Top Tips | Lifestyle WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2024 hydration, hydration, hydration!! My skincare journey has been a continuous one. The key component that helped me achieve clearer skin was Accutane - so I am by no way saying that this skincare routine will clear your skin! But when I stay consistent with my routine, I not only find that hormonal spots clear up quicker, but the overall feel of my skin is much healthier. I also prioritise hydrating products because I find that anything too heavy or perfumed can cause my skin to flare up again. Having used this routine for over two years now, these products are truly my ride-or-die's. Every morning Cleanse I begin my routine with cleansing my skin, washing off any products from my skincare the night before, and cleansing my skin after sleeping. As I shower in the morning, I always wait until after to begin my skincare. My go-to cleanser is The Ordinary Squalene Cleanser , and, much like the rest of my routine, I have been using this for over two years now. Without fail, this cleanser leaves your skin looking butter-y smooth. Serum In the mornings, my next step is always a vitamin C treatment, and once again coming out on top is a The Ordinary product. This Ascorbyl Glucoside is unbeatable IMO. SPF A reasonably new product, and already a cult-classic, is the L'Oreal Vitamin C SPF . One of my favourite things about this product is that it doesn't strip away your nail polish when you use it - unlike other SPF's I have used before! I used this SPF on holiday in the direct sun, and besides a slight fading in effectiveness in the afternoons (I forgot to reapply - oops!), it worked a treat. Every evening Cleanse I once again cleanse with The Ordinary Squalene Cleanser , because double-cleansing is crucial! Tone This step is a bit tricky for some, because not every skin-type should use a toner. However, even though my skin dries easily making me a risk-factor for toning, I have been able to find an effective toner that does not harm my skin. The Pixi Milky Tonic Toner is my go-to - although I find it very hard to get ahold of! Serum In the evening I love to focus on hydrating skincare products, and so I use The Ordinary (again!) Niacinamide . Moisturise Finishing off the short-but-sweet skincare routine, is moisturising! I am pretty specific over the one I use, and I love the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel moisturiser. The gel, specifically, is perfect for making a little bit go a long way - and is also ideal for layering on moisturiser to ultra-hydrate your skin. Twice a week Under eye mask I love the Garnier Under Eye sheet masks , as these are gentle on skin and ultra-hydrating. They are the perfect skincare item to use in the morning whilst popping in heatless curlers or making your brekkie. Once a week: Face Mask Following on from the under eye sheet masks, the matching face mask s offer the perfect pamper night accessory. At least once a week, I make sure to use a face mask as they really set my skin up for the week.

Recipes | Wellness FRIDAY, October 11, 2024 Constantly finding new ways to add matcha into my diet. It probably comes as no surprise that I am a HUGE fan of matcha - matcha lattes, matcha cookies, and, now apparently, matcha madeleine's. I had wanted to try making madeleine's for a while, but never really fancied spending the time making plain vanilla madeleine's, that I could buy in the store. However, I was in London last weekend, and stopped off at my absolute favourite matcha hub, Jenki, and saw their matcha cookies. This made me wonder if I could try adding matcha to madeleine's! Ingredients (for 12 madeleine's): O 2 eggs O 100g caster sugar O 1 teaspoon honey O vanilla extract O 100g self-raising flour O pinch of salt O 100g melted butter O 100g white chocolate O matcha powder Method: heat the oven to 210C/190C fan and butter the madeleine's tin. beat the eggs, sugar, honey and vanilla extract together until pale and fluffy (top tip: I started off using a hand whisk and quickly gave up. The electric whisk then took me 15 minutes to get the eggs to the right consistency, so don't even attempt to use a hand whisk if you have the electric whisk option!). add the flour and a pinch of salt, and fold into the mixture. mix in the melted butter. add a teaspoon of matcha powder and stir in well. spoon the mixture into the tin and bake for 8-10 minutes. place madeleine's on the cooling rack and melt the chocolate. mix a half teaspoon of matcha powder into the white chocolate, and thinly line the madeleine tins again with this chocolate. press the cooled madeleine's (these cool quickly from my experience) back into the tins, until the chocolate is forming a thin layer beneath the madeleine cakes. place the madeleine tray into the fridge until the chocolate has hardened, and then carefully pry out the madeleine's. I was pretty apprehensive about these, particularly getting the chocolate decoration to work. However ... they turned out amazingly! They didn't taste too matcha-y, but that does mean that if someone isn't a huge matcha fan, they can still indulge. The matcha cuts through the sweetness a bit, so these are not too rich. I definitely overcooked this batch, as I left them in for 15 minutes (oops!). However, with the oven preheated, this does show that 8-10 minute cook time is accurate.

Aesthetics | Lifestyle MONDAY, October 07, 2024 New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of... What is it? This aesthetic is synonymous with an out-and-about lifestyle, visiting bookstores and cafes, and generally anything that seems like the perfect activity for when you’re downtown. Often the aesthetic is routed in imagery of cities themselves, and iconic items found in said ‘Downtown’ locations, such as the Subway and high-rise buildings. What would she wear? leather jackets/red/mini skirts/tote bag/thin scarf/tights/knee high boots or doc martens/headphones What are her must have items? O Tote bag O Headphones O Metro/Oyster Card or equivalent O Lip balm O Claw clip O Spare rings O Cherry red nail polish O Earmuffs O Reusable coffee cup O Eyeliner Cities that embody her: O New York, US What activities would she do? O Playing guitar O Reading second-hand Classics O Sketching O Owning a digital camera O Putting music posters on her bedroom walls O Night-time walks with your friends O Fancy lunches and wine O Late night trips to the local grocery store O Enjoying the city's vibrant nightlife Key words to describe her: O Independent O Stylish O Extroverted O Dynamic O Captivating Key things that symbolise this aesthetic: O Tote bags O Deep red O Claw clip hairstyles O Oversized leather jackets O Photos of their friends taken on a digital camera O Sunglasses to wear at all times, even at night O Portable Charger Movies and books with this aesthetic: Music O New York, New York by Frank Sinatra O Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z O Welcome to New York by Taylor Swift O Brooklyn Baby by Lana Del Rey Movies and Shows O Gossip Girl (2007 - 2012) O Pretty Woman (1990) O American Horror Story (2011 - ) O The Devil Wears Prada (2006) Afterthoughts: I don't live in New York, or anywhere close to New York honestly, but there were a few elements of the Downtown aesthetic that I could try and implement into my life. Visiting more local big cities, like London, let me experience that buzz of a big city, and I could explore the abundance of shops and cafés available. Additionally, whilst I cannot play guitar, I enjoyed trying out the fancy lunches with wine, and the deep red colour will be a new staple in my outfits.

Essential | Wellness WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2024 The weather's getting warmer, and my serotonin levels have increased. As the weather gets warmer, and we all start to come out of hibernation, I always find myself prioritising my health and wellness again. Often during the winter I live a more 'wellness Lite' lifestyle, which sees me following the basics of a wellbeing and wellness lifestyle, but not doing as much as I feel I should. For example, I know I should eat more fruit and veg, go on more walks, and drink more water, but sometimes I just want to drink hot chocolate and eat pizza. Spoiler alert: both are fine, and have a place within a wellness lifestyle! However, when we hit the warmer weather, I find that I no longer fancy the same foods, for example. This leaves me with a naturally seasonal lifestyle. In the summer, fresh fruit and vegetables taste amazing. Whereas in the winter, you'll spend £4 on a punnet of strawberries where half will taste like water, and the other half will make your eyes water. So I find that my diet tends to alter with the seasons, in the same way that the quality of foods changes. I enjoy 'quick and easy' comfort foods, which I'm sure many of you can relate to, in the winter. When the evenings are dark, I feel much more tired, hence not wanting to make a lengthy dinner. However, the lighter evenings in the summer mean that making a fresh salad, soup, or even a full-blown tapas board feels like a lot less effort. Therefore, these Spring/Summer essentials will not just be a list of my must-buy items for the season, but instead a slightly more holistic look at my living-life-in-spring essentials (although as always, I will give you some of my must-buy items). 1 Sun! (and spf) This is the number one component for the Summer season. But make sure that you always keep your skin protected, because something that isn't on this list is sunburn. 2 Flowers The best way to bring the beauty of the Spring/Summer indoors. 3 Burberry Goddess Eau de Parfum The perfect mix of sweet vanilla and lavender. With all three notes containing vanilla, it's a fresh, rich fragrance to kick off the warmer weather. 4 White linen skirt A true wardrobe staple. 5 Ray-bans The best-of-the-best for sunglasses, as these are a cannot-live-without item for adorning any outfit, as well as practically protecting your eyes. Need I say more? 6 Lip gloss Whilst it can be annoying when your hair gets caught in your lip gloss due to a warm, seasonal breeze, it's an easy addition to jazz up any make-up look. It's an effortless way of looking sun-kissed and glossy. 7 White shirt Another wardrobe staple. Whether this is paired with a skirt or shorts, or loose over some baggy trousers for the ultimate cool-and-casual fit, it's the perfect keep-cool item. 8 Sunhat Whilst I probably wouldn't wear a giant sunhat in the high street, sunhats are perfect for holidays by the beach. 9 Fruit Added to granola, frozen for a smoothie, dipped in chocolate - it's the best Summer snack. 10 Rosé Whether it's a chilled glass with a BBQ lunch, or a Rosé with ice in the garden on a hot evening, it's my go-to alcoholic drink in the warmer weather. 11 Iced (decaf) latte/iced matcha My go-to non-alcoholic drinks. 12 Dry brush Especially in the season of shorts and vest tops, dry brushing helps to keep your skin gently exfoliated and smooth. 13 Ice cream A classic summer snack - and even better if paired with fruit. 14 Pistachios When sat in the garden with your Rosé, what better to pair it with than pistachios?

Wardrobe | Trending WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 2024 I love bows, but I think I may have some bad news... I have definitely noticed a decline in the number of bows on outfits on social media. With the move towards the mob wife aesthetic, and summer aesthetics like last year's ‘Tomato Girl Summer’, fashion seems less concerned with having dainty bows on everything, and more concerned with the man-eater look of red lipstick and faux fur coats. Whilst I love the more allusive vibe of the mob wife aesthetic, and am actually a big fan of the move as it has brought about a host of amazing new outfits and styles, I do have a special place in my heart for the use of bows in fashion. Christmas 2023 saw people decorating their Christmas trees not with baubles, but with giant bows. Whilst I didn't take things that far, I am partial to a bow or two. One influencer that I really thinks optimised the use of bows in fashion is Lindsay Voitton. She's an influencer based in Singapore, and even now she still adds bows to her outfits, hair and just lifestyle in general. Her feed really shows the internets’ love of ribbons and bows. Lindsay adds bows into her outfits so beautifully, that even as the trend decreases in popularity, she still manages to make the subtle bow additions look trendy and effortless. Lindsay also highlights the 'girly' aesthetic that is often conflated with the use of bows in fashion. There's a love for the pretty bows adorning outfits and these bows were often seen in whites, pinks and reds. However, I do think that the decline in popularity might not all be down to a loss of interest. In the Winter, it was easier to add bows to outfits, as there were more clothing items to find creative ways to adorn. However, as we enter SS24, we shed a few warm layers in favour of more floaty fabrics and lighter outfits. However, I am sad to say that I don't really wear bows as often anymore. I too have fallen victim to the, ever-faster, moving trends. Bows were a really lovely time in fashion trend history, and I can't see them disappearing forever, or at all actually. But they have definitely lost their status on our For You pages. As soon as I sense Summer coming around the corner, bows and florals are out, and white cotton dresses and straw bags are in. My brain switches from dopamine dressing in the dark of the Winter, to dressing in comfy, gorgeous, Summer-y outfits, in the most care-free way possible. We often see this switch from carefully curated Winter-fits that rightfully-so dominate our Pinterest feeds, to the more effortless chic summer fits. These see lots of floaty fabrics and honestly just any clothing that doesn't make you feel so hot that you will combust at any moment. Even the style of photo taking changes in the summer. People often come across as more photogenic, with our feeds filled with more photos of people enjoying their holidays and sunny days than ever. However, and I'm sure it's not just me, the effortlessness of the Summer 'vibe' just leaves you feeling more relaxed and happy. It's easier to smile in photos and generally appear more effortless, when you're happy and smiling in the sun. It’s also easier to find nicer lighting. Obviously in some aesthetic subsections, namely the coquette fashion aesthetic, bows will quite possibly always be in. However, generally speaking, across the world of influencers and fashion, there has been a noticeably huge decline. And so, yes, bows may be out, however we have a new wave of aesthetics coming our way very, very soon. But don't throw out that ribbon yet, because I doubt bows will disappear altogether, and with the way that fashion works, give it six months, and they'll probably be back in again.

diy | wardrobe WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2024 Flower shoes = THE moment. Like many of us on Pinterest, I recently saw the most beautiful Orchid appliqué heels from a brand called Tissimum. Now... these original heels cost, wait for it, $2,000 (although I have seen users saying they found a pair in TKMaxx, so maybe the ones I found were very overpriced). However, for the obvious reason (ahem, cost), I will not be buying the original versions. But, fortunately, I do have the ability to buy a sprig of faux orchids, a budget pair of heels, and superglue. I had also coincidentally ordered some heels online in early preparation of the Summer, and one pair was perfect for the DIY heels. It took me an embarrassingly long time to find a good quality orchid with the colourings I wanted, but I eventually found an orchid stick on Hobbycraft. I was specifically looking for white coloured flowers, to match the shoes, but I did see a lot of options of the Tissimum heels with white orchid flowers and green heels, or pink orchids. I wanted to make these heels in inspiration of the Tissimum design I saw, whilst adding my own spin to make sure that the end result did not just look like I had bought a dupe (although there would also be NOTHING wrong with buying a good old dupe - particularly as it seems impossible to get ahold of the original Tissimum heels in the UK). I also love to use original designs as a moodboard, and then making something that ends up different, coloured by my own design-flare, whilst still giving off the same 'vibe' as the original. The fiddliest part of the DIY was definitely attaching the flower to the heels, but I think that this was largely down to the fact that the toe strap I was attaching the flowers to was made of a clear plastic. However, when they stuck, they were there for good. Surprisingly for a first attempt, these heels are not only wearable, but they are beautiful! I managed to avoid the glue migrating too much, so the shoe remains pretty much undamaged in any way, and the flowers still hold their shape. My top tip is to try and keep your cut as clean as possible when cutting an orchid flower from the stem. Try to get the cut as close to the flower as possible, without causing the flower to fall apart. This makes it easier to glue the orchid flat onto the shoe. Since I still have a lot of orchid flowers left, I may give this DIY another go with a different pair of shoes - so stay tuned… I’m super interested to know if you give this DIY a go, so comment below with any of your top tips (and as always, let me know if you have any DIY ideas)!

Wardrobe | Chat WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2024 Wire-framed reading glasses at the ready... Over the last few weeks, the internet, and fashion world, has seen the rise of the Office Core aesthetic. I would argue that this isn't as new as it may seem. Blazers and tailored skirts have been popular, on and off, for a while. However, the direct focus on a corporate-appropriate style, and how to make it sexy and fashionable, is something that strikes me as distinctly unique for the beginning of 2024. One huge factor for this shift seems to be iconography from films such as The Devil Wears Prada, which sees Gisele Bundchen's character 'Serena' sporting a catalogue of office-chic styles. Perhaps the inevitable turn to the past, that we see in every generation, helps to promote this office chic look. We frequently see fashion reference styles of the past. We had the 90s, then the early 2000s. Whilst the Devil Wears Prada still sits in the early 2000s time range, it's a more sophisticated take on the glitter pink and low waist jeans of the noughties. However, I would argue that perhaps this office-chic trend popping up all over my social media is showing my age. Whilst I'm no where close to my thirties, my taste in fashion is entirely different now to that of my 18-year-old self. The influencers I follow are now older, and the media that I consume has grown with me. Even if I still follow the same influencers and watch the same vloggers now, as I did at 18, these influencers have also aged. This promotes an aging of fashion aesthetics, and aesthetics in general, that I will consume, as the people I look to for inspiration have aged and grown in much the same way that I have. Of course, across the board, office-chic styles seem to have taken over. However. I highly doubt that 18-year-olds today are rushing out to buy grey tailored skirts and blazers to wear to college. Although, those of us enjoying our early twenties, with the disposable income to afford more tailored clothing from slightly pricier stores, or even affording high-end luxury clothing from brands such as Miu Miu, are likely to see a rise of the office-chic fashion. People my age are also looking to enter into the world of work, and so what do we want? We want inspo for making our work outfits more fashionable. Hence the emergence of , and the turn to, 'office-chic'. My top-'Office-Chic'-picks: O Tailored trousers O Thin glasses O Court shoes O Miu Miu SS24 collection O Low waist skirts - particularly with a fitted top (not cropped) O Belts O Briefcases, Tote bags, Agendas, Planners, Laptop cases O Outfits consisting of Greys and Brown tones O Blazers O Mini mal make up but full lips with a subtle gloss O Slick back hair My hot take: I love 'office chic', honestly. I always appreciate a versatile trend as well, and this one has a few strands of possibilities. I could incorporate the style into a more chic-take on my work clothes, or I could utilise the aesthetic to make a more sophisticated wardrobe for myself. There are many examples of people taking the 'office-chic' aesthetic and running with it, truly making it individual to them. You don't need to reserve 'office chic' for the office, and so it can blend the lines between work and life. I also think that it creates a nice escapism for our standard 9 to 5's. Many of us use our clothing as a way to express ourselves, but when it comes to a workplace, fashion can provide a small sense of fun to the day, through picking which outfit you will wear today. However, many workplaces have strict dress codes, and so office-core provides a slightly more fashionable take on some of these stricter dress codes. Whilst those with a strict dress code probably won't be wearing mini skirts and mini crop tops to work anytime soon, they may be able to put a spin on the style. They could wear a tailored grey skirt with a pair of kitten heels, a satin blouse tucked into the skirt to take it in at the waist, and jazz up the outfit with accessories. It makes a classic office outfit into something a lot more high fashion, with just some simple tweaking.

Recipes | Wellness TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2024 The perfect summer snack. I truly believe that white chocolate and raspberries deserve a spot on the podium as one of the food best combinations. The tart berry with the ultra-sweet white chocolate marry together so well. So what about when they're added into a madeleine? Ingredients (for 12 madeleines): O 2 eggs O 100g caster sugar O 1 teaspoon honey O vanilla extract O 100g self-raising flour O pinch of salt O 100g melted butter O 100g white chocolate O small punnet of raspberries Method: heat the oven to 210C/190C fan and butter the madeleine tin. beat the eggs, sugar, honey and vanilla extract together until pale and fluffy. (top tip: I started off using a hand whisk and quickly gave up. It then took me 15 minutes with an electric whisk to get the right consistency, so don't even attempt to use a hand whisk if you have the electric whisk option!) add the flour and a pinch of salt, and fold into the mixture. mix in the melted butter. mash a handful of raspberries, and then stir evenly into the mixture. spoon the mixture into the tins and bake for 8-10 minutes. pop the madeleines onto a cooling rack and melt the chocolate. thinly line the madeleine tins again with this melted white chocolate. press the cooled madeleines (these cool quickly from my experience) back into the tins, until the chocolate is forming a thin layer beneath the madeleine cakes. place the madeleine tray into the fridge until the chocolate has hardened, and then carefully pry out the madeleines. enjoy! These madeleines are unbelievably yummy! I went quite heavy on the raspberry, but because the madeleine mixture is very sweet, the extra raspberry is actually very needed. The only change I would make is that I had added mashed raspberries into the white chocolate as well, which meant that the chocolate didn't harden in the way it should have. In the method above I missed out the mashed raspberries in the chocolate step for this reason, as the decoration definitely works better with plain chocolate in the tins. Let me know if you give the recipe a go - or send me any other recipes to try!

My Recipe Book | Lifestyle WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2024 Perfect for pancake day! This time of year, a lot of people are thinking of pancake day (Tuesday 13th February this year), where we can use up some kitchen-staple ingredients. However, crepes are a perfect treat for anytime. With the range of toppings, these thin pancakes make an easy and versatile snack, and a yummy breakfast for those lazy Sunday mornings. So whether you're snuggling in your PJs, or having a gals brunch for Valentine's day, here is my recipe for yummy crepes, and a few additional topping suggestions! - RECIPE - O 100g plain flour O 2 large eggs O 300ml milk O vanilla extract Whisk ingredients together until a smooth batter. Set aside for up to 30 minutes, if you have time. Over a medium heat, cook pancakes for a minute either side. Use butter if needed. sometimes the first few pancakes are awful, so keep trying! - TOPPING IDEAS - O Strawberries O Lemon and sugar O Forest fruits and berries O Mascarpone and fruits (forest fruits, blueberries) O Walnuts O Honey O Whipped cream O Hazelnut chocolate spread O Melted dark chocolate and nuts O Peaches - AFTERTHOUGHTS - Maybe even set up a 'crepe bar', by placing all of the toppings in little bowls and making a batch of crepes for the centre of the table. This is perfect for a group breakfast, where you can all pick whichever toppings you fancy, and make up your own creations.

Bookworm | Education WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2024 December was actually a VERY slow reading month for me (much to my disappointment, as I failed to reach my GoodReads 2023 book challenge), however I did manage to fit in a short story by Mieko Kawakami. Ms Ice Sandwich by MIEKO KAWAKAMI I always love Mieko Kawakami's style of writing, because it feels so intimate, as though you are intruding into someone else's thoughts and mind. This gives her stories a unique feel, and engrosses the reader, as they feel party to a very secret and personal story of someone's mundane life. This is another key element of her writing style - the documenting of life's mundane-ness. Interestingly, this is a key factor for my love of her works. They capture everyday lives and feelings and thoughts in such a way that they make me reflect on my own life. Not only does it transpire that I start to focus on the beauty of the mundane, but I pay more attention to the "boring" parts of life. Kawakami essentially puts a spotlight on the parts of our lives that we so often overlook. Additionally, Kawakami tends to focus on a child narrator, with the main characters of many of her stories still being in school. Ms Ice Sandwich is no different, and this gives Kawakami an interesting vantage point, when it comes to discussing current issues in society. And this brings us to the key element of Kawakami's stories - the wider message for society. Ms Ice Sandwich makes comment on the system of beauty within society, as the young boy in the story finds himself entranced with a women working in a local supermarket. This women appears to be the victim of a poorly conducted plastic surgery, which has left her features striking to the society she lives within. However, the naivety of the young boy narrating the story has him perceiving her as fascinating, and he does not understand when others speak of her as being unattractive. In many ways, this young narrator represents an un-tarnished view of the world, which is not swayed by pre-determined ideals of beauty or goodness, and instead views everyone as equal, even if they have many differences. An early example of this naivety is apparent, through the young boy's fascination with Ms Ice Sandwich's "big eyes" and "electric blue" eyeshadow, which leads his mother to promptly tell him that it is rude to speak of other people's appearances. Whilst his mother is showing a refreshing and mature awareness of the cruelness of gossiping about others, her concern that the cashier may hear her son's remarks, shows that, even subconsciously, she thinks it would be a bad thing for the woman to hear him talking about her eyes. This automatic assumption that her son's fascination was because there was something unusual or wrong about this woman's appearance, subtly highlights, early in the book, the beauty standard that very much runs through the heart of the story. Ms Ice Sandwich not only makes comment on the judgements made by our society, deeming this woman as unattractive, but also makes comment on the pressure of this beauty standard. 'Ms Ice Sandwich' herself has never been able to escape the beauty standard, and Kawakami highlights how people rarely 'win' against the beauty standards in our society. There will always be something that you can change and improve, in the eyes of society. Initially, this woman is described as falling victim to a "failed plastic surgery", implying that she wanted to try and change her facial features to fit the beauty standard, and did not end up with her desired results. Kawakami's world highlights this toxic culture of societal pressures throughout her books, with the same beauty standard being focused on in both Ms Ice Sandwich and Breasts and Eggs. Additionally, we can see that even after undergoing surgery, the illusive Ms Ice Sandwich still falls victim to the beauty standard, however this time she is a much more direct target. She receives abuse from a store customer, as well as being the subject of cruel rumours among the town, frequently referring to her as a "monster". There is also a part of me that left the story with a sadness for the young generation's views towards the cashier. During school time, our anonymous child narrator overheard a conversation between girls his age, with them cruelly mocking Ms Ice Sandwich's appearance. However, this is a key indicator of the far-reaching impact of the beauty standard. Not only is it striking that young boys in this school appear to be left untouched by the beauty standard, whilst young girls are already so neck-deep in it, but these girls are specifically talking about how being unattractive will affect someone's life and chances of success. This highlights the perpetuated belief, particularly among women, that beauty is a key indicator for success and happiness. Two key quotes from this page of the book stuck out to me, namely being "there's no way she's ever going to get married [looking as she does]" and "'What would you do? ... I'd die of course.'" These girls view unattractiveness in the eyes of the beauty standard, as a state of doom. Without beauty in the eyes of society, they will not get married or have success, leaving them to a life of solitary sadness, believing at their young age that they would not be able to live like that. All of this over something as trivial as someone's appearance. The ultimate sadness from this book, for me, is therefore this cycle of destruction that we have been put on, believing that without beauty, life is not worth living. These girls have their whole lives ahead of them, and whilst this likely was high-school gossip and dramatics, the sad reality is that this mindset characters both Kawakami's world, and ours. The end of the story (spoilers!) sees Ms Ice Sandwich moving away to get married, and I take this as a positive message, particularly to those young girls. Her marriage flies in the face of the lonely existence that these girls thought someone who does not fit the impossible beauty standard will live. And the prospect of ultimate joy and acceptance is both exciting to the reader, and should come as a hopeful possibility for us all. However, this leads me to my main takeaway from the story. How do we fall into these damaging beauty standards, and are we any better than the society that damned the cashier? This woman was isolated purely for the way she looked, and in this story we see this as a horrible and cruel act from others. However, we are often falling for the same crooked beauty standards as the society in Kawakami's story. Whether we are judging others or ourselves, we perpetuate the beauty standard continually, giving it power over us. Women (and men) in the media are constantly torn apart for their appearance, and for how they fail to fit our standard of beauty. However, the most striking aspect to me, is how many of us, including myself, can play the part of both the society in Kawakami's story, as well as Ms Ice Sandwich. When we look in the mirror and pick our bodies and appearance apart, we are being both the society that Kawakami describes in her story, but also making ourselves Ms Ice Sandwich. We are actively giving the beauty standard power, whilst pulling ourselves apart in the process. In many ways, we are victims of the beauty standard perpetuated in our society, however, the beauty standard only has power because of us. When it comes to the unnamed young narrator of the story, the beauty standard does not have power yet, and so it presents us all as clean-slates in that aspect, only warped by the pressures of beauty as we get older. This could be through the media, idle gossip, those around us, and likely a combination of all of the above. As shown through the book, these beauty standards do not stop at a theoretical impact, but manifest as cruel abuse and the fear of not conforming to these standards. However, Kawakami also presents a message of potential, that we have the power to reject these toxic standards, at least somewhat, to stop the damage that they cause. ~ As always, I would love your book suggestions, so please leave any below!

Lifestyle | Travel WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2023 These are the 'best' cafés in my opinion. However, as a regular café frequenter, I would say that I am highly qualified to make that claim. Not only is the Lake District home to many walking routes and beautiful villages, but it hosts a range of the best cafes (in my humble opinion) in the country. Whilst a part of me would love to keep these hidden for myself, they deserve to be shared. - MY TOP RECOMMENDATIONS (by location) - Grasmere: Mathildes Heaton Cooper Studio, Grasmere, LA22 9SX There was no other café that could take the top spot, as Mathilde's is quite possibly one of the nicest cafes I have ever visited (high praise, I know!). Aside from the gorgeous minimalist décor, this café, connected to an art gallery, provides the perfect little place to enjoy a coffee. The outdoor seating sits you in a mini patio area that feels nicely secluded from the passing footfall and traffic. However, you still get a glimpse of the gorgeous streets of Grasmere peeking over the hedge at the front of the café. Not only is the setting, quite frankly, perfect, but the food and drink hits the spot, as no one in our group was disappointed in the selection of cakes that we ordered. Particular praise must be handed to the chocolate and orange muffins, as well as the flapjack. Although slightly pricey, much like many cafés in the Lakes, this is a must-visit-café if ever I knew one. Ambleside: Cornish Bakery Central Buildings, Ambleside LA22 9BS The pastries here are some of my favourites in the Lakes, but a new discovery of mine was that they have a table in the window at the front of the store. Whilst this one table does bring out my competitive side, we did sit at this table a number of times when we saw it was free. The pastries on offer, displayed in the store window, are endless and delicious. Additionally, they are constantly being topped up. I had popped in one afternoon, an hour or so before closing, and most of the pastries were still available, even though they always have a constant flow of customers. Apple Pie Shop Rydal Rd, Ambleside LA22 9AN Whilst this is a pretty well-known spot, it had to make the café list. Although known for their apple pie, this store offers a wide range of food options and a relaxed setting. For the first time since visiting the Lakes, we actually sat down to have the famous apple pie - and it did not disappoint (and neither did the takeaway apple pie slices that we picked up immediately after). I also highly recommend the bakery at the front of the shop, as the bread is super yummy. Hawkshead: The Little Ice Cream Shop Laburnum House, The Square, Hawkshead LA22 0NZ I remember visiting Hawkshead before this ice cream shop opened, and it is a winning addition to the area. A few years ago, before the ice cream store opened, the future owner asked us to be part of a survey, picking which ice cream toppings and cones we would go for. Little did we know that this ice cream shop would become one of the big success stories of the area. It was super exciting when we first visited for an ice cream a few years ago and the sprinkle cones that I picked in the survey were actually being sold. Aside from my belief that the ice cream should be TikTok famous, this shop takes 'one scoop' to another level. One scoop is equivalent to at least a double (if not a triple) scoop in most ice cream shops, and never disappoints. Other various locations: Chesters by the River Ambleside LA22 9NJ A true hidden gem in every sense of the word. This café is tucked away along the River Brathay, just outside of the centre of Ambleside. Chesters has many dietary options, and one of the largest cake, pastry, and food displays I have ever seen. Although in recent years they have had many revamps to their brand identity, the fundamental good food and drink has remained. They have turned to using recyclable, takeaway cups and plates, and provide the perfect location to sit and enjoy a coffee with the sound of the river rushing past. Bluebird Café 12 Lake Rd, Coniston LA21 8AN This final location is also neighbours with water. However, this water is not a river, but Lake Coniston. Coniston is the fifth largest lake in the Lake District and it provides the ideal location for a café. This café is a winner because of its location, but I also highly recommend the shortbread. You can sit with a drink and a snack, watching the boats go by, and feed the ducks afterwards. Let me know if you have visited this beautiful location, and if there are any other cafés that I should visit!

Wellness | Lifestyle WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2024 Yoga for the winter months, targeting the muscle tension that we all get from hunching over to hide from the cold temperatures. Winter brings many wonderful things, like Christmas markets, scarfs, fluffy sweaters, gingerbread lattes and puffer coats. However, it can also bring the season of waking up with tight shoulder muscles and feeling like your body has turned to cement. Fortunately, yoga brings us a few simple solutions to the tight muscles and pains that winter can bring. Problems that we get during cold seasons (and the Yoga solution): Hunched shoulders Solution: Warrior II During the colder months, we often find ourselves hunching over more. This can be a combination of wearing heavier coats, curling up more at night, and trying to curl in on ourselves to keep warm. However, this can wreak havoc with our posture and shoulder/neck muscles. Warrior II pose eases this tension by opening up your chest and shoulders, as well as strengthening the muscles to better support your neck muscles. Your neck remains upright, which leaves your body able to open-up and lengthen the muscles along your check and shoulders. Additionally, this pose focuses on balance and stability, and so helps to develop your muscles to remain lengthened and strong. Tense neck muscles Solution: Child's Pose Similarly to hunching our shoulders, in colder weather we often tense our shoulders and neck. Tense shoulder muscles can cause headaches and other pain, making them more troublesome than just a bi-product posture for us during Winter. Child's Pose is an additional pose to help overcome these tense neck and shoulder muscles and the problems that they can cause. Child's pose is a staple in all yoga routines and is often used as warm-up and cool-down exercises. With hands outstretched before you, you can really lengthen your shoulders and neck, stretching out any tight or twisted muscles. Child's Pose is known to relieve the headaches associated with tense neck muscles. Hand muscle cramping and tension Solution: Downward-Facing Dog Our hands are another part of our anatomy that we tense during the colder months, particularly if we don't wear gloves. Additionally, our skin can feel tight and dry in the winter, which can lead to feeling as though we have less movement in our hands. Of course, it is important to to moisturise and take care of your skin (check out my 'recommendations for winter skincare' in my Must Haves category), however that muscular tightness can be helped with a few simple movements. Downward-Facing Dog may seem a weird choice for a hand-tension targeting pose, however it helps to stretch the hands, without placing too much pressure on the wrists. Particularly as you elongate your arms, this pose stretches the muscles in your hands, breaking down any tension that they may be holding. This pose also works for easing shoulder tension, making it a good choice for this time of year. Tight back muscles Solution: Cat Cow Cat-Cow is a key part of your yoga armoury, as it stretches out the muscles in the back, and also opens your chest. This places Cat-Cow as close to a 'silver-bullet' yoga move as you're likely to get. This simple movement is pretty accessible for all abilities ranging from 'yoga beginners' to 'yoga experts'. Cat-Cow is a yoga staple, and targets the flexibility and tension in the neck, spine and shoulders. Your hips and back muscles will be lengthened, loosening any further tension. This pose helps to lengthen the back and spine, with the lengthening following from your tailbone all the way to your neck. Tension in the face Solution: the 'Face Lift' Our facial muscles will consistently feel tense throughout the winter, as they are always exposed to the colder elements. There is a designated practice for 'face yoga', which would require a much longer blog post to explore. However, there is a key, easy 'face yoga' move to try out in order to ease facial tension. The 'Face Lift' pose requires placing your hands on your temples, and pulling back slightly. Then form your mouth into an 'O' shape, dropping your jaw to elongate your face as much as possible. Hold the pose for five seconds, before releasing and repeating. Byrdie has a particularly good article on 'face yoga' techniques which has short videos detailing the movement.