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As a father, breastfeeding my newborn daughter when my wife couldn’t was a huge honour

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Maxamillian breastfeeding his daughter (Photo: Maxamillian Neubauer)

During the last month of my wife April’s pregnancy, our doctor had been watching her blood pressure because it was higher than normal and she was at risk of eclampsia.

We went in for a non-stress test and, about five minutes after they set her up, they came back in to tell us that she was having contractions (which she could not feel at the time) and we weren’t leaving because it was baby time!

We got settled in our room and, after a while, the doctor came in to break her water – that’s when she could really feel her contractions.

When she was nine and a half centimeters dilated, April rolled over to her other side to get the last half over with and that’s when things took a turn for the worse.

All of my fears were coming true – April had her first seizure. I felt so helpless and scared for both her and our baby girl.

The doctors and nurses rushed in to tell her mum and I that April had gone from pre-eclampsia and having high blood pressure to eclampsia, where there was a danger of her entering a coma, and that they needed to do an emergency c-section.

April with Rosalia (Photo: Maxamillian Neubauer)

The nurses prepped me to go in with her, but once they got April onto the operating table, she had her second seizure and I wasn’t allowed to go in.

If you research pre-eclampsia, you will find that in some cases, the mum and/or child do not survive. The uncertainty of whether one or both of my girls were going to pull through weighed heavy on my heart and mind.

Then one of the nurses walked out with our beautiful baby girl Rosalia.

I couldn’t contain my happiness and joy, but I was also terrified when I didn’t see my wife. The nurse assured me she was fine and would be going to the ICU to recover.

Breastfeeding and immediate skin to skin contact was a major part of our birthing plan.

Since my wife was in ICU, and we didn’t know what was going to happen with her and when she would wake up, the nurse asked me how I preferred Rosalia to be fed because she needed to eat right away.

Of course, I had to pick the most outlandish option for a guy to do because that’s just who I am – I decided to breastfeed my daughter.

After taking off my shirt, they placed a nipple shield on my chest with a syringe, from which my daughter suckled.

Never in a million years did I think I would be in this position, so it was a little awkward at first, but I was just so happy to be there for our daughter in a time of need and carry out my wife’s wishes for our birthing plan.

I would do anything for my wife and daughter, no questions asked, and breastfeeding felt like the natural thing to do.

Maxamillian, Rosalia and April (Photo: Maxamillian Neubauer)

Hours later, April finally woke up and was stable enough to meet our beautiful little miracle baby. It was a very emotional time for us and our family.

We let her soak in the moment of finally being a mother and then told her about me breastfeeding our baby.

She was a little sad she didn’t get to be there for her child like any other mother would want to but she was still very happy that in a scary situation like ours, I stepped in and did what needed to be done for our family.

April is now recovered and has taken over the breastfeeding role. It was an amazing, one time experience but I would definitely do it again if needed.

I hope that our story inspires others to step out of the box though, and do whatever it takes to take care of your family.

MORE: Devoted dad ‘breastfeeds’ his newborn baby using fake nipple

MORE: Man gets call from daughter he didn’t know he had after donating sperm in 1980s

MORE: Yes, dads can experience empty nest syndrome too


All the baby names set to disappear in 2018

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(Picture: Getty)

Baby names are always going in and out of fashion.

Some trends are more temporal – taking inspiration from Ikea furniture, for example, while others seem to last the test of time by virtue of being actual names.

And every year, we’re warned that a load of names are set to be consigned to history because no one’s using them anymore.

Bounty has just released a list of the baby names set for extinction this year.

Some are quite old-fashioned (Hey Arnold may have been a classic but no one’s naming their kid after him anymore) but others are dying out despite their current celeb status: apparently, the name Kourtney is about to disappear, as is Macaulay.

‘Classically traditional “old lady” names Cecelia and Cecily are on their way to becoming extinct this year if not revived, along with Sandra, which admittedly not be an obvious one to revive without there being a strong and meaningful family connection to the name,’ a spokesperson for Bounty says.

‘Even with the popularity of the Kardashians today, the name Kourtney is heading for extinction alongside Mimi and Bonny.’

The boys’ names set for extinction, according to Bounty:

1. Jago
2. Macauley
3. Leroy
4. Guy
5. Fabio
6. Soren
7. Arnold
8. Carl
9. Ivor
10. Marcos

The girls’ names set for extinction, according to Bounty:

1. Cecelia
2. Bridie
3. Bonny
4. Cecily
5. Mimi
6. Aubrie
7. Mika
8. Roxanne
9. Alora
10. Kourtney

If you’re after an unusual baby name with traditional roots though, these kinds of lists might prove quite useful.

And they don’t all sound ancient – after all, Soren does sound like it *could* be an Ikea wardrobe.

MORE: 13 ways to practise self-care when you’re a busy parent

MORE: What it’s like to be a parent when you have an anxiety disorder

Nutella fans assemble, the chocolate spread company is looking for taste testers

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Nutella fans, assemble, they need taste testers
(Picture: Giphy)

If you’ve ever dreamt of becoming a professional Nutella-eater then we have good news for you.

Ferrero, the company who owns the signature hazelnut spread, is looking for people to try their delicious product.

So, put down your personalised Nutella jar and find out how you could be gulping down the stuff and getting paid for it.

The Italian confectionary brand who is responsible for our other favourite luxury chocolate, Ferro Rocher, is looking for 60 ‘sensorial judges’.

As a judge, you’ll be tasting the stuff and giving feedback on it. Sounds tough, but someone’s got to do it.

If you’re picked for the part, you’ll have to travel to Alba in Italy where the company is based, so it’s a pretty neat gig.

But of course, candidates can’t have nut allergies and must be able to use a computer. No experience is required but naturally, hopefuls are expected to be chocolate and hazelnut lovers.

The role, which begins 30 September, has a ‘competitive salary’ for just four days work.

Sensorial judges will also be trained on the correct terminology to use when explaining what they’re tasting.

You can apply for the job here. So what are you waiting for?

MORE: Woman’s quest to grow the world’s largest bum with 15 jars of Nutella a month

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We’ve fallen in love with Diesel the dog, who wears goggles and works for the fire brigade

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An adorable dog is set to become a social media mascot for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, even getting dressed up in a special uniform.

Diesel, who’s been seen in a video wearing doggles, has had a Twitter account created for him where he tells fans about how he works to protect Scotland’s communities.

The springer spaniel will help the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service reach out to followers on social media with safety advice.

Diesel has played a vital role in the emergency services and has been called upon disasters around the world.

He has used his search and rescue skills to locate casualties in collapsed buildings.

Diesel the fire dog. See SWNS copy CPDOG: Scotland's hottest fire dog will be going viral today -- by launching his own Twitter account. Adorable Diesel, who appears in a video wearing 'doggles', tells his fans about how he works to protect Scotland's communities. The springer spaniel will help the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service reach out to followers on social media with safety advice.
(Picture: SWNS)

It is vital that Diesel – who can travel by helicopter to carry out search and rescue missions across Scotland or abroad – is kitted out with protective equipment.

The ‘doggles’ help to shield his eyes from dust and debris thrown up by landing and hovering aircraft.

His special booties protect his paws from rubble and glass as he searches collapsed buildings.

Diesel is a vital member of the SFRS Urban Search and Rescue’s (USAR) National Response and is deployed across Scotland with his dedicated handler, Gary Carroll.

The pair is also part of a specialised UK International Search and Rescue (UKISAR) team which can be mobilised across the world at a moments’ notice.

Diesel the fire dog. See SWNS copy CPDOG: Scotland's hottest fire dog will be going viral today -- by launching his own Twitter account. Adorable Diesel, who appears in a video wearing 'doggles', tells his fans about how he works to protect Scotland's communities. The springer spaniel will help the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service reach out to followers on social media with safety advice.
(Picture: SWNS)

They assisted at the devastating Nepal earthquake which claimed the lives of thousands of people and injured countless others.

Deputy chief officer Iain Bushell, says without Diesel their job would be impossible.

He said: ‘There is no doubt whatsoever that Diesel is the hottest looking search and rescue dog in Scotland with his doggles and his booties.

‘But these pieces of equipment are absolutely vital to protect this outstanding and highly valued member of our team.

‘They enable Diesel to enter some of the most hostile environments, not only reaching casualties but helping protect his firefighter colleagues as they work in risk zones.

‘It is crucial that we have this capability as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service enhances wherever possible its response to major incident and also seeks to transform to meet modern risks such as terror attack.’

Diesel the fire dog. See SWNS copy CPDOG: Scotland's hottest fire dog will be going viral today -- by launching his own Twitter account. Adorable Diesel, who appears in a video wearing 'doggles', tells his fans about how he works to protect Scotland's communities. The springer spaniel will help the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service reach out to followers on social media with safety advice.
(Picture: SWNS)

Iain continued: ‘It is clear that Diesel is held in the very highest regard not only by ourselves but by the Scottish public – he is indeed a very good boy.

‘I am therefore delighted that he is being given a platform to outline his fantastic work, key safety advice and even a picture with his beloved play ball – the only reward he ever asks in return, although I think he’ll now be looking for a follow on twitter too.’

SFRS K9 handler Gary is a Crew Manager based at Portlethen, Aberdeenshire.

He said: ‘We are a single service providing an unrestricted response to emergencies occurring anywhere in Scotland – and beyond – if requested to assist.

‘Diesel and I have worked together for many years in some of the most challenging environments, and there is no doubt whatsoever that he is integral to that response.

‘We have an incredible bond and he is a very special wee dog – and to the point where we think he really does deserve his own dedicated online account.

‘It will provide everyone with a real insight into not only how he is trained and his serious capability but also how he likes to spend some downtime playing with his ball.’

So far, Diesel has 1,085 followers on his Twitter account, and uses a super adorable photo of himself looking happy with his tongue sticking out.

So far, he’s been posting several photos with his doggles on – and we think we’ve fallen in love with him.

MORE: ‘Mewdels’ own the catwalk in a feline fashion show

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Bert the Pomeranian puppy was abandoned for being ‘too big’; now he’s a star

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(Picture: bertberthtepom/instagram)

This little teddy-like pup is Bertram.

He was abandoned at just 5-months-old because his breeders deemed him ‘too big to sell’.

Fortunately for Bert, however, New York artist Kathy Grayson found him and immediately wanted to adopt him.

Kathy found Bert on petfinder, a pet adoption site which puts potential owners in touch with animals up for adoption in their area, as well as shelters and rescue centres.

It’s not just the gallery owner who fell in love with the tiny pommy; Bert now has over 160k fans on Instagram who cling to his every furry move.

When he’s not swimming around in pools

Instagram Photo

Bert can be found chilling in handbags

Instagram Photo

Taking in art shows

Instagram Photo

Licking spoons

Instagram Photo

Supping smoothies

Instagram Photo

Sniffing flowers

Instagram Photo

And being carted around supermarkets

Instagram Photo

Bert may have been too big for his mean breeders but he’s the perfect size for being a doggie Insta-celeb.

MORE: All the baby names set to disappear in 2018

MORE: We’ve fallen in love with Diesel the dog, who wears goggles and works for the fire brigade

 

Are skinny eyebrows coming back?

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(Picture: Metro.co.uk/ Rebecca Reid)

Sometimes it feels like the fashion industry is trying to trip you up. 

Just as soon as we’d got used to wedging our bodies into skinny jeans and realised that they’re actually super flattering, we were told that it was time to buy 70s style flares. And now, after years of trying to cultivate our eyebrows, it looks like the super skinny 1990s brow might be making a come back.

So glad we’ve spent all that money on brow pencils, waxes, gels and growth serums.

The skinny brow comeback is being heralded by Queen Rihanna who appeared on the front cover of British Vogue with the kind of eyebrows your super cool babysitter was rocking in 1995. The type that these days would be diagnosed as ‘over plucked’.

Rihanna Vogue strictly embargoed until 00:01 on Wednesday 1st August As always we would require the following: ? The cover must be shown alongside the image and story at a minimum 2 inches tall ? The photographer must be credited ? Credit line: See the full feature in the September issue of Vogue, available on digital download and newsstands on Friday 3rd August. British Vogue which features Rihanna on the cover. Alongside the shoot she also speaks about giving boy advice, her figure and growing older. Please see attached low res images and below quotes. Please note the images and quotes are strictly embargoed until 00:01 on Wednesday 1st August As always we would require the following: ? The cover must be shown alongside the image and story at a minimum 2 inches tall ? The photographer must be credited ? Credit line: See the full feature in the September issue of Vogue, available on digital download and newsstands on Friday 3rd August.
(Picture: Nick Knight/ British Vogue)

According to brow artist to the stars and founder of The Brow Gal, Tonya Crooks, the skinny brow really is coming. She says: To me this is extreme but it’s very disruptive and I think this was the aim. I do believe in my heart that a thinner trend is coming but not to this severity’

If you’d like to try this look without stripping away those brows you’ve invested so much time and money in, Tonya suggests creating an optical illusion. She says: ‘One way to make your brows look thinner without going tweezer happy is to brush the brows from left to right, instead of up and outwards, and use my Skinny Eyebrow Pencil (RRP £18) to fill in only the middle section, giving the appearance of slimmer brows.’

Of course, not all fashion trends catch on. We’ve been told by fashion magazines that the skinny jean is dead for the last decade, and yet Topshop keeps churning them out and we keep buying them. We don’t have to cave on the eyebrows either. Thick brows might be a lot of work, but imagine how much more pain and effort it must be to have to pluck them off entirely?

MORE: All the baby names set to disappear in 2018

MORE: Nutella fans assemble, the chocolate spread company is looking for taste testers

What happens to your coffee capsules after you’re done with them?

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What happens to your coffee capsules after youre done with it?
(Nespresso/Jonty Wilde)

We all know coffee capsules have detrimental effects on the environment because of its non-biodegradable properties.

While you might enjoy a quick brew in the morning, the cost of disposing the pods are significant on the environment because of its use of mixed plastics and aluminium.

Luckily coffee makers are catching on and producing eco-friendly alternatives by way of recycled or compostable capsules.

Nespresso is one such leading brand attempting to make a difference.

The folks at the coffee giant invited Metro.co.uk to see firsthand what happens at a coffee recycling plant.

What happens to your coffee capsules after youre done with it?
(Nespresso/Jonty Wilde)

Bags of used capsules are first sent to the recycling facility in Congleton, Cheshire. The pods are then shredded to separate the coffee grounds from the aluminium.

The remaining coffee ground in the pods is recovered and used to make compost. The aluminum is then smelted and recycled into objects such as car spare parts, drink cans and bicycles.

Aluminium protects not only the quality and taste of the coffee but has the benefit of being infinitely recyclable.

A Nespresso capsule is primarily made of recyclable aluminium (88%). The other materials – including the filter, lacquer and silicon ring, represent a small fraction of the capsule. These are melted off, leaving pure aluminum which is re-melted and reused. Most of the capsule’s weight is coffee grounds.

What happens to your coffee capsules after youre done with it?
(Nespresso/Jonty Wilde)

How can you recycle your Nespresso pods?

Nespresso has the capacity to recycle 100% of its capsules. Currently, in the UK, Nespresso Members can recycle their capsules in the following ways:

  • At Nespresso boutiques or Nespresso cafes (43 in the UK and Republic of Ireland)
  • Booking a home collection through the Nespresso website or by calling Nespresso on 0800 442442
  • Via drop off points including over 6000+ Collect+ locations

Local councils around the UK have recycling facilities for aluminium items such as cans but it’s more challenging to recycle small products made of the stuff.

That’s why Nespresso say they opened up their service, to allow customers around the country to be able to be more eco-friendly in their coffee consumption habits.

‘In the long term, we are committed to working with local and county councils to improve the collection and recycling of small aluminium to make recycling our capsules and other materials even easier,’ a spokesperson told Metro.co.uk.

There are also lots of benefits of recycling aluminium; it can have an extraordinary lifespan, either through its use in long-life products such as cars, buildings or aeroplanes or because it can be recycled again and again without losing its technical properties. Recycling aluminium also requires 20 times less energy than producing it from ore.

What happens to your coffee capsules after youre done with it?
(Nespresso/Jonty Wilde)

How can I get involved?

At the moment, not all councils can recycle the pods, but Nespresso says that it’s working on making that a reality. A trial was run successfully in the borough of Kensington and Chelsea and is due to be rolled out to other boroughs in the country. Recycling bags can be picked up from Nespresso boutiques located at Regent St, Brompton Road, One Exchange, Cheapside: Cardinal Place, Victoria: Westfield, Shepherds Bush. These recycling bags are purple to differentiate them from the regular green recycling bags that customers currently use.

Once capsules have been used, customers can place them in the recycling bag and leave the full recycling bag next to the rest of their recycling waste.

To find more information on recycling the pods in your area, click here.

MORE: When is the Macmillan Coffee Morning 2018 and how to get involved?

MORE: How do you properly clean a reusable straw?

MORE: Two-thirds of plastics are still ending up in landfill

Super cheap but cute last minute bikini buys for your summer holidays

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(Picture: Romwe, Shein)

If you’ve got a summer holiday coming up, but you’re still yet to buy a bikini – don’t worry, we’ve got your back.

The problem with buying bikinis at the last minute is that you often have to do it online, as you can’t always make time to head over to your local New Look.

The second problem with this is that bikinis aren’t always cheap – which is no good when you can’t even try before you buy, and you end up spending upwards of £30 on something that doesn’t even fit.

But it turns out there are actually lots of really nice bikinis on the internet – and they’re actually pretty cheap.

Below, we’ve listed a few of our favourite cheap bikini finds, from the likes of Missguided and Romwe.

Happy shopping!

Boohoo mint bikini

Bargain swimsuits METRO GRBA taken from: http://www.boohoo.com/mix-match-high-cut-bikini-brief/SZZ89385.html Credit: Boohoo
(Picture: Boohoo)

The bottoms cost £8, and the top £10. We’re in love with the colour and the tie knot style.

 

Boohoo polkadot bikini

Bargain swimsuits METRO GRBA taken from: http://www.boohoo.com/atlanta-mix-match-polka-dot-bandeau-bikini-top/SZZ88357.html?color=173 Credit: Boohoo
(Picture: Boohoo)

This bikini is so cute! We’re big fans of the black and white polka dots. The briefs cost £8 and the top is £8, too.

 

This orange ruffle Missguided bikini is lovely

Bargain swimsuits METRO GRBA taken from: https://www.missguided.co.uk/orange-crinkle-triangle-ruffle-bikini-top-10110929 Credit: Missguided
(Picture: Missguided)

Orange is SO in this summer. Both the top and the bottoms cost £12 each.

 

Pineapple bikini, anyone?

Bargain swimsuits METRO GRBA taken from: https://www.shein.co.uk/Leaf-Print-Triangle-Bikini-Set-p-357524-cat-1866.html?url_from=ukadplaswimwear170419324XL&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnZXbBRC8ARIsABEYg6C-7Oj01SdONq34SVietl5lkSaAogVBdaKXR4ElBxC1ouEdwmjR1tQaAh7pEALw_wcB Credit: Shein
(Picture: Shein)

Fruit prints are in right now – especially yellow fruits like lemons and pineapples! This set costs £8.99.

 

Missguided scallop bikini

Bargain swimsuits METRO GRBA taken from: https://www.missguided.co.uk/black-scallop-high-waisted-bikini-bottoms-mix-match-10048953-black Credit: Missguided
(Picture: Missguided)

The scallop bikini is one of Missguided’s cheapest, with the bottoms costing £12 and the top just £5.

 

However, if you really want to go cheap, you should look on eBay. Take this bandeau bikini, for example

Bargain swimsuits METRO GRBA taken from: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Womens-Bandeau-High-Waist-Bandage-Bikini-Set-Swimwear-Beach-Swimsuit-Monokini-UK/132532098894?var=431884306031&hash=item1edb87574e%3Ag%3Al9UAAOSwG0taomM9&_sacat=0&_nkw=orange+bandeau+bikini&_from=R40&LH_BIN=1&rt=nc Credit: Ebay
(Picture: eBay)

These bikinis are just £6.89 for the set. Amazing, we know.

 

If you fancy something glittery, check this out

(Picture: eBay)

This bikini costs just £5.99 – available on eBay.

 

This marble Romwe set is gorgeous

Bargain swimsuits METRO GRBA taken from: https://uk.romwe.com/Marble-Pattern-Bandeau-Bikini-Set-p-309839-cat-679.html?url_from=ukplaswimwear180502641M&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnZXbBRC8ARIsABEYg6AC3p_uzrMnLkrnzZ8Rt-nrm6VD65fwBrcBN9kjhSljjlJHxk6YY9QaAo5PEALw_wcB Credit: Romwe
(Picture: Romwe)

Seriously, so Instagram worthy. And only £8.50 for the set, too.

 

We’re also in love with this fruit print twist set

Bargain swimsuits METRO GRBA taken from: https://uk.romwe.com/Marble-Pattern-Bandeau-Bikini-Set-p-309839-cat-679.html?url_from=ukplaswimwear180502641M&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnZXbBRC8ARIsABEYg6AC3p_uzrMnLkrnzZ8Rt-nrm6VD65fwBrcBN9kjhSljjlJHxk6YY9QaAo5PEALw_wcB Credit: Romwe
(Picture: Romwe)

It’s currently on offer for £9, down from £26.50.

 

And just look at this striped high leg set!

Bargain swimsuits METRO GRBA taken from: https://uk.romwe.com/Marble-Pattern-Bandeau-Bikini-Set-p-309839-cat-679.html?url_from=ukplaswimwear180502641M&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnZXbBRC8ARIsABEYg6AC3p_uzrMnLkrnzZ8Rt-nrm6VD65fwBrcBN9kjhSljjlJHxk6YY9QaAo5PEALw_wcB Credit: Romwe
(Picture: Romwe)

How lovely? Just £8.

 

If you’re wanting something simple, how about this bikini in blue?

Bargain swimsuits METRO GRBA taken from: https://uk.romwe.com/Marble-Pattern-Bandeau-Bikini-Set-p-309839-cat-679.html?url_from=ukplaswimwear180502641M&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnZXbBRC8ARIsABEYg6AC3p_uzrMnLkrnzZ8Rt-nrm6VD65fwBrcBN9kjhSljjlJHxk6YY9QaAo5PEALw_wcB Credit: Romwe
(Picture: Romwe)

It’s super cute – and only £7.50.

 

Why not try an animal print bikini?

Bargain swimsuits METRO GRBA taken from: https://uk.romwe.com/Marble-Pattern-Bandeau-Bikini-Set-p-309839-cat-679.html?url_from=ukplaswimwear180502641M&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnZXbBRC8ARIsABEYg6AC3p_uzrMnLkrnzZ8Rt-nrm6VD65fwBrcBN9kjhSljjlJHxk6YY9QaAo5PEALw_wcB Credit: Romwe
(Picture: Romwe)

This set costs £7.

 

We need this leaf print bikini from Shein

Bargain swimsuits METRO GRBA taken from: https://www.shein.co.uk/Leaf-Print-Triangle-Bikini-Set-p-357524-cat-1866.html?url_from=ukadplaswimwear170419324XL&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnZXbBRC8ARIsABEYg6C-7Oj01SdONq34SVietl5lkSaAogVBdaKXR4ElBxC1ouEdwmjR1tQaAh7pEALw_wcB Credit: Shein
(Picture: Shein)

It’s so pretty! And only £6.99.

 

This red front tie bikini is super cute

Bargain swimsuits METRO GRBA taken from: https://www.shein.co.uk/Leaf-Print-Triangle-Bikini-Set-p-357524-cat-1866.html?url_from=ukadplaswimwear170419324XL&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnZXbBRC8ARIsABEYg6C-7Oj01SdONq34SVietl5lkSaAogVBdaKXR4ElBxC1ouEdwmjR1tQaAh7pEALw_wcB Credit: Shein
(Picture: Shein)

And still under a tenner! Buy it here for £9.99.

 

We’d love to add this yellow criss cross bikini to our wardrobes

Bargain swimsuits METRO GRBA taken from: https://www.shein.co.uk/Leaf-Print-Triangle-Bikini-Set-p-357524-cat-1866.html?url_from=ukadplaswimwear170419324XL&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnZXbBRC8ARIsABEYg6C-7Oj01SdONq34SVietl5lkSaAogVBdaKXR4ElBxC1ouEdwmjR1tQaAh7pEALw_wcB Credit: Shein
(Picture: Shein)

How lovely is this? And just £7.99.

 

But this flamingo bikini might just be our favourite set of all

Bargain swimsuits METRO GRBA taken from: https://www.shein.co.uk/Leaf-Print-Triangle-Bikini-Set-p-357524-cat-1866.html?url_from=ukadplaswimwear170419324XL&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnZXbBRC8ARIsABEYg6C-7Oj01SdONq34SVietl5lkSaAogVBdaKXR4ElBxC1ouEdwmjR1tQaAh7pEALw_wcB Credit: Shein
(Picture: Shein)

It is the perfect swimsuit for Instagram. Just IMAGINE something like this on your feed. And it’s super cheap too, at just £9.99!

MORE: Trying on H&M jeans: Is H&M sizing a danger to people with body dysmorphia?

MORE: The short short for men is coming back


Burberry has rebranded and the new monogram is pretty epic

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(Picture: Burberry)

Five months into his role as chief creative officer, Riccardo Tisci has launched a new Burberry monogram.

It’s the first time in 20 years that the British brand has rebranded, with the last one having been designed by Fabien Baron back in 1999.

This time, the ‘TB’ monogram comes courtesy of legendary designer Peter Saville.

The logo replaces the previous all-caps serif style, paying homage to the house’s founder Thomas Burberry in a series of coral Ts, Bs and the ubiquitous honey beige background.

Riccardo Tisci shared the news on his Instagram stories – which is perhaps a sign of his plan to move the house firmly into the digital age.

As for Peter, this is his third major fashion rebranding project in recent times.

In 2016, he was asked to work on Calvin Klein’s new logo, and he’s been designing a series of t-shirts for Paco Rabanne – having previously created album covers for bands like New Order and Joy Divison.

The question is, does this mark the end of the Burberry check?

Instagram Photo

MORE: Are skinny eyebrows coming back?

MORE: All the baby names set to disappear in 2018

What is a suction cup dildo and why do you need one?

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Jacob Rees-Mogg has had a suction cup dildo stuck to his car in an act of vandalism. 

Obviously this is very bad and not funny at all.

We realise that lots of people would be talking about what this means in terms of Brexit or the Tory party or something like that. But here on the lifestyle desk, what we’re interested in is the dildo itself. Because guys, suction cup dildos are great.

Suction cup dildos aren’t just for sticking on the cars of people who anger you. They’re also not just for using as ‘unicorn horns’ on horses either. They’re actually a very useful sex aide.

We think (though we can’t be 100% sure) that the dildo on Jacob’s car is this model, the Lovehoney basics suction cup dildo, which costs just £16.99.

We believe this may be the dildo in question. (Picture: Lovehoney)

Aside from hazing your local MP, suction cup dildos are extremely popular for both masturbation and sex purposes. If you favour a hands free wank, the suction cup means you can attach your dildo to the wall and then approach it from behind, enabling you to enjoy masturbation doggy style.

Similarly, if you love the idea of being spit roasted (when you have oral and vaginal/anal sex at the same time) but you don’t want to bring another person into your relationship, you can attach the dildo to a wall (or any other sturdy surface in your home) and then simulate oral or vaginal sex. What’s not to love?

These toys are also very popular in the shower, as you can enjoy a steamy masturbation session, amp up your shower sex or just use it to hang your loofah.

Only one note of caution, it’s important to attach the dildo to something study, like a wall. Fitted wardrobes or extremely solid furniture can also work, but nothing breakable or easily movable. Wank safely guys!

(Also while sticking a suction cup dildo to someone else’s car probably won’t damage it, it’s not very friendly and a waste of a perfectly good sex toy.)

We contacted Lovehoney’s press office to find out if they recognized the dildo as one of their own, and they declined to comment.

If you’d like to purchase a suction cup dildo of your own, we recommend this one or this one. 

MORE: Love Island’s Dr. Alex George ‘to front STI campaigns’ after leaving villa

MORE: Someone left a purple dildo on Jacob Rees-Mogg’s Range Rover

 

Burger & Lobster has just launched the Double Drown burger

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(Picture: Burger & Lobster)

There’s only so much chicken a person can eat – which is why Burger & Lobster has introduced a new item to its menu, ready to rival the all-chicken, no-bun chicken burger from KFC.

Please welcome the ‘Double Drown’, available at luxury department store, Harvey Nichols.

Made from two steamed lobster tails, sourced off the coast of Canada in Novia Scotia, with thick cut, smokey pork nestled in-between.

Topped with cheese, of course.

The Double Drown is competing with the Colonel’s popular chicken burger (Picture: KFC)

Your meal might be tasty, but it’s pretty pricey.

To get your claws on the deluxe seafood dish, you’ll have to shell out £47.90.

Like any burger joint, you can also upgrade your meal but we’re not talking about an extra large fries or a side of popcorn chicken.

For an extra tenner, you can sip on a glass of champagne as you tackle your tail, and enjoy it with thinly sliced potatoes.

Limited edition, first come, first serve.

MORE: KFC is launching a Zinger Double Down burger this week

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MORE: KFC is teasing people on Twitter with the re-launch of its Double Down burger

Identical twin sisters get married by twin pastors to identical twin brothers

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'Double Fairy Tale!' Identical Twin Sisters Marry Identical Twin Brothers in Joint Ceremony - Identical twin sisters Brittany and Briana Deane have long dreamed of marrying identical twin brothers. Now, their childhood wish has come true. On Saturday, Brittany and Briana (now Salyers), 32, wed Josh and Jeremy Salyers, 34, in a joint ceremony at the 2018 Twins Days Festival in Twinsburg, Ohio ? where they first met a year ago. The couples were married by identical twin ministers in the ceremony themed ?Twice Upon a Time.? ?It?s really been a fairy tale come true. Marrying twins is something that?s very important to us,? Briana (who married Jeremy) tells PEOPLE, describing the ceremony as a ?double fairy tale.? ?Even when we were little girls I can remember being in kindergarten, knowing that that is what we saw for ourselves.? Brittany adds: ?We knew that the chances were incredibly scarce. The stars had to align for our dreams to come true. I get to marry the man of my dreams and at the same time I get to look over next to me and see my twin sister marrying the man of her dreams.?
(Picture: TLC)

The chances of a pair of identical twins falling for another pair must be pretty slim.

But at last weekend’s Twins Days Festival in Twinsburg, Ohio, Brittany and Briana Deane both tied the knot to identical twin brothers Josh and Jeremy Slayers.

And they were married by identical twin ministers in a ceremony themed as ‘Twice Upon a Time’.

‘It’s really been a fairy tale come true,’ Briana told People.

‘Marrying twins is something that’s very important to us.

‘Even when we were little girls, I can remember being in kindergarten, knowing that this is what we saw for ourselves.’

And the same is true for Josh and Jeremy; apparently, they vowed not to marry unless they fell in love with identical sisters, saying that it’s hard to date people who don’t understand the twin bond.

'Double Fairy Tale!' Identical Twin Sisters Marry Identical Twin Brothers in Joint Ceremony - Identical twin sisters Brittany and Briana Deane have long dreamed of marrying identical twin brothers. Now, their childhood wish has come true. On Saturday, Brittany and Briana (now Salyers), 32, wed Josh and Jeremy Salyers, 34, in a joint ceremony at the 2018 Twins Days Festival in Twinsburg, Ohio ? where they first met a year ago. The couples were married by identical twin ministers in the ceremony themed ?Twice Upon a Time.? ?It?s really been a fairy tale come true. Marrying twins is something that?s very important to us,? Briana (who married Jeremy) tells PEOPLE, describing the ceremony as a ?double fairy tale.? ?Even when we were little girls I can remember being in kindergarten, knowing that that is what we saw for ourselves.? Brittany adds: ?We knew that the chances were incredibly scarce. The stars had to align for our dreams to come true. I get to marry the man of my dreams and at the same time I get to look over next to me and see my twin sister marrying the man of her dreams.?
(Picture: Briana Deane/Facebook)
BRITTANY & JOSHUA (LEFT) & BRIANA & JEREMY (RIGHT) 'Double Fairy Tale!' Identical Twin Sisters Marry Identical Twin Brothers in Joint Ceremony - Identical twin sisters Brittany and Briana Deane have long dreamed of marrying identical twin brothers. Now, their childhood wish has come true. On Saturday, Brittany and Briana (now Salyers), 32, wed Josh and Jeremy Salyers, 34, in a joint ceremony at the 2018 Twins Days Festival in Twinsburg, Ohio ? where they first met a year ago. The couples were married by identical twin ministers in the ceremony themed ?Twice Upon a Time.? ?It?s really been a fairy tale come true. Marrying twins is something that?s very important to us,? Briana (who married Jeremy) tells PEOPLE, describing the ceremony as a ?double fairy tale.? ?Even when we were little girls I can remember being in kindergarten, knowing that that is what we saw for ourselves.? Brittany adds: ?We knew that the chances were incredibly scarce. The stars had to align for our dreams to come true. I get to marry the man of my dreams and at the same time I get to look over next to me and see my twin sister marrying the man of her dreams.?
(Picture: Briana Deane/Facebook)

The pairs first met at last year’s Twins Day Festival, the largest annual gathering of twins in the world.

The sisters say that they were sitting on the bleachers when they saw the brothers for the first time. They finally met on the last day of the festival at the closing party and a few days later, the Slayers sent Briana and Brittany a message on Facebook saying that they couldn’t wait to bump into them at the next year’s festival.

Little did they know that they’d all be getting married to each other at the next one.

The sisters invited the brothers to come and visit them and the brothers say that they knew after the trip that they’d get married to the sisters one day.

‘You know when you know,’ says Jeremy.

‘We’ve always known our whole life if we were going to be married that it was going to be with twins.’

Jeremy and Josh proposed to Brittany and Briana at Twin Lakes State Park in Virginia, where they had their first date, on 2 February – 2-2.

Going forward, the pairs are planning to live in the same house as each other – raising any future kids in the same house.

BRITTANY & JOSHUA (LEFT) & BRIANA & JEREMY (RIGHT) 'Double Fairy Tale!' Identical Twin Sisters Marry Identical Twin Brothers in Joint Ceremony - Identical twin sisters Brittany and Briana Deane have long dreamed of marrying identical twin brothers. Now, their childhood wish has come true. On Saturday, Brittany and Briana (now Salyers), 32, wed Josh and Jeremy Salyers, 34, in a joint ceremony at the 2018 Twins Days Festival in Twinsburg, Ohio ? where they first met a year ago. The couples were married by identical twin ministers in the ceremony themed ?Twice Upon a Time.? ?It?s really been a fairy tale come true. Marrying twins is something that?s very important to us,? Briana (who married Jeremy) tells PEOPLE, describing the ceremony as a ?double fairy tale.? ?Even when we were little girls I can remember being in kindergarten, knowing that that is what we saw for ourselves.? Brittany adds: ?We knew that the chances were incredibly scarce. The stars had to align for our dreams to come true. I get to marry the man of my dreams and at the same time I get to look over next to me and see my twin sister marrying the man of her dreams.?
(Picture: Briana Deane/Facebook)
'Double Fairy Tale!' Identical Twin Sisters Marry Identical Twin Brothers in Joint Ceremony - Identical twin sisters Brittany and Briana Deane have long dreamed of marrying identical twin brothers. Now, their childhood wish has come true. On Saturday, Brittany and Briana (now Salyers), 32, wed Josh and Jeremy Salyers, 34, in a joint ceremony at the 2018 Twins Days Festival in Twinsburg, Ohio ? where they first met a year ago. The couples were married by identical twin ministers in the ceremony themed ?Twice Upon a Time.? ?It?s really been a fairy tale come true. Marrying twins is something that?s very important to us,? Briana (who married Jeremy) tells PEOPLE, describing the ceremony as a ?double fairy tale.? ?Even when we were little girls I can remember being in kindergarten, knowing that that is what we saw for ourselves.? Brittany adds: ?We knew that the chances were incredibly scarce. The stars had to align for our dreams to come true. I get to marry the man of my dreams and at the same time I get to look over next to me and see my twin sister marrying the man of her dreams.?
(Picture: Donna Kirkland/Facebook)

‘We imagine it will be like two mums and two dads,’ says Brittany.

‘All raising our families together.’

MORE: What is a suction cup dildo and why do you need one?

MORE: It’s been so hot a grandma has been growing bananas in her London garden

Having a different surname to your child leaves parents like me vulnerable at the border

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As it stands, a person sharing the same surname as a child can take them anywhere without being questioned (Photo: Richard Baker/Getty Images).

When the Home Office sent out a public reminder last week that they would like all families who use different names to provide additional identification at borders, it was a timely reminder that this country continues to discriminate against those who defy conservative conventions.

The name I use is the name I was given at birth and always will be.

My children, who were born when I was married, have double-barreled surnames that reflect their dual heritage.

When we traveled with our young son while still married, we carried and were asked to produce a birth certificate, despite the fact all three of us were together, simply because we didn’t all have identical surnames.

It was a mild annoyance at the time, which we had prepared ourselves for, having been warned by many about the hassle we would receive for not all assuming my then husband’s name.

Now divorced, I traveled abroad with my daughter alone for the first time this year, and having researched, decided that I would be carrying a letter of consent from her father that was witnessed by a solicitor. It was a hassle and an expense but turned out to be absolutely necessary.

I was traveling with two girlfriends and their daughters – one unmarried who uses a different name to her daughter and the other married and sharing a name with her daughter.

My unmarried friend and I were both met with questioning, then scrutiny of birth certificates and consent letters, while our married friend was waved through with barely a glance.

Why? Simply because she and her daughter shared a name.

On return from the trip, baffled by how little Border Control seemed to care about children traveling with a person of the same name, I did some asking around and discovered that among my friends, this was a common occurrence.

One friend described how her daughter’s uncle frequently took her back and forth to Italy to stay with grandparents, and despite always carrying a letter of consent, he had never once been questioned.

He does not have parental responsibility but he does share her name. The same is true for many step parents.

If the Home Office is concerned with the safety of children, then surely this is an ineffective and discriminatory way of going about it?

As it stands, a person sharing the same surname as a child can take them anywhere without being questioned, despite the law stating that they must have consent.

Since in the UK the vast majority of children still take their father’s name, this disproportionately affects women and leaves children vulnerable to being taken out of the country by their father without their mother’s consent.

Listing parents who have parental responsibility on a child’s passport could increase children’s safety, as well as reduce discrimination against women who chose not to change their name, or later remarry or return to their own name after divorce.

It would also help same sex families who do not all share the same surname and fathers who don’t share a name with their child.

Single parent families where only one person has parental responsibility could also be clearly indicated on a passport, without the need for inappropriate questions about a partner’s death or how you conceived your children.

Traveling with a child who is not your own or traveling with your child without their other parent present requires consent by law, whether you share a name or not.

While this brings difficulties to families where one partner wilfully withholds consent (already an issue for parents who do not share an identical surname with their children) all families should be subject to this same law.

If the Home Office really wants to ensure the safety of all children, it will list parents on passports and create a simple and effective consent system for all those who need it.

MORE: Having escaped a forced marriage, I find it shocking that the Home Office isn’t doing more to help the victims

MORE: Mothers’ names to appear on marriage certificates for first time

Why do so many Brits feel lonely in the workplace?

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(Picture: Getty)

It’s not uncommon to feel stressed at work; either you’ve got a bunch of deadlines to get on with, or there’s nothing to do but clock-watch.

But one of the biggest issues for many of us during office hours is loneliness.

If you ever feel lonely at work, a survey by recruitment website Totaljobs has found that you’re not alone; a vast majority of the British public feel the same.

The site has collaborated with mental health charity Mind and the Samaritans to encourage employers to speak to staff about their problems and general mental health.

(Picture: Getty)

Research shows that of the 5,795 people surveyed, 60% have experienced loneliness in the workplace.

As many as a quarter (26%) of employees have actually left their jobs due to feelings of isolation.

And it’s not just because respondents felt like they had no one to have a natter with in the canteen; for some there were serious issues that made them feel alienated.

A large number of people (44%) felt it was work-related pressures that isolated them from other staff members as they had to focus on their own responsibilities.

Not fitting in with colleagues was a factor, with 42% citing this reason while 32% of people said they actively seek solitude at work.

Worryingly,  21% of respondents associated their loneliness with discrimination.

(Picture: Getty)

Feeling lonely significantly impacts employee mental health, say researchers. Two thirds (68%) of employees who feel lonely said this impacts their stress levels, 66% suffer from low self-esteem, and 56% lose sleep over it.

A third have even called in sick because of it, resulting in up to five sick days a year.

And gender breakdowns showed that more women than men avoided work as result of a lonely environment.

Neither sexes seemed to address the problem either, with 30% of women saying they don’t talk about it and 39% of men saying they wouldn’t either.

Both Mind and the Samaritans say employers can do more by listening to their workers and being aware of different employee needs.

The Samaritans are encouraging recruiters to sign up to mental health charities and enlist in online programmes such as Wellbeing in the City.

The tool shows staff how to intervene when someone is struggling, actively listen and manage difficult conversations.

Mind has its own programme, with its Wellness Action Plan which can be helpful to employees whether they have a diagnosed mental health problem or not.

(Picture: Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images)

‘We would strongly encourage men and women, millennials and boomers, to confide in someone about their loneliness, whether inside or outside of work,’ said Martin Talbot, Group Marketing Director at Totaljobs.

‘Talking to someone can help you to feel less lonely. Equally, we would urge employers to be proactive in putting measures in place so those suffering from loneliness in the workplace have a network of people and tools to support them.’

You never know, reaching out to the person sitting next to you could have more benefits than you think.

MORE: More and more of us are working freelance: would it work for you?

MORE: I’m not well, but I’ll never take a sick day – I’m afraid I’ll get fired if I do

Watch this five-year-old hang clean a set of barbells with her mum

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Instagram Photo

If you need a bit of fitspo to get you back into the gym after a weekend of hedonism, we’ve got just the thing.

This mini weightlifter is five-year-old Brodie and here she is, working out with her mum.

She may have just started primary school but she can already perform a 7kg hang clean; hang cleans are pretty complicated lifts, requiring precision, strength, speed and explosive power.

But Brodie makes them look totally effortless.

Her mum, Jesse, is a PT and Instagram fitness blogger, and she says that Brodie works out with her up to four times a week.

While it’s not a good idea to start heavy weight training before the body has stopped growing and bones have hardened, Brodie’s workouts involve training bars, light weights, gymnastics and general cardio-mobility moves – all of which should set her up for excellent core strength and flexibility in the future.

Whether it’s learning a single leg squat

Instagram Photo

Having a go on the battling ropes

Instagram Photo

Getting some core activation on the bars

Instagram Photo

Or just doing a mixture of all the moves and disciplines, with a side of karaoke

Instagram Photo

Brodie makes everything look super easy

Instagram Photo

If her super-ripped mum is anything to go by, she looks set to grow up to be an absolute machine.

MORE: Why do so many Brits feel lonely in the workplace?

MORE: Burberry has rebranded and the new monogram is pretty epic


New research reveals Brits are sexually incompatible in the bedroom

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(Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)

Not satisfied in the bedroom? Here’s a disconcerting fact – it might be because of your partner.

But don’t start blaming your other half for their technique just yet, because the lack of oomph between the sheets could be down to your sexual compatibility.

Too afraid to tell your partner what you like?

Is one of you more experienced?

Or do you both just no longer fancy each other?

All these and many more sexual preferences could be the reason why 20% of Brits aren’t looking forward to getting down and dirty with their lover.

The study, which was conducted by dating website eharmony, shows that 48% of over 2,000 participants would ‘happily live without sex’.

It’s an alarming figure, when you consider the benefits that sex brings such as happiness, orgasms and even improving your memory.

The couple who share a sex doll
Maybe it’s time to try something new? (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)

But, despite the results, we still manage to get jiggy four times a month on average.

One of the key reasons for sexual incompatibility includes a drastic difference in sex drives, with one partner wanting more sex than the other (37%).

Overall, this is a bigger issue among men (57%) than women (21%).

And, when split into generations, a majority of those aged 55 and over are happy with the amount of sex they have (66%), while those aged 35-54 are least satisfied (59%).

Meanwhile, almost a third feel their lover just doesn’t do it for them sexually (27%) and blame it on lack of communication (18%) and confidence issues (16%).

Top 10 reasons why couples aren't sexually compatible

  1. I want more sex than my partner (37%)
  2. My partner doesn’t make enough effort (27%)
  3. I want less sex than my partner (26%)
  4. My partner has a medical problem that impacts our sex life (20%)
  5. My partner won’t communicate about his / her sexual desires (18%)
  6. My partner isn’t open to trying new things in the bedroom (17%)
  7. I lack confidence (16%)
  8. My partner is more focused on the physical aspects of sex (11%)
  9. I am more sexually experienced than my partner (10%)
  10. I am not physically attracted to my partner (10%)

It’s not just about the penetrating portion of the sexual act either; a large majority (83%) of participants agreed that kissing and cuddling was just as pleasurable as having sex.

Though majority of couples reported that they kiss (65%) and cuddle (56%) on a daily basis, the study doesn’t reveal whether the couples see each other every single day – so take this particular figure with a pinch of salt.

So is your relationship doomed to die a sexual death?

Not quite.

‘A mismatched sex drive is incredibly common – in fact, two people with perfectly matched libidos is rare,’ says sex expert Sammi Cole from Lovehoney.

‘But it’s important that you and your partner find a way to make your desire levels work together, as sex fosters intimacy, improves self-esteem and confidence in a relationship, and, of course, should be something fun that you do together.

‘Arousal and the desire for sex originates in the brain, not in the genitals. So, in order to feel like you want sex, you first have to figure out what turns you on mentally.

‘There are a ton of health benefits to regular, happy sex, including an improved immune system, lower blood pressure, better sleep patterns, and an improved ability to deal with stress.

‘Plus it can help with confidence and self-esteem, and bring you and your partner closer together, both literally and figuratively.

‘If you’re not sure, now is the time to experiment.

‘Arousing your senses will help to arouse the mind, and then the genitals will follow.’

To help you bring you closer on the sexual compatibility scale, here are some ideas from other couples.

For more information on the study, you can find it here.

MORE: What it’s like to struggle to ejaculate during sex

MORE: How mental health issues are preventing couples from having sex

MORE: Scheduling sex might make you more satisfied than tearing each other’s clothes off

What’s the real cost of women getting free drinks and club entry?

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90s bottomless cocktail party
(Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)

I suppose it was unavoidable that after #MeToo there would be a reactionary movement which attempted to change the conversation to all of the ways in which men are disadvantaged. 

Never mind the fact that #MeToo is about men and women and children (just see the brave statement made by the amazing Terry Crews) sharing their experiences of sexual assault. A small amount of men have decided that we should now be talking about #HeToo (imaginative, right?)

Rather than tackling the very real issue of sexual abuse against men (especially boys), #HeToo has decided to take a nice broad sweeping swing at everything unfair about being a man, including the fact that women get cheaper drinks and free entry to clubs.

Now there are lots of wonderful things about being a woman, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. But getting cheaper drinks or free club entry is not one of them. Because, you see, there really is no such thing as a free lunch. Or rather, a free cocktail.

When you’re a young woman and you start going out, you inevitably get offered free entry to a club, or a massive discount, and/or free booze. And when you’re a teenager, that seems like a nice thing. So you say yes. And for a little bit, it is nice. It feels like a karmic kick back for all the less great parts of womanhood like waxing and childbirth.

But it’s not. You might not be paying for the stamp on your hand or the Malibu and Diet Coke with cash, but you’re still paying for it.

The reason we’re given those ‘treats’ is because having women in a club acts as a bribe for men. I’ve heard promoters talking about how hot the girls downstairs are. Women with great bodies and beautiful faces are used as a temptation to come inside. You’re being cast as a companion – a courtesan. You’re paying for your entry with your body and your face and your ability to charm rather than wish cash, but make no mistake. You’re still paying.

Escorting is a perfectly reasonable thing to do, but if you’re going to escort, do it on your own terms and make money from it. Not the cost of a cocktail.

Every woman I know who had been clubbing more than a couple of times has a story about someone sticking their hand up their dress, refusing to take no for an answer or grinding his erect penis into their crotch on the dance floor.

We ignore those micro-assaults and move on, without realising that the reason it happens is the free drinks and discounted entry.

Men are told that the women inside the club are there for them. They’re sold the idea that yes, they’re paying more for their entry but it’s okay because when they get inside there’s a bounty of hot women waiting to entertain. And because they know they’re the only ones paying to get in, some of them then feel that they’re owed something. After all, if you’ve paid for entry and someone else hasn’t, of course you automatically feel like you have more of an entitlement when you get inside.

20% off one of these is not a privilege. (Picture: Getty)

When you don’t pay to enter a space and someone else does, you’re on a back foot. You are less in control over your experience. You’ve started off from a place of weakness.

When a man buys you a drink, it shifts the power between you. There’s a sense of obligation to interact. If you like him, that’s great. But you’ve consented to that. Made a conscious choice. Assessed how likely the drink buyer is to murder you and bury you under his patio.

There is a world of difference between allowing a man you find attractive to buy you a drink and structuring the pricing so that every man in the club has bought a woman a drink.

By charging one gender and not the other, clubs and bars create a gender imbalance. They set an expectation that men are going to pay and women are going to provide. They force women, who might be there for sex but equally might be there to dance and get drunk, to become service providers.

Men should, of course, be able to go to a club and enjoy an evening without sexually harassing or assaulting anyone. But that isn’t the case. And while I wish we could snap our fingers and change the way that women are treated, we can’t.

But if we start paying equally to enter spaces like clubs, we’ll have equal ownership over our time there. Men won’t be told to pay £20 to get in because the girls are so fit, and therefore enter in the expectation that attractive women will be available to them. It’s more likely to be possible to go and dance with your friends without a hand down your top or having to resort to ‘I have a boyfriend.’

So when men talk about all the ways women are privileged, I am always willing to listen. Female privileges exist. But ‘free’ drinks or entry to clubs is just not one of them. Because take it from me, they’re not really free at all. They come with hands on your arse, watching your drink to make sure you don’t get spiked. Men unzipping your dress or following you into the smoking area and refusing to leave you alone. An assumption that you’re the free gift that came with the purchase of a £10 entry to the club.

Which, I can’t help feeling, works out as a whole lot more expensive than club entry and a few glasses of wine.

MORE: Why do so many Brits feel lonely in the workplace?

MORE: Identical twin sisters get married by twin pastors to identical twin brothers

We need to stop blaming social media for the teenage mental health crisis

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(Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)

The number of girls who have self harmed to the extent they require hospital treatment has doubled from 7,327 in 1997 to 13,463 last year, according to NHS data.

The figures released by ministers also reveal hospital admissions for overdoses have increased tenfold from 249 to 2,736 in the same time period.

It should go without saying that these figures are deeply upsetting.

Having said that, as a campaigner who visits an average of three schools and colleges throughout the UK and beyond every week, they aren’t surprising to me.

I’ve been doing this job for a decade and have seen dramatically escalating rates of stress, anxiety and emotional distress in pupils and teachers alike.

What’s more, I have seen this headline before.

In 2016, The Times ran a front page stating the number of hospitalisations for self-harm and eating disorders had doubled in three years.

The media were catapulted into an immediate frenzy, just like they have been today. The newspapers wanted to know what it was about being female that makes life harder, and questioned whether feminism had failed to embed itself into school culture.

Then Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, meanwhile, pointed his finger firmly in the direction of social media. The Department for Education emphasised that they had invested £1.5 billion into improving mental health education in schools by 2020.

Every one of these responses spectacularly failed to address the heart of the issue.

Self-harm is always a communication of some form of distress. We should, therefore, be asking ourselves what is causing this distress.

Social media and smart phone technology represents the most obvious transformation in the way young people think, communicate and behave since mental illnesses in under 21s began their steep ascent (approximately in 2010).

However, the latest research shows social media can in fact benefit wellbeing, depending on how it is used.

As a communication tool, to connect potentially isolated young people with a like-minded and supportive community, it can actually improve mental health.

Of course, teenagers I work with have told me the internet taught them how to self-harm, whether through triggering imagery, pro-harm websites or well-meaning awareness-raising articles.

Yet that doesn’t explain why they are doing it – self-harm is always a communication of some form of distress. We should, therefore, be asking ourselves what is causing this distress.

2010 marked the beginnings of austerity. There is an empirical link between living below the breadline and experiencing mental illness. Currently 4.1 million children in the UK live in poverty and half a million of them are having to access food banks.

According to a study by the University of Oxford, this number is set to rise by 2020, leaving us a nation in danger of becoming ‘permanently divided’ according to affluence.

Millions of families throughout the country are struggling financially, meaning parents who work longer hours and less quality family time. The closure of Local Authority funded sports centres, social services and libraries has also led to a loss of community – isolation being a key vulnerability indicator in poor mental health.

It was also in 2010 that Michael Gove’s reign as Education Secretary began, the ramifications of which are still being felt in schools.

The curriculum has been narrowed, testing has increased, funding and resources for subjects with therapeutic value such as art, sport, music, drama and PHSE slashed and stress placed upon teachers increased. Academic anxiety has now superseded body image worries as the primary reason young people tell me their mental health is suffering.

And that’s before we even consider cuts to services. All evidence shows the earlier a mental health difficulty is identified the easier it is to treat and manage, yet CAMHS has been slashed by a conservative estimate of £80 million in the past eight years.

Waiting lists are anything between six months and two years, and thresholds are increasing, meaning a young person must reach crisis point before they are seen by a professional (and sometimes not even then).

Furthermore, the gender distinction made in these studies is, in my opinion, a red herring.

While more girls self harm in traditional ways such as cutting and self-poisoning, boys tend to inflict pain upon themselves in ways which might not be recognised, such as deliberately getting into fights they know they cannot win.

And while more young women attempt suicide, it remains the number one cause of death for young men under 35. It is erroneous to suggest girls suffer disproportionately – it is simply that symptoms manifest differently in different people.

In this context, Damian Hinds’ recent proposals that mental health education should be made compulsory by 2022 in the form of teachers ‘discussing resilience’ with pupils seem, to say the least, inadequate.

Only a fundamental revolution in our culture can come close to creating a future where less young people are hospitalised with mental illness.

Need support?

If you, or anyone you know, is struggling, Samaritans are here to help.

They’re available 24 hours a day and offer a safe place to talk, about anything that is getting to you. Call 116 123.

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What dating a redhead has taught me about sun damage

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Grieving for someone we barely know
(Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)

Being olive skinned and mixed race, I’m a superb tanner.

Never let it be said that I cook too long on one side, or go around with atrocious tan-lines. At the end of every holiday, I’m a deep clay colour and am yet to fall victim to sunburn or peeling.

Unlike the hoards of human lobsters currently walking gingerly around after weekends spent frying in beer gardens, I’ve never really been sunburnt or experienced the misery of peeling/soreness or sunstroke.

And that’s despite having a pretty lax attitude towards wearing suncream when I’m in the UK.

My dad was always super careful about slathering us in suncream as kids and insisted on us wearing sunhats, but as I got older, the SPF reduced and in the UK at least, it rarely feels sunny or hot enough to bother with protection at all.

At least, that’s been my attitude until I started dating my current redheaded boyfriend.

(Picture: Miranda Larbi)

He’s got your classic Celtic complexion: porcelain skin and a hefty smattering of freckles; amazingly, he seems to burn even when there is no sun.

While I tend to seek out prime sunbathing spots at all costs, he’s constantly seeking out shade. In beer gardens, he wants to be under an umbrella. On the beach, he hides under towels and parasols. He’ll actively try to walk on the shaded part of the street.

And as someone who comes from a family of dark-skinned sun worshippers, this is all new and baffling to me.

After all, what’s the point of summer if you’re not going to get as naked as possible in a public park during your lunch break, rubbing oil all over your body which will inevitably seep through and stain your office clothes?

Well, fellow sun-worshipping friends, try hanging out with someone who can go from alabaster to crimson during a 20-minute walk.

My pale pal seems to be in constant battle against the elements this summer.

All skin types need to take care in the sun (Picture: Miranda Larbi)

Having to accommodate such a delicate skin type can be annoying; when we so rarely see glorious 30’C sun in the UK, it’s annoying to have to sit in the shade. When I want to walk in the sun, he’ll be pining to get in the safety of a bus. When I want to spend the afternoon at the lido, he’ll swim one length and then want to leave rather than lounge on the grass for hours. Apparently, if you don’t sunbathe, spending seven hours sprawled on grass is boring (a bad opinion but a valid one, I guess).

But one thing is for sure: it’s impossible to date a redhead in this weather without being made painfully aware of how damaging the sun can be.

Before we started dating, I didn’t even own any suncream here. Today, my bathroom cupboard has about seven bottles of the stuff, ranging from SPF 20 to 50. I use SPF 30 on my face every day and have been spriting myself with suncream oil as soon as I come out of the shower.

It is impossible to hang out with someone so afraid of the sun (and quite reasonably so) without absorbing at least part of their fear.

The fact is that the sun’s rays can be mega damaging – burn or no burn.

Holiday with a redhead = making sure there’s some shade at all costs (Picture: Miranda Larbi)

Walk around with someone who starts to resemble a piece of frying bacon on their lunch break and you’ll soon start to worry about what’s happening to your own skin.

Part of that is that lots of us go on holiday to tan and lie on beaches for a couple of weeks a year, before returning to good old, gloomy Blighty. This year, however, it’s as hot and sunny here as it is abroad; we’ve spent two months soaking up the rays. And that means that your poor skin cells are getting a hammering for weeks at a time.

It’s not just the paranoia of getting burnt/developing skin cancer that’s turned me into a suncream warrior. It’s also pretty well known that tanning can have a disastrous effect on ageing. Ask any beauty editor and they’ll tell you that the key to youthful skin in middle age is suncream. Spend enough time up close looking at the skin quality of someone who regularly burns and you’ll see that their skin seems less plump and elasticated than those of us who manage to stay on the right side of bronze (in my experience at least).

Staying safe in the sun, regardless of skin colour

Newsflash: it’s not just pale folk who can get skin damage from the sun.

According to the NHS, you should take extra care in the sun if you:

You should take extra care in the sun if you:

  • have pale, white or light brown skin
  • have freckles or red or fair hair
  • tend to burn rather than tan
  • have many moles
  • have skin problems relating to a medical condition
  • are only exposed to intense sun occasionally – for example, while on holiday
  • are in a hot country where the sun is particularly intense
  • have a family history of skin cancer

People with naturally brown or black skin are less likely to get skin cancer, as darker skin has some protection against UV rays. But skin cancer can still occur.

Everyone should be using at least factor 15 (and creams should have at least four-star UVA protection) and taking regular breaks in the shade between 11am and 3pm.

You want to be using two teaspoons of suncream on your face and neck, and two tablespoons on your entire body if wearing a swimming outfit.

If you’re naturally olive/brown skinned, it’s easy to ignore a lot of the pontificating advice around sunscreen. But if you don’t believe that you’re susceptible to skin damage (and every skin type is, regardless of colour), spending a little time with someone with very white skin is quite the eye-opener.

The point is, none of us can afford to be lazy or arrogant when it comes to sun protection. Alas, it’s taken me watching my redhead boyfriend turn scarlet to learn that.

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Dementia sufferer kicked out of Mamma Mia screening invited to a private viewing

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(Picture: Rebecca Lewis/Facebook)

Shirley Lewis, a 68-year-old woman who suffers from dementia, loves Mamma Mia the musical.

When she went to her local Vue cinema in Cwmbran, Wales, to watch the star-studded movie, she got into the spirit of it.

But her singing along annoyed other customers who tutted and complained that she was being too loud. So, she was forced out.

Daughter Rebecca took to Facebook to vent her frustrations of having to walk out with her mother due to people’s complaints.

Thankfully though, Vue’s rival, Cineworld, has reached out and offered a dementia-friendly screening for Shirley to enjoy.

Message to the ungrateful and unthoughtful lady in Cwmbran Cinema this afternoon – Yep you, the one sat behind us with…

Posted by Nonnie Jane on Sunday, July 22, 2018

‘If my mum wants to sing, she can sing along,’ said Rebecca in the post.

‘My mum has dementia, Mama Mia is her favourite film, it makes her happy. Mum gets excited when she sees her favourite characters and hears her favourite music. She has no spatial awareness, no way of controlling her volume, that’s part of the disease.

‘Your huffing, puffing, and tutting made us feel so uncomfortable that, as her carers, we made the decision to leave. Mum didn’t want to go, she fought every step – to you it probably looked like she was drunk.’

Rebecca added that they’d gone to the movies to watch the film as a treat for Shirley’s birthday. When they returned without having watched all the film, Shirley was angry but didn’t know why.

It was the people at the cinema that made her mum angry, argued Rebecca on the post, saying she wished she’d said something to the cinema-goers.

The cinema that Rebecca and Shirley were unable to enjoy their film in (Picture: Google Maps/ Cwmbran)

Since the post went viral and shared over thousands of times, it caught the attention of Vue Cinemas who wanted to learn more about the incident.

But while they asked Rebecca for more information and details, rival cinema Cineworld jumped in and offered a free dementia-friendly screening.

‘Now that’s customer service right there,’ said Rebecca about Cineworld’s hospitality, ‘not having to send emails to request a return visit or suggestion – they’ve done it off their own back.’

The film will be shown at Cineworld, Friar’s Walk, Newport, at 15:00 BST on 19 August. Others are welcome.

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