Lack of sleep affects your emotions, energy and everyday living. Now sometimes the lack of zzzs can’t be helped, such as when we have a new baby, restless toddler or poorly child to look after. Then there’s being ill, financial or job worries, or going through major life changes like the menopause. However, there are steps we can take to improve our sleep; just a few adjustments can make the difference between feeling refreshed and ready to tackle anything, or wanting to crawl back under the covers.

Finding your rhythm
If you’re not getting enough sleep, then chances are your mood is affected. You could be irritable, down, and without the patience to deal with life’s routines, never mind the curve balls. “One of the things I focus on with patients who are low in mood is the circadian rhythm,” explains independent prescribing pharmacist and registered nutritional therapist Richa Puri. “That’s the body’s internal clock that determines when cortisol rises, when melatonin builds, and when sleep becomes possible.”

Just opening the curtains and letting daylight reach your eyes can help regulate your body clock, but even better, go outside for a morning walk. Doing so helps regulate your cortisol levels during the day, allowing the sleep hormone, melatonin, to gradually build in the evening. “The result is a more reliable sleep signal at night,” says Richa. “It’s one of the most powerful tools available for regulating mood, energy and sleep, and it costs nothing.”

Diet dos and don’ts
What and when you eat can seriously affect your sleep quality and quantity. Avoid eating in the last couple of hours before bed so your stomach doesn’t have to work to digest food, when it should be in a state of repair and recuperation. Nutrients that support sleep include magnesium, and tryptophan (found in certain foods including eggs, milk, poultry and some seeds).

Herbal teas containing chamomile, passionflower, lemon balm, lavender and valerian can help you wind down, calm a racing mind, and relax the body. As for coffee, keep that to the morning or early afternoon otherwise it may well keep you awake, or at the very least compromise your sleep quality.

Time to wind down
If you spend your evenings watching TV or scrolling your phone, you’re not giving your brain the chance to switch off. A wind-down buffer with no devices and ideally no TV will help prepare your body for sleep. Try meditation to really relax, or even just pick up that book you’ve been meaning to read for months. “Sleep hygiene is really important and our bedtime routine doesn’t start when our head hits the pillow – it should begin much earlier in the evening,” says Joseph Conway, psychotherapist and mental health trainer at Vita Health Group. “The brain needs clear, consistent signals that it’s time to wind down.”

Sleep hygiene
How warm or cool your sleeping environment is goes a long way to ensuring a fitful night as our core body temperature naturally drops in the evening. “A cool room helps this process along, signalling to the brain that it’s time for deep rest,” explains Joseph.  Sweltering? A fan can really make a difference. Natural fibre bedding will also help, as cotton and linen wick-away heat and moisture from the body, so you don’t wake up in a sweat. If you’re in the market for a new mattress, going for a cooling version could help, as could a cooling topper for your existing mattress.

In winter it’s the opposite, of course. If you’re too cold you’re not going to stay asleep, so a thick duvet or an electric blanket will make all the difference when the mercury plummets.

Get in to a routine
Finally, try to go to bed at the same time every night and get up at the same time every day. This is a great way to set your internal body clock, which will mean sleep comes easier and you’ll sleep deeper. And while giving up weekend lie-ins might seem a step too far, it’s worth it in the end for quality zzzs.

Sleep helpers

Lush Sleepygift set, £18

Wind down for the evening with this soothing shower gel and body lotion. Both contain lavender, known for its relaxing effects, and tonka, which is sweet and comforting. Add to that oat milk, which is an antioxidant and calming for the skin, and you have the makings of a peaceful night.

Neal’s Yard Beauty Sleep Foaming Bath, from £19

If you’re more of a bath than a shower person, then this is for you. The combination of ylang ylang, clary sage and patchouli will have you relaxed and ready for bed in no time. Feel stress dissipate as you slip into the luxurious bubbles and enjoy quality time just for you.

Olverum Nightfall Sleep Mist, £26.50

Mist this fragrance over your pillow before falling into bed and you’ll feel like you’re drifting off in a luxury spa. The blend of five essential oils – including Roman chamomile, bergamot and lavender – is designed to support all stages of sleep, promoting greater relaxation through light, deep and REM sleep.

Simba Hybrid Mattress Topper, £314.10 (double size)

An old mattress is possibly the main culprit of poor sleep and morning aches. This Hybrid Mattress Topper will add a new lease of life to your existing set-up. It has a washable cover, two memory foam layers and a layer of aerocoil springs between. The result is comfort, support and – thanks to the open structure of the memory foam – a cooling night’s sleep.

Luff Mayfair Cooling Gel Pillow, £74.99

With this pillow there’s a cooling gel pad on one side to draw heat away from your head, while the memory foam core helps support your neck and spine. The other side of the pillow is finished in a bamboo fabric, which is hypoallergenic, wicks away moisture, and in itself is naturally cooling.

Curated Beauty 100% Mulberry Silk Sleep Mask, £50

This luxurious mask will prevent the glare of street lights and traffic disturbing your slumber, while the mulberry silk is gentle on your skin. Silk is thermoregulating, so stays cool in summer and warm in winter – and it helps stop sleep creases too. It’s beauty sleep at its finest!

All About Sleep Organic Bamboo Sleep Masks for Men, £29.99 

And for the man in your life, this sleep mask blocks out the light so helping ensure restful sleep. It’s made from organic bamboo, which is naturally cooling, antibacterial and hypoallergenic, and the bamboo fibre cushioning is soft against the eyes. The elasticated strap also makes for a comfortable fit.

Silentnight Deep Sleep Night Light and White Noise Machine, £30

Zen out to soothing music, practice breathing exercises or fall asleep to birdsong. Other soundscapes include rain, and even the rhythmic noise of trains rolling along a track. Use it as a night light, pick one of the colours to suit your mood, or scroll through the rainbow as you drift off. There’s a timer and Bluetooth so you can connect it to your phone.

Ashleigh & Burwood Wellbeing Frosted Fragrance Lamp, £28 and Sleep Wellbeing Lamp Fragrance, £15

This fragrance lamp is beautiful to look at, and helps create an ambiance conducive to sleep by purifying the air and getting rid of cooking or other odours. Pair it with one of more than 60 fragrances, such as the Sleep Wellbeing blend of geranium, lavender and patchouli essential oils, for a soothing and restful night.

The post And so to bed: sleep tips and tricks appeared first on Checklists.

Love it or hate it, housework takes up an inordinate amount of time in our already busy lives. Thankfully tech advances have made the process so much quicker and efficient – and nowhere is that more evident than with floorcare.

Vacuum cleaners have been around for decades, but now they can sense the thickness of your carpet, adjust to hard floors, have touch screen displays that display battery life, notify you when they need emptying – and some of them even talk to you! They come as cordless, corded, or with their own charging docks. Some convert to handheld for the stairs or car, while some recline almost flat for getting under low furniture.

Then there’s the mops that also dry, the all-in-one cleaners, carpet shampooers for deep-down hygiene, and spot cleaners for targeted stain removal.

Wand to know more? We’ve rounded up a few of our favourites to bring you the best floorcare must-haves available right now.

Vax Lift Out Reach Pet Design, £139.99

For anybody who prefers a corded to a cordless, this new vacuum from Vax is a game changer. The design is similar to cordless models – slim shape, narrower brush head and headlights – but with the power you’d expect from a corded cleaner. The 14.5m cable means you don’t have to swap plugs so often when vacuuming different rooms, and the lift out feature means cleaning the stairs is a doddle. We love the hairwrap resist brushroll which never seems to clog up, even with two dogs and a cat in our tester’s house. There’s also a turbine pet tool for the sofa and car, a two-stage filtration system for allergens and odour, and, most importantly, it’s easy to manoeuvre and lightweight to use.

Electrolux Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner with Auto Empty & Charging Station, £349.99

This cordless vacuum empties itself into a sealed bin bag within its docking station, so you only need to empty it every few weeks depending on how often you use the cleaner. This, together with the HEPA filter, is a big plus point if anybody in your household suffers from allergies or asthma. The battery gives up to 60 minutes of cleaning, depending on the speed setting used – low, high or auto (which adjusts the power for carpets or hard floors), and the flexible wand bends to reach under low furniture. There’s an anti-tangle brushroll, which is indispensable if you have pets, LED headlights to highlight dust, and a selection of accessories included. The vacuum also converts easily to hand-held for use on furniture or in the car.

Kärcher FCV 3 Cordless Vacuum Mop, £199

Put away your mop and bucket – Karcher’s FCV 3 vacuums, washes and dries all in one! Then, when it’s done, it self-cleans, saving you even more time and energy. It’s cordless, providing 30 minutes of cleaning time on one charge, and it has separate fresh and dirty water tanks. The LED display shows runtime and the cleaning mode chosen – dry, standard, advance power for stubborn stains, and self-clean. It sucks up both liquid and dry dirt, including pet hair, and after washing, floors are dry enough to walk on within minutes. Karcher says it removes 99% of allergens and bacteria from the floor, and uses 93% less water than a traditional mop – impressive. Suitable for hard floors, while the dry mode can also be used on rugs and low-pile carpet.

Gtech AirRAM 3 Plus, £269.99

This vacuum talks to you, which is either a good thing, or a bad thing depending on your point of view. However you can switch off the voice assist function and just enjoy the lightweight, powerful clean it delivers. Another of our testers had a Gtech vacuum before and loved it; this one is even better. It has anti-hair wrap technology and can pick up debris of all sizes – even cotton wool buds – while the self-cleaning filter is such a bonus. It gets right into the corners, thanks to its edge brushes, its headlights highlight dust, and you hardly have to push it as it propels itself forwards. This, together with the 3.8kg weight, makes it an ideal choice for older people or anybody with mobility problems. It averages 30 minutes cleaning time on a full charge, and is suitable for hard floors and carpets.

Vonhaus Spot Cleaner, £69.99

For stains and deep-down dirt, this spot cleaner is an essential. It comes into its own for spills, such as wine or tea, or dirty paw prints from pets. It’s for small areas on carpet and upholstery, rather than total cleans, and is much lighter to use than a full-size shampooer. Simply spray water onto the stain, pull the brush through it and watch the dirt being sucked up into the machine. There’s two tanks – one for clean and one for dirty water – and the powerful suction ensures your carpet or furniture isn’t left soaking wet afterwards. It comes with three brush attachments – large, small and pet – which are easily interchangeable, depending on the task at hand. There’s even a self-clean function that flushes out the machine when you’ve finished using it.

Henry Quick, £199.99

Loved by one in four UK homes, there’s just something about Henry. With this in mind it’s time to meet (and we say buy!) Henry Quick. It’s a cordless vacuum that compacts dust inside a clever pod system, giving a bigger capacity than most leading vacuums, and one-click, dust-free emptying. Then there’s up to 60 minutes of powerful cleaning, just as you would expect from a Henry. What’s more, its powerful, motorised brush head easily tackles stubborn dust, dirt and pet hair on carpets and hard floors, leaving your home spotless.

PS Want to be in with the chance to win a Henry Quick? Just click here!

Daewoo 12-in-1 Steam Mop & Handheld Steam Cleaner, £33.99

This mop heats up in 30 seconds and uses steam to hygienically clean floors without the need for detergent. It’s lightweight – under 2kg – and converts to hand-held easily and quickly. It’s suitable for upholstery, windows, wall tiles and refreshing carpets, as well as cleaning hard floors, and it comes with a variety of attachments. Out tester loved the triangular head, which gets right into corners and fits flush against the skirting for a close clean, while the 12 minutes of continuous steam – which kills up to 99.9% of bacteria – is enough to clean the kitchen floor with some left over. It’s corded, with a generous 5m cable, and the water tank holds up to 280ml so you don’t have to repeatedly refill it.

Beldray All-In-One Floor Cleaner, £127.99

Beldray’s all-in-one cleaner takes the effort out of keeping floors spotless. Use it to vacuum, then mop and dry hard floors including tiles, laminate, vinyl, and wood with ease. The design incorporates separate fresh and dirty water tanks so you’re always working with clean water, while powerful suction leaves surfaces dry within minutes. It’s perfect for dry and wet food spills, pet hair, muddy paw prints and general dust, while the cordless design is easy to manoeuvre. The cleaner delivers 25 minutes of run time on a full charge, has a self-clean mode, and it comes with a handy storage base.

Philips OneUp 5000 Electric Mop, £149.99

The slim design of this hard floor cleaner is ideal if space is at a premium and storage is limited. Quicker and more efficient than a traditional mop and bucket, it combines wash and dry functions to leave your floors spotless. It’s cordless and weighs less than 2kg, so it’s easy to take everywhere within the home, and there’s separate water tanks for fresh and dirty water. Battery life is an impressive 70 minutes, and you can use it on all hard floors. The mop head swivels through 360° and reclines almost flat for optimum reach – and the reusable mop pads can be machine washed on a delicate cycle.

Morphy Richards DualClean Carpet Washer, £179.99

Sometimes floors need more than regular vacuuming or spot cleaning, and that’s where this carpet washer comes in. It features large clean and dirty water tanks, so you can go over an entire carpet without needing to refill. The wide head covers more areas at one time, and the generous 7.5m cable means you don’t have the hassle of constantly unplugging and replugging into the mains. It’s not just for carpets and rugs, either – you can also use it on hard floors, and there’s an upholstery hose and nozzle for furniture. Especially useful if you have kids and pets.

Ultenic U20 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, £159.99

This cordless vacuum has three suction levels, and can be used on both hard floors and carpets. The battery delivers up to 60 minutes run time on a full charge, and you can keep an eye on power remaining on the easy-to-read display. There’s an anti-tangle brush that makes short work of long hair and pet hair, and the flexible wand bends to reach right under low furniture. The 1.5L dust canister features one-touch release for easy emptying, and the seven-stage filtration system captures 99.9% of dust and allergens. Plus it easily converts to a hand-held vacuum.

Prices are correct at the time of writing but may be subject to change.

The post Keep things clean with these floorcare musts appeared first on Checklists.

SwitchBot Standing Circulator Fan, £99.99

This fan is height adjustable, so can be used full-size, or as a desk fan so you can enjoy the cooling impact while working. You’re also not limited by the position of wall sockets, as this has a rechargeable battery.

On its quietest mode it comes in at 22dB; perfect for cooling the kids’ room as they sleep. It oscillates through 90°, and you can tilt the fan vertically to direct the air flow where you want it. Control the speed from your phone through the app, or via your smart home system. There’s also a magnetic remote, which means keeping it safe from getting lost. Then there’s the battery, delivering up to 28 hours continuous use. And there’s even a nightlight built in.

Vonhaus 40-inch Bladeless Fan with Wi-Fi & HEPA, £99.99

If you’re a fan (ahem) of bladeless designs then this provides the look along with practical cooling power. It delivers a steady flow of air via its 10 speeds, and oscillates through 60°. So no matter where you are in the room you’ll feel the cooling effects.

There’s also several choices when it comes to control. Use the remote, download the app to adjust with your phone, or connect to your smart home system for voice control. And it has several modes, including sleep with noise levels as quiet as 28dB, so it shouldn’t disturb you during the night. What’s more, it has a built-in pre-filter and a Hepa 13 filter that capture pollen and dust, which is great news for anybody suffering from allergies.

Dreo TurboCool Misting Fan 765S, £199.99

This is different in a good way, incorporating a misting function into its tower. This can lower room temperature by up to 6℃, says the company, great for a heatwave. There’s no need to worry about dampness, as the high-tech system delivers an adjustable, ultra-fine mist that quickly evaporates – so you likely won’t even notice it.

The water tank holds 6L, which should last through 24 hours runtime. The fan is also super quiet, with a noise level of 20dB on its lowest setting, so shouldn’t disturb at night. It has 12 speeds, a timer (up to 12 hours), four modes and oscillates through 90° for whole room cooling. Adjust the speed, oscillation, ambient light, and humidity with the remote control provided, by voice through your smart home system, or via an app on your phone.

Levoit Classic 42-inch Pro Tower Fan, £109.99

A good-looking addition to your home, this will happily sit in a corner of the living room fairly unobtrusively. This 42-inch tall version has 12 speeds, and on its lowest setting is whisper quiet at 25dB. It also oscillates through 90℃, plus you can manually adjust the vents up or down by up to 60℃ to further direct the airflow.

There’s a 12-hour timer, 12 speeds, and when you’re in auto, advanced sleep or turbo mode, the fan senses changes in ambient temperature, automatically adjusting the speed. Handy. It comes with a remote control that is stored on the fan itself, and the touch screen display on top is simple to use. You can also control the device via the VeSync app, and, if you purchase the smart version, via Alexa and Google Assistant.

Meaco Sefte 6-inch Portable Battery Air Circulator, £69.99

Meaco’s Sefte fans are generally considered among the best you can buy for performance, energy efficiency, and noise levels. And now there’s a newcomer to the range with the launch of the Sefte 6.

It’s small and cordless, so you can position it wherever you want it, whether that’s on a side table, desk or kitchen counter. The fan has 12 speeds, both vertical (manual) and horizontal (automatic) oscillation, a timer and an easy-to-read digital display. Noise levels are as low as 22dB, and you can switch off sound and lights; useful for nighttime.

The device delivers up to 26.5 hours of cooling on a full charge. Recharging is via a USB-C cable and takes around three hours. What’s more, the battery’s replaceable, so when it comes to the end of its life a few years down the road, it’s not the end of your fan. It also weighs less than 2kg, so is perfect if you’re going camping or caravanning this summer.

Aircraft Lume 2-in-1 Quiet Air Circulator Fan, £149

Super quiet, this can be used as a pedestal or table fan. It also has an ambient back light with three brightness settings, so doubles as a reading light when not using it for cooling.

There’s 12 settings and three modes – constant, natural and sleep – and a timer that’s programmable up to 12 hours. Impressively, the fan has both horizontal and vertical oscillation (up to 90°), and you can use both at once for optimum room cooling. We love the design of this fan and its simplicity – operation is manual or via the remote control provided, and there’s not an app in sight!

Duux Mist Air Cooler, £199.99

Similar in size to a portable air conditioner but lighter, this device has an advanced evaporative cooling system. That means it combines the power of a fan with a mist function. It’s also suitable for large areas up to 50m2.

It has three speeds (low, medium and high) and three settings (natural, normal and sleeping modes). The water tank has a capacity of 5.5L, which is enough to cool a room over several hours, and you can set the timer for up to nine hours. The water pump protection system shuts off the machine if the water level drops too far. Operation is via remote control or manually pressing buttons on the cooler. This is much more substantial than a fan, and weighs just under 10kg. However, it’s on wheels, so it’s easy to move from room to room.

Jisulife Handheld Fan, £71.99

Having a fan at home is essential during heatwaves, but having a lightweight, handheld fan you can take with you wherever you go is bliss. This version is the most powerful we’ve tried, and we think is well worth its price. It’s easy to use – the speed is controlled by a scroll wheel, and you can set this from 1 to 100 – and it’s versatile as it incorporates a torch. You can even use it to inflate air beds or as a dust blower for the car.

It has a rechargeable battery (USB-C), and the LED display shows how much battery power is available. That means you won’t be caught out by it dying when you need it most. Charging takes around 2.5 hours, and lasts for up to six. The brushless motor delivers a powerful airflow of up to 19m/s and it looks good, too, with an aluminum alloy body and metallic finish. Its noise levels at the lowest settings are around 45dB, rising to 75dB on the highest speeds.

Shark TurboBlade Multi-Directional Cooling Fan TF200SUK, £229.99

This bladeless fan has a distinctive shape that looks more like a lamp than a cooling device, blending in beautifully with the surrounding decor. It pivots from vertical to horizontal, and it oscillates up to 180°. You can even twist the vents to cool two spaces, or in any two directions at the same time.

The Shark TurboBlade is also powerful, projecting air up to 20m in boost mode. There’s 10 speeds and three modes to choose from, as well as a timer so you can set it between one to 12 hours. It’s also quiet – just 40dB on the lowest setting – so perfect for hot nights. It also comes with a magnetic remote control for ease of operation.

Vonhaus High Performance Air Conditioner 7000BTU, £239.99

An air conditioner is an effective alternative to a fan, and when you choose a portable version, it’s affordable and there’s no messy installation to deal with. This 7000 BTU model from Vonhaus is suitable for small to medium-size rooms, up to 15m2. It comes with two window venting kits for sliding and hinged windows, and it’s on wheels so you can move it from room to room.

Functions comprise cooling – the one we’re all going to be using this summer – sleep, with a noise level of 52dB, fan only and dehumidifier. The latter is a handy feature for winter, removing up to 16.8L moisture from the air each day. Simply set the temperature you want (16 to 32°C) and the air conditioner will adjust to and maintain that level. There’s also a 24-hour timer, child lock, auto shut-off, adjustable louvres on the front for directing airflow and a remote control for easy operation. It’s also class A for energy efficiency so won’t be as expensive to run as you might expect, coming in at around 20p per hour at current energy prices.

The post Survive Summer with these high-performance fans and coolers appeared first on Checklists.

Summer’s here and our thoughts are turning to holidays. It’s not long until the kids finish school for the big break, so now’s a good time to be pulling out the suitcases and checking they’re still good to go.

If you need to upgrade your luggage because it’s past its best, or simply because you fancy a change then there’s a few features to look out for.

Does the case have wheels? Most do these days, but spinner wheels are a cut above. It means they swivel 360°, which is a gamechanger when it comes to rushing through an airport. A telescopic handle also makes life so much easier, as do TSA locks, which mean officials can open your case if necessary without trashing it.

Inside, pockets are essential for separating out small items such as jewellery, while compression straps hold clothing in place. Individual top and bottom compartments keep shoes and clothes apart, and if the case is extendable, then you’ll have room to pack those souvenirs for the journey home.

On short trips consider luggage size. If you’re not paying for hold luggage then the bag must fit under the seat on budget airlines, to avoid a charge – and cabin cases too have limits.

No air travel, no size problem. There’s a gorgeous selection of holdalls and backpacks available that are just perfect for a few days away – and you can use them in your day to day, which is a big bonus!

Read on for our round-up of the best bags and suitcases for successful holiday travel this summer.

Rock Sunwave Large Suitcase in Peach, £110

The sunny shade of this suitcase screams summer and it’s large enough for all the family’s essentials. It’s also expandable, which increases the capacity from 120L to 136L, so there’s plenty of space to take home a bottle of the local brew or those must-have mementos.

Inside, there’s packing straps on one side along with a zipped pocket to keep small items safe, while on the other there’s a zipped divider and a separate large mesh pocket.

The outer is made from tough polypropylene, which is impact-resistant and built to last. There’s a TSA lock for peace of mind, a telescopic handle and eight spinner wheels, so even when it’s full, moving it is a breeze.

Also available in small and medium versions, or as a set of three. There’s also a wide choice of colours, including bright pink, light blue, lilac and a more sedate charcoal.

It luggage Eco Protect Medium Plus in Elephant Skin, £60

We love that the Eco-Protect is made from at least 70% recycled materials, so this suitcase is sustainable as well as stylish and practical.

It has eight 360° wheels for maximum manoeuvrability, a telescopic handle, and an extra grab handle on the top, which is incredibly helpful for dragging the suitcase from the baggage carousel.

There’s also a TSA lock and the case is expandable, with a total capacity of 104L, enough for two weeks in the sun.

Inside there’s compression straps on one side to keep everything in place and the other is separated by a zipped divider that incorporates a mesh pocket, so you can see at a glance what’s inside.

It weighs 4.14kg when empty and the soft grey shade goes with everything, so will complement your existing luggage collection. Also available in cabin size and large, or as a three-piece set.

Katie Loxton Soho Suedette Weekend Bag, £94.99

This deep chocolate holdall is perfect for a weekend away, whether that’s a city break or a few days in the country. It’s roomy enough for shoes and toiletries as well as clothes and essentials, such as your phone charger, power bank and skincare.

The padded top handles are comfy to hold, and the detachable cross-body strap gives an alternative carry option. A contrasting gold zip fastening, coupled with faux suede tassel zip pulls and gold metal hardware add to the luxe vibe. There’s even a matching luggage tag and the option to personalise the bag with your initials in a choice of embroidery colours.

This stylish yet practical weekend bag is also available in taupe, rose, cherry and black, and measures 50cm W x 28cm H x 25cm D. 

Tripp Cruise Dual Access Medium Suitcase in Forest Green, £69.50

This ingenious suitcase features a top-opening section so you can access contents without having to open the case fully. This is especially handy if you’re on a late flight and want to get to those night essentials, such as your toothbrush and PJs without having to unpack everything. It’s also invaluable for business trips, as you can keep cables and work essentials together, doing away with the need to carry a separate work bag. The case is made from durable polypropylene and features spinner wheels, a TSA lock, retractable main handle and two grab handles – one on the top and one on the side. Internally, the bottom section has luggage straps to keep contents secure, while the upper section features a divider with zipped mesh pocket. And there’s two extra zipped pockets in the top-opening part of the suitcase. It also has a capacity of 64L and is available in terracotta.

Wandrd Transit Travel Backpack 35L, £263

This is the perfect travel companion if you want to holiday light but want masses of features in your luggage. And there’s no need to check it into the hold as the Wandrd Transit Travel Backpack is carry-on size.

We’re of the opinion you can never have too many pockets. Who wants to be searching through clothes for earbuds, cables, chargers or snacks? With this backpack you don’t have to. There’s a separate laptop compartment, space for drink bottles, pen holders, a secure pocket for your passport, and even a hidden pocket for an Airtag.

The bag opens on three sides like a suitcase for ease of packing and unpacking, but there’s also the option to access contents from each side. Foam-moulded shoulder straps and a structured back panel ensure the backpack is comfortable to wear and it’s weather-resistant. It’s expandable, with a maximum capacity of 35L – that’s more than enough space for three to five days away. Also available in a 45L version and in a green colourway.

Sara Miller Green Birds Cabin Case, £159

The bird motif and colours on this suitcase are so vibrant and fun, they have already put us in a holiday mood! Just look at the engraved Sara Miller London zip pulls, a gold logo on the front and gold bird emblem on the back.

But this case is not only beautiful, it’s practical too. Spinner wheels and a retractable handle ensure optimal manoeuvrability, while the TSA lock means you don’t have to worry about security.

Inside, the lining continues the leaf pattern on dark grey fabric. Both the top and bottom sections feature zipped dividers and a combination of zipped and elasticated pockets, so there’s lots of space to separate out smaller items. The bottom section also incorporates compression straps to keep clothing in place.

It has a capacity of 29L, so enough for a long weekend or even a week if you pack strategically, and it’s designed to fit with Ryanair’s cabin bag requirements.

Mountain Warehouse Voyager 35L Wheelie Rucksack, £59.99

Travelling light is a breeze with this wheeled rucksack. The 35L capacity means there’s enough space to pack for a few days away, and the lightweight polyester fabric means it’s not going to be too heavy to carry.

There’s a front pocket for essentials such as your phone and passport, a separate laptop pocket, and a main compartment. There’s also elasticated mesh pockets on the side of the rucksack that are big enough for a water bottle and snacks, while compression straps not only keep everything tight, but offer extra security across the main zip fastenings.

The rear pocket opens to reveal padded shoulder straps, and this panel folds down, covering the wheels and cushioning your back. There’s a grab handle on the top and another on the bottom, while a top pocket opens to reveal a telescopic handle for use in conjunction with the wheels.

Antler Icon Stripe Cabin Case in Mist Blue, £185

This polycarbonate cabin case has a 38.4L capacity, and is designed to fit the luggage requirements of European airlines.

We love the pale blue colourway, and the iconic Antler logo on the front. The spinner wheels mean the case is easy to move on hard floors and carpet, while the multi-height telescopic handle boasts a comfort grip that’s easy on the hands.

There’s a handle on the top and another on the side, so grabbing your case from the overhead locker is simple; there’s also a TSA lock for security. Inside, the bottom section features compression straps and a zipped pocket for small items. The top section has a zipped divider incorporating two mesh pockets so you can see contents at a glance.

Available in seven other shades, including moorland pink, taupe and buckthorn red.

The post Get packing with our luggage round-up appeared first on Checklists.

Can you tell us about your new Next tableware and accessories collection?
It’s a refined take on modern tableware, minimalist at its core, but with a sense of personality. It blends organic, sculptural shapes with timeless materials like marble, creating pieces that feel both elevated and effortless. We designed the collection to transition seamlessly from everyday use to special occasions.

What’s your favourite piece?
Gemma: I honestly love everything, but mine is the marble cake stand. It’s timeless and interesting, and just feels so elevated.
Charlotte: I’m loving the dining plate set. It’s an absolute classic and looks so elegant. I also love that there are matching bowls and serving plates that you can add to your collection.

Where did you meet and when did you set up Style Sisters?
We met at sixth form but became friends when we were both pregnant with our oldest boys. Then, years later in 2018, after admiring each other’s work for a while, we decided to merge our talents in fashion and interiors.

What services do you offer?
Organising people’s homes is at the core of our business, but we also offer interior design and styling.

Which celebrities do you work with and do you have any celeb stories you can share?
We have been fortunate to have worked with many amazing people over the years. Some of which have become regular clients, like Rochelle and Marvin Humes, and Amanda Holden. We have lots of highlights on our Instagram page of the many people we’ve worked with, and you can see the process there!

We saw your social media posts when you decluttered and styled Vicky Pattison’s wardrobe. Was that your most difficult job to date?
Each job comes with a different set of challenges, but we wouldn’t say this was our most difficult. We had a 10-day whole-house project a few years ago, which we would say was more challenging due to the pure scale of what we had to do!

What has been your favourite celeb detox/declutter?
We have loved them all for different reasons!! It’s all about being able to elevate someone’s day-to-day life, and we get such an amazing feeling from making their life that bit easier.

What’s your top tip for wardrobe organisation or styling a room?
Declutter the space first! There is no point organising or styling a space around items that no longer serve you.

What’s your favourite part of the job?
We love connecting with different people and helping transform their lives through organisation. You can often feel the energy in the space breathe a huge sigh of relief, and that feeling is so motivating and infectious.

And what’s next for Style Sisters?
We have lots of different projects we are working on both individually and together, launching products and continuing our work with clients and brands.

Want to win a Next Style Sisters tableware and accessories collection, worth over £300? Enter here now!

The post Interview: Celebrity interior designers Gemma Lily and Charlotte Reddington-Smith appeared first on Checklists.

THEATRE

Little Shop Of Horrors, Northern Stage, Newcastle upon Tyne
8 – 23 May, tickets from £12
Feed me! You wouldn’t want a plant like Seymour’s on your kitchen windowsill. Enjoy songs, silliness and a dash of horror with this deliciously dark and delightfully tongue-in-cheek musical that’s charmed audiences for over 40 years.

Noughts & Crosses, Hackney Empire, London
13 – 14 May, tickets from £18
Sephy and Callum are in love, but their families and society won’t accept it. This gripping Romeo and Juliet story is a captivating drama of love, revolution and what it means to grow up in a divided world.

Double Double, The Barn Theatre, Cirencester
Now – 30 May, tickets from £19
Get set for a dose of doubles, deceit and destiny. Coronation Street stars Daniel Brocklebank and Faye Brookes star in this story of power, love, and illusion. You’ll be kept guessing until the very last line.

The Marquise, Theatre Royal Windsor
27 May – 6 June, tickets from £23.50
Noël Coward’s comedy is transported back to the 1930s in this glamorous revival. Passion and unpredictability come together as a widowed count attempts to marry his daughter to the son of his old friend. But they’ve other ideas.

Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape, Little Angel Studios, London
16 May – 19 July, tickets from £8.50
Cuddly cat and ninja to boot! Join Toto and her brother on their adventures as they track down an escaped King Cobra. Adapted from Dermot O’Leary’s bestselling book.

FOOD & DRINK

St Albans Foodies Festival, Oaklands College, St Albans
29 – 31 May, family tickets for two adults and two children from £55
A feast for the senses as well as the palette. Sample street food, wine, beer and Champagne in tutored tasting sessions. Watch local and celebrity chefs at work an learn how to cook. Plus there’s live music from Symphonic Ibiza, Boyzlife and Scouting for Girls.

Field to Fork, Whitebottom Farm, Greater Manchester
2 – 3 May, day tickets from £35; weekend tickets from £66.50
It’s a celebration of all things food, from the people who produce it to the chefs who cook it. Discover new dishes and flavours, watch demos by Michelin-star chefs, then listen to live music and chill.

Newcastle Food Festival 2026: A Bank Holiday Feast, Exhibition Park, Newcastle upon Tyne
2 – 4 May, tickets from £11.95
Artisan markets, live music, crafts, family fun and of course, food and drink – including Viking cooking techniques – for a weekend celebration in the heart of Newcastle. Remember your deckchair!

Tequila & Mezcal Show, Glaziers Hall, London
15 – 16 May, tickets from £45
Discover more than 250 agave spirits during two days of tastings, masterclasses and live music. Organisers say it’s the biggest mezcal and tequila tasting event in the UK!

Gin School for Two, Gordon Castle, Fochabers, Scotland
23 May, £170 for two people sharing a still
Learn the art of distilling and make your own gin with botanicals you gather from the walled garden. At the end of the 3.5-hour event, take home your creation to enjoy at your leisure.

FAMILY ATTRACTIONS

Bewilderwood, Cheshire
May weekends, bank holiday and half-term, tickets from £24.50
Bewilderwood Cheshire is celebrating its fifth birthday ,and as a gift to fans tickets are buy one ticket, get one free on selected dates. It’s the perfect opportunity for kids to discover this magical adventure park.

Crayola World of Creativity, Oxo Gallery, London
2 – 4 May
Little ones can express their artistic talents in this free event. From colouring and drawing to arts and crafts, it’s an opportunity to get hands on. You can also help colour-in a bespoke artwork from best-selling children’s author and illustrator Rob Biddulph.

World of PAW Patrol, Chessington World of Adventures, Chessington
3 May, tickets from £32
Scamper down this bank holiday for the opening of the UK’s first PAW Patrol-themed land. Join the pups on four new ride, including ‘my first rollercoaster. There’s play areas, meet and greets, and even PAW Patrol-themed rooms to stay in. Pawsome!

The London Museum of Illusions, London
Opens 8 May, tickets from £24.50
This new attraction opens with interactive displays, exhibitions and puzzles that promise to intrigue both big and little kids. If you’ve ever wanted to climb the facade of a building or defy gravity, you’ll love it.

Mission Space at the National Space Centre, Leicester
23 – 30 May, tickets from £20
This is a week of exploration, science activities, talks and interactive workshops for budding astronauts. And don’t miss a trip on the Tharsis Spacecraft, which takes you on a simulated trip to Mars!

MUSIC

Mamma Mia! Extravaganza from Adventure Cinema, Cardiff Castle
9 May, tickets from £22.97
Dig out your gold flares and sky-high platforms – it’s time to make like a Dancing Queen! Watch the film on a giant open-air screen – singing along, of course – then show off your best moves at the Abba disco.

Orkney Folk Festival, Stromness, Scotland
21–24 May, ticket prices vary
Folk musicians from around the world including Ireland, Canada, Finland and the USA will be joining home-grown performers in the 43rd year of the Orkney Folk Festival. There’s a total of 52 acts to see, as well as workshops and family activities.

Once In A Lifetime: Celebrating the 80s, The Institute Braintree, Essex
22 May, tickets from £20
Eighties music fan? Nab tickets while you can for this jam-packed live show that brings iconic tracks to life. We’re talking U2, The Police, Tears For Fears, Toto, Prince, Kate Bush, Bruce Springsteen and som uch more. See you there – it’s going to be a good one.

Music in May, Folkestone Kent
Free and ticketed events
This month-long festival has music to suit all tastes, with concerts, workshops, talks, busking and jamming sessions at more than 25 venues. Listen to local musicians, rising stars and DJ sets, take part in The Big Buskout and discover the power of sound healing.

K-Pop Forever! Tribute Concert, Mercury Theatre, Colchester
30 May, tickets from £23.50
Ideal for K-Pop fans and those wondering what all the fuss is about. Expect music inspired by iconic animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters and featuring hits from Soda Pop, BTS, Golden, Blackpink and more.

CULTURE

Listening All Night To The Rain, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
16 May – 31 August, free
This exhibit is a series of video installations by British Artist Sir John Akomfrah, reflecting on colonial and post-colonial history, migration, injustice, memory and climate change. The blend of audio and video, old and new, invites us to look and listen as the artist creates connections across place and time.

Response to a Request (or spasm of the soul), Elizabeth Xi Bauer, Exmouth Market, London
1 May – 14 June
This brings together paintings, sculpture, words and drawings, to consider what happens when artistic production is shaped by pressures that are not always fully articulated, examining the space between instruction and impulse. See for yourself and all will be fully revealed.

Henry Moore: Monumental Nature, Kew Gardens, London
From 9 May, tickets from £11 for adults and £2 for children
The largest ever outdoor display of Moore’s work, there’s more than 30 sculptures positioned across 320 acres and 90 more in the Shirley Sherwood Gallery. “They’re purposefully placed to be in dialogue with Kew’s trees and historic landscapes,” explain the organisers.

London Craft Week
11 – 17 May
Discover the work of more than 1,000 designers and makers over the course of this one-week event. There’s exhibitions, tours, sales and workshops, including how to create a papercut lamp!

Chariots, Treasure and Power: Secrets of the Melsonby Hoard, Yorkshire Museum, York
From 15 May, tickets from £10 (valid for 12 months)
Learn more about Iron Age Britain through the Melsonby Hoard – more than 800 items unearthed in North Yorkshire in 2021. The hoard is the largest collection of metalwork from this period found in the UK and this is the first time the objects have been on display together.

FESTIVALS & SHOWS

The Big Retreat, Lawrenny, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Wales
22 – 25 May, tickets from £79
There’s more than 300 feel-good experiences to take part in during the festival, with talks and workshops, live music, DJs, yoga, wild swimming, meditation and dance. Relax in wood-fired saunas, go paddleboarding on the Cleddau estuary, or try your hand at comedy improv.

RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2026, Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire
7 – 10 May, tickets from £16
Special guests at this year’s festival include celebrity gardeners Monty Don and Alan Titchmarsh, national treasure Mary Berry and culinary legend Raymond Blanc. TV presenter Nicki Chapman’s also there to hosts four days of gardening advice, news, tips and conversation.

Keswick Mountain Festival, Lake District
15 – 17 May, tickets from £25
A mix of sport and entertainment for all ages, with a good helping of food and drink thrown in. There’s 16 activities to participate in, including open water swimming and trail running. Choose the festival (rather than the sports) ticket for a more relaxed pace and enjoy live music, speakers, street food and bars.

Hertfordshire County Show, Redbourn, Hertfordshire
23 – 24 May, tickets from £25 for adults and £12 for children
Celebrate rural life with showjumping to showing cattle, shire horses to sheepdog displays, vintage tractors, quad bike stunts and even dancing forklifts! There’s also live music, cookery displays and a vintage funfair to keep the whole family entertained.

Isle of Wight Spring Walking Festival
9 – 17 May
Whether you’re an avid walker, like a bit of a ramble or want to explore the island with the kids, this is the festival for you. Choose from short strolls to guided all-day island hikes, with distances to suit all abilities. Most walks are free.

The post Monthly round up: 30 things to see and do this May appeared first on Checklists.

Journalling – the act of writing down our thoughts – is a therapeutic activity we could all benefit from. Whether you record your day in your diary. Perhaps brain dump everything you’re thinking of. You can also zone into a stream of consciousness with morning pages. Why? Because the positives are well-documented. 

And it doesn’t have to be difficult or a big thing. It can be as easy as jotting down what’s in your head whenever you feel the need. Keep a notebook specifically for your writing. Or instead use separate sheets of paper to record your thoughts. You can even burn or shred them afterwards if you’re concerned about somebody else reading them.Type into your phone or laptop if you prefer.It’s the process that matters.

Different forms of journalling

Many of us will remember keeping a diary when growing up. We may well still do so. The act of writing down what’s happened during any given day is an ideal way to record your life over the years. I know when I re-read old diaries I’m immediately transported back to the past. With all of the same feelings conjuring up special and emotional moments. From recording my first kiss at 16 with the boy I’d had a crush on for months, through my time as a mother’s help in Italy after my A levels, to being pregnant with my beloved daughter. All the important times of my life are there to relive whenever I want to. And that’s both good and bad.

Morning pages

Keeping a daily diary can become a chore, however – and that’s a surefire way to drop the writing habit. One alternative is morning pages. Developed by creativity guru and author, Julia Cameron, in her book, The Artist’s Way, this entails writing three pages in longhand about anything or nothing every morning when you first get out of bed. Before you’ve had time to start censoring and structuring your thoughts. Just start writing and let your pen be guided by whatever comes into your head, following whatever tangent arises. Do not read as you go and do not correct your writing. It is whatever spills from your brain through your fingers and on to the page. This is a great way to start the day, as you end the session with a clear focus to carry forward into your morning. That’s because all thoughts from your head are now out there on the paper.

Practising gratitude

Researchers have shown that appreciating what we have makes us happier. In the study The effects of gratitude interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis, they found “patients who underwent gratitude interventions experienced greater feelings of gratitude, better mental health, and fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression. Moreover, they experienced other benefits such as a more positive mood and emotions”. A gratitude journal is one way to do this. At the end of every day write down five things you are grateful for. If you don’t want to keep a written journal, then keep a mental version, again thinking of five things that happened during the day you’re grateful for. “When expressing gratitude, people avoid pessimism, unhappiness, complaints of malaise and pain, toxic emotions such as anger, hurt, and fear, feelings of loneliness, isolation, and lack of engagement,” said the researchers. “A grateful individual focuses on positive practices of solidarity and attention to others, and gains a sense of well-being in return.”

Just start simple

Journalling doesn’t have to be complicated and there’s no need to overthink it. “One of the most effective ways to begin is by setting a very low threshold. This might be writing for just a few minutes a day or responding to a simple prompt such as ‘What stood out to me today’,” says Christine Schneider, clinical psychologist and psychotherapist at Cambridge Therapy Centre. “Some people find it helpful to anchor journalling to an existing habit, such as doing it alongside a morning coffee or before going to bed. You could also keep your journal on your pillow so it acts as a reminder before you go to bed. The key here is consistency rather than volume.”

The benefits of journalling

It’s a form of self-care that brings clarity and calm. If you have trouble disentangling thoughts, emotions and interpretations of events, it can add logic and awareness. It helps you understand what’s happening and situations you’ve found yourself in. “Journalling supports self-care because it enables you to write down your thoughts and feelings,” explains psychologist Najma Zaman. “Sometimes people need to get things out of their heads, and writing them down is a great way to do this. It can also help to see things more objectively, which can be beneficial. People can find that as they’re writing, more emotions and thoughts come out which they were not previously aware of. There can be a flow once someone starts writing. Journalling can help alleviate feelings of overwhelm, help one de-stress and generally help a person to slow down. “It can improve sleep because it acts as a wind-down routine that offloads unfinished thoughts before bed.”

Overall, journalling brings many benefits. And if writing’s not your vibe, don’t worry, you can still savour the emotional advantages. Simply use the voice app on your phone to record your thoughts and feelings. Writing isn’t for everyone, but the positives of journalling can be.

The post Write it down: the benefits of journalling appeared first on Checklists.

May half-term is not far off and it’s a great week for getting away from the pressures of work and school. And, unlike Easter, when you can’t count on the weather, the end of May is a bet for warmth and sunshine. As it’s the perfect time for a trip so to get you in the mood, we’ve rounded up a few UK family attractions and suggestions of where to stay.

Northumberland

They know a thing or two about castles in Northumberland, and the castle at Bamburgh is out of this world. Explore the battlements and wander through the King’s Hall. Next, marvel at the craftsmanship that went into creating a building as beautiful and imposing as this.

Afterwards, head down to the beach and paddle in the rock pools. You may even be lucky enough to see dolphins cavorting along the coast.

Nearby places to visit include Holy Island, Seahouses (great for fish and chips) and the Farne Islands, where seals and puffins bask in the sun.

Where to stay: Kipper Cottage in Seahouses, a short walk from the harbour and less than a 10 minute drive from Bamburgh. Seven nights from 23 May for two adults and two children costs £999. You can even take your dog!

Staffordshire

If you’re after an action-packed break then head to Tamworth and Drayton Manor. The theme park is one of the biggest in the UK and caters for all ages of children. Or head to Drayton Manor Zoo to meet the animals and learn about conservation. Tickets cost from £27.50 for ages 4+.

Other places to visit include Tamworth Castle and Statfold Country Park. Or visit the SnowDome and try your hand at skiing or sliding in the snow.

Where to stay: For the ultimate experience stay at the resort hotel and choose from a range of themed and family rooms. Prices start from £178.20 per night over May half term for a family of four.

Newcastle

This is a city where ancient and modern exist side by side, from the Norman Keep to vibrant restaurants along the quayside. Shopping is world-class and there’s loads to keep the kids entertained.

Take a trip to Seven Stories – the national centre for children’s books – at Ouseburn, where kids can listen to tall tales and explore exhibitions of favourite characters, like Mog the Cat and The Tiger Who Came to Tea. Or head to the Life Science Centre and marvel at lifesize animatronic dinosaurs.

Don’t miss the Gateshead Millennium Bridge – the world’s first tilting bridge – over the River Tyne. And make sure to visit iconic art work The Angel of The North.

Where to stay: Maldron Hotel Newcastle, 319.40 for three nights from 25 May for two adults and two children.

Cornwall

St Ives is that perfect combination of relaxation and fun, with gorgeous sandy beaches, such as Porthmeor and Porthminster,. There’ also a bustling town to explore.

Walk along the South West Coast Path to Carbis Bay. Or save your legs and take a train along the coast on the St Ives Railway. Visit an exhibition at Tate St Ives or discover the work of celebrated sculptor Barbara Hepworth at her former home.

Enjoy a picnic on the sands, learn to surf or simply paddle in the sea. Use the town as a base to explore – the Eden Project is an hour’s drive away and St Michael’s Mount 20 minutes by car.

Where to stay: A comfort chalet to sleep two adults and two children at Away Resorts St Ives Bay costs £747 for seven days from Saturday 23 May.

Devon

For an active holiday with lots of sunshine, East Devon is a great choice. The towns of Sidmouth and Budleigh Salterton are both on the Jurassic Coast, a Unesco World Heritage Site. Look for fossils as you walk along the South West Coast Path or along the sandy, pebbly beaches. And don’t forget the rock pools.

The Donkey Sanctuary is a must for anyone who loves these gentle creatures. Over at Exmouth, award-winning attraction the World of Country Life  offers exhibitions, play areas and family activities.

Where to stay: Ladram Bay Holiday Park, with direct access to Ladram Bay beach. Four nights glamping in the Otterpod from Monday 25 May for two adults and two children is £780.

Norfolk

Norfolk is a county of contrasts, with sandy beaches and seaside, lakes and rivers, lush countryside and historic houses. Enjoy a day on the sands at Caister or Holkham, visit the seaside resorts of Cromer and Great Yarmouth, or discover the magic of Bewilderwood, an outdoor adventure park filled with tree houses, magical stories and characters to keep kids enthralled.

Head to the Broads National Park and hire a boat for the day to explore the waterways. Or let somebody else do the navigating and relax on a boat tour while you soak up the scenery.

Where to stay: The Old Bakehouse, Overstrand, just a five minute walk from the nearest beach. Seven nights from Saturday 23 May for two adults and two children costs £1,095.

Scotland

Around an hour’s ferry ride from the Scottish mainland, Arran is an exquisite blend of history, wildlife, rugged crags and beaches. Goat Fell is the highest peak on the island and popular with climbers, but for those wanting a more leisurely stroll there are many scenic walking trails, as well as the Arran Coastal Way to enjoy.

Paddle in the sea (warmed by the Gulf Stream), visit Brodick Castle, or take a trip back in time at the Heritage Museum. Foodies should make a point of trying the local cheese and visiting Lochranza Distillery, one of two whisky distilleries on the island.

Where to stay: Carraig Dhubh Cottage at Whiting Bay, next to the beach and under 10 miles from Brodick, is a great place from which to explore. Two nights from 27 May for two adults and two children costs £654.

London

After big family attractions, theatre, sightseeing and shopping? London has so much to offer. Start by visiting Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. Take a boat trip on the Thames, see the Capital on the London Eye and chill in Hyde Park. The Science Museum and the Natural History Museum will keep everyone happy, while Tate Modern and The National Gallery are must-sees.

Take in a West End show, watch the street performers in Covent Garden, get up close with celebs at Madame Tussauds or meet everybody’s favourite marmalade-eating character at the Paddington Bear Experience (photo above).

Where to stay: The Park Plaza County Hall, just a short walk from Westminster Bridge. A studio double room to sleep two adults and two children starts from £195 per night during May half term.

Northern Ireland

This year is the 40th anniversary of Giant’s Causeway being designated a Unesco World Heritage Site, so what better time to visit? The unique natural landscape is formed from thousands of hexagonal stones dating back 60 million years. Not only do you get to see it, but you get to experience it, walking across the basalt columns next to the sea.

Afterwards, head down the Causeway Coastal Route to discover possibly the most famous ship in the world at Titanic Belfast and see the story of the doomed vessel brought to life through interactive exhibitions.

Where to stay: Ballygally Castle Hotel on the Causeway Coastal Route is ideally placed for visiting Giant’s Causeway and Belfast. Rooms start at £200 per night for a family of four over May half-term.

Lake District

Experience the water, the mountains and the lush green countryside of the Lake District National Park from your base at Bowness. Take a boat trip around Windermere – the largest natural lake in England – or try your hand at kayaking, paddleboarding and wild swimming. There’s hikes to suit all ages and abilities, not to mention the highest mountains in England, including Scafell Pike and Skiddaw.

Little ones will love The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction, and you can even visit the author’s home and the inspiration for her books. Don’t miss a visit to Grasmere (around 25 minutes drive away) for its world-famous gingerbread and for Dove Cottage and museum, once home to poet William Wordsworth.

Where to stay: Gavel Cottage, a short walk from the centre of Bowness-on-Windermere and from the lake. Seven nights for two adults and two children from 22 May costs £1,024.

The post Half term incoming! May UK family breaks appeared first on Checklists.

As one of the world’s most popular drinks, tea has offered regular respite to workers for years and is a staple in UK kitchens. However, it’s not just for drinking. That’s right – those little green, black and white leaves are full of beneficial compounds that have both health and beauty benefits.

Take catechins, a type of polyphenol for instance. They’re found in green, white and black tea, and work to reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, feed good bacteria in the gut ,and improve mental clarity.

When used in beauty these same compounds are potent antioxidants, providing protection against free radicals from pollution and the sun. They also help keep the skin barrier healthy, reduce puffiness and help guard against fine lines and wrinkles. Read on to discover more about beau-tea and our current favourite products for skin, hair and body.

Green People Scent Free Sun Cream SPF30, £23

Sunscreen is one of those products we know we should use every day, but how many of us do? With the onset of sunnier days, now’s a good time to start – and this cream is a nourishing way to do so. It’s full of organic ingredients, including green tea (which is anti-ageing and protects against skin damage from UV rays), aloe vera (soothing), antioxidant edelweiss and moisturising cocoa butter. What’s more, it doesn’t leave a white cast and it’s reef-safe.

Q&A Caffeine Eye Serum, £6.95

Fade dark circles with this toning eye serum. It contains green tea extract (which has a powerful antioxidant effect, reducing lines and puffiness under the eyes) and caffeine (to help get rid of fluid retention and lighten dark circles). There’s also antioxidant pomegranate extract for good measure. Simply apply a little under your eyes every morning – it’s not sticky and sinks in quickly – then you’re good to go!

Weleda Slow Aging Astaxanthin Face Serum Drops, £12.95

Add these drops to your regular moisturiser or use them alone as an extra defence against pollution and free radicals. They contain white tea extract, which contains even more polyphenols than green tea as it’s less processed, giving you the same beneficial effects but more so. White tea is anti-inflammatory, reduces redness and soothes the skin. It’s also anti-ageing, helping prevent collagen and elastin loss, so reducing the look of fine lines. 

Spa Ceylon White Jasmine Day Hydrating Serum, £35

Green tea is just one of the nourishing ingredients in this serum, which also contains jasmine oil to tone and brighten, witch hazel for freshness and aloe vera for its soothing and cooling properties. The tea not only works to reduce inflammation and protect against environmental damage, but along with liquorice, bearberry and watercress it helps prevent hyperpigmentation and reduces the appearance of dark spots. Apply after cleansing and before moisturising.

Nanogen Shampoo Luxe, £10.95

The green tea in this shampoo works its antioxidant wonder on your head and hair. This is one of the few shampoos that doesn’t irritate my itchy scalp (yet another menopause symptom I wasn’t prepared for) and I do wonder if that’s thanks to the tea. It also leaves my hair feeling soft and lightweight almost, without looking thin. Other ingredients include keratin to strengthen hair and beta glucan, which hydrates and soothes.

Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Scalp Mask, £22

Whether you have the occasional dry patch or you’re plagued by a sensitive scalp, this mask can take away the itch. It contains green tea, which not only protects against environmental damage, thanks to its potent antioxidants, but it also soothes and reduces inflammation, while salicylic acid exfoliates away dead skin cells. Use once a week and apply to damp scalp before shampooing. You’ll need to use a full tube each time.

By Terry Tea to Tan Lip & Cheek, £26

The latest launch by luxury beauty brand By Terry brings tea to your daily make-up! It’s Tea to Tan Lip & Cheek combines colour with skincare benefits in a light, tinted serum. Ingredients include black tea for its powerful antioxidant properties, red tea to smooth and refresh, and bio-active cherry blossom extract for anti-ageing. The result is buildable colour that hydrates your skin at the same time for up to 24 hours.

Miller Harris Tea Tonique, £95

Tea has a refreshing, somewhat sharp aroma that brings a unique quality to this fragrance. Coupled with the citrussy perfume of bergamot and the smoky smell of birch tar, the effect is a heady brew that’s uplifting and fresh. And it lasts. Top notes of bergamot, petitgrain and lemon give way to heart notes of Earl Grey, green tea, mate and nutmeg on a base of musk and birch tar. Gorgeous.

The Body Shop White Tea & Elderflower Body Butter, £19

The freshness of white tea is put to good use in this body butter and combines well with the floral sweetness of elderflower. It’s the kind of uplifting fragrance that’s perfect for spring and early summer, bringing scents of cucumber and citrus to join the party then melting into a base of musk and cedarwood. The combination of shea and cocoa butters makes for a rich, moisturising cream that soothes dryness and is a treat to use.

The post It’s time for tea – in your hair and beauty line-up appeared first on Checklists.

Air fryers have become the small appliance success of recent years and there’s not many kitchens that don’t have one. They are now the third most used cooking appliance across the UK and it’s estimated that more than 60% of households own this handy machine.

For those of us already on board, the facts come as no surprise. Air fryers are less expensive to run and quicker to cook with than a conventional oven. There’s also a range of sizes available so whether you’re cooking for one or a family, you’ll find one to suit.

Of course, they’re smaller than an oven, so for large meals the oven will win. But for quick dinners you’d be hard pressed to beat an air fryer. And because they use little or no oil in cooking, they’re healthier.

Here’s our pick of the best air fryers available to suit a range of family sizes.

Cosori Dual Blaze Twinfry 10L Smart Air Fryer, £239.99 

You can fit an awful lot of frozen chips in this air fryer, but it does so much more than that. It’s versatile – use just one section, use both, or use the entire cooking compartment. This grandzone is big enough to cook a large chicken, which I found came out better than when cooked in my oven. There’s four separate elements and Cosori says they cook up to 65% faster than a traditional oven. There’s also six pre-sets: air fry, roast, bake, grill, reheat and dry. The sync and match functions means everything is ready together – and you can connect to the VeSync app to control the fryer, as well as for tips and recipes.

Salter VertiCook View Air Fryer 9L, £99.99

With this air fryer you get two stacked drawers, so you only need a footprint for one on your worktop. Each drawer holds up to 4.5 L, so that’s 9L in total. That’s large enough for a family of four to six. There’s 12 presets, including fries, steak, fish, bake and pizza, and sync and match settings. As someone who finds it difficult to cook so everything’s done at the same time, this is a godsend. I also love how I can see the food through the viewing windows, so I don’t need to open the drawers to check so often. You can also cook food on two levels in each drawer. Just make sure to cook whatever you want crispy on top though, with veg on the bottom.

Daewoo 9L XL Digital Double Drawer Air Fryer, £79.99

The touch display on this air fryer is logical and simple to use. Press to switch on, choose left or right drawer (or both), select your functions, adjust the temperature and time, and off you go. It’s large enough for a hungry family and there’s eight presets to choose, including fries, fish, bake, roast and dehydrate. And of course, you’ll find the all-important sync function, so whatever you’re cooking in each drawer is ready at the same time. There’s a handy beep to remind you to shake the drawers so food browns evenly, and for fries fans, each drawer can hold up to 1kg of chips. The baskets are substantial, but I love that they’re not heavy, which makes serving up food easier. I can tip the contents on to plates without having to faff around with tongs or serving spoons. Delicious!

Tefal Easy Fry Pizza FW4018G0 Air Fryer 4.5L, £99.99

If there’s one thing that air fryers generally lack, it’s the ability to cook pizza. They’re just not built to accommodate a large circle of dough. Yes you can cut it into pieces then cook it, but it’s just not the same. So that’s where this air fryer excels. It’s been designed specifically with pizza lovers in mind and can hold a medium base up to 27cm. What’s more, the viewing window means you can crisp it to the perfect finish for you. As well as settings for both fresh and frozen pizza, there’s also presets for chips, chicken, fish, veg, bake and dehydrate. You can also sign up to the app for further inspiration and recipes. The air fryer has a max capacity of 4.5L, so not as big as others, but if pizza is your preferred food then this is for you.

Vonhaus Vonshef Fika Black & Wood 6L Air Fryer, £64.99

Not everybody lives in a large household so not everybody wants a huge air fryer. This version from Vonhaus is generous, with a 6L capacity, but not overwhelming when there’s just one or two to feed. Its compact size doesn’t take up much room on the worktop, yet it still incorporates all those must-have buttons. There’s pre-sets for popular foods, such as fries, chicken and fish, not to mention bake, reheat, broil, dehydrate, roast and keep warm functions. The touch screen is easy to use, while the matte black finish with wood-style handle adds a designer touch to a practical appliance. And if you want to coordinate your kitchen, there’s a range of other Fika items available, including a kettle, toaster and microwave.

Fritaire Self Cleaning Glass Air Fryer, £179

It’s rare to see an air fryer in anything but black, grey, silver and occasionally white, so the Fritaire fryer certainly brightened my day. This vibrant pop of beauty has a retro vibe and comes in teal, orange, cherry red, lily white and yes, black, to make a feature in your kitchen. Don’t go thinking it’s all style with no substance though. The appliance delivers and has something of a cult fan following. Cook on the wire stand, choose the rotisserie for chicken, or the rotating cage for evenly done chips without shaking. You can watch the cooking process through the glass bowl, and when you’re finished simply fill with soapy water and let the machine clean itself. It’s PFAS, teflon and BPA-free, has a 4.7L capacity and has six functions: meat, chicken, fries, fish, dehydrate – and it even makes toasties!

Cuisinart Tri Zone 13.6L Air Fryer & Oven, £199

Get the best of all worlds with this triple drawer air fryer. Not only can you cook a meal in the top two baskets, each of which holds up to 4.3L, but you can use the full-width bottom drawer for larger items such as pizzas. Each of the baskets can air fry, grill, bake, roast, dehydrate and reheat, while the large bottom section has pizza, toast and manual settings. You can also keep an eye on progress through the viewing windows in the baskets, and there’s sync and match functions, so you can time your meal to perfection. Each cooking zone works independently of the others so you can use as little or as much of the space as you need.

And off you (air) fry!

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