Is it really summer if you’re not nervously watching the precarious looking onions oozing out of your burger at the family BBQ whilst wearing your fresh out of the wash white jeans? We didn’t think so. Whilst the wrong cut of white denim might give off evil step mum waiting to steal your inheritance vibes, finding the perfect pair can further your outfit options endlessly and offer a fresh and bright alternative to pair with your ‘jeans and a nice top’ tops.

And despite popular belief, white jeans are the perfect August purchase, helping you transition your wardrobe into September and the promise of crunchy leaves to come as they look perfect paired with a burnt orange roll neck and pair of kick ass ankle boots too. Turns out despite the controversial press (men of Love Island we blame you), the humble white jean has more to offer than you might first realise.

This week the team are sharing their white denim styling picks, from dressed down to dinner date ready, keep reading to get inspired…

Zoe

I love a white jean in the warmer months and the fit I’ll usually go for is straight leg or mom style! I loved the idea of wearing these with a fun colourful shirt tucked in and spotted this one from Sandro which I now can’t stop thinking about. There was also a great alternative from Mango which I liked too. I’d probably pair this outfit with some simple leather sliders and a little leather shoulder bag.

*Mango, Ankle-length straight-fit jeans, £35.99 | *Selfridges, SANDRO Smiley® floral-print linen-blend shirt, £199 | *Mango, Mango shirt with retro floral detail, £19.99 | *& Other Stories, Braided Strap Leather Sandals, £65 | *& Other Stories, Braided Leather Crossbody Bag, £125

Danielle

I think when I wear white skinny/slim jeans I look quite dowdy and old, so I prefer to go for something that leans a bit more cream and keep the cut wider. I love this pair from Object and the hem keeps them looking a bit edgy and raw. Would pair with some black heels and this fun black and white tie-dye wrap top as well as a pop of colour handbag and these Fendi earrings I keep seeing everywhere!

*ASOS, Object organic cotton wide leg jean in cream, £55 | *Weekday, Wrap Cardigan, £20 | Fendi, F IS FENDI EARRINGS, £260 | Zara, QUILTED SHOULDER BAG WITH CHAIN, £25.99 | *ASOS, New Look Wide Fit woven mule in black, £23.99

Lareese

If nothing else in this world, we women will always have the upper hand when it comes to White. Fucking. Jeans. Cue the Love Island memes. Due to the no-show summer we’re having, I’m taking no chances and styling them with a quilted jacket, plain tee, trainers and a rented Loewe puzzle from Cocoon Club.

*Weekday, Rowe Extra High Straight Jeans, £40 *Net-A-Porter, FRANKIE SHOP Quilted padded ripstop jacket, £170 | *Cos, REGULAR FIT T-SHIRT, £15 | *& Other Stories, Angular Cat Eye Sunglasses, £23 | Axel Arigato, Marathon R-Trail, £210 | *Cocoon, LOEWE Puzzle Mini Leather Shoulder Bag in Black, £49 a month rental membership

Darcey

I’ve gone for a pair of oversized white mom jeans paired with a baggy t-shirt from Collusion (the best place for oversized anything) and some Comme Des Garcons Converse. I feel like this look is just something that always works, accessorised with a cool mesh pink bag from Weekday and some gold jewellery.

*ASOS, Topshop One oversized mom jeans in white, £29.99 | *ASOS, COLLUSION Unisex oversized print shirt, £12 | *OffSpring, Comme Des Garcons Ct Hi 70 S X Play Cdg Trainers, £130 | *Weekday, Weekday Hedvig recycled mesh shoulder bag in pink, £30 | *Missoma, Lucy Williams Flat Curb Chain Necklace, £185

Charlotte

I’m not going to lie I don’t think I ever worn a white jean- how is this possible?! I think the whole Love Island stereotype has sworn me off them, however I am aware I’m not a cringe and slightly problematic man so hopefully I can wear the jeans without affiliation to them haha. I hear such great things about Weekday jeans and I’m itching to order some so these seem like the perfect place to start. I’m v into colour blocking, and green isn’t something I wear a lot of but think it really pops against blonde hair so I’m feeling this ‘fit!

*Weekday, Voyage High Straight Jeans, £30 | *ASOS, ASOS DESIGN cardigan with button sleeve detail in green, £28 | Zara, BLOCK HEEL SANDALS, £27.99 | *New Look, Little Mistress Silver Diamanté Knot Shoulder Bag, £29.99

Holly

White jeans give me ‘I’m a cool mom’ vibe so I’ve never dared to try them out. I do like how they look I am just the messiest, clumsiest person in the world. If I were ever to brave it, I’d get high waisted wide legs and pair them with a camel coloured top with matching sandals. Now that I’ve planned this out, I kind of love it and think I’ve convinced myself to try out white jeans, I’ll report back.

*Levi’s, LEVI’S® MADE & CRAFTED® THE BARREL JEANS, £120 | *Reiss, MIRABEL RIBBED JERSEY RACER TANK TOP CAMEL, £35 | *Dune, MERI T – Camel Square Toe High Heel Sandals, £85 | *M&S, Leather Cross Body Camera Bag, £49.50

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Let’s face it, after a year-plus of staying indoors with our love lives buried under a pile of sweatpants, we’re still very much horny as hell and scouting for that NSFW viewing. Luckily for us, we’re living in what is truly the golden age of tv and film, with Netflix Originals and big screen entanglements making us question why we would ever stoop as low as Pornhub ever again.

Sure, porn can be hot but have you ever watched Sex/Life when you’re ovulating? Character development, sexual chemistry and build-up is the recipe for the kind of horn that creeps up on you unexpectedly while you’re packing a pitta bread into your gob on another woefully arid Tuesday night.

Non-heteronormative sex, awkward real-life sex, protected and consensual sex, there’s a whole new world of elite material for you to tap into.

From the fantastic to the realist, the cult to the up-and-coming, make way for the steamiest scenes on the box.

1. Normal People

Cast your minds back to that bleak 2020 dry spell when the country was in the throes of its first of many lockdowns. Marianne, Connell and Connell’s chain got us through it as they fumbled their way through first times and somehow made losing your virginity look hot, cinematic and wildly endearing. Consent and condoms = sexy as hell.

2. Orange Is The New Black

OITNB starts with a bang (literally) with that opening shower scene between Piper & Alex, and by Jove wasn’t that a sign of things to cum. Life behind bars doesn’t stop this lot from living their best life, that’s for sure. Case in point: the screw driver scene and just about any scene with Poussey.

3. Sex/Life

All roads lead to A+E when a man like Brad Simon (Adam Demos) exists. We’d gladly impale ourselves on that thing if his sex with Billie (Sarah Shahi) was anything to go by. The shower is running…

4. Valeria

With a whopping 34 sex scenes, Spain’s answer to Sex and the City does not disappoint. Set in Madrid, its titular character Valeria is an aspiring author stuck in a rut with her novel and her husband. Cue the love triangle and squad antics with her three best friends Carmen, Lola and Nerea.

6. Rocketman

The musical drama documents Elton John’s extraordinary rise to fame, his addiction-fuelled lows and his relationship with first love and former manager, John Reid played by Richard Madden. It’s tender, intimate and joyous. If this iconic Mumsnet review below doesn’t make you want to watch it, we don’t know what will.

“I’m having a shit time atm, went to the pictures to see Rocketman yesterday and found the sex scene between Taron Egerton and Richard Madden the hottest thing I’ve ever seen. Seriously, if you’re a menopausal old hound looking for a boost in the fanjo, go and watch this on loop.”

7. Atonement

When oh when will I get boned against a bookshelf (she asked the tarot reader). Show us a soul that didn’t leave its body when Keira Knightley’s foot left that shoe.

8. Titanic

That steamy handprint and Leo’s sweaty curtains will always stand the test of time.

9. Sex Education

Masturbation, real legs and arms everywhere awkward sex and asking for what you want in bed. Binge-worthy stuff.

10. Killing Eve

The sexual tension between Villanelle (Jodi Comer) and Eve (Sandra Oh) played out for three loaded seasons but when they finally lock lips, we bet you’ll find yourself doing a little happy – strangely erotic – dance.

11. Portrait of a Lady on Fire

Just queer women demanding space and telling their stories, and what could be sexier than that?

12. All The Bright Places

This tender but searing portrayal of young love will leave you nostalgic for your teenage makeout sessions and date night drives. It’s the gentlest of softcore cinema but the emotional connection between Finch and Violet is what sets it apart.

13. Below Her Mouth

A film exclusively about female pleasure. Jesus, take the wheel. This is your cue to schedule some alone time.

14. Pretty Woman

No bed, no problem. Julia Roberts makes a serious case for getting frisky on a piano in this cult classic.

15. Ghost

A pottery porn classic, no?

16. Kissing Jessica Stein

Combine your need for early naughties New York fashion with explorative gay sex in Kissing Jessica Stein. Jessica is a single, successful, slightly neurotic and ‘straight’ journalist who finds herself not as straight as she thought when she begins an intense friendship with Helen that ultimately leads to romance.

17. 40 Days and 40 Nights

Flower. Power. That’s all we have to say. Off to search for an orchid that does that party trick.

18. The Notebook

The only thing better than losing your virginity to Ryan Gosling (ok ok, not the RG but his character Noah) is reuniting with a wet Ryan Gosling / Noah years later, having him carry you upstairs with his trousers wrapped around his ankles and engaging in all kinds of fucking hot soggy stocking foreplay together. We are deceased.

19. Cruel Intentions

That girl-on-girl kiss with the infamous string of dribble might have been the scene that launched a thousand sexual awakenings, but the escalator scene is a v close second:

“I’m impressed”
“Well, I’m in love”

The kissing close ups to the tune of Counting Crow’s Colourblind, the skin-on-skin, the breathiness of it all, the sweaty bobbing shoulders, Reese Witherspoon’s glorious profile. Brb.

20. Blue Valentine

Ryan Gosling strikes again in this emotionally-gripping drama about one couple’s crumbling marriage, featuring one incredibly real oral sex scene that nearly landed the film with an NC-17 rating. Klaxon: Normalise female oral sex on-screen for crying out loud.

21. Bridgerton

There’s just something about a Regency romp, especially when it caters to the female gaze. And The Duke certainly took us there. We’ve never looked at a spoon nor a ladder in the same way and for that, we’ll be forever in Shonda Rimes’ debt.

22. Game of Thrones

If there was one series that went ham on both hawt sex scenes and incredibly gross NSFL sex scenes, it was GoT. Twincestuous sex, cave sex, boat sex, incest tower sex, sex in a steamy hot spring, sex with some leeches thrown in, you name it, Westeros has explored it.

That said, it did give us some stand-out scenes for the wank bank – Robb Stark and Talisa’s floor sex (season 2, episode 8), Ygritte and Jon Snow (season 3, episode 5) and Daenerys and Jon Snow (season 7, episode 7 aka the dragon, the wolf and the viral butt) to name a few.

23. Black Swan

The hot cunnilingus scene between Mila Kunis and Natalie Portman certainly ruffled a few feathers.

24. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1

If bed-breaking pillow-biting supernatural hot vampire lovin’ gets you going, then consider Breaking Dawn your kind of sex tape.

25. Carol

Based on Patricia Highsmith’s groundbreaking lesbian romance novel, The Price of Salt, Carol follows two women who find themselves in an unexpected love affair in 1950s New York. The consummation of their affair is everything a love scene should be – gentle, tender, warm and charged with emotion. A same-sex love story that isn’t out to titillate or scandalise? Here. For. It.

26. You

For the purpose of this article, we’re honing in on the hot sex, not the problematic stalker and serial killer storyline mmmk? IMO season 1 is distinctly hotter than season 2, with the exception of the scene when Love stuffs a tie in Joe’s mouth and tells him to STFU. That can stay.

27. Toy Boy

A steamy Spanish series and cult favourite, centred on a group of four male strippers. Think Magic Mike with a dash of whodunit intrigue, oiled abs and impeccably choreographed thrusting. That ought to fill the Sex/Life void.

28. Elite

The Spanish teen thriller follows the scandalous lives of the rich and beautiful students of Las Encinas, an exclusive private school in Spain, and let’s just say their extracurricular activities make Bridgerton look tame. Viva España.

First off, how are you and how is your 2021 going? 

I’m okay! Thank you so much for asking. This year is so weird isn’t it, I still don’t know what on earth is going on but I think I’m okay. 

Can you tell us about your career online and how it has evolved? 

Yes, of course, it’s such a random one because I remember when it started so well. I had a breast reduction when I was about 18 or 19 (I can’t actually remember), and that gave me the biggest boost of confidence I had ever experienced in my life. I was a double H cup before my reduction and the pain was extreme. I remember when I had the operation and I suddenly had these boobs that would fit “normal” bras I was just beside myself with excitement. I could suddenly buy cute matching sets and have them actually supports my breasts and feel lovely at the same time (before my reduction, at the time nearly nowhere stocked my size). From then on it just became a genuine passion that has stuck around ever since, as did the content about it! 

How would you describe your Instagram to someone who doesn’t follow you? 

I like to think it’s a positive space that you can go to feel good. Saying that I don’t always feel good (who does?!) and am always as transparent as possible when it comes to being a human who exists on the internet. I just hope I can provide a bit of honesty in a world where let’s be honest, that’s pretty rare online.  

What made you want to show the reality of what bodies look like to your audience? 

This probably sounds SO cliché but honestly, it’s because I never, and I mean NEVER, saw my body type growing up. I genuinely believed I was some form of mutant human with a deformed body. Which is so sad to look back on now but it really is true. If I had simply seen someone who had hip dips as prominent as mine I just think I would have felt more comforted. There really was only 1 body type shown in mainstream media when I was a teenager and that was a very thin, super model-esque frame, which was so far from what I looked like. I wish I had known that every single body is different in their own unique way, and so beautiful! 

How do you feel about filters and editing online, do you think they are damaging our perceptions? 

I really do. I made the conscious decision last year to never use a filter again on Instagram because without even realising I would whack on a filter because I wasn’t wearing makeup, or because the lighting was bad, or just because I thought I looked better with a filter on. But even that seemingly small decision is actually such a scary one! We are so used to seeing the world through a filter as well as seeing ourselves through one, I really hope more people can move away from filters and editing and feel incredible just as they are. Easier said than done I know, a few years ago there’s no way I would have thought I would be able to do it! 

Can you tell us about your collaboration with AYM and what it was like to work on?  

Ah, it was amazing!!! This probably sounds cliche too, but I never thought I’d get to work with such an incredible brand, let alone collaborate with them. The actual pieces that we designed together are honestly (in my opinion) the most beautiful swimwear I’ve ever seen. The feedback we’ve had from it has been absolutely unbelievable and it has got to be one of my proudest projects so far. 

What are you currently working on? 

The biggest project going on right now is honestly our flat! We moved into our new place about 3 months ago now and we’re changing quite a lot. I renovated my last flat but somehow managed to forget just how much energy and stress renovations are. We are hoping to have it finished by Christmas so my home account will be very busy for the next few months! 

Who are some of your favourite body empowerment accounts online? 

Ah, there’s so many, honestly, my whole following list is full of absolute angels. I thoroughly recommend a scroll through haha. 

As a fellow Brighton dweller can you tell us some of your favourite things to do in the city? 

I’m so lucky to live so so close to Hove beach so honestly, I spend most of my time just walking along the seafront. It’s one of my absolute favourite things to do, no matter the weather. I feel like that’s probably really boring but honestly I just like walking and dog watching. 

What does your perfect weekend look like? 

Lay in, breakfast out in a lovely café, coffee, walk along the beach, see my family (dog), maybe a pizza in the evening. Like I said I’m pretty boring haha.  

What do you always carry with you? 

Polos!

What would your last ever meal be? 

I think either macaroni cheese or a big Lebanese feast. 

What is one positive piece of advice you could give to our audience? 

I always say it but baby steps, whatever you’re trying to achieve, get there with baby steps. Whether it’s body acceptance or doing a handstand in yoga, just take small steps every day to help you get there. I feel like we always have really unrealistic expectations when it comes to life goals, and we feel like we should achieve these things immediately, but it just doesn’t work like that.

Follow Nelly London on Instagram here!

Ad – In partnership with Bondi Sands

If you’re looking for a self-tanning routine that’s low maintenance, clean and sustainable you’re going to get on very well with the Pure self-tanning range by Bondi Sands.

Using ethically sourced, 100% recyclable packaging, Pure combines the iconic glow-giving Bondi Sands formula with a sustainable approach to self-tanning. Packed with skin-loving Hyaluronic Acid for hydration, Vitamin C for radiance and Vitamin E for repair, every ingredient has its purpose.

Whether you’re looking for a lightweight quick-drying foam with no wash off required, facial tanning drops for an effortless and customisable application with your favourite moisturiser or a face mist for those on-the-go moments when you want to give your complexion a glow boost, the Pure range offers a line of products created to slot seamlessly into your self-tanning routine.

Fragrance, dye and sulphate free and packaged responsibly, it’s their most planet-conscious range, yet. Ideal for anyone looking for a sustainable alternative to add into their beauty routine without compromising their tan. Sunless tanning just got pure, clean & simple.

With the classic British summertime forever keeping us on our toes, now’s the perfect time to lock in your reliable self-tanning products to ensure you’re looking and feeling your best-bronzed self in time for those carefree summer nights.

The Pure range was calling out for its very own entry in our ‘We Tried’ series and not ones to pass up the opportunity to trial a cult beauty product, we were buzzing to slip into our mitts for the evening and put Bondi Sands’ most innovative self-tanning range to date to the test.

Keep on scrolling to read our team reviews and rate our before and after photos, because let’s be real, a good tanning product is best judged by a side-by-side glow up.

The Bondi Sands Pure Collection is available at Superdrug and Cult Beauty. 

Lareese says…

It’s been a very long time since I self-tanned my entire body and as a naturally pale gal, I wouldn’t usually trust myself with applying it evenly. If ever I want a sun-kissed look for a special occasion, I would usually leave it to the professionals and book myself in for a spray tan to save myself the faff but obviously over the past 18 months that hasn’t been possible. Admittedly, I’m a bit rusty when it comes to self-tanning but trying out the Bondi Sands Pure range whilst I had a weekend of no plans allowed me to perfect my routine with confidence, without the added pressure of having to get it right the first time for a pal’s wedding or a night out.

Another thing I’d say about the Pure range is that it’s as convenient as self-tanning can get. Not only does it dry in a matter of seconds leaving no tackiness behind, there’s no need to wash it off after the developing time and it doesn’t leave any marks on your bedding. I had white sheets and there was no trace of tan in the morning. I basically took a magnifying glass to my duvet to hunt for some evidence of my starfish outline but no, nada. Huzzah – a low maintenance self-tanning routine does exist, even for those of us who are basically self-tan virgins. It me. The Pure Self-Tanning Face Mist was also a joy to use – particularly convenient for a quick burst of hydration and glow that again doesn’t feel sticky or tacky on the skin. I did a triple misting and woke up with a lovely bronze even glow the next day. For anyone who wants to top up their face tan in between their weekly full-body tanning ritual, this is a great product for quick and easy application.

I think testing the Pure range has opened a whole can of worms and I can see myself making self-tanning a weekly ritual again now, especially since it looks like summer is still on furlough until 2022 and any hopes of getting a natural tan are pretty much trashed. I had actively avoided self-tanning for years because it was always such a faff but this range is formulated with laid-back self-tanners like me in mind. It’s convenient, sustainable and it works – what more could you ask for? Bravo Bondi Sands, bravo. You’ve got a new self-tan evangelist in me.

Charlotte says…

If there was an award for extreme tan newbie in this world then the title would absolutely go to me. Having never dared self-tan before (through pure lack of knowledge on where to even start) I was what you could say a little nervous before starting the tanning process for fears of turning out like Georgia in that scene of Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging. I’ve also just never really been that drawn to tanning, even in the way of catching some rays IRL, I’m naturally more likely to be sat in the shade and to be honest, have never had a problem with the tone of my skin. I know so many people feel more confident and happy when looking like a bronzed goddess but I’ve personally never felt too conscious of my skin tone. Having said that I was intrigued to see what all the fuss was about and if I could become a tan convert!

I followed the Bondi Sands instructions to the letter, and along with some expert advice from our resident tan queen Darcey, I felt pretty sure I was on the right track when it came to the application process. To be honest, I’m normally pretty lazy when it comes to skincare on my body, but taking the time to exfoliate and moisturise the night before was a welcome treat- the Coconut & Sea Salt Body Scrub, in particular, has become a regular in my routine now. I decided to opt for the Light/Medium shade in the Pure Self Tan Foaming Water because as I said I’m really not used to seeing my skin looking anything other than Casper white and on reflection I definitely think this was most suited to my complexion/features. I applied the tanning water at night and found it a little difficult to see where I had and hadn’t covered, so I think if possible next time I’d try and apply using natural light. Despite my probably questionable application, I woke up SO pleasantly surprised as the tan was even and not at all patchy which felt like such a win as a self-tan virgin.

It took me a little while to get used to catching myself in the mirror looking so brown, mainly because it’s been such a long winter and I am at peak paleness right now, but as the days went on I found myself liking it more and more. I was worried that tanning would feel really high maintenance and that having to keep topping up with moisturiser etc would be a bit of a drag, but I’ll be honest in saying I was v lazy on that front and the tan remained perfectly intact and I didn’t notice any dry patches of skin whatsoever. I also had no idea where to start when it came to removing the tan but I was pleasantly surprised to find it faded super naturally and really didn’t need much aftercare whatsoever.

Big wins for me were how quickly the product sunk into the skin, the fact there were no traces of tan in my bedsheets (one of my big concerns!) and also how naturally the product faded along with my normal shower and washing routine. Let’s just say I’m converted!

Darcey says…

I have been self-tanning basically every week for the past 5 years, so I would absolutely consider myself an expert now when it comes to the tanning world. I’ve tried quite a few brands throughout the years, but I always go back to Bondi Sands as I find the application is best, it’s a reasonable price range and also the colour is very natural and sun-kissed which I think is really important for any self-tan.

I thoroughly enjoy my weekly exfoliating, showering and moisturising routine now. I usually do a hair and face mask at the same time and have a proper pamper sesh every week, very good for the mind and soul! Exfoliating and keeping your skin moisturised is soooo important when using self-tan, as tan just sticks to dry skin and that’s when you get really dark hands, elbows, etc (definitely had this happen a few time to me ha). So I usually tan using Bondi Sands One Hour Express or their Liquid Gold Gradual Tan, mainly because I hate sleeping with tan on at night and getting it all over my sheets. So I was pretty excited to try the new Pure self-tan knowing that I can whack it on and go to bed without worrying about it getting on my white sheets. I never use gradual tan in the day really especially in this heat as I think I would just sweat it off. I also liked the idea of this tan as it develops in 6 hours whereas most non-wash off tans take about 8 hours.

I absolutely love how sun-kissed this tan makes me look. I am super pale naturally and being tanned makes me feel confident as I don’t tan naturally either, I just burn! I used the Pure Self-Tanning Drops on my face too and throughout the week to keep my face tanned as my skincare usually strips the tan pretty quick. The tans blend beautifully mixed with moisturiser I was super impressed. I also love that this tan doesn’t have a really strong scent, to be honest none of Bondi Sands tans have a strong smell but that’s something I really like about them too!

Danielle says…

I was super stoked to try the new Bondi Sands Pure range, I loved the idea of a self-tanning product that is fragrance, dye and sulphate free! To give you a bit of background on my tanning CV, I’m naturally fair but I catch the sun very quickly without really trying, which sounds great but it often leaves me with an uneven tan and random tan lines. My legs especially from the knee down are SO hard to tan so if I can get those to the same colour as my arms and upper body using self-tan I’ll be very pleased. I HATE having my face in the sun and my skincare pretty much zaps any colour I do manage to gain naturally so I’ve been using a facial mist to tan my face in the summer months and that’s about the extent of my self-tan usage.

My self-tan goals for the Bondi Sands Pure range are to even out my existing upper-body tan, find something to give me a consistent glowy facial tan, and finally get super bronzed legs I feel confident showing off! To achieve this I concentrated on using the Self Tanning Face Mist and the Self Tan Foaming Water in shade dark. I made sure to shave and exfoliate the night before tanning as well as moisturise. When it came to doing the deed I stripped off in my bathroom popped on the Mitt and started with the Self Tan Foaming Water from my feet up to the top of each leg, some of the areas I was concerned about were my feet, knees and also hard to see/reach areas so I took my time and worked the product in using lots of circular motion all over my legs, then used the excess from the Mitt on my knees and feet. I couldn’t believe how quickly the product felt like it dried down which is such a relief knowing I was about to get into bed!

I’m an absolute lazy gal when it comes to a lot of beauty rituals and scoffed at how much work topping up your tan would be every week but after doing it, I couldn’t believe how easy it was. As soon as I felt relatively dry I went to bed and lay on top of my duvet watching a tv show for a little bit as even though I wasn’t worried about the tan transferring to my sheets I thought it might go streaky or patchy if I immediately put my pyjamas on and got into bed, I also applied it during the Great British summer which lasted approximately 4 days (classic) and lying on your bed with the windows open naked is basically a rite of passage.

The tan faded naturally and didn’t go patchy as it was coming off which I was super happy about, I carried on exfoliating lightly and moisturising in the days following and my skin continued to look great. Next time I’m going to use the gradual tanning lotion every other day following application and I think I’ll have a perfect tan for longer. I’m so glad this review pushed me to give self-tan a real go as it’s definitely something I’ll use more often, especially for events during the summer.

Holly says…

I’m quite lazy with my beauty routine so never really tried self-tan, even though I feel so much more confident when I’m a bit bronzed. In my head it was just so much effort, having to shave, exfoliate, moisturise and don’t get me started with the hassle of making sure my back is even. But I am pleased to let you know that I was wrong. The whole process is actually a lot easier than I thought. And I’ve learnt something new about myself in that I can reach the whole of my back woohoo.

To make sure I did it all right, I followed the Bondi Sands instructions to the letter. I exfoliated with their Coconut & Sea Salt Body Scrub first which works best if the skin is wet before applying. My skin was silky smooth when I got out of the shower, I then used the Body Moisturiser and 24 hours later I cracked on with the self-tanning.

I used the Self Tanning Drops in my moisturiser to tackle my face and if I do say so myself, my skin looks incredible. It’s such an even tone I haven’t even been wearing foundation. I’ve put drops in my moisturiser that I use every day and I’m actually chuffed. Just have to remember to blend it down to my neck so my face matches my body.

10/10 from me. It really helped even out my natural tan but didn’t look like self-tan at all. I’ll be using the Light/Medium shade in the winter months so that people can’t tell that it’s fake. Would definitely recommend it.

The Bondi Sands Pure Collection is available at Superdrug and Cult Beauty. 

Ad – In partnership with Bondi Sands

The novelty of seeing friends/family/neighbours/anyone who will hang out with us after the long drought without socialising has certainly not worn off yet, and you best believe we’re seizing every opportunity to be amongst company that we can. Having said that, the expenses of endless weekends out on the town, bar tabs, restaurant bills and ASOS orders to dress for said occasions is piling up, so if you’re Monzo pots are looking a little worse for wear, keep on reading …

May we politely suggest: hanging out at home. It’s time to embrace hosting for your fave ladies, cosy dinners and movie nights on the sofa, catch ups over a reduced bottle of Rosé and ‘make your own’ pizza that serves as entertainment as well as dinner. Sometimes all you need is an excuse to take your makeup off before 7pm and life is good again! It really is the little things. After so long spent at home, we certainly all understand the power of a welcoming space, but upgrading it for hosting might just be the next step in homeware switch ups to prepare for normality continuing to return. Get the gang together, celebrate making it to hump day or organise a Love Island viewing party, whatever the reason, hosting is here to stay!

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Living in a van is the ultimate carefree nomadic lifestyle. No astronomical rent or pressure to mount the property ladder, just the freedom of the open road, simplicity and adventure. It’s slow living at its best, where making do with what you’ve got and embracing uncertainty is the new status quo.

But is #vanlife all it’s cracked up to be? Are you always living the dream in a bikini on a picturesque beach as Instagram would have us believe?

Living the free-spirited life might seem fun but it’s not without its problems. We spoke to these van dwelling pros to find out the reality of that van-living life. From saving money and seeing the world, to flat tyres, zero privacy and foraging for public toilets, here’s the good, bad and ugly of living out of a van.

Where’s Mollie

What was your lifestyle like before you took the van life plunge?

Before I moved into my van, I lived in London for 3 years whilst building my travel brand and blog, Where’s Mollie. My work and travels always took me into the heart of nature and combined with my base in London I had a beautiful balance of city/nature living. In March 2020, my London tenancy ended and I committed to full-time nature!

What appealed to you about this nomadic way of life?

I knew, moving out of London, that I wanted to move closer to nature but I wasn’t quite sure where. Moving into my van was my way of trying out different locations without the commitment. In the van, you can stay as long as you love somewhere and then move on when you’re ready. The flexibility was definitely appealing. I also love being in such close proximity to nature. In the van, you reduce your insulation between your body and the natural rhythms of the earth and the effect that has on your mental and physical health is profound. Waking up to the sound of the birds or the view of the ocean is just heaven on earth.

Did you convert your own van or was it already kitted out and ready to go? What are some of the things to consider before picking out a van that’s right for you?

I bought my VW transporter high top as a blank canvas. It was used for transporting goods before! No wicker baskets or surfboards in there beforehand! This was a creative project for me, my creative dream. I’d spent years mood boarding images and inspiration on Pinterest. I’d say, be patient when choosing your vehicle, it’s the most important part. The good ones go quick (just like renting in London), you have to be ready to view and act quickly. It’s so worth waiting for a van that will go the distance… literally. Particularly if you’re deciding to invest in the interior. It’s also good to think about how much time you’ll spend in it and how many of you will be in it. It’s so important to be comfortable if you want to live in it! If you’re spending any more time than just weekends in it, get something you can stand up in!

Do you live in the van full time or part-time / temporarily?

I’ve done 4-5 months total of full-time van living over the last year but vanlife wasn’t so fun when the UK was in lockdown. For me, it’s about the community you meet on the road and the connection you have to the people you meet along the way! The social lifestyle is what keeps me coming back for more. You know if someone’s in a van, you have more than a few things in common. It’s like a green light to chat. I love opening my doors to other van lifers and having a morning cuppa with them!

One of the best things about living on wheels is the freedom to travel wherever and whenever you want! What’s been your favourite road trip adventure, so far?

It’s between Scotland, where I spent the last 4 weeks… and my European road trip last summer. Scotland blew my mind, it was like New Zealand, Iceland and Canada all together in one (we got lucky with the weather which made a huge difference). In Scotland, the landscapes are so vast and their tolerance of wild camping makes it so easy to park in incredible locations. The same with Portugal last summer, at the time wild camping was legal and you could just pull up right on the ocean. That’s what it’s all about, driving your home into nature that silences your mind and brings joy right into your heart space!

Although there are endless advantages of living in a van, particularly for your mental health and wellbeing, it’s not for everyone. What are the greatest challenges and things you’ve learned along the way?

I’d say, for me, extended periods of time on the road can be exhausting. I think that’s because I’m running a business on the road, doing it solo and moving locations a lot. The energy it takes to navigate to new locations, maintain appropriate awareness as a solo traveller, meet new people, fix inevitable issues that arise, food shop every few days (limited storage), figure out where to fill up water (to name a few) can be tiring. Just the little things like washing up and locking everything down before you drive can take time and energy that you wouldn’t expend in a fixed apartment / home. I find myself craving stationary time after a while.

Humour us because we know people will want to know… what’s the toilet and showering situation really like?

Haha! If you’re not down for getting up close and personal with nature from time to time, van life might not be for you. Wild weeing for the win (it’s actually rather liberating). No but seriously, the places you spend your time more often than not have public toilets. You get into sync with what’s available and of course, if you’re on a campsite, you’re sorted. On top of that, I have a portable toilet option in the van.

For the shower situation, again I’m usually parked up near lakes / the ocean! So a combination of lake dips (with biodegradable, eco-friendly soap), beach showers, campsites and the shower I have in the back of my van. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t used the baby wipe option from time to time.

It’s part of the adventure. You certainly begin to appreciate the abundance of luxury you have in a fixed home. Gratitude levels skyrocket.

Apart from the initial upfront costs of investing in a van, has it allowed you to save money in the long run?

Absolutely! I mean anything is cheaper than London rent lol. I’ve gone to the other side of the spectrum. I think in Scotland we stayed on 2 campsites in a month so that takes monthly rent from £1000+ down to like £40. Of course, there are many other costs incurred with a van (maintenance, fuel, parking) but on the whole, for such a wholesome lifestyle, it’s ridiculously attractive.

What do you do for work or have you taken some time off work right now?

I’m still running Where’s Mollie full time and also currently studying as I transition and open my new business. In the coming months I’ll be launching a new well-being business and graduating in Tantra-Kundalini Yoga, Conscious connected breathwork and level 3 sound healing!

How has living this way of life changed you as a person, what has it taught you?

Living in a van has showed me just how important it is to regularly disconnect from technology and to reconnect with the earth, our true nature. When you have no signal, you have no signal. You get outside. It’s made me so grateful for the little things that I once overlooked, like water and electric supply, a big fridge, a bath. Those things feel like incredible luxury to me now. Last summer, in the heart of the pandemic, I lived in my van for 4 months and felt complete peace in what was a globally chaotic time. Van life shows me that we are a product of the things we surround ourselves by, and it’s given me a clear direction and standard for the internal peace I want to feel in my life.

Do you think it’s something everyone should do at least once in their life, even if it’s for a vacation / short-term?

 It’s definitely an acquired taste but… even if you don’t see yourself as a ‘camper’, there are vans out there to suit everyone! You could get a top of the range, luxury van with an inbuilt toilet and hot water shower! All van life really means, is the willingness to be spontaneous, to be wild for a while and in return? to feel complete freedom.

One thing a van-lifer can’t live without…

A good tea and biscuits selection. Haha. Gosh so many things… to be honest, if we are being serious it’s a comfy bed and enough water storage! 

For anyone thinking about living in a van, what would be your golden advice?

Hire some first! Try out the lifestyle for a week/weekend before you commit to the investment. There are so many types of vans to choose from so it can also be really overwhelming when deciding which one to get. You never really know what you like design wise until you get in the van so hiring one is a good way to get an idea of what you like. There are websites like Camptoo where you can rent one out!

Follow @WheresMollie & @WheresMolliesVan on Instagram, and check out Mollie’s blog here!

Amy Nicholson

What was your lifestyle like before you took the vanlife plunge?

Just before covid hit, I was living in a flat on my own in a town just outside London. I was working as a freelancer remotely, which I love, and had a full rota of clients but when the pandemic hit I, unfortunately, lost all my work as marketing budgets got slashed. This meant I could no longer afford to live in the flat, so I moved back home with my parents. The idea of the van came about as I wanted to be able to have some freedom, and to explore and travel whilst we were in the midst of all this uncertainty and chaos. I had been wanting a van for years, as I had done a few trips in one in New Zealand and across Africa. I loved the simplicity of it all, and being able to explore and travel from your home. 

What appealed to you about this nomadic way of life?

I have lived the ‘nomadic’ lifestyle for a few years before I got my van, as I lived in Bali for three years working remotely out there. I had grown tired of the rat race in London, and was exhausted by the constant rush of city life, so after a year of traveling I eventually settled in Bali and started picking up freelance work. There was a huge ex-pat community living out there who were all working from their laptops, and it completely hooked me! To be able to choose your own hours and to design your work life around your hobbies was the dream! I decided to go freelance there and then, and since have been building up my portfolio of experience and clients. In the last few years [especially since covid] finding remote work has become a lot easier, so working remotely from the van is working out really well.

Did you convert your own van or was it already kitted out and ready to go? What are some of the things to consider before picking out a van that’s right for you?

I converted my current van myself yes! It was a project I took on during the last winter whilst in lockdown. Due to losing all my work, my flat, and various other difficult things I was dealing with behind closed doors, I needed something to focus on and put my creative energy into. It was incredibly hard, especially doing all the work in the freezing cold weather in the dark months of winter with no DIY experience at all, but it was so worth it. It’s very rewarding to be driving around in my little home on wheels that I built myself. I got some help with the difficult parts, like the electrical system, but the majority of it I did myself using the help of YouTube videos.

Do you live in the van full time or part-time / temporarily?

I am currently full-time in my van! I finished it in April 2021, and moved in that day! I’ve been exploring Cornwall, Devon, Scotland, and am currently in Wales. I’m planning to go over to Europe in September.

One of the best things about living on wheels is the freedom to travel wherever and whenever you want! What’s been your favourite road trip adventure, so far?

I actually had a smaller van before this one, and I went over to Portugal for 4 weeks last October which was incredible. At that time wild camping was allowed there and I can’t even put into words the beautiful places I parked up at. Waking up with ocean views is the dream. The weather was glorious, the surf amazing, and it was the first proper trip I had done in the van. I just completely fell in love with the simple life that vanlife offers on that trip. Since then, the two-week trip to Scotland I did recently blew my mind – the scenery there is incredible!

Although there are endless advantages of living in a van, particularly for your mental health and wellbeing, it’s not for everyone. What are the greatest challenges and things you’ve learned along the way?

I travel a lot on my own, so there are times that I do struggle with loneliness. The vanlife community is very open, but if you are struggling with your mental health and not feeling confident to be sociable, it can be a lonely place being in this small space on your own away from your friends and family. But, I also had these feelings living in my flat on my own, and having an ocean view is much better for me and my headspace than a town view! It can also be stressful constantly trying to find places to stay, feeling unsafe in new locations, and not having that routine [like your local gym or coffee shop]. But for the most part, I love the thrill of moving around and exploring!

Humour us because we know people will want to know… what’s the toilet and showering situation really like?

Due to wild camping being illegal in most of England and the fact that I feel safer in a campsite when I am on my own, I actually spend a lot of time in campsites, so the toilet and shower facilities are great here. I do have a Porta Potti in my van, which is basically a glorified potty. It has a flush and a toilet lid so it feels like a toilet, but you have to empty and clean it every few days – that is probably my least favourite thing about living in the van. But it is funny how quickly you get used to it! My outdoor shower is also great – it’s cold, but a cold shower is good for you!

Apart from the initial upfront costs of investing in a van, has it allowed you to save money in the long run?

I’m saving a lot of money living in my van now because I’m paying no rent, mortgage, or living bills [I have a full solar system so I don’t even pay for electrical hook up at campsites]. My only outgoings are my mobile, wifi router, campsite costs, and diesel. I also am living a very simple stripped-back, outdoor life – so I am spending much less in general too. No more expensive nights out in London or mass orders on ASOS [I mean, I can’t shop because I literally don’t have anywhere to put anything new!]

What do you do for work or have you taken some time off work right now?

I am a freelance marketing consultant. I have built up my portfolio since losing all my work last March and am busier than ever, which I love! I designed my van layout so that in the day it transforms into my office! I am clocking some long laptop hours, and I do try to show this on my social media – I work hard to have this lifestyle. 

How has living this way of life changed you as a person, what has it taught you?

Traveling solo has made me more confident, and the time alone has given me the chance to figure out what makes me happy and work on a few things that were making my headspace a little fuzzy. The stripped-back lifestyle has also made me much more chilled out! The simple life of vanlife has definitely rubbed off on me and my attitude towards life and how I want to live it. I’m much less materialistic than I used to be, and have found a new love for outdoor hobbies like hiking and surfing. I think all of these things contribute to me feeling a much healthier and happy person in general.

Do you think it’s something everyone should do at least once in their life, even if it’s for a vacation / short-term?

It definitely won’t be for everyone, but why not give it a go! It might surprise you. I think a really positive thing to come out of the pandemic is that it has given a lot of people the time to sit back, to stop, and to look at their life and whether they are happy. It is so easy to get caught up in this rollercoaster of life, but sometimes we do just need a little re-set. Taking a little trip in a van might be just the thing you need to re-evaluate what is important to you and what makes you genuinely happy. 

One thing a van-lifer can’t live without…

Eco-friendly soap! I try to be as environmentally friendly as I can in the van, and when I outdoor shower I use soap that is biodegradable.

For anyone thinking about living in a van, what would be your golden advice?
Try before you buy! I  spent a month in my first van and that trip was so eye-opening to understand how I wanted my layout of my second van to be, what I needed to have in the van, what I needed to pack etc – it’s all a personal preference and there is no right or wrong way, so it’s just what works for you! 

Follow @Freelance_Amy on Instagram!

‘Iya sunshine- it’s nice to see you again! As we get ready to dig out our sandals and pack away our raincoats (it turns out summer isn’t cancelled after all), it might also mean an adjustment to your meal prepping schedule too. That’s right, you can hold off on the comforting, autumnal meals for the time being- BBQ and picnic season isn’t over till we say it is! And no, you might not be holidaying in Los Angeles this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t nab some dinner inspo straight from the plates of your fave stateside A listers. Try saying that after a few wines.

Fresh, bright and varied salads can be as filling and enjoyable as a classic bowl of pesto pasta or chippy tea, and today we’re observing the ways of the dreamy women of Hollywood and London that inspire us on screen and social media, by trying their favourite ‘can’t live without’ salad dishes. Show us anything that gets us one step closer to lunching like a Kardashian and we’re down tbh.

Emma Chamberlain’s Erewhon Style Kale, Avocado and White Bean Salad

First up we have Gen Z influencer and queen of iced coffee herself, Emma Chamberlain. This effortlessly stylish L.A residing babe might not be old in her years, but she certainly makes up for it in her oodles of personality, wit and ability to enable her 13.4 million followers to buy just about anything she rocks – Crocs, Dad jeans and all. Emma is a self-proclaimed picky eater and also vegetarian, and her vlogs often feature snippets of her daily meals and most-loved snacks, one of which includes her favourite Erewhon Style Kale, Avocado and White Bean salad. Erewhon Market is a California based health food store well-loved by anyone who is anyone in L.A, making it no surprise that this fashionista can be found rooting around the aisles for her organic zucchini and locally plucked figs on the regs. Here’s how to master Emma’s favourite organic salad…

Billie Eilish’s Love Life Cafe Style Salad

Claiming to be the ‘home of the best veggie burger in America’, it’s no surprise Billie Eilish counts herself as one of many Love Life Café stans – look no further for salad and smoothie goals that will have your mouth watering at first sight. Ms Eilish has been vegan since 2014 and this super packed and filling salad is one that plant-based and meat eaters alike will be craving more of for the foreseeable – say hello to your new lunch order.

Ariana Grande’s Kale and Strawberry Salad

The queen of pop, the high ponytail princess and heartbreak anthem goddess, our babe Ariana can really do no wrong in our eyes. Having tied the knot this year with now-husband Dalton Gomez and topped the charts with her latest album Positions in 2020, Ariana is, as always, a woman in demand, which is why making a delicious lunch to sustain her busy schedule is absolutely k-e-y. Ariana is another celeb that’s a long-time lover of a vegan diet, noting: “I love animals more than I love most people—not kidding. I’m a firm believer in eating a plant-based, whole food diet that can expand your life length and make you an all-around happier person,” in an interview with The Mirror.

Her favourite salad happens to be a summer dream, packed with a combination of fruit and vegetables that make for a bright bowl that’s bursting with goodness.

Florence Pugh’s ‘Beanie-Fart’ Salad

‘Little Women’- need we say more? Our obsession with bombshell Florence Pugh goes way back, but her presence on Instagram during the strictest parts of 2020’s multiple lockdowns was a welcome treat when scrolling through the app for the thousandth time that weekend. Roll on Digital Detox Day, anyone?

Her vivacious personality and down to earth chats on Stories made for an even more affable perception of the 25 year old actress, with her #CookWithFlo content in particular giving an insight into her cupboards, palate and cooking skills – is there anything this woman can’t do?! Less leafy greens and more beans, beans, beans can be found in one such dish on her Instagram Story highlights, christened by Pugh as a “beanie fart salad”, which in reality looks more delicious than this description would let on.

Add as much or as little of the below ingredients, depending on the serving size you’re after, and enjoy a protein filled, vegan side salad guaranteed to fill you up. Disclaimer: do not eat before a date…

Jennifer Anniston’s Bulgur and Feta Salad

Our babe Jen has looked like a goddess since the beginning of time, but staying in shape is certainly helped by her partiality to a healthy salad or two, as divulged when she took over her beauty company Living Proof’s Instagram account for the day. She shared that her perfect salad consists of “bulgur, cucumbers, parsley, mint, red onion, garbanzo beans, feta cheese, & pistachios.” Can we get a hell yeah for some cheese up in here?! This no-cook lunch is perfect to prep for the week ahead and a great addition to your summer BBQ spread that’s guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser. You can thank us later.

Beyonce’s Cafe Gratitude Style Kale Salad

Plant-based eatery Cafe Gratitude is the inspiration behind Beyonce’s go-to kale salad, and you best believe anything approved by Bey is immediately going on our highly trusted recommendation list. The salad itself is bulked up with shredded carrots and roasted almonds, and the myriad of flavours and textures means it’s not one you’ll tire of quickly.

The creme de la creme of any outfit: jewellery. Whether you’re a minimalist, maximalist or somewhere in between dresser, the final touches of a sentimental ring or fun statement earring never go amiss in finishing off an outfit with some added extra flame emojis. Brands such as Gucci have championed a ‘more is more’ approach to styling jewellery in recent years, and piling on the rings, beaded bracelets and layering necklaces has never been cooler.

The pandemic and earlier lockdowns were partly responsible for this shift towards trends such as resin rings and kitsch, colourful styles, with everyone and their mum ordering beads and thread galore via Amazon Prime to pass the time and create something totally unique. Y2K nostalgia is truly alive and well!

This week the team are running through the classic and contemporary jewellery pieces on our current wish list, showcasing the best of the best from indie and small online businesses that nail this market so well. If you’re in need of an injection of fun to be added into your styling repertoire, look no further.

Zoe

I am a lazy jewellery wearer but LOVE jewellery! It’s one of those things that is always a last minute decision when getting ready in the mornings and I definitely don’t put in the time to properly think about which pieces of jewellery compliment an outfit/which should I wear that day. So once I’ve put something on, it usually stays on or is repeatedly worn for weeks or months on end before I get bored or realise I have other lovely jewellery I could wear or layer together. I like a lot of classic bits and some of my favourite pieces have definitely been from Carrie Elizabeth, Missoma & Estee Lalonde Gold Goddess Collection with Daisy London!

*Missoma, Short Beaded Necklace, £129 | *Missoma, Flat Snake Chain Necklace, £198 | Carrie Elizabeth, Simple Star Set Diamond Band In Gold Vermeil, £90 | Carrie Elizabeth, Dainty White Topaz Star Chain In Gold Vermeil, £100 | *Daisy Jewellery, Estée Lalonde Wavy Snake Chain Necklace 18ct Gold Plate, £109 | *Daisy Jewellery, Estée Lalonde Goddess Glow Hoop Earrings 18Ct Gold Plate, £119

Darcey

I love myself some beaded jewellery, just find it’s super nostalgic and I like that really playful jewellery has made a comeback, very 2000’s! I recently bought these beaded necklaces from a lovely Etsy shop called Jessie’s Happy Wave, her pieces are so bloody cute and customisable as well! Also, is anyone else obsessed with Millie’s Sagittarius necklace? Cause same, so best believe I’ve ordered myself a Gemini one. Lastly, I am obsessed with large gold hoops and I wear these ones from Missoma nearly every day as they go with so many outfits.

*Etsy, Custom Y2K Beaded Necklace Personalised Necklace, £13.50 | *Etsy, Smiley Pearl Necklace | Choker, £11 | *Etsy, Zodiac Necklace for Astrology Lovers Pendant, £24.38 | *Missoma, Medium Molten Hoop Earrings, £115

Danielle

When it comes to my relationship with jewellery the phrase “buy cheap, buy twice” has never been more true. I’ve gone through countless multi-packs of earrings and rings and I’m pretty sure I lost or broke them all within a matter of months. I now try and spend a bit more on good quality jewellery that won’t stain my skin, pieces I love so much I could never lose them. I’ve picked out a few things I like from my favourite brands, Carrie Elizabeth has beautiful rings, I can’t stop thinking about this rose quartz one! Astrid and Miyu offer lovely dainty bits and this necklace is perfect if you’re wanting to buy into the colourful jewellery trend but keep it classic this is perfect. In the Frow’s collaboration with Edge of Ember is lovely especially the pearl pieces. I recently came across Junk Jewels on Instagram and love their colourful stones embedded in gold.

Junk Jewels, Kaleidoscope Disco Hoop Earrings, £26 | *Edge of Ember, Inthefrow Tahiti Pearl Bracelet, £155 | *Astrid & Miyu, Spectrum Necklace in Gold, £79 | Carrie Elizabeth, Georgia Rose Quartz & White Topaz Ring In Gold Vermeil, £80

Lareese

I’m loving all the resin 90s sweetshop style rings making a comeback at the moment, they looks so good stacked up with nail art. I’m also a huge fan of classics like Wolf & Badger, Merjuri and Daphne for elevated jewellery you can wear with anything.

*Etsy, Retro Chunky Daisy Rings, £13.50 | La Manso, Supernova, £49.99 | *Wolf & Badger, Unlucky Horseshoe Ring, £160 | Mejuri, Dôme Ring, £60 | Daphine, THIN OLI RING, £60

Holly

I’m so bad at remembering to put on jewellery and also I lose it after 3 wears, but I’m trying to be better. I’ve brought a few nice bits recently and I’m just trying to wear the same ones every day until I get into the swing of it. My absolutely favourites are my ring I made with the CAST experience guys and a necklace my best friend brought me of hands pinky promising. They are both mean so much to me so I know I’ll take care of them.

*Etsy, Hand Gestures Necklace £35.22 | Cast, Bespoke Jewellery Making Kit, £29 | *Missoma, Mini Helical Hoop Earrings, £39 | Carrie Elizabeth, Hexagon Opal Ring In Gold Vermeil, £90

Charlotte

I’m SUCH a big jewellery person so I never have any issue finding jewellery I like- if anything there’s too many pieces I want to add to my collection because I have dreams of being as extra and blinged up as Mr Styles himself. A Gucci king I think we all aspire to be a bit more like. Mejuri is a brand I come back to time and time again for high quality pieces that don’t break the bank, and their Charlotte collection is chef’s kiss if I do say so myself. I’m very much a gold jewellery person, hence the theme of these picks- I think it’s just so classy and grown up! Junk Jewels is a more affordable brand that does gorgeousssss pieces too and is great for building up your collection.

Mejuri, Large Croissant Dôme Hoops, £140 | Marah Cotta, the smiley pearl ring, £24 | Seol + Gold, Compass Star Signet Ring, £29.95 | Junk Jewels, Moonstone Heart Hoop Earrings, £26 | Junk Jewels, Kaleidoscope Disco Chain Bracelet, £28

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Black voices need to be celebrated all-year long, not just for the duration of Black History Month, and one fundamental way we can support underrepresented writers is by buying and reading their work. Books have a wonderful way of allowing us to read outside of our own image and explore a lived experience unlike our own. We can always do more to seek out these illuminating stories, amplify marginalised groups and diversify our bookshelves with novels, memoirs and personal essays by and about black people and people of colour.

From the authors who propped open the door for an entire generation of black writers to the exhilarating new voices you need on your radar, discover the literary brilliance of these wordsmiths and start expanding your reading horizons.

Caleb Azumah Nelson

Named by The Observer as one of the 10 Best Debut Novelists of 2021, Caleb Azumah Nelson is undoubtedly one of the most exciting new voices in contemporary fiction. His achingly beautiful debut novel Open Water has catapulted him into the literary limelight and with good reason – his remarkable lyrical and multi-genre approach to storytelling is quite frankly chef’s kiss.

Abi Daré

Abi Daré grew up in Lagos, Nigeria and has lived in the UK for 18 years. Her best-selling debut novel The Girl with the Louding Voice was born from a creative dissertation that she just couldn’t stop writing after the first 3,000 words. It tells the story of a 14-year-old girl called Adunni born into a rural Nigerian village, who longs for an education but is trapped as a wife and domestic servant. This is her inspiring journey to find her voice, overcome oppression and realise her wildest dreams.

Marlon James

In 2015, Marlon James became the first Jamaican writer to win the Man Booker Prize for fiction for his novel A Brief History of Seven Killings. Now author of four novels, including Black Leopard, Red Wolf, the first volume of his fantasy trilogy, he’s cemented himself as one of the greatest storytellers of his generation. Whatever he pens, simply needs to be read.

Tolani Shoneye, Audrey Indome and Milena Sanchez

Best known as the trio behind the chart-topping The Receipts Podcast, Tolani Shoneye, Audrey Indome and Milena Sanchez have now turned their talents to writing. Honestly, show us something these women can’t do. Their debut book Keep the Receipts is full of the same trademark candidness, real talk and infectious energy as their podcast. Like the women you bump into on a night out in the girl’s bathroom, this book is unfiltered sisterhood at its best.

Yaa Gyasi

Author Yaa Gyasi was born in Mampong, Ghana and raised in Huntsville, Alabama. Her first novel, Homegoing, was a Sunday Times bestseller, won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Best First Novel and was shortlisted for the PEN/ Robert W. Bingham prize for Debut Fiction. In 2019, the BBC selected her debut as one of the 100 Novels That Shaped Our World.

Her follow up novel, Transcendent Kingdom, is our August Book Club pick and has been shortlisted for Women’s Prize For Fiction 2021.

Brit Bennett

Bennett is both an author and social commentator and has published several non-fiction essays on the Black experience. Bennett’s first novel, The Mothers, was published in 2016 to critical acclaim for its astute handling of poignant themes of race, grief and abortion, and went on to become a New York Times bestseller.

Her second novel, The Vanishing Half, has received just as much buzz and has been shortlisted for The Women’s Prize announced in September, once again cementing Bennett as one of the most exciting new voices in literary fiction.

Zadie Smith

English novelist, essayist and short-story writer, Zadie Smith, is one of the most essential and ambitious literary voices of our time. Her first novel White Teeth became an instant best-seller and modern classic, a particularly extraordinary feat considering she was just 24 at the time of its publication.

After her critically acclaimed debut, she continued to prove herself as a literary powerhouse, gracing numerous Best Novelist lists and winning multiple literary awards including the Man Booker Prize and the Orange Prize For Fiction. Her latest work, Intimations, is a collection of essays on the lockdown experience and another must-read from her collection.

Yrsa Daley-Ward

Born in Lancashire, Yrsa Daley-Ward is a model-turned-poet, performer and storyteller of Jamaican and Nigerian heritage. She began posting her poems on Instagram and self-published her first collection of poetry Bone in 2014 which was later snapped up and republished by Penguin Books in 2017.

She’s best known for her lyrical approach to the messiness of real-life and her work comments on important topics such as race, identity, mental health, femininity and self-empowerment. She was also enlisted to write some of the spoken word elements on Beyonce’s Black is King album, so if that’s not a reason to back her verse in a major way, we don’t know what is.

Colson Whitehead

Colson Whitehead is the master of essential reading and one of the most celebrated novelists in America. The Underground Railroad, a story of a 15-year-old slave who escapes from a plantation in Georgia, made him a household name and with it, he became only the second writer of colour and the sixth writer ever to win both a National Book Award and a Pulitzer Prize for the same novel. His follow-up novel The Nickel Boys (2019), is based on the real story of a hellish reform school that operated for 111 years in Jim Crow-era Florida, and further cements Whitehead as one of his generation’s most accomplished American writers.

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First off, how are you and how is your 2021 going?

2021 has been a really exciting year for me despite the national lockdowns! I have enjoyed being able to ‘slow down’, spend some quality time at home whilst on maternity leave, and get to grips with motherhood, having had my baby girl, Savannah, in August of 2020.

I was also really fortunate to be included in the Team Bath Netball Superleague squad for the 2020/ 2021 season, and I relished the opportunity under the Government’s elite athlete framework during the lockdown, to be able to engage in the elite training environment at Bath with my teammates in order to compete in the Netball Superleague 2021 season.

The last year has been challenging for us all in a variety of ways, so it’s also been wonderful to invest in and reconnect more frequently with family and friends.

Can you tell us about your career in netball?

I first started playing netball at secondary school and if I’m honest, I only started playing because my friends played and I loved the social aspect that comes with team sport. However, the more I played, the more competitive I became and I started to fall in love with the game.

I remember my mum taking me to watch England v Australia at Wembley when I was 12. I was mesmerized by the speed of the game and the ‘Amazonian’ athletes. It was there and then, that I developed my dream to one day play for England and wear the coveted ‘Red Dress’.

I debuted for the England Netball Senior Squad in 2008 and to date, I sit on 104 appearances which span across 3 World Cup Championships and 3 Commonwealth Games. Our greatest success was winning the Gold Medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, beating tournament and world favourites, Australia, by one goal in a thrilling final.

When did you first discover Netball and what do you love most about it?

My mum had a major influence in my desire to participate in sport. She herself, was national basketball and netball player at junior level and she always encouraged me to get involved and take part.

What I love most about netball is the community that you become a part of. It is a sisterhood and the friendships that I have made will transcend my career in the sport and are what have made the journey and continue to make the journey thoroughly enjoyable. Through the highs and the lows, it’s the unwavering support, the commitment to build on each other’s strengths, the fun, the memories and most importantly the laughter is what glues me to the sport and why I am so passionate about it.

How has the sport changed in your lifetime?

There has been a real growth in awareness and the development of netball. The sport provides opportunities for people around the world.

It has been amazing to see the growth of the sport especially with the world-class events I’ve been lucky to be involved in. The launch of World Netball and their new strategy has shown how much the sport has grown into a global game that’s providing opportunities for people around the world. It’s really exciting to see the sport look ahead.

Can you tell us about World Netball’s campaign #YOURNETBALLWORLD?

The Your Netball World mosaic was all about collecting inspirational stories from the netball family around the world. The mosaic has over 1400 entries from 30+ countries and was revealed to mark two years to go until the Netball World Cup 2023 in South Africa – there are some really amazing and heart-warming stories in there, it’s been wonderful to see the netball family come together. View the mosaic here!

What are your top tips for adults wanting to get back into playing netball?

Do it, do it, do it! Find a local session near to you using the Netball Finder tool on the England Netball Website. Just enter your postcode and pop along. I promise you after you take the first step, you’ll enjoy it and won’t look back!

Why do you think playing team sports is so important?

Team sports are important as it allows you to build a connection with like-minded individuals with a common goal. It also assists with the development of physical ability and emotional intelligence. In my opinion, netball is one of the greatest team sports because it requires little resource but it can cater to a large group of individuals. It is a sport that is wholly inclusive, there is no prescribed body type or skill ability needed in order to play the game and it can be played by anyone, the young and old.

What are you currently working on?

My maternity leave ends at the beginning of September and I will return to my role as a solicitor. So I am currently making the most of my time with Savannah and my husband doing day visits to local attractions and visiting family members.

I am also engaging with some summer training with the England Netball Roses as we look forward to the Commonwealth Games in 2022 to be held in Birmingham. I still have a long way to go in terms of getting back physically to where I was before, so I am taking this pre-season training one step at a time, being kind to myself (reminding myself, I had a baby 11 months ago and it’s ok to go slowly), and enjoying the process.

Can you tell us some of the most inspiring women in sports you follow online?

Serena Williams – The G.O.A.T., an ultimate champion who epitomises hard work, determination, resilience and what it means to break down social barriers and continuously change the narrative.

Denise Lewis OBE – An Olympic Gold Medallist, Mum of 4, Wife, TV Pundit/Presenter and businesswoman. The list goes on, but I consider her to be a real-life example of a high achiever, a woman of ambition who when she graces our TV screens always delivers with poise, eloquence and elegance.

What does your perfect weekend look like?

A perfect weekend is a healthy and hearty family breakfast followed by a long outdoor walk, usually along the Salisbury plains or around the Longleat Forest in the sunshine. Recently we’ve been able to strap Savannah into her Thule buggy and continue our love of exploring with ease. I love spending time with my family and I find that getting outdoors with little to no distractions allows us to connect and spend real quality time together.

After an outdoor adventure, food is always key. So retreating to a quaint countryside eatery which serves good food and drinks is a must! I try to fit in a workout at the gym at some point and more recently ensure that I touch base with family members near and far over zoom (as we haven’t been able to do so in person).

Weekends for me are a time to rest, relax and unwind; so at some point, you are also guaranteed to find me in a bath with some Epsom salts, a Mum and You face mask on and a True Grace candle burning. I try to always carve out some ‘me’ time where possible. I feel like it keeps me sane and allows me to retain a personal sense of identity, away from all the different ‘hats’ that I wear on a daily and working week basis.

What do you always carry with you?

I wear a single necklace that has two interconnecting rings as the centrepiece. On the largest ring, I have my name and my husband’s name inscribed alongside our wedding date. On the smaller ring, I have my daughter’s name, Savannah inscribed alongside her birthdate. Alongside my weddings rings, it’s the most treasured piece of jewellery I own!

What would your last ever meal be?

My mum’s Spaghetti Bolognese. It’s food for the soul and it always puts a smile on my face.

What is one positive piece of advice you could give to our audience?

Don’t be afraid to fail. Be afraid to not try. You’ll be richer for the experience regardless of the outcome.

Follow Eboni on Instagram here!