Let's Discuss Podcast

Friendships are some of the greatest happiness boosters in our lives. Friends support us, share triumphs and challenges, and make navigating life a whole lot more fun.  That being said, it’s completely normal to go through spells of loneliness. It’s not a guarantee that you’ll meet your tribe in your teens or twenties. Some of our greatest friendships have been formed later on in our lives, outside of our education or ‘neighbourhood convenience’.   In this episode we take a close look at friendships in our 20s, how to go about making new friends, and how to transition an acquaintance into a true friend.  This episode is perfect for anyone looking to make new friends, and especially for people who have recently moved cities or jobs.  EPISODE 27 SHOW NOTES Ella's blog - Coco’s Tea Party  Monica's blog - The Elgin Avenue Ella's Instagram account - @CocosTeaParty  Monica's Instagram account - @MonicaBeatrice SHOW LINKS My Experience Leaving London To Live In The Countryside - on The Elgin Avenue  How To Make Friends As An Adult - on The Elgin Avenue  Bumble BFF EPISODE 27’S TAKEAWAY TIP “Try and be more vulnerable with people.” EPISODE 27’S RATE AND SLATE Monica's Rate: Lilybod leggings from Fitique Alresford.  Ella’s Slate: Guys you used to date creeping your Instagram Stories!

We are over the moon to welcome fellow blogger, positivity purveyor and all round babe Amanda Holstein to the show.  Amanda’s blog Advice From A 20 Something is one of our favourite internet destinations. Depression, anxiety and mental health troubles are challenges that many people in their twenties suffer with, and we are so glad to be sitting down with Amanda to talk about her personal experience. There is no shame in suffering with your mental health and we hope that today’s episode can help to continue to break down the stigma around the subject.  This episode is perfect for anyone interested in learning about mental health problems, and anyone concerned that they may be suffering themselves.  We are so grateful to Amanda for coming on the show and sharing her story. There is so much great advice to takeaway from this episode. EPISODE 26 SHOW NOTES Ella's blog - Coco’s Tea Party  Monica's blog - The Elgin Avenue Ella's Instagram account - @CocosTeaParty  Monica's Instagram account - @MonicaBeatrice Amanda’s blog - Advice From A 20 Something Amanda’s Instagram Account - @AdviceFromA20Something Amanda’s Instagram suggestions:  @OnOurMoon  @LauraRaePhotography  Amanda’s priorities for 2018: Self compassion Health Intuition  EPISODE 24’S TAKEAWAY TIP “Try therapy.” EPISODE 24’S RATE AND SLATE Ella’s Rate: affordable art from Desenio and Juniqe. Monica’s Slate: beige food. Ugh.

This week's episode is inspired by one of our most frequently asked questions: how do we stay inspired as content creators?  With 18 years of blogging experience between us, we are VERY used to seeking inspiration, and turning it into blog posts, photography and a whole myriad of other content streams.  In this episode we discuss the weekly content we both create, how we stoke our inspiration fires, and the locations we look to for helping to bolster our creativity.  This episode is perfect for anyone interested in blogging, social media or content creation. Or indeed, anyone looking for a little extra inspiration boost. We hope you'll enjoy the show! EPISODE 25 SHOW NOTES Ella's blog - Coco’s Tea Party  Monica's blog - The Elgin Avenue Ella's Instagram account - @CocosTeaParty  Monica's Instagram account - @MonicaBeatrice Ella’s Pinterest - Coco’s Tea Party  Monica’s Pinterest - Monica Beatrice W  Ella’s Twitter - @CocosTeaParty Monica’s Twitter - @MonicaBeatrice Ella’s Facebook - Cocos Tea Party Monica’s Facebook - The Elgin Avenue Show Links Monica’s branding designer - Jamie Starcevich of Spruce Rd.  Jamie Starcevich’s Brand Discovery Questionnaire  Monica’s Vision Board Ella’s Personality Test article  Scummy Mummies Podcast  9 Ways To Maximise Space In A Tiny Bedroom - Ella’s top performing post! Chelsea Becker - Becker Editorial  Our Favourite Content Creators Gal Meets Glam by Julia Engel Cupcakes & Cashmere by Emily Schuman Camille Styles by Camille Styles and team Harlowe & James by Chrissy McDonald The Chalkboard Mag The Everygirl  The Glitter Guide Advice From A 20 Something by Amanda Holstein and team Red Magazine Refinery29 Cup Of Jo by Joanna Goddard and team Episode 25’s Takeaway Tip  Consume as much (high and low!) content as possible to stoke your creative fire.  Episode 25’s Rate & Slate  Monica’s rate: friendship getaways. Take 24 hours to visit a friend as a break from your day to day routine.  Ella’s slate: plastic wrapping around fruit and veg.

Episode 25. Content Creation: Where And How To Seek Inspiration + Our Favourite Creators

Episode 24. Burnout, Exhaustion & How To Get A Good Night's Sleep

Surprise!  We are rounding off 2017 with a special bonus episode of Let’s Discuss to celebrate our first year of podcasting. In this episode we share our highs and lows of 2017. We discuss the greatest lessons we have learnt, as well as a whole host of other probing reflections on the past twelve months.  With 2018 right around the corner we are sharing our intentions for the new year, and some of our hopes for the future.  Stay tuned till the end of the episode when we round off a whole year of podcasting with a very special Weekly 5! Thank you for being part of the Let’s Discuss family this year, we have absolutely LOVED sharing our first year of podcasting with you! We hope you’ll enjoy your bonus episode! Here’s to a fantastic new year ahead!

For our fourth and final festive interview this year we are over the moon to welcome author, blogger, Youtuber, entrepreneur and all round wellness guru Madeleine Shaw to the podcast. Madeleine is one of the UK’s best known wellness experts, and her books adorn the shelves of many of our friends' kitchens as well as our own. Madeleine has pioneered building a wellbeing business online, and has a number of hugely successful channels including her Instagram, website and new meditation app. With the festive season upon us we are very grateful to have been able to sit down with Madeleine to discuss how to stay on track with your wellbeing goals over the festive season, as well as many more health-related chats (hangover cures included!). We can’t wait for you to get to know Madeleine! A big thank you to our wonderful friend Anneli for making this interview possible! EPISODE 22 SHOW NOTES Thank you to our wonderful sponsors this season: House of Fraser and Birchbox.  Links for House of Fraser’s activewear: House of Fraser’s activewear ranges. Ella’s Label Lab Jumper Monica’s BIBA Leggings Ella's blog - Coco's Tea Party Monica's blog - The Elgin Avenue Ella's Instagram account - @CocosTeaParty  Monica's Instagram account - @MonicaBeatrice Discover Madeleine’s amazing business: Madeleine’s blog - Madeleine Shaw Madeleine’s Instagram - @Madeleine_Shaw_ Madeleine’s meditation guide: Meditate With Madeleine Madeleine’s books: Get The Glow Ready Steady Glow A Year Of Beautiful Eating Madeleine’s 3 words for 2018: Products. Shay. Digestion. The Weekly 5 - Our 5 Favourite Festive Foods Madeleine Blinis with smoked salmon and champagne. Roasted vegetables. Honey and mustard parsnips. Red cabbage with dried cranberries. Honey and mustard cocktail sausages. Pear and almond tart. Monica Starbucks’s gingerbread latte. Pigs in blanket. Red cabbage. Roasted carrots. Champagne. Ella Roast potatoes - plain and sweet. Gingerbread. Chocolate selection box. Roasted parsnips with honey. Stuffing.

This week we’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Kristina Karlsson, founder of kikki.K, one of our all-time favourite brands, to the podcast.  Kristina founded kikki.K after noticing a gap in the market for beautifully designed stationery, and  is truly one of the most inspirational people we know; both in her capacity as an entrepreneur, and for her outlook on life in general.  Wellbeing, learning, creativity and gratitude are the cornerstones of Kristina’s approach to life, and we cannot wait for you to soak up her advice.  With the new year on the horizon, this is the perfect time to reflect on all that has happened thus far and look ahead to the future.  We hope that you will love getting to know Kristina, her invaluable words of wisdom and take away some hints and tips for approaching the festive season with gratitude.  A quick audio note: as we were recording in a bustling restaurant you may hear some background noise. We hope you’ll enjoy the buzz of the room (and that it’s not too distracting!). EPISODE 21 SHOW NOTES Thank you to our wonderful sponsors this season: House of Fraser and Birchbox.  House of Fraser’s Black Friday details: Monday November 20th - Monday November 27th Many of the items will be going down to 50% off and more!  Birchbox’s Black Friday details: 20% off subscriptions for any length of subscription.  Wednesday November 22nd through the Black Friday weekend.  PLUS deals on your favourite Birchbox products from the Birchbox shop.  Ella's blog - Coco's Tea Party Monica's blog - The Elgin Avenue Ella's Instagram account - @CocosTeaParty  Monica's Instagram account - @MonicaBeatrice Discover Kristina’s amazing business: kikki.K Kristina’s 3 words for 2018: Less. Is. More. Kristina’s Instagram account - @KristinakikkiK kikki.K’s Instagram account - @kikkiK kikki.K products we mention: 3am Journal Dream Book  Enjoy Book  Do Book  Share Book  B5 Daily Notes Pad: Time Is Now (3 things per day)  Kristina’s Book recommendations:  The E Myth  Thrive  Work Smarter Live Better  Life Lessons From The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari The Happiness Project  The Weekly 5 - Our 5 Favourite Festive Traditions Kristina Organisation. Festive food! Setting up the festive table.  Christmas music and writing cards.  Being present.  Monica Watching Love Actually. Going to buy the Christmas Tree. Our blogger Christmas lunch. Starbucks Christmas cups!  Father Christmas night. Ella Decorating the Christmas tree.  Baking gingerbread men with friends. Make a wish stirring the Christmas cake! The Motown Christmas playlist.  Watching Elf.

Episode 20 Show Notes Anna Newton EPISODE 20 SHOW NOTES Thank you to our wonderful sponsors this season: House of Fraser and Birchbox. Click here for all of the details for Birchbox’s pop up shop, and be sure to quote: “Let’s Discuss” in store to receive a free gift in store! Have a peek at the velvet Biba dress, available at House of Fraser.   Ella's blog - Coco's Tea Party Monica's blog - The Elgin Avenue Ella's Instagram account - @CocosTeaParty  Monica's Instagram account - @MonicaBeatrice Discover Anna’s gorgeous outlets: Anna’s blog - The Anna Edit Anna’s Youtube channel - The Anna Edit Anna’s Instagram account - @TheAnnaEdit Anna and Lily’s podcast - At Home With Anna’s beauty crushes: Lisa Eldridge, Raw Beauty Kristi and Rachel Bilson Anna’s holiday makeup picks: Tom Ford Eyeliner Pen NARS Velvet Matt Lip Pencil in Cruella Urban Decay Glitter Eyeliner Anna’s skincare favourites: Glossier Priming Moisturiser Liz Earle Oils Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask Anna’s capsule wardrobe guides: Occasion wear Anna’s black jumpsuit edit Peruse Anna’s fashion content Anna’s favourite shops: & Other Stories Whistles Sezane Jigsaw and Jigsaw Mens Anna’s travel video in NYC with Mark Anna’s Christmas gift tips For beauty lovers: Space NK’s Christmas sets Aromatherapy Associates Miniature Bath & Shower Oil Collection Glossier Oliver Bonas organisation and drawers Zoeva makeup brushes Anna’s 2018 priorities: Do. More. Stuff. The Weekly 5 This week we shared our 5 favourite festive scents! Anna The White Company Winter candle. Christmas pudding’s boozy fruit. Mulled wine. Baileys. Stuffing. Ella Fresh Christmas tree. Gingerbread. Mulled wine. Sausage rolls. Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Candle. Monica Fireplace smoke. Starbucks’ gingerbread latte. Anthropologie’s Mulled Wine candle. Christmas trees. Wrapping paper.

Welcome back to a brand new season of Let’s Discuss! This season we are talking ALL things festive - from gifting, to wellbeing, party dressing and so much more. This season we have the absolute pleasure of being joined by a host of very special guests. Each one is as inspiring as the other, and we can’t wait for you to get to know them all! We are kick starting Season 3 with none other than Holly Tucker MBE, co-founder of Not On The High Street, and the incredible Holly & Co. Holly is one of the most pioneering businesswomen in the world today, and we are over the moon to have been able to sit down with her (at the table she dreamt up Not On The High Street on - no less!) to discuss her career journey, thoughtful gifting and why it’s important for us to reassess the vocabulary we use in life and in business. This is a truly inspiring interview, and we hope that it will help you to get into the swing of the festive season, your career ambitions and those all important holiday gifts! A quick audio note: as we were recording at the wonderful Holly & Co you may hear some background noise. We hope you’ll enjoy the buzz of the cafe (and that it’s not too distracting!). Episode 19 Show Notes Thank you to our wonderful sponsors this season: House of Fraser and Birchbox. Ella's blog - Coco's Tea Party Monica's blog - The Elgin Avenue Ella's Instagram account - @CocosTeaParty  Monica's Instagram account - @MonicaBeatrice Discover Holly’s amazing businesses: Holly & Co Not On The High Street Personalised Christmas sack from Not On The High Street Holly’s 3 words for 2018: Community, Collaboration, Courage The Weekly 5 - Our 5 Favourite Christmas Songs Click Here to listen to the Let’s Discuss Christmas Playlist! Holly’s Christmas Songs Last Christmas by Wham Do They Know It’s Christmas by Band Aid, 1984 version Real Love by Tom Odell Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas by Frank Sinatra Fairytale of New York by The Pogues (featuring Kirsty MacColl) Ella’s Christmas Songs Santa Clause Is Back In Town by Elvis Presley Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas by She and Him Sleigh Ride by The Ronettes Baby It’s Cold Outside by Tom Jones and Cerys Matthews It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas by Michael Bublé Monica’s Christmas Songs Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas by Michael Bublé Frosty The Snowman by The Jackson 5 Let It Snow by She and Him Santa Claus Is Coming To Town by Kylie Minogue (featuring Frank Sinatra) Jingle Bells by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong

We can't quite believe that another season of Let's Discuss has flown by - we have had such a great season sharing with you! In our last episode of Season 2 we've opened up the floor to your questions! And as always they were on point! We are answering questions ranging from what we're looking forward to in our 30s to our top blogging tips and so much more. As with our Season 1 Q&A your questions really prompted us to think about certain topics, and open up about matters close to our hearts.  We hope that you'll enjoy our new Q&A! Thank you so much for all of your support for Let's Discuss, we are so grateful to have you listening and sharing your journey with us! Until next season! Love, Ella & Monica x EPISODE 18 SHOW NOTES Here's your exclusive Birchbox discount code! Sign up using code DISCUSS to receive a FREE Ciaté Fierce Flicks Eyeliner with subscription. Offer open to UK subscribers only until September 30th 2017.  Ella's blog - Coco's Tea Party Monica's blog - The Elgin Avenue Ella's Instagram account - @CocosTeaParty  Monica's Instagram account - @MonicaBeatrice  Episode 8. our Season 1 Q&A Blogging Tips Ella’s e-book Chloé Digital Blog Episode 14. with Chloé Watts Amanda Start’s Blogging Series  Amanda Holstein’s Blogging Series Elle & Co  The Green Eyed Girl blog - by Claire Wainwright Episode 2. on Productivity & Procrastination   SC Stock Shop  The brand Monica would love to have started: Aerin  Monica’s 5 Podcasts Goal Digger by Jenna Kutcher  Happier by Gretchen Rubin and Elizabeth Craft Happier in Hollywood by Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain  Pardon My French by Garance Doré Serial by This American Life  Ella’s 5 Podcasts How I Built This by Guy Raz  Happier by Gretchen Rubin and Elizabeth Craft The High Low by Dolly Alderton and Pandora Sykes  Modern Love by the New York Times Case File Podcast 

What's your living situation right now? Home in your 20s can mean an array of things. Perhaps you're living with your parents, your partner, with flat-mates or maybe alone?  We are opening up about our current living situations and advice for making them as stress-free and lovely as they can be. We are also sharing our individual struggles getting on to the property ladder, and our top lessons learnt through the process.  Pinterest comes into play as we discuss our dream homes and what they'd look like.  This was a super fun episode to put together, and we hope that you'll love it too! If you enjoy the show, please leave a review in the podcasting app. Your reviews help others to discover the show, and we love to hear how you're enjoying the episodes! EPISODE 17 SHOW NOTES Here's your exclusive Birchbox discount code! Sign up using code DISCUSS to receive a FREE Ciaté Fierce Flicks Eyeliner with subscription. Offer open to UK subscribers only until September 30th 2017.  Ella's blog - Coco's Tea Party Monica's blog - The Elgin Avenue Ella's Instagram account - @CocosTeaParty  Monica's Instagram account - @MonicaBeatrice  Ella's Pinterest account - Coco's Tea Party  Monica's Pinterest account - Monica Beatrice W Our Favourite Interior Stores Anthropologie Lulu & Georgia West Elm Serena & Lily  Some of Monica's Favourite Interiors Blogs A House In The Hills Sarah Sherman Samuel  Emily Henderson  Ella's 5 Favourite Feel-Good Songs All Night Long by Lionel Richie Le Freak by Chic Love Shack by The B-52’s Don’t Hurt Yourself by Beyoncé My Church by Maren Morris Monica’s 5 Favourite Feel-Good Songs Fever To The Form by Nick Mulvey Riptide by Vance Joy Breezeblocks by Alt J Counting Stars by One Republic Sunday Morning by Maroon 5

Ever wondered what it would be like to work at one of the world’s leading beauty companies? We sat down with Birchbox’s very own Penny Foster to discuss her role as senior social media executive in the UK. Since our debut episode of Let's Discuss in which we kick started things talking about social media and comparison, we've been eager to dive right back into the subject which plays such a big part in our lives professionally and personally.  Penny shares what it's like managing multiple platforms for Birchbox UK, how Birchbox approach their customer, strategise their content and make sure they're having fun (that's both the customer and the team!) 24/7.  We also look at the etiquette of social media interactions, both as a business and on a personal level. Should you follow/unfollow the guy you're dating?! Penny also shares her advice for others looking to get a foot in the social media industry.  We hope you'll enjoy the show! A huge thank you to Penny for sharing her pearls of social media wisdom with us, and to Push PR for once again opening up their beautiful offices for us to record in.  EPISODE 16 SHOW NOTES Here's your exclusive Birchbox discount code! Sign up using code DISCUSS to receive a FREE Ciaté Fierce Flicks Eyeliner with subscription. Offer open to UK subscribers only until September 30th 2017.  Ella's blog - Coco's Tea Party Monica's blog - The Elgin Avenue Ella's Instagram account - @CocosTeaParty  Monica's Instagram account - @MonicaBeatrice  Penny’s Weekly Five Instagram accounts:  @WeAreTwinset @CosmopolitanUK  @Kristen_Ess and her website - The Beauty Department  @Glossier  @LoveIsland @JessieMay_BohemianBond Ella’s Weekly Five Instagram accounts: @SaraMueller @SohoHouse @PaulienRiemis @LeandraMCohen @EmilySchuman Monica’s Weekly Five Instagram accounts: @_HarloweJames @LucyCuneo  @JuliaHengel  @TheLifestyleEdit  @CallieThorpe @RiseLoveGlow

It's an unfortunate fact of life that we will all experience heartbreak. Be it a romantic break up, a big disappointment or the biggest heartbreak of all - grief.  Knowing how to navigate these heartbreaks personally, and how to support others who are going through them, is a great skill to learn as you go through life.  We look closely as the various 'heartbreak tiers', share our own experiences of heartbreak and advice on how to help yourself and others.  It's an emotional episode, and one we hope will help you to navigate some difficult points in life.  As light relief from the heartbreak chat we open up about our celebrity crushes in our Weekly Five - including our embarrassing ones!  We hope you'll enjoy the show! As always you can get in touch with us using the links below. A huge thank you again to Push PR for welcoming us into their offices to record. We loved 'playing real office' with you!  EPISODE 15 SHOW NOTES Here's your exclusive Birchbox discount code! Sign up using code DISCUSS to receive a FREE Ciaté Fierce Flicks Eyeliner with subscription. Offer open to UK subscribers only until September 30th 2017.  Ella's blog - Coco's Tea Party Monica's blog - The Elgin Avenue Ella's Instagram account - @CocosTeaParty  Monica's Instagram account - @MonicaBeatrice How to help a friend through a break up on Ella's blog What to say to a grieving friend on A Cup of Jo   How to write a condolence note on A Cup of Jo  Rising Strong by Brené Brown - Ella's top heartbreak book recommendation  Ask A Straight Guy - Ella’s Dating Advice Column  Emily McDowell Studio - thoughtful greeting cards for friends and loved ones Happier podcast - one of our favourite podcasts!

Do you feel like fear holds you back? In our first ever interview on Let’s Discuss we welcome Chloé Watts, founder of Chloé Digital to share her career journey so far (spoiler: it’s crazy inspiring!) and advice for fellow girl bosses following their dreams.  Chloé started her business, which delivers digital support to online publishers the world over, just four years ago. Now, with a team of twenty(!), plans for a swanky new office in central London(!!) and over three hundred clients internationally(!!!) Chloé delves into what her journey has looked like so far and shares how you too can learn to “feel the fear and do it anyway”.  There are SO many great takeaways from this episode, charge your coffee cup and have your notepad ready . . . ! Chloé opens up about what it’s like to develop a team, why it’s important to go into ‘sponge mode’ and why it’s vital to write every idea and lesson down. Amongst so much more! For our fellow publishers, Chloé also shares her predictions for the future of the blogging industry.  This episode is perfect for anyone looking to add a big jolt of inspiration to their journey.  Chloé’s approach to life and business is so down to earth, and her positive attitude is testament to the fact that it’s possible to pursue BIG dreams (and experience great success) whilst having fun, seeing the silver lining in everything and remaining overwhelmingly optimistic.  Be sure to listen right to the end of the episode when Chloé shares her ultimate advice for pursuing your dreams, and we all share our answers to this episode’s Weekly Five. A huge thank you again to Push PR for welcoming us to record! Your office is our dream space!  EPISODE 14 SHOW NOTES Here's your exclusive Birchbox discount code! Sign up using code DISCUSS to receive a FREE Ciaté Fierce Flicks Eyeliner with subscription. Offer open to UK subscribers only until September 30th 2017.  Ella's blog - Coco's Tea Party Monica's blog - The Elgin Avenue Ella's Instagram account - @CocosTeaParty  Monica's Instagram account - @MonicaBeatrice Chloé's business - Chloé Digital & the Chloé Digital blog Chloé Digital's Instagram account - @ChloéDigital  Chloé's Teen Vogue profile  Vicki Archer - amongst Chloé's first clients!  The Lifestyle Edit - one of our favourite websites  Luna Legend - the cutest baby ever! Rich Dad Poor Dad by  Robert T. Kiyosaki  Think And Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill