A Brighter Note

As parents across the nation scramble around coming up with innovative ways to bring the family together and keep the kids entertained during lockdown, this family decided to put on a West End worthy performance from their living room; a performance that has since been televised to the world.

The Marsh family went viral with their spirit-lifting spoof of the musical Les Miserables and it was the adaptation we all needed to hear. In the video, the family of six sing their hearts out to One Day More, changing the lyrics to reference online shopping, homeschooling and sibling feuds and it made life in iso so much brighter. Genius! Find it here.

An Easter gift from Killing Eve

Thanks to the legends over at ABC, Killing Eve season 3 will debut earlier than planned to keep fans entertained during lockdown and if that’s not the best example of community spirit, we don’t know what is. BBC confirmed the hit series will return two weeks before its planned launch on Monday 13 April. That’s our Easter plans made!

Sarah Barnett, president of AMC Networks entertainment group and AMC Studios, said in a statement: “We know how adored this series is and we know how keen people are for great content right now.”

We can’t wait to see Villanelle back on our screens. This season’s going to be wild.

Another day, another video meeting blunder

With many of us working from home to help stop the spread of Covid-19, video meetings have become the new norm and the majority of us seem to be managing the adjustment just fine but then there was Lizet.

Last week, Lizet Ocampo, the Political Director at People For The American Way, turned herself into a potato filter while on a Microsoft Teams call with her colleagues and couldn’t work out how to turn it off. So she did as professional bosses do and just carried on… as a potato. Her colleague, Rachel Clegg, gave us all a bit of light relief when she shared the screenshot of the meeting on Twitter writing, ‘my boss turned herself into a potato on our Microsoft teams meeting and can’t figure out how to turn the setting off, so she was just stuck like this the entire meeting.’

Thank you #PotatoBoss for making a hash of it. You’re our hero.

Dancing the social distancing way

If it’s not the Clap For The NHS movement sending us into an emotional meltdown of happy tears, it’s videos of neighbours pulling together to do a daily lockdown jig from their doorsteps.

In the 30 second video captured by Elsa Williams, 23, neighbours of all ages can be seen busting out their best moves to Tom Jones’s classic, It’s Not Unusual and it is just the kind of wholesome content the world needs right now.

Initially meant to be a one-off performance, social distant dancing lifted spirits so much that it has since become a daily occurrence on this street in Cheshire.

Postman wears fancy dress to do the rounds

Meet the postman donning fancy dress to deliver mail to the streets of Mansfield Woodhouse in a bid to make others smile during his rounds.

Glen Walton, 36, came up with the idea to spread some cheer during the coronavirus outbreak and raise funds for the NHS. So far, Glen has dressed as Frozen’s Princess Anna and a wrestler and he’s got a few other ideas up his sleeve for next week including a unicorn and a superhero.

“I just wanted to see people smiling again on my round and it’s been brilliant. People have been cheering and clapping and kids have been in the windows waving.” Donate here.

Bride and groom donate their reception meals to NHS staff

Due to lockdown and social distancing measures, weddings up and down the country have sadly now come to a grinding halt.

Couple Fiona and Adam Gordon, from Hull, tied the knot last week with just two witnesses but their reception set for 120 guests had to be called off due to the pandemic. Rather than see their grub go to waste, the newlyweds decided to allow their catering company, Galloping Gourmet, to donate their hog roast to hungry NHS staff at the Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital. Humanity at its very best!

Care home residents play life-size Hungry Hippos

Elderly residents at Bryn Celyn care home in Wales enjoyed some light-hearted relief with a life-size game of Hungry Hippos. In a cute video shared to the care home’s Facebook page, the staff can be seen pushing residents in their wheelchairs as they attempt to catch ball pit balls with their makeshift baskets and long poles. With so many residents in isolation and missing their regular visits from family members, it’s so lovely to see carers going above and beyond to make them smile during lockdown.

Clap For Our carers round 2

Britain once again united for a nationwide applause to show their gratitude and appreciation for our NHS workers and key workers on the frontline of the coronavirus outbreak.

The first Clap For Our Carers event took place from our doorsteps and balconies on Thursday 26th March, giving health staff everywhere the recognition they deserve and a much-needed morale boost. It is now set to happen on a weekly basis, every Thursday, while the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect our day-to-day lives. Pots and pans at the ready, same time next week!

With Spring just around the corner, we’re looking forward to glowy af skin and barely-there makeup. Goddesses, now’s the time to perfect that skincare routine and love the skin you’re in from the inside out!

From thirst-quenching lotions to brightening Vitamin C serums, these are the glow getting products lighting up our bathroom shelfies and our complexions!

Charlotte

My skin has the tendency to look quite oily by the end of the day so my skincare aims are to create a subtle ‘lit from within’ glow rather than look overly dewy! Although my Charlotte Tilbury primer is anti-ageing, it’s actually just a great pick for faking a natural glow and makes the perfect base for my Nars Sheer Glow Foundation. The other brands on my radar, Pixi, Lumene and Origins are my holy grails who can honestly do no wrong in my eyes!

*Look Fantastic, PIXI Glow Tonic 250ml, £18 

*Charlotte Tilbury, BRIGHTENING YOUTH GLOW PRIMER, £39 

*Look Fantastic, Origins GinZing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser 150ml, £17.50 

Birchbox, Lumene Nordic C [Valo] Glow Reveal Moisturizer, £22.50 

Danielle

I have devastatingly dry skin so I pack as much moisture into my routine as possible! Kicking things off with Triple Hyaluronic Acid from Beauty pie as my serum, then Drunk Elephant Lala Retro whipped moisturiser on top, this is nice and thick and I love the pump to get it out as it means I’m not sticking my finger in to get the product. When applying makeup my top tip is to apply foundation with a wet beauty blender, for me it makes sure I don’t look too cakey and creased.I’ve also thrown in Weleda Skin Food as this is great for tons of things, pre-makeup, night mask, highlighter, the uses are endless! I suggest following Katie Jane Hughes the queen of dewy skin for more.

*Beauty Pie, TRIPLE HYALURONIC ACID & LIPOPEPTIDE SERUM, £60 

*Cult Beauty, DRUNK ELEPHANT Lala Retro Whipped Cream, £50 

*Cult Beauty, BEAUTYBLENDER Beautyblender, £17 

*Amazon, Weleda Skin Food for Dry and Rough skin, 75ml, £10.95 

Darcey

For me, my top tips for dewy skin is a good skincare routine that gives you all the the good stuff to keep your skin hydrated. I like to use a Vitamin C serum every morning as this is brightening. Good moisturisers work wonders, I like the Clinique ID oil-free one with added anti-fatigue serum and The Ordinary Hemi-Squalane (great in the evening as it’s oily, but you’ll wake up with lovely dewy skin). I also recommend exfoliating to get rid of any dead skin, I like to use The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toning Solution. The Clinique City Block SPF gives your skin a lovely glow too and of course protects it. Also, drink LOTS of water!

*ASOS, The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane 30ml, £5.50 

*ASOS, The Ordinary, Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution, £7 

*ASOS, The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% 30ml, £9 

*CLINIQUE, Your Clinique iD, £36 

*Clinique, City Block Sheer SPF 25, £20 

Holly

I have naturally quite oily skin so it’s a fine line between dewy and just wet. My go to is to use a matt power with some popping highlighter but on a summer holibobs you can’t beat a fresh face with just a touch of tinted moisturiser after a long day of drinking ALL the water in the sunshine.

*John Lewis, Charlotte Tilbury Unisex Healthy Glow All-Year Hydrating Summer Tint Moisturiser, 40ml, £28 

House of Fraser, BARE MINERALS Crystalline Glow Highlighter Stick, £20 

*Look Fantastic, bareMinerals bareSkin Perfecting Veil, £24 

Lareese

My top tips are stay hydrated and don’t cut corners with your skincare! Hydrate your skin from the inside out by hitting your daily water intake and avoid too much caffeine. Hyaluronic is like a magnet for moisture, so incorporating that into my skincare is must for healthy, dewy pores. I’m all about looking after the skin first – makeup can create a dewy glow too but if you look after what’s underneath first and foremost, your makeup products will sit better on the skin. I also love to use a Gua Sha massaging tool to promote lymphatic drainage and radiance.

*Look Fantastic, La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Hyaluronic Acid Serum 30ml, £38 

*Look Fantastic, Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream to Brighten and Depuff 15ml, £23 

*Cult Beauty, GLOW RECIPE Watermelon Glow Ultra-Fine Mist, £25 

*Oliver Bonas, Green Jade Gua Sha Massage Tool, £25 

Maddie

My top tips for glowy dewy skin are pretty simple; drink more water, get regular facials and/or at home exfoliating, face masks once a week, great hydrating skincare and some clever makeup.

*Look Fantastic, La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra 8 Face Mist 100ml, £19.50 

*Look Fantastic, By Terry Cellularose CC Serum 30ml (Various Shades), £61 

*ASOS, MAC Cream Colour Base – Hush, £19.50 

*Origins, HIGH POTENCY NIGHT-A-MINS™ Resurfacing Cream With Fruit-Derived AHAs, £30 

*Amazon, HYDRATEM8 900ml Motivational Water Bottle With Straw, £14.99 

Zoe

The things I tend to do more of when my skin is need of a little thirst quenching are drink more water (number one tip and very very important) sometimes if I’m not drinking enough, my face looks less plump and more “raisin-like” haha! It’s usually the first sign I’ll get that I’m not hydrated enough. I reach for all my hydrating face masks, I’ve listed a few of my favourites below. I also really like using a vitamin c serum and I feel this really brightens my complexion. I recently ran out of the Lumene serum and my skin just didn’t look the same when I didn’t have any! Also when it comes to makeup, using something like a CC cream can really bring your face to life, alongside other cream products. I also love a good dewy setting spray too. If I’m not sparkling in the sun like Edward Cullen then I’m not happy!

*Look Fantastic, Lumene Nordic C [Valo] Glow Boost Essence 30ml, £29.90 

*Cult Beauty, 111SKIN Bio Cellulose Treatment Mask, £20 

*Cult Beauty, SUNDAY RILEY Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream, £20 

*Cult Beauty, IT COSMETICS Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50+, £32 

*Cult Beauty, ICONIC LONDON Prep-Set-Glow, £22 

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Described as The Breakfast Club meets Pretty Little Liars, the team were excited to delve into Karen M. McManus’s first YA novel, One Of Us Is Lying.

Did it keep us guessing all the way through, or did we have it all figured out from the very first chapter? Find out what the team thought of this month’s teen thriller…

Five students go to detention. Only four leave alive.

Yale hopeful Bronwyn has never publicly broken a rule. Sports star Cooper only knows what he’s doing in the baseball diamond. Bad body Nate is one misstep away from a life of crime. Prom queen Addy is holding together the cracks in her perfect life. And outsider Simon, creator of the notorious gossip app at Bayview High, won’t ever talk about any of them again.

He dies 24 hours before he could post their deepest secrets online.
Investigators conclude it’s no accident. All of them are suspects. Everyone has secrets, right?

Lareese

Kiley Reid’s book was a hard act to follow but I really enjoyed One Of Us Is Lying. I was engrossed in the murder mystery whodunnit narrative and the high school drama – it reminded me a whole lot of Riverdale. I mean, if Netflix do happen to get their paws on this one, I won’t be mad. You bet I’ll be there binge watching the lot! YA fiction at its best with a very messy albeit real life ending.

Rating – 4/5
Would you read it again? No (too many others on my list)
Would you recommend it? Yes

Danielle

I LOVED One of is lying! it was such a good one to listen to as each character was voiced by a different person. I really connected with the main four and loved how the story unfolded, it was easy to follow and kept me guessing right up until the end. Karen created such believable characters that all have such different vibes and personalities, I can’t wait to see the TV show. I’m extremely invested in Bronwyn and Nate’s love story, possibly a little too invested. Basically just a really great read with a little bit of everything you need!

Rating – 5/5
Would you read it again?  Yes!
Would you recommend it? For sure

Charlotte

I loved this book! I found it a little hard to follow at the beginning of the story when unfamiliar with the characters and how their stories intertwined, as you’re immediately introduced to a lot of people at once which can be confusing. Considering the book is based around a murder it’s actually v tame and PG- definitely one for scaredy cats out there like me. Although I had inklings at certain aspects of the story intertwining, I didn’t predict the ending at all which I think says a lot for McManus’ writing in giving away just the right amount of information to keep you hooked without spoiling the big reveal.

Rating – 5/5
Would you read it again? No (I rarely read books twice!)
Would you recommend it? Yes

Darcey

I really enjoyed this book and I was hooked from the beginning! Karen M. McManus’ style of writing was very interesting and I hadn’t read a book before which was done as diary entries, but I enjoyed seeing so many different characters perspectives of the same events. The ending really shocked me and I didn’t see it coming AT all! But once I knew, I could see where clues had been dropped within the book. Also, Brownwyn and Nates relationship gave me all the feels, I want a spin off book of their relationship!

Rating – 4.5/5
Would you read it again? No (but I do want to watch the series)
Would you recommend it? 100%

Holly

I struggled to get in to One of us is Lying at first but boyo did that change. I spent 4 hours one night finishing this bad boy off. What a twist! I literally gasped at Coopers secret, Addy’s transformation is POWERFUL, my heart ached for Nate and I want Bronwyn to be my best friend. The last 100 pages really bring it all together and teaches us about mental health and toxic relationships. Also how shitty High School can be. I guessed the ending (in part) but the way it played out was just brilliant. I also think every book should have a ‘three months later’ at the end because I went all mushy inside. Amazing! I’ve already ordered Karen McManus’ next book.

Rating: 4.9/5
Would you read it again? Yes
Would you recommend it? YES

Maddie

That old age saying “the truth will set you free” feels very apt for this book. I think sometimes it’s easy to be scared of who you really are, afraid that you might be judged or not liked for it and never is that felt more than in the high school environment where this story is set. Overall, I really liked this book, It’s like mean girls with a side of murder and I thoroughly enjoyed how much each character unravelled as the story went on. It keeps you guessing and second guessing right until the end and once i got half way through, i couldn’t put it down.

Rating – 4/5
Would you read it again? Yes
Would you recommend it? Yes

Amy McCulloch

Okay, so is Karen McManus a genius? I think she might be. I read this the first time when it came out last year but I loved it more my second time through. I actually have a terrible memory for books so couldn’t remember exactly what happened the first time around. The Breakfast Club meets Pretty Little Liars – this was a great choice for me (especially to reread in these uncertain times). I was eagerly turning the pages, constantly wanting to uncover the truth. This book is the definition of addictive and has all the things I love most: mystery, suspicion, high school drama and secrets! I’m really excited to start the second book now too. Along with everything else Karen has written!

Rating – 5/5
Would you read it again? Yes
Would you recommend it? Definitely

Zoe

This book follows 4 students individual narratives as a death of one of their fellow students starts to unfold. It was the perfect mix of high school drama, strong character building and edge-of-your-seat-thriller. I love a book with twists and turns and Karen McManus did not disappoint. I was gripped right from the very first couple of pages and the suspense continued throughout the entire read. I thought I would struggle with four different characters points of view but actually enjoyed each of them equally and found it easy to distinguish between them. Karen’s story telling is amazing and really descriptive, I had such a vivid picture of all the students as I was reading. I completely engulfed this book and think it’s the perfect easy, gripping read! Can’t wait to read her next one!

Would you read it again? Yes

Would you recommend it? Yes

Rating: 4.5/5 

What did you think of One of us is Lying?

Everything is under control, until it isn’t. Marian Keyes is back working her very own brand of fictional magic with a multitude of delicious storylines, intriguing characters and explosive family secrets. We can’t wait to make our way through this! Will you be reading along with us?

They’re a glamorous family, the Caseys.

Johnny Casey, his two brothers Ed and Liam, their beautiful, talented wives and all their kids spend a lot of time together – birthday parties, anniversary celebrations, weekends away. And they’re a happy family. Johnny’s wife, Jessie – who has the most money – insists on it.

Under the surface, though, conditions are murkier. While some people clash, other people like each other far too much . . .

Everything stays under control until Ed’s wife Cara gets a concussion and can’t keep her thoughts to herself. One careless remark at Johnny’s birthday party, with the entire family present, starts Cara spilling out all their secrets.

In the subsequent unravelling, every one of the adults finds themselves wondering if it’s time – finally – to grow up?

Purchase the book *here.

Well fellas, here we are. It looks like our grand plans to have the Summer of a lifetime are on hold for a while but we can do this. For now, home is where the heart is! Unless the internet goes down of course. Then we’ll just pour ice cream on our pasta and wake up when it’s 2021.

Here’s 20 things to do in April during self-quarantine. Meet you at couch-ella…

1. Catch some Vit D from your sofa. Gardens, beaches, National Trust, they’re all SO 2019.

2. Make a dent in your TBR pile. What did we do to deserve BOOKS.

3. Realise that your baking talents start and end with banana bread.

4. Start a puzzle… And then realise that even during a worldwide shutdown, you’re just not a puzzle person.

5. Be determined to celebrate Easter the best you can, we can’t let a holiday that includes this many treats pass us by!

6. Stare wistfully out the window at the outside world. Oh look, there goes a receipt. Nawww

7. Feel inexplicable jealousy at your neighbours going out for their government-approved daily exercise when you’ve already had yours. What is this, Smug Street? STOP WAFTING IT UNDER MY NOSE NO. 15.

8. Preach about the House Party App. You should be earning commission tbh.

9. Consider adopting a puppy. It’s the only thing that makes sense rn.

10. Use a quarantine pun. Time for quarantini prinks before hitting it large in the living room.

11. Remember that one time we all wore jeans and bras, ya know, in the old version of the world.

12. Eat all your reserves in one afternoon sitting.

13. Plan the big reveal for your post-quarantine glow up.

14. Congratulate yourself for your new job: stay at home wine drinker

15. Adhere to the new rules. Airport rules.

16. Reminisce about going out to eat. That sh*t was wild.

17. Rearrange your bedroom. Or clear out your closet. Again.

18. Build yourself up for the trip to the supermarket. Will you come home with toilet roll, or will you have to make do with coffee filters? It’s a risky little game.

19. Write a letter: Dear 2020, absolutely none of this was on my vision board

20. Practise social distancing… from the fridge

What will you be getting up to in April?

On day one, we were up and at them at the crack of dawn in our most presentable outfits and perfectly parted hair. A week on and we’ve fully accepted that making it out of sweatpants, a messy bun and slippers should be considered a lifetime achievement. We’re working from home, not competing for Miss World and PJs are all that fit us right now because the quarantine tuck shop located in our cupboards is open all hours. A slice of cheese at 11am, sure. Crackers at dawn, why the hell not? Lasagne in the shower, perfectly normal behaviour.

From coping mechanisms, our highs and lows and everything in between, here’s how we’re all adapting to life working from home.

Maddie says…

Working remotely isn’t such a new thing for me as I’ve been doing it on and off for years; working on planes, shoots, colleagues houses and all over the world is not unusual. That being said, working alone day in day out definitely has tested my motivation and concentration skills. Staying in regular contact with colleagues has been essential to keeping me going. We’re extremely fortunate that we’re able to carry on thanks to technology and the nature of the business we do, at a time where so many people’s livelihood is so uncertain, it’s important for us not to take that for granted.

Danielle says…

SO this is bloody crazy isn’t it! Every time I think I’ve got my head around it I have this moment of sheer disbelief that I’m just at home for another day. The second day into WFH I set up a whole desk situation at my table and decided to be very strict on only working from here. I live in a one-bed basement flat that’s open plan so basically my living room is the kitchen is the dining room etc. it’s all one room! So I figured I’d set up a proper area to separate work from play. I also try and keep to work hours as much as possible. It’s so easy to start working at 8 and find yourself still on your laptop on the sofa at 8pm and in the current climate looking after my mental health is so important. Most days I’m up showered, had my daily dog walk, and sat down at ‘work’ by 9:30 as honestly it just makes me feel happier but some days I take the evening dog walk and roll out of bed at 9pm. My wardrobe is loungewear only. I love being comfortable so putting on my best outfits is absolutely not an option, I also go makeup-free often and slather myself in moisturiser. I’ve found my free time is actually harder to get satisfaction from at the moment, I was so excited about our first weekend and then it came and I was so bored! I’ve been trying to get off my screens and have invested in games, puzzles etc. I’ve also been baking and cleaning but sometimes I just have a bit of a ‘meh’ day, and that’s ok.

Darcey says…

I’ve found working from home easier than I first anticipated, especially as I’m working from my bedroom, I thought I’d be quite distracted. But, I’ve actually found I’ve been able to stay focused and get everything done on my lists (I write lists every day with all my tasks, in or out the office and this keeps me organised!). But asides from work, when it comes to getting ready in the mornings, I’ve not really been too good at this. I’m not washing my hair often as I want to try and prolong how long I can leave it till washing, I haven’t worn makeup once since being inside and I don’t plan on doing so either. So on a good day you’ll see me with wet hair (staying away from heat too) and a cute loungewear outfit on! I’ve found staying productive outside of work hard, but I’ve realised this is okay. Some days I want to clean the whole house and other days I want to just sit on my bed all day watching Netflix and eating snacks. I’m trying to take every day as it comes, but there have definitely been some tears! I keep telling myself to remember that you don’t have to leave this isolation as a better version of yourself, there’s no pressure.

Holly says…

At the start, I was determined to be as positive and productive as I am at work, but I quickly realised that’s just not realistic. I’m taking every day as it comes but know that it’s OK to be sad and shit scared. I’ve found that following a similar routine to what I usually would really helps, getting up at the same time, lunch breaks etc. I also have been picking flowers from my garden to bring some cheer to my house. Lunch breaks have taken on a whole new meaning and I use this to do something useful and it makes me feel a lot better, see Macrame Plant pot behind me. Overall I’m surviving but looking forward to the day I get to give my wonderful work colleagues a cuddle.

Charlotte says…

I’ve come back to my family home for isolation which sadly meant saying goodbye to Brighton but hello to more conversation, support and security with my mum and sister. I’m finding working from home to be relatively easy- when I’ve got a long to-do list I’m quite good at being able to focus and power through tasks when the clock is against me. I’ve loved being able to catch up with the team in meetings and during our Friday evening drinks- maintaining that face-to-face (or should I say screen-to-screen) contact has been invaluable in keeping my spirits high and boosting my motivation.

The hardest obstacle for me so far has been my down-time! I’m struggling to fully relax as my brain is still convincing me I could be using this time to be productive, and when I do down tools and catch up with my boyfriend and my friends, it makes me miss them more! At the moment I’m taking each day as it comes, being kind to myself and watchful of falling into bad patterns with my mental health and anxieties.

Lareese says…

I have turned the whole house upside down, cleaning and organising every cupboard and doing all the chores we begrudge spending our precious weekends on in normal circumstances. I have to say, it has forced me to slow down and reset – there’s something very wholesome about only going to the shops for what you need, using all the bits in your cupboard and gaining a whole new appreciation for the little things we perhaps take advantage of; things like the freedom to run outside whenever we want! I’m struggling a little bit with the constant noise from our neighbours, you can tell EVERYONE is at home and as someone who really values writing in silence or at least quiet, I’m finding it pretty challenging. In the grander scheme of things though, it’s a small price to pay when there are angels out there working 12-hour shifts, saving lives so I can put up with a bit of aggressive guitar playing and drilling. I can’t bloody wait for things to get back to normal though, gimme ROUTINE. Gimme my people back, a pub garden, a body combat class, an innocent sneeze.

How are you coping working from home?

First of all, how are you and how are you coping in lockdown?

It was a little bit of struggle at first and I needed some time to process and adapt! So I spent most of my days having a cry, snacking and watching Netflix! Now, I have got myself a routine and I have reduced amount of news and social media I take in because that was really causing a lot of anxiety for me, 

Describe your channel in 3 words!

Empowering, Fun & Inspiring! 

What does wellness mean to you?

It means to be kind of myself especially on those hard days and exploring ways I can take care of myself. I have my own little selfcare kit that I always retrieve to when in need! I suggest everyone to create one especially right now! 

Tell us about The Teen Experience.

The teen experience is essentially a safe space for teen girls and we offer personal development workshops that explore relationships, beauty, mental health, finance, business, health and more! 

The teen experience was co-founded with my friend Jamelia Donaldson who is about creating experiences in the community and we joint together with my passion for mental health and working with young people we been running for 3 years! It’s so beautiful to see the journey of the girls over the years who have attended. 

What are some of the best things to come from The Teen Experience?

The best things are the friendships and bonds that form! You see a teen girl who attends by herself then following months she has a whole girl gang it’s beautiful to see.  The open and honest conversations we have and the trust and feedback we get from the parents and carers. 

How can our readers get involved?

You can get involved by following @theteenexperience due to the Corona our events are on hold but there is lots to see there of what we get up to! 

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

The highlight of my career  right now would be that Instagram and Cosmopolitan has named me as a  positive game-changer for 2020! That truly feels like a testimony to the work that I have done I feel seen and most importantly heard. 

What are you currently working on?

Always working on something, so I am working on a project that I will be sharing about how I took the journey of healing from my sexual trauma and a podcast! Yes I’m one of those who in isolation has decided to kick start a solo podcast so that’s what I’ll be busy working on!  

Who are your current favourite follows on the gram?

I am all about the BALANCE! So you’ve got to follow various people, someone who can educate you, make you laugh and inspire! So my favourites right now are:

@ciaralondon she is keeping me on my fitness and working out! She’s doing some insane workouts on IG she plays great music!

@willsmith he educates me and makes me laugh at the same time! 

@upworthy they post some positive news and I love it! It’s really uplifting 

What do you always carry with you?

My mood fix spray! Just refreshes me throughout the day smells so good! 

What does your perfect weekend look like?

Skincare, hair mask and watching Disney films! I have a very overactive brain and need to switch off so comforting my inner child is always the best! 

If you could only eat one meal again what would it be? 

Home-cooked meal from my mama! 

If you could give one positive message to our followers what would it be? 

In this current climate don’t forget to breathe, don’t forget your power and we all have a purpose to discover!

Proud of our NHS

Last week the UK came together to clap for our carers at 8pm on Thursday night. Here in Brighton, we gave it our all and cheers could be heard all over the city as well as fireworks getting in on the action too. We loved this video of George, Charlotte and Louis clapping away that Kensington Royal posted on Instagram. The night itself was definitely emotional and reminded us that even though we’re all feeling lonely we are not alone. An unprecedented amount of people have signed up to become volunteers for the NHS, helping vulnerable people stay safe at home by picking up prescriptions, driving patients to appointments or the hospital and even making phone calls to check on people isolating at home.

Celebrity School

Parents across the country are turning into teachers as schools shut their doors but it seems they’re getting by with a little help from celebrities! Jolly Joe Wicks kicked things off with morning P.E lessons (adults can get a workout too) spurring on some experts to follow suit. Now you can have music lessons from Myleene Klass, and food tech from the one and only Jamie Oliver. If school was this exciting, we’d be heading in a heartbeat! We’re giving a gold star to everyone on social media lending talents for the greater good during the lockdown. Find the full article on Kidadl.

News we need

Despite this being a very odd time life goes on, we can’t get enough of lovely life announcements that bring a little bit of business as usual back into our lives! A huge congratulations to Em Clarkson on her latest engagement and Melanie Murphy on her pregnancy! We also loved this tweet from Iceland congratulating a man for proposing in their store as he couldn’t do it in Iceland (the country) as planned, round of applause for the creativity. Even though we can’t be there in person to congratulate our friends and family in their happiest moments we’re gearing up for all the celebrations to come when we’re out of self-isolation.

Castaway faves

We can’t get enough of this Meet My Wilson account set up for people to send in pictures of their “Wilson”. Referencing Tom Hanks and his beloved volleyball in the movie Castaway, people are dressing up their own little friend to keep them company. If you fancy creating your own Wilson give them a follow for the best inspiration, even if you’re just looking for a distraction for an hour!

Virtual Birthdays

Being an Aries baby has never looked so lonely but birthdays in isolation aren’t so bad! Our favourite new trend on Twitter is people sending well wishes to people who are a bit lonely on their big day and kids going to see their grandparents, waving from their cars through the windows. Of course, it was Zoe’s birthday this weekend and all though she wasn’t sunning herself in the Maldives as planned she was still able to hang out with her loved ones thanks to the power of technology!

What’s the best piece of news you saw last week?

The thought of being cooped up at home for long periods of time is stressful for most of us but in light of finding the silver lining in this difficult situation, we’re determined to keep busy and make the most of the slower pace.

If ever there was a good excuse to catch up on Netflix, clear out your wardrobe and perfect your yoga poses, it’s now. Here’s how we’re making the most of our time at home!

Danielle

I genuinely purchased all of these items last week in a bid to keep me entertained in the evenings and weekends during self-isolation. I realised early on that I was blasting through my candle supplies to keep my new office area cosy so I’m recommending an oil diffuser, this is one is nice and small and has a range of coloured lights for a lovely glow. I grabbed a selection of oils and made sure they included neroli as that’s my fave! I don’t own monopoly but thought I’d purchase the Friends version to mix it up and I’m a bit rubbish at puzzles so I went for some Lego!

*Amazon, VicTsing 150ml Essential Oil Diffusers for Aromatherapy, £17.99 

*Amazon, Hot New You Essential Oils Set- 10ml Diffuser Oils, £9.99 

*Amazon, Winning Moves Friends Monopoly Board Game, £29.99 

*Amazon, LEGO 75955 Harry Potter Hogwarts Express Train Toy, £74.99 

 

Zoe

As well as the usual things you can do without spending any money like pottering around in your garden and having a good old sort out; These are some of the things i’ve done or ordered. I LOVE paint by numbers as sometimes a blank canvas can feel quite daunting and this tells you exactly what to do and it looks good at the end! I also recently did a friends lego set and it was the longest time i went without looking at my phone since I can remember. I’ve currently got my eye on the stranger things lego set too. I’ve also popped air drying clay on my wishlist as this is so fun to play about with. I’m going to try and make a little vase!

*Amazon, BOSHUN Wooden Framed Paint by Numbers Kits with Brushes and Acrylic Pigment, £18.99

*Amazon, LEGO 21319 Ideas Central Perk Friends TV Show Series Collectors Set with Iconic Cafe Studio, £64.99 

*Amazon, LEGO 75810 Stranger Things The Upside Down World Construction Set Contains Will’s House and 8 Minifigures, £179.99 

Hobby Craft, Terracotta Air Drying Clay 1kg, £3.75 

Holly

I’m not the best at being alone/stuck indoors so I have a lot of things to occupy my mind. I do a yoga or fitness video every day (sometimes twice a day) to help make up for the extra food I’m eating. Top tip is to make a list of all the jobs you’ve been meaning to do for the past ages. So far I’ve cleaned my carpets, cleaned my trainers, done a puzzle, crafts – All sorts! I’ve even completely cleared my garden and painted my bedroom walls. It’s just about kept my mind at bay.

B&Q, Dulux Pure brilliant white Matt Emulsion paint, 10L, £22 

Wool Culture, LYDIA 3 TIER MACRAME KIT, £28 

ASDA, Vanish Gold Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner Powder, £6 

* Amazon, Ravensburger Harry Potter ,1000pc Jigsaw Puzzle, £13.99 

Lareese

I’ve never been an exercise from home kinda girl before now but needs must! I recently bought an exercise mat to do some gentle evening yoga in our bedroom so at least I can mix up running outside with some relaxation and stretching. It’s such a great way to switch off properly and unwind before bed. I also ordered some acrylic paint so I can make the most of my time indoors by doing something mindful and creative!

*Sweaty Betty, Eco Yoga Mat, £40 

*Amazon, Acrylic paint 24 Set by Crafts 4 All® For Paper,canvas,wood,ceramic,fabric & crafts, £14.99 

*Amazon, AIEX 2pcs Clear Acrylic Paint Palette Transparent Oval Shaped Art Palette for DIY Art Craft Painting, £10.98 

Charlotte

Over the past few months I’d got quite into going to the gym and doing a few classes a week, so I’m going to try and maintain my fitness momentum at home. I’ve ordered a yoga mat and resistance bands and I’m going to create a nice at home workout routine. Other than that, I’m just going to keep my mind as occupied as possible- reading the long list of books on my shelf, colouring and a fair amount of Netflix bingeing too…

*Argos, Opti Exercise Mat, £15.99 

B_ND Store, SHORT RESISTANCE BANDS – MEDIUM, £14 

Waterstones, The Little Book of Calm Colouring: Portable Relaxation, £5.99 

*Amazon, The Flatshare, £14.03 

*Amazon, Reasons to Stay Alive, £7.75 

Darcey

While indoors I will be watching A LOT of Netflix, I aim to spend one whole day watching every single Twilight from start to finish, it takes 10 hours altogether and I can’t wait. Disney + has also just been released, let the binge watching begin! I’m also going to try and keep up my fitness indoors, so I will be ordering some resistance bands to help me and a Yoga mat. I also purchased a colouring book, to get some creative juices flowing! Lastly, this is less to keep me busy and more to keep me sane, but I love my Neom Wellbeing Pod and it keeps me really relaxed when indoors.

Netflix Sign Up, £5.99 Monthly, 

Disney + Sign up, £5.99 Monthly, 

*Argos, Women’s Health Resistance Bands – 4 Pack, £10.99 

 *Argos, Opti Air Flow Exercise Mat, £11.99 

*Amazon, Millie Marotta’s Animal Kingdom – A Colouring Book Adventure, £9.99 

NEOM, Essential Oil Diffuser: Wellbeing Pod, £170 

Maddie

Meet my 5 new closest friends; Sky, Netflix, Spotify, Prime and Hulu. If there was ever a time to subscribe, it’s now. I for one am always telling people i don’t have time to catch up on the latest series, can you believe i’ve still not watched Stranger Things, The Crown, or the new season of You?! Now there’s no excuse but kick back and get stuck in to a new series whether that’s a TV show, movie or podcast, pure escapism at it’s best.

Netflix Sign up, £5.99 Monthly 

Sky Ultimate TV, £25 Monthly 

Spotify, Premium £9.99 Monthly 

Hulu, $5.99 Monthly 

Amazon Prime, £7.99 Monthly, 

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Her passion for cleaning has garnered her an army of fans and when you see many uses she has for a squeegee, you’ll understand why.

Want to know how to clean your house like a hardcore Hincher? Here’s everything we’ve learned from the cleanfluencer herself *grabs Minkeh*

Colour code your cloths

We never thought we’d be creating a colour key for each room in the house, and yet here we are. So simple, so effective. *Purchase some here.

White vinegar is essential

Tastes great on chips, makes light work of your cleaning. There are no losers here.

Zoflora is a way of life

Not all disinfectants are created equal. Pour a capful in your washing machine drum and another cap in your drawer to wash your cloths the Hinch way. You can also dilute it in water in a spray bottle for a quick and easy way to rid all your surfaces of bacteria and germs. *Choose your favourite scent here.

Squeegees aren’t just for showers

You haven’t lived until you’ve squeegeed your hob and your rug. Weekend made! *Grab one here.

Never underestimate washing up liquid

Use washing up liquid (just the suds) and warm water to gently clean the dust off your artificial flowers.

How to tackle a grubby shower screen

Those hard water marks are a stubborn bunch but where’s there’s a Hinch, there’s a way. Spray Viakal on and leave to work for a few minutes. Rinse off and dry with a squeegee or your bathroom cloth. Voila! Buy Viakal here.

Name your cloths

Say hello Freda the flash mop, Buddy, Kermit, ‘Minkeh’ – the gang’s all here.

Your cleaning cupboard is now called your Narnia

Because that’s the kind of respect it deserves.

Your bin doesn’t have to smell like… bin

Bin waft, be gone. Three words: Dustbin Odour Destroyer. Buy yours here.

For silver jewellery that’s lost its sparkle

If your pure silver rings and bracelets are looking a bit dull and grubby, let them soak in half a cup of white vinegar and 2 tbs of baking soda for 2-3 hours. They’ll come up like a new penny.

Get rid of a stinky microwave

Leave a cup of bicarb in a small bowl in your microwave to absorb all the foodie odours. Take it out whenever you’re using it of course and replace when you’re done.

Tumble dryer sheets = life

Soak the sheets in a cap of Zoflora overnight (any scent of your choice will do), wring them out and leave them to dry in the morning then put them inside your cushion covers and pillow slips to keep them smelling fresh. You can also store them with bedding in your airing cupboard to keep them fresh. *Buy yours here.

Lift mattress stains

Using a sieve, sprinkle a liberal dusting of bi-carb over your mattress to draw out dirt, moisture and odours, spot treating any stubborn stains. Leave to work its magic for one hour before hoovering away. Boudoir bliss!

Line your oven

Cleaning the oven is the absolute worst, there’s no getting away from it, but if you put one of these bad boys in the base, you’ll catch any drips and splashes and reduce your cleaning time. They’re dishwasher safe too so you can take it out and give it a clean when you’re doing the rest of the oven. Buy liners here.

Get rid of scuff marks

Window frames and doors accumulate so many black marks and scuffs but this stuff makes light work of cleaning them. Formulated to remove grease, it’s ideal for cleaning oily surfaces. You’re about to have the time of your life with those grotty windy panes!

Revive your carpets

To keep your carpets, rugs and upholstery smelling fresh, spray them with 1001 Carpet Fresh. It banishes every day smells, dries in minutes and there’s no need to hoover. We approve. *Grab the good stuff here.

Look after your pipes

Put a cup of bicarbonate of soda and one cup of white vinegar in the kitchen sink, leave for 10 minutes and flush through with hot water to shift and loosen the build-up of grease and debris.

Make your vases look good as new

Fill your vase with one scoop of baking soda and a splash of white vinegar, swirl the mixture around and leave to work for a few minutes before rinsing. If you’ve got gloves on, get your hands in there and mix up the foam to make sure it reaches the sides.

Scrub Daddy is everything!

Who knew we could have so much fun with just a sponge and an oven. Stick your fingers in his eyes for the ultimate deep clean, treat yourself to a multipack here.

The Pink Stuff

Tea and coffee stains, pots and pans, ovens – you name it. There’s no scuff mark too stubborn for this pot of pink putty.

Here’s how to deep clean your washing machine

Remove the drawer from your washing machine and leave to soak in the sink. Fill your Dishmatic sponge brush with cleaning liquid – the Flash Bathroom Cleaner Liquid Mrs Hinch’s holy grail – and begin scrubbing the area where your drawer sits.

Use a sonic scrubber or old toothbrush to get into the harder to reach places. Then use a tablespoon of bicarb, spray it with white vinegar until it foams and passes through the washing machine pipes. Leave to flush through and then dry any excess with a cloth.

For the rim, pour your cleaning liquid of choice along the rubber edge and wipe with a damp cloth to remove damp and grime build-up. Pop the drawer back in.

Put your cleaning cloths into your machine, pour half a cup of white vinegar straight into the drum, add two tbs of bicarb into the drawer compartment and set on a 90 degree wash.

Clean the front of the washing machine down with your diluted Zoflora spray and a cloth and you’re done. Good as new.

Follow Mrs Hinch on Instagram here!

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What’s the best cleaning hack you’ve learned from the one and only Mrs Hinch?

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