All Posts By

Stacey

Move

What was I thinking? My Hyrox journey begins…

In a moment of what I can only describe as utter madness, I’ve signed up for Hyrox Barcelona, which takes place at the end of April. For those who don’t know, Hyrox is a gruelling fitness competition combining functional strength and endurance exercises, with a lot of running thrown in. Yep, running – a thing I’m currently terrible at and, let’s be honest, largely avoiding. And with only four months to go, I’m already questioning my life choices.

I only started going to the gym regularly in April 2024. Up until then, the idea of exercising willingly wasn’t something I really entertained. But small group personal training sessions with a focus on functional strength training changed everything. Somewhere along the way, I stopped dreading it and actually started to enjoy it- love it, even (most of the time). The routine, the sense of accomplishment, feeling strong. Who knew?

But Hyrox isn’t just a gym session. It’s a beast. And I’m doing the mixed doubles category with Madge, my partner in this insanity. He is fitter and stronger than me, which is both comforting and terrifying. Comforting because I know he’ll pick up some of the slack, and terrifying because I don’t want to let him down. The running, in particular, is my Achilles’ heel. We’re talking 8 kilometers (yes, 8 kilometers) of running, interspersed with all kinds of functional torture. And right now? My running game is non-existent.

I’ve written myself a plan, with the best of intentions. There’s cardio, strength, running, and regular sessions with a physio to help manage my piriformis syndrome (tight hips and an achy glute that refuses to cooperate). The cardio class I’ve added is a small step in the right direction, but the weather is currently scuppering my running plans, so I’m going to need to get day passes to a local gym with a treadmill.

So, have I taken on too much? Honestly, yes. I am quietly panicking about how much work lies ahead and whether I can rise to the challenge. But then I remind myself why I signed up in the first place. To push myself. To see what I’m capable of. To prove that it’s never too late to tackle something new and scary.

Four months is not a lot of time. But it’s enough to make meaningful progress. Enough to show up and give it my all, even if that means running slower or modifying along the way. I have to remember it’s not about perfection – it’s about showing up and trying. The goal is just to finish.

Barcelona, here we come. Ready or not.

Have you ever signed up for something that felt way out of your league? How did you tackle it? Let me know – I could use all the advice I can get!

10th January 2025
Design, Work

Big stories, big dreams

Every brand has a story, and ours started in Summer 2024. Madge and I have a passion for great design, creativity, and living a balanced life. After spending our entire careers in the creative and digital industries, we decided to take some time out and embark on a new adventure – creating a brand that reflects our personalities and the life we love. And so, Big Stories was born.

Graphic showing the peaks of the Penine Way

From the very beginning, we’ve been inspired by those laid-back souls who love a good sunrise, a sunset beer, time at the beach or a weekend hike. Big Stories is for people who cherish a spontaneous road trip as much as meticulously planned moments and our t-shirts are designed to be the perfect companion for all of your adventures – made for comfort, style, and sharing a bit of who you are with the world.

Sustainability is more than just a buzzword

In the fashion economy today, resources are extracted and turned into products that are designed to be thrown away. As a result of this linear economy, a dump truck per second of textile waste ends up in landfill or incinerators. This is unsustainable. And it’s why our products are made from natural biodegradable materials including post-consumer recycled organic cotton. And when items wear out, you can send them back to us. All Big Stories products are designed to be remade. These products are printed on demand and sent back again, ensuring materials stay in the loop.

It was really important to us that we could do this in a sustainable way. We’re committed to creating clothing that you can feel good about wearing – not just because it looks great, but because it’s made in a way that’s respectful to the environment and kind to the planet.

It’s all part of our mission to make sure that when you wear a Big Stories tee, you’re not just making a style statement – you’re making a positive impact on the planet, too.

“We believe what we wear tells our stories. Our t-shirts are a canvas for the bold, the unique, and the unforgettable moments of life. Celebrating balance, we create sustainable clothing that connects with the mind, body, and soul. Our designs are inspired by the passions that fuel us.”

Designing for the moments that matter

Design is our passion, and it shows in every t-shirt we create. Inspired by life’s pleasures and unforgettable moments, each design is handcrafted. We believe in the power of great design to inspire, uplift, and tell your story, and our designs are inspired by the things that fuel us. We want our tees to feel like they belong with you, whether you’re out hiking, chilling at the beach, or kicking back with a good book.

We want you to take our t-shirts on every adventure, to wear them again and again. So that’s the story behind Big Stories.

T-shirt showing graphic image of Pennine Way climb
3rd November 2024
Live, Work

What a difference a year makes

It’s been 12 months since I left my job at a consulting firm. My plan was to take a break for a year and think about what I wanted next. Well, that was as much of a plan as I had! And like all best laid plans, things didn’t quite go that way, but I’m very happy with the outcome!

In the weeks leading up to the end of 2023, I tried to gently recover from the loss of my dad and navigated that ‘difficult first Christmas’. Then at the end of January, we packed the car (including the dog) and drove 1400 miles to Southern Spain – and stayed until Easter!

The warm Andalucian spring was balm to the soul – and what a joy to live somewhere else for a while – be someone else – and redevelop my curiosity – for new places, new routines, new experiences. Even the food shop felt like a brand new adventure! (100% recommend, will do again).

Refreshed, still unsure about work, I spent a few months at home as well as taking a few trips. I went to the theatre on my own (Plaza Suite – brilliant!), saw some art, joined a gym (and kept going) and fitted in a few days in Mallorca and a week in Greece. And while I was lying on a lounger in Kefalonia, I (with Madge, obvs) decided to start not 1, but 2 businesses!

So fast forward, here we are. I’m back in Spain (just a week this time), sitting here as co-founder at 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀, a consultancy that combines human-centred design and intelligent innovation to change the way services, experiences and products 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 are made and sold.

And as co-founder of 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, a sustainable t-shirt brand. A fun journey that began with a simple idea: to create t-shirts that we would genuinely love to wear – with designs that are inspired by the passions that fuel us.

I hadn’t planned on either of those things a year ago, but the space to let ideas emerge made me realise I don’t have to define myself by any one thing. I knew I wanted to do many, different things.

Which is why when I was also asked to take a fractional role as a co-Head of Creative at a personal finance management software brand I leapt at the chance. A position with a focus on elevating creative output, smooth running ops, AI-powered growth and developing high performing teams – yes please! I’m just back from California meeting the team and delivering a session on AI in Marketing – and excited about the next few months of making a difference.

What have I learned in the last year?

  • 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘆: Embracing uncertainty has led to unexpected growth in unexpected areas (sit in the liminal space – even if it’s uncomfortable!)
  • 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Time to reflect on what truly matters sparked new ideas – not just about work, about everything
  • 𝗜 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲: True friends (and good colleagues) shone through during tough times; I cherish them
  • 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗸𝗲𝘆: Being open to change and new experiences is exciting – trust yourself, you’ve got the experience and the smarts
  • 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼-𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽: Partnering exposes the power of diverse perspectives and collaboration – embrace the balance!
  • 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆: Keeping active clears my mind and boosts my mood – it’s now a forever part of my lifestyle

To new adventures – and everyone who has helped me on this one 🎉

(this is a longer version of a post that originally appeared on LinkedIn)

2nd November 2024
Design, Travel

SFMOMA

A flying visit to San Francisco on my way to Monterey on business – and SFMOMA was top of my list of places to visit. It didn’t disappoint.

I took myself off on Saturday morning, while it was still relatively quiet – and on the advice of a friend, covered the whole gallery from top to bottom. It’s almost impossible to pull out everything I loved, but here are some highlights.

Jenny Holzer, 1983: Truisms

Artwork showing yellow triangle and black block

Ellsworth Kelly, 1993: Yellow Relief with Black

Image of a colour spectrum

Ellsworth Kelly, 1953: Spectrum 1

Artwork of four squares with squares nested inside

Josef Albers, 1954: Homage to the Square

Immersive experience

Yayoi Kusama: Infinite Love

Installation of yellow and black abstract pumpkins

Yayoi Kusama: Aspiring to Pumpkin’s Love, the Love in My Heart

For Yayoi Kusama, pumpkins have been a lifelong source of fascination. She was first drawn to them in childhood, citing their “generous unpretentiousness” and “spiritual balance,” and has explored them continually in her painting, sculpture, installation art, and poetry.

Artwork called 256 Colours by Gerhard Richter

Gerhard Richter, 1974: 256 Farben.

Blue and purple immersive tunnel

And lastly, this amazing immersive glass tunnel…I didn’t note the artist, but I loved it!

There were so many, many more pieces I loved. This is just a selection of the great work on display.

10th October 2024
Live

Remember to smile at a stranger, and their dog

I was so sad this week to read that @CherryMorello had passed away. I didn’t know her – she’s someone I have followed on Twitter for a long time, and she was living with Stage 4 bowel cancer. Her posts were so honest as she shared her experiences with humour and candour, even up to her last few messages.

The saying ‘Remember to smile at a stranger, and their dog’ is hers. It’s something she often ended her message threads with, and I always thought it was such a lovely sentiment.

Earlier in the week I was having a chat with someone who told me that their new year resolution was to smile at people they walked past. And stop for a chat if it felt right to do so. Isn’t that lovely?  I’ve realised in recent months how important those tiny moments can be – and how, while they can start small, before you know it you are chatting properly with the people you see regularly. Having a cute dog definitely helps with that!

Picture of a Beagle dog looking directly at the camera

It’s well documented that social isolation and loneliness can have a profound negative effect on our mental and physical health, and those micro interactions – a friendly smile, a small chat, or a shared moment – really help our sense of connection in everyday life. While it’s very important to acknowledge they are two different things, isolation and loneliness can also be linked. A recent report in Fortune magazine stated that ‘Social isolation is linked to a 50% increased risk of dementia and an increased risk of other chronic conditions, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One study found the health consequences of loneliness are on par with smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.’ Those are mindblowing stats, that obviously have a massive effect on healthcare and other services. It’s a challenge I’d love to be part of tackling as a service designer.

So, for now, while it may only be a small thing, I am going to take a leaf out of @CherryMorello’s book, and smile at a stranger (and their dog) just a bit more. You never know the difference it might make to someone’s day.

There’s is a helpful list of loneliness resources on the Mind website, and charities like AgeUK – who run brilliant friendship services that help lonely older people – are always looking for volunteers. And let me know if you start smiling at strangers too 😀.

14th January 2024
Live

The future is not a destination, it’s a direction

Sunrise on the beach in Marbella, Spain.

Hey there, wanderers, adventurers and daydreamers! Happy New Year.

First up, I can’t claim that headline, it belongs to the very brilliant Ed Catmull. But it sums up perfectly where I am right now, with my life in a radically different place to this time last year (or ever before, really), and as I focus back in on capturing my thoughts here. This tiny blog isn’t brand spanking new – it’s been here, seen things, but it is ready for a fresh start.

Now, I know what you’re thinking – Blogging? In 2024? But bear with me just a sec; this isn’t a nostalgia trip. 2023 shook my world up in various ways, and I’m entering the new year job-free. A conscious and deliberate choice to see what what it feels like to think about – and travel in – a different direction and swim in different waters. So I think of this more as a scrapbook-style journal; bits and pieces collected as I go along – a personalised compilation of memories, experiences and mementos captured in a corner of the internet where I spill the beans on all things travel, design, work, life, and everything in between. An attempt at embracing the timeless art of storytelling – or at minimum, somewhere to look back on in the future to see how far I’ve come. And I’m rubbish at keeping a paper journal, so.

In my work life I’ve been running projects, leading teams and advising clients for three decades. I’ve had a fabulous career (so far) that has seen me dance through the home entertainment industry, create, market and transform global brands and drive digital transformation, customer experience and human-centred design across a range of sectors. In 2002 I founded and ran my own design agency and most recently I led Customer Experience for banking clients in a consulting practice. From the record industry to the Bank of England – talk about a varied journey!

In recent years I’ve been lucky to do what I love the most – combine my multi-industry knowledge with insight and expertise in digital, design and technology to enable organisations to reimagine services and experiences, develop and manage their digital products, and create capabilities that help them grow, profitability.

But enough of that. This blog has some work stuff on it, but is more about the personal than the professional. You can head over to LinkedIn if it’s the work-me you want to find out more about. Here, each post is a page in my digital diary, filled with the highs and lows, the places that stole my heart, the designs that made sit up and look, random musings, plenty of cocktails and the personal and work experiences that taught me the most. I like talented people, beautifully useful things and stuff that makes the world a better place, so expect a fair bit of that.

So, come wander with me and join me on this journey.

12th January 2024
Design

Eastbourne hosts the Turner Prize

When I heard the Turner Prize was being exhibited and hosted in Sussex, it definitely made it onto my ‘must-see’ list for this Autumn.

The Turner Prize is probably the world’s best known art event, and is awarded to a British contemporary artist for either an outstanding exhibit or other presentation of work in the past 12 months. Previous winners include Grayson Perry, Rachel Whiteread, Anish Kapoor and Damien Hurst.

So on a wet and windy Thursday, we set off for Eastbourne to visit the exhibit at the Towner Gallery. I wasn’t really sure what to expect…

There are 4 shortlisted artists – and the award ceremony is being held on 5 December. The whole exhibition was free to enter, and it was great to see the amount of accessible and inclusive tools and resources available to ensure the widest audience possible could enjoy the art.


The first set of exhibits were by Ghislaine Leung, who focuses on the conditions of art production, its presentation and circulation. As I understood it, Leung creates text-based instructions/descriptions that are then executed by the gallery team. And so this execution obviously changes with every team that realises it. It’s interesting conceptually, and I quite like the idea that the piece changes with every interpretation and every context, but, I guess, at a basic level, some pipes and a water fountain just wasn’t that understandable – and even less so if you hadn’t read the descriptions or watched the video.

Rory Pilgrim uses song writing, film, texts, drawings, paintings and live performance in his work – challenging the nature of how we come together, speak, listen and achieve social change. His film, RAFTS was made during the pandemic – a raft keeping us afloat in challenging or dangerous times.

We didn’t get to see the whole film, as there were specific screening times, so we only ducked into about 10 mins worth, unfortunately. The film is narrated by residents of Barking and Dagenham from Green Shoes Arts and includes singers and members of Barking and Dagenham Youth Dance. It really felt like this had been made in and with the community and took contributions from a wide and diverse set of people. While it was definitely interesting and I would love to have seen more, it felt like something I might watch on TV, rather than a piece of award-winning art. But what do I know, I’ll probably be totally surprised by the time the entries are judged.

The absolute stand out of the show for me, was the exhibit by Barbara Walker. And not just this show – it’s one of the best exhibitions I’ve seen. I’m still thinking about it now.

In Burden of Proof, Walker directs our focus towards the individuals, families and communities whose lives have been touched by the Windrush scandal. The work shows really impactful large-scale charcoal figures intricately sketched directly onto the gallery wall, accompanied by a compelling series of surrounding images. Through monochrome portraits, Walker layers poignant images of those affected by the scandal over meticulously hand-drawn reproductions of documents that underscore their right to remain in the UK.

This thought-provoking display really encouraged me to contemplate on the genuine repercussions of these political decisions. This work stands as a powerful exploration of the human stories that sit behind (and are directly impacted by) bureaucratic cruelty – and you get a real sense that the people were forgotten as the documentation became the important thing.

The wall drawings will be washed away at the end of the exhibition, to signify erasure and disappearance.

And lastly, I was excited for Jesse Darling’s entry, which promised ‘an installation that explores borders, bodies, nationhood and exclusion’. Unfortunately I didn’t like it. I guess crash barriers, barbed wire and net curtains do that – but it all felt a bit clichéd to me. There didn’t seem to be any fresh or new thinking around that theme…but hey, that’s just to my untrained eyes.

So, while two were a definite ‘no’ for me, if you go along just to see Barbara Walker’s Burden of Proof it won’t be a wasted visit. And there’s a public art trail and other events in the town worth sticking around for.

Turner Prize – 28 September 2023 to 14 April 2024 (free admission).

20th November 2023
Design

REBEL at the Design Museum

Went to see this fashion exhibition at The Design Museum, which is in collaboration with the British Fashion Council (BFC) and celebrates the 30th anniversary of the BFC’s NEWGEN programme. The show, sponsored by Alexander McQueen, focuses on the work in the early careers of design talent that has been supported by the programme.

Loved this Giles Deacon suit.

Highlights include the swan dress controversially worn by Björk at the 2001 Oscars, Harry Styles’ Steven Stokey Daley outfit from his video for ‘Golden’, and Sam Smith’s inflatable latex suit by HARRI from this year’s BRIT Awards. Collections and work by JW Anderson, Wales Bonner, Erdem, Molly Goddard, Christopher Kane, Simone Rocha, Russell Sage, and many more.


And this ear cuff was extraordinary.

The show is great, and is on until 11 February 2024. Go see.

15th November 2023
Eat, Live, Play

House Classic: The Kentucky Manhattan

I’m a late comer to this cocktail – call it a lockdown revelation, but it’s currently my favourite tipple. Strong, warm and silky – the Manhattan is one of the dark spirit cocktails that effortlessly crosses the seasons.

Originating in…of course… Manhattan, sometime in the mid-late 1800’s, the original Manhattan was a mix of  “American Whiskey, Italian Vermouth, and Angostura bitters”, and I guess my house classic doesn’t veer too far away from these original roots.

Glassware

I like to serve a Manhattan in coupe, a shallow, saucer shaped stemmed glass. My current favourite is the Riedel Bar Crystal Glass Nick & Nora set. At 140ml, they are slightly too small for the recipe below, but it means you can leave some in the cocktail shaker chilling while you drink the first glass.

I always put the glass in the freezer for 10 minutes before making the cocktail.

Ingredients

I’ve tried different variations of Bourbon, Rye and Vermouth brands, but this one comes out on top for me. The Starlino is an Italian sweet Vermouth di Torino, aged in Kentucky bourbon barrels. It includes wormwood, cloves, vanilla, rhubarb, ginger, cinchona tincture, grape skin, raisins, bitter orange peel and other herbs and spices, and unlike some Vermouth, is not too bitter, so it balances well with the Kentucky-originating Jack.

Recipe

  1. Take one round, golf-ball-sized ice cube and place in cocktail shaker (square ice cubes are also fine – but bigger the better)
  2. Add the spirits and the bitters (you could also add cherry bitter here if you like)
  3. Stir until it’s nicely chilled
  4. Pour, either straight up or with the single ice cube, into a cocktail glass and garnish with a maraschino cherry and a tiny drizzle of cherry juice.

Sip and enjoy with a snack.

 

 

12th September 2021