Last month we have collaborated with the British Accessories brand Ally Capellino for a wellbeing competition set for modern living. We then met up with Ally’s Capellino founder, Alison Lloyd. She told us her inspiring story, wellbeing routines, and favourite corners of her house.
Tell us your story - from where you grew up to your most exciting phase (is it now)?
I was born in Teddington and moved to Dublin at one year old and was a freckly gawky colleen until I was ten. Then, my parents moved to Yorkshire and my mum lives still there.
I guess my bravest moment was to get on a plane to Nepal on my own with nowhere booked to stay and nobody to go with, it turned out to be probably the most exciting and fun trip I’ve ever done ending up walking around the Annapurna circuit.
What is your London? What is it about?
I’m a “Hackney bird”, I like the mixture of the old east end vibes of Ridley Road Market compared with the well-stocked middle-classness of somewhere like Broadway Market and the way they clash or mix. Hackney kind of has it all these days brilliant markets, Michelin star restaurants across the road, and a few nice parks.
What is your morning routine?
Well, this is embarrassing but the New York Times Spelling Bee starts a new challenge at 8 AM every day. I try to reach a genius-level every day but if it doesn’t go well then, I’m liable to be late for work. But it wakes me up and starts my brain firing.
Coffee or tea when you wake up?
Just some water and maybe a cup of tea, but I usually forget to drink it and I’m quite keen on some sort of energy mixture that I mix up every few days. It might have ginger, beetroot, apple juice, and lemon juice with some green powder that my friend Jacqui made for me. I think it’s baobab, wheatgrass and I can’t remember what else.
What do you do to motivate, and switch-up your energy throughout the day?
I don’t really have any problem at all motivating myself and if anything, it’s more difficult to stop and do nothing
With a demanding work life, how do you keep your focus?
I don’t know if I do keep focus, I tend to hop about a lot.
What is a relaxing evening like for you?
A big plate of pasta on the sofa with something easy on the television.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Podcasts such as Great lives, More or Less, Music, - Beatles, day in the life, although it’s the video that makes it so good.
What are you reading at the moment?
Colson Whitehead - Underground Railway.
Where in your home have you created your haven?
In the kitchen. It’s got a huge table in the middle where it all goes on and I love food and cooking. But it’s a draw with my garden which also claims a lot of my attention.
Sleeping is one of our clients’ main goals. How do you sleep better?
After a big hot bath with some nice salts and then my head wrapped in a big towel seems to do the job.
What is your self-care routine?
I don’t know if I have one. I do some yoga every now and then and I have a massage on a fortnightly basis.
What are your top tips for living well?
- Enjoy what you do
- I cycle to work most days. So, cycling!
- Don’t get paranoid about eating regimes, see your fam as much as you can.
What is your creative downtime like?
Gardening, and messing around with arrangements in the house. I’ve also started sewing at home.
What is your go-to meal? Why is it special?
At this time of year probably risotto. Recent versions have been butternut squash and pancetta or mussels.
Who in life has inspired you the most? How?
Brian Harris, who taught at Middx when I was at university. He loved the anarchy of punk that was going on then. I think I’ve carried that and I'm always excited about new ideas.
What is the mantra or philosophy to face life’s challenges?
Do as you would be done by, smile, and it’s only bags.
