The Directory for Thomas’s London : Weekly Newsletters with Uplifting Ideas

News & Uplifting Ideas 2020

Weekly Newsletters with Uplifting Ideas

25th November 2020 - Week 33 😀 - READ

"We would like to wish all our American friends a very Happy Thanksgiving and we've included a quick link to last minute supplies for any of you creating a special dinner. If you aren't cooking up a Thanksgiving feast, may be you will find time to start your Christmas shopping with some of this year's Black Friday offers and The Directory Christmas Shop.

If you need your spirits raising, why not decide what to wear on Christmas Jumper Day, plan a visit to the Christmas lights, visit an online hub for art lovers or watch the latest big hitting TV series on Netflix..."

2nd December 2020 - Week 34 - READ

"We are so glad that the lockdown is over and this week are highlighting some of The Directory Members who are excited to re-open. And as December is here, if you haven't visited The Directory Christmas Shop yet, now could be a good time...

Christmas is a time for giving and so we feature the Glass Door Christmas Appeal for the Homeless and the Big Give where donations made can be doubled. To lift your spirits we feature the new book 'All On The Board' and also feature some books you might like to give or receive this Christmas."

9th December 2020 - Week 35 😀 - READ

"This week we are excited to welcome contemporary fine artist, Rose Long and her recently launched online boutique, Long Studio Design to The Directory. Rose is generously offering Directory readers 20% off throughout December. Also Matrix Concierge has a 'Friends of The Directory' Christmas offer if you need a helping hand and The Directory Christmas Shop is open with lots of gift ideas.

It's a bit early for a January health kick but we're glad Dalton Wong's fitness studio in South Kensington has reopened and love the idea of joining a body toning retreat in SW France this summer."

16th December 2020 - Week 36 😀 - READ

"This week's newsletter is all about Christmas - recipes, last minute present ideas, carol concerts, outdoor skating, the Nutcracker, pantomimes and more.... Keep on reading for a flurry of festive suggestions and ideas.

Also we feature the innovative new cryochamber at Coyne Medical which promotes rest and recovery..."

23rd December 2020 - Happy Christmas 😀 - READ

"As this extraordinary year draws to an end we would like to send you and your family our best wishes.

We hope you've enjoyed reading The Directory's uplifting newsletters which we've been sending out each Wednesday since March. We've enjoyed producing them, supporting the 100+ Directory Members and receiving all your feedback.

We are taking a break over Christmas but will be back in the New Year with more uplifting ideas."

6th January 2021 - Week 37 😀 - READ

"Happy New Year!

Today is Twelfth Night and to avoid bad luck many people believe Christmas decorations should be taken down before noon. English Heritage though is urging people to keep the decorations up until Candlemas on February 2nd, the traditional end of the Christmas season.

Following the news of a third lockdown it may be a good idea to keep the decorations up and your houses looking bright until February. Please read below for some more uplifting ideas and news from Directory Members to help you stay upbeat at this difficult time.

Stay positive and strong."

13th January 2021 - Week 38 😀 - READ

"This week we are concentrating on healthy eating and healthy living. The Directory newsletter includes some tips for Veganuary and some new vegan recipes suggested by Directory Members plus fitness bands from Dalton Wong and free-from products from Cru8 Deli.

Uplifting Ideas this week include our favourite healthy recipe books, how to attract wild birds into your garden, investing in house plants and the most amazing country house sale we have ever heard of..."

20th January 2021 - Week 39 😀 - READ

"January, possibly named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and transition with two faces, one facing backwards, remembering what went before and one facing forwards, to see what the future holds. Perhaps not unlike us at the moment!

This week we look forward to Burns Night with a wee dram of whisky and perhaps a little highland fling! We've also added some new Veganuary recipes to The Directory website, Arcus Advisory suggest some online learning platforms and The Return Hub host a webinar.

Uplifting Ideas include a young artists' competition, art you can find on London streets and an attachable macro lens for phone cameras, so you take big pictures of mini things.

Last but not least... remember Pickles the Beagle? She's back and is doing her bit for the NHS."

27th January 2021 - Week 40 😀 - READ

"As we are all spending so much time at home, this week we have decided to focus on ideas and products to enhance our home life. We highlight the interior designer and architecture Directory Members plus we feature companies selling interior products for less including:

Timothy Oulton who has 50% off everything;

Jo Deakin who has 35% off some ranges of its bone china;

the Grace Sisters who still have its winter sale on and are offering 10% off non-sale items to Directory Members;

and The Baby Cot Shop who has launched its 'Interiors of Hope' initiative.

We also have uplifting interiors ideas from Jette Interiors and a link to Amanda Gorman's incredible poem from the Presidential Inauguration..."

3rd February 2021 - Week 41 😀 - READ

"Welcome to February, the shortest month of the year, which we begin by highlighting Children's Mental Health Week and suggesting some Valentine's gift ideas.

We also include a link to The Duchess of Cambridge's mental health message of support, feature Directory Members Holli Rubin and Caroline Hanson who offer professional help to cope with life's challenges, plus outline Fiona Worthington's sensory coping mechanism.

We are also excited to launch our New Directory Book Club, feature Poppy Thomas's new enterprise to help ease the strain of online learning on parents plus include fun online painting classes and a new heartwarming film...

We couldn't finish though without saluting the hero of the first lockdown, the incredible and inspirational Captain Sir Tom Moore, who died yesterday."

10th February 2021 - Week 42 ⛄😀❄ READ

"We hope you are managing to stay warm and safe as Storm Darcy continues to bring freezing temperatures to many of us.

The week ahead is a busy one with Chinese New Year on Friday, Valentine's Day on Sunday, Shrove Tuesday and it is also half term for most London schools. We share some fun ways to celebrate these occasions and ideas on how to keep busy at half term.

Plus we have two new Directory Members - Kelling Designs and Lethbridge Lines Joinery - new book reviews in The Directory Book Club, recommend you explore Mayfair 'Wander Art', highlight a link up with Sloane Square magazine and feature a new film recommendation too..."

17th February 2021 - Week 43 😀 - READ

"We hope you're well. Spring is in sight... today is Ash Wednesday which marks the start of the Lenten period leading up to Easter and it's traditional to fast or give up something considered to be a treat, although perhaps this year we can be excused!!

Whilst we know travelling is off the cards at the moment we can't help but dream and enjoy sharing with you some glorious Travel News about four Members of The Directory... and if you want to get fighting fit for when lockdown is over we feature online Lotte Berk exercise classes and nutritional help from practitioner Rachel Hampson, and more.

Do please keep sending your book reviews for The Directory Book Club and we hope you enjoy our latest uplifting ideas."

24th February 2021 - Week 44 😀 - READ

"We hope you're well and are feeling more positive now we have a map out of lockdown. This week we are focussing on spring and feature Directory Members who can help you with your garden, spring cleaning, spring dresses and Mother's Day ideas.

We are also encouraging you to take part in Cancer Research's 'Walk 10,000 Steps in March', invite you to purchase a dog print for charity, sign up for a dog walk in Barnes, plus we are launching a new classified ads section and recommend a new film...

Try and get out and enjoy the good weather if you can and wishing all our Welsh readers a Happy St David's Day for Monday."

3rd March 2021 - Week 45 😀 - READ

"The arrival of spring seems more significant than usual as more people are receiving their vaccinations and we are gradually moving towards a happier place with greater freedoms. Woohoo!

We focus on Essential Services this week and would like to introduce NEW Directory Member DS-48 Limited which offers discreet personal and corporate security services. You may find, as life opens up, a greater need for the car and courier services of long-standing Member, Prestige Group, the business rebranding services of CONKERDESIGN and leading family law firm, Hunters.

We also highlight The Directory's Latest News pages and some uplifting ideas for the week ahead."

10th March 2021 - Week 46 😀 - READ

"Wishing you a belated Happy International Women's Day. Over 60% of Directory Members are women and this week we feature some of these enterprising, resilient and strong women.

We also feature some new recommended books in The Directory Book Club, identify some last minute Mother's Day gifts, focus on 'Women in Art' in the National Gallery, feature blossom watch and recommend a series on Netflix. Plus we have started work on the new 10th printed edition of The Directory if you or anyone you know would like to take an entry.

With all best wishes for the week ahead and wishing mothers everywhere a very Happy Mother's Day on Sunday."

17th March 2021 - Week 47 😀 - READ

"Happy St. Patrick's Day!

This week we are busy finalising entries for the NEW 10th printed edition of The Directory and we are excited to say it's going to be bigger than ever with lots of fabulous new members.

Eden Villas in Sri Lanka is new to The Directory and we can't wait to be able to jump on a plane and head to this tropical island. We also feature Andyman's property services, Easter Holiday Courses for kids, photography by Harriet Brocket, a spring beats Baroque Rocks' Roadmap Playlist and two interesting new books in The Book Club.

Uplifting news this week includes our favourite fishmongers and has 'a touch of the blarney' with a stout cocktail and an Irish soda bread recipe plus an engaging new true, art crime, documentary."

24th March 2021 - Week 48 😀 - READ

"A year ago, when the first lockdown began, we decided to produce weekly Directory newsletters featuring news about how the mainly small and local Directory Members' businesses were surviving, and some uplifting news as well. This is our 48th newsletter and we have been amazed at how many positive comments we have received over the last year. If you enjoy reading the newsletters do forward them on to a friend using the button below and get in touch to let us know!

This week we feature Directory Members Tilly Meynell, who can help you plan a party or event, and Ivy, who can help you make money from your home whilst you are away. We also feature some Directory Members who have been featured in the press, some Easter recipes and treats, some tips on decluttering, hanging baskets and the latest BBC crime drama series."

31st March 2021 - Week 49 😀 - READ

"We hope you are enjoying the glorious weather and meeting up with friends and family again outside.

We are taking a break over Easter but when we return in two weeks time we will begin introducing you to lots of NEW Directory Members, many of which you can already see on The Directory website. We will also continue to highlight news and special offers from all 100+ Directory Members, many of whom need support after this exceptionally tough year.

Below you'll see a selection of Easter Recipes and Treats from Directory Members, some new book recommendations for The Book Club and some food delivery ideas for Easter.

We wish you a VERY Happy Easter and hope you enjoy your days off."

14th April 2021 - Week 50 😀 - READ

"We hope you are enjoying the new found freedoms. This week we highlight some of The Directory Members who have been able to reopen their businesses since the 'glorious 12th'. We would also like to introduce you to 2 new Directory Members - Latin Odysseyand Mariners Lettings who would be delighted to hear from you if you are interested in booking a holiday.

We also launch this year's World Chelsea Bun Awards, remind you of the Barnes dog walk, feature some rooftop outdoor bars and restaurants which you might like to visit and recommend a new film.

We couldn't finish without saluting Prince Philip for his life-long service and we know many Directory Members were as sad as we were to hear the news of his death."

21st April 2021 - Week 51 😀 - READ

"We hope you're enjoying the beautiful weather which makes having drinks and food outside with friends so much more fun.

This week we would like to introduce you to four fabulous new Style & Gifts Directory Members - Silk Works London, Philippa Herbert, Romney Tweed and Harriet Brocket Photography. Interestingly they were all founded by women with two of the companies founded by sisters/sisters-in-law.

We also feature some London streets which have closed to traffic and are open for alfresco drinks and dining, include a link to a radio interview with one of the World Chelsea Bun Award judges and recommend a new book and film."

28th April 2021 - Week 52 😀 - READ

"This week we would like to introduce you to 5 more new Directory Members including Domain du Meteore which is offering an enticing 20% off its delicious wines, Biome Medical Centre, Paint Pots Montessori Schools & Classes, Clario Legal & HR and Spinsure.com cycle insurance.

We love Arabella Dorman's new art installation 'Voices on the Wind' which is created out of the thoughts, prayers, poetry and pictures of Thomas's pupils in response to the pandemic and strongly recommend it to you. We would also like to encourage you to support LEGS Charity #CaptainTom100 fundraiser and visiting the pop up alfresco activities in Sloane Square sounds fun ."

12th May 2021 - Week 53 😀 - READ

"We are very excited that people in England will be able to hug loved ones, dine inside restaurants, drink inside pubs, and go on foreign holiday from next Monday... so with this in mind this week we are showcasing The Greek Villas which is in need of our support and also suggest some spring cleaning from Just Helpers.

We also have news of a Spring VIP Sale online at by Beautiful Brands, a Women's Wellness Retreat in October, Cru8 Deli has rebranded and is offering readers 20% off its delicious healthy bread, cakes and snacks...and much, much more."

19th May 2021 - Week 54 😀 - READ

"We are so excited that lockdown restrictions have eased further and are looking forward to having drinks and dinner inside, visiting the theatre and museums soon.

Last week was Mental Health Awareness Week and we are encouraged to connect with nature to improve our psychological and emotional health so this week we are focussing on gardens and the outside.

We have links to Directory gardeners, the virtual Chelsea Flower Show, Cornish cottages with stunning gardens, the Buckingham Palace Garden, a herd of elephants which has arrived in Chelsea, a book about the Artic which has been further recommended and more."