After all this time through the months of the pandemic, we have all been wondering when we can re-open our businesses. What a sorry sight the stranded high street began to look. Locked up hair salans, boarded up pubs and empty shops.

But moving on 3 months - Milly J Shoes is thrilled to say that it has decided to re-open on July 4th! We so look forward to seeing you then.

We've missed you!

Covid-19 has seen a surge in online chat portals, not least of all zoom. Before the pandemic, I was reticent to use any of these platforms, preferring to chat in person. But, like everyone else, I have had to accommodate the use of such tools!

With zoom in mind, Women's Institute, Golden Triangle branch invuted me to do a talk on my life and journey. It was a fun filled evening, as not only did I give a talk, but I asked the ladies to prepare their own lockdwon shoe designs and their favourite childhood shoes.

More online talks to come!

In a mad rush, I received a call from the BBC Look East news team wanting to come in to chat to me - immediately. Catching wind of a special shoe I had just finished making for The Bridewell Museum.

The museum is holding a pop up event all this month in celebration of Norwich's historic shoe trade. The exhibit features shoes created by a cross section of women, with a special Milly J shoe sculpture which will be permanently housed in the Bridewell shoe section.

If you've not visited the museum, it has a magnificent room dedicated to John Newstead, a local pharmacist who received an MBE for his services to the pharmaceutical trade. Collections of quaint and curious artefacts from the Victorian era fill jars and shelves and my - it is a sight to behold! Inspired by this, the shoe scuplture created was in homage to this.

I will reveal the shoe properly soon.

There is something very powerful about coming together and collaborating with local fellow businesses. We are all in the business sector, not least the wedding sector and realise the importance of creating a cohesive project that benefits all involved and beyond.

The Maids Head Hotel, England's oldest hotel is no stranger to weddings and so organised a photoshoot with local brides. I hope you'd agree that the finished project looks great!

Businesses involved included:

The Maids Head Hotel

Milly J Shoes

Just Big Smiles Photography

Hairsmiths

Best Beauty

Elizabeths The Florists

Mandy Ames

Victoria Seminerio

Ana Sofia Moniz

Electric Frolic 31

The Maids Head 1963 Bentley

Last year, I was delighted to be approached by two local ladies who had won awards in the prestigious, EDP Bride awards. They wanted to put together an editiorial including local bridal suppliers who had also won awards within the ceremony. So I was thrilled, as I had not applied to win an award!

Karen and Emily brought together a Fauvism shoot that was bursting with local creativity and talent with me designing and making the shoes.

The shot went to print, including in Your Norfolk Wedding and Bride Magazine.

Milly J Shoes has not been going very long at all and in fact was probably the newest brand in the room. This was the first time Milly J Shoes has been up for Footwear Designer of the Year and somehow, it managed to bag, The Highly Commended Award at the Footwear Industry Awards for Footwear Designer of the Year! What's next year...?