Slow Living & 2026 Dreams

Happy New Year, loves! I’ve spent the last few chilly mornings 🧣 tucked under a blanket with my Leuchtturm Bullet Journal, mapping out my long-term vision for 2026. It feels ages away, but I’m really trying to embrace the philosophy that "slow and steady wins the race" when it comes to personal growth. Speaking of taking things at a gentle, intentional pace, I have a darling new friend to introduce who has absolutely snailed it when it comes to mastering the art of doing nothing.

Meet Shelly: The Cotswold Consultant

Everyone, please say hello to Shelly. She’s a retired garden inspector from a sleepy village in the English Cotswolds who moved to the city to work as a "Mindfulness Coach." With her dusty rose shell and creamy, cloud-like body, she brings such a soft, grounding presence to the flat. Her little antennae seem to twitch with curiosity every time I pour a fresh cuppa! ☕

She is an absolute delight. ✨ Her shell features a gorgeous, swirling texture that mimics a real shell but with the softness of a cloud, and her sweet embroidered smile is incredibly reassuring. She currently lives on the corner of my writing desk, perched atop my well-worn copy of "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse". Just yesterday, I was feeling quite overwhelmed with emails, but seeing her watch me clack away on my Retro Typewriter Keyboard reminded me to breathe. It really helps me come out of my shell on anxious days, having such a cheerful companion potter about my workspace.

A Touch of Velvet Rose

The tactile experience of this Apricot Lamb Plush is honestly lovely. Because she is 100% handmade, there is a distinct attention to detail in the premium soft materials. The fur on her shell has a unique, rippled texture that feels soothingly repetitive to stroke—perfect for grounding yourself during a hectic afternoon. 🌿

She is delicately stuffed with 100% fiber filling, which gives her a structure that is plush yet supportive. She isn’t floppy; she holds her proud little head up high! Holding her feels warm and substantial, offering a moment of quiet comfort. It’s a shell-ebration of texture that makes your sanctuary feel just that little bit softer.

Petite & Perfect Dimensions

Shelly is a wonderfully compact companion, measuring in at 6.5 x 4 x 6 inches. This specific size is brilliant for us collectors because she nestles perfectly into small nooks on a bookshelf 📚 or sits unobtrusively on a monitor stand without cluttering the view. Weighing 4.8 ounces, she is light as a fresh scone, making her easy to move around the house for photo ops or just to keep you company in different rooms.

📋 The Sanctuary Sensory Score

Resident: Shelly (The Snail)

Place of Birth: The Rose Garden

Occupation: Mindfulness Coach

Tribe: The Boulders

Current Address: The Poetry Stack, Left Corner of the Desk

Pet Factor: 🔴🔴🔴🔴⚪ - silky, rippled fur that is lovely to trace with a finger

Squish Factor: 🔴🔴⚪⚪ - firm and structured, holding her shape beautifully

Cuddle Class: Desk Mascot & Palm Pal

Willow’s Verdict: An essential companion for anyone embracing the slow life.

Warm Sign-off

Do you have a mascot helping you stick to your slow living goals this year? Let me know in the comments below!

Stay cozy,

— Willow, Chief Curator