A dad has won zero support after claiming his wife should pay for her own baby formula if she stops breastfeeding.
He claimed that money was already tight in their household and adding formula was going to make it stretch even further.
Posting on Reddit’s Am I the A*shole, he said his wife had been breastfeeding their child for six months and no longer wanted to continue.
He has since deleted the post after almost everybody said he was in the wrong.
Some mums who had breastfed in the past told him how insensitive his comments were, saying breastfeeding is harder than pregnancy and childbirth combined.
In the subreddit, he wrote: ‘She makes plenty of milk and everything, she just says she “feels done”.
‘I think if she wants to stop for basically no reason then the money for formula should come out of her personal spending money because she is the one making that decision.’
Understandably, people had thoughts.
(Picture: Getty)
He continued in the post: ‘She says I’m an a*shole and it should come from the family/ grocery budget (which is already tight) even though I don’t have a say’.
One person told the poster: ‘Six months is quite a long time (of what could potentially have been a really difficult task), breastfeeding is extremely difficult and painful sometimes.
‘Now is a totally reasonable time to start transitioning to other nutrient sources – it’s right when the baby should start trying solids. This is so selfish and narrow-minded to think of his child as an extravagance on the part of the wife.’
Another person wrote: ‘Breastfeeding is extremely hard work. It can be both mentally and physically exhausting! Plus, it’s your child too!
‘It’s harder to split the work when one breastfeeds but you absolutely should be splitting everything regarding your children as parents together, including the cost of food.’
Others said seeing as the mum has gone through one of the toughest things she’s ever going to experience, the dad should foot the bill for all costs.
The poster has not responded to any of the comments and has since deleted his account.
We’re not surprised that parents take inspiration from Disney films when it comes to naming their babies.
We already know from the list of most popular baby names of 2019 that TV and films have an influence – just look at the rise of Maeve after the release of Sex Education.
Disney films are classic and enduring. Of course parents will look to them when deciding what to call their offspring.
But which films in particular are parents taking inspiration from?
Surprisingly enough, it’s not Dumbo.
PlayLikeMum has done some research to find out the most popular Disney inspired names in the UK, looking at factors including when the film came out, how many children in the UK have that name, and when the names peaked in popularity.
In news that will be shocking to few people, Frozen inspired names come out on top, with Elsa listed as the most popular Disney inspired name in the nation, with 3,101 babies with this name in the UK. The peak time for parents calling their children Elsa was 2014 – one year after Frozen’s release.
The most popular baby names inspired by Disney in the UK:
Elsa (Frozen)
Tiana (Princess and the Frog)
Aurora (Sleeping Beauty)
Belle (Beauty and the Beast)
Minnie (Minnie Mouse)
Woody (Toy Story)
Winnie (Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree)
Olaf (Frozen)
Giselle (Enchanted)
Ursula (The Little Mermaid)
The research found that since 1996, just over 17,000 children have been named after disney characters, and the trend has gained popularity as the years have gone on.
Disney-inspired names are more popular for girls, and they normally peak in the year after the film is released.
Just three of the Disney names given to children in the last decade were those of villains, including Ursula, Gaston, and Jafar.
*Please note this article discusses suicide and could be triggering for some readers.*
A teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area has gone viral after she shared an ingenious idea on how to help students with their mental health.
After having several students attempt suicide in the past five years, English special education teacher Erin Castillo decided it was time to do something – and so, introduced the mental health check in board in her classroom.
Students can pick up a post-it, write their name on the back and place it wherever they like on the sheet with six categories from ‘great’ to ‘in a really dark place’.
They can also specify that they ‘wouldn’t mind a check in’ if they need it, without having to utter the words, but simply placing their post-it on that part of the sheet.
Erin wanted students to see they’re not alone in feeling low, she told Insider in an interview.
‘So many people think they’re the only ones struggling,’ she said.
‘Kids need to hear that they’re not alone and what that support looks like.’
After seeing how well it worked with her own students, Erin decided to share the concept with the wider teacher community and uploaded a free digital copy on a platform known as Teachers Pay Teachers.
The check in sheet quickly went viral after that with one teacher, Jessie Cayton, sharing it on her Instagram page after she created one for her own class.
(Picture: Erin Castillo)
Soon after, a Facebook page called Suicide Awareness / Prevention, which has over 600,000 followers, posted about it on their wall.
It has been shared 169,000 times and over 16,000 people have commented on it so far, with more teachers saying they’ve now adapted the technique.
One also suggested it might be useful to have this same type of board in a teacher staff room – giving them a chance to unload too.
People also showcased their own boards on Instagram.
Erin felt very emotional after seeing her board go viral.
‘I just started crying,’ she said.
‘My husband asked me why I was crying, and I said “because kids are being saved everywhere”.’
We’re not surprised people are loving it.
Whether you introduce the board in your home, school or work, it’s a great way of letting people communicate how they feel without them having to actually say anything (which is often the reason people clam up).
Good job, Erin.
Need support?
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
You might have heard banana peel is going to be the next big thing in vegan food.
Earlier this week, this recipe for banana skin pulled pork went viral – and people weren’t quite sure what to think.
At first, eating the bit of the banana we usually throw away does not sound appealing (sorry, couldn’t resist) but that might just be because we automatically think of it as something gross that needs to go in bin.
It’s perfectly edible, and in some Asian and South American countries, cooking with the peel is commonplace.
So, we decided to give this ‘pulled pork’ thing a go for ourselves – and it was actually quite good.
I’m not vegan or vegetarian – I eat meat most days but I am trying to cut down as I know the impact it has on the environment. I try to eat vegan/vegetarian at least once a week so I’m used to cooking plant-based recipes.
I was pretty sceptical about this one. When I have pulled pork, I go for slow cook chunks of pork with a rich BBQ marinade and this just didn’t sound like it was going to have anywhere near the same effect.
Often vegan recipes use jackfruit for pulled pork recipes, and although I’ve tried it, it’s harder to get hold of, quite expensive and difficult to prepare.
¾teaspoondry mustard (I didn’t have any of this but just added a teaspoon of wholegrain mustard to the marinade)
¾teaspoongarlic powder
¾teaspoononion powder (i didn’t have any and couldn’t find any in my nearest supermarket so I left it out. You could fry and onion in the pan before adding the skin if you want)
¼teaspooncumin
Afew splashesof water
2tablespoonsvegan barbecue sauce (I used Heinz, which the internet assures me is vegan)
Apinchof salt
Vegan coleslaw (I used the M&S Plant Kitchen one)
1bun
Luckily, this recipe was straightforward and you probably have a lot of the ingredients already.
It’s a mix of spices, two bananas, BBQ sauce, coleslaw and a bun.
I already had most of the spices and the BBQ sauce so I just picked up a bunch of bananas (the recipe recommends organic bananas as the skin could have traces of pesticides. Make sure you wash your bananas well before you start), a packet of buns and a vegan coleslaw (FYI, the M&S Plant Kitchen coleslaw is great but you can also make your own with chopped veg and vegan mayo).
The coleslaw cost £1.50, four buns cost 70p and the organic bananas were £1.60. That would make enough for three-four people for less than £5.
Peeling the bananas (Picture: Laura Abernethy)
I started by peeling two bananas (two skins per person so use more if you are serving this up to more than just yourself) and using a spoon to scrape off all the white stringy bits from the inside.
Scraping the skins (Picture: Laura Abernethy)
Obviously try not to throw the banana away – slice it up and mix it with yoghurt and oats for overnight oats for breakfast, chop it up for a fruit salad for dessert, make it into banana bread or muffins or you can freeze it and mix it with milk in a blender to make a banana ice cream.
The ideal way for this to work would be to preserve the peel every time you eat a banana. I’m not sure how long they would last but according the the internet you can shred them, lay them between greaseproof paper and then freeze them for use later. I imagine they’d at least be fine for later in the day if you have a banana for breakfast or lunch.
Next, I shredded them into strands using a fork. This is probably the most time consuming bit of the whole process and I imagine it would take a bit of work for lots of people but the whole recipe took me half an hour so it’s not that bad.
Shredding them (see how they are already going brown) (Picture: Laura Abernethy)
The banana skins started to go brown quite quickly and I was worried about how unappetising the whole thing was, but I tried to keep an open mind.
I cut all the shreds in half and made up the marinade of spices, mixed with some olive oil.
I then tossed the banana skin in the marinade. The recipe says to leave it there while you make your coleslaw but I’d already bought that so I just left it for five minutes or so.
Marinating the skins (Picture: Laura Abernethy)
I set my pan to a medium heat and threw the marinated skin in there with a splash of water and just left it to cook.
Once it was in the pan, it started to look a little bit pulled pork-esque, if you ignored the little bits of yellow.
Cooking in water(Picture: Laura Abernethy)
The recipe recommends cooking for five to 10 minutes depending on how tough your skin is. Mine were fairly ripe bananas and after about five minutes they were already pretty soft. I knew I wanted a bit of a bite to it so I added in the BBQ sauce, cooked for another 30 seconds and took it off the heat.
After cooking with the BBQ sauce (Picture: Laura Abernethy)
At this point, I roped in my even more sceptical flatmate Elliot to try some with me without the bun and coleslaw. But amazingly we both agreed it wasn’t that bad. It didn’t have the texture of pulled pork – more like marinated vegetables but it was tasty and you would have no idea what it actually was.
I then piled the peel into a bun with the coleslaw and served it with some sweet potato chips. With all the accompaniments, it honestly tasted good. The contrast with the crunchy shredded vegetables in the coleslaw somehow made it feel less like crunchy vegetable.
Finished (Picture: Laura Abernethy)
It was tender and soft and just tasted like rich BBQ sauce – no taste of banana at all.
I finished the meal and declared I would probably make it again. It was quick, cheap, easy, filling and actually tasty.
If the vegan pulled pork isn’t for you, there are also recipes online for banana peel bacon, fishcakes or burgers. It’s tasteless but seemed to take on the flavour easily. It would be great replacement for meat for any dish with a strong flavour.
Basically, we’ve been throwing some delicious food away all this time and I would recommend giving it a try.
The moment his password let me look inside his Facebook messages was the ultimate dark thrill (Picture: Ella Byworth/Metro.co.uk)
More than a third of Brits snoop on their partner’s devices, according to a new study, and I can understand why.
While I never planned to log in to my partner’s Facebook, his password was just too obvious to resist.
Back in the heady years of 2013, I was in a long-term, long-distance relationship with a man I didn’t trust.
We’d started out on rocky ground. In the first few weeks of us dating, he had sex with my then-best-friend in the toilets of our university accommodation while I was drinking and wondering where they both were on the floor above.
I’d agreed to move past it, deciding that a drunken mistake when we weren’t fully committed was excusable in the long run.
After that, things were pretty wonderful. We were in love, we were nailing long distance, and when I went to visit him in the U.S. the relationship was plain sailing.
That was until I came home from a day at my internship and looked at his phone.
I can’t remember why I did it, exactly. I recall being annoyed that he hadn’t responded to the message I’d sent on my lunch break, and wanted to see if he’d been chatting throughout the day with other people.
I saw it at the top of his messages: a conversation with a girl in which he asked for pictures in her bikini.
I brought it up, there was an explanation (was it true? I honestly don’t know, but I accepted it at the time), we moved on. But that snoop was the start of something dangerous.
He had previously told me his laptop password when I’d needed to get on the internet for work. One night, when he was out with friends, I felt the urge to see if that laptop password — something obvious and ego-pumping along the lines of [name]isthebest — would be the same as his Facebook password.
Surely it wouldn’t be the same? Surely he’d have thought more about password security?
It was the same, and the moment it let me look inside his Facebook messages was the ultimate dark thrill.
I like to think I would have left it at that — been curious, but shut the window — if I hadn’t noticed what I spotted next: messages exchanged with a girl he’d said he never spoke to, who I’d previously commented was quite clearly interested in him.
There was nothing too off there, just some friendly chat, but I was bothered by the lie. He had reassured me that he didn’t like her, they never chatted, and while they had hooked up previously they no longer moved in the same circles.
A few weeks later, when I was back in the UK, I checked again.
In the months (fine, years) that followed I kept finding myself checking his phone when he exited the room (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
Now the messages were flirty, and I could see him messaging her while we were on Skype. I asked him, point blank if he still spoke to her, or if they’d had any interaction recently, giving him the chance to come clean, but he said that no, they hadn’t interacted at all – and he was offended I’d even ask.
Naturally, the satisfaction of declaring, ‘I know you’re lying, because I can literally see the messages you sent to her 20 minutes ago’ was pretty incredible.
Don’t ask why I forgave him and we stayed together – those years weren’t my proudest moments. But in the months (fine, years) that followed I kept finding myself checking his phone when he exited the room.
I knew it was wrong, but my previous snooping had yielded evidence of wrongdoing. To me, that justified keeping an eye – especially as each time I checked there was always new misbehaviour, ranging from telling someone he wished he was single (rude) to having sex with someone he’d said he felt no attraction towards.
Don’t worry, we eventually broke up, at which point he revealed he had cheated another time that I hadn’t known about. Turns out sleuthing doesn’t reveal everything.
I went on to snoop in another dating situation, and again found out the guy was being shady, telling me he wasn’t seeing anyone else while messaging a girl to say he was coming over so she could sit on his face.
Now, I’m in a healthy relationship (well done, me), with someone who has never cheated, never lied, and is actually a good, honest person.
And yet I’m still fighting the urge to snoop.
There must be some kind of conditioning effect going on. In previous relationships, every unlocking of someone’s phone or logging into their Facebook has revealed something, so I know that it’s an effective way of revealing dishonesty.
This makes the desire to snoop an itching nerve that comes every time my boyfriend leaves his phone in the room when he goes to the bathroom, or when he lets me use his laptop.
But I’m trying really, really hard to resist. He’s a good guy, this boyfriend, and he deserves his privacy.
He’s a good guy, this boyfriend, and he deserves his privacy (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
I’ve snooped a few times before and found nothing dodgy. Shocker – he’s actually telling the truth, he’s genuinely committed, and he’s not doing naughty things behind my back.
Each time I looked and found nothing, the urge lessened. Now, it’s barely there, and when it does pop up I’m more able to ignore it. I’ve even resisted looking at his mysterious Notes folder.
I don’t think snooping is a terrible thing. The urge to snoop points to a lack of security in a relationship and that instability rarely comes from nowhere.
But when you’re in a relationship that’s genuinely loving and stable, it’s time for the snooping to stop.
I’m in a relationship where if I really, really needed to know what was going on in my partner’s messages, I could ask and he would show me. He has nothing to hide, and that’s clear from the way he won’t carry his phone everywhere he goes, how he’ll let me scroll through his Facebook timeline because it’s more fun than mine.
Snooping is a hard habit to break, and once you cross the line of, ‘this is private, I shouldn’t look’, it’s hard to go back. But now, I can resist the urge without ignoring it.
If I spot his phone and feel my hands going towards it, I’m able to stop, ask myself why I want to look and what I’d be searching for, and decide to skip the sleuthing.
The urge to snoop shouldn’t be kept secret or ignored, but analysed and questioned. What does snooping reveal about the security of a relationship? What do you expect to find when you unlock that home screen?
The fact of the matter is that if you suspect your partner is doing something awful on their phone or social media, that points to a lack of trust – whether for good reason or not.
If the desire to see inside someone’s phone isn’t something you can chat about, the relationship may have bigger issues than whatever’s lurking in their Twitter DMs.
Oh, and current partner, if you’re reading this: I haven’t looked in well over a year, but am certain the most scandalous secrets on your phone are to do with meal planning.
Have you ever been unceremoniously blown off, dumped or ghosted without understanding why?
While most of us will comfort ourselves with the thought that the other person couldn’t handle our awesomeness or that it was a question of compatibility, the real reason could – depressingly –be much more inconsequential.
It could be as simple as that you had an annoying habit that put them off or said something that was a deal-breaker (and we’re not talking about big statements such as ‘I want five kids before I turn 35’).
We ask 12 people to reveal the reasons they stopped dating someone – prepare yourself for a whole new level of honesty.
Jess, 25
I have dumped so many people for inconsequential things.
One guy wore too many Hawaiian shirts and it grossed me out.
Also my first boyfriend didn’t know who Amy Winehouse or Margaret Thatcher were (obviously unrelated), but I was just like: ‘Oh my god, I am with a dumbass’.
Lucy*, 25
This boy I was dating right before uni was super dreamy.
I had fancied him for years and all my friends did too – he was a total babe.
So I was very excited when we started seeing each other, except that when he hugged me, he made a weird high-pitched giggly sound (like the laugh of that dude in Spy Kids).
It was very off-putting – not enough for me to stop me seeing him, but enough to make me not want to hug him.
Uni got in the way of our blossoming relationship in the end, but I can still hear the giggle every time I think of him.
Frederico*, 28
One was impossibly bad at hand jobs – like pulling a fire hose from a reel – and that put me off quite dramatically.
Another one had a lisp and sort of googly eyes, too.
We dated for three weeks. When I ended things I just told her I wanted to go on a break because she was going on holiday for three weeks.
Molly*, 27
There was this guy who told me he didn’t think that it was possible for men to be feminists.
He wasn’t saying it maliciously; he genuinely couldn’t get his head round it.
So I said thank you, next.
I didn’t properly date him but but I did sleep with him – he was still hot.
(Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
Ellen, 26
When Tulisa from N Dubz dyed her hair, he thought she was a different person.
He literally said he liked ‘the old singer’ better and couldn’t understand why they replaced her. He didn’t understand the concept of hair dye, and didn’t even seem puzzled by the ‘two singers’ sharing the same name.
We actually continued to date because I was trying not to be judgemental, but the relationship rotted from its core as a result.
Dave*, 32
There was a girl I went on a date with a few months ago, who works for the same company as me.
She was super cute and fun, but I didn’t really know her that well.
It was a fun night, but towards the end she started telling me how she never shaves her armpits or uses deodorant. She was wearing a small t-shirt and after that I could kind of tell.
We still talk and see each other from time to time, and all I can think about is how much hair is going on underneath.
But hey, it’s 2019 – she can do what she wants.
Shelley*, 30
For me, the worst was someone who did nothing but talk about his ex.
That was super off-putting and I ghosted him after the first date.
Phil*, 22
One girl said she preferred Suits to Mad Men and that was it.
We’d only met once or twice at this point, but it was a bit of a ‘we’re not compatible’ sign.
Alexa, 30
I broke up with someone because they ate really, really loudly!
We dated for four months.
I tried to put up with it, but it made me die inside every time we went for dinner or he chewed gum.
Beth*, 29
There are so many simple things that annoy me on dates; looking at their phone too much, talking about themselves without asking me questions about my life and being rude to retail or serving staff.
And there was one guy, though I didn’t date him (he was just a friend of a friend) who used to constantly sniff the air – and it drove me nuts.
Cristina, 36
I’ve stopped dating guys for lots of different reasons: bad kisser, bad lover in bed, eating with his mouth open and being too noisy.
The latter I just can’t deal with.
Ellie, 23
The classic: couldn’t stop talking about work.
He was a civil servant in the treasury and so focused on work that he asked me what pay grade my aunt came under, after I mentioned she was a prison officer.
Rio Williams was born with Down’s Syndrome, and part of his heart wrapped around his windpipe.
It meant the toddler, now 14 months old, had breathing problems and a whole host of other health conditions which kept him in hospital for 45 nights.
A mere 24 hours after coming into the world, Rio, from Somerset, had to have surgery as his bowel had perforated. It was then that mum Kimberly found out he had Down’s Syndrome.
Eventually, Bristol Children’s hospital found that Rio’s windpipe was being severely compressed by vessels from the heart. He had two millimetres to breathe through.
Months later, Rio had cardiac surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital which moved the main vessels from the heart and fixed them away from Rio’s windpipe meaning he could breathe a bit better.
Mum Kimberly with little Rio (Picture:Somerset Live / SWNS)
(Picture:Somerset Live / SWNS)
After coming out of hospital, Rio is doing well and was recently signed by Zebedee management, an agency specialising in models who are different.
Since then Rio has modelled for a charity that helped his family with living arrangements.
But his latest campaign is a big one – Rio is now modelling for Primark.
The family are now raising money for the other charities that helped them, principally Wouldn’t Change a Factor which has included Rio in its 2019 calendar.
Kimberley said: ‘The principal purpose for this is to change individual attitudes to Down’s Syndrome. That’s why we’re doing this.
‘We simply need him to be included and wish everybody can see that he is similar to anybody else. He’s no different to another child.’
(Picture:Somerset Live / SWNS)
‘It’s onwards and upwards now, however, the first 12 months of his life was touch and go.
‘The ability to have a standard life – modelling for Primark – is simply superb. A few months ago we weren’t even positive he was going to be right here.’
On his GoFundMe page, Kimberly wrote that the family wanted to repay the charities that helped Rio.
She said: ‘Rio got through it all because he is a warrior, we got through it all because we had a lot of help.
‘Eight fantastic charities have supported us in more ways than we could explain. We have been given somewhere to stay, close to the hospital when Rio has been in intensive care or in high dependency.’
We were a little wary when we first heard Cadbury Creme Egg mayonnaise was a thing – mainly because it was announced close to April Fool’s day, and it wouldn’t be the first time this product was ‘announced’ as an April Fool’s.
But actually, the news is true: The creamy condiment does exist, and you can actually try it.
Heinz and Cadbury have partnered to create the Heinz [Seriously] Good Cadbury Creme Egg Mayo.
The unusual concoction is going to be available for a limited time at a unique Heinz x Cadbury Creme Egg installation at the Truman Brewery in London from 11 – 13 April.
(Picture: Heinz)
The mayonnaise, which is a pot of mayo mixed with pieces of Creme Egg, comes in a little pot with a mix of Heinz and Cadbury Creme Egg branding.
Though we’re pleased that this isn’t an April Fool – we’re not sure it’ll taste all that nice.
On the launch, Martina Davis, Brand Manager for Heinz [Seriously] Good Mayonnaise, said: ‘We have had so much fun creating this unique Creme Egg mayo for Easter with our friends over at Cadbury – we absolutely cannot wait for people to try it.
(Picture: Heinz)
‘It’s unlike anything you’ve ever tasted before – a true taste sensation! If everyone loves it as much as we do, then who knows, we might have to roll it out nationwide one day. Watch this space.’
Raphael Capitani, Brand Manager, Cadbury Creme Egg, added: ‘We’re so excited to announce that our Heinz [Seriously] Good Cadbury Creme Egg Mayo collaboration is actually happening – and can’t wait for people to try it for themselves.
‘We’re looking forward to seeing Creme Egg and Heinz fans head down to the installation to taste this deliciously gooey spread.’
Summer is finally on the way and hopefully that means sunshine.
To get you in the mood for some warmer weather, Ben & Jerry’s are giving away free ice cream.
Their annual free cone day is next Tuesday 9 April.
You can enjoy a free scoop of any flavour from the menu at selected cinema branches and Scoop Shops.
There’s no limit on how many you can have so you can go back for more.
And for the first time, you can get a free treat delivered to your door in selected area.
(Picture: Ben and Jerry’s)
Obviously a cone with a scoop of ice cream doesn’t deliver well so those choosing delivery can get a free ‘Wich – ice cream topped and bottomed with cookies.
Try old favourites like Cookie Dough, Caramel Chew Chew or Phish Food or branch out into new flavours like their low fat Chocolate Cookie Dough Moo-phoria. Really the only cone-undrum here is which one to choose.
Co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield first dreamed up Free Cone Day way back in 1979, as a way to say a big thank you to the community surrounding their very first Scoop Shop in Burlington, Vermont.
Now every year, they give out over a million scoops across the world on the day.
‘We’re nothing without our fans,’ said Ben & Jerry’s CEO Matthew McCarthy.
‘This is one of our favourite days of the year. It’s a special tradition that’s all about showing the love for our flavour fans the best way that we know how.’
We’ve seen a lot of stupid and outright dangerous social media trends in our time.
In comparison, this one feels pretty tame – and wonderful as a result.
The next hot trend in the world of YouTube is drinking water.
Yep, regular water. Yes, drinking it in the normal way, not through your nose or anything strange.
The craze has actually been going on for years, but has come to our attention thanks to a feature in The Times, which focuses on water drinking influencer Aaron, 15, whose Aaron Drinks Water channel is blowing up online.
Aaron’s videos are exactly what they say on the tin (or bottle, rather). In each one he records himself gulping down a glass of water. He’s posted 5,776 videos of himself drinking water so far.
He was inspired by Jon, known as – you guessed it – Jon Drinks Water, who started sharing videos of himself drinking water in 2011 and has racked up more than two million views.
Now, there are a bunch of water drinkers taking over YouTube with their wholesome content.
Why are they so popular? There are a couple of factors at play.
First, there’s the ubiquity of the ‘drink water’ message. Beauty Instagram account Gelcream regularly reminds her followers to ‘drink some water’ for glowing skin and relaxation, self-care Twitter bots send out water emoji to remind you to take a sip, and every interview with a celebrity or influencer about their good looks will include paying credit to hydration (and ignoring the money funneled into facials and cosmetic treatments).
We’re told to drink water at every opportunity, and most of us will say we need to do it more. Just look around your office to see people with massive bottles marked with targets for the hour, or take a look at just how many apps there are with the sole purpose of getting you to sip.
Water drinking YouTubers might be a form of influencing and entertainment that’s good for us. We see a new video in our subscription, we’re reminded that we should be drinking water, too. Watching a video does make you feel a tad parched – try it for yourself.
Then there’s the ASMR factor.
(Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Psychologist Daria Kuss explains that many of those ‘oddly satisfying’ videos – from back cracking to the removal of ingrown hairs to watching someone drink water – work as a proxy for the viewer to feel a deep relief.
‘Experiencing satisfaction vicariously by watching others experiencing it is a healthy human reaction, whereby limbic resonance is created in the brain,’ Daria tells us. ‘This is why I feel what you feel.
‘Limbic resonance triggers our basic social predisposition to empathise with others, leading to the experience of similar emotions, in this case, relief of tension and increase in wellbeing.’
Essentially, watching other people doing something you know feels good – in this case, drinking water – makes you feel good. Simple.
We can’t ignore the crucial component of internet weirdness.
The internet is a strange place with a thing to fulfill any desire or interest you may have. Posting thousands of videos of yourself drinking water is undeniably odd and seemingly free of purpose – and that’s what grabs people’s interest.
Just like the Instagram accounts posting the same photo over and over again, water drinkers appeal to the joy we take in repetition and banality. When the world feels like it’s falling apart, there’s comfort to be found in knowing you can go to a YouTube channel and find one thing only: videos of a man drinking water.
All in all, this is a corner of social media that actually feels pleasant and harmless.
Just make sure you don’t down your water too quickly (you could splutter and choke, or just develop a nasty case of hiccups), and if you feel like you’re drinking too much water, stop.
Is it possible to drink too much water?
Dr. Imogen Bexfield, Doctor and Medical Director at White Swan Aesthetics, tells Metro.co.uk that it is indeed possible to drink too much water too quickly.
She tells us: ‘It’s not so much about the total amount you would consume throughout an entire day but more about the the amount you drink per hour.
‘Drinking too much water in a short period overwhelms your kidneys so they can’t process and eliminate the water fast enough which drives your blood levels of sodium too low.
‘If you aren’t sure about how much is “too much” listen to your body – it will tell you if you need to hydrate.
‘It’s also good to keep an eye on the colour of your pee as this can be an indication of over-hydration. Your pee should be a pale yellow colour—if it’s darker than that, drink some water, and if it’s lighter, hold off until you feel thirsty again.
‘Though it’s not as common as dehydration, it is possible to drink too much fluid. Over-hydration can happen when you take in more water than your body can process and get rid of, and it can lead to serious problems.
‘Watering down your blood can make it harder to carry nutrients, send brain signals and control the muscles in your body.
‘If you consume too much in too short period, over hydration can become a serious issue and you could be at risk of hyponatremia. This is when the sodium in your body becomes weaker and less effective. When this happens, it increases your body’s water levels, as a result your cells to begin to swell. Although very rare, hyponatremia can cause muscle weakness, cramps, and seizures.’
Lidl is launching a wine that they claim tastes like hot cross buns – and we’re excited.
The Moscatel Reserva de Familia apparently tastes like the delicious spiced sweet buns because of the tasting notes of raisin and fig.
The bottle costs just £6.99 and is perfect for after your Easter lunch.
To create this special Easter treat, Muscat grapes are first sun dried for 10-15 days on specialised esparto dry grass, a species created from grasses of North Africa and southern Europe.
Apparently, the full-bodied flavour that is reminiscent of the Easter bun’s spices is enhanced as the wine is matured in oak barrels, whilst keeping a sweet, syrupy texture.
(Picture: Getty)
Richard Bampfield, Lidl’s Master of Wine, says ‘This rare Spanish wine from the historic Malaga region boasts unique aromas of raisins and sweet spice, very much like that of the cinnamon and nutmeg flavours in hot cross buns.
‘An exciting find and superb value, this wine is the perfect indulgence for all your Easter treat needs.’
You can pick up the bottle in store now.
Last year, the store unveiled a hot cross bun ice cream described as a luxury dairy ice cream made with British double cream and whole milk, swirled through with cinnamon sauce and juicy raisins.
But this is a step up – combining alcohol with those delicious flavours sounds perfect.
But people questioned the name of one of the shades of their Killawatt Foil Highlighter – Geisha Chic.
They said that the name was offensive and racist because of the association with Geishas in Asian culture.
One person said: ‘The term itself isn’t offensive. It’s insensitive to appropriate another person’s culture, and to mock it. “Geisha chic hunny” is not celebrating the culture. Like “ghetto chic” isn’t celebrating poor African Americans.’
Another added: ‘Geisha is not an “aesthetic”. Thought we all figured that out by now, but looks like Fenty didn’t know so….I hope we’ve all learned it yet again.’
The brand, which was launched in 2017, had previously been praised for their diverse range of shades, but they did face criticism for not using models from Morocco for their Moroccan spice line.
“Geisha Chic Hunny” 🙄🙄🙄🙄 Really, Miss Fenty? REALLY?
. @fentybeauty has a new highlighter named “geisha chic…” ummmm? Rihanna… explain why Asian targeted racism gets glossed over, it feels even worse when it’s from another marginalized group 😓
Rihanna was really about to bring out a blush called geisha chic 😐 thank god people noticed how gross that was and fenty delayed the launch to rename it. Really weird how the entire fenty beauty team didn't catch how inappropriate that name is from the start
The shade was then pulled and fans who had messaged the page about it reported that they received a direct apology from the brand. The original posts about the shade were also deleted.
The comment said: ‘We hear you, we have pulled the product until it can be renamed. We want to personally apologize. Thank you so much for educating us.’
For those who are wondering why this may be offensive towards Asians. "Geisha Chic Hunny" makes it sound like geishas are an aesthetic, undermining their cultural significance. They're more than a pretty face. pic.twitter.com/29uoq8NClT
Although many people were pleased that Fenty were addressing the problem, they did point out that they loved the product and hoped that it could be released under a different name.
Maybe instead of “Geisha Chic” it could be called “Scarlet Chic” I dunno but whatever you decide to rename it it looks like an amazing color! @fentybeauty#FentyBeauty
— Jonathan the Supreme🔮✨ (@JayRamonTweets) April 1, 2019
We reached out to Fenty Beauty for comment and will update the article accordingly.
Reni worked with a Nigerian artist, Godwin Akpan, for the cover of her book (Picture: Joy Olugboyega)
Reni K Amayo is a young author who is opening up the fantasy genre to include black narratives – and her debut young adult novel sounds incredible.
Historically, fantasy in literature has been overwhelmingly white – there is rarely space for diverse characters, settings or themes.
But Reni is transporting this traditionally homogeneous world to ancient Africa and centering two young, black women as the protagonists – and we are absolutely here for it.
Daughters of Nri is a fantasy set in an ancient Nigerian kingdom. It charts the journey of two sisters, twins and goddesses, separated at birth, as they venture on a path of self-discovery.
‘It is set in Nigeria. The ancient kingdom of Nri was a real kingdom,’ Reni tells Metro.co.uk.
‘They were a really interesting, really successful group of people. They based their society on peace and religion – so they never really used weapons.
‘Although, I have used a lot of creative license, so in the book they do use weapons – which are really shiny and green,’ laughs Reni, ‘But originally, as a people, they were very peaceful.’
There is a stereotype that black people can’t be in to traditionally ‘nerdy’ things like fantasy, mythology or science fiction. But Reni wants to subvert this misconception and reassert that black readers are as capable of having broad, varied, multifaceted interests as anyone else.
‘It is such a shame. I think it is very much tied into this inability to see black people as individuals. As humans, three-dimensional characters who have different tastes and opinions and likes,’ Reni explains.
‘I have always had an eclectic taste – and I am not different! I have never met a black person who is only into, say, hip hop and nothing else.
‘Every black person I know is into so many different things, and I don’t think any of these things are niche at all. It is completely normal.
Daughters of Nri is a young adult fantasy fiction set in ancient Nigeria (Picture: Godwin Akpan)
‘I think that all stems from what is pushed on us, and what is made available to us.
‘For such a long time the only narratives that seemed to truly belong to black people were these gritty, urban stories. And when we discuss black people we only seem to want to discuss pain, suffering and struggle.
‘But I want to reclaim other spaces for black people. Why can’t we have fantasy stories or rom coms?
There is a distinct lack of black narratives in fantasy books. For Reni, who grew up an avid reader, hungry for stories that reflected her own experiences, there was often disappointed and a feeling of being excluded.
‘For a long time, I feel like the narrative has been controlled by gatekeepers who have been predominantly white men. And these gatekeepers are so much more likely to buy into something that they see themselves in.
‘So diverse authors with diverse stories come along with their books and the people in charge will dismiss them and instantly think – no, that wouldn’t sell.
‘But I think now, with the rise of social media, people are able to have more say over what they actually want. And it turns out, that’s not necessarily the same fantasy story about a white boy with magical powers – people really do want stories about different people.
‘There have been so many brilliant authors who have never really made it to that next level because of these pre-existing barriers. But I think now there is really scope for that to change and I think it is finally starting to happen.
‘You only have to look at the success of Tomi Adeyemi with Children of Blood and Bone.
‘The people in power are finally starting to recognise that this is content that everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity or background, can be interested in and enjoy. It just adds more depth and makes the literary world more interesting.’
Representation is crucial in Reni’s work. She wants to tell stories that reflect a different cross-section of the population.
Growing up, Reni had to dig deep to find stories that even remotely reflected who she was. She wants young readers today to be have diverse stories at their fingertips. She says it is an invaluable tool of empowerment and inspiration.
‘I have always been really in to fantasy. I read so many stories set in medieval England. They were different stories, great stories – but always in the same place,’ Reni tells us.
‘I tried to find different settings wherever I could – I actually spent a lot of time being really in to Asian fantasy. I was craving variation.
‘So I want Daughters of Nri to add to that diversity, to be another addition in this space which has characters that we haven’t necessarily seen before.
‘Although we are starting to see more of these diverse stories, I can’t stress enough that we are not there yet. We are like a drop in the ocean.
Reni held a brunch with 24 influential black women to launch the artwork for her novel (Picture: Joy Olugboyega)
‘Representation is so important to me. What you see is what you know you can become.
‘For so long black children have only had images of themselves as victims or slaves – and although that is a part of our history – it isn’t the only part of our narrative.
Western perceptions of Africa have been skewed by decades of negative information and a willful ignorance that ignores the triumphs and successes of the entire continent. But Reni doesn’t think the damage is irrevocable.
‘Changing the mainstream narratives about Africa was a huge motivation for me when I started writing,’ she explains.
‘Writing for me has always been about self-care. When I’m stressed or frustrated, I just write. It’s how I cope.
‘I started writing the book around five years ago, when I was in an incredibly stressful job.
‘I was gravitating towards all of this negative news – specifically around black people. From police brutality to African countries being saddled with an immense amount of debt. It was a lot to handle.
‘I tried to pivot away from that slightly and seek out positive news. And I started to look into African history as well, as part of that.
‘I was trying to specifically avoid anything to do with slavery, because I feel like that is the only thing we are taught about Africa – and even that is only taught at a minimum and from a very peculiar perspective.
‘But I refused to believe that in a continent as resource-rich as Africa – the only story to come out of it is slavery.
‘But there are millions of other narratives. You just have to go and find them. And they are not easy to find.
‘The stuff that I eventually found was amazing. And I was just like – why didn’t I know this? Why didn’t I know that the Oxford and Cambridge University system was modeled off the Timbuktu university system?
‘I’m Nigerian – I should know these things. I know so much about the rest of the world and its wonders, but I didn’t know anything about this huge, diverse continent – the home of my ancestors.’
Creating an image of an African kingdom that is steeped in complex mythology, decadence, academic and technological superiority, is a crucial step in redressing the balance and positively altering perceptions.
So much of how we see the world is based on the narratives and stories we consume from the mainstream media, books, movies and advertising campaigns. This is something Reni intrinsically understands.
‘I wanted to create a world where black people weren’t suffering. Where our narrative as a people wasn’t so attached to struggle. I wanted our narrative to be about us being human.
‘I consciously chose to avoid elements of oppression in the novel. I wanted to focus more on human nature, on internal conflict, as opposed to that “us versus them” mentality.
‘I am asking questions like, why is it that we as humans tend to gravitate towards destructive choices?
‘To me, it seems that we all want to be good, but we end up shifting eventually, as a collective, to these negative places. And I think that is a truly fascinating element of human nature.’
Daughters of Nri will be available to buy on the 27th August and will be published by Onwe Press.
Ever wondered what museums are like after hours? You’ll have to wonder no more if you win Airbnb’s offer of staying at the most esteemed museum in Paris, the Louvre.
History and art lovers will be delighted to know that Airbnb is offering the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend a night under the iconic glass pyramid.
You can cosy up to priceless masterpieces, including the Mona Lisa and Venus di Milo, and get some kip in a specially designed mini pyramid.
The accommodation website has teamed up with the Louvre Museum in the French capital to celebrate the building’s 30th anniversary.
To make things even better, you can enjoy an acoustic concert in Napoleon III’s fancy chambers.
You won’t have to spend the night alone, as the spectacular night is for two people.
So grab a partner and fire up the laptop – you could have the best night at the museum for free.
(Picture: Julian Abrams)
(Picture: Julian Abrams)
As the sun sets on Paris, the winners will make their way to the museum where they will be greeted by an art historian, who will take them on a bespoke tour, like the fancy ones given to Barack Obama, Beyoncé and Jay-Z.
Then you’ll be left alone to explore the wonders of the museum.
You can relax on a sumptuous Parisian lounge sofa, listening to classical French music on vinyl records.
You could be chilling here (Picture: Julian Abrams)
And what’s Paris without food? Guests will be treated to an extravagant feast in a pop-up dining room.
At the end of the evening, you can retire to the bedroom under the pyramid for what promises to be the best sleepover in the world.
(Picture: Julian Abrams)
To enter, visit the Airbnb website and apply before 12 April at midnight, French time. You’ll have to answer one question: Why would you be the Mona Lisa’s perfect guest?
If you find yourself returning ASOS clothes over and over again, be warned: ASOS is changing its returns policy.
There’s both good and bad news.
Let’s look at the good news first: the return period is now longer.
In an email sent out to its customers, the brand explained that they had changed the return period from 28 days to 45 days so that customers have longer to try on clothes and decide whether to keep them or not.
They wrote: ‘We know easy returns are one of the (many) reasons you shop with us, so we’ve increased the time you can return stuff from 28 days to 45 days.
‘If you return anything within 28 days, we’ll refund you as normal… and after that (up to 45 days), you’ll now get an ASOS gift voucher for the amount you spent.’
However, in bad news for serial wear-and-returners, ASOS is cracking down on the possibility of fraud. Which means if you are frequently purchasing and returning clothes, you might be a suspect.
(Picture: ASOS)
The brand continued: ‘We also need to make sure our returns remain sustainable for us and for the environment, so if we notice an unusual pattern, we might investigate and take action. It’s unlikely to affect you, but we wanted to give you a heads up.’
But don’t worry, ASOS will know the difference between someone who’s buying clothes that don’t fit or don’t look right, and those who are buying multiple items to wear and then return for a refund.
They said: ‘If we notice an unusual pattern of returns activity that doesn’t sit right: e.g. we suspect someone is actually wearing their purchases and then returning them or ordering and returning loads – way, waaay more than even the most loyal ASOS customer would order – then we might have to deactivate the account and any associated accounts.’
Of course, this is only a very small percentage of customers, and genuine customers needing to return items won’t be affected – but this is a wake up call for those who do take advantage.
It’s not worth having your account closed and to never be able to order from ASOS again, is it?
The Dinky Deckers are made using crispy cereal, soft nougat and chocolate, and the Crunchie bites are made of honeycomb encased in a layer of chocolate.
The new chocolates are being launched this month just in time for Easter, but we’re most excited for the Mini Eggs, obviously.
The teeny bags of eggs will be found alongside Cadbury Dairy Milk, Cadbury Dairy Milk Caramel, Eclair, Fudge, Twirl, Wispa and Creme Egg Twisted.
In the product description, the brand said the new release ‘is a great pouch for sharing with friends and family. Complete with all the Heroes favourites you’ll also find Cadbury Mini Eggs in the pack for an Easter twist.’
The new selection boxes will be available in supermarkets for £5.69.
It’s a milk chocolate egg covered in sprinkles just like a giant version of retro Jazzies sweets. The egg costs £4 in store.
M&S Product Developer, Katy Patino said: ‘Jazzies are a national favourite and this year we are bringing these retro treats to you as an Easter egg. ‘Made with luxury milk chocolate and covered in hundreds and thousands – it is the perfect Easter treat and is fantastic value at just £4.’
For most of us, owning a home is a fantasy. A house with a pool is so out of reach, it’s ludicrous to even think about. But folks can dream.
If we’re going to dream, we want the best home imaginable – like this house that comes with a triangle swimming pool on its roof.
Although not a real property, the house looks like the perfect holiday home for anyone looking to get in touch with nature and enjoy life away from stress.
Antireality, a brand that creates imaginative architecture, is behind the idea.
The company has come up with a beach house concept that we would all love to become reality.
Aptly named Summer House, the unreal apartment boasts a massive swimming pool on the roof the size of the entire premise.
Antieality imagined the property to sit on the edge off a cliff, overlooking the ocean.
A ladder connects you from the salt water below straight into the swimming pool so you can climb up and take in the sights.
(Picture: Antireality)
The 85-square-metre large building is set in a rocky seaside area with direct contact with water. The house comprises two principal parts: the living space – a kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom – and the swimming space above it.
The Summer House roof, which is inverted into a concave form, creating a basin, is its best feature.
‘My goal was to create a reverse version of a roof that can be adapted as a swimming pool,’ Antireality told Bored Panda.
‘It’s very idealistic but there is a logic behind the concept.’
(Picture: Antireality)
‘One of the key design intentions was to create a building that would be completely open to the surroundings, providing the possibility to observe and engage in direct contact with nature. The Summer House has been designed with seasonal recreation and weekends outside the city in mind.’
Antireality has come up with other futuristic designs which we’d love to see come into fruition in the future.
Vinegar Yard has just opened in London Bridge and is a new concept by the creators of Flat Iron Square (another market space, in case you were wondering).
Expect street food from Nanny Bill’s and Up In My Grill – try the steak sandwich and thank us later – funky art installations and semi-expensive items from independent traders.
But, while you should appreciate new experiences, remember that when it comes to markets, you want to play the field.
Start with eight of our favourite food markets – both traditional and hipster-filled – eat your way through London.
Borough Market
(Picture: Visualspace/Getty/Patriktamm)
Pretty much every Londoner has at one point or another ventured into Borough Market in search of fine cheeses, freshly baked bread, tasty meats and other artisan delights.
If you don’t like crowds, stay away on Saturdays; people come in hordes and queue up for cuts from Ginger Pig and Eastern Mediterranean-influenced plates from Gourmet Goat.
You’re spoilt for choice with foods from every corner of the world, as well as pastries and baked goods for dessert.
Sneak into the Globe Tavern for a pint after your shop (Bridget Jones lived above it).
Open 10am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday and Saturdays. On Fridays it’s 10am to 6pm.
Berwick Street Market
Soho, known for its combination of snazzy bars and sex shops, might not be the first place you think of for a market outing.
But Berwick Street Market, located on the street with the same name, is actually one of London’s oldest markets – it first opened in 1778.
It’s evolved along with the area’s residents and visitors, and is now home to hipster-fuelled foodie joints like Savage Salads, Jersualem Falafel, What Jerk! and Lord of the Wings.
You can also pick up goodies from one of the many food and vegetable stalls, and sip on a cuppa from Filty Coffee.
Open Monday to Saturday, from 8am to 6pm.
Brixton Village & Market Row
(Picture: Google)
Brixton has changed a lot over the past decade, with gentrification bringing in new businesses and residents.
Its local market – Brixton Village & Market Row – has managed to maintain the character and charm of the neighbourhood.
That’s not to say it hasn’t been developed along the same route; you can’t take a step without smelling something delicious from a cool trader that you’d normally find in Shoreditch.
There are 130 stalls and shops, from independent traders like Etta’s Seafood Kitchen and family-run Jaliscos to well-known brands such as Honest Burgers.
Deptford Market
This is your traditional London market – not quite as cool as the others, but charming in its own right.
Pick up bargain buys in clothes, fresh fruit and vegetables and fish or just enjoy the experience.
There’s another market with a similar name in the area but don’t be fooled; Deptford Market Yard is very different and only opened a few years ago in the railway arches beneath the station.
Swing by for your bric-a-brac at Deptford Market first, then head to the Yard for a burger from Hank’s, a snack from Mama Jerk’s or a cocktail in a teapot from Little Nan’s.
Deptford Market is open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (9am to 5.30pm), while Deptford Market Yard is open until 11pm every night apart from Sunday, when it’s 10pm.
Broadway Market
(Picture: Gideon Mendel/Corbis/Getty)
Fancy a quiche?
You can get this and much more at Broadway Market in Hackney, and not just edibles – pick up some vintage garments and books or get a haircut at the local barbershop.
If you are going for food, don’t miss Deeney’s haggis toastie.
The market is only open on Sundays (9am to 5pm) but the area is still more than worth a visit with over 70 shops, cafés and restaurants to explore on the other six days.
Hipsters can be spotted with their equally cool kids or well-dressed toddlers during all days.
The Kitchens at Old Spitalfields Market
As you can probably guess, this is all food, food and food.
But in reality, the clothes, accessories and interior stalls are under the same roof. You’re also smack in the middle of the creative hub that is east London, with independent and well-known retailers scattered around every corner and Brick Lane with its vintage finds a short walk away.
Come hungry and dig into vegan sushi from Thousand Knives, dumplings from the Dumpling Shack, British comfort food from Flank or hand-rolled Chinese pancakes from Pleasant Lady.
There are always events going on; this coming Sunday, try your hand at an Easter Origami class.
Open every day, check the website for opening hours.
Pop Brixton
(Picture: Pop Brixton)
Pop Brixton is the shipping container village that has the same feel as Boxpark, but with its own special quirks.
The market is completely covered and has a massive stage so you can stay late and dance to live music. The space is also used for business and networking events, yoga, after school sessions for kids and clothes sales.
As for the food, you want Bhangra burgers from Baba G’s, small plates from Smoke & Salt and chicken from Other Side Fried – among many, many other foods.
Maltby Street Market
On the Ropewalk in Bermondsey, you’ll find this gem, which opened in 2010.
Bring reusable bags for the treats to take home (and because you care about the environment) and eat the rest while you’re there.
Choose from deliciously dripping delights from the Cheese Truck, Venezuelan cuisine by La Pepia or gourmet sandwiches from Sub Cult.
There’s more, but we don’t want to spoil the surprise.
Open Saturdays (10am to 5pm) and Sundays (11am to 4pm).
After spotting a post on Twitter about a man who was going to his graduation ceremony alone, one stranger promised to go along and be his cheerleader.
Ntokozo Khanyile, from Soweto, South Africa, saw a post by Mthobisi Senzo Magagula that said that his family weren’t able to make his graduation for his B. Ed Foundation Phase Teaching degree from the University of Johanesburg.
They weren’t following eachother but somehow the post appeared on her timeline and she replied: ‘I am willing to come and be your cheerleader on the day……and take you out for lunch afterwards!!’
They chatted, Ntokozo got the details of the day and the plan was set.
She told Metro.co.uk: ‘I spend most of the work day on Twitter and more than work, I enjoy the entertainment value the app brings into my long days.
‘Mthobisi and I were not following each other but somehow his tweet popped up on my timeline and I saw that he said his family won’t be able to make it to the ceremony.
‘That saddened me that his family would not be able to celebrate this great achievement with him, especially considering that my sister will also be graduating in the same period (she’s graduating tomorrow, 4 April) and the whole family is going to attend so I offered to attend as his “family”.’
(Picture: Twitter/ntokozongwane1)
On Sunday, the day before the ceremony, Mthobisi was robbed of some of some of his things and he almost wasn’t going to go at all but his new friend stepped in.
‘I begged him to come and I promised to make a plan for him. Luckily the thug was caught and they managed to recover the stolen goods.
‘In our African communities a graduation is a very big thing and the more people you have to celebrate with you, the better.
I am willing to come and be your cheerleader on the day……and take you out for lunch afterwards!!
— Ntokozo Khanyile 🇿🇦 (@ntokozongwane1) March 8, 2019
‘I just imagined him coming to the ceremony on the day and leaving alone with just his certificate in hand like this thing has no meaning to him and/or his family.
‘My parents have always encouraged myself and my siblings to be there for each other, and to also be of assistance to others when we can, and I just wanted to afford the same opportunity to him, make him realise that his good work and achievement mean something to us as a community, in addition to his family.’
On Monday, Ntokozo attended the ceremony alongside Mthobisi’s friend Mhlobo, and they were there to cheer him on as he walked across the stage. She filmed the moment for him so he has something to treasure from the special day.
Thank you for inviting me to share this special moment with you!!!
— Ntokozo Khanyile 🇿🇦 (@ntokozongwane1) April 1, 2019
‘It was very humbling for me,’ Ntokozo said. ‘I got to realise that there are certain things that we take for granted because of how close our families are to us geographically and how our families are readily available when we need them and it is not always the case for some people, and it is not a nice thing to go through to be alone at such big moments in one’s life.’
After spending the day together, they’ve agreed to stay in touch.
Ntokozo added: ‘I am definitely going to stay in touch with Mthobisi, and his friend Mhlobo who I met on the day. One of the biggest songs we had during the 2010 Soccer World Cup in SA was “Make the circle bigger” and I always aim to live by that principle. I always want to be a village to anyone who needs it.’
Mthobisi said: ‘I primarily wanted to graduate in absentia and arrange to fetch the degree certificate at a later stage. When I shared that on Twitter many people came out wanting to go with me and show some support and Ntokozo was one of them.
‘A few days before my graduation she sent me another tweet asking if I’d love to have her – that’s when I agreed. I was very happy – although sometimes I feel I cannot express my happiness enough but I’m really thankful her for even making it and taking me out for some refreshments after the ceremony.’
Mthobisi added that Twitter also helped him secure a teaching position in January but he works for an independent school and the wages are low, which was why some of his family couldn’t make the ceremony.
He explains: ‘This made it not possible for my grandmother to make it for the day as all costs involved would have had an impact on what I send them for for food and her bills that I’m looking after. I am currently desperate for a post in a government school, closer to home and to start enjoying the fruits of my hard work.’
(Picture: Pennyhill Park, an Exclusive Hotel & Spa)
Pennyhill Park, an Exclusive Hotel & Spa is made for romance.
The ivy-clad 19th-century hotel was built in 1849 and was once home to James Hodges, a civil engineer.
It’s set in 123 acres of grounds making it ideal for walkers and boasts picturesque buildings, four-poster beds and beautiful views.
The 5-star hotel has been heavily popularised by its Instagram-worthy bedrooms and spa, not forgetting its celebrity visitors and the fact it’s home to the England rugby team’s training ground.
Location
Pennyhill Park, an Exclusive Hotel & Spa is only a 45 minute journey from central London and is situated just outside Ascot. With nearby attractions including Thorpe Park, Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park.
(Picture: Pennyhill Park, an Exclusive Hotel & Spa)
Rooms
There are 26 beautifully decorated bedrooms located in the original mansion house offering top quality bedding and furnishings, with a further 98 rooms located in the outbuildings.
The elegant decor and plush fittings create sensual spaces that offer rest, relaxation and romance. Plus some bathrooms have huge circular freestanding baths with TV screens integrated into the walls, so you can bathe amid the bubbles and watch your favourite shows.
Notably toiletries are Exclusive hotels own brand and of course, all are equipped with fluffy towels, bathrobes and slippers.
And not forgetting, take the opportunity to place an order of complimentary homemade cookies and fresh milk from the hotel room tablet. They’ll be delivered in minutes and you’ll be left wanting more.
(Picture: Pennyhill Park, an Exclusive Hotel & Spa)
Dining
For dining there are two award-winning restaurants on site: The Brasserie for casual dining, that serves chargrilled steak, fish and taglierini and Michelin-starred restaurant, The Latymer that specialises in seasonal tasting menus.
Post dinner we recommend sitting back and taking a seat in The Ascot Bar, that comes complete with wood paneling, low-key lighting, and a piano. You’ll be treated to the most romantic piano tracks, that will set the right tone as you enjoy a night-time tipple.
Breakfast in contrast is less formal with a buffet rather than a cook to order service. But it’s far from underwhelming with self-serving stations brimming with pastries, juices, fruits, cereals and smoked salmon, to traditional full English trimmings including locally sourced sausages.
(Picture: Pennyhill Park, an Exclusive Hotel & Spa)
Spa
As well as the impressive bedrooms theres the spa, which is undoubtedly the star of the show.
There’s no fewer than eight indoor and outdoor pools – one even has underwater music, yes really. And there are 21 treatment rooms in total, exclusively for spa members and hotel guests, though non-hotel guests can book spa day packages.
You’ll even be offered and served champagne among other drinks from a select menu in and around the pools.
Opt for a massage, manicure, or full body treatment – we recommend the ‘rasul experience for two’ for the ultimate self-care treat.
Make sure you also try out the Themis restaurant, tepidarium, dry heat sauna and foot spas too.
Value for money
If you live or work in the fast-paced city, it’s a great retreat as you’ll feel a million miles away from bustling London.
Our only gripe is the pricing at The Brasserie is steep considering the menu consists of gastropub classics that were so-so, unlike the refined dishes served in The Latymer.
But there is no faulting the rooms on comfort and quality, plus the spa is exemplary. Overall, as a package, it’s an attractive destination to visit with a loved one.
