Behind the dresses, toys, and tiny shoes — there’s a whole lot of real life.
People often ask what it’s like running a children’s shop while raising four boys, managing two energetic dogs, a moody cat, and four fish who thankfully don’t demand much.
The short answer? It’s busy. The long answer? Beautifully chaotic — and full of purpose. 💛
Here’s a peek into a typical day behind the scenes at The Blue Zebra:
🌅 6:30 AM – Rise & Woof
The dogs, Rollo and Lumiere, are my built-in alarm clocks. They’re up with the sun and ready for a run through the fields. I grab a coffee, breathe in the fresh air, and prepare to face the day.
Then it’s straight into the school-run whirlwind: four boys, packed lunches, shoes that magically disappear every morning — you know the drill.
🛍️ 10:00 AM – Shop Doors Open
Once the chaos is out the door, I shift into shop mode. Lights on, parcels packed, displays fluffed (and re-fluffed — I can never leave them alone!).
I spend this time prepping online orders, chatting to lovely customers, rearranging shelves, and usually getting completely distracted by a window display “quick refresh” that turns into a full-on redesign. It’s all part of the fun.
☕ Midday – A Cuppa & Catch-Ups
If I’m lucky, I sneak in a tea or coffee while photographing new arrivals for the site, updating stock, or posting a quick Reel to Instagram.
Every day is a juggle — emails, content, customer questions, stock checks — but I thrive on the variety and the joy that comes from helping someone find just the right thing.
🎒 4:30 PM – Mum Mode Activated
Time to swap the till for trainers. School pick-up time means fields, dandelions, and pockets full of half-eaten snacks.
My boys come home full of stories, mess, and energy — and I do my best to keep up.
🌙 Evening – Wind Down (Sort Of)
Once bedtime hits, I settle in again — answering messages, restocking the site, brainstorming new displays or blog topics. Sometimes I reflect on the day with a big exhale, grateful for the beautiful madness of it all.
💫 What It’s All About
The Blue Zebra isn’t just a shop. It’s a reflection of my real, sometimes messy, always meaningful life — full of family, heart, and a love for beautiful things made well.
Whether you shop in person or browse online, I’m so thankful to have you here. This journey wouldn’t be the same without your support.
Until next time — thank you for being part of my everyday. 💛
With love,
Polly
Founder of The Blue Zebra