Whilst most brides tend to stick to low stakes, barely-there nudes, sheer pinks and classic French tips for their big day, who's to say you have to play by the rules? You don’t get married every day, after all.
Deciding on a nail colour is hard enough at the best of times but when it’s your wedding day, the pressure’s really on to find *the one*.
Whilst most brides tend to stick to low stakes, barely-there nudes, sheer pinks and classic French tips for their big day, who’s to say you have to play by the rules? You don’t get married every day, after all.
We’re all for feeling your best on your big day, and if that means bucking tradition and opting for intricate nail art or a whimsical pop of colour, then we fully support that. So, whether you’d prefer to stick to subtle neutrals you can wear with anything or go a little bit Gatsby for the occasion, we’ve got you covered with these 30 wedding nail designs. From Hailee Bieber’s glazed doughnut nails to floral designs to match your bouquet, get ready to say ‘I do’ with these top-tier wedding day manis.
1. This modern micro twist on the classic French manicure is perfect for short nails.
If you think HPV is rare and only unhealthy, young, or promiscuous people get it through unprotected sex then you may have believed some common myths we're here to bust!
HPV is an extremely common infection that’s spread through skin-to-skin contact. Almost all cervical cancers are caused by infection with high-risk HPV, which can sometimes cause abnormal cells to develop in the cervix. In the majority of cases, these abnormal cells will go away without the need for treatment. However, sometimes they can become cancerous. This is why cervical screening is so important, as it can detect the cells before they reach that stage.
10 Myths About HPV
1. It’s rare
Quite the opposite. It’s actually really common, so common in fact that four in every five people (80%) will have the virus at some point in their lives. This is why removing stigma around the virus is so important.
2. It’s always something to worry about
There are over 100 types of HPV and the majority are nothing to worry about. However there are 13 high-risk types that can cause cancer. Can – not will. In most cases, if you or any partners get high-risk HPV, your bodies will be able to clear the infection, just like with low-risk infections. In a few cases, the infection can cause abnormalities in the cells of the cervix – which, if not detected and monitored, may develop into cervical cancer.
3. You will know if you have it
False. HPV normally has no signs or symptoms so it is very difficult to tell if someone has it. By attending your regular smear tests, high-risk HPV infection and any abnormalities caused by the infection can be identified and treated if needed.
4. Only promiscuous people get HPV
You can get HPV the very first time you have sexual contact, so this is not true. HPV is passed on through skin-to-skin contact of the genital area, so anyone who has ever had any kind of sexual contact is at risk. If you have had several sexual partners, or one of your partners has, you simply have a higher chance of having come into contact with the virus. However, because HPV is really common, you can get it even if you have only ever had one partner.
HPV can be inactive (dormant) in the body for many years – even decades! – so if you have a long-term partner and find out you have HPV, it does not mean they have been unfaithful.
5. HPV is a young person’s virus
Nope. HPV is passed by skin-to-skin contact of the genital area, so anyone who has ever been sexually active can have HPV. It is important to remember that HPV can remain dormant for long periods of time, so even if you have been with the same partner for many years or have not been sexually active for a long time, you can still have the virus. This is why it’s important to keep attending your smear tests regularly throughout your life, until you are no longer invited.
6. You won’t get it if you’re healthy
HPV infections are very common, so while having a healthy lifestyle can help your body to protect itself from HPV, the only way to entirely avoid having the virus is abstinence.
So where does being healthy come in? Your immune system is responsible for fighting off HPV infection, so the healthier it is, the more effectively it can do its job. So eating well, exercising, and, most importantly, not taking up or stopping smoking can all help. However, HPV can affect anyone who is sexually active, even very healthy people, so you can’t fully reduce your chance of getting it – no matter how many green juices you drink and yoga classes you go to!
7. If you use condoms you won’t get HPV
Not true! Wearing condoms will reduce your risk of getting the virus. However, HPV can live on the skin in and around the whole genital area, which will not be covered by a condom, so it can be transmitted through sexual contact of any kind including any touching or genital to genital contact, as well as oral, vaginal and anal sex.
8. There’s no relationship between smoking and HPV infection
Smoking is actually a major risk factor for developing cervical cancer. If you smoke, your immune system around the cells of the cervix may be weakened, making it harder for the body to prevent and clear high-risk HPV infections which could cause abnormal cells to develop.
9. The HPV vaccine means you won’t get HPV
If you’ve had the HPV vaccination you’re protected against at least 70% of cancer-causing HPV infections, but not fully protected. Attending smear tests is important whether you have been vaccinated or not, as it will detect abnormalities caused by other types of HPV.
10. If you have HPV you will probably get cancer
It is true that 99.7% of all cervical cancers are caused by HPV, but most people will clear HPV without any problem. In order to protect yourself you should make sure you attend your smear tests when invited, get the HPV vaccination if you are eligible, and make sure you know the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer. Do visit your GP if you are concerned.
At Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust they hear from women and other people with a cervix every day who read that they have HPV on their cervical screening results letter, rush to Google it, and then panic when they read it is an STI. They want to challenge the stigma around HPV. While there are some similarities between HPV and some STIs, most of us will have HPV regardless of sexual behaviour. We believe that the level of stigma associated with the virus needs to change. If you’re anxious about going for a smear test then check out this video of Zoe taking you through her own!
It’s time to find out what our meal deal choices really say about us, and who needs to take a long hard look in the mirror before polluting the place with tuna again - an al desko crime if ever we’ve smelt one.
Ahh, the humble meal deal – is your working week even complete if you don’t head to the aisles of your chosen supermarket at least once in the Monday-Friday grind and peruse the shelves of ready-made deliciousness to get you through to 5pm? The answer is a hard no.
Whilst the jury’s still out on which supermarket has the best meal deal offerings, what’s perhaps more controversial are the three sacred choices you have to make in selecting your chosen meal- main, snack and drink. It’s stressful stuff.
The Team Zoella office may have seen some *things* in its time, but nothing compares to the meal deal combos of those who work there. It’s time to find out what our meal deal choices really say about us, and who needs to take a long hard look in the mirror before polluting the place with tuna again – an al desko crime if ever we’ve smelt one.
Egg and cress is an interesting choice for the under-60s bracket and, as such, should be reconsidered at the closest opportunity, even more so if it’s going to be eaten in a communal space, in which case, open a window you villain. The snack selection is the best part of this meal deal, with Sensations Sweet Chilli arguably appearing in the top 5 category of crisp options available- slight redemption. Finished off with a Peach Iced Tea though? It’s giving bland. To conclude, this meal deal is an eclectic mix and not in a good way. Its confusing combination of flavours are less than inspiring and the combination of egg and cress plus iced tea is conjuring up images of afternoon tea at grandmas. Not likely to inspire a great afternoon following your lunch break, let’s put it that way.
Tuna Mayo Sandwich | Salt and Vinegar Crisps | Sparkling water
Let’s take a pause at the tuna mayo and reassess our options. Unless consumed alone and far, far away from desk territory, you may as well expect an email from HR waiting for you in your inbox because this is an office no-no. In its last moments of revenge, this tuna has been sat on a shelf simply waiting to Hulk out of its odour containing cardboard wrap, and you have let it. Shame on you.
On a lighter note? Salt and vinegar crisps. A pretty standard choice but one with which there’s little to fault, and possibly even +1 point here to bring you out of the minus range- well done. The combination of fish, salt and vinegar is suggesting you’re craving some time by the sea, and quite frankly it would be a blessing if a seagull nabbed the whole lot from you on your walk down- still not over the tuna.
Just as it seemed like things were on the up, we finish on sparkling water- is any commentary even required? TV static in a bottle, consider this your final warning from the Tesco meal deal Gods.
A strong combination here, with the emphasis on brown bread and lentil chips suggesting health, is a priority, of which we cannot criticise. Sandwich first and the classic chicken, bacon and mayo is on the menu- someone understood the assignment and that person is you. A sensible, filling option that’s guaranteed to satisfy your 2pm slump making it equal parts delicious and satisfying. Things go slightly rogue when it comes to the snack choice- do lentils even count as crisps? The barbeque flavour is a slight redemption, complementing your sandwich beautifully, but next time go for some classic Walkers and call it a day.
Finishing on a high here- the elite Innocent smoothie. You must consider yourself somewhat of a bargain hunter because turning down a £2 smoothie within a £3 meal deal would be simply blasphemous. Watch out for your white shirt whilst drinking this bad boy, but you can sit back, relax and enjoy the sweet taste of fruit and success knowing you’ve finessed the system to the max, you Meal Deal mogul you.
BLT Sandwich | Skips | Water
Did the dictionary definition of boring just turn up? Sorry, that was a little harsh, but BLT aside this combination is hardly giving us any reason to look forward to lunchtime- you can get water from the tap for crying out loud. Bacon, lettuce and tomato is a solid combination and one we won’t argue with. Dependable and, quite frankly, a meal deal classic, the crunchy lettuce, soft bread and juicy tomato make for a delicious choice, so much so that you probably won’t even notice the rather lacklustre serving of bacon considering the first letter of this acronym suggests it would be a key feature.
Here’s where things get a little less interesting. Skips, whilst somewhat tasty, are certainly not in the top tier of crisp options within a meal deal, let’s put it that way- they’re basically flavoured air! What about BBQ Hula Hoops!? Doritos? Sensations? Even Walkers Cheese and Onion? Skips dissolve on the tongue quicker than you can say ‘Tesco Clubcard’ and as a result are a total waste of your £.
The final straw, however- a bottle of water. The Skips look like a Michelin star meal in comparison to a plain bottle of still water. If we thought sparkling was bad, at least it has a little somethin’, somethin’ about it, but plain water? It’s a sackable offence.
Cheese and Pickle sandwich | Hula Hoops | Diet Coke (must be a can!)
Fix up look sharp, Little Miss Diet Coke Addict has arrived, Aspartame coursing through her veins.
A meal deal combo classic- a triple threat if you will. All bases are covered here with these top-tier lunchtime picks celebrating the true potential of a meal deal. Cheese and pickle may sound somewhat safe, but sometimes dependability is what you need on a Wednesday at 1.30pm, and you always know a cheese and pickle can deliver- never overlook the power of the underdog.
Next up and amongst other classics including Pride and Prejudice and Wuthering Heights we have a bag of ready-salted Hula Hoops. Their satisfying crunch and finger-lickin’ saltiness have saved many a hangry moment over the years, and for this, we will always be grateful. Wash it all down with a cold can of Diet Coke and feel that sweet hit of sugar makes everything instantly better. A midday Coke slaps HARD.
Tomato pasta pot | Pickled Onion Monster Munch | Ribena
Did we accidentally pick up a childrens’ lunch box by mistake? Objectively, this isn’t a bad selection, but the combination of tomato, pickled onion and blackcurrant is somewhat of a bold one, whilst simultaneously being the most childlike of all. Pasta is a respectable meal deal choice and somewhat of an original one, so for that we say +2 points for being adventurous, however, the Monster Munch is where we draw the line with compliments. Get yourself into the tuna quarantine room and consume your stinking snack there. Finally, the Ribena is giving 10-year-old energy, and if you can live with that then so be it…
Chicken Caesar Wrap | Salt and Vinegar Discos | Sugar-Free Redbull
A wrap- someone likes to be a bit different. Chicken caesar is a strong choice, there’s no doubt about it, with its crispy lettuce, creamy mayo, tiny tastes of bacon, and soft tortilla, it’s pretty close to *chefs kiss* in the meal deal world. It’s yet to be confirmed whether or not salt and vinegar complement these flavours, but either way, the choice is a pretty bold one and for that we respect it.
Washing it all down with a Red Bull feels a little like psychopath behaviour, but this meal deal selection is nothing if not confident, and for that reason, it’s a thumbs up from us.
Reviewing You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi
At once, a searing Black love story and a visceral exploration of life after loss, You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty is a genre-defying read, guaranteed to go straight to the top of your fave reads of 2022.
Fiction, non-fiction, poetry and now contemporary romance, there’s simply nothing Akwaeke Emezi cannot do. Nada.
At once, a searing Black love story and a visceral exploration of life after loss, You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty is a genre-defying read, guaranteed to go straight to the top of your fave reads of 2022. Thrumming with sensuality and boasting complex female characters, an addictive plot and bi representation (we love to see it), it’s got all the ingredients of a 5-star read.
Here’s what the team thought of this summer’s hottest romance.
Content Warning: Grief, death, car accident
Feyi Adekola wants to learn how to be alive again.
It’s been five years since the accident that killed the love of her life and she’s almost a new person now—an artist with her own studio, and sharing a brownstone apartment with her ride-or-die best friend, Joy, who insists it’s time for Feyi to ease back into the dating scene. Feyi isn’t ready for anything serious, but a steamy encounter at a rooftop party cascades into a whirlwind summer she could have never imagined: a luxury trip to a tropical island, decadent meals in the glamorous home of a celebrity chef, and a major curator who wants to launch her art career.
She’s even started dating the perfect guy, but their new relationship might be sabotaged before it has a chance by the dangerous thrill Feyi feels every time she locks eyes with the one person in the house who is most definitely off-limits. This new life she asked for just got a lot more complicated, and Feyi must begin her search for real answers. Who is she ready to become? Can she release her past and honor her grief while still embracing her future? And, of course, there’s the biggest question of all—how far is she willing to go for a second chance at love?
Akwaeke Emezi’s vivid and passionate writing takes us deep into a world of possibility and healing, and the constant bravery of choosing love against all odds.
Screaming, yelling, shaking. I flew through You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty within a matter of days, such is the power of its readability. Not only is the story incredibly human and seriously hooky but Akwaeke’s writing is immaculate – they have such a talent for dialogue! Whenever I was forced to put this book down to eat or ya know socialise (even then, I wouldn’t be stopped, snatching a page here and there), I couldn’t wait to get back to it and find out what else was about to unfold in protagonist Feyi’s life. As well as being a deeply emotional romance, it’s also a story about the power of female friendship, queer love, learning how to live alongside unimaginable grief and the fight for self-discovery, albeit with plenty of messy and complicated entanglements along the way, as the case is in YMAFODWYB. You won’t necessarily support Feyi’s decisions throughout this book, but you will be rooting for her. This is my first experience of reading Akwaeke Emezi’s work and I was not disappointed. Their pen is impeccable! Sidenote: I would like a whole second book on Joy please.
Rating: 5 shiny immaculate pristine GOLD stars Would you recommend it: YES. The mango whipped cream scene will live in your mind rent free.
Danielle’s Review…
This was the PERFECT romance novel to sink my teeth into in July, without being a typical cliche beach read (not that there’s anything wrong with that). I could completely relate to Feyi throughout the story, losing a partner at any age would be horrific but when you are young I think people just expect you to be able to move on quickly with your life and find someone else. Feyi escaping to New York is exactly the kind of move I’d make, wanting to just join the noise and recreate your being. I was all in for Feyi and her journey to get back on the proverbial horse of sex and romance. This is such a vibrant novel, from the food to the music and island descriptions, and of course the sex. Akwaeke Emezi is simply put a fantastic author, and I immediately want to pick up all their other books, because I connected with the writing style so much. Ditch your cliche rom-com this summer and pick up You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty, you won’t regret it.
Rating: 4.5/5 Would you recommend it: Absolutely, pick it up this summer!
Charlotte’s Review…
“A reimagined love story, this fresh and seductive novel is about a young woman seeking joy while healing from loss.”- I was sold from the start!
This title reminded me a little of The 1975 Album I Like It When You Sleep For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It, and so even if it hadn’t been a Zoella book club pick I definitely would have been drawn to it on the shelf in Waterstones! I love a long, emotive title.
After losing the love of her life 5 years ago in a car accident, it’s only now (along with the encouragement of her best friend, Joy) that Feyi feels ready to dip her toe back into the world of dating and find out how it feels to date as a widow.
Exploring love, loss, trauma, friendship and sexuality whilst feeling authentically messy and intense from start to finish, I found this book all-consuming in its exploration of starting afresh and the idea that our lives are forever evolving. Akwaeke takes you takes you on a real journey with their writing, as you almost feel to be sharing Feyi’s joy, grief, freedom and anxieties. Beautifully descriptive, the storytelling itself is 5, and I loved* delving deep into Feyi’s complex yet hopeful journey from start to end. The perfect easy yet poignant holiday read IMO!
Rating: 5/5 Would you recommend it: 100%!
Darcey’s Review…
The title of the book definitely hooked me from the offset, You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty, so captivating!
The book centres around Feyi, who lost her high school sweetheart 5 years ago in a car wreck, while she navigates her grief she moves to New York, a place she feels she can hide as the fast-paced city swallows her up. After years of numbness, her desires for sexual intimacy begin to rise and we follow Feyi test the waters of different relationships. I loved the rawness of this book and the exploration of learning to live again with such unimaginable grief, Feyi’s self exploration (if not somewhat messy) is real and painful, but it shows what it truly means to be alive (that word comes up a lot!).
I have never read any work from Akwaeke Emezi’s before but they truly are an extraordinary story teller, I’ve ordered Freshwater to read next!
Rating: 5/5 Would you recommend it: Absolutely!
Next month we’ll be reading The Set-Up by Lizzy Dent!
The Beautiful Queer Love Stories that Will Have You Glued to the Screen
From the mesmerising summer love of Oliver and Elio in Call Me By Your Name, to the passion of Auste and Sangailė in the beautiful Summer of Sangailė, here are the creme de la creme of unquenchably sexy, poignant and erotic queer love tv shows and movies.
Long suppressed and silenced, the stories of life-altering and all-consuming queer love have for so long not been given the spotlight they deserve, both in real life and in the works of fiction that form the fabric of our culture. But as attitudes have rightfully changed and our laws and society become more accepting (no matter how overdue), the world of books, TV and cinema have opened up to the beauty that is unapologetic, intimate queer love. From the mesmerising summer love of Oliver and Elio in Call Me By Your Name, to the passion of Auste and Sangailė in the beautiful Summer of Sangailė, here are the creme de la creme of unquenchably sexy, poignant and erotic queer love tv shows and movies.
Call Me By Your Name
Forget Jack and Rose, sometimes the most devastating love stories are those that take you by surprise with their intensity, and so goes the tale of Elio and Oliver in the 2017 cinematic adaptation of the 2007 book of the same title. Beautiful, unsuspecting, innocent yet intense, the romance between 17-year-old Elio and his father’s summer research assistant, 24-year-old Oliver, is a coming-of-age story like no other. Set in Crema- a charming Northern Italian town- everything from the cinematography to scriptwriting is beautifully captivating, as the story explores what it means to fall in love for the first time, and how our previous ideas around sexuality can unravel before our eyes.
Set in the summer of 1983, Call Me By Your Name is an enthralling look at lust, love and everything in between, and a beautiful representation of such during an era in which bisexuality and LGBTQ+ romance was not shown in the mainstream.
Ammonite
Cast your mind back to the 1840s and a southern coastal town in England, and there you’ll find palaeontologist Marry Anning, selling shells and fossils to tourists. Here her love story begins, after meeting Charlotte Murchison who is staying in the town during a period of convalescence before the pair begin an intense and life-altering relationship that changes the course of their futures forever. Intimate and nuanced, Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan make for one iconic duo in this utterly absorbing watch.
Heart Stopper
Perhaps the newest of releases that has the Internet in a chokehold is Netflix’s Heart Stopper. Released in April 2022, the series follows teens Charlie and Nick as they explore an unlikely friendship that might just be something more, navigating school, young love, loyalty, friendship and everything in between. The series is based on graphic novels by bestselling author, screenwriter and illustrator, Alice Oseman, and since its original publication has amassed 52.1 views to date. Starring Kit Connor, previously known for his roles in Rocketman and His Dark Materials, and newcomer Joe Locke as the beloved Nick and Charlie, the 8 part Netflix series is heartwarming to its core.
In need of a hug? Watch Heartstopper.
Love, Simon
This 2018 rom-com classic is another one you’ll find under the dictionary definition of wholesome, thanks to its warmth, honesty and relatability, offering a brand new take on the ‘classic’ straight rom-com- we love to see it! The story follows Simon Spier, a closeted gay high schooler who is struggling to balance his friends, family, and the blackmailer threatening to out him to the entire school, while simultaneously attempting to discover the identity of the anonymous classmate with whom he has fallen in love online. He’s got a lot going on…
Love, Simon feels authentic, like you’re stepping into a queer love story that could be unfolding in any number of places right now, with its iced coffee addicted teens and the prevalence of the Internet changing and shaping the lives of its characters, it’s liberating and captivatingly cute from start to finish.
Moonlight
Look up the dictionary definition of striking and you might just find Moonlight alongside it. It might not have the feel-good quips of Love, Simon or the warmth of Heartstopper, but what Moonlight does provide is a necessary look at life in poverty, the presumptions about what makes a man a man, and the confusing process of discovering who you truly are.
Poetic and majestic, Moonlight follows Chiron in three stages of his life: childhood, adolescence, and early adult life, exploring the difficulties he faces with his sexuality and identity, including the physical and emotional abuse he endures growing up. Important more than ever during a season such as Pride, this film acknowledges, understands and dives deeply into the gritty subject matter.
“It’s a love story,” says actor Andre Holland, who plays the adult version of Chiron’s longtime friend Kevin. “I think it’s easy to put it in a box of, oh, it’s a black film or a black, gay film about these poor kids, but really, at the centre of it, it’s a love story and I love that people can see past all that stuff on the exterior.”
Jongens / Boys
Jongens aka Boys is a Dutch coming-of-age romance that follows Sieger, a fifteen-year-old athlete who finds himself on a journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and sexual awakening after being chosen to represent his team at the national championships along with fellow runner, Marc, for which they must train intensely. Summer is peak hot and heavy romance season, and in the words of Lana Del Rey“hot summer nights, mid-July, when you and I were forever wild”, there is no better backdrop for that first all-consuming love.
Ending on a hopeful note, this story of friends to lovers is a beautiful look at living life in true authenticity.
The Summer of Sangailė
Similarly to Call Me By Your Name, the 2015 release of The Summer of Sangailė is the definition of a summer romance, cementing the warmer months as surely the most dreamy and mesmerising of them all. The Lithuanian tale follows seventeen-year-old Austė as she falls in love with fellow teen Sangaile who’s spending the summer at her family’s lake house. Sensual, evocative and emotional, the film is one of beauty and optimism that not every coming of age film can capture.
“I wrote the story for The Summer of Sangailė with the guiding idea that sometimes it only takes a chance encounter with someone who helps you to see yourself in a different light to overcome certain difficulties,” says director Alanté Kavaïté.
“From the writing stage I had envisioned a film that would be bright and light, even if the movie addresses adolescent unrest and self-destructive behaviour, for with hindsight, obstacles that seemed insurmountable at the time are now put in their proper perspective. Yet, the joys of adolescence remain intense. Moments of fear and suffering appear to us today as necessary steps to find balance in our lives, emancipate our- selves and grow up.”
The Summer of Sangailė is a celebration of passion, guaranteed to leave you thinking about it long after watching it.
Sex Education
One of Netflix’s most hilarious, refreshing and necessary watches, Sex Education, is perhaps the best of modern day television when it comes to representation that doesn’t feel forced, authentically conveying the experiences of so many teens growing up in challenging environments today. The British series follows the lives of the students of Moordale High, and explores a number of queer relationships, one of the most charming being the bond between Ola and Lily.
Season 2 of the series shows Ola explore the idea that she may be pansexual, with this realisation helping her to understand her feelings for Lily and realise the attraction that has been underneath their friendship until this point.
Patricia Allison who plays Ola told Teen Vogue, “Ola is just the kind of character to me that I think from the beginning, you could never really put in a box. She really is the definition of pansexual, she will go based on the personality and who makes a laugh, and who catches her eye in that sparkly way.”
20 Ways to Live Your Best August Life, À La Taylor Swift
Raise a glass to August, here’s to golden hour, iced everything, strawberries in season, strappy dresses, outdoor swimming, beachy reads and lounging in the sun like a spoiled cat.
We’re officially eight months into the year- how did that happen?! As August arrives and summer slips through our fingers by the day, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed at the prospect of ticking off all of your summer bucket list in less than 31 days. As stressful as it may feel to balance rest and wellness with the neverending feeling of FOMO in the warm weather, we’re here to remind you that it’s okay to slow down and that living your ‘best life’ means something different to everyone.
So kick back, relax and raise a glass to August- here’s to golden hour, iced everything, strawberries in season, strappy dresses, outdoor swimming, beachy reads and lounging in the sun like a spoiled cat. It’s a great time to be alive!
Spend 48 hours in rainbow face paint, glitter and a feather boa celebrating Brighton Pride and the joy that is love in all its forms!
Countdown to the final Bank Holiday of the year whilst acknowledging that nothing will compare to the iconic Platty Joobs- Thursday and Friday bank holidays will forever be elite.
Drink all the Jalapeño Rosé and consider it the greatest invention since sliced bread.
Lap up Leo season by celebrating the birthdays of the fiercest, most loyal and attention-seeking people in your life. If that’s you, enjoy your time to thrive, lioness!
Head to a PYO Strawberry patch and 1) buy enough strawbs for 30 pitchers of Pimm’s and 2) take an excessive amount of photos in the hopes of getting a new summer pic for your Hinge profile.
Rent a GoBoat in London and cruise along Regent’s Canal with an excessive amount of picnic food whilst trying not to crash into innocent barge dwellers along the way. We cannot be held responsible for what happens on the water.
Celebrate National Watermelon Day on the 3rd of August – any excuse to make fruity cocktails and listen to Watermelon Sugar on repeat- it’s what Harry would want.
Wonder how many times is too many times to see Where The Crawdads Sing before your local Odeon employees start to know you on a first-name basis. In all seriousness though, Taylor John Smith is quite mesmerising.
Start watching House of The Dragon– the Game of Thrones prequel- and prepare to be sucked back into the world of the Targaryen family (albeit 200 years prior to those we know now) all over again.
Hang out at Reading and Leeds/Wilderness/All Points East and spend a weekend enjoying a lineup of your favourite music, not showering, exclusively eating carbs and accepting your bloodstream is 99% beer.
Do a tour of every lido in the local vicinity in any attempt to cool down. Desperate times.
Yo yo between the new Lizzo and Beyoncé albums and feel like a 10/10 bad b*tch at all times.
Go for an aesthetic picnic and cut a cake with a wine glass because some things from 2020 are worth keeping.
Bookmark SkyScanner and look at flights to Sorrento on a daily basis in the hopes of a last-minute Amalfi Coast getaway.
Dance the day and night away at Notting Hill and rack up 20,000 steps in a mere few hours.
Squeeze in as many sea swims as possible and channel your inner Wim Hof.
Listen to August by Taylor Swift. That’s it, that’s the tweet.
Find an outdoor cinema and lap up the long evenings and light jacket weather whilst you still can. All hail summertime socialising!
Eat picky bits for dinner every day and wonder if your oven even still works.
Everything You Need To Nail The ‘Where The Crawdads Sing’ Cabincore Trend
If you too fell in love with Kya's laidback, marsh-side home and want to embody the cabincore trend in your own space, keep scrolling for the interiors additions you need to emulate her simple living energy.
You must have been living under a marshy rock to have missed the buzz surrounding the cinematic release of Where The Crawdads Sing, adapted from the bestselling book of the same title which topped The New York Times best seller list 2019 and 2020, totalling an impressive 32 weeks non-consecutively!
Written by American author and Zoologist Delia Owens, the story follows female lead Kya, whom abandoned as a girl, raised herself in the dangerous marshlands of North Carolina. Her difficult upbringing doesn’t end there however, as she finds herself at the centre of a murder enquiry following the death of her former lover, of which she is now being accused of. Despite its dark and at times difficult to watch subject matter, one thing that remains captivating throughout is Kya’s cabin dreamworld, the beauty of living a life surrounded by nature, and the simplicity of the marshland.
Whilst ‘Little House on The Prairie’ cottagecore was once the goal, cabincore is the new ‘it’ girl in the world of interiors, giving a more rustic, cosy feel that conjures up images of wood fires, soup on the stove and bringing the outdoors in.
If you too fell in love with Kya’s laidback, marsh-side home and want to embody the cabincore trend in your own space, keep scrolling for the interiors additions you need to emulate her simple living energy.
15 Iced Drinks to Order If You’re Not a Big Fan of Coffee
We’ve done the rounds, surveying the best OG iced drinks and new additions this summer has to offer so you never have to miss out again.
POV: It’s iced coffee season but you don’t like coffee, and you don’t do fomo either.
Girls everywhere are bundling into their cars with 16 bags and 7 chilled bevs, slurping their agave syrup and coconut milk blends on their way to work and taunting you with their ice cube ASMR.
Enter: the no-coffee iced beverages to keep you cool this summer.
We’ve done the rounds, surveying the best OG iced drinks and new additions this summer has to offer so you never have to miss out again. From a Colin the Caterpillar frappe to a Strawberry Acai Refresha, here are the refreshments every non-coffee drinker needs on their radar.
Tropical Mango Bubble Frappe
Big news for 2022, Costa’s joined the bubble tea movement with this scrumptious frappe, featuring flavours of delicate coconut and mango and bursting with fruit-filled juicy pearls. Vacay mode: activated.
Price: £4.75 Where to get it: Costa
Mango & Coconut Quencher
Like summer in a cup, this refreshing blend of creamy coconut paired with zingy mango makes for the ultimate thirst quencher. Cheers to balmy summers and chaotic attempts at stand up paddle boarding!
Price: £4.00 Where to get it: Caffe Nero
Colin the Caterpillar Frappe
Set to be the most ‘grammed’ drink of 2022, the Colin the Caterpillar Frappe is a blended chocolate drink, complete with chocolate whipped cream, a chocolate sauce drizzle, Colin sprinkles and – the pièce de résistance – a chocolate Colin face. The M&S icon has enjoyed many culinary metamorphoses over the years but this drinkable creation has to be our new favourite. If you’re a fiend for chocolate milkshakes, don’t sleep on the Colin frappe. Petition for Percy to be next?
Price £3.50 Where to get it: now available at M&S cafes across the country.
Italian Peach & Strawberry Booster
Prepare to be transported to the turquoise waters of the Italian Riviera with this refreshing blend of strawberry and Italian peach. Blended with ice and packed with fruity flavour, it’s like drinking la dolce vita.
Price: £4.00 Where to get it: Caffe Nero
Strawberry Acai Refresha
The UK’s take on America’s Strawberry Acai Refresha, this is a blend of sweet strawberry flavours accented with acai notes and shaken with real strawberries. For a sweeter taste, ask for lemonade instead of water. Pure summer vibes.
Price: £5.35 Where to get it: Starbucks
Cool Lime Refresha
Strawberry not your thing? Order this lively blend of cool lime and citrus, shaken with real lime slices for a delicious pick-me-up delivering zesty hydration. Serotonin is served.
Price: £5.35 Where to get it: Starbucks
Salted Caramel Frappe
For something more indulgent, try this lush, creamy frappe with a rich swirl of caramel sauce, and topped with sugar crunch. Order with or without coffee, it’s delicious either way!
Price: £4.60 Where to get it: Costa
Pink Coconut Refresha
Finally, Starbucks are giving the UK people what they want.The Pink Coconut refresher aka The Pink Drink that broke the internet combines a creamy coconut milk base with sweet strawberry flavours. We can see why TikTok was buzzing for this thirst trap. Run, don’t walk.
Price: £5.90 Where to get it: Starbucks
Strawberry Lemonade
You might not have money for food or to hang out with your friends but you *always* have money for strawberry lemonade. Nostalgic, refreshing, sweet and zesty, try it once and you’ll never want your strawberries any other way.
Price: £2.70 Where to get it: Costa
Peach Iced Tea
The heatwave beverage of champs! Our cheeks feel alive at the mere mention of peach iced tea. Not too sweet and wielding just enough flavour to save it from tasting like glorified water / regret, this is a great option for anyone looking for a refreshing, energising beverage to make the morning commute bearable.
Price: £4.55 Where to get it: Starbucks
Stranger Things Frappuccino
It might be a ‘secret menu’ item (a network of drinks created by customers and baristas using Starbucks ingredients to create their own amazing recipes) and it might just cost you your entire life savings but we’re willing to risk it all for a ST frappe.
Top tip if you’re in the UK, you need to ask for the set list of ingredients, rather than the ST frappe, so memorise the hell out of this: Strawberry Creme Frappuccino with mocha drizzle. Technically, it’s not totally coffee-free due to the mocha drizzle but hey, that’s The Upside Down for you. Have courage and order one asap. Good luck!
Price: POA Where to get it: Starbucks (supposedly)
Passionfruit Raspberry Frappuccino
New to Starbucks for summer ‘22, this tropical taste sensation will see you through the heatwave. Featuring layers of passionfruit, raspberry and vanilla with a pop of pink berry sprinkles that will transport you to far flung paradise, it’s the perfect on-the-go bev to see you through the high temps. Hot hydrated summer starts right here!
Price: £5.70 Where to get it: Starbucks
Banana Split Cream Frappuccino
Starbucks’ take on the classic banana split dessert, with layers of caramelised banana sauce and mocha, finished with whipped cream and mocha drizzle.
Price: £5.70 Where to get it: Starbucks
Fuzetea Strawberry Mint Iced Tea
Like a Pimm’s minus the sauce, this refreshing summer drink will go down a treat with a picky bits beach BBQ and cries of, “did anyone remember sun cream?”
Price: £3.60 Where to get it: Costa
Mint Chocolate Chip Frappe
A creamy drink with mint and choc chip frappe, topped with cream and Belgian chocolate drizzle. Who said mint choc was for sad girl autumn only?
8 Maxi Dresses You’ll Want To Live In For The Rest of The Summer
Reliable, failsafe and dependable no matter how last minute the plans, this wardrobe staple means your outfit is sorted in one fell swoop and you can concentrate on the more important summer decisions: frozen Margarita or Aperol Spritz?
The worst of the heatwave (aka feeling like your bedroom is an actual oven) may be out of the way, but if you’re still seeking easy, breezy outfits that feel like you’re wearing as little as possible then look no further than the humble maxi and midi dress. Reliable, failsafe and dependable no matter how last minute the plans, this wardrobe staple means your outfit is sorted in one fell swoop and you can concentrate on the more important summer decisions: frozen Margarita or Aperol Spritz?
Dressed up or down depending on if you opt for sandals or trainers, gold hoops or a string of colourful beads, these 8 maxi dresses work for both day to night, taking you from family BBQ to last-minute beachside cocktails with ease- who doesn’t love a multitasker!
From H&M and Weekday to Sleeper and Sezane, these 8 longline dresses make stress-free dressing possible on all budgets…
Zoe’s Summer Brunch Style
I’ve recently purchased this Sleeper dress and I love it! It’s quite a statement piece and has the floral pattern and puff sleeves which means I tend to dress it down a bit with more casual accessories like a sandal and straw bag combo. I also loved this necklace and thought it made the colours in the dress pop!
I’m still not over this shade of green, to be honest! I would pair these gorgeous Dune accessories with a really simple black dress featuring some really fun cut-out details for a smart summer dinner either on holiday or in boiling Brighton! I’d finish off the look with sunnies, this gorgeous gold Mejuri ring (with another pop of green) and a summer red lipstick!
When it comes to beautiful maxi summer dresses Sezane is always my go-to. There’s something about that French aesthetic that I’m always drawn to, it’s so understated yet elegant. I love the washed-out inky blue flowers and bohemian layers which would make this such a comfortable summer’s day piece. I would definitely pair this with some classic Castaner wedges (a staple summer shoe IMO) to give me a bit of height, a delicate necklace and an oversized raffia tote.
Although my usual go-to dress length would be a mini or a midi, I am currently OBSESSED with linen. I would pair this linen maxi number with a black sandal/flipflop. A beach bag (my current LOVE is a beach bag/tote) to compliment the shoes, and also some cute retro sunglasses. Including, layering some jewellery to help dress up the outfit!
I’m living for this Olivia Ruben style colour block maxi from ASOS – the washed-out pastels lend themselves perfectly to al fresco summer events from wine tasting (every vineyard is a catwalk) to garden parties or a day at the races. Style with strappy heeled sandals and a headband and it’ll make for a cracking wedding dress outfit or a dressy weekend fit, too. I’ll be saving it for the cooler temps when the breeze is back, ‘cos we all know satin in a heatwave is not the one!
I’m personally rather partial to a mini dress, but even I can admit there’s something magical about a maxi dress and being able to get dressed in one simple step means I go back to them again and again. Who doesn’t love easy, breezy dressing in the summer months?! This pink number from Urban Outfitters is giving me big Olivia Rodrigo vibes, and in my humble opinion, any item that ticks that box is a big yes from me. I’ve styled it with a crossbody bag (this Eastpak one is a good substitute for the TikTok viral Uniqlo version!) which is perfect for summer days when you need an endless list of items- be it suncream, a portable charger and a mini deodorant- without being weighed down by a big tote bag. Finished off with some chunky sandals and some simple jewellery and this outfit is a summertime dream.
I love a simple black maxi dress on a hot day, this one from Weekday I think is especially nice with the open back which elevates the look a lot. I’ve paired it with some classic Birkeys and gold jewellery to complete the look and I absolutely LOVE this green shopper bag, so good for the beach or running errands!
I am living in midi and maxi dresses this summer, they are my uniform. This long-sleeved number from H&M is offering a perfect amount of cover-up and comfiness and I can see myself wearing it both dressed up and down. I am obsessed with cowboy boots at the moment, I’m also having a moment for red shoes, so combine the two and you have the boots of dreams.
Much like romantic relationships received wisdom tells us that we are supposed to be looking for ‘the one’. Our BFF. Our ride or die. A person who we (ideally) meet in primary school and remain tight with through all the highs and lows life will throw at us thereafter.
This is a guest article written by Natasha Devon, for content pitches please email contact@zoella.co.uk
At some point, most of us realise that we have picked up some kind of damaging belief about the experience of falling in love from cartoons or fairy stories. We realise that ‘and they lived happily ever after’ is an extremely unlikely outcome. We apprehend that you don’t have to be traditionally beautiful to be worthy of love (often after some self-esteem issues from having taken in that conviction in the first place) and that it doesn’t usually appear in the guise of Prince Charming on a noble steed.
But what about the messages we absorb around friendship? Well, much like romantic relationships, received wisdom tells us that we are supposed to be looking for ‘the one’. Our BFF. Our ride or die. A person who we (ideally) meet in primary school and remain tight with through all the highs and lows life will throw at us thereafter.
As sweet as this idea is, the lifelong BFF can only work in reality if either you don’t change throughout your entire life (which would be unhealthy), or if you and your best mate happen to grow in ways that complement each other (which is rare).
Natasha Devon
Another common misconception that many of us pick up is that when friendships end it’s because one person is right, the other is wrong and everyone around them should pick a side. When we’re kids, we learn that the world is divided into heroes and villains and we’re told stories where good triumphs over evil. But, as we get older, we start to realise it isn’t that clear cut. The world is full of flawed people, who are mostly doing their best, but often make mistakes. Sometimes, two people create a toxic dynamic between them not because either of them is trying to hurt the other, but just because they’re not compatible.
That’s one of the messages I explore in my debut novel, Toxic. The story centres around a young woman called Llewella, who becomes platonically infatuated with the new student at her sixth form college, Aretha. When their intense friendship turns sour, the anxiety disorder Loo thought was cured resurfaces, forcing her to confront some demons from her past. Whilst Aretha treats Loo appalling at times, there are good reasons why she is resentful towards her. Like all the best narratives, I wanted my anti-hero to be someone you’d have sympathy for, if you could see what was happening through their eyes.
I also wanted to challenge the idea that short-lived or finite friendships represent a ‘failure’. All friendship has the potential to teach us something valuable, even if it’s just where our boundaries are.
When I’ve had friendships become dysfunctional, it’s taught me a lot about how I behave when I feel anxious or threatened. I tend to push for a quick resolution, even if the other person is still mulling things over. I can’t bear unresolved conflict, so I’ll bug someone until they tell me what they’re thinking. I’d rather rip a plaster off quickly, but that often means I escalate situations which could have been worked through more calmly and productively if we’d all taken some cooling-off time.
Knowing how you behave when things spiral out of your control won’t just help you with your friendships, but is applicable to other areas of your life.Natasha Devon
I think that’s my toxic friendship trait and it’s something I’m trying to work on by learning to sit with and process my feelings, even when they’re painful or uncomfortable. Yet, I’d never have learned that about myself if I’d given into the temptation to think I’d behaved perfectly and everything that happened was the other person’s ‘fault’. Knowing how you behave when things spiral out of your control won’t just help you with your friendships, but is applicable to other areas of your life. Earlier today, a plan changed for a work-related project. I was really annoyed and my first instinct was to send a strongly worded email to the person responsible, to ‘pierce the balloon’ of my anger. But then I thought: ‘What would that achieve, actually?’ and reminded myself not to fret about things out of my control.
So, my challenge to you is to reflect on the less palatable aspects of friendship in your life – The arguments you’ve had, the people you’ve dropped and been dropped by – to forgive yourself (because these experiences are all part of life’s rich tapestry) and then to ask yourself, without judgment, ‘what is my toxic friendship trait?’
