Sitting in a stuffy careers office aged 16, surrounded by musty sixth form decor and a somewhat clueless head of year pondering what you’ll be doing for the next 50 years, it’s no surprise many of us feel disillusioned by the career choices we make so early on in life with little information or intuition about what direction we should head in. Some follow the route ‘expected’ of them, are influenced by parents or friends or simply fall into a job that pays the bills but doesn’t necessarily light a fire of inspiration or motivation.

But all is not lost- you can escape the boss who gives you the Sunday night blues, the endless to-do list that never lets up and the industry you’re still not entirely sure how you ended up in. Introducing: those who do a career 180- a career cartwheel if you will. You’re never stuck and your job destiny is not fixed, and these inspiring folks reminded us of that tenfold. Transitioning from working in education to luxury candles, office roles to OnlyFans, teaching to designing vintage china, HR to crisis counsellor and supermarket worker to 999 call taker, there’s proof in the pudding that changing careers or industries later in life is more often than not, a risk worth taking…

Having spent decades of her career working in corporate roles, 47 year old Nichola, based in Houston, Renfrewshire, took the plunge and lept on her ‘now or never’ feeling and launched Olapip Home, a luxury hand poured home fragrance business 5 months before lockdown. Having always loved fragrance and cosy interiors and with a growing frustration at expensive candles that didn’t burn as well as she’d hoped, Nichola ventured into the unknown in starting Olapip and hasn’t looked back since…

We adore the Olapip ethos and really admire how much success you’ve achieved in just under 2 years since your initial launch! You decided to change careers aged 45, what was it about this point in your life that made it feel right to take the plunge?

As a candle lover, I was becoming a little frustrated with expensive large brand candles that did not burn particularly well – either tunnelling with much wax left on the side of the candle jar or a black soot residue around the top of the container – so I wanted to explore to see what I could produce.

 So, after a spell of training, continuous researching, testing, tweaking, retesting…and finally leaving my marketing profession, Olapip Home was born.

Could you tell us a little bit about your business and the day to day running of it? What does it mean to run a home fragrance brand?

Olapip Home is a hand-poured home fragrance business offering ‘a little luxury in a sustainable way’.

All our soy wax candles, wax melts and reed diffusers are carefully crafted to produce elegant scents for the home or workplace and are made in the Olapip Studio in Houston, in the countryside on the outskirts of Glasgow. Olapip’s luxury home fragrances create a delightful ambience in any space, and with citrus, fresh, fruity and floral to oriental, woody, masculine and seasonal scents – there really is something for every taste.  

Our ethos is all about offering a little luxury in a sustainable way and I was determined to develop a brand with a conscience and to not be wasteful. I limit the use of plastics and encourage customers to reuse, refill and recycle. When the candle has finished, customers can return the clean jar for money off their next order or repurpose it – plant low maintenance succulents in it, use the jar as a pen pot or to hold your favourite make-up brushes.

Day-to-day running of the business involves sourcing the raw materials, hand pouring lots of products, marketing/social media/digital activity, selling online, in-person and at events, processing customer orders, keeping log of sales, outgoings, finances and all the other admin that goes with running a business. Oh, and trying to finish my website!  I operate with a Facebook shop and to order, customers can message on Facebook/Instagram or email me.  The website was about 90% complete when the business went crazy so I never quite got round to finishing it (the shame, I should really have sacked myself!).

How long did it take you from thinking about changing careers to making the move?

Around 5 months. I was still working but in my spare time at home I was experimenting and testing. I set up a research group to test scents and products and the feedback was fantastic with a resounding ‘You’re onto something’ being a consistent comment. So, I left my job in May and spent the next 4 months bringing the product range and branding together for a launch in September.  It was a giant leap of faith but something that I was so passionate about.

Did the pandemic impact your priorities and feelings towards what you wanted to spend your time doing and the things you really valued?

Well, I launched only 5 months or so before lockdown and goodness when that hit it was, without doubt, a scary time…in so many ways. What would happen? Would we survive? The doubt. The fear. The unknown.

As a very new business I did not qualify for any of the government assistance but I was determined to save the business and to keep going where possible, to adapt our offering and to continue to fill homes and workplaces with our gorgeous scents and homewares. As a result, I set up a contactless collection box from which customers could prepay and collect their orders, I offered local delivery assuming it was en-route to fetch provisions, I shipped throughout the UK and eventually, as pockets of retail re-opened, I set up an outdoor shop.

Bizarrely, lockdown helped the business to grow as people’s shopping habits changed by shopping locally and gifting to friends and family all over the UK. It was all about a little joy and peoples’ general wellbeing. Some customers loved our scents from a sanity point of view as it was their tranquil time in a world full of fear – lock the bathroom door, light the Olapip candle, relax in the bath and breathe. For others it was suddenly having a home full of children, husbands, wives and pets and they desperately needed scent to mask absolutely everything! 

For me personally I’d never worked harder in my life keeping up with demand and I was slightly envious of those ‘lucky’ to be furloughed having all this unexpected family time. I just went into coping mode – trying to run the business, home school, keep my daughter protected and look after vulnerable family members who were shielding. But all the time I did feel very fortunate that Olapip was home-based and that every day I could be there for my daughter at what was an incredibly scary time for all.

The whole episode just seemed to focus on survival.

Were those around you supportive of your career change and move to self employment?

Absolutely. Even the business name represents the support I had.

Olapip: a little bit of me – Nich’ola’, my daughter – ‘Pip’ who was hugely excited when I told her I was leaving my job to start a completely new venture – and also two of my husband’s letters are there…all in the interest of fairness of course! My husband builds things for me, keeps me calm and has a brilliant operational mind, my mum labels and packages the products, my daughter makes boxes, counts diffuser reeds and labels bags, my sister helps at events and being a social media guru I may just need to hand that task over to her!

I love that the ‘Olapip’ name includes my family which makes it even more special. They have been hugely supportive and understanding and for me that is incredibly precious. It’s scary taking that leap but with super-supportive family and friends behind me, it made it all a little more reassuring.

What was the biggest challenge in setting up your own business?

The juggle! There’s no doubt about it, running your own business IS hard. You wear many hats. From having always had a team to share tasks with to suddenly becoming what is effectively the ‘full organisation’ i.e. R&D, manufacturing, procurement, marketing, sales, finance, HR, compliance, etc, the to-do list is endless and you never really manage to switch off. 

My challenge is always time and taking on too much – but I think that’s just the way that I’m wired.

I would say do your research, know your market, have a plan (and be prepared to adapt it), get your processes in place. Use free resources available to you – Business Gateway training courses, courses or templates offered by your business bank, there are some great Instagram accounts for small business advice or tax/finance help. 

It can also be lonely, so find your gang – join some business networks, there may be some local business groups on Facebook who meet up for coffee and a chat. It’s good to get out of the business to bounce ideas and gain a sense that you’re not alone – share the fear, excitement, confidence, successes…depending on which hat you’re wearing that day!

Yes, it can be daunting, but it’s all the more enjoyable and rewarding when you have such amazing support from your customers, family and friends…and if you believe in, and love what you do.

Which skills would you say were most helpful from your role in education to transfer to your new and totally different career in home fragrance? Do you think it helped you in any way having worked in a totally different industry previously?

I have a business and marketing degree so there’s a general foundation present and I have spreadsheets for everything. I also have an understanding that building a brand isn’t just about marketing – it’s every single contact your business has with your customer/potential customer. What you say, how you say it, what you produce, what and how you deliver and, equally, how you handle any dissatisfaction.

Communication – talk to your customer, get to know them. I love chatting to customers, describing our range, taking them on a scent journey and helping them discover new fragrances. Scent evokes memories and it’s lovely when presenting a product to them you see a smile spread on their face and hear the words ‘Ah, that reminds me of…’

Also Resilience – the ability to experiment, to fail, to succeed, to take compliments, to take criticism and to adapt…and boy have we had to adapt continuously in the last 18 months.

I’ve worked in 3 very different industries and some of those roles were also business to business which helps with the wholesale/stockists side. But I think the consistent element is always knowing your customer.

How has your quality of life and happiness been affected since changing careers?

Oh my goodness, I thought I’d have a much calmer, creative life making candles in my home studio, the doors would be open, the birds would be singing and life would be ideal! In reality, I’ve never worked harder, I don’t get paid annual leave (unfortunately) and my boss is an absolute taskmaster (he he)! People often say ‘You’re the boss, you choose your hours – it’s simple.’ That’s exactly what I’d be saying if roles were reversed. But if you don’t do what’s on your list, no one else is going to do it for you and the list just grows.

I’m not going to sugarcoat it, I do feel quite stressed with the workload at times but I need to work out when I’m taking that next step to outsource more of the admin to free up time and headspace. I don’t have a commute to/from work which can help distinguish between work and home, but a dog walk with a coffee straight after the school run helps to focus the mind and kick-start the day. 

I do work a lot of weekends and I know I need to be stricter and take time off during the week to switch off and rest or I will eventually suffer. But the difference is I’m working hard for MY business.  

What’s your best piece of advice for anyone considering a big career change?

If you’ve done your research, go for it. I’m proud that I had the guts to take that giant leap of faith and that I bring a little scented happiness into peoples’ lives.

I’ve just had my 2nd birthday and I keep thinking how the heck did that happen? In some respects it’s hard to remember life before Olapip, but on the other hand it has absolutely flown by…so that must mean I’m having fun!

You can shop from Olapip Home via their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/olapiphome/shop), shop at Nichola’s home studio in Houston, Scotland, order to collect locally or with shipping throughout the UK. 

Emma Wakely of Beau & Badger is currently living the dream running her cheeky vintage china business, but her positivity and motivation for creating a successful business wasn’t always present after she was forced to quit her previous dream job as a primary school teacher after sustaining a back injury that left her unable to work in the classroom.  Moving from being active and able bodied to using a wheelchair, Emma describes feeling like her “life was over” and being left behind by her peers who continued in their successful careers as her lifestyle was forced to do a 180. 

After making a one-off vintage plate design for her mum, Emma decided to try her hand at selling her designs and soon had a successful and thriving business on her hands, stocking on Etsy, selling at local markets and amassing over 10,000 followers on Instagram. Her cheeky fine bone china is a crockery lover’s dream! 

Unlike some who decide on making a big career change, you were forced into it by external circumstances. Did you ever imagine you would feel grateful for this shift in your life at the time of your injury?

Which skills would you say were most helpful from your role in teaching to transfer to your new and totally different career in cheeky vintage china?

Communication is key in teaching and is also important when running your own business. It has helped me deliver great customer service and build up a fantastic customer base all over the world. In teaching you need to be very organised. This has been invaluable in starting my own business. I try to keep on top of my paperwork and accounts as this can easily become overwhelming. 

Did you always have an artistic side that you weren’t fully able to express in your day job or was this side of your personality only really brought out when teaching was no longer an option?

I’ve always been very creative and enjoyed making things. Teaching quickly became all consuming and I no longer had time to focus on my creative side. Since starting Beau & Badger I have had the opportunity to grow creatively and make a range of products I’m really proud of. 

Could you tell us a bit more about how you took your vintage china idea from making a one-off plate design for your mum to running a successful business with over 10k followers on Instagram? 

My mum has always been my biggest cheerleader. She gave me the confidence to put myself out there and start my business. When I sold my first plate on Etsy, I was ecstatic. Nothing beats the feeling of someone wanting to pay for your work. The orders started flooding in and I was getting lots of custom requests for swear words. This is when I realised I had found my niche and made the decision to focus on cheeky words and phrases. Starting Beau & Badger was a steep learning curve with a lot of trial and error. I had to work out quickly which products were worth focusing on and which weren’t. This allowed me to create a product range that people loved. Social media has been a fantastic platform for getting my work out there. We have a great community on Instagram that share a love for sweary china and small dogs (I share lots of pictures of my dogs Harry and Stella). This has been invaluable in growing my business to where it is today. 

What was the biggest challenge in transitioning to working for yourself and in a totally different industry? 

When I started out I had no idea of how to run a business- I learnt everything from YouTube videos and the Internet! I taught myself about product photography, editing pictures, how to grow on instagram, managing finances, branding and customer experience. It was challenging but I really enjoyed learning something new. It gave me something positive to focus on when things were hard. 

What’s been the biggest highlight of your new career so far?

I absolutely love meeting customers. Most of our sales are online, meaning I don’t get to do this as often as I would like. A highlight for me was the Bristol Christmas Market. I met so many lovely people that I found the perfect gift for a friend. This is what my business is all about. I love the meaning words hold for people. It could be your best friend’s nickname or something that reminds you of that ‘had to be there moment’.

How has your quality of life and happiness been affected since changing careers?

My life is now completely different. I am so much happier and less stressed. I can focus on the things that are really important to me, my family, friends and being creative. I’m always thinking of new things to bring to the shop and no day is the same. I absolutely love what I do and am so grateful that I had the opportunity to take a step back and turn something difficult into something positive. 

What would you say to anyone else who may find themselves in a situation in which they suddenly have to change careers because of circumstances out of their control? 

Even though it feels like the end of the world, it really isn’t. Dwelling on something you can’t change isn’t helpful. Focus on the things you can change. Take the time to really find what you enjoy and what makes you happy. Don’t be afraid to give something new a try. You never know it might be the best thing you ever do.

You can find Beau & Badger on Instagram at @beauandbadger or shop Emma’s designs via her Etsy store here.

Whilst Lauren was only 22 when she decided to change career paths, her decision to move from a traditional office job to creating adult content for OnlyFans was a dramatic change of pace and lifestyle for both her and her family and friends. Feeling she had nothing to lose and unfulfilled by her office roles following sixth form, Lauren’s life changed overnight as she went from making 19k a year to 19k a month on OnlyFans. 

How did you get into your original social media/office role and was this something you were excited to be a part of originally?

After sixth form I went to a secretarial college and studied to be a secretary. I learnt in depth Microsoft packages, shorthand and more. I felt really prepared for the working world after I left there. I applied because I was interested in social media and websites. I felt that it was within my capabilities. I was extremely excited to start my social media job. I had a few jobs after leaving college. I worked for a fashion designer for a year and the social media and website job was my second full time job. I was only 20 years old at the time.

In the 2 years you worked in an office environment did you ever feel like this was the right job for you? 

Was the move from PAYE to self employment a big appeal in changing your career path?

I have always wanted to be my own boss. When I was a child I used to imagine what kind of business I would start. Before I began OnlyFans, whilst I had my old job I posted loads of bikini selfies on Instagram and this used to make me feel good about myself. Ultimately starting my own business made me feel like I was taking back control in my life. No one could tell me that I was not good enough at anything apart from myself! 

What was it about OnlyFans specifically that appealed to you? Have you worked in the adult industry before?

I had never worked in the adult industry before. I always used to look at girls like Kelly Brook and Rosie Jones growing up and I wanted to be a page 3 model but the glamour industry has changed a lot since then. The main thing that appealed to me was independence and that I could be in control of my own life and happiness again. Ultimately, all I wanted was my happiness back.

Are there any drawbacks to being self employed that you didn’t experience whilst working in an office environment?

Overall the positives outweigh the negatives. Tax is not fun and the strange thing about becoming a business owner is you are expected to know everything about it including all of the terminology as soon as you start! I think it can be a lot more lonely in the day. However I would rather be by myself than in a toxic environment like my old job where they used to bitch about me when I left the room.

Has it been difficult to navigate self employment during a pandemic?

The pandemic actually positively affected my business because people spent a lot more time at home. There was not really much change to my job apart from I could not go to photoshoots for my Instagram.

Was there any judgement and concerns from those in your inner circle about taking this risk and how did you manage those emotions if so?

When I first began OnlyFans, my own family did not agree with me which was really hard considering I lived with them! I lost a lot of friends and that was extremely mentally challenging for me. I found that even if someone wanted to be my friend and did not agree with my life choices I could not relax around them and always felt like I needed to justify my life choices. Which, sadly, came off as boasting because I was insecure. 

How has your quality of life and happiness been affected since changing careers?

My life right now is like a dream compared to my old life. I am one week away from closing on my first rental property and I live in my dream house in the Cotswolds. I honestly could not have even imagined this being my life when I was sad and depressed at a normal job. 

I understand now that I was extremely lucky and this does not happen for everyone starting this career. I was in a BBC documentary last year called Nudes4Sale and in the documentary it explores a few people’s experiences on the platform including mine.

Have there been any downsides to making the move?

The biggest downside and something I did not foresee is that my identity completely changed. I was no longer just Lauren anymore, I am “the OnlyFans girl”. People in my hometown would stare at me and sometimes say negative things to me whilst in public. It used to really mentally affect me but now I tend to just avoid negative people and I have moved away from my hometown!

Another negative is that whatever I put out onto the internet I will never be able to take back. It will follow me around forever. Also, in this industry a lot of your content ends up being sold by people on the Internet pretending to be you or published to websites without your permission. I had to hire a team to help me with this issue but it is always ongoing and my content will never be just on my paid site. It is just something I have had to accept.

What’s your best piece of advice for anyone considering a big career change?

Before changing careers I would absolutely recommend thinking about the positives and negatives of the move. When I made my career move I honestly was not in a good place and I just felt like I had nothing to lose. When you hit rock bottom the only way to go is up, and that’s what I did.

Ask yourself, do you really want to be working for someone else your whole life? Knowledge is power and if you know what could go wrong you will be better prepared for it.

You can find Lauren at @1laurenelizabeth on Instagram 

Having finished studying Communications and Human Resources at University in 2013, Canadian graduate Pamela struggled to find a job and ended up travelling and volunteering through her mid to late twenties. During her time volunteering in South Africa she discovered a love for crisis counselling and social work, and returned to Canada in 2018 to study this further. Pamela has just graduated aged 29 with a Master of Social Work which qualifies her as a psychotherapist and has never felt happier in her working life…

How soon into your studies and work in comms and HR did you realise the sector wasn’t for you?

It was towards the end of my last year when I realised I didn’t want to work in comms and HR. All of my classmates were discussing applying for jobs and preparing for the certification exam required to practice HR where I live. While I’m usually very studious and enjoy learning, I knew I wasn’t invested enough in the field to prepare for the exam the way I needed to, so I completed the year but never sat the exam. 

Did you ever consider quitting your studies at the time or were you hopeful that this industry might be right for you when it came to finding a permanent job?

I never considered quitting my studies. I think because I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do, I didn’t want to quit to ‘do nothing’. I’ve always wanted to do work that makes a difference, and figured I would apply for comms and HR jobs that were in line with that like comms and HR for the police department or a hospital, or children’s aid society. I didn’t necessarily want to work on the ‘front lines’, but I wanted to do work that mattered and thought this could be a good way to do that so I stuck it out. 

How did you come across social work/crisis counselling and what was it about it that drew you in?

The tipping point for me was when a young girl who attended our programs died suddenly. I was a part of a group that went to run our personal empowerment program with the girl’s classmates, but I felt ill equipped to provide them with the support they needed which was crisis and grief counselling. I decided then that if this is the work that I love to do, I wanted to be trained to do it well. I knew I needed to return to school to be able to do that. 

Could you tell us a bit about this industry and what your day to day role looks like?

Today, I am still in Canada working as an inpatient hospital social worker and I also run a small private practice as a psychotherapist. At the hospital, the role is varied day to day but includes supporting patients and families as they learn about new diagnoses, make decisions about end-of-life care, transition from home to a more supportive living environment like a retirement or nursing home, and any other ‘social factors’ that may be contributing to their hospital stay. 

In private practice, I work virtually with youth and young adults experiencing anxiety, depression, life transitions and grief. We work together to develop coping strategies and greater tolerance for challenging emotions. 

What was it you were seeking from your new career that wasn’t being fulfilled in communications and HR?

I always knew I wanted to do work that made a difference but had no idea what that would or could look like. Comms and HR likely would have been mostly if not all behind the scenes which I thought I wanted at the time, but I discovered working in Cape Town that I liked being able to work directly with people as well as behind the scenes. It’s important to me to feel connected to the work I’m doing so it feels meaningful, which is something I didn’t know about myself when I originally decided on comms and HR. 

How has your quality of life and happiness been affected since changing careers?

There’s something so special about doing work you’re passionate about, that feels like just the right fit. There’s also a sense of gratitude I have going into every day knowing that I could have been on a very different path if I had believed returning to school so late wasn’t an option for me. Knowing that I was very intentional about choosing this work/ path, and that I didn’t just fall into it makes me feel very happy and fortunate. I also work (and studied) with the very best people. Social work can be emotionally taxing, but it’s work that I love and find very meaningful. Working with people who feel the same way, who I can both laugh and cry with, is very special. 

Have there been any downsides to making the move?

The hardest part for me was leaving South Africa. I had built a life and home there, many of my closest friends are still there. But as hard as the goodbye was, once I figured out what it is I wanted to do, it was a no brainer. 

What’s your best piece of advice for anyone considering a big career change?

One thing I kept in mind when I returned to study, knowing it would take three years, was that ‘the time will pass anyway’. If you’re considering a big career change but are hesitant because of the time it might take to complete, the time is going to pass anyway. I figured I might as well spend that time getting closer to my goal. Now that I’m on the other side of it doing work that I truly enjoy, I can say it was 100% worth it in my case. 

33-year-old Siana had been working in a supermarket role since the age of 17 before taking the leap of faith and deciding to complete training as a 999 call taker for the ambulance service. Entirely different from her previous roles, she has found herself oftentimes in disbelief that this new job is hers, and her story is the ultimate testament to leaping with confidence out of the box you might have placed yourself in. 

You had spent 15 years working in a supermarket since being a teen- the entirety of your working life! What inspired you to take the plunge aged 33? Was there a lightbulb moment? 

For me it was that I was just stagnant, that although day to day I was ok and work wasn’t necessarily difficult maybe that was the problem, I was just comfortable.  I worked with some really great people and it took me a long time to realise that I needed more. I needed to do something that made a difference, something I would have to challenge myself with. 

Saying that, I never thought I could do something like this, especially such an important role! My friend’s partner came into work as a customer and I remember he asked why I was still there! After all this time – and truthly it wasn’t an easy question to answer – I laughed and said I must love it really! Later that evening he sent me a link for an emergency call handler for the ambulance service – I genuinely laughed – Not a chance would I ever get something like that! That there’s absolutely no chance! The day before the closing date I just decided to go for it, nothing changes till you change, am I right?! 

Were you nervous about taking the plunge or excited about a complete change of pace in the early stages?

My application form took a long time to complete and I sent it off with the thought that at least the job application process was some practice! After all it was a long time since I last applied for a new job – The assessments were tough, typing tests, accuracy reading tests, call taking assessments and more, but when I got the email to say I’d passed them I felt proud of myself and I think it’d been a long time since I had. After the interview I just felt like no matter what happens, I did my best – when I got the call to say I was successful, it was like a light shining inside of me I know that sounds ridiculous but I was so happy I can’t even describe it. I called my mum straight away! I still feel that little glow now when I think this is what I’m doing.

Now to the hard bit – it’s a serious job, as a friend of mine put it. It’s a proper grown up job! There’s so much to learn, many processes and protocols to follow. I often feel like I can’t take anymore information or my head will explode! 

Were you at all worried that not having prior experience relevant to working in healthcare would hinder you in changing careers? 

On the day of the induction, there were 11 of us starting and straight away I noticed that I was the oldest, the others were all much younger than me. During the ice breaker where you have to stand up and introduce yourselves (I’m sure everyone hates it!) I stood up to introduce myself and said a little about myself – luckily I was first, as when everyone else stood up I became very self conscious and felt out of my depth.

How has your quality of life and happiness been affected since changing careers?

Each day I start with a little nagging voice telling me I’m not good enough but each day I learn more, the system starts making a little more sense, I’m understanding protocols and really pushing my brain to work, each night I go to bed exhausted but feel a sense of achievement.

I’d love to say that I’m completely rocking it but I’m not. I’m struggling every day to keep my head above the water – but I am doing that with my new colleagues – all young, all attractive, all intelligent and all absolutely lovely colleagues! Yep! They are all lovely! We are all struggling, we are all pushing ourselves and we are all so supportive of each other. 

So, all I can say is yes, I might not pass my sign off, and I might fail my exams but I’m doing the best that I can every single day and I’ve never been so mentally drained, but I’ve never been prouder of myself either. It may all go wrong and I may not succeed but life is for living and life is for the brave, so here I am being brave.

Stomp, stomp b*tch, September is here and chunky boots are BACK. Functional yet stylish, this is one new season purchase you can certainly justify as the weather cools but outfit possibilities heat up for those who love all things layering, jackets and jumpers. From Chelsea Boots to lace ups, Dr Martens to rain boots, having a couple of pairs of go-to styles in your repertoire is v wise now that, unlike last autumn/winter, we can venture out and about to shopping dates, brunch and Christmas markets (less than 100 days to go, people) galore. All we’re saying is you’ve got options, and it would be silly not to make the most of them…

So whether you’re already dreaming of a pumpkin patch or want to pair your boots with bare legs whilst you still can, get scrolling and saving and be sure to thank us later when the rainy days approach (cries).

*This post contains ad-affiliate links

For the next part of our Digital Detox series, we had the pleasure of heading out into the woods for a few hours with Fern Freud to experience one of her wild foraging walks.

Fern grew up in a family of foragers, gathering food and hunting for mushrooms with her dad on the Sussex Downs. She’s since gone on to perfect her craft, running workshops and classes and sharing her knowledge with others, so that they too can experience the joy of foraging slowly, safely and sustainably.

Whether she’s cooking up magnolia fritters, harvesting mugwort leaves for homemade ice cream or making eco -friendly washing up liquid with old ivy leaves, Fern really knows her stuff when it comes to nature’s recipes.

As part of our Digital Detox series running throughout September, we thought joining Fern for one of her foraging walks would be a great way to forget the online world exists for a while, slow down, make like our ancestors and reconnect with the land.

From identifying autumn edibles such as berries, nuts, mushrooms and hedgerow herbs, to harvesting responsibly, here’s how the team got on hanging out in mother nature’s larder with Foraged By Fern. Alexa, play Folklore…

If you’re looking to expand your food knowledge, begin your own foraging journey or simply do something a bit different for a family activity, corporate event or special occasion, book one of Fern’s guided courses and find out what ingredients you can discover, right on your doorstep.

She offers private foraging courses for small groups, encompassing a 2hr walk rounded off with a delicious wild picnic using all the delicious ingredients you’ve gathered along the way.

For more information about Fern’s Sussex foraging courses, 1:1 sessions, online events and wild food workshops, you can visit her website or follow her on Instagram at @foragedbyfern

Photography by Toni Heath, Cuttlebone Photography. You can find more of her work on Instagram @cuttlebone.co.uk and her website here.

Lareese says…

What a joy (and career highlight haha) it was to spend our Tuesday morning foraging on the South Downs with Fern. Having grown up around the area, it felt nostalgic and comforting to be back in my neck of the woods, literally. We started off with the all-important health and safety talk – a reminder to only eat and forage what you can clearly identify, forage responsibly and leave the rest for mama nature. We had all but crossed the dusty car park before we stumbled upon some pineapple weed (or wild chamomile). These simple yellow flower heads are commonly found on disturbed ground such as pathways and roadsides, but Fern mentioned being cautious of where you harvest because of pollution / toxic weed killer. The general rule of thumb is to forage away from cars in a clean location, to avoid the risk but don’t let that put you off, these guys can be infused for iced teas, used in salads or – my personal fave – in a wild cocktail with ground ivy and rum.

We then ambled over the hills and gathered around some hawthorn berries. Personally, I’m always been a tad nervous about picking wild berries (juicy blackberries aside) ever since my primary school pal ingested a handful on one particularly adventurous Disney-esque lunchtime and wound up in hospital. She was fine but it got me thinking if only she’d picked hawthorns ay! Rookie error. Along the way, Fern gave us some key checkpoints for identifying all the edibles. With the haws, we were looking for a dark green hand-shaped serrated leaf, similar to an oak, thorns and ruby red berries with a stone in the middle. They taste a little bit like a savoury apple but are best when cooked and you can make all sorts with them from jellies and hawthorn berry ketchup to chutney or vinegar.

Talking of babes, Fern not only knows her stuff when it comes to the law of the land and identifying edibles, she’s also an incredible storyteller, combining her practical workshops with folklore, history and mythology. It was fascinating stuff and a real learning experience as well as a treat for the mind.

Any workshop that’s rounded off with homemade rose & lemon cake on a picnic blanket gets full marks from me. Huge thank you to the lovely Fern for hanging out with us for a few hours and sharing her foraging pearls of wisdom with us. Having seen what the beginning of autumn can offer up, it’s safe to say I’ve caught the foraging bug and immediately want to book in another one for springtime.

Danielle says…

I didn’t know what to expect when I found out we would be going foraging, other than the odd blackberry I very rarely know what you can and can’t pick when out on a walk and I have absolutely no idea what you could make with said pickings. I’d had a look at Fern’s Instagram in the car on the way and I must say everything she was making looked delicious so I couldn’t wait to get involved. Fern gave us a rundown of what to expect when we started and gave us a fair bit of warning about the dangers of foraging as a surprising amount of plants in the UK can be toxic or deadly – who knew?! She also mentioned that some plants in the UK are protected so if have a good look at those before setting off and if you’re ever in doubt there are plenty of Facebook groups that will help you identify if something should be picked or not. Old laws allow people to forage public land, but if there are ever any signs that ask you not to, you should follow those first.

The experience as a whole was absolutely fantastic, for so many reasons, the first being general identification of herbs/fruits/food – Fern gave us a great checklist for each thing so that you could make sure all things were checked off before confirming it is what you think it is. This could be leaf pattern, scent, where it usually grows, style of flower/head and so many more. We were also told about all the incredible things we could do with each item, one of the first things we saw was pineapple weed which is also known as natures camomile, Fern explained how we could make it into a tea, making sure to cover the hot water with a plate so none of the infusion escapes. She also told us how to infuse it with rum to make a pineapple mojito!

Everything we found came with so many interesting facts and details, and it was a joy to listen to Fern share her knowledge with us, she is quite an encyclopedia for all things foraging and I would implore anyone to book a workshop whether you have a keen interest in foraging or not!

Charlotte says…

I went into this experience as a total newbie and with absolutely no idea what to expect from foraging- something that feels so unlike anything I’ve done before- but I was so pleasantly surprised and haven’t stopped raving about it to friends and family since! I hate to say it but I thought compared to the yoga which I had loved so much, foraging might be a little less engaging and not something I would be overly interested in, but that really couldn’t have been further from the truth. Fern is so personable and really makes you eager and interested from the start and even from her first introductions to foraging and the basic dos and don’ts I was sold on the concept! Initially, Fern went over the basic warnings about toxic and dangerous plants in the UK which was certainly a reality check as I hadn’t realised quite how serious the effects of ingesting these plants could be, and even from this point, it was clear that her wealth of knowledge on this subject is truly unmatched.

We were so lucky to go foraging during September’s 3-day heatwave and exploring the South Downs in the sunshine was such a lovely way to connect with nature and just made me feel super grateful for my surroundings and how peaceful everything felt- it was perfect for a digital detox! The experience lasted maybe 90 minutes in total and from start to finish I was learning so much new information in the form of anecdotes, facts about how to use each plant and the history behind them and their benefits in past society too. Fern is an absolute powerhouse of knowledge and there was no question she could not answer or detail she didn’t know- I felt very safe to pick and even try some berries in her company and again was just in awe of talent and passion for the subject which was so infectious throughout the experience.

We finished the experience with some absolutely delicious vegan rose and lemon cake made with the addition of some ingredients Fern had foraged, and it couldn’t have been more tasty or full circle to get to experience the fruits of her labour if you will. I have been recommending foraging to all my loved ones and would love to go on another of Fern’s workshops because there are infinite things to learn and try and it was just such a joyful way to spend a couple of hours. Truly the perfect DD activity.

For more information about Fern’s Sussex foraging courses, 1:1 sessions, online events and wild food workshops, you can visit her website or follow her on Instagram at @foraged.by.fern

Photography by Toni Heath, Cuttlebone Photography. You can find more of her work on Instagram @cuttlebone.co.uk and her website here.

Problems, we’ve all got a tonne of ‘em and whilst we, the team Zoella
armchair oracles, certainly don’t have what it takes to qualify as professional agony aunts or therapists, between us we’ve got enough emotional baggage and life experience to draw from to tap out a juicy – and hopefully helpful – reply.

From making new friends and grappling with social anxiety after some serious Mean Girls shit went down at high school, to standing up for yourself when your boss is an absolute villain and knowing when the Hinge holiday romance has run its course, let’s get into this month’s BYAM.

Does anyone else feel like the novelty of shopping IRL still hasn’t worn off? Us too. Give us an iced latte, some banging tunes through our headphones, a tote bag to pop in our many purchases and suddenly a mooch round the high street = the creme de la creme of Saturday activities. And as the new season approaches and thoughts turn to crisp, orange leaves and movie days galore, so does the need to add a little extra (pumpkin) spice to your autumn wardrobe, perhaps in the form of trench coats, ankle boots, fleeces and or a humble polo neck (see inspiration from Louis Theroux aka the king of winter style).

For those whose wardrobes are bursting at the seams (read: all of us), perhaps the draw of high street homeware is more appealing this season, with the likes of Zara Home, Arket and Oliver Bonas offering some seriously dreamy sage and beige picks to finish off that shelf you put up in lockdown which is still looking très bare …

Keep reading to see this week’s team picks and let us know what you’ll be adding to basket!

Zoe

I’m a little bit obsessed with Zara Home at the moment and their newest release has these gorgeous scalloped napkins and fruit plates! I also think they have some of the best high street fragrances (both perfumes/aftershaves and candles/diffusers) Poetic Mind I such a gorgeous fragrance! I also love this oversized shirt dress from H&M too!

H&M, Oversized shirt dress, £24.99 | Zara Home, POETIC MIND REED DIFFUSER, £89.99 | Zara Home, NAPKINS WITH SCALLOPED EDGE, £9.99 | Zara Home, FRUIT PLATE, £11.99

Lareese

I’m really into these wool trousers from Arket. I think they’ll be a great autumn staple to bung on with some knitwear. With autumn on the brain, I’m also keen to get in there early with the coats because otherwise, all the best ones sell out. This classic double-breasted style will go with everything and be roomy enough to accommodate for all the cosy layers. I’ve also GOT to add in the boxy green cardi of dreams and ugly fisherman sandals from TOAST, which I would absolutely shamelessly wear with socks. Don’t @ me.

*Arket, Hopsack Wool Trousers, £89 | *Weekday, Kia Wool Blend Coat, £125 | Toast, Wool Cotton Aran Cardigan, £185 | Toast, Steve Mono Artisanal Sandals, £195

Holly

I find dressing in Autumn so much easier than any other time of year. Can pop back on my jeans and long sleeve tee’s but not too worried about big jackets. Just perfect. I’ve got my eyes on these statement jeans from Monki and pairing them with a black top and shoes with a chunky necklace and I’m ready for a day full of activities.

*Monki, straight-leg trousers, £30 | *New Look, Black Hanky Hem Crew Neck Top, £11.99 | *Oliver Bonas, Tucker Twisted Links Chunky Collar Necklace, £28 | *Boohoo, Black Low Block Barely There Heels, £25

Darcey

I’ve well and truly underestimated M&S until this last weekend when I found so many good bits, so I thought I’d link a couple! I got this gorgeous shearling jacket which was really reasonably priced but the quality is great. I got a pair of black slim flared jeans which I think will look so good with some chunky boots and a big coat in the winter. I also am obsessed with two-tone boots at the moment and these ones from Topshop with a grey sole I think look super cool. Lastly, I’m obsessed with v-neck or button up knitwear as I think for me it’s really flattering so I’ve picked up a few of those too.

*Marks & Spencer, Faux Shearling Aviator Jacket, £69 | *Marks & Spencer, Slim Flare Jeans, £29.50 | *ASOS, Topshop Kylie chelsea boot in black, £40 | *ASOS, ASOS DESIGN jumper with polo neck in rib in cream, £25

Danielle

The best thing about autumn is being able to return to my old faithful jeans, t-shirt, jacket combo. Love this straight pair from Stradivarius, with a stripe tee and LOVE this khaki fleece jacket, super cosy perfect for drinks or a long walk. I headed over to ARKET for some home pieces like a lush new blanket and HELLO candle season is back!

*ASOS, Stradivarius organic cotton mom fit vintage jean in light wash, £25.99 | *ASOS, Weekday Bess fleece shirt in dark green, £40 | *Weekday, Alanis organic cotton stripe t-shirt, £12 | *Arket, Klippan Dots Wool Blanket, £69 | *Arket, Scented Candle Neroli, £35

Charlotte

My recently purchased list lately is looking flyyyyy for autumn/winter and I’ve been loving wearing all of these new pieces. I wanted some chunky boots last winter but couldn’t really justify it as we weren’t leaving the house much (oh winter lockdown I do not miss thee) but this year I have jumped on the bandwagon early with these ASOS Ada boots and I’m loving wearing them already with bare legs. On the topic of shoes, I’ve also just purchased some glittery Crocs which I simply adore and I’m planning to wear with socks too as the weather cools down- I just saw them and couldn’t not purchase! Finally, a new thin denim jacket and tote bag and I’m ready to head to Starbs for a PSL with my latest read in tow.

*ASOS, ASOS DESIGN Ada chunky chelsea boots in black, £35 | Skinny Dip, Smiley Black Denim Cropped Jacket, £30 | *ASOS, Crocs classic glitter clogs in lilac, £39.99 | *Etsy, SixthStore Printed “Henri matisse” Canvas Tote Bag, £19.99

Put down your bucket hats and cancel your Calippos people, autumn has entered the chat.

As the September nights draw in, trading those balmy evenings outside for cosy plans indoors with the heating on max and a book in hand is the seasonal quiet we all need after a summer of non-stop peopling.

Spending rainy weekends curled up with the crisp pages of a new book, a slab of (don’t say it, don’t say it…) banana bread and tea on tap makes for the very best kind of R&R. If, like us, you want to truly embrace the art of doing nothing and live out the rest of 2021 looking like a toe in a blanket, then we suggest stockpiling a load of book supplies and sticking your phone on do not disturb mode.

From haunting new thrillers to atmospheric plots and feel-good fiction, tuck yourself under a pile of blankets and disappear into a happy reading rabbit hole until spring rolls around again.

Happy hibernating, our bookish friends!

1. A Slow Burning Fire by Paula Hawkins

For those of you who like a shadowy thriller, this scorching new release from Paula Hawkins, author of the global phenomenon The Girl on the Train, ought to grab your attention from the very first page.

Laura has spent most of her life being judged. She’s seen as hot-tempered, troubled, a loner. Some even call her dangerous.

Miriam knows that just because Laura is witnessed leaving the scene of a horrific murder with blood on her clothes, that doesn’t mean she’s a killer. Bitter experience has taught her how easy it is to get caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Carla is reeling from the brutal murder of her nephew. She trusts no one: good people are capable of terrible deeds. But how far will she go to find peace?

Innocent or guilty, everyone is damaged. Some are damaged enough to kill.

Look what you started.

Purchase A Slow Fire Burning from Bookshop.org and enjoy 10% off your first order with the code ZOELLA10 at checkout, valid until September 30 2021.

2. Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller

Twins Jeanie and Julius are in their early 50s and still living with their mother Dot in rural isolation and poverty. Their old cottage is a sanctuary against the outside world, a place where they bond over folk music and grow (and sometimes kill) everything they need to survive.

But when Dot dies suddenly, their world is turned upside down as their mother’s secrets begin to unravel, putting everything they thought they knew about who they are at stake.

A beautifully written, moody and melancholy read that was just made for a rainy day, a plate of crumpets and a pumpkin spice latte, in our humble opinion.

Purchase Unsettled Ground from Bookshop.org and enjoy 10% off your first order with the code ZOELLA10 at checkout, valid until September 30 2021.

3. Fault Lines by Emily Itami

A startlingly honest love story and a daring exploration of modern relationships, motherhood and marriage. Emily Itami is one to watch!

Mizuki is a Japanese housewife. She has a hardworking husband, two adorable children and a beautiful Tokyo apartment. It’s everything a woman could want, yet sometimes she wonders whether it would be more fun to throw herself off the high-rise balcony than spend another evening not talking to her husband or hanging up laundry.

Then, one rainy night, she meets Kiyoshi, a successful restaurateur. In him, she rediscovers freedom, friendship, a voice, and the neon, electric pulse of the city she has always loved. But the further she falls into their relationship, the clearer it becomes that she is living two lives – and in the end, we can choose only one.

Purchase Fault Lines from Bookshop.org and enjoy 10% off your first order with the code ZOELLA10 at checkout, valid until September 30 2021.

4. Cackle by Rachel Harrison

This empowering novel is a darkly funny, late coming-of-age story of a millennial woman named Annie who has always put other people’s needs above her own, until she moves to a small town and befriends a mysterious woman rumoured to be a witch…

The beautiful, charming, magnetic Sophie wants Annie to stop apologising and start living for herself. That’s how Sophie lives. Annie can’t help but gravitate toward the self-possessed Sophie, wanting to spend more and more time with her, despite the fact that the rest of the townsfolk seem…a little afraid of her. And like, okay. There are some things. Sophie’s appearance is uncanny and ageless, her mansion in the middle of the woods feels a little unearthly, and she does seem to wield a certain power…but she couldn’t be…could she?

Discover your inner witch and wait patiently for Disney to spin it into a movie. Fingers crossed!

Purchase Cackle from Bookshop.org and enjoy 10% off your first order with the code ZOELLA10 at checkout, valid until September 30 2021.

5. Nice Girls by Catherine Dang

True crime addicts and armchair detectives will gobble up this razor-sharp debut in one sitting. Full of twists and turns, small town drama, edge-of-your-seat suspense and insightful social commentary, it just might be the book of the season.

What did you do?

Mary used to be such a nice girl. She was the resident whiz kid of Liberty Lake, Minnesota-the quiet, chubby teen with the scholarship to an Ivy League school. But three years later, “Ivy League Mary” is back-a thinner, cynical, restless failure who was kicked out of Cornell at the beginning of her senior year and won’t tell anyone why. Taking a job at the local grocery store, Mary tries to make sense of her life’s sharp downward spiral.

Then beautiful, magnetic Olivia Willand goes missing. A rising social media star, Olivia is admired by everyone in Liberty Lake-except Mary. Once Olivia’s best friend, Mary knows better than anyone that behind the Instagram persona hides a wilful, manipulative girl with sharp edges. As the town obsesses over perfect, lovely Olivia, Mary wonders if her disappearance might be tied to another missing person: nineteen-year-old DeMaria Jackson, whose case has been widely dismissed as a runaway.

Who is the real Olivia Willand, and where did she go? What happened to DeMaria? As Mary pries at the cracks in the careful facades surrounding the two missing girls, old wounds will bleed fresh and force her to confront a horrible truth.

Maybe there are no nice girls, after all.

Purchase Nice Girls from Bookshop.org and enjoy 10% off your first order with the code ZOELLA10 at checkout, valid until September 30 2021.

6. The Magpie Society: Two for Joy by Zoe Sugg and Amy McCulloch

The second instalment of The Magpie Society series sees Audrey and Ivy in the middle of another mystery when a friend disappears in suspicious circumstances.

Their only clue is a mysterious card left by the enigmatic Magpie Society. With time running out and the police baffled, Audrey and Ivy must delve deeper than ever into the dark secrets that their school is hiding.

But someone is playing a deadly game. And to beat them, Audrey and Ivy have to start rewriting the rules…

Purchase Two For Joy from Bookshop.org and enjoy 10% off your first order with the code ZOELLA10 at checkout, valid until September 30 2021.

7. Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty

Liane Moriarty is back with a creepy new thriller just in time for Halloween and you’re going to want to drop all your fancy dress plans to be with it.

From the outside, the Delaneys appear to be an enviably contented family. Even after all these years, former tennis coaches Joy and Stan are still winning tournaments, and now they’ve sold the family business they have all the time in the world to learn how to ‘relax’. Their four adult children are busy living their own lives, and while it could be argued they never quite achieved their destinies, no-one ever says that out loud.

But now Joy Delaney has disappeared, and her children are re-examining their parents’ marriage and their family history with fresh, frightened eyes. Is her disappearance related to their mysterious house guest from last year? Or were things never as rosy as they seemed in the Delaney household?

Purchase Apples Never Fall from Bookshop.org and enjoy 10% off your first order with the code ZOELLA10 at checkout, valid until September 30 2021.

8. Unbound: My Story of Liberation and The Birth of the Me Too Movement by Tarana Burke

If Oprah says a book is searing, powerful and needed, you listen to her and you read it. From the founder and activist behind the Me Too movement, Tarana Burke’s debut memoir explores her own journey to saying those infinitely powerful words. No doubt her soul-baring story and commitment to making a difference will be a source of healing and hope for other survivors.

Purchase Unbound from Bookshop.org and enjoy 10% off your first order with the code ZOELLA10 at checkout, valid until September 30 2021.

9. No One Will Miss Her by Kat Rosenfield

Coming this November, this blade-sharp novel will shock even the savviest reader. With echoes of Gone Girl, this is a story of privilege, identity, and cunning, as two devious women from opposite worlds discover the dangers of coveting someone else’s life.

On a beautiful October morning in rural Maine, a homicide investigator from the state police pulls into the hard-luck town of Copper Falls. The local junkyard is burning, and the town pariah Lizzie Oullette is dead—with her husband, Dwayne, nowhere to be found.

As scandal ripples through the community, Detective Ian Bird’s inquiries unexpectedly lead him away from small-town Maine to a swank city townhouse several hours south. Adrienne Richards, blonde and fabulous social media influencer and wife of a disgraced billionaire, had been renting Lizzie’s tiny lake house as a country getaway…even though Copper Falls is anything but a resort town.

As Adrienne’s connection to the case becomes clear, so too does her connection to Lizzie, who narrates their story from beyond the grave. Each woman is desperately lonely in her own way, and they navigate a relationship that cuts across class boundaries: transactional, complicated, and, finally, deadly.

Purchase No One Will Miss Her from Bookshop.org and enjoy 10% off your first order with the code ZOELLA10 at checkout, valid until September 30 2021.

10. Portrait of a Scotsman by Evie Dunmore

Looking for something to fill the deep Bridgerton void? (season 2, make haste will you), this swoon-worthy romance is this season’s incomparable diamond. Just make sure you crack the window a little because we all know what that regency lot are like.

London banking heiress Hattie Greenfield wanted just three things in life:

1. Acclaim as an artist
2. A noble cause
3. Marriage to a young lord who puts the gentle in gentleman

Why then does this Oxford scholar find herself at the altar with the darkly attractive financier Lucian Blackstone? Trust Hattie to take an invigorating little adventure too far. Now she’s stuck with a churlish Scot who just might be the end of her ambitions . . .

When the daughter of his business rival all but falls into his lap, Lucian sees opportunity. As a self-made man, he has vast wealth but holds little power, and Hattie might be the key to finally setting his political plans in motion. Driven by an old desire for revenge, he has no room for his new wife’s apprehensions or romantic notions, bewitching as he finds her.

But a sudden journey to Scotland paints everything in a different light. Hattie slowly sees the real Lucian and realises she could win everything – as long as she is prepared to lose her heart.

Purchase Portrait of a Scotsman from Bookshop.org and enjoy 10% off your first order with the code ZOELLA10 at checkout, valid until September 30 2021.

11. The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams

For fans of books about books and the power of reading, this one will strike a chord. A love letter to libraries and storytelling, this is the heart-warming read we all seek out at this time of year. Prepare to savour every word and blub into your blankets.

Tissues at the ready, here’s the blurb!

When Aleisha discovers a crumpled reading list tucked into a tattered library book, it sparks an extraordinary journey.
From timeless stories of love and friendship to an epic journey across the Pacific Ocean with a boy and a tiger in a boat, the list opens a gateway to new and wonderful worlds – just when Aleisha needs an escape from her troubles at home.

And when widower Mukesh arrives at the library, desperate to connect with his bookworm granddaughter, Aleisha introduces him to the magic of the reading list. An anxious teenager and a lonely grandfather forming an unlikely book club of two.

Purchase The Reading List from Bookshop.org and enjoy 10% off your first order with the code ZOELLA10 at checkout, valid until September 30 2021.

12. Freckles by Cecilia Ahern

From the bestselling author of PS I Love You comes this life affirming novel about self-discovery, friendships and family. If you’re searching for a feel-good palate cleanser amidst all the eerie thrillers this fall, Freckles is guaranteed to hit you right in the feels.

You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.

When a stranger utters these words to Allegra Bird, nicknamed Freckles, it turns her highly ordered life upside down. In her current life as a parking warden, she has left her eccentric father and unconventional childhood behind for a bold new life in the city.

But a single encounter leads her to ask the question she’s been avoiding for so long: who are the people who made her the way she is? And who are the five people who can shape and determine her future? Just as she once joined the freckles on her skin to mirror the constellations in the night sky, she must once again look for connections.

Five people. Five stars. Freckle to freckle. Star to star.

Purchase Freckles from Bookshop.org and enjoy 10% off your first order with the code ZOELLA10 at checkout, valid until September 30 2021.

13. Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters

Torrey Peters navigates taboos around gender, sex and relationships in this fearless and compulsively readable debut about the lives of three transgender and cisgender women and an unexpected pregnancy that forces them to confront their deepest desires…

Reese nearly had it all: a loving relationship with Amy, an apartment in New York, a job she didn’t hate. She’d scraped together a life previous generations of trans women could only dream of; the only thing missing was a child. Then everything fell apart and three years on Reese is still in self-destruct mode, avoiding her loneliness by sleeping with married men.

When her ex calls to ask if she wants to be a mother, Reese finds herself intrigued. After being attacked in the street, Amy de-transitioned to become Ames, changed jobs and, thinking he was infertile, started an affair with his boss Katrina. Now Katrina’s pregnant. Could the three of them form an unconventional family – and raise the baby together?

A modern classic everyone should add to their TBR pile!

Purchase Detransition, Baby from Bookshop.org and enjoy 10% off your first order with the code ZOELLA10 at checkout, valid until September 30 2021.

14. Snowflake by Louise Nealon

For fans of Sally Rooney, this coming-of-age tale set in rural Ireland is the perfect gritty read to see you through the colder months. With themes of mental health, grief and navigating adulthood, it’s the kind of book you wish was 200 pages longer.

Eighteen-year-old Debbie White lives on a dairy farm with her mother, Maeve, and her uncle, Billy. Billy sleeps out in a caravan in the garden with a bottle of whiskey and the stars overhead for company. Maeve spends her days recording her dreams, which she believes to be prophecies.

This world is Debbie’s normal, but she is about to step into life as a student at Trinity College in Dublin. As she navigates between sophisticated new friends and the family bubble, things begin to unravel. Maeve’s eccentricity tilts into something darker, while Billy’s drinking gets worse.

Debbie struggles to cope with the weirdest, most difficult parts of herself, her family and her small life. But the fierce love of the White family is never in doubt, and Debbie discovers that even the oddest of families are places of safety.

Purchase Snowflake from Bookshop.org and enjoy 10% off your first order with the code ZOELLA10 at checkout, valid until September 30 2021.

15. The Corpse Queen by Heather M. Herrman

Leave it to Heather M. Herrman to deliver the Halloween read of all Halloween reads.

This twisty feminist YA thriller tells the story of orphaned 17-year-old Molly Green, whose best friend Kitty dies in mysterious circumstances. With no relations that she knows of, someone claiming to be Molly’s aunt – also known as the mysterious Corpse Queen – requests she comes to live with her in Philadelphia. It’s here, Molly discovers the secret of her aunt’s wealth and quickly becomes entangled in the lucrative business of robbing graves to sell the bodies to a medical school. A deliciously dark, ominous, macabre read perfect for fall.

Purchase The Corpse Queen from Bookshop.org and enjoy 10% off your first order with the code ZOELLA10 at checkout, valid until September 30 2021.

We earn a small commission from bookshop.org when you purchase a book using a link from within this article. All sales support independent bookshops across the UK. Select a bookshop from the map before browsing so your chosen bookseller will receive the direct benefit of the sale. Thank you for supporting independent bookshops!

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

I’m great thank you! 2021 has been a tough one if I’m being completely honest. 2020 was a year of growth and adjustment and it’s been a challenge keeping that momentum going, growing our team developing the nuddy brand further.

Can you tell us about Nuddy and what inspired you to start it?

nuddy is a plastic-free body & hair brand which I started back in 2018. I was working in creative marketing and or at the time. I had a real passion for branding and loved using soap bars. I spotted a gap in the market, put the two together, decided to quit my job, move back in with my parents and bring my idea to life. 3 years on and it’s been quite the journey, they say good things take time and I definitely agree. I’ve learnt a lot.

Why was it so important to you to make soap cool again?

I really loved using soap bars, most of my friends thought it was really weird and just related them to their granny’s or hotel rooms. I knew they were a much more sustainable option for consumers so I wanted to get rid of the negative stigma attached and make them more desirable and ‘cool’ again.

Sustainability is obviously at the heart of your brand, how hard is it to create a product completely free of plastic?

Sustainability really is at the heart of the brand. It’s been challenging. Soap was easy as it already existed. Our Shampoo bars were a big challenge as I myself am SO particular about the type of products I use on my hair as I have a sensitive scalp. We went back and forth for months developing the formulation. We’ve just finished developing our facial cleansing bars which has been the same sort of process. Our bars are formulated exactly the same way as liquid counterparts minus the excess aqua (water) and the need for a plastic bottle to hold it.

Can you tell us about your brass safety razor?

Our safety razors have been a huge hit! They’re very much an old school razor, back to basics. One sharp single stainless steel blade which is all you need to do the trick. The method of shaving with them is different though, you need time. It’s not a quick whip of the legs in the shower job. Just like at a barber, they’re very careful with the blade, you need to be careful with our razors too. They won a Cosmo beauty award this summer and have had a ton of press. They really are the cutest razors you’ve ever seen (it says that inside the pack).

What would you say is the biggest success for Nuddy so far?

Our biggest success so far is managing to secure a retail deal with our top target, Sainsbury’s. We’ve been working on this deal for a long time and to finally get the go-ahead and be launching into 83 stores nationwide is just unreal. I cried in the hairdressers when I found out. It was like all our hard work had finally paid off. We want to make our products more accessible to everyone, now we can.

What advice would you give for someone wanting to start their own brand?

Take your time to research your market and understand your consumer. Find a problem and fix it. Your brand needs to have a story and real depth to it. You also have to be fully obsessed with your mission, why people should buy your product. Most of your time will be spent persuading consumers to take a punt on you and buy your products so there better be a really good reason why they should do that!

What are you currently working on?

We’re getting all geared up for Christmas right now but we’re also working on the launch of our facial cleansing bars, one for acne and one for combo skin. I’m so proud of them. And also a range of body scrubs, creams and masks. Very exciting indeed.

Do you have any favourite sustainable follows on Instagram?

A very long list but if I had to pick my top sustainable follows they would be – influencer wise, Venetia, brand-wise, HANX, &sisters

What does your perfect weekend look like?

My perfect weekend is spending time with my wonderful friends and family, going out for dinner and a few cocktails then having a long walk and a roast on a lazy Sunday! Dreaaaamy.

What do you always carry with you?

My phone. I am fully addicted, I hate to admit it, but I work mostly from my phone, it’s never too far from me.

What would your last ever meal be?

A big bowl of pasta, like a really big bowl. I always make enough for two people and eat it all myself.

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

Always be unapologetically yourself. Sometimes that’s really tough as you feel like you need to fit in or do things a certain way. Just stay true to yourself, that will take you far.

Although we weren’t exactly blessed with a summer of hot, sunshine soaked days and the risk of sunburn every time we stepped foot out the door, dermatologists would (quite rightly) wag their (perfectly cared for) fingers and insist that looking after your skin is a top priority no matter the forecast. One aspect of skin health that can be easy to bypass or blissfully ignore is our friendly moles- no not the black velvety mammal, we’re talking the small brown spots or growths on the skin.

In most cases, these pops of personality on the skin are harmless and can happily exist for life without causing any issues, however on occasion, Melanoma (or skin cancer) can begin as a mole, making it essential to keep tabs on your skin’s activity. Whilst it might seem difficult to tell the difference between an a-okay versus problematic mole, there are a few tell-tale signs to look out for that can either offer peace of mind or a sign to head to the GP.

The skin is our largest organ so let’s get familiar with keeping it as healthy as possible:

First things first, what is a mole?

A mole, or melanocytic nevus, is a cluster of pigmented cells made up of melanin that mostly appear on the skin during childhood and adolescence and are ordinarily harmless. They are typically flat and round and the quantity of moles one has can increase as you get older as a result of factors such as sun exposure. Moles can appear everywhere on anywhere on the body, be it in your eyebrows, underarms of belly button, these little oval friends can be few and far between or populate much of someone’s skin- the most important thing is monitoring changes in your mole activity as time passes.

Common and normal moles are usually no more than 1/4 inch (about 6 millimetres) in diameter and are smooth with a distinct edge. They are usually even in colour and can appear in tan, black, red or pink, but are most commonly brown.

Reasons new moles may typically appear:

• Ageing
• Fair skin and light or red hair
• Family history of atypical moles
• Response to drugs that suppress your immune system
• Genetic mutations
• Sunburn, sun exposure, or tanning bed use

When can a mole become cancerous?

The most important warning sign of melanoma is a new spot on the skin or a spot that is changing in size, shape, or colour. Another tell-tale sign can be a mole that significantly differs from your other mole patterns and habits, making it important to keep an eye on your skin regularly if you have a fair complexion, red or blonde hair or are prone to developing new moles more frequently.

Exposure to UV rays, be it outdoors in the sun or from using sunbeds, is the number one cause of new moles appearing as a result of the genetic damage it causes to our skin. Staying in the shade or wearing SPF every time we’re exposed to the sun is essential for protecting us against the development of cancerous moles.

How often should we check our moles?

Most moles do remain consistent in size, colour and appearance, however checking them to ensure this is the case puts you one step closer to overall positive skin health. Dermatologists recommend checking your moles at home every one to three months, and similarly to checking your boobs this could conveniently be done after a shower using a mirror. Keep an eye out for any that appear larger, discoloured, asymmetrical or without clear borders.

The following ABCDE guide can help you determine if a mole might indicate melanoma:

A is for asymmetrical shape. One half is unlike the other half.
B is for borders. Look for moles with irregular, notched or scalloped borders.
C is for colour. Look for growths that have changed colour, have many colours or have uneven colour.
D is for diameter. Look for new growth in a mole larger than 1/4 inch (about 6 millimetres).
E is for evolving. Watch for moles that change in size, shape, colour or height, especially if part or all of a mole turns black. Moles may also evolve to develop new signs and symptoms, such as itching or bleeding.
It’s important to remember however that any change in the shape or size of moles is worth noting, even if it doesn’t fit the above format. Be vigilant people!

To see examples of normal moles and melanomas, visit the Skin Cancer Image Gallery on the American Cancer Society website.

What happens at a skin/mole screening?

A screening is quick, painless and isn’t something to be worried about. If you have a particular mole, area of skin or growth that you’re concerned with then your doctor or dermatologist will likely start here, however will also typically check the rest of your body too- from face, chest, arms to less visible spots like your scalp too.

Doctors may then take a tissue sample to send to the lab, and depending on the results may then remove the mole completely.

Removing troublesome moles…

Mole removal, whether for cosmetic reasons or for a problematic mole, is a simple surgery that will likely be completed in one of two ways: a surgical excision or a surgical shave.

Surgical excision: Once the area is numbed, doctors will use a scalpel or a sharp, circular blade to cut out the mole and some healthy skin around it before stitching the area closed.

Surgical shave: After numbing the area, your doctor will use a small blade to shave off the mole and some tissue beneath it. Stitches aren’t usually needed for this method meaning scarring can be more minimal.
Tips for keeping your skin as healthy as possible:

Wear a minimum of SPF15 at all times on your body and higher on your face every day, even in winter, baby!
Moles on the scalp aren’t as common, but they can occur. Wearing a hat in extreme heat can help protect this delicate skin.

The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. so it’s wise to avoid direct sun exposure during this time to protect your skin. A study published in December 2011 estimated that around 86% of malignant melanomas in the UK in 2010 were linked to exposure to UVR from the sun and sunbeds (Nuffield Health).

And last but not least, remember to check your skin regularly and keep a skin diary to monitor any changes. Apps like UMSkinCheck allows users to do a complete skin cancer exam and track changes over time, whilst also offering helpful advice on how to perform a skin exam properly.

Whilst deciding on your favourite Kardashian/Jenner may be the topic of hot debate, the Internet is in agreement that Kourtney Kardashian’s style evolution since dating Blink-182’s Travis Barker is simply chefs kiss. With enough pop-punk influences to make a 2012 Tumblr user click ‘reblog’ in Guinness World Record timing, Kourtney is embracing all things graphic tees, leather trousers, distressed denim and chunky boots, and we truly couldn’t be more obsessed. The flirty hints at an early 2000s wardrobe are nostalgic, youthful and fun, and Kourt’s stylist Dani Michelle has received endless praise from fans about her style 180 and ability to look perfectly matched alongside edgy Barker. 

The couple have established themselves as not only romantically inseparable but intertwined in their aesthetic too, as their grunge galore ‘fits whilst travelling Europe during the past few weeks have earned them icon status amongst Gen Z fans on TikTok and beyond. We couldn’t be more into Kourtney’s PDA fuelled love affair and punk lovin’ wardrobe, and can’t help but feel like an autumn shopping haul might just be needed ASAP…

*This post contains ad-affiliate links

When did you last hug yourself? Maybe you never have. It’s a modern-day horror story we’re all too familiar with.

If that’s you, we hope the first slice of our Digital Detox series inspires you to put down your phone and throw some kindness your way, especially on the days when putting yourself first feels like an uphill struggle.

Hannah Fox’s self-love yoga class is a magic blend of breathwork, guided meditation, grounding techniques and mindfulness. Her sessions focus on loving the shit out of yourself (amen), even when your mind tries to convince you you’re not worthy of self-compassion. You begin to see why we thought getting our cat-cow on with Hannah would be the perfect way to honour our month of Digital Detox, switch off from our screens and give our mental health a good ol’ cuddle.

From alternate nostril breathing to cultivating self-love on and off the mat and letting your heart guide your practice instead of your mind, keep reading to find out how the team got on with part one of our Digital Detox series.

You can follow Hannah and check out all her incredible in-person and online yoga work here.

Lareese says…

I’ve done one of Hannah’s self-love classes in Brighton before and felt like I was walking on a cloud afterwards, so I was so excited to join her for one of her legendary sessions with the team this time, as part of our Digital Detox series. In my experience, yoga can be quite intimidating when you’re thrown in with the flexible regulars. It’s probably all in my mind but with a posture like a candy cane and clicky knees, I feel like I stick out like a sore thumb in a David Lloyd scenario but Han’s class is super accessible for newbies and yoga bunnies alike – embracing the wobbles and falling in and out of the poses is what it’s all about. Naturally, I feel much more at home in one of her classes since she’s not concerned about what you look like in your poses but how you feel. Amen to that.

As someone who’s usually glued to my digital devices, I savour any time I can get away from my screens. Having said that, unless I’m physically removed from them it ain’t happening, which is why doing something like this really works for me. I can’t unlock my phone and respond to an email quickly, I have to be fully present.

IMO, what makes Hannah’s class feel really special is that it isn’t so much about the yoga as it is about connecting with yourself and giving yourself the permission to let go of whatever’s holding you back from self-love. From the second you lie on that mat, you feel totally anchored in the moment, focusing entirely on yourself and your breath. In our overly digitalised world, that in itself feels like a radical act of self-love! The simplest of movements can feel transformative, whether it’s letting your arms hang heavy on the floor in a forward bend or sticking your tongue out for lion’s breath, the practice invites you to lose all inhibition and rediscover that child-like playfulness of looking a bit silly without a care in the world.

It felt incredible to be unreachable for a few hours in my own little oasis of peace and quiet, with the light pouring into the studio. I could have nodded off quite easily with Hannah’s dulcet tones. Since lockdown, I’ve realised that constant connectivity is one of my stress triggers. If I feel bombarded with notifications and digital noise, I quickly careen into overwhelm and crave solitude which is why committing to a digital detox and practising digital abstinence works wonders for my mental health. Usually, I’d take myself off for a walk in the woods or a swim in the sea whenever I need to hit the reset button but after doing Han’s class, I think I’ve discovered a new favourite way to ignore WhatsApp for a while.

If you can join Hannah online for one of her self-love classes or even better, come down to Brighton to experience one in real life, your mental health will l-o-v-e you for it!

Charlotte says…

I loved. this. class. so. MUCH. I am an avid believer in the power of breathwork and have a few techniques under my belt that I use regularly to manage my stress/trauma-induced chronic pain so I was super intrigued to learn more in giving this class a go! I was having a pretty bad pain flare at the time and had been rushing around that morning and honestly even just arriving in the studio and being in Hannah’s aura was the zen I needed- she has such a wonderful calming presence about her and it really feels like you can relax and sink into the class knowing she’s in control.

One of the things I found quite unique about Hannah’s class (despite having taken part in very gentle chronic pain classes before) was that we spent the majority of the session with our eyes closed, which I really felt helped focus on the breath and intensify the feelings of calm and connectedness I felt. You would think it would be difficult to mirror someone else’s movement and instructions without being able to see them but her instructions on the gentle movement were clear and intuitive and I just know this class would be perfect before bed because I really didn’t want to open up my eyes at the end!

One of the breathing techniques that we practised and I’ve also loved in the past is Nadi Shodhana Pranayama, or alternate nostril breathing, which has an amazing way of calming the nervous system and reducing anxiety all over the body. I can always feel a noticeable and tangible difference after practising this and in a class setting, it was all the more powerful. Another highlight for me was the singing bowl used at the end of the class which produces sound and vibrations that also help to relax the body. I sometimes listen to sounds like this via meditation apps but this was my first time hearing it in real life and it was so powerful. I believe the F note was played which relates to the heart chakra, and it was such a beautiful ending to the class which had already completely transformed how I felt.

I loved the encouragement from Hannah and her use of positive and grounding affirmations that really made you feel like the world was on pause outside the four walls of the studio. I felt totally enveloped in the moment and found myself continually noting that I should practice stretching, breathing and positive self talk more regularly because of how amazing I felt even 10 minutes into the class- it stupidly felt such a novelty to speak to myself so kindly and understandingly but the reminder to do so was so welcome.

I’ve already told my housemates all about Hannah’s Instagram and classes (she practices just 5 minutes from our flat) and truly can’t wait to dive back into another dreamy hour of time purely for myself, uninterrupted. She is a superwoman!

Danielle says…

I actually had not done a yoga class in quite some time, so going into the self-love and breathwork class I had no idea what to expect. Hannah immediately brought such comforting energy and I felt myself relax around her without fear or judgement. I think sometimes you can do yoga and it feels like exercise and other times you can do it and it feels like self-care/meditation and Hannah’s class was definitely more like the latter.

As we lay down to begin Hannah had already started burning some incense which was wonderful, from there we started by simply laying on our backs with our eyes closed, concentrating on our breathing. My imagination is pretty suggestible so as soon as Hannah told us to imagine our bodies relaxing into the ground I really did feel a weight lift from within me. I’m the type of person that is always doing something/ listening to something / watching something, even when I’m in the bath I’m distracted, and when I go to sleep I listen to an app called rainrain. So it’s extremely rare for me to just be still and concentrating on my thoughts, which I found so soothing.

We then went on to move through the classic yoga positions, slowly, whilst still concentrating on breathing and keeping our eyes shut which is great for more of a novice like me. We stopped to work on different types of breathing, my two favourites were Nadi Shodana Pranayama breathing, which concentrated on alternating nostrils to breathe with one hand. I felt like my head and airways had a new lease of life as we carried on the class. My other fave (which I can’t remember the name of) had us stood up with arms outstretched to the sky on the inhale, and then bending down and throwing our arms through our legs on the exhale. If I was to try it now whilst sat at my desk I think I’d kill my back but after all the stretching and moving I felt so much more flexible and loose, it was magic!

The self-love elements came from thanking our bodies, telling them how grateful we are, removing any type of shame we had for certain areas. We gave ourselves a hug and were told to hug our bodies as if we were hugging someone else, and I found myself stroking my back with my thumb. You read a lot online about how you shouldn’t say anything to yourself that you wouldn’t say to a friend which of course is easier said than done but this act of hugging yourself as you would another was a really intense physical embodiment of that sentiment.

By the end of the class, we had returned to once again lying on our backs which was such a lovely cool down. Hannah came around with some oil and had us inhale it as well as putting some pressure on certain parts of our face and head, which was divine and I almost cried, I’m not sure why, I think just felt extremely at one with myself. I can’t wait to go to one of Hannah’s classes again as it literally had me vibrating with lovely energy for the rest of the day. I’ll be using a few of Hannah’s digital classes on YouTube moving forward, and I suggest you do too! 

Darcey says…

I love practising yoga but it is definitely one of those things that I struggle to find the time to do/prioritise other things over it, which is terrible really because yoga is something that would really benefit me practised more often as I’m an anxious Allie. I was really looking forward to doing this class with Hannah as I hadn’t attended a yoga class since before covid and had only done online classes on YouTube. I also really liked the idea of a self-love yoga class, something that is definitely important to practice!

Hannah was such a lovely human and made me feel so comfortable just in her presence. We all laid on our mats with our eyes closed as incense burned and waves crashed through her speaker really setting the tone for the next hour and a half. If I’m honest I was so relaxed for the entirety of the class everything has kind of melted into one and my memory of it feels slightly blurred, which I think is a good thing!

I’ve done yoga before and so I knew all the basic yoga moves, but I think even if you had never set foot in any kind of class you’d be more than okay in Hannah’s as she talks through everything so well and you feel confident enough that any mistakes made don’t matter, moving your body is just enough. I loved focusing on my breath as this is something I definitely am bad at doing, anyone else get mid-through doing something and realise they are practically holding their breath? Cause same. We practised one technique called Nadi Shodana Pranayama which I think the girls have mentioned too which was incredible! I have awful sinuses and it really felt as if it cleared all the pressure from those and the tension in my head from stress.

At the end of the class we thanked our body for all that it did, hugging ourselves which was actually rather emotional, I felt teary-eyed and really appreciative of my body in that moment which was a nice feeling as, I’m sure like a lot of us, I can be quite critical of myself at times. We then returned to laying down and Hannah came round with oil that we inhaled and she pressed down on pressure points, which felt like a mini-massage which I could have had for HOURS, it felt so relaxing and releasing too.

I’ll absolutely be attending one of Hannah’s classes again in the future and actually, this has kickstarted my appreciation for yoga and meditation. Taking a few hours away from any distractions really reminds you about how important it is to take time away from screens and daily stresses are. I underestimate how even an hour away from everything can really clear your head and help with anxiety etc, so something I’ll be continuing to work on!

Follow @Yogawithhan on Instagram here!