This week's edit is focused on the no-budge essentials of mini-break packing- the desert island picks for those very not desert island like destinations.
So you might not be jet setting to somewhere far-flung and fancy this year but turns out the humble staycation can still satisfy wanderlust and welcome some much-needed zen amongst an otherwise turbulent year. This week’s edit is focused on the no-budge essentials of mini-break packing- the desert island picks for those very not desert island like destinations. Ahem, we love you really UK!
From swimwear, reading material, family-friendly games to alcoholic beverages chucked in for good measure, think of it as a reminder for when you’re staring at your empty case wondering what to grab first.
In need of some inspiration? Why not check out the first instalment of our staycation series, giving you some dreamy camping and glamping inspo.
Charlotte
I love a staycation to be equal parts relaxing and exploring so packing right but light is essential. You can’t really go wrong with a floaty dress that’s breathable (all about eating as much as poss on holiday) whilst still looking cute too and this one from Monki is right up my street. My camera comes everywhere with me and the photo ops on a staycation are endless so a spare battery and bag big enough to fit both is 10/10 needed. And finally a book and a face mask for a Sunday morning chill!
I’m staycationing in Cornwall at the end of August and I’m picking these essentials in the positive mindset that it WILL be sunny. I’m always happiest at the beach in my swimsuit and sunnies, ice-cold glass of rose in hand with a few games of monopoly deal thrown in!
2020 has taught us all to never take travel for granted, and I can’t wait for the day we can properly explore and discover new places again!
Outfit wise I’ve gone for something super comfy, perfect for meandering through streets, shops or a walk on a picturesque trail. I love taking photos on a trip and a disposable camera is the perfect way to capture spontaneous and happy memories, plus the excitement of not knowing how they’ve turned out is so fun! I pack everything in my Away case which is super lightweight, durable and a gorgeous blush colour.
My staycations these days usually consist of long weekend trips to Cornwall to visit my in-laws. Cornwall being Cornwall I’ve discovered it’s always best to be prepared for all eventualities. A lightweight waterproof is a must-have, I love my Finisterre jacket, it’s totally eco friendly and makes me feel like a real local. I’ll always pack comfy shoes as a long beach walk is always on the cards come rain or shine. The whole family loves playing games so I’ll bring Bananagrams, Monopoly Deal or Linkee along to keep us entertained. Although I have to admit I’m a bit of a wimp when it comes to getting in the sea without a wetsuit, I’ll always pack my swimsuit in case we get some sunshine and fancy going out for a paddle.
I like to bring a few home comforts away with me as well as the practical essentials. PJs are up there on the top of my staycation list, along with a good book, comfy shoes for all the exploring, SPF to keep my skin happy while spending all that time outdoors and my trusty swimmers! You never know when you might get a chance for a dip.
I’m off on a staycation this weekend camping and so here’s a few essentials I’ll be taking with me! I’m taking a couple of books with me, ‘Olive’ our book club pick and the new Twilight companion ‘Midnight Sun’ which I am SO excited to read. Normally camping trips include a lot of walking so I’ll be bringing along my Bermuda shorts, look great and long enough so there’s no chafing, especially in this heat! Carrying a water bottle and suncream is essential too, especially for me who burns easily in these temperatures. Lastly, I always like to take a small tote bag with me which I can fold up and put in my shoulder bag, you never know what purchases you’ll make while exploring!
These are the films that do more than entertain us; they inspire us, empower us and make us feel proud to be a woman.
We’ve rounded up a selection of female-led movies with the kind of ceiling smashing ladies we would want on our team.
These are the films that do more than entertain us; they inspire us, empower us and make us feel proud to be a woman. From Little Women to Hidden Figures, these are the movies that have no problem passing the Bechdel Test. Who run the world? Girls.
1. Moana (2016)
This Disney film does away with the classic white fairy tale formula. Moana is a determined, diligent, go-getting heroine with bigger fish to fry than finding her prince charming. She’s out there doing it for herself, speaking her mind and setting sail on a great voyage of self-discovery, not for a man but for the sake of her family and her people. Honourable mention: Heihei her hopeless but hilarious rooster sidekick.
2. Thelma & Louise (1991)
Despite its release nearly 30 years ago, this landmark feminist film still resonates today. Starring Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis as two road-tripping buddies on the run from their abusive boyfriends and the law, it’s a movie with female triumph at its core. What a duo!
3. Queen of Katwe (2016)
Disney’s feel-good film Queen of Katwe is based on the true story of Phiona Mutesi, a 10-year-old girl living in the Uganda slum of Katwe with her single mother and siblings. For Phiona and her family, life is a constant struggle but when she is introduced to the game of chess, her world changes for the better. From slum kid to international chess champion, this film redefines what it means to play like a girl.
4. Legally Blonde (2001)
Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) single-handedly flipped the dumb blonde stereotype on its head, proving women can wear whatever the hell they want and get sh*t done. A woman who likes pink AND slays in the courtroom – it was a wild idea for 2001.
5. Erin Brockovich (2000)
Julia Roberts stars in this legal drama based on the true story of Erin Brockovich, a single mother of three who becomes a legal assistant at a law firm. When she stumbles across suspicious medical records from a little-known case filed against Pacific Gas and Electric, she does some digging and discovers the company is poisoning a city’s water supply which threatens the health of an entire community. So she takes on the big dogs and brings them to their knees. She who dares wins.
6. Hidden Figures (2016)
Based on Margot Lee Shetterly’s non-fiction book of the same title, Hidden Figures tells the untold story of three pioneering African American female mathematicians who worked at NASA in the ‘60s. Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson were the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit. But this isn’t a film about the man who made it to the moon, it’s about the brilliant black women who helped get him there in the first place.
7. Bend It Like Beckham (2002)
Remember this cult classic from the 00s? Not only did it bend the rules by raising questions about inequality in professional sports, cultural expectations and gender roles, it also broke on-screen tampon taboos. Yep, in 2002. It was way ahead of its time.
8. Suffragette (2015)
Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter and Meryl Streep lead the cast of this powerful historical drama about the women who were willing to lose everything in their fight for the equality. A movie bound to make you stop and think next time you’re free to pop your paper in the ballot box.
9. Harriet (2019)
“I will see every last drop of blood in my veins until this monster called slavery is dead.” This is the extraordinary true story of the heroic freedom fighter, Harriet Tubman (Cynthia Erivo). After fleeing the Maryland farm where she spent her life enslaved, she changed the course of history by joining the abolitionist movement and making the perilous journey back to the plantation. Her fight led to the liberation of hundreds of enslaved black people.
10. Little Women (2019)
Drawing on the classic Louisa May Alcott novel, Little Women is the coming of age story about four young sisters determined to live life on their own terms. The recent remake just made us love this story even more – plus, you can’t go far wrong with Saoirse Ronan at the helm. We want ‘Be more Jo March’ tattooed on us immediately.
Got a female-centric movie you love? Let us know in the comments!
Here are some tips to help us ease back into our new normal and maintain the good skincare habits we have created…
Today on Zoella we’ve invited an expert in skincare to share her tips for easing out of lockdown and of course wearing a mask. Sarah Carr got her start training with one of London’s most-esteemed facialists and is currently a lifestyle ambassador for Liz Earle which means she’s always on the go sharing her skincare wisdom with store staff, presenting specialist shows on QVC, hosting customer or blogger events and even teaching yoga as she’s a qualified yoga instructor too!
As we begin to ease out of lockdown and head back to the salons, I hope we remember that the foundation of good skin starts at home – we’ve all done a pretty good job of managing our beauty, nail and hair care routines!
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Lockdown has taught so many of us how to really care for our skin at home without the help of the professionals. Skincare has become more about self-care, taking the time to understand your skin’s daily-changing needs and highlighting the products that really supported your skin through this period.
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Here are some tips to help us ease back into our new normal and maintain the good skincare habits we have created…
Reading your skin
We’re normally so busy with our daily grind that we don’t really look at what our skin is trying to tell us. The skin is the body’s largest organ and during your life its needs will always be changing, depending on factors like climate, stress levels, diet and lifestyle. Taking the time to look at your skin (not just on your face) can help you tailor your daily routine to keep skin balanced and glowing. Are you breaking out more than usual? Does the skin feel drier? Has it lost its sparkle? Knowing what to look out for enables you to start adapting your routine and lifestyle to support accordingly.
Routine is key
Think of your cleanse, tone, moisturise routine as the foundation of great skin. When you find a daily routine that really suits you, stick to it! It makes it so much easier to add in extras like exfoliators, masks and serums when you need them to help target specific concerns.
Cleansing – removes impurities, excess oil/sebum, SPF and make up.
Toning – opt for alcohol-free tonic to hydrate the skin. This step ensures the rest of your products work harder, meaning you can use smaller amounts of them.
Moisturising – moisturiser acts like an invisible barrier to hydrate, protect and reduce water loss.
Image Credit – @lizearlebeautyco
Massage
Regular facial massage helps to increase circulation, depuff, and improve the texture and tone of your skin. Little and often is the best way to approach your massage routine – I like to do mine when I’m cleansing, so I know that my skin will get a treat morning and night. Cream, oil or balm cleansers are great for massaging with, or you can use a base oil. In my treatment room, I use borage, sweet almond and jojoba oil; all absolutely fab for facial massage!
Mask when and where you need it
When you know your skin, it makes this tip a lot easier. Your mask is a targeted treatment, so apply where it’s needed most. Not only do you save product, but it’ll work harder in the required area. Think Liz Earle’s Deep Cleansing Mask – if you have an oily T-zone, just apply it in that area to help with excess oil, as the rest of your face might not need that treatment.
Your weekly treat
Setting some time aside once a week to combine a longer facial massage and a mask is a lovely way to bring skincare and self-care together. It doesn’t need to take hours, there are some great face masks that work in 5 minutes! I’m a lover of Liz Earle’s Balancing Gel Mask.
SPF, everyday
Even when you don’t think you need it! SPF products shield your skin from harmful rays and help to prevent pigmentation – personally, I’m a fan of Ren’s Clean Screen Mineral SPF.
Skin advice for wearing a mask
Masks are our new normal, and it’s important that we take more care of our skin whilst wearing them. They trap sweat and moisture, which provide the perfect conditions for skin irritation. When you combine that with the mask rubbing against your face, it can disrupt the skin’s protective barrier. Here are some tips designed to help skin adjust to making masks a part of your daily life.
Image Credit: @lizearlebeautyco
Keeping your mask clean
This is essential – as it’s in direct contact with your skin, it’ll absorb excess oil, dirt and make up from the skin’s surface and transfer it around. Opt for a washable natural cotton mask you can clean after every use, unless you’re a key worker using a fresh mask every time.
Keeping the skin clean
Ensuring the skin is clean before and after you’ve worn a mask will help keep it balanced, as well as thoroughly but gently cleansing morning and evening. If you’ve had a long day in PPE, make sure the first thing you do when you get in is cleanse – a little habit that helps skin stay clean and calm.
Minimise make up
Your mask is creating the perfect conditions for blocked pores and congested skin, and skipping things like concealer and foundation can help minimise breakouts. If you feel like you can’t go without, choose lightweight make up and water-based foundations.
Barrier cream
If you are in PPE for long periods of time and you find they are rubbing or aggravating the skin, opt for a barrier cream to provide extra protection of those areas.
Image Credit: @lizearlebeautyco
Hydrating the skin
This helps the barrier function of the skin and prevents water loss. If you have oilier skin, opt for lightweight textures or if you are drier, a richer moisturiser will really help protect the skin.
Spritz, spritz, spritz!
I’ve been taking a face spritzer with me wherever I go for a quick burst of hydration whenever I take my mask off – a lovely pick-me-up for you and your skin!
Meet The Sellers Behind The Zoella X Etsy Collection
The independent sellers and creative minds are at the heart of this collection, which is why we want you to get to know the people behind the products.
The independent sellers and creative minds are at the heart of this collection, which is why we want you to get to know the people behind the products. From what inspires them in their jobs to their favourite part of working on the collaboration and why they love selling on Etsy, read their stories and connect with the humans who made this project possible.
VENT for Change
How did you get started with creating your products?
We only use recycled and sustainable raw materials so that’s where our design process starts, what are we making and what from. This Zoella range is made with recycled covers, including 30% citrus pulp and FSC certified sustainable paper. We then look at construction and product quality and finally a touch of beauty in a lovely design so people want to have and keep the books.
What inspires you?
Protecting the planet and supporting children’s education worldwide. Every item has impeccable eco-credentials and with every sale made VENT supports exiting children’s education and schools projects around the world.
What was your favourite part of the process?
I love the design element, working with our product and graphic designers to produce the most appealing books we can that inspire people to pick them up and find out more about what we do. The feedback we get is wonderful so that too is a favourite part of what I do.
What’s the best thing about selling on Etsy?
Etsy brings together like-minded, open-minded and thoughtful customers that are actively searching for products by small producers and artisans, items that have a story to tell or something to give back.
Etsy offers its customers something different, something that isn’t found on every high-street in the land.VENT For Change
Etsy offers its customers something different, something that isn’t found on every high-street in the land. Those people then become our ambassadors and tell others of what we’re striving for
Elley Home
How did you get started with creating your products?
At first, I was designing & making furniture from reclaimed wood, but then began looking into doing some additional home decor items that would be smaller and easier to store so ordered a few custom made cushions and before I know it all I was making was cushions! I was so obsessed with designing my own patterns and prints for textiles. Now, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
What inspires you?
I love following interior and current colour trends but there are so many unexpected things that can inspire me to create.
If I see a gorgeous room I love, I design a cushion that would look great in that interior.Elley Home
I love nature and as simple as going for a walk is a great way to recharge and get my mind flowing. Or simply scrolling through my Instagram, if I see a gorgeous room I love, I just design a cushion or two that would look great in that interior.
What was your favourite part of the process?
I love drawing and painting. So the creative process of designing the pattern for my cushions is my favourite. Also seeing it all transform into cushion is very pleasing.
What’s the best thing about selling on Etsy?
I love selling on Etsy. It is a place where I made my first sale! I love that it is so easy to use & communicate with a customer.
Alphabet Bags
How did you get started with creating your products?
We were so excited to start the process of collaborating with Zoella and Etsy on the creation of new products! After some initial brainstorming and ideas from Zoella, we put together sketches and visuals of a few ideas which were then sent to Zoella for a few rounds of feedback. The colours that Zoella envisaged for the whole collection fitted in really well with the colours of canvas and trims that we use as part of our range.
What inspires you?
These days more than anything it’s being parents of two young kids that provides the most inspiration. Things like our ‘Everything’ oversized canvas totes probably wouldn’t exist if we hadn’t experienced days out with the kids while carrying most of the contents of our house!
Other items such as our Snacks bags and Ice Cream Appreciation Society collection were created for them to use, and we’re so lucky that other people seem to like them too!
What was your favourite part of the process?
Definitely the day that we got to see the first physical samples of the new items! That’s always a really exciting moment, when you see something that was previously just a sketch or on-screen visual come to life! Even more so in this case as we got to share those samples with Zoella!
What’s the best thing about selling on Etsy?
Etsy is such a user-friendly platform for a brand or maker to get to grips with. It’s allowed us to share our collections with a huge worldwide audience, and Etsy customers are just so lovely!
Megan Louise Ceramics
How did you get started with creating your products?
I loved the colour palette used to set the theme for this range, so as soon as saw the pink and the green I knew these were the two colours I’d want to incorporate into the glazing of my mugs.
What inspires you?
I love the use of soft, pastel tones on simple, contemporary pieces, and I always hope to make simple, functional pieces that can add a little bit of handmade beauty to anyone’s home.
What was your favourite part of the process?
Carrying out the glaze tests while working out the colour combinations is often the best part of any design process, as there’s always an element of surprise when you open the kiln to see how your tests have turned out!
What’s the best thing about selling on Etsy?
The community of other sellers and the support available to you; there’s always an answer to any of your problems, whether it’s on a forum or from the Etsy team themselves.
Oh Laura
How did you get started with creating your products?
I’ve always loved creating things, it doesn’t come particularly natural to me, but I’ve always loved art and having a go at things! I started creating products when I was in college; I cut letters out of funky foam and printed them onto canvas tote bags, it was a good way for a shy 16-year-old to express herself!
People started asking if they could buy them, and it really all spiralled from there! Oh Laura
People started asking if they could buy them, and it really all spiralled from there! I opened an Etsy shop in 2014 and have continued to develop my style and products since then and have continually been amazed by people’s support.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by anything and everything! I have a list in my phone of all the quotes and messages I want to turn into a design, they usually come from snippets of things I hear people say, but I’ve also been inspired by things like shop signs, and food packaging. You never know what it’s going to be that sparks off a new idea!
What was your favourite part of the process?
It was really great to work collaboratively and choose messages and colours that we thought people would really love and would fit into the collection as a whole. It’s usually just me coming up with things, so to work with someone else and get their input was really fun!
What’s the best thing about selling on Etsy?
The best things about selling on Etsy is the community it has. Whether you’re connecting with someone who lives halfway across the world on social media or meeting up with a group of local sellers, there is so much support and encouragement. It makes a huge difference, especially as running an Etsy shop is usually something you do alone, so having a huge community of people to turn to is amazing.
Elizabeth Rachael
How did you get started with creating your products?
Well first off, I did A LOT of painting. Abstract images always look so simple but there’s a ton of work that goes into them behind the scenes. With minimal objects, there’s a lot of emphasis on colour, placement and texture, so I spent hours refining my colour palette to make sure everything sat together perfectly.
I also painted over 20 different versions before whittling them down to a select few. I had so much fun doing it, I guess I got a bit carried away!
What inspires you?
I’m massively inspired by nature. It appears in 99% of my work, whether it florals (my favourite) animals or fruit! I think because no two things are ever the same in nature and that compliments my loose and experimental style quite well.
What was your favourite part of the process?
Tea Towels were a new product area for me, so it was really daunting yet really exciting to design and venture into new product. I didn’t realise just how much of my work translates over to homeware because I mainly design prints for fashion. It’s been a huge learning curve and I don’t think I would have made the jump had it not been for this collaboration.
What’s the best thing about selling on Etsy?
Definitely the community. I’ve gotten to know so many amazing independent makers since opening my store a few months ago. It’s been such a positive experience, I really can’t say a bad thing about it and I would recommend it to anyone.
Etsy has such a unique customer base that appreciates the hard work and effort that goes into a running small business.Elizabeth Rachael
I especially love talking to my customers, I think Etsy has such a unique customer base that really appreciates all the hard work and effort that goes into a running small business.
Atelier Stella Ceramics
How did you get started with creating your products?
My collections and products tend to evolve slowly. I’m constantly collecting images and doodling ideas in my sketchbooks, then every few months I take a day to just sit and go through everything– making more sketches. I then refine these ideas so that they work with my current pieces. But until I make them out of clay, I never know if they are going to work, they might look odd, crack the kiln due to pressure points or just end up being too fiddly and time-consuming to make. I have a whole shelf of prototypes that never made the cut!
What inspires you?
The collection evolves with influences from vintage ceramics, folk art, ancient pottery and geometric shapes. I mix all these ideas together to create some new that is my style.
What was your favourite part of the process?
It’s great when I have time to play and experiment with the clay – I have so many new ideas in my head so finally getting the chance to make new prototypes and see if they translate to a 3D object is really fun. I find it important to make what I enjoy making and not to get too bogged down by sale figures, my main aim is to keep the creativity flowing!
What’s the best thing about selling on Etsy?
I think Etsy customers understand the importance of buying handmade form the maker, so they appreciate the time and energy that goes into crafting a unique piece, rather than trying to get a mass produced bargain. The community is also great on Etsy, it means you get discovered by people and inturn discover new designers, you can’t get that from your own website.
The Lovely Drawer
How did you get started with creating your products?
All of my products start off as drawings or paintings, either with watercolour, ink or pencil. I usually create sheets and sheets of illustrations and typography before putting together the elements I like most in Photoshop. There I can play around with layout and colour as well and make sure the designs are print-ready.
What inspires you?
I’m mainly inspired by nature or interiors trends so walks help spark ideas and as I work in interiors too, there’s always cross over with what I’m working on or enjoying in that sphere.
What was your favourite part of the process?
My favourite part was reimagining the designs I’d worked on previously. It was quite refreshing to re-work them for the Zoella x Etsy look and get a second chance to make them even stronger. I think the end result is much more striking than the starting point.
What’s the best thing about selling on Etsy?
The best thing about selling on Etsy is the platform it gives you when first starting out. It’s a low-risk way to test your business, with small fees and a simple format for setting up your shop. I also love how the Etsy team are all for championing their creative community with events to showcase the talent and exciting collaborations like this.
That Charming Shop
How did you get started with creating your products?
I’ve always loved skincare and home fragrances and in 2015 I made the decision to turn my passion into a business. Five years later, my brand has two unique permanent collections, and a third just for the holidays. My original collection was inspired by drinks (including Champagne and Earl Grey) and a few years later, I introduced the City Lights collection- fragrances inspired by the essence of some of my favourite cities from around the world.
The Zoella x Etsy is the first time I’ve collaborated with another person or brandThat Charming Shop
The Zoella x Etsy is the first time I’ve collaborated with another person or brand to bring the look of the two brands together. I’m proud everything is and always has been sustainably-sourced and cruelty-free. Start-ups are rarely easy, but I feel lucky that I’ve been able to turn the hobby I love into a business.
What inspires you?
I draw inspiration from the personal. For example, my New York fragrance from the City Lights collection blends together apple, violet and rosewood in honour of my hometown. The rosewood floors in my childhood home, the team nickname from my grandfather’s university (NYU Violets), and (even if not used by locals) the obvious reference to the ‘Big Apple’. Some fragrances take months, others years.
What was your favourite part of the process?
I loved the challenge of creating a fragrance that could reflect two different brands without losing the individuality of either. Both That Charming Shop and Zoella are identifiable in the packaging. I’ve also really enjoyed working with Zoe to create a bespoke product that could reflect both brands, something I’m really proud we have achieved with the Bohemian Wilderness fragrance from the Zoella x Etsy collection.
What’s the best thing about selling on Etsy?
Etsy was the first site I sold on. It’s important to me because it validates handmade businesses of any size and it offers encouragement. My business today is different than it was in its first month, but I ‘ve learned a lot of the basics because of Etsy – like the importance of photography.
This August we're super excited to have some of the super talented Etsy makers from the Zoella X Etsy collaboration on our Tuesday Takeovers! Learn more about Hayley and Lucas from Alphabet Bags...
First of all, how have you been coping with the pandemic this year?
We’re doing ok thank you! It’s obviously been a strange and worrying time but we’re in a very fortunate position that has allowed us to carry on working and also take on homeschooling. It’s been much more of a juggling act than usual with two young children at home and a lot of late nights catching up with work, but we’re so grateful for the flexibility that working for ourselves allows. We’ve had lots of lovely messages from customers placing orders to be sent to loved ones during lockdown, that’s been so nice to see on a daily basis during a tricky time.
Has it affected how you operate your business?
Pre-COVID we probably spent 10% of our time doing work from home but in the last 5 months, we’ve spent the vast majority of our time working at home, just taking trips to the office to send out orders. We set up a temporary office in our living room which has pretty much turned into a permanent workspace. Our operating hours have also changed a lot, working around our kids full time means grabbing 10 minutes here and there and then catching up properly when they’re in bed.
How long have you been selling on Etsy for?
We’ve been selling on Etsy since 2015, although our brand launched in 2008.
How did Alphabet Bags come to be?
We launched Alphabet Bags in 2008. Back then we were living in a small flat in south London where we’d been running an online gallery (thecalmgallery.com), which we had launched a few years earlier whilst at university. We really wanted to branch out and create a collection of tote bags and had the idea to make a collection of 26 very simple and bold initial prints. After spending a lot of time finding the right materials and UK manufacturer we took the plunge and made over 1000 bags in our first batch. In hindsight that was probably a bit risky as we had no idea how people would respond to them, but we were so lucky that they were well received and we had some fantastic press in the early days which was so important in getting our brand out there. We never set out to start an accessories brand beyond that first collection, but we were soon bursting with ideas for other ranges so we got busy designing!
What is Alphabet Bags mission statement?
To create long-lasting accessories with a focus on simple, bold and cheerful design.
What’s your best seller?
This changes all the time, but at the moment it’s our ‘Everything’ oversized canvas totes.
What are you currently working on?
We always have lots of new projects on the go! At the moment we’re working on our first range of greetings cards, some new enamel pin designs, expanding our range of keyrings and sampling some new sweatshirts for autumn. We’re also trying to choose the perfect colour for a new range of oversized totes and pouches. When we make canvas in a custom colour we have to dye a lot, so we really take our time to choose the exact right shade.
How did you find the process of creating products for the Zoella X Etsy Collab?
Zoella and Etsy have been amazing to collaborate with! As a brand, it’s really important for our collaborations to fit with our aesthetic and personalities and we found that particularly true when working together on these products. We’re so pleased with the results and really excited to share them with everyone!
We always find this question difficult to answer, not because there aren’t great things about working together, but because it’s all we’ve really known. We’ve worked together for over 13 years since leaving uni! We have always enjoyed working together but never set out to create a family business. I think the flexibility that comes with running a family business, especially when you have children, is such an important thing and we’re really grateful to be able to spend so much time together and with our kids.
How long does your end to end process take when designing and selling something new for your shop?
This varies from product to product. For some product types, we can have an idea one day and then be launching the actual item within a couple of weeks. Other items or large collections might take several months or even years to go from concept to reality. We keep many of our staple items such as totes and zip pouches in stock ready for new designs to be printed. These are the fastest items for us to turn around when we have new ideas. There is much more involved when working on a brand new collection, especially if we need to find a new manufacturer or go through a lengthy process of sampling and tweaking to get the samples just right. We’re still working on one large collection of enamel pins which we’ve been trying to get right for over two years now, but we’re not giving up!
What inspires you?
These days it’s being parents of two young kids that provides the most inspiration. Things like our ‘Everything’ oversized canvas totes probably wouldn’t exist if we hadn’t experienced days out with the kids while carrying most of the contents of our house! Other items such as our Snacks bags and Ice Cream Appreciation Society collection were created for them to use, and we’re so lucky that other people seem to like them too!
How do you relax outside of work?
There hasn’t been a lot of time for relaxing the last few months, but when we do get some downtime nothing beats a hot bath and a good book or podcast.
If you could give one piece of advice to our audience who want to start making their own products what would it be?
Be original! We think that is one of the most important things that would help with your success. If your offering is unique people would be so much more likely to find you. Starting is often the most daunting step, but it doesn’t need to be. Many businesses can be launched and tested without a large investment, it’s definitely good to start small and grow gradually. With Etsy, you can get your brand in front of a huge worldwide audience relatively quickly which is such an amazing opportunity when starting a business.
2020 = the horror story none of us signed up to read, making a feel-good, ‘warm and fuzzy inside’ story all the more needed.
Sigh. Whilst poolside reading might be off the cards, it’s no reason to ditch the feel-good reads you normally pick up en route to somewhere divinely sunny- hang on in there, next year will be our year people!
2020 = the horror story none of us signed up to read, making a feel-good, ‘warm and fuzzy inside’ story all the more needed. We’ve picked out the creme de la creme of this genre to see you through summer and beyond- the perfect companions for a staycation, golden hour in the park or alongside a blissful bubble bath. So sit back, relax and let yourself be transported to a word of pure escapism.
One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia is a 2006 memoir by American author Elizabeth Gilbert. The memoir chronicles the author’s trip around the world after her divorce and what she discovered during her travels.
Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. … After their all-nighter ends and a new day breaks, Q arrives at school to discover that Margo, always an enigma, has now become a mystery. But Q soon learns that there are clues–and they’re for him.
Lara Jean Covey is a teenage girl who writes love letters when she gets a crush too big to handle but she never actually sends them. One day her deepest secrets are revealed and she creates and elaborate plan to save herself from being too embarrassed but it all goes pear-shaped when it turns into more than fake.
A tender, joyous debut novel about a cub reporter and her eighty-six-year-old subject—and the unlikely and life-changing friendship that develops between them.
Everyone thinks they know Libby Strout, the girl once dubbed “America’s Fattest Teen.” But no one’s taken the time to look past her weight to get to know who she really is. Following her mom’s death, she’s been picking up the pieces in the privacy of her home, dealing with her heartbroken father and her own grief.
Christopher John Francis Boone knows all the countries of the world and their capitals and every prime number up to 7,057. He relates well to animals but has no understanding of human emotions. He cannot stand to be touched. And he detests the colour yellow.
Grieving for a family she has lost or lost touch with, she’s haunted by the echoes of her footsteps in her empty home; the sound of the radio in the dark; the tick-tick-tick of the watching clock.
Spiky and defensive, Missy knows that her loneliness is all her own fault. She deserves no more than this; not after what she’s done. But a chance encounter in the park with two very different women opens the door to something new.
Another life beckons for Missy if only she can be brave enough to grasp the opportunity. But seventy-nine is too late for a second chance. Isn’t it?
Nadia gets the 7.30 train every morning without fail. Well, except if she oversleeps or wakes up at her friend Emma’s after too much wine. Daniel really does get the 7.30 train every morning, which is easy because he hasn’t been able to sleep properly since his dad died. One morning, Nadia’s eye catches sight of a post in the daily paper:
To the cute girl with the coffee stains on her dress. I’m the guy who’s always standing near the doors… Drink sometime?
So begins a not-quite-romance of near-misses, true love, and the power of the written word.
In this wildly funny journal of a year in the life of Georgia Nicolson, British author Louise Rennison has perfectly captured the soaring joys and bottomless angst of being a teenager. In the spirit of Bridget Jones’s Diary, this fresh, irreverent, and simply hilarious book will leave you laughing out loud. As Georgia would say, it’s “Fabbity fab fab!”
When overachiever Leena Cotton is ordered to take a two-month sabbatical after blowing a big presentation at work, she escapes to her grandmother Eileen’s house for some overdue rest. Eileen is newly single and about to turn eighty. She’d like a second chance at love, but her tiny Yorkshire village doesn’t offer many eligible gentlemen.
The ‘I Heart’ series features 8 books and follows the story of Angela Clark, from cheating boyfriends to travelling the world these books are jam-packed with fun.
Full of sympathetic characters, wildly imaginative situations, and countless exciting details, the first installment in the series assembles an unforgettable magical world and sets the stage for many high-stakes adventures to come.
15th July 1988: Emma and Dexter meet for the first time on the night of their graduation. Tomorrow they must go their separate ways. So where will they be on this one day next year? And the year after that?
And every year that follows?
Generations of readers young and old, male and female, have fallen in love with the March sisters of Louisa May Alcott’s most popular and enduring novel, Little Women. Here are talented tomboy and author-to-be Jo, tragically frail Beth, beautiful Meg, and romantic, spoiled Amy, united in their devotion to each other and their struggles to survive in New England during the Civil War.
When her daughter Bee claims a family trip to Antarctica as a reward for perfect grades, Bernadette, a fiercely intelligent shut-in, throws herself into preparations for the trip. But worn down by years of trying to live the Seattle life she never wanted, Ms. Fox is on the brink of a meltdown. And after a school fundraiser goes disastrously awry at her hands, she disappears, leaving her family to pick up the pieces–which is exactly what Bee does, weaving together an elaborate web of emails, invoices, and school memos that reveals a secret past Bernadette has been hiding for decades. Where’d You Go Bernadette is an ingenious and unabashedly entertaining novel about a family coming to terms with who they are and the power of a daughter’s love for her mother.
Single mum Robin Wilde adores her six-year-old daughter and loves her job as a makeup artist’s assistant. She has a wonderful best friend and an auntie who is bonkers, yes, but loves her to the moon and back. But Robin has a secret. Behind the mask she carefully applies every day, things just feel … grey. And lonely. She struggles to fit in with the school mum crew. Online dating is totally despair-inducing, and she worries every day about raising her little girl with self-confidence, courage and joy.
One cruel night, Meggie’s father reads aloud from a book called INKHEART– and an evil ruler escapes the boundaries of fiction and lands in their living room. Suddenly, Meggie is smack in the middle of the kind of adventure she has only read about in books. Meggie must learn to harness the magic that has conjured this nightmare. For only she can change the course of the story that has changed her life forever.
One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia is a 2006 memoir by American author Elizabeth Gilbert. The memoir chronicles the author’s trip around the world after her divorce and what she discovered during her travels.
When the Princess of Nova accidentally poisons herself with a love potion meant for her crush, she falls crown-over-heels in love with her own reflection. Oops. A nationwide hunt is called to find the cure, with competitors travelling the world for the rarest ingredients, deep in magical forests and frozen tundras, facing death at every turn.
After being together for ten years, Sylvie and Dan have all the trimmings of a happy life and marriage; they have a comfortable home, fulfilling jobs, beautiful twin girls, and communicate so seamlessly, they finish each other’s sentences. However, a trip to the doctor reveals they could live another 68 years together… and panic sets in. They never expected ‘until death do us part’ to mean seven decades.
An international sensation, this hilarious, feel-good novel is narrated by an oddly charming and socially challenged genetics professor on an unusual quest: to find out if he is capable of true love.
Growing up in a quiet Yorkshire village, Roxanne couldn’t wait to escape and find her place in the world in London. As a high-powered fashion editor she lives a glamorous life of perennial singlehood – or so it seems to her sister Della. But when Roxanne gets her heart broken by a fashion photographer, she runs away, back to Della’s welcoming home above her bookshop in Burley Bridge.
Tiffy Moore and Leon Twomey each have a problem and need a quick fix.
Tiffy’s been dumped by her cheating boyfriend and urgently needs a new flat. But earning minimum wage at a quirky publishing house means that her choices are limited in London.
Leon, a palliative care nurse, is more concerned with other people’s welfare than his own. Along with working night shifts looking after the terminally ill, his sole focus is on raising money to fight his brother’s unfair imprisonment.
Leon has a flat that he only uses 9 to 5. Tiffy works 9 to 5 and needs a place to sleep. The solution to their problems? To share a bed of course…
As Leon and Tiffy’s unusual arrangement becomes a reality, they start to connect through Post-It notes left for each other around the flat.
Can true love blossom even in the unlikeliest of situations?
Can true love blossom even if you never see one another?
Or does true love blossom when you are least expecting it?
25 Bougie Manicures To Inspire Your First Post-Lockdown Salon Date
After months of naked nails, we can finally book in for our first post-lockdown manicure but with this glorious reunion comes the inevitable task of… picking a shade or design. Gulp.
PSA: nail appointments are back on! We’re so excited, are you excited? Everyone’s excited.
After months of naked nails, we can finally book in for our first post-lockdown manicure but with this glorious reunion comes the inevitable task of… picking a shade or design. Gulp.
The pressure’s all too much. That colour wheel of fortune will never not be petrifying: let’s go classic red, no wait, actually scrap that, let’s go nude. On second thoughts, let’s live a little and go for PANTONE OF THE FREAKING YEAR.
We’ve gathered 25 of the best-dressed nails on the interweb to inspire your post-lockdwon mani. Get bookmarking! And good luck with the decision making process.
@lisapotterdixon
Who doesn’t love a bit of tie-dye?
@fingerfeast
A tonal gradient manicure dream.
@HeartZeena
Dreamy pastels to complete your Summer.
@OverGlowEdit
Old MacDonald had a farm and a strong manicure game, or so the rhyme goes. Check out that cow print.
@emilyjanelathan
For all those who just love somethin’ abstract, there’s pottery art
@emilyjanelathan
and brushstrokes!
@camilacoelho
Pride ready.
nailsbymh
Real pressed flowers, what a time to be alive.
@nailsbymh
Prism ombre = high-key amazing.
@hardasnails.studio
The life and soul of the party.
@beautyworksbyamy
Summer at your fingertips.
@beautyworksbyamy
Cool pistachio tones for the win.
@beautyworksbyamy
Florals so good, Miranda Priestly will be shooketh.
@Jennynails
Have you ever seen a happier set of hands?
@betina_goldstein
Glitter is always a good idea.
@sara_waiste
Over Summer now? How about an autumnal set!
@hardasnails.studio
Head in the clouds.
@heartzeena
A 10/10 colour combo.
@emilyjanelathan
Sunshine in a manicure basically.
@betina_goldstein
Gold-embossed foliage. Sign us up!
@betina_goldstein
Fawn print Bambi nails – go live your best Snow White life.
@heartzeena
Why settle for one colour when you can have 5?
@rosebnails
Ready for red tips?
@majestyspleasure
A fine simple outline.
Booking your nail app? We’d love to know what you go for!
Introducing Zoella X Etsy: A Sneak Peek At The Collection
We’re incredibly excited to announce the Zoella X Etsy collaboration - a new limited edition lifestyle & homewares collection in partnership with our favourite independent sellers on Etsy.
This post is part of a paid collaboration with Etsy UK
We’re incredibly excited to announce the Zoella X Etsy collaboration – a new limited edition lifestyle & homewares collection in partnership with our favourite independent sellers on Etsy.
The 20-piece collection, launching on 10 August, features a mix of bespoke wall art, ceramics, cushions, tote bags, sustainable stationery, greeting cards tea towels, and hand-poured soy candles, so you can have fun styling every nook and crook of your space with colour, pattern and personality.
Inspired by contemporary trends and Zoe’s signature interior style
Inspired by contemporary trends and Zoe’s signature interior style, the blush pink, burnt orange, mustard and blue colour palette will make a statement in your home whatever the season.
We partnered with talented makers and dreamers
We partnered with talented makers and dreamers who are committed to creating unique handmade items, made to last and bring you joy in your homes every day.
To amplify the importance of shopping small and to champion the work of these wonderful independent creators is exactly what inspired this collaboration to happen.
After handpicking the Etsy sellers whose aesthetic and ethos complemented the Zoella brand, we got to work on moodboarding a versatile collection of homewares designed to make your home a happy place.
Together, the Zoella X Etsy range forms a unique collection of lifestyle and interiors decor, with creativity and craftsmanship at its core. We can’t wait to see how you style the pieces in your homes.
Launching Monday 10th August at 9:00am BST
This post is part of a paid collaboration with Etsy UK
Much like remembering to water that one thirsty plant you always forget about, SPF is a part of your daily routine.
Much like remembering to water that one thirsty plant you always forget about, SPF is a part of your routine you’ll forever regret not doing before it’s potentially too late. Whilst SPF should be something you’re using on the regular (and by that, we mean daily people!), the quest to find the perfect skin-protecting companion naturally crops up during the warmer months of the year.
No matter your skin type, there are generally similar concerns when selecting your heatwave or golden hour essential, namely: will it be heavy on the skin? Will it break me out? Will my make-up look patchy on top? And whilst childhood nightmares of being smothered head to toe in any old thick and sticky sun cream have our pores screaming at the memory, there is thankfully a plethora of lightweight, matte, hydrating and invisible sunscreens now on the market to take the stress out of sun care! Go forth and conquer endless sunny soaked activities safe in the knowledge that your skin is thanking you for it.
Oily
If you’re used to powdering mid morning and go through setting spray like there’s no tomorrow, the thought of adding a heavy product to your base can be enough to scare you away from sun screen for good. But it doesn’t have to be this way! There are numerous budget to boujie brands out there now catering for us shiny guys and gals which are perfect to wear alone or under make-up. Look out for ingredients like Seaweed, Zinc, Caffeine, Rice Starch and anything that boasts sebum controlling benefits.
Dry
When you’re dealing with dry or flaky skin, the last thing you want is something coming in the way of you and your bestie (moisturiser), but thankfully an SPF can actually help in quenching your thirsty complexion. Striking the balance between non greasy and hydrating is a fine line, but brands like Elizabeth Arden and CeraVe have it nailed, curating the perfect ingredients to nourish skin whilst protecting it too. Vitamin C, Aloe and Hyaluronic Acid are key components to look out for here.
A formula free of fragrance is also something to consider when seeking to minimise irritation, as alcohol and essential oils can, in fact, make skin drier and redder. Mature complexions can also reap from the benefits of a hydrating sunscreen, making it a failsafe pick for anyone looking to slow the signs of ageing (although we personally adore the stories wrinkles and smile lines tell).
Normal
Those with a ‘normal’ complexion have the pick of the bunch in skincare, but there are still some helpful hints and tips for finding the perfect formula for you. Lightweight and non greasy are still buzz words worth looking out for, as any addition to your routine that claims to not disrupt the rest of your skincare is one to watch.
Without the need to target any specific skin complaints, a normal complexion means you have the pick of the bunch in finding a sunscreen soulmate that fits the bill! That said, UVA/UVB protection is a must, helping to ensure your skin is protected from discolouration, as well as daily aggressors like pollution.
Acne Prone
Adding a new SPF to your routine might feel like it’s not worth the aggro that troublesome skin might give you, but the right formula will only amplify the benefits of your existing skincare routine, not hinder them!
Problem skin-saving brands like Mario Badescu and La Roche-Posay have changed the game in bringing the best of skincare and sun protection together, meaning you don’t need to compromise on one or the other to nail your everyday base. Blemish-busting ingredients such as Niacinamide, Aloe, Rose Water and Vitamins C and E are ones to watch, and anything that claims to be fast-absorbing and texture redefining is great too!
Dark Skin Tones
No matter your ethnicity, SPF is essential for every one of us! With that in mind, selecting a product designed to work best on Black skin tones might just be the key to finding the product for you- especially those which claim to sit invisibly on the skin without the infamous white cast that heavier products can leave behind.
Black Girl Sunscreen by BLK + GRN is the holy grail of POC SPF, enriched with cocoa butter and carrot seed oil to keep skin moisturised and protected with no sticky residue left behind. Sun protection oils are also worth a try, allowing your natural skin colour to shine through and radiate golden hour energy all day long. You glow girl!
For The Body
And finally, protecting the sensitive areas that rarely see the light of day (we’re talking about you shoulders, ankles and stomach) is ultra important too when getting your dose of Vit D in the summer sun. Mists are a great and easy option for all over coverage, removing the fuss from application and also feeling super refreshing amongst the stickiness that comes with 25 degrees and over.
Whether you’re planning on a dip in the pool or simply know you’ll be sweating like a (very cute looking) pig, water-resistant is always a plus! If you’re after that instant hit of holiday fragrance, it’s always safer to pop this on your body and leave the non-perfumed additions for your face- you’ll be smelling like a tropical dream in no time!
