Just Some Cool Ways To Kill Time This Week

    What to watch, read, play, and enjoy.

    Chelsey Pippin
    by Chelsey Pippin

    BuzzFeed Staff, UK

    Rebecca Hendin / BuzzFeed

    1. Watch Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.

    The CW

    That Rachel Bloom was not nominated for an Emmy for this show is a crime. That the incredibly fun and smart first season is currently streaming on Netflix in the UK is a miracle. With a tongue-in-cheek but nuanced look at mental health, love, and friendship, it's a killer way to binge your way through the weekend and yet feel ~cultured~ at the same time.

    Claire is crazy about it, too: "It's hilarious, and it has songs, which are also hilarious. Very good way to forget about the world for a bit."

    Be warned: The theme song will never be unstuck from your head.

    Find it on Netflix.

    Looking for something less musical? Mr. Robot is back for an intense and timely second season on Amazon Prime.

    2. Read The BFG by Roald Dahl.

    Penguin

    Refresh on this childhood classic before catching Steven Spielberg and Mark Rylance's big, friendly adaptation, which hits theatres this week. It's a perfect easy read for an afternoon in the sun (if you're lucky), but a great rainy-day escape for every child-at-heart, too. What's more, this summer marks Roald Dahl's 100th anniversary, so if ever there was a time to enjoy his unique and delightful worlds, it's now.

    Get a copy here.

    Looking for something more bite-sized? Check out one of these thought-provoking essays about intersectionality, or this ode to J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye.

    3. Listen to Lore.

    lorepodcast.com

    Lore is like a campfire story whispered straight in your ear. Episodes in Aaron Mencke's series last between 20–40 minutes, and each gives fascinating and well-told backstories on a different famous horror legend, from vampires to the doll that inspired Chucky. Pop one on for commutes or walks (as long as you don't scare too easily!).

    Find it on iTunes or listen here.

    Looking for something you can lip-synch to? It's come to my attention that Adele's 25 is officially available in full on Spotify.

    4. Play Alto's Adventure.

    altosadventure.com

    This addicting indie game is well worth £2.99, especially if you're looking for something chill but absorbing.

    "It's an endless snowboarding game – you can never complete it but it imposes challenges. It's a simple, beautifully illustrated game and perfect way to switch your mind off." – Rachael Krishna

    Get it for iOS, Google Play, and Kindle Fire.

    Looking for something free? Prepare to get addicted to Little Alchemy.

    5. Make this barley salad with tomato and mozzarella.

    thesweetestoccasion.com

    I've made this at least once a week for the last month. Why? Because a) it's delicious, b) it's easy but also fancy, c) it's fresh AF for a hot summer day, and d) it's really filling!

    I just think it's the perfect meal-worthy salad, and prepping it takes about 20 minutes and requires just enough focus that you can switch off to the rest of the world, but nothing too complicated to fuck up.

    Pro tip: Invest in red AND yellow tomatoes – it really brings the whole dish together.

    Find the recipe here.

    Looking for something sweet? This Pick n' Mix Pinãta Cake is calling your name.

    6. Try your hand at home bartending.

    Sian Butcher / BuzzFeed

    Every adult should have a little repertoire of easy drinks they can whip up to impress a date or comfort a friend who's had a shit day, or, maybe most importantly, to pretend they're Don Draper. So why not spend a lazy afternoon perfecting some basic cocktail mixes?

    This suggestion is doubly entertaining, because you get to work on a new skill, and you get to get drunk. What could be better? (Actually being Don Draper, I suppose.)

    Find some advice on simple drinks and how to collect for a home bar cart here.

    Prefer something less boozy? Try one of these actually fun ways to get some activity in.

    7. Follow @petstylistt on Instagram.