Let’s get one thing straight right from the off, just because you’re alone doesn’t mean you’re lonely. Sure, you might be flying the single flag but what of it?
This is 2020, people! Being unattached
is not a reason to lock yourself in a lofty tower for the whole of February. There
is heart-shaped chocolate to be had and masturdates – that’s ‘going out on your
own’ for anyone scratching their heads, or any other region for that matter.
Valentine’s Day is about love
of in ALL its forms, starting with the glorious romance you have with *drumroll
please* yourself.
So, let’s paddle through the
commercial BS and make room for some good ol’ fashioned self-lovin’ shall we?
Shower yourself with
affection simply because you can, buy yourself some chocolate and flowers or weep
into a bottle of tequila if you prefer.
This is our guide to
navigating Valentine’s Day as a singleton – no S.O. necessary!
Just ignore it…
If you don’t feel like commemorating the day of love, just… don’t! You don’t need permission to pie it off altogether.
Like a red card from DPD,
just leave Valentine’s Day at the door with a, ‘sorry we missed you note’. It’s
but another day on the calendar after all.
Call your friends
Nurture the 10/10 relationships you already have in your life. Host a dinner with your fellow fluent-in-Tinder-BS gal pals and compare hideous dating stories. Laughter is the best medicine.
Hang out with yourself
There’s this weird expectation
that if you’re alone, you must be f*cking devastated and showering with your
dog but riddle me this, what’s so crushing about having your wicked way with
the thermostat? There’s nothing more fulfilling than realising you’re more than
comfortable with your own company. Being single is a choice, not a burden.
Go shopping to get what YOU want
Sure, lacy lingerie is great but have you tried new PJs?
Make yourself a nice dinner
“Hey, what do you fancy for
dinner?”
“I’m easy. What do you fancy?”
“I don’t know, what are you
thinking?”
“You choose”
“Don’t test me, Michael.
Start naming food groups”
The riveting daily dinner chat
doesn’t exist in your world – eat what you want, when you want without the
hangry debate, you lucky thing.
Stay in and binge Netflix
If we don’t make any sudden moves
maybe Valentine’s Day won’t see us. *Cue five uninterrupted hours on the sofa*
Plus, you’d be doing yourself
a massive disservice if you didn’t use this holiday to pay Ryan Gosling the
heed he deserves.
Pamper yourself
Run a bath, finish that book, do a face mask, leave the leg shave for another day. Take advantage of the perks of living life on your own terms and not having to share your physical and mental space with anyone else. Guilt-free decisions with zero compromise! High. Five. To. That.
Unplug from social
Couples, couples everywhere.
You can practically smell the PDA before you see it. Come off social media for
the night and enjoy some well-deserved solitude!
Take a trip
Get away from the V-Day hype
and fall in love with a new city instead. Paris is always a good idea and you
don’t need a plus one to prove it.
Touch yourself
Seriously, just masturbate,
it’s what Aphrodite would want.
Single this Valentine’s Day? Let us know how you’ll be celebrating self-love!
Who doesn't love putting that out of office message on and hot-footing it to another country for a few days? See ya!
A mini-break is short and sweet but that’s the beauty of it.
It might be a fleeting visit but there’s still plenty of opportunity.
It might be a fleeting visit but there’s still plenty of opportunity to see the sights and discover hidden gems, charming architecture and restaurants off the beaten track, all without eating into your precious annual leave allowance.
From a whistle-stop tour of Paris to a long weekend in Lisbon, these are the city breaks we’ve tried and loved.
Lareese | Porto
I live for a city break me! I find it really hard to sit still on holiday, so a city break is my idea of a perfect trip since there’s so much to do but you can also enjoy a bit of downtime too. It’s the best of both worlds.
I went to Porto & Lisbon last September with my boyfriend for a few days and loved it. I’d never been to Portugal before so doing two cities was a great way to get a feel for it. From the fresh Pasteis de Nata to the charming old tram and laundry-lined back streets, it really is a wonderfully unique and vibrant city.
The LX Factory is a must when you’re in Lisbon. It’s full of independent boutiques, food stalls, trendy coffee shops and book shops. There’s a nice outdoor bar area for you to chill in the sun with a beer after you’re done mooching around or stop for a quick coffee and a sweet treat in WISH. It’s a slow coffee house in the LX Factory.
When it comes to good grub, Lisbon didn’t disappoint. We went to a lovely restaurant called BouBou’s for some contemporary Portuguese food – the gambas were amazing. I still think about them now! The Time Out market is also a foodie’s dream. We’d go there for our daily pastel de nata fix – they make them fresh in front of you so they’re warm from the oven. It’s dribble worthy stuff.
We also took a short trip across the river to Almada for the day. The pace is a lot slower there and it has some beautiful views of the famous 25 de Abril Bridge. We walked around and stumbled across a great seafood restaurant right on the water called Restaurante Ponto Final. The scenery is just beautiful!. I very much recommend soaking up a few hours sat here with a glass of wine.
If you’re a sucker for a beautiful building, Casa de Serralves is a must-see. It’s a pastel pink art deco mansion and it looks like something straight out of a Wes Anderson film.
Danielle | Boston
My City Break recommendation is Boston! I know it seems a bit long-haul but I thought I’d mix it up from cities in Europe and talk to you about one that doesn’t get as much love. I went to Boston with my partner and another couple in Feb 19′ and it was SO GOOD, cold but not absolutely baltic so we could do lots of walking, which is exactly what you want from a city break.
We hit so many bars including the infamous ‘Cheers’ barDanielle
We hit so many bars including the infamous ‘Cheers’ bar, speakeasy-style bars like ‘Wink & Nod’ and Yvonne’s, and lots of sports bars like Beer works and The Harp. There were just as many great restaurants with tons of lobster, an Irish quarter and an Italian quarter. We loved The Paramount for breakfast! Honourable mention goes out to Mikes Pastry for the most ridiculous amount desserts that were all freshly made and mouth-wateringly good.
For activities, we did the Freedom Trail in the city centre which has so many historical bits and is super easy to follow. We visited Harvard for a day which was just like the movies, I did my best Legally Blonde quotes on campus. We headed over to Salem for a day and headed to one of the witch museums it was SO interesting, we had an amazing lunch at Sea Level. For sports went to see a Celtics basketball game at TD Garden which was great fun and as the baseball season wasn’t on we went for a tour at Fenway Park but couldn’t catch a Baseball game – which is my fave sport to see in the states! We were also there for the Super Bowl which was incredible, so great to see it with so many Patriots fans and as they won they had a parade the next day with all the players.
Boston is generally pretty ‘grammable one of the prettiest places was Acorn street but every road we walked down was BEAUTIFUL.
Zoe | New York
I chose New York City as my ultimate city break, and although a little further to go from here in the UK (you’d definitely want to make it at least a four day weekend Friday-Monday if you were a bit more limited for time, anything less than that I wouldn’t recommend as there is so much to see and do) it’s somewhere that has completely stolen my heart! I first visited NYC in 2014 but it was extremely fleeting and it was for work so I didn’t get to explore! In 2018, I went back for my birthday for a week with friends and family and we had the best time. As someone who doesn’t love the hustle and bustle of big cities (London and I have a very love-hate relationship), I was half expecting to find NYC very overwhelming and daunting, but because of the street grid system they have, you can always find your bearings and I find I never get lost!
The city has so much to offer, cute little shops and cafe’s if you head a little more south-west, Central Park in midtown which I could spend a whole day in and the traditional tourist spots you see in movies and all over everyone’s Instagram! I went recently in December and spent some time in Brooklyn and absolutely fell in love with it, so would highly recommend a night or two across the river! Williamsburg is full of quirky shops and independent cafes and is a little less busy.
One thing I would highly recommend is booking restaurants in advance for dinner, if you spot somewhere you really want to eat, chances are others will have the same idea, and you could end up in a very long queue. So research is key when it comes to planning a city break to NYC. Places you should visit include: Central Park, Greenwich Village, East Village, The Highline, Williamsburg, Dumbo, Brooklyn Bridge, Top of the Rock at sunset, Times Square & Broadway. Places to Eat: Milk for the tastiest ice cream, Joes Pizza, Jacks Wife Freida, Beauty & Essex, The Flour shop for the best cake bites you’ll ever eat, Sunday in Brooklyn for EPIC pancakes, Memoria for delicious pasta, Buddakan for a fancy meal and edamame dumplings that I think about on the daily.
New York is just one of those cities that I instantly fell in love with and felt completely at ease in! I find something else each time we go that makes me want to plan my next trip on the flight home!
Also wanted to give a little nod to Amsterdam as this is also a city I fell in love with! We already have another trip planned for this spring. I love the atmosphere of Amsterdam and the little cobbled streets with so many independent shops and food places! The canals are so beautiful and calming and there is so much to see and do!
Maddie | Paris
Paris is a bit of a home away from home for me but I love it so much and always pine to go back if it’s been too long.
My favourite time to visit is for my birthday in JuneMaddie
It’s a city that’s beautiful all year round but my favourite time to visit is for my birthday in June. The city is in full bloom and the parks and streets are covered in flowers that it makes an already stunning scene that much more.
I love to wander around my favourite quarter le Marais, drink a cafe in Les Places de Vosges, stroll around Les Jardin des Plantes, explore the many cobbled streets of Montmartre and stop by Trocadero at sunset to see the Iron lady in all her glory.
Charlotte | Rome
Rome was my most recent city break but by far my favourite! I’ve been on plenty of trips where vegan food is somewhat … lacking (to put it nicely) but I was pleasantly surprised by the options in Rome- I’m actually considering another trip purely so I can relive the IN-CREDIBLE dairy-free carbonara and tiramisu I had at Rifugio Romano!
I’ve been on plenty of trips where vegan food is somewhat…lackingCharlotte
Most of the main attractions and hotspots were within walking distance of each other (I’m talking the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps) which made ticking off the must-see places doable in a short trip.
The Metro system was easy to fathom and made further out spots like The Vatican City accessible too. I visited at the end of May and the weather was perfect for walking around without the threat of sweating through a grey tee, whilst being warm enough for shorts or a summer dress in the day. Do I sound like I’m getting commission from the Italian tourist board yet?! In all seriousness, a 10/10 trip!
Lauren | Sicily
I really want to go on more city breaks as I’m so interested in the various styles of architecture across Europe, especially Italy as it’s one of my favourite places!
You can really get a feel for the city in a few daysLauren
Last year I went to Sicily, which may not seem like a traditional city break but the capital of Taormina has lots of culture on offer in such a small space that you can really get a feel for the city in a few days.
The city has breathtaking views of the ocean and Mount Etna, and because it’s been invaded so many times throughout history, the range of culture and architecture you find around each corner is amazing. Obviously the range of food available is incredible, and there are so many places to see including the amphitheatre and Isola Bella Island – make sure to try the Granite at Bam Bar!
Holly | Budapest
I LOVE a city break. Catch me exploring well-known cities over a beach holiday ANY DAY. One of my favourite cities I’ve been to is Budapest, Hungary. I went in February with 2 of my best friends for 3 days and we had much fun. There were so many things to do and see so I’m going to bullet point for you here or I won’t be able to stop.
My first tip is to buy one of the 72 hour Budapest Travel Cards. The trams are so easy to use and so handy when some of the top spots are pretty far away from each other. With a magnitude of history and museums, I was in my element. We decided on the ‘House of Terror’ and it was so insightful. Quite eerie when you’re in there but worth it if you’re interested in that sort of thing.
We went to the Outdoor Thermal Baths which were lovely to relax in but I would recommend not planning a whole day around it. I get a bit fidgetty and it is pretty much just sitting in an outdoor bath. If you’re going to Budapest, chances are you’ll go to the ruin bars. Szimpla Kert was unlike anything else I’ve ever seen. Every room is completely different. Very difficult to get a table but the atmosphere is electric and there are different ruin bars all over the city so if you’re like me, you can go on a Bar Crawl and get ‘Ruined’ – Get it?
One last thing that you absolutely have to do in Budapest is to walk to the castle on top of the hill. The views on the way up and at the top are insane. I think this was one of my favourite parts and it’s super interesting to see the divide between Buda and Pest. If I’m honest the last thing I’ll say on the subject is if you go with good people, you’re gonna have a blast.
Darcey | Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a great place to go for a short city break, with so much to do and everything is fairly close to each other! There’s a lot of fun things to do in Amsterdam, I went on a boat trip down the canals which was really nice and gave you a chance to explore more of the city. We, of course, went to the sex museum (which I didn’t actually rate much, but I think it’s a must when you are visiting).
The Heineken experience is super cool, and you get a lot of free beer which is always a plus! There are so many food options too that you can have a different cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
You get a lot of free beer which is always a plus!Darcey
I, unfortunately, couldn’t visit the Anne Frank Museum as it was fully booked (so if you are planning on going, book in advance!).
What’s great about Amsterdam is that there are cultural things to do, but also many fun things as well! If you are a fan of the nightlife, the clubs are pretty good there too, but quite expensive!
Spend 5 minutes on Holly's blog and you'll be running to the shops for ingredients to start baking. Nothing inspires us more than her wonderful creations and they're all vegan!
What was one of your first amazing recipes? It would have to be my No-Bake biscoff cheesecake. It’s one of my most popular and most re-created! It’s absolutely delicious!
How long have you been Vegan for and why did you go vegan? I’ve been vegan for over 5 years now and it’s been amazing!
I started veganism at a time when I was struggling at school with physical and mental health issues. I was put on a FODMAP diet (which is an exclusion diet) so it was on a very bland and limited for quite a while.
I was also spending a lot of time at home with my cat and he became so important to me. That’s where my love of animals came from! How could I love him so much and eat a different animal?
I started to watch vegan documentaries like ‘Cowspiracy’ etc and my passion to help and care for animals grew from there.
Has food always been a passion of yours? Yes!! I actually have a photo of me in the kitchen, aged 4 making a mess- haha! I love being creative and making something for people to enjoy!
When did you start The Little Blog of Vegan and why? I started my blog which has now developed into my full-time business around 4-5 years ago. I was at home having left school, with no job prospects, feeling depressed and didn’t know what to do. It was my sister who said ‘why don’t you start a blog?’.
I didn’t know how it would turn out but at the time it helped my mental health and my transition into being vegan. I started to write about what new cruelty-free and vegan products were on the market and I also began to create vegan recipes. It’s only been in the last few years that my passion for baking and creating vegan desserts have taken off.
Where do you find inspiration? I find inspiration from the many lovely and inspiring food bloggers and YouTubers on the internet alongside Pinterest.
What is the process like for creating a new recipe? First thing I do is do research online. I love Pinterest to get inspiration and youtube videos for cake decorating tutorials.
Sometimes ideas just come to me and ill draw them out on a piece of paper or on my phone. I often ask my followers what they would like me to do. I also like to hold poll’s on my Instagram stories to get some ideas too.
Most of my recipes work first time but
some need a bit of tweaking to get it perfect.
What’s some of your career highlights? There are so many!!! Winning Food blogger of the year 2017 was a major achievement for me!
I was invited to feature on The Great British Bake Off- An Extra Slice which was incredible. Stacy Soloman and James Acaster loved my cake which was amazing-haha!
I’ve been lucky enough to work with some amazing and high profile companies including Tesla Cars, BBC, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Nokia, Kitchenaid, Smeg etc.
I’ve been the front cover of many magazines including Vegan Food and Living, Vegan Cookbook and Simply Vegan.
Meeting one of my favourite Harry Potter stars Evanna Lynch who is a vegan activist and now regards me as a friend which is amazing.
What’s been the hardest part of your career so far? I’m lucky to say I haven’t really gone through anything really tough in my career.
The only thing I would say is working on social media can be hard when things like Instagram or Facebook stop working as this is where a large audience of mine are based.
How do you stay motivated when you’re the one in charge? I stay motivated because I love what I do. It can be hard to get up early in the morning to get in the kitchen as I often work late responding to emails etc. But once I’m up and make a start, I am fine.
I often have deadlines to meet with companies that I’m doing work for and so I like to keep up with my work and not let myself get behind.
Do you have any role models? Big role models to me are obviously my family, and in the baking scene people like Mary Berry and fellow food bloggers like Vegan Yack Attack and Deliciously Ella.
What do you always carry in your handbag? What don’t I carry!? I swear my bag is like Hermione Granger’s bag from Harry Potter- it never ends!! My iPhone and purse are number one. I don’t go anywhere without my iPhone as its the tool of my business. Its never far away…..ever!!
Also, I have long hair so a hairbrush is a must. I also like to carry around a reusable straw and coffee cup.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life what would it be? I’m a sucker for anything Mexican. Refried beans with rice, fresh guacamole, salsa and tortillas sound perfect to me! I’d have to add a coffee with it though lol.
What are you most looking forward to this year? I am in the process of writing my first baking book which is super exciting. It will be out spring 2021.
I can’t wait to create lots more content and grow my audience, and show people that veganism can be fun with lots of very delicious food!
Aside from my work, I am interested in music. I play the guitar, bass and the drums. I have tickets for various concerts so I am really looking forward to like Aerosmith, Greenday, MCR. I’m a rocker at heart!
Does your skin feel as dull and beige as a stale baguette right now? Same, hun. But fear not, we're on the case.
To help combat Winter face and bestow a healthy glow, we’re relying on these hard-working highlighters to fake a dewy complexion.
If you’re in the market for an intense shimmer and mega-watt shine – bring your sunnies, we’ve got just the thing.
From the barely-there to the super moon bright formulas
And, if serious shine doesn’t speak to your soul and you favour that lit-from-within glow across your brow and upon thy cheeks instead, take a seat. We’ll introduce you to a radiant line-up.
From the barely-there to the super moon bright formulas, meet the holy grail highlighters lighting up our cheekbones and our lives
Maddie
I’ll keep it real, I have a lot of makeup products that all do pretty much the same thing and deliver the same results but highlighters are a product where you can easily justify having more than 1 or 3 or 5. Depending on whether you’re looking for that all over holiday glow or just a dusting of light at the tops of your cheekbones. Basically, you’re going to need options.
A good all-rounder/beginner option is Benefit Dandelion twinkle, I’ve had this for years and it’s failsafe. It has more pay off that the original Dandelion but it’s buildable and very pretty.
If I’m going all out “night out highlight” then the best I’ve tried is Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand in the shade Spotlight. Its easy applicator makes it really simple to pop it on the areas you want to highlight without going overboard and it’s really pretty used as an inner corner too.
Rather than leaving any kind of glitter or sparkle which you might not want for just a day in the office, it instead gives a really subtle soft lift and all over lightness to the areas you apply.
My desert island ultimate hero pick would be the MAC cream colour base in HUSH and I have Nic Chapman to blame for my addiction with this product. It’s a bit of a hybrid between a highlight and a cream blush and is the perfect last step to achieving that really fresh faced dewy look. Basically it’s youth in a pot!
Zoe
I absolutely don’t feel like my makeup is complete without that sheen on my more-than-likely-non-existent cheekbones. I’m also almost certainly a “the more the merrier” kind of girl too and tend to just keep going until I feel like a human disco ball.
I keep going until I feel like a human disco ballZoe
I’ve used a fair few highlighters over the years, and am usually drawn to something that also has a bit of colour to it. I love a bronzey highlight and also very accustomed to a pinky one too, I feel like it’s doing two jobs at once which saves time and generally looks a bit more natural.
An Oldie but a Goldie – Mac Mineralize Skinfinish in “Soft and Gentle”, this is probably my longest used highlighter and one of the first in my collection but it’s perfect for a subtle pretty glow.
Stila has a gorgeously velvety highlighter in their super popular shade “kitten” and this looks really glowy on the skin. It has a subtle peachy pink tint to it!
I have been a highlighter advocate for many years now, I have tried and tested A LOT and believe I have now found my top three.
In third place is the Anastasia Beverly Hills Sugar Glow Kit, this was majorly hyped up a few years back, but it is genuinely so good! It has a mixture of icy, caramel and pink-toned highlighters, so it’s really versatile.
In second place is the Mac Hyper Real Glow Palette, this is very similar to the Glow Kit, in the sense it has a mixture of highlighter shades. But, the pigment is arguably better, with more of a stronger shimmer.
In first place is the one and only, Fenty Beauty Killawatt Highlighter, I use the colour duo ‘Lightning Dust and Fire Crystal’. This is the best highlighter I have ever tried, how it reflects under light and especially in the sun is unbelievable, almost brought a tear to my eye the first time I used it. Happy, highlighter induced tears.
Lareese
The Pixi Beauty Layers Highlighting palette is great for giving your skin a natural glow. As you can probably tell, the ‘Lace’ shade is my favourite – it’s great for giving tired skin a radiance boost.
The great thing about this palette is there’s something for everyoneLareese
Layer it with the other shades for a highlight that’s tailored to your skin tone or wear alone for a subtle shine by day. I sweep it across my cheekbones, inner corner of my eyes and down the nose (sparingly).
The great thing about this palette is there’s something for everyone in there from bronze sun-kissed shades for deeper skin tones to the pinky and pearlescent. Take your pick! ZIPPER & TEE are great across the lids, too.
Danielle
A lot of people swear by this and it’s obvious whyDanielle
Look, I’ve been through MANY highlighters in my time and I’ve loved every single one, so really my faves are just the ones I’m currently using that I keep picking up.
If I’m going for a powder that packs a punch it has to be Becca Champagne Pop, a lot of people swear by this and it’s obvious why because a little goes a long way and it’s a real classic shade that suits me no matter what tan I’ve got going on.
If I’m going for a liquid highlight on for a ‘less makeup’ ‘dewy’ day I’ll go wild for the Glossier Play in the shade pale pearl. It’s much more natural and a lovely finish but I find it hard to use this on top of full coverage foundation and powder. Honourable mentions go out to the Charlotte Tilbury highlight and sculpt powder and the Zoella X ColourPop one that sits so nicely on top of blush!
Charlotte
It’s only in the past 6 months or so that my love affair with highlighters began- as an oily skinned gal I was always a bit afraid of adding more glow to my already shiny complexion. But! There is a difference between an oily glisten (TMI) and a (faux) lit from within glow, and this Wet n Wild Megaglo has helped me nail the latter!
Lauren
theBalm Highlighters have been my go-to ever since discovering them. Mary Lou is a classic and great all year round for a nice shimmer, but Bonnie- Lou is my favourite; it’s a lot warmer and has a gorgeous bronze tone which is perfect in summer, but I tend to wear it in winter too as it adds a nice colour to my cheeks and makes minimal makeup days feel fancier than they are.
They are quite spenny but they last AGES Lauren
They are quite spenny but they last AGES so you really get your money’s worth and a little goes a long way too.
Holly
As you’ve probably guessed by now, I’m not overly enthusiastic about buying new makeup so I am still using the Zoella x Colourpop highlight.
If my highlights a poppin, I ain’t stoppin.Holly
But he’s really running low now so I’m getting the alternatives going and I have found some bangers.
The Cover FV Glitter drops in mirage is POPPING. Full-on glitter but in an acceptable way all over my face. I’ve also got some leftover MAC Dazzle Highlighter in Sparkling Rose Gold for the more everyday look which still makes me look somewhat alive. I may not be a frequent buyer but if my highlights a poppin, I ain’t stoppin.
Staying in, heading out for a swanky dinner or belting out a banger or ten at the local karaoke with the girls?
However you’re celebrating the Palentine’s / Valentine’s hybrid holiday this year, chances are you’re already eyeballing a new ensemble to mark the occasion.
We’re dedicating our Weekly Wants to cute-as-hell outfits, fit to take us from the desk to the jukebox. Heart prints – check, ruffles – check, a slinky af dress the colour of Dorothy’s homeward-bound slippers – CHECK.
And, because it wouldn’t be Galentine’s Day without jeans and a nice top, you betcha we’ve included some of that too.
Here’s what we’re adding to our lust-list!
Holly
I’ve got a drinks and board games valentines evening planned with my girlfriend and 2 more couples. So I’ll more than likely be in some comfy but nice clothes. I have to incorporate some hearts and red somewhere so I’ll pop on a nice red top with black jeans and then do some fancy shmancy red makeup. Red ip (Obvs) and probably a scrunchy with hearts on it.
When I was browsing the internet, I stumbled on this gorgeous skirt first from Anthropologie and loved that it was paired with a heart jumper, so to keep within the valentines/palentines theme, I found a red version to pair with it on ASOS. I’d probably wear this with some black boots and LOVED the cute bag from Topshop too. Then just as something a little extra, if you’re off out on a date night or an evening with the girls and you just want to feel good, I picked out a pretty bra too!
My outfit is a versatile Valentines /Palentines outfit, depending on what you are up to this year! I had to go for something red and lacy, because what else do you wear on valentines?! I’ve chosen this lovely red lace bodysuit from Wolf and Whistle, paired it with some black editor jeans and some simple strap black heels. Finish the outfit off with a black blazer and you are good to go!
Whilst I don’t have any plans for Valentine’s Day with my boyfriend so far, I’m thinking dinner (preferably a huge pile of pasta), some overpriced drinks and binging something on Netflix is probably how the night will go. I’ve kept things sophisticated with an all black look, adding in a pop of colour with accessories, and of course a novelty pair of earrings.
I based my outfit around this jacket from & Other Stories because I really love it and maybe my fiance will too, or maybe he won’t, I can’t say I’m that bothered! This outfit can be worn for a multitude of sins, perfect desk to drinks vibe and believe me, there will be drinks. I’m always a jeans and tee kind of gal and I’ve stopped fighting it, jackets like this are perfect to chuck on with mu ‘uniform’ and make me a fee a little bit cool. I’ll probably add lots of gold jewellery and if it wasn’t V-Day I’d add a red lip, but you know… kissing!
If you can’t wear a sexy lil’ red dress on Val/Palentine’s Day, when can you?! I’m loving this Reformation dress which you could easily wear to a dinner with the girls or your partner, dressing it up with matching heels or even with some pumps if you’re having a casual evening. Throw on a pretty strapless bra and you’ll be all good to go!
True to form I’ll be going beige for the occasion! I’ll team it up with a red lip for a bit of a nod to the most romantic day of the year but other than that, I’ll be sticking to what I know: beige, beige and more beige! Don’t @ me.
First Valentines as a married woman… and when my lovely husband does take me for the bells and whistles evening I have in mind, i will be wearing something suitably fabulous. Did i just transport to the 50s? Who am i kidding?! But maybe if i buy the dress then the date will have to follow…and this dress couldn’t be more me if it tried! Pop on some cool heeled boots (we’re not dead yet!), a statement necklace, slick of eyeliner and you’re good to go.
Easy Overnight Oats: The Ultimate Lazy Girl Breakfast
Looking for a quick and easy brekkie to start your day? Something that tastes good but doesn't take 200 years to make. Look no further than these easy overnight oats!
OO = the holy grail of lazy girl breakfasts. Easy to throw together in five minutes flat, high in fibre and comforting on a gloomy Winter’s morning, it’s the perfect comfort food or post-workout fuel.
Catch a few more Zs and save time in the morning
Catch a few more Zs and save time in the morning by making a big batch ahead of your week and store in the fridge for a convenient on-the-go breakfast to enjoy every day.
Nourishing Apple & Blueberry Overnight Oats
SERVES
PREP:
10 MINS COOK:
EASY
INGREDIENTS
Ingredients
200g porridge oats
4 apples grated
½ tsp of ground cinnamon
500ml apple juice
200g blueberries
Combine the oats and cinnamon in a large bowl. Gradually add in the apple juice along with the grated apple. Leave to stand for a few minutes and top with juicy blueberries. Cover and leave in the fridge to enjoy the next morning.
Vegan Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
Dessert for breakfast? We’re all ears. This guilt-free OO recipe is bound to put a spring in your step.
In a bowl, combine the oats and milk together and stir in the maple syrup. Layer with the shredded carrot and chia seeds and sprinkle with cinnamon and mixed spice.
Divide the cake-flavoured oats between a couple of mason jars or containers and refrigerate, ideally overnight.
Let is sit for at least 2-3 hours to give the oats enough time to soften and soak up all the flavour of the spices. When you’re ready to have them, give them a quick stir and add a splash more milk if needed to loosen the mixture.
Top with crunchy coconut flakes and chopped walnuts for extra crunch and away you go!
For this month's Book Club, we're reviewing Kiley Reid's debut novel, 'Such A Fun Age'. Dubbed the most provocative page-turner of 2020, we can't wait to get stuck in!
When Emira is apprehended at a supermarket for ‘kidnapping’ the white child she’s actually babysitting, it sets off an explosive chain of events. Her employer Alix, a feminist blogger with the best of intentions, resolves to make things right.
But Emira herself is aimless, broke and wary of Alix’s desire to help. When a surprising connection emerges between the two women, it sends them on a crash course that will upend everything they think they know – about themselves, each other, and the messy dynamics of privilege.
January Book Club 2020: My Sister The Serial Killer
We've inhaled the pages of Oyinkan Braithwaite's debut novel, 'My Sister The Serial Killer' and with a title like that, you can see why!
When Korede’s dinner is interrupted one night by a distress call from her sister, Ayoola, she knows what’s expected of her: bleach, rubber gloves, nerves of steel and a strong stomach. This will be the third boyfriend Ayoola’s dispatched in, quote, self-defence and the third mess that her lethal little sibling has left Korede to clear away. She should probably go to the police for the good of the menfolk of Nigeria, but she loves her sister and, as they say, family always comes first.
Until that is, Ayoola starts dating the fit doctor where Korede works as a nurse. Korede’s long been in love with him, and isn’t prepared to see him wind up with a knife in his back: but to save one would mean sacrificing the other…
Find out if this crime thriller had us on the edge of our seats…
Lareese
After hearing so many great things about this book, I was pumped to get stuck in. I loved that Oyinkan Braithwaite chose to centre the plot on two sisters with a sinister secret and despite the titillating name, it’s less interested in becoming the crime thriller of the decade. The opening chapters set it up to be a suspenseful and disturbing read but perhaps that would be all too predictable, instead Braithwaite hones in on sibling rivalry, loyalty, abuse and sexism. I don’t think it’s for everyone and personally, I prefer a thriller with a BIG old sting but if you love fast-paced chapters, dry sardonic humour with a bit of blood thrown in for good measure, pick it up!
Rating: 3/5
Would you recommend? Yes
Would you read again? No
Zoe
I actually read this last year after seeing so many rave reviews. I love me a thriller so opened the first page with excitement and bated breath expecting something really gritty with added humour. Although I DID enjoy this book, I wanted a little more. I think my imagination and love of horror and crime documentaries meant my thought process always went that little bit extra than the actual storyline and it fell a little flat for me. I did however love the dark humour, the characters, the overall plot and the fact that the story is very fast paced, I prefer when a book gets straight to the point. I also like that Oyinkan Braithwaite makes us question certain topics like social media and sisterhood. How far would you go for your sibling? Overall, I did enjoy this book, but it fell a little flat for me in the “thriller” sense and wanted something a little more twisted and dark but If you prefer your crime reads to be a little less scary, then you will LOVE THIS.
Rating: 3.5/5
Would you recommend? Yes
Would you read again? Yes
Lauren
I really enjoyed how the story of Korede and her sister was told, it pulls you in with these small insights into their daily life and how Ayoola’s actions have almost become the norm. It’s a really interesting look at relationships and the complexities of what is morally right and how much you can overlook because of family ties. Whilst the ending may not be the crescendo most would hope for, I think it’s expected and still a fitting end to this story.
Rating 4/5
Would you recommend? Yes
Would you read it again? No
Darcey
I really enjoyed reading this book, I found I got through it quickly and wanted to keep picking it up which is always a sign of a good book. This book is a snapshot in time, so if you are someone who likes a book with a firm ‘beginning, middle and end’, you might not be the biggest fan of this one. I however really enjoyed the style of writing, after reading you are left wanting to know more and can only imagine what ‘could have’ happened. The book made me really feel for both Korede and her sister, that their childhood traumas have really effected them in later life, which showed why their bond was so unbreakable. I do wish the ending had a bit more oomph to it, but I guess again it goes back to the sisterly bond they have, Korede was always going to stick by her sister.
Rating 4/5
Would you recommend? Deffo
Would you read it again? Potentially
Charlotte
I really enjoyed this book and found it super easy to get into. I was intrigued by the storyline from the get-go so it was definitely a page turner in that sense, and the fact it was relatively short meant it wasn’t an overwhelming one to pick up on your lunch break like some more hefty novels.
I really enjoyed that the story was set in Lagos and it’s prompted me to look for more books that are set outside of the UK or USA, which seems to be the theme of my other recent reads. I enjoyed hearing the story from the protagonist’s perspective but found she was one of the only likeable characters which did make for a frustrating read. The ending could definitely have been more dramatic and continued to share the aftermath of the events rather than finishing the way it did, but equally I understand the writers decision to close the story in that way as it confirmed the suspicions of the reader and characters unwillingness to change. Overall it was an enjoyable read but not one I’d pick back up again in a hurry!
Rating: 3/5
Would you recommend? Yes
Would you read again? No
Danielle
I really enjoyed the way this was written, I liked the short chapters pushing the narrative forward quickly, there was also some really lovely descriptive parts without them dominating the book. I LOVED picturing modern Lagos with YouTube tutorials and Instagram influencers especially juxtaposed with the crime and corruption that is still so rife there. I felt sorry for Korede and really related to her having such a beautiful sister with a fab body, except my sister is amazing and also doesn’t kill people (Love you April!) My heart always aches for characters who don’t really have anyone to confide in and talk to, I wish she would have found more of a life long friend in Mutar. I agree with the others on the ending but I also think her actions were realistic, she was in too deep! I don’t think Korede truly understood quite how manipulative and dangerous her sister was as it seemed like she had started to believe her lies by the end.
Rating 4.5/5
Would you recommend? Yes, please read it!
Would you read again? I listened to this one but I could see myself picking it up to read on a holiday
Maddie
This book is chopped up into tiny bite sized chapters that flip between the past and present day lives of two sisters who live in Lagos, Nigeria. With each childhood flash-back you start to understand that the violence and oppression they endured from their father was part of normal everyday life for them growing up. With that comes greater context into their personalities, behaviours and in particular their relationships with men as adult women. Obvious serial killer storyline aside, the resounding theme of the book that stood out most to me is that the sisters, in their own way, through thick and thin, are always there for each other. It’s an incredibly quick read and it’s probably not a book I would have picked up myself so it was a nice change of pace from my usual go to. Would recommend.
Rating 3.5/5
Holly
I honestly couldn’t tell you if I enjoyed this book or not, I’m so conflicted. I loved that the two main protagonists are women and that it’s set in Nigeria. I thought Oyinkan Braithwaite did a great job of setting the scene and I got very engrossed quickly. But as soon as I had painted a vivid picture in my head, the chapter would end. Frustrating! I also would have loved to know more about the first murders. About 2/3 of the way in I got in the flow and the short chapters didn’t bother me but then the ending was so anticlimactic. Surely there has to be a second book?!
A great book for someone that’s not an avid reader or has a short attention span but if you love getting stuck in, this might not be the one for you.
Rating: 2.5/5
Would you recommend? Unsure (depends on who to)
Would I read again? No
Did you read along with us? We’d love to hear what you made of it!
Introducing “The Magpie Society – One For Sorrow”, a new YA Gothic Thriller fiction series by Zoe & Amy, to be released on the 29th October 2020!
It opens as tragedy strikes when the body of a student is discovered at their exclusive summer party – on her back is an elaborate tattoo of a magpie
One for Sorrow takes place at Illumen Hall, an elite boarding school. It opens as tragedy strikes when the body of a student is discovered at their exclusive summer party – on her back is an elaborate tattoo of a magpie. When new girl Audrey arrives the following term, running from her own secrets back home in America, she is thrown into solving the case. Despite her best efforts to avoid any drama, her new roommate Ivy was close to the murdered girl, and the two of them can’t help but get pulled in.
The two can’t stand each other, but as they are drawn deeper into the mystery of this strange and terrible murder, they will discover that something dangerous is at the heart of their superficially perfect school.
Welcome to The Magpie Society.
One for Sorrow will be told via the alternating first person perspectives of the lead characters Audrey – written by Amy – and Ivy – written by Zoe – with the narrative being jointly plotted by both authors.
My love of thrillers, true crime and a good old fashioned “who done it?” Is being channelled into something that I really hope you enjoy too.
“It feels so strange finally being able to openly share and talk about the idea that Amy & I started talking about five years ago! My love of thrillers, true crime and a good old fashioned “who done it?” Is being channelled into something that I really hope you enjoy too.
Although we’re only part of the way into the process of writing, it’s already been so much fun to work on, and there is genuinely nobody else I’d rather be doing it alongside than Amy. We’re always on the same page with ideas, plot points and characters and even though I knew it would be fun to collaborate and write alongside her, the fact that we work so well together has already made this one of the most enjoyable things I’ve done in a really long time!
If you’ve not seen the video in which we talk about the process, what the book is about and how excited we are, check it out below and don’t forget to pre-order! :)” – Zoe
