Keep Calm and Carry On

We do things a little bit differently here at Cherry Velvet. From the way we make our dresses (locally designed and manufactured) to our focus on body positivity (with sizing that’s inclusive and designs that are comfortable), we pride ourselves on having a unique approach to fashion, business, and life in general.

Cherry Velvet Body Positive meme illustration

And we find our customers – all you fantastic fashion divas with fun-loving attitudes – do things a little differently, too. Over the years, so many of you have shared wonderful glimpses into your diverse lives (and oh-so-colourful closets) by sending us notes, photos, and highlights from your weddings, parties, travels, stage performances, and more “everyday celebrations” than we can count.

These days, things are definitely different – but in new and challenging ways. Those birthday parties and overseas adventures aren’t happening. Theatre and music shows are on hiatus. Our normal routines and activities are on all on hold. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, uncertain, and tired – like life has lost some of its colour.

We’re all eager for a time we can gather with friends and family and return to our favourite activities – but how can we bring back some of that colour to our lives, symbolically and literally, right now?

We have a few ideas on how to cope during this pandemic in our own unique Cherry Velvet style. Here’s a few tips on how to keep calm, carry on, and have some fun along the way:

Love Yourself

Easier said than done at the best of times, and you may find that it’s uniquely challenging to feel worthy and valuable right now. There’s a lot of body-shaming and hurtful jokes about weight gain online these days. Social media can feel like a landmine, and prioritizing self-care can be a challenge when you’re juggling different responsibilities.

- Make a list of five attributes you love about yourself. If that feels too hard, make a list of five things that others have said they love about you. Look at the list when you go to bed, and again when you wake up.

- Trim your social media by keeping the people and organizations that offer support, care, and valuable content. Unfollow or remove those that do the opposite. Curate your social media for body positivity!

- Check out our blog post from earlier this year applauding some famous women who are making big waves in the body positivity and size inclusion realm. Reading about others can feel inspiring. https://www.cherryvelvetplus.com/blogs/news/judge-not-our-bodies

 

Safety First (But Keep the Fun)

-Missing parties? Host one on zoom. Go all out with a theme – encourage everyone to dress up in the style of a particular era or go tropical with sundresses and Hawaiian shirts.
-Wear your mask when out in public. And you might as well make it fun – and fashionable! There’s plenty of options out there now but our favourite is, of course, the ones we’ve been making right here at Cherry Velvet. Our beautiful printed masks come in packs of three, or as singles, and are made from two layers of tightly woven cotton. They are washable and adjustable, with a row of elastic that is worn behind the neck and one on the back of the head, rather than tucking around ears. Check out our colourful selection here: https://www.cherryvelvetplus.com/collections/face-masks
-Stay safe and shop from home. Find your favourite retailers online (especially the ones local to you) and see what they’ve got on offer. Treat yourself to something fun and new: some pampering treats like a face mask or new candles, a cozy new pajama, or a book. Better yet, bring home some colour with one of our many newly released designs and fabrics! Check out all our New Arrivals https://www.cherryvelvetplus.com/collections/new-arrivals

Cherry Velvet face mask illustration

Think Local

This is a catchphrase going back years but it means more than ever right now. Since most of us are staying close to home, we have the chance to explore (and make an impact) in our own neighbourhoods. Here’s a few ideas:

-Explore your local area by going for walks in different directions and routes each day. Even better, bring along a small garbage bag and pick up litter you see along the way.

-Check google maps for your closest parks and wildlife areas. Many of the favourite outdoor hotspots are extra busy right now (in Vancouver, this includes some of the beaches and world-famous parks like Stanley Park and Queen Elizabeth Park.) Are there smaller places close to where you live that you haven’t explored yet?

-Support businesses that are owned and operated locally. Restaurants, small shops, and local services need support right now. Many have options for curb side pickup or delivery. You can also buy gift certificates now and save them to shop another day.

Stay tuned for more ideas next week in Part 2 :)

Christina Meyer for Cherry Velvet

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