Summer’s not *officially* over until September 22nd but since autumn vibes are already in the air on our FYP (not mad about it), we’re taking that as a sign to start manifesting fall energy, scarves and hot water bottles as long as our bodies. 

Brb shopping for a Halloween costume…

Here’s 15 recipes you can make and bake with pumpkin this season! 

Jumbo Pumpkin Muffins

Move over pumpkin pie, we’ve only got eyes for these knobbly muffins. Complete with a streusel topping and a dab of cream cheese underneath, these jumbo pumpkin muffins are the pinnacle of comforting autumn bakes. 

For the uninitiated, streusel topping is made with a combination of flour, demerara sugar, ground cinnamon, cold butter and hazelnuts. Check the comments for the full recipe and double the quantities to graduate to jumbo size (a must). 

@kittylimepie

Summer is over, the time for pumpkin is now. 🎃 #pumpkin #baking #cottagecore #halloween #fallaesthetic #autumn #autumnaesthetic #bakewithme #recipe

♬ Haunted, witch, comical Halloween songs(880306) – Shoya Kitagawa

Easy October Curry

Warming, cosy and filling, this pumpkin Thai curry is a triple threat. Flavoured with onions, garlic, coconut milk, pumpkin, red curry paste and Thai chilli pepper, it’s an easy recipe to throw together on those chilly evenings when you’re craving something hearty for dinner. Garnish with a handful of coriander and dig in! 

@chilipeppercooks

Pumpkin Thai Curry #pumpkin #pumpkinseason #pumpkinrecipes #pumpkincurry #easyrecipes

♬ Better Days – NEIKED & Mae Muller

Pumpkin Bread

Prepare for this autumn loaf to become your entire personality. Banana bread? We don’t know her. If you’re feeling like a villain, add chocolate chips. 

@macy.blackwell

Pumpkin Bread! – Family Recipe! 🍞🍂 A fall staple you will make over and over! #fallrecipes #pumpkinbread #fallfood #fallbaking

♬ Fall October Halloween horror classic(177261) – rareNote

Hawaiian Roll Pumpkin French Toast

Category is pumpkin pie meets French toast. Complete with custard for dipping, maple syrup and whipped cream, cosy breakfasts don’t get better than this. You can use buttery brioche if you don’t want to make your own Hawaiian rolls. See the recipe tag for the list of ingredients and instructions. 

@moribyan

Pumpkin Pie French Toast Recipe! Coziest breakfast 🧡 #fall #pumpkinspice

♬ Lo-fi hip hop – NAO-K

Pumpkin Fritters

Pancake lovers, these light and fluffy pumpkin fritters make for a quick and easy sweet treat to whip up on a rainy autumn morning. Breakfast of champs? Completed it. Simply toss them in cinnamon sugar once cooked and tuck in. 

@inthemidnightkitchen

Let’s make pumpkin fritters together #pumpkinfritters #ramadan #ramadanrecipe

♬ original sound – inthemidnightkitchen

Pumpkin Croissants

Introducing the Wes Anderson of croissants. This recipe is certainly a marathon, not a sprint but it’s worth it for homemade pumpkin croissants. Remember that when you’re prepping pastry in your pjs, a whole night before you can eventually bake, glaze with sugar syrup and inhale.

Can we also appreciate how zen this video is – normalise watching Coraline in September. Thank you PumpkinTok for this exquisite filmmaking experience. 

@boybawarchi

Pumpkin croissants 🎃🥐 full recipe on my ig #baking #fall #pumpkin #pumpkinseason #croissant

♬ original sound – LAIKA Studios

For a tutorial on homemade croissants, check out aspiring pastry chef Hamza’s YouTube.

5 Ingredient Healthy Pumpkin Pancakes

The dream stack and a gourmet meal, made with just 5 ingredients: oats, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, baking powder and milk. Perfect with a cup of coffee on a chilly fall morning and a great way to use up any leftover pumpkin puree. 

@sunnysrecipes

I love fall season sm🤩 these pumpkin pancakes were so good! #pumpkinpancakes #pumpkinrecipe #breakfast

♬ Spooky, Scary Skeletons – Andrew Gold

Pumpkin Roulade 

Pumpkin roulade with a cream cheese filling, now here’s a recipe that’ll sell your house for you (ya know, if there wasn’t a cost of living crisis). Imagine the smell wafting through your home. This is October’s answer to Yule Log. 

@fooddlights

Pumpkin Roll 🎃! So many requests for this recipe again! #TheHarderTheyFall #foryoupage #thanksgiving #homemade #pumpkin #homecooking #fypシ #cake

♬ Mud Flow “the Sense of me” ( Soundtrack Life is Strange) – DOLKINS

Mini Pumpkin Pies

It’s like Jenna says, why would you bake a whole pumpkin pie from scratch when you can save time and make these quick and easy mini pies. With a creamy pumpkin cream cheese filling and a golden cinnamon sugar crust, they’re bound to go down a treat with Hocus Pocus 2 – Coming September 30^th.

@butternutbakery

Ditching pumpkin pie this thanksgiving for these pumpkin cuties #pumpkinspice #pumpkinseason

♬ Weekday Morning Routine – Dominant

Harry Potter Pumpkin Pasties 

Autumn wouldn’t be complete without making the Hogwarts Express delicacy that is pumpkin pasties. Harry, Ron and Hermione were onto something. 

@merlins___beard

Pumpkin pasties! #harrypotter #YerAWizard #potterhead #hptiktok #hptok #hogwartsismyhome #pumpkinpasties

♬ Cornfield Chase – Dorian Marko

Pumpkin Bread 2.0 

Because one pumpkin bread recipe is never enough, here’s the autumn ASMR you didn’t know you needed.  

@_catben_

Lets give um pumpkin to talk about… 🍞🤤🧡 #asmr #foodtok #pumpkinbread #baking#bakingasmr#foodies#organizedkitchen#momlife#aesthetic

♬ original sound – Catherine Benson

Cinnamon Pumpkin Doughnuts 

Mentally, we’re in October, eating cinnamon-dusted pumpkin doughnuts for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Bake for around 15 minutes at 180 C until a knife/skewer comes out clean. Check the comments for ingredients and quantities. The little cat running past… we cannot. 

@kittylimepie

Sorry, mentally I’m in October 🎃🍁🍂 #pumpkin #baking #cottagecore #halloween #fallaesthetic #autumn #autumnaesthetic #bakewithme #autumnvibes #octobermood #autumncolours

♬ Halloween ・ cute horror song – PeriTune

Pumpkin Cookies

Pumpkin puree, it’s a genre. Soft, perfectly spiced cookies fresh out the oven and piled high with cinnamon cream cheese frosting – ma’am, you put a spell on us and now we’re gourds. 

@nicole_thenomad

Pumpkin cookies 😍🍪 14 weeks until Christmas!! #pumpkincookies #fallbaking #pumpkinseason #bakingrecipes

♬ original sound – Nicole Renard

Easy Pumpkin S’mores Dip

Suddenly, classic S’mores sans pumpkin seems criminal. Hot footing it to HomeSense to hunt down a pumpkin dipping dish as we speak. 

@lovevivv

quick and easy pumpkin s’mores dip 🎃🍫 thought I’d mix up a classic summer and fall dessert since it’s that time of the year where it looks and feels like summer but we’re all ready for fall (or at least I am) 🤭 how to make: – mix a few spoonfuls of canned pumpkin with 1 tbsp of brown sugar, some pumpkin spice seasoning, and 1/2 tsp of vanilla (I accidentally added more lol) – add chocolate chips on top – add marshmallows – sprinkle a little more pumpkin spice pop in the oven at 350F for 12-15 min or until marshmallows are golden brown! the great thing about this recipe is you can add as many chocolate chips and marshmallows as you like, same goes for the pumpkin! make it your own!! – #smoresdip #smores #summerdessert #fallbaking #easydessert #pumpkinspice #pumpkinspiceseason

♬ Halloween Spooky Town – WavebeatsMusic

Spicy Pumpkin Flatbreads

Justice for savoury pumpkin recipes. We love a sweet bake for sad girl autumn as much as the next person but on those chilly days when you need a warming lunch or dinner that’s quick and easy to make, these spiced pumpkin flatbreads will fill a hole and then some. RIP daily meal deal. 

@justine_snacks

Justice for savory pumpkin foods #pumpkinweek #pumpkinspice #pumpkinseason #spooktember #hellofall

♬ The Chicken Wing Beat – Ricky Desktop

This is a guest post with Jasmine St Cliere for content pitches please email contact@zoella.co.uk

Breathing is the very first and last thing you do in this world, in this body of yours. Something we have in common with all other living things on this earth, is that in some way, the breath is present. The action of breathing itself is involuntary, meaning our bodies are capable of doing it without conscious thought. What I am fascinated by is what happens when we do give it the power of thought and become interested in the intention.

How should I be breathing?

The Intelligence of the Breath

The amazing truth about the breath, is that it is able to ride the full spectrum of our autonomic nervous system. Every breath in is an activation, an acceleration and every breath out is a deactivation, a deceleration. Humans are capable of this amazing process called co-regulation, meaning that neurotransmitters in our brain are able to subconsciously recognise the state of others around us, causing us to shift our internal system, as we begin to sync. The breath is one of the factors that governs that. The speed, rhythm and depth of how others around us are breathing, can communicate the physiological state that a body is in. Our systems begin to match to the quality of breath around us, as our nervous systems interact and start to calibrate.

We may also have experienced the opposite, for example being around your favourite yoga teacher seems to relax you when they press down on the tops of your feet in savasana. For you it might be your best friend or a family member, in other words, it’s that person who automatically gives you all the good vibes. They are most probably in a calm, centred and regulated state and being around them causes your system to co-regulate. Our body’s intelligence registers, ‘I like this, I feel good, I feel safe.’ The response is often steady and slower breathing. If there is one way of noticing how safe you feel in your body at any given time, it is the quality of your breath.

Breathing to Aid Stress

In a state of stress, the breath is often the last thing on our minds. Yet if we are to stop for a moment and observe how we are breathing in that state, we may notice the breathing is quick, short or sharp, moving the upper chest, fueling that anxious energy. The good news is, breath awareness is a really effective tool to combat the effects of stress. If we are able to take ourselves away from the stressful situation, to pause for a moment and focus on the exhalation becoming slow and deep, we can stir significant shifts in the brain wave state, lower the heart rate and help us manage unwanted emotions that overwhelm. This slower breathing communicates safety to the body which is a feeling we often need a reminder of in this fast-paced world.

The Healing Potential of the Breath

While functional breathing really is the most important type of breathing, because it is what we do all day every day, there is increasing popularity with Breathwork that brings about deep states of healing. 

Holotropic, Transformational and Rebirthing Breath are just a few modalities that stem from the Conscious Connected Breathwork lineage. This is a breathing technique that comes in and out through the mouth in one circular motion, with no pause at either end.

While breathing through the nose is of course what we should be doing in our day-to-day, an active mouth breath can bring about a clear connection with self, altered states of consciousness and deep emotional release.

Jasmine St Cliere

While focusing on an active inhale, this breathing is a healthy stimulation of your sympathetic nervous system, in other words, the part that says ‘let’s go, let’s move’. Which has often been repressed or unable to be expressed in traumatic moments in our lives, however great or small. The breath carries you into a deeply embodied state where you are able to process and integrate what the body needs to discharge or experience, in order to heal.

Remember that while on different parts of the spectrum, trauma can be experienced from nearly being hit by a bus and trauma can be experienced from a severe car accident. Your brain might be able to see perspective but your body cannot, your experience is your experience and we can learn not to compare it to that of others.

The great thing about the breath is that it is accessible to absolutely everyone and you only need yourself to start connecting with it.

3 breathing techniques for beginners:

Whether you are a beginner or not, we can all benefit from simple breathing techniques and sometimes the simpler, the better.

1. Even Breath Count

In this technique, we start to equalise the breath. Most of us naturally have a sporadic breathing pattern, meaning there is no regular rhythm in the way we breathe.

• For this technique start by noticing your breath, how you are breathing
  naturally.
• Starting to extend the breath, beginning to count 3, 2, 1 as you inhale,
  and 3, 2, 1 as you exhale.
• Repeat this for a total of 5-10 minutes.
• As you grow in confidence and comfortability with this, you can extend
  the breath to 4, even 6 or 8.

2. Two-Part Exhale

Research states that we rarely breathe with our full lung capacity, meaning we take only partial exhales and then as a result can only breathe a sub-optimal inhale.

• Begin by breathing consciously in and out through your nose.
• Taking a normal breath in, as you exhale breathe out emptying 80% of
  your lungs. Repeating this until it feels comfortable.
• Now taking a breath in, as you exhale breathe out 80% then pause, then
  breathe out the full 100% and pause. Repeating until it feels
  comfortable.
• Lastly, taking a breath in, exhale out 80% pause, exhale to 100% pause,
  now see if you can push out an extra 5 or 10% more air. Removing stale air from the lungs. Repeat for 10 more rounds.

3. Two-Part Inhale

Once the lungs are fully emptied we can start to look at deepening the in breath, optimising the lung capacity.

• Begin by breathing consciously in and out through your nose.
• Breathing out to prepare, as you inhale, breath in to 80% full. Then
  exhale. Repeating this until it feels comfortable.
• Breathing in to 80% then pause, breathing in to 100% and pause. Then
  exhale. Repeating until it feels comfortable.
• Lastly, breathe in to 80% pause, breathe in to 100% pause, now see if
  you can take in an extra 5 or 10% more air into the lungs. Filling the body up completely. Repeat for 10 more rounds.

If you are interested in being guided, Jasmine works with movement, breath and sound, with individuals in a group setting or 1:1 basis. 

To enquire about either in person or online bookings please see Jasmine’s website or connect with her on Instagram.

Thinking back to your childhood might feel like a blur of CBBC and Bratz Dolls, but if there’s anything that sticks in your mind then it’s likely your favourite dinner (surely Turkey Dinosaurs), your favourite toys, and the book you insisted on being read to you again, and again, and again…

It’s not hard to tell that here at Zoella we live for a good book, and from our first read to our most recent, the tales that fill our imagination and spark joy from the first page to the last are the stuff of magic. Today we’re sharing a selection of baby books loved by Zoe, Ottilie and tiny humans across the globe, making the perfect purchase for both your own little ones or those of family and friends. Ideal for babies and toddlers alike, look no further for a selection of classics and newer releases that are sure to become the sentimental books you keep forever ‘just because’.

*This post contains ad-affiliate links

So long spontaneous beach days and beer garden hangouts, it was nice knowing you. As the inevitable grey clouds and rain emojis grace our weather apps, finding ways to fill your weekend might feel a little more challenging now that lounging in a park with an iced coffee isn’t a given Saturday pastime. Thankfully, the city that never sleeps has you covered with a plethora of indoor, no-sun-required activities to get you through your mid-week slump, from inspiring exhibitions to drool-worthy afternoon teas, there’s sure to be something to transform your autumn calendar from dull to dreamy…  

Times New Roadman, Browns East Gallery:

Consider a trip to Browns East Gallery an afternoon well spent this autumn for the hilarious art/meme crossover that is Times New Roadman’s work. The Bournemouth-based artist never fails to turn niche cultural moments into artwork you would actually like to hang on your wall, and his latest exhibition Reflection On The Times is as hilarious as ever. Thirty of the artist’s works are on display at Browns East, plus a brand new piece featuring mirrors that allows you to become part of the art- intriguing!  Head down to Browns until 31st December and enjoy browsing their incredible selection of clothes before heading to this quirky, laugh-out-loud worthy installation. 

📍 Learn more here!

Bevs and Brunch at Near and Far, Camden:

Overdue a BFF catch-up in a space sure to feel anything but downbeat? Near and Far Camden is the slice of Cali cool you’re seeking. Spread over 4 floors and featuring a 100% gluten-free menu, N&F Camden is the perfect dose of sunshine in what might feel like an otherwise dreary introduction to sweater weather.  If your week has felt seriously long, or you’re in the mood for celebrating, then look no further than their Happy Hour offerings. Visit from Sunday to Friday and enjoy 2 Signature Cocktails for just £10, 5pm-7pm. Sign us up!

In London for the weekend? Head down on Saturdays between 11am to 3:30 pm and Sundays between 12pm till 4:30pm and enjoy a meal, plus 2 hours of bottomless Prosecco, Aperol Spritz, Margaritas AND Bloody Marys. With a delicious mix of Californian-inspired options such as protein and poke bowls, chicken & waffles and GF French toast, bookmark Near and Far next time your mind draws a foodie blank. 

📍 Book it now!

Fashioning Masculinities: The Art of Menswear at The V&A:

Trying to fill the void that is time between Love On Tour 2022 and Love On Tour 2023? The V&A heard your cries for help with this one. Their latest mesmerising exhibition- in partnership with Gucci no less- explores how “designers, tailors and artists – and their clients and sitters – have constructed and performed masculinity, and unpicked it at the seams.” And spoiler alert- it includes the Gucci ball gown that was worn by Harry Styles on the cover of Vogue in December 2020. Hell to the yes. 

Unpicking and deconstructing the history of menswear from 1500 to present day, the exhibition features pieces from Harris Reed, Vivienne Westwood, Virgil Abloh and more of the industry’s iconic voices, contributors and visionaries who have influenced the way in which menswear continues to evolve. The exhibition is running until 6th November 2022, and at £20 a ticket, it makes for the perfect way to while away a rainy Sunday afternoon. 

📍 Learn more here.

Otherworld VR, Victoria and Hackney:

An experience so immersive that the state of the BBC weather forecast won’t be crossing your mind for a good few hours, a trip to Otherworld VR will transport you to another destination without the need to head through airport security. 

Home to sixteen unique VR experiences, yourself and friends will step into your own immersion pod, aka “a private space that combines an advanced VR headset with dynamic heat, wind and rumble effects to maximise your journey into immersive virtual reality.” Intense!

Explore new worlds, fight zombies or explore the island’s hidden secrets, all whilst earning DreamCoin- the local currency, duh- which you can use for discounts on your drinks when you head back into the real world. It’s a win-win! One for the thrill seekers of the group, you won’t forget this experience in a hurry.

📍 Learn more and book here.

ABBA Voyage:

Dancing queens, what are you waiting for if a night at ABBA Voyage isn’t in your diary this autumn? A night out like no other, this long-awaited production brings Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Anni-Frid to the stage like you’ve never seen before, combining cutting-edge technology to bring their digital avatars to life. Filling the purpose-built arena with their best-loved classics and equal parts joy and disbelief, consider an evening at ABBA Voyage a must this autumn. If that wasn’t enough to sell it to you, tickets start at just £21!

📍 Learn more and book here.

Lift 109 at Battersea Power Station:

The restoration of Battersea Power Station has been ongoing for some time now, but the next part of their plans to breathe life back into the Grade-II listed building and its surrounding areas is particularly wow-worthy. Taking you a mere 109 metres up, Lift 109 combines an immersive exhibition space and glass elevator to take you to the top of one of the iconic chimneys for panoramic views of the city like no other. Starting in the Power Station’s magnificent Art Deco Turbine Hall A, constellations of light guide you to the glass elevator, and let’s just say the views are set to be pretty impressive.

Sign up for their pre-sale now, and prepare to be wowed when the experience opens on 14th October. 

📍 Learn more and pre-sale sign up here.

Glide To Alexandra Palace Ice Rink:

Fancy recreating that scene from Last Christmas? An indoor activity for those already in the mood for xmas festivities (is it ever too early?), a trip to Alexandra Palace and their iconic ice rink is 90 minutes of escapism from the outside world sure to see you smiling. Whether you’re somewhat of a pro at gliding across the ice (how?) or fancy a guaranteed laugh with friends or family, this North London venue makes for a magical afternoon of childlike fun. 

📍 Learn more and book here.

Bottoms Up at Cahoots, Carnaby: 

“Welcome to Cahoots, where spirits are high and drinks never run dry – a playground for London’s scoundrels!”. Intrigued? Cahoots in Carnaby is a drinks spot like no other, set inside an abandoned train station, their 3 spaces- The Underground, Ticket Hall & Signal Station- transport you back to 1940s London quicker than you can say “One Old Fashioned, please!”. 

Featuring a life-size vintage tube carriage, live music, DJ sets, and an atmosphere like no other, head for a delicious retro inspired cocktail when in central and the heavens open. There’s worse ways to spend an afternoon! 

📍 Learn more here.

Swiftogedden, The Ultimate Taylor Swift Club Night:

No further information needed, a Swiftogedden club night will provide a month’s worth of serotonin in one fell swoop. Playing non-stop Swift from start to finish, these club nights (created by fans, for fans) are everything that’s great about Taylor rolled into one- the community, the bops (sad and slay-worthy), the opportunity to dance all night and a whole lot of love thrown into the equation too. With events in London, Birmingham, Brighton, Sheffield and just about every other UK city, get your Swiftie sisters together and secure your tickets in advance- these events get booked up fast!

📍 Learn more and secure tickets here.

Afternoon Tea at The Theatre Royal Drury Lane: 

Dodge the rain clouds this autumn with an afternoon of delights truly fit for royalty. Afternoon Tea at The Theatre Royal Drury Lane is no ordinary afternoon tea, with their seasonally changing menu created by renowned ‘Queen of Cakes’ artisan baker and cake designer Lily Vanilli creating the ultimate in luxe, occasion-worthy dining. 

Bridgerton fans will rejoice at the Grand Saloon’s “dazzling chandeliers, ornate ceilings, beautiful furnishings and fine art”, with a menu of madeleines topped with lapsang-souchong glazed salmon and pickled fennel, bitesize cannelés with goats cheese and pickled beetroot, and, of course, Lily’s signature puff pastry sausage roll made with Cornish sausage meat among the many delights you’ll enjoy for just under £50pp. 

📍 Learn more and book here.

Board Game Heaven at Draughts, Hackney:

Passing a rainy afternoon with a board game or two is surely the most natural and nostalgic of activities you could opt for, and Draughts in Hackney has you and your gang sorted with hours of fun and a healthy dose of competitiveness. Housed in a historic Grade-II listed building, the venue’s seven interconnecting rooms mean you can easily while away a cosy afternoon with their selection of over 1,000 board games- yes you did read that correctly!

Enjoy a bite to eat alongside (veggie, vegans and gluten-free options available!) and cheers to bankrupting your bestie with your ruthless hotel placements in Monopoly. It’s a dog-eat-dog world. 

📍 Learn more here.

This is a guest post written by Financielle, for content pitches please email contact@zoella.co.uk

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you will have seen the headlines about the cost of living crisis, but what can we actually do about it?

When things become overwhelming and you don’t feel like you have much control, it’s easy to carry on as you are.  When it comes to our money, there are some simple strategies we can put in place that can help us take back some control.

What is the cost of living crisis?

In its simplest form, the cost of living crisis refers to the fall in real disposable income, meaning our outgoings are increasing but our wages and benefits are not – or at least not at the same rate.  This has been made worse by recent tax increases too.

We have seen increases in the cost of energy, the food shop and fuel – with prices rising faster than they have done for 40 years and the Bank of England predicting energy prices especially will drive inflation to 13%.

The price increases are impacting items we need every day. If you do a food shop, drive a car or pay energy bills, you may have noticed an increase in these costs over the last couple of months and it’s not going to stop anytime soon.

How will it affect me?

Whilst everyone will struggle during the cost of living crisis, it’s important to call out a number of ways that women will be hit harder than men.

Women are often the shock absorbers of these rising prices, as they are more likely to manage the budget, do the food shop and even pay the household bills. Women are having to make decisions between what food the household can afford to buy, whilst making sure there is enough money to put fuel in the car and pay the heating bill.

This is all whilst being heavily targeted to part with their hard-earned cash by consumer brands. Society expects us to be beautified, dressed in the latest trends and fuzz free and all of this comes at a cost – especially when you factor in the pink tax.

This is on top of the already-unjust financial gaps, such as the gender pay gap, where women were paid just 90p for £1 earned by men and the gender pension gap, where women can expect to have over £100k less in their pension pots compared to men at the time of retirement.

During the cost of living crisis, if you are pregnant or looking to have a baby soon, you won’t receive an increase in SMP (statutory maternity pay) which stands at a measly £156.66 a week and if you are a single parent you won’t receive an increase in child maintenance payments, even though household outgoings will increase.

This is all very much doom and gloom and there are lots of elements outside of our personal control. You can, however, focus on the things you can control and we’ve created a helpful list for you:

1. Know Your Numbers – the first budget!

You have to pay attention to even the most basic of numbers – we need to work out where you’re at right now.  Set time aside to create a budget: you’re going to need four categories: Income, Fixed Expenses, Sinking Funds and Flexible Expenses.

Income: all income coming into the household

Fixed expenses: all fixed costs – usually your automatic bank payments – such as bills and subscriptions

Sinking Funds: a pot of money you build up for expected expenses, such as MOT, car insurance, travel or home repairs

Flexible expenses: all flexible or variable costs, such as food, groceries, fuel or gifts.

Use your banking apps and statements, collect all your logins and financial paperwork and try to do a first “as is budget”, filling the categories with the amounts you estimate that you spend right now.  

You could use the Financial App budget planner to do your first budget – otherwise, a piece of paper will do.

2. Squeeze the budget

Now, we’re going to try and squeeze the budget.  What can you cut from your budget to make the budget at least balance i.e. hit zero?  This means cutting out any unnecessary costs such as subscriptions you don’t desperately need, negotiating and securing better deals on things like your broadband or car insurance –  optimising the expenses you have.   

We need innovative and imaginative solutions here – sometimes it’s not as simple as cutting Netflix and that being enough.  It could be changing up hobbies, lengthening the time between beauty appointments or sharing entertainment accounts with friends or family.

Take our free Money MOT in the Learn section of the Financielle App for tips on how to squeeze your budget.

3. Focus on food and drink

For many of us, food is our love language and spending money on food brings us joy, whether that be foodie meals out, weekend drinks or new recipes we want to try out at home.

We’re not here to tell you that cutting back on iced lattes or avocado on toast will help you ride the storm, but there are ways to squeeze this expense without feeling like you’re missing out on your joy:

• Be Supermarket Savvy: If you’re guilty of nipping into Tesco Express and Waitrose Mini to do your grocery shopping, it’s time to get supermarket savvy. Convenience stores like this charge a premium because they are there to serve you when you’re at your most vulnerable. How many times have you gone in for milk and come out with a basket of snacks, a plant and some Ben and Jerrys? Head to the larger supermarkets like Aldi, Lidl and Tesco to get more bang for your buck.

• Create a food budget: When doing your weekly shop do you get to the checkout and hope there’s enough to cover it? We’ve all been there praying the payment gets approved but what if there was another way? Sitting down at the start of every month to determine how much you would like to spend on your grocery shopping will help you stay on track.  

• Meal Planning is key: If you head to a supermarket in the hope of finding meal inspiration, think again. You’re setting yourself up for failure and the potential to be distracted by whatever the supermarket wants to flog you from the middle aisle. Set some time aside to sit down and make a meal plan ahead of your weekly grocery shop. Top tip: Having your weekly meal plan stuck up on the fridge for you to see will help you stay on track.

• Meal prepping:  Producing meals in bulk is a popular way of cutting down food spend and reducing food waste. This can mean repetitive meals in the week, but if you’re looking to cut down on your expenses this could be for you! TikTok and Instagram have thousands of ‘how to’ videos and weekly meal prep inspiration. Top tip: Shop your cupboards first, it’s likely you’ll have store cupboard essentials like pasta, rice, pesto and some frozen vegetables lurking in the freezer. Some people keep a “stocktake” of what they have in the cupboard so they never buy too much.

• Ditch the mid-week Deliveroo: Do you remember when takeaways were a treat reserved for special occasions or a truly hideous hangover? Now, thanks to the likes of UberEats and Deliveroo, regular meal delivery has become the norm for many.  Why not see if you can ditch the deliveries that are convenient over treats?  Top tip: Ring fence some money in your budget for a takeaway, you’re more likely to not overspend and relish the treat you’ve been waiting for! 

• Grab a bargain – save the planet: Apps like Olio and Toogoodtogo can help you bag a bargain from your local community or popular high street eateries like Greggs and Costa. Using these apps can help you kill two birds with one stone – securing bargains and helping reduce food wastage.

4. Don’t ignore the energy price increases

We’ve never had to experience energy price rises like these – but they are here and they are not going away anytime soon. If you can at least face the issue head on and control what you can control, you will be in a much better position than if you pretended it wasn’t happening.

Things are changing by the day, but you can find an up to date summary in the Financielle App, talking you through what the energy price cap is, helping you decide whether to fix or remain on the variable and sharing what help there is out there if you’re struggling to pay energy bills.

Top tip: Look ahead at your winter budgets and consider putting extra money aside (if you can) into an emergency energy sinking fund, especially if you decide not to fix and instead stay on a variable tariff.

Feeling a little better?

We accept the cost of living crisis is a fairly bleak topic. It’s time to take a breath, reflect on what’s happening and make a plan of action. It doesn’t have to be a big dramatic overhaul of your life, but creating a plan will give you a sense of control over the situation we’re all facing.

If you haven’t created a budget before and are feeling a little overwhelmed, you can download the Financielle app and learn how to create your first one.

Follow Financielle on Instagram, TikTok and Twitter for more help!

I tend to be a bit more careful about buying something with cute packaging because I know I’ll refuse to throw it out, even if it’s just a cardboard box. If it’s cute I’ll feel the need to keep it – I have to make sure I’ll use what I’m buying too

Jay, 23

Hoarding is characterised by the NHS as “a disorder in which someone acquires an excessive number of items and stores them in a chaotic manner, usually resulting in unmanageable amounts of clutter. The items can be of little or no monetary value.” It can take over an individual’s life in a gradual manner or spiral more suddenly after a traumatic event that causes mental health problems such as depression or OCD to intensify.  

The impacts of hoarding are far-reaching, in some cases causing sufferers to avoid letting friends and family into their home because of feelings of shame, or in more extreme cases creating an impact on an individual’s personal hygiene if they can no longer access arrears of their house such as the bathroom. 

“It’s actually only been recently in the past few years I realised it’s a problem, I made a lot of excuses as to why I couldn’t let go of things but I noticed that is just my denial,” says 23-year-old Jay who struggles with letting go of both sentimental and more mundane items. 

I don’t have any reason not to but I always find some reason to keep everything, even down to all my old apple product boxes or bath bombs from 2016

Jay

“When I was growing up and finally grew out of my child seat in the car I refused to let it get thrown away until my grandparents had no choice but to make an excuse about how it got “thrown away by mistake”, I sat in a cupboard and cried for hours, when my grandfather got new head-rests for the car I refused to get in the car. Getting rid of things in my life has always been hard for me because it signifies change, and I might need it one day. The idea of similarity goes as far as I need to listen to certain playlists and albums on certain bus/train routes, sit in the same seats, etc or everything feels off and weird. I even changed a hotel room round to make it the same design as it was the year before (at the big age of 17)”

Jay also has an autism diagnosis and believes many of their hoarding-related symptoms derive from this.  

“I think it’s a big part of it, I can’t mentally deal with change and I get attached to the weirdest items as if they’re part of my life and without them, I won’t be the same person even if it’s just a box, an old unused bath bomb or unlit candle from 2015.

Hoarding can have a significant emotional impact on the individual suffering, triggering feelings of shame, in part because of the social stigma that is still associated with hoarding and untidiness in the home. 

Nicola Rodriguez, an interior designer with qualifications in Stress Management and Anxiety Disorders, works closely with those who struggle to let go of material items and maintain order in their homes, understanding the link between mental illness and one’s personal space and the huge overlap that occurs between the two. 

“I remember one particular client I was brought in to help had an issue with underwear. As a child, she had only 2 pairs of knickers as she came from a poor family, which had resulted in her now having over 100 pairs of knickers (still many with tags on) which she just couldn’t stop buying. I worked with her over a period of a few weeks to understand her obsession and then we worked together to halve what she had.” 

The charity Mind advises using tactics such as setting a timer to help you tidy one area of your space, or listening to a particular number of songs whilst organising to make the task feel more manageable. Making a plan to tackle working through hoarded items, ideally with the support of those near to you, is another way to make this task feel more achievable, perhaps by scheduling a specific amount of time per week to clean, or implementing rules such as trying to sort through items that haven’t been used in the past 6 months, 1 year or more to see if you can part with them. 

Support for those struggling with hoarding

Support for family and friends of a hoarder

If you’re expecting an autumn baby, or you just so happen to love the autumn aesthetic and want to copy and paste some contenders to your Iphone Notes for future reference (guilty), then these beautiful, fall-inspired baby names are a must-read. 

Whether you’re looking for something earthy, whimsical, modern, vintage or botanical, you’re bound to fall for at least one or two of these autumn-themed baby names. From the colours synonymous with the changing leaves to the monikers drawn from folklore and fairytales, here’s 50 baby names perfect for the season of pumpkin spice.  

Aluma

A girl’s name of Hebrew origin, it means ‘a sheaf of grain at harvest’ making it perfectly apt for this time of year.  

Amber 

An English name that calls to mind the beautiful warm orange tones of autumn. 

Aspen

An Old English autumn-inspired name meaning ‘beautiful’. 

Aster

A part of the daisy family, this ancient pink and purple flower blooms from late summer to early fall, making it the perfect nature-inspired name for an early autumn baby. 

Aurelia

A name with Latin / Love Actually origins, meaning ‘the golden one’. It pairs beautifully with floral middle names, too. 

Autumn 

No name is more fitting for a fall baby than autumn itself.  

Briar 

With its fairy tale origins (Briar Rose is Sleeping Beauty’s name), Briar is a beautiful name alluding to folktales and nature. 

Bronwyn (Also spent Bronwen)

From the Welsh name meaning fair white raven, this enchanting name inspires thoughts of crisp autumn days and early snowfall. 

Bruna

A pretty Italian girl’s name meaning ‘brown’, reminiscent of piles of autumn leaves, conkers and coffee. 

Cedar   

A unique name referring to the cone-bearing evergreen cedar trees that transition into browns and rusts at this time of year. 

Daphne

From the Greek word meaning ‘Laurel Tree’, Bridgerton fans will be fawning over this classic feminine name. 

Elwood 

An old English name meaning elder tree forest. 

Ember

Meaning ‘spark’ or ‘burning low’ it’s a beautiful name that captures that quintessential autumn feeling of being curled up in a log cabin on a rainy day. 

Equinox 

For fans of the letter ‘x’, Equinox offers something cool and unique. The autumn Equinox is an astronomical event that marks the end of summer and the beginning of fall, when day and night are of equal length thus symbolising balance. 

Fable

A whimsical name, inspired by stories with a moral lesson. It’s giving Taylor Swift. 

Fawn 

A beautiful first or middle name for October babies, referring to a young deer often spotted at this time of year. 

Fern

Inspired by autumnal woodland walks and crisp forest surroundings. It’s timeless! 

Flint 

Refers to ‘a spark of light’ which is a particularly beautiful metaphor for those babies born just as the evenings are drawing in. 

Forrest 

Meaning ‘dweller among the woods’, if you enjoy a walk amongst nature, this could be the perfect name for your newborn bambino. 

Ginger

All the retro Hollywood vibes a la Ginger Rogers – one half of the most iconic dancing duos in history. 

Goldie 

Reminiscent of the golden autumn light and glowing colours, this gorgeous vintage name has soared in popularity recently making it the ideal name for modern mums on the lookout for something with that old school charm.

Griffin

Primarily a name of Welsh origin (from the word ‘Gruffudd’), Griffin means ‘strong lord’ or ‘red’, symbolising strength and leadership.  

Hazel

Referring to the hazel tree with heart-shaped leaves and the greenish-gold colour, this botanical-inspired name is the perfect nod to nature.  

Jorah (also spelt Jora) 

This Hebrew unisex name means ‘autumn rain’, a lovely meaning for a little one born in the  fall months.

Juniper

Another tree-inspired name perfect for a fall baby and easily abbreviated to the equally adorable ‘Juni’. 

Libra

Perfect for babies born under this zodiac sign (23 September – 22 October), the Libra archetype is one of harmony and balance. 

Maple

Fans of vibrant fall foliage, look no further for a name that captures the essence of autumn and the spectacular changing leaves. 

Marigold 

An English name referring to the golden flower that blooms in early fall. 

Moss 

Earthy and stylish, Moss is seriously having a moment! Hop on it before everyone else does. 

October

Feeling bold? Rare but rising in popularity, October is a gorgeous seasonal option for babies born in the month of Halloween.  

Olive 

Olive trees are harvested in late summer / early fall, making this the perfect pick for your autumn-born baby. The earthy olive colour also mimics the calming green tones found in nature at this time of year. 

Opal

Referring to the birthstone of those born in October, Opal is the girl’s name of Sanskrit origin meaning precious stone or gem. 

Orla

A name of Irish origin meaning ‘golden princess’, this would make for a beautiful name for your little one. 

Qui 

A unique unisex name from the Chinese word for autumn. It also makes for a great middle name when paired with longer first names. 

Radley

Originally an English surname, Radley finds its roots in the pastoral landscape of Ancient Britain and means ‘red meadow’, which is suitably lovely for an autumn bubba. 

Rain(e)

Meaning ‘an abundant blessing from above’ this weather-inspired name is all kinds of cool & endearing. 

Rory

The anglicised form of Ruairí meaning rust / red coloured and ‘red king’ in Irish Gaelic – a lovely option for autumn babies and redheads alike. 

Roux

Pronounced ‘Roo’, the name comes from the Latin meaning ‘russet’ which is brownish red in colour. 

Rowan

A strong nature name of Irish origin, deriving from Ruadhán meaning ‘little redhead’. Adorable!

Ruby

From the Latin name ‘rubinus’ meaning deep red precious stone, Ruby is a vintage name that has enjoyed quite the renaissance in recent years.  

Rust/Rusty 

Inspired by the colour rust, the name has grown in popularity since 2020. 

Sage 

Earthy and gender-neutral, this would make for a lovely first or middle name for your autumn baby. 

Sienna

Associated with the reddish-brown clay tones synonymous with autumn.

Sorrell

A name originating in France, derived from the reddish brown colour of the leaves in fall. 

Sparrow

With choices such as Lark, Raven and Phoenix on the rise, why not branch out with Sparrow a la Nicole Richie and Joel Madden. 

Twila

Meaning Twilight, the name evokes the enchanting and otherworldly energy often associated with October. 

Willow

A feminine whimsical name derived from the Old English ‘welig’ meaning willow tree. 

Woody 

A short version of the more formal ‘Woodrow’. 

Wren

Referring to a small brown songbird, Wren is a great nature-themed alternative to Lark, Robin or Sparrow. In Celtic folklore, wrens were often associated with artists and poets and songwriters. Cute! 

Xanthe 

Of old Greek origin, Xanthe means golden or yellow – the perfect nod to autumn’s tawny palette.

Let’s face it, TikTok takes number one spot for the most addictive app out there, seeing us through the lockdowns of 2020 with its endless reams of content that you can simply never *quite* get enough of. With trends changing on a daily basis, it takes the crown as king of short term gratification, helping you to (rightly or wrongly) escape from reality. But what if your somewhat toxic Internet addiction could provide some much needed mental health relief? Meet the corners of the web ready to help you unwind, reset and put ‘pause’ on your brain’s overthinking tendencies. You’re welcome!

ASMR Addictiveness

The girls that get it, get it, and the girls that don’t, don’t. ASMR is about as Marmite as it gets in the way of Internet trends, but for the sceptics out there we say don’t knock it till you’ve tried it. Standing for autonomous sensory meridian response, according to Think by Google, ASMR is “a relaxing, often sedative sensation that begins on the scalp and moves down the body. Also known as “brain massage,” it’s triggered by placid sights and sounds such as whispers, accents, and crackles.” 

That feeling you get when someone plays with your hair or runs their fingernails over your skin? That’s ASMR. Ranging from whispering sounds, role plays, tapping, eating and more, finding the ASMR trigger that is most relaxing for you can be beneficial for a good night’s sleep, and even improve your mental health! The Sleep Foundation found that, “ASMR appears to activate regions of the brain associated with calming, sleep-inducing hormones like dopamine and oxytocin”, meaning your TikTok scrolling just got seriously more purposeful.

@its.belle.x

This will make you sleep in less than 2min😴🌙✨ #asmrsleep#asmrsleeptriggers#asmrforsleep#asmrsounds#asmrrelax#asmr#fyp

♬ original sound – ASMR Belle

@realaprilsasmr

Highly requested 🥹 #asmr #relax #aprilsasmr #tingles #sleep #fyp

♬ original sound – realaprilsasmr

@reikihealinghope

#bayang #reiki #asmr #reikiasmr #asmrreiki #asmrreikiqueen #reikihealinghope #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #asmr_tingles #healing #love #friend #asmrsleep #relax #peace #relaxation #energyhealing

♬ original sound – Reiki Healing Hope

@ammaslimes

What color should we do next? #wax #waxcracking #asmrsounds #asmrtiktoks #asmr_tingles #oddlysatisfying #sosatisfying #relax #relaxing #fyp #asmr

♬ original sound – Amma Slimes

The Healing Power of Art

There’s something about arts and crafts that feels like the ultimate hug for your inner child, and thankfully, there’s a whole side of TikTok dedicated to it for all the moments when little ‘you’ feels like they need a squeeze. Whether you consider yourself a Bob Ross in the making or simply enjoy the hypnotic energy of watching someone else create a beautiful piece of art, ArtTok is the perfect spot for releasing mental strain and pulling your focus away from your daily stresses.

@stationeryisland

So many different ways to paint these flowers! 🌼🌸 #painting #watercolor #tutorial #stationeryisland #fypシ

♬ Stories 2 – Danilo Stankovic

@anannart

organised blobs💙 #art #watercolor #fyp #painting #watercolour

♬ Hilltop Road by Lake Isabel – lakeisabelmusic

@poli.bright

Himalayan blue poppy 🤍☺️ #foryoupage #visualart #artistsoftiktok #art #artistcheck #watercolorpainting #watercolor #sydney #flowerpainting

♬ Another Love – Tom Odell

@rhearhearheahello

one more for the wall 🌻🌿 #painttok #art #watercolor

♬ telepatía kali uchis – andrea <3

Nature Has Your Back

It’s no secret that a slice of outdoor energy can be transformative when your brain needs a moment to pause, but getting out and about to somewhere beautiful, peaceful, calm or in solitude isn’t always that easy. Thankfully the explorers of the Internet have you covered! Sharing magical moments amongst the wonders of the world, these mood-boosting clips  are sure to make your heart happy and mind calm.

@zoe_illustration

My favourite view!🌳 #englishcountryside #traveluk #soft #peaceful #aestheticvideos #cottagecore #fairycore #naturevibes #sunset #devon #calm #relax

♬ UNDERWATER WONDERSCAPES (MASTER) – Frederic Bernard

@wil_cuevass

🍃⚡PAZ INTERIOR ⚡🍃#Luna #bosque #natural #noche #paisaje #aesthetic #Paz #viral #foryou Crédito del vídeo a quien corresponda.

♬ sonido original – WILBER CUEVAS

@forestfloormagic

The willow looking magical this morning 💫 #cottagecore #naturetok #fairycoreaesthetic #forestfairy #scrollingbreak

♬ Friedrich Dances with Jo – Alexandre Desplat

The Magic of The Mukbang

If eating sounds aren’t your thing, consider this your fair warning to scroll on…

Another sensory trend ready to give you some ASMR style tingles, Mukbangs are an Internet trend originating from South Korea that consist of watching someone consume a large quantity of food on camera- sounds odd but it’s weirdly therapeutic. The Mukbang hashtag on TikTok has amassed over 73.9 billion views so far, and from sushi to noodles, burgers to seafood, there’s guaranteed to be a cuisine and creator to satisfy your unwinding needs.

@eatingeatingus

#mukbang #food #eating

♬ 羽肿 – Windy Hill – 羽肿

@colettefionaa

#innout #burger #fries #crunchy #asmr #mukbang #asmrmukbang #mukbangasmr #asmrsounds #sauce #spicy #food #foodie #foodtiktok #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #tasty #mukbangs #fy #4u #mukbangeatingshow

♬ original sound – colettefionaa

@koffordphoebe

#mukbang #eatingshow #asmr #foodie

♬ original sound – koffordphoebe

@logagm

This was very much needed. #sushi #muckbang #food #asmr #asianfood #vlog #eating #kimchi

♬ original sound – Logan

The Season for Staying In

September is here and the season for hibernation is upon us. As autumn rolls in and beer garden drinks and Italian getaways come to a halt, spending quality time in the oasis that is your home may feel like exactly what your mind and soul are craving…

Comfortable conviviality is the aim, and a scroll through the simple comforts side of TikTok is about as wholesome as it gets. Think layers of dreamy bedspreads, hot chocolate with whipped cream for days, bubble baths so good your skin will turn wrinkly and knitwear collections that will have you running to your local vintage fair ASAP.  The season for comfortable solitude is here.

@matildadjerf

summer has begun 🫶🫶 @djerfavenue

♬ Almost Idyllic – Sleeping At Last

@yrstudio.co.uk

Only 39 days until September 🥹 Leaves may not be orange yet in September but I have a habit of gasping at every dry leaf, asking dramatically “Autumn is that you?!”. I’m so excited for Autumn 2022! 🤎#autumnaesthetic #fallaesthetic #fallvibes #autumnvibes #cottagecore #englishcountryside #cottagecorecommunity #cottagecoreaesthetic

♬ Amélie – Andrea Vanzo

@matildadjerf

mornings 💓💓💓💓💓💓💓

♬ A Thousand Miles – Vanessa Carlton

@maggiecertosimo

last few moments of summer 🤍

♬ original sound – mario fouvaa

@caropeony

Cozy livingroom ✨ #livingroomdecor #cozyhome

♬ It’s Ok – Slowed – Edith Whiskers

@ahometomakeyousmile

When the wind howled and the rain poured x #stormyweather #throughmywindow #interiordecor #interiorblogger #candlelight #windowsontheworld #windydays

♬ Wind Song – Ludovico Einaudi

Brown, White and Pink Noise

If you can’t stop scrolling before bed, head to the white/pink/black/brown noise side of TikTok and consider yourself ready for slumber in a matter of minutes. White noise in particular refers to a noise that contains all frequencies across the spectrum of audible sound in equal measure, with a study by The National Library of Medicine revealing that adults fell asleep 38% faster when listening to white noise. Given that sleep deprivation is such a big contributor to poor mental health, this is a side of TikTok worth bookmarking for future reference…

@playpositiveaffirmations

Double tap ‘♥️’ save this video and comment how this sound makes you feel ✨ Tap the IG icon to subscribe on YouTube and listen to 1-hour of this pink noise plus more relaxing sounds to sleep to 🤍 #pinknoise #sleepsounds #relaxingsounds #fyp

♬ Pink Noise (moving 316 Hz bandpass) – Listening Territory

@mediumcarlablaha

White noise #anxiety #sleep #insomnia #sleepdisorder #whitenoise #soundhealing #psychic #TheAdamProject #psychicmedium #mediumship #vibes #foryou #manifestation #tunningfork #psychicsoftiktok #spiritual #adhd #brownnoise #dinnerrecipe #witch #lawofattraction #rest #meditate

♬ White Noise Sound – Tmsoft’s White Noise Sleep Sounds

@mcmlxx_

#fyp #foryou #foryoupage #brown #noise #crazy #scary #wild #xyzbca

♬ Brown noise – Pure Brown Noise – Power of Noise

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