Why it's ok to feel jealous

I'm not talking about jealously so consuming you want to cut up their clothes, key their car and boil their rabbit kinda thing. I'm talking about being a little bit envious. Feeling a little upset that they're having all the good things happen to them in life. It's totally normal to feel like this when you see someone doing well. Totally normal to want what they have.

Because what pushes us in life if it's not wanting to better ourselves? If it's not wanting what other people have? There's nothing like a good bit of healthy competition to give you the kick up the butt to achieve what you're capable of. How would we achieve our dreams if something isn't pushing us? It's human nature to think the grass is greener on the other side. But it's up to you to see if it's true by putting the hard graft in.

I'm going to hold my hands up and say I often get a bit down in the dumps that certain bloggers have all the best campaigns to work, get taken to exotic places, get to do their hobby as their blog and get dressed head to toe in ASOS for free. It's completely normal to think 'why them and not me'. The reason it's not me is because they have worked 10 times harder than me on their blog. They have lots of time to dedicate to their little space on the internet. I can have that too if I really want it - I just need to pull my socks up and push myself to be bigger and better.

Next time you feel green with envy, don't feel like an awful person. You're not. Simply use it fuel yourself to achieve bigger and better things. After all, you're capable of having what they have. Anyone is capable of anything. People who have achieved your dream have just put in the hours to make that dream their reality.

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Introducing the new Bol Flavours

We all know my life revolves around food on this blog. I love eating and even more than that, I love finding healthy options so I don't feel guilty about what I'm putting in my body. I especially love find healthy dishes for when I'm in a rush. Putting good food in your body doesn't need to take hours to prepare. This is where Bol is a lifesaver.

Inspired by local chefs and market stall traders, the brand has created three new recipes. Jamaican Jerk Chicken - pictured above - , Keralan Chicken Curry and Kansas BBQ chicken - the first ones in the range to contain meat. They make the perfect lunch. Nothing too heavy to make you feel groggy but packed with enough protein to keep you full throughout the afternoon.

The Jamaican Jerk Chicken - my personal favourite - is a mouth-watering combination of spiced, marinated pulled chicken in a habanero chilli and coconut milk sauce. It's served with generous helpings of sweet potato, mixed peppers, sweetcorn and pineapple on top of black barley, pinto beans and peas. Delicious!

The Keralan Chicken Curry was designed by chef Meera Sodha who specialises in Indian dishes. The tasty meal is cooked in a black pepper and coconut sauce. The chicken is layered with lemon-spiked cauliflower and rice before being topped with a beetroot thoran. I would never in a million years have paired earthy beetroot with curry but it goes together perfectly. It's the star of this dish.

Finally the Kansas BBQ Chicken is inspired by the Deep South. The pulled chicken is paired with a lightly pickled cabbage slaw, sweetcorn and a yummy blend of quinoa and black rice.

The meals will be available in supermarkets from mid-October nationwide at £3.79 each. Keep your eyes peeled!

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Beauty: How to maintain a fringe

As someone who has had the same haircut for the past 22 years - why fix what isn't broken?! - I reckon I have a pretty good idea of how to keep a fringe in check. It can be high maintenance but really you just have to know the tricks of the trade. I wouldn't be without mine. After all, the world doesn't need to see my forehead. Ever.

1. Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo will be your best friend. My fringe always gets greasy ten times quicker then the rest of my hair so this bad boy will help keep it looking fresh. That way if you're a lazy kid like me, you won't have to wash your hair every single day. Nobody has time for that. It also helps to keep it from looking as flat as a pancake.

2. Regular trims
My fringe grows like wildfire and need to be trimmed practically every two weeks. If it's left any longer than that it starts to resemble a shaggy haired dog. I splashed out on a pair of hairdressing scissors from Boots for when I'm in desperate need and can't make it to my hairdressers. I don't recommend trimming it yourself all the time but in emergencies these will be your best friend.

3. A barrel brush
In order to keep your fringe looking smooth, a barrel brush will be a lifesaver. Dry it in sections. Never dry your fringe flat as it'll look limp and lifeless. Always blow-dry it under so it has some oomph. You want it to look fierce right?

4. Hairdryer
A hairdryer is the bane of my life. I cannot wash my hair without one. If I let it dry naturally, it will go frizzy and limp. Even if the rest of my hair is left to dry naturally, my fringe must always be given a blow-dry. It's a bit of a diva like that.

5. Hairspray
The final step in keeping your fringe in shape is hairspray. Give it a quick spritz to help keep it in one piece. That way you don't get the dreaded curtains scenario. Only David Beckham could pull that off in 1993.

So there you have it. My foolproof tricks to help keep your fringe looking pretty good. Does anyone else have anything to add to the list?

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