A new Twilight book is coming

Twilight author, Stephenie Meyer, has announced the release of the long-awaited companion novel, Midnight Sun. The book will be a retelling of her smash hit YA novel, Twlight, only this time from Edward Cullen’s vampire perspective. The manuscript was cancelled 12 years ago when it was famously leaked online but it’s now set for release on 4 August 2020. Put it in your calendars, people.

In a statement on her website, Meyer said, “I hope this announcement doesn’t seem ill-timed; I really considered delaying the release until the world was back to normal. However, 1) who knows when that will be? And 2) you guys have waited long enough. Much longer than long enough, actually.

“I don’t know how everyone else is coping, but right now books are my main solace and happiest escape. Personally, I would be nothing but delighted if one of my favourite authors announced something new for me to read. (No pressure, Laini Taylor.) So, I hope this announcement gave you some pleasure and something fun to look forward to.”

The wait is very nearly over!

You Go, Dame Judi!

Dame Judi Dench graced the cover of British Vogue’s June edition and obviously, it’s nothing short of iconic. At 85, the national treasure became the oldest person to ever star on the cover in its 104-year history. In the beautiful portrait captured by photographer Nick Knight, Queen Judi looks incredible dressed in a floral organza trench coat by Dolce & Gabbana and minimal makeup. In the accompanying interview, Dench says, “I am sure I feel like everyone else, such unprecedented times are quite hard to comprehend. What is a good thing is that it has made people aware of the predicament of others who are completely alone,” she added. “If a great deal of kindness comes out of this, then that will be a plus.” Well said, Judi!

Storytime with Harry Potter

Potterheads, prepare to be shook! A whole host of famous faces have joined forces with the Wizarding World to take turns reading us harmonious chapters of Harry Potter at home. What a time to be alive. The first soothing chapter of the Philosopher’s Stone, A Boy Who Lived, is narrated by none other than Harry Potter himself, Daniel Radcliffe. According to the teaser, we can expect more special readings from Stephen Fry, Dakota Fanning, Claudia Kim, Eddie Redmayne and David Beckham in the upcoming weeks. Stay safe, stay magic people!

Charlotte’s chalk adventures

A family in Atlanta have been creating colourful chalk art adventures from their backyard to keep their children entertained during lockdown. It all started when mum of four, Abbey Burney Tucker, shared a photo of her youngest child, Charlotte, in amongst some chalk-drawn balloons on her Instagram page.

“During the beginning of the quarantine, my oldest drew some balloons. I took a photo of my littlest in them and loved it,” she told the online publisher, Bored Panda.

“Being outside almost every day, we started drawing more and more,” the mother explained. “We saw how everyone was really enjoying them and just kept going,” she added.

What a wonderful way to make precious memories during this weird time. Here’s one of our personal favourites, alongside the very apt caption: “Be kind, have courage and always believe in a little magic.” – Cinderella

UK sets new record for coal-free power

Another big hug for planet earth – coal-fired plants have not contributed towards electricity for 18 consecutive days. Thanks to the fall in the demand for electricity during lockdown and greater use of solar power, Britain has gone without coal-fired power generation for its longest uninterrupted stretch since the Industrial Revolution in 1882. “Britain’s done it,” the National Grid said on Twitter. “It’s a new record for the longest period of coal-free electricity generation in this country.” The UK has committed to shutting down its remaining coal plants by 2025.

Our love affair with lilac is here for the long haul! Whether you’re a colour lover or never let down by a neutral, the humble lilac Pantone might be just what you need to add a lil somethin’ somethin’ to your Spring/Summer wardrobe.

Go all out with a lilac maxi dress or add some more subtle nods to the trend with a purple mini bag or bucket hat- whatever the form, we know we’ll be channelling our inner Violet Beauregarde for the foreseeable future.

Lareese

I’m an avid fan of beige when it comes to everything from my outfits to my homeware and my food but I have to say, I am digging all the lilac tones at the moment. It’s a great tone for Spring. I’ll be going the whole hog with this ethereal looking pastel dreamboat of a dress and teaming it with slingback sandals by day and square toe mules for evening.

*H&M, V-neck dress, £39.99 

*And Other Stories, Square Toe Croc Kitten Heel Mules, £85 

*And Other Stories, Nomadic State of Mind Sandals, £59 

Maddie

I saw Sarah from We are Twinset in this Lilac dream of a dress a few weeks ago and knew it had to go in my weekly wants. This is the perfect throw it on with zero effort and in seconds you look like you’ve made maximum effort type of dress. As it’s such a gorgeous colour i would just pair it with some nude sandals and minimal jewellery.

*And Other Stories, Frill Maxi Dress, £120 

*John Lewis, Dune Libi Slip-On Sandals, Natural, £68 

*Missoma, gold vervelle double chain necklace, £135 

*Missoma, rainbow moonstone gold lena chandelier hoops, £139 

Jade

I wear a lot of pastels – especially in spring/summer and recently Lilac has really been on my radar. I would keep it casual and team this simple lilac tee with some medium blue high waisted jeans. Im obsessed with this lilac backpack and I’d pop some simple sandals on to complete the look.

*ASOS, The North Face cropped Simple Dome t-shirt in lilac Exclusive at ASOS, £22 

*Weekday, Voyage High Straight Jeans, £40 

*Urban Outfitters, Fjallraven Kanken Lavender Backpack, £80 

Monki, Slingback platform sandals, £30 

Zoe

I’m loving lilac at the moment, give me all the pastels in spring! I definitely need a bit more of it in my wardrobe so sourcing something for this weeks theme led me to filling my online basket! I loved this pieces dress on ASOS! Midi dresses are great for this time of year and i loved the pattern and sleeves! I’d pair this dress with some chunky white trainers, a cute headband and a cropped denim jacket!

*ASOS, Pieces wrap maxi dress in lilac printed jacquard, £48 

*ASOS, Bershka chunky trainer in white, £45.99 

*ASOS, ASOS DESIGN knot headband in woven geo fabric, £8 

*ASOS, Missguided Petite co-ord cropped denim jacket in mint, £35 

Danielle

I’m loving H&M for all my lilac needs at the moment, they seem to have a really lovely range, you’ll want to put ‘Lavender’ into the search bar for the best results! I’ve gone for these gorgeous wide-leg trousers and I’d pair them with a white t-shirt, love this Disney one with a pop of lilac in. This would look great simple sandals or white trainers, or yanno your slippers! I also think a slick low bun and a load of earrings would look banging with this ensemble.

*H&M, Wide suit trousers, £39.99 

*H&M, Printed T-shirt, £9.99 

*H&M, Tie-strap sandals, £24.99

*H&M, Earrings and ear cuffs, £9.99 

Darcey

I have been loving adding pastel colours to my wardrobe and of course lilac is one of them! I’m still a very jeans, top and trainers kinda gal. So, I’ve paired this fluffy lilac crop with a pair of mom jeans and converse, classic combo for me! I also saw this croc lilac shoulder bag on & Other Stories and I am obsessed with it!

*Topshop, Lilac Fluffy Knitted Crop Top, £22.99 

*Topshop, Ecru Dad Jeans, £40 

*ASOS, Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Hi black trainers, £55 

*And Other Stories, Croc Embossed Leather Shoulder Bag, £85 

Charlotte

I’ve been loving lilac since last summer and I’m so glad it’s a trend that’s here to stay so I can grow my existing purple collection! I’ve gone for quite a 90s look here, with some relaxed and comfy jeans and accents of purple through the top and bucket hat- an accessory I also fell in love with in 2019. I couldn’t resist throwing some tie dye in to the look too!

*ASOS, ASOS DESIGN mixed gingham fisherman hat in multi, £14 

*Urban Outfitters, iets frans… Stripe Tie-Dye T-Shirt, £29 

*Topshop, Topshop One Black Eyelet Jeans, £42.99 

*ASOS, Converse one star black and white sandals, £30 

*ASOS, Monki Nicolina cat eye sunglasses in green, £15 

Another month in paradise, eh guys! April turned into May pretty darn quickly, didn’t it? We’re not sure how or when it happened but somewhere between doing a face mask every day, stock-piling sweatpants, consuming 117 banana breads and debating dying our hair pink, it did. We’re nearly halfway through 2020 and what a wild ride it’s been so far, huh!

Join us as we collectively undo the proverbial top button on our lockdown jeans and have a gigantic effing SIGH for making it this far. Bravo, people. We’ll continue to see this weird episode on earth through together and, with a sense of humour and questionable hair cuts, we will make it out the other side.

Here are 20 things to do in May!

1 Think about dyeing your hair pink or peach. Those are the only two options available at this point

2 Make a whipped Dalgona coffee and Instagram Story the whole experience

3 Judge the characters on a TV show for failing to adhere to the 2m apart rules

4 Reunite with McDonald’s and let the happy tears flow

5 Pretend you’re totally ok with a bank holiday spent indoors away from your friends. Monopoly Deal is a fine substitute. FINE.

6 Ignore the fact that it’s your turn to host a quiz – cue the panic messaging your mum’s colleague’s aunt to pinch her questions

7 Make showering daily an optional activity – because you can and you’re a filthy lockdown animal dontchaknow

8 Post a calming photo or video to Instagram. 150 points for blossom. 200 points for uninterrupted bird song or dancing flowers. You are master of zen

9 Say, “It’s the little things” at least once a day

10 And “I can’t complain” immediately before or after said complaining

11 Cut your S.O. hair. The time is now. Fold back their ears. Rise to the challenge.

12 Try to draw a helicopter on Quick Draw and feel nothing but shame at how your hands behave

13 Make bagels for lunch. Groundbreaking.

14 Tell at least 5 people that they should be playing Animal Crossing

15 Attempt to join Tik Tok and swiftly realise that…it happened. You got old and you don’t belong here

16 Feel unbearable levels of envy towards anyone with a garden rn

17 Drink alcohol at an ungodly hour

18 Become the budding house plant mum you were always destined to be

19 Get weirdly into clapping

20 Order some bank holiday blooms to your doorstep – deliveries are the only reason we get dressed these days. We got ours from Gunns Florist who are now doing monthly subscriptions *dreamy*

Hitting pan on your beauty products? You’re not alone. After what feels like 84 years in the lofty tower of lockdown, the team have been using this time at home to pamper themselves rotten, applying all the lotions, potions and makeup you can shake a contour stick at.

Darcey

I’ve only run out of skincare products recently, as for the last 6-7 weeks I’ve not worn any makeup, so at least I’m saving some pennies in the old makeup department! I’m a big clay mask advocate, so I like to try out different ones to see which one my skin likes the best! The Dr. Jart Dermaclear mask is really nice and feels super fluffy on your skin, you only leave it on for 3 minutes so it’s not the type of mask you’d want to use if you are wanting a full pamper session. I liked using this in the morning when I felt like my skin needed a good cleanse. Saying that, I don’t think I’d buy it again as for me a mask is a full process and I enjoy setting aside the time for a 20-minute mask and relaxing. But a good product to buy if you want clay mask results quick! My second clay mask in the line up is the Sand & Sky one, this is actually my second pot of this stuff and it is wonderful! Slightly on the more expensive side, but you only need a thin layer so it lasts for ages.

Lastly, I have just got through the Isle of Paradise dark self-tanning drops and have really enjoyed this product for self-tanning my face. I have been mixing two to three drops in with my moisturiser in the evenings, probably three times a week, and it gives the loveliest glow by the morning. I make sure to do it the same evening I apply my Bondi Sands gradual tanning oil so it blends together on the neck. Or, if I’m self-tanning with an instant one, I use these drops to top up the tan on my face as it starts to fade the quickest due to my skincare routine!

Lareese

Apparently, all my skincare has run out at the same time so my beauty empties are mainly serums, moisturisers and eye creams. I’m obsessed with Caudalie products and this weightless Vinoperfect Radiance Serum is a new favourite. It’s particularly good at brightening the skin first thing in the morning and smells like Spring in a bottle. It contains Viniferine which is 62 times more effective than Vitamin C for boosting radiance. I’d usually use this serum in the morning and then go in with the L’Occitane Immortelle Overnight Reset Serum for the evening, followed by the eye treatment – it’s lovely and hydrating on the under eye and a little goes a long way. If you’re in the market for a vegan, budget-friendly everyday moisturiser, The Body Shop’s Carrot Cream is gorg. It’s enriched with wonky carrots that are too imperfect to sell in the supermarkets. I’ve also hit pan on my favourite foundation and concealer.

Another faithful favourite I’ll be repurchasing asap is the Clarins Instant Concealer. It’s super hydrating and awakens the whole under-eye area. If you like your concealer really matte and baked, it’s probably not for you but I always go for anything that’s going to give my eyes a healthy boost of radiance and this definitely does that. Time to repurchase the whole lot I think. Bye wages, it was nice knowing you.

Danielle

Bit of a random assortment from me for my empties, I’ve been investing in much more beauty in lockdown meaning a lot of these are on their last legs as I’ve moved on to lovely new things!

Things I’ve replaced with something else would be the Glossier solution, I now have The Ordinary Niacinamide and Zinc, Lumene Nordic C-Boost Syrum and Beauty Pie Triple Hyaluronic Acid so I think I’m all good on that front and I found Solution to be quite drying. White Company shower gel is lovely and this one smelt exactly like pomegranate noir from Jo Malone. I’m not that loyal to a shower gel I generally have stock from Christmas gifts that I go through during the year. This was LOVELY though.

Things I won’t be replacing is Estee Lauder eye makeup remover, it stings and quite frankly my MJC gets off all my eye makeup just fine. Facial Radiance Pads, there just not necessary, I tend to do my morning skincare and put makeup straight on so it was hard finding time to use them, don’t get the hype if I’m honest!

Zoe

During these months at home, I told myself that I would try and consistently use more products up as I have a bit more time to spare when it comes to getting ready/un-ready and giving my skin a bit more of a pamper. I’ve also used it as a time to try a few new bits too! I have both skincare/haircare/bodycare and bath bits to share!

Skin/Hair/Body:
– Dr Roebucks Lifesaver Skin Brightening Toner: OH BOY! As you can see I’ve used two of these up (and had to swiftly place an order for more). I’ve not always been a toner user but more recently it’s been a step in my skincare routine I can’t miss out. This toner is fabulous, leaves my skin feeling so glowy and clean!
– Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish: I feel like I don’t need to go on about how much I love this as I’ve said it all before and have used it for years and years. I can’t even count on two hands how many bottles of this I’ve used overall!
– Lumene Nordic C Glow Boost Essence: This serum is a fairly new addition to my everyday skincare routine but I love it! Once I got to the end of this bottle I ordered myself a new one!
– IGK Jet Lag Dry Shampoo: Holding onto my extensions for dear life means not washing it too often. I’m trying to do one wash a week, and in between that reaching for the dry shampoo, hence finishing off this bottle!
– Function of Beauty Shampoo & Conditioner [previously paid partner]: My number one shampoo & conditioner! It’s fully customisable from your hair type, your hair goals to the colour and the fragrance! I’ve gone through many a bottle of this and have now delved into my backups.
– SOL Janeiro Brazilian 4 Play Moisturising Shower Gel: I’ve had this a while as I’m terrible at starting new shower gels, getting bored and cracking open another one without finishing them. So I finally finished this! It smells like summer and leaves my skin feeling so soft as it has moisturising properties in it!

Bath/Body:
– Neals Yard Remedies Soothing Bath Oil: I love a bath oil at the moment as my skin is feeling a bit dry! This one was such a nice pre-bed one.
– LUSH Sleepy Shower Gel – I’ve used this both as a shower gel and as a bath soak and this scent is my FAVOURITE for a sleepy bath/shower. I’m sure I sleep better after using this.
– Molton Brown Bathing Oil Orange & Bergamot – Again, because my skin has been on the dryer side, I’ve loved using an oil and this one has been my go-to! I have a few in different fragrances but used up this one first as it was my favourite!
Roques Oneil Therapie Himalayan Detox Salts – These bath salts are HEAVENLY! I’ve gone through countless jars of these and they’re such a luxury for that much needed pamper evening!
Mio Liquid Yoga Restorative Bath Soak – Again, another bath staple for me and I’ve gone through many of these! This is such a lovely soak to feel a bit more rejuvenated!

Maddie

I’m not one of these people that will persist with a product if it’s not doing what it’s supposed to do. I’m well into my 30s now, I need products that are going to be gentle but effective and if they have multiple purposes then that’s just a bonus.

These 5 products have been firm favourites in my collection for a while now and they are products that I will buy time and time again. First off, cleansers. I only really got into double cleansing a few years ago and since then I am pretty religious with it. I love the La Roche Posay Micellar water for getting rid of the bulk of my makeup and the BareMinerals Total cleansing oil gets rid of any residue and really gives my skin a good clean, it’s absolutely heavily to use. The eye area is so delicate and also the part of your face that can age more quickly as a result so I am militant with my use of eye cream. I have many favourites (Vichy mineral 89 eyes deserves a shout out here too as I’m so obsessed with it) but this banana eye cream by Ole Hendriksen is as good as they say. It works so well under makeup so I loved using this one in the day time especially for extra brightness.

Charlotte

I’m nothing if not consistent when it comes to my ride or die products, and all of these (but one!) empties are gems I’ve loved and used for a while.

I like to think I’m a bit of a magpie when it comes to budget skincare, as the Botanics Hot Cloth Cleansing Balm (£8.99- although is often on offer/ 3 for 2 in Boots) along with the Boots own brand Cucumber Moisturising Lotion (£1.50!) are such amazing finds from my savvy student budgeting days, and still make regular appearances on my bathroom shelf. I feel like I can properly enjoy using them without shedding a tear at the pound coins washing down the drain as I have done with more spenny skincare in the past. The Garnier Micellar Water is another essential for me- I use it as my first evening skincare step after a day of make-up wearing and I don’t know where I’d be without it!

And finally, a £6 product I’d be crying in a tangled mess of hair without- the Bleach London Reincarnation Mask. I had a bit of an over-processing hair colouring disaster earlier in the year and spent many a day worrying about knots and tangles and the hair I was losing as a result. This mask made such a big difference and means I can brush through my hair post-wash with far fewer concerns! It smells like a hair salon too- what more could you want!?

What has made it into your beauty empties?

Those who have lost an entire month to Netflix, say aye. What else is there to do in these dark turbulent times but watch Carole Baskin riding round her meow meow kitty cat lake on her menacing bicycle?

With a constant slew of peak TV out there, we end up spending 90% of our time cocooned on our couches trying to land on something to watch but thanks to crippling human indecisiveness, we end up rolling over, admitting defeat and napping instead.

If this is you, we’re here to make the selection process a tiny bit easier. These are the shows totally worth watching during quarantine.

Sex Education

A refreshingly open coming-of-age dramedy about a sexually repressed teen called Otis who lives with his mum, Jean, a sex and relationships therapist. It handles the trials and tribulations of the birds and the bees with pure nuanced genius, but the real magic of the show goes beyond erectile dysfunction and wayward dildos. Expect to bash out both seasons within a week.

Suits

The legal drama, the bromance, the corruption, the Tom Ford suits and Megan flaming Markle. It’s plain to see why this recipe just works. Should you binge all eight seasons in five days? It’s advisable.

The Office

Pure mockumentary joy. The Ricky-Gervais fronted series is set at a dysfunctional paper company and follows the day-to-day troubles of the firm’s uninspired desk jockeys. There’s an eternal debate about which version is better, the original UK version or the US spinoff starring Steve Carell. Watch both. You decide.

Tiger King

Where do we even start? It’s a seven-part docuseries about a gun-carrying redneck man with a mullet (his words) who breeds wilds cats and wants to kill a woman on a bicycle who also breeds wild cats. His name is Joe Exotic and he’s married to two men. That’s right, he’s in a throuple. She’s called Carole Baskin and vehemently denies feeding her husband to a tiger but the world and its memes disagrees. And absolutely all of that is true. Once you start watching it, you won’t be able to stop. You could not make this stuff up.

Mindhunter

Here’s something to keep you on your toes! Mindhunter follows two FBI agents carrying out research on serial killer profiling in the 70s and the complications that come with it.

Killing Eve

Now in its third season, Killing Eve follows Eve Polastri, the spy tasked with hunting down a prolific female assassin, Villanelle. We never thought we’d be rooting for a murderous psychopath but here we are. Jodie Comer does that to you. One minute you’re panicking, the next you’re throwing your head back and chortling all over the place. It’s dark, quirky and down-right hilarious.

Big Little Lies

Based on Liane Moriarty’s best-selling novel, Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman and Shailene Woodley star in this highly addictive series about three mothers in Monterey, California, each dealing with their own daunting secrets. A strong female cast, a gripping plot and an almighty t-w-i-s-t. You won’t be left disappointed.

You

What looks set to be another charming run of the mill meet-cute in a bookstore quickly escalates into one hell of a binge-worthy psychological thriller. Get ready to shout “buy some f*cking curtains” at the screen multiple times. Two seasons right there for the taking. Thank you, Netflix.

Gossip Girl

Sometimes you just need to zone out with some YA guilty pleasure viewing and this teen drama ticks all the boxes. XOXO.

Making A Murderer Part 1 & 2

This American crime documentary follows the case of Steven Avery, a man who is freed from prison after being wrongly convicted of rape, only to find himself arrested for another heinous crime. But did he do it? You’re in for quite the ride with this one!

Friends

If the phrase, ‘we were on a break’ goes right over your head, now’s your chance to redeem yourself. This is the show that gave us Smelly Cat, a beef trifle, pivot and smell the fart acting. It’s not just an iconic TV series, it’s a way of life.

Gavin & Stacey

Oh, my Christ! If you haven’t seen this BBC series then, are you ok hun? Starring Ruth Jones and James Corden, it’s one of the nation’s most loved box sets and with good reason. Hop to it!

Normal People

Come through BBC, this is the essential lockdown viewing we needed. Based on Sally Rooney’s best-selling novel of the same name, Normal People follows the intoxicating on-off romance between Marianne, a bookish loner, and Connell, a popular kid whose mum works for Marianne’s family. The casting’s magnetic, the music is everything and the sex scenes are steeped in the kind of real life awkwardness we live for. In short, this is one adaptation that does live up to the book. What a beautiful bit of television.

Breaking Bad

It’s kind of a big deal. Lots of episodes to get stuck into, a must-watch for anyone who can cope with the shouting at the TV moments it brings. Themes: Drug dealing, money laundering, deception.

The Killing

One for any murder lovers. Set in the US, The Killing follows the working relationship of two detectives, Sarah Linden and Stephen Holder, and the case of a missing teen. You may be inclined to think you’re strong enough to watch one episode per evening but you’d be categorically wrong.

RuPaul’s Drag Race

Sissy that walk! Queens compete for $100,000 and the title of America’s Next Drag Superstar in this Emmy-winning show hosted by the mother of all drag mothers, RuPaul.

Orange Is The New Black

Since the first series aired back in 2013, OITNB has solidified itself as a long-standing Netflix fave.

Based on Piper Kerman’s memoir, Orange Is The New Black: My Year In A Women’s Prison, the drama follows the life of Piper Chapman, played by Taylor Schilling, as she adjusts to life on the inside. As the seasons unfold, we learn more about her fellow inmates, their backstories and their lives before they were banged up. Binge your way through all seven seasons of it asap.

After Life

Two seasons of heartbreaking brilliance! After Life follows the story of Tony, a bereaved journalist, as he tries to navigate a life without his wife. Ricky Gervais will have you in tears and stitches just minutes apart. A touching exploration of grief, depression and friendship all packaged into 20-minute episodes – just enough time to pull yourself together ahead of the next one.

Too Hot To Handle

This is the kind of train-wreck television we deserve right now. Beautiful horny singletons – check. A tropical retreat – check. Ill-fitting swimwear – Check. The catch? None of them are allowed to get jiggy with it. Not even a quick peck behind a palm tree or a sly spoon between the sheets. If they do, the all-seeing all-knowing robot (like Alexa only creepier) will rat them out and they’ll kiss bye bye to the $100,000 prize fund.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Set in the 1950s, Midge Maisel is a housewife turned stand-up comedian with a larger than life personality. If you love your escapism wrapped in vintage clothes, look no further than this show.

Let us know which TV series is getting you through lockdown right now!

Adulthood, deceit, infidelity, addiction, mental health – no one can handle such pertinent and difficult subject matter quite like Marian Keyes.

True to form, Keyes’ latest novel, Grown Ups, is full of gloriously messy, relatable characters, each living their far-from-perfect / dysfunctional lives, and we wouldn’t want a family saga any other way tbh.

Read the team’s full reviews below!

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?

Lareese

I’m easily overwhelmed by mammoth books – I get flashbacks of my uni days spent trying and failing to get through Middlemarch -and when I picked up this one I thought, there’s no way I’m going to finish this beast in time to write the review but Marian Keyes proved me wrong. The opening chapter starts with the final scene and though a little confusing due to how many characters are speaking at once, it sets up the main events that play out in the rest of the book. The family tree at the beginning definitely comes in handy and helped me get my head round who was who. Each of the characters and their stories are so intricately linked which makes for addictive reading. Grown Ups is a very realistic and convincing portrayal of the complexities of messy modern day life. One minute someone’s buttering toast, the next minute they’re in an air bnb with their pants down. It was a chunky read but it never felt like a hard slog to get through it and the juicy ending more than made up for any lagging in the middle. Jam-packed with all kinds of scandal and revelations, it’s the dysfunctional family saga we all live for. Ps: petition for a whole book on Ferdia next time please. Ta!

Rating: 3.5/5
Would you read it again: No
Would you recommend: Yes

Danielle

Listening to Grown Ups was fantastic, Marian has such a lovely voice which was perfect to pop in in the evenings when getting into bed. However, as there are so many different characters and stories it was sometimes hard to keep up especially as I didn’t have the family tree to use from the book. I love stories that have imperfect people in as they’re so much more relatable and they really help you to see more than one side of the story. Parts of the book were slow but I loved how much the excitement ramped up towards the end and I did finish satisfied which is always a good way to close a book. Marian Keyes is obviously a wonderful writer and I think Grown Ups is one of her best. A great chunky one to read if you’ve found yourself eating through your TBR piles quickly!

Rating – 4/5
Would you read it again? – No
Would you recommend? – Yes

Zoe

Marian Keyes is one of those authors that truly never disappoints, so I already knew going into Grown Ups i’d enjoy it. I loved the crazy and slightly dysfunctional Casey family and the way in which Marian writes her characters and the dynamics of family life. They always feel so real and relatable, which I thoroughly appreciate in novels. There are quite a lot of characters in this book, which felt a little daunting at first, but surprisingly after a bit of time I did manage to grasp the vast family tree, which I know others struggled with a bit. Overall this book was very entertaining with laugh out loud moments and equally teary ones. It had a good mix of everything you want in a cosy read and offered real deep dive into the fact that grown ups probably aren’t as “grown up” as you think, each with their own insecurities and things they struggle with.

Rating – 3.5/5
Would you read it again? – No
Would you recommend? – Yes

Holly

Well this was one BIG BOY! Blimey, I’m by no means an avid reader so the concept of a solid 636 pager was terrifying. In the beginning, with SO many characters I was sure I wouldn’t get into it but low and behold, here I am telling you it was bloody fantastic. Marian Keyes writes from an outsiders perspective which, again, made me worry I wouldn’t get in to it but actually it let me make up my own mind about each character, which I bloody well did! I had such a vivid picture of every character in my head and felt so differently about all of them. In every story within the story, so much and absolutely nothing happens. It’s just very realistic and gives an amazing insight into all types of mental health. I couldn’t have pictured a better ending myself. And it had what I think EVERY book should have and gives us a glimpse into the characters lives a few months later. Loved it!

Rating – 4.5/5
Would you read it again? – No
Would you recommend? – Yes

Darcey

I must admit I can get quite intimidated by a big book and get the fear that I won’t get invested early on, finding it hard to power through to the good bits! I did have the fear early on while reading this book, although it’s interesting reading about all their lives and starting to see little things unravel, I was gearing up for the big lies to start spewing out and the aftermath of all that. But continuing on and finding out more about the unconventional family and all the scandals happening within, it started to get really good and the ending was more than I could’ve asked for! It’s a great insight into a large family, and you really start to pick sides with characters and feel different emotions for them all. This is a great book to read now we have a bit more time on our hands, as I found reading large chunks of the book at a time helped me better understand the whole family! Really great book and I would definitely recommend.

Rating – 4/5
Would you read it again? – No
Would you recommend? – Yes

Amy McCulloch

Warm, witty, wise, relatable, funny, profound – I could go on and on with superlatives about this book. Is there anyone better at both making you feel seen but also that all will be okay, than Marian Keyes? This story of a big Irish family get together in County Kerry (a place I’ve visited and have a lot of love for) digs below the shiny veneer of adulthood to all the strange, uncomfortable truths that lie beneath. This was quite a long read but I felt it was so enjoyable and engrossing to watch the family drama unfold and – while sometimes uncomfortable – Marian manages even dark topics with humour and compassion for her characters. Being a grown up is complicated, never more so than now – and this book will help you feel like you are not alone.

Rating: 5/5

Would you read it again? Yes!

Would you recommend? Definitely 🙂

What did you think of Grown Ups?

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

I’m good, thank you! Like most people, I’m finding some aspects of lockdown challenging, but I’m really trying to stay focused on the positives and squeeze as much joy out of this time as possible. I think it definitely helps that I was already used to working from home, and I’m enjoying the extra time to work through the stack of books next to my bed!

Can you tell us about some of the work you do as a Joyful Coach?

Sure – in a nutshell, I help people to live their most joyful lives, whatever that means to them! The “whatever that means to them” part is important, as something that’s not spoken about all that much is how success and happiness can look different for each of us. 

I do this in a number of ways – through 1:1 coaching with clients, through group programmes and workshops, and through the free content that I produce, including my podcast, Practical Positivity. 

When and how did you start working as a Joyful Coach?

This has been a fairly recent pivot for me, as I spent the first 8 or 9 years of my career working in sales and marketing roles at big corporates, like The Walt Disney Company. Whilst I enjoyed aspects of my work, I never felt truly satisfied, and I always had a niggle that I wanted to do work that has more of an impact.

The parts of my old career that I really loved were building relationships and helping my team to develop and grow, so in 2018 I made the decision to retrain as a coach and start building my own practice. I chose to focus on joy because previous experiences have taught me just how short life can be, and there’s no time to waste doing anything that doesn’t light us up!

Can you tell us about your podcast Practical Positivity?

Practical Positivity does exactly what it says on the tin – it provides practical tools and techniques to help you live a happier and more positive life. When I started the podcast I found that a lot of the content available in the field of positive psychology was either very academic or very vague, and so I wanted to create something that was both practical and relatable. 

There are now over 80 episodes in the archives, covering things like positive affirmations, defining your own version of success and finding joy in the everyday. 

You’ve even written an e-book called Joy School! How did that come about?

Joy School actually started out life as an e-course – I was learning so much about joy and how to invite more of it into our lives, and I wanted to create a platform to help people focus on this subject that I’m so passionate about. 

I’ve been running it as a course for the last year or so, but when our current situation hit, I knew I wanted to make the content even more accessible. I decided to turn it into an e-book and offer it as a pay-as-you-feel product, with 15% of all sales going to The Trussell Trust, that supports the food banks here in the UK. It was my way of spreading a little much-needed joy, while also supporting a cause I care a lot about. 

How do you stay inspired and motivated?

It sounds a bit cliched to say, but I’m always inspired by the brilliant clients I get to work with – watching them make positive improvements to their lives and become happier and more confident is so rewarding, and that gives me a real boost of motivation to keep spreading the word and helping even more people.

I also make sure that I practice what I preach and take plenty of time for self-care and non-work related activities that make me happy, like reading, exercising and spending quality time with my friends and family. Having that time for myself helps me to stay creative and excited about my work. 

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Being able to leave my old corporate career and take my coaching practice full time was a definite career highlight for me. I never take for granted how lucky I am to spend my days doing work I truly love!

What are you currently working on?

I’m spending a lot of time at the moment working with my 1:1 coaching clients – I think that lockdown has provided many of us with more headspace, and so it’s been a brilliant time to help my clients figure out what positive changes they want to make in their lives, whether that’s in their work or their personal lives.

I’m also working on a brand new group coaching programme called The Joyful Business. It’s designed to help small business owners find the joy in their business again by streamlining their processes, reconnecting to their values and improving their mindset. 

Who are some of your current favourite follows online?

I try to keep my Instagram feed full of plenty of positivity, here are some of my faves:

Ellie at @theenthusiast.co – her mission is to make enthusiasm cool again, and she does it in such a fun way! She’s also just released a cracking podcast under the same name.

The lovely Lucy at @lucysheridan, who has been sharing some brilliant practical advice and wisdom on her coaching all dayers.

Jo at @madandsadclub, who talks about taking care of your mental health at work, and always reminds me to prioritise the things that look after my mind.

Tea at @teadayblogs – her feed is full of colour, sparkle and relatable wisdom. 

Oh, and I’ve been loving the @psyclelondon IGTV barre workouts – especially the ones with Rod who is such a laugh!

What do you always carry with you?

I always have my phone and a pair of headphones to hand so that I can listen to my favourite podcasts on the go. I also like to have a notebook to hand at all times, because you never know when inspiration is going to strike! Oh, and a snack, because I definitely suffer with hanger… 

What does your perfect weekend look like?

Ooooh, it would probably start with a lazy morning in bed reading my favourite books. There would definitely be lots of good food involved, a long walk in the countryside, and plenty of time spent with friends and family too. And Sunday evenings are always spent on the sofa watching trashy telly with my husband and my cat – the perfect way to end the weekend.

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

I think I’d have to say my Mum’s chicken roast dinner – her homemade gravy and crispy roast potatoes are second to none!

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

When you focus on the good, the good gets better! I’m such a huge advocate for gratitude for this very reason – when we focus on everything we already have, we’re less likely to compare ourselves to others, and we invite a lot more joy and contentment into our lives!

Chanel the parrot

Last week, a woman went live on Facebook in a desperate bid to find her missing pet parrot. The African Grey named Chanel had been spooked by a drilling sound nearby and flown away towards the canal.

In the video, panicked Sandra Hannah, 40, can be seen hunting the streets of Netherton, Liverpool, crying “Chanel” and pleading with the public to help her find her beloved bird.

One woman’s search for her missing parrot quickly became a nationwide viral hunt and the Twittersphere was alight with laugh out loud remixes of Sandra’s screaming – the Robin S Show Me Love edit had us howling.

Within minutes #FindChanel was a thing and both Chanel and her owner became the best internet meme of 2020 so far.

Thankfully Chanel was found safe and sound just over two miles from her home and the pair have now been reunited.

Tom Hanks & Rita Wilson help Covid-19 research

Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson both tested positive for Covid-19 back in March while they were staying in Australia. Now they’ve fully recovered, they want to help others fight the virus.

After returning to the US, the couple enrolled in a medical study and offered their blood, which now carries coronavirus antibodies, to help develop a vaccine.

Hanks took to Twitter to share an image of his bag of plasma, alongside the caption, “Here’s last week’s bag of plasma. Such a bag! After the paperwork, it’s as easy as taking a nap.”

Just when we thought we couldn’t love Tom Hanks any more.

Rare sea turtles are nesting again

Rare giant turtles are making a comeback after lockdown has left beaches across the world deserted, environmentalists say.

Since travel restrictions have been put in place due to the coronavirus, beaches in Florida and Thailand are empty of tourists and the endangered species have been able to enjoy nesting in peace.

The 11 turtle nests authorities have found since last November were the highest number in 20 years.

Kongkiat Kittiwatanawong, the director of the Phuket Marine Biological Centre, told Reuters, “This is a very good sign for us because many areas for spawning have been destroyed by humans.

“If we compare to the year before, we didn’t have this many spawn, because turtles have a high risk of getting killed by fishing gear and humans disturbing the beach,” Mr Kittiwatanawong added.

Hip hip hooray for the turtles!

A secret love

The heartwarming Netflix documentary tells the story of two women, Pat Henschel and Terry Donahue, who have been in love in the 1940s and have kept it a secret their whole life.

This is the uplifting romance we all need right now! Don’t watch without tissues.

Happy 100th birthday Captain Tom Moore!

Captain Tom Moore captured the hearts of the nation when he pledged to walk 100 laps of his garden before his milestone birthday, in order to fundraise for the NHS. He originally set out to raise £1,000 but wildly exceeded his goals by raising a whopping £30million instead. We’re still in awe!

Last week, Tom celebrated reaching his 100th birthday and in recognition of his efforts was appointed an honorary colonel. Well wishers sent him more than 125,000 cards and he is also due to receive a personalised message from the queen.

“Reaching 100 is quite something. Reaching 100 with such interest in me and huge generosity from the public is very overwhelming,” Tom said. “People keep saying what I have done is remarkable. However it’s actually what you have done for me which is remarkable.”

Happy birthday, Captain Tom Moore – you’re an inspiration to us all!

This week we brought you some of the best at-home workouts we could find online to get your pulse racing in your living room, so what better to base our Weekly Wants on than workout gear!

We’re not saying you have to come out of lockdown better than when you went in, and if exercise is the last thing on your mind in the middle of a pandemic we completely feel ya!

But if you’ve taken to pounding the pavements with your daily hour outside or your bedroom is basically a hot yoga studio you may want to have a peek at our top picks for workout gear in the gallery below.

Lareese

I don’t usually do yoga that much ordinarily but lately, it’s really helped me to switch off before bed and properly stretch out after I’ve been for a run. Gymshark do the comfiest seamless leggings – I’m really fussy when it comes to gym leggings but these are well worth the money! I wear them out running too so they’re pretty versatile and sculpting so they don’t slip down mid workout – that’s my pet peeve.

*Gymshark, ENERGY+ SEAMLESS LEGGINGS, £45 

*H&M, Seamless sports bralette, £14.99 

*Lululemon, Lift and Lengthen Yoga Block, £18 

*Lululemon, The Reversible Mat 3mm, £48 

Charlotte

I’ve struggled to find my flow with working out at home as a newbie to the gym during the first part of 2020, so I’ve mostly been sticking to similar workout videos and toning exercise I feel comfortable/confident with. A cute pair of leggings make working out feel more bearable, which paired with a bright but practical water bottle (I’m basically a camel with water after a workout) get me on my way to finally biting the bullet and moving my body.

*Liberty London, GIRLFRIEND COLLECTIVE Compressive High-Rise Leggings, £65 

*ASOS, Puma TFS cropped t-shirt in black, £25 

Chilly’s, Pastel Pink, £20 

*Very, Nike Training Medium Control Futura Bra – Flamingo, £27 

*Adidas, SUPERCOURT RX SHOES, £109.95 

 

Darcey

I’ve found home workouts enjoyable but also require a lot of motivation to do, which some days I’ve really not had and would rather just sit and watch Netflix! But on the days when I’m up to the challenge, I’ve found comfort is key. I have been wearing a pair of leggings and a comfy crop top (even ditched the sports bra, who needs support at home). I think to workout at home you’ve got to feel 100% comfortable to just forget everything and get really stuck in. I’ve got myself a mat which can be used for yoga or more vigorous exercise. The kettlebell has also become my best friend, so versatile and so many great kettlebell workouts on Youtube!

*ASOS, ASOS 4505 Tall graphic logo yoga legging, £20 

*ASOS, ASOS 4505 slightly cropped vest top, £10 

Argos, Opti Air Flow Exercise Mat, £11.99

Argos, Opti Vinyl Kettlebell – 6kg, £9.99 

Holly

I’m well and truly utilising my extra time at the moment to exercise wherever possible. I’ve been eating everything in site so need tobalance it out! I ordered these trainers and they are sooo comfy! In the house I try and wear as few clothes as possible because I get so sweaty so a sports bra, lose fitting top and some small shorts are the one. Along with my colourful water bottle!

*Figleaves, FREYA Core Moulded Spacer Sports Bra, £30 

Sports Shoes, SAUCONY GUIDE ISO WOMEN’S RUNNING SHOES, £39.99 

Paperchase, Rainbow measurement water bottle – 1L, £12 

*Boohoo, Plus Oversized T-Shirt, £10 

Zoe

Admittedly, working out has never been my strong point, however last year I started doing the couch to 5k, and it’s such a good time to start on that now if you’re also thinking of doing it. So when i’m not popping on my trainers and heading out for a 30 minute run/jog (let’s be real here…haha), I like doing yoga and stretching. It’s such a nice way to start the day or wind down in an evening and can be done anywhere. I’ve even seen tutorials on youtube showing you the best stretches from bed straight after you’ve woken up! I love Gymshark clothing for workouts both in the house and out. Their seamless leggings give you the PEACHIEST looking bottom too 😉

on-running, Cloudflow, £130 

*Gymshark, RACER BACK TRAINING SPORTS BRA, £30 

*Gymshark, CAMO SEAMLESS LEGGINGS, £50 

 

Danielle

I’ve never been one to spend a ton of money on workout gear as I’d rather spend money on new clothes ha! But for me I have to be comfortable and covered in the right places to get the most out of my exercise, for some reason I have to have full-length leggings, the 3/4 length just annoy me too much. As a larger breasted lady, my options for sports bras are thin on the ground but ASOS usually has something suitable. I’ll pop on a baggy t-shirt or vest over the top and get my sweat on! A water bottle is always a must as I’m such a guzzler when working out and I’m finding it harder than ever to make sure I’m staying hydrated at the moment!

*ASOS, ASOS 4505 Tall graphic logo yoga legging, £20

*ASOS, ASOS 4505 slightly cropped vest top, £10 

Argos, Opti Air Flow Exercise Mat, £11.99

Argos, Opti Vinyl Kettlebell – 6kg, £9.99 

Maddie

I’m living in workout gear at the moment and i feel like I’ve been round the block a few times to know exactly what  Ilook for in good quality pieces. When it comes to working out I don’t really stick to one type of training, I can go through phases of doing lots of running and HIIT sessions and then some weeks I feel more like going on long walks and doing pilates or yoga. And let’s be real there are some weeks where I don’t want to do any of it and will just wear it because it’s comfortable! So when it comes to what I’m investing in it needs to be versatile to suit whatever I fancy doing that day. When it comes to leggings, for me it’s got to be high waisted and the material needs to be breathable but thick enough that no one is going to know what colour knickers you’re wearing when you do your downward dog if you know what I mean. For crops I’ve always struggled but I think SweatyBetty, Tala and Gymshark do it really well and your boobs don’t feel totally suffocated which I have found can happen with other brands. For shoes I always go with Nike, they’ve got so much choice but I usually stick to a good all rounder and as always it’s got to be black.

*Nike, Nike Foundation Elite TR 2, £64.95 

Tala, THE ZINNIA LEGGING – BLACK, £40 

Sweaty Betty, Stamina Sports Bra, £35 

*Nike, Nike Yoga, £27.95 

 

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We don’t know about you but we have been making a serious dent in our TBR piles during lockdown and reading more than ever before. The leisurely pastime once reserved for slow sofa Sundays has become the holy grail of distraction, as we find ourselves longing for a world that distances us from our own reality.

If like us you’re getting through more chapters than banana bread right now, here’s a run-through of our next four book club picks. Permission to stick our heads in the proverbial sand? We think so.

May Book Club – This Lovely City by Louise Hare

Our next book club read is Louise Hare’s debut novel, This Lovely City. Set in post-Windrush London, it’s a story about solidarity and love but above all hope. We can’t wait to get stuck in!

The drinks are flowing. The music is playing. But the party can’t last.

With the Blitz over and London reeling from war, jazz musician Lawrie Matthews has answered England’s call for help. Fresh off the Empire Windrush, he’s taken a tiny room in south London lodgings and has fallen in love with the girl next door.

Touring Soho’s music halls by night, pacing the streets as a postman by day, Lawrie has poured his heart into his new home – and it’s alive with possibility. Until, one morning, he makes a terrible discovery.

As the local community rallies, fingers of blame are pointed at those who had recently been welcomed with open arms. And, before long, the newest arrivals become the prime suspects in a tragedy which threatens to tear the city apart.

Atmospheric, poignant and compelling, Louise Hare’s debut shows that new arrivals have always been the prime suspects. But, also, that there is always hope.

June Book Club – The Switch by Beth O’leary

The author of the hugely popular The Flatshare, Beth O’leary, returns with a heart-warming second novel, The Switch, providing us with the perfect reading material for these anxious and uncertain times.

When overachiever Leena Cotton is ordered to take a two-month sabbatical after blowing a big presentation at work, she escapes to her grandmother Eileen’s house for some overdue rest. Eileen is newly single and about to turn eighty. She’d like a second chance at love, but her tiny Yorkshire village doesn’t offer many eligible gentlemen.

Once Leena learns of Eileen’s romantic predicament, she proposes a solution: a two-month swap. Eileen can live in London and look for love. Meanwhile, Leena will look after everything in rural Yorkshire. But with gossiping neighbours and difficult family dynamics to navigate up north, and trendy London flatmates and online dating to contend within the city, stepping into one another’s shoes proves more difficult than either of them expected.

Leena learns that a long-distance relationship isn’t as romantic as she hoped it would be, and then there is the annoyingly perfect – and distractingly handsome – school teacher, who keeps showing up to outdo her efforts to impress the local villagers. Back in London, Eileen is a huge hit with her new neighbours, but is her perfect match nearer home than she first thought?

June Book Club 2 – Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge

At Zoella we have a responsibility to encourage you, our audience, to learn as much as you can about racism and white privilege during such an important time. That’s why we’ve decided to add another book into our June book club and read ‘Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race’ by Reni Eddo-Lodge.

July Book Club – My Dark Vanessa by Kate Russell

2000. Bright, ambitious, and yearning for adulthood, fifteen-year-old Vanessa Wye becomes entangled in an affair with Jacob Strane, her magnetic and guileful forty-two-year-old English teacher.

2017. Amid the rising wave of allegations against powerful men, a reckoning is coming due. Strane has been accused of sexual abuse by a former student, who reaches out to Vanessa, and now Vanessa suddenly finds herself facing an impossible choice: remain silent, firm in the belief that her teenage self willingly engaged in this relationship, or redefine herself and the events of her past. But how can Vanessa reject her first love, the man who fundamentally transformed her and has been a persistent presence in her life? Is it possible that the man she loved as a teenager—and who professed to worship only her—may be far different from what she has always believed?

Alternating between Vanessa’s present and her past, My Dark Vanessa juxtaposes memory and trauma with the breathless excitement of a teenage girl discovering the power her own body can wield. Thought-provoking and impossible to put down, this is a masterful portrayal of troubled adolescence and its repercussions that raises vital questions about agency, consent, complicity, and victimhood. Written with the haunting intimacy of The Girls and the creeping intensity of Room, My Dark Vanessa is an era-defining novel that brilliantly captures and reflects the shifting cultural mores transforming our relationships and society itself.

August Book Club – Olive by Emma Gannon (coming July, available for pre-order)

If the blurb is anything to go by, the debut novel Olive from Emma Gannon is set to be the page-turner of 2020. We can’t stop talking about it already and we haven’t even read it yet!

Independent.
Adrift.
Anxious
Loyal.
Kind.
Knows her own mind.
Olive is many things, and it’s ok that she’s still figuring it all out, navigating her world without a compass. But life comes with expectations, there are choices to be made, boxes to tick and – sometimes – stereotypes to fulfil. And when her best friends’ lives start to branch away towards marriage and motherhood, leaving the path they’ve always followed together, Olive starts to question her choices – because life according to Olive looks a little bit different.
Moving, memorable and a mirror for every woman at a crossroads, Olive has a little bit of all of us. Told with great warmth and nostalgia, this is a modern tale about the obstacle course of adulthood, milestone decisions and the ‘taboo’ about choosing not to have children.

Don’t forget you can now find all our books and thoughts on our Goodreads page, too!

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