From an artistic craft perfect for revamping lifeless household items to a popular summer activity, we’ve rounded up 10 recommendations for you to test out
1, Page-turners
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
Avery, Bonnie, and Lucky are three sisters living completely separate lives, but they all have one thing in common: they are all reeling from the same pain of losing their fourth sister, Nicky. Reunited to stop the sale of their childhood home, will it bring them closer together and tighten their bond?
2. Out and about
Go to an outdoor cinema screening
And… action! Get your popcorn at the ready because Adventure Cinema is back with their open-air cinema screenings in the UK, from now until September. Choose from musical sing-a-longs to film classics, sit under the stars in the company of your friends and other movie-goers, and press play on the perfect movie night.
(Visit adventurecinema.co.uk to get your tickets)
3. Act of kindness
Shop for birthday presents from a charity
Is there a pal’s birthday coming up soon? Head on over to an online charity shop, and spread kindness in more ways than one. RSPB’s online shop has gifts – from beautiful homeware to fashionable ethical clothing. Meanwhile, Mind has a great range of wellbeing-inspired gifts, such as puzzles and paper craft kits.
4. Lend us your ears
‘How Do You Cope?’ BBC Radio 5 Live
The mental and physical hurdles that we face in life might be individual to us, but this four-season podcast is proof that we are united in our strength to navigate them. Feel inspired by familiar guests talking about how they traverse these hurdles themselves, such as George Ezra talking about how he copes with anxiety and OCD.
(Listen to previous episodes here)
5. Plugged-In
A Daily Cloud
Did you ever look up at the clouds as a child and imagine them as objects or animals? Thankfully, there’s a doodle artist who perfectly captures this nostalgic pastime. Chris Judge’s feed is filled with ordinary clouds turned whimsical by drawing them into what his imagination sees.
(Follow @adailycloud on Instagram)
6. Lesson Learned
Learn how to decoupage
Similar to collaging, decoupaging is also about cutting out words or images that resonate with you, but the difference is that you are using them to decorate objects instead of arranging them on paper. It’s an enjoyable way of revamping your lifeless household items, and turning them into beautiful pieces of contemporary art.
(Discover how to do this at hobbycraft.co.uk)
7. Tech tip-offs
Poesie: The Daily Poetry App
They call themselves ‘a book club for poetry lovers’, and for good reason! Poesie is a wonderful place for you to come together with like-minded poetry readers. Discover new poems, chat about all things poetry-related, and share recordings or comments on the poems you love.
(Download here)
8. Get going
Play tag
“Tag, you’re it!” is something you may have heard a lot in the school playground, but there’s no rules to say you that you can’t continue to play it past a certain age. Despite it being a free-spirited game that gets you outdoors and connects you with your inner-child, it actually counts as cardiovascular exercise.
9. Square eyes
The Penguin Lessons
The Penguin Lessons is a film about a man travelling in Uruguay who strikes up an unlikely friendship with a penguin after rescuing it from an oil leak, which then won’t leave his side. It’s a beautiful film that captures the resonance of human-animal connection. And, the best part? It’s based on a true story!
(Available to watch on Prime Video or Apple TV+)
10. Treat yourself
Nettle & Tea Tree Soap and Lavender Soothie Shea Butter Soap
Go au natural with these botanical soap bars chosen from Bloom In Soap’s beautiful collection, featuring some of nature’s finest ingredients: nettles and tea tree oil, and lavender. Don’t forget to plant your labels as well, to grow wildflowers!
(bloominsoap.co.uk, prices vary. Selection worth £13)
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