When I wrote my first list of forgotten girly films back in April, my notes app was completely flooded with over 30 films that either felt forgotten about or completely under-appreciated.

And after watching my way through a few of the titles for myself this month, it felt only right to start a sequel with everything that didn’t make the first cut, plus a few more. I loved hearing everyone’s reviews in the comments and jotting down all your recommendations, so here are 11 more lighthearted, cool-girl films to add to your watchlist.

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Raising Helen (2004)

I recently watched Raising Helen for the first time, and the combination of Kate Hudson’s rom-com charm and Gary Marshall’s direction left me wondering why I hadn’t heard of it sooner. The premise follows a carefree modelling agent (Hudson) who, after years of being the ‘cool aunt’, is unexpectedly thrust into the role of legal guardian to her sister’s three children. Think, Uptown Girls meets How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.

Party Girl (1995)

Mary is a fast-talking, Lorelai Gilmore-coded 23 year-old with an impressive collection of funky tights and an affinity for parties. However, when she gets busted for throwing an illegal rave, Mary’s godmother finds her a job at the library to help her pay the bills and hopefully find more stability in her life. In short, this indie film is the perfect reminder that you don’t need to have it all figured out to be the coolest girl in the room.

Muriel’s Wedding (1994)

Before Mamma Mia, there was Muriel’s Wedding, an awkward ‘90s throwback that has you cringing and vibing with ABBA hits simultaneously. The plot follows Muriel (Toni Collette), a social outcast who believes marriage is the answer to all her problems, until she reconciles with high school friend Rhonda (Rachel Griffiths).

Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1985)

If you love Dirty Dancing or the ‘80s in general, this cheesy dance movie hits the spot. It follows Janey (Sarah Jessica Parker), a talented gymnast and the daughter of a strict army colonel, who enters a dance competition in the hopes of landing a role on her favourite TV show.

That said, these Letterboxd reviews give a far better summary than I ever could:

Fools Rush In (1997)

This film essentially follows Chandler Bing in an alternate universe, where he marries a woman (Salma Hayek) whose family values and cultural background couldn’t be more different from his own. Soundtracked by a mixture of Elvis and Latin music, it’s also a comforting story about fate, family and the importance of compromise.

John Tucker Must Die (2006)

The cast for this film is so peak 2000s (Ashanti, Sophia Bush, Arielle Kebbel) that it's hard to focus on anything other than which teen drama you recognise them from. Once you get past the spotting game, the plot follows the typical high school blueprint—jocks, cheerleaders, the new girl—and centres around three of serial player John Tucker's (Jesse Metcalfe) ex-girlfriends, who team up to take revenge on him after discovering he's been dating them all simultaneously.

Shirley Valentine (1989)

Originally based on a one-character play, Shirley Valentine follows a 42 year-old housewife who trades her monotonous routine of talking to the kitchen walls for a holiday to Greece with her best friend, where she begins to rediscover herself.

Along Came Polly (2004)

I find myself referencing Along Came Polly any time I’m being indecisive, and if you’ve ever seen this movie, you’ll understand why. Polly (played by Jennifer Aniston) is a relatably chaotic and carefree woman, who is very different from her uptight former classmate Reuben (Ben Stiller). So when the pair reconnect after Reuben’s failed honeymoon, it makes for a painfully awkward dating experience that you hate to love.

Sugar & Spice (2001)

commented some great film recommendations on my last post, and Sugar & Spice was one of them. When high school cheerleader Diane (Marley Shelton) falls pregnant with quarterback Jack's (James Marsden) baby, she and her fellow cheerleaders hatch a plan to rob a bank to help support her growing family.

First Daughter (2005)

After starting season 3 of My Life With The Walter Boys, this film was pushed to the forefront of my mind, as it stars a baby-faced Mr Walter (Marc Blucas) alongside Katie Holmes. It follows Holmes as the daughter of the US president, who insists on having a normal college life away from home.

Big Daddy (1999)

I’m sick and tired of referencing this film and looking like a crazy lady with a fever dream. And while the cast are predominantly male in this one, I think we can make an exception for Adam Sandler and the Sprouse twins, who are honorary girlies in this scenario. The premise follows an immature law graduate who, after being dumped by his girlfriend, adopts a 5-year-old boy to impress her (crazy, I know).

If you missed (or forgot to read) part 1, read it here for the extended cut:

It was a big weekend for girlhood after Olivia Rodrigo released her highly anticipated album, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love on Friday.

Since then, I’ve been knee deep in devastating ballads, messy thoughts, and text messages from my friends, who took turns to blow up my phone with their spiralling reactions. It’s safe to say the girls are going universally crazy, while the social media editors are working overtime to offend us with the most gut-wrenching fan edits to date.

But if opening up old wounds for the sake of this album is wrong, I don’t want to be right. Rodrigo has a way of articulating even the most specific emotional experiences, and listening to her new album for the first time feels like one of those ‘yes/no’ quizzes in tween magazines. Each lyric is almost a question about your romantic history, until eventually, you end up with a song that somehow describes your exact situation.

Because I’m extra, I spent the weekend not only relating the album to real life, but also pairing each track with a film or tv series that matches its energy, lyrics, or both. Proceed with caution, as 90% of these will send you into a tailspin.

drop dead

watch: Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

In my first encounter with this single, I immediately thought of Belly and Conrad in The Summer I Turned Pretty, which, judging by the edits that followed, seems to be a popular consensus. However, the more I replay this song, the less clouded my judgment becomes by the Versailles imagery, and the more I associate it with Meg Ryan’s character in Sleepless in Seattle (1993).

While she doesn’t quite stalk Tom Hanks’ character on the internet (it is the ’90s, after all), Ryan’s character Annie does fall in love with him based solely on a radio talk show, piecing together snippets of information and filling in the gaps with female intuition. So, in many ways, Sleepless in Seattle feels like the pre-social media ancestor of ‘drop dead’. Plus, it doesn’t get more intuitive than calling off your engagement to pursue a man you’ve never met.

“It was a million tiny little things that, when you added them all up, they meant we were supposed to be together, and I knew it.” — Sam Baldwin, ‘Sleepless in Seattle’

“It’s feminine intuition/ ‘Cuz I always had a vision of us standing like this” — Olivia Rodrigo, ‘drop dead’

stupid song

watch: Off Campus

Situated in the ‘Girl So in Love’ section of the album, there are so many parallels between Rodrigo’s second track and Hannah and Garrett’s straightforward love story in Off Campus. From Hannah’s spicy dream that starts with Justin and ends with Garrett (“and I’m too shy to say what I see when I dream of you”) to their undeniable physical attraction (“you’re a spark in the dark and my clothes all caught aflame”), it almost feels as though the lyrics were written after an Off Campus rewatch. It also helps that Hannah is a songwriter with a particular affinity for ‘stupid songs’.

honeybee

watch: LaLa Land (2016)

It’s impossible not to associate La La Land with at least one of the devastating tracks on this album, yet the romantic vibe of ‘honeybee’ is fitting for the stretch of the film where Mia and Sebastian are living inside their own bubble. Their nighttime wanders give visual life to the lines "Let's just walk in the dark / Hop the fence in the park", while “I hope I never see what your face looks like goin’” becomes painfully true by the ending.

maggots for brains

watch: Sex And The City

In an interview on The Tonight Show, Rodrigo revealed that multiple songs on the album are inspired by Miranda and Steve in SATC, mentioning that one song in particular was inspired by a scene in season 2.

“I love Sex and the City. I think I’ve watched, like, every episode maybe three times, but there’s this, like, when Miranda and Steve are getting back together, she’s crying. ‘Steve, anytime something funny happens, I just want to tell you.’ And I remember watching that and being like, ‘Oh, my God, I have to write a song about this,'” — Olivia Rodrigo, ‘The Tonight Show’

And after listening to ‘maggots for brains’, it’s clear that this is the song she was referring to (“And everything that's funny, I wish I could tell to him.”)

However, this song also reminds me of the devastating scene in The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009) where Bella lifelessly waits for Edward to return.

u + me = <3

watch: Heated Rivalry

The chorus of ‘u + me = <3’ is so Shane and Ilya coded that I can literally picture one of their texting montages every time I hear “I got a feeling wounds are healing, talking on the phone.” And while the chorus reflects how Shane’s affection and support help heal Ilya’s past wounds and trauma, the bridge feels just as fitting for his own intense feelings: “Sometimes, I get overwhelmed and way too far ahead of myself/ I often get the feeling that I'll never want somebody else.”)

my way

watch: Mean Girls (2004)

This song is so 2000s chick flick coded, and the way that Rodrigo calls out a girl for crossing boundaries with her boyfriend has me craving a Mean Girls rewatch. Rodrigo, would of course be Regina George in this scenario, especially the moment near the end of the movie when she realises Cady has been moving in on her territory.

the cure

watch: The Vampire Diaries

The Vampire Diaries feels like a literal match to Rodrigo’s second single, with the imagery of “toxins in my bloodstream/ you tried hard to suck them out.” However, the song symbolically feels connected to various core characters too.“Because my head is full of poison/ and my heart is full of doubt” could literally be lifted from Elena’s diary during her Damon era, although Caroline would probably have a claim to this song too.

begged

watch: One Tree Hill (specifically season 3, episode 22)

Begged’ is essentially about asking for more in a relationship and realising that it doesn’t mean the same if you’ve had to ask for it. This immediately reminded me of Brooke Davis and her heart shattering monologue in One Tree Hill:

“How about how you show it? I am not pushing you away, Lucas, I am holding on for dear life. But I need you to need me back, okay? Why didn't you tell me about the kiss? And why didn't you call me while you were away? And why won't you ever just let me all the way in?” — Brooke Davis, One Tree Hill

“All that I want is to know undoubtedly/ That you just have eyes for me/ Could you make it clear?” — Olivia Rodrigo, ‘begged’

Brooke loves so deeply, yet she spends half of her relationship with Lucas trying to be the “cool and forgiving” girlfriend. If anyone understands the frustration of having to ask for reassurance, it's her.

what’s wrong with me

watch: The O.C.

Sticking with the angsty teen drama theme, the entire ‘pretty sad’ portion of the album feels like it could be the soundtrack to Marissa Cooper’s life. While her relationship with Ryan may not be the root of her pain, ‘what’s wrong with me’ does align with her emotional spirals throughout the series, especially the very first verse of the song (“I'm not feeling like myself and/ Nothing ever seems to help.”)

expectations

watch: Barbie (2023)

Someone needs to take Margot Robbie’s clap in Barbie (2023) and overlay it with the intro of this song, because it really is that fitting. Rodrigo is setting standards and prioritising her self-worth in ‘expectations’, which is something Barbie would wholeheartedly support. Plus, Rodrigo’s line about not “settling for a guy with a fake job” is playfully fitting given that Ken’s job is quite literally ‘beach’.

if you can think of any recs for the 3 tracks I’m missing, I would love to hear them!!

On the nights where it becomes impossible not to grow restless from the summer heat, one of my favourite activities is putting on a film that makes me want to impulsively book a holiday. It’s an activity that doesn’t quite work the same in the daytime—unless you enjoy being jump-scared by your own reflection in whatever screen you’re watching it on— and it shouldn’t. Because half of the atmosphere comes from having the blinds rolled down, your windows wide open, and a handheld fan buzzing in symphony with whatever summery score drifts from the speakers.

As it turns out, there are an alarming number of films that romanticise impulsive holidays, missed flights and people dramatically falling in love amongst vineyards, cobbled streets and life-changing bowls of pasta. And it appears that a trip to a sunnier city with good food really is the cure to any kind of life crisis.

With that in mind, here are some of my favourite postcard films from across Europe to inspire your next trip, or live through vicariously on those sweaty summer evenings.

Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (2008)- Eastbourne, England

There’s something about this awkward, coming-of-age story that’s so quintessentially British, it gives Harry Potter a run for its money. Set and filmed around Brighton and Eastbourne, the film follows 14-year-old Georgia (Georgia Groome) as she navigates family life, friendships and finding a boyfriend, all while trying to throw the coolest 15th birthday bash. If for some bizarre reason you haven’t seen this film already, it’s worth watching for the stuffed olive opening sequence and ‘ultraviolet’ alone.

Letters to Juliet (2010)- Verona, Italy

I visited Verona two summers ago and I can safely say it’s charming depiction in this movie isn’t too far from reality. If you’re unfamiliar, the plot follows aspiring writer Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), who joins a Juliet Capulet-inspired volunteer group during her visit to the Italian city. Responding to letters seeking romantic advice, Sophie stumbles across a 50 year-old letter, and sets out to reconnect its owner to her one true love.

French Kiss (1995)- Paris/ Nice, France

Anything starring Meg Ryan instantly screams autumn to me, yet this movie is the complete antithesis. Playing a very particular character (not entirely dissimilar to her role as Sally Albright), Kate anxiously boards a plane to France to win back her fiancé, only to get tangled up with a French thief (Kevin Kline) in the process. The film takes place across Paris and Nice, showing off the sun-drenched vineyards and charming architecture of Southern France between the chaos.

Mamma Mia (2008)- ‘Kalokairi’, Greece

I won’t reiterate the plot of a film I know you’ve definitely seen before, so take this as your sign to rewatch Mamma Mia and soak up the salty air, blue balconies and Chiquitita.

Before Sunrise (1995)- Vienna, Austria

After meeting on a train travelling through Europe, Before Sunrise follows a young American tourist (Ethan Hawke) and a French student (Julie Delpy) over the course of one impromptu day in Vienna. This film is as much a love letter to life as it is to Vienna, as the two protagonists share their intimate thoughts on life, love and philosophy while touring the city.

The Cheetah Girls 2: When in Spain (2006)- Barcelona, Spain

Upping the stakes of DCOM production, The Cheetah Girls 2 takes to the sizzling streets of Spain as the girls travel to Barcelona for a music festival. If you want Disney Channel nostalgia, Spanish sun, and Kenny Ortega magic all in one, this cheetah-licious throwback is guaranteed to turn up the heat.

Monte Carlo (2011)- Monte Carlo, Monaco

Starring dream team Selena Gomez, Leighton Meester and Katie Cassidy, Monte Carlo is essentially The Lizzie Mcguire Movie if it were set in Monaco. After three girls embark on their dream trip to Paris, a case of mistaken identity sends them to Monte Carlo for even more misadventures.

I recently found out that Nicole Kidman and Julia Roberts were initially attached to this film before it changed direction into a tween movie.

The Prince & Me (2004)- Copenhagen, Denmark

After an undercover Danish prince starts college in the US, he grows closer to pre-med student Paige, who’s completely unaware of his royal title. While the film only offers a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it glimpse of Copenhagen, it’s still worth the watch for the enemies-to-lovers plot, early-2000s charm and royal backdrop.

People We Meet on Vacation (2026)- various locations

The film that kickstarted this year’s pop culture calendar is officially due a rewatch. And if you weren’t buzzing for the Emily Henry adaptation (and it’s phenomenal dance scene) back in January, it’s the perfect way to turn up the heat. Poppy (Emily Bader) and Alex (Tom Blythe) take a string of trips throughout the film, from New Orleans to Tuscany to their reunion in Barcelona, although most of the European scenes were actually filmed around Barcelona and the Costa Brava.

EuroTrip (2004)- various locations

I don’t remember much about this movie, aside from the fact it has the same late-night vibe as American Pie, and follows a group of high school grads travelling through Europe after protagonist Scott (Scott Mechlowicz) is brutally dumped by his girlfriend. Apparently, 95% of this movie was filmed in Prague, despite spotlighting cities including London, Rome and Berlin.

Spy (2015)- Budapest, Hungary

This final movie is one that sits firmly at the top of my watchlist. Starring alongside a notably star-studded cast, Melissa McCarthy plays a CIA analyst-turned-undercover agent who volunteers to help stop a global disaster. Much like some of the other films on this list, Spy was predominantly filmed in Budapest, despite doubling for multiple European capitals, as well as itself.

It’s been exactly a week since Elle Kennedy’s hockey boys and gorgeous divas graced our screens, stealing our hearts and making sure we’ll never experience JLo the same way again. Depending on your self control, you may be on your second or third rewatch by now, or devouring all 4 books to fill the puck-shaped void left behind by Hannah and Garrett’s love story.

My first encounter with this addictive little series began circa 2021, when I’d just started university and needed to pass the time during my hefty commute to and from lectures. I quickly tore through the Off Campus and Briar U (Off Campus’s little sister) series, collecting Elle Kennedy’s other paperback releases as rewards after each of my submissions. It’s safe to say these books became a huge part of my university years, and even now, nearly two years after graduating, I still find myself revisiting at least one of them every September.

As someone who knows these books practically cover to cover, I thought the adaptation was pretty spot on, and honestly, 90% of the changes made sense when you’re trying to squeeze 350 pages into a TV series. My favourite part, though, was the attention to detail. When it wasn’t lifting scenes straight from the books, the series still had tiny references that only readers would lose their minds over, which is why I’m about to break down Off Campus like an overly passionate English literature student.

Note: The first half will be spoiler free, but I recommend saving the rest of this post for later if you’re planning on reading the rest of the books in the series.

Part 1: ‘The Deal’ and other Prime Video easter eggs:

1. “You look great in red”: In episode 1, Hannah’s very first outfit is a red cardigan and jeans, which is the same outfit Garrett first notices her in. She later wears red again during the karaoke scene in episode 3 (where Cameli gives literal meaning to the beloved book phrase “his eyes softened”), and once more in episode 5, when the couple finally make things official. Considering there’s a scene in the first book where Garrett tells Hannah how great she looks in red, it’s safe to say this styling choice wasn’t accidental.

2. Girl Abroad: On Hannah’s bookcase, a copy of Girl Abroad, one of Elle Kennedy’s standalone novels can be spotted sandwiched between her other books. In fact, several of the books in Hannah’s room have become screen adaptations, from Big Little Lies to Where The Crawdads Sing.

3. “Hey, did you know there’s One Direction on here?”: When Hannah is deleting that god-awful Justin playlist in episode 3, we get a quick glimpse at her Spotify library, which includes a One Direction playlist. In The Deal, Hannah and Garrett playfully bicker over her love for One Direction and his disapproval of her ‘trashy’ music taste. Meanwhile, her ‘score’ playlists may be for her music degree, orrr… they could be a subtle nod to Dean and Allie’s book, The Score.

4. Hannah’s love for One Direction is later referenced again, when Justin’s band play ‘Kiss You’ at the fundraiser.

5. Breaking Bad: In a scene where Hannah and Garrett are looking at the laptop, there is an open tab with Breaking Bad in the background, which the pair famously binge together in the book.

6. Stella: When both Dean and Sean stand outside Allie’s door in episode 6, we can see the name Stella on the door behind them. This is the name of one of Hannah and Allie’s friends in the books, who coincidentally ends up with Justin at the end of The Deal.

7. Della and Malones: In The Deal, Hannah works at a diner called Della’s— a name book readers will instantly recognise as the owner of Malones in the series.

8. The book cover: When Garrett and Hannah make things official, one scene in their montage is an exact copy of the book cover, from Hannah’s leg flick and Garrett’s backward cap all the way to the red hockey net.

this stance is coincidentally the lift on the Dirty Dancing broadway poster, too

9. ‘Too Busy Missing You’: As Allie climbs out Dean’s window in episode 8, the song playing over the scene is by Asha Banks, the same actress who plays Noah in Prime Video original, My Fault London.

Part 2: Foreshadowing later events:

(spoiler warning: don’t read past here unless you’ve finished all the books!!)

10. The Hurricanes: In episode 6, Logan hosts a fundraiser for a youth hockey programme called The Hurricanes, which is the same hockey team Dean later coaches in The Score.

11. Grace Ivers: At the Hurricanes fundraiser, Dean announces Grace Ivers as the raffle winner, who is Logan’s love interest in book 2.

12. Tucker and the fruit ‘babies’: As Tucker’s pledge, Dean and Beau challenge him to look after different sizes of fruit, which gradually get bigger as the series progresses. Given that stages of pregnancy are often measured using fruit sizes, this cleverly alludes to his story with Sabrina, where their one-night stand leads to an unexpected pregnancy.

13. Logan’s to-do list: In episode 5, Tucker sends Logan a ‘Friendsgiving to-do list’, which foreshadows the list Logan uses to win back Grace in The Mistake.

14. Goose and Maverick: At the duos party, Beau and Dean dress as Top Gun characters Goose and Maverick, which foreshadow’s Beau’s devastating fate in The Score.

Have you watched the series yet? If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Did you notice any other details?

I can’t believe we’re already halfway through May, which means it’s time for another mid-month edit. I was initially preparing to publish this next week, but I got so passionate jotting down my recent favourites, that I put down my blue dinosaur pen and typed this up in one Olivia Rodrigo-fuelled sitting.

I’m functioning in a parasocial Elle Kennedy bubble since starting Off Campus yesterday, so there may be one too many mentions of her amidst the fashion and beauty bits I’ve been loving lately. I’ve also been trying to go to the cinema at least once per month, so this month’s edit brings you my thoughts on a couple of recent releases as well as a few nostalgic ones.

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As always, you can find a condensed magazine spread at the top of this post, or you can keep reading for the extensive rundown of everything I’ve been…

watching:

• Off Campus: I stayed up until 2am watching and rewinding the first two episodes of Off Campus last night (especially the JLo scene!!!) and I’m already in love. I think Hannah and Garrett’s instant chemistry translates so well on screen, and the Dirty Dancing references in the first episode had me beaming from ear to ear. I’m also really impressed with the pacing, which is soft launching Allie and Dean’s story (and Logan’s) perfectly.

• Girls: I recently started watching Girls for the first time and I’m having a lot of fun with it! It feels like a rite of passage to watch in your twenties, and I’ve been seeing spoilers that are making me even more excited for what’s yet to come. While my favourite characters are ever-changing, Shoshana has been a constant favourite across the three seasons I’ve watched so far.

• Michael (2026): this film was such a wild ride! I went from crying to dancing in my seat, to crying again and I thought the attention to detail was incredible. Jafaar Jackson and Juliano Valdi gave such compelling and realistic performances, and I thought the whole film was so incredibly cast (even more so after my post-cinema deep-dive into the real ‘characters’!)

• The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2026): dare I say this movie was nothing… groundbreaking? I feel like a lot of the charm of the original came from its y2k journo aesthetic, which is an aura that can’t be replicated in 2026, especially when the film tries so hard to shed light on the current media landscape. However, despite finding the love interests unnecessary and Miranda a little too mellow, I did enjoy every moment Emily appeared on screen.

• Wild Child (2008): the rush I felt rewatching this movie is one I wish to feel whenever I watch something new. I forgot how good the soundtrack was and ‘Chasing Pavements’ had me giggling and kicking my feet like I was twelve again.

reading:

• Love Song by Elle Kennedy: this book was the perfect cure to my reading slump and incredible impatience for the Off Campus tv series. I loved the addition of the parents who, despite unrealistically living happily ever after with one another, (yes, every single book couple is still together) brought back the same cosy dynamic and hilarious banter from the OGs. Without giving too much away, I also loved how Blake and Wyatt’s relationship mirrored elements of Logan and Grace’s book.

• I’ve just started reading Every Summer After, which I’m hoping to finish in time for the adaptation on the 10th June.

link copied to clipboard (aka, things I’ve been loving and saving):

• Laufey ‘Madwoman’ music video- this music video came out the second I hit publish on my last edit, so I made a mental note to mention it this time. I thought the 60s/70s aesthetic was so fun, and as a chronically online girl, I loved the Hudson Williams and Lola Tung reunion

• The 3/4 sleeve comeback- perfectly timed with the unpredictable spring weather, the 3/4 sleeve has returned to the fashion scene, making for a functional and quietly chic wardrobe staple. Cou Cou intimates and Many Many clothes have really nailed the silhouettes and top colourways, though I have also found a few pretty gems floating around on Vinted too

• Byoma milky moisturiser- this gentle milk has become my favourite day-to-night moisturiser. It creates such a dewy base for makeup too, especially when layered over a generous spritz of Rhode’s glazing mist

• Photo stop motions- I’ve been seeing a lot of artists making stop motion videos from printed cutouts and photographs and it’s such a cool creative rebellion. This Olivia Rodrigo themed one is a recent favourite, as well as this illustrated video by @bybridgecreative

• M&S custard cream cookie- it took me a hot minute and a few chats with the lady at the M&S bakery to hunt down this cookie, and it was 1000% worth the patience. Putting a welcomed spin on the classic biscuit, this hearty cookie contains crushed custard creams and pockets of white chocolate that create a combination of chewy and melty goodness

• Hollister Pistachio Crème perfume- I’ve been including this perfume in my fragrance rotation since I opened it on Christmas morning, yet I’m reaching for it even more this spring. It has a sweet, yet slightly nutty layer to it that reminds me of a melted ice cream cone dipped in pistachios

• @fwfragrances perfume reviews- measuring their effectiveness in compliments from his classmates, school-kid/ fragrance connoisseur Freddie posts the most refreshing and genuine fragrance reviews, proving that boots on the ground journalism is still alive and well

• This post by about the importance of supporting your friends

• I recently signed up to The Fangirl Nation, which is such a lovely community forum to discuss all things pop culture related. I’m hoping to attend one of their events in the near future!

We’ve officially entered the May-August portion of the year, which means we can finally welcome back bank holidays, the ice cream van jingle and guides about the importance of spf popping up in just about every print magazine. But more importantly, we can start casting our votes on which cultural phenomenon everyone’s agreed to go mad for this summer.

Let’s be real, everything sounds better with the word ‘summer’ tailing on the end of it, and we’ve had everything from hot girl summer in 2019 to Barbienheimer summer in 2023. And while Barbie summer painted pink everywhere and gave us enough brand collaborations to last a lifetime, 2023 was just a preview of the cultural takeover we’d come to experience in the summer of ‘24.

Brat summer was more than a garish shade of green and wraparound sunglasses, it was a lifestyle— unapologetically wild nights out, smudged eyeliner and an all-round clean girl rebellion. Everyone and their nan was bobbing to the Apple dance, (my personal fave was Glenn Powell and Daisy Edgar Jones’ interpretation) and you couldn’t scroll two Instagram posts without being ambushed by brat-ified content. It became a trend so significant, I’m still referencing it in this post two years later.

While Vogue declared 2025 as “the summer without trends”, The Summer I Turned Pretty fans (me) unofficially declared it Conrad summer. The summer of Conrad Fisher’s slutty little watch, sour patch kids and embracing peach juice running down your chin. The summer where “what team?” was no longer about Twilight, and choosing the wrong Fisher brother could have you exiled from the next Wednesday watch party.

Even in 2026, the girls are still mourning The Summer I Turned Pretty Wednesdays, which goes to show how much we’ve grown to build our summers around a well-made piece of pop culture. Lately, it feels as though we rely on the harmless escape and community almost as much as the cloudless skies, and frankly, they make for a deeper bit of small talk than the great weather.

Every summer needs its defining obsession, and 2026 is already throwing a few strong contenders into the ring. My personal contenders include:

Off Campus/ hockey smut summer

We’ve seen the incredible response to Heated Rivalry, which catapulted sweethearts Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie from their hospitality jobs to the spotlight quicker than you can say ‘cottage’. So, it wouldn’t surprise me if the book-screen adaptation of Elle Kennedy’s Off Campus series had a similar effect. Already renewed for season 2, the series of books already has a huge fanbase thanks to BookTok, and the people clearly have a thirst for hockey romance. Plus, the books really are that good.

However, while fan editors have already been busy making content from mere crumbs of Off Campus material, the mid-May release of the series could ruin its chances of becoming a summer-long affair. If we take a look at previous release patterns, XCX’s Brat released in early June, while Gerwig’s Barbie saw a late July premiere after a month-long tour of press and pop-ups. Plus, with all episodes of Off Campus dropping on the 13th, we may have already moved on to one of Prime Video’s other big projects by June.

Pretty sad summer / So in love summer

The aesthetic of this one could go either way depending on the full album, but it’s safe to predict that Olivia Rodrigo’s third album will be the sound of the summer. The question is, will it be the lifestyle of it, too? Her latest single ‘Drop Dead’ already stole the top spot on the charts this week, while the accompanying music video had us frolicking in the sun and googling ‘Versailles history’ between verses.

If the rest of the album follows suit, prepare to be taking seats on rickety swings, chewing pale pink bubblegum and reading up on star sign compatibility well into September.

Midnight Sun-er

If you’re chronically online like me, you won’t be a stranger to Zara Larsson’s rebrand. After a dolphin meme featuring her 2017 song ‘Symphony’ with Clean Bandit went viral, Larsson ran with aesthetic, making dolphins, sunsets and summer sparkles her own in a very impressive comeback. In September, the pop singer released her fifth studio album, Midnight Sun, which features the same y2k mermaid aesthetic and hazy themes of a never-ending Scandinavian summer.

And this summer, the album is undergoing upgrade, with the deluxe remix version Midnight Sun: Girls Trip out on May 1. With collaborations from an all-female lineup (from Shakira and Tyla to Pink Pantheress), we can prepare to celebrate girlhood, spray painted sunsets and beach club vibes all summer long. Plus, with Larsson making a splash in the fashion world with her swimwear label, Main Rose and her beachy collab with Desigual, it’s possible that Midnight Sun-er could be our new carefree holiday lifestyle.

Harry Styles/ Together, Together summer

A couple of years have passed since the heart tinted sunglasses and feather boa madness of Love on Tour, and Harry Styles fans are ready to do it all over again for his Together, Together tour this summer. With only seven cities selected for the stadium run, the scramble for one (or three) dates is already shaping up to be its own cultural phenomenon.

Plus, the influx of tourism for each stop will only add to the excitement, which, judging from major music events in the past, could also mean turning each city into its own Harry land during his stay.

This time around, fans may be trading in their sequin skirts for witty shirts and dancing shoes, or even a hint of business casual if they’re going by his BRIT performance. But will Together, Together Summer belong only to the fans lucky enough to get tickets, or could it spill over into something bigger?

Tomdeya/ Spiderman summer

Marking their first press tour as newlyweds, MCU fans (and Tomdeya fans alike) are eagerly anticipating the release of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which releases on 31 July. That means we can expect plenty of magazine shoots, thirsty tweets and British candy challenges as the whole cast embark on the film’s summer press tour. While I’m not sure this press tour has what it takes to become the trend of the summer, the girls are definitely going to be dusting off their Spider-Man graphic tees and Funko Pops in preparation.

Plus, I also wouldn’t be surprised to see a resurgence in the three Spider-Man pointing meme, unless something even bigger emerges in the meantime…

Notable mentions:

• Bieber summertime- if the rumours are true, Coachella wasn’t his last rodeo

• Petal summer- we don’t have too much info about Ariana Grande’s eighth studio album just yet, aside from the fact it’s reaching us on 31 July

• Bend and Snap summer- inspired by Prime Video’s upcoming Legally Blonde prequel, I’m already hearing online whispers of a ‘Prime Video Summer’

What do you think the biggest contenders are?

One of my most toxic hypocrisies is gasping animatedly at my friends when they haven’t seen a film I love, yet not finding it an issue when the roles are reversed.

The problem is, I willingly accept recommendations from anyone and everyone, collecting them across platforms like infinity stones (my notes app, my memory, my TikTok saved and of course, my Substack bookmarks). And then, as another day draws to an end, I put up my achy, retail-ridden legs and spend my last waking hour giggling along with the laugh tracks of the same sitcoms. Sure, I’ve been raving with my colleagues about films all day and commenting on posts by my favourite Substackers about all the new things I’d love to watch. But it’s 11pm and I have work in the morning.

I recently broke up with rom-coms for a week, which was such a fun challenge and pushed me to watch new things that I’m still thinking about over a month later. So this month, I decided to challenge myself again—this time, to watch some of the recommendations that my fellow writers have pitched so eloquently, it’d be rude not to.

Starting with:

Palm Springs (2020)

Inspired by: 20 Movies & Shows to Watch If You're a Girl Panicking About Your 30s by

While I may not be panicking about my 30s specifically, I’m definitely panicking in general, and media about womanhood/ adulthood has become my favourite genre to combat it. So, when I read through Renata’s personal curation of 20 movies and series, I had my work cut out for me because I wanted to watch every single one immediately. I decided to start with Palm Springs, because the casting is every sitcom lover’s dream (hey kids, this is how Jake Peralta met your mother!) and I simply liked the poster.

My shallow judgement of this film paid off, because I really enjoyed the unconventional romance, humour and surrealism of the time loop. I thought it was such a sweet detail to watch Sarah and Nyles wake up progressively happier to see one another, even if it meant living the same day over and over. Plus, can we appreciate how the conflict in the third act actually makes sense? This only made me enjoy the rom-com even more.

Tarzan (1999)

Inspired by: 10 Film Scenes That Will Make You Cry Every Single Time by

Having never seen this classic Disney movie, I decided it was finally time to watch Tarzan after Jen’s roundup of some of the biggest tearjerkers. And I really had to lock in for this one, watching it in 28 painfully short parts on YouTube after not-so-sensibly ending my Disney+ subscription. While the 4 minute parts did slightly alter my viewing experience, there’s no denying that Disney was on a whole other level in the 90s, and I really enjoyed it amidst the teary eyes. The aesthetic was stunning, the themes of family and belonging added so much meaning, and I really enjoyed the beautiful dynamic between Tarzan and Kala. Plus, the Phil Collins soundtrack was so exhilarating, I can only imagine how electric it felt hearing it through cinema speakers in ‘99.

The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

Inspired by: My Favourite White Void Movies by

Not only did I love the concept of ’s post (‘white void’ movie posters will always have my heart), but I finished it with at least three new films piled onto my watchlist. As my first pick from the list, I thought it’d be fun to watch The Royal Tenenbaums, which was my second ever Wes Anderson movie.

I’ll admit, the plot took me a short while to get into (an estranged family of prodigies reunite after some news from their father), but I ended up finding the film really poignant and memorable. I also appreciated how each character had their own dysfunctional part to play in the family and really enjoyed the casting choices. The visuals were of course the main event, from the symmetry and warm tones to the storybook aesthetic which was so beautiful. It’s safe to say I left this film with Wes Anderson’s entire filmography on my mental watchlist, and of course, some red Adidas track pants on my wishlist too.

Chef (2014)

Inspired by: Five Movies That Changed My Life Forever by

I’d never heard of this movie until Rebecca’s post, where she mentioned its sentimental ties to her stepfather. Since I’d seen (and loved) all the other movies on her list, I felt compelled to give Chef a try, and discovered a new comfort film in the process. The film sees it’s director Jon Favreau star as Chef Carl Kasper, alongside an endearing array of familiar faces, from Sofia Vergara and John Leguizamo to Scarlett Johansson. After quitting his job to open a food truck, the film follows Kasper’s personal journey to success, as well as the complex relationship between him and his son Percy. The thing that set this film apart from other comedies, though, is the mouth watering cuts between different dishes, which had me craving Cubano sandwiches as a midnight snack.

Overboard (1987)

Inspired by: 10 Criminally Underrated Romcoms You’ve Probably Never Seen by

I was pleasantly surprised to find a copy of this movie in my grandma’s DVD cabinet after reading ’s post, which I of course took as a sign to watch this underrated gem. The deception in this movie somewhat reminded me of While You Were Sleeping (1995), although this time, a cunning carpenter tricks a pretentious heiress into a life of domesticity by claiming to be her husband. Of course, the plot has its problematic elements, but as mentions, it’s also filled with a lot of chemistry and a lot of fun lore. Starring Goldie Hawn (aka, rom-com princess Kate Hudson’s mother) and her real life partner Kurt Russell, there is no shortage of fireworks in this “criminally underrated” Garry Marshall film.

My Neighbour Totoro (1988)

Inspired by: Siblings in Film by

After reading ‘s roundup of siblings in film, I decided to end the week with something comforting yet completely new: My Neighbour Totoro. Despite seeing the odd still or character-themed merchandise in my local comic book store, I was very new to the world of Studio Ghibli, not realising that this film was actually released in the 80s and not as modern as I’d initially thought.

It became immediately clear to me why this film has engaged international audiences for so many years, as it truly felt like a warm hug and had me feeling nostalgic for scenes I’d never even watched. Satsuki and Mei were the most animated little characters and I loved their sweet affection towards one another, as well as each character they encountered. As an older sister, I felt like I could somewhat resonate with Satsuki and found her quietly maternal instinct particularly sweet to engage with. As for the visuals, I couldn’t take my eyes off the details, especially the pink sunsets, which carried a soft and warming quality that made the whole film feel even more magical.

It’s safe to say you all have brilliant taste!

Welcome to my (third?) mid-month edit of the year. The sun is finally out, so today I’m writing to you from my very old picnic blanket that I’ve been vowing to upgrade for the past three summers. It’s seen me through primary school picnics, plenty of books, and today it’s seeing me cosplay Luke Hemmings with my wraparound sunglasses and 5 Seconds of Summer (live) playlist.

This month’s edit brings together my usual level of fangirling, combined with music, girly viewing, new book releases and a sprinkle of fashion. As always, you can find a condensed visual version at the top of this post, which I spent way too long rearranging as always.

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If you’d like the full recs and clickable links, here’s the extensive rundown of everything I’ve been…

watching:

• Heated Rivalry: I could write paragraph after paragraph about this series, from Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie’s effortless chemistry to the entirety of episode 5, which is one of my favourite things I’ve ever watched

• Empire Records (1995): I watched this movie for the first time last week and absolutely loved its coming of age story. If you’re unfamiliar with the plot, it follows a group of misfit teenagers who work in an independent record store, which they must later try and save from a corporate giant. It almost reminded me of The Breakfast Club if it were set in the 90s and revolved around music

• Ella Enchanted (2006): another first time watch for me. This movie was fun and slightly silly, which is just what I was looking for on a random Tuesday. The outfits, colour palette and ‘y2k medieval’ aesthetic were gorgeous and got me really into it!

• Pretty Lethal (2026): the familiar faces were what initially attracted me to this movie (Lana Condor, Maddie Ziegler, Iris Apatow), however I was pleasantly surprised by its fun and original premise. I loved the fusion between ballet and thriller, as well as the fast pacing, which kept me entertained way past 1am on a work night

• The Drama (2026): I would absolutely recommend everyone to see this at the cinema if you haven’t already. The collective reactions of shock, laughter and wincing in the theatre makes the experience ten times better, and my friends and I couldn’t help but share expressive glances between almost every scene. I was extra lucky that I went into the film spoiler free, so I didn’t know what to expect at all.

• Super Mario Galaxy (2026): live laugh love Nintendo, because this sequel was was equally as good at bringing the beloved game to life (Yoshi was so precious!) Visually, I’d give it 5 stars, however the story itself did fall a little flat and had me losing interest in places

reading:

• The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab: after 3 months, I finally finished my first book of the year which I loved. For a contemporary novel, I found it so beautifully written, and I really enjoyed seeing the impressions Addie made on each artist she encountered—the pages describing each artwork were some of my favourite

• Love Song by Elle Kennedy: it’s rare for me to read books at the time of their release, however I was quickly drawn to Elle Kennedy’s latest novel thanks to its ties with her iconic Off Campus boys, Garrett Graham and John Logan. This spinoff centres around the children of both hockey players, who have tons of pent up tension and happen to be spending the summer together in their families’ co-owned lake house. While nothing can quite compare to the OGs, I am having fun with this book so far, especially as I start defrosting my summer romances

link copied to clipboard (aka, things I’ve been loving and saving):

• Ayo Edebiri for Paper Magazine: the photos speak for themselves, but I’m obsessed with the whole styling and artistic look of this shoot. Edebiri somehow looks photographed and illustrated at the same time, and the editing of her outfits reminds me of my old fashion activity books

• Olivia Rodrigo’s new album cover: Olivia Rodrigo always has and will be the muse of the girls’ group chat and her new album cover is no exception. The styling and direction are the epitome of girlhood and make me even more hyped for the upcoming album

• Poppi drinks: the UK launch of this soda couldn’t have come at a better time, because as soon as the sun comes out, the Italian in me craves an afternoon aperitivo. My favourite flavour I’ve tried is by far the strawberry lemonade, and I love pairing the Barbie-looking can with a bag of crisps

• Speaking of strawberries, Blank Street’s strawberry shortcake matcha is back and I couldn’t be happier!

• Bridgerton perfume: I received a sample of the Floral Street x Bridgerton perfume in ‘Enchanted Masquerade’ in the mail a couple of weeks ago (does it count as PR if I applied for it myself?) and the smell is divine. It's floral yet a little spicy, and I can definitely smell the notes of hazelnut it promises

• This piece by about the beauty of being like other girls

• Cou Cou intimates top: on the subject of being like other girls, I finally took the plunge and purchased the Cou Cou intimates Rina top, which I’ve been seeing on women everywhere. After tirelessly searching for dupes of the Jane Birkin-inspired silhouette, I decided that the investment was worth it, and the top indeed turned out to be as flattering as you’d imagine

• Jonas Brothers- Friends From Your Hometown: live albums are one of my favourite ways to experience music because they capture the minimal changes and instruments that you wouldn’t have heard unless you were there. Plus, this album brings together all the songs featuring the Jonas Brothers and their special guests from their most recent tour, including that legendary reunion with Demi Lovato!

• I recently learnt a great styling tip from creator @audreysarchivall about styling bright colours that completely changed the game! She suggested that as opposed to pairing trickier colours (like turquoise, orange etc.) with neutrals, to instead take a look at photos of the colour in nature for inspiration (ie, pictures of of tropical plants or crystals) for a bright, yet balanced look

• Sisters and Seekers’ ‘My Big Sister’ campaign is the sweetest, and although I don’t have a sister myself, I love the way it captures girlhood like a movie montage

• Zoey101 nostalgia: a creator on TikTok has recently been posting tour vlogs of her university campus, which just so happens to be the filming location of PCA (Zoey’s school in the series) and it’s giving serious summer nostalgia

Last month was a great month for girly media, from ballerina thriller Pretty Lethal to comedy horror Forbidden Fruits. While I’m still patiently anticipating the UK release of the latter, these films fall into a genre of girly cinema with different aesthetics, arcs and complementary personalities that I will always have time for. After following both films and their press tours, I felt inspired to start watching more films with female friendships, messy dynamics and interesting women.

Hopefully you’ll find some new viewing inspo among this list, or be reminded of some cool-girl classics that don’t get nearly enough hype:

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Coyote Ugly (2000)

I’ve kicked off this list with Coyote Ugly because despite it’s cult status, I still know a lot of people who’ve never seen it before (you know who you are!) If you aren’t familiar with the premise, the film follows songwriter Violet (Piper Perabo) who moves to New York to pursue her dreams, despite having a serious case of stage fright. In the process, she accepts a side job at an energetic female-run bar, Coyote Ugly, famous for it’s playful antics and bartenders (Coyotes) who line dance on top of the bar. It’s sparkling soundtrack is everything you’d expect from a noughties chick flick, stacked with y2k party songs and plenty of LeAnn Rimes to dance to.

Jawbreaker (1999)

This dark comedy/ horror has a very similar vibe to Heathers (if the Heather’s traded their blazers and croquet mallets for crop tops and candy). The aesthetic is very late 90s/ early 00s and follows a high school clique as they cover up the accidental murder of their bff.

Working Girl (1988)

This film has a special place in my heart, not only for its comforting appeal, but also because I wrote about it as part of my dissertation. Set in the corporate world of 80s NYC, Working Girl follows the story of Tess McGill (Melanie Griffith), a likeable young secretary fuelled by ambition. After a skiing injury leaves her conniving boss (Sigourney Weaver) written off from work, Tess poses as her boss to push ahead with her career and reclaim her stolen ideas.

Ghost World (2001)

Adapted from the 90s comic book of the same name, Ghost World is a dark comedy following two quirky and opinionated teenage girls, Enid (Thora Birch) and Rebecca (Scarlett Johansson), who have just graduated high school. The best friends do almost everything together, until a joke they play on unknowing ‘loser’ Seymour (Steve Buscemi) doesn’t go to plan and Enid develops a fondness towards the character.

Crossroads (2002)

Starring Britney Spears, Zoe Saldaña (pre-Avatar) and Taryn Manning, Crossroads follows three childhood friends who reunite and impulsively hit the road with a guy named Ben. What starts as a spontaneous road trip gradually becomes more personal, as each of the girls is chasing (or running from) something different—a lifelong dream, a painful past, or the uneasy question of who they’re becoming. Plus, everything is tied together by a peak Britney soundtrack.

Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion (1997)

When two best friends and former high school outcasts are invited to their reunion, they decide to reinvent themselves to impress their old classmates. The hardest thing to believe, though, is that these incredibly funny and fashionable ladies were ever unpopular in the first place.

Mystic Pizza (1988)

One of Julia Roberts’ more underrated films, Mystic Pizza follows three young waitresses working in a small-town pizza parlour, each navigating her own coming-of-age and romantic arc.

Picture This (2008)

Anything starring Ashley Tisdale should immediately be considered for girls’ night, and this film is the epitome of high school nostalgia. Far from her role as Sharpay, Tisdale plays a nerdy, ‘ordinary’ girl Mandy, who has a strict father and a crush on the school’s team captain Drew Patterson (obviously played by Robbie Amell). When Drew invites her to the party of the year, grounded Mandy must find a way to attend without getting caught.

Ramona and Beezus (2010)

Based on the 80s children’s books by Beverly Cleary, this peak comfort movie stars baby Joey King as chaotic little girl Ramona Quimby and Selena Gomez as her older sister Beezus. When Mr Quimby loses his job, imaginative Ramona conjures up plans to save their family home.

What I Like About You (series from 2002-2006)

If you’ve been here a while, you’ll know how much I love this series starring Amanda Bynes and Jenny Garth. When wild teenager Holly moves in with her responsible older sister Val, the sitcom follows their sisterhood, friendships and relationships in New York City. It also features plenty of comfort, wit and some seriously enviable y2k style.

Walking On Sunshine (2014)

If Mamma Mia had an 80s-obsessed British cousin, it would be this film. After heading to a coastal village in Italy for her sister’s wedding, Taylor is heartbroken to discover that her sister is unknowingly engaged to the love of her life. She then proceeds to process her pain through several 80s music covers, so if you’re not fond of cheesy musicals and mediocre acting, I’d give this one a pass.

Nothing makes me sound more chronically online than by saying I remember the first edit I ever watched. Circa 2012, my cousin was over and we were cross-legged on my bedroom floor, gushing about our shared love for Zoey 101. I remember her animatedly describing plot points I had not yet watched as she pulled up YouTube on my iPod and pressed play on a fan edit of Zoey and Chase.

I still remember my feelings of intense euphoria as I followed the fragmented story of the two characters, perfectly timed to the soundtrack of Kelly Clarkson’s ‘Because of You’, occasionally interrupted by a raw quote confessing their feelings for one another. I remember playing that edit over and over again, to the point that I still associate the Clarkson song with it, even in my twenties. If that was my level of fangirling at nine years old, entering the realm of TikTok almost a decade later felt like something else entirely…

Somewhere between horizontal YouTube edits, Vine and the present, fan edits have evolved with short form content, amassing millions of views and growing into one of the most influential forms of internet culture. And while the shift was gradual, there was definitely a turning point.

Think April 2020, the world is locked down and millions have turned to the ‘dance app’ they swore they’d never download, purely for a hit of dopamine. A small creator posts an edit of baby faced Timothee Chalamet: a dance scene from his 2017 role in Call Me By Your Name, embellished with sparkles and slowed down to the tempo of Melanie Martinez’s ‘Playdate’. And we went insane.

Since then, TikTok has become home to a cut and paste of giddy snippets of almost anything you could possibly be a fan of— from ethereal depictions of Jacob Elordi to the nichest crossovers you didn’t even know you needed (was anyone else on Rodrick and Regina George TikTok last year?)— all edited to the most fitting song choices, you’d think they were written just for them.

Edits have become the third step in the classic fangirl routine (the first two being: 1. finishing the show, and 2. googling the entire cast), keeping the memory of a show, film or album alive for months after its release.

The latest show to receive the editor treatment is none other than Jacob Tierney’s Heated Rivalry, which follows the magnetic slow-burn relationship between hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. While the season 1 finale aired back in December, the edits of the series show no signs of slowing down, piecing together clips of the characters’ most romantic moments in harmony with tunes from One Direction and t.A.T.u to (my personal favourite), The Phantom of the Opera. In fact, songs such as One Direction’s ‘Rock Me’ and Harry Styles’ ‘Sign of the Times’ have now become synonymous with Shane and Ilya, despite having no direct involvement with the series itself.

As well as forging online communities, edits have also proven success as an immersive experience. Themed club nights dedicated to Heated Rivalry, in which the most popular montages are projected onto screens around the venue, have soared to success, uniting communities across the world through their love for the series (and of course, great editing).

@sawahpaul97In Connor Storrie I trust🙏🏼 #connorstorrie #likeaprayer #heatedrivalvry #hrclubnight #ilyarozanov @Club 90s

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And community is what makes this art form so endearing to audiences.

“Just look at the comment section of any viral edits and you will see people chatting so passionately about what they’ve just watched,” says my good friend and pop culture editor, Timara (@goldenistheantidote).

“I’ve met such lovely people in the comments of my videos or in my DMs and we share such similar interests. It can be hard to find people in your everyday life who enjoy pop culture, series or musicians as much as you do.”

For creatives, edits act as an outlet— a way to interpret their favourite sources, and rewrite the most emotionally charged scenes into fan directed cinema.

Plus, through pasting these highlights in sequence, they act as the perfect entry point into the pop culture we choose to consume as audiences. Edits now have the same level of influence as a classic trailer, using scenes that have already evoked a strong response and music bridges that become entangled into fandoms. In fact, they’re becoming so influential that even film studios such as Lionsgate and HBO are recognising talent and recruiting editors for their in-house marketing.

And the reason it works so well is because it taps into something more personal.

“I feel like making an edit actually helps me to process my feelings. I get to portray my favourite character’s happiness or pain through lyrics that I can deeply relate to,” says Timara.

Timara made her first edit the morning after a Harry Styles concert in Madison Square Garden, deciding to channel her joy into something creative: “I was feeling so much adrenaline and couldn’t stop rewatching my videos from the night before. I felt like I was living in a dream.”

By using the most emotive scenes from a source, fan edits can capture the same giddy feeling of having your first crush, or as some commenters have described: “reading [their] first fanfics at age 14”. They’re a great reminder that we’re not just consuming pop culture, we’re living in it. And unlike in our real lives, we can revisit our favourite moments and emotions in seconds.

Ever since I was a child, I’ve been sentimental. I’m not sure how much a child has to be sentimental about, but I absolutely found a way, holding onto everything from souvenirs and paper trinkets to envelopes addressed to me in my grandparents’ handwriting.

Fortunately, I don’t own every single thing I kept as an eight year old magpie (thanks to moving house in my teens and my mum’s strong feelings about unnecessary clutter). Though I do still possess the same sentiment. One that worsens with each passing year and means that I hold a faux nostalgia for memories I didn’t necessarily enjoy at the time, and making me cry whenever I’m blindsided by a song tied to a distant era.

As much as I’ve attempted to journal consistently, I usually can’t surpass a 3-day-streak, most of which usually come from a hopeful resolution on January 1st, or a situation I need to vent about—Bridget Jones style. Instead, I tend to have a few little routines and traditions implemented into my day-to-day, which help me to collect moments without the pressure, and without forgetting to live in them too.

Since I know so many of the Substack girls are also very sentimental at heart, I thought I’d share a few of my favourites, as well as some creative things I’m hoping to do more of this year.

perfumes for different memories

It’s no secret that our sense of smell is has the closest link to our memory recollection, which is why using different perfumes to capture different moments can be so effective. I’ve heard of several people purchasing a new ‘signature scent’ for each birthday and subsequently using it for the rest of the year, however I strongly believe there is a less consumerist method of doing this too. Perfume discovery sets and samples are a great way of trying out different smells for different occasions, such as travelling or concerts, which you can then associate with the scent whenever you smell it again.

polaroids of guests

I’m obsessed with the idea of filling my hallway with polaroid portraits of everyone who visits my home. It’s almost like having your own mini wall of fame!

souvenirs

pressed pennies- every time I visit a new place, I always make sure to carry some loose change for a pressed penny. They’re such an inexpensive souvenir and I love how the embossed designs have so much character.

charm bracelets- one of my favourite souvenirs to buy are charms that are unique to my location (landmarks, local foods, flags or a local material). I usually look for exclusive charms for my nomination bracelet, but I know brands like pandora also offer international exclusives, while lots of small businesses sell unique clip on pendants.

postcards- sending and receiving postcards from friends is a dying art that I miss dearly. Regardless of whether you send them, filling postcards from your location with details, itineraries and inside jokes is the perfect way to spend that beloved balcony time in your hotel room before dinner.

pressing flowers

Pressing flowers is an activity that my grandma taught me about when I was a little girl. Very often, we’d collect different plants from her garden, arrange them on sheets of parchment paper and sandwich them between the pages of a heavy book to flatten. The waiting is the hardest part, but the flowers turn out so beautifully and make a great addition to frames and journal pages.

zines

Zines are such a fun creative project to collect photos, writing and any other miscellaneous musings in one pretty package. You could make these monthly or quarterly using coloured paper and cutouts of physical media or a create a digital zine to mail out to friends and family. Alternatively, you could use this great template to turn your substack into a newspaper and keep a physical archive of the printed issues.

specific playlists

Fill them with the songs you have on repeat, soundtracks of the movies you’ve seen, bridges your friends won’t stop singing and the top hits from the new places you visit. Make a new playlist every quarter, or each time the seasons change.

portable scanner

If you prefer to digitalise your memories, a portable scanner is such a cool way to elevate your collages and digital scrapbooks. They are handbag size and perfect for capturing shapes and textures that a camera can’t.

photo books

There’s nothing I resent more than Apple trying to sell me more storage, and I’d much rather put the money towards something tangible like a photo book for my bookcase. While these can be time consuming to curate, the finished product is worth every second, and it’s lovely to have a library of books organised by year, occasion or holiday destination. Plus, they make very thoughtful gifts.

square hole punch

While there is charm to a well-thought out junk journal spread, I’ve seen lots of people on TikTok fill their journals with neatly punched tiles of junk per day and I love the idea. As someone who spends hours attempting to find the perfect placement, this seems like a more manageable way to collect pieces from the everyday without them becoming a basket of trash (literally).

Welcome to my latest mid-month edit, which is coming to you from my slightly chilly kitchen this morning. I’m blasting the Hannah Montana movie soundtrack as my backing track of choice, not because the 20th Anniversary special is less than two weeks away, but because I watched the movie for the first time recently. It’s hard to believe I’d never seen it before now, but I was always more of a Lizzie McGuire girl…

This month’s edit brings together a mix of early spring, y2k nostalgia, period pieces, aura boards and lots of fangirling. Plus, since my last magazine spread was so well received last month (I think my friend’s exact words were: “it’s one of my favourite things I saw on my phone”), I couldn’t resist making another.

So, here’s the full rundown of everything I’ve been…

watching:

• Bridgerton (Season 4, pt.2): after a somewhat steady first part, the remaining episodes of Bridgerton Season 4 reminded me why I love the show so much. Sophie’s grace, Violet’s warmth and the close-knit bond between the family really came to the forefront in these episodes. While I do think the Francesca–John–Michaela subplot could have been a whole season of its own, it was still a great addition to Season 4, bringing in themes of grief, heartbreak, and friendship. And unlike some of the subplots in previous seasons, it actually felt meaningful rather than a waste of Benedict and Sophie’s screen time.

• The Forsytes: continuing with the period theme, I also started Victorian period drama The Forsytes, which I believe is a remake of a 2002 show and itself adapted from a series of early-1900s novels.

• Uptown Girls: Brittany Murphy’s dresses in this film are what thrifting dreams are made of and, embarrassingly, what pushed me to watch Uptown Girls for the first time. I absolutely loved the beautiful friendship between Molly and Ray, who was the funniest little character. There was so much love and emotion under her tough little exterior, and it broke my heart every time her maturity faltered. The end dance with the song, guitars and choreography inspired by Molly’s silly dancing had me bawling.

• I also watched a lot more new movies after breaking up with romantic comedies last week, which I wrote about in my previous post.

listening to:

• Everyone’s A Star! by 5SOS: this album feels like it was made for late-night listening, from the bedroom dance anthems to the themes of insomnia and hazy emotion as it progresses. My top three at the moment are the title track, I’m Scared I’ll Never Sleep Again, and Wishful Dreaming.

• Olivia Dean’s entire discography is synonymous with the start of spring. I was obsessed with her music this time last year, and the feeling hasn’t subsided.

link copied to clipboard (aka, things I’ve been loving and saving):

• Cooking Mama’s comeback (sort of): Cooking Mama was the queen of cosy gaming growing up, when cooking promised pretty bowls of pre-measured ingredients and a blissful ignorance to dirty dishes. But the one thing I always wondered as I cooked to my heart’s content was whether Mama’s recipes would actually work irl. Enter: @cooking.miamia a creator who’s following those nostalgic recipes side by side with the game, so I don’t have to

• Rhubarb everywhere: it’s rhubarb season and the ingredient is everywhere, from muffins and upside down cakes to matcha. I even purchased my first Lush lip scrub in almost a decade just for the tart pink sugar in their latest rhubarb and custard concoction!

• Florence Hunt and Yerin Ha are the diamonds of my fyp with their silly drafts and Bridgerton bts

• Rhode’s marketing always hits the spot, and their latest spring campaign with Love Story star Sarah Pidgeon was a mastermind move. I haven’t seen the show yet, but my bestie tells me it’s amazing

• Striped everything: we’ve given polka dots their spotlight, but colourful pinstripes are coming to collect their crown. Whether they’re on nail art, linen trousers, or the iconic Monty bag silhouettes, I’m loving contrasting stripes that somehow make the most rogue colour combinations look incredible

• Aura pinterest boards: my wonderfully creative friends made pinterest boards inspired by each other’s styles and auras this week (almost as if we are different Bratz dolls), and I honestly found it so touching to see how we perceive one another

• Teasers for the new Off Campus series: I fear I’ll never watch anything new once this adaptation is released…

• wxy. candle in orris root and amber: I received this candle for my birthday last year and I’ve immediately ordered a restock. The jar has completely burnt out, yet I still find myself hoarding the empty glass for a hit of the subtly sweet orris root scent, which feels perfectly transitional between winter and spring

• Garnier hydrating sorbet cream: if you don’t like over-fragranced skincare, this probably isn’t for you, but the sorbet texture of this moisturiser has me dreaming of summer and late night gelato

• Longer days are always welcome and I loved this post by Maria about optimising your energy from those later sunsets

• These mixed metal hoops from Astrid & Miyu are my favourite everyday earrings at the moment

If my Letterboxd were a dating profile, it would read something like:

• Looking for: comfort, predictability, seasonal atmosphere

• Turn-ons: enemies-to-lovers, yearning, Meg Ryan

• Red flags: heavy themes, critical acclaim, runtime over 100 minutes

In other words, I’m completely devoted to romantic comedies. Perhaps even mildly dependent. My insight on anything critically acclaimed is mediocre at best, but what I can bring to the table is a rundown of the latest 95-minute Wattpad adaptations on Tubi. Or, better yet, a passionate walk through Amanda Bynes’ entire filmography as if it were a period in ancient history.

So I broke up with them.

The NYC column writers, the airport confessions, kisses sealed with a Lancôme juicy tube. I cut them all out of my life for seven days in a wild attempt to broaden my taste.

And as someone who has a queue of teen drama episodes essentially on speed dial, a week apart is harder than it seems. Romantic media has grown with me, given me an escape from the world and lulled me to sleep every night since I got my own dvd player. Of course I’ve dipped into other genres (who can resist a horror movie in October), but these are generally approached with resistance, and shamefully followed by a twenty minute episode of something safe to take the edge off.

And if rom-coms have taught me anything, it’s that every relationship needs boundaries. So, in true Lara Jean Covey fashion, I made a list of rules for the ‘break-up’:

1. Must not be listed as romance or romantic comedy on streaming platforms

2. No rewatches— I’m trying to broaden my taste!!

3. Genres must be varied

4. Watch at least one critically acclaimed film and one from a new director

5. Comedy is allowed (as long as the central theme doesn’t involve a crush of any kind)

6. Romance can exist as a brief subplot only

Now temporarily separated from rom-coms, here’s what I turned to:

Scream 2, 3, 4, 7 (1997-2026)

Watching a horror movie in February is unheard of for me, but when Scream 2 was playing in my hotel room a few weeks ago, I couldn’t resist Courteney Cox’s red bob and the premise of some delicious jump scares. I didn’t manage to finish it all, so I returned to the sequel this week and kickstarted a bit of an obsession. Scream 2 ultimately led to Scream 3, then 4, before a perfectly-timed release day viewing of Scream 7 at my local cinema.

While nothing beats the original cult classic, the repeated premise in the sequels never gets boring to me. If anything, my lower ratings come down to the final reveals, which grow less and less convincing as the franchise goes on, the killer motives stretching thinner each time.

However, one thing I do really appreciate is how the casting of each film is reflective of its era (eg. Emma Roberts, Kristen Bell and Adam Brody in 2011’s Scream 4), even if they’re only brief cameos under the reign of OGs Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette.

Marie Antoinette (2006)

I got so swept up in the Screamverse that it got to Wednesday before I realised I’d made a big mistake: part two of Bridgerton Season 4 was out the next day. And honestly, I was ready to go crawling back to romance like a hopeless ex. Instead, I composed myself and settled for the next best thing: Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette.

Winning an Academy Award for its costume design, this was a period drama I’d had my eye on since my days at fashion school. It follows the life of the eponymous queen from her very early marriage and reign through to its decline, but narratively, it fell a bit flat for me. The aesthetic, however, I can absolutely give credit to.

Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

After watching this film, it was blindingly obvious why Little Miss Sunshine won over 70 awards. This dark comedy was completely different from what I expected, and I’m so glad I went in blind. I assumed there would be a lot more focus on the pageant itself, yet the film just wouldn’t work without the dysfunctional family road trip in that iconic yellow camper van.

Olive may not have won Little Miss Sunshine but she absolutely won me over. Her personality shone so brightly through the darker themes and I couldn’t help but laugh and cry simultaneously during the final dance— the highest of compliments.

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

I wanted Fantastic Mr. Fox to be my first Wes Anderson film because I loved the Roald Dahl book as a kid, so it seemed like a good entry point. Aesthetically I was blown away, from the impeccable stop motion to the warm, autumnal glow that makes the film feel like a literal bedtime story. It’s also just effortlessly fun without overdoing it. The characters were adorable (especially Ash and Kristofferson) and the humour felt unmistakably Roald Dahl.

Frankenstein (2025)

The 2.5-hour runtime kept me far away from Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein for months, but I finally set some time aside to watch it ahead of the Oscars next weekend. Admittedly, the first half hour felt a little slow, though it was clearly necessary in setting the scene and pacing such a complex story without making it feel rushed. After that, I was blown away by the sheer attention to detail, from the atmospheric, gothic setting and layered characters to the intricate makeup that felt so meticulously crafted you could almost see the stitches holding it all together.

As someone with little knowledge of Mary Shelley’s original story, I was pleasantly surprised by the tender and humane depiction of Frankenstein’s monster, who is so often reduced to a literal “monster” in popular culture. I found myself really feeling for his loneliness and confusion, which is real a testament to Elordi’s performance.

It may have taken me a while to press play, but it felt fitting to end the week with something different.

So… are we getting back together?

Unsurprisingly, a week without romantic comedies didn’t radically change me. I didn’t suddenly develop a taste for three-hour war epics, or start critiquing film theory at the dinner table. But it did remind me that there’s more out there than the carousel of y2k comfort hits I keep returning to, and if one week a month without them is what it takes to try something new, I’ll do it happily. I still love a cheesy meet-cute and I probably always will. I just don’t need one every night.

This is the second time I’ve sat down to write this post (the first attempt ended somewhere between a People We Meet on Vacation reference and the sudden inspiration to write an entirely different feature). But I must say, this month’s edit feels extra special. Perhaps it’s the fact that I’m writing this intro alongside a homemade white chocolate matcha, or that the rare winter sunlight has invited itself into my kitchen this morning. Or it could be because I’ve just finished a magazine spread of this month’s edit, which will grace your feeds later this week! (update: I got impatient and added it above)

Here’s a glimpse at what I’ve been…

watching:

• Bridgerton (Season 4): it took me a hot minute to start the first part of Bridgerton, however I quickly devoured it in the company of several cups of tea. I wasn’t quite sure where the ‘cinderella story’ of this season would go at first, however it was impossible not to be immediately enamoured with Sophie’s character.

• Tell Me Lies (Season 3): this show has been on my radar for quite some time, and season 3’s release gave me the perfect nudge to binge it in record time. And honestly, it worked out because I don’t think I could’ve endured the unpredictable nightmare that is Stephen DeMarco for longer than a few hours between each season finale. I love how the third season is equally as addictive and chaotic as the first two, and the whole Wrigley-Bree yearning is driving me crazy!!!

• People We Meet on Vacation: as someone with a very vague memory of the book, I thought this was great. The chemistry between the leads was on point, the soundtrack was everything you’d expect from a good rom-com, and the dance scene will be cited in edits for years to come. Plus, Poppy reminded me what it was like for characters to be likeable again (especially after consuming so many hours of Tell Me Lies).

• What I Like About You: I stumbled across this sitcom by complete chance when I was sulking about Friends leaving Netflix, and I’m so glad I did. It shares several of the same charming qualities as Friends (early noughties, 20-min episodes, NYC setting) with the added wit of Amanda Bynes and Kelly from 90210!

reading:

• Due to all of the incredible watches above, my reading game has been majorly slacking this month. However, I have been enjoying my lunch breaks with rich hot chocolate and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by my side. It’s a unique story with some beautiful writing, and very far from my usual reads.

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link copied to clipboard (aka, things I’ve been loving and sharing):

• Analogue bags- The idea of having a set place full of physical media and cosy activities to reach for is blissful. I think this post by Girl, In the Margins is a great encouragement to use what you already have.

• Taylor Swift’s Opalite music video- I love Taylor’s brain and the fact this video is a product of the Graham Norton Show makes me incredibly happy!

• It’s just been announced that Chicken Shop Date’s Amelia Dimoldenberg is set to produce and star in a rom-com about a celebrity interviewer. I can’t wait to find out her love interest and see some awkward queen energy!

• Window shopping the Anthropologie Valentines collection, specifically this stoneware mug, trinket dish and strawberry icon glass

• The return of the OG sweet treat, Krispy Kreme’s strawberry gloss donut

• International fashion brands- I’ve been eyeing so many basics and spring patterns, particularly in Mode Mischief, Design by Si and my long-term favourite, Gina Tricot

• Nina Park makeup- I’m all for the maximalist makeup comeback, but something about Nina Park makeup is so quietly chic

• Em is Online- her notes and reflections about rejection are a breath of fresh air and so inspiring to read in such an uncertain job market

content I’ve been loving:

Despite what Substack notes may tell you, scrolling doesn’t have to be filled with doom and dread. I’ve been inspired by so many creators lately, especially when it comes to fun routines and outstandingly original recipes. These are my top picks:

• @helenakirschbaum takes you to work with her at a quaint little hotel in Portugal, where she prepares yummy breakfasts and baked goods for the guests. I think I love watching her because she has such a different daily routine to my own!

• the way Lungi develops recipes and reinvents humble classics is a talent I can only dream of. I love following her across TikTok and Substack, and if you haven’t already stumbled across her jam and buttered toast cookie, I demand you to take a look!

• @bellymayme the one thing I enjoy even more than spending slow and whimsy mornings with Belly is her vibrant and rom-com coded editing style

• @chiaraglucia Chiara is the ultimate inspo for anyone wanting to maximise the hours before and after their work day. Plus, she does some pretty cool things!

@bellymaymea very whimsy slow morning in nyc 🌟 !! <3 #morningroutine #slowmorning #whimsical #romanticizeyourlife #nyc

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It’s been over two weeks since Emily Henry’s People We Meet on Vacation landed on Netflix, and while the internet has been busy disputing the accuracy of the adaptation, I’ve been stuck on something far more important. I can’t tell you how true the plot is to the book— mostly because I read it three years ago and my memory is frankly, unreliable. However, something that has stayed with me is a scene in the movie that I just know will be cited in dance edits for years to come.

From the moment the film’s unspoken anthem, Paula Abdul’s ‘Forever Your Girl’, plays for the second time, and Emily Badder steps onto the dance floor rocking that incredible blue wig, it’s clear that rom-com history is about to be made. When Tom Blythe slides in with his signature worm and effortless rhythm, the scene locks into the kind of addictive chemistry that only films made somewhere between the eighties and 2011 can pull off. The kind that has you weirdly excited for the movie to end, just so that you can rewind to the exact same moment and convince yourself you’ll one day recreate it with a handsome stranger.

Naturally, this sent me down a rabbit hole of unforgettable dance scenes that live in my culture-obsessed mind (and embarrassingly, in a thoughtfully curated YouTube playlist for a rainy day).

From culturally significant choreo to the goofiest displays of character chemistry, these are the most addictive dance scenes from the past four decades:

Along Came Polly, 2004- it’s impossible not to be charmed by Ben Stiller’s passion and iconic facial expressions in this silly salsa solo. What starts a stiff and overstimulating duet between him and Jennifer Aniston turns into the sweetest gesture when we discover that Reuben has secretly been taking dance lessons to surprise Polly.

The Ugly Truth, 2009- this addictive salsa creates the perfect turning point from enemies to lovers in the film when Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler translate their electric chemistry to the dance floor. It’s also the first time we see Heigl’s uptight character really let loose, which creates the perfect unexpected dance interlude.

Dirty Dancing, 1987- given the entire premise of the movie, this one isn’t unexpected, however the ‘Hungry Eyes’ scene where Johnny and Lisa teach novice Baby to dance is one of my favourites in history. It’s sexy, has an aesthetically pleasing composition, and most of all, it’s authentic, featuring bloopers of a frustrated Patrick Swayze and giggling Jennifer Grey in the final cut.

Footloose, 2011 (yes, the remake)- again, dancing makes up a huge portion of this film, yet it’s the 30 seconds of palpable chemistry between Julianne Hough and Kenny Wormald’s characters that steal the show in a sizzling line dance to ‘Fake I.D’ by Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson. The scene may start as a group number, but the pair’s connection blurs the background noise until no one else seems to exist.

13 Going on 30, 2004- there’s a painful awkwardness at the start of this scene when Jenna’s vibing to Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ and we think she might be left hanging on the dance floor. However, after literally dragging Mark Ruffalo (and his character, Matt) into the routine, the choreography makes for a playful and entertaining time.

10 Things I Hate About You, 1999- she may be wasted, but every girl’s dream is to dance on a table and look as cool as Julia Stiles in this scene!

Flashdance, 1983- it comes as no surprise that a cult classic about an aspiring dancer goes out with an electrifying dance solo, yet Alex’s audition scene still hits like a shot of caffeine. After a rocky start, she builds an addictive momentum and becomes unstoppable. Much like the fidgety judging panel, this scene fills me with so much energy that I, too, feel like leaping around the room to Irene Cara.

The Vampire Diaries, S1E6- “no more talking, let’s dance!” The moment between Damon and Vicky as they dance to ‘Enjoy The Silence’ is one of my favourite scenes across eight seasons of the show. It’s energetic, fun and a little bit different given the wider context of the characters. It’s also everything I imagined being an adult and living alone would be like.

Friends: The One with The Routine, S6E10- I love everything about this scene from it’s dorky execution to the final ‘lift’. It’s silly and showcases the close dynamic between Monica and Ross as siblings.

I could go on listing scenes like these forever so this may turn into a part 2…

This time last year, I sat down with a notebook and a head full of pop culture references, and wrote what ended up to be one of my (and your) favourite Substack posts to date: my list of cultural moments that defined 2024. Now, as we sit firmly in the most sentimental month of the year, it feels only right to do what I do best: nostalgically yearn for the past.

So, ho and behold, my month–by–month breakdown of 2025’s best movies, albums, campaigns and culturally significant moments that we’ll be referencing way into the New Year.

January

The year started off strong thanks to Hellmann (yes, as in the mayo), who reunited co-stars Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal for a When Harry Met Sally reunion. The stars took centre stage alongside the brand’s mayonnaise to reprise the movie’s iconic deli scene for a campaign.

Demi Moore won her first ever Golden Globe for The Substance, and the ceremony’s red carpet provided the perfect backdrop for Zendaya and Tom Holland to hard launch their secret engagement.

February

Valentine’s month had us falling for Leo Woodhall a second February in a row, this time for his role in Bridget Jones, Mad about the Boy. The sequel broke our hearts into a thousand frazzled pieces, yet reassured us that if even Bridget Jones can get ghosted, our romantic fails are practically character development.

McCauley Culkin and Brenda song’s Cosmo cover shoot became a staple on our coffee tables, and it was a great month for the Wattpad-obsessed thanks to Prime Video’s adaptation of My Fault: London.

March

Lady Gaga released her 8th studio album, Mayhem, inspired by 90s alternative, electro-grunge and a sprinkle of stardust from muses Bowie and Prince. Tracks on the chaotically addictive album included immediate hit ‘Abracadabra’ and ‘Die With A Smile’, a cinematic ballad featuring Bruno Mars.

April

Katy Perry joined an all-female crew on an 11-minute flight to space and the memes practically wrote themselves as she sang, floated and kissed the ground on landing.

Meanwhile, beloved author Emily Henry released her latest romance novel, Great Big Beautiful Life which saw two writers compete to become the biographer of a celebrity heiress.

May

Lancôme hurled us back to the noughties with a star-studded campaign for their Juicy Tube lip gloss. Stars including Ed Westwick (Gossip Girl), Rachel Bilson (The O.C.) and Hilary Duff all reprised their beloved characters and revealed exclusive BTS secrets, gloss wands in hand.

If that wasn’t enough teen drama, A24 and Benito Skinner dropped Overcompensating, a comedy-drama about a closeted college freshman struggling with his sexuality, soundtracked with the likes of Lorde and Charli XCX.

June

Our headphones remained firmly glued to our ears in June, with studio albums from the likes of Lorde (Virgin) and Addison Rae’s eponymous debut (Addison). For the musical theatre obsessed, it was Rachel Zegler’s West End run of Evita that caught our attention, with hundreds of Londoners gathering each night for her breathtaking balcony performance.

A24 dropped another banger, this time in the form of coveted rom-com Materialists. Drawn in by the love triangle between Dakota Johnson and hotties Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans, we left theatres feeling somewhat more philosophical than when we arrived.

July

Our Wednesdays were filled with sour patch kids and giddy moments with Conrad Fisher, who became our ultimate summer crush thanks to The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps whisked us from sweaty midsummer to the retro-futuristic 60s, as Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach made their MCU debut as Marvel’s First Family.

August

The Jonas brothers singlehandedly healed our inner child by reuniting on stage with co-star Demi Lovato to perform two legendary Camp Rock classics in New Jersey. Across the globe, Guillermo Del Toro’s adaptation of Frankenstein received a 14 minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival, bringing Jacob Elordi to tears.

Sabrina Carpenter released her seventh studio album Man’s Best Friend featuring playful tracks such as single ‘Manchild’, ‘House Tour’ and ‘Tears’ (accompanied by a stunning Rocky Horror-esque music video). Dance break.

September

Another spectacular month for music, Olivia Dean (also the best-dressed woman of the year) released her second studio album The Art of Loving, while Raye dropped ‘Where Is My Husband!’, the 2025 equivalent of ‘Single Ladies.’

October

There was a quiet stand-off between lover girl and single baddie in October, following the releases of Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl and Lily Allen’s divorce album West End Girl. To add fuel to the fire, Vogue declared that having a boyfriend is embarrassing— a sentence that launched a thousand think pieces and many heated conversations.

Lily Allen wasn’t the only one to make a comeback, as October also marked the return of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, proving that nostalgia always finds its way home. Meanwhile a successful Louvre heist had us making playlists, feeling cinematic, and low-key romanticising crime.

November

The people’s prince, Jonathan Bailey was crowned People magazine’s ‘Sexiest Man Alive’ ahead of the release of Wicked: For Good. Meanwhile, Stranger Things returned to Netflix for its highly anticipated fifth season, over 3 years after season 4. Time is just a concept.

December

With two weeks left of December, anything could happen. So far, the month has kicked off with a collaboration between cult beauty brand Summer Fridays x GAP, and we’ve been transported back to the magic of the Era’s Tour thanks to a new 6-episode documentary on Disney+. And it doesn’t end there. The end of 2025 still has room for a few more cultural hits: Emily in Paris season 5, the book-to-screen adaptation of The Housemaid and the series finale of Stranger Things are all fast-approaching.

Annnd that’s a wrap…

If November were a movie, it would without a doubt be Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. The month holds a liminal magic where the sky wears a Gilmore Girls coloured filter, yet if you listen closely, you can hear the whisper of sleigh bells in the distance.

As a deeply seasonal consumer of media, I’ve always seen November as the only month without a defined set of tropes, which is perfect for taming that overwhelming feeling of trying to do everything seasonal (and achieving very little). In fact, it’s almost like an extended deadline for your autumn bucket list, while equally being the perfect time to soft launch your festive traditions.

So whether you’re in the mood for comfort food, gloomy reads or festive viewing, here’s my list of inspiration to keep you culturally (and literally) fed this November.

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What to watch:

All’s Fair, Disney Plus (4 November): This legal drama starring Kim K, Niecy Nash (aka Devi Vishwakumar’s iconic therapist) and Naomi Watts follows a team of female divorce attorneys as they navigate high-stakes breakups and scandalous secrets.

Frankenstein, Netflix (7 November): Guillermo del Toro brings Mary Shelley’s gothic classic back to life (literally) in his highly acclaimed adaptation starring Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi and Mia Goth.

Maxton Hall Season 2, Prime Video (7 November): Back to school season may have passed, but a new term is just beginning at Maxton Hall. Last season we saw academic overachiever Ruby Bell stumble into the life of millionaire heir James Beaufort after accidentally uncovering an explosive secret. And by the looks of the trailer, season two is bringing even more drama, tension and fiery enemies-to-lovers chemistry to keep us warm this month.

Nothing says Christmas quite like a struggling small town and a cast of your favourite childhood stars trying to save it, and Netflix has gone all out this year. A Merry Little Ex-Mas, (12 November), is the first of three Netflix original movies premiering on the platform, starring Alicia Silverstone (Clueless) and Melissa Joan Hart (Sabrina the Teenage Witch). Shortly following suit, whirlwind Paris rom-com Champagne Problems, (19 November) and London set Jingle Bell Heist (26 November) will premiere weekly.

Wicked: For Good, in theatres (21 November): The much anticipated conclusion takes place in parallel to The Wizard of Oz timeline and sees now estranged Elphaba and Glinda reunite to seal their fate.

Zootopia 2, in theatres (28 November): The Disney sequel sees beloved Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps reunite to solve a new case.

Classic November favourites: You’ve got Mail, When Harry Met Sally, My Life with the Walter Boys, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Little Women, Last Night in Soho, Ready or Not

Or, if you’re already in the festive spirit, you can soft launch the holidays with some of my personal favourites:

What to read:

A Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix- if you’re still riding the horror high from Halloween, this book is for you. The plot follows bored 90s housewife and book club member Patricia Campbell as she becomes suspicious of her charming new neighbour.

Madonna in a Fur Coat by Sabahattin Ali- my friend recommended this book for its rainy, gloomy atmosphere and subtle comfort. It follows Raif Efendi, a reserved young man who travels to Berlin in the 20s and becomes captivated by a woman he encounters there. Their brief but profound connection leaves a lasting mark on his life and transforms him forever.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley- the perfect book to revisit in time for the adaptation

What to eat:

Fruits & Veg- pumpkins, squash, cauliflower, cabbage, corn, leeks, apples, pears, blackberries, clementines, pomegranates, figs, plums, chestnuts

Spices & Flavours- cinnamon, nutmeg, sage, thyme, maple, caramel, chai

Bakery- caramel, apple or plum pastries, pies and crumbles make for a rich and hearty dessert option. Meanwhile, cinnamon buns, carrot cake and mince pies are a perfect way to include spices and warm flavours.

Comfort foods- savoury pies and casseroles are a warm and comforting meal, especially when paired with mash or baked potatoes. Chunky soups served with toasted sourdough or grilled cheese are another hearty option, and can be bulked out with pasta, grains or seasonal veg.

What to fill your time with:

• Make pumpkin gnocchi- use up the leftover pulp from your Halloween pumpkins to make a simple pumpkin gnocchi. Bonus points if you have the patience to craft them into a pumpkin shape.

• ‘Friendsgiving’ marathon- work your way through every episode of Friends that features Thanksgiving or the holidays, from the one where the Friends celebrate their first holiday together to the one where Brad Pitt makes a cameo. Best served with a leftover sandwich.

• Roast dinner tapas- make a meal out of your favourite roast dinner trimmings only: pigs in blankets, roasties, cauliflower cheese, Yorkshire puddings.

• Bangers and mash for bonfire night- one of my favourite November traditions is eating bangers (sausages) and mash on bonfire night while hearing the crackle of fireworks in the background. They have that smoky ‘bonfire’ flavour and make for a hearty comfort meal to accompany sparklers and garden displays.

• Visit a garden centre- garden centres may be alive with colour during spring, but autumn is one of the most cosy times to visit. They’re alive with seasonal plants and trinkets, plus you can warm up with a hot drink and a pastry in the café to end the trip.

• Day trips- nothing says early winter quite like a cosy small town trip. Lately, my fyp has been inundated with vlogs of day trips to The Cotswolds and Shere, a small village in Surrey where The Holiday (2006) was filmed. Romanticise the scenery, do research into the local hotspots and explore the small businesses your chosen village has to offer.

• Cosy hobbies- use the colder weather as an excuse to focus on cosy hobbies: colouring, crafting, junk journalling, baking, cosy games

• Seasonal TKMaxx trip- take a trip to browse the latest seasonal homeware at TKMaxx (or TJMaxx for my non UK readers!) If you don’t have a store nearby, you can always live vicariously through a Zoe Sugg or Mark Ferris vlog.

If you’re looking for even more ideas, my previous post, 17 ways to spend the darker evenings is full of inspo!!

And if you’ve made it this far, don’t be a stranger! I’d love to hear some of your November rituals…

Leave a comment

Key Dates:

Guy Fawkes Night, 5 November

Remembrance Day, 11 November

Thanksgiving, 25 November

Black Friday, 28 November

Movember (Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month), 1-30 November

St Andrews Day, 30 November

The clocks went back on Sunday and I’m still not ready for the darkness at 4pm.

While the concept of the clocks changing is a great addition to our small talk rotations, (maybe even better than “can you believe this rain?”) the creeping darkness of autumn is something I wish I could avoid. Mornings become slightly more difficult, the days shrink in tandem with the autumn leaves, and from October to March, 7pm may as well be midnight.

And as someone who treats “it’s dark already” as a perfectly valid excuse to cancel plans and postpone errands, I can safely say I’m the first to fall victim to the seasonal shutdown. Once the sun disappears, so does my motivation— to cook, to go out, to do anything that doesn’t involve a radiator and my pyjamas. However, there was once a time (July) when I’d happily agree to post-work plans, read outside until sunset, maybe even take the long way home sans-headphones.

While it seems easier now to replace golden hour with an hour of blue light and doom-scrolling in the dark, all it takes is a small push and some planning to adapt to hibernation mode.

Here are some low maintenance activities and whimsy upgrades you can make to your evenings to prove that 7pm isn’t the end of the day, it’s just the start of a slower, more creative one.

• Work your way through TikTok saved vids- read the book everyone’s raving about, try the recipe you promised to make, watch the film you saved a single clip from back in 2024

• Fun food shop- take a detour on your way home, stop at a supermarket and pick up some treats that wouldn’t usually make your weekly shop. It could be a seasonal sweet treat, some fresh flowers or an unusual fruit that’s in season. Use creator @Ellie Finnis as inspiration

• Whimsy girl dinner- decorate your evening meals with cookie cutters, sprinkles and pretty serving bowls to heal your inner child and feel like a 5-9 fairy

• Hold a themed release party for something you’ve been anticipating– an album, a new Netflix movie, season 3 of a series you love. Or, if you’re more nostalgic…

• Celebrate a random release anniversary- pick an album, film, or TV episode that’s hit a milestone. Throw it a tiny, ironic birthday party with some low-key decor and themed drinks or snacks

• Ramekin recipes- if you’re craving something warm and hearty minus lots of dishes, try a single serve ramekin recipe. Mini pot pies, mac and cheese, baked oats, a fruit cobbler.

• Last minute tickets- enter a ticket lottery or book some last minute theatre tickets on TodayTix. If theatre’s not your thing, swap the stage for the cinema

• Go to an evening class or complete a DIY kit- painting, pottery, candle making, rug tufting— anything that lets you be creative. Craft Club, Sculpd have some beautiful home kits, and Flying Tiger is perfect for fun and affordable sets

• Play some cosy games- switch, steam, iPad or a traditional board. This post by

  has some great cosy board game inspo

• Pub quiz- gather some friends and test how many random facts you’ve accidentally absorbed from the internet this year

• Apply for an ARC- brew some tea, light a candle and read an advanced copy of an upcoming release

• Tea flight tasting- make a little tea (or hot drink) flight to sample different flavours and warm yourself from the inside out. Think chai, chamomile or matcha

• Bake off challenge- select an episode of The GBBO and play it in the background as you prepare a fresh bake inspired by the week’s theme

• Movie marathon- binge watching a movie franchise with some freshly popped corn will never go out of style

• Take a Skillshare mini-course to learn a new technical or creative skill

• Pinterest challenge- complete a Pinterest challenge or bingo card for a theme of your choosing. This could be a reading challenge, self-care bingo, workout routine or autumn bucket list

• Do a themed home workout- from Disney channel movies to the Eras Tour

Being a child is so ironic. I spent a good part of my younger years wishing away curfews and maths lessons, longing for the day I’d be old enough to own my own makeup bag– a proper one, filled with items that shimmered and smelled like strawberries. Yet now, I’d give anything to revisit just one slow, sunny day in my school uniform, doing cartwheels in the playground and loyally orbiting the girl I’d be having over for a playdate that evening. To sit on the carpet where my teacher would read us illustrated stories or, as a treat, project episodes of Charlie and Lola onto the whiteboard.

I’m not ashamed to admit that I’ll take any excuse to revisit the media I loved ten, or even fifteen years ago, whether it’s a quick flick through an old Fancy Nancy book or a full episode of Peppa Pig on my fyp. And there’s so much more to appreciate with older eyes– the oddly specific details that once felt throwaway now feel strangely aesthetic.

It almost feels like the best of both worlds now, as we can draw creative inspiration from our childhood icons, while revisiting them with the freedom and independence of young adulthood. So, let’s take some notes:

Lola and Lotta

Lola wears mismatched tights, has strong opinions about vegetables and lives in a home that my junk journal would be jealous of. She’s the ultimate queen of textures and layering, and in Lola’s world, there’s no such thing as clashing patterns.

Small details:

• buttons (a lot of them)

• colourful accessories (tights, hats, scarves, gloves) that are co-ordinated with small coloured details in the outfit

• pink drinks– pink milk, an iced coffee or strawberry matcha latte

• patterned dresses, particularly floral

• patchwork accessories, makeup bags or blankets

• bows or butterfly hair clips

• creative layering

Angelina Ballerina

Before ballerina capuccina, there was Angelina Ballerina: the princess of coquette, tea parties and the pink and turquoise colour combo. I like to think of Angelina as the clean girl, pilates princess of the modern era, who would go wild for Rhode and Lululemon.

Small details:

• brands: Lululemon, alo, fun+cute, JW PEI

• coquette bows and ribbons

• mary janes and mary jane sneakers

• pretty pastels

• lace, tulle and satin fabrics

• carefully curated tea parties with petit fours, iced buns and delicate flavours

• hand painted pottery

Madeline

“We love our bread, we love our butter, but most of all, we love each other.” Madeline is polite, curious and loyal. Dressed in her signature yellow trench and navy pinafore, she spends her days exploring art galleries, zoos and grand old cathedrals in cities around the world with her classmates.

Small details:

• navy blue and yellow colour pairings

• a yellow trench coat

• black mary janes with white socks

• hats, bows and other hair accessories

• city breaks and day trips

• bread and butter, of course

Fancy Nancy

Fancy Nancy has become something of a TikTok icon lately, inspiring character-themed gatherings and whimsical hosting. There’s no such thing as ‘too extravagant’ for Nancy, who loves dressing up in tutus, feather boas and ruby slippers, as well as anything with a touch of Parisian flair.

Small details:

• fairy lights and paper decorations

• handmade paper crowns and placeholders

• french cakes and pastries- petit-fours, macarons, gâteaux

• gingham, polka dots and floral patterns

• extravagant accessories- feather boas, statement sunglasses and headbands

• lace, tulle and satin

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Whether he’s chomping his way through a crunchy pear or a juicy apple, The Very Hungry Caterpillar is constantly surrounded by and abundance of colour (and food, of course). He lives his life in watercolour and channels his vibrant appetite into a stunning butterfly at the end of his story.

Small details:

• bright primary and secondary colours (reds, greens, blues, yellows)

• striped and gingham prints

• monochromatic green or brown looks, featuring pops of red

• fluffy or fuzzy knitwear (bonus points if it’s green)

• colourful snack plates and charcuterie boards

• farmers market dates

• vibrant tablescapes

If you told me The Summer I Turned Pretty was a long-lost CW pilot from 2007, I’d probably believe you. From the beach-town aesthetic to the jaw-dropping promo pics for Season 3, it’s hard to believe that the Jenny Han adaptation wasn’t made to air between reruns of One Tree Hill and The O.C.

After all, ‘iPhone faces’ and oh-so-short seasons aside, Jenny Han’s series reignites the kind of perpetual teen yearning that’s been missing from TV for a very long time. The kind that has you passionately arguing with strangers online over who Belly should choose, or giggling and kicking your feet over the smallest (perfectly soundtracked) interactions. In fact, when you break down every little detail, it’s clear TSITP is the closest we’ll get to a true 2000s teen drama.

Allow me to deep-dive:

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The soundtrack

I fear I could write a whole essay on the impact of this series’ soundtrack. From the perfectly-timed Taylor Swift tunes to angsty Olivia Rodrigo, each song encapsulates girlhood, young love and modern pop while still feeling classic and intentional. And it’s this intent that ties TSITP to some of our 00s favourites, which still impact how we listen to certain songs years later. You can’t convince me that the scene where Silver Springs plays as Belly and Conrad argue at Susannah’s funeral isn’t the modern equivalent of hearing Never Let Me Go in The Vampire Diaries.

The emotionally unavailable/ golden retriever love triangle

Before Jeremiah and Conrad came Stefan and Damon, Jess and Dean, Dawson and Pacey, the list goes on. And regardless of whether they’re brothers, ‘bros’, or full-time enemies, we'll always pick a side to loyally defend like it’s our own love life. (Enter: the yearning).

The sweet side character who deserves better

Let’s forget about team Conrad or Jeremiah for a second, and think about the real romantic hero. No forgotten corsages, messy breakups or brother feuds– just the awkward, unproblematic king that is Cam-Cameron. He didn’t quite memorise the bible for Belly, but he did sneak everyone into the country club in Season 2. Dare I call him the Jake Jagielski / Dave Rygalski of our generation?

Debutante ball

As a UK girlie, I wouldn’t even know what this was if not for my obsession with teen dramas. First Gilmore Girls, then The O.C., Gossip Girl, and now, TSITP. Belly’s introduction into society is an element of the series that never appeared in the books, yet it arguably forms the backbone of Season 1. Without it, Belly wouldn’t have met her friends, there would be no Steven and Shayla subplot and most importantly, no Belly and Conrad deb dance.

Iconic trinkets

Two words: Junior. Mint. You know, the fairground prize from Conrad that sits on Belly’s bed and sports some seriously cool shades? I can’t remember seeing a recurring trinket on my screen since Captain Oats and Princess Sparkle in The O.C.

Fictional small town

Along with Capeside, Tree Hill and Stars Hollow, Cousins beach is the latest fictional small town I’d risk everything to move to. From house parties by the beach to dimly-lit late night swims, it’s no wonder the other seasons didn’t matter to Belly. Side note: I’m a big fan of the Cousins merch that’s been floating around lately.

The comfort

If the overlapping tropes weren’t enough to convince you this series was made to air in 2003, perhaps the comfort element will. As the warm jingle echoes over the opening credits of The Summer I Turned Pretty, don’t you recognise that warm, familiar feeling? The one that fades your worries like a gentle tide washing your footprints on the shore. Isn’t it somewhat alike to the feeling you get when Carole King starts singing over Gilmore Girls, and suddenly it’s autumn and everything is okay again? It might be coming to an end this summer, but The Summer I Turned Pretty is sure to play on repeat for many summers to come.