Five days of clear blue skies and unexpected birthday surprises! 🩵

Oh, February… what a month it’s been! Honestly, it’s like Spring just couldn’t wait to make its grand entrance, and I’m not complaining one bit! We've had five blue-sky days in a row, and if that’s not a sign that something magical is in the air, what is?

February brings excitement, chaos, and growth — but in the best possible way. It was a month of hustle and bustle in Catherine's Originals HQ, sprinkled with so many moments of inspiration and joy and of course the best vegan chocolates! From new product launches to birthday celebrations and even finding some peace (finally!) in my sleep schedule, I’m feeling supercharged for what I know is going to be a good 23rd year.

February is always a bit of a rollercoaster for me. The day after I was born, my mum lost her dad, and then my nan’s birthday follows the very next day, with my mum’s birthday right after that. It’s a mix of celebration and reflection, and as I get older, I’m noticing how much differently we reflect as a family. It’s hard not to get caught up in your emotions when so much is happening all at once.

I used to live next door to a lovely elderly man (although he didn’t seem that elderly). We were close, and he’s actually just flown to South America by himself, with 80+ years of life behind him. I asked him what the secret is to his energy, and he told me simply, "Just keep looking forward."

When you lose family members, see your parents get older, and witness changes in family dynamics, it’s easy to get lost in the past-and with the kinda of emotional person I am, all the changes can be challenging. I am not saying getting sentimental is a bad thing, but it can be an energy zapping, loss of focus thing. What’s the right balance? How do you not let the reminiscing turn into dwelling?

The team (and all of you) made me feel very special on Friday, so thank you and a big warm, chocolatey hug! Jamie’s wonky buttons cake surprised me, mostly because I was trying to figure out when he made it, considering we live on the same schedule, work at the same place, and live in the same house… The sun was shining for a chilled morning of recipe work, followed by pottery and prosecco, and to top it all off, I enjoyed a girly spa overnight stay to celebrate my mum’s birthday! Feeling totally warm and loved.

But it wasn’t just birthdays, oh no! We also launched our Easter Egg this month… and let me tell you, the eggcitement was real. We’ve been working on this for a while, and it was so worth the wait. Have you got yours yet? And speaking of newness, we had a new machine arrive… any guesses? It’s going to level up your selection boxes and make them way more epic. I’ll leave you hanging for now — all will be revealed soon enough!

Have you got your Catherine’s Originals Eggstravaganza yet? There’s not many left!

February was also a month of research and development. There are over FIVE new mind-blowing launches coming this year. I may have spilled the beans to my Auntie and Cousin this weekend (they’re serious chocolate lovers), and trust me, they’re just as excited as I am.

Let’s share more sweet news — there has been some slight relief in the cocoa market! As chocolatiers, it’s honestly been tough watching our beloved industry face these highs, and even some brands crumble. I’ve seen all the comments on social media about the rising cost of vegan chocolate, and trust me, it pains me to hear people so upset or confused about the price.

Prices have been through the roof,.. Many chocolate companies have had no choice but to raise their prices or alter their recipes (not us, though!). It’s been really hard for small businesses like ours, who don’t have the massive buying power of big brands. But here’s the good news: we planned smartly at Catherine’s Originals, and because we made the decision to scale more online this year, we’ve managed to hold our prices steady.

I still remember when people said our products were overpriced when we first started. But now, seeing that we’re matching (if not beating!) larger brands like NOMO on the price per 100g, I really hope that shows how committed we are to keeping  your prices tasty and true to our values. If you’re comparing products, always check the price per 100g — it’s a much better way to get the true value, especially when packaging and brand names can be distracting.

I mentioned a little while ago that I was struggling with stress, sleep, and work-life balance. So many of you were kind and sent in some therapy tips and even offered your services (thank you!). Well, I took some of your advice and booked a reflexology session. I honestly didn’t know what to expect, but after an hour-long session, I slept like a hibernating bear for five straight nights. It was honestly the best £40 I’ve spent. If you struggle with sleep or just need a little TLC, I highly recommend giving it a go.

What’s March going to bring? We’ve got some fun spring and Mother’s Day bundles lined up, plus some brand-new products that are going to knock your socks off. And hey, I’m thinking of running a cool giveaway too… stay tuned for that!

Thank you again for all the birthday messages sent my way — I read every single one of them, and they truly made the end of an already amazing month even more special.

Alright, that’s enough from me for now. I’m off to enjoy a little chocolate (of course) and get ready for all the exciting things to come. In the meantime, enjoy the sunny days.

Stay sweet,
Catherine 🍫