The discharge, the fire crotch, the chronic constipation and the second-trimester LUST (what a combo, seriously) – you bet they failed to mention any of those things at NCT group.

In a quest to find out what you really need to know when you’re expecting, we asked 50 straight-talking mums what they’re biggest WTF moments were during pregnancy. From weird body changes (hello bigger feet) to the first postpartum poop and hot porno dreams, growing a baby is frankly full of both sweet and shitty surprises in equal measure. Who knew the simple act of trying to shave your legs would be a three-part mini-series, for example? Or that your belly would be fondled by the local butcher, baker and cappuccino maker on a daily basis. As for the pregnancy glow? That’s the greatest fucking gestation myth of them all. 

Without further ado, here’s all the glorious unfiltered stuff no one tells you about being preggo…

1. That not loving every minute of it doesn’t mean you’re ungrateful. 

2. Take photos! My pregnancies were a long time ago and I only got a few photos of pregnant me. 

3. You DO NOT recover after 6 weeks… more like 6 months, especially with forceps!

4. That bit of jam on toast you have after the baby is born is the best meal you will have in your whole life. 

5. That sometimes labour doesn’t progress. 50 hours of labour and I still didn’t get past 5cm. 

6. You will be constipated most of the time. 

7. The morning sickness isn’t just for the AM, it can be at any time and all day long!

8. Just how much your sleep can be affected. As early as 2-3 weeks pregnant, my insomnia started!

9. You will probably tear and most likely prolapse but you WILL heal and it WILL get better.

10. How isolating the first trimester can be. 

11. Every checkup feels like a huge relief.

12. That after having a baby the best thing to wear is massive black comfy knickers and that you will still be wearing them 2 years on. Come through M&S full briefs. 

13. That energy just vanishes from day one. No second-trimester energy for me. 

14. That getting/staying pregnant isn’t as easy as they make out. 

15. That not everyone gets morning sickness and home births really are safe!

16. That morning sickness can be triggered by smells – even nice ones.

17. Your belly button might stretch so much it disappears. 

18. That you have to push a big ol’ placenta out after your baby. 

19. Piles. So many piles. 

20. That the stool softeners they offer after a c-section are just as important as the pain meds. 

21. It’s a lie that you will get big tits… instead they will stay an A cup and the empty skin will just sag down to your belly button.

22. You will have so much saliva in the 1st trimester. Get ready to drool!

23. Caesarean recovery with your first is nowhere near as bad as people say. 

24. It’s ok to not enjoy it. I hated being pregnant. 

25. What postpartum bleeding is actually like…

26. Not everyone gets cravings even though it’s the main thing anyone ever asks about. 

27. Yeast infections are so common in pregnancy but no one talks about it. 

28. Your discharge can be strange and confusing but fear not, it’s normal. 

29. Morning sickness might make you unable to drink plain water.

30. How many more boogers you get…

31. That it is possible to tear from your vagina to your bum hole and you will forever regret not appreciating just how nice your vagina looked pre-kids

32. That the hair growth is real. You feel like an ape at all times. 

33. The intense heartburn!

34. That incompetent cervix is a thing. Just because my baby is healthy doesn’t mean my body is able. 

35. That the ‘waddle’ is from pelvic pain and not a heavy belly. 

36. Your pelvic bone might separate early. 

37. You can leak milk while you’re still pregnant. Catch it and save it for when the baby is here. 

38. The extreme exhaustion. It deleted my personality for months! 

39. That your feet can grow / stretch. 

40. The sex drive! 

41. How much you’ll hate your significant other in the middle of the night. 

42. The swelling. You will need to sit knickerless in front of a fan for fanny ventilation. 

43. The night sweats. 

44. How much you can accomplish on so little sleep. 

45. After a C-section, they get your partner to milk you like a cow with a syringe… Bye bye dignity. Not one of my highlights, pretty sure it wasn’t his either! 

46. The brain fog – your brain literally stops working. 

47. You will need to pee in the shower or bath for a while. 

48. Lactulose was my best friend. 

49. Labour pains after birth after twins. I thought I had another in there as the pains were ridiculous.

50. The first poo after a C-section. I thought I was gonna split in half! 

If you feel like stepping into the dating world in 2022 is overwhelming, you’re not alone. Combine leftover pandemic panic, an age in which our digital attention spans are getting shorter by the day, and busier than ever schedules and it may not exactly feel like the recipe for a dating dreamworld. 

So, how about accepting a little helping hand?

If you’ve all but given up on finding love, maybe went through a difficult heartbreak that knocked your confidence or simply don’t know where to start with meeting new people, let us introduce four of the UK’s best, most innovative and successful dating apps here to help you find your match, whatever it is you’re looking for.

So, where to start? With multiple apps out there all claiming to be ‘the one’, we spoke to the guys from Tinder, Bumble, Thursday and Hinge to get the lowdown on what they’re all about, and how to know which one (or few!) are right for you…

Demographic 101:

Hinge curious?

“As the dating app designed to be deleted, we’re the go-to app for intentional daters and meaningful connections” says Team Hinge.

“Ultimately, the easier it is for you to find people you’re compatible with, the sooner you can go on a great date and find someone special.

Committed to empowering all daters on their journey, Hinge offers more than 50 gender options to select from within the app and also gives people the ability to write in their gender too.”

If you’re thinking about swiping right for Tinder…

“Right now on Tinder over 50% of our members are Gen Z, aged between 18-25 and it’s the world’s most popular app for meeting new people. Tinder has been designed to embrace the magic of human connections, whatever form that connection may be.

We recently launched Explore, a newly-created hub within the app that hosts completely new, interactive ways to use the app. With Explore, members have more control over who they meet by giving them the option to navigate through profiles arranged by interest, while also allowing them to access a growing list of exclusive social experiences, such as Festival Mode, Blind Date and Swipe Night – with many more to follow.”

Hot girl summer just got way more fun!

Bumble – give us the sales pitch…

“Bumble is a women-first dating app, built on the belief that when dating is better for women, it’s better for everyone.” You can say that again!

No matter the type of relationship, women always make the first move on Bumble. Bumble is built on the importance of equitable relationships and how crucial they are to a healthy, and happy life. The app is built around kindness, respect and equality – and everyone plays a part in that.”

Thinking about Thursday? What’s the deal and who can you expect to see there?

“The app is open to absolutely everyone but the large majority of our members are aged 24-30 and tend to be in the “young professional” category. However, we do host 30+ events as well as more “free for all”. In terms of expectations, the whole point of Thursday is to get members to meet IN REAL LIFE that very same day. Whether that’s through matching and chatting on the app or whether that’s by attending an event where everyone is single, the choice is yours.

The inside scoop. Digging deeper with Hinge:

With 30 million dates and counting, since Hinge was created in 2021 the app has gone on to see thousands of success stories, connecting couples in 20 countries and counting. One such perfect match? In December 2020, award-winning author, journalist and broadcaster Elizabeth Day got married to partner Justin, the couple originally matched on the app. Fun fact, Justin, sent the first message – it was about crumpets. Aww!

Building your Hinge profile …

“The key to a great profile is selecting photos and Prompts that show who you are,” say the Hinge Experts.

“Think about your profile as your opening line in a conversation — something your match can respond to or ask a follow-up question about. Try skipping the small talk and go deep with your Prompts – selecting the ones which allow you to be vulnerable and help the other person get to know you. Whatever it is you love about who you are, make sure other people can see it.

“Your dating app profile is a chance to show who you are, not who you wish you were! Singles want to get a sense of your true personality and what dating you will look like. Being upfront about this will help save you heartache down the road. Show the real you in your photos; how you dress, where you hang out, and what you like to do. 

“Next up, ask your friends for their thoughts on your profile – they can help you to create a profile that is actually you. Get their thoughts on your good traits, what you’re looking for, and all that you have to offer a partner.  Above all else, a good profile should represent you, not an aspirational version of yourself.” Say it louder for the people at the back! 

The inside scoop. Digging deeper with Tinder:

Needing no real introduction, the OG dating app Tinder is available in 190 countries and 40+ languages, it’s been downloaded more than 505 million times and led to more than 70 billion matches. Phew! 

So, how do you stand out and make your profile show you in your truest form?

“Now more than ever, bios are so important,” says team Tinder. “In just a few lines, you can give a potential match key info about yourself to spark their interest. Love dogs? Perfected Latte art during lockdown? Add it to your bio to ignite a conversation, and even link your favourite tune to your Spotify anthem on your profile. Finally, add a dog! Having a dog in one of your photos increases your match rate by 5%!

The inside scoop- digging deeper with Bumble.

An app built around kindness, respect and equality in dating sure sounds right up our street, and at its core this is the ethos of Bumble, founded by CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd in 2014 and now seeing more than 42 million monthly active users. Bumble empowers its users to make meaningful connections across dating, friendship (Bumble BFF) and professional networking (Bumble Bizz) around the world. To date, women have made more than 1.7 billion first moves on Bumble. We love to see it!

Making the most of your Bumble profile…

“If a serious connection is something you’re looking for this summer, updating and completing your profile should be a top priority. Bumble gives you a clear indication of how complete your profile is, by showing you a percentage around your profile picture, which encourages you to fill in each section fully.” Pretty neat!

“Completing your profile (interest badges, prompts, basic information) not only increases your opportunity to make the most suitable connection but Bumble’s sex and relationship expert Dr Caroline West further explains, “A fully filled out dating profile indicates someone’s intentions to be committed to finding a partner. On the flip side, a barely filled out profile could be a red flag as it may signify that they do not want to communicate their traits clearly and honestly.”

“Opt for what you do want vs. what you don’t. It’s a good rule of thumb to avoid including what you aren’t looking for (e.g., “not seeking anything serious” “no drinkers”). Instead, reframe your bio to emphasise what you DO want, like casual dates with someone who doesn’t drink. Including things you could potentially have in common also helps start a conversation.“

Your profile should be mostly made up of solo shots, and that very first picture should definitely just be of you. “It’s crazy how many people still make this mistake,” Dave Bowden, author of Stop Doubting, Start Dating, says. “They think it’s important to show that they’re social and have friends, so they choose a photo that shows them with one or more other people. While it’s okay to work in a few shots of you with friends later, starting with a photo showing multiple faces makes it impossible for your potential matches to know which one is you.” Let’s quit the guesswork, people!

The inside scoop. Digging deeper with Thursday:

Dating app Thursday is the new kid on the block, and with a fresh take on meeting new people, it’s making waves in the industry and on social media. Every Thursday, the app comes to life with people near you who also want to meet that day. With exclusive events at some of the sexiest spots in the city, it’s perfect for those ‘I just want to meet someone at a bar’ people, allowing you to focus on yourself and live your best life for the 6 remaining days of the week and prevent dating fatigue.

So, why Thursday? Is it really the new Friday?

“The founders actually had a previous dating app before rebranding to Thursday (still based on meeting in real life but a slightly different concept),” says Jess, Thursday’s Digital Creative Lead. “From the data on this they noticed that members were most active on a Thursday…” Interesting! 

“Let’s be honest – we don’t really want to waste our Friday night and Saturday night on a date that might not be worth our time. We’d rather save those days for things we really want to do – hanging out with friends, family, doing hobbies. If we ‘waste’ a Thursday, it doesn’t feel as bad because we’ve still got the weekend!” 

Building your Thursday profile …

“A picture can say a thousand words so picking photos that really represent you and your lifestyle are important,” says Jess. “In terms of using prompts – use one prompt to show a deeper side, one to show your sense of humour and one to show your interests/hobbies. However, it is absolutely impossible to show who you truly are in a dating profile regardless of how honest we think we’re being. Meeting in real life truly is the only way.

“We all want to pick our best photos, our best angles, our wittiest remarks but I think it’s important to remember, no matter what you put on your profile, it’s not you. You can’t get the full version of yourself across in just 5 photos and 3 prompts. You are wayyyyy more than a profile. Having said this, to get that date, it’s all we have to go on.

Just remember this: at the end of the day, if you’re faking who you are on your profile, you won’t be able to keep a facade up for long in real life so you might as well be as honest as you can be.

“Our primary difference and our mission is to connect singles IN REAL LIFE, every Thursday. People are bored of swiping, they’re bored of matching, they’re bored of even chatting via messenger. It’s mundane, it’s a waste of time and more often than not, the conversation just fizzles out and that’s it, you don’t actually get to meet.

“By only being live one day a week, we create that sense of urgency to match, chat and meet that day. Otherwise that match will be gone forever (all messages and matches disappear at midnight on Thursday). In addition, we’re the only dating app that runs successful singles events where we hire out bars, venues, experiences and get singles to meet other singles IRL. I think the best thing about us is there is always something you can get out of a Thursday being single (if you’re in London or NYC that is), don’t fancy going on a 1-1 date? No problem, we’ve got events going on where you can meet other like-minded single people. It’s a win-win, no matter the Thursday.”

Committed to finding the one? Let’s talk about paid features!

Tinder:

“Tinder is available in three paid subscription tiers: Tinder+, Tinder Gold and Tinder Platinum. Each subscription tier comes with its own set of features.

With Tinder+, Tinder Gold and Tinder Platinum members are able to use the Tinder passport feature. Tinder Passport provides endless places to go and new people to meet all without leaving your home. The most popular cities for singletons in the UK to passport to are LA, New York and Paris. 

Another paid feature available on Tinder Gold and Tinder Platinum is the ability to see who has liked you! Likes You, or “See Who Likes You” allows members to see who has already liked them. Singletons can then browse the profiles in a grid view, rather than the traditional cardstack, and decide who to match with.”

Hinge:

“Our free membership offers daters a unique level of access to connect with each other, including the ability to see everyone who likes them (something most other apps charge for), to send a comment to someone you’re interested in and access to the same in-depth profiles and curated community of relationship-seekers as Preferred Membership. If you do fancy paying though, Preferred Members receive access to an unlimited number of likes and advanced profile preferences (e.g., height, family plans, vices, and more).

Bumble:

“Bumble has a new two-tier subscription model offering Bumble Boost and Bumble Premium – our top tier option. With the new subscriptions we launched Incognito Mode in Bumble Premium which allows you to only be seen by people who you swipe right on.”

Bumble Boost

• Rematch – chat to expired matches
• Extend – get more time to chat with matches beyond the 24 hour window
• Spotlight – get your profile to the front of the queue
• Superswipe – make a bold first move
• Backtrack – change your mind and give someone a 2nd chance
• Unlimited swipes

Bumble Premium

• Everything from Boost (Rematch, Extend, Spotlight, Superswipe, Backtrack, Unlimited Swipes)
• Beeline – see who’s already swiped right on you
• Incognito – only get seen by those you swipe right on
• Travel – change your location to connect with people in different areas
• Unlimited Advanced Filters – allows you to refine your matches and focus on what you really want in a partner

Thursday:

Users with a standard (free) membership can log in on Thursdays and:

• Send up to 10 ‘likes’
• View up to 200 profiles
• Exchange messages with matches

There is also a premium “VIP” membership called BlackCard, which costs £14.99 per month, giving you the option to send unlimited likes, check out as many profiles as you want and boost your profile (giving you 60x more exposure!).

Feeling ready to get back out there? Happy swiping everyone! 

The lights go down, the crowd screams and suddenly nothing else matters.
Up there with stepping off a plane and feeling the heat hit your face, live music is arguably one of life’s biggest pleasures, transporting you to a time and place where you can truly be yourself and forget the daily grind for a few hours- total bliss! 

From standalone gigs to weekend festivals, live music is well and truly back this summer, and Team Zoella couldn’t be more happy about it. This month we’re sharing the outfits we’ve been eagerly planning as we count down to the events that make our hearts swell, because if your spare time isn’t spent daydreaming about if Harry Styles will spot your 10/10 outfit in the crowd, you’re doing it wrong…

Charlotte – Harry Styles Love on Tour

Harry Styles Love On Tour is in fact going to be my personality trait for the entirety of the summer months and I ain’t sorry about it. I’m doing 3 shows in the space of 4 days next month and let’s just say the outfit planning is intense right now. For this look I’ve gone for something relatively comfortable but that still screams Harry, and I’m really feeling it- imagine dancing to Music For a Sushi Restaurant in this?! UGH I’m excited. Trousers are always a good shout for a show practicality wise, and I feel like 99% of the audience are going to be wearing cowboy boots which I once again am more than happy to get on board with. Finish with some face gems (because if you can’t be extra when seeing Harry Styles, when can you), and a little bag for a portable charger, lip gloss and money for merch and voila, ready to rock!

Darcey – Mighty Hoopla Festival

I’m going to the Mighty Hoopla next Friday so it felt only natural to put together an outfit for this event! I am going to be graced with the presence of Steps, Anastacia and Cascada, sorry what?! This calls for a good outfit. I’ve gone with a beautiful purple satin slip dress from UO because I also wanted to buy something I could wear again, I’ve styled it with some frilly socks (it’s giving year 6 disco and I love it) and some platform converse. Accessory wise I found some flower earrings also on UO which I think would be super fun with the look and then bag wise I’m going bumbag of course, need something practical for all the dancing and running around from stage to stage.

Lareese – Adele at Hyde Park

Did I get tickets? No. Am I a bitter Daydreamer? Alexa, play Cry Your Heart Out. I was meant to see her in 2017 but missed out when she had to cancel her last two Wembley shows, so it seems I’m just not destined to experience the euphoria that is hearing Delly in real life. Woe. Is. Me. I might be sat at home sulking in July but mentally, I’ll be at Hyde Park in my summer best, comprising of this gathered midi dress. I’d team it with an oversized blazer (this is England after all), flat sandals for comfort, sunnies and a croc baguette bag for another pop of green.

Danielle – Little Mix Tour

I didn’t get tickets to this year’s Little Mix final tour but they’ve been on my bucket list of people to see FOREVER. I’ve been lapping up the fan cam content, so putting this outfit together of what I would have worn was both brilliant and heartbreaking! Kicking off with a white t-shirt under this super cute lilac satin dress, I believe this Motel dress has gone “viral on TikTok” as you can tie it round the back so it fits you better. Oversized denim jackets are always a vibe especially in the summer and this one from Arket looks like it goes with everything. White sandals on the feet but I also think white trainers would work great too, especially if you’re travelling on foot to the venue. Finish the whole thing off with a pop of colour in the form of this lime green handbag.

Maddie – SkyBar Festival

Sky Bar is the ultimate seaside festival hosted in the most picturesque spots on the southwest coast. This is where beach chic comes into its own, so the outfit possibilities are endless. A Sky Bar evening can go from a magical sunset moment sipping cocktails to cutting shapes on the epic dance floors pretty quickly, so your outfit needs to go from day to night in seconds. I’ve picked a really cute gingham dress which I would pair with a little white denim jacket. For festivals I’m all about comfort so you can’t go wrong with some classic white converse, but I would add a few anklets which always give a nod to the holiday vibes. Throw on some retro sunnies and a tiny bag and you’re good to go, just don’t forget your sun cream!

*All products on this page have been picked by our editorial team but some are ad-affiliate links

We are truly living in the golden age of subscription boxes, from flowers, pasta, candles, coffee and books, you can order just about anything on repeat and directly to your door these days, but if we’re talking about god-tier-what-a-time-to-be-alive postal euphoria, then let it be known that we’ve officially peaked at sexual wellness in a box, guys. Curious? Prepare to be high key obsessed with our sexiest collaboration to date: SheSpot X Zoella aka the gift that keeps on giving. 

With contents worth over £160, you can get your hands on the SheSpot X Zoella edition for £70 when bought as a quarterly subscription (boxes sent out every 3 months), or pay £85 for a one-off purchase, perfect for gifting or a treat to self. Discovering what makes you tick has never been easier! 

Who is SheSpot?

SheSpot was born out of a desire to help women enjoy sexual wellness and explore self-love confidently. Featuring a curated selection of premium female-focused self-love products, it’s the first-of-its-kind subscription box designed to showcase the very best in sexual wellness, whilst helping women enjoy and confidently explore their bodies and minds.

After all, sexual wellness is about so much more than just sex – it’s about holding space for yourself, both physically and emotionally, appreciating your body and taking ownership of your pleasure. 

Co-Founders and best friends Holy and Kalila wanted to create a trusted brand that champions women’s pleasure and nurtures their curiosity in a safe and stimulating environment, providing recipients with the ultimate self-love experience whether they’re coupled up, flying solo or anything in between. 

The SheSpot X Zoella Collaboration

With female empowerment at the core of the Zoella brand, sexual wellness was always a topic we wanted to champion within our community. The first time we wrote about female pleasure – more specifically sex toys – the article went viral, reaffirming the urgent need for women’s pleasure to be spoken about openly without shame or embarrassment. 

Women enjoy sex, this shouldn’t be a touchy subject or breaking news. When a woman is free to explore and embrace her sexual desires safely and on her terms, she can learn what feels good for her and communicate what she wants effectively in the bedroom, paving the way for good, healthy, consensual sex. 

Together with SheSpot, we hope we can help women and folk with a vagina embrace their sexuality by making female pleasure a priority, not an optional extra. The SheSpot X Zoella edition is available to pre-order from the SheSpot website now, officially launching on 1st June and available until 31 August (whilst stocks last!). Let this be your sign to get in there early and make the most of Masturbation May! 

Stay tuned for more news and updates, and a deep dive into each of the products in the Summer box… spoiler alert: it’s a vibe. 

Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust

We will be donating 5% of all profits to leading cervical cancer charity, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust. Jo’s are there for everyone who needs them for as long as they need them and they won’t stop until the day that cervical cancer is no more. Cervical cancer can be devastating but they are here to reduce the impact by providing trustworthy information, campaigning for change and providing support at every step.

20th May 2022. For Harries of the world far and wide, life changed for good as the clock struck twelve and Harry Styles’ third studio album, Harry’s House, was released into the world. The Internet, naturally, hasn’t stopped talking about it ever since. The shimmering,  self-assured and charming-at-its-core collection of tracks are velvety smooth in their sound, proving that, as far as Harry is concerned, home really is where the heart is. Described by Mr Styles as his “biggest and most fun, but by far the most intimate” album so far, it truly feels like Harry at his most authentic. After approximately 100 listens, we felt it only appropriate to share the rollercoaster of thoughts and feelings that unravelled between tracks 1 to 13, from the emotional stab to the heart that was Matilda, to joyful and upbeat rhythms of Late Night Talking, this no-skip album has captured our souls already…

Music For a Sushi Restaurant

• Pure good vibes from start to finish. Has there ever been a better album opener? Rhetorical question. 
• I could cook an egg on YOU.
• Not Harry referencing how things taste in Medicine, Watermelon Sugar and now MFASR. The thought of the man’s tongue is simply too much.
• The tiny scoobidoobidoos = pure ASMR.
• The first song on the album being thirst central is a strong mood.
• Petition for this to be the only song on the Yo! Sushi restaurant playlist please.
• The last 10 seconds are giving ultimate rockstar.
• Music For a Sushi Restaurant. That’s it, that’s the tweet.

Late Night Talking

• “There’s a haze on the horizon babe”- yeah it’s us not being able to see through the tears of how good this album is. 
• Oozes the feeling of being irresistibly drawn to someone and it feels so. good. 
• “I’ve never been a fan of change”- the Night Changes parallels are too much. 
• A chorus in which dancing is a MUST. Anyone else even more excited for Love On Tour now?
• The upbeat vibes of As It Was are coming throughhhh.
• 2 minutes and 57 seconds of happiness.

Grapejuice

• The ‘1, 2, 3’  is giving the same vibes as Harry’s Calm Sleep Story and we ain’t mad about it. 
• Long Italian evenings. Sipping wine against a sunset backdrop. Driving with the roof down. Forehead kisses. Flowers tucked behind your ear. Waves lapping at your feet. Comfortable silence. Surprise visits. Easy love. 
• NINETEEN EIGHTY TWOooOoO JUST ME AND yOuUuu THERE’S JUST NO GETTING THROuuUuGH THE GRAPEJUICE BLUESSssS
• Them: “I skip Grapejuice” red flag.

As It Was

• Iconic at its core.
• As the first single from Harry’s House it will remain groundbreaking forever.
• YOU KNOW IT’S NOT THE SAME AS IT WASSSSS
• The Instagram and TikTok anthem of ‘22. 
• Overplayed? Maybe. 
• Still in love? Yes. 

Daylight

• “Reading your horoscope, you were just doing cocaine in my kitchen, you never listen” we’re definitely not in One Direction territory anymore are we?
• Wondering if Harry sprinkled some in this song because it is Addictive with a capital A.
• Definition of a Soft Bop.
• If I was a bluebird I would fly to YOU @HarryStyles. 
• Anyone else ready to incite a riot if this isn’t on the HSLOT setlist?
• It might not be related to Ms Swift but them both having a song called Daylight is kinda sweet, no?

Little Freak

• WELL.
• Who knew a song called Little Freak would be so sweet. Insert cry emoji.
• Will need 2-3 business days to recover.
• “Track suit and a ponytail” us, hungover buying Lucozade on a Sunday morning. 
• Sad boy ballad 101.
• One level deeper than Cherry from Fine Line.
• Headphones aren’t enough, scream it into our ears.

Matilda

• Little Freak followed by Matilda. Harry, we’re sending our therapy invoices. 
• Those first few guitar chords- CHILLS.
• A fan favourite, as it should be.
• A f*ck you to those who ever disregarded your feelings, didn’t treat you right, left you out, abandoned you and made you feel unlovable. The chosen family you deserve exists.
• YOU CAN THROW A PARTY FULL OF EVERYONE YOU LOVE, AND NOT INVITE YOUR FAMILY ‘CAUSE THEY NEVER SHOWED YOU LOVE. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE SORRY.
• Sad but comforting x100.
• Brb off to actually watch Roald Dahl’s Matilda now.

Cinema

• “You got, you got the cinemaaaaaa”
• A much needed 80s pick-me-up after the melancholic Matilda. 
• Who’s ready to dance in the pit?!
• Harry being like “Am I cool enough?” is sexy. Insecure? Don’t know what for.
• Slick synth-pop tune at its peak- consider it bop o’clock! 
• “You pop when we get intimate” SORRRYYYYY SIR????

Daydreaming

• Two words- the bridge.
• The older sister to TPWK.
• Surely the next Harry’s House single?
• “When you give me all of your love, give me something to dream about”  here we go again with another line about someone Harry can’t get enough of, that isn’t us.
• Can we discuss the high notes for a second?
• Put the car roof down and blast it vibes.

Keep Driving

• As It Was gave us “Come on harry we wanna say goodnight to you” so that Keep Driving could give us “Cocaine, side boob, choke her with a sea view”
• The intimate relationship memories we’re now a part of.  Sobbing.
• Keep driving and RUN ME OVER PLEASE.
• The Keep Driving verse is exactly 15 secs long making it perfect for Instagram Stories and the way to our hearts. 
• When everything goes wrong, just keep driving.

Satellite

• The opening is giving Stranger Things energy 
• For those that don’t like it: consider it a grower.
• … Either way it will be stuck in your head for 3-5 business days.
• “SPiNnin’ out, wAIitiNN’ for ya, to pull meeeeEee in…”
• Today is a Satellite day. Tomorrow will be Satellite day, and every day moving forward will be a Satellite day. Sorry, we don’t make the rules.

Boyfriends

• Coachella heard it first and we understand why. Perfection.
• Standing by the “to boyfriends everywhere, f*ck you” statement
• Could have ramped up more but chose not to, and we respect it.
• Fleetwood Mac inspired = *chefs kiss*
• “Boyfriends, they think you’re so easy. They take you for granted, they don’t know, they’re just misunderstanding.” SING IT LOUDER HARRY.
• A reminder that honestly, men ain’t sh*t. 
• Choppy, melodic, stunning.

Love of my Life

• The Queen crossover must be acknowledged.
• Harry shifted from “you are the love of my life” to “you were the love of my life” mid-song ??????? Explain please.
• To leave us with this as the last song is simply CRUEL.
• The tenderness and vulnerability of Girl Crush is back. 
• Listen with airpods and thank us later.

Phew.

Rosé season is fast approaching – even if the weather is yet to get the memo – so in a bid to make this year’s park picnics a 10/10 Provencal cottagecore dream, we’ve rounded up only the prettiest, palest blush vinos to get you in the spirit of summer.

The Angel has officially Whispered, people! From Provence to Portugal, here’s a look at the wines crying out for a sun terrace and a posh bag of crisps or oysters on ice, if you’re so inclined. Trust us, there’s not a bottle of saccharine, furry teeth, heady hen-party fuel in sight. 

1. Amie X Rosé

Dreamt up during lockdown, Amie is a vegan wine created by friends, for friends (the name literally means female friends in French). Amie x Rosé is a pale, dry organic rosé produced in the Languedoc, south of France. Made from a blend of organic Grenache and Cinsault, the wine is a premium take on their original rosé and is light and crisp with citrus and strawberry characteristics, pairing well with salads, grilled and barbecued food. As if we weren’t already sold on the taste alone, £1 from each order will be donated to charity: water to help provide clean drinking water to people in developing countries. And whilst Amie’s out here being the full package drinkable, charitable rosé that it is, check the branding. Exquisite! As aesthetically-pleasing as it is delicious, this is *the* bottle to be seen drinking this summer. Now to pin down a long lunch date with whichever pal has been blessed with a garden. Santé!

Buy it here: £18.00 for 75cl 

2. Mirabeau Pure Provence Rosé 

Synonymous with long, languid days on the Côte d’Azur, Mirabeau Pure is their flagship rosé, lovingly referred to as ‘Provence in a glass’. Crafted from some of the finest sun-drenched vineyards in the region, you’ll be very popular if you rock up at the barbecue with this fine wine up your sleeve. Delicate and balanced, and displaying aromas of peach, lychee, passion fruit and flint, it’s perfect for pairing with lighter cuisine and desserts with a citrus note. 

Buy it here: £15.49 75cl 

3. ‘M’ De Minuty Rosé Côtes de Provence

Gorgeous, gorgeous girls drink Minuty and pretend they’re holidaying in the Med. Château Minuty is a magnificent estate situated on the Saint-Tropez peninsula, delighting wine aficionados since the 19th century. Not only is it one of the last remaining Châteaux in Provence to pick their grapes by hand, it’s one of only 23 estates to be designated Cru Classé (the best of the best). Its elegant minerality truly sets it apart from the rest, making it effortlessly quaffable in the sunshine and the perfect partner for shellfish or a fresh Nicoise salad thanks to its white peach notes and hints of strawberry. For a dependable summer rosé made to be enjoyed on a sun-kissed roof terrace, look no further than this prestigious crowd pleaser. 

Buy it here: £14.89 75cl

4. LB7 Rosé

With flavours of strawberry, peaches and cream, and a lovely soft finish, LB7 Rosé is just as dry and refreshing as any Provencal pink. The grapes come from the Lisboa region whereby the climate gives it a lovely fresh acidity but it’s matched with fruity strawberry flavours making it juicy on the palate and super drinkable. Serve as an aperitif with salty almonds, olives or any seafood dish. 

Buy it here: £8.99 75cl

5. Miraval Provence Rose

Whiling away a summer’s afternoon doesn’t get better than this. Miraval shot to fame when Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt purchased the estate (aka the promised land of legendary wine) back in 2008 and even got married there in 2014, so let that be your sign to pick up a bottle of the pink plonk and toast to hot girl summer. Gloriously scented with spring flowers and fresh fruit, Miraval delicately combines flavours of red currants and citrus for an elegant rosé

with mineral saline notes and a long finish. In other words, it’s dangerously drinkable. 

£19.00 75cl

Buy now: https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/304791628

6. Lady A Rosé

Still waiting on your Soho House membership? Same, hun but with a glass of Lady A in hand, you can create those immaculate Soho House vibes from the comfort of your own home. 

Soho House Sommelier Vincent Gasnier describes it as a “delicious thirst-quenching rose – yet delicate and elegant. Pale in colour, it is light, crisp and zesty, offering flavours of citrus, pink grapefruit, peach and raspberry with a long and refreshing finish.” 

Can we technically call it a food shop if it’s 90% liquid? Asking for a friend. 

Buy it here: £16.00 75cl

7. MAÏA Rosé, Côtes de Provence

Best enjoyed barefoot with your besties, MAÏA is a beautiful salmon-pink blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, Rolle and Mourvèdre from ancient vineyards in the heart of the Côtes de Provence appellation. Generous sunshine, coupled with sea breezes from the nearby Mediterranean Sea provide the perfect conditions for making fresh, elegant rosé. Featuring pear drop notes with an uplifting acidity, MAÏA is the perfect drink to capture the spirit of Provence, evocative of sunny days and long meals around the table with friends and family.  

Buy it here: £18.90 75cl

8. Quatre Vin Rosé 2021

Say enchanté to one of the new kids on the block. Created by four friends with a passion for wine, food and good times, Quatre Vine Rosé was born when Oliver Proudlock, his wife Emma Lousie Proudlock, Elliot Awin and his fiancée Paula Anton collaborated with the 7th generation wine making Negrel family. Organically-farmed, vegan friendly and sustainably made at a family run winery in the heart of Provence, it’s a classic mineral rosé that conjures carefree, sun-soaked days in the south of France. If fresh and peachy is your thing, with barely-there colour, then introduce Quatre Vin Rose to all future summer soirees. 

Buy it here: £16.99 75cl

9. Maison Gutowski M-G 2020

This award-winning vino is a premium blend sourced from older vines from some of the best sites in the appellation (protected wine regions). Delicate with florals, red fruits and white peach, it’s a fail-safe rosé all-year round. That said, it goes down *particularly* well on a balmy summer evening. Alexa, play Taylor Swift – August. 

Buy it here: £25.00 75cl

10.  Whispering Angel

No self-respecting rosé round-up would be complete without the poster child of translucent ballet slipper wine: Whispering Angel, from the award-winning Château d’Esclans. Adored by wine lovers across the globe (including the one and only, Adele) and reputedly the greatest rosé in the world, it’s the cherubic cult summer wine we all love to love. With fresh notes of apple, pink grapefruit, peach and cream, its taste profile is full and lush while being bone dry with a smooth finish. Summer simply isn’t summer until the Angel has Whispered. 

Buy it here: £20.00 75cl

From Coastal Grandma to Dopamine Dressing, there are already plentiful micro trends that have emerged for summer 2022, and truth be told we fancy a little slice of all of them…

Alongside the statement pieces that are too good to refuse, building a warm weather wardrobe made of wearable neutrals and staple pieces is giving That Girl energy, and we’re so here for it. From black smock dresses to tan bodysuits, white dungarees to silk midi skirts, basics don’t have to be boring, bestie!

For the maximalists amongst us, shopping for staples doesn’t exactly feel as fun as adding a neon pair of cowboy boots to your basket, but ensuring you have a strong collection of neutrals to let your statement pieces really do the talking is something you’ll thank yourself for later. They might not be revolutionary, but they’re oh so worth it…

*This post contains ad-affiliate links

Netflix has given us many a heartthrob over the years, from Noah Centineo in To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before to Hero Fiennes in Harry Styles inspired fanfic After, we’re certainly spoilt for choice when it comes to easy on the eye stars that make deciding what to watch that little bit simpler.

Since the latest season of Bridgerton dropped in April and our attention was very firmly placed on Jonathan Bailey’s entire existence, the subject of Netflix heartthrobs has been of hot debate both on social media and in the Zoella office (ahem). It only felt fitting- for the purpose of research, of course- to deep dive into this topic hearts first, scrolling through the depths of our Netflix watch history to present to you, Snog, Marry, Avoid- The Netflix Heartthrobs Edition…

Who comes out top on your ‘marry’ list?

Charlotte says….

Snog: Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, Stranger Things

GOD this man is sexy. I love Stranger Things and have rewatched the first 3 seasons more times than I can count, only partly because of Steve Harrington’s character arc…

Steve doesn’t exactly start out as boyfriend material, all but breaking Nancy Wheeler’s heart and unapologetically smashing Jonathon Byer’s prized film camera just because, but from season 2 onwards we see him save the day time and time again, always having the back of the kids of Hawkins. Turns out his heart is as good as his ’80s hair after all, and his dry humour and flirtatious nature have me weak at the knees. Despite this and because of his not-so-nice-guy history, I’m only trusting Steve as far as a snog goes, but I do truly believe he’s a good guy at heart, and I’d love to head to Hawkins for a date with Mr Harrington.

Marry: Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker, Amazing Spider-Man

Okay, I’m putting it out there, Andrew Garfield is the best Spider-Man- I said what I said! The nature of his job might be risky by nature, but regardless I would seriously love to be swinging through NYC in the arms of this Peter Parker- swoon-worthy I tell you! His awkward yet endearing personality is incredibly loveable, and the scene in the school hallway when he tries to ask out Gwen Stacy (the icon that is Emma Stone) always has me smiling at the screen. I know Peter would always try to do right by his partner, prioritising them and doing his best to keep them safe and happy, and for that reason, I consider him the ultimate marriage material!

Avoid: Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort, The Wolf of Wall Street

Leo was my first celeb crush (we’re talking before the days of One Direction, of course) and I can’t count the times I’ve watched Inception, Titanic, Blood Diamond and The Great Gatsby because of him. Despite this, not even his dreamy looks, HUGE wallet and delicious Bronx accent are enough to persuade me to go near him with a barge pole on TWOWS. His confidence and determination for success are certainly sexy (making it easy to gloss over the fact he is an actual criminal) but above all we can’t forget that he did in fact cheat on his first wife, and then proceeded to treat Margot Robbie’s character despicably too- he sure makes it difficult to support him. The emotional scenes when his marriage is falling apart and he tries to bundle his young daughter into the car whilst drunk/high are especially hard to watch, and I’m gonna have to say VERY avoid-worthy. I think I’ll stick to Jack Dawson on the Titanic when I need my Leo fix!

Danielle says…

Snog: Pete Davidson as Scott – The King of Staten Island

Quite frankly I want to see what all the fuss is about. I’ve been a fan of Pete for ages and I definitely see the allure, he’s hilarious, laid back and tall which pretty much ticks all my boxes. But would I let him in my box? I think a snog would give me all the information I need to discover how he’s bagged both Arianna Grande and Kimmy K.

Marry: Timothee Chalamet as Elio, Call me by your name

I am not ‘down bad’ for Timothee Chalamet, I am catastrophically submerged. If you told me three years ago I’d be falling in love with an American Italian teenager discovering his homosexuality I probably wouldn’t have believed you. But Call Me By Your Name did things to me I’m still not even willing to discuss with myself. Something about the way he operates when he acts is just SO satisfying to me, and you can find a plethora of other hits on Netflix that are JUST as great for falling in love with Timmy – The King, Little Women and Don’t Look Up.

Avoid: Jason Oppenheim as himself – Selling Sunset

Spoiler Alert for season 5 coming up! Maybe I’ve chosen him because it’s quite fresh in my mind, as let’s face it there are plenty of men to avoid on Netflix right now. But Jason really pissed me off in the latest season of Selling Sunset, what is wrong with these men who can commit more fiercely to their dog than they can a woman. He wasted sweet, sweet Chrishelle’s time and he still gets off scot-free with the opinion that some young fertile woman will want to have his kid’s when he’s ready. Maybe I’m just frustrated about men’s biological clocks compared to ours, maybe Chrishelle’s nails stroking his bald head gave me the ick, either way, I’m avoiding.

Maddie says…

Snog: Ian Somerhalder as Damon Salvatore, Vampire Diaries

What is it about vampires that makes them so damn attractive?! He’s dangerous, spontaneous, funny, ridiculously sexy, protective and did i mention sexy??! It was team Damon from the start for me and despite his reckless and at times psychotic tendencies i definitely wouldn’t say no to a snog with this supernatural dish.

Marry: Jacob Elordi as Noah Flynn, The Kissing Booth

Forget his character in Euphoria for a second….Noah is the total package, he’s got the smile, the height, the motorbike, the Harvard degree. Tick Tick Tick. If we look past the slight anger management issues he worked through in his teen years he may be the perfect man.

Avoid: Chad Michael Murray, Lucas Scott, One Tree Hill

This guy moves from girl to girl far too quickly for my liking. I’ll never forgive him for choosing “everybody leaves” permanently pissed off Peyton over the brilliantly sassy Brooke Davis and let’s not even talk about poor old Lindsey. It’s a hard pass from me.

Darcey says…

Snog: David Harbour as Jim Hopper, Stranger Things

I mean… I fancy this man rather a lot, not just as Jim, but as David too. I’ve opted for snog because really I think the age gap would get in the way of marriage, but whose to say I couldn’t enjoy a few nights with Jim aye? What’s not to like to be honest, he’s kind, brave and also very attractive. Tick, tick and tick!

Marry: Henry Golding as Nick Young, Crazy Rich Asians

Fancy Henry Golding in anything he does, Last Christmas is quite frankly my favourite Christmas film of all time and I’ll hear nothing else on the matter. I am obsessed with his character in Crazy Rich Asians, being such a kind and loving man, going after what he wants and THAT proposal, who wouldn’t want that?! Maybe minus all the family dramas… I think he’s got to be ultimate marriage material. Obviously too he is bloody attractive, but something about him in Crazy Rich Asians really ramps that up, maybe it’s all the suits?

Avoid: Simon Leviev as himself, The Tinder Swindler

I probably don’t have to explain this one, but if I could think of one man that I would absolutely run for the hills from it would be Simon Leviev, fraudster and compulsive liar? I’m going to have to opt-out of that one. Course this is no fictional character and all real-life, what he did to those women is genuinely disgusting and I do hope they get the proper justice they deserve one day.

Lareese says…

Snog: Paul Mescal as Connell, Normal People

There’s just something about the combination of shy insecure boy with an Irish accent and a silver chain that did it for me in every which way. And then he made his Met Gala debut with that iconic handlebar ‘tache – a weapon of mass seduction. The tuxe. The long hair. I wasn’t ready. Well played, Phoebe Bridgers, well played.

Marry: Regé-Jean Page as Simon Basset, Bridgerton

This will come as no surprise to, well, anyone really but there’s only one heart-throb for me to wed and it’s gotta be the Duke, aka The internet’s boyfriend. I don’t think I even need to elaborate on this because it’s just a fact at this point. He only had to cock a brow, mount his trusty steed or fasten a glove and my soul would leave my body; my pants would levitate before my eyes. As a Bridgerton runner-up though, can I also give Theo Sharpe from Season 2 an honourable mention, the hardworking printer’s assistant. In the absence of the much-loved Duke, I enjoyed him in his apron and flat cap A LOT.

Avoid: Lucas Bravo as Gabriel, Emily In Paris

I mean, sure the man can cook me a decent meal when it comes to snacks, I’d have to go for Alfie the cocky Londoner with the good brows instead (Lucien Laviscount). A visual feast.

Claiming he’s too busy to text you back? We’re not gonna lie, it’s giving Simon Leviev.

In May’s BYAM, we’re working through some serious life BS otherwise known as simply trying to exist in our present-day dystopian hellscape. Who knew being an adult would be this exhausting. Stop the ride, we want to get off.

From sex drive discrepancies and friendships that have officially passed their sell-by date to navigating the hard questions that come with marriage and exploring your sexuality when you’re in a monogamous long-term relationship. Keep scrolling to read the team’s no-nonsense advice!

Charlotte says…

This is so tricky- I definitely felt this a lot in my previous relationship and would also have a tendency to take it personally. I think it can be easily done so I understand your partners concerns, but also think it’s a good opportunity to establish new boundaries. Personally, my love language is quality time so I’d always feel a bit dejected if my BF wanted to chill alone, which could be the case for your partner too? I’d suggest doing the love languages test and finding out if this is the case too- if so I think one easy remedy would be carving out specific time in your week where you’re spending quality time together, making memories and dedicating space to each other, which should fulfil this need for them and hopefully naturally create some space in between for you too.

We all need time to rest and recharge, and I think having personal space is a really healthy thing in a relationship, so don’t back down on the fact that this is important for you. Vocalise your needs, and communicate that in the same way they need time together, you also need to balance this with space to breathe and fully appreciate the time you do spend with one another! One quote I love is “you are individuals first and partners second”, so your needs and mental health should be a top priority, always.

Maddie says…

Everyone has different love languages and it sounds like your partners is “quality time”. Understanding how we like to be appreciated can be a game changer in a relationship. Equally they need to understand that you’re two individuals that have different needs and they need to respect your need for space too. It’s all about how you communicate this desire for alone time. There’s a difference between saying “give me space/I want to be alone” and “I really would love to just relax by myself for a few hours, can we do something later?”.

Darcey says…

From the offset, he is NOT the perfect guy! I’m so sorry to say so bluntly, but someone who barely contacts you is not the one, communicating with you is the bare minimum and you deserve so much better! I’ve totally been there before with guys before, you meet and vibe so well but their communication sucks, but you can’t stop thinking about how well you got on and that maybe that will all come back if you see them. However, in my experience the lack of communication is really just a lack of interest, if he wanted to he would. My advice is sack him off, his bloody loss and get yourself back out there!

Liv says…

The main thing I would question is that if he has always been like this or has his attention been taken somewhere else since meeting. If he’s always been bad at messaging and he really is the perfect guy I would try and find ways to work around this. Maybe make more time for calls or seeing more of each other, you might even see a bigger bond forming! If messaging is really important to you then I would have an open conversation with them and find a middle ground, compromise is key. If his attention has gone, then I think it could be a sign that something else is going on in their life, and if you’re getting the feeling it isn’t going to work out, respect yourself and go find something even more perfect!

Lareese says….

Oh babes, show me one person in a long-term relationship who hasn’t gone through the ol’ dry spell. For me personally, it’s not that deep (providing you’re both on the same page). Our sex drive fluctuates depending on so many things from stress to illness, booze and sleep – it ebbs and flows – but if it’s making you doubt your relationship, it’s drastically different to your usual frequency or affecting your happiness, then it’s important you vocalise your needs with your partner. There’s a huge difference between a dry spell and a long-term disinterest in sex and the impact of that physical and emotional distance on your self-esteem can be huge. We all want to be wanted after all! Explain how it’s making you feel, communicate your frustrations and prioritise your pleasure for sure. Don’t hold back because it’ll only cause resentment or tension within the relationship the longer you let it stew. Spell it out, no shame, tell them sex is your love language, you’re feeling a little distant lately and it’s high time you had a f*cking orgasm. The important thing is that you’re both satisfied with the amount of sex you’re having and the sooner you have the convo, the better or else nothing will change. Best of luck!

Danielle says…

Ah the libido limbo, matching your partner’s desires for sex is such a complicated area isn’t it? You can have such an amazing relationship outside of sex and even a great sex life (when you’re having it) but if one person doesn’t feel like their needs are being met then resentment and self-esteem issues can certainly follow. Do you think you’ve always had a higher sex drive or is this something that has started to become a problem more recently? If the latter I’d approach your partner with a lot of sensitivity and ask if they are stressed or if it’s something they had thought about. If it has always been an issue I think it’s just something you’ll have to weigh up in terms of staying in the relationship, I don’t think you can really expect your partner to change their habits. There are certainly things you can do to spice it up a bit and bring the excitement back into your sex life as well as having plenty of solo time as well.

Charlotte says…

It’s always sad when friendships feel like they’re coming to a natural end, with no argument or bad blood, nothing major to write home about, just the feeling that things are different between you and there’s a space between you that wasn’t there before. I’m sorry you’re experiencing this!

I actually recently saw an Instagram post about reaching out to friends which came into mind when I saw your dilemma, because I think we often overcomplicate and create a negative story in our heads around things like this when actually all that’s needed is a little communication!

Of course it depends why you’ve drifted apart and if you want to keep that friendship going (which it sounds like you do!), but maybe all you need is to get some regular plans in the diary, up the texting regularity and add a bit of spice back into the friendship. As with all relationships we can go through periods of feeling a bit stagnant, but it’s never too late to show someone how much you care. If they’re truly a good friend I would hope they’ll reciprocate your increased effort too. Good luck!

Darcey says…

Hi anon! Firstly thank you for writing in and sharing this with us, I’m sure your head feels pretty scrambled at the moment. Sexuality I believe is an ever changing thing, whether that be who we are attracted to, who we want to have sex with and even new sexual experiences we’d like to try. I definitely don’t think you should ignore or suppress these feelings, you don’t want to get 5 years down the line with your current boyfriend and end up resenting him or yourself for never having the freedom to explore your sexuality. On the other hand how your approach this subject with your boyfriend is complex, I don’t know him, but you’ll know how open he would be to trying new things.

Open relationships are a great way to meet new people romantically or just physically and explore your sexuality, but of course both parties would have to be comfortable with this. You could also think about looking for a third sexual partner for both you and your boyfriend, threesomes could allow you to explore with your partner still being involved, but you would definitely need to be very honest about wanting to explore your sexuality to your boyfriend and not just saying you’d like to have a threesome. There are a lot of dating style apps where you can find others interested in threesomes, so I think it’s pretty easy to get connected with likeminded people! Lastly I’d say that of course leaving your boyfriend to explore your sexuality is always an option, but an incredibly difficult decision I’m sure and not something I’d want to advise myself as I think that comes down to you and what feels right.

You are number one in your life remember and sometimes we do have to upset people to do right by ourselves, you’ll figure it all out and I hope you have some friends you can lean on too for advice!

Danielle says…

I think it’s so important to understand who you are and explore sexually especially when you are young and figuring stuff out. I know you’ve said you really love your boyfriend but if you don’t get to find these things out now I think you’ll end up resenting him in the long run.

Have an open and honest conversation with him and see if he’d be open to taking a break, or maybe even opening up your relationship. If he’d deadset on not allowing you to explore that side of yourself then I’d break up with him, which I know is harsh but sometimes you really have to put yourself first.

Maddie says…

Talking about the future and what you want it to look like is part of being in a committed long term relationship. I personally think just be really honest and have an open conversation about feeling ready for children. If you feel you need something to help bring up the topic, perhaps suggest spending time with friends/family that have small children or someone you know is expecting as a way to introduce the idea more subtly.

Liv says…

I’m going to guess that this is that you’d like to start trying for a baby, if so that is so exciting! I would make sure that it’s an open and honest chat between the two of you where both your voices can be heard. Also be clear about what you would like and listen and respect your husbands point of view. If you’re both ready then thats amazing! If not, then it isn’t the end of the world and I’m sure a compromise can be made. It’s really important that you are both happy with the outcome of the conversation.

With arguably the most talented child cast of all time, throwback fashion that has us running to Depop at the first sign of corduroy trousers looking cool, and a soundtrack so groovy you start agreeing that maybe the ‘80s were the good ol’ days, Stranger Things is as groundbreaking as it gets in the world of Netflix originals. The supernatural and mysterious town of Hawkins was first unveiled to us back in 2016, and since then has not only accelerated the careers of breakout actors such as Millie Bobby Brown and Sadie Sink, but perhaps more impressively has received critical acclaim for its characterisation, atmosphere, acting, soundtrack, directing, writing, and homages to 1980s films. If you haven’t seen it, you’re sincerely missing out.

As the fans across the world prepare for Season 4 to drop worldwide on Friday 27th May, we’re taking a trip down memory lane at the most gut-wrenching, heartwarming and downright emotional moments that made us both sob with sadness and shed a happy tear too. Anyone else not ready for the emotional rollercoaster that will no doubt be Season 4? Someone is cutting onions. Huge onions….

Warning! This post contains serious spoilers from Seasons 1-3. Continue at your own risk…

Pulling Will’s ‘body’ from the quarry

Long ago in Stranger Things history, but a moment that remains devastatingly sad to this day is the unfolding of episode four, Season 1, in which Chief of Hawkins Police, Jim Hopper breaks the news to Joyce Byers that her son has drowned, after finding a body in Sattler Lake. From the reaction of Hopper and his colleagues, the realisation that comes from Will’s friends that he’s gone, to Joyce sobbing into older son Jonathan’s arms, the events of this episode are as gut-wrenching as they come, and doesn’t get easier to watch even 5 years down the line.

Although we now know Will is alive and well, the episodes before Joyce is believed by Jonathan, the police and other residents of Hawkins are distressing by definition, but it does make for some incredible scenes from icon Winona Ryder and co. We love you Joyce! 

When Barb’s parents hoped she would still come home safe

The first of many deaths that broke our hearts, the disappearance of Barbara Holland during Season 1 sparked the ‘Justice for Barb’ movement by fans online after she appeared seemingly forgotten by the town, despite her parents holding out hope that she would one day come home safe. During Season 2 we see Barb’s parents put their house on the market in order to fund a private investigator to look into her disappearance- something that eats up former best friend Nancy who still goes to weekly dinners with The Hollands because of the guilt she carries surrounding Barb’s death. Although it certainly wasn’t cool that Nancy ditched Barb on the night of the party to spend time alone with Steve, the weight of responsibility she feels when Barb’s parents express they hope she will one day come home safe is one that tugs at every heart string. 

In the end, Nancy works with Jonathan Byers and PI Murray Bauman to put Barbara’s parents out of their misery, creating a fabricated yet believable cover-up story that Barbara had been exposed to a toxic chemical leak which had been covered up by Hawkins Lab, finally leading to it shutting down. Barb was given a proper funeral, and in the end we know Nancy did right by her friend after living with the guilt of her disappearance for so long. Now and forever, RIP Barb. 

When Mike and Eleven shared their first kiss

In the emotional Season 1 finale of the show (and after a true rollercoaster of events throughout the previous 8 episodes), a quiet moment between Mike and Eleven in the safety (or so they thought) of his school cafeteria saw him ask her to be his date to the one and only Snow Ball. CUTE. After attempting to convey that he liked her as more than a friend, Mike leaned in to kiss a confused El to demonstrate his love for her, and let’s just say tears were shed from living rooms across the globe.

The season ended devastatingly for both Mike and viewers, when Eleven disappeared after saving the town once again from the Demogorgon- do these guys ever catch a break?! Mike goes on to mourn her loss deeply, attempting to contact Eleven via his radio unsuccessfully, persisting for at least 352 days. The pair meet again in Season 2, and needless to say their love story continues to blossom, before finally attending the Snow Ball and getting the happy ending they deserved (for now…). 

When Bob was tackled by a pack of Demodogs (RIP, again)

Up there with Steve Harrington’s redemption arc as one of the best things that could happen to a show, Bob Newby was a true hero. Possibly the most likeable character of the show, despite his short stint in Hawkins, Bob’s character was introduced as Joyce’s new beau at the start of Season 2 and completely devoted himself to loving Joyce, her sons and making her feel truly special after her tumultuous divorce and the traumatic experience of Will’s disappearance. 

During a tense episode in which Bob, Joyce, Hopper, Dr Owens and Mike were trapped in Hawkins Lab after the Mind Flayer took control of Will and unleashed a pack of Demodogs, the lab’s power went out, placing the complex on lockdown. In order to turn the power back on and reset the locks, Bob volunteered to go down to the breaker room as the only one in the group who knew BASIC (a coding system). After successfully making it to the breaker room, restoring the power and allowing Hopper, Joyce, and Mike to escape safely, Bob finally appears at the exit ready to reunite with Joyce before being tackled and violently killed by several Demodogs.

Bob was a character with the purest of intentions, kind-natured at his core and willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good. Truly one of the saddest deaths within the show, fans still mourn the loss of Bob as the series continues.  

When Alexei was taken from us too soon

Did the Duffer Brothers want us to drown in our own tears after watching Season 3 of the show? We can only assume so.  With Bob in first place, Alexei was surely the sweetest of all characters, turning from the dark side to good after abandoning his station as a Russian scientist working on the key project underneath the Starcourt Mall. After being arrested by Hopper, Alexei went on the run with him, Joyce and later Murray Bauman with the intent of closing the Russian gate- aka the portal between the two worlds.

Later Alexei, Murray, Jim and Joyce went to a 4th of July Fair to search for the kids, before Alexei was devastatingly killed by a Russian hitman during his most joyful moments because of his attempt to flee his role. His love for Slurpees, cartoons (Woody the Woodpecker to be precise) and carnival games saw the endearing and childlike side of his character vastly contrast that of the Russian experiment he was a part of, and he is cemented in ST history as a character fans will never forget. Let’s raise a Slurpee to Alexei. 

When Dustin and Suzie perform A Neverending Story

Tears of joy up next! In the summer of ‘85, Dustin meets science, mechanics and comic book lovin’ girlfriend Suzie and sparks fly. After returning home and finding his friends have all but forgotten him, Dustin attempts to contact Suzie via the radio they created together, but accidentally intercepts something far darker…

This becomes important later, as in order for Hopper and Joyce to complete their mission in the Russian base, the duo needed a numerical code for Planck’s constant. Before Suzie gave up the code, however? “Dusty-bun” had to duet ‘their’ song with her- the NeverEnding Story‘s theme tune. In the end he obliged, and in a scene that can only be described as a cinematic masterpiece, we watch as each moving part in the operation to keep Hawkins safe listens in on the (quite frankly beautiful) rendition of the 1984 hit show’s theme song. The scene has amassed over 39 million views on YouTube, and only 38 million of them are ours!

Hopper’s disappearance

If there’s a show that teaches us not to hold on too tightly to our favourite characters like no other, it’s Stranger Things, and after the Season 3 finale, we can safely say we trust no one on their writing team. 

Chief of Police in the small, sleepy town of Hawkins, Hopper didn’t *exactly* know what was coming for him when Will Byers first disappeared, but needless to say he stepped up to the table and saved the day on more occasions than we can count. Unfortunately, as Season 3 came to an end and the Russian Gate to the Upside Down was still open, Joyce was forced to destroy the machine with Hopper trapped by an energy field behind it. This indeed closed the gate, but presumably killed Hopper. The US army arrived to seize the Russian base, and the government used the fire at Starcourt Mall as a cover story, claiming that Hopper sacrificed himself to save others at the mall. 

It was later suggested that Hopper did not die, but was somehow transported to Kamchatka, Russia. By the spring of 1986, Hopper hasn’t been seen since the explosion that resulted in his disappearance, when Joyce (who since took in his daughter, Eleven) receives a mysterious Russian delivery…

After spotting David Harbour who plays Hopper looking fly AF at the latest ST premiere, we can only assume he’s back and better than ever for Season 4, however until he and El are reunited, the road will no doubt be a rocky one.

When El read Hopper’s heartwarming speech

The father/daughter relationship we didn’t know we needed, Eleven and Hopper are proof that a chosen family finds you when you need it most. From Eggos for dinner to renovating their cosy cabin home, the pair have shared some seriously wholesome (amongst traumatic…) memories that saw their bond grow stronger than ever. 

One of their most touching moments came at the end of Season 3, when El discovered a written ‘heart to heart’ speech Hopper had planned to read to her regarding growing up, demonstrating moments of vulnerability and emotion that the Chief of Police rarely displayed. Sitting in her dad’s shirt, packing up her life in Hawkins ready to move away with the Byers, the tears start and just don’t stop…

“Feelings. Jesus. The truth is, for so long I’d forgotten what those even were. I’ve been stuck in one place. In a cave, you might say. A deep, dark cave. And then I left some Eggos out in the woods and you came into my life. For the first time in a long time, I started to feel things again. I started to feel happy. But lately, I guess I’ve been feeling distant from you. Like you’re pulling away from me or something. I miss playing board games every night, making triple-Decker Eggo extravaganzas at sunrise, watching Westerns together before we doze off.

But I know you’re getting older, growing, changing. And, I guess, if I’m being really honest, that’s what scares me. I don’t want things to change. So I think maybe that’s why I came in here, to try and stop that change. To turn back the clock. To make things go back to how they were. But I know that’s naive. It’s just not how life works. It’s moving, always moving, whether you like it or not. And yeah, sometimes it’s painful. Sometimes it’s sad. And sometimes, it’s surprising. Happy.

So you know what? Keep on growing up kid. Don’t let me stop you. Make mistakes, learn from ’em. And When life hurts you, because it will, remember the hurt. The hurt is good. It means you’re out of that cave. But, please, if you don’t mind, for the sake of your poor old dad, keep the door open three inches.”

BRB SOBBING.

Billy’s Death

A character arc so complex we’re still reeling from the 180 flip and reverse, Billy Hargrove’s heroic death was one that devastated viewers in the finale of Season 3 of the show. Whilst Dacre Montgomery, the actor who plays Billy, was spotted at the Season 4 premiere (side eye emoji), we’re not getting our hopes up until we see him alive and well on our screens, end of story. 

Billy’s demise started right at the beginning of Season 3, when during episode 1 he was intercepted by a mysterious creature that pulled him into a nearby mill. He emerges in episode 2 after the creature presents him with a vision of the Upside Down where he encounters a doppelgänger, before the creature tricks him into bringing his colleague – Heather Holloway – to the mill. The Mind Flayer has possessed Billy, and its mission? Taking over Hawkins one person at a time. 

Fast forward to the finale and Eleven has lost her power after being wounded by the Mind Flayer who is still manipulating Billy to trap them all. Eleven finally works her magic and frees Billy from the Mind Flayer’s grasp, before he ultimately makes the decision to sacrifice himself to help the others survive and is killed before them in Starcourt Mall. 

Screaming, crying, throwing up.

The Byers Leaving Hawkins

And finally, the end of an era comes when Joyce takes the decision to move to California with Will, Jonathan and Eleven under her wing, saying goodbye to Hawkins, the traumatic memories they’ve faced there and offering El a chance of a fresh start away from the sadness that comes from losing Hopper. Hawkins doesn’t appear the same without this pivotal family walking its streets, but the emotional ending sets the scene perfectly for the new season to fill in the mysterious gaps viewers have been left wondering about since 2019…

Which Stranger Things moment made you get something HUGE in your eye?