23/10/2026
Ainslie here with a temporary Tah-rah! 👋
As a self-confessed control freak who genuinely loves her work, the idea of stepping away from The St. Ives Co. for a little while feels very strange. Since we opened in 2020, The St. Ives Co. has completely consumed my world & in many ways, has felt like my baby. Getting pregnant wasn’t entirely straightforward for us, & through the harder moments, work became the best distraction, something I could literally plough all of my energy and focus into.
Preparing to step away from one “baby” to welcome an actual one feels like quite a big shift! I know how incredibly lucky I am to be able to take this time, slow down and get used to becoming a mum. I’m trying to embrace the fact that I don’t need to know exactly what the next few months are going to look like… and relinquish just a little bit of control along the way! I have a feeling Tegen and Safi might actually be looking forward to that last bit, a few months without me on their backs about everything might be the most relaxing maternity leave they’ve never had!
My sisters and our amazing team will be keeping everything running as usual. Orders will be packed, the shop will still be open and there will be plenty happening at The St. Ives Co. I’ll just (hopefully!) be resisting the urge to check in as often as I normally would.
One thing that will definitely be coming with me when the time comes is our Calming Room & Pillow Mist. I’ve been using it throughout my pregnancy, particularly at bedtime & I’m planning to pack it in my hospital bag too. It’s funny how a scent can become associated with a certain feeling, and for me this one has really become a little cue to slow down.
Which brings me to a question for those of you who have done this before…
What helped most during labour, those first few weeks with a newborn, or simply adjusting to becoming a mum?
So, not goodbye, just a little sign off from me while I disappear into the newborn bubble for a while.
Thank you, as always, for supporting us. It feels particularly special knowing I can step away for this chapter and leave it in such safe hands.
See you on the other side 🤍
Ainslie
1/3 of The St. Ives Co.