Oh, summer! Weather-wise, you couldn’t have done us more dirty if you’d tried but what you lacked in sunshine and long balmy beach days, you more than made up for with Jack Grealish, and for that, we say thank you.

With the advent of the humble photo dump, we all let out a big fat sigh and discovered a way to lighten up on social media, fully embracing the messiness of life with the kind of photos that look like you asked the waiter to take them. To hell with the curated feed, in with the “fuck it, that’ll do” movement. We’re talking dinner pics, podcast screenshots, messy bedrooms, cat candids, serotonin thirst traps and all the blurry and endearing evidence of living life to its fullest.

Join the team as we take a fond look back at the season of freedom, featuring the rebirth of nightclubs, happy tears, hugging our pals and legally singing / screaming Mr Brightside into a microphone at the top of our lungs, the loungewear > killer jeans and a nice top evolution, Aperol spritz on an overrated rooftop bar, fresh manis and of course, the rollercoaster that was England vs Italy in the UEFA EURO final.

Charlotte

Summer ’21 was the tonic I desperately needed! I know most people feel like it fell flat but compared to my 2020 summer it was such joy. I moved house at the end of April so this season was a flurry of new friends, a new home and finally doing the Brighton exploring and loving I was deprived of last year. As a result, my camera roll is a v happy place to be, and I’m ending the high summer months with a fuller heart and at capacity iPhone storage too. I think my bloodstream is 90% Rosé wine…

My summer kicked off at the end of May where I took a week off to go to Cornwall with my sibling to stay with our Sneaking in at the end of the season but a moment I have been pining for since literally March 2020- my first gig back! I live for watching live music and it has been one of the things I’ve felt completely lost without during the pandemic. Of course, the honour of this occasion could only be given to one of my favourite boys, and I was lucky enough to see Louis Tomlinson at his Away From Home festival at Crystal Palace Bowl. In the words of Kylie Jenner, I feel like I’m getting my personality back.

Me and my housemate and brunette BFF Georgia over the August Bank Holiday weekend getting ready for an evening of Tequila (a surprising love affair of mine this summer), vegan nachos and Hot Boy Spotting at a plethora of Brighton bars and pubs. We are nothing if not consistent.

Myself and my other housemate, Aoife enjoying one of the rare 25 degrees days on Hove beach, accompanied by gin, a BBQ and a portion of hummus and Sweet Chilli Sensations big enough to feed a small army. I feel most at peace on the beach with my friends and I live for those times where the day blurs into the night and the memories carry on into the wee hours.

The most STUNNING beach in Cornwall that we stumbled across by somewhat of an accident and turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip and my whole year! Pedn Vounder is only accessible by literally clambering down a cliffside and was quite the physical and emotional journey with a stuffed tote bag and inappropriately chosen midi dress. Regardless I think back to this day so fondly and would love to go back.

Because 7 glasses of Rosé simply looks like my idea of IRL heaven.

I can finally tick paddleboarding off my bucket list and boy am I happy about it! I’ve been wanting to SUP for the longest time and finally had the opportunity in Cornwall and it certainly did not disappoint. We hired some paddle boards and headed out around St Michael’s Mount as a group of 7 and it was quite honestly one of the most zen and wholesome activities I have ever done. If I had somewhere to store one at home I would 100% be a SUP addict!

Summer is always the superior season because it contains my birthdayyyyy. I turned 24 in August and had the most special couple of weeks celebrating over brunches, drinks, dinners and most notably a very extra and fabulous karaoke party. I wore a similarly extra outfit from Indigo Freya and am already trying to find another opportunity to wear it ASAP.

More sea swimming and outdoor adventures because I simply cannot get enough.

Polaroids from the Pride that never was but that we celebrated anyway because WHY NOT- I love, love.

Maddie

Looking back at the Summer 2021 highlight reel, I feel quite emotional. After such a rollercoaster couple of years, families divided by covid restrictions, finally we were able to feel somewhat free again. Best of all my daughter Gigi finally got to meet her French relatives and we got to spend a lot more time in Cornwall with her Cornish side of the family too.

We spent a lot of time in Cornwall this summer (didn’t everyone!?) but for us, it’s less of a novelty and more home from home. On the sunny days, there really is no better place, I just wish there were a few more of them amiright? Fortunately, we did see some sunshine and made some unforgettable family memories with lovely walks along the cliffs, beaches, fish and chip dinners and enjoyed all that Cornwall has to offer.

Following on the Cornwall highlights my sister in law got married! After a couple of postponements and a set of twins later they finally tied the knot in a quintessential Cornish way, complete with a Landrover entrance, folk singers and pasty midnight snacks. It was just perfect.

We were lucky enough to get away this summer to spend time with my family in the south of France. Our daughter Gigi had just turned 4 months old and due to him running his own business my husband hasn’t been able to spend a lot of dedicated time with us without work interrupting. It was especially special to get some time together before the end of my maternity leave. Despite the various hoops we had to jump through, PCR/lateral flow tests/double jabs etc it was most definitely worth it.

While we were in France we pretty much stayed at our house 99% of the time with one exception. We did manage to go to my favourite restaurant in the world which is at the Hotel Gorges de Pennafort. It’s such a special secret (not so secret) spot where the food is just unbelievable. I was a bit apprehensive about how dinner out with a 4-month-old baby would go but she was a total angel and slept in her pram all evening. Praise the lord for white noise and snooze shades.

My husband and I, we’re National Trust kind of people and we love nothing more than a long walk at the weekend, dog and baby in tow. We’re very lucky with where we live and getting out and about has always been our happy place.

The end of summer brings about my wedding anniversary, this year my husband bought me an olive tree which I love so much, I had wanted one in the house since before we built it. We kept things low key this year and went to the pub for dinner, back in time to put the baby to bed….how things have changed!

This brings me to where we are now, with a nearly 6-month-old who is starting on solids (and loving it so far). As an exclusively breastfed baby, this feels like a big step and I do still occasionally feel a bit overwhelmed with it. There is so little prep involved with breastfeeding so suddenly I’m having to get really organised and make sure she’s getting everything she needs, so far it’s been very messy!

Danielle

I bloody loved summer 21′! I think the combination of the weather and the re-opening of the world made it feel like life was on track again. It’s was the first time I saw so many friends and family all in one place, and despite the cliche “what a year” chat it was wonderful.

My summer kicked off at the end of May where I took a week off to go to Cornwall with my sibling to stay with our parents. I think that’s the closest to a vacation I got this year, and even though the weather was touch and go, we managed to visit some gorgeous places I hadn’t been to before, this pic was taken at The Pig at Harlyn Bay where we had the most delicious meal and walk around the grounds.

After moving house in late December it’s been so nice to see the place through the seasons, people usually come and visit us as we’re by the sea and Brighton so I’ve loved hosting friends and family, and having them stay. This photo represents all the meals I’ve been able to serve, and it was also one of the best for summer months – Steak sandwiches, potato salad and Tricolore salad!

Headed into London for my Mum’s birthday, this was the first time we have all been together in the city since before COVID and it was glorious, we walked from Borough Market to Covent Garden and had dinner at Flat Iron which is one of our all-time faves.

A snap of me and my two besties at our friend’s hen do, it’s been so nice going to hens and weddings celebrating love, without the threat of cancellation. We had a narrowboat tour in London and then went for food and to the clurrrb. I was unsurprisingly one of the first to leave and finished the night with my best friend eating pizza and watching Arctic Monkeys at Glasto in our hotel room.

Just a fab shot of the sun streaming through the windows of the kitchen. I had dinner with my Mum and Auntie as they came for the weekend to house and puppy sit whilst Harry and I went to Silverstone for the Grand Prix!

The Warren in Brighton opened up again and even though I couldn’t go as much as we used to when we were working in the office, we all booked tickets to see a comedian one Saturday. This was all the same day as the England semi-finals so we headed home after to watch the game, another amazing part of Summer!

We booked 3 nights at The Hoxton in Southwark for Harry’s Sister’s wedding and I couldn’t wait to check in. The interiors and restaurants were all BEAUT and it was SO nice to stroll into Borough Market for breakfast and enjoy the hustle and bustle of London.

Pic from said wedding above! It was a double-header and this was the marriage ceremony day, lots of smiles, tears, dancing, chatting, all the good stuff! Weddings are my fave but as this was Harry’s sister it was so special, one of my best weekends of the summer!

After moving into a new neighbourhood it has been so great getting to meet lots of people on our estate and go to parties! Everyone is so much fun, this pic was taken at a cowboy party where we all ended up dancing in the pouring rain. The best parties are always the ones a 2-minute walk from your house ha!

My most recent pic in this last ‘heatwave’ of summer we seem to be having! Just down at the beach with a cooler and my super cringy beach chair you can carry on your back. I love going in the sea more than life itself and feel so privileged to live so close to the beaches when the sun decides he’s not leaving!

Lareese

I feel like summer ‘21 came and went in a blur of Aperol and Pfizer but however short-lived it was, we had some cracking times, didn’t we? Plus, we’ve still got the prospect of some late summer September sun, so all is not lost.

If my cameral roll is anything to go by, I have two moods: wholesome granny who loves nothing more than a sea swim, walks and a National Trust day out OR wild thing, chatting shit about how repressed our vulvas are and alas, I’ll be honest, my summer has mainly consisted of the latter. After 18 months of not seeing anyone, I’ve gone a bit ham on the sauce.

I’ve been in a permanent drunk or hungover state since June 21st but I’ll try to balance out the boozy times with some wholesome sensible snapshots, too. Here’s what’s happening in my photo dump:

Settle Norfolk – it was back in April so strictly speaking, not quite summer but whose policing photo dumps anyway? We actually had this place booked for December 2020 in the Christmas break that wasn’t to be so finally getting to escape the city for a much-needed countryside breather in a cosy cabin was unbelievably good for the soul. I would recommend taking a trip if you fancy chilling with mama nature.

Goodwood – This was the first time I’ve been around a big crowd of people since BC (before covid) and it didn’t feel all that strange ya know. It was so nice to see everyone all dressed up in their glad rags again, letting their hair down (I know I certainly did. The hangover was savage) and just living life. Even if it was pissing it down with 50mph winds. British summertime eh, who’d have it?

Huns on tour – My pals came down to Brighton for the day and the weather was on point for once. We spent most of the afternoon at Bison beach bar and the details get kinda blurry after that… I know I did a rolly polly on the sand at some point and I there was a lot of talk of vaginas, OnlyFans and clitoral orgasms. Standard.

Horsing around – My mum and I went horse-riding and it was 100% a summer highlight for me… until she broke her back. Don’t ask. She didn’t even fall off. I like to look at this nostril pic every now and again when I’m feeling particularly guilty haha. Is there anything better than kissing a horse’s nose. It should be prescribed IMO.

Crow photobomb – This photo dump is now an animal appreciation dump. This cheeky little fella was clearly feeling himself and with a breast like that, who can ruddy blame him. I did a little time-lapse of a morning swim with my boyfriend and found this when I went back to watch it. I grabbed this still from the video because it makes me laugh every time. I haven’t been able to have quite as many sea swims as I did last year but I guess that makes the ones I have been able to squeeze in even more precious. Ta for the mems, Mr Crow.

Walks with pa – One good thing to come out of lockdown is all the walking. Dad and I started walking in lockdown 2020 and just never stopped. It’s become a weekly ritual now and I value that time with him so much. A walk followed by an obligatory stop at Victoria Sponge in Steyning for coffee and a slice of cake is exactly what I need when I’ve had a screen-heavy week.

First trip to the cinema – Yes, I went to see Peter Rabbit 2 on my own as a 30-year-old woman, what of it? It was actually bloody great because it was like 11am on a Monday or something mad so it was lovely and quiet for this little grandma. The last time I went to the cinema was to see Emma just before the pandemic hit so it felt poignant to be able to enjoy the big screen again with a giant popcorn to boot.

Put a sock in it – I have no idea what’s going on in this photo but it was the first night our big group were all back together and England won the quarter-final against Ukraine. It was such a good albeit messy night, as documented by my filthy sock.

Holly

I’ve had a rocky summer 21. I’m so glad things were getting back to normal and visiting new places again but a mixture of bad mental health and diminishing bank balance meant that I couldn’t enjoy it to its full extent. So I’ve popped in a few highlights that I’ll definitely look back on with fond memories.

Some friends and I had a little staycation to Liverpool and a spa in Birmingham. It was exactly what I needed. The hectic hustle and bustle of exploring Liverpool and drinks every night followed by a relaxing 2 spa days in Birmingham. We spent a solid 48 hours in these robes, having massages swimming in the pool and exploring the grounds. I did get sunburnt and we stuck out like sore thumbs in the hotel but hey that’s all part of the fun!

My beloved The Warren reopened this year and my goodness it was an experience. I look forward to it every year but they exceeded themselves for 2021. There was a beach bar with a plane wreck, barrel venue and all the food and drink you could ever want. The Warren is usually one of the venues for the Fringe Festival but they also opened their beach venue for August and it just made life feel normal. I watched Shitfaced Shakespeare 3.

This pic serves a double purpose because not only did clubs reopen but it was in time for PRIDE. My all-time favourite weekend of the year. We started the weekend with bottomless mimosas at my house in the morning with everyone I love and then of course went to the one and only place to be, Revenge (Brighton’s best, most inclusive club). Revenge has my heart, Pride has my heart, Love has my heart but mostly, the new Photo Booth in revenge has all of my money.

My auntie and I went on a caravan holiday to Weymouth for a few days and it was like stepping back in time in the best way possible. I felt like a 10-year-old at a Haven holiday park. The perfect combination of chilled out and entertainment value. I’ve never been to Weymouth before and you can imagine my surprise when on the first day we saw a real-life seal just basking in the sunshine on the beach. Again, a memory I’ll hold for a lifetime.

If you take one thing away from this post, I hope it’s that you go away and hire a boat for the day with your best friends. It was a friends birthday party and they hired out a whole boat for the day. The person who organised it is also a DJ and took their decks out. The sun was shining and we spent hours just sailing the coast of Brighton with the old school music you could imagine. My god I will remember that day for a long time (until about 11pm when I had one too many drinks) – I wish more than anything that I had a summer birthday for that exact reason.

After a long year of not being able to see my best friends in the world, we managed to book some time for them to come to Brighton. Bottomless brunch lead to daytime karaoke and then tattoos. Need I say more? I love my little Dolphin friend though, absolutely no regrets whatsoever.

My best friend came to stay with me for a little while when we were allowed and by gosh did we spend a lot of time at sea. Took the kayak out every evening, paddled out as far as we dared and cracked open a cider just looking back at shore. Pretty sure we had the camp rock soundtrack on the speaker too, what more could you genuinely want?

And who’s 2021 Summer round-up would be complete without an honourable mention of the euros. Talk about a way to get back into the swing of things. A genuine highlight of my life so far is that moment when Luke Shaw scored for England in the opening minutes of the final against Italy. I threw my pint in the air, threw a random man in the air, was crying, it was the best kind of hectic.

Darcey

Well, Summer zoomed by in a flash! This Summer I think will be memorable for many people being the first fairly normal Summer since Covid hit us hard. I’ve had a lovely time soaking up the UK sun, drinking many Aperol’s and enjoying seeing all my friends in one place again!

The Warren re-opened in Brighton and so we went to a drag bingo show at the Spiegeltent which was fantastic, we had a load of drinks and good food and ended up out all evening! Was the same day I got my second vaccine… whoops didn’t feel so fresh in the morning!

I did a couple of staycations this Summer for a much-needed break and my first visit was this lovely campsite in Sussex called Dernwood with family. We stayed in really cute and cosy shepherd huts and safari tents, but the highlight every year is the ice cream truck which serves proper ice cream and all the iconic flavours like mint choc chip (my fave).

Enjoyed an afternoon tea at Sketch in London with one of my close friends Amna for her birthday, we felt extra boujie going here and the food was divine! They were playing the Bridgerton soundtrack between every course, the scones were unreal and the vibe is so cool.

More food content! For my birthday I went to the Salt Rooms for some delicious seafood, got to make the most of it while living next to the sea and their food is blooming delicious. Garlicy seafood with chips doesn’t get any better than that.

Some friends and I went to Broadstairs for a lovely staycation, we were super lucky with the weather and it was sunny every day. Of course, we spent the majority of our days having bevs on the beach and I think this picture captures that perfectly haha! We loved it there and had the best time, visiting the different beaches in Margate and Broadstairs, we went surfing too and did an escape room which was intense but so fun!

Pride babyyy! I had the best time at the unofficial Brighton pride celebrating with all my friends. Such a shame things like the parade couldn’t happen this year but I have full hope for pride normality in 2022. We spent all day and night soaking it up, was so good! Although one of us caught covid, so 10 days of isolation followed, 2021 am I right?

The food content keeps on coming, I went to Sheffield for another staycation to see my uni friends in our university hometown. We went to this little Italian called Nonna’s and the food was SO good. I had a very risotto themed meal by accident, having arancini to start followed by a parmesan risotto lol, no regrets though!

This picture of my friend James captures the chaotic vibe of my Summer perfectly, Aperol in hand of course.

There’s little we love more here at Zoella than celebrating the small but mighty independent businesses that fill our Instagram saved folders and birthday wish lists. This week the team are sharing their current fave indie brands to inspire your next ‘treat yo’ self’ spree.

Our collaboration with Etsy last year celebrated creativity and craftsmanship, partnering with talented makers and dreamers making homeware and lifestyle products that complimented the Zoella brand at its core, and since then our love for indie brands smashing it out of the park has only grown.

From tea towels to tote bags, dried flowers to dog accessories and baby clothes to body scrubs, keep scrolling to feel well and truly inspired, and get your bank card at the read!

Zoe

@Hettyskitchen – HELLO DELICIOUSNESS | @ziggylou_ – gorgeous baby knits for autumn and winter | @eleanorbowmer – Amazing prints! | @mai_accents – This is @itsMarziapie‘s business and her ceramics are ADORABLE!

Danielle

@ajouterstore – I’m pretty much obsessed with everything they bring out, from creative candles to interesting accessories. | @neckontheline – Cool water-resistant jewellery, perfect for people like me that leaves necklaces on for weeks at a time! | @helloplewsy – Really gorgeous printed wrapping paper, cards, and soft accessories like makeup bags and kitchen bits. | @nicolecicak – On Lane Avenue Fine Art Emporium. I found these prints on Etsy and I’m obsessed with this Bellhop and Dalmatian print.

Charlotte

@evamalleyart – I discovered Eva’s brand on TikTok in lockdown and I just adore her funky prints and tote bags. I’m usually a colour gal through and through but the boldness of her black and white prints are super eye-catching and cool. I love that she’s Brighton based too! | @sweeetestcreature – My fangirl dreams come true when browsing Sweetest Creature- her shop really does feature all the bands and artists I obsess over on the daily and realistically is more aesthetically pleasing than most of their official merch! | @sighhstudio – My dear friend Polly runs the most incredible functional yet beautiful stationery brand Sighh and I am truly obsessed with everything she brings out. She is a design genius and watching her small biz grow is such a joy! | @speckledegguk – I am a scrunchie FIEND and Speckled Egg is somewhere I’ve been eyeing up for ages, as well as their wonderful slow fashion dresses made in Oxfordshire. Their current I Hate Pink collection is a dream!

Maddie

@twiggytags – really great quality dog products which you can personalise. Bear has a collar and lead set which has lasted ages. | @loveandquartzlondon – homemade jewellery using crystals, my mama necklace is one of my favourites. | @studio_yaya_ – really lovely original prints

Lareese

@graciedahl the cutest ceramics – the handmade candelabra is everything! | @16thschild personalised embroidered cushions in liberty fabrics and linen, perfect for baby shower gifts. | @selahatinofficial the bougiest artisan toothpaste of all the land. | @wonky_picnic 10/10 cottagecore ceramics – I’m forever waiting for the fig bowl to be restocked

Darcey

@adamapple.co.uk – I’ve bought a couple of dried flower bunches from them for friends and family and they have all adored them, amazing colour combos and fab quality. | @keepthemgreen – If you like terrazzo pots and dishes you’ll love this company, I got a lovely green terrazzo pot from them which is perfect for holding my crystals in. | @mallowsbeauty – The best scrub ever!! I use the Coconut & Coffee Body Scrub and it makes your skin super soft and gets rid of old self-tan that is left over. I also use their Pineapple & Mango Enzyme Peel Mask which is a fantastic exfoliator leaving my skin looking super refreshed.

Holly

@thefoxylemonco – for quirky and relatable cards/wrapping paper all sorts! | @sayitwiththread – for personalised garments, I have an ‘Oh, what’s Occurring’ jumper which I LOVE

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

At the moment I’m really focused on growth, healing and getting all my ducks in a row. I’ve grown massively over the past 2 years both career and personally and all of the lockdowns have provided me with time to really think. 

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

I first came into this space as a model. But once I got a taste of advocacy I wanted more! Since then I’ve developed into a writer and consultant as an extension of my advocacy. 

What do you stand for on social media and what will people get from following you?

Inclusivity, empathy and transparency. Lots of education on trans rights, many book recommendations and good vibes. 

A lot of your activism is based on menstruation as a trans man, can you elaborate on why it is so important to you?

This was the number one thing that caused me much dysphoria growing up and I don’t want any trans person to feel the same. 

What kind of changes would you like to see in the mainstream media over the next few years, in regards to trans men and menstruation?

I think there’s been a lot of effort and interest into displaying the truth about periods. Things such as endometriosis and other health conditions are finally being spoken about and I do believe some of the shame and taboo around periods have lessened. I’d like more trans people to attend events about periods and possibly trans only forum rooms discussing them. 

What would your first words of advice be for anyone wanting to transition and are ready for the next steps?

Be patient. The road to transitioning is not quick and many of the changes you’re probably wanting to see both physically and mentallty will take time. Your end goal of whatever a successful transition looks like to you will happen. But give yourself permission to enjoy the process. 

We’re big on books at Zoella, are there any you would recommend for anyone struggling with their bodies?

Without a doubt, the best book I’ve read about bodies is Body Positive Power by Megan Jayne Crabbe. 

What are you currently working on?

I can’t speak about much at the moment but they’ll be announced in January of next year! Until then I’ve really been considering starting my own book club 

Who are some of your favourite accounts online?

@Charlie_craggs never fails to make me laugh. She recently released her documentary “transitioning teens” that I highly suggest you watch.  

@Chantayyjayy Obsession with oysters is unmatched. She’s also an amazing journalist and very educated on all things Black culture

What does your perfect weekend look like?

Lots of reading, spending some time with friends, eating a really good authentic meal and watching a critically acclaimed film 

What do you always carry with you?

A book 

What would your last ever meal be

STEAK!

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

Now is the time. I know a lot of us wait for the “perfect” time/circumstances/resources to start doing something but the truth is no matter when you start there will be obstacles to overcome. Start today, even a small step. I believe in you! 

Follow Kenny on Instagram here!

If only we were taught about such things as mortgages, credit cards and tax in school, maybe then we’d be a whole lot more prepared for the world of adulting. Alas, as soon as we’ve chucked our hats in the air, we’re out there in the big wide world on our own, left to navigate interest rates and budgets where once the only budget we had to handle was for foam parties and Super Noodles. Ok, and a few utility bills.

To help anyone who’s new to paychecks and pension pots, we asked Ola, Founder and Creator of All Things Money, for her top tips on taking control of your personal finances, investing your hard-earned cash and how to budget like a pro afterlife on campus, so that you can get to grips with the basics, cultivate better money habits and learn the all-important life skill of managing your buck with confidence.

Ready to get money-smart and start looking after those precious pennies? From the best bank accounts to student loan repayments and the financial mistakes every post-grad needs to avoid, here’s some nuggets of money wisdom to help you manage your spending and plan ahead for this exciting next chapter of your life!

Paycheck decoded – what is gross pay, net pay and National Insurance?

When it comes to starting your very first job, it can often be daunting when you are handed your first payslip and are expected to know what everything means! Here is a quick breakdown of your payslip:

Gross income: This is your total income before taxes, or any other deductions are made.

Net income: This is your total income once taxes and other deductions such as your student loan payment has been paid.

Income Tax: Income Tax is a tax we have to pay on our total earnings. More often than not, this tax is paid on all taxable income earned by you within the current tax year which runs from April 6^th to April 5^th the following year.

National Insurance: National insurance contributions (NICs) are paid by both employers and employees. The money received by the UK Government helps fund state benefits such as statutory sick pay, unemployment allowance and the state pension.

How does income tax work in the UK?

Is it too soon to start thinking about retirement funds?

In my opinion, you are never too young to start thinking about your retirement fund! This is because the sooner you start contributing towards your retirement, the longer you have to be able to build your savings up!

Why do graduates stills need to pay into a pension pot?

If you can, it is always a good idea to contribute towards your pension. This is because your pension is there for you to enjoy your retirement comfortably! Once you reach retirement age, the last thing you want to do is have to pick up a part-time job just to afford your basic living costs. It’s important to know, however, that if you are currently over the age of 22 and are currently earning over £6,240, then you will be automatically enrolled on your workplace pension!

How should you split your paycheck and what are the key things to consider?

How much of our pay packet should we be putting away for a rainy day, either into savings or an emergency fund?

When it comes to saving towards an emergency fund or, if you are just looking to create a separate pot of savings, it is usually recommended to save around 10-20% of your monthly income into a separate bank account. However, only you know how much you are able to save, so whether that is £20 or £1000 a month, what matters is that you are saving for your future self as you never know when that money may come in handy!

Why don’t all graduates pay student loans back straight away?

What are the benefits of budgeting?

Budgeting is vital if you’re looking to stay on top of your finances and stay out of debt. Due to the current economic climate, budgeting is probably more important than ever! This is because setting a budget helps us allocate our money accordingly and enables us to identify where all of our money is going. The whole aim of a budget is to hopefully reduce your chances of overspending. Been guilty of spending too much either on takeaways, or nights out? Well, why a budget may be of some use!

Top 5 tips for creating a budget and sticking to it…

My 4 top budgeting tips are:

1. Set yourself a realistic budget. There is no point setting yourself a budget of £100 a month if you’re not going to stick to it!
2. Once you have set yourself a realistic budget, I would highly recommend opening a separate bank account to hold your budget (I personally use Monzo for this!) Opening a separate bank account may help reduce your chances of overspending as you can set yourself a weekly limit of how much money you are allowed to spend.
3. If opening a separate bank account isn’t for you, then another way of helping you stick to your budget is to cash your weekly budget out instead. Seeing your money physically can often be a great deterrent for spending your money willy-nilly!
4. If sticking to your budget is something you struggle to do, then I would also recommend downloading a budgeting app that can help set your budgets for you. Apps such as Monzo and Emma are great for this!

Any apps you swear by for keeping your own personal finances in check?

My absolute favourite app is Monzo! I use Monzo to hold my weekly budget and to help me create multiple saving pots! The app is also great at tracking your spending and showing you where you spend your money. Another great app I would highly recommend is Emma. This is because Emma is another great app that helps you set budgets and helps you actually stick to them!

Stock market 101 – what does investing your money really mean and how do you get started in the stock market?

Investing can sometimes be seen as a good alternative to putting your money away into a regular cash savings account. Rather than allowing your money to sit in a bank account to earn interest, you can invest your money into companies listed on the stock market. The aim of investing is to purchase your stocks and shares, in the hope that they will increase in price, resulting in a profit.

If you are looking to invest in the stock market, it is important to conduct thorough research before putting any money on the stock market as there is an element of risk associated with investing. A great resource to help you get started is checking out All Things Money on Instagram!

How do you start building your credit score?

What many people don’t know is that you already have a credit score, whether you have used credit in the past or not, you will certainly have a credit score! However, if you are looking to increase your score, there are a few ways you can do so:

1. Join the electoral register as this shows lenders that you live at a set address.
2. Have some bills in your name and make sure you pay them on time!
3. Avoid making too many credit applications in a short space of time, as this can hurt your overall credit score.
4. Lastly, you can opt to use a credit card, but please make sure you use it responsibly. I can’t stress this point enough!

What are the pros and cons of getting a credit card?

Getting a credit card may not be for everyone. Because of this, here is a quick list of the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision:

Pros:

• When it comes to getting a credit card, they can help you build up your score if used responsibly.
• Some credit cards offer rewards such as air miles and cashback.
• They can also offer increased purchase protection as your credit card offers a certain level of protection that debit cards do not offer.
• They can be great if you are looking to spread the cost of large purchases.

Cons:

• High interest rates will be applied if your credit card balance is not paid in full every month.
• If you fail to repay the minimum requirements, this can have a negative impact on your credit card score.
• And lastly, if your credit card is not used wisely, then you can end up in a lot of debt which we want to avoid at all costs!

3 financial mistakes every grad needs to avoid…

1. As a graduate, please try and avoid living without a budget! This is absolutely crucial as the last thing you want to do is find yourself in a lot of debt. Ideally, you want to set yourself a budget that you can stick to, which can hopefully reduce your chances of overspending unnecessarily!
2. Another mistake every graduate needs to avoid, is not having a pot of savings. Savings are crucial in the event of an emergency, or just for future you. Whether that’s for a new car, house, or even a holiday! The last thing you want is to find yourself in a sticky situation, and not having the funds to help you out. It’s important to remember that you don’t have to have a savings pot with hundreds or thousands of pounds in. As I mentioned earlier whether you are able to contribute £20 or £1000 a month, it all adds up!
3. Lastly, if you can, avoid getting yourself into debt! Whether that is credit card debt, or getting a bank loan, it’s always a good idea to avoid this if possible as debt can sometimes lead to a downward spiral which we want to avoid at all costs!

Follow Ola and @Allthingsmoney on Instagram here.

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

My 2021 has been great.. but seriously how is it September already?! I’ve just got back from holiday and am feeling refreshed, energised and ready to conquer the rest of 2021! Lots of exciting stuff is happening at Fairy Job Mother at the moment!  I’ve spent most of the year working on and perfecting our first-ever physical product, which is launching at the end of the month – stay tuned on my Instagram! I also recently decided to combine my background in marketing with my expertise in the early careers space to launch a marketing and employer branding agency side of Fairy Job Mother called FJM Digital to help employers and brands attract and retain young people. 

How did you decide to start sharing your expert career advice online?

I started Fairy Job Mother over my frustration at the lack of relevant career guidance and resources available for students and young people during and after university. At university, I found the advice given to me as a generic, ‘one size fitted all’ approach that didn’t come from people in my industry or that had been in my position. Leaving university, I didn’t have much idea of how the working world worked, and starting my first job after graduating was also just as confusing. I didn’t know how to negotiate a salary or even go about positioning myself for a promotion.

To fill this gap, I wanted to build a platform to empower young professionals with the skills and mindset to navigate the world of work, find their dream job, build their confidence and ultimately progress in their careers.

Fast-forwarding to now, I have 6+ years of corporate experience, working for both Fortune 500 companies, not-for-profit and start-up organisations and currently work full-time in a leadership position at a tech company, despite only graduating in 2017.

How has your journey progressed through The Fairy Job Mother?

I only started Fairy Job Mother in October 2020 and it’s been a crazy eleven months! Originally I started sharing content on Instagram and since then have built a community of over 7000+ young professionals across multiple social channels and my content is viewed by 50,000+ people monthly.

Due to demand at the beginning of the year I introduced 1:1 coaching sessions providing expert advice on CV building, preparing for job interviews, cover letter writing and general career coaching, where I’ve helped 200+ young people gain interviews and job offers at the likes of Google, Amazon, The Hut Group, RB, Johnson & Johnson, American Express and BT.

I’ve also been invited as a guest on multiple podcasts to share my knowledge on topics such as salary negotiation and figuring out what you want to do after university, invited as a guest speaker at several universities and worked with some really cool brands like Bright Network and RateMyPlacement and had the opportunity to provide career services for government-funded initiatives for those on universal credit which has been extremely rewarding.

Why do you think it’s so important to share career advice?

I think career advice is important because your choices regarding your career can have a huge impact on your life and future. Young people are expected to make decisions about their future pretty quickly after finishing school/university. Depending on their background, they’re either set up for success with great advice from role models and their school or at a disadvantage if they come from a background without parents/role models who went to university or had corporate careers.

I share career advice on social media so that everyone, regardless of background, can be educated and equipped with the skills and mindset to progress in their career.

To add, when finishing university I didn’t even consider small things like salary negotiation, can have a huge impact.  I read a figure the other day that said accepting the first offer you are given for a job can leave you with anywhere between £1 million to £1.5million of lost earnings over your lifetime. I think that figure in itself shows how important sharing accessible career advice is!

Do you think there is enough education at school or University in regards to the job market?

The simple answer is, no, I don’t. The job market is constantly evolving and has evolved and changed so much due to COVID. I honestly don’t think universities and schools can keep up! Students have always been sold this notion that if they get good grades and go to university, then they’ll get a good job at the end of it.. which just isn’t’ true! There are more graduates than there are jobs, and universities need to do a better job at increasing students employability whilst they are studying, encouraging them to do things that make them stand out and showcase the value they can bring to employers. And whilst universities aren’t doing it Fairy Job Mother will !

I also think there isn’t enough education on building a fulfilling career in general. We aren’t taught about choosing a job that actually makes us happy! We are just taught that we need to find a job! We aren’t taught about burnout or toxic work culture. We aren’t taught that grades aren’t the end-all of and that work ethic and mindset are what matters! Education on simple things like these will enable young people to have happier and more fulfilling careers.

What are your top tips for understanding what kind of job role people should be going for?

Be kind to yourself! Trust me; no one really knows what they’re doing anyway. There is a huge pressure in society around figuring out what you want to do and picking one career and sticking to it forever (which is completely outdated by the way, you can change your career as many times as you like!). When figuring out your career path, remember to be kind to yourself. You have time to figure things out and throughout your career, as you grow and learn, you’ll always be exploring and experimenting with different areas, and that’s OK!

Note down what makes you happy (and what doesn’t!) What are you actually interested in? What makes you smile? What are your hobbies and favourite brands? Write a list of your top 5 brands and sectors and start researching different roles within these. You know these are brands and industries that you’re actually passionate about, so you’ll feel motivated and confident exploring them!

Start reaching out to people in via LinkedIn! Once you’ve researched the role types within your chosen industry or brands, start reaching out to actual people in these roles to figure out if they’re really for you! LinkedIn is an amazing tool for doing this as you can search absolutely anyone at any company and message them! Remember to personalise each message, try to find some common ground and position the message in a way that shows you’d love to learn from them by jumping on a Zoom call – so that you can directly ask questions and build a relationship with someone in your chosen industry! I shared a video on my Instagram about reaching out to people on LinkedIn, which can be found here.

Try out as many different things as you can if you aren’t sure! Once you’ve learned about each role type, shortlist your top 3 and start applying, internships are great for learning about a particular industry, and they are short term, meaning you can explore each of your target industries in a short period of time to determine which your enjoyed and which you didn’t! I have a video that touches a bit more on finding local internship opportunities here!!

I recently recorded podcast all about figuring out the right career path/job role for you which and would definitely recommend checking it out!

What are some of your most popular posts online?

My most popular posts are related to job searching (for those on the job hunt) and career progression (for those looking to progress in their current roles)!

Here’s a few of my most popular..

How to stand out at a job interview  

Red flags to look out for during the interview process

4 things to check before submitting a job application

Top 3 CV mistakes I see all the time

Here’s why you aren’t getting promoted!

3 things your manager SHOULD be doing for you!

What are you currently working on?

I’m currently working on the launch plan for Fairy Job Mother’s first-ever physical product, which is launching at the end of the month! The product is all about setting goals and figuring out what makes you happy from a career perspective and is honestly something I wish I had when I was starting out – keep an eye out on my Instagram page in the coming weeks for more info!

The other very exciting thing I’m working on, which I briefly touched upon above, is FJM Digital, the marketing and employer branding side of Fairy Job Mother, to help brands and employers attract and retain young people. I’m really excited to combine my unique experience and expertise in marketing and attracting young talent in this venture and am excited to help employers and brands thrive using the same techniques I’ve used to build my own business from Fairy Job Mother! If you are a brand or employer that is looking to attract young people reach out!

Do you have any top follows for finding a new career on Instagram?

Some of my favourite follows are:

@prettylittlemarketer – if you are interested in exploring the world of marketing, Sophie is your girl! After leaving her full-time job and starting university at 21 to pursue a degree in Marketing, Sophie has spent the past four years creating her own experience working for agencies, volunteering and working as a freelance social media manager.  She shares her top tips and tricks over on her Instagram!

@gradvance – If you are a graduate that’s just finished university and feeling unsure of how to navigate the job searching world, then Dan is your guy (in addition to Fairy Job Mother of course !) After struggling with the graduate job search post Dan developed a winning formula which saw him land job offers from Amazon, Vodafone, Sky and Virgin Media.

@beyondeducation_ Beyond Education is a social enterprise that aims to bridge the informational gap between educational institutions and the working world! Their platform connects students to a network of prestigious employers, mentors and career coaches that can provide career advice and employment opportunities to those who need it!

What does your perfect weekend look like?

The perfect weekend for me would be being outdoors in the open exploring, walking or hiking somewhere new, followed by a relaxing swim, chill in the hot tub and a massage! Dreaming of a winter getaway as we speak!

What do you always carry with you?

Apart from my phone, I always carry a good non-fiction book in my bag! My current read at the moment is organisational psychologists Adam Grant’s ‘Think Again’ which is all about the art of rethinking and learning to question your opinions and open other people’s minds.. 100% recommend it!

What would your last ever meal be?

Definitely Spaghetti Pomodoro! So simple, yet so delicious 

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

My piece of advice is on rejection as it’s something everybody is bound to face at least once in their career! Rejection is redirection and is completely normal. KEEP GOING. You will find something, you will get to where you are meant to be! Here is a video I created to normalise rejection that those reading may find useful!

Trigger warning: grief, race, addiction

They say don’t judge a book by its cover but in the case of Transcendent Kingdom judge away because the story it contains is even more captivating than its Instagramable pink and green jacket.

Transcendent Kingdom is a deeply raw, compassionate and intimate novel about a Ghanaian family in Alabama, ravaged by addiction, depression and grief. Yeah, possibly steer clear if you’re PMSing or on a fragile hangover because the tears will be on tap.

For anyone familiar with Gyasi’s award-winning debut Homegoing, this novel is the opposite in both scope and feel. With a laser-like focus on its characters, the author dissects grief with a deft touch, peeling back the layers of human suffering with unsentimental precision.

The narrator, Gifty, is a 28-year-old Ghanaian-American neuroscientist studying reward-seeking behaviour in mice and the neural circuits of depression and addiction. If that went right over your head, fear not. This book belongs entirely to Gifty and her family story, as she looks to science for the answers she needs to make sense of the tragic loss of her brother Nana and her mother’s debilitating grief.

It is nothing short of a masterpiece and a work of whispered beauty and for that, Yaa Gyasi deserves to take the crown for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2021. Best of luck!

Keep scrolling to find out what the team thought of this month’s pick…

But first… the blurb:

As a child Gifty would ask her parents to tell the story of their journey from Ghana to Alabama, seeking escape in myths of heroism and romance. When her father and brother succumb to the hard reality of immigrant life in the American South, their family of four becomes two – and the life Gifty dreamed of slips away.

Years later, desperate to understand the opioid addiction that destroyed her brother’s life, she turns to science for answers. But when her mother comes to stay, Gifty soon learns that the roots of their tangled traumas reach farther than she ever thought. Tracing her family’s story through continents and generations will take her deep into the dark heart of modern America.

Find the team’s reviews in the gallery below >

Purchase Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi through the Bookshop.org here and enjoy 10% off your first order with the code ZOELLA10 at checkout, valid until September 30 2021. 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!

Just as Taylor Swift predicted, August slipped away into a moment in time in a blur of below-par weather and Casa Amor drama. As soon as that Love Island couple split that 50k we know it’s only a matter of time before we’re eyeing up the pumpkins and lining up the Bake Off snacks. Care to join us as we welcome September and surrender ourselves to all the Homesense candles? In a bit, summer! Average girl Autumn is en route.

1 Ditch your devices for a Digital Detox Day. Sayonara screen time! 📵

2 Find yourself buying clogs. How oh how did we arrive here? 🤦

3 Utter the C-word around your sun-loving Cancerians just to see how they react. Too soon to buy a cinnamon candle and whip out the beret? We think not. Christmas is waiting in the wings 🎅

4 Find yourself watching Elf for “self-care” 🎄 🎄 🎄

5 Tune into Sex Education. Otis, Eric, Maeve, Aimee and the rest of the Moordale Secondary School gang are finally back in our lives for a third season 🍆

6 Embrace that back-to-school energy. Entry-level NVQ let’s go 👀

7 Start scouting out those pumpkin fields. Some will say you’re premature but they’ll be sorry when you’re cradling a heritage heirloom Cinderella with a deeply ribbed rind and a flattened bosom, perfect for porch styling and baking 🎃

8 Fire up the group Doddle. You’ve gotta get your dates in now if you’re going to see each other this side of Christmas ✔️ 📝

9 Schedule a Zoom meeting about how to use Doddle. There’s always one 👩‍💻

10 Pick a date that works best for you, knowing full well you’re still not going. No-whey 💃 🐸

11 Watch the Gossip Girl reboot xoxo 📺

12 Have the ‘I deserve to get drunk this weekend’ conversation with yourself. Always a Thursday thought, no? 🥂

13 Dust off the toastie maker for its seasonal debut 🧀

14 Have a night in with The Poet – the ultimate wordsmith (you’re welcome)

15 Realise that the contents of Molly Mae’s wrist is worth more than the contents of your entire life ⌚

16 Carry on blaming your zodiac for all your bad life choices. It’s got you this far ♍

17 Risk-free bleeding on the last day of your period. Another pair of pants lost in the line of duty 🥀

18 Dance in the rain naked, give the neighbours some tantric TEA ☕

19 Keep your eyes peeled for Emily in Paris Season 2 🥖 🇫🇷

20 Realise you can’t really afford October 💀

The last 18 months have pushed us all to our limits in one way or another, whether it was working from home, dealing with redundancy, home-schooling our children, cancelling weddings or losing a loved one.

As we all scrambled for ways to connect during a time when we couldn’t physically be together, our screen-time hit an all-time high. If it wasn’t a virtual meeting it was a Zoom pub quiz, if it wasn’t a pub quiz it was an evening on the House Party app and if it wasn’t House Party it was completing Netflix, mindlessly scrolling Instagram, distracting ourselves with Tik Toks and pretending we lived on a little Animal Crossing island, far far away from planet earth.

And who can blame us for going ham on escapism? In the era of social distancing and quarantining, the digital world was a lifeline for many during a time of unprecedented isolation.

However, the pressure to be productive with our lockdown days was rampant as timelines and social feeds were flooded with aesthetic homes and LICK paint projects, baby announcements, new hobbies, baking skills and home workouts. Someone somewhere was making a banana bread, a baby, a book or a business.

With many people heading back to the office for the first time since March 2020, or still juggling working from home with family life, now seems like a good time to take control of your screen time.

“Detoxing” From Our Digital Devices – The Conscious Cleanse

Digital Detox Day means different things to different people. You don’t have to go cold turkey and hand in your digital devices Nine Perfect Strangers style if that’s not practical for you. Simple measures such as introducing a technology curfew could be all it takes to establish some boundaries with your devices and learn to live with them in a way that’s healthy rather than harmful.

The benefits of stepping away from your smartphones, TVs, tablets and laptops, even temporarily, are pretty extensive, from reducing stress and anxiety to boosting productivity and improving sleep patterns.

Disconnecting from the online world can help focus on our offline social interactions without distraction. If you’re feeling stressed or bogged down by the constant connectivity or you’re feeling like your dependence on your devices has become excessive over the past 18 months, taking part in Digital Detox Day can be a fundamental way to destress and strike a balance between work and life.

If completely disconnecting from your devices isn’t going to work for you and your lifestyle due to work obligations, you can still take part in Digital Detox Day by setting limits on when these digital connections are allowed to intrude on your daily life. You might benefit from switching off push notifications, deleting certain apps for 24 hours, allocating specific times to catch up and respond to messages, sleeping with your phone in another room or designating phone-free dinners when you’re with your friends.

The key to getting the most out of a digital detox is making sure it’s practical and sustainable for you, that way you’ll also be more inclined to make going device-free a regular part of your self-care routine.

Ditch Comparison

Comparisonitus. We’ve all felt it. Constant connectivity can feed the FOMO beast, leaving you feeling like your life is less exciting or fulfilling than a stranger’s, a friend’s or a celebrity’s on the internet. Whether it’s chasing likes and external validation or perceiving someone’s highlights reel as the pinnacle of life goals, taking a step back from social media can be a good way to gain some perspective and focus on what’s important in your life without comparing yourself to others.

Get A Better Night’s Sleep

The blue light that emits from our screens has been shown in many studies to disrupt our sleep. By logging off a few hours before bedtime, your mind and body will know it’s time to unwind, meaning you’ll get to enjoy a sound night’s kip free from that blue light brain noise.

Nurture Meaningful Connections

No one can argue with the convenience and efficiency of technology. On the one hand, it offers connection and communication at the touch of a button, but on the other it makes us inescapably accessible to anyone 24/7. If that sounds horrifying it’s because it is. We don’t know who needs to hear this but responding to an email at midnight is never necessary.

How many times has your phone interrupted an important conversation with a friend or caught your attention when you should be fully immersed in the present? When you remove the urge to check your phone or respond instantly to something then and there -Slack, WhatsApp, DMs, Instagram Story replies, the list goes on – you can really listen and give the people you love your undivided attention. The inbox can wait.

Re-Engage With Real Life

According to an Ofcom study, UK adults spend an average of 8 hours 41 minutes a day on screens (BBC) and check their smartphone every 12 minutes, figures that have no doubt grown exponentially in the wake of the pandemic. With this growing dependence on our devices, our screens are ruling our lives, hijacking our downtime and causing a disconnect with the reality around us.

Whatever your relationship with your devices, we can all benefit from putting some personal boundaries in place to protect our mental health. Prioritise that screen-free walk with a friend, sign up to yoga class in a light-filled studio, read a book without one hand tethered to your phone. Reconnect with the wonder that is: real life.
Break The Cycle

Unlocking your phone for no apparent reason is the new walking into a room and forgetting what you went in there for. Whether it’s disappearing down a social media rabbit hole or doom-scrolling for hours on end, mindlessly consuming information in this manner is a sure-fire way to feel drained before your day has even begun. With the average adult using social media for 2 hours a day and many of us stuck in the cycle of reaching for our phones as soon as we’ve opened our eyes, our minds are constantly overworked and overwhelmed. Your mornings and evenings are sacred and doing a digital detox is one such way to ensure they stay that way. Use that time to check in with yourself before you check in with the rest of the world.

Our September Digital Detox Series

As we all step away from our devices for 24 hours on Saturday 4th September, we wanted to create a mini-series throughout the month here on Zoella.co.uk to inspire you with ways to flex your creative muscle, switch off for mental health and enjoy some quality downtime without distraction.

After we all thoroughly enjoyed unshackling ourselves from our smartphones for Digital Detox Day 2020, we wanted to channel that positive change into something long-term; something we can continue to practice and utilise on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, whenever we feel overwhelmed with the constant connectivity and frazzled by that blue light beast.

The Digital Detox series will see us collaborating with some epic fellow creators, coaches and artists to shine a light on the activities, habits and hobbies we can discover when we’re not glued to our screens.

From sitting down for a self-love yoga and breathwork class to learning how to identify wild edibles with a professional forager and using our lunchtimes to put down our phones and pick up a paintbrush, the series will act like a month-long toolkit for the mind, continually prompting us to put our mental health first.

We hope the series inspires you to reclaim your downtime, commit to self-care and embrace the benefits of a digital detox, not just for one day of the year but every day.

Perfecto for your fruit salad and autumnal wardrobe (yes we’ve got pumpkin spice on the brain already), Mango is a high street dream for your back to office/uni/smart/casj needs, and this week the team are delving into their fave pieces for the month of September and beyond. And with 79% of their garments already containing sustainable properties (which will be 100% by 2022!), you can both feel and look good whilst choosing your new favourite cool-weather garms.

Mango is the fuss-free Spanish señorita of the high street, looking forever put together with their simple yet trendy (100+ mum points for using the word trendy in 2021) pieces helping you achieve that ‘just rolled out of bed but looking 10/10’ look effortlessly. Think straight leg jeans and a simple white shirt, perfectly oversized blazers and tailored trousers, as well as fun jumpsuits and accessories that add a certain je ne sais quoi to any look. Now that Topshop is no more, Mango might just be taking the lead in offering the perfect balance of timeless and fun under one roof.

Zoe

I could browse the Mango site all day there is so much I love on there! These were a few bits that I spotted that I’d love to add to my wardrobe. I particularly love the horoscope necklaces, they’re so pretty!

*Mango, Oversized hooded sweater, £59.99 | *Mango, Aries horoscope necklace, £17.99 | *Mango, Flowers knit sweater, £35.99 | *Mango, Printed modal dress, £35.99

Lareese

I’m a big fan of Mango! Their campaign imagery always makes me want to buy everything. I’ve had to rein it in on my ‘add to cart’ items, especially since they’re just starting to get into Autumncore. Who’d have thought I’d be adding CLOGS to my Weekly Wants but here we are!

*Mango, Oversize leather-effect trench coat, £99.99 | *Mango, Track outsole boots, £59.99 | *Mango, Studded leather clog, £49.99 | *Mango, Pleated suit trousers, £35.99 | *Mango, Chunky knit cardigan, £49.99 | *Mango, Stone seal ring, £12.99

Danielle

If you didn’t already know Mango has started to offer clothing up to a size 4XL, not the whole range but a good portion of it which is great to see. I decided to pick out a little “back to work outfit” as we start to re-enter the office and in-person meetings. I went with this super wearable bronze and black striped silk shirt, faux leather leggings and a black blazer. These three items can be mixed and matched with tons of other items to bring your wardrobe a formal vibe. I’ve paired all that with a smart handbag I can fit my laptop in, and some classic moccasins – always my autumn shoe of choice before boot season hits!

*Mango, Satin striped shirt, £35.99 | *Mango, Double-breasted blazer, £69.99 | *Mango, Faux leather leggings, £29.99 | *Mango, Geometric design basket bag, £59.99 | *Mango, Buckle leather moccasins, £59.99

Charlotte

We’re heading back to the office next week and I need a new wardrobe STAT. My clothes sizes have considerably increased during lockdown (anyone else relate?) so I need some new smart/casj items to see me through weird weather September and into the autumn season. Mango is great for pieces like this, especially bits like this denim jumpsuit which could easily be dressed up or down to take you from desk to disco as soon as 5pm hits. I’ve been after some leather look trousers for the longest time and these ones look like great quality and a lovely shape so they’re being added to basket ASAP. Finish with some cute tops and light knits and you’re good to go!

*Mango, Zip denim jumpsuit, £59.99 | *Mango, Printed knit sweater, £35.99 | *Mango, Textured printed blouse, £19.99 | *Mango, Leather-effect straight trousers, £35.99

Darcey

I actually don’t usually shop at Mango much, however, I feel this is going to change now they have a plus range! As a size 18 in bottoms, I find it so hard to get jeans which fit nicely, so I’m excited to try some of their jeans out! They go to a size 26 too which is fantastic and way more inclusive which I love. Anyone else itching to buy a new winter coat too? Cause same! Their classic trench and leather trench are so nice, definitely on my wish-list.

*Mango, Classic cotton trench coat, £79.99 | *Mango, Leather-effect jacket with belt, £79.99 | *Mango, Ribbed sweater with zip, £19.99 | *Mango, Wide leg high waist jeans, £35.99

Holly

I have a bit of an issue with stores that have whole new lines for plus size, I way prefer the women’s shop but they only go up to a 16 so have to shop in plus size. Why can’t they just make all garments size-inclusive? Anyway, given that I’m limited, I would choose these cute dung’s with a simple tee and some sandals for a nice ‘cocktails on the beach’ kind of day

*Mango, Denim buttons pichi, £29.99 | *Mango, Raffia braided sandals, £49.99 | *Mango, Contrast chest-pocket T-shirt, £15.99 | *Mango, Flap pebbled bag, £17.99 | *Mango, Hoop earrings, £29.99

Shop the post

*This post contains ad-affiliate links