Payday loans have largely been vilified in the media, due to their high interest rates and the easy availability of borrowing.

Giants of the industry such as QuickQuid, The Money Shop, and Wonga have either collapsed or are on the brink of it, due to large numbers of complaints from customers.

These complaints typically centre around whether the loans were missold, with complainants saying that they were given loans they couldn’t afford.

The average short-term loan size in the UK is £260, and interest charged is a maximum of £24 a month for every £100 borrowed. Although there are caps on the amount of interest lenders can charge, it’s still an expensive way to borrow, and is designed for people who need smaller amounts quickly – something they couldn’t typically get from standard banks.

A worrying statistic is that 53% of those borrowing this way also said they were doing so to pay for basic living expenses, while 2% said they did so to pay off other payday loans.

But how do payday loans work, and how are they able to lend to people who claim they couldn’t afford the repayments?

What is a payday loan?

A payday loan is a type of borrowing designed to be paid back over a short term.

This might be over the course of a month, where the full repayment amount is taken when you get paid (hence the name), or over three months, with split repayments.

Amount can vary between £50 and around £2,500, but the amount you can get will depend on your eligibility.

Because a number of payday loan companies offer borrowing to people with little to no credit history, their interest rates are higher as a result.

They’re normally considered one of the more expensive ways to borrow money, and are categorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as ‘high-cost’.

How payday loan eligibility is decided

Unlike most standard loans, there may be different criteria for affordability when it comes to short-term lending.

Although it differs from company to company, there are some requirements that all will need you to meet. These are:

1. That you’re over 18.
2. That you’re a UK citizen (if you’re borrowing in the UK).
3. That you have a bank account (unless you borrow from a doorstep loan company).

Some lenders will then complete a credit check on you, to see whether or not you have a history of repaying on time or taking out large amounts of credit. This can be done through Experian, TransUnion (formerly Callcredit) or Equifax.

Your affordability will also be assessed, which is sometimes done via the company connecting to your bank account electronically to see your income and expenditure. In other cases, you have to fill out a form to show what you have coming in and going out.

There are some companies who will lend to people who are unemployed, while for others you having a job will be a pre-requisite.

You may also need to provide a guarantor, who is somebody that can vouch for your repayment, and do so if you fail to pay. This is generally for people with little to no credit history.

If you’re rejected for a payday loan, it could be for a number of factors, and decisions are often made by an algorithm that determines your eligibility.

How much will you pay back?

In terms of interest, this depends on the company you choose.

However, the maximum they can charge you is £24 for every £100 you borrow over a 30-day period.

If you’re unclear on the amount you’ll repay, you should ask for clarification from the loan company.

For example, although you might see an APR on your terms – for example, 1000% APR – this doesn’t mean you’ll pay back 1,000 times what you borrowed. This is because APR is what you’d pay back if you borrowed the amount over the course of a year, but you’re only taken out your loan for a month or so.

If you don’t pay back your loan on time, the most you can be charged in default fees is £15 plus interest on the amount you borrowed.

There’s also a cap on the overall amount you can be charged. This is set at double the amount you initially borrowed.

How soon will you get your money?

As a number of payday lenders work online, you could have your money almost instantly after your application is approved.

For online lenders – which 83% of those who take out payday loans borrow from – it’s typically up to 24 hours between approval and payment.

If you use a doorstep lender – as 29% of those who borrow from payday lenders do – you may have to wait for a representative to visit you, but will likely be given your loan in cash.

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Forget dining in the dark or supping with the devil on a funicular, a coal mine that once claimed the lives of 31 miners is now the location of an immersive fine dining experience.

An abandoned lignite mine in Velenje, a city in the northeast of Slovenia, has been transformed into a pop-up restaurant. Thrill-seeking foodies can enjoy ‘štajgerjeva južna’, a 4-course meal prepared with locally sourced ingredients by chefs from award-winning restaurant Villa Herberstein.

The experience is part of The Coal Mining Museum of Slovenia which was established in 1957 to preserve Slovenia’s coal mining heritage. In 1983, 31 miners died on two separate occasions due to gas explosions caused by poor air ventilation and inadequate safety measures.

So, is popping down for dinner actually safe? Well, according to the head guide at The Coal Mining Museum of Slovenia, there are some risks.

‘There are some dangers present inside the mine. Above all, in coal mines there’s methane. Coal is organic matter and those gases escape from coal deposits,’ said Ales Rehar.

‘That gas is always present and during the history of this mine, there were two large explosions of methane, when 31 miners died within a month.’

Diners are greeted with a welcome drink and a miner’s welcome of ‘Good luck!’. If they’re not entirely rattled by that greeting, they’re kitted out with helmets and led 160 metres underground in the same elevator used by the miners when the mine was in operation. It’s said to be Slovenia’s oldest lift still in use.

The meals served are modern takes on the foods that were typically eaten by the miners. Dessert is a highlight, featuring chocolate brownies with vanilla mousse and strawberry cream and truffles.

Due to the risk of methane explosion, dishes are prepared above the mine.

‘Here, underground, we can’t use the appliances we use in the kitchen, that’s why we do most of the preparations upstairs, and then we finish it here. Of course, a lot of organising and calculating is necessary, so we don’t forget something,’ said chef Primoz Gorisek.

After dessert, the real action begins. A guide leads diners onto an old mining train that veers through the caverns to recreations with mining equipment and dummies.

The guides then stage a re-enactment of a methane gas explosion to create a sense of what the miners experienced in the pit. After the final train ride, guests knock back a glass of sparkling wine and return to ground-level in the elevator.

If you like your dinner with a bit of danger and morbid historical re-enactments, the package will cost EUR 475 (£406.69) per person (for 2 people) or EUR 250 (£214.05) per person (for six people). Experiences are also available in English.

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For many of us, dolls were an integral part of our childhood. Perhaps you loved spending the afternoon styling your Bratz, or you couldn’t leave the house without a Cabbage Patch Kid in tow.

Despite these toys featuring so heavily in an impressionable period of our lives, they rarely ever resemble real human beings. One doesn’t need to look further than the unrealistically proportioned, usually white Barbie – one of the best selling dolls of all time – for proof.

One American toy-maker is working to bring a bit more diversity to the world of dolls, and she’s doing it on her own.

Texas-based Kristy Leigh Walker specialises in creating dolls that resemble babies with Down Syndrome.

She’s a master of her craft, taking up to three months to hand-craft each doll.

For the past five years, she’s used a soft-touch vinyl material and 3D hand painting to create detailed features such as veins and eyebrows. She also uses a small needle to intricately root each strand of hair.

‘I get contacted by a lot of parents of children with DS who want their children to have dolls that resemble them.  Many purchase them for family members who have DS,’ Kristy told Metro.co.uk.

The dolls aren’t just for kids who desperately want a toy that looks like them, they’re for adults too.

‘Because mine are so customised and look and feel so much like real babies, they are sought after as most females who have DS will never have babies of their own. They love to dress them, fix their hair, and care for them like real babies. They are very therapeutic to many for many different reasons.’

The dolls are so realistic that they’re a similar weight to a real baby and come dressed in real baby clothes.

Kristy often receives orders for customised dolls, and is able to craft dolls with specific skin tones, hair colour, and birthmarks.

‘This job is so rewarding because of all the various reasons they are purchased for. Bringing joy and putting smiles on faces is what it’s all about!’

Kristy’s dolls are available for $650 (£503) to $1,000 (£778) in the US and Canada. Visit her Facebook page for more information.

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Thanks to stories like this, it’s pretty clear that there’s still a lot we need to learn about vaginas.

Those visiting London can get their knowledge in check at the world’s first vagina museum, which is opening in the capital this weekend.

You may have been to the penis museum in Reykjavik, which houses pickled penises from pretty much any animal you can think of. As well as the human interest side, though, this will have a more educational bent.

Set inside Camden’s Stables Market, the museum aims to break taboos about gynaecological health and anatomy, and act as a forum for women, the LGBT+ community, and the intersex community.

In there you’ll find hundreds of illustrations of the vulva and the vagina, as well as models and sculptures, and even worn underwear to show that discharge can bleach.

The project was first launched in 2017 by Florence Schechter, and started with pop ups around the country including exhibitions and events.

The Camden location will be their first premises, and it will eventually move on to a more permanent location.

It’s a huge achievement for the creators, who managed to raise over £50,000 in donations from over £1,000 people to fund the museum.

All their exhibitions are completely free, and their first is called ‘Muff Busters: Vagina Myths and How To Fight Them’.

There, you’ll be able to get answers about everything from gynaecological anatomy, to cleanliness, appearance, periods, sex and contraception.

Muff Busters curator Sarah Creed said: ‘The facts for me were astounding… half of people surveyed did not know where the vagina was, I thought that was one thing people did know.

‘Also for me, it was a statistic that one in five adult women think they have to remove a tampon to urinate – that blew my mind.’

This first exhibition will be running until the end of February, after which they plan to focus on the history of menstruation.

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If you thought ‘eyebrow lamination’ was the biggest brow aesthetic to hail from Russia this year, you’d better think again.

It just so happens that the latest beauty star hasn’t turned to any tools, tricks or YouTube tutorials to achieve her signature brows.

A stray dog with striking eyebrows was recently found trotting through the streets of Bratsk, the Russian city where temperatures get down to -12° at this time of year.

As you can probably make out, the delightful little creature has the body of a mutt and the luscious eyebrows of Cara Delevingne.

Under the impression that she was painted on by local pranksters, the rescuers took the dog to the Dobriye Ruki animal shelter. It was soon confirmed by staff that the dog’s eyebrows – or rather fur markings – were completely natural.

Canine experts determined that the stray doggo is likely to be part-Husky with the distinctive eyebrows being indicative of this lineage.

Soon after images of the dog were posted online, a woman named Oksana Maymsina agreed to adopt her, meaning she only spent five days in the shelter.

So, what name did she give to the dog with the striking brows? Frida, of course. After the Mexican painter known for her surrealist art, colourful self-portraits and of course, those bushy brows.

If Frida the pooch has inspired you to up your brow game, check out Shrek brows, garden brows, dripping brows, dipped brows and even brows that take up your entire forehead.

You can also take a look at another strong-brow-gamed dog, but this pup – Madame Eyebrows – isn’t quite as sassy looking. Instead, her brows make her look extremely bad – which probably works in her favour in terms of getting more treats.

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Jenny Jinya brought us the ‘Good Boy’ comic that pretty much wrecked our lives.

In it, a puppy who’s been abandoned by the side of the road is visited by death, saying it’s his time to go.

He asks death if he’s been a bad boy and that was why he was left alone, and death decides all the love the little pup has to give shouldn’t go to waste.

So, when a person in hospital passes away, death makes sure that the dog is the first thing they see, making their transition a little easier and giving the dog people who he can love and be loved by.

If you thought that was heartbreaking, though, you’re going to be absolutely devastated by the recent comic Jinya has released.

Death is back again, but this time the topic is black cats. Take a look.

Yup, straight in the feels. We did warn you.

Not going to lie, though, we didn’t expect to feel such an affinity with a skeleton who brings death to cute animals.

It’s not just about making us all cry, though. Jinya is using the comic to highlight how black cats are discriminated against, and can face cruelty and neglect as a result of superstitions.

In an Instagram post of the comic, she said: ‘Even in 2019, you still hear of black cats being associated with superstitions, witches, black magic and such.

‘Black shelter pets are less likely to be adopted than pets of other colors. They still face so much hate nowadays and the more I read about this topic, the sadder I get.’

It’s true. The RSPCA say that black cats are the hardest to find homes for.

Instagram allegedly plays a role too, with photographer Emma O’Brien finding that some people didn’t want black cats or dogs because they believed they wouldn’t photograph as well for their social media.

At least we’re crying our eyes out for a good cause.

Another warning, though. Jenny Jinya teased a sequel to this comic just yesterday, so don’t put the tissues away just yet.

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Jessica-Mae Harnett suffered her fair share traumatic childhood experiences because of her alopecia, but she isn’t letting it hold her back.

The Milton Keynes-based accounts manager has overcome severe ‘playground bullies’ to become a competitor in British beauty pageants.

‘The first time I suffered with hair loss, the doctors put it down to stress but I was only three years old so there was nothing to be stressed about,’ the now 21-year-old said.

Her condition, known as alopecia totalis, involves the complete loss of scalp hair. It only worsened as Jessica grew older. At age 12, she lost 80% of her hair in just a fortnight.

‘I remember waking up and there was hair all over my pillow … And it continued to fall out when I brushed it, I was sobbing watching my hair fall to the floor.’

Unfortunately, she had just started high school when this happened, and the bullies were relentless. So she cut off what was left of her hair and wore a wig.

‘My self-esteem was so low; people would always assume it was something more sinister and call me ‘cancer girl’ or pull my wig off.’

Jessica-Mae when she wore a wig in her younger days. (Picture: Caters News Agency)

While there is currently no cure for alopecia totalis, there are cases of sufferers experiencing hair regrowth after several years.

Jessica is one of these cases. She now maintains a healthy head of hair by undergoing scalp dermabrasion every six months and consistently taking vitamins C, D, B13 and folic acid.

After competing in Swimsuit British Isles this year, she has her sights set on the Miss England beauty pageant next year. Jessica hopes to use it as a platform to encourage people who are struggling with alopecia.

‘It felt amazing and it has pushed me to act as an advocate for alopecia – I want people who have it to stay strong as it will be fine in the end.’

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A credit score is essentially a tool that lets lenders know how reliable you are.

Which means – if you want to borrow money in the form of loans, finance or a mortgage, your score needs to be decent.

Step one is to work out how to actually check your credit score (it’s really not difficult). Step two is understanding what your score is, and working towards improving it.

If your credit score is on the lower side, that’s not necessarily a reason to panic. There are plenty of ways to improve your rating – but first you need understand exactly why it matters.

‘Credit scores predict the likelihood you’ll pay your credit on time in the future based on how you’ve managed any credit in the past, which is summarised in your credit report,’ explains James Jones, head of consumer affairs at Experian.

‘Your credit score is important as it helps new lenders decide whether they want you as a customer.’

James says the better your score, the more likely you are to be accepted for a wide range of accounts. This includes financial products like loans and credit cards and other common household bills such as monthly phone and energy contracts.

‘As well as the key to being accepted for these accounts, a good score can be kind to your pocket as it will increase your chances of securing the best deals, such as the headline interest rates, which are often reserved for the top scorers.’

James says that people should think of their credit report as their financial CV.

‘You wouldn’t apply for a job and let an employer look at your CV without first checking to make sure it’s up to date and paints the best picture of your suitability for the role – so don’t apply for credit before giving similar attention to your credit report.

‘Sometimes there are really easy ways to make it shine.’

James would always encourage people to check their credit score to find out where they stand, as he thinks that’s always the best starting point for improvement.

‘In terms of improving your score going forwards, things like getting on the electoral roll, keeping your card balances low, and not making too many credit applications in a short space of time, can all help you grow your score and unlock better and cheaper deals in the future,’ adds James.

How to improve your credit score

James offers some practical tips for improving your credit score – the points he references are based on the Experian Credit Score, which we explain further down.

Register on electoral roll at your current address

Have your say in local and national elections and help build your financial profile.

As well as helping lenders confirm your name and address, being on the electoral roll contributes up to 50 points to your Experian Credit Score because it’s seen as a sign of stability and reliability.

Regularly check your credit report and ask for any errors to be corrected

A single late payment can wipe 130 points off your credit score, so make sure your report reflects the facts. If you spot an error, ask the agency to raise a dispute for you.

Keep any credit card balances as low as possible

Using a credit card wisely can really help boost your credit score, but do be careful because cards can be expensive if you build up debt on them.

Repaying anything you borrow in full each month will mean you pay no interest. How much of your card limits you regularly use each month can have a big impact on scores as it shows how reliant you are on credit.

For example, keeping card balances below 30% of the limit can gain 90 points.

Build up your financial track record

Lenders like to see a proven track record of responsible credit management, so get a bank account and try to get your name on some of the household bills (energy, water, broadband etc), making sure that, even if these are shared with housemates, your monthly payments are always made on time.

Make your rent count

For tenants, consider registering with a firm like Canopy or Credit Ladder to have your rent payments reported to Experian and included in your credit history (and soon your credit score).

Get credit for developing a savings habit

Fin tech Loqbox can help you save for the future and give your credit score a boost in the process.

Let your credit history mature

While it’s sensible to shop around from time to time to make sure you’re getting the best deals, it will help your credit score if you let some of your credit accounts mature. For example, holding the same credit card for five years can add 20 points to your Experian Credit Score.

Plan and limit applications for new credit

Space out any credit applications you make and shop around using eligibility-checking services. That way, you’ll only apply for deals you’re likely to get and avoid collecting multiple ‘hard’ search footprints.

Not applying for any new credit for six months can boost your Experian score by 50 points. It’s basically about not being needy.

Check your eligibility

Use an eligibility service to shop around and apply for credit, such as at co.uk.

We can show you which deals you’re likely be accepted for, without affecting your credit score. Importantly, this can include pre-approved deals and also guaranteed interest rates, based on your actual circumstances, greatly removing the guesswork.

Your score can make you better off

James says that a high credit score will help you qualify for credit and help you secure the best ‘headline’ deals, potentially saving you lots of money.

This is because not everyone gets the cheapest advertised interest rate.

‘Our research suggests that improving your credit score by one score band could see the APRs available to you fall by at least 2% on average,’ says James.

‘So, if someone improves their Experian Credit Score from Poor to Fair, we estimate that they could save an average of £381 on a four-year loan of £6,000, as they would likely be paying a lower interest rate.’

We like the sound of that.

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‘Ahh… she’s been living in a Sudha (white) country for all these years but still this child is Kaluer (darker) than us and you. How can that be?’ a shopkeeper in my hometown in Sri Lanka laughingly asked my parents.

When this happened to me at just six years old, I turned to my parents in disbelief. Quick to spare me from any discomfort, my mum and dad politely smiled and ushered me out of the shop.

This is one of my earliest recollections of experiencing negativity over the colour of my skin – but unfortunately not the last.

As a British Asian growing up in the western world and going to a predominantly white school with mostly white friends, I am used to being the person who was ‘different’.

But being the darkest member of my family has additional pressures. People on the outside wonder how I ended up so much darker and my parents were frequently asked by their friends, ‘Whose side of the family did she inherit her skin from?’

Quick to rush to my defence they would proudly answer, ‘Faye got her unique and flawless complexion from both sides of the family’.

Over the past few decades, the world of Bollywood has dominated celebrity culture in South Asia, with the likes of Shahrukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra becoming the popular ideals of beauty.

From a young age, I was quick to notice that the leading actors and actresses of these films all have a ‘fair’ complexion – one more aligned with westernised culture. In Sri Lanka, lighter skin is recognised as a social marker for the upper class and darker skin is associated with labour in the sun.

This is reinforced through TV adverts for lightening soaps and creams. Sri Lanka’s shops and supermarkets are filled with such products.

As strangers in my hometown in Sri Lanka jokingly branded me ‘chocolate’ and ‘Coca-Cola’, it made me think my dark complexion was the first thing people notice about me.

Things finally came to a head in 2018 when, aged 26, I was asked by a family friend to be a bridesmaid in Sri Lanka for the first time.

I was so excited but when the chief make-up artist pointed at me and said to her helpers, ‘I will sort this one out’, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy. Placing me in a chair, she started applying a thick foundation onto my face, my neck and even my arms, all while saying, ‘You know, even though you are dark, you are really beautiful’.

Initially I took this as a compliment because I was pleased I could still be considered beautiful despite having darker skin – showing just how distorted my idea of beauty had become.

After she had painted my mask on, I didn’t recognise the face I saw in the mirror. I was a different colour. What was worse was realising that none of the other bridesmaids’ faces were being painted like mine had been.

Humiliated, I couldn’t help but start to cry. I just wanted the day to be over so that I could go home and scrub my face off. But everyone at the wedding told me I looked ‘beautiful’.

Though one of the worst days of my life, it was also a blessing in disguise because that’s when I knew I liked my actual face – not the one I was given for a day.

I finally got to experience what it would be like to be in ‘another person’s skin’ and I absolutely hated it.

Given that most of my friends from the UK want to get a tan on holiday, I often find it confusing to reconcile two cultures that project conflicting ideals of beauty.

At 28, I am proud of my Sri Lankan heritage and confident enough to no longer be apologetic for my colour.

I feel guilty that my parents have been dragged into the ‘blame game’ debate and I guess I will never understand how it came to be that I ended up darker than both of my parents, brother and cousins. I am OK with it, though, because they are too.

It’s part of who I am and I shouldn’t feel obliged to change myself in order to ‘fit in’.

Yes, sometimes there’s a worry at the back of my mind that I won’t meet someone because of my skin colour or that I am always going to be defined by how dark I am – but if that’s the case, they aren’t people I should be associating myself with.

Unwilling to give in to the stereotypes so woven into the fabric of their culture, my parents’ attitudes have given me the courage to do the same.

If I could go back and speak to the six-year-old Faye, who was embarrassed by the shopkeeper’s query over her colour, I would tell her that it’s better to be the ‘black sheep’ than the sheep who follows the crowd.

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‘But you don’t look sick’ is something that people with chronic illnesses often hear.

Others judge them based on their idea of what disability looks like.

Our series speaks to a different person each week about their experiences of living with a long term condition and how other people treat them.

Colette Morgan, 29, from Nottingham, has coeliac disease, chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) and most recently, was diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome.

Living with chronic illness has also contributed to Colette developing anxiety and depression.

Although she has experienced chronic illness she was diagnosed with CFS/ME as a teenager, her health had improved until surgery on her right ankle in February 2018 triggered CRPS.

CRPS is a rare condition where the body responds abnormally to an injury, causing pain that is persistent, severe and lasting much longer than usual. 

Colette had planned surgery on the lateral ligaments in her ankle after an injury and she was hopeful it would allow her to run again.

Unfortunately, her ankle didn’t heal as expected and instead she soon found she was unable to put weight on it and it became discoloured and swollen.

She was diagnosed with CRPS in July 2018, five months after her surgery, after a series of tests and examination by orthopaedic surgeons, neurologists and a pain clinic.

Colette tells Metro.co.uk: ‘I was really upset, confused and frustrated. I had the surgery on my ankle to repair an injury in the hope of being able to keep fit and active, but instead, I developed an extremely painful and life-changing condition which severely limits my mobility and impedes daily activities. 

‘Before being diagnosed I hadn’t heard of the condition and had no idea how it would affect my life.

‘I did have experience of chronic illness due to having CFS/M.E as a teenager, my health had gradually improved over time, it was frustrating to think that I would lose all of the progress I had worked so hard to makeover time.’

Now Colette needs crutches to get around her house as she cannot walk on her ankle and she uses a powerchair when she is out and about.

Since her condition developed, her life has been turned upside down and she has lost a lot of independence.

She explains: ‘I typically wake up feeling unrefreshed and in pain, I take medication upon waking up and then rest until it takes affect and I feel able to get up. 

‘I need crutches to move anywhere around the house as I cannot weight bear on my right ankle, this makes moving around quite slow and wobbly. When I leave the house I tend to use a powerchair as both CPRS and CFS/ME means I get tired very quickly. 

‘I usually only leave the house every couple of days, typically for medical appointments and chores rather than fun stuff!’

Colette had lived with depression and anxiety as a teenager but has struggled again with her mental health since developing CRPS.

This means that as well as the physical difficulties of leaving the house, she doesn’t like to go out without her boyfriend or parents.

They have been a huge support as she deals with all her health conditions.

She says: ‘My family and friends are great. I need a huge amount of help around the house from my lovely boyfriend; from helping me to shower to cooking, fetching things and cleaning.

‘Even on a ‘good’ day I need quite a lot of rest and to only do low energy activities like watching tv or simple crafts.

‘On bad days I will be in huge amounts of pain and unable to do much more than sleep or nap on the sofa. 

‘I will require extra support from my boyfriend to bring me food and drinks etc. I take eight different medications daily, these do have side effects which can cause additional fatigue and brain fog.’

CRPS also causes extreme sensitivity in the affected area, meaning that anything touching her leg can cause extreme pain.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmO2-xEHT4u/

‘I struggle with clothing and footwear,’ she says. ‘I can’t tolerate tight socks or tights on my affected foot as it triggers pain. 

‘I have to dress warmly as I don’t regulate my temperature very well and getting cold causes more pain. 

‘I can only wear certain shoes as anything too tight-fitting causes pain. My foot is also permanently swollen. I now need shoes a size and half bigger than before.’

Although Colette now uses mobility aids all the time, she says that people still say things like ‘you don’t look sick’ because to most people, she looks healthy.

She says: ‘I have had people say I am too young to be disabled and infer I ought to be walking etc instead. I typically just brush it off.

‘If I am out and about using my crutches I get a lot of comments and questions, people make the assumption that I have a sports injury or temporary condition. 

‘I find these questions really intrusive and quite upsetting; it is hard to then explain to people I have a permanent condition.

‘If I use my powerchair I don’t get as many comments, but people will then often ignore me and just talk to my boyfriend rather than me. 

‘I do worry that people will judge me for using a powerchair when I can still move and use my legs, I get self-conscious about stretching or fidgeting with my legs.’

Colette talks about her conditions on her Instagram @complexlycolette and says that meeting people from the chronic illness community online has helped her feel less isolated.

She adds: ‘It just helps to be in touch with others who ‘get’ what I am going through.’

Throughout November, she is posting about living with CRPS for the awareness month associated with the condition.

 She wants people to understand more about her condition and chronic illness in general.

She says: ‘My use of mobility aids makes my disabilities more visible, but I do feel people ought to be more empathetic towards those with hidden illnesses. 

‘Too often there is an assumption that just because a person is younger, they can’t be disabled. 

‘Things are beginning to change, but more does need to happen. 

‘I also struggle with accessing a lot of places, too many shops/bars/restaurants have steps into the premises and do not provide any form of ramp or way for wheelchair users to access the building.’

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After setting up a direct debit with my energy company, I just expected that it would be taken out each month.

But months later, I got a final payment notice telling me I owed them hundreds of pounds.

It turned out that they hadn’t set up the direct debit properly, I (stupidly) hadn’t noticed and I now owed them about £500.

To make it worse, my flatmate had been paying me his share every month so it all had to come from me.

As a recent graduate, I didn’t have that much money lying around and I really didn’t know what I was going to do.

Adding even more stress was the fact that when I did some meter readings, we had used more than out estimated usage and I had a total of £600 to pay back.

An unexpected energy bill can be a huge shock.

Figures from uSwitch last November showed that more than one in 10 bill payers in debt by £134 on average.

If you are in debt, there are some things you can do to avoid it becoming a problem. If you don’t come to a solution with your supplier, they may cut off your gas and electricity, so it’s important to try to find a solution.

This is mainly a problem for those who pay for energy after they use it by a bill or direct debit – but there are some people on prepayment meters and the Citizens Advice Bureau has some tips.

How to avoid getting into debt with your energy supplier

The best way to avoid owing your energy supplier anything is to keep a really close eye on your bills. Review your current tariff and consider another provider if they are cheaper.

If you are happy with your tariff, make sure your bill or direct debit is paid on time and do a meter reading every month to avoid estimated costs, which can be incorrect and lead to a much higher bill than you expect when you do eventually do one.

You can also keep your bills low and affordable by simply using less energy. Use energy-saving bulbs, do what you can to insulate your home and be aware of simple things like turning lights off and only boiling what you need in the kettle.

What to do if you are in debt with your energy supplier

After speaking to my energy supplier, I was able to set up a payment plan and slowly pay back the money I owed at a level that was affordable.

Within a year, I was back in credit and after switching to a new provider, I have been much more careful to avoid getting into debt.

If you are struggling with payments or find that you owe more than you expected, speak to your supplier about a solution.

Although it might take some time and effort, each provider has procedures in place to help and without having a conversation with them and setting up a plan, you can face being cut off for not paying your bills.

Demand notices from energy suppliers can seem frightening but it is just to encourage you to find a solution with them.

A payment plan should cover the amount you owe and your current use. You should agree to pay a certain amount over a set period of time.

You can give your energy supplier information about your income., outgoings, debts and personal circumstances so they know what you can afford.

They will continue to estimate your bills based on past usage but giving them meter readings will make this more accurate so if you are paying too much for your usage, you can cut down this part of the payment plan but if you are using more energy than you are paying for, you should increase your payment to avoid more debt.

What to do if you’re in debt and use a prepayment meter?

With a prepayment meter, you can set up an agreement with your energy supplier that you pay back some of the debt every time you top up. For example, £5. If you are struggling to afford this, speak to your energy supplier about reducing the amount you payback.

They must take into account what you can afford so if your circumstances have changed and you are struggling, let them know.

What if you can’t afford the energy supplier payment plan?

If you find that the payment plan is too high or your circumstances change, you can ask your supplier to lower the payments. However, they don’t have to agree to this.

If you fail to make payments on the plan or can’t come to an agreement with your supplier, they may force you to instal a prepayment plan instead, which can be much more expensive in the long term.

There are some grants available for people struggling to pay their energy bills. The British Gas Energy Trust scheme is open to anyone, even if you are not a customer. Some suppliers also have their own schemes specifically to help their customers.

If you were born before 5 August 1953, you are entitled to the winter fuel payment to help you heat your home through winter.

Cold weather payments are also available for those on pension credit, income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income-related employment and support allowance and universal credit.

You may also be able to get £140 off your electricity bill under the warm home discount scheme if you’re either getting the guarantee credit part of Pension Credit or on a low income.

You can find out more information about energy grants available to you through Citizens Advice.

Can you switch provider when you are in debt with your current supplier?

Yes, you are entitled to switch your provider, even if you are in debt. You will continue making payments towards the payment plan but no longer make the payments for your current and future usage.

Instead, you will make separate payments to your new provider.

To celebrate the Boots meal deal’s 20th birthday, you can get one for £1.99 this week.

Yes, Boots has been offering the main, snack and drink deal for over two decades.

Normally, £3.39 outside London and £3.99 in the capital and at airports, the deal is a good saving.

However, it does come with some small print – you have to spend £5 in store to get the offer.

But it might be worth picking up some shampoo or toothpaste that you will use any way to get the offer.

The deal will be £1.99 in England and Wales. Scottish and Northern Irish customers will have a separate deal, where you can scan you advantage card to get a £2.50 deal, with no spend required.

The offer includes their Christmas sandwiches including a traditional turkey feast, a vegan option and pigs under blankets – cocktail sausages and bacon between two slices of bread.

There’s also a handcrafted chocolate log available as a snack in the deal.

The offer runs until 25 November and you can read the full terms and conditions in store.

Fans of the deal were excited by the offer.

Lucy said: ‘That’s fantastic, perfect for a treat lunch and spoiling my kids too.’

Meanwhile, others were just shocked to discover the meal deal has been around for so long.

One person said: ‘I remember the launch so well….. you did a radio campaign in Leicester that went badly. As an apology your company gave our company about 200 free sandwich vouchers. Those sandwiches were awesome and not just because they were free!’

Danielle added: ‘Wow the meal deal has been going 20years? Now I feel old.’

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Our doctors and nurses work hard and they deserve a bit of comfort.

So Nike has created a range of shoes that are practical and comfortable for long days treating patients.

The Nike Air Zoom Pulse collection features a laceless, easy clean design with a rubber outsole and a flexible drop-in midsole to make them comfortable to wear for long periods.

Nike describes the shoes as like a ‘soft, snug hug’ with a coated toe box to protect against any type of spill.

The traction pattern on the sole means doctors and nurses will have plenty of grip, even if they run into a spill on the floor too.

They tested the shoes at the OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland, Oregon.

They found that the nurses there walk approximately four to file miles and sit for less than an hour during a 12-hour shift so their shoes are important.

The Nike Air Zoom Pulse is a shoe for everyday heroes: nurses, doctors, home health providers and others who work tirelessly to support patients.

The six designs have been created by patients at the hospital and all profits from the sale of the shoes will go to OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.

Designers include 13-year-old Bransen Fernando, who has kidney cancer, which required a kidney transplant and Desiree Castillo, 12, who has diabetes, celiac disease and depression.

Zion Thompson, 14, who has Hodgkin lymphoma, Ethan Ellis, 16, who was born with a congenital heart defect resulting in a heart transplant and Kahleah Corona, 11, who has a traumatic brain injury, were also chosen to create a pair of shoes each.

And the final designer was Sawyer Miller, 12, who had brain cancer.

The range is available online from 7 December, so a perfect Christmas present for the medical professional in your life.

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We’ve seen our fair share of novelty sex toys. There was the Wobbly Willy, a toy with a realistic-looking bobblehead of your partner attached. Then there was the energy drink can with a built-in synthetic vagina.

And how could we ever forget/unsee the Bop It! themed sex toy, a four-pronged contraption inspired by the popular movement-challenge toy?

Occasionally, some toys look a hell of a lot like sex toys but aren’t intended for erotic use at all. Barkbox’s new ‘Big Honkin’ Pigs In A Blanket’ dog toy is one of these wondrous items.

The popular American dog toy subscription company recently released the toy in its Thanksgiving box.

When announcing the swine-themed toy to its 600,000 monthly subscribers, the brand noted it ‘overdid it’ and created an ‘overstuffed toy packed with surprises’. Social media users were quick to point out just how much the company had (inadvertently) overdid it…

‘Hell no, my dog is not getting a pocket pussy for Christmas,’ wrote one user.

So yes, the soft toys appear to pay homage to an iconic erotic toy: the Fleshlight. Trust the dang web to dirty up an innocent dog toy.

Originally created in 1998 as a discreet device for sperm collection, the Fleshlight has become somewhat of masturbatory must-have for penis-having individuals. It’s essentially a synthetic vagina used by simply placing the penis inside and doing what comes naturally.

Despite the harrowing comparisons, Barkbox is adopting the ‘any press is good press’ dogma and are having a bit of a laugh.

The company has responded to customers with comments about how they ‘thought long and hard’ about the design and even released a cheeky TikTok video.

Barkbox also recently published a blog post titled ‘SO About Our “Big Honkin’ Pigs In a Blanket” Toy…’ in which the whole Fleshlight matter is addressed.

Stacie Grissom, editor of the BarkBox blog, took the chance to recap all the commentary surrounding the toy – screenshots of the furore included! – and concluded that the brand wasn’t aware of the toy’s striking resemblance to Fleshlights.

‘Obviously we all noticed how… spicy… the Pigs in a Blanket toy is. They’re butts! Butts are hilarious. BUTT– we didn’t know HOW spicy this toy really is.’

Stacie explained that it’s been a learning experience, particularly in the realm of colour choice.

‘In the last 24 hours, I think we’ve all learned something about how to make ads fun, be careful with flesh-coloured toys of any design, and that CONFLABBIT NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO dog toys just ALWAYS LOOK LIKE DURN SEX TOYS.’

According to Mashable, the notorious toy sold out in just three hours, meaning sales were 200% higher than normal.

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Cathlyn Jones and Michael Davis ended up sitting next to eachother on a Southwest airline flight.

The airline has unassigned seating and Cathlyn thought Michael was cute so she sat down in his row.

By the end of the flight, they had swapped numbers and a week later, they went on a date.

So when Michael decided to propose, he wanted to incorporate a plane into the special moment.

He found the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas, Texas, where they have the first Southwest plane on display.

He got her family involved and made Cathlyn think she was filming a commercial for a girls’ trip to Dallas, with them even sending her a fake itinerary.

But really, Michael had planned to get down on one knee, with photographer Randi Michelle on standby to capture the moment.

As a professional baseball player, the couple is apart for seven months of the year and she wasn’t expecting him to be there.

She boarded the plane to find him waiting on one knee, as their families stood outside and waved through the windows.

They said it was the best day of their lives so far (there is still the wedding day after all!)

Cathlyn told Insider that Southwest had even got invovled in the celebrations.

She said: ‘They sent us a bottle of champagne with our names, engagement date, and the flight number we met on engraved on the bottle.

‘Southwest has always been my favorite airline to fly on, but I love them even more now after meeting my future husband on it.’

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Elisabeth Van Aalderen developed the skin condition vitiligo eight years ago.

It causes the skin to lose pigmentation and patches appear lighter than the rest of the body.

Inspired by her own experience, Elisabeth, based in the Netherlands, started to photograph other women with the condition to help them celebrate their skin.

The series called Shades of Pale features women from all over the world and encourages them to step out of their comfort zone.

Posting on Instagram, Elisabeth explained: ‘Vitiligo is such a powerful thing; it makes you stand out, it forces you to embrace your unique beauty. Let’s all celebrate that.’

She wanted to encourage them to feel more confident as she says she is always getting questions about the condition and many people still don’t understand it.

Elisabeth added: ‘Literally we are saying goodbye to our melatonin, but in the bigger sense we are breaking free from our perception of beauty.

‘This project is to help break the boundaries and encourage others to be their most authentic selves. Beauty can be whatever you want it to be.’

Each picture shows the model in their underwear, showing and exploring their skin. Some of the pictures feature their whole body, while others are focused on taking a close up look at a particular area.

Elisabeth is still looking for more people with the condition to take part in the series. To get in touch, you can contact her on Instagram.

Let’s take a look through some of the series:

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2019 has seen major fast food chains Burger King, McDonalds and KFC roll out new plant-based offerings internationally.

According to Barclays, alternative meats are currently worth $1.4 billion (£1.08 billion). This means fake, mock or meatless products make up 1% of the global meat industry and are projected to make up 10% of the industry by 2029.

As the world gobbles up plant-based food, a Californian start-up is developing another meat-alternative that isn’t crafted from lentils, soy, beans, or pea protein isolate. It’s made from air.

Bay Area-based company Air Protein is using carbon transformation techniques to create proteins to feed the growing population.

The technology has been developed by Kiverdi, a sustainable science company that specialises in pairing advanced biotechnology with carbon recycling to create food, clothing, and personal care items.

Kiverdi has drawn inspiration from NASA’s closed-loop carbon cycle concept which involves converting the carbon dioxide exhaled by astronauts into protein during long-journey space missions.

The process, said to take ‘hours not months’, occurs in fermentation tanks supplied with carbon dioxide and various nutrients. The end result is a substance with an ‘amino acid profile comparable to meat protein’ that can be used in burgers, pastas, cereals and even beverages.

Population growth means farmers will need to increase food production by 70% with only a 5% land increase, according to The United Nation Food and Agricultural Foundation. As such, Air Protein is working to supply a much-needed resource in a form that’s more sustainable than plant-based meats.

‘The statistics are clear. Our current resources are under extreme strain as evidenced by the burning Amazon due to deforestation and steadily increasing droughts,’ said Air Protein CEO Dr. Lisa Dyson said in a statement.

‘We need to produce more food with a reduced dependency on land and water resources. Air-based meat addresses these resource issues and more.’

According to Kiverdi, the technology uses 10,000 times less land and 2,000 times less water than existing agricultural processes to produce similar proteins.

Lisa added: ‘The world is embracing plant-based meat and we believe air-based meat is the next evolution of the sustainably-produced food movement that will serve as one of the solutions to feeding a growing population without putting a strain on natural resources.’

Air-based meat will be entirely free from pesticides, herbicides, hormones or antibiotics, and is set to be purchasable next year. No word yet on how it will taste, but we’ll have our hot sauce ready.

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There’s a bar dedicated to espresso martinis popping up in London.

Yes, everyone’s favourite pick-me-up cocktail is being put front and centre of this place.

Ketel One Vodka has teamed up with Bourne & Hollingsworth in Farringdon to bring you the Espresso Martini Garden.

The month long pop-up launched on 7 November and it focuses on sustainability by teaching customers about recycling and reusing their coffee grounds.

The place is filled with greenery provided by The Little Botanical (fed with coffee compost) so it’s certainly Instagrammable

The menu shoulds amazing too, with lots of takes on the caffeine-fuelled classic.

Variations will include an indulgent Chocolate Orange Espresso Martini and a Nutty Espresso Martini.

There’s even decaf options of these espresso martini serves will be available for those wanting to cut down on the caffeine.

Coffee grains used throughout the pop-up will be donated to the 100% Natural and Organic Skincare brand UpCircle, to be put to good use in their circular economy skincare line.

For an opportunity to personalise their cocktails, consumers will be able to visit the ‘Espresso martini garnish station’ allowing them to add their bespoke touch to their drinks.

Alternative serves using spent coffee will be available for guests wanting to try something different.

There’s also masterclasses available with advice on how to repurpose spent coffee grounds and make sustainable cocktails at home.

Bookings can be made via B&H Buildings website.

The Espresso Martini Garden is at 42 Northampton Rd, Farringdon, London EC1R 0HU.

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Doggos come in all shapes and sizes. Some of us love tiny little Yorkies and others prefer giant Great Danes.

Every year, the Kennel Club collects information on the country’s favourite breeds to see which comes out on top.

The data for 2019 reveals that our favourite dog this year was the labrador.

The dog had been a favourite in previous years but was knocked off the top shot by the French Bulldog in 2018.

The French bulldog moved into second position, followed by the cocker spaniel, bulldog and English springer spaniel.

The golden retriever was in the sixth position, with Dachshunds in seventh, pug coming in eighth place and German shepherds in ninth.

The final dog in the top 10 this year was the miniature schnauzer.

The organisation puts the list together by collating the information on dogs registered with them. Of course, not all dogs are registered but it gives us some idea of some trends.

They also highlighted other breeds that are at risk of dying out.

The West Highland white terrier, boxer, staffie and border terrier, used to be in the top 10 but are falling down the list.

And one of Britain’s oldest native dog breeds, the pointer, has for the first time become at risk of extinction, with only 436 registrations in 2019.

This could place it it the Kennel Club’s ‘At Watch’ list – which highlights breeds that number between 300 and 450 registrations annually, and are at risk of disappearing in the future so they can be closely monitored.

The pointer’s popularity has slashed almost in half in a decade, while its continental cousin, the German shorthaired pointer is up 25 per cent across the same period.

In total 16 vulnerable native breeds have declined so far this year, compared to 13 which have increased.

Bill Lambert, spokesperson for the Kennel Club, said: ‘People simply forget there are so many different dog breeds, with different personalities and characteristics, and it’s not just the popular, well-known ones that make a great match for our varying lifestyles.

‘These latest figures show that whilst some historic native breeds like the corgi are having a revival, others continue to fall rapidly in popularity and are genuinely at risk of disappearing. While we’re lucky to have such diversity amongst our canine companions, it is worrying that old favourites like the pointer and Parson Russell terrier are dropping in numbers to historical lows.

‘We urge people to make sure they understand the breed and its characteristics before they make a decision to buy or rescue a dog, and to spend time researching the wide variety of breeds we are lucky to have in this country, to make sure they get the right one for them.

‘The newly popular chow chow for example, due to its delightful profuse woolly coat, needs a lot of grooming, while the Shiba Inu – which translates to ‘small dog’ – has a big personality and is full of energy.’

The Club also said that celebrities could be having an impact. For example, the Sussex spaniel, which has experienced a burst in popularity this year compared to the same period in 2018, with registrations increasing by 56 per cent.

Last year, where the Sussex spaniel was the most vulnerable breed in the UK with just 34 puppies registered with the Kennel Club. The Club say that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex may have had an impact.

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When you think of Las Vegas, you don’t often think of rivers, bald eagles and picnics. In fact, when you think of Vegas, you think of giddy brides, flashing neon lights and the kerching of the casinos, misery of losers and cheers of the winners.

Long synonymous with a dark side, boastful of its 24/7 gambling, private rooms and lapdances, Las Vegas was dubbed Sin City for a reason. Now it’s a mecca for hen and stag parties and those really wanting to blow off some steam and flash the cash on over-the-top betting, drinks and experiences. Everything you wish for is in Las Vegas, whether you know it yet or not. You soon will do.

Beyond the oxygen-pumped casino halls, there is peace. No, truly. Gently gliding along the Colorado River as we pick out the local wildlife, sun beating down, I had to remind myself this too. We were on our way to Emerald Cove and our charismatic guide – who owns the Vegas Glass Kayaks company – is dunking his bottle into the water to quench his thirst before reeling off statistics on how fresh the water is. Just a few miles away from the Vegas strip and here is a local just drinking the water straight from the side of his kayak and right as he points out the haunting ghost trees that have grown tall beneath the surface.

Flying into Vegas on Friday afternoon has given us jetlagged, but thankfully we’ve got a reasonable start. We’ve been text already to say someone’s picking us up but no idea as to what that time is, so wait for an hour watching those dragging themselves off the casino floor after an allnighter, or excited groups of friends ready for their pool parties. We stick out in our athletic gear as we’re ready to hit the water.

I was a little apprehensive about our kayak, not because of having to paddle ourselves (some people actually go there wanting to be towed!), but whether I’d be fresh enough after a long haul flight but this was the perfect start to our break. We opted for a half-day excursion, with a lunch on a shallow beach listening to stories about the history of the river as well as spotting a bald eagle. I’ll never forget the Emerald Cove with its serenity and glow, ok so you might hear the smack of an oar as you reverse in or awkward thrust as you try to turn to get yourself straight, but once you get those few seconds alone you’re left in awe of its beauty.

Returning to The Strip with muscles aching might sound unusual for Vegas (depending on what you’ve been up to), but it meant that I was fully ready for pasta to carb up. I’ve probably got that wrong and should’ve done it for breakfast, but nothing was going to stop me. Food is a huge part of the Vegas vibe when you’ve got everything from McDonald’s if that takes your fancy to the plush Spago by Wolfgang Puck overlooking to Bellagio fountains, or as we chose – Buddy V’s.

Buddy V’s is one of Cake Boss star Buddy’s restaurants. Housed in the Venetian, this casual family dining experience was relaxing and certainly, filling. Thankfully, it wasn’t gut-busting, which is very easy to do – depending on your appetite, of course. But, we shared a few plates between us, including Grandma’s meatballs, the tasty Panzanella and the Valastraso Sunday Gravy. All of which, I would have again and I would need some persuading not to book again the next time I visit.

Later that evening Lady Gaga might have been in town but we were lucky enough to score tickets to one of the most captivating shows I’ve ever seen, Le Reve. As an entertainment editor, I’ve reviewed a lot of live shows whether it’s a concert, festival or for the stage but this was in its own league. Set with a giant pool, with the audience all around, the actors play out an elaborate story as the divine from the top of the auditorium in what feels like death-defying stunts. It’s hard to look away and not to feel moved by this elaborate tale. You certainly feel like you’ve been in a dream world once you exit into The Wynn’s casino floor and people are slurping out of their super-sized jugs, or making their way to the next party.

When coming to this city, I wanted something different, having visited several years ago and done the whole ‘120mph every minute of the day’ experience, I wasn’t convinced that there was more to Vegas. But I was proved wrong. You can catch a vibe at your own speed, we were able to find some nooks to enjoy a drink at our own pace like The Nomad or The Chandelier. These were definitely far removed from the hollering and excitement that you might assume screams ‘VEGAS’ with frat parties and beer chugging, but instead offering impressive cocktail menus and chilled settings.

Top tip: you don’t have to venture far for a good breakfast either. When you return to your room, it’s likely you’ll get a few menus through your door for either late-night munchies or for a different kind of rooms service. Vegas is playing the couture-holiday, you can have what you want. So we were dialling up for delivery for a tasty breakfast to our room from restaurants we liked the look of as we soaked up the views of the city from above. We weren’t too overawed with the amount of plastic that came with our hotel room deliveries though.

On the Sunday, after a relaxing few days in town, we wanted to see what the parties were about and ended up at WETRepublic and let’s just say, we weren’t quite prepared for the levels of fun. Obeying the list of rules, we arrived in swimsuits and shorts, ready for the day where Tiesto was going to hit the decks. Having googled it, I knew that we were going to have a wild ride but the videos don’t quite give it justice. After securing a lush daybed, where we could pose for selfies and make people jealous back at home, we watched as partygoers streamed in and you could barely point out where the pools were because they were just so full of people cooling down and dancing. If you had Tinder, it would be going off.

Unlike some venues in the UK, WETRepublic was the real-life version of ‘good vibes only’, despite the sun and booze, no one lost their chill and everyone was having a good time. The daybed was a much-needed necessity though because I would not have been able to ‘perch’ all day and didn’t see any comfy spots that were free so it would’ve been a long day.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Byfa5pglnlk/

If you want to feel blown away, we recommend that you head for lunch at Spago. I am still dreaming about the lamb bolognese months later, not to mention the seafood tower that I swear gathered gasps from nearby guests as they quickly looked to the menu to see what it was. What a treat it was to sit on the half-crescent balcony overlooking the iconic fountains of The Bellagio as we sipped on crisp rose. You’d be forgiven for thinking you were on an idyllic European getaway until the shows fire up again on the half-hour. Without a doubt, this is one of the best spots for dining in Vegas for its view alone but lives up to its grand location with a staggering menu. Shame you can’t try everything, but at least that has you wanting to go back for more!

Speaking of views, a top tip is booking a room at The Cosmopolitan with views again, over the fountains. I felt truly decadent rolling out onto my private balcony while watching the little ants below. We later discovered the building was meant to be apartments, so that explains why they are such a good find in the middle of Vegas with the huge living room area, dressing as well as a luxurious balcony to chill out on. Other guests are also making use of their balconies and the recent cannabis legalisation, with a healthy scent of green lingering at times. Enjoying your own suite, like this, means that you don’t feel the need to rush out of your temporary space. Instead, it’s like your new home and you can revel in the fancy sheets and take in the views of Vegas and beyond. I would also recommend a tasty bite of Eggslut while sitting on the balcony but be warned you have to get there early or you’re in for a long wait.

While in the city, we were able to discover the secrets of Rose.Rabbit.Lie and I’m not going to lie, it was so dark so we could barely read a menu or take a selfie (an important point! No one wants to be the dork with the flash!). The inhouse entertainment was an absolute treat, it was like it transported you back in the days of the true speakeasy, and you managed to score the hottest invite. Certainly a fun discovery and not far to stumble from next door’s incredible Opium show.

Again, there’s the madness of Vegas that’s easy tap into it’s refreshing and almost surprising to be transported into a realm of peace, right next door to WETRepublic. Yes, it was possible. Before the long flight home, I was able to check out The Spa at ARIA. As I navigated my way through the casino floor, following the directions, it seemed hard to believe that I was heading for health and to eliminate toxins while there were people ordering cocktails before 10am. But, with swimsuit and flipflops at the ready, I was excited to relax and get a facial. I can see why people rave about this spa, you feel so boujee just being handed your personalised locker key as you’re shown around while eyeing up the dark chocolate treats.

The treatment itself was much needed after a weekend in the sun from our kayak and the fair few glasses of wine that I had drunk. (It would have been rude not too). My expert facialist talked me through my treatment, which I wasn’t quite prepared for, but must admit I was grateful for in the end. After all, it had been so quiet until that door had shut, but she really explained what my skin needed without trying to sell. In fact, she sent me on my way with a few samples before I was able to explore the Ganbanyoku Heated Stone Beds.

I couldn’t quite be sensible enough for the Shio Salt Room (I selfied instead, see above), in which two ladies were clearly kicking back but I wasn’t in ‘the zone’ as it felt just like a room with comfy reclining chairs, so I left them to it. Now googling it, the salt walls are meant to improve your breathing, lower stress and improve your mood. I knew I probably made the wrong call but I was ‘too awake’ to really unwind in there so I headed for a dip instead. Its pool overlooks WETRepublic, so I dread to think how relaxing it is when a party is ramping up. But I got to live the dream before my flight, by kicking back next to the plunge pool in relative peace and quiet.

Who knew Vegas could be so tranquil?