The Day Bristol Looked Up!

August is flying by!
With the back-to-school countdown creeping up on us, it’s been interesting hearing how differently everyone feels about it. Some clients are dreading it, some are counting down the days, and some are off enjoying the last of the summer holidays altogether. We hear lots here and love being part of so many different lives. This month’s newsletter is a bit of everything, some reflections, some updates, and a look at what’s been happening in and around Icon. I hope you enjoy having a read.

The day Bristol looked up
Speaking of moments we all shared, however differently, the eclipse a couple of weeks back was one for the whole city. On 12 August, Bristol saw around 93% of the sun covered, the deepest partial eclipse the UK has seen since 1999. The next one this good isn’t due until 2090, so if you caught it, you genuinely witnessed something most of us will only see once.

I think The Downs was one of the places to be. Hundreds of people gathered up there as the light shifted and the sky did something super strange for a Wednesday evening.

There’s a name for what happens when a crowd shares a moment like that. Psychologists call it collective effervescence, that buzzy, connected feeling you get watching something remarkable alongside strangers. It’s the same thing that happens at a big concert for example, except this time was rarer and stranger because it was the sky doing it!

Summer window
All the sunshine we have had has been very fitting, as our summer window has been catching plenty of it too. I came up with the idea, and Bex has brought it to life, as she always does so well, and the result is this gorgeous burst of sunshine and flowers greeting everyone who walks past on Gloucester Road.

The strapline made me smile a bit too. I’m usually on my way to the gym at silly o’clock, before most of Bristol’s even awake, and if I’m honest, it’s my favourite part of the day. Quiet streets, lovely early light, and nobody about. Feels like a proper head start before the salon even opens. Come and see it for yourself next time you’re passing, it’s one of those windows that makes me happy before I’ve even walked in.

This month’s nail inspiration
And while we’re about what’s brightening up the salon, we’ve had such a fun run of nail art this summer. Delicate mint and white florals, cheerful little stars, soft polka dots, and the prettiest blue floral french tips, every set has felt like a little piece of summer on its own.

If any of these catch your eye, do let us know. We love recreating a look or using it as a starting point for something a bit different.

Sophie’s summer
The nails aren’t the only summer glow-up worth sharing, we thought you might enjoy a bit of a team update  and hear what our lovely Sophie has been up to in the school holidays. She’s made the most of the time and spent her summer making memories with the people she loves most. First up was Spain with her husband and children, rooftop apartment living, slow mornings, exploring Torrevieja and Guardamar, swimming, eating out, and even getting to see Spain win the World Cup!

Next came a week in Cornwall with two of her closest friends and all the children, long beach days, surfing, coastal walks, sea sunsets, and watching the eclipse together.

And to finish it off, quiet evenings at home watching the hot air balloons land right by the house. A summer full of sunshine, adventures, and special moments with the people she loves most.

Training update
My own summer has been a slightly different kind of full on. I competed in my final regional qualifier in July in Sheffield. It was show number five of the first part of my season, and definitely the most challenging one so far! It was a very long day, so I was surprised and absolutely delighted to win my category. Then came the rather long drive home afterwards.

After such an intense few months, I was definitely ready for a break and some much needed time to rest, recharge and recover.

I then had a four-week recovery phase, which meant more food, less cardio and a bit more flexibility to be sociable and enjoy eating out again… and yes, I went to Pasture! Luckily, my birthday fell during this phase, so it would have been rude not to!

I also managed to squeeze in a couple of other treats, including a meal at Aqua and a beautiful roast at my favourite place, The Shakespeare in Redland. It definitely didn’t disappoint, and I may have overindulged just a little!

Now I’ve just started my second prep, with the Championship Finals only seven weeks away. So it’s back to work, but thankfully this phase should be a little less intense as I’ve already done the really hard part earlier in the year. For now, it’s all about cruising into the finals without too much stress or pressure, enjoying the journey and hopefully finishing the season on a high…

A final note
Before I go, a small aside. We’re looking to welcome a new beauty therapist to the team, and I always think the best people come through word of mouth rather than a job ad. So if you know someone who’d love working somewhere warm, busy and a bit like a second family, feel free to pass this newsletter on to them, or send them our way for a chat. And if that someone is you, we’d love to hear from you too.

Thank you, as always, for reading and for being part of Icon, we never take it for granted. Until next time, take care of yourselves.

Lucy x