What are you doing every day to make yourself feel better? There's a global coronavirus pandemic, the world seems terrifying and many of us are missing our loved ones. Whether it's your hour walk a day, some yoga over social media or a candle and a coffee, we're all doing our best to get through these weeks of isolation. So, in case you're in search of some inspiration, here the Grazia team share their 'little lifts' that are helping them through the day.
Joely Walker, Beauty and Health Director
Wearing a fragrance every day. I started a week ago and it’s honestly made a real difference. Even if I’m wearing PJs/leggings waist down (which I am, at all times), it makes me feel put together. There’s actually a lot of science behind it too – with our sense of smell being so interlinked with memories and emotion. Wearing my usual ‘work’ scent, gets me into gear. Le Labo Another 13, Glossier You, Creed Silver Mountain Water are my go to work ones.
Laura Jordan, Fashion News & Features Director
Some of mine: coffee (endlessly), I put my makeup on every day (inc fragrance) – and my jewellery and watch, Ven cashmere hoodie, my blanket collection, my Tekla robe, Birkenstocks, Byredo room spray and candles.
Maria O’Connor, Chief Sub Editor
Spring blossom is giving me a lift (twee, perhaps, but very true!)
Ben Neale, Senior Designer
A Moka pot for coffee is the BEST. Team it with a milk frotherfor an actual PROPER coffee shop coffee without having a big machine. I’ve also just ordered some Monmouth coffee as it is THE BEST and I miss it. I'm listening to music all day while working, so my ear pods are crucial - I'm listening to these playlists. I'm enjoying looking at my Himalayan Salt Lamp and making homemade flapjacks too.
Emma Stoddart, Senior Beauty Assistant
I'm all about my Original Nespresso Coffee Machine – I thought this was a slightly excessive purchase from my boyfriend at the time, but turns out my daily Linizio Lungo (the orange pod) is what gets me out of bed in the morning. It tastes so damn good, perks up my morning mood significantly and is a great Pret alternative.
My Nudesse Overose Candleis my new flame. This grammable powder pink candle fills my flat with the scent of fresh florals and damp earth – it’s how I imagine a rose garden would smell after a downpour of rain. And seeming as I’m nowhere near a rose garden, or a garden, this will have to make do! Oh and it will improve your #shelfie by 20452%.
I am obsessed with this lightweight, antioxidant-rich skincare oil, Sunday Riley CEO oil. It’s a blessing for dull, lacklustre skin in need of some glow. Every morning I enjoy a mini massage, really working the oil into the skin until it’s fully absorbed.
Lillian Sesiguzel, Digital Assistant
The virtual classes at FLY gym are really getting me through at the moment. When the cabin fever hits hard, the FLY instructors create a great atmosphere and sense of community, despite the separation of the screen. Milly's classes are my favourite, and always slap a huge smile across my face! At only £6 per class, join in on Zoom with yoga, pilates and barre classes, as well as FLY's signature HIIT classes, FIRE and HELL FIRE – for those that dare. And, just so you cover all bases, there's FORCE and FIRM UP classes too. You'll feel incredible after, trust me.
Annie Vischer, Beauty Editor
I've built an evening ritual around using a drop or two of Aromatherapy Associates Lavender & Peppermint Oil, £48, on my pulse points, and a healthy dose of Aeosop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm, £21, on my soap-weathered palms.
I’m a Yorkshire girl at heart so tea is a bit of a ‘thing’ for me. One of the plus-points of being at home is that I get to swerve the lacklustre teabags of the office, and treat myself to the more expensive worthy-of-a-teapot kind. You can always rely on Betty’s - if you know, you know. Betty’s English Breakfast are £3.50 for 50 Teabags.
Finally, I’ve decided there’s no better time than the present to dive into all those things I would ordinarily reserve ‘for best’ or guests. The overly expensive hand soap and lotion duo are out, the fluffiest towels, those cashmere socks that I couldn’t bear to get bobbly. I’m set to be the fanciest guest in this house for the foreseeable, so if not now, when?
Guy Pewsey, Celebrity Director
The arrival ofDisney +has been my saving grace. I may be a 32-year-old man, but having this dose of pure nostalgia to hand has been a complete salve. In the day, I have my back-to-back conference calls and phone interviews, battle to hit my deadlines and resist eating a whole pack of biscuits before lunch. But when I eventually clock off, I’ve been able to properly unwind by rewinding to a simpler time, and putting on films likeHercules, Beauty & The Beast and Mulan– all classics from my childhood – has been restorative. It may seem juvenile, but I find it calming and distracting. Tonight’s screening: The Rescuers Down Under. It is sure to transport me back to a time where my biggest concern was whether or not it was ok to fancy a cartoon mouse. A question I have never truly found the answer to.
Anna Dewhurst, Deputy Picture Director
For me, applying a light face of makeup and washing my hair makes me feel much better and able to take on all these conference calls.
Bonnie McLaren, Grazia Online Digital Writer
Applying my Huda Beauty Mercury Retrograde eyeshadow palette in lockdown every Friday for our virtual girls night is literally the only thing I look forward to. (Almost as much as the vodka).
Jess Barrett, Contributing Editor
I bought La Montana’s First Light candle just before lockdown and lighting it each evening has been a simple but huge burst of pleasure for me. I use it to signify that the work day is over and that it’s time to relax. It’s designed to smell like dawn during summer and smells like fennel, bergamot, rosemary and rock rose.
We also decided that now would be the best time to invest in a proper coffee machine (having bid RIP to our Nespresso machine, we also wanted to get one which didn’t use capsules). We chose this Sage number which came highly recommended. If we aren’t buying coffees out every day, we might as well be able to make a decent one at home.
Phoebe Parke, Social Media Editor
Bubble bathshave become my reset button and can happen at any time of the day, as and when they are needed. They have replaced... going for a walk, grabbing coffee, chatting with a colleague. The bath can't just be for practical reasons, you have to have a hot beverage, the radio, a candle, a face mask and all the bubbles you can fit in.
My sister sent me a coffee machine as a belated birthday present and of course I cried (after I've wiped the packaging down with Dettol wipes) also bought a metal milk jugto go with it from John Lewis using an old voucher
I'm constantly burning candles, so that's not really an new 'lift' and have always had many many plants, but have moved all the plants near my desk so I can see them easily.
My video call and voice notes have doubled since the lockdown started - I live alone so those are a lift for me!
Rhiannon Evans, Features and Special Projects Director
We've spent most of our morning features Teams calls debating how often you should wash your hair. Come on, admit it, you've not been doing it either. But this Monday I had an extra hot shower, sat and properly blow-dried my hair (like with a brush and everything) and put in a load of Moroccanoil- I felt so much better and the lovely smell kept wafting at me all day. It's embarrassing how much better it made me feel tbh.
I've been really lucky and got my hands on a proof copy of Louise O'Neill's next book, After The Silence (out in September) and every time I sit down with it, it feels like a real treat, like I've decided to stay at home and be cosy, rather than it being state-mandated by a terrifying pandemic. I'd preorder now, and read her other novels if you've not yet.
Grazia's Best Cookbooks
1 of 20The Modern Cook’s Year, Anna Jones
Rosamund DeanFor people… who are trying to eat more ethically.This beautiful book of absolutely scrumptious vegetarian recipes is organised by the seasons, with categories such as 'start of the year' and 'first warm days', making it easy to eat seasonally all year round.
2 of 20Eat Green, Melissa Hemsley
Emma StoddartFor people... looking to make healthier meal options that still taste delicious. The 'flexitarian' recipes are mainly vegetarian but do encompass some fish and meat options, too. I was surprised to learn how much you can do with the humble lentil – and at £1.80 a packet, these recipes are great if you're on a budget.
3 of 20Leon Happy One-Pot Cooking Book, By Rebecca Seal and John Vincent
Emma StoddartFor people... missing their desk lunchIf you don't want to spend hours slaving away in the kitchen but fancy a freshly cooked meal – this recipe book is for you. Every dish is easy to make, requires few ingredients, one pot, and most importantly, doesn't take up your entire evening. My absolute favourite is 'make a hash of this' with eggs, chorizo and potato – it's a great breakfast, lunch or dinner dish.
4 of 20Darina Allen’s Ballymaloe Cookery Course by Darina Allen
Lynn EnrightFor people... who want to get good at the basics.Want to make a roux? Or a pavlova? Or custard? Or looking to use up a particular fish or meat or vegetable? This is a brilliant resource for every kitchen, jam-packed with useful recipes and clear instructions. Indispensable.
5 of 20Dishoom by Kavi Thakrar, Naved Nasir, and Shamil Thakrar
Lynn EnrightFor people... who are missing Dishoom.No one is going to Dishoom for a while – and that's a hard blow to all of us who adore Dishoom. Luckily, this cookbook fills the gap. Admittedly, to get Dishoom-standard food, you have to put in the hours as the recipes are intricate and time-consuming, but you might yourself with the time over the next few months.
6 of 20The Everlasting Meal: Cooking With Economy and Grace by Tamar Adler
Lynn EnrightFor people... looking to reduce waste.This cookbook has no pictures and features quotes from Seneca and Chekhov. It's wordy and maybe also a little worthy – but I love it. It feels especially right for now, with an emphasis on avoiding waste and cooking from leftovers or with items often thrown away (the bones, the skin, the peel).
7 of 20The Family Meal: Home Cooking with Ferran Adrià
Anna DewhurstFor people... looking for fool-proof cooking.I mostly love this book because of its back-to-basics 70s style photography, but what this book does brilliantly is simple food, cooked well. It has step-by-step photos and a super-helpful timeline for all of the three-course meals – so there is little room for error. In fact, just looking at it now has got me very inspired for tonight's dinner (Farfalle with pesto, since you ask).
8 of 20Sardine, by Alex Jackson
Anna SilvermanFor people… who want to feel like they're on that cancelled holiday in Southern France.A mixture of simple mid-week and showstopper dinner party meals using the kind of Mediterranean ingredients that make you feel like you'll live to 102. It's also divided into seasons, which feels especially helpful during corona-times - when we might find it harder to order exotic, out-of-season foods.
9 of 20Leon Fast Vegetarian, Jane Baxter & Henry Dimbleby
Joely WalkerFor people… who want veggie, fuss-free, easy-to-follow recipes with bloomin' delicious results.To be honest, I'd buy the book for Baxter's Brunch (page 39) alone (gruyere and Marmite sourdough with poached eggs – bliss), but it really is ideal for people who want speedy solutions with flavours that pack a punch.
10 of 20The Vegetarian Kitchen, Prue Leith & Peta Leith
Joely WalkerFor people... looking to cut down on meat.Proving veggie food goes well beyond your average onion and goats cheese tart, this new cookbook gives smart spins on classic dishes without trying to make things too fancy schmancy. Homecooked and delicious, but out there enough to impress dinner party guests.
11 of 20The Hemingway Cookbook, by Craig Boreth
Jasmine Langcaster-JamesFor people... who are fans of literature.It's a bit of a niche one - a collection of recipes taken from all the food/meal references in Hemingway's novels and short stories. It not only contains beautiful recipes of delicious and wholesome food but accompanies them with passages from Hemingway's fiction and some interesting biographical/geographical info. As Hemingway did a lot of camping in his time the cookbook actually has a good few tips for making the best of what you have in terms of ingredients so I personally think it would make a great read and inspiration to anyone in self-isolation with limited ingredients!
12 of 20Forever Summer, Nigella Lawson
Rhiannon EvansFor people… who want to practice for the dinner parties to come.Pick any of the Nigella books tbh (and she also does great recipes on her Instagram every day) but I'm going for Forever Summer, because why not imagine you're about to pop off on a foodie trip if you're going to walk around the kitchen pretending you're as sassy and sultry as the Food Queen herself?
13 of 20Ottolenghi, Simple
Rhiannon EvansFor people… with time on their hands and want to make instagrammable foodThe title of this book belies some classically complicated Ottolenghi dishes, so it's good if you've finally got some time of your hands (and you can get a delivery slot for all those spices). Definitely produces recipes for the grid.
14 of 20The Naturalista, Xochi Balfour
Melissa HenryFor people... who know you are what you eat!I personally love this book as Xochi has the perfect mix of recipes that will suit both meat eaters (me) and non-meat eaters. Also doubles up as great cookbook for babies (see banana pancakes). She provides short paragraphs for each recipe, explaining the benefits, alternative ingredients to use (Banoffee Pie may not be suitable for breakfast but a Banoffee Chia pot definitely is), along with stories of how she was inspired. Along with this she's included a beauty section raising awareness of whether we actually know what we put in our bodies and provides natural alternatives to mainstream brands, such as how to make your own deodorant (still haven't braved this one yet), body scrub and hair rinse (I swear by this). Could not need this more than ever in my life now!
15 of 20East, by Meera Sodha
Natalie HammondFor people... who want to be whisked away on a taste holiday.There are so many delicious recipes in East, but the Chilli Tofu is my absolute favourite. It's an Indo-Chinese dish, often made with paneer instead of tofu, that mixes Indian spices (cumin seeds) with Chinese sauces (soy) to utterly glorious effect.
16 of 20Canteen, Great British Food
Rebecca HolmanFor people... who want proper old-school comfort food.From the banging chicken pie to the macaroni cheese that's the subject of far too many of my 3pm daydreams, this book is full of straightforward, delicious crowdpleasers.
17 of 20Brasserie Zédel: Traditions and recipes from a Grand Brasserie
Rebecca HolmanFor People...who want an evocative restaurant review with their recipesCome for the 40 iconic Brasserie Zedel recipes, including Soupe à l oignon, Moules marinières, Boeuf bourgignon, Profiteroles and Tarte au citron, stay for the late AA Gill's evocative history of the iconic French brasserie.
18 of 20Amaretto, Apple Cake and Artichokes: The Best of Anna Del Conte
Rebecca HolmanFor people... who are obsessed with amazing Italian foodSo that's everyone, right? Anna Del Conte is the undisputed queen of Italian cooking, spanning far beyond the standard pasta dishes we all know and love. A must read.
19 of 20Ekstedt: The Nordic Art of Analogue Cooking
Rhiannon EvansRenowned for his back-to-basics approach of cooking over fire, largely in the depths of Swedish forests and at his Michelin-starred restaurant Ekstedt in Stockholm, Niklas is a pioneer of outdoor cooking using traditional techniques including open fire grilling and foraging.
20 of 20Midnight Chicken, by Ella Risbridger
Rhiannon EvansOne night, Ella found herself lying on her kitchen floor, wondering if she would ever get up – and it was the thought of a chicken, of roasting it, and of eating it, that got her to her feet and made her want to be alive.Midnight Chicken is an honest and funny book about how cooking can save your life. It is the story of Ella's life in a Tiny Flat, and the food she cooked there, sharing stories and recipes that are about people, about love and about the things that matter every day. This is a cookbook-of-stories to make you fall in love with the world again.