Closeup October 2022

IS SO GOOD RIGHT NOW:

Switching Seasons

Autumn has come as a welcome treat after this year’s long, hot summer. The leaves are turning brown and our minds are turning to transitional layering, patterned knitwear and neutral palettes with bold pops of colour. Explore in-store and online at next.co.uk

Time to take flight!

Aviator jackets are a wardrobe staple that rarely go out of style, get ready to see a whole lot more of them this Autumn.

Leather Studded Flap across Body Bag

Western Cowboy

Cable Knit Scarf

Stone

Knitted V-Neck Vest £34

Osprey

Forever Comfort ® Ankle Boots £44

Ponte

Long

PU Faux Leather Midi Wrap Skirt

The young Princess Elizabeth was not born to be Queen, but became heir presumptive aged 10, when her uncle Edward VIII abdicated. With her destiny as a future monarch determined, she nevertheless found herself propelled into the role earlier than expected following the sudden death of her father George VI. The world has been transformed in the past 70 years. In that time there have been 14 UK Prime Ministers, 14 Presidents of the United States of America and man has scaled Mount Everest and flown to the moon. And amid all the shifts in power and changes to the planet, the Queen did not deviate from the course she so skilfully chartered since her accession on 6th February 1952. She dedicated her entire life to the people of the UK and Commonwealth, remaining true every day to the speech she gave on her 21st birthday, in which she declared: “My whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.” For 70 years she has, with never a word or hint of complaint, worked daily on our behalf.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II died on Thursday 8th September, aged 96. News of the Queen’s death was announced at

6.30pm. Tributes to Her Majesty flooded in quickly and were led by the PM, who described her as “the rock on which Britain was built” and “the very spirit of Britain”. Despite the rainy conditions, thousands flocked to Buckingham Palace to pay their respects. There we also huge crowds at Windsor Castle, the Berkshire residence where the Queen had spent much of the past two years. And in a brief but poignant moment, a stunning rainbow appeared above both palaces as the Union Jack was lowered to half-mast.

In this edition we look back at the Queen’s most memorable moments, distinguishable fashion and romance of a lifetime.

Enjoy this special and royal issue.

Southgate, Palmers Green, Winchmore Hill, Grange Park, Enfield, Oakwood, Hampden Square, Cockfosters,

Whetstone, Finchley,

Emily Atack

It only took four words to change the nation completely on Thursday 8th September 2022: ‘London Bridge is down.’ These words, delivered immediately upon The Queen’s death, put into motion a series of steps long decided and revised many times over the monarch’s record-breaking reign since the plan was first drawn up in the 1960s.

The first person told was The Prince of Wales and then, before long, the news spread to the Prime Minister, overseas governments, the media and, finally, a population that was plunged into grief for the only ruler that most of its

members had ever known. The ripples soon spread to the wider world, which joined in the shock at the end of an era.

Plans decades in the making swung into motion. Television stations had long prepared six days of tributes and reactions, and who will forget the dignity of the new King as he spoke to the nation and the Commonwealth before announcing plans to visit the country, treating his grieving subjects with kindness and thoughtfulness. Long lines snaked across the country as millions fled to London to pay their tributes and visit the Queen during Lying-in-State.

LONG TO REIGN over us

1936

After the abdication of her uncle, Edward VIII, her father succeeded to the throne and she became heir presumptive.

1926

At 2.40am on April 21, the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, was born by caesarean section at her maternal grandfather’s London home – 17, Bruton Street in Mayfair.

1952

Elizabeth became Queen on February 6, following the death of her father.

1940

Princess Elizabeth made her first public speech at the age of 14, to all the children of Britain and the Commonwealth.

1948

Prince Charles born on November 14.

1950

Princess Anne born on August 15.

1953

After a year of planning, the Coronation took place in Westminster Abbey on June 2.

1965

The Queen Broadcast her first Commonwealth Day message, addressing issues facing the organisation.

1960

Prince Andrew born on February 19.

1964

Prince Edward born on March 10.

1945

The Princess joined the war effort and trained as a driver in the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service.

1947

She married Lt Philip Mountbatten in Westminster Abbey on November 20.

1977

The birth of her first grandchild, Peter Phillips.

1977

The Silver Jubilee was celebrated, with street parties across the country.

He was followed by Zara Phillips (1981), Prince William (1982), Prince Harry (1984), Princess Beatrice (1988), Princess Eugenie (1990), Lady Louise Windsor (2003) and Viscount Severn (2007).

The most famous and photographed person in the world during a life that spanned almost a century, we take a look at some of the most memorable moments in HM The Queen’s personal timeline.

2022

HM Queen Elizabeth II celebrates The Platinum Jubilee, 70 years on the throne.

2021

The Duke of Edinburgh dies, aged 99.

2019

On January 31, the Queen became the longest-reigning female ruler ever, over-taking Eleanor (1122-1204), who was Queen Consort of France and England and Duchess of Aquitane for 66 years and 358 days.

2015

She became the longest-reigning British monarch, as well as the longest-reigning queen regnant and female head of state in the world on September 9.

2016

The Queen became the world’s longest currently reigning monarch on October 13, following the death of Rama IX of Thailand, and the oldest current head of state.

2012

The Diamond Jubilee came in what proved to be a resoundingly positive year for the UK, followed as it was by the London Olympics. It meant that Her Majesty was the first head of state to open two Olympic Games in two different countries – not to mention to appear as a Bond Girl.

1993

The Queen allowed the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace to be opened for the first time to the public during the summer, a practice that has continued every year since, with special exhibitions a particular draw.

2011

Prince William, second-inline to the throne, married Catherine Middleton on April 29 at Westminster Abbey, watched by a UK audience of 36.7 million.

2002

A shadow was cast over the Golden Jubilee by the deaths of The Queen’s sister, Princess Margaret (February 9), and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother (March 30).

2017

On her 70th wedding anniversary, The Queen said: “I don’t know that anyone had invented the term “platinum” for a 70th wedding anniversary. When I was born, you weren’t expected to be around that long”

2010

The birth of The Queen’s first great-grand-child, Savannah Phillips.

She was followed by Isla Phillips (2012), Prince George (2013), Mia Tindall (2014), Princess Charlotte (2015), Prince Louis and Lena Phillips (2018), Archie Mountbatten-Windsor (2019), Lucas Tindall, Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor and Sienna Mapelli Mozzi (2021).

2009

The Duke of Edinburgh became Britain’s longestserving consort.

A lasting LOVE

We’ve all been read the fairy tale: handsome prince meets beautiful girl and they fall in love at first sight, before living happily ever after. Once we grow up, we know that it’s never as simple as that and we realise how rare such a commitment can be. For The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, their story didn’t begin with a glass slipper or a wicked fairy’s curse, but their lasting devotion was, nonetheless, something worth the telling.

Moments after Queen Elizabeth II was crowned on June 2, 1953, she sat on her throne in Westminster Abbey to receive the homage of prices and peers. But the first person to pay allegiance to the monarch was the man she had married in virtually the same spot five-and-a-half-years earlier.

“I, Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, do become your liege man of life and limb, and of earthly worship,” he said solemnly. “And faith and truth I will bear unto you, to live and die, against all manner of folks. So help me God.” Then Philip rose and kissed his Lilibet on the cheek, before waiting to escort his Queen from the Abbey.

Philip was Elizabeth’s first and only love. But, from the moment she became Queen, he was also her consort and his life was dedicated to supporting her as she bore the weight of the Crown. It wasn’t all plain-sailing, though. Prince Philip was a strong, irascible character who had to give up his own dreams and

ambitions for his wife. He once praised her for having “tolerance in abundance” – and she had to learn to tolerate his infamous gaffes. One former member of the royal household described Philip as being “as constant a presence in our lives as the Queen, walking three steps behind her… just with a lot less diplomacy”.

However, in private, our longest reigning monarch and consort were a far more equal partnership. The Queen’s former private secretary, Lord Charteris, once explained: “Prince Philip is the only man in the world who treats the Queen simply as another human being.” Other royal insiders would often comment that, “Elizabeth wore the crown but Philip wore the trousers” because she always deferred to him in family matters.

Theirs was a truly remarkable royal love story. And it all began with an outbreak of mumps and measles. In July 1939, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth arrived to tour Dartmouth’s Royal Naval College with their two daughters. But as

many of its young officers were sick with the viruses, Princess Elizabeth, 13, and her sister Princess Margaret, 8, waited in the safety of the Captain’s house as their parents were shown around. There to entertain them was the mumps and measles-free Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, who had recently turned 18. It was the first time Lilibet had met her third cousin and she was instantly smitten by the tall, blond and strikingly handsome cadet officer.

After the war, Philip became a regular visitor to Buckingham Palace. In the summer of 1946, Philip proposed at Balmoral. Their engagement was officially announced on 9 July 1947 and Philip presented his brideto-be with a diamond and platinum ring he had designed. The wedding took place at Westminster Abbey four months later, on 20 November. It was a moment of colour amid the austerity of post-war Britain. Elizabeth was radiant with love as she walked down the aisle towards Philip, appearing to be calm and personified as 2,000 guests watched her walk down the aisle on her father’s arm.

Their first child HRH Prince Charles Philip Arthur George, was born on 14 November 1948, just six days before their first wedding anniversary. But a year later, Philip was posted to Malta with the Royal Navy. Elizabeth decided to join her husband, leaving Charles behind in the care of his grandparents and nurses. Despite her sadness at being separated from her son, the two years they spent there were a special time for the princess, who relished the carefree, anonymous life she discovered there.

There was more joy when their daughter, Princess Anne, arrived in 1950. But the years of normality were to be cut short. In January 1952, the Queen and Prince Philip set off on a tour of the Commonwealth in place of King George VI, who was in poor health. A month later they were in Kenya, enjoying a well-earned safari break at the famous Treetops Hotel. But on the morning of 6 February 1952 George VI was found dead in bed by his valet.

When the news reached Kenya, the Queen was writing a letter to her father, telling him of the wonderful sights she

had seen and hoping he would be able to see them for himself soon. It was a seismic moment in their lives. Forced to quit his job in the Royal Navy, Prince Philip had to take a step back, into his young wife’s shadow. But he had promised her father he would always care for her and vowed to become her “eyes and ears”. Yet she knew how he struggled to forge his own role in the House of Windsor and how he hated not being able to give their children his name. So, in 1960, following the birth of their third child, Prince Andrew, the Queen announced a compromise –declaring that her descendants would carry the name of MountbattenWindsor, except those with the style of Royal Highness and the title of Prince or Princess.

Speaking at a lunch to celebrate her golden wedding at Banqueting House in November 1997, she made clear some of the depth of her feeling about the Duke: “He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater

than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know.” Toasting his wife, the Duke’s affectionate tribute was: “I think the main lesson that we have learnt is that tolerance is the one essential ingredient of any happy marriage. It may not be quite so important when things are going well, but it is absolutely vital when the going gets difficult. You can take it from me that The Queen has the quality of tolerance in abundance.”

When Philip retired from public life in 2017, at the age of 96, he spent most of his time at Sandringham. The Queen was glad he was finally getting a chance to put his feet up but she clearly missed his daily presence. As the Prince’s health began to fade, it gave the couple precious time to reflect and reminisce on their 80-year love story.

Indeed, one of the final photos of the couple together shows them sitting side by side on a sofa admiring an anniversary card from their grandchildren. At the end, Her Majesty the Queen and her liege man of life and limb were just Lilibet and Philip again.

OPULENT BUT REGA L

Hailed by Vogue in 2007 as one of the most glamorous women in the world, Elizabeth II stood out from the crowd for all the right reasons. Let’s take a peek inside her wardrobe…

Throughout the 1950s, Norman Hartnell and fellow British dressmaker Hardy Amies provided the Queen with a wardrobe carefully calculated to underline her unique status, a look that was opulent, but regal. Both men designed glittering, lavishly embroidered evening gowns in sumptuous fabrics. Including her wedding and Coronation dresses.

THE HANDBAG

Her Majesty preferred Launer bags and owned more than 200 – her preferred styles were the Royale and the black-patent Traviata. She also used her handbag to signal to her ladies in waiting. If she wanted to leave an event within five minutes, she would place it on the table. To wrap up a dull conversation, she either placed the bag on the floor or switched it from one arm to another, prompting staff to rescue her. What was in the bag? A mirror, Clarins lipstick, reading glasses, a mint lozenge, a fountain pen, a crisp £5 note for church collections and a portable hook to hang the bag from a table. It was also believed to hold good-luck charms given to her by her children, including miniature dogs, horses and saddles, as well as family photographs.

THE SHOES

Although The Queen was only 5ft 3in, she didn’t compensate by wearing high heels, sticking to a practical heel height of 2in or lower. Anello and Davide handmade her shoes for decades. The company’s David Hyatt said: ‘We supply one or two pairs a year and occasionally renew the tops and re-heel them. The Queen doesn’t waste money.’ For extra comfort, each of her black-patent ‘work shoes’ contained an extra insole and a member of the Buckingham Palace staff would wear the shoes in for Her Majesty to ensure they didn’t rub.

ACCESSORIES

The Queen’s preferred length of glove was 6in – from 1947, her pairs were provided by Cornelia James. Her Majesty had an extensive collection of Hermès silk squares and Fulton made her a clear umbrella with a trim to match every outfit. Handkerchiefs were plain white with a royal motif for daytime events, but a tartan one came out in the country.

THE HATS

Never wide-brimmed so as not to obscure The Queen’s face, they were also not too tall, which would make getting out of a car difficult. The back should not have an impact on the collar. If a hat was a key part of the outfit, a scarf to match was created in case the hat got wet or was damaged.

MAKE-UP

The Queen was always seen with a neutral shade of nail polish – in fact, she wore Essie’s Ballet Slippers. The British brand was launched in 1981 and she became a devoted fan a year later. Clarins and Floris held Royal Warrants for skincare, make-up and fragrance, although she also favoured Elizabeth Arden lipsticks.

THE CLOTHES

The Queen favoured slim, three-quarterlength sleeves to ensure they didn’t trail in soup. She never took off her coat in public and the hems of her dresses fell beneath the knee and were weighted.

Designers had to choose fabrics that would not crease if Her Majesty had to travel by car or sit for extended periods – they also had to fall appropriately as she stepped from a vehicle. For evening dresses, heavy beading could be uncomfortable and too much fabric was cumbersome – splits and pleats were built in to make it easier to tackle stairs gracefully.

DRESSING THE QUEEN

For big occasions, up to 12 people staffed her wardrobe department, including Angela Kelly, a personal assistant, plus three dressmakers, a milliner and four dressers. Designers gave names to The Queen’s outfits and dressers kept handwritten wardrobe diaries; for example, if Her Majesty wore red on a visit to the south of England, that colour would be avoided for several months, even if the designs were totally different. On the day of an event, a team of three designers prepared the outfit, as well as a choice of accompanying brooches, shoes, gloves and headscarves.

Mink

Embroidered

Cream

Cue the CARGO

It’s time to ditch the mom jeans and opt for the baggy cargo pants that have got us all in a chokehold instead. Cargo pants are the key comeback piece you need to hop on to create the perfect cool girl aesthetic and remixing a more formal look.

Straight

Trousers

£29.99

Satin

Tan

Khaki

Getty

Michelle

PARISIAN Chic

RETRO

Put it in NEUTRAL After DARK

From everyday comfort, to elevated autumn babe – try pairing your favourite knit dress with a chunky boot for a levelled up OOTD.

A structured blazer and sky-high heels are the epitome of ready-to-wear runway. Check out these statement must-haves.

Camel Felt Fedora Hat Oliver Bonas £39.50

Bamboo Hoop Earrings Seol + Gold £28.95

Coach Tabby Pillow Leather Crossbody

£395

Collared

Sterling Silver Shooting Star Adjustable Ring Jewellery Box £10.05

Ash Circle Stud Earrings Bryony Bel £32

Ultimate Muse Blazer Odd Muse £145

Bianca

Cream Chunky

TU £30

O u r T r e a t m e n t s

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AUTUMN HEALTH HACKS

morning tea and time in the garden, or local park, at lunchtime. However, even if you maximise sunlight, it can still be hard to keep Vitamin D levels at their optimal level. And this nutrient is vital to our immunity, especially when it is at its weakest. It is recommended by many experts, including the NHS, that people boost with a supplement containing a high dose of Vitamin D.

LEVEL-UP DAILY TWEAKS TO HELP GET YOUR LEVELS IN LINE

SWITCH TO SAVOURY

Your breakfast completely dictates your glucose levels for the rest of the day and heavily impacts hunger, mood and cravings. By helping to avoid a glucose spike, savoury breakfasts leave you less likely to feel mid-morning cravings and give you far steadier energy throughout the day.

EAT THE RAINBOW

Autumn is a traditional harvest season, with bountiful produce available, packed full of goodness. It’s a great time to boost your nutrient levels the natural way, by eating lots of seasonal fruits and veggies. If you have freezer space, or talents in preserving food, you can prepare supplies for upcoming months. For autumn food, imagine painting a warming autumnal scene. Carrots, pumpkin, squash and sweetcorn for the orange and yellow hues. Beetroot, plums and blackberries to add a bold purple note. Cabbage, kale, apples and watercress for rich green hues. Various spices are also well suited to colder climate cooking and are rich in nutrients. Cinnamon with autumn fruits, cumin and chilli with roasted or mashed root vegetables, garlic and ginger with winter greens.

CHERISH THE LIGHT

Shorter days make it even more important to plan time outside and capture as much daylight as possible, especially right now before the darker months. Being outside can also provide vital exercise and fresh air, so plan a walk around the block before your

FITNESS FANATIC

BOOST YOUR RESERVES

To fare well in winter, it makes sense to optimise your health in autumn, so that you can start the cold season in the best possible shape. This means a robust level of immunity, strong musculoskeletal system and a healthy gut. These vital systems are much helped by thoughtful food choices, meaning a nutrient-rich diet. In boosting immunity, nutrients such as Vitamins C & D are well known to help. But lesser-known ones, such as Vitamins A, E, Copper, Selenium and Zinc, also have strong evidence linking them to immune system support. A healthy diet, of colourful veggies and low sugar fruits, is a great source of these nutrients. But for some people, a high-quality, high-strength supplement can also help. In autumn time, it pays to think like a squirrel: stock up now, for tougher times ahead.

GET PLENTY OF SLEEP

It isnt only food that can impact blood sugar levels. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation can increase stress hormones, which will cause an increase in insulin levels and, over time, insulin  resistance. Try to get at least six hours per night, but ideally eight or nine.

Whether you're looking for the best at-home workouts or like to exercise on the go, workout apps can provide an excellent fitness solution that is convenient and affordable.

PELOTON

Whatever your health goals, Peloton has plenty to offer for everyone. A library containing thousands of live and pre-recorded classes is frequently updated with new content, which is spread across 10 workout types ranging from cardio, to strength, to meditation.

Monthly membership: £12.99/month

FIIT

There’s no getting bored of this app thanks to its bright, colourful design and enormous selection of exercise classes. If you’ve got longer term health goals in mind, one of the app’s many progressive programmes can help you boost your fitness, flexibility and strength over a series of weeks.

Monthly membership: £20

MAKE A MEAL OF IT

If you fancy something sweet, eat it as a dessert after lunch or dinner, rather than as a snack or on an empty stomach. The fibre, proteins and fats will help you process the glucose more efficiently; plus, by eating fewer meals throughout the course of the day you can reduce how much insulin your body is producing and increase the amount of time your body has to rest and repair from digestion.

LES MILLS+

Les Mills+ is the latest offering from one of the original pioneers of group fitness. As you’d expect, it’s crammed full of fitness content including the brand’s signature Bodypump, Bodycombat and Bodyattack classes. There are also yoga, meditation and barre sessions available, as well as exercise options for children and a choice of programmes to follow for longer-term health goals.

Monthly membership: £12.99

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Leading global fashion powerhouse Oh Polly is thrilled to be launching their debut collection with 2022 Love Island Winner Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu.

The gorgeous ‘Ekin-Su x Oh Polly’ range boasts 16 pieces available in 5 colourways and has been carefully curated to match Ekin-Su’s glamorous style. As a huge fan of Oh Polly prior to winning season eight of Love Island, Ekin-Su was celebrated for her confidence and stylish looks, choosing to wear Oh Polly over 30 times in the villa. A firm favourite with her fellow islanders and the British public alike, Ekin-Su will be working alongside the trend driven Oh Polly team to incorporate her personal style into an array of exciting projects and collections this year and beyond.

Speaking about the partnership, Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu says: “I am so excited to be teaming up with Oh Polly. They are a brand I have been a huge fan of for years and which I wore countless times within the Love Island villa. It’s a real pinch me moment and we’ve already been working extremely hard on projects which I can’t wait to reveal. I am over the moon to be working alongside Oh Polly and am beyond excited to see the public wearing my collections – watch this space!”

Oh Polly are one of the most engaged social retail brands within the industry and are one of the only companies designing and producing garments in house. Loved by celebrities, influencers, the press and public alike, their mission is to continue to pave the way with trend-led occasion wear, whilst providing their customers with something ‘a little bit extra’ when searching for the perfect outfit. Since leaving the villa, Ekin-Su’s signing with Oh Polly was rumoured to be one of the biggest in the show’s history and has already seen her travel across the Atlantic to LA and New York.

“I still can’t believe I’m at New York Fashion Week with a brand I’ve worn and loved for years, and with my King by my side. I wake up every day and wonder is this a dream!? It’s been such a pleasure working with Oh Polly who saw my vision and allowed me to create a collection which was true to my personal style –I literally can’t pick a favourite dress as I love them all so much.”

The Ekin-Su x Oh Polly collection has taken inspiration from her Turkish heritage, resulting in the use of an all-new fabric within the designs. The collection consists of a range of stunning dresses and co-ords with hero items including the ‘Yildiz’ Lace Up Mini Dress, ‘Hiranur’ Asymmetrical Corset Dress, and the ‘Emel’ O’Ring Corset Crop and ‘Yara’ Split Mini Skirt. Items are available in sizes UK 4-18. This is just the start of the Ekin-Su x Oh Polly partnership with several other exciting announcements soon to be made.

Oh Polly comments: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be teaming up with Ekin-Su and look forward to bringing her vision to life over the coming months. The Oh Polly x Ekin-Su partnership will without a doubt be our biggest yet. Known for turning heads and going after exactly what she wants, Ekin-Su showcased her love for Oh Polly, Bo+Tee and Neena Swim throughout this year’s Love Island, so we immediately knew it was the perfect match. Her confident and outgoing personality, paired with her undeniable eye for style, aligns seamlessly with the Oh Polly brand and we’re so proud to have her on board.”

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A E S T H E T I C S P R A C T I O N E R

THE LONELY DATER

AND THE SESS PIT OF DOOM

As she sat on her sofa, under a blanket watching a horror movie, her phone vibrates. She looks at the notification and her eyes widen. “He messaged” she gasped in disbelief.

4 days after their last communication and his name appears on her phone. She shrieks with glee. “I knew he’d be back.” She waits for an hour before responding, she wants to look a little unavailable.

She opens the message excitedly. It’s a dick pic with the caption “WYS?” She immediately blocks him and gets the Ben & Jerry’s out of the freezer.

Welcome to the lair of the monsters hiding on our dating apps. It’s a spooky month, so there’s no better time to share horror stories of the ickiest, scariest, and vilest creatures on the planet. I huddled with some of the ‘Lonely Dater’ tribe to come up with just a few.

THE FLASHER

Ah yes, let’s start with the criminally underrated feral monsters on the apps. They are out there in their droves, inducing an apocalyptic takeover of the world. These guys will charm their way into your WhatsApp messages, where you’ll find an onslaught of ungodly dick pics. Whoever told a man that a penis is a beautiful thing, lied. A flaccid willy with matted pubic hair taken from the underneath angle has never flattered anyone, not to mention from a guy whose surname you don’t even know yet. I run in the opposite direction. Unfortunately, the apocalypse is happening and there’s too many of them. I’m defeated.

THE TROLL

I once matched with a guy on Hinge – the apparent “normal dating app”. He seemed ok in the first two messages, showering me with all the normal compliments until he asked what I do.

I explained that I travel a lot for work and it takes me all over the world. Apparently, because of my choice to go to university, get a degree in my field and build a career, I am a sell out and (in the poetic words of Jaime Winstone) I give shiners for a fiver to the business class and I’ve forgotten my common roots.

THE INTERVIEWER

I once matched with a guy who my friend swore blind was also on Grinder. It may have been a case of stolen identity so I decided to just go with it. The chat was very formal and interview-like.

He began the exchange of messages with how much he earned, how established he was and how many properties he had, then he ended with how tall and physically fit he was… just short of telling me how well endowed he was (or wasn’t, I’m assuming, as he wasn’t raving about the size of his knob). He then asked me, in the most gracious way *cue sarcasm* what I bring to the table. He got the wrong girl that day. He was surprised to hear I indeed earned more than him, I also had an investment portfolio and I’m not Quasimodo.

He seemed impressed (or emasculated) until he asked me if I shop in Primark. I don’t, not because I’m a snob, but because I don’t fancy getting into fisticuffs with someone over the last basic white tee when I go shopping. I apparently crossed the line here and he blocked me. I can’t say I was sad.

People. Are. Weird.

THE “CEO”

No, not a real CEO. I’m talking about those CEO’s who have “graduated from the school of hard knocks” or “entrepreneur crypto trader” in their bios.

So, they’re tricky because you can’t knock a man if he owns his own business. What you can knock is a guy who tells you he owns his company which actually means he sells drugs and lives in a squat house or he owns the dairy aisle in Tesco’s. They borrow their friend’s car, they say they’ll take you to lavish places but never get round to it, there’s pictures on his socials of him on someone else’s table in the club and he takes pictures in the Landmark when in reality he’s in a Travel Lodge. This isn’t about money, it’s about deceit.

The icing on the cake for me was when he referred to himself as an “alpha male” as he beat his chest in his friend’s car. I wanted to throw up in my mouth. The ick was too strong with this one.

THE ONE WITH THE ISSUES.

We met on Bumble a while ago. If pictures could tell you a thousand words, it was that this guy should be my future baby daddy. He was handsome, tall, had a great job at a Premier League football club and we vibed so well.

We had a pre-date call. He spoke quite erratically. I decided not to be such a cow, maybe it was just the nerves. We decided on a restaurant in Stoke Newington and he would book it. He then proceeds to ask me if I’m partial to a bit of nose candy. Pal, this isn’t the time or the place. I ignore the red flags and it comes to date night.

He picks me up in the football team coach bus, (luckily, I didn’t let him pick me up from my house) I was dressed for dinner, he was dressed for pints. He told me he did not book the restaurant so we’re off to the pub. (It was probably the scummiest pub in Stokey).

Oh, I forgot to mention, once I saw him in the light, I realised his profile picture is 10 years old. This is not the same man. I want to leave immediately. We sit down and he addressed the catfish profile picture; It’s been a hard few years with his mum passing and him becoming severely depressed and now on medication.

He pops off to the gents more frequently than I like, he comes back with a touch of the nose itch. So, you’re on medication, gear and booze; You’re really a walking red flag. GET ME OUT OF HERE. He’s gone for his 6th toilet break and I’ve texted my friends an SOS. They call and tell me they’re locked out so I need to get home to open the door. He seems perturbed by this but we get up and go.

He has the audacity to text ‘he didn’t think it would work’. That’s ok my friend, I understand, let’s end this on your terms. Adieu. Weirdo. What a rollercoaster of emotions!

THE CONSPIRACY THEORIST

My friend recently received a friend request on Instagram. She added him. Boredom mainly. He was a “rapper”. *Induce eye roll* Any who, he proceeded to like every single photo on her insta dating back to 2017 as well as her highlights. Keen. He messaged her and she felt obliged to say thank you at the very least.

Next thing we know, he’s Instagram video calling her. She had nothing better to do so she picked up. They spoke for a little while. He was a conspiracy theorist who thought Queen Lizzy (God rest her soul) was a lizard person. She told him she wasn’t looking to date… code for, I don’t like you so don’t bother. The next morning, she woke to good morning texts and ick flirting. She just ignored him.

It comes to 3pm and he messages again with “thanks for checking how my day went”. Behave your self Harry from the Block, it’s not that kind of vibe. He then proceeds to ask for her plans in the evening, she’s got dinner planned with a male friend. He. Lost. His. Shit. Apparently “no lady of his should be eating dinner with another man and she should have more respect for herself, and for him.” That was a straight ignore. Nothing for two days. Then call, after call, after call, into the wee hours of the morning.

Safe to say she blocked him immediately. She probably saved herself from a serious psycho in this instance! Be vigilant and be safe out there! The ghouls lurk in every corner.

Big Mouth xx

WISHlist

Close Up’s monthly guide to what you should be wishing for…

FACE IT

The Viola Abstract Face Vase is a fabulous accent piece for displaying florals yet also a wonderful decorative piece by itself. Featuring abstract, linework depictions of faces adding a modern touch to your home.

Viola Abstract Face Vase, £50 www.sweetpeaandwillow.com

TOASTIE TOOTSIE’S

Give your feet a snuggly treat with these Faux-Fur Cross Slider Slippers featuring a chunky cross over strap and suede patches to stop your toes sliding out.

Faux-Fur Cross Slider Slippers, £39 www.thewhitecompany.com

SHAKE IT UP

Combining quality with style, this classic mill form features an elegant and lightweight design. It’s hardened ceramic grinder is resistant to corrosion for grinding salt and is fully adjustable.

Le Creuset Classic Salt Mill, £36 www.johnlewis.com

COFFEE CLUB

As summer comes to an end, a trusty coffee cup will become a staple in everyday life. This minimalistic black re-usable coffee cup is perfect for daily errands. Its durable and double walled feature will keep your drink hot for up to 12 hours!

Chilly’s Coffee Cup Black, £30 www.daisypark.co.uk

SWEET & SPICE

Think juicy plum and pomegranate meets background notes of florals, musk and spice. Light this in any space at home to experience the sweet yet earthy aromas.

FYG Black Pomegranate Candle, £25 www.oceanandbee.co.uk

MILKY MAGIC

Its frosty-hued texture becomes a water-like gel upon contact with the skin. Enriched with camellia water, this lotion envelops the face in a wave of freshness. It’s perfectly gliding formular is absorbed almost instantly.

N°1 De CHANEL Red Camellia Revitalizing Essence Lotion, £77 www.chanel.com

TRÈS CHIC

Elevate your OOTD with this Parisian inspired handbag. Its bold, chic, refined and the perfect accessory to add some sass and style to you’re A/W wardrobe.

Brasserie Hennes, £19.99 www.hm.com

FASHION ICON

This pocket-sized and beautifully illustrated book celebrates the life and legacy of one of history’s most influential couturiers in fashion – Coco Chanel. Place it on your coffee table for an abundance of aesthetic charm.

Little Book Of Chanel, £13 www.asos.com

TOPSY TURVY

This small irregular-shaped mirror with a black frame features three anchor points for horizontal and vertical placement. Its quirky and innovative design will complement any modern or contemporary space.

Small Irregular Shaped Mirror, £79.99 www.zara.com

Statement Pearl Bow Earrings Orelia £36

Sacora FauxPearl Embellished Satin Sandals Jimmy Choo £1395

Pearl Ridge Wine Goblets

Set Of 4 Not Just Jugs £24.70

Set of 4 Bella Perle Glass Dessert Plates with Beaded Edge Amazon £17.99

The world is your OYSTER

Pearls are set to be the breakout wedding star of 2023. If the idea of a full on pearl dress feels like a lot for you, there are lots of subtle ways to include the gem – from wedding earrings to the perfect pair of designer wedding shoes.

Rosalie Comb Sarah Vuong £65

Baroque Triomphe Earrings in Gold Brass and Cultured Pearls Celine £550

Nano Mayfair Aspinal of London £195

Amrose Pearl Embellished Knot Headband Oliver Bonas £26

Christie Nicole ‘The Eileen Gown’

Elizabeth’s Cake Emporium

WITH THIS

Dress Your Eyes IN TWEED

Nearly a century ago, Gabrielle Chanel disrupted women’s wardrobes with her first tweed creations. She valued the fabric for its flexible texture and irregular patterns, which give it a natural appearance, as well as for the casual elegance it imparts. For the House of CHANEL, tweed is a source of infinite possibility and offers exceptional creative freedom. It is translated in a variety of forms, colours, and styles.

The CHANEL Makeup Creation Studio drew inspiration from this emblematic fabric for its 2022 EYE

effortless to

COLLECTION. The essence of tweed has once again been reinterpreted, now taking the form of limitededition LES 4 OMBRES eyeshadows. First created in 1982, this eye quad has become a CHANEL makeup staple.

For this new collection, four exclusive creations were designed with a tweed pattern embossed on the surface of each shade. The four-colour harmonies capture the creative worth of the fabric. Just as different fibres are intertwined to form tweed, the shades can be blended, and their intensity varied, to achieve chic and bold makeup results. The eyeshadows are as effortless to apply as a tweed garment is to wear.

For this special occasion, the compacts are paired with tweed pouches crafted by Maison Lesage, which is part of the CHANEL Métiers d’art since 2002. Each of the four harmonies features a unique colour palette and suits all skin tones. These versatile eyeshadows work in synergy to create a wide range of looks, from simple and natural to sophisticated.

TWEED FAUVE £67

TWEED CUIVRÉ £67

TWEED POURPRE £67

TWEED BRUN ET ROSE £67

Harper and May jewellery is based in Devon focusing on simple everyday pieces made using quality metals, sterling silver and 14 carat Gold Filled to ensure each piece is long lasting. All personalised pieces are hand stamped to your specifications.

Your jewellery, your jewellery story.

Plush FINISH

Prep, set and go with these trusty products that will give your skin the hydration fix and preparation it needs before your big day.

GLOWDEO

Drive

Watch your skin twinkle under the lights with these beautiful products that will inject your complexion with the most perfect combination of colour and glow.

EYE Do Romantic PINK

Less is more when it comes to eye-makeup on your big day. The No-Lash-Lash addition encourages a subtle eyelash lift, yet still appearing glamourous and flirty.

Perfect your pout with a satin finish lipstick. A mixture between lipgloss and lipstick is the best way to ensure longevity and high pigment.

I G N I T E , W A I T , I L L U M I N A T E.

Candlemeleon is an exclusive thermochromatic (heat reactive print) scented candle range made from soy wax. It’s also vegan friendly and cruelty free.

Set the ambiance and bring to life any room with a Candlemeleon. All prints have been curated and designed with an empthatic nod to design, fashion, outdoors and interiors. A range that allows you to claim your space and design your own mood. An exciting fragranced collection of home must haves all scented with recognisable eau de parfum and eau de toilette notes.

Everywhere we are, we experience patterns. We see shapes. We feel textures. When the time is right, we choose to create our own spaces, design our own moods and experience our own comfort. Candles give a sense of warmth, security and hygge. But what they don’t do—until now—is allow you to enjoy your favourite sensory prints.

Even if your space is a clean, minimalist zen aesthetic, when the lights go down and the self-crackling woodwick is lit Candlemeleon allows you to relax into a sensory experience that can embody whatever you desire, from the wonderful world of architecture, to your favourite woodland setting inside, to even the swinging Miami beach vibes of the Art Deco era.

Endless possibilities allow us to help you have endless good times all in the comfort of your chosen space.

The perfect gift for the holiday season. Find us at selected stores across London or on our website below:

www.candlemeleon.com candlemeleon

SheaGlow skincare began with the sole purpose of creating a range that was wholly natural and could restore our skin to its healthiest condition - products which are organic, affordable, yet still luxurious.

SheaGlow has ensured that all the ingredients have been carefully chosen and blended so there is something for every unique skin type.

Proven results of smoother skin, a more even skin tone and helping with skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

sheaglow.uk

www.sheaglowskincare.com

Villainous

VEGAS

Halloween in Las Vegas should be on any horror-lovers bucket list. This city goes all out to celebrate the holiday and there are plenty of big plans in the works this year. And it just wouldn't be Vegas without the chance to win some money. All over the Las Vegas Strip, clubs and casinos hold costume contests doling out more money than you could stuff into a little plastic jack-o-lantern. Featuring plenty of Vegas hotels dripping with spooky ambiance for the occasion, haunted attractions and plenty of thrills, you’re sure to find a treat. Take a look at a few of the many Halloween attractions and events that Sin City has to offer in this years spooky season.

Halloween Las Vegas Club Crawl

Celebrate an unforgettable Halloween in Las Vegas with a 4-hour club crawl of Sin City’s craziest, wildest and most glamorous clubs and bars with a local guide. Kick off the night in true Sin City style with unlimited drinks in a luxurious limo, and enjoy drink specials throughout the night. Ensure a worry free evening with skip-the-line, VIP access, and no cover charges. Visit a series of venues that’s always cutting-edge and exciting while partying with a fun group of travellers and locals in the entertainment capital of the world.

www.allevents.in

Sin City Halloween Ball

Three of the most formidable Halloween events in Las Vegas converge at Palms Casino Resort to create an incomparable Halloween weekend experience. This exciting party features fire breathers, go-go dancers, lasers, and aerial performers. City Ball will feature some of the world’s most renowned musical artists, including Grammy-winning producer Dave Aude, Billboard Top 25 artist Ron Reeser, Lolo Mayhew, and FFHB residents Scooter & LaVelle, rounding out the collection of world-class artists.

www.sincityhalloweenball.com

AMYSTIKA

From the macabre mind of Criss Angel and the director of Cirque du Soleil's "O" comes the creepy, mystical, and autobiographical story of Amystika. This production follows the life of Criss Angel from a child to the master magician we know today. “A theatrical phenomenon,” melds the most incredible visual effects and the world’s greatest artists: the jaw-dropping burning man, an unbelievable contortionist, and revolutionary magic and illusion performances. This show has plenty of fantastic variety acts, spooky imagery, and skilful prestidigitation, making it perfect for Halloween.

www.ticketmaster.com

BLACKOUT - Dining in The Dark!

BLACKOUT takes the usual night out to the next level by serving up their delicious fare in a completely pitch-black dining room. Phones, flashlights or light of any sort aren't allowed. But that's what allows your other senses to take the lead and really explore and indulge in your seven-course prix-fixe meal. You'll taste, smell, hear, and feel food an entirely unique way, and since the servers come equipped with night vision goggles, you won't have to worry about each dish making it to your table safely.

www.dineblackout.com

Personalised Engagement Velvet Cushion Sunday’s Daughter £35

Prosecco Rose

Wedding Gift Sparkling Direct £32

Large Floral Wedding Scrapbook Paperchase £18

Photo Booth Props Ginger Ray £4.99

Autumn Flavours Macaron Box Emma Dodi Cakes £30

Raise a GLASS

Enjoy a night to remember with these super fun-loving wedding gifts and favours to spruce up your big day, putting a smile on everyone’s face.

Personalised Champagne Glass M&S £10

Wooden Guest Stacking Heart Ginger Ray £25.99

Cocktail Set ProCook £29

We Are One Neon Wall Light Lights4Fun £49.99

What can viewers expect from the new series?

There are new faces, new impressions and new observations. We’ve got some celebrities popping up which is really fun. I think this series is stronger than ever and I’m so proud of it. It just feels like it’s growing and growing. I look back to series one and it’s growing with me. This time it’s looking at similar topics to series one and two but it’s very much looking at those topics as a woman in her thirties. The earlier series were about approaching your thirties and what that was like and now I’m in my thirties, it’s how that feels. It’s definitely more fun, stronger, and ruder than ever.

Do you still get nervous when you do the stand up?

I really do. It’s not as nerve wracking as the live tours because it’s TV and if you make a mistake you can go back and correct it. What’s so funny is when I’m on tour I sometimes forget, I make a mistake and go back and say the line again! I’m like, ‘Oh no, I can’t do that!’

One of the topics in this series is Rules To Live by, do you have any that you can share?

I’m a very live and let live person. I think if you are a good person and you are kind and do your best in life, I don’t mean in your career necessarily, but just doing your best at being a good person. I truly believe if you are a good person you can go to bed at night knowing that you are doing the best in life. There are no right or wrong ways to do things, like meeting a partner, settling down, having children. There’s no order to anything. I think society can sometimes make us believe there are those things.

I try to show people to celebrate your flaws. I like to think that I’m open and honest about my flaws and I do everything I can to show people that it’s ok not to be perfect. We live in a world now where everyone is striving for perfection and everyone compares lives, especially in this industry, everyone is constantly looking behind them. I believe you should just focus on what you’re doing, be a good person, be nice and you’ll have a nicer day.

Your comedy is so relatable for both women and men. Have you found that men who come along to your shows give an invaluable insight to women? When I’m on tour my main target audience is couples who come and watch it together. It’s often a bloke who’s either bought tickets for his girlfriend for a birthday or his girlfriend has dragged him along. They come a bit reluctantly but they

always end up enjoying it and I think that’s why. I think the women get out of it what they want, in that they can relate and go, ‘that’s so me’, but the men love it because they go, ‘that is so what she’s like!’ There definitely is something for the boys in my shows and I really try to do that. I love for men to come along and be surprised by how much they enjoy it.

Will we get to see more impressions? Who will feature in the new series?

There are definitely new ones, we’ve got the GC and Holly Willoughby coming back. The new ones are Adele, Billie Ellish, Olivia Colman and Lady Gaga. It’s going to be interesting because I’ve never done these ones before unless it’s at home

with my mates. It’s not about sounding exactly like them, I just love performing and I love picking up on little mannerisms of women I admire. Who doesn’t want to dress up as Lady Gaga? It’s just fun and tongue in cheek, I hope people enjoy it. I’ll just keep doing it for as long as people love the entertainment of it.

Watch The Emily Atack Show on ITV2

The actress, writer and TV personality will return for a third series of her own show - which is set to see her perform her relatable stand-up comedy and mischievous sketches and skits about life as a young woman. Each show topic will allow Emily to not only have real fun with her comedy but also explore her own life experiences and showcase her loveable, unfiltered self.

Hand Poured, Scented Soy Candles

Whether you’re going for a full ‘Haunted Mansion’ look or prefer a few simple seasonal touches, we’ve found a little something for everyone to help you get in the spirit of things this Halloween. (See what we did there?)

FOR THE THRILL OF IT

Whether you’re after a slice of Nordic noir, a psychological suspense chiller, or an addictive story of espionage, we have collected a selection of some of the most spine-tingling and popular thrillers that will have you gripped.

A Flicker in the Dark

By Stacey Willingham

Inside the pages:

Chloe Davis’ father is a serial killer. He was convicted and jailed when she was twelve, but the bodies of the girls were never found, seemingly lost in the surrounding Louisiana swamps. The case became notorious and Chloe’s family was destroyed. His crimes stalk her like a shadow. Now Chloe has rebuilt her life. She’s a respected psychologist in Baton Rouge and has a loving fiancé. But she just can’t shake a tick-tick-tick of paranoia that, at any moment, it might all come crashing down.

A Slow Fire Burning

By Paula Hawkins

Inside the pages:

The author of the bestselling phenomenon

The Girl on the Train returns with another white-knuckle thriller awash with unbearable suspense and jaw-dropping misdirection, as three women are brought into conflict through a brutal murder.

When a young man is found gruesomely murdered in a London houseboat, it triggers questions about three women who knew him.

Laura is the troubled one-night-stand last seen in the victim’s home. Carla is his grief-stricken aunt, already mourning the recent death of yet another family member. And Miriam is the nosy neighbour clearly keeping secrets from the police.

First Born

By Will Dean Verity

By Colleen Hoover

Inside the pages:

Molly lives a quiet, contained life in London. Naturally risk averse, she gains comfort from security and structure. Her identical twin Katie is her exact opposite: gregarious and spontaneous. They used to be inseparable, until Katie moved to New York a year ago. Molly still speaks to her daily without fail. But when Molly learns that Katie has died suddenly in New York, she is thrown into unfamiliar territory. Katie is part of her DNA. As terrifying as it is, she must go there and find out what happened. As she tracks her twin’s last movements, cracks begin to emerge. Nothing is what it seems.

Inside the pages:

Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish. But when Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, she uncovers an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity’s recollection of what really happened the day her daughter died.

Stay Awake

By Megan Goldin

Inside the pages:

A murder she doesn’t remember committing. Or a killer she doesn’t remember meeting?

Liv Reese wakes up in the back of a taxi with no idea where she is or how she got there. When she’s dropped off at the door of her brownstone, a stranger answers—a stranger who now lives in her apartment and forces her out in the cold. She reaches for her phone to call for help, only to discover it’s missing, and in its place is a bloodstained knife. That’s when she sees that her hands are covered in black pen, scribbled messages like graffiti on her skin repeating the same two words: STAY AWAKE.

SEASONAL CHANGES

Seasons occur because Earth is tilted on its axis relative to the orbital plane. Seasons represent the change in climates and will often bring visible and noticeable change. Seasons will differ in relation to the northern and southern hemisphere, and so whilst we enter into our colder months, the southern will begin to experience their hotter months and longer days.

Although the autumn/winter months are not traditionally the most popular periods, they are inevitable and so is time to welcome and embrace the changes they bring along.

It is undeniable that the changes autumn brings are the most visibly evident. For a teacher or educator, this is an exciting time, as it opens up many avenues of teaching and learning!

It is a fascinating period – especially for young children as they experience a whole new world including; shorter days, leaves beginning to change colour and fall to the ground, plants/trees begin to grow different types of fruits and nuts and new festivals being celebrated!

I would like to encourage parents and carers to venture outdoors more often than usual and experience the beauty in change.

I have put together a model bingo template which can be adapted to suit your plans and age groups. The idea is that you complete these activities on the weekends for the months of autumn and then recreate one for the winter. You will be amazed at how much enjoyment the children will feel and the progression of vocabulary they will acquire along the way.

I hope these ideas inspire you to complete or create your own seasonal bingo board.

I would like to end with an uplifting phrase which reminds us of how beautiful seasonal changes can be depending on how you look at them.

‘Winter is an etching, spring a water colour, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all’

Follow my Instagram for more ideas and fun education activities for younger children.

SEASONAL BINGO BOARD

collect as many leaves as you can and compare thecolours

Natural art: use the leaves you collect to create different art pieces

Nature hunt: see if you can spot a squirrel, a bare tree, an orange andbrown leaf, a pine cone, a conker, an acorn...

Den making:can you create a den in a local park using twigs, branchesand leaves which have fallen off the trees

Baking: can you make toffee apples and an apple crumble. Don’tforget to use a recipe and measure

Story writing:write a story based in the season of your choice but don’tforget to describe the setting using adjectives e.g., thecolourful trees

Acrostic poem:write a poem where certain letters of each line spellsout a word, name, or phrase when read vertically e.g.AUTUMN

Leaf/fruit printing:collect some leaves and when they are dry, paint them indifferent colours and print them.

@the_magic_of_eyfs (Early Years Foundation Stage)

By Anna Pericleous Teacher and Leader of Early Years and Primary Education

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Highly scented candles, diffusers, wax melts and pillar candles. All of our products are vegan and cruelty free. Hand made in Richmond upon Thames.

“Hi, I’m Trina, owner and maker at Lelowa Candles. Lelowa Candles was formed just over a year ago. I started making candles as a way to support my well being and mental health. I found it to be so rewarding and I loved being creative. After Covid, when things started to return to the new normal, I decided that the 9-5 office life wasn't for me anymore. Lelowa Candles is now my full-time job and passion.”

Motherhood #NoFilter

Katerina talks all things motherhood, family life, relationships, work, and trying to do it all at once, with of course, #NoFilter @keepingupwithkaterina @keepingupwithmyclassroom

Happy October everyone!

I absolutely love autumn, it’s my all time favourite season! The colours, the outfits, Halloween, the fireworks, the cold nights, the TV shows, the lead up to Christmas - literally everything about it brings a little warmth inside.

I’m always so busy and pack myself up with things to do this month, that I thought I’d dedicate my October column with my must haves, must visits and must buys. I hope you all enjoy, if you decide to visit/buy any of my recommendations, please tag me on Instagram, I’d love to see what you all get up to!

What to read

As October is Black History month, I had to include these lovely books from “Little People, Big Dreams”. There are a collection of these, Rico has so many and we keep adding because they really are special little books. For black history month, I would suggest grabbing yourself a copy of Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela as these are a few of Rico’s (& my classroom’s) favs!

Available in all book stores, Tesco stores and Amazon

What to watch

The Salem sisters are back!! And I for one have been waiting for this for what seems like my whole life!

Hocus Pocus is my all time favourite film and I can’t believe that the sequel is out. If there is ONE thing you need to watch this October, it absolutely has to be this.

Exclusively on Disney +

Where to go

It’s been our family Halloween tradition since having Rico to visit a pumpkin patch each year. We get to have some fun, pick a perfect pumpkin to carve and, of course, take some very cute and memorable pictures. I can’t recommend Cammas Hall enough, it’s so lovely, well decorated, it has lots of pumpkins and the staff are dressed up and good fun! Last year we booked an evening slot and it was even spookier and even more magical. Rico was 4 at the time and I would say that he was just ready for the night experience, any younger I would recommend a day visit. You can book your tickets online via their website, but don’t delay because they run out very quickly!

What to wear

I’m more of a cosy jumper, boots and jeans kind of girl and prefer that attire over skimpy summer clothes any day, so I absolutely love shopping for new clothes this time of year. My go to shop has to be Zara, but I also love shopping around on ASOS, in Primark, Berksha, and Pretty Little Thing! Also, make sure you pop in and have a snoop in Tesco’s F&F range, I’ve been so pleasantly surprised with their bits as well as being great quality!

Wishing you all a wonderful, cosy and happy October!

Until next time lovelies

Serves

Method

2 packs rump steak

100g unsalted butter

8 slices M&S Collection crafted signature sourdough

1 jar M&S easy onions

100g M&S deli mustard

1 bag watercress

Heat a splash of oil in a pan over a medium-high heat. Add the steaks and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side. Once cooked, remove and set aside.

Melt the butter in the pan, then add the bread and fry on both sides until slightly crisp. Remove the bread, then add the easy onions to warm through.

To assemble, spread the deli mustard over both slices of bread, then top with the onions. Slice the steaks and arrange on one piece of bread, followed by the watercress, then close the sandwich. Cut the sandwich in half to serve.

Sourdough

Gooey Cheese TOASTIES

Serves 4

Ingredients

100g M&S 2-year-old Cornish Cruncher cheddar, grated • 100g M&S Cornish Cove cheddar, grated • 1 loaf San Francisco sourdough, sliced • 50g salted butter • 8 heaped tsp spiced apple and pear chutney • Coleslaw or bag of fresh watercress, to serve

Method

Mix the grated Cornish Cruncher cheddar with the grated Cornish Cove cheddar.

Cut 8 slices of bread from the middle of the loaf and organise into 4 sandwiches.

Butter each slice of bread on 1 side. Flip over 4 slices and spread 2 heaped tsp of chutney on to each.

Generously top the chutney with the cheese mix then close the sandwiches, making sure the butter is on the outside.

In a large frying pan, toast the sandwiches until the buttered exteriors crisp up and turn golden. Turn the sandwiches over and cook on the other side until golden and the cheese has melted. If you don’t have a pan big enough to fit all the sandwiches at once, cook in batches and place on a baking tray once cooked. Serve the toasties with coleslaw or watercress and a dollop of extra chutney.

Cauliflower MAC AND CHEESE

4

Ingredients

1 cauliflower • 40g butter • 1 leek, washed, halves and sliced into

1cm pieces

600ml

M&S Select Farms milk

• 200g Cornish Cove cheddar cheese, grated

• 300g macaroni

1 pack (25g) chives

Method

Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/ gas mark 6.

Remove the leaves from the cauliflower, discarding any broken or older ones, and slice the younger, softer leaves and set aside. Break the cauliflower into florets.

Add the cauliflower florets to a large roasting tin, drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, season with salt and place into the oven to roast for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through.

Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the leaks along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for 6-8 minutes until the leeks begin to soften.

Add the flour to the leeks and stir well. Cook for a further minute then gradually whisk in the milk a little at a time over a medium heat. Add 150g of the grated cheddar and stir through the sauce, then set aside and keep warm.

Cook the macaroni in lightly salted boiling water for 8 minutes, drain and set aside.

Mix together the macaroni, roasted cauliflower, reserved cauliflower leaves and cheese sauce, and tip back into the roasting tin. Sprinkle over the remaining 50g of cheddar cheese and bake in the oven for 20 minutes.

Wash the chives and finely slice, sprinkle over the macaroni cheese and serve.

WHAT’S ON

The seemingly endless scroll of Netflix’s treasure trove of terrific shows and movies can be more than a little paralyzing when trying to choose something to watch. If you’ve just finished a good series and need a new one to fill the void, Close Up is assembling a monthly list of the best TV shows currently available on the streaming service, from classics of yesteryear to the hottest new titles. Below, we’ve rounded up the best shows on Netflix right now, so you can binge-watch without having to hunt for the right title.

THE MIDNIGHT CLUB SEASONS: 1

At a hospice for terminally ill young adults, eight patients come together every night at midnight to tell each other sinister stories — and make a pact that the next of them to die will give the group a sign from the beyond. Based on the 1994 novel of the same name as well as other works by Christopher Pike.

CONVERSATIONS WITH A KILLER: THE JEFFREY DAHMER TAPES SEASONS: 1

When Milwaukee police entered the apartment of 31-year-old Jeffrey Dahmer in 1991, they uncovered the grisly museum of a serial killer: a freezer full of human heads, skulls, bones and other remains. The discovery shocked the nation and stunned the local community, who were incensed that such a depraved killer had been allowed to operate within their city for so long.

SUE PERKINS: PERFECTLY LEGAL SEASONS: 1

Comedian Sue Perkins has been a mostly-good-girl most of her life – she’s stuck to the rules, stuck to the script, worked hard, kept it sensible. And now, well, she’s bored. On a journey that will take her from Mexico to Colombia to Brazil to Bolivia – from the darkest corners of the world’s biggest city to wild expanses of perfect isolation.

NETFLIX

UNSOLVED MYSTERIES SEASONS: 3

The iconic and gripping series returns with a three-week event featuring more unexplained deaths, baffling disappearances, and bizarre paranormal activity.

Unsolved Mysteries Vol 3 is from the creators of the original docuseries, Cosgrove/Meurer Productions, and 21 Laps Entertainment, the producers of Stranger Things.

FROM SCRATCH SEASONS: 1

Inspired by the memoir, From Scratch is a cross-cultural love story that follows Amahle “Amy” Wheeler an American student studying abroad in Italy, as she meets and falls in love with Lino, a Sicilian chef. Their whirlwind romance faces many unforeseen challenges, including their very different cultural backgrounds. But when Lino is faced with unimaginable health challenges and the couple’s future is threatened.

MANIFEST SEASONS: 4

Two years after the brutal murder of Grace turned their lives upside down, the Stone family is in shambles. As the Death Date draws closer and the passengers grow desperate for a path to survival, a mysterious passenger arrives with a package for Cal that changes everything they know about Flight 828 and will prove to be the key to unlocking the secret of the Callings in this compelling and deeply emotional journey.

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