The Lunchtime Club That’s All About Good Food, Great Friends, and Sharing the Love
How a cheese sandwich, a dhal, and a quinoa salad got me thinking about the beauty of sharing
When I’m not at home hand-making your favourite skincare (bold of me to assume, I know), you’ll usually find me tucked away at my desk at PLATF9RM, a co-working space I’ve been renting for the last two and a half years.
It’s my little escape away from the endless distractions of washing, dishwasher-emptying, and the 101 things that seem to demand your attention at home. It’s where I can properly sink into writing newsletters and blogs (like this one), and get on top of all the behind-the-scenes admin that comes with running Olive & Joyce.
But the best bit of being there? Honestly, it’s the lunch breaks.
Meet the ‘Rich Tea’ Club
At PLATF9RM, I’m surrounded by other small business owners, and as a one-woman band, that sense of community is something really special. But my favourite people of all are my lunchtime gang: a trio we’ve lovingly named ‘Rich Tea’.
T and I are both vegan, both mums, and both very familiar with the art of fridge-raiding for leftovers. Our lunches tend to be some variation of lentil stew, chickpea curry, pasta bake, or roasted veg with nuts and grains.
Then there’s Rich. Our very own Wallace from Wallace and Gromit. Rich brings in the exact same lunch every day: a cheese and pickle sandwich and an apple. Without fail. Every single day. And every single time, he takes that first bite with the kind of joy that makes it look like he’s never eaten a cheese sandwich before. It’s honestly incredible.
He’s one of my bestest friends, so I know this isn’t just a Monday to Friday thing, it’s a Monday to Monday commitment. T and I are convinced he’s part robot. I mean… how can any man survive on that much cheese? The mind boggles.
A Shared Lunch, A Shared Laugh
Every now and then, one of us goes all out and brings in a batch of something to share. Today was one of those days. T brought in her famous dhal (honestly, give that woman an award), and I made a big mixed veg and quinoa salad.
We ate. We laughed. We swapped stories and Thermomix recipes. We debated whether blueberries belong in salad (they do, by the way), and shared tips, product recs, and those little life hacks that only come out when you’ve got a fork in one hand and friends around you.
It was one of those simple, joyful moments that reminded me how lucky I am for good food, and even better friendships.
The Magic of Sharing
As I sat back at my desk, full and happy, I had a little lightbulb moment: there’s real magic in sharing.
These lunch breaks have introduced me to new recipes, my now-favourite sunscreen, the latest must-try supplement, and even a curly hair cream I’d never have discovered otherwise.
And it got me thinking, if our little Rich Tea tribe shares our favourite things over lunch, maybe you have been doing the same with your friends. If you've ever recommended Olive & Joyce to someone you love, thank you. Truly.
A Little Thank You for Sharing the Love
If you do refer a friend to Olive & Joyce, you’ll both receive £10 off your next orders. It’s just a small way for me to say thank you for helping this little dream of mine grow.
So if there’s someone in your life who loves skincare (or someone who could use a little pampering), here’s the link to send them:
Refer a friend and get £10 off
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for supporting my small business. Every order, every kind message, every time you tell a friend about Olive & Joyce, it keeps this going. I couldn’t do this without you, and I’m so glad you’re here.
All my love,
Emily xxx