was meant to so much better than its predecessor – however it didn’t quite live up to expectation. There was still loss, challenge and uncertainty, and many dreams that didn’t come true. We have been bombarded by bad news and sensational media coverage for so long now it does feel. In my own therapy practice, I have experienced a dramatic increase in demand. Even without the negativity of the news, this tendency to focus on threat and danger is not our fault. Neuroscience has shown us that our brains are wired for survival rather than happiness. Clinical Psychologist Dr Rick Hanson reminds us that, thanks to the negativity bias, ‘the brain is like Velcro for negative experiences, but Teflon for positive ones.’ It typically takes five positives to make up for one negative experience. Rumi, the Sufi poet, wrote, ‘wounds are the place where the light enters you.’ I like this concept, and encourage my clients to see that difficult experiences can become gifts if we see them as opportunities for learning and growth. Richard Bach, philosopher and writer, once said: ‘There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in its hands. You seek problems because you need their gifts.’ Reflection can help us grow, refocus, stay present and positive for a new start in 2022 If you reflect on 2021, in the midst of all the challenge, I’m sure that you could find kindness, beauty, growth, connection and joy. This time last year I was mind mapping my intentions for 2021 – and it has not worked out as I planned. I certainly learned a lot about the human condition, and the fact that suffering is part of it. The Buddha taught us this. If we develop mindfulness skills and learn to accept rather than avoid or numb out our pain and difficulty, suffering reduces. Psychologist Kristin Neff said, ‘suffering equals pain times resistance.’ Psychologist and psychiatrist Carl Jung said, ‘what we resist persists’. Although this sounds excruciatingly difficult, I’ve found it transformative for my clients. My own vision for 2021 could have contributed to much of what coach Christine Hassler calls an ‘expectation hangover’. However, once I slowed down and zoned in, there were moments of beauty that I couldn’t have anticipated. Life slowed down and I had time to reflect. I got to know my neighbours better, I exchanged smiles with strangers and told more friends that I loved them. Also, I connected more with my elderly parents and relatives, because they learned to use Zoom. When I offered my help – sometimes a little overzealously – it was often graciously accepted. I learned about the importance of boundaries, and of connection. I was even persuaded to swim in the sea. These were precious moments. I don’t want to wish them away as we dive into the promise of a new year and a brave new world. Mindfulness Matters for Creating Feelings of Positivity Mindfulness matters because it can help us to develop flexibility. It helps us take each day as it comes as well as reducing stress and boosting our mood. As well as accepting the difficulties in our lives, if we learn to use mindfulness to focus on positive experiences, we can rewire the neural networks in our brain. Of course, this is not about falsely positive thinking. It’s more about accepting things as they are, and seeing silver linings rather than black clouds. In my private coaching and therapy practice, I work with mindfulness and compassion focused approaches. This helps my clients see the world and themselves through a lens that’s gentler and more nurturing. If we can build an awareness of our thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and the world around us, we boost our resilience and wellbeing. Jon Kabat-Zinn, known for his work as a scientist, writer, and meditation teacher, has described mindfulness as ‘the awareness that arises from paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally’. As a result of making mindfulness matter, we learn to attend to our body and our mind. Therefore we accept things as they are, moment by moment, by using the breath, sound and our body as supports. We do this to increase our wellbeing and quality of life. How can we find hope in 2022? As, writer and thinker, Anaïs Nin said, ‘we don’t see the world as it is, we see it as we are’. If we can approach our experience mindfully with acceptance and hope, we can change our perspective and build our resilience. Reflective Practice For Mindfulness Matters Try Jen’s simple task to help you let go of the old year and welcome in the newIf you looked back over 2021, what would you like to let go of and what are you grateful for? ~ Take two pieces of A4 paper. On the first piece, write down ‘Things from 2021 that helped me grow and I’m ready to let go of.’ For each thing on this first list, think about what you learned from it. Then think about how you will take that learning into the new year.~ Once you have completed this list, thank each experience for all it has taught you. Then rip it all up, put it into the fire or bury it outside in the garden. Hold onto the silver linings and as a result let go of the suffering. Even if this involves loss, thinking about what joyful memories remain, rather than focusing on the painful bits can help.~ Now, take your second piece of paper and write down what you want for 2022. This includes your values and how you would like to feel. Tap into your inner wisdom. Reconnect with your compassion, creativity, kindness and fun. Think about what you would like your future to hold for you. Think about your ‘WHY’ and what really matters.~As a result, we can develop a habit of learning from difficulty. Instead of getting caught up in the rumination of the mind. This therefore allows us to find some light in the darkness. Even better, we can be the light. How can you let your light shine in 2022? Here are some ideas of positive things you can do to bring a little mindfulness matters into your new year Join Our Outdoor Fitness Classes Our inhouse Personal Trainer, Suzanne Maynard will continue with Buggy Fitness in the Park. She also will be offering one to one training and Outdoors Fitness. Mindfully moving our bodies is the perfect antidote to the excesses of the – albeit it very different – festive season. Learn Mindfulness with a Coach and TherapistOn 17 January I’ll start teaching an 8-week Mindfulness Course for Restoration Yard. I’ll share the tools and techniques I’ve used with my clients to help them build resilience over this last year. We will learn to slow down and become present, to build our resilience. We will also reflect on what matters. Practise Yoga & PilatesWe have an amazing team of inhouse teachers who will help you start your year feeling your best. We have new Yin Yang Yoga and Pre and Postnatal Yoga classes as well as Introduction to Pilates. These classes will start in The Studio from 10 January. CLICK HERE FOR OUR FULL PROGRAMME Jen Wood is a coach, therapist 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.

It’s January. The usual slump post-Christmas may be even more tough this year as we all keep safe. Be kind to yourself or someone you love. Take your pick from our 10 of the best wellbeing pick-me-ups from our online store! Each one of these little treats can help point you into positivity so you can start 2021 in a most mindful manner. New year. New you. New mindset! 1. Mindfulness Cards Mindfulness Cards, £12.99 Cultivate the most mindful moments—anytime and anywhere with these Mindfulness Cards, £12.99. This engaging deck of cards makes it easy to bring a sense of awareness, calm and joy to your every day. These little cards of positivity are one of the best wellbeing pick-me-ups as they prompt and exercise both your mind and your body. Every card has an inspiring phrase on its front and a bite-size mindfulness exercise on the back. Pick one every morning to help set your intentions for each day. 2. Yoga Dice Yoga Dice, £14.99 Yoga lovers will love this handy set of Yoga Dice, £14.99. The seven wooden dice (one for each chakra – the energy points in your body) represent different types of yoga poses. These poses include seated, standing, balancing and twists. Roll them to create unique practice sessions that will appeal to yogis of all levels. Um. Ah! 3. Spark Creativity Matches Spark Creativity Faux Matches, £10.99 This little box of delights will ignite you with 50 great prompts into creativity! Each faux match in this beautiful Spark Creativity Matchbox, £10.99, inspires a bright idea. Just a few of our favourites include: ‘Think of some rules you usually follow. Now break them.’, ‘Execute a single idea 10 different ways. Give yourself a time limit’. Makes a great little gift for that aspiring writer or artist. 4. Caledonian Pine Bath Oil & Candle Restoration Yard Caledonian Pine Bath Oil, £19.95 and Caledonian Pine Candle, £28.00 Being kind to yourself in little ways promotes an enormous sense of wellbeing! And what is kinder than an indulgent beautiful oil bath teamed with a gorgeous scented candle? The new, sustainably made, Restoration Yard Caledonian Pine Bath Oil, £19.95, and Candle, £28.00, have a reviving fragrance of Scotland’s native pine infused with cedarwood & patchouli. Perfection. 5. Yoga Pretzels Cards For Kids & Adults Yoga Pretzels Cards, £10.99 Introducing littles to the yoga discipline in a fun and engaging way, our Yoga Pretzels Cards, £10.99, break down yoga poses into easy to understand and easy-to-do steps. Have fun together working your way through some giggle-inducing poses as well as find some peace and calm. These cards are the perfect way to get through the pain of Lockdown 2. They may prove constructive light relief from home-schooling so that’s why we had to include in our 10 Best Wellbeing Pick-me-ups list! 6. Bee Happy Mug Sass & Belle Bee Happy Mug, £9.95 Give someone a little gift that will start their everyday with the best good intention of them all ~ ‘Bee Happy’! This little mug of happiness by Sass & Belle, £9.95, exudes goodness. Even better fill it with some of our best herbal teas from our fine selection in our online Foodhall. Bliss. 7. Rebecca Tracey Pulse Point Rollerballs Rebecca Tracey Pulse Point Rollerballs, £8.95 Rebecca Tracey’s little Pulse Point Rollerballs, £8.95 are made using a range of 100% pure essential oils to help balance mind and body. Each one is designed for different moments of need. Choose from Breathe, Chill Out, Equilibrium, Fresh Head, Revive and Sleep Well to create harmony as you desire it. These little bottles of wellness can be applied to the wrists, temples, forehead or behind the ears – whenever they’re required! Their handy design and size therefore means no spillage and so are perfect for keeping in your handbag or pocket to use as and when needed. Big plus point – they last for ages because a little goes a long way! 8. Mindful Tots: Loving Kindness Book Mindful Tots: Loving Kindness Book, £5.99 This cute little book for pre-schoolers will help them learn to “wish happiness, kindness and calm for everyone,” including themselves! Mindful Tots : Loving Kindness…happy feelings for little ones, £5.99, is the perfect introduction to mindfulness – a life skill that often gets overlooked. It uses simple to understand words and straightforward instructions alongside engaging and bright illustrations to nurture compassion, self-awareness and a strong caregiver-child bond. 9. Aroma Home Body Wrap Aroma Home Body Wrap, £11.95 OK so massages are out for the moment because we are all staying safe. This little beauty is a great alternative and a soothing and relaxing gift (for yourself or someone else) if ever there was one. The Aroma Home Body Wrap, £11.95, is filled with flax and lavender seeds. Use it hot or cold, wrap it around the shoulders or place on areas of stress or pain for a blissful moment of peaceful release. It will mould to your body. Use warm on an aching back, shoulder, neck and stomach muscles, for stress and to relieve arthritic joint pain. Use chilled as a cooling compress to reduce inflammation. Eases sprains, bumps and bruises, headaches, migraines and keeps you cool on a hot day. A little piece of wonder. 10. Restoration Yard Pillow Mist Restoration Yard Pillow Mist, £19.95 Our wondrous bottle of Restoration Yard Pillow Mist, £19.95, was created in conjunction with local producer and sustainability lifestyle guru Laura Thomas. Spray this 100% natural mist on your pillow before you head off to sleep. As a result, you will find calm and relaxation promoted by its soothing lavender scent. It’s heaven. We hope you’ve enjoyed our little edit of 10 of the best wellbeing pick-me-ups because restoration is at the heart of all that we do. You’ll find even more wellness treats in our online store. Check out our Wellness selection HERE.

Our new 100% natural Restoration Yard Beauty & Wellbeing Collection was created alongside Laura Thomas Co. With Laura’s expertise we were able to create this beautiful collection of scents with sustainability at its heart. A Little About Laura Thomas Co. “Laura Thomas Co has evolved from my love of nature and creating all-natural chemical-free products for our homes”. Laura Wilson, Founder & Creative Director Laura Thomas Co is a leading UK sustainable lifestyle brand that focusses on providing natural and refillable products for chemical-free living, personal wellbeing and creating zero waste for our planet. Laura is inspired by the natural coastal surroundings of North Berwick, Scotland, where she is based. Here she is energised to create home fragrance, soaps, and textile ranges made from natural ingredients and fibres. The Laura Thomas Interview How did you work up the scents for the new Restoration Yard Beauty & Wellness collection? I worked on a brief that I discussed with Sisi, head of retail at Restoration Yard, and Lord Damian, from the Buccleuch family. We discussed scents they personally liked and also considered what matched the feeling, vibe, and essence of Restoration Yard’s brand. We all felt it important that Restoration Yard’s home, Dalkeith Country Park, should be represented in the fragrances we created. For example, our Caledonian Pine has notes of pine and woodland, inspired by the park’s own trees, which are fresh and uplifting. Restoration Yard Beauty & Wellness Caledonian Pine Collection: Bath Oil, £19.95 and Candle, £28.00 What does it mean for a local producer like you to work with a brand like Restoration Yard? To connect with Restoration Yard and create a bespoke scent for this incredible place and brand was a true honour. At the heart of what we do is focus on nature to inspire us. We use natural essential oils and natural ingredients to scent and create real products rather than synthetic ones. This is healthy for us to use and good for the environment and our planet. To create a range for Restoration Yard that is 100% natural and reflective of the park was fun and thought-provoking. The Themes Can you describe the personality of each of these new scents? Each scent has its own personality however we went with three themes behind the six scents. Firstly ‘fresh’ was a theme that involved using scents that were uplifting and energising. Under this theme we created Sicilian Sunshine and Wild Lemon. The second theme was ‘floral’ as we have so many flowers in nature that give such a wonderful scent. So, Rose was our inspiring scent used in the Rose Garden and Gardenia. And lastly ‘wood’ was our theme behind Caledonian Pine and Athenaeum and reflects the natural surroundings of the country parkland that houses Restoration Yard. Restoration Yard Beauty & Wellness Wild Lemon Collection: Shower Wash, £19.95; Diffuser, £25.00; Handwash, £19.95; Bath Oil, £19.95; Candle, £28.00; Hand & Body Lotion, £19.95 Nature First What are your core values as a brand and how did these translate into this Restoration Yard Beauty & Wellness collection collaboration? At Laura Thomas Co we believe in a great product, at a great price and all with great service. Therefore, our core values reflect this. Naturally, it was also important that these values matched perfectly with own our personal experience of Restoration Yard as customers ourselves. One of our core values – “Nature First” – is heavily reflected in each piece within Restoration Yard’s Beauty & Wellness collection. As a result, we have together created a collection that is 100% natural with no synthetic chemicals, working in harmony with nature to create products that are kind on the planet and good for your health. Restoration Yard Beauty & Wellness Athenaeum Collection: Diffuser, £25.00 and Candle, £28.00 Like what you see? View the full Restoration Yard’s Beauty & Wellness collection HERE!