If you’re following the Zoella Instagram account, you’ll know that we’ve created more of a community and have expanded on what started as just my casual musings and lush hauls, to the things that not only I share a passion in, but the incredible team behind everything “Zoella” do too. Together, we want to produce even more content for people to enjoy.

There will be plenty of home interiors, food and sugar-filled baking, beauty, style, travel, books and lot’s of lifestyle. One thing we loved doing on the Instagram account is our Tuesday Takeovers, having people sharing their stories and educating others in areas that we show huge interest and passion in but might not have the knowledge to fully divulge in ourselves and we want to allow them this space to share too.

Well, don’t go giving up on your flowerbeds and veggie patches just yet, there’s still plenty of life in her yet.  

Nothing beats cooking with home-grown herbs and the delicious bunch we’ve listed below are sturdy enough to withstand cooler weather. In fact, Autumn is prime time for planting the hardiest herbs such as parsley and rosemary, whilst your summer herbs can be harvested for tapenades, sauces and soups.

From lilies and bee-friendly wild flowers to blueberries and broccoli, here’s your check list for what to sow and grow in October:

Outdoor Plants/Flowers

Roses | Lilies | Cowslips | White laceflower | Daffodils | Sweet Peas | Tulips Achillea (Summer berries) | Anemone Coronaria | Hyacinths | Snowdrops | Peonies | Pansies | Evergreens

Vegetables

Garlic | Broccoli | Lettuce | Cabbage | Cauliflower | Spinach | Carrots | Radishes | Kale | Onion sets | Broad beans

Herbs

Dill | Chives | Parsley (flat or curled) | Sage | Rosemary | Mint | Thyme | Fennel

Fruit

Strawberries | Blueberries | Currants | Gooseberries

Morning stretches are a great way to set you up for the day ahead, improve your mood, increase blood flow and get your body working more efficiently.  There are plenty of simple yoga poses you can incorporate into your morning routine, so fear not – you don’t need to be a professional yogi to join in.

We’ve walked you through 4 feel-good stretches to help ease tension and combat that sluggish AM slump like a boss. Click through the gallery to read instructions for each pose.

Child’s Pose

1. Kneel on the floor. Touch your big toes together and sit on your heels, then separate your heels as wide as your hips.
2. Exhale and lay your torso down between your thighs. Broaden your sacrum across the back of your pelvis and narrow your hip points towards the navel, so that they nestle down onto the inner thighs. Lengthen your tailbone away from the back of your neck.
3. Lay your hands on the floor alongside your torso, palms up and release the fronts of your shoulders towards the floor.

Cobra Pose

1. Lie flat on the floor. Stretch your legs back, keeping the tops of your feet on the floor. Place your hands on the floor under your shoulders. Keep the elbows back into your body.
2. Press the tops of the feet and thighs and the pelvis firmly into the floor.
3. On the inhalation, begin to straighten your arms and lift your chest off the floor, going only to the height at which you can maintain a connection through your pelvis to your legs. Press your tailbone toward your pelvis and lift the pelvis toward your navel. Narrow your hip points.
4. Firm your shoulder blades against your back, puffing your side ribs forward. Lift through the top of your sternum but avoid pushing the front ribs forward, which hardens the lower back.

Downward Dog Pose

1. Stand at the end of your mat and exhale, slowly bending forward to touch your toes. Place your palms flat on the floor, and extend legs back.
2. Push your hips up to the sky, so you make a V shape. It doesn’t matter if your toes don’t touch the floor, just push your hips up as high as you can, inhaling and exhaling slowly.
3. Lower your legs, bringing your knees to the floor and rest your bum on your feet. Stretch out your back and arms into Child’s Pose for a few breaths, and then rise back into Downward Dog.

Pigeon Pose

1. Begin in Downward Dog. Your knees should be right below your hips on the mat. Your hands should be slightly ahead of your shoulders.
2. Raise your right leg so it extends away from you. Slide it forward to the back of your right wrist. Angle your right shin under your torso and bring your right leg to the front of your left knee, behind your left hand. The outside of your right shin should now rest on the floor.
3. Slide your left leg back behind you. Straighten it and let the front of your thigh sit on the floor. Look behind you to make sure your left leg is extended straight behind you, not out to one side.
4. Exhale and lay your torso down over your right leg. Hold this pose for 4-5 breaths. Inhale and rise up. Bend your back leg and reach your opposite arm back. Take hold of the outside of your ankle. If this feels good, hold for 4-5 breaths. Lower and repeat this variation on the opposite side.

SERVES 3-4

PREP: COOK:

EASY

INGREDIENTS

Ingredients

You will need:

 

• Small Soft Tortillas
• Cauliflower
• Red Cabbage
• Honey
• Garlic Powder/Granules
• Olive Oil
• White Wine Vinegar
• Avocado
• Sriracha
• Feta Cheese
• Salted Tortilla Chips
• Jalapeños
• Lime
• Sour Cream
• Coriander

For the Cabbage Slaw:

• Finely slice the red cabbage and pop in a small bowl, you won’t need the whole thing, 1/3 is enough!
• Drizzle over olive oil and white wine vinegar
• Sprinkle over with salt and pepper and leave to marinade

For the fillings:

• Cut the cauliflower into small florets and pop into a large bowl
• Coat with olive oil, around 2 tbsp
• Add salt and pepper
• Add 2 tsp of onion granules (or more if you feel you want it)
• Add 2 tsp of honey (again, add more if you want more or are feeding more people)
• Stir until all the cauliflower is evenly coated
• Fry in a pan on a low to medium heat until it starts to brown (this should be a slow process so it doesn’t burn whilst still being crunchy)

For the tacos:
• Heat the tortillas for 10 seconds each side in a frying pan to warm them before serving
• Cut the avocado into slices or little squares for serving
• Chop up a tiny dish of jalapeños and coriander, and place in small dishes on the table alongside sour cream, tortilla chips and feta
• Alongside the Sriracha bottle, place all the prepared ingredients on the table with the stack of warmed tortilla

You can prepare the tacos yourself so people can just grab and go, or allow people to build their own, which is often more fun! Our favourite way to eat them is to grab a tortilla and spread out some cabbage slaw, adding sliced avocado followed by the cauliflower. Crumble a few tortillas over the top before sprinkling over feta, jalapeños and coriander, before drizzling with a healthy dash of sriracha.

We hope you enjoy this recipe! Don’t forget to share and tag us in any posts if you make your own.  

Breathe in some fresh air 

Whether we realise it or not, the stresses of urban living can take their toll on our mental health. Getting outside in the fresh air forces us to become more mindful of our surroundings, our breathing and our state of mind. 

Unplug, turn off the TV, leave your phone at home and walk aimlessly in the countryside. Savour the smells, sights and sounds as you become more aware of everything around you. You won’t regret it!

Reconnect with nature

When was the last time you hunted for conkers, or played Pooh sticks in the woods with your friends? Our busy lifestyles demand more and more from us, which is why going for a peaceful stroll and coming back to nature is always a sure-fire way to slow down, anchor your mind and body and restore our mental wellbeing. One look at the benefits of the Japanese practice of ‘forest bathing’ is enough to convince any cynics. 

It boosts productivity 

Getting outside is conducive to productivity. When work is overwhelming, it’s hard to tear yourself away from your laptops and emails, we hear you, but spending time outdoors will actually enhance concentration, alertness and creativity. 

Next time you think you don’t have time to take your lunchbreak, get outside for half an hour and avoid that afternoon slump come 3pm. Better yet, take your work outside if you can or swap your gym session for a run in the park instead. Greenery makes everything better!

You’ll sleep better

Sure, being inside is cosy and everything (hello Netflix) but the blue light emitted by devices such as our phones and tablets can seriously mess with our sleep. 

Our natural circadian rhythm is affected by exposure to direct sunlight so getting outside, even if it doesn’t appear to be particularly sunny, can help balance and synchronise your internal body clock.

Not only will you get a healthy dose of Vitamin D to help fight off the dreaded Winter fatigue, you’ll also enjoy a healthier night’s sleep. Thank you very much, nature!

It feels good!

Put simply, being outside makes you feel happier. Just like any other physical activity, walking releases mood-enhancing endorphins responsible for reducing anxiety and stress. You can head out on your own or round up the family, find a trail and make a day of it. The best things in life are free, right? 

Do you enjoy spending time outside? Let us know what your favourite outdoor activities are in the comment below!

Face

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation* – If I’m feeling a little bit like my skin needs that extra layer or boost, i’ll always reach for my Nars Sheer Glow foundation. I love the amount of coverage it gives whilst also feeling very light and giving a really healthy glow.

Chanel Cream Bronzer* – I am obsessed with this bronzer for a more dewy look. I lived in this through the summer months and I’m still holding onto it as the weather gets a little colder.

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Bronzer * – If i’m not feeling a cream bronzer, I love this powder one by Estee Lauder. They usually bring one out each year within a Bronze Goddess range. I love the colour, the pigmentation and how easy it is to blend!

Nars Wanted Blush Palette * – This is a fairly new edition to my makeup collection but i’m obsessed with it. The Nars blushers are so pretty and the colours are perfect, so i’ve been using a mixture of the colours in this one, the highlight in particular is so beautiful.

Eyes

Stila “After Hours” Eyeshadow Palette * – This palette is perfect for this time of year as it contains all my favourite spicy shades in both shimmer and matte to give you the ultimate eyeshadow look. I find Stila shadows so creamy and pigmented, they’re really good quality.

Victoria Beckham Mini Trio “Tweed” – Again, i’ve been reaching for this on the regular and have especially loved blending the light brown shade all over my lid and underneath my eye for a more subtle but super quick and easy look when I don’t have much time.

Victoria Satin Kajal Eyeliner “Bordeaux”  – This gorgeous, creamy and super pigmented eyeliner is the perfect accompaniment to a brown smoky eye and blends really nicely with the little blender section of the eyeliner.

Pat McGrath Labs Fetish Eyes Mascara * – I’ve been loving this mascara recently, it gives you super black, separated and voluminous lashes and no smudging!

Lips & Brows

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow Pomade “Medium Brown” * – This has been my go-to for brows for a long time now. I use an angled brush and fill in any patches I might have and create more of a fullness.

Stila Liquid Lipstick “Chianti” – If i’ve kept my eyes quite neutral, I love a deep berry lip this time of year. One of my favourite formulations being a matte liquid lipstick and Stila have nailed this so well. I have so many different shades and they last so well throughout the day.

Tarte Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint “Bestie” * – For a more neutral lip when i’ve gone more smoky on the eyes, I love this shade by Tarte. Again, they have great a formulation and there so many shades of this lipstick.

*This post contains affiliate links. For more information and to read our disclosure policy, please click here.

If you feel like you’re caught in a sartorial blizzard with no idea who you are as a person or how to dress yourself, fear not. We’ve got your back and we’ll help you clothe it, too.

This is our definitive guide to the cold weather staples we’re lovin’ and, in the interest of staying warm this Winter, adding to our baskets immediately.

Carrie

“I love my autumn/winter wardrobe the most of all, and despite worrying I spend most of the season looking like the Ikea monkey, I’ve learned to embrace the layers because above all, being warm and comfy is the most important thing!”

Bershka Biker Jacket

Wednesday’s Girl via ASOS Striped Jumper*

Levi’s via ASOS 501 Crop Jeans*

Dorothy Perkins via Next Biker Boots*

Oasis Brushed via Next Check Scarf*

Danielle

“I run hot and I still think it’s quite mild in Brighton come November so I’m afraid my outfit consists of ankles out and no proper coat, however, I do love to layer! This fit is feminine, classic and cool, three things I always try and ooze.”

InTheStyle Beige Trench Coat*

Weekday White Tee*

ASOS Noisy May Denim Shirt*

ASOS Design Tapered Leather Look Trousers*

ASOS Design Green Loafers*

Holly

“I love to layer and Cold Weather Outfits are my favourite, they’re so cozy! But they’re often quite dull and I love a bit of colour. So would go for something a bit brighter than the usual monotone colours. Can’t beat classic Jeans and a hoodie with an oversized coat and some chunky boots.”

Boohoo Oversized Teddy Faux Fur Jacket*

Next Black Jeans*

New Look Black Hoodie*

Dr Martens Patent Rainbow Boots

Lauren

“I do love my layers come autumn/winter, any excuse to tuck in and keep every bit of cold out! I’m traditionally a jumper and jeans gal, but I’m trying to switch up my style more and this jumpsuit is a gorgeous colour and fit (can pop a thermal or two on underneath), and I do like to co-ordinate so a matching purple beret is a must. I’m really into belted wrap coats at the mo, and this is a nice dark brown which can dress up any outfit for any occasion too – feels like a dressing gown but for outside! Finally, I’m back on the boots and I’ve been eyeing up these Doc Martens as they look hardy for the winter but still chunky and cool ”

People Tree Pansy Jumpsuit*

People Tree Purple Cable Knit Beret*

Marks and Spencer Wrap Coat*

Dr Martens Vegan Boots

Lareese

“I’m one of those annoying people who love to love autumn/winter. I just find getting dressed so much easier! My cold weather outfit usually consists of a trusty knit with some vintage jeans or wide leg trews layered under an oversized jacket or wooly coat. A scarf always gives the illusion you’ve got your shit together too, even if you did call the nice man at the coffee shop mum this morning.”

H&M Polo Neck Top in White*

H&M Wide Trousers*

Topshop Check Shacket*

Good News via Our Daily Edit Brown Trainers

ASOS Design Brown Scarf*

Maddie

“I always wondered how people layer nice looking outfits in Autumn/Winter without freezing their butts off and the secret is THERMALS. You can still just about wear that cute jacket or blazer so long as you’ve got sufficient on underneath. Once you’ve got the warmth under control you’re free to wear whatever you want (within reason). Pop one of the HeatTech tops on, a smart wool jumper, a more tailored blazer over top and team it with a pair of gorgeous black ankle boots and you’ll look put together and cosy even on the coldest days.”

UNIQLO Thermal Turtleneck Top in White

UNIQLO Thermal Crew Neck in Black

andotherstories Oversized Wool Blend Sweater*

andotherstories Oversized Beige Blazer*

Zara Oversized Houndstooth Blazer

Topshop Joni Jeans in Black

Acne Studios via Net-a-Porter Jensen Ankle Boots*

Zoe

“I love this time of year because layering clothes is my favourite thing to do – I like the accessories, with hats and scarves and cute little gloves! The minute there is a chill in the air, my head is happiest under a bobble hat of some sort. If I’m going somewhere where I need to be 100% sure I’ll stay warm, I love a fun chequered trouser (with tights underneath if it’s REALLY cold) with a plain hoody, layered with a relaxed slouchy coat and paired with chunky black boots! (and the hat obviously)”

ASOS Sharktooth Tapered Trousers*

Topshop Black Ankle Boots*

Monki via ASOS Grey Hoodie*

Topshop Black Longline Coat*

Zoella Lifestyle Bobble Hat and Mug

Let us know which Winter warmers you’ve got your eye on at the moment!

*This post contains affiliate links. For more information and to read our disclosure policy, please click here.

Changing up your home décor seasonally is a quick and easy way to reinvent your space. You can add plenty of autumnal touches throughout your home with cosy textures, warm tones, dried florals and spice scented candles.

We’re kicking off the Autumn makeover with the outside space because where we’re coming from, there’s no better way to wow your guests and neighbours than with a perfectly styled porch.

Seasonal wreaths, a cute gang of gourds and a celebration of colour will go a long way and set the tone for your Autumn abode, right before your friends and family have even walked through the front door.

Gone are the days when wreaths were left firmly in the Christmas department, dusted off for the month of December and boxed away again until the following year. Now, every season brings with it a new opportunity to style the front of your house and we are here for it. Spring, Easter, Summer, you name it!

There’s plenty of independent floral creatives and florists running wreath workshops out there if you fancy trying your hand at making your own. Creating something unique and handmade for your home makes it extra special and working with nature is always good for the soul.

There’s a whole wealth of online resources if you want to go all-out DIY and make your wreath from the comfort of your own kitchen table with mugs of tea on tap.

Even if you’re not that crazy about all the orange and brown hues, you can always buck the trend and go for bright statement colours over the earthy palette for your porch décor instead.

If low key is more your style, opt for pared-back neutral accessories with white ghost pumpkins, fluffy dried reeds or corn stalks and gold accents for something that feels classic and grown-up but still undeniably Autumn.

There’s no shortage of ways to style up your doorstep décor, so have fun with it. Just in the same way as you’d style a living room shelf, you can faff around with your display to your heart’s content, swapping and shifting items around until you’re happy with the arrangement.

Our top tip? Symmetry, symmetry, symmetry. Whether you arrange your pumpkins together in mini bundles, line them up singularly either side of the steps or dot them around at various heights, creating a balanced display is sure to make your porch look put together.

We hope you’re feeling suitably pumped to style your porch for Autumn after that. Let us know how you like to decorate your home for Autumn in the comments below!

“Pumpkin spice cake is one of my absolute FAVOURITE types of cake to bake, especially at this time of year with all its warming spices. I already have a pumpkin spice cupcake recipe that I repeat year on year, but this time I decided to double up on the recipe to create an epic three-tier cake instead. I’d been scouring Pinterest for some design inspiration and stumbled upon a beautiful cake by Livforcake which i’ve taken my own little spin on when icing and decorating. If you want to create something that’s a bit of an alternative to a carrot cake, but still moist and delicious, this recipe is for you! You can also use a cream cheese based icing if you’d prefer, but I wanted something a bit more hardy, so went for a classic vanilla buttercream” – Zoe

Nothing says Autumn quite like a towering pumpkin spiced layer cake, topped with fondant gourds, so without further ado, let’s get baking!

SERVES 12 +

PREP: 2 HRS COOK: 30 MINS

MEDIUM

INGREDIENTS

Ingredients

For the cake:

• 560g plain flour
• 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 220g butter, softened
• 400g caster sugar
• 10 tablespoons brown soft sugar
• 4 eggs, room temperature
• 360ml milk
• 800g pumpkin puree

For the icing:

• 800g icing sugar
• 500g butter
• dash of milk
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For pumpkin decorations / cake toppers:

• orange and yellow fondant icing
• green / brown fondant icing for stems
• brown gel food colouring
• fondant tools or small kitchen knife

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Sift together the flour, spices, salt and baking powders into a bowl and set aside.

2. In an electric mixer, blend the butter and sugars until they are light in colour and fluffy. Add in the eggs one at a time and stir in the milk and pumpkin puree.

3. Add in the dry ingredients from the other bowl until it’s all just mixed together but try not to over mix it.

4. Grease the sides and bottom of three 20cm cake trays with butter and line the bottom with parchment paper.

Top tip: you can also use these handy baking belts to bake perfectly moist and level cakes without cracks. Simply soak in water and add to the outside of the tins before they go in the oven.

5. Divide the batter equally between three lined cake trays. These non-stick pre-cut baking parchment rounds are really helpful.

6. Bake for 30 mins or until they spring back and a knife/toothpick comes out clean.

7. While the cakes are baking, make the icing by adding the butter and milk to the mixer and blending until smooth. Then add the icing sugar a little bit at a time until it is all mixed in and lighter in colour.

8. Add in the vanilla and beat until it’s fluffy and combined.

9. Remove cakes from the oven. Once they are cool to touch, transfer to wire racks and allow to cool completely before icing.

10. Place the first cake on a cake card or turntable ready for icing. Using a palette knife, spread an even layer of buttercream icing over the top until covered, or using a round ended piping nozzle and piping bag, you can pipe evenly around the cake in circles to ensure a nice even layer.

11. Layer the second cake over the top and repeat the buttercream icing step.

12. Top with your final layer and apply a crumb coating (a thin layer of icing using a scrapping tool) around the whole stack of cakes, filling in any gaps.
Once smooth, refrigerate for 30 – 45 minutes before applying a final layer of icing to the whole cake. You can leave this as a completely smooth effect, but Zoe added a swirl in the icing.

13. Now it’s time to make the little pumpkin toppers. Tear off a small piece of orange fondant and roll into a ball. For slight variations in colour, you can also combine yellow fondant with orange and roll together for different pumpkin hues.

14. Starting from the bottom, use the dull side of a knife or a fondant carving tool to add the pumpkin lines, turning the ball as you go. Push down the centre of your pumpkin slightly where the lines meet to make a small well for the stem.

15. Roll out a tiny piece of your brown/green fondant for the stem (you can also use cloves if you prefer) and apply on top, squeezing the orange fondant snug around it.

16. Using a paint brush and your brown food colouring, mix with water and paint on in between the lines of the pumpkins to add more depth and real-ness to them.

17. Once the pumpkins are done, you can simply arrange them how you want on the cake and voila!

If you like your pudding gooey, chewy and chocolatey then this is the recipe for you!

SERVES 6-8

PREP: COOK:

EASY

INGREDIENTS

Ingredients

• 100g Butter, chopped
• 200g Dark Chocolate, chopped
• 4 Eggs
• 250g Golden Caster Sugar
• 100g Plain Flour
• 1 tsp Baking Powder
• 30g Cocoa
• 50g White Chocolate Chunks
• 50g Milk Chocolate Chunks
• 2 handfuls Mini Marshmallows

Heat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/Gas 4.

Line a 22cm square brownie tin with baking parchment.

Melt the butter and chocolate together in a microwave or in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Leave to cool to room temperature.

Whisk the eggs and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. Fold the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture and sift in the flour, baking powder and cocoa. Fold this in to give a fudgy batter.

Add 100g chopped white and milk chocolate chunks and marshmallows. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the top is cracked but the middle just set.

Cool completely, then lift out of the tin to cut and serve.