50 Thoughts & Feelings We Had Whilst Watching Stranger Things Season 4, Volume II
Volume II of the iconic 80s sci-fi thriller dropped on 1st July, and it’s safe to say, it was touch and go as to whether or not we made it through in one piece. So let’s debrief!
Stranger Things fans, do you copy? Volume II of the iconic 80s sci-fi thriller dropped on 1st July, and it’s safe to say, it was touch and go as to whether or not we made it through in one piece. Did anyone else consider writing a strongly worded email to the Duffer Brothers after *that* scene with the bats? The stuff of heartbreak.
Volume II’s running time came in at a total of 4 hours 5 minutes across two bumper episodes, but despite its length, the desperate moments of the Hawkins gang attempting to defeat Vecna for good likely still left you craving more. Finishing on a nail-biting cliffhanger, moments after Hopper, Joyce, Murray and the kids were reunited, it’s clear that Hawkins is still in grave danger, and the wait for Season 5 to find out who of our faves will survive is the dictionary definition of intense.
So let’s debrief. Here are 50 thoughts Team Zoella had whilst devouring Season 4, Volume II of Stranger Things. Spoilers included, read at your own risk…
Nancy, we don’t mean to be rude, but that’s a push door, you can open it without breaking the wooden bars off.
Hands up who also wants Steve Harrington to cup their face like that. *Raises hand*
Did anyone else not skip the intro purely to hear the iconic soundtrack?
Episode 8 is called Papa so we can only imagine it’s going to be incredibly difficult to watch.
Demogorgons never get less scary do they?
Whatever TF is happening in this prison is the stuff of nightmares.
Having said that, Joyce is getting to hang with Murray, Hopper and Enzo whilst planning their escape … we wouldn’t mind trading places.
Eleven getting her powers back- anyone else feeling like a proud mum?
Broken.
The only word apt in describing the van scene with Mike and Will.
HE’S IN LOVE WITH YOU, YOU IDIOT.
“When you’re different, sometimes you feel like a mistake”. Sobbing, that’s all.
Papa you’re a manipulative piece of sh*t and we do not stan.
Nancy telling the group what she saw in the Upside Down is not really giving good vibes, is it?
On the plus side, The Hawkins-in-Russia-gang are FREE. On the downside, Yuri is still incredibly annoying.
Eddie casually saying “Don’t ya big boy?” to Steve as the crew casually steal an actual motorhome is the quote of the season.
The character arc of Steve Harrington from Season 1 till now is really quite remarkable.
First Steve and Nancy having a heart-to-heart, now Lucas and Max- the vibes are impeccable in this motorhome.
Erica leading the gang into a store called War Zone whilst their entire worlds are falling apart is boss bitch behaviour if we ever did see it.
Jason really is a slimy piece of work isn’t he.
Manifesting a happy ending for Robin and Vickie.
Sorry but HOW strong was the weed that Argyle smoked because it is simply not possible that he is still high.
Dr Owens, we love you.
Eddie and Dustin are the most iconic duo of the season, period.
Closely followed by Robin and Steve, as per usual.
RIP Papa, you will not be missed.
*That* helicopter scene- go Ell!
Okay we’re still mad at Mike after his response to Will in the van but we have to admit the Mileven reunion was kinda cute.
The goodbye with Papa was sweet, but here’s to not forgiving those who don’t deserve it.
What is it with this Russian church and its obscure collection of t-shirts?
JOPPER, JOPPER, JOPPER!!!
The kiss!!!!!
We love, love!
Surfer Boy Pizza actually looks pretty lit.
Purple palm tree delight you say …
Steve confessing his feelings for Nancy has us weeping- you deserve happiness, Harrington.
Jonathan coming through with the brotherly advice and support for Will- about damn time, sir!
Everyone deserves a bestie looking out for them like Ell looks out for Max.
Eddie Munson playing guitar. That’s it, that’s the tweet.
Iconique.
Jason we don’t mean to be rude but you’re ruining everything.
Vecna can you give it a rest for once in your life!
Murary setting the Demogorgon on fire with a flamethrower and Hopper finishing the job by beheading it with a sword, we love to see it!
The bats. Eddie. Dustin. No, no, no.
“I didn’t run away this time” STOP IT.
Max. There are no words.
‘Two days later’- sorry, what?
The LA gang meets the Russian gang meets the Hawkins gang, FINALLY.
All The Best Tech, Style and Homeware Picks To Bookmark Ahead of Amazon Prime Day
Amazon's annual Prime Day celebrations are fast approaching, taking place on the 12th and 13th July where you'll be able to find savings across tech, home, alcohol, gaming, laptops, TVs and more!
Who else lives for a bargain?! Rhetorical question, but if you answered no then you’re doing it wrong…
Amazon’s annual Prime Day celebrations are fast approaching, taking place on the 12th and 13th July where you’ll be able to find savings across tech, home, alcohol, gaming, laptops, TVs and more! But remember, to get your hands on as many savings as possible this July, you must be a Prime member. If you’re feeling particularly savvy, it’s worth noting that you can sign up for a 30 day free trial and still get access to the incredible deals on offer. You’re welcome!
Keep scrolling to see what items we’re hoping to see on sale this Prime Day, and get your wishlist at the ready for when the 12th and the 13th roll around…
Out of Office: Activated! 30 Vacation Manicures to Secure For Your Next Holiday
Whether you’re jetting off to Sorrento or sunning yourself on a beach somewhere in the balmy Balearics, nothing signals the start of a holiday quite like getting a fresh manicure for the occasion. That’s just, like, the rules of feminism.
Whether you’re jetting off to Sorrento or sunning yourself on a beach somewhere in the balmy Balearics, nothing signals the start of a holiday quite like getting a fresh manicure for the occasion. That’s just, like, the rules of feminism.
Passport, check. Boarding pass, check. Out of Office ON, check, check, check! *cue the smug “bye guys!” as you waft out of the office without a care in the world to the soundtrack of Madonna* Here are 30 holiday nail art designs to secure for your next trip away!
12 of the Prettiest Record Covers *Made* for Your Vinyl Wall Display
If you’re looking for some seriously stunning album artwork to grace your very own vinyl wall or add some new music to your weekly listening rotation, may we present 12 vinyl covers so pretty they’re basically works of art.
The humble gallery wall has had homeowners in a chokehold ever since it first emerged as a trend, filling blank walls and adding a new dimension to living rooms and bedrooms nationwide. But according tointerior designers, the trend is on the way out. Nobody panic…
If you’re seeking a new way to add a little bit of *spice* to your white walls, look no further than the ultimate music lovers’ obsession- the vinyl wall. The brainchild of Emily Jane Lathan, 70s design lover and DIY queen, the vinyl wall not only allows you to display your most prized records, but also switch up your album arrangement regularly to showcase your current ‘now playing’ list. Genius.
If you’re looking for some seriously stunning album artwork to grace your very own vinyl wall or add some new music to your weekly listening rotation, may we present 12 vinyl covers so pretty they’re basically works of art.
Kacey Musgraves – Golden Hour
With its dreamy hues of coral and blue, this cover captures the feeling of hazy, hot summer days with its subtle blur and high saturation edit. Released in 2018, the 13-track album is Kacey’s fourth studio album and is an eclectic, mesmerising mix of disco, electropop, electronica, and yacht rock (a broad music style and aesthetic commonly associated with soft rock,one of the most commercially successful genres from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s, FYI).
Musgraves’ sister Kelly Christine Sutton actually took the cover photo for Golden Hour over a two-day photo shoot in and around their hometown of Golden, Texas- how cute!
For those who love a pop of colour within their interiors or are a sucker for the summer season, this album cover is one for you to display in pride of place.
Taylor Swift – Folklore
The queen of dreamy lyricism, Ms Swift’s 2020 lockdown release, Folklore, is the ultimate collection of mellow ballads created with escapism, romanticism, and nostalgia at the forefront of their conception. Taylor described the album as a “collection of songs and stories that flowed like a stream of consciousness”, and we’re beyond honoured to have stepped into this world with her.
The album artwork shows Taylor walking through a deserted forest scene, surrounded by towering, shadowy trees and beautifully capturing the ruminative and isolating feelings so many of us came up against during the height of the pandemic. Listed byVogue as amongst the best moments of lockdown culture, we can’t help but agree.
Add to your display if a monochrome or muted colour palette is your thing, and put this record on in times when introspection comes calling.
Role Model – Our Little Angel
Minimalists, the muted colour scheme of this EP cover has your name written all over it. The ultra-textured design shows Role Model, aka Tucker Pillsbury, appearing to cut away a pair of angel wings, with the addition of retro calligraphy finishing off the simple yet striking design. Released in October 2020, the 6 track EP features hit songs ‘blind’ and ‘for the people in the back’ and feels authentically relatable at its core. Exploring themes of mental health, sex, and heartbreak, this addictive and distinctive collection of ‘bedroom pop’ hits is delightfully moreish.
Neutral interiors lovers, this one’s for your record stack.
Harry Styles – Harry’s House
Arguably the hottest record of the year, Harry’s House from our friend Harry Styles is a 13 track release of pure good vibes ONLY (except Matilda, to which we cry). The introspective and charming album ticks every box you could hope for, both in listening on your daily commute or watching him perform at the highly anticipated European leg of Love On Tour which began in June of this year.
The nostalgic, soft-in-colour album cover shows Harry in a living room setting, minimally furnished with an orange sofa, yellow table lamp, vase of flowers and arch door that has since become synonymous with the album campaign. Lovers of retro, warm-toned interiors should pay attention here, as furniture brands including Made.com noted a major uptake in interest for similar pieces. Perfect for weekdays working and Sunday morning listening alike, this album is one to display for anyone fond of 70s nostalgia and grand millennial aesthetics.
Lorde – Solar Power
“For those who don’t know, it is my butt kinda from below,” New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde told Stephen Colbert on The Late Show last year- “It’s a little hardcore, but it was so joyful to me. It felt innocent and playful and a little bit feral and sexy,” said the 25-year-old star when describing the cover of her latest, psychedelic pop and indie-folk album, Solar Power.
“My friend just took it. It was just me jumping over a friend on the beach. The album is a celebration of the natural world, an attempt at immortalising the deep, transcendent feelings I have when I’m outdoors,” she continued. “In times of heartache, grief, deep love, or confusion, I look to the natural world for answers. I’ve learned to breathe out, and tune in. This is what came through.” We love it!
Whilst the cover might be apparently too racy to show on national TV, the dreamy blue sky background, contrasting yellow font and blurred movement feels more innocently like the capturing of a playful and carefree moment- the stuff of core memories!
Perfect to display during the summer months, the Solar Power cover will have you itching to spend time in the sun, stat.
MØ – Forever Neverland
The second studio album from Danish singer and songwriter MØ, Forever Neverland was released in October 2018 and is said to be “dedicated to the quest for eternal youth”.
The simple yet dreamlike album artwork feels like it’s been plucked straight out of the 80s, with its indigo backdrop and contrasting pink graphic eye make-up, the vibes are all out captivating.
“We see MØ cast through a prism, splitting into different colours. She’s done with California. She’s heartbroken,” note Pitchfork, and despite the peppy album cover, upon listening the complex combination of emotions that are explored in the 14-track album somehow seep through.
Add to your vinyl wall or record stack if romantic, whimsical and dreamlike imagery is your jam.
The Rolling Stones – Let It Bleed
An oldie but goldie, Let It Bleed by The Rolling Stones is considered iconic in the world of album art for a reason. The 1969 cover shows a cake created with layers including a tyre, clock face, film canister, and a pizza, clad in white frosting and little Rolling Stones figurines, with a cracked Rolling Stones album playing below. Pretty wild.
Despite the cover artwork originally being created with the working title Automatic Changer, it stood the test of time when the record was complete and was among ten album covers chosen by Royal Mail for a set of “Classic Album Cover” postage stamps issued in January 2010.
Retro and playful at its core, add it to your vinyl display if you’re a fan of the classics!
Metronomy – Small World
The seventh studio album from British band Metronomy, Small World was released in February 2022 is described by the band as “a return to simple pleasures, nature, and an embracing, in part, of more pared-down, songwriterly sonics”.
The cover is a beautiful reflection of this, with the image showing an idyllic pond and forest scene that’s channelling goblincore to the max. For those with darker interiors, this enchanting cover was made to be displayed in your home.
Bon Iver – Bon Iver (10th Anniversary Edition)
The limited-edition tenth-anniversary reissue of Bon Iver’s Grammy Award-winning sophomore album Bon Iver is a work of art if we ever did see one. Featuring all ten original tracks, plus four very special renditions from the band’s 2012 AIR Studios 4AD/Jagjaguwar session, the reissue features a blind embossed version of the original cover, and is a minimalist lover’s dream.
Subtle yet striking, add this to your lust list if diving into the sprawling and magical world of Bon Iver is top of your to-do list.
HONNE – Love Me / Love Me Not
Dropping in 2018, Love Me / Love Me Not is the second album by English electronic music duo HONNE and features 12 tracks that “half explore the euphoria of falling in love, and the other the agony of falling out of it. It’s a careful, calculated unravelling of modern romance. It’s almost surgical in its strategy” say DIY.
The album cover is strikingly beautiful, and will no doubt stand out amongst your vinyl collection as a bold design that celebrates symmetry, block colour and a retro inspired colour palette that would look right at home in the 80s. Add this vinyl to your collection if you’re looking to inspire conversation.
Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend
Iconic – the most appropriate word to describe Vampire Weekend’s debut album by the same title released all the way back in 2008, which was ranked the 5th best album of the year by TIME, before going on to secure a spot in Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time in 2012.
The album’s cover is a sepia image of a chandelier from St. Anthony Hall at Columbia University, and is an actual Polaroid picture from one of the band’s early shows at the university. The album’s unique hybrid of indie pop, chamber music and Afropop influences make it a striking and memorable debut album, with the chandelier upon its cover becoming so synonymous with the band that their early stage design would be adorned with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling at their gigs.
Add this vinyl to your display if you’re seeking 100+ indie points.
Haim – Women in Music
If you haven’t fantasised about being adopted as the fourth Haim sister then you’re doing it wrong. The 2020 release of their third studio album Women in Music is arguably this Californian trio at their best, receiving widespread critical acclaim thanks to its experimentation across genres and vulnerable lyricism.
The album cover was shot by Paul Thomas Anderson at Canter’s Deli, a Jewish-style delicatessen in Los Angeles, which has been an iconic late-night hang out in Hollywood since it opened in the 60s, and where the trio played a gig during their early career. Anderson has collaborated with the girls numerous times throughout the years, directing multiple music videos for the band, including The Steps, the first single from WIM.
Powerful and captivating, add this vinyl to your display if bad b*tch energy is your jam!
From how you are wired to make decisions to what role you’re meant to play in the world, and how you exert and exchange energy with those around you, it helps you understand who you are and how you function, so you can reconnect with your core self and start living according to your Human Design.
You’ve likely heard of Myers-Briggs, personality frameworks such as The Enneagram and love languages, but have you heard of Human Design? Prepare to feel seen.
Created by Alan Krakower, who published a book in 1992 on the subject under the pseudonym Ra Uru Hu, Human Design combines astrology, the I Ching, Kabbalah, quantum physics, and Vedic philosophy to offer a toolkit for self-awareness based on both modern science and ancient wisdoms.
Calculated by your exact time, date and place of birth, it offers a unique system for living in alignment with your innate self and who you were always meant to be, instead of chasing something you are not.
From how you are wired to make decisions to what role you’re meant to play in the world, and how you exert and exchange energy with those around you, it helps you understand who you are and how you function, so you can reconnect with your core self and start living according to your Human Design.
Dana Stiles and Shayna Corneliusare Human Design experts, spiritual teachers, and the podcast hosts behindDayLuna. As co-founders of their company, they are on a mission to empower the collective towards self-love, personal freedom, and radical authenticity through the tool that is Human Design. The pair feel passionately called to help spread the complex and life-changing science of Human Design to a wider community in a grounded and approachable way.
Intrigued? Here, Dana and Shayna provide a beginner’s guide to Human Design and how you can start applying its magic to your life. Limiting beliefs – you can see yourselves out!
Human Design is a hot topic right now, and for good reason! It really is the all-in-one modality that can not only tell you what alignment looks like for you, it also sheds light on your unique individual life purpose, what your gifts are, how you can best connect with others, and how you can show up in the world with complete authenticity.
If you’re just now hearing about this system, Human Design is the science of differentiation. It is a modality that shows us how we are all uniquely designed, how we are all meant to use our energy in different ways than other people, including what our unique gifts, diet, mindset, and life purpose is. Some refer to it as “the new astrology.” Human Design is a synthesis of modern science mixed with Western Astrology, the Chinese I Ching, The Hindu-Brahmin Chakra System, and The Kabbalah Tree of Life. By generating your free Human Design chartusing your birth details, you can see the complete blueprint of your energy and soul’s purpose, as well as the owner’s manual of how to operate in alignment with your design.
Every day, thousands of people are discovering Human Design and when first hearing about it, it can be extremely tempting to gather as much information as you possibly can about your chart. While this leads to a great knowledge of your design, a lot of times it also leads to mental overwhelm with little to no results in how you are optimizing your energy each day to really change your life. The power with this system truly only comes from grounding down what you’ve learned into your physical body and daily life. Here are our top 9 things you can start doing every day to live by your Human Design:
Hone your self-awareness
Start being the observer of your own life. Observe how you react to things, when you feel triggered, when you feel the most exhausted or energized, when you are fascinated or excited by something. Having this kind of awareness and self-observation can help you to understand yourself better without judgment. It can also help you to take responsibility for your energy and create healthy boundaries that support your personal energy levels. Books we love that can help you better hone your awareness are The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle and The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz.
Tune into your body
How is it feeling in this moment? Is there any tightness or tension? Does it feel energized by what you are doing or contracted in any way? Human Design teaches us that our bodies are connected to a higher plane of consciousness and divine timing. Try to get out of your mind and check in with your body at least twice a day. This simple act can majorly start to increase your magnetism, and by listening to the signals your body is giving you; you will start to notice beautiful synchronicities in your life.
Learn your Authority and exercise it every day.
Your Authority is your unique decision-making center in your body that is a consistent way for you to make decisions that are energetically correct for you. We are conditioned to believe that it is best to make big decisions with our minds and with what “makes sense”. Human Design is reframing this to show us how to make decisions with our bodies instead of our minds. Our minds are here to observe, process data, create, and inspire, but they are not here to make our major life decisions. There are 8 different Authorities in Human Design and your chart will tell you which one you have. One of the most powerful things you can do is to learn your Authority and start experimenting with making decisions that are of medium importance to you. You will be blown away at how natural it feels and how when you release mental pressure to figure things out, your Authority leads you to less resistance and more ease.
Practice your Strategy
Your Strategy tells you the best way your aura interacts with others and the world around you based on your energy Type. With awareness of this, you can start to really lean into it one day at a time. While we won’t get into the daily practice and Strategy for each Type, here are some of our favourite quick tips:
Manifestors – Start talking out loud every day (to yourself, the Universe, the people around you…etc.).
Generators – Focus on getting present and listening to what your body is telling you (what do your energy levels say about what is directly in front of you?).
Manifesting Generators – Prioritize being present with all of the many things you have going on in your day and make sure to inform the people in your life about what you are wanting to do next (before you do it).
Projectors – Start focusing more on how you perceive yourself instead of how others may be perceiving you (what is interesting to you right now? Spend time doing that and try to get more rest).
Reflectors – Prioritize alone time at the end of the day and let each new morning surprise you with what comes up for the day.
Start saying “no” more
How many things are you saying yes to each day out of guilt, obligation, FOMO, or because you “should”, or you feel they will make other people happy? As a rule of thumb, if it doesn’t fully light you up, excite you, make you happy, or just feel right… say “no” to that thing for now if you can. This small act will help you take some of your energy back where you may be leaking it. Saying “yes” to small things you want to say “no” to, actually put you (and that person you are saying yes to when you don’t want to be) out of alignment.
Cleanse your energy
Regardless of your energy Type, you likely have areas of your energy where you are empathetic to the world and people around you. This is where you can pick up conditioning and hold onto emotions, ideas, needs, fears, desires, and pressure from others. Doing a simple energy cleanse (5 mins is all you typically need) each evening can make a huge difference in how you feel. Some of our favorite ways to cleanse are with palo santo, sage or smoke, taking a bath or shower with the intention of “emptying out”, or connecting in nature for a few minutes alone.
Actively release judgment and comparison
When we compare ourselves to others, we sacrifice our own self-love a little bit and we keep ourselves playing small. Also, when we judge others, we energetically welcome judgment upon ourselves. Human Design is powerful in that it can liberate you from this judgment/comparison conditioning that we have been taught to accept as “normal.” By having awareness of how you operate differently than other people, you can then begin to have acceptance about how others are different from you, and the need for everyone to be the same dissipates. Start to notice when you feel the inclination to compare or judge, and just take note. In that moment, choose to release this tightness from your being. It is a small energetic shift that builds up over time and leads to you actively living your design more each day.
Trust yourself
Human Design is an experiment, but it starts with tuning into what your body is telling you, and then taking aligned action to listen to what it says. Self-trust is HUGE and it starts one step at a time. Start small and build up from there. For example, if you felt something, you felt something. Instead of questioning whether you did or not, own it! It’s as simple as that.
Be honest with yourself
You are the only one who can know if something is right for you or not, if you are making a decision out of fear or not, if something is resonating for you or not, if you need a boundary or not, or if you are doing something because you want to or because you “should”. Be real with yourself and hold yourself accountable to be honest with how you feel. Raising your vibration and living your design starts with awareness and is honed with self-honesty and trust.
Human Design is a complex system, but the power comes from experimenting with it. We have seen this modality transform the lives of thousands of people and we cannot wait to see how it does the same for you. You can learn more about your design by generating your free chart, listening to our many podcastsor learning more on our website daylunalife.com.
“It’s One Thing to Be Looked At, and Another to Be Seen.” Reviewing Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
Winner of the debut novel of the year at the British Book Awards 2022, Open Water is Caleb Azumah Nelson’s mesmerizing first novel.
Winner of the debut novel of the year at the British Book Awards 2022, Open Water is Caleb Azumah Nelson’s mesmerizing first novel.
Making waves since its publication in 2021, this achingly beautiful story is about two Black artists who fall in love against a backdrop of music, politics and race. Uniquely written in second-person perspective – a bold choice for any author – it follows two nameless protagonists in the throes of love, encapsulating every nuance, painful truth and vulnerability between this will-they-won’t they couple, while offering an unvarnished commentary on the realities of systemic racism.
“What is better than believing you are heading towards love?”
Effortlessly lyrical, Open Water is a joy to experience, whether reading or listening along, and an essential work of art from an exciting new voice in British fiction.
Keep scrolling to read the team’s reviews for this month’s book club pick!
Two young people meet at a pub in South East London. Both are Black British, both won scholarships to private schools where they struggled to belong, both are now artists – he a photographer, she a dancer – trying to make their mark in a city that by turns celebrates and rejects them. Tentatively, tenderly, they fall in love. But two people who seem destined to be together can still be torn apart by fear and violence.
At once an achingly beautiful love story and a potent insight into race and masculinity, Open Water asks what it means to be a person in a world that sees you only as a Black body, to be vulnerable when you are only respected for strength, to find safety in love, only to lose it. With gorgeous, soulful intensity, Caleb Azumah Nelson has written the most essential British debut of recent years.
Lareese says…
What a debut. This book is a masterpiece and I will not hear any different. It is a story-telling feat! The second person present tense (‘you’) might throw a few readers off initially, but I very much enjoyed it and thought it was the perfect voice to tell this intimate yet unconventional love story. The prose is ethereal, painterly and raw, deftly articulating the heat and delirium of young love whilst exploring hard-hitting themes of racism, police brutality and trauma. Slim in size but huge in heart, it’s a book I will continue to harp on about until every one of my pals has read it. Caleb is a unique and exciting new voice in fiction and I can’t wait to read whatever he writes next. For the second-person POV naysayers, allow Caleb to respectfully prove you wrong.
Would you recommend? Get in, the water’s lovely! Rating: 5/5
Charlotte says…
I love a short read thrown into my reading mix every now and then as a chronically slow reader, and Open Water makes for the perfect summer read when schedules are busy but you still want an addictive book to return to in your quieter moments.
I always find it super intriguing reading an author’s debut novel, and in this case it’s almost unbelievable that Caleb hasn’t been published before! Open Water is a beautiful, poetic and honest tale of forbidden love, after two young Black artists (one a photographer and one a dancer) meet, become friends and finally fall in love. Written so poetically it feels at times like song lyrics, Open Water explores delicate love against the harsh backdrop of racist London and the inescapable dangers and pain this brings.
The second-person perspective is a little difficult to get into at times, and despite the book being short definitely required a level of concentration, but regardless was worth the persistence for its at times devastating yet consistently beautiful exploration of honest, profound love.
Intense and impactful, this book is a must-read.
Would you recommend it? Absolutely! Rating: 4/5
Danielle says…
This was such an incredible read, like nothing I’ve ever read before. I absolutely LOVED the takeover Caleb did on our IG account, he had such a great vibe, a born storyteller. What makes Open Water so interesting is that it’s written in the 2nd person making you really visualise what’s happening to the protagonist which, as it happens, is a young black male Londoner, all of which I am not. A character I probably wouldn’t have found myself relating to if the book had not been written in the 2nd person, completely changes the way you feel when reading it.
The words and sentence structure throughout the book are simply exquisite, I’d be doing the book a disservice trying to explain just how beautiful it is written. I think I’ll always remember how this book made me feel, completely taking me out of my life. Read it, it’ll change you.
Would you recommend it? Please read it! Rating: 5/5
Darcey says…
A poetic, short but impactful read, wow what a debut novel from Caleb! I don’t believe I have ever read a book in the second person perspective and I was unsure how easy I would find it to read, but it really complimented the flow of the book and it was a really interesting way to read the unfolding of a romantic relationship.
Such an intimate read which feels incredibly poetic, exploring the relationship of two young black artists who struggle to feel as if they fit in in a city that celebrates them but rejects them at the same time. A deeply moving read, Caleb covers themes of racism, trauma, police brutality, friendship, love and hope. One of the best debut novels I think I’ve ever read, I cannot wait to see what Caleb does next!
Meet Luna Daily: The Brand Revolutionising Intimate Care
Here we spoke to Katy to find out more about the brand on a mission to shake off the shame and make products for and conversations about Womanhood as natural as they should be!
If you want to care for your vulva with water and water alone that’s A-OK, it’s a personal choice, but for anyone looking for a product that’s gentle, effective and most importantly won’t run the risk of giving you thrush, you’ll be buzzing to discover Luna Daily, the brand revolutionising intimate care and disrupting the social stigma associated with women’s intimate hygiene.
Many shower gels contain harsh chemicals and high pH levels that can disrupt the vulva’s delicate microbiome but having to use a separate wash for your vulva seems, well, excessive at best, sexist at worst. So, why not just simplify things, destigmatise vulvas and use one product everywhere? Enter Luna Daily – expert-developed natural products you can use anywhere on your body, including intimate skin. Whether you’re menstruating, you’ve just done a workout or you just prefer using a product as part of your daily care routine, Luna Daily is here to make caring for your vulva as easy as it is to care for any other part of your body.
“For too long what we all know as ‘feminine hygiene’ has made women feel embarrassment and discomfort: even the name insinuates our vulvas are ‘dirty’. Water alone is totally fine to wash with, but for women who want to use a product to care for their intimate skin (myself, and 64% of women*), we knew this category needed, and deserved, a shift in thinking,” says Luna Daily, Founder Katy Cottam.
Here we spoke to Katy to find out more about the brand on a mission to shake off the shame and make products for and conversations about Womanhood as natural as they should be!
Revolutionising the products available for vulva-owners is only part of the mission at Luna Daily, can you tell us about the business and what inspired you to start?
Our mission is to make products for conversations about Womanhood as natural as they should be, naturally connecting women of all ages and stages to each other and their entire bodies, including their vulvas. We’ll do this through our World’s first range of daily care products for intimate skin and everywhere else, alongside the Ai-driven platform and chat service we’re building to provide expert advice, information and resources for all women, everywhere.
Luna Daily has been an idea I’ve had since my teenage years after an intensive course of antibiotics caused me to have thrush.Katy Cottam
Luna Daily has been an idea I’ve had since my teenage years after an intensive course of antibiotics caused me to have thrush. I can still remember the shame, confusion and embarrassment I felt, but also the frustration at having to resort to using ‘feminine hygiene’ products with all their ‘what’s wrong with her’ connotations because I was no longer able to use traditional shower gels and soaps. It got me questioning…Why are we so in the dark when it comes to our intimate skin, why are we so embarrassed to talk about our vulvas (or even taught about them – I didn’t even use the word vulva!) and why should we even need specific products for intimate skin?
15 years later and with a career in beauty and wellness, I could see that nothing had really changed in the category since my teenage years, so during the first pandemic, I decided to quit my job and give Luna Daily a go. I started out by commissioning some pioneering research amongst 1000 women of all ages, stages and skin-types and it turned out I wasn’t alone; 87% of women were not taught about intimate care at school and for 43% of women their washing routines are causing them to have a gynae issue, (shockingly 1 in 3 women are washing inside their vagina, despite it being totally self-cleaning). It also showed women are more embarrassed to talk about their vulvas than they are about how much they earn or their sex life.
What’s your favourite part of running your own business?
The freedom to run a business which can be a force for good, always putting the customer first, not constrained by ‘oh but this is the way we do things’ and with a genuine belief that the products and services we’re offering for women will help change their lives. I feel so privileged to have been able to build a World-class team around me.
From our internal core team to our external agency partners, medical experts, manufacturers, product developers, and freelancers all the way to our Investors, I am so proud of the team of people driving forward the Luna Daily brand. Every single person believes in our mission and vision and has an incredible passion to help make it a reality. We live by four key values which we embed into everything we do and to me they quite nicely sum up what I love so much about running Luna Daily, being able to live and breathe these every day.
Inviting – We’ll always try to be positive and inclusive, both within the Luna Daily team and with anyone we interact with. We’re open to new ideas and ways of doing things. We have a business-wide coaching culture, inviting different opinions, thoughts and approaches to make us the best we can be.
Spirited – We’re hugely passionate. We’re excited about what we’re doing, and we’re hugely positive about the way that we’re doing it. If it comes across like we enjoy what we do, it’s because we do – and we hope we inspire others to feel the same.
Direct – We don’t mess about. We make decisions efficiently based on data and science, but also gut feel (also known as experience!). We’re straight-talking (without being rude), embracing fearless feedback from our team and customers alike.
Thoughtful – We’re deeply compassionate and considerate, kind and helpful, both with each other and with everyone else that we might partner with. We’re clear and precise, and use accurate, helpful terms so that we don’t blur things with jargon.
What’s a typical day in the life of Katy Cottam? What’s your 9-5 look like?
I’m an early bird, so typically my day starts about 6am. I’m up and out the house walking or running with our cavapoo Alfie by 6.30 – 7am, meaning I can get some fresh air and be ready for the working day by 8ish. I’ve really found that post-pandemic and continued hybrid days of working mean I have the most structure I’ve ever had to my working week, which (given how much I juggle as CEO) is really important to me. We typically do 1-2 days in the office and the other days WFH), so when overseeing all business functions it really helps me and my team get into an efficient cadence.
Mondays always start with a virtual team huddle to catch up on the weekend and share priorities for the week. Then they’re filled with admin and 1:1s with the internal team. Inevitably something will have come up that needs prioritising which we hadn’t planned for! Tuesdays are for external meetings with our manufacturing partners or retailers, and it’s our regular day for consumer-facing content, be it an Instagram live or an interview.
Wednesdays are our team day in our office space in High Street Kensington, so will typically start with a team coffee or exercise class (once a month!) and I try to prioritise face-to-face meetings so we can have a day not on zoom! This means it’s filled with signing off marketing plans, campaign creative, social content and partnerships for the month, as well as budget and financial meetings (we have a BIG screen which is much easier on the eye for detailed spreadsheets!).
Thursdays are for product development, deep thinking time (so minimal emails). As a rule, we have no meetings on Fridays so the team can wrap up their work week before clocking off at 1pm to enjoy the weekend so I end the week with a weekly ‘Friday feels’ highlights message to the team – not only does it mean we take a moment to celebrate all the wins of the week, it’s such an important way to document them and look back on them with pride.
How did you develop the range of products and how did you know where to start with product testing and allergen testing for intimate skin?
I’ve spent my career in the beauty wellness industry so I was fortunate at having experience at launching some amazing products, as well as a network of some brilliant partners. With the help of expert gynaecologists, dermatologists and formulation specialists, we set out to create a range of natural daily care products which were gentle enough for even the most intimate skin, and versatile enough to cope with the changes that women go through every week, month and decade and beautiful enough to want to leave out in the bathroom. We work with some of the very best labs in the World who ensure every product is safe to use on all skin types and we undergo rigorous product testing to ensure they are safe. All our products get the stamp of approval from our in-house gynaecologists and dermatologists.
What’s different about the Luna Daily products vs other feminine hygiene products on the market or standard shower gels?
Firstly, pH: For years, the feminine hygiene market has told us that one of the reasons we need specific products is because of pH. Now, it’s true, the vagina (inside bit, remember) is more acidic (3.7 – 4.5) than typical skin (pH5), so could be more susceptible to irritation and disruption than elsewhere. But the reality is that so many shower gels / soaps are a much higher pH than your skin, so your whole skin would probably be better off with a wash that’s a lower pH. That’s where Luna Daily’s washes come in. They are created to be at a pH that suits all the skin on your body, including, yes, the vulva.
Soap: We don’t use it. Because by definition, it’s an irritant, with a typical pH of 9-10 (!). So it’s not included in any of our products, as recommended by our dermatologists. And it’s not just about ‘washing’.
Our products are formulated to balance, nourish and protect. (We don’t just ‘wash’ our faces, after all). They’re formulated with our trademarked Hydra-Biome+(TM); a unique complex of Thermal water, which mirrors the body’s NMF (Natural Moisturising Factor), Pre-biotics inulin and lactic acid to enrich the skin biome and foster natural protection, and Vitamins A,E,C & F to deeply nourish and hydrate skin. Because your skin deserves that level of care, everywhere.
The other stuff: Luna Daily contains only natural and necessary ingredients. That means no sulphates, no harsh chemicals, no common allergens, alcohols or irritants. Just effective formulas, vegan and sustainably sourced, suitable for all skin types and all over the body.
As a female-led brand, why is it important for you to challenge the way society feels about womanhood?
We’re a generation of women who, more than ever, consider all the aspects of what we buy, eat, and put on our faces, and yet for so many women, their intimate skin is an afterthought, only prioritised when there is a ‘problem’. Women have told me how they ‘thought they were dying’ when their period started, have felt completely alone through motherhood and are approaching menopause thinking it’s just hot flushes. The more we can normalise conversations about Womanhood, the more we stigmatise it, remove the embarrassment and shame, and embrace what it means to be a woman in a more inclusive, positive way.
What frustrates you the most about the female hygiene industry?
I don’t agree with the feminine hygiene industry, and how they’ve persuaded women that they need specific products to ‘clean’ their vulvas (even the word ‘hygiene’ implies something is dirty). But I understand completely why a woman would want to use a product to wash their vulva. Because I do. I want to use something more than water because if I’m on my period, on the go, at the gym, or at a festival, for instance, I just want something extra to care for my intimate skin. I don’t want my vulva to be rose-scented. I don’t want to follow any industry fads. It’s my personal choice. And so I feel very passionately about the fact that how you wash your vulva is your personal choice.
I don’t agree with the feminine hygiene industry, and how they’ve persuaded women that they need specific products to ‘clean’ their vulvas.Katy Cottam
And yet, choice is exactly what we women are lacking in this area. When it comes to skincare and haircare, there are so many wonderful options for skin type, age, need etc. There’s a plethora of products and routines available, accompanied by lots of information. I know this because I’ve worked in the beauty and wellness industries for most of my career. But while women in our focus groups could tell me (often in 7-step detail) their haircare and skincare routines, when asked what their intimate care routine was, they stuttered, having not consciously thought about why they were doing what they were doing. 87% of women we asked were never taught about caring for their vulva. Worryingly, 1 in 3 people are washing inside their vaginas.
What are the dos and don’ts and why are so many of us still so embarrassed about just about anything to do with our vulvas?
Your vagina (the internal passage) is very clever and totally self-cleaning, so never needs to be washed. Your vulva (the external intimate skin) is very similar to the skin biome of your armpits, so it’s recommended to give it a daily wash. The vulva and the vagina are different, and too many women (myself included until a few years ago) are misnaming them. This is possibly why 1 in 3 women are (worryingly) washing inside their vagina.
If you want to wash your vulva with just water, that’s absolutely fine. Our vulvas don’t need specific products. I created Luna Daily because I wanted to use more than water to wash my vulva, but didn’t want it to have to be a specific ‘fanny wash’, which was seemingly all that was available.
Can you tell us about your partnership with Lady Garden?
58 women are diagnosed with gynaecological cancer in the UK every day, and out of those 58, 21 will not survive. I am so passionate to be partnering with The Lady Garden Foundation to help with their efforts in driving positive change for women everywhere.
Together, we are creating a movement to get more women of all ages and stages talking to raise significant awareness of these important conversations and the symptoms of the 5 x gynae cancers. In doing this we can ultimately help reduce the devastating outcomes for women and save lives. We have a number of planned activities throughout the year including a large campaign for Gynae Cancer awareness month in September, along with product sale donations, campaigns, partnerships and events.
The Best Dramatic Monologues and One-Liners That Will Stick With You For Good
From Queen’s biographical Bohemian Rhapsody to Florence Pugh’s beautiful adaptation of Amy March in Little Women, there are times when an actor nails the delivery of their lines with such effortless believability that you get sucked even further into their world.
Does anyone else binge the latest hot-to-trot series and start Googling ‘how to become an actor’ approximately 0.2 seconds afterwards? There are certain scenes, whether from a blockbuster film or Netflix’s latest series, that stick with you for good, and lines you can recite from start to finish as if they’re moments from your own life. If you were in a relationship with Timothée Chalamet … and your name was Oliver … anyway…
From Queen’s biographical Bohemian Rhapsody to Florence Pugh’s beautiful adaptation of Amy March in Little Women, there are times when an actor nails the delivery of their lines with such effortless believability that you get sucked even further into their world. Whether it’s a moment of rage that’s filled with conviction, or an emotional realisation that life as they know it has changed for good, these dramatic moments are the definition of movie magic.
The Social Network- “You Set Me Up” by Andrew Garfield.
It might have taken 40 attempts to nail this scene, but Andrew Garfield’s performance in the 2010 release of The Social Network is a cinematic masterpiece if we ever did see one. The “You set me up” scene follows Andrew as Eduardo Saverin, co-founder and investor in Facebook from its humble beginnings back at Harvard University in 2004, upon finding out that Mark Zuckerberg (played by Jesse Eisenberg) has reduced his shares in the company to 0.3%. Ouch.
Garfield’s character visits the Facebook office where learns he’s being pushed out of the company before confronting Mark and Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake) in a dramatic and unforgettable argument that delivers some of the movie’s most iconic lines.
“Sorry, my Prada’s at the cleaners along with my hoodie and my fuck-you flip-flops, you pretentious douchebag […] You better lawyer up, a**hole, ‘cause I’m not comin’ back for my 30 percent, I’m comin’ back for everything!”
The laptop smash, the black suit, the final walk away with security and the cuts to the conversations with said lawyers makes for truly mesmerising stuff. Andrew, we love you!
10 Things I Hate About You- Kat’s Poem by Julia Stiles.
Look up the dictionary definition of iconic and you might just find this scene from the 1999 rom-com classic that is 10 Things I Hate About You. Heartbreak cuts deep, and if anyone knows that feeling it’s Julia Stiles’ character, Kat Stratford after reluctantly falling head over heels for Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger)- sigh, who can blame her?
After finding out Patrick has been paid to take Kat to the prom by Joey Donner purely so that he has the chance to date her little sister, Bianca, she’s seriously (and rightfully) irked. Standing up in front of her English class, she reads aloud a poem that sums up her frustration and heartbreak, before bursting out of the room in tears as Patrick is left sat speechless.
All’s well that ends well when Patrick wins Kat back in the final scene with the guitar of her dreams, but despite the happy ending, Kat’s emotional reading will forever be ingrained in the heart of 90s teens experiencing their first taste of heartbreak and romantic disappointment. Iconique.
“I hate the way you talk to me, And the way you cut your hair.
I hate the way you drive my car, I hate it when you stare.
I hate your big dumb combat boots, and the way you read my mind
I hate you so much it makes me sick, It even makes me rhyme.
I hate the way you’re always right, I hate it when you lie
I hate it when you make me laugh, Even worse when you make me cry
I hate it when you’re not around, And the fact that you didn’t call
But mostly I hate the way I don’t hate you, Not even close, Not even a little bit, Not even at all”
The Devil Wears Prada- ‘Stuff’ by Meryl Streep
It’s near impossible to identify the ‘best’ part of a movie as legendary as the 2006 release of The Devil Wears Prada starring the one-of-a-kind cast of Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt to name but a few, but if we’re talking monologue, than Miranda Priestly’s ‘Stuff’ speech is up there at top spot.
In the ultimate clapback, Miranda (Meryl Streep) responds to Andy (Anne Hathaway) as she sniggers during a meeting in which the Runway magazine editors are painstakingly deciding between two seemingly identical blue belts for an upcoming shoot. If there’s someone you don’t want to get on the wrong side of in (fictional) fashion, it’s Miranda Priestly, and her effortlessly ice cold response is one that to this day sends shivers down the spines of fashion cupboard interns everywhere.
This… “stuff”? Oh, okay. I see, you think this has nothing to do with you.
You… go to your closet, and you select… I don’t know, that lumpy blue sweater for instance, because you’re trying to tell the world that you take yourself too seriously to care about what you put on your back, but what you don’t know is that that sweater is not just blue, it’s not turquoise, it’s not lapis, it’s actually cerulean.
You’re also blithely unaware of the fact that, in 2002, Oscar de la Renta did a collection of cerulean gowns, and then I think it was Yves Saint Laurent, wasn’t it?… who showed cerulean military jackets. I think we need a jacket here.
And then cerulean quickly showed up in the collections of eight different designers. Then it filtered down through the department stores, and then trickled on down into some tragic casual corner where you, no doubt, fished it out of some clearance bin.
However, that blue represents millions of dollars of countless jobs, and it’s sort of comical how you think that you’ve made a choice that exempts you from the fashion industry, when in fact, you’re wearing a sweater that was selected for you by the people in this room… from a pile of “stuff.”
Little Women- “I’m just a Woman” by Florence Pugh.
Amy has no real way of earning money of her own, and even the children that she will grow, birth and care for won’t be hers. Everything in her life will become the property of a man, and she is not oblivious to that, as she powerfully yet matter-of-factly explains. With that, Laurie is unable to come up with a convincing counterargument, and the facts of being a woman in the 19th century hang in the air. So powerful.
“Well. I’m not a poet, I’m just a woman. And as a woman I have no way to make money, not enough to earn a living and support my family. Even if I had my own money, which I don’t, it would belong to my husband the minute we were married. If we had children they would belong to him, not me. They would be his property. So don’t sit there and tell me that marriage isn’t an economic proposition, because it is. It may not be for you but it most certainly is for me.”
The eternal bisexual dilemma, this scene with Amy March (Florence Pugh) and Laurie (Timothee Chalamet) is one of the most memorable in Greta Gerwig’s beautiful 2020 adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s novel Little Women. Amy’s monologue comes during a discussion with Laurie about marriage and the freedom (or lack thereof) she has about with whom she spends her life, as he questions her motivations for wanting to marry rich. Whilst Alcott’s original work forced a sense of reading between the lines, the 2020 adaptation allows Amy to explore how she truly feels- marriage is an economic exchange, and her life may as well be better for it if possible.
Hidden Figures- “There are no bathrooms for me” by Taraji P. Henson
Hidden Figures (2017) is based on the book by Margot Lee Shetterly, and tells the story of three brilliant mathematicians — Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer), and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) — who worked as “human computers” in the all-black “West Computing” group of NASA’s Langley research lab in Hampton, Virginia, in the late 1950s and ’60s.
This monologue, part of perhaps one of the most memorable scenes within the film, comes after Katherine is reprimanded by her boss for taking long breaks every day.
Katherine is forced to walk half a mile from her desk across the NASA campus to use the “colored” women’s restroom after being transferred to a building with mostly white male physicists in which none of the bathrooms are open to her. The scene is a powerful reminder of the everyday barriers black women faced in the workplace, and the racism that for so many was a normalised part of their experience.
“I worried people would think this was the craziest story line, but for me it represented both racism and being a woman,” Co-screenwriter Allison Schroeder explains.“Because of course the guys don’t realise what’s going on. [Harrison’s] not an outright villain, he’s just oblivious, and it would never occur to him in a million years that she didn’t have a ladies’ room.”
“Where the hell have you been? Everywhere I look you’re not where I need you to be. It’s not my imagination, now where the hell do you go everyday?”
“There’s no bathroom for me here. There are no colored bathrooms in this building. Or any building outside the West Campus, which is half a mile away. Did you know that? I have to walk to Timbuktu just to relieve myself. And I can’t use one of the handy bikes. Picture that, Mr. Harrison. My uniform. Skirt below my knees, my heels, and a simple string of pearls. Well, I don’t own pearls. Lord knows you don’t pay coloreds enough to afford pearls! And I work like a dog, day and night, living off of coffee from a pot none of you wanna touch. So, excuse me if I have to go to the restroom a few times a day.”
Breaking Bad- “Ever Since I Met You” by Aaron Paul
Unpopular opinion: Breaking Bad is actually a tragedy, not a crime thriller, and Jesse Pinkman deserved better.
Breaking Bad is packed full of incredible one liners, monologues and incredible screenwriting, and Season 3, Episode 7 is no exception. We see Jesse Pinkman deliver his powerful and emotional “Ever Since I Met You’ speech to Walt from his hospital bed, after he being beaten by Walt’s brother-in-law Hank Schrader after Walt set Jesse up to cover his own lies, deceit and at this point ridiculously outlandish crimes- talk about a guy that simply doesn’t know when to call things quits.
Jesse is one of the only loveable characters in the otherwise chaotic, emotional and turbulent series, and the numerous times we see him try to better himself and his life for those around him, only to find himself in the gutter feels like a punch in the guts for viewers. This scene is just one example of the incredible acting and character development we see for Jesse across the 5 seasons of Breaking Bad, with actor Aaron Paul himself suggesting this pivotal monologue in particular is one to rewatch before delving into the later released Breaking Bad movie, El Camino.
It might be old news, but it’s still a series like no other.
“I am not turning down the money! I am turning down you! You get it? I want NOTHING to do with you! Ever since I met you, everything I ever cared about is gone! Ruined, turned to shit, dead, ever since I hooked up with the great Heisenberg! I have never been more alone! I HAVE NOTHING! NO ONE! ALRIGHT, IT’S ALL GONE, GET IT? No, no, no, why… why would you get it? What do you even care, as long as you get what you want, right? You don’t give a shit about me! You said I was no good. I’m nothing! Why would you want me, huh? You said my meth is inferior, right? Right? Hey! You said my cook was GARBAGE! Hey, screw you, man! Screw you!
Call Me By Your Name- “And I’ll Say One More Thing” by Michael Stuhlbarg
So. Many. Tears.Call Me By Your Name still has us in a chokehold 5 years after its cinematic release, from the tranquil, dreamlike cinematography to the beautiful, complicated love story of 17 year old Elio and 24 year old Oliver over the summer of 1988 in Northern Italy. There are too many intimate, mesmerising moments to count in the 2017 adaption of the 2007 book of the same title, but perhaps the most moving and memorable scene comes at the end of the film after Elio finds out Oliver is engaged, and sits down with his father who offer some words of comfort and wisdom.
The powerful monologue shows unconditional parental love in its truest form, and both audience and Elio alike breath a sigh of relief after a summer of secrecy and squashed expression can come to an end. His father’s words of wisdom explore the idea of pain and love coexisting alongside one another, and for anyone that has experienced allconsuming and at times nauseating love- perhaps intensified when the love feels forbidden- Elio’s father seems to understand it perfectly. The gentleness with which his father validates his pain, and the wisdom and care he shows in this quiet yet no doubt life changing moment cannot be understated. 10/10 beautiful.
“When you least expect it, nature has cunning ways of finding our weakest spot. Just remember I’m here. Right now, you may not want to feel anything. Maybe you’ll never want to feel anything. And, maybe it’s not to me you want to speak about these things, but I feel something you obviously did.
Look, you had a beautiful friendship. Maybe more than a friendship. And I envy you.
In my place, most parents would hope the whole thing goes away, or pray that their sons land on their feet. But I am not such a parent. We rip out so much of ourselves to be cured of things faster that we go bankrupt by the age of 30 and have less to offer each time we start with someone new. But to make yourself feel nothing so as not to feel anything—what a waste!
And I’ll say one more thing… it’ll clear the air. I may have come close, but I never have what you two have. Something always held me back or stood in the way. How you live your life is your business. Just remember, our hearts and our bodies are given to us only once, and before you know it, your heart’s worn out. And as for your body, there comes a point when no one looks at it, much less wants to come near it. Right now, there’s sorrow, pain; don’t kill it, and with it, the joy you’ve felt.”
Bohemian Rhapsody- “Before you leave, can I have a second?”. By Rami Malek
Bringing to life the story of Queen and the one and only legend that is Freddie Mercury is no mean feat, but the 2018 release of Bohemian Rhapsody starring Rami Malek does a damn good job of it. There are plenty of emotional and memorable scenes throughout the film, but perhaps the most moving is the moment Freddie tells his fellow bandmates about his AIDS diagnosis, with a mix of matter-of-fact honesty and a sprinkling of humour and determination that remind us just how special Mr Mercury was.
The scene comes near the end of the film, and is shortly followed by the band’s legendary Live Aid performance- a moment so moving it really needs no explanation. No matter how well you think you know Freddie’s story, there won’t be a dry tear in the house if you’ve somehow yet to watch the mesmerising tale of Queen brought to life.
“If any of you fuss about it or frown about it, or worst of all, if you bore me with your sympathy, that’s just seconds wasted. Seconds that could be used making music, which is all I want to do with the time I have left. I don’t have time to be anybody’s victim, AIDS poster boy or cautionary tale. No, I decide who I am. I’m going to be what I was born to be: a performer that gives the people what they want: a touch of the heavens! Freddie fucking Mercury.”
Jet, Set, Go: Airport Style Essentials Of The First Class Variety
Throw a linen shirt over a crop top, chuck some extra thick socks in your tote, download your fave playlist and boom, prepare for warmer climates and Piña Coladas on tap!
Bali, Berlin, New York or The Netherlands- the choice is yours. Travel season is here and despite the constant cancelled flight scares and do-you-or-don’t-you-have-Covid before flying, excitement levels are high!
Whilst at one time your dinner and beachside looks were the centre of attention, the humble airport outfit has since taken centre stage as the first of many important decisions to make on your travels (next being if you order a beer or Prosecco at Wetherspoons pre flight).
Influencers from Sarah Ashcroft to Molly-Mae Hague have set the standards high, but the truth is: comfort is still the number one priority. Breezy, thin and breathable layers are best, with leggings or joggers taking top spot as the bottom half option of choice. Throw a linen shirt over a crop top, chuck some extra thick socks in your tote, download your fave playlist and boom, prepare for warmer climates and Piña Coladas on tap!
To keep the vibes vibing and the good times rolling, may we introduce the creme de la creme of summer playlists- Certified Bops: BBQ Edition.
Pass the Pimms, it’s BBQ season! If you’re a sucker for spontaneity then you’re in luck because ’tis the season for “pub?” texts and long, drawn-out nights in the beer garden. Two years on from the dreaded panini, nature has been restored.
For those lucky enough to have a garden or with friends who’s outdoor space you can comfortably invite yourself to, the months for the humble BBQ are well and truly here. With a sprinkling of showers to keep us on our toes (oh England), there’s no time like the present to chuck some Linda McCartney Mozzarella Burgers on the barbie and wonder whether the chives in your potato salad count as one of your five a day.
To keep the vibes vibing and the good times rolling, may we introduce the creme de la creme of summer playlists- Certified Bops: BBQ Edition. With bangers from ABBA, Taylor Swift, Doja Cat and Lily Allen, consider this your no-skip soundtrack to the summer.
