clonesblog-blog

[clonesblog-blog]

Person of the Forest - Orang-Utan

So as you have all seen from Clones blog, I have recently started a monthly adoption package with WWF. This post IS NOT to send you off spending money signing up for things - remember you must always check with a parent or guardian if this is something you wanted to do - but to give you a brief on why I decided to become a sponsor of the Orang-utans in Borneo and talk a few things Palm Oil related.

I don’t know if you’ve yet caught up with the incredible docu-series ‘Our Planet’ on Netflix but I highly recommend. It shows you our beautiful planet and the life that roams it - from plants to our largest mammals in their natural habitat - up closer than you’ve ever seen before, unless you’ve seen them first hand of course. I will warn you though - some of it is hard to watch and hear if you are concerned for the future of our planet and the existence of it’s wildlife.

Something that really struck me in one of the episodes was the discussion of Palm Oil - which I was not unfamiliar with. In fact over 50% of our supermarket produce from shampoo to chocolate contains it which is crazy! It is a vital ingredient to so many things and also the easiest to sustain the use of and potentially the least detrimental to our planet - only if it is sustainable!

Before the beginning of sustainable palm oil production, all palm oil was provided from the rainforest being destroyed in devastating quantities and this resulting in the endangerment of many species - Orang-utans being one of them. This is still an ongoing problem as countries like China still sell and rely heavily on unsustainable Palm Oil and the over consumption of it which means heavy amounts of green house gasses are being released into our atmosphere - extremely dangerous for our planet - and also causing the concern for the future extinction of the likes of Orang-utans in the wild.

WWF helped to form something called the RSPO - the Round Table of Sustainable Palm Oil - to help protect the rainforest and its inhabitants. It means that companies who produce Palm Oil are being asked to certified by the company so that their Palm Oil is sourced from plantations specifically made for safe and monitored production of the oil and reducing deforestation and the risk of extinction of some of the world’s most beautiful creatures. However there is still a long way to go but we can hope with the awareness of Palm Oil spreading people will become more conscious of consumption and hopefully one day all Palm Oil will be sustainable.

So this is a very brief breakdown of Palm Oil but you can read more in-depth the statistics and the incredible work WWF and the RSPO are doing by typing them into Google. You can also join in with signing petitions on their page and sign up for updates so you can keep up to date with the Palm Oil industry and the rainforests but also about what the WWF are doing for animals all over the world, from the Polar Bears in the Artic to the Rhinos in Africa. There are so many fascinating things to read and explore - REMEMBER IF SIGNING UP FOR ANYTHING CONSULT AN ADULT FIRST.

As I said before I am now sponsoring the Orang-utans of Borneo - the word Orang-utan literally meaning person of the forest in Malaysian. I have been sent a cuddly one I’ve named George, I will now be sent regular updates about the Orang-utans and the rainforest and I have the hope to visit Borneo in the near future dependent on work but to see them in the wild for myself and hear first hand what is going on with the Palm Oil industry and why it is such a difficult thing to change over night.

I hope you enjoyed this short blog lovelies!

L x

[clonesblog-blog]

Top 10 ... Get the Popcorn, Chocolate and Ice Cream Movies

1. Pretty in Pink

2. Sierra Burgess is a Loser

3. Sleepless in Seattle

4. A Cinderella Story

5. My Girl

6. Little Women

7. The Kissing Booth

8. Bridesmaids

9. Mamma Mia

10. Roman Holiday

[clonesblog-blog]

Top 10 ... Break up Songs

1. Shout out to my Ex (Little Mix)

2. Dancing on my Own (Calum Scott)

3. Style (Taylor Swift)

4. We are Never Ever Getting Back Together (Taylor Swift)

5. Thank u, next (Ariana Grande)

6. Landslide (Fleetwood Mac)

7. Go Your Own Way (Fleetwood Mac)

8. I Will Survive (Gloria Gaynor)

9. Since you Been Gone (P!nk)

10. Somebody to Love (Queen)

[clonesblog-blog]

Relationships - The Pressures and the Joys

Relationships - the BIG SUBJECT of teenage lives and conversations; who you've been messaging last night; who you were sneaking in to the cinema with last weekend; who you were caught kissing at the latest party. Sound familiar?

Okay so where to start. Em. Let's look at the 'movie relationships' category. Netflix has been spilling out the best of teen rom-com movies recently - Kissing Booth, To All the Boys I Loved Before, The Perfect Date and even a new one just a few days ago, The Last Summer. You may or may not be a fan of these but I know when I was in school Wild Child and Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging were all the hype when it came to discovering the world of relationships. These movies are beautiful and exciting and oh so romantic but if you're finding your love life doesn't seem to play out the way it does in the movies, DO NOT STRESS. Movie magic has a funny way of making first dating and relationships look a lot easier and less awkward than they actually are.

We all become ready to explore relationships at different points in our lives. You might find you're just not interested - which was a phase I went through in my first year at drama school, I enjoyed the freedom of being on my own - or maybe you just haven't met the right person or you're having trouble discovering and understanding your sexuality. There is no rush to get in to a relationship at any point in your life, although high school can make it seem like a huge deal and major pressure, you will soon come to realise that there is so much more to learn and enjoy in life that relationships are probably the least of your problems. The beauty of relationships is that they shouldn't take a huge amount of difficulty and stress, if it's meant to be it will fall in to place.  

So what do you do if you meet someone you find a click with? Talk to them. I KNOW, this can be the hardest part of all, you keep swallowing your words, your mind goes blank and before you know it you've said something ridiculous like 'your nose is a cool shape'. Honestly though, if you are nervous and find it hard to pluck up that courage, if they are a person you have a potential future with, you'll find they understand you and in most cases will be just as nervous as you are because they're stunned you're talking to them! Hopefully the conversation will get easier and you'll find things in common to talk about, getting to know someone is one of the most exciting parts because everyone will have their own unique story to tell - even if you end up not becoming a couple, you might end up best friends, this has happened to me numerous times before. We meet the people we are supposed to meet in life.

When you find the right person, no matter how long this time might be - forever or a few months - things will feel right. You won't have anxiety not being around them 24/7, there won't be any pressure for you to do things you don't want to or to be someone you're not. These are all warning signs that maybe this isn't the right person for you and that's okay too. I'm going to put emphasis on this as well - you should NEVER EVER let yourself be pressured in to something you're not ready for in a relationship or with anyone, our bodies are our own and no one else's. Always be confident in saying no and if someone isn't okay with that then you walk away. I think the most important point to make is that if you're happy then listen to that as our happiness is a priority, if you're in a relationship or if you're not and you feel content with yourself and how your life is going then don't change it because of what is happening around you at school. Learn to ignore social pressures - I know this can be hard - and don't give in to what people are telling you should be doing with your love life. As I said before, relationships are not a race, we are all ready at different times and we are all discovering ourselves at different rates. Also be supportive of your friends, if they're having issues with sexuality or they're feeling pressured or maybe just struggling a little with changes happening to them then be an ear for them to talk to or a shoulder to cry on. We all have our own journey's in life and will face problems, some the same and some different so it's important that we're kind and help those who maybe need a little guidance or a friendly smile.

And for any of you lovelies experience a first heartbreak or relationship troubles, my top 10's theme of the month is going to be all things break up movies and music. Stay tuned and remember we are all beautiful and wonderful individuals.

L x

[clonesblog-blog]

LETS TALK JOURNALING - Millie x

Journaling is my favourite thing to do EVER!!! I use different metrhods of jorunaling to wind down and sort out my thoughts .

Here are a few ways you can include journaling in your every day life.

1. FILOFAXING- I am relitevely new to this method of journaling as I got a beautiful Filofax for Christmas. Basically, this is a journal type binder folder you use to sort out your life! You can include budget planning, meal planning and even workout planning! I love to include a daily schedule where I write what I need to do for that day. I also love my important dates section where I write all of the dates I cannot forget like birthdays or holidays or work that I know of in advanced.

2. STREAM OF CONCIOUSNESS- this one is easy and is the first way I started to journal. All you need is a notepad and a pen. Take a few moments each night or morning to write down your thoughts for the day. I prefer to do this one during the evening when I’m winding down for bed. This is useful to go back and read what headspace you were in at a certain point in your life. It also helps to get all of your thoughts down on paper so you can sleep at night knowing you are free of negative thoughts etc...

3.WRECK THIS JOURNAL- I got a wreck this journal for Christmas 2013. It is by an amazing author called Kerri smith and she has a series of journals. This book is filled with instructions designed to get the reader creative and free of any rules ! I loved working on this. Is has instructions like “scribble on this page” or “draw a continuous line” and you interperate these instructions whatever way you please.

These are only my favourite ways of journaling and the ones I do daily/ weekly. I hope you find this as helpful as I do when I need to unwind and free my mindof thoughts

All the love

Millie x

[clonesblog-blog]

Exam time is here - S.O.S

No, not really. I promise there is no need to hit the panic button. Exams are stressful, there’s the pressure of studying, the pressure of sitting them and then the pressure of so much time off. 

I’m one of those teens who nearly lost their mind through exam time, I was the biggest stress ball you’d seen - eating, sleeping, washing? The most important daily life essentials seemed second best to me during exam leave and then the long wait for results, it seemed never ending.

Well now I am here to tell you, if you are that ball of stress pulling your hair out over past papers and text books right now, STOP. Yes exams are important, I get it, they determine the things we want to go on to study in further education with but they really aren’t the end of the world. My best motto for this time is do the best that you can and the rest is out of your hands, you can’t control what happens once that test is sat so why waste your time losing your sanity about it? I’m not saying don’t study, by all means study away, it’s a vital part of the process but we all need breaks. Give your brain time to absorb what you’re doing. 

How ever many exams you are sitting, whether it’s 8 or 5 or 2. You realistically can’t spend all day every day reading every piece of information you can possibly find on the subject, it will all begin to merge into one massive blur. For me, I made flash cards and used post it notes which I put on my ceiling to read over every night before sleep - as we take in a lot when we’re sleeping - or I’d stick them around my mirror to read while doing my hair or make up and it’s amazing what you’ll find to become just common everyday knowledge. This is especially good for subjects like English, social subjects and languages - anything with quotes and facts you need to remember.

Another super useful tool for me was to have a schedule of which subjects to study each day and then what I would do for breaks - some days it would be to sit in the garden with a book, go a walk or watch an episode of my favourite show at the time. For example:

Monday - 

History facts flash cards

French past paper (listening)

Lunch and walk

History past paper - General Knowledge

Practice French essay

Dinner, bath and movie

This is just an example of a way to break up your studying day, breaks are incredible ways for the brain to absorb and freshen itself ready to start the next thing - our brains need rest just as the body does!

Also have fun times too, get your friend round and do flash card tests with each other, two brains can be better than one! Studying doesn’t always have to be a solitary act.

So what do we do once exams are finished and we have a whole summer of waiting? Forget about them, I’m serious, forget they exist. You’ve done the best you can and there’s nothing you can do in this moment to change the outcome so enjoy yourself! Whether you’re going on holiday, spending quality time with your friends, enjoying the cinema, hitting the gym - whatever it is, you’ve worked hard enough and it’s time for a well earned break. Maybe you want to take up a new hobby - get into meditation or yoga, which I highly recommend for getting out of that over thinking head - the possibilities are endless. You could get a summer job or genuinely just take some time to yourself.

And when result time does come around, be kind to yourself and those around you. We all progress at different paces, life is a marathon not a race. We don’t always have to be heading the same direction at the same time. Be proud of yourself and if the work you put in was the best you could I’m sure they will be results for you to rejoice about and if they’re not, you can always try again. 

If you are sitting exams, I’m wishing you all the best of luck and I know you are all going to do an incredible job. Trust yourself and what you are capable of because you are all smashing. 

L x

[clonesblog-blog]

The Beauty of Friendships

Hey Clones, Lauren here to talk about all things friendships. We meet many friends in life, some we keep forever, some who are only there for a little part of the journey but friends are amazing so let’s discuss what makes our friends so great and after reading this blog I want to hear from you what the best things are about your friends - spread the love!

I personally have lots of people in my life I call my friends but I have a few extra special people who I know I can always trust with anything - Millie being one of those. There are some friends I met at school and at drama school who I’ve drifted apart from but I know they would always be there for me and some friends who live very far away - mostly because with acting jobs or at drama school I work with people from all different parts of the world and it means a temporary farewell but not forever, if it’s meant to be your paths will cross again!

So what are my important facts about friends -

1. Someone who will never judge you for the mistakes you make and will always have your back even if you might be wrong and be honest with you about it - they will always be on the other end of the phone with advice.

2. Someone who will make you laugh until you cry - Millie and I do this a lot - even when people on the outside might look at you as though you are crazy, it doesn’t matter because you find each other hilarious.

3. Someone who just gets you, like you don’t have to explain yourself when something is up. They just understand because they’re synced with you and will always be there with the perfect movies and sweet treats to brighten you up.

4. Someone who will never stab you in the back and will always have your best interest at heart - I don’t believe in keeping people in my life who try to hold me back. No thank you.

5. Someone filled with a positive and happy energy, the type of person who will always pick you back up as much as you will them and that you support each other’s dreams.

These are 5 reasons I have the friends I do, they are all wonderful in this way and I am so blessed to be surrounded by so much love.

Be sure to let me know what you love about your friends and ask some questions!

L x

[clonesblog-blog]

RELATIONSHIP DIY’S- Millie x

I thought i would put together some of my fave diy projects you can do for your boyfriend or girlfriend... or anyone really! Making things for my boyfriend is one of my fave things to do and I think that making them makes the gifts even more special!

1. “OPEN WHEN...” LETTERS- If you will be away from your loved one for a long period of time, like a holiday, or even if you want to do something sweet for them you could write them a series of letters. All you will need is some paper, envelopes and a pen (you can even add some colour into them). You should write nice cute notes and on the envelopes write “OPEN WHEN...” then when you want your person to open them. I wrote some for my boyfriend when I was away filming for a couple of weeks without seeing him. Some of my titles were “open when you miss me, feel sad/happy, need motivation and are bored. These always turn out super cute and I can assure you that your loved one will be over the moon when opening and reading them.

2. “INITIALS GIFTS”- This is another personal gift. Write down the letters of your loved ones name, first name only or include the second. Then, think of some cute gifts beginning with each letter that your person will love! These gifts can be things you have made yourself or things you buy at the shops. For example, my boyfriend is called Conor so I could give him Cinema tickets, Orange Jumper or top, Nivea skincare, Oreos, Reebok sports wear.

3. “DATE JAR”- A date jar has to be one of my favourite gifts to give someone and i have made one before. All you need to do is think of some cute dates you and your loved one can do together, such as cinema or crazy golf or walk the dog. Write them on coloured paper and place them inside a seethrough glass jar. You can decorate the jar with whatever you please. Then, whenever you need something to do you can pull a random paper out of the jar and see what it says!

4. “REASONS WHY I LOVE YOU PICTURES”- For this diy you will need to print several photos of you and your loved one. Then, on the back of each photo write a reason why you love that person. Wrap the pictures up in a pretty ribbon and there you go! A cute and easy DIY you can give to anyone from your boyfriend to your mum for mothers day!

5. “MOVIE POSTER”- You may have seen my version of this gift on our instagram as i made one for my BF for valentines. All you need to do is get a blank piece of paper and fold it like you would a paper fan. Then on each section of the fan write a movie you want to watch with that person. They could even be themed (I did romance movies as it was valentines day). You could do christmas movies or anything you choose! decorate the sections as you please then fold up the paper fan and tie it up in a ribbon. Give it to your person and they can unfold the fan and look at all the films  you have suggested.

6. “FAVOURITE SNACKS BOX”- This one is quite simple. Buy a plain gift box, fill it with some coloured tissue paper and throw in some of your loved ones favourite snacks!

7. “CARE PACKAGE”- A care package is another gift that is perfect to give to someone when you will be apart from them for a while or even when they are feeling down and need a little pick me up. First, get a large gift box and decorate it how you please. Then, fill it with some tissue paper or tissue paper strands. Next you should think of things your loved one will need during that time apart or even things to make them feel better. This could include some skincare, fluffy socks, a good book, a dvd, a bath bomb, some sweet treats and also some photos of the two of you together. Finally, layer all of these things in the box and include cute little notes stuck to each gift. This gift will make sure your loved one doesnt miss you too much when you are apart.

Well guys there is some of my favourite relationship diy’s. You can change them up to make them more approproate for whoever you are giving them to of course! Please have a go at making these and send us a pic of your diy on our instagram ! We would love to see what you come up with x

[clonesblog-blog]

MY TRAVEL TIPS AND ESSENTIALS- Millie x

Hello guys!

I am so excited to write this little post because it is something I have been trying to organise for so many years and now Ive finally got my little system going.

As most of you know from my socials, I travel a lot with work and meetings etc so I have months spent living out of a suitcase in hotels. Flying a few times a week is also something that I am used to. I know not everyone lives this way but here is a few tips and travel hacks for when you go along on your travels... wherever that may be:)

1. I always carry a little travel wallet with me to hold my passport and my flight documents. I bought one from paperchase for £11 but you can get them at most stores. I love having this as it is small enough to carry in my handbag but keeps all my important documents in the same place so I dont loose them.

2. Taking moisturiser on the plane is also something I have found myself doing over the years. Planes are awful enviroments for our skin as we are in an air tight space with a lot of other people for a long amount of time. I often find my skin is dry and feeling tight when I come off a plane so I like to carry a travel sized moisturiser with me and apply it during my flight. I like to use the simple hydrating moisturiser for genle skin.

3. Books are also a must for the plane. I prefer to read rather than listen to music as my ears go that funny poppy way when Im flying. Does anyone else get this?! I like to browse the bookstores at the airport before I fly if I have time to find a new read.

4. Although I love to have all my documents on paper in my little travel wallet having your boarding pass and ID on your phone is really handy. I like to have my boarding pass barocde on my iphone wallet and I just scan it when going through security etc.

5. I take my planner almost everywhere with me, especially on long flights or trips. I always over plan but this isnt too bad when travelling. I like to make sure I have all my flight details written in my planner on the day of travel. I also write a list of things I must not forget on my journey, whether its meetings or clothes I need to remember.

6. Journalling is an amazing way to soend your time on a flight. I love to take a journal and just write down what I am feeling of thinking on the paper during the flight. Sometimes I even have mini journalling sessions on my phone notes when I dont have my journal. I can look back at this and reflect on what I was feeling or thinking at that specific time. Travel journalling is also amazing. Writing all about your travels and including pictures or memories is a great way to remember the trip when you are home.

Enjoy your travelling guys xx

[clonesblog-blog]

My Trip to Japan

Hey lovelies, Lauren here, bringing you a travel blog about my recent trip to Japan. I absolute adore the prospect of travelling the world one day - Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand..the list is endless. Japan and China have to be the furthest ventures I've made and I plan for many more to come. I've also been to various places through out Europe, France being an extra special place in my heart but if there is one thing I can say for sure, I've never been anywhere quite so incredible as JAPAN.

A long haul flight over Norway and Russia landed us in a high-tech city known as Tokyo - where no two streets are the same. Alone Tokyo has mini cities within the city, just to give you an idea of the size we're talking about. From the Shibuya crossing, to the famous cat cafes and world famous Pokemon centre - I've been there! However I've been left with so much of the city to see. I tried the tastiest sushi and fun looking sweets and also had the best pancakes I've ever tasted. For a city it has so much nature within it, there are temples in which people go to pray each night and they astound you with their beauty - where else would you be walking down a busy street and suddenly come across an ancient temple? AMAZING. I also got my first trip to Disneyland which was as magical as I'd always dreamed it would be with the famous Mt Fuji looking on.

Hopping on a bullet train, we zoomed off to the city of Osaka which was entirely different again. A little more grey but still filled with beauty, it's also the home to Universal Studios Japan which was our main reason for the pit stop! It is also the place where I found my new favourite treats - little chocolate filled pouches shaped like Koalas, I really love Koalas. We also made the hike up to Osaka castle and read the history of the city and its battles. A glowing white castle lied with gold - it really was out of this world.

After our pit stop, we zoomed off to a little place called Nara where lives the biggest bronze Buddha statue in the world. It is also home to hundreds of deer who live freely around the temple and are rather friendly - if not a bit too friendly! My boyfriend and I bought food to feed them and soon regretted the decision when we had a herd of deer following us and nibbling at our clothes or head butting us! It was a truly enlightening day though to be in the temple and surrounded by so much peace and security. The history of the temple is still so alive and Todai-ji temple actually once held the name of one of the seven great temples. The only downside of the day was a deer stealing my gift bag and having to play tug of war for it back - it's safe to say the deer won the bag but I got to keep the gifts. I also had the most amazing sushi there!

Next we were back on the bullet train and shooting off to Hiroshima. We stayed our first night by the water which we would cross the next morning to Miyajima island. This spiritual island used to be home to an ancient god of war who left the most stunning shrine cemented into the sand which you can only walk to when the tide is out. He built it for a goddess who he believed to be the one who had watched over him and helped him protect the island. Sadly I didn't get to see the whole of the tiny island but it is somewhere I plan to go back and stay one day and explore more of the history and its beauty.

Our next destination was Hiroshima peace memorial which was a rather devastating yet moving experience. For those of you who don't know the history, Hiroshima was one of the two cities to be hit by atomic bombs during the second world war. A peaceful park has been built with donations from all over the world to remind people the importance of peace and to prevent something like this ever happening again, there a protests for the abolition of nuclear weapons each year in Japan. The photos and relics in the museum were very difficult to look at and read about knowing that the bomb had exploded right above where I was standing not even a 100 years ago and today tests are still being done on generations from around that time to see if the radiation caused is still having an effect on health. It also inspired me to remind myself the importance of peace not war and to stand up for the world to learn from the past and never make these mistakes again - solve problems with kindness.

Last but not least we made a second trip to Universal to finish off our trip as one day there hadn't been enough! It was January which meant the park was rather quiet and I drank so much butterbeer I nearly threw up riding the Forbidden Journey ride in Harry Potter World but it was worth it! Then back to Tokyo we went for one more night of incredible ramen and beautiful city sights before flying home with a stunning view of Mt Fuji on the way!

Japan seriously is the most incredible trip I've ever been on and I can't wait till the day I go back, my boyfriend and I even tried to extend our trip and change our flights but it was far too expensive! Japan was not only one of the most peaceful and friendly places I've been but also the cleanest, like genuinely, there is not a speck of dirt on the ground in Tokyo and their subway stations alone are about the size of a small town - no exaggeration. There are a million photos of my trip on my personal Instagram if you want to see more, I do plan to compress all my videos into a vlog of my trip but there are so many and I've just not got round to it yet.

My next trip is going to be Paris in May - I've recently found out - as a surprise from my boyfriend for my birthday so maybe nearer the time I'll find out what you guys would like to see and can vlog some of my trip.

That's all for now Clones, L x

[clonesblog-blog]

Review - Five Feet Apart

Hey lovely readers and welcome to another Clones blog movie review. Yesterday I had the pleasure of seeing ‘Five Feet Apart’ - written by Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis, directed by Justin Baldoni and starring Haley Lu Richardson, Cole Sprouse and Moises Arias. This truly was a beautiful yet heart wrenching story and I guarantee if ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ stole your heart, this one will too!

The main theme of the film is a disease called Cystic Fibrosis - for those of you who don’t know what that is, it’s a genetic disorder that affects the lungs but can also affect the pancreas, liver and kidneys. There are many different severities of the illness but it can mean a short life span for many young people, not living past 30 and can mean a life mostly lived in hospitals. 

Our story starts with young, fun loving Stella and her friends trying to pick out the best swimsuit for a supposed trip they are going, this scene is very cleverly shot as we don’t realise that Stella won’t be able to join her girl’s on the trip as they are in fact visiting her in her hospital room where she is being closely monitored for Cystic Fibrosis. We then see Stella - and this is probably one of the most continuous parts to her story - doing a vlog, she has many Youtube subscribers and watchers who tune in to hear about her journey and coping with the disease. Her best friend Poe, who she has known since she was 7, is also in the same ward down the hall and we see them communicating through Facetime and text as opposed to chilling in each other’s rooms - this is soon revealed that they can’t be closer than 6 feet apart at any time as the illness they could contract from one another is fatal, which means no human touch - she’s never hugged her own best friend. It seems that over all Stella has a very optimistic view on the world and is waiting on new lungs for a better chance of life minus her clinical OCD which causes her to have serious plans in place for everything - this is soon turned upside down by a boy, Will.

Will is possibly the complete opposite from Stella and not coping as well with the unfair life he has been given. He has an almost ‘live for the moment’ approach which drives Stella crazy as he needs to be following his medical plan precisely - countering her OCD. They come to an agreement that is Will sticks to his meds and lets Stella help him, Will can draw her (him being a very talented cartoonist). Soon from here a beautiful love story begins to form, one which is played out from always 5 feet apart as Stella decides she’s stealing something back from the disease - 1 foot. Will and Stella balance each other in such a beautiful way, Stella realising that life is there to be lived without schedules and Will realising that he has potential to heal.

I don’t want to give away the main spoilers of the film guys but I will warn that sure, it’s got it’s dark points - the ones that will make you cry but also the ones that will warm your heart and maybe even make you reconsider how you live your lives. It’s one about friendships, loss and true love. I highly recommend a cinema trip to this one with chocolate, popcorn - all the comfort snacks PLUS THE TISSUES.  It’s a film with a lesson behind it, we need to live our lives, live them kindly and with as much as enthusiasm and fun as possible.

All the love beauties, L x

[clonesblog-blog]

MILLIE’S TOP 10′S MARCH EDITION

BOOKS (I used to read 24/7 and have only recently got back into reading as much as I used to. Some of these books , like the hunger games and divergent, were the books of my childhood and also a way lauren and I bonded when we were younger. They are big reads and all have strong female characters which i relate too entirely. Please read at least one and let me know what your thoughts are.)

eleanor oliphant is completely fine the power normal people the hunger games series beautlful creatures series the fault in our stars the power of now the perks of being a wallflower divergent series the handmaids tale

WHATS IN MY BAG (unlike lauren, i always have a handbag with me! I am obsessed and probably own far too many. Although they dont always have a huge amount of room, I always find space to carry every day essentials with me… trust me, you will never find me without any of these things)

carmex glasses cleaner pen notebook hand cream make up/face wipes phone charger earphones hairbrush waterbottle

SKINCARE( skincare was an easy list for me as I am obsessed. I recently opened up about my skincare journey on social media so heres a few of my must haves)

simple moisturiser teatree face scrub glossier super glow serum glossier solution carmex lip balm burts bees hand cream mario badescu rose water spray paw paw moisturising skin balm simple eye cream dermalogica gentle foaming cleanser

[clonesblog-blog]

SURVIVNG SCHOOL- Millie x

A lot of you guys have asked for some hacks to surviving school. So here are my top tips.

1. DO THE WORK- I hated doing homework and studying so much but hated the feeling of being overwhelmed with work even more. Organise your work for the week and get it done BEFORE IT IS DUE IN! This helped me so much especially when it came round to exams. I used to write down all of my homework as soon as i got it and worked through it until it was due in. i also used to do this with my studying. I made time for my studying AFTER my homework was done.

2. DO NOT STRESS- Stress is a big part of school and everyone deals with this differently. When it comes to choosing what path you want to take after school seriously do not stress. It may feel like you are the only one who is clueless about life after school but everyone is in the same boat. Why don’t you write down a list of things you are passio ate about and things you are good at. You will soon find some similarities. Also, there are many different options for after school like college, uni or even going straught into a job so dont do what your friends are doing. Choose the right path for you.

3. CHOOSE YOUR FRIENDS WISELY- Friends are a huge aspect of your school life but they can sometimes make things more difficult. Being in a big friend group can force some competiton on you, especially with exams and results. Dont let other people determine your school life. Instead, cut out all of the toxic people to make your time at school a lot more easy and stress free.

:)

[clonesblog-blog]

Lauren’s Top 10′s - March Edition

10 Things ... IN MY BAG

(Anyone who knows me knows I'm a rucksack girl, mostly because I'm always on the move. I don't actually own a handbag but I have enough rucksacks to go around - my favourite yellow Kanken goes everywhere)

- A book (currently 'Blowing the Bloody Doors Off' Michael Caine)

- Deodorant 

- Perfume ('Lady Million' is my current obsession)

- Beauty essentials (my PawPaw, Glossier lipstick, concealer and cloud paint)

- Hairbrush (swear by my tangle teaser)

- Spare underwear (you never know)

- Tampons (2, incase of a long day ahead)

- Hair accessories (Kirby grips, bobbles, headband/bandana)

- Water Bottle (metal/BPA Free)

- Bamboo Travel Mug (a recent purchase because i drink so much coffee and need to stop the paper cup consumption)

10 Things ... ON MY BUCKET LIST

(So I add to my bucket list every day, it never seems to end but here are the ones that I probably spend my most time dreaming about)

- Visit the Koalas in Australia

- Write, direct and star in my own film

- Travel the world

- Swim with Dolphins in the wild

- Become a qualified yogi

- Start my own foundation for mental health

- Invest in property all over the world

- Learn to speak fluently in 2 foreign languages

- Write an autobiography

- Go on safari

Top 10 ... WARDROBE ESSENTIALS

- Cosy Slacks (because I'm a pyjama girl and if I'm not going out I hate getting dressed)

- Mum Jeans (always, especially for those dining out nights you don't want the tight waisted ones)

- Jumpsuit (obsessed with my black one, can be casual or smart, just add accessories and change the shoes)

- Denim Mini Skirt (for all year round)- Baggy Jumpers (I basically live in them, so much comfort)

- Denim Jacket (always a go to on a night out when you can't decide)

- Checked Shirt (I love my shirts, wear them buttoned up for the cutesy look or over a t-shirt open for a more chilled vibe)

- Turtle Neck (especially good if you don't have a scarf to match the outfit and I like the sophisticated vibe it gives)

- Striped Tee (It's always a go to and a back up, goes with pretty much everything)

- Doc Martins Boots (I literally wear them for long walks and for club nights out, could not live without them) 

L x

[clonesblog-blog]

Recipe Hack - My purple dream Smoothie Bowl

This delightful smoothie bowl is one of my favourite things to wake up to in the mornings - all the goodness of a smoothie but with that little extra consistency that means you can eat it with a spoon from a bowl and add some goodness filled toppings!

Ingredients:

- Frozen berries and cherries

- Peanut butter

 - Oats

- Natural yoghurt of choice (Organic Oatly for me)

- Milk of choice (I like rice or oat)

- Cacao powder

- Chai seeds

- Mixed nuts

Method:- Get your blender- Add the oats- Add your berries and cherries- Add a spoonful of peanut butter- Add two teaspoons of cacao powder- Add two teaspoons of chai seeds- Add some naural yoghurt- Add some milk

- Whizz away! If consistency is too thick to blend add a tiny bit of water but not too much, you want to keep it thick

- Empty into a bowl of your choice

- Sprinkle with some cashews, brazil nuts, whatever you please for some extra protein

- Dig in and enjoy!

REMEMBER DO NOT EAT ANYTHING IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT ALLERGIES, PLEASE CHECK THIS FIRST, DOES CONTAIN NUTS. L x

[clonesblog-blog]

LET’S TALK RELATIONSHIPS…- Millie x

ok,so.  Relationships has been a topic many of you guys have wanted us to write about here at CLONES! Let’s get one thing straight… relationships are full of expectations. One of the most asked questions by you guys was how to get into and then maintain a relationship. My answer to this would be to let it happen. There is literally no rush AT ALL to get into a relationship with anyone by a certain age. In high school is when most people start entering their first relationships which can be intimidating as loads of people are still figuring out what they like and what they want from someone else. Honestly, If you are not in a relationship then dont worry about it. Most of the time they happen unexpectedly, maybe a friend you have been close with for a while says they want more than a friendship and it goes from there, or you meet someone youjust click with randomly and skip a few weeks you’re all loved up! I am in no way a relationship expert at all and don’t expect anyone to take my advice but in my personal opinion honestly is the key to all romantic relationships with someone. Be honest about your feelings for someone as you never know what will happen as a result. Be honest to your partner about what you’re wanting to get out of the relationship, wether it be just a bit of fun or something a lot more serious. Honesty is the most important thing between two people as if neither of you are honest then feelings can get bottled up which creates an even worse situation. Once you are in a relationship with whoever it may be (gender never matters OBVIOUSLY so like who you like people!) my top tip would be to enjoy and not overthink. I can guarantee that everyone in a relationship worries at some point or another what their partner thinks of them. If they think they have bad bed head or what they are secretly thinking of that spot that randomly appeared or even the weird laugh that you have. Chances are, the other person in your life LOVES those little quirks that you hate about yourself. In my experience, my boyfriend loves the little things I do that I honestly deteste about myself. Relationships are a two way effort and participation so the other person is honestly just happy to be spending time with you, loving your little weird habbits.

So… The next thing… SEX !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This comes with the expectations within relationships. People get ideas from movies, tv, older people and even porn about sexual relations with their partner but its all rubbish. Sex is just a physical way to express feelings between two people and there is absolutely no rush into having sex what so ever. Don’t feel pressured into anything at all. If your partner has your best interests at heart, they will only go with whatever you are comfortable with and not push you into anything. Just relax and figure our what is right for you and what you want. You may want it all the time. You may not want it at all ever. And those options are perfectly okay as no one has to have an opinion apart from you. Moral of the story??? Relationships are something to be enjoyed by two people who love spending time with eachother. They are based on true feelings and honesty and are full of amazing experiences.So Sit back relax and enjoy… with no added pressure. x

[clonesblog-blog]

Oh those bloody Periods!

Okay so following on from all your amazing and wonderful questions last week about dealing with the one thing us girls can’t escape - PERIODS - here’s a blog to give you some advice and tips that will hopefully make your time of the month a little easier.

First of all, let’s take a look at this stigma around periods - I don’t know about you but when I was at school I could get quite embarrassed by them and there were a lot of horrible jokes made about them that created this feeling of them being disgusting and something to be ashamed of. THIS IS NOT TRUE! It is all a part of nature and let’s take a view of them being something beautiful given to us by Mother Nature - that can be the first step of getting by this time of the month - there is no shame in having to ask a friend to borrow a pad or a tampon or have to leave the classroom to change or freshen up, it’s the just the way it is ladies!

Now let’s get to some of your questions! How to deal with cramps and other aches and pains when out and about? If you need something fast acting, paracetamol or ibuprofen is the easiest route to go but make sure you have consent to take these and you’re using them properly, it’s not good to take too much of anything. If you have a water bottle, ask if you can have it filled with hot water and wrap it in your jumper to hold against your stomach - this has saved me many times in rehearsals and on set! Drink some herbal tea if you can - peppermint is a great natural settler of the stomach, you can also buy peppermint capsules from the likes of Holland and Barrett.

Mood swings? Ahhh, aren’t they just amazing? No. Really. Stop apologising for them, if you’re feeling emotional that’s okay! This is the first step in dealing with those crazy moods, accepting them. Try some breathing exercises or meditation to calm your mind or some stretching and yoga - which can also help with those aches and pains. Get your favourite movies on - the Princess Diaries, Lost Boys, whatever works for you! Mood swings, I’m afraid, don’t really have a cure but we don’t have to make excuses - we girls understand. If your mood swings are sometimes too hard to handle, maybe try speaking to your doctor about them for some extra advice!

Being caught off guard and leaks can feel like the end of the world, especially if they happen in a public place. My best advice for this is keeping a note in your calendar to know which time of the month you can expect your period to appear so it doesn’t just spring up on you! I also like to carry tampons and a spare pair of undies around with me, just in case this does happen. Rather safe than sorry, as they say but they happen and if it does try to laugh and shake it off - it’s happened to many of us!

Finding pads uncomfortable? It took me a while to find what worked best for me when on my period. I much prefer to use tampons now but I also have friends who like the moon cup and some who like pads - it’s a personal preference. There are quite a few options out there - again something you could ask your doctor about or just try something different when your time of the month comes again. Pads can be seriously uncomfortable, especially if your period is heavy - they might just not be the right option for you!

Now here’s one we all worry about - will our holiday be ruined by that dreaded time? No. No it will not. Be prepared. If you know your period is due, make sure you’ve packed plenty of tampons, pads, whatever! If you can use tampons and find them comfortable enough, guess what? You can still go swimming! I know it’s never ideal but I’m afraid this is one of the things we just have to expect and keep the mindset that it won’t ruin your holiday because the sun will still shine and the fun is still there so enjoy it as best you can! Another thing you can also maybe see your doctor about!

So, I hope this has answered some questions and you find this all a little bit useful. As you may be aware, there is a lot of period poverty out there and girls are having to stay home from school as they aren’t able to afford sanitary products. It is a real fight we, as girls, face and I hope one day soon will not have to. There are so many amazing organisations out there fighting this and various places more and more are starting to have free pads etc in bathrooms - which is just incredible! Let’s do our part by being more open and unashamed of periods because at the end of the day, they’re not going anywhere and we shouldn’t be punished for something that we can’t stop!

All the love ~ L