Nick Ilott Photography
“Chocolate! Despite my ‘this week, my eating will be better and I will look after myself’ pep talks, I still find myself hiding from my toddlers with my head in the fridge eating chocolate in secret.” Abbey Tokley of Boho Locks on her favourite lockdown snack
Located in the beautiful Suffolk countryside, Boho Locks – run by hair artist Abbey Tokley – is a bridal hair stylist (and close friend of mine) that you’d definitely want to have on hand before taking to the aisle. Specialising in bridal and occasion hair, this girl promises to whip your locks up (or down) into an enchanting aisle-worthy design. Wielding a haul of dependable hair tools and products (not to mention an innate skill for perfecting bohemian, free-spirited bridal styles), Abbey will turn up on the morning of your wedding and become immediately indispensable. Not only will she make sure every brides’ hair whim is catered for, but she’ll tend to your bridal party and can often be found helping brides into their gowns when time suddenly runs out. I caught up with Abbey to get the low-down on her lockdown…
Photography by Katie Drouet Photography
#1 Provide us with three words that sum-up how you were feeling about lockdown when it first started, and then three words about how you feel now:
Before: “Anxious, apprehensive and confused.”
After: “Anxious, scared and grateful.”
#2 What time do you get up? Did this change in lockdown? Was life a little slower? Talk to us about your usual daily routine and how this was changed by lockdown…
“We were all in a hectic routine pre-lockdown and then all of a sudden it stopped. No work, nursery, clients or visiting our favourite places and people. Now we’re still up nice and early but my day is filled with occupying my two toddlers, constantly being demanded for snacks and occasionally having some time to practice hair for a little me time. There are so many fantastic stylists out there who are offering their time, knowledge and skills for free which has been amazing and has formed a real support community.”
#3 How did lockdown impact your business, and how can people (brides/the wedding industry) support you now?
“My business just stopped. Brides were postponing their wedding dates and cancelling trials. There was so much uncertainty and we had no idea what this meant for weddings in the future, when they would return and in what capacity. This is obviously such a difficult time for us all and I have sympathy for all bride and grooms as they put so much love and time into planning their special day. Now we know that weddings can start to return but for 30 guests only at the moment however this may not be the vision that some bride and grooms had in mind. For now, we need to support each other as an industry and refer to one another if we are unavailable for a new date as 2021 is going to be a busy time for us all.”
#4 Name three local businesses/small Instagram businesses you are supporting or would like to support more…
No.1 “@printsbymegt – she has some really cute affirmation prints. I’ve got the ‘You’ve got this’ print as a reminder that I can handle the day ahead.”
No.2 “@to_dye_for_uk – for bespoke hand tie dye clothing. The colours are so bright and vibrant which is just what we need right now!”
No.3 “@pswithlov3 – she has the most beautiful custom made bridal accessories. I love her hair pins and vines.”
#5 What is/what was your favourite isolation snack?
“Chocolate! Despite my ‘this week, my eating will be better and I will look after myself’ pep talks, I still find myself hiding from my toddlers with my head in the fridge eating chocolate in secret.”
#6 Before lockdown eased slightly, what was your most recommended quarantine pick-me-up when you were feeling down?
“Being outside in beautiful nature instantly makes me feel calm and relaxed. Long walks around my local town, woods and seafront are perfect. If I’m in need of a giggle it is for sure a group video call with the girls.”
#7 What’s the item you could NEVER find in the supermarket (and consequently dreamt continuously about) during lockdown…
“Hand sanitiser, the stuff was gold dust!”
#8 What’s the strangest thing that’s happened during your lockdown period…
“Gosh, lockdown itself. It’s been a crazy, surreal time for us all which will go down in history.”
#9 Favourite app for keeping in touch digitally with friends and family?
“WhatsApp.”
#10 Name your lockdown hate:
“Being physically in lockdown and at home. I felt so sorry for my children who wanted to go places and see family but couldn’t fully understand ‘The Germ’. Now it has eased slightly, I’m grateful we are able to explore more and see family even if it is at a distance.”
#11 Name your lockdown love:
“My husband being at home for three weeks with us. It is crazy to think that this is the most amount of time we have ever spent together as a family of four. For that I am incredibly grateful.”
#12 The person(s) you will hug first when social distancing is no longer in place?
“My mum, brother and sister in one big hug sandwich.”
#13 An act of kindness towards you that you’ve really appreciated during lockdown?
“I had a lockdown birthday and honestly I appreciated one gift in particular so much. I’m a lover of doughnuts and I was sent a DIY decoration kit for us all to enjoy. We had great fun doing it as a family and it was an activity that I didn’t have to think of which was an absolute result.”
#14 Talk to us about what’s new at your brand?
“I’ve had more time to be able to practice new styles and learn from some incredible stylists. I’m itching to be able to practice them on actual people and meet the rest of my 2020 brides for their hair trials.”
#15 Name three things the lockdown has made you grateful for:
No.1 “Health.”
No.2 “Family.”
No.3 “Adventure.”
#16 Which restaurant will you dine at first once restrictions are lifted?
“North Hill Noodle Bar in Colchester. I tried to make my favourite dish of theirs this week and it wasn’t the same, their food is AMAZING!”
#17 What series have you now completed on Netflix? Any recommendations?
“A little late to the party but we finally watched Suits and I’m now watching Working Moms which I find hilarious.”
#18 What would be on your quarantine book list?
“I’ve still not finished the first book I started reading at the beginning of lockdown however the Julia Donaldson collection has been going down a treat in our house for any mama bosses out there.”
#19 For a little Instagram-escapism, what three accounts would you recommend?
“I get lost in the world of hair – @lisaalgerhair, @theupdogirl @hairbycharr“
#20 Name three things you bought online during lockdown…
“Leggings, Zoe Bee Creams and a Skin & Tonic Calm Kit – they were also donating a calm balm to the NHS for each calm kit sold which was a lovely gesture.”
#21 What was your ‘lockdown’ outfit most days?
“Leggings. I’m one of those matching mama’s so we all rock our Fred & Noah leggings at some point each week.”
#22 And, finally, your quarantine cocktail/tipple of choice?
“I don’t really drink however when we eventually get back out for a date night I’m having all the cocktails as quite frankly I think I’ve deserved it.”
Discover more from Boho Locks and the services she offers by clicking here.
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