These well-dressed kitties are certainly a sight to behold.
The historic Algonquin Hotel in midtown Manhattan played host to its annual cat fashion show on Thursday, with feline fashionistas strutting their stuff to raise awareness about animal adoption.
The kitties were carried up the red carpet in the arms of their human slaves in order to preen in the light of flashbulbs and phone cameras.
The night’s theme was ‘The Purring 20s’, and the feline stars were attired accordingly, with Great Gatsby-esque outfits that evoked the hedonism and glamour of the jazz age.
Cat owner Melanie Lee brought two cats to the party – Sake, dressed in lilac satin and a garden hat, and the suave boy Merlin, who was decked out in a tophat and tails.
She said: ‘These are rescue cats, and that’s the whole reason for this whole event. And I think there’s a huge need to adopt more animals off the street, and there’s a lot of cats looking for loving homes.’
All the proceeds of the event went to the Mayors Alliance for NYC’s Animals, an organisation that helps to find homes for stray cats and dogs.
The Algonquin Hotel’s ‘chief cat officer’ Alice De Almieda, said: ‘Everybody is here to help because we all believe that adoption is the option’.
‘We want to let people know that cats are special and that the Mayor’s Alliance is just a wonderful organisation.’
The 20s themed catwalk fitted perfectly with the Algonquin Hotel’s history, as between 1919 and 1929, it was the meeting place for the Algonquin Round Table, a group of New York actors, writers and critics who would spend their time verbally sparring and exchanging witticisms.
Famous members of the Round Table included Noel Coward, Dorothy Parker and Harpo Marx.
The 20s-inspired feline-sized outfits were all created by Ada Nieves, an animal fashion designer.
The Algonquin Hotel has provided homes for 12 stray cats since the 1930s, after the hotel’s general manager Frank Case welcomed a hungry stray called Billy inside.
Since July 2017, the hotel has been home to Hamlet, who mostly hangs out in the lobby.
We hope that the feline models enjoyed this cat fashion show and fundraiser as much as their human underlings did.
You can read more about the work that the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals charity does here.
Duo Duo, a beautiful Chow Chow who lives in Yunlin City, Taiwan, was recently treated to a rather brutal haircut.
Duo Duo’s owner Ting was shocked to return home and find that her mum had almost completely shaven off the pup’s fur.
Four year old Duo Duo was only left with a small patch of fur on her face, making it look a little like she’s wearing a small, furry mask.
Ting was devastated, particularly as she’d bought Duo Duo because she loved the floofy appearance of the iconic Chow Chow breed.
With her new haircut, Duo Duo no longer has a majestic ruff of fur around her neck like a friendly lion, or a bushy tail
Ting took to social media to write: ‘I’ve just come home to find my mother has savaged my dog. She said it would be cooler this way. My poor Chow Chow.’
Ting’s mum thought that the hot summer months in Taiwan, where temperatures reach highs of 35 degrees, would be too uncomfortable for Duo Duo in her thick fur coat.
While Ting was out, she took matters into her own hands and shaved the pooch almost naked.
Ting said that while she’s embarrassed by her pup’s new hairstyle, Duo Duo doesn’t seem to mind it at all.
Her fur will probably take a couple of months to grow back.
Sure, Duo Duo’s a bit nakey right now, but as long as she’s cool and happy, that’s the main thing.
‘Only one woman has ever made me cum from oral sex. It took 45 mins and it only happened because she handcuffed me to a chair, blindfolded me and said she wasn’t stopping until I came.’
Matt,* who’s 35, suffers from delayed ejaculation, which means it can take him a long time to achieve orgasm – if he’s able to achieve it at all.
Delayed ejaculation is the third most common male sexual disorder – after erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.
But while lasting all night might sound about as problematic as, ‘my wallet can’t fit all these fifties,’ for men like Matt, it’s a genuine source of stress.
‘I get in my own head and worry about how long it’s taking, instead of enjoying it,’ he tells Metro.co.uk.
Matt achieves orgasm on around a quarter of the occasions he has sex. While he accepts this on the basis that, ‘you can have good sex without cumming,’ his partners aren’t always so relaxed about it.
He explains: they get frustrated, and question whether I fancy them or if they’re doing something wrong. I can go for over an hour, and sometimes they ask, “are you ever going to bloody cum?” That can reinforce the feeling that I’m failing.’
Currently single, Matt’s longest relationship was at the age of 20. It lasted a year, but they didn’t actually have sex. He explains: ‘I’d lost my virginity at 18, but she was a very nervous virgin, and it didn’t get there.’
Matt hopes that a long term relationship would make it easier for him to achieve orgasm as, ‘you grow to know each other sexually – it’s better sex when you know what each other likes.’
The stumbling block for Matt is getting a relationship off the ground. Having been single for five years, his delayed ejaculation makes him wary of sex with someone new, ‘even more so if they know my friends – I’d be embarrassed if they found out.’
Sometimes, when Matt’s talked about the issue up front, women have taken it as a challenge to make him cum. This is what happened in the case of The 45 Minute Blowjob, and another time it led to sex that saw him reach orgasm in record time.
He says: ‘when I explained I take ages, and that it was fine if she wanted to stop, she said she wouldn’t stop until I came – then she got on top and grinded until I did.’
Matt fast-tracked to orgasm in a swift 15 minutes, but unfortunately, this didn’t boost his confidence in his ability to cum more easily.
‘It’s not like it happened naturally, it was like, “WE ARE GOING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN!” which made me feel kind of uncomfortable. She was grinding so hard, the condom broke.’
Having Googled delayed ejaculation, Matt believes condoms, alcohol, his diet and being circumcised all contribute to his issues with achieving orgasm. ‘It’s known that circumcised penises are less sensitive, and from what I’ve read, fatty foods can dull the senses,’ he explains. ‘I think feeling happier naked would relax me more as well.’
While being a stayer is usually seen as a badge of honour, for Matt, it’s nothing but a headache. ‘I sometimes worry it could have an impact on my ability to start to a family and it’s even made me question my sexuality,’ he says. ‘It’s not as much of an issue when I wank – maybe I’m just too used to my hand.’
‘I can end up f***ing for ages without cumming, but when I’m by myself it takes ten minutes,’ Ian tells us. ‘I think masturbating is why I take a while, as I was much more used to that than having sex.’
Ian masturbated two or three times a day from the age of 15. He first had sex at 21, but says, ‘the lack of sex in my 20s and 30s got me more used to masturbating.’
Ian says that when he was younger, sex could often last several hours, but it wasn’t continuous: ‘Sometimes we’d need a breather – I play cricket, so I’m used to a tea break!’
Although Ian’s physical experience is similar to Matt’s, Ian doesn’t see delayed ejaculation as an issue. He says: ‘taking a long time hasn’t had any great negative impact on me. I’d prefer to come a bit quicker, but it’s just the way I am.’
‘This can never be as much of a problem as premature ejaculation – then the show’s over before the orchestra has finished the overture – that’s not fun for anyone.’
Overall, the reaction that Ian’s had from partners has been positive. He never mentions delayed ejaculation beforehand, explaining, ‘I think I’m safe in saying that men don’t say anything to women that might remotely put them off sex’.
When he has taken a while, ‘it’s never been a big issue’.
‘Sometimes they’ve got sore, but in the main, I’d like to think they were ecstatic,’ says Ian. ‘They have commented when I haven’t cum, but only to ask if there was anything else they could do.’
Ian has a list of fallback tricks for just this occasion. ‘I suggest oral, or letting me watch them masturbate,’ he tells us. ‘I’m inclined now to finish with my own hand, on them, if they like that – it brings things to a conclusion.’
While there are times Ian can’t achieve orgasm at all, he doesn’t seem too bothered: ‘It depends on the woman, but generally I’d be mildly frustrated – no more than that.’
Dr. Jane Dickson is a consultant in sexual and reproductive healthcare. We asked her about possible causes of delayed ejaculation.
‘Delayed ejaculation is when a man experiences a significant delay in ejaculating, or may not be able to ejaculate at all,’ Jane explains. ‘For younger men the cause is often psychological e.g relationship problems, stress, depression, guilt or anxiety. Unfortunately, anxiety about the problem often makes things worse.
‘There can also be physical problems, more common in older men e.g. diabetes, and muscular sclerosis. Blood pressure and depression medicines can also contribute.’
To avoid delayed ejaculation causing problems in relationships, Dr. Dickson offers the following advice: ‘it’s important to rule out any treatable causes so seek the advice of your GP or local sexual health clinic if you have any concerns.
‘Generally the quality of the sperm is not affected, so if there are problems, it can be collected for IVF treatment – and sex therapy is often extremely helpful.’
People are tweeting about the not necessarily romantic, everyday things their partners do that make them love them a little more, and it’s enough to warm the coldest of hearts.
If you didn’t love love already, you’re about to.
After tweeting out asking for some cute love stories, hundreds of people have been responding with their own stories, telling their followers all about the cute, non-romantic romantic things their partner’s do that totally melt their hearts.
Quote this tweet with one thing your partner does that’s not necessarily romantic but makes u love them a bit more
mine runs me a bath every night without asking and puts the kettle on in the morning!
So far, the responses have been making people feel all ‘fuzzy’ inside – and for good reason. There have been so many heartwarming stories.
Here are a few of our favourites:
We love a guy who supports their love’s talent
The list is endless; but, I love that he reads my blog, even when they are about the girliest topics. It shows that he believes in my talent and truly supports my dreams. 💕 https://t.co/wENsx882Ka
— untamed melodies | by Melanie (@untamedmelodies) August 3, 2018
He puts cups of tea on my bedside table so that I can have one when my alarm goes off… (we get up roundabout the same time but his alarm goes off a little earlier). https://t.co/tJrNuPSavp
He leaves the blinds on one of the windows slightly open so I could see my favourite solar powered fairy lights outside, so cute x https://t.co/BpV4M0T5JU
Find you someone who understands your chronic illness
My partner always knows when I need a break from walking and finds an excuse for us to sit down so I don’t feel embarrassed about not having any stamina just now without ever mentioning it. He always treats me like I’m not sick and that’s the best ☺️ https://t.co/OHeC7VlhAi
— Anis Qizilbash | author of Mindful Selling❤️ (@AnisQiz) August 4, 2018
Thoughtful – we like it
When I say I want ice cream in the evenings, he brings me the whole tub wrapped in a towel so I can hold it and not get cold hands 😂❤️ @clammertimehttps://t.co/t6n2O4K7cV
Whenever I cook, he eats as if its the most delicious thing he has ever had simply to allay my concerns of being the worst cook ever. https://t.co/5cAUkeKPbi
When I have to get up really early he’ll wake up a bit earlier just to make me a coffee even though he doesn’t start work until a few hours after me. ☕️ https://t.co/3L6Fi8IQyZ
A couple are set to become Britain’s oldest newlyweds with a combined age of 167 – after falling in love at first sight.
Frank Bird, 88, and Muriel Kodritsch, 79, are set to tie the knot later this month following a whirlwind romance after meeting at church.
The pair, who met in November, will be spending their honeymoon in a secret location on the south coast before enjoying a romantic getaway to the Lake District.
Muriel, who will be given away by her son Kevin, was widowed when her husband of 52 years David died in 2014.
Frank’s wife Renee died in 2016 after 62 years of marriage.
Now, they’ve filled the empty spaces in each other’s hearts and no longer feel lonely.
Muriel, who worked as a carer for 26 years, said: ‘It was all so rapid. I just can’t believe it’s happened.
‘I’d settled for being on my own for the rest of my life and Frank has also been very lonely.’
Frank, the former chairman of Redline Oil Company and a retired senior executive with Esso Petroleum, added: ‘I feel very fortunate finding love for a second time.’
So you want to be one with nature… but you’re not too keen on bundling up in a sleeping bag.
This hotel might suit you better: It’s a mashup of the joy of sleeping under the stars and resting in a cosy hotel bed.
Zero Real Estate’s Schwendi Suite is a hotel room that’s free of walls, windows, and a roof, set in the secluded forest of Wildhaus, Toggenburg, in the Swiss Alps.
It’s the creation of Swiss concept artists Frank and Patrik Riklin, who we imagine thought could save some money on buying artwork for the walls by just letting guests see the incredible surrounding views instead.
Those who stay begin by checking in at the nearby Hotel Alpenrose (which has walls and a roof, don’t worry). From there, a butler will escort guests directly to their room.
You know, their room without walls, set high above the Toggenburg valley.
As you’d expect, the views are pretty impressive; all mountains and the sparkling Lake Schewndisee with a forest canopy above.
The benefits are obvious. You get to breathe in the fresh Swiss air, take in the views, and sleep under the stars.
But we do have concerns about getting dressed in the morning (you’d feel a bit exposed, surely), as well as the risk of birds flying overhead to make a surprise delivery.
Thankfully, guests won’t be too far away from other comforts. You can walk straight from your room to the hotel’s sauna and spa, and every morning a butler will deliver a breakfast basket straight to your bed.
A cafe handing out those desirable plastic tubes must be prepared for daily rants. Someone actually asking for a straw when offered one will get filthy looks from their right-on mates.
The rallying cry from eco-warriors to those who need a straw is simple: Just get a reusable one*.
*It’s not always that simple.
At first thought, that does solve a lot of problems. You get the ease and practicality of a straw without needing to use a new bit of plastic each time you sip a beverage.
But reusable straws aren’t perfect. They bring up other issues, namely ones around hygiene.
If you’re squeamish about bacteria build-up (hi, that’s me), a reusable straw doesn’t feel safe.
Those nooks and crannies inside the straw that you can’t see, coming into contact with sticky, sugary drinks? Bleugh.
Not being able to wedge a sponge down there and scrub away any visible remnants? Ew.
Thankfully, reusable straws aren’t doomed to be the germy cesspits you might imagine them to be. They’re super easy to clean as long as you have the right tools.
The first thing you need is a cleaning brush or a pipe cleaner. When you buy a pack of steel or glass reusable straws they often come with their own brush, so that’s handy, but you can always grab some pipe cleaners instead. Just make sure you keep one aside for cleaning, as a pipe cleaner the kids have been using as part of their artwork is the opposite of hygienic.
Then you just need some hot water and washing up liquid.
Simply clean the exterior of the straw as normal, making sure to wipe the areas your mouth has touched with extra vigour, then pop some washing up liquid on your brush or pipe cleaner, push that through the straw, and rinse until you’re rid of bubbles.
Voila, your straw is clean. Make sure you wash reusable straws speedily after use rather than letting any gunk settle and solidify to make cleaning easier.
Some straws will do fine in the dishwasher too, if you’d rather not scrub them by hand, but it’s worth checking that when you buy, as some straws will melt or break in a dishwasher’s high temperatures.
Now go forth and sip smugly, reducing your plastic waste without worrying about drinking mould. Lovely.
Madame Tussauds has just opened a new experience where you can have afternoon tea with the Queen.
Well, a model of the Queen, at least.
The Royal Tea will see you be able to book a table to enjoy some sandwiches and scones while sitting next to Her Majesty.
The event description reads: ‘Take a break from your star-studded day out and enjoy a spot of tea in the company of Her Majesty the Queen at our royal garden party.
‘Tuck into a selection of delicious fresh cakes and savouries accompanied by a classic cup of tea or glass of Prosecco in a quintessentially British and regal setting.’
Don’t worry – you don’t have to eat and drink inside while other customers walk around trying to take photos.
You’ll be seated outside to enjoy a Royal Garden Party, where there’ll be ‘immersive sounds and effects’ to make you feel as though you’re sat in the gardens of Buckingham Palace.
Staff will then offer you a range of sandwiches – ham and wholegrain mustard, smoked salmon and dill, and egg mayonnaise.
There’ll also be a selection of cakes available, including a triple chocolate brownie (which is vegan), a berry cheesecake and warm scones with cream and jam.
Oh, and of course there’ll be freshly brewed tea and coffee.
The only downside? As well as paying for a ticket into Madame Tussauds – which you can get online for £29 per person or on a 2for1 offer for £35 – you’ll also have to pay an extra £15 for the royal experience.
However, the model of the Queen in the attraction does look quite real – so it’s just up to you whether you think taking photos and convincing your friends and family that you really did go over to Buckingham Palace for tea and scones is worth it.
It’s actually not that fun travelling to work in tropical temperatures.
London is still melting under a heatwave, with scorching weather continuing over the weekend and into early next week.
If your office is air conditioned, you’re luckier than some, but all of us who use public transport have to face the indignity of overheated, overcrowded tube carriages where the scent of a fellow passenger’s body odour is always distinguishable.
But how hot is the Underground really?
Are we emerging from the dark tunnels slicked with sweat (not always ours, either) and desperate for a glass of ice water because it’s really hot or are we just big British babies who cant’ cope with the heat?
Thanks to a temperature test by Bolsover Cruise Club, we can now definitively say that it’s seriously hot down there.
The hottest tube station was found to be Euston with temperatures of 34.2 degrees – hot enough to rival downtown Los Angeles.
Euston was closely followed by Bank, which is as hot as the Mexican city of Cancun at 33.4 degrees.
You can experience Bali temperatures (without the beaches or coral reefs) at Holborn, where the temperature was recorded as 32.2 degrees.
The hottest London Underground stations and their temperature equivalent travel destinations
Euston – 34.2 degrees, Los Angeles
Bank – 33.4 degrees, Cancun
Tottenham Court Road – 33.3 degrees, Bordeaux
Bond Street – 33.1 degrees, Florence
Liverpool Street – 32.6 degrees, Kuala Lumpur
Holborn – 32.2 degrees, Bali
Green Park – 32 degrees, Bodrum
Leicester Square – 31.7 degrees, Marbella
Piccadilly Circus – 30.9 degrees, Dubrovnik
Covent Garden – 30.7 degrees, Allicante
Oxford Circus – 30.2 degrees, Venice
South Kensington – 29.9 degrees, Ibiza
King’s Cross – 29.5 degrees, Monaco
Waterloo – 29.3 degrees, Santorini
On the trains themselves, it was even hotter.
That announcement telling you to carry a bottle of water in the hot weather? Definitely worth listening to.
The Bakerloo line was the hottest tube line, with temperatures of 38.2 degrees recorded. No wonder commuters are feeling sweaty and bad tempered.
The Piccadilly and Northern lines were close behind, treating passengers to stifling temperatures of just over 37 degrees.
According to the London Transport Authority, air conditioning is being installed on the Central line… it just won’t be ready until early 2030 (hankfully not late 2030, so there’s no need to panic).
The heat on board isn’t good for young children, the elderly and anyone who’s pregnant or unwell.
Due to the temperatures reached in the carriages at peak times on hot days it would be illegal to transport livestock on the @centralline yet we still cram ourselves in like sardines every day trying to get to and from work #sos
Wannabe sommeliers will likely tell you about corked wine and how it can affect the flavour of your plonk.
However, most of us have likely never experienced the taste of corked wine (particularly if you just go for a screw top).
There’s a misconception that corked wine has pieces of cork in it that have become dislodged, when actually the term refers to wine contaminated by cork taint – a chemical called TCA.
TCA comes about when the cork used in the wine has a certain type of natural funghi present that reacts with chlorine sterilisation products used in production.
Some wineries have stopped using chlorine altogether in the process to avoid wine becoming corked, which has gotten rid of the problem somewhat.
You’ll know corked wine mostly by the taste, which most people describe as damp or soggy flavoured.
Although corked wine isn’t at all harmful to drink, it does dull the taste of the wine, so some would see it as ruined.
It all depends on your taste sensitivity (and desire not to return to the shop for another bottle) as some people won’t recognise a corked wine at all, while others can detect it from smell alone.
Some stats say that up to 8% of wines would be corked in the late 20th century, which is likely why screw tops have become much more popular.
Despite the fact processes have changed in wineries who use corks, it’s still unavoidable in some cases, since the funghi that causes it grows naturally.
Certain sellers – and even some restaurants – will allow you to return a corked bottle, so if you’re investing in something fancy it might be worth checking beforehand.
So how do you show them you’re serious, without having the chat which can be awkward at the best of times?
Well, you could always delete all your dating apps.
According to relationship experts, that’s the best way to show commitment in a new relationship.
It’s one way to stop yourself being tempted by the catalogue of singletons on the likes of Tinder and Grindr.
Deleting an app shows your partner that your search is over and signals that you’re entering an exclusive relationship, which is an important milestone, explained dating coach James Preece.
‘You are making it clear that you are purely going to focus on each other from now on,’ he told The Independent.
But, James stressed, timing is everything; you don’t want to do it too early on as it might show that you’re too eager to commit. It might be a double-edged sword for you as it could not only ward off your partner, it might stop you from meeting other suitable people too.
‘If you have just started seeing someone, you don’t have to remove the apps,’ he said.
‘When you start sleeping together and are talking about a future, then it’s probably the right time to do it.’
James added that maintaining dating profiles will plague your relationship with insecurities as your partner may feel like they’re not good enough because you’ve chosen to search for others.
Even if you aren’t browsing on it, just having it could breed self-esteem and confidence issues in your partner, added James.
Of course, just deleting apps from your phone doesn’t mean the account is deleted and people may simply forget to delete inactive ones so it might be good to just have an open chat about it.
If you’re both up for getting rid of your profiles, it shows you’re committed to the relationship and aren’t looking for anything else with other people. And all it takes is a quick tap.
You might struggle to put a Rubik’s Cube together (don’t worry, we can’t do it either), but some people seem to make it look so easy.
Artist Giovanni Contardi doesn’t bother just solving the cube, he uses it to create art.
The 24-year-old has been using 700-730 of them to make celebrity portraits that are five feet tall.
Some of the notable stars include Game of Thrones’ Maisie Williams, Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl, and the late Amy Winehouse.
Jared Leto, in his Joker character, Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, and Marilyn Monroe also make the cut.
The Italian artist, based in Melbourne, has racked up 20,000 followers on Instagram and has even caught the eye of the celebrities in the pictures.
Having solved his first Rubik’s cube aged 7, Giovanni began competing worldwide in his early teens, eventually winning the European Rubik’s Cube Championship in 2010.
The Rubik’s Cube enthusiast is able to construct his masterpieces within a matter of hours – his quickest being just one hour and 40 minutes.
‘I start by printing off a photo of the celebrity I admire at the time – usually it’s someone from a TV series or film I’ve watched that week,’ he explained.
‘I use a grid to divide the portrait into every single cube, so that is faster to reproduce. Then I get all the cubes ready in preparation before putting them into crates.
‘The most enjoyable part is figuring out how to use oranges and reds to make definition in the face. That’s the most challenging thing and takes between an hour or two.’
After he completes each cube, laying them all out to create the faces takes just under three hours, he said.
Having been solving them for almost ten years, Giovanni said he finds the process of completing and putting the cubes together relaxing.
‘I’ve only done about 20 portraits so it’s early days. But I’m hoping I’ll be able to do some permanent installations soon in different areas around the world.
‘My favourite is my latest one of Millie Bobby Brown as I’ve recently started watching Stranger Things.
‘I’m planning to do Will Smith next. He’s a celebrity I’ve been wanting to do for a long time so I’m very excited.’
Molly Mathews, 16, was 11 when she noticed dry flakes in her scalp which she assumed was dandruff.
But it spread down her head and neck, leading to a diagnosis of psoriasis which affects around 2% of British people.
Molly didn’t shy away from the incurable condition either; she took to Instagram to show the marks left on her skin.
She called the red welts left on her body little tattoos which she doesn’t feel the need to hide away from.
‘I’m tired of people pitying me, or saying I’m brave for showing off my skin. This isn’t brave – it should be the norm,’ she said.
‘I do get some nasty comments. People ask what’s wrong with me, or tell me my skin looks bad. I’ve even had someone tell me not to wear red lipstick as it makes my psoriasis look worse – but that just made me go out of my way to wear it even more.
‘That kind of thing can be incredibly damaging to people struggling with self-esteem, but I actually love my skin.
‘I’m very comfortable having it out and don’t feel the need to hide. I always say I won’t need tattoos when I’m older, as the psoriasis patches already look like little flower designs.’
Molly said attending a girls’ school also made her feel worse about her condition as there’s a lot of pressure to look a certain way.
But she doesn’t mind that anymore and is just focused on taking care of her condition.
Although it can cause her pain, particularly in the heat, or when her skin cracks and bleeds, she has learned to manage her psoriasis well.
She regularly moisturises with coconut oil – preferring to avoid steroid creams, which can cause problems during withdrawal – and ensures she only uses very gentle, vegan products, with natural ingredients.
After seeing the #getyourskinout campaign on Instagram, Molly launched her own page where she posts bare-faced selfies. and offers advice to others with psoriasis.
‘I felt so unbelievably happy to finally see people with psoriasis come together and share their stories,’ said Molly.
‘It’s great to see celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Cara Delevingne speak out about it, but it’s also frustrating, as not everyone can afford the expensive treatments they have.
‘I found taking pictures helped a lot. It gave me a chance to properly look at myself and appreciate when I was having a good day.
‘You don’t have to love your psoriasis, but there’s a lot to be said for taking a moment to recognise when you look nice. I don’t think of myself as ugly because of my skin – it’s just part of me.’
With so many LGBTQ people still facing unacceptable discrimination and systemic inequalities when accessing health and social care, it’s good news that they will now finally have their say.
This will hopefully be the first step towards offering them far better services and to ‘provide a legal framework to protect the rights of individuals and advance equality of opportunity for all’.
The committee is asking for submissions from the general public, but cannot investigate individual cases.
It’s shocking that in 2018, after so many fights for equality have been fought and won, LGBTQ people still frequently have difficulties in accessing certain services and are too often subject to discrimination by health and social care providers.
A recent government survey of over 108,000 LGBTQ people of all ages, found that their specific needs were regularly not taken into account and that many felt they were treated with curiosity by medical professionals, rather than concern.
Many of them have also been subject to inappropriate questioning because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Meanwhile, nearly a quarter (23%) said that being openly ‘out’ resulted in worse care.
This is an absolute tragedy and could end up with people feeling compelled to conceal their gender identity and sexual orientation and leave older LGBTQ people particularly vulnerable.
Health and social care providers have a duty to provide care that is fair and equal.
While every healthcare setting should proactively implement policies on equality and diversity, old habits die hard, meaning many LGBTQ people will lose out.
On a positive note, there is a strong and growing commitment among policymakers and professionals to the idea of health and care services being ‘personalised’ – i.e. really tailored to individuals.
Bearing in mind we all have different needs and experiences, perhaps this can also support a shift to older LGBTQ people being treated on their own terms.
There is no doubt that sexual orientation and gender identity are important elements of who we are, so they ought to be taken into account fully.
It’s time that the healthcare needs of all LGBTQ people are met effectively, and that people feel they can be open and honest about all aspects of their identity, including sexual or gender orientation.
Furthermore, the health and social care workforces need the appropriate training and tools to be able to support the ageing LGBTQ community well.
Our charity Age UK is working to support older LGBTQ people in a number of different ways.
Many of our local Age UK partners run social support groups for older LGBTQ people and Opening Doors London runs the UK’s biggest programme of services and support for the community.
It’s not right that a generation of people who fought so hard for equality are now risking being forced back into the closet.
Older LGBTQ people may also be estranged from their relatives and lack family support, so formal care is likely to be even more important to them than it is for their heterosexual and cis-gender peers.
So what is the answer?
Some campaigners have been calling for LGBTQ-only care homes, but it is unclear whether this would be financially viable.
Such an approach could also be viewed as a sign of ‘defeat’ in terms of society’s ability to accept every person for who they are.
An alternative solution might be ‘LGBTQ friendly’ support within mainstream care settings; this might be less challenging from a financial point of view, but it would require a major commitment to cultural change, led from the top and embraced by the care workforce.
Dignity should be a high priority across sectors, and the core values of respect and compassion should extend to all.
If they don’t, we have to question if wider changes in social attitudes towards LGBTQ people have gone far enough.
There is much that can be done by the social care workforce to lead the way and create real change from the bottom up.
We aspire to create an environment in which every older person is welcomed and respected for who they are, and the contributions they bring, regardless of any aspect of their identity.
The Disney magic is clearly real as Disneyland Paris, Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Epcot Park in Florida are among the most romantic places to ask a loved one to marry you.
Johnny Jean, one brave romancer, didn’t want Minnie Mouse to be left out from all the proposals – so he got down on one knee for her.
But unluckily for him, Mickey Mouse caught wind of the whole thing and wasn’t impressed at all.
A video of the sweet gesture which saw tourist Johnny ask Minnie for her hand in marriage while visiting Disney’s Epcot Centre in Orlando, Florida, has now gone viral.
In the video, the pair hugged when they met, just before Johhny got down on one knee. Minnie gushed away, putting her hand on heart and accepting his proposal.
But as she walked away, she realised Mickey had been watching on the sidelines.
Johhny’s friend Anna also witnessed the whole debacle, with her jaw dropped. Mickey’s mate Goofy was also at hand and could barely contain his shock.
It became all too much for Mickey so he walked away from the whole thing while the camera showed a remorseful Minnie and embarrassed Johhny.
Johhny also looked ashamed and felt Mickey’s wrath after he gestured that he’s got his eyes on the new lover.
The video has now been watched 4.2 million times on Twitter since Nai Sandoval posted it.
Many joked about the proposal, replying to the tweet with their own hilarious gifs and memes.
As someone who has inflammatory bowel disease, I find it very hard to travel.
A trip that’s too full on can be a disaster, and it’s a worry being in a place I don’t know and not being able to find a toilet.
I recently took a trip around the Caribbean on board Royal Caribbean’s Allure Of The Seas. Departing from its home port of Fort Lauderdale, I sailed to the Bahamas, Cozumel, Roatan and Costa Maya.
And over the seven-night trip, I discovered that a cruise holiday was perfect for me.
I’d never been on a cruise ship before so I was pretty excited. And when I got on board, I was taken back by how much there was on offer.
Let’s start with the food and drink.
There were a lot of nice restaurants on board, catering dishes from all around the world, and the food is all included in your standard cruise package.
You can pick from spots that served up pizza, Italian sandwiches, sushi, Mexican fare and more, or head to the all you can eat buffet, which is actually pretty posh. I had the best lobster and mussels there.
For drinks, there were plenty of cocktail bars to choose from too. You have to pay for drinks separately, but there are drinks packages you can buy.
In terms of entertainment, there was an ice rink where skaters performed, theatres where you could watch shows, a cinema, a sports area and more.
I won’t lie, I spent a lot of time by the pool with a cocktail. Different to hanging out by a beach, it was nice knowing I could head back to my room whenever the heat was a little too much or if I didn’t feel too good, so I could really enjoy myself, worry free.
Although I spent a lot of time on the ship seeing ice shows, watching amazing singers perform in the theatre in the evenings, and lounging by the pool, I also enjoyed some excursions on the days we were off the boat.
When you get to each destination, you have a choice of excursions, which you can book once you’re on board. The prices varied but some were super cheap.
You can also plan what excursions you want to do while on the ship, on the day, which means it’s incredibly flexible depending on how you feel.
What the Allure Of The Seas Caribbean itinerary looks like:
Our first stop was Nassau in the Bahamas where I opted to do the snorkelling – because who doesn’t want to snorkel in the Bahamas, right?
I spent the morning on a speed boat, sailing out across the ocean to the snorkeling spot. There was music on the boat and spaces to sunbathe while fresh coconut water was being handed around. It was just an incredible experience – and that was before actually getting into the water.
Even though I’ve snorkelled before, there was something surreal about doing it in the ocean – and you can see so many different things.
The excursion lasted around four hours, which was just enough for me, as I can get tired out pretty easily.
I spent the rest of the day on a beach near the ship, where the sand was white and the ocean crystal clear. The locals were so friendly and everything was so beautiful.
The next day, we visited Cozumel where you could visit old ruins, visit massive waterparks and theme parks or just enjoy its beaches.
The next stop was in Roatan, one of Honduras’s Caribbean Bay Islands.
Part of the huge Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, it’s known for its beaches, dive sites and marine life, including whale sharks. And at the busy West Bay Beach, there’s a coral reef right near the shore.
There are spots to go diving and snorkelling and try out different water activities, and there’s also a zipline in case you fancy something a little more adventurous.
The beaches are surrounded by local cafes, so you can enjoy some fresh seafood too.
Our last stop was in Costa Maya, which was incredibly lively. The moment we stepped off the ship and we were greeted by musicians busking on the street, playing harps and drums.
We’re welcomed into a little village that’s filled with street performers and there were beach shops offering clothes and jewellery at super cheap prices.
Of course, there were plenty of beach bars serving cheap cocktails, including one surrounded by a large pool where everyone was playing volleyball and drinking.
If you venture a little further out, you’ll find a diving spot where you can swim with dolphins, and feed stingrays.
I found a really lovely beach spot filled with loungers and beach beds where I relaxed for a while after doing some shopping.
I spent the last day on the ship sailing back to Florida, just enjoying the amenities.
It was actually my birthday on the last day of the cruise, and the ship went all out to accommodate me. As well as making me a cake, they also surprised me by decorating room.
It was such a lovely touch, and showed how much the staff really do care about their guests.
While this was a dream holiday that would suit anyone, it was especially great for me.
When you have a chronic illness, travelling can seem scary and out of the question.
But as some who has a chronic illness, I would definitely recommend a cruise. It accommodated all my needs and made the whole travel experience stress free.
Not only were there days where I could go out and explore, there were also days where we were at sea, so I could relax, take it easy and really enjoy myself. And that’s what made it a great holiday experience for me.
Tips for travelling with inflammatory bowel disease
If you want to travel and you have inflammatory bowel disease, there are a few things you can do to make things easier on you.
Remember to stock up on Imodium to make sure your stomach is OK if you’re flying to an international port, and always carry a bottle of water with you so that you don’t get dehydrated.
You can also add some rehydration salts to your water to help keep you hydrated.
Pack your own toilet wipes, because airport toilet roll and some hotel toilet rolls can be uncomfortable when used too often.
Go steady on the alcohol consumption and avoid foods you’re unsure of – sure, it’s always good to try new things, but it’s not worth the risk when you’re trying to enjoy yourself.
Pack a high factor sun cream – some IBD medications can make you more sensitive to the sun and increase your risk of skin cancer.
Make sure if you are in the sun and drinking cocktails that you follow it with as much water as you can.
Flights and prices
There are packages with Royal Caribbean’s Allure Of The Seas starting from $559 per person for a seven night stay.
You will need to fly to and from Fort Lauderdale, the ship’s home port. There are flights from London Gatwick to Fort Lauderdale from £270 return with British Airways.
Siblings don’t always get along but this video of two brothers embracing after one got a tattoo of the other will make you want to give yours a hug.
Rafael Mirim shared a touching tribute to his younger brother Erick, who has Down’s Syndrome, with a large tattoo.
After seeing the giant inking across his older brother’s arm, Erick couldn’t help but smile and share a hug and kiss with Rafael.
The video of the brothers from Brazil has since gone viral.
The tattoo shows Erick’s face emblazoned across the arm, sitting proudly between a lion’s jaws.
He first inspects the arm, running his hand through it before realising it’s his own face reflected in the ink.
He then kisses his older bro and stops to look at the tat once more before embracing him.
Mum Sheila Soares shared the video on her Facebook page, saying: ‘Look at my puppy’s reaction to the beautiful tribute, his face tattooed inside a lion’s mouth. The video is exciting.
‘My dear friends, when I posted this video I could swear that it would not cause the dimension of sharing that it caused.
‘I swear to all of you that my intention when I posted this video was just to show one more of their episodes.
‘Many thanks to all the friends who shared the video of my children, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.’
The video was later posted by another Facebook user Wallacy Martins which was shared more than half a million times, with more than 60,000 interactions.
Thousands of people were moved by the video saying things like: ‘One of the most beautiful tattoos I have ever seen,’ and ‘only those who have siblings know what the connection is.’
However, there was some trolling by some people who complained about the fact that the brothers shared a kiss on the lips.
One wrote: ‘The way he was rubbing his arm was creepy… it’s a no for me.’
‘People who I know and have siblings don’t kiss them in the mouth especially if they couldn’t consent legally,’ wrote another.
But most people retaliated to the hateful comments, with one saying: ‘All he sees is the brother that loves him.
‘If you read anything more into it, that’s your own masculinity that needs to be checked. Not everything about love or human emotion needs to be sexualised.’
Lots of people shared that their family members with Down’s Syndrome enjoyed kissing on the lips and it was their way of showing affection.
Diamonds might be forever but this job offer won’t be – that’s because you can now get paid to showcase the latest bling with this jeweller.
Beaverbrooks, a family-owned company which is celebrating its 100th birthday next year, is looking for a Chief Bling Officer.
With this role, you’ll get the chance to wear stunning diamonds and the latest statement necklaces and earrings, all the while blogging about it.
And the best part? You’ll be able to keep £2,000 worth of the sparkling jewellery you’re asked to wear.
The company is looking for budding jewellery enthusiasts who know their emeralds from their amethysts and have a true passion for everything bling – from rose gold and platinum through to sparkling diamond earrings and pendants.
The CBO’s role is to sample a range of pieces from Beaverbrooks’ latest fine jewellery collections and provide feedback on it.
As well as receiving £500, the newly appointed CBO can keep the jewels once the position comes to an end; the range includes different precious jewels such as a stunning gold and diamond pendant and a pair of dazzling silver statement earrings.
You’ll then be asked to style them with your favourite outfits and blog about the fashion experience, as well as post about them on your social media channels.
The national jeweller’s blog The Beaverbrooks Journal and social media platforms will also include your feedback.
‘As a family-owned business, we really care about our jewellery and creating special moments for our customers, which is why we’re looking for a Chief Bling Officer to become our new ambassador for all things sparkle,’ said Lorna Haddon, head of jewellery and diamonds.
‘We’re searching for the UK’s biggest jewellery and diamond fanatic to trial our latest pieces and report back on style, versatility, wear-ability and ‘bling-factor.’
To apply for the position, you need to explain why you should be the new CBO on the brand’s website.
Sometimes things that shouldn’t work, do, for some reason.
For example: make-up inspired by McDonald’s, which is becoming a beauty trend. It comes with the nifty name ‘Big Mac Energy’.
Beauty bloggers are taking inspiration from the vibrant colours of one of the world’s biggest fast food chains, incorporating yellow eyeshadow and red lipstick as an ode to the man Ronald McDonald himself.
The term was coined by make-up artist Katie Jane Hughes after she came across the namesake of the look; Big Dick Energy.
And naturally, now it’s all over Instagram.
Katie was actually inspired by another make-up artist on Instagram who goes by the username Urgalsal, and regularly experiments with bright hues.
‘One of my favourite things to do with make-up is match colours that don’t obviously go together,’ Katie told Popsugar. ‘I really love putting pink and red together, as blush and eye shadow.’
The trendsetter certainly knows what she’s doing and works with an A-list clientele including Rosie Huntington-Wheatley.
Now others are paying homage to the look.
We wonder if Big Mac Energy will continue to gain momentum.
The moniker from which it drew inspiration, Big Dick Energy, already has its female equivalent, horse girl energy, and we predict there’ll be all kinds of energy before the phrase retires.
Who knows, maybe other food joints will be on the bandwagon soon.
There are so many words to describe women who don’t have children. Personally I’ve taken to calling myself a non-mum.
I have chosen not to have children, and as a non-mum I often look to other women, those in the spotlight, for some camaraderie on not being part of the mum crowd.
And one of the women who always speaks truth to me is Jennifer Aniston.
So when I read her latest comments about not having children, I immediately related. In an interview with InStyle, Jen commented that women who do not start a family are considered ‘damaged goods’.
I know exactly what she means. As a non-mum I have witnessed and experienced shaming for my choice, and I know she does, too, on a world scale. Just like ‘Poor Kylie’ can’t find love, ‘Poor Jennifer’ is lacking somehow because she’s not a parent.
Never mind her acting CV, what ‘really’ matters is that she’s not a mummy, right?
For me, ‘damaged goods’ feels like she is saying that a woman who hasn’t had a family is seen as in some way incomplete, that we ‘non-mums’ haven’t fulfilled a life goal that is in some way imperative.
That by not having children we are either physically or mentally deficient in some way as women. This is hurtful on so many levels. And I can’t imagine how it feels for those who cannot have children.
For the record, I adore kids. And not just my niblings (a new word I learned, for nieces and nephews – cute, eh?).
Friends’ children and I have such a fun time messing around. A friend had a baby in February and I just love her to bits. I love being Aunty Jenny but I also love walking away at the end of the day and focusing on me again.
Is that selfish? Am I, and Jennifer, and the women like us, selfish because we don’t want to be mums? Even if we are, it’s not fair to see us as ‘damaged goods’.
I do feel emotionally lacking, sometimes, that I don’t have the urge to be a mum but I can’t have a baby just in case.
I don’t think, though, that it’s other mums who see us this way. Far from it – most of my friends have all said one time or another how lucky I am to be a non-mum. No, I think it’s the wider world that sees women like Jennifer and me like that.
For example, in my industry, being a mum is big business with special branded newsletters and articles all for mums.
As a journalist, there are often shout outs for mums to write opinion pieces or debate topics on TV. I know they are catering to a certain audience, and of course mums need support.
The mum shaming can hit at any time. For example, a couple of weeks ago a nurse was doing a blood test for me.
Telling her to avoid the implant in my arm, she said: ‘Won’t you wish you’d had children when you’re old and lonely?’. I know she meant well but the shame made me embarrassed and angry.
Jennifer and I are not alone, either. Take, for instance, the Wimbledon women’s final.
Watching Angelique Kerber lift the trophy, I suddenly balked at the commentary. ‘Well, she’s not a mum like Serena, but she’s cradling that trophy like a baby’.
Serena Williams is a great role model for mums (and non mums), no doubt.
But where’s the good in calling out Kerber for not being a mum? Wow, she won even though she hasn’t procreated?
That’s the ‘damaged goods’ label right there.
And the world is ‘non-mum shaming’ Meghan Markle, too, commenting from the moment she tied the knot about whether she’ll have kids.
Heaven forbid she’s allowed to settle into married life. No, she’s put straight on the ‘will she have kids?’ pedestal with people tweeting about how she’ll make an ‘excellent mum’ because she’s got a rapport with kids (she was photographed bending down to talk to Isabella Dyer at a polo match).
Choosing not to be a mum isn’t always easy. Some days I do wonder if I’ll regret it. I do feel emotionally lacking, sometimes, that I don’t have the urge to be a mum.
But I can’t have a baby just in case, so in the meantime, I’d like to not be shamed for that choice. To not be seen as damaged goods, like Jennifer says.