News » COVID-19

• Close to Home: Having Fun and Staying Safe

  Published Sep 09 2020 in Body Positive, Cherry Velvet, COVID-19, Dresses, Made In Canada, Retro

  When all the things we love doing are on indefinite hold, it takes a little bit of creativity to keep the fun going. And with autumn around the corner, and the long winter right behind, there’s no time like the present to think of some new ways to enjoy ourselves while focusing on self-care, body positivity, our friends and family and yes, fashion too. We’ve come up with a few ideas to help our Cherry Velvet family during the ongoing pandemic as we all continue to stay close to home:
  
  Escape into Fantasy
  
  There’s a reason it’s called “escapism” – the right book or movie can draw you in so deeply, you forget where you are. There’s never been a better time to tap into the joy of a story that helps you disappear for a few hours. We can’t travel right now but we can go anywhere in time (or space) with the right novel or film.
  
  -Grab an old favourite and re-read: has it been a few years since you read the Outlander series? Time to pluck it off the shelf and dive back in. (As fans ourselves, we even found inspiration in Outlander for one of our pieces last year. Check out Style Inspiration – the Claire Capelet.

  https://www.cherryvelvetplus.com/blogs/news/style-inspiration-the-claire-capelet

  
  -Check out some fantasy faves: Hunger Games will take you into a dystopian future and the latest book in the series – a prequel to the original trilogy called The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is out now. Also new and certain to be popular is Midnight Sun, the latest in the Twilight collection, which (if you don’t already know) will let you disappear into a world full of vampires and werewolves. If you prefer outer space, there’s an endless supply of science fiction to help you escape to Mars, or the other side of the universe – and everywhere in between.
  
  Go Retro
  
  We love all things vintage. From the tips of our toes to the tops of our heads, we adore a retro look: shoes, dress, jewelry, old-school hairdo. Now’s a great time to indulge in some vintage fun.

  -Enjoy some old Hollywood glamour with a movie night of classic titles. Make some popcorn, pour yourself an Old-Fashioned (if you know how to make one) or a Shirley Temple, and enjoy a film night from another era. Marilyn Monroe, Greta Garbo, Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren, Ginger Rogers, Mae West … the list goes on.

  -Always wanted to learn how to do a victory roll or another hairstyle from the 40s, 50s, 60s, or beyond? There’s hundreds of tutorials on YouTube. Pull out the curling iron, the hairspray, and get started. Upshot: if you mess it up, you can just wash it out.

  -Put on one of your favourite Cherry Velvet dresses. Don’t save them in your closet for a special occasion. Every day is a special occasion! Get dressed up for dinner and pull out the best dishes and light some candles while you’re at it – or just throw one on to wear for a walk or around the house. Putting on a dress doesn’t always equal dressing up. Not all dresses feel “easy” but ours definitely do – we even wrote about it in this blog post: Actually Dresses ARE easy. https://www.cherryvelvetplus.com/blogs/news/actually-dresses-are-easy

   

  Cozy Up
  
  With autumn on its way, now is a good time to start “nesting.” This year especially, some of us may be dreading the shorter days and longer nights, but if we plan ahead, we can create our own cozy retreats from the world

  -String up some little white lights around your living room or bedroom. The warm glow feels cheerful.

  -If you’re a tea drinker, stock up on some new varieties. Add a warm blanket and a good book or movie (see the above tip about escapism) and you’re all set.

  - Get creative with indoor arts and crafts on a rainy day. We have our very own pin-up colouring sheets to download (https://www.cherryvelvetplus.com/blogs/news/colour-me-cherry) so grab some markers or colouring pencils.

  
  
  Do Good
  
  It’s a tough time for many people these days. If there’s ever been a time to make the world a little bit better, in ways both big and small, it’s now.

  -Drop off some food to your local food bank. Better yet, make a financial donation online from the comfort of home (most food banks have websites where you can donate cash.) This allows the food bank to target spending to those items most needed. More people than ever are relying on their local food banks.

  -Call a friend, even if you don’t think they’re struggling. Sometimes our most upbeat friends may be the ones having the hardest time in private. Reach out to a friend. And if your friends are all doing well, make a new friend: many seniors’ homes and local agencies have opportunities to be matched with a stranger to write letters or make phone calls, to help people from feeling isolated.

  -Learn and get involved. We recently wrote about our commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and our support for Black Lives Matter. If you’re not sure where to start to become better educated and be an ally, we have a few suggestions on our post here: In Support of Anti-Racism and BLM https://www.cherryvelvetplus.com/blogs/news/in-support-of-anti-racism-blm

  

  Don't forget, we always love to hear from you. Send us your thoughts, ideas, dress and print wishes and of course photos of you in a dress. Don't forget to tag us :-)  #cherryvelvet 

   Christina Meyer for Cherry Velvet

• Keep Calm and Carry On

  Published Sep 03 2020 in Body Positive, Cherry Velvet, COVID-19, Dresses, Made In Canada

  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.

  
  
  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

  

  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

• Shipping Updates

  Published Jun 26 2020 in Cherry Velvet, COVID-19, delays, shipping, update

  Have you ever wondered what happens to your order once you have made it on our website? We are here to tell all!

  

  Shipping

  Even during these times that require extra care, we are, as always, getting to your orders lickety-split (usually the day after you make it, or the next day).

  Once your order is processed, a tracking code is generated - and that is when you receive the email that states your order has been shipped! You may think, "Hooray!", right? But there's still another step: Then, the package leaves our hands and is sent to a packing and sorting facility, where it is officially entered by the carrier into their tracking system. Only then you can start seeing tracking updates.

  Delays

  Of course, everybody is favouring online shopping for safety reasons. Right now, Canada Post is seeing record-high shipments, even over Christmas numbers. They are working in every possible way to meet this demand, with approximately 2 million parcels being delivered daily - triple what is usual for this time of year!

  Due to this giant volume being handled by postal facilities, each part of the process once a package leaves our hands can take longer than usual.

  You may have noticed that there is a delay between receiving your tracking code and being able to check its status online. That's because our packing facility is faced with a much larger amount of packages than normal, so they're taking longer to enter them into the official tracking system. At this time we recommend waiting at least a week before checking for updates.

  After it is entered into the tracking system, every other step of the way is also facing delays, and packages are sometimes being rerouted to help meet demands. That means that once your parcel gets going, it may move much slower, and possibly take much longer to get to you.

  You can click here to read Canada Post's official statement about the delays.

  We care!

  We will continue to process your orders ASAP and provide the best service we can. 

  We are all facing unprecedented circumstances, and delivery times have been all over the place - we've been seeing everything between regular deliveries and weeks-long waits! For these reasons, delivery timelines cannot be guaranteed.

  At this point, we kindly ask for your patience. Here at Cherry Velvet, we are extra thankful for your continued support, and hope things will start improving soon. 

  

  That feeling when your Cherry Velvet order arrives!

  We will, as always, keep you updated, and we hope it feels like Christmas-in-the-summer when your package arrives.

  XOX Cherry Velvet

• **CONTEST ALERT!!** - #staydressedchallenge

  Published Apr 02 2020 in #staydressedchallenge, Contest, COVID-19, Dresses, Fashion

  These past couple of weeks, the whole world seems to have implemented preventive measures against a certain virus. The order is clear: Stay home (if you can)! Many of us are working from our living rooms and home offices, while others are simply staying home, without much to do.

  Although the initial impulse when staying home may be to relax, perhaps stay in your pyjamas, or wear your hair in a messy bun and abolish pants altogether, we are here to say: Halt!

  

  Stop right there if you're wearing your nightgown past noon!

  It is known that staying in PJs all day can be a hit to your self-esteem and overall mood. On the other hand, it is beneficial to your productivity (whether you are working from home or doing other activities) to change into day clothes. At the end of a productive day, getting into your loungewear is a great way to relax and "leave work".

  To look after you (because we care!), we're challenging you and all your friends to Stay Dressed - And what's more, there're prizes!!

  So put on a frock, and show us how you rock it at home - be it doing your chores, doing your job, working out, or passing the time in any way (such as doing our coloring pages!)

  

  And with a dress, you still don't have to put on pants!

  INSTRUCTIONS:

  * Take a photo or video of yourself passing the time while sporting a retro-inspired dress/look - Bonus marks for creativity and styling!
  
  * Share your look via Instagram or Facebook, and tag #staydressedchallenge in your post to be entered into our draw to win 1 of 3 Cherry Velvet E-Gift Cards - You could win a $100, $150 or $200 E-card. Don't forget to nominate your friends!

  **For every 3 nominations, you'll get an extra entry to the draw, so tag your friends and challenge them, too!**

  We can't wait to see your entries, good luck!

  XOX Cherry Velvet

• Frocks In The Time Of COVID-19

  Published Mar 17 2020 in Cherry Velvet, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Dresses, New Arrivals, new dresses, Norma, Studio Shop

  During this complicated time, we have still decided to open up for shopping on the 20^th and 21^st of March. We’d like to talk about this decision, and the current state of things.

  Here at Cherry Velvet, we typically don’t have much close contact. There’s only 4 of us (Hi from Diane, Logan, Tracy and Julia!), and we sit about 12’ apart in the office. We only have customers in occasionally, on scheduled appointments and, twice a month, for our studio shops. As it is, we’re usually pretty isolated.

  

  But we have fun here so it’s okay!

  We’ve decided to open up for shopping amidst the current COVID-19 situation largely because… we’re not that large! Your regular shopping mall retailer will, each day, receive hundreds of customers and be manned by over a dozen staff members. But the nature of our business means that much of it is done online, and only a limited number of shoppers come by when we open up.

  In our province (British Columbia), social gatherings of over 50 people have been cancelled for the time being. That said, our studio’s capacity is about 10 people at maximum, and we normally have under 5 guests at a time. It’s a comfortable shopping experience, and you will still maintain a reasonable distance.

  

  Hugs were allowed around Christmas time, but not currently encouraged ;)

  We will, of course, maintain our standards of hygiene, and have our bathrooms equipped with the most luxurious, delicious hand soap (by Barefoot Venus) for all your disinfecting needs. We also gently ask that if you or someone very close is ill, that you stay home and rest for this one! You can always shop online!

  Another reason why we’d still like to open up shop is that we’ve just received brand new frocks in super exciting prints! We have not made these available online yet (although we’re hoping to soon), so the best way to see them at the moment is to come try them on in person!

  

  We believe that, in this trying time, we should not fall into despair. Even during periods of seclusion, dressing up for the day and treating yourself well can have a powerful impact on your mood.

  So, wear a pretty dress and lift up your spirits!

  We’ll make it through this!

  XOX Cherry Velvet