A Wonderful World

  'I'm about to show you my boobs', said Lizzie. Before proceeding to display her cute crochet creations. Who doesn't love a good boob? Especially when it's a crochet one. Even more so when purchasing one helps to raise money for charity.  In the current climate, lockdown has left many of us with some time to delve into trying new things, time to experiment and freedom to explore creativity, perhaps even set up a new business. 'Lou's Boobs' is a small business set up during lockdown by the young woman Lizzie Back. Purchased via Instagram, handmade crochet boob key rings for just £7 including postage, and with every purchase 10% goes to Cancer Research UK. With a range of colours, the boob can be accustomed to fit your fancy and as a key ring,  attach to whatever you wish. Along with the boob key ring comes the backing card, on which reads a range of quotes from 'The world has gone tits up' to 'It's a bit nippy'. Amusing as well as bea...

'A little Greek restaurant, a lot of love to give.' 'Tsiakkos & Charcoal' is a Greek Restaurant situated in the heart Maida Vale. With a small exterior and curtains hanging at the front, it's like a secret to those outside what's actually behind. It's a family run restaurant that's been around for forty years and has established quite a name for itself. With it's fresh, beautiful food and caring, passionate staff, it's a stand out location. With traditional, authentic, Greek Cypriot food cooked to perfection and an intimate, cosy atmosphere, it's one to get to know if you don't know and to hold onto if you do. All the food is homemade and cooked at the front of the restaurant as you enter, and chargrilled dishes are cooked on live charcoals, dishes that have been passed through generations. It's a place of celebration, joy and warmth, a buzzing atmosphere of love and sharing conversations and connections as well as food. As it...

                                                   'Taking a minute to reflect on how you're getting on, can help you cope when getting through.' Amidst the news, current affairs and global pandemic, despite being stuck in our homes it can often feel we're stuck on a hamster wheel. Whether that's physically or not, it can certainly have an effect on us mentally. With a lot of unknown regarding when lockdown will end and specifics surrounding definite deadlines, vaccinations and transmission rates, our minds may be finding it difficult to switch off. Whilst it's helpful to take a minute to stay updated, it's just as important to take a minute for yourself. Just you. No kids, no news, no work, no social media or external distraction. Allowing yourself to just be with you and you thoughts to really tune into how you're feeling. With an inability to meet up with ...

                                                Amidst our third lockdown, television can provide a necessary comfort and distraction from the ongoing pandemic. Since Coronavirus initially hit and we entered our first lockdown, television viewing has increased. Of course, when caring for both our physical and mental health during lockdown it's important to consider how much time we're spending in front of our screens to avoid too much of a sedentary lifestyle and unnecessary health detriments, but dedicating some of our day to such a pastime isn't wholly a negative thing when it has also shown positive benefits. Spending a little time watching the newest series or our favourite classics can help us through this challenging time, a support tool in relaxing us, reassuring us during what can be an isolating and overwhelming time, and distracting us for a while from the ne...

'Music streaming services rocket over the course of the Coronavirus Pandemic.' Music has been a lifeline for many during the midst of lockdown, a source of continuing a sense of community, togetherness and release throughout such challenging times. Services including Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon have grown in popularity, a space used to create Playlists that are often being titled 'Quarantunes', a home for songs that have helped individuals cope during quarantine. It's not new information that there is power in music. Scientists have found that music can directly influence the way we feel through having an impact on our brain which in turn, releases certain hormones. Listening to music has been found to increase Dopamine levels, (known as the 'happy hormone'), as well as Serotonin which influences our mood and feeling good, and Oxytocin, often referred to as the 'love hormone'. It's even used as a form of therapy as it can help kick-start the ...

   Along with the challenges of Lockdown, there could perhaps be the time to explore ones interests and new beginnings, support small businesses, experiment, and step outside our comfort zones. Lockdown has brought its fair share of hurdles, we're all facing our own difficulties whether it be income, working from home, looking after children, loneliness, anxiety, boredom or simply feeling both frustrated and exhausted by the situation. But a silver lining of some time with ourselves or families is that we're able to experiment with new things, engage with activities to look after our mental and physical well-being. It could be a walk, getting some fresh air and appreciating nature. Perhaps you joined in on the viral banana bread making. Having a relaxing bath, watching a new series, trying out some yoga, starting to learn a language, reading a book or completing a puzzle. Of course, this is a demanding time for all of us, our emotions and state of mind will change and go throu...

'Starting a new calendar or diary with so little routine and plans to fill it with.'                                         2021 has begun and we're all hopeful that this year will be better than the last, as the vaccine is distributed and Tier 4 guidelines are followed, we're all holding on for cases of Coronavirus to fall and allow restrictions to eventually reduce, resulting in reunions with families and friends and having our freedom restored. For many January is a difficult month anyway, let alone with a global pandemic continuing to influence our choices and daily lives. It's usually a month of challenges regarding starting up work after the celebrations and time off over Christmas, cold, dark and getting ourselves back into routine, perhaps with new goals and new year resolutions. So despite the difficulties that usually come with January and the post holiday blues, there is ...

              Perhaps we should reframe the phrase 'New Year, New Me'. Every year as we get closer to New Years Eve on the 31st of December, considering our 'New Year's Resolutions' becomes a common tradition, thinking about what we would like the New Year to bring us, or perhaps certain behaviours or habits we would like to alter or work on. Personally, I have always found a certain pressure comes with this outlook, and instead of being something to question optimistically, it can often become stressful and slightly anxiety inducing as our minds can focus on what we may view as negatives regarding ourselves and set certain goals for the New Year to change ourselves as if we are magic or superhuman, setting our standards too high. Sometimes, with this mentality comes the term 'New Year, New Me', the idea that we are going to become someone new as one year ends and another starts, someone better or perhaps closer to the 'ideal, perfect human'. However...

So far my 'Love In Lockdown' series has been made up of others stories and experiences, selfless acts carried out by other people to help support those in need. This week I'm sharing my own story. After researching, learning about so many charities and hearing the inspiring stories of others and how they're offering support, I wanted to get involved and help those in need in any way I can. Even more so after learning that there are so many simple ways to offer support, every little goes a long way, and due to Covid19 this is a particularly challenging time for everyone.  Today, the 13th of December, I took part in a 10K walk to raise money for the charity 'Shelter'. Shelter is a charity that helps to combat homelessness with advice, support and legal services. For every £1 you donate, 79p is spent directly on helping people through advice, campaigning and support, and 21p is spent on fundraising. If you are concerned about someone you have seen sleeping rough, y...

'LOVE IN LOCKDOWN SERIES: GIVING AND SELFLESS ACTS THROUGHOUT LOCKDOWN'  ' VITAL MEALS IS A NEW NON-PROFIT VENTURE SET UP IN RESPONSE TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC' Ayesha Pakravan-Ovey, 26 and from London, began as the owner of 'The Plattery', a catering service set up in 2019 in London, offering platters and food boxes made by professional chefs with a fresh take on grazing tables, coming together with homemade and exciting food. As the catering company was hit by Covid19, Ayesha decided to continue to support her community and tackle food poverty. In Lockdown, Ayesha launched 'Vital Meals', and their ' Parcel to Plate ' service, collecting food parcels from doors and delivering fresh, home cooked meals in return. She came up with the idea to help the vulnerable during this challenging time, cooking meals in her own home before moving to a bigger kitchen, and delivering them. All to ensure those who need support still have access to nutritious ...