Grab your apron, wash those hands to the tune of Happy Birthday and roll up your sleeves – your pasta spoon is about to have the busiest month of its life dear friends.

If you’ve got some form of pasta kicking about in your pantry, we’ve got three ways to pimp it up pesto style. Who said lockdown lunches had to be dull?

Easy to make and full of flavour, these al dente dishes will serve you well when you want to rustle up a speedy midweek meal. Batch cook a load to enjoy throughout the week and hey pesto!

Dairy-free pesto pasta

Creamy pesto pasta bake

Sun-dried tomato pesto with olives and feta

What pasta dishes will you be rustling up in the kitchen while we’re on lockdown?

You’ve probably got play dough in places you never thought physically possible, seen Frozen 117 times and exhausted your best singing voice. Not all heroes wear capes.

There’s no denying that the Corona Virus outbreak has forced us all to adapt in ways we never expected nor were prepared for, and the pressure that comes with taking up the role of teacher, as well as mum or dad, is huge but in all of this, remember you are a teacher of MANY important lessons, not just maths and literacy. If you’re doing your best and reassuring your children at a time when the whole world as we know it is unravelling and changing, you’re already teacher of the decade!

Rather than getting caught up in ticking off certain topics, take your child’s lead, what are they naturally inquisitive about, what do they enjoy? Above all, this is an opportunity to connect with your child and be present and active in their learning, and to cash in on those extra cuddles while they’re still little tiny people.

If you’re stuck for some inspiration for things to do, we’ve trawled the internet and our parent WhatsApp groups for some of the best activities. Mums, dads – you’ve GOT this.

Chalk drawing

If you have some outside patio space, dig out the chalk and get creative. They can draw the whole family, their teacher and class members, the planets, flowers or whatever else they fancy.

Grow your own cress

Are you even a kid unless you’re growing cress from a window sill? Get the step-by-step here.

Build a fort

Make a den indoors from quilt covers and cushions for a cosy movie night.

Check out the animals doing their thing in the wild

Here you can find the world’s largest live nature cam. From eagles to sharks and puppies, think of it like a virtual zoo without the bars. Unbelievable scenes to enrich your little one’s learning about the natural world, habitats and wildlife.

Have a virtual playdate

Organise a daily Zoom, Skype or WhatsApp call with your children’s friends. Most children don’t like to chat on demand so perhaps arrange a fun activity they can all do together on the hang-out.

Get the kids involved with yoga

Who said mindfulness and tree poses were just for grown-ups? This Cosmic Yoga designed especially for kids is great fun for the whole family, find it on YouTube here. 

Make the most of your devices

Now is probably not the time to impose rigid screen time bans, instead why not explore your smartphones, apps and tablets and exploit their potential as an educational resource.

Dance your heart out with Henry and the gang!

Make finger puppets

Using a piece of card, cut out the shape of an animal of their choice. Once they’re done colouring it in, cut two holes near the bottom big enough for your child’s fingers. Voila!

Create a pasta masterpiece

Using pasta shapes and PVA glue, create a fun piece of art. Why not paint them afterwards too? Monet who?

Have an indoor treasure hunt

Hide rhyming clues around the house or, if your little one is younger, use coloured dot stickers on pegs. Each colour represents a different number of points, when they collect enough points they win a prize.

Decorate plant pots

Round up any old pots from the garden and give them a colourful makeover. The brighter the better!

Set up a DIY tuck shop

Are your kids eating you out of house and home? Create a price list featuring all their favourite snack items, fruit 5p, crisps 50p, chocolate 25p and give your children £1 a day to spend. The kids get to brush up on their maths without realising it and you get to keep their snacking under control.

Paint a rainbow

Once they’re done painting it, pop it in the window for the other children to spot on their #rainbowtrail walk. The kids can also go out for their daily exercise and see how many rainbows they can spot in the windows.

Join in a live story time

Oliver Jeffers hosts a stay at home storytime at 6pm every weeknight. If you’ve exhausted your best-animated voice, he’s your man. Can’t make his 6pm live? You can find all his previous storytimes on his website.

Make leaf animals

Make an animal collage with some leaves and twigs from the garden. It encourages the kids to get creative and see leaves in a different way.

Make a DIY easel

Turn a small garden table upside down, wrap a few layers of cling film around the legs and huzzah! One very good makeshift easel. Happy painting!

Make a scrapbook

To help your little ones keep track of the days and give them a sense of routine, why not start a daily scrapbook. When they return to school they can take them in for show and tell and share everything they did during their time at home and catch up on what their friends did too.

Do a fashion show

Dig out the Christmas fairy lights and the Disney princess dresses, it’s show time. Simply line the floor with a few blankets or a sheet and cue the music. Mandatory for dads.

Make your own play dough

Recipe:

¼ cup of salt
2 tbs cream of tartar
1 cup of flour
1 cup of water
1 tbs of oil
food colouring

Mix the dry ingredients in a small pan, add the water and food colouring and stir over a medium heat for a few minutes until the dough becomes firm. Turn out onto a plate and let it cool before you are free to play.

Join in Joe Wicks’ daily PE class

A fab way to get the kids energised in the morning and to give them a sense of routine! Joe Wicks, aka The Body Coach, will be running daily PE classes from 9am on his YouTube channel. Find it here.

Build a fairy garden

Fill a couple of large pots with soil decorate with sticks, stones, shells, string and whatever else you can find to make the fairies a lovely humble abode.

Write a letter to granny and grandad

If the kids are missing granny and grandad, writing them a letter is a good way of encouraging them to keep in touch while practising their spelling and handwriting too. They can either read it aloud to them on the phone later on or post it to them so they can see how their handwriting is coming along.

Make fairy houses from toilet roll

Decorate old toilet rolls with paper and felt pens and use a cupcake case for the roof. Don’t forget to draw a little door on the front for the fairies to come and go as they please.

Play sink or swim

Using a big bucket or the bath tub and some household items or toys, ask your children which items they think will sink and which ones will float. You can use keys, apples, a cork, a spoon – anything goes!

Make blow paint pictures

Mix up some paint with water and place a large blob of it on the paper then, take a drinking straw and blow the paint so it spreads out across the page. If you’re doing this with young children, practise without paint first so they understand they’re blowing not sucking. Once dry, you can draw on some mouths and decorate your colourful blobs with googly eye stickers.

What will you be doing with your kids?

How long have you been cooking and how did you start?

I’ve been cooking professionally for the last 14 years. I’m entirely self-taught.

Describe your cooking in 3 words!

Inventive, meat-free, modern

What are some really underrated ingredients?

Lentils, beans and pulses – you can do SO much with them!

What do you create most of, and what is your favourite thing to make?

I am mostly Team Savoury – simple weeknight cooking is my bag

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

My second book going to number 1 on the WHOLE of Amazon after an appearance on Sunday Brunch on Channel 4!

Tell us about some of the books you’ve written.

I’ve written three books, Fast Days & Feast Days (2016), Let’s Eat! (2017) and Green (2019). The first two are pescatarian and Green is all veggie/vegan. They are all inspired by world cuisine but with a constant eye on the local greengrocers too!

You’ve been such a good follow for self-isolation cooking content! Have you got 3 good tips?

Do a stocktake. Look at what you already have in your fridge/freezer/cupboards. Don’t panic buy and grab things off the shelf you don’t need. There’s enough food for all of us if we shop sensibly. Next, make a meal plan so you know what is allocated for when. Lastly, be open to having to make amendments and substitutions.

What is your advice for someone panicking about cooking during self-isolation?

Please try not to panic. If you’re reading this then you have internet access and that means access to more help and advice than you can imagine. This is a very challenging time but so much positive is coming out of it. We will all come out the other side better cooks, that’s for sure!

Can you tell us three great things that will always make a good meal if we can get them in the supermarkets?

Eggs, pouches of lentils, bread flour (now could be your time to learn to make sourdough from scratch! All you need to start making a sourdough starter is flour and water!)

What is the benefit to meal prepping?

Reduced waste, reduced stress and you can look at the week as a whole and keep an eye on your nutrition and try to ensure you’re eating as balanced a diet as possible.

What do you usually always have a good stock of? 

Oils and vinegars. I have a LOT of both!

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

That’s a hard one! I could happily eat dhal for every meal though!

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

This is a time to grow and learn. We all need to support each other as much as we can. Try to relax and take joy in small things. If that’s watching YouTube videos and teaching yourself to chop an onion properly or learn how to make sourdough from an expert via Instagram or watching my Stories (@ellypear on Instagram) for daily help and advice, there’s so much to take pleasure in doing while we are all staying home.

There are certain rituals that fall by the wayside when your home morphs into a hot desk and you find yourself making all kinds of lifestyle compromises, from neglecting your posture to forgetting to drink water. It happens!

Working solo certainly has its perks but it also has its downfalls and learning to function without the community environment of a shared workplace and the sense of belonging that that provides for us can be a challenge – one that a lot of us have recently found ourselves navigating as a matter of necessity.

To help you make the most of your remote office days now and for the future, we’ve got a few best practises we like to put into place to keep our productivity in check!

Resist the snooze button

Waking up at a consistent time, whether that’s 6, 7 or 8am, not only stabilises your circadian rhythm and improves your sleep health overall, it also establishes a clear morning routine; one that sets you up for a productive day right from the get-go.

Get to know your behaviour

Do you like background tv, Classic FM or total silence? Are you someone who is easily distracted and so has to be stricter with themselves and their time management, or is procrastination a sign you need to take a quick break and make a brew? Finding what works for you is a game of trial and error and we all work in different ways. Suss out what suits you and stick to it.

Prepare yourself to ‘go’ to work

Few of us benefit from rolling out of bed and hopping straight onto a Skype call before we’ve even so much as brushed our teeth. Determine what activities ease you into your working day and prepare your mind for productivity gradually, whether that’s an hour of reading before you open your laptop, listening to a podcast, going for a run, journaling or meditating.

Think of it like a warm-up before cardio – what tools can you rely on to ensure your mind is switched on and ready to give its best performance? By waking up ahead of your working hours and spoiling yourself with a leisurely morning ritual, you’re more likely to feel mentally ready for the demands of the day ahead.

Get dressed

We’re not about to deny you of your comfy loungewear and cosy knits but if you’re wearing pyjamas then you’re likely to stay in a pyjama mindset all day. Never underestimate the power of proper clothes. Have a shower, put on some makeup – if that makes you feel bougie – and enjoy the little things that make you feel awake, energised and mentally sharp.

Be strict with yourself

Get up to stretch your legs regularly, look after your posture, take screen breaks little and often and get outside for your lunch break if possible. You determine your own efficiency and while sitting at your laptop for 8 hours a day without so much as a sip of water or a loo break might sound like you’re slaying the work from home life, it’s not conducive to productivity in the long run and it will come back to bite you on the arse.

Stay hydrated

It’s so easy to forget to drink when you can’t gather around the water cooler and bond over the latest episode of Love Is Blind. Fill up a water bottle and have it within view all day to remind you to stay hydrated.

Never work from your bed

Try to keep your usual work-life boundaries in place. You might not have the luxury of an office space but your bedroom is strictly off-limits, it’s a realm reserved only for R&R, not looming deadlines, word limits and Zoom calls.

Write a realistic to-do list

It’s not a revolutionary idea but it sure will help you to prioritise and manage your time effectively. Break up your tasks into more manageable chunks so you won’t feel overwhelmed and discouraged by an overambitious list. This is about working smart.

Set some ground rules with the other people in your home

Not everyone who works from home does so alone, there are housemates and partners to consider and share your workspace with so setting some clear ground rules makes for a healthy working environment. Appreciate an hourly brew and a 5-minute small talk in the kitchen? Cool. Rather work through your lunchbreak and save the socialising until after 5pm? Speak now or forever hold your peace. Everyone’s jobs have different requirements and schedules so as long as you’re all respectful of one another and transparent about expectations, HR will be happy!

Work out what a day in the office looks like to you

The beauty of working from home is that you get to determine what your working day looks like. If you’re an early bird, waking at 6 and sitting at your desk for 7.30 ready to crack on with a few uninterrupted emails before the rest of the world starts communicating might suit you. Likewise, you might benefit from doing something for YOU before you have to answer to someone else all day, or starting your days slightly later and working into the evening. It’s your call.

Pull up a window seat

If you can, sit in a room with plenty of natural light. There’s nothing inspiring about facing a wall or sitting in a dark room, so do as cats do and follow the sun – it’ll make you happier.

Put your phone on do not disturb

Nothing throws off your workflow quite like opening Instagram every 30 seconds or attempting to keep up with the family WhatsApp, which naturally, is always absolutely popping when you’re at work and in the thick of a deadline. It’s like your sister just KNOWS.

If you’re easily distracted by your phone, close all messenger apps on your laptop and leave your phone in another room.

Get familiar with project management tools

There are a whole variety of project management and task-based communication tools out there to keep your tasks and your team members organised but Trello is one that stands out for its simplicity and efficiency for monitoring tasks on the fly, particularly if you’re working collaboratively with other team members. It’s basically a virtual corkboard.

By keeping all the information you need in one place, it’s easier to keep track and stay up to date with any changes. Whether you’re working as part of a team or just looking for something to collate your upcoming projects and boost your productivity, Trello is a versatile tool that you can use whatever industry you’re in. From editorial calendar planning to freelance assignments and IT support, the possibilities are endless.

Don’t work silly hours

When your workplace and your home blur into one, it’s easy to forget that such a thing as ‘working hours’ exist and before we know it, we’re sat tapping away into the glow of our laptops at 10pm like some kind of fireflies. Without a commute or the shuffle of a colleague’s backpack to signal that it’s the right time to pack up and leave for the day, it’s all too easy to carry on beavering away.

What’s important is that you’re realistic about what you can achieve and recognise what your productivity sweet spot is. You might decide that you’re going to have the morning off and work until 8pm instead, it totally depends on your workload and schedule and who’s to say that will look the same day-to-day. One thing’s for sure, switching off is just as important as switching on, so don’t feel guilty for shutting your laptop at 5pm on the dot and climbing into your PJs. And hey, when that time comes your sofa commute is but a few steps away. Praise be.

We’d love to hear your best practises for working from home!

You might be inclined to think ruffles are reserved only for the front row but to that we say hogwash. Ruffles don’t have to be scary territory, you can dabble with the fashion fan-dangle in a whole manner of wearable ways, from hemlines and sleeves to collars that wouldn’t look out of place in a Jane Austen novel.

Juxtapose structured tailoring with a flouncy peasant shirt or go off duty with an effortless wrap dress. Get your frills with our Weekly Wants!

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Where art thou turmeric, curry powder, cinnamon? Chances are they’ve probably sloped off behind the tinned tomatoes and the flour but fear not, after implementing these helpful pantry hacks, you’ll never have to lose sight of your beloved spice blends or pine kernels again.

With plenty of us working remotely and clawing back those extra hours we’d usually spend commuting to and from work, we have the opportunity, albeit a bittersweet one, to tackle all the little odd jobs we just l-o-v-e to put off. Now’s the time to get our humble abodes looking as neat as a new pin, starting with organising our pantries. Type As, you’re very welcome.

No pantry, no problem! Most of us use that term loosely as a fancy synonym for kitchen cupboards, so clear away the clutter and stow away the long-lasting snacks, it’s time to give your kitchen storage the glow up it deserves.

Decant products into containers

We’ve all swooned over those Pinterest worthy kitchens with their ship-shape open shelving displays and orderly jars complete with retro labels and felt a sudden enthusiasm to ‘tap to tidy’ our own homes. Well, the time has arrived.

Get savvy with your storage and do away with any bulky packaging by transferring dry food items such as pasta and cereals into clear food caddies or kilner jars. Breadcrumbs, seeds and powders such as drinking chocolate can be placed in air-tight containers and stacked to create more space.

If you have pre-packaged crisps and snacks, these can be stowed away in storage baskets or, make like Stacey Solomon and use an adjustable shower curtain pole to hang your snacks from. Because a)it’s a visual feast and b)why the hell not!

Organise products into categories

No one wants to go on a wild goose chase for their fusilli do they – apply some logic to your kitchen cupboards to help you access ingredients easily and make trying a recipe an enjoyable experience rather than a stressful one. From your cooking oils to canned goods, grains and pulses to your breakfast cereals, a food filing system will change your life.

Get in formation

Arrange your tinned food and staples with a long shelf life in front-facing rows. You can also use stair step shelves to make sure you can see the items at the back easily. Our inner Monica Geller is fast approaching a 7 over here. If you know, you know.

Add hooks on the inside of your cupboard

If you’ve got a pantry door or wall space, hanging oven mitts, tea towels, aprons and bulky utensils on hooks can free-up some room in your drawers. A wall-mounted shower caddy can also make a great home for all your vegetables.

Don’t stock up on food

Perhaps an even more important message in the context of what’s going on right now but only buy what you need. Squirrelling away rice and tins of tuna when there’s a deal on may seem economical but by cluttering up your cupboards, you’re unlikely to see what you have in. Cue expiry dates and food waste.

Streamlining your pantry is the easiest way to make sure you can see what you have in the cupboards, use up your food and replenish it when it’s running low. Minimalism is the key to a tidy pantry.

The label maker is your best friend

Hello jar containing mysterious grains, identify yourself! It could be couscous, it could be quinoa. Who knows!

Enter the label maker. Not only does it give all your glass Kilner jars a homely vintage vibe, but it’s also hella practical. Now you’ll always be able to distinguish the plain flour from your self-raising. Come through stationery, come through.

Clean your cupboards systematically

Every six months, take everything out and give it a thorough deep clean. Start at the top and work your way down, wiping the shelves and removing any sticky residue from jars. It’s always the Marmite isn’t it?

Use this an opportunity to dispose of any out of date items and note down what you need to restock.

How do you keep your pantry lookin’ sharp? Let us know!

Instagram has become an invaluable source for peer-to-peer reading recommendations and deliciously short reviews we can devour in 60 seconds flat with our morning latte.

Not only can you find outfit inspo and #relatable memes, but you can also peruse the overflowing stacks of your favourite bookfluencers, discovering their latest can’t-put-it-down reads & the ones that missed the mark.

From undeniable classics to new releases and hotly anticipated debuts, it’s thanks to this well-read bunch that our TBR piles are out of control.

Here are our favourite lit-loving accounts to follow. In bookstagrammers we trust!

Maddie Says…

@Cals_book_Account – How could I not talk about Callum. His Instagram account shot to fame following his sister tweeting that he was getting a hard time from classmates who found out he liked writing book reviews. I’m so pleased the internet came through for Cal and that he’s more dedicated than ever to reading and spreading his love of books.

@abigailbergstrom – I’ve known Abby for years having worked on many projects together and she’s without a doubt the most book passionate person I’ve ever met and probably one of the all-around coolest cats out there. Her account features her favourite literary finds, must-reads as well as her incredible roster of powerful writers.

Charlotte Says…

@hannahfgale – Hannah’s stories are the place to be when it comes to widening your literary library! As Hannah has a little one, I trust her book recommendations as instant hits knowing that her sacred spare time would not be wasted on anything not worth reading. She’s also the queen of an aesthetically pleasing bookie flat lay…

@fellaby – Faye Ellaby- Not only do I want everything in Faye’s wardrobe, but I also have bookshelf envy too! I’ve loved every book I’ve read on Faye’s recommendation and trust her reviews in helping me find my next ‘can’t put down’ read.

@meganstaunton – Working in the book world means Megan’s reviews stand high in my estimations, as her expert eye never fails in recommending the hottest new releases and ‘must-haves’ for your morning commute.

Zoe Says…

@PieLadyBooks – Steph lives in Colorado and not only fills her feed with tonnes of book recommendations but bakes the most epic pies with book-related quotes and book themes. Her account is bright, fun and so positive!

@EmmaGannon – Emma has always been my go-to for book reviews and recommendations. Not only is she a successful author in her own right, but she also interviews plenty of fellow authors on her podcast CTRL ALT DELETE too! Absolutely tonnes of book-related content from her!

@InquisitiveBookWorm – I followed Ana recently and love her Instagram account. Every time I see her post about a new book I want to add it to my TBR pile.

@AmysBookShelf – Another gorgeous account that is so cosy and beautifully curated. Amy will leave you with the longest amazon wishlist pile once you’ve been on her account.

Lareese Says…

@Cofeeandbookss – Tanbir Kaur – As well as creating beautiful arty flat lays with books and coffee, Tanbir always offers insightful and intelligent discussions and reviews on her latest reads. She’s influenced my reading list and my latte cravings on several occasions.

@Polly.Florence – Polly basically turned the art of curling up with a good book into an aesthetic. An avid book lover, photographer and ambler, her account is a joy to follow and she’s certainly made me nurture my inner bookworm. If you love nostalgia, books and cosy coffee shops in Cambridge, she’s your girl.

@Hannahfgale – I’m echoing the other girls by citing Hannah Gale as my go-to book guru here but if Hannah’s shared a book she’s loved you better believe I’m heading straight out to get it. Her reviews are always hearty and honest too, which I really appreciate because it helps me decide exactly what to prioritise on my never-ending reading list.

Danielle Says…

@PandoraSykes – Loads of you probably already know Pandora from The High Low or her Fashion background. I love following Pandora for her book reviews and recommendations as I think she’s an incredibly trustworthy source as she actually reads the books. She’s thoughtful and intelligent and will do her best to let you know which books you must read.

@Mylittlebooktique – Possibly one of my faves because her images are so gorgeous! She posts useful information on the books she’s currently reading like the synopsis and her thoughts so far/at the end which always makes me want to read them too. She also tells you what she doesn’t like which is always refreshing

Darcey Says…

@CrimeByTheBook – Abby – This is one to follow if you like crime fiction, as you have probably worked out from her username, that’s exactly what she reviews. I’m not a crime fiction superfan, but I find it interesting to see what new ones are being released! I also really enjoy how aesthetically pleasing her account is. I love a cafe shot, book in hand and coffee on the table, or vice versa.

@SubwayBookReview – This is a really interesting account looking at what people are reading on the subway/underground worldwide. I find it fascinating getting an insight into what other people are reading and why. It’s also different seeing people’s opinions on books before they’ve finished them too and their thoughts on where they think it could go. I really like this aspect of the account.

Holly Says…

@bethsbookclub_ – I only recently started following Beths Book Club because I only really have just gotten into reading. I love it because it’s not pure books, it’s SO aesthetically pleasing and Beth has made me want a wall of books SO much. Very honest reviews and I completely agree with her analysis on books I’ve also read so I am trusting her recommendations from now.

Who are some of your favourite literary Instagrammers?

One of the hottest names in hairdressing, Sam runs her own independent salon in the heart of London’s charming Notting Hill and in just over three years, has cemented herself as the queen bee of balayage with a cult following to boot.

No doubt you’ll have seen her perfect beach waves and signature colour transformations all over Instagram and daydreamed about what kind of magic she could work with your own mane. Form an orderly queue!

From the statement wallpaper to the glitter-topped Mermaid Martinis, you can tell this is a woman on a mission to make having your hair did one hell of an experience. Plus, she just so happens to be bloody lovely too.

We got her in the chair to chat about her hairdressing roots and career highlights so far!

How did you start out?

I started out in my home town of Nottingham, where after my A levels I was all set to go off to uni to study criminology but I couldn’t face more academia so instead opted to take a year out to try something different. I had always LOVED the idea of Hairdressing (my Mum is a hairdresser) and I was obsessed with the TV programme The Salon which was like a reality tv show based in a Salon, so I enrolled in a full-time hairdressing course at college and never looked back!

Describe yourself in 3 words:

Driven, Enthusiastic and self-critical.

What’s the biggest misconception about your job?

I think the biggest misconception about my job and hairdressers, in general, is that we’re ‘stupid’ and that hairdressing is an easy option. People think that my job ends after a hair cut or colour, but there is so much more. To get to the point I am at has taken continuous learning, sacrifice and development in all aspects of not only work but life. 

What’s the best part of your job?

There are so many AMAZING parts fo my job. 

I LOVE owning and running my Salon, watching it grow and being apart of the team there makes me want to go to work every day.

Being able to take my dog, Sid, with me is pretty awesome too.

What’s the worst part of your job?

It’s kind of the other side of my answer on “what’s the best part”, the worst part is that the Salon is all-consuming.

It’s great as I said, watching something you’ve created grow, but the downside is the pressure and responsibility of making sure it continues. It can be anything from choosing the perfect coffee cups and furniture to making sure people continue to get paid for the job they love doing and protecting the environment we have created at the Salon.

Fave celebrity hairstyle of all time?

OK, so for me the Olsen Twins have epitomised cool girl hair. From their effortless colour to how on earth they make greasy hair look cool af.

What gives a hair salon cult status?

I’m not really sure, broadly, I think it’s the drive to stand out and try to do something different, whilst having a clear message on why you approach your hairdressing in a particular way.

It’s a difficult one to answer I guess, as I think the only ones that did achieve cult status did it so long ago…we really have to go back to the 1960’s to try and answer it.

Hair trend you wish never happened?

The Mullet? What even was that!

What’s the one thing you wish you knew then about your career, that you know now?

For years I worked at salons that I hated, from the way they interacted with the clients to the clicky bitchy, gossip groups that would call me a ‘one trick pony’ when clients would seek me out for my balayage work. I use to get so upset, I wish I could go back and tell myself not to let it bother me and that it will be different, you can make it different.

If you weren’t making people’s hair look sh*t hot, what would you be doing? (other careers)

One of the parts of open the salon I enjoyed the most was choosing all the interiors. I love doing it so much that I have renovated the salon twice already! I am just starting to plan the look and feel of the second location and it is honestly the most fun, so to answer the question if I had to do something else for a career I would LOVE it to be an interior designer!

Do you have a career highlight / pinch-me moment so far?

I remember seeing GHD at Coachella on social media in 2017 and I said to my fiancé Greg I would LOVE to do that! Two years later I was so lucky to get signed to GHD as a Creative Artist and they asked me to go and style hair at Coachella! That for me was a pinch-me moment!

Balayage, baby lights, low lights – what do they all mean?

This is something I get asked a lot so I wrote a blog post that explains the difference between highlights and balayage, read it here.

Top tip for anyone nervous to go for a change at the hair salon?

Change can be terrifying no matter what it is but for some reason when it comes to changing our hair that can instil fear like nothing else. Before you book your appointment to either change your haircut or revamp your colour I always recommend booking in for a consultation. Most salons offer this service totally complimentary and it’s a great way to chat through with a hairdresser exactly what you want to change.

This was you can get a professional opinion on if this would suit you if it is even possible to achieve if it’s not what can you do and ask all the question about maintenance so you can make an informed decision and become your own #HairGoals.

What are some of the top hair trends you’ve noticed at the moment?

I love that bobs are still at the top of the hair trend list! (Handy as I have just cut mine). A lot of our clients at SCL are opting for a stronger face frame with their balayage or highlights which  I am so here for. 

Do you have any personal hair faux pas? Spill the beans…

OMG HAVE I! As a trainee I was always messing about with my hair, trying new things I had just been taught, from neon orange hair to cutting the hair around my crown so short it would stand up on end it there were many horrific looks I will not be repeating that’s for sure! It’s always funny when Facebook memories pop up and my hair in some of them is bad! 

What are your go-to tips for a healthy mane?

OLAPLEX! I am such a champion of Olaplex, it has honestly changed my hair and in turn my client’s hair.  Olaplex is a bond multiplier with a patented active ingredient, Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate. It works on a molecular level to seek out broken bonds in the hair that are caused by chemical, thermal, and mechanical damage and repair them! Make sure that your colourist uses Olaplex in your colour services especially lightening service and you’ll notice a difference immediately.

Top 3 products we need in our hair routine?

Davines Oi All In One Milk! – this is a little miracle product, heat protector, de-tangler and leave-in conditioner all in one spray! I use it every day and make me not dread brushing my hair after washing!

GHD Platinum Plus Stylers – These are my go too’s for creating any sort of wave or curl in the hair! The technology in them ensures that they never get too hot and stay at 185 degrees which is optimum for styling the hair whilst not damaging it or stripping hair colour. I LOVE them.

Dry Shampoo – I can not live without dry shampoo. I would have to wash my hair every day if it wasn’t for dry shampoo. I also use it as a texture spray when I want super beachy waves. 

How often should we actually be washing our hair?

This does differ massively from person to person, some lucky people can wash just once a week and others like me have to wash our hair every other day and dry shampoo on the non-wash day. Washing less often is better for the hair, I would just say no more frequently than every other day.

How often would you recommend getting your hair cut for optimum hair health?

If you are maintaining, for example, a blunt bob you should aim to get a hair cut every 6-8 weeks. If you are growing your hair you should aim to get a trim every 8-12 weeks.

Top tips for longer-lasting hair colour?

– Use a sulphate free shampoo and conditioner. Sulphates can pull the colour out of the hair very quickly. I recommend Davines Oi shampoo and conditioner to the majority of my clients.

– Use a heat protector before heat styling your hair, this includes blowdrying too.

– Avoid washing your hair in super hot water. Hot water can cause your colour to fade much faster.

Top tips for a salon-worthy blow-dry at home?

GHD has just launched their new helios hairdryer and it is honestly the best dryer I have ever used. It makes blowdrying your own hair super quick and easy making getting a salon-worthy blowdry at home a lot easier.

My other tips for achieving the perfect blowdry on your own hair:

– Prep your hair before you dry. Using the right products for your hair is vital to achieving the finish you want from your blowdry. For example, if your hair is prone to frizz apply a smoothing blow-dry balm or if our hair always seems to lack volume apply a mouse before drying.

– Add a nozzle to your dryer so you always have maximum control over the air-flow of your dryer and you can ensure the air always blows from the root of the hair to the tips to keep the cuticle layer fo the hair laying flat for salon shiny hair.

How often should you use purple shampoo on blonde hair?

This is quite dependent on the tone of blonde you like. For example, if you like a very ashy, silver-toned blonde you’re going to want to use your purple shampoo more frequently if not every wash. If you prefer a more creamy blonde then once a week is plenty. I really like the Redken Blondage range of purple shampoos and conditioners because they keep the hair super bright and do not dull the blonde like some other purple shampoos I have had used. 

I would ultimately recommend using it when you notice your hair looks a bit too yellow then you can’t really go wrong.

What do you think is best for curls, straighteners or curling wands?

This is a super hard one for me to answer to be honest because I love different tools for different looks! But if I had to choose 1 it would be my GHD platinum Plus Straighteners as you can create most styles with them. They are so versatile and I know if I have those in my kit bag I can create pretty much any look I need to.

Short or long hair? Blunt Mid Lengths.
Blonde or brunette? Blonde
Straight or wavy? Wavy
Bangs or no bangs? Grown Out bangs
Up or down? Down
You have 5 minutes to do your hair… what do you do? GO! Low pony with a giant scrunchie or my new Fendi hair clip (so extra).

Find the Samantha Cusick London Salon on Instagram here, her personal account here, and book in for your hair transformation over on their website here.

Shop Samantha’s Hair Picks

Easter and sweet treats go hand in hand and we’re not about to pass up on the opportunity to go ham on a foodie tradition. Not when there are bunny-shaped biscuits to be had, for crying out loud.

Whether you’re hosting a family lunch and want fancy-schmancy homemade bakes for pudding, or you want something fun to do with the kids, these Easter-themed biscuits are a delicious alternative to traditional chocolate eggs. You can even hang them on your Easter tree for a pretty darn edible table centrepiece if your guests have enough willpower to sit and stare at them until dessert’s up, that is.

Taken from an original recipe featured in Cordially Invited, these decorative delights are bound to put a hop in your step. Let’s get cracking on the recipe!

When did you first start writing stories?

I started writing at the age of eight, when my second-grade teacher gave us a creative writing project. It was so much fun, I kept going on my own. My first book was about a witch who couldn’t cast spells.

How many books have you written?

Four that are published or ready for publication (One of Us Is Lying, Two Can Keep a Secret, One of Us Is Next, and The Cousins), and a draft of what’s going to be my fifth book, You’ll Be the Death of Me. I also have three books “on the shelf” – two early novels that I wrote before I had an agent, which will never see the light of day because they have unfixable flaws, and a YA rom-com that’s cute but so totally off-brand that I can’t figure out what to do with it (add murder?). So I’ve written eight books total, but only five are published or will be published.

What are some of the best parts of your job?

For me, the early stages of drafting are the most fun part of the writing process – that’s when a book takes on a life of its own and I often feel like I’m just along for the ride. I also love being able to meet readers and other authors in person and getting an early look at exciting new books.
 

What are you currently working on?

In March and April I’m traveling to promote One of Us Is Next, while also gearing up to launch The Cousins, which is coming out December 3 in the U.S. I’m in regular contact with the film producers who have optioned One of Us Is Lying and Two Can Keep a Secret. And I’m expecting an edit letter for You’ll Be the Death of Me soon, while also brainstorming something new.

What did you study at school/uni to help you become a writer?

I was an English major in college and a journalism major in grad school. Both were helpful in different ways; an English degree requires a lot of reading, writing, and critical thinking; while journalism teaches you how to build an effective story and—perhaps most important for the kind of stories I write—anticipate and address questions that readers are likely to have.

What are some of your all-time favourite books?

The Hunger Games, And Then There Were None, Vanity Fair, Gone Girl, A Secret History, and the Narnia series

What are you looking forward to reading this year?

So many books! Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to Know by Samira Ahmed, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins, The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu, Of Curses and Kisses by Sandhya Menon, and Admission by Julie Buxbaum are high on my list.

Who are some of your favourite new authors?

Rory Power, Phil Stamper, Justin Reynolds and Isabel Ibanez all had recent debuts that I loved.

Tell us about ‘One of us is lying’ and what inspired you to write it?

I was driving to work one day when the theme song from The Breakfast Club came on. I started thinking about that movie and its core theme of looking beyond labels, and then it occurred to me that it would be fun to write something inspired by the movie with a dark twist. The phrase “The Breakfast Club, with murder” popped into my head and stayed there. By the time I left work that day, I had all the characters down and the first few chapters outlined in my head.

If you had any advice for aspiring writers what would it be?

First, read a lot and read for craft; think about what’s working for you as a reader (and what isn’t) as you go along. Second, find critique partners—other writers who are at the same stage of the publications journey as you are—and exchange work with them.

What do you always carry with you?

Lip balm. I’m addicted.

What would your last meal be?

Ajiaco, chocolate lava cake, and a lot of wine.

What are you looking forward to most in 2020?

I’m excited to have two books out in the world, and I’m also excited that the second is ahead of schedule so I’ll actually have some down time to spend with my family!

Find Karen on Instagram here.