The game featured an inflatable suit with a pink dress (Picture: ASOS)
ASOS has removed a game where players are encouraged to play classic game charades in a blow-up Ballerina suit after a plus-size blogger accused them of ‘laughing at a body that looks like mine’.
Danielle Vanier posted pictures from the ASOS website on Twitter and people weren’t impressed with the product.
It features a blow-up suit, designed to make the player look larger while wearing a pink dress.
The £30 game is made by Typo but was also being sold on the ASOS website in the UK.
Kate Winney replied to Danielle: ‘As someone who’s danced and done ballet their entire life, it’s garbage like this that puts people off from joining in and taking a class! Dance is for EVERYBODY!!’
Another user added: ‘No not ASOS as well. Why isn’t there one place we can go without feeling fear of being fat-shamed?’
‘You sell clothes to bodies that are parodied in this way and have no problem taking our money. Hang your head in shame,’ someone else said, referring to their extensive Curve range.
Erm, @ASOS – What is this please? Why would you stock something that is clearly marketed towards laughing at a body that looks like mine? pic.twitter.com/FUdGG4Nj20
ASOS quickly replied to Danielle’s tweet and said that they had decided to withdraw the product from the site because of her concerns.
A spokesperson said: ‘Thank you for making us aware of this. It was never our intention to cause offence, we’ve decided to remove the product from our site.
A member of PR team emailed me and told me they were putting this item on hold and I’m so glad they have decided to remove the product from the site. I feel like this is a really positive outcome and very happy for their prompt response. https://t.co/Ifg6DnqcDT
‘Can I call you honey in bed?’ (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
A decade ago, I was in bed with a man when he suddenly shouted ‘I love you, baby’ – which wouldn’t have been a problem, had this not been the first time we’d had sex.
The only thing I could think of to do was to keep calm and carry on, and act like I hadn’t heard him (trust me, even the neighbours heard him).
In all likelihood, this man wasn’t in love with me, but was probably experiencing ‘sex brain’ – when feel-good hormones are released in the brain, which can make you say or do things you otherwise wouldn’t.
Dirty (or romantic) talk in the bedroom is very common; according to a study by Saucy Dates, released in 2018, 76% of men and 74% of women like chatting between the sheets – with ‘baby’, ‘daddy’ and ‘harder’ topping the list as the favourite words to hear.
It’s important to note that there are different levels of dirty talk.
Some phrases are just a slip of the tongue (f***, God, oh yeah), but others can form part of a wider fetish or specific role play scenarios.
Then there are those other instances, where someone just says something incredibly awkward that ruins the moment – which is exactly what happened to Emelie*, 24.
‘Three years ago, I slept with a guy who told me, and I quote, he “likes when he hits the cervix” because he’s doing “the best possible job”,’ she tells us.
‘I was like “errrrr right, just don’t slam it in there, it’s not a goal”.
‘Also, who the f*** uses cervix as sexy talk? That is a word strictly to be used with a gynecologist, not a partner.’
Farren, 22, reveals that a man once made her feel uncomfortable while having sex with her, because he commented on her height – which is an issue she’s already self-conscious about.
‘I once slept with this guy who was shorter than me, and let’s just say it wasn’t the smoothest sex I’ve had,’ Farren*, 22, tells Metro.co.uk.
‘Being quite self-conscious about my height I was already nervous of sleeping with Ellis, who was only two inches shorter than me.
‘Things were going well until we got to my favourite position, doggy. Things were all heated up and suddenly I hear “can you go down a bit, I’m not tall enough”.
‘So shamelessly I went into an awkward crooked plank position and now I’m very picky when it comes to how tall men are. I guess every inch really does count.’
If your sexual partner utters a phrase that makes you cringe or feel uncomfortable, you are completely within your right to raise it with them.
Don’t go along with it just to please them, if it makes you uneasy – what happens in the bedroom should always be consensual, and that includes words.
So, what is the best way to raise the issue with someone?
Nadia from The Intimology Institute, an organisation that specialises in sexual wellness and how to understand pleasure, explains that how it should be handled depends on the situation.
She says: ‘I don’t know about you but I get totally creeped out by super lovey-dovey names such as darling or honey (I know I have issues), and even more so by the insistence of me calling him daddy (err, it’s a no from me).
‘In this situation, I try not to let it ruin my fun by centering my thoughts to how I’m physically feeling in the moment. Alternatively kissing is a really good tactic, after all, you can’t talk and kiss at the same time (thank me later).
‘However, if the language takes a more derogatory turn which makes you feel more uncomfortable, it’s best to stop what whatever you’re doing and unpack what was said.
‘Stronger words may often be triggering and can dredge up unwanted feelings.
‘Ultimately communication is important within any type of relationship, so it’s advisable to have a conversation about it after the event.’
‘Then she started shouting “harder, harder” and after five minutes of that she screamed “punish me, punish me with your hard cock”‘ (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
You can absolutely keep going and subtly make it clear to your partner that they went too far – but remember that you can also stop the sex at any point.
Jack*, tells us that he once had a one-night-stand with a woman and felt so uncomfortable by what she said during the act, that he didn’t want to – and couldn’t – continue.
‘She wanted to be choked, which wasn’t really my bag but I went with it,’ he said.
‘Then she started shouting “harder, harder” and after five minutes of that she screamed “punish me, punish me with your hard c***”.
‘That was the end for me, we did not carry on.
‘I said something like, that’s enough for me, in a sarcastic tone. It was a massive turn-off.’
Try to remember that many times, people say things between the sheets that are reserved for the bedroom.
Maybe they’re into baby talk, because it makes them feel vulnerable, or perhaps they just really like to be called ‘bitch’, ‘good boy’ or something else.
There’s no right or wrong, so don’t make jokes about your partner’s preferences.
Simply make it clear that this isn’t for you, and if you’re in a committed relationship, perhaps discuss alternatives that you are both comfortable with.
You can even make a list of words that are acceptable during sex and ones that aren’t, so that you both know where the limits lie going forward.
‘Lay it all out on the table and let your partner know why it made you uncomfortable,’ said Nadia.
‘Often people say and think things during the throes of sex that is not part of their everyday thoughts/vocabulary and is not necessarily what they think or feel about you.
‘Talking through your fears may actually lead you to a point where you can tentatively try dirty talk in a way that makes you feel safe and respected.’
On the flipside, if there’s something you really want to say or be called in bed, speak up.
Chat to your sexual partner and explain that it turns you on, and see if they’d be willing to do it.
You won’t know until you ask, and it’s better to have the conversation first.
And now you can enjoy the stuff in the shape of your home. One woman who specialises in creating replicas of where you live
Designer Shari Austrian is selling the miniature houses over on Etsy where’s she got some seriously good reviews.
Founder of her business, aptly named Little Brick Lane, Shari offers miniature homes, complete with an interior to match your dwelling.
But her designs are pretty expensive. The mum-of-two calculates the price by charging $1.25 (95p) per square foot (roughly 34 centimetres) of your home.
So a home that’s 2,000sf will cost $2,500 (£1,901). That might sound like she’s making serious bucks but when you consider how many Lego bricks are needed, plus the number of hours required, it all adds up.
Shari pays ten cents apiece and uses tens of thousands of pieces for each model plus extra resources needed.
Some of the higher-end homes can cost up to £3000 (with free UK delivery) while those at the cheaper end are up for grabs at £700.
Send Shari a picture and she’ll custome it to your home and family (Picture: LittleBrickLane/Etsy)
The idea to make a house out of Lego came to Shari after watching her twins play with the bricks.
Though she started recreationally, when she shared the results of her work, Shari decided to make a business out of it after being encouraged by loved ones.
They’ll cost you a few hundred pounds though Picture: LittleBrickLane/Etsy)
Shari constructs the houses from photographs and the architectural plans. Each model can take somewhere between eight to 12 weeks
She’s a bit of a perfectionist and likes to add as much detail as possible.
‘I have always adored, collected and created all sorts of miniatures — they’re just so cute. From the time I was a little girl, I was building mini fruits, animals, and homes out of Play-Doh and Lego,’ Shari told Today.
Please enjoy the detail (Picture: LittleBrickLane/Etsy)
‘I like working with Lego both for the complexity and simplicity.
‘I’m a perfectionist just as much as I’m an artist and I value the clean lines, precision and interlocking strength of the bricks.’
(Picture: LittleBrickLane/Etsy)
Londoners, this might be your only chance to own your own home.
As far as calves go, baby elephants are pretty cute – but this has to be one of the more adorable we’ve seen.
The youngster – still unnamed – is believed to be the first African elephant born in the UK in 2019, at Howletts Wild Animal Park near Canterbury in Kent.
She s the daughter of 11-year-old first-time mum Uzuri, who gave birth to her after three hours in labour.
Staff at the private zoo are calling it ‘a brilliant way to start December’.
‘He is already making himself very much at home and meeting the herd, who are even more excited than the keepers here at Howletts,’ said Adrian Harland, animal director of Howletts Wild Animal Park.
Howletts is said to be the most successful breeder of African elephants in the UK, with 24 born there since the park opened in 1975.
Mum Uzuri – which means beauty in Swahili – was herself born at Howletts in 2008. She was the third calf for her mother Tammi, who was brought to Howletts from Tel Aviv in 1988.
He’s said to be the first baby elephant born in the UK this year (Picture: Howletts /SWNS.COM)
Since 1975, only 12 calves have been born to the 53 other major UK zoos combined (Picture: Howletts /SWNS.COM)
Adrian said: ‘Mother and baby are doing well and are being fussed over by the entire herd, especially Uzuri’s mother, Tammi.
‘The little one has already started exploring the elephant yards and lucky visitors who watch patiently may be able to spot him outside.’
The Howletts herd live in an 8.4-acre enclosure in the Kentish countryside.
Their enclosure has been carefully designed by expert keepers and is one of the largest in the UK. This latest addition brings the size of the herd to 13.
The wee fella is very attached to his mum Uzuri (Picture: Howletts /SWNS.COM)
The gestation period for African elephants is around 22 months.
Calves stay very close to their mothers and drink three gallons of milk every day for two years, but will sometimes continue to suckle for longer.
They can often be seen sucking their trunks for comfort, just like human children suck their thumbs.
If you’re not British, it’s understandable that you might mistake a mince pie for containing, well, mince.
An American website has been shamed on social media for a mince pie recipe on its website that calls for ‘255g of mincemeat, homemade or store-bought’ – and yes, they mean the beef kind.
To make matters worse, the recipe includes photos of the unappetising dish where it features the aforementioned minced beef, patted down into a pastry, with apples on top. Yum.
Safe to say, people are loving the culinary faux pas.
‘Utterly obsessed with this American site that has confused mince with mincemeat, and created this abomination,’ Luke Bailey tweeted, along with the pics.
The tweet has since gone viral with over 1,200 retweets so far and 4,200 likes.
utterly obsessed with this american site that has confused mince with mincemeat, and created this abomination pic.twitter.com/Y31NqYGYrV
While some are making jokes, with references to the fateful Friends episode when Rachel made a trifle with beef, others are rushing to defend the concept.
‘To be fair though, its not a new idea,’ wrote one person.
‘Meat and fruit as a combination in a pie us not something v they’ve “created” – it’s actually how ‘mince pies’ would originally have been cooked.
‘Over the centuries, the recipe has morphed to leave out the actual “mince” in favour of fruit only.’ [sic]
Someone else pointed out that mincemeat isn’t a phrase used much in American English, and was confused by why the site would reference the word to begin with.
‘This doesn’t make ANY sense because mincemeat is not a term used for ground beef in the U.S,’ the person tweeted.
‘And most Americans know what mince pie is – only we call it mincemeat pie. I know this as a Yank who married a Brit.’
‘This might be real, but it’s not American,’ agreed someone else.
‘We say “powdered sugar” not “caster sugar.” We don’t have “pudding” for “tea-time.” What does “ring the changes” even mean?’
Some people also confessed to having made the same mistake themselves, and others claimed to prefer the meaty, beef version of the British classic.
‘This probably tastes better than actual mince pie mince as mince pies are absolutely vile!,’ one tweet read.
Each to their own – but we’ll stick to fruit for now.
This coming Friday is Christmas Jumper Day (make sure you get your best knit on and raise money for Save The Children) and then we’re just days away from Christmas.
These Jersey cows dressed in Christmas jumpers should get you in the festive mood.
Farmer Becky Houzé has done the great and important work of dressing a herd of Jersey cows in Christmas jumpers.
The suitably named cows, Carol, Holly, Mary, Noelle, and Mariah Dairy all posed for photos wearing their most festive outfits and chewing on grass (no mince pies here, unfortunately).
The photoshoot isn’t just to celebrate Christmas, but to bring attention to the Jersey cow breed and all the dairy products they produce.
The photoshoot was put on by Visit Jersey and farmer Becky (Picture: Visit Jersey/REX)
Becky Houzé, Jersey Dairy farmer says: ‘We love Christmas at the farm. If I had it my way, we’d play Christmas carols from October!
‘This year we took the opportunity to ‘cast off’ an all new look for the girls to help get into the festive spirit by creating matching Christmas jumpers.
We reckon they’re great style inspiration for this Friday (Picture: Visit Jersey/REX)
Cute (Picture: Visit Jersey/REX)
‘It took a while to cow-ordinate the right design, but we think we’ve landed on a look worthy of the cream of the crop.
‘With just 15 days to go until Santa comes to town, we’ve definitely got the Christmas feeling’.
We’re not even going to attempt to add to those puns. Dairy Christmas, one and all.
‘When the word cancer was first mentioned we looked at each other as we fell apart’ (Picture: Laila Gaudry)
A mum is urging parents to check their Christmas photos for symptoms of a rare childhood cancer after her son needed surgery to remove his eye over the festive period.
Noah Blanks was just four years old when he had the lifesaving operation after months of chemotherapy failed to shrink the tumour in his eye.
The little boy had been diagnosed with retinoblastoma after his dad took a photo and spotted a white glow in his eye.
‘We just kept telling ourselves that as long as it hadn’t spread, we would get through it’ (Picture: Laila Gaudry)
Now, his parents Laila Gaudry and Ollie Blanks, from Eastbourne, have teamed up with the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust to raise awareness of this rare disease, which mainly affects babies and children under the age of six. Around one child a week is diagnosed in the UK.
‘Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy and celebration, but for us it was the moment we discovered that the battle to save our little boy’s eye had been in vain,’ explains Laila.
It was summer 2017 when Ollie first noticed a strange reflection in Noah’s left eye.
After googling the symptom, he found himself reading about the eye cancer retinoblastoma.
The two main symptoms are a white glow in a child’s eye, seen in photos when a flash is used or in dim lighting, and a squint. Ollie got his phone out and took a number of snaps of Noah, and he and Laila were horrified when one showed the white reflection.
They rushed Noah to A&E and after being referred to specialists he was diagnosed with retinoblastoma.
‘When the word cancer was first mentioned we looked at each other as we fell apart,’ says Laila.
‘What was meant to be a bit of good news before Christmas turned into our worst nightmare’ (Picture: Laila Gaudry)
‘While we waited for Noah’s appointment at the Royal London Hospital, one of two specialist centres for retinoblastoma in the UK, we just kept telling ourselves that as long as it hadn’t spread, we would get through it.’
Doctors explained that Noah had a grade D tumour and that chemotherapy might work, but Noah could still face surgery to remove his eye, known as enucleation, if the tumour didn’t respond to treatment.
A few days later, the family celebrated Noah’s fourth birthday, making it as special as they could before he started his treatment.
‘After everything Noah had been through, I couldn’t believe it was all for nothing’ (Picture: Laila Gaudry)
‘Noah had six cycles of chemotherapy,’ says Laila. ‘The path was always going to be hard, but life threw some extra challenges at him – he had an allergic reaction to the medication and developed a fever.
‘But as time went on, there were fewer complications and tests showed that the tumour was responding well to treatment.
‘As Christmas approached, we felt the end was in sight. The chemo had done its job, we had left the danger zone for enucleation and it was going to be the best Christmas of our lives, something that would give the kids enough happy memories to counteract all the anxieties and uncertainty of the last few months.
‘Ollie and I went to see the kids’ nativity together and it felt so wonderfully normal as we all cooed and teared up at the children.’
A few days before Christmas Day, the family returned to hospital full of hope, but instead they were told that Noah’s tumour had grown substantially and the best option was enucleation – his eye would have to be removed.
‘I hope our story can help other families to know that there really is light at the end of the tunnel’ (Picture: Laila Gaudry)
‘After everything Noah had been through, I couldn’t believe it was all for nothing. What was meant to be a bit of good news before Christmas turned into our worst nightmare.’
Noah had the surgery on 27 December 2017. Under advice from the medical team and other parents, the family let him enjoy his Christmas and didn’t tell him until Boxing Day.
‘He was confused about what to expect, but took it very well,’ says Laila.
‘Noah had his temporary prosthetic eye fitted four weeks after his operation. I was truly amazed at how good it looked and how well he coped. At his first check-up post-surgery he was given the all-clear.’
Noah is now six years old and thriving. He’s a typical little boy who loves playing Lego with his big brother Jake, who has supported him throughout his journey.
Last year, the family had a fresh start after they moved to Eastbourne, and Laila and Ollie are now preparing for their wedding next year.
‘Christmas is approaching and we’re really excited,’ says Laila.
(Picture: Laila Gaudry)
‘We’ll spend the day with my family and there are lots of new additions, so it’ll be wonderful to see the “new generation” together.
‘Life is so much better and I hope our story can help other families to know that there really is light at the end of the tunnel.’
‘Christmas time always provides lots of great photo opportunities,’ says Patrick Tonks, chief executive of the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust. ‘We urge all parents to be aware of the most common symptoms of retinoblastoma – the two main signs being a glow in the eye and a squint (lazy eye).’
‘Retinoblastoma is extremely rare so there’s no need for parents to panic, but it’s best to get your child checked out as soon as possible if you have any concerns at all,’ adds Patrick.
‘You can take them to your GP, a local optician or an ophthalmology department.’
Take your training to the next level (Picture: adidas)
If you’re trying to improve your running technique, you probably feel like you’ve tried every trick on the planet.
So, if you’re stuck in a running rut you may need to look further afield. Like outer space.
Adidas has partnered with NASA’s International Space Station to create a high-intensity, total body work out that aims to help runners build stability and efficiency, while also boosting mental and physical resilience.
Athletes, like astronauts, undergo strenuous physical training to endure the harshest of conditions.
To coincide with the launch of the new adidas Ultraboost 20 running shoe, the Train Like An Astronaut programme has been specially designed to help runners push the boundaries of their performance.
Learn to run with the power of a trained astronaut (Picture: adidas)
The Astronaut Workout
Warm-up
Handwalk
Stand with your legs straight and your hands on the ground in front of you.
Keeping your legs straight and abdominals tight, walk your hands forward.
Still keeping your legs straight, walk your feet back up to your hands.
Repeat this 4-6 times, or for 30 seconds.
Pillar march
Stand with your arms at your sides, elbows bent 90 degrees.
March forward by lifting one knee up as you pull the arm of the same leg back and drive the opposite arm forward.
Drive your foot down to the ground and repeat the movement, lifting your opposite knee and exchanging arm positions.
Continue marching for 10 meters.
It’s important to warm up properly and activate your muscles (Picture: adidas)
Reverse lunge with rotation
Stand tall with your chest up, shoulders relaxed, and arms at your sides.
Step back into a lunge, bending your knees and contracting the glute of your back leg.
Twist your torso over your front leg, place the opposite arm on the outside of your knee and reach your other arm behind.
Return to a standing position by reversing the twist and then pushing up through your hip.
Repeat with your opposite leg.
Training tips for better running performance
Runners should add variety to their training routine, rather than consistently stressing their body through the same type of exercise. This will also help them stay motivated and engaged in pursuit of their goals.
HIIT-style training for example is just as effective and efficient in improving an athlete’s aerobic capacity as long steady-state runs.
Incorporating short duration all-out sprints at the end of a workout will help improve a runner’s endurance at the end of a session when their body and mind are drained of energy.
This will give them the ability to find that extra level when approaching the finish line for real.
Upper-body workouts are a commonly overlooked element of running training. This type of exercise can be hugely important in improving running mechanics and efficiency.
Kettlebell workouts, for example, help inspire more effective energy transfer, allowing a runner to become more efficient in their training and boost their overall ‘running economy’.
Adidas
Circuit workout
Complete each exercise in this circuit for 30 seconds with 10 seconds of rest in between exercises. Repeat for five total sets:
Clean – 1 arm kettlebell (repeat for a full set on each arm)
Stand holding a kettlebell in one hand in front of your body with your feet shoulder-width apart.
Keeping your back flat and chest up, push your hips back letting the kettlebell swing between your legs.
In one explosive motion, extend your hips as quickly as possible and shrug your shoulder, pulling the weight straight up.
Allow the kettlebell to float upward. When the weight reaches its maximum height, drop your body underneath and catch it at shoulder height.
Lower the weight back to the starting position and continue for the remainder of the sets.
Circuits should be short, sharp, and get you sweating (Picture: adidas)
Push-up
Start in the classic push-up position with your hands beneath your shoulders and your legs straight behind you.
Keeping your torso stable and hips square to the ground, bend your elbows to lower your body toward the ground.
Without touching the ground, push yourself back up.
Continue for the full set.
Reach, roll and lift – alternating
Sit on your heels with your arms in front of you and the palms of your hands on the ground.
Reach one arm forward while keeping your hips back and your chest down toward the ground.
Rotate your palm toward the sky. Then lift your arm off the ground slightly and hold for 2 seconds.
Return to the starting position and repeat with the other arm.
Michal Winter was born with Harlequin ichthyosis, a rare condition that causes his skin to shed every day and become red, cracked and dry (Picture: Caters News Agency)
A mum is speaking out to raise awareness of rare skin condition Harlequin ichthyosis, after her son was made fun of for looking ‘like a doll’.
Two-year-old Michal Winter was born with the illness, which causes his skin to shed every day and become red, cracked and dry and leaves him at severe risk of inection.
Mum Anna Ciesielska, 30, has to apply soothing lotion on Michal’s skin every four hours and says her baby is half the size he should be as a result of her condition.
She claims that people mock Michal’s appearance online and that people accuse her of pushing a doll – not a real child – in her pram.
Anna, from Derby, said: ‘People will come up to me and ask what happened to him and if they can help. I was in a shop and someone came up to us and was staring at Michal and asked if he was a doll.
Michal is also at a high risk of infection (Picture: Caters News Agency)
‘When Michal moved he was totally surprised, they were surprised he was a real boy.
‘When we go out people stare at us, their jaws drop. Sometimes a person will see a photo of him online and message me saying he looks like a doll, it really upsets me.
‘Michal is a perfectly normal boy with a wonderful nature. He just has this skin condition.’
Anna found out that Michal had Harlequin ichthyosis when he was born covered in plates of thick, cracked skin.
Harlequin ichthyosis is a genetic disorder that causes the body to become covered in thick plates of skin. The abnormal growth of the skin inhibits growth and movement, meaning Michal is still unable to walk and is smaller compared to other children his age.
Anna didn’t see Michal until a few hours after his birth. When she was told what was wrong, she was incredibly concerned about her son’s wellbeing.
Mum Anna says her son is made fun of online for looking ‘like a doll’ (Picture: Caters News Agency)
She said: ‘It was a huge shock. I thought I was going to have a healthy baby. Not even the doctors at first knew what was wrong with him.
‘At first it was horrendous for us. I was devastated.
‘The doctors didn’t know how long Michal would have.
‘When I first saw him I was obviously very upset. I was worried that he would suffer and was in pain.
‘Eventually, one of the doctors broke the news to me about what had happened.
‘Despite that, he’s such a happy and smiley child. He’s overcome so much and despite the challenges he faces he’s such a happy and loving child.
“He loves meeting people and being out in the world, he has a passion for life.’
Michal’s skin condition means he requires a lot of extra care.
He requires special creams every four hours (Picture: Caters News Agency)
Anna applies two different types of cream to Michal’s skin every four hours to ensure his skin is constantly protected and kept free of infection. The child also has to have a special moisturising bath once a day.
The condition means that Michal is unable to regulate his own body temperature, so Anna has to make sure rooms aren’t too hot or cold.
The mum also has to limit the amount of time Michal spends outside as he is very sensitive to sunlight.
‘It’s a big challenge,’ says Emma. ‘You have to keep him at the right temperature all the time.
‘We’ve had so much help and support from people and I’m so grateful.
‘He suffers from pain especially when his skin gets dry because with every movement his skin will crack.
‘I have to keep him away from direct sunlight because it can burn his skin, he also gets cold very easily.
‘You have to keep him at the right departure because he can’t regulate his body temperature.
‘He’s always at risk of infection and getting sick, We have to be very careful all of the time.’
Porridge takes down the Christmas tree and one of Joy’s sofa cushions (Pictures: Joy Loft)
A naughty dog is threatening to ruin Christmas by destroying everything in the house – but his owner still loves him.
Joy Loft got her dog Porridge in 2017 – her son Chris bought him as a birthday present after her old rescue dog died of cancer. The family suspect that Porridge was a Christmas puppy, taken to a shelter after his original owners got fed up.
But Joy, who’s 56 and lives in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, clearly has a much higher tolerance level, and is willing to put up with all kinds of naughtiness for her love of this pooch.
He really likes ripping up loo roll (Picture: Joy Loft)
Three-year-old Porridge has managed to cause a serious amount of destruction in his short life.
Last year, Porridge took down the Christmas tree and tangled himself up in the tinsel and lights. He has eaten the cushions from three different settees – strewing the filling all over the floor. He’s ripped a bag of cat litter open, and a bag of bird seed. He’s shredded endless loo rolls and even chewed up expensive shoes.
‘He’s chewed up my tablet and mobile phone – including three bank cards that were in its case,’ adds Joy.
‘He’s destroyed numerous teddies belonging to my granddaughter, he lives for straps on sandals and boots, I’ve had to sew them together.
‘He manages to kill a coat hanger almost daily I’m sure he likes to hear them cracking.
‘Nothing is safe on kitchen worktops and you can’t put it to the back thinking he can’t reach there – because he can. The amount of times I’ve turned around to get something and a slice of toast, or my sandwich has disappeared! We hide things in the microwave, oven and the bread bin.’
Porridge helping with the cat litter (Picture: Joy Loft)
Porridge also loves foraging for snacks – and he’s even gotten into bottles of fizzy drinks, milk cartons and cereal boxes. Joy says she has a unique way of dealing with his behaviour.
‘My mantra is a cry of panic and then – “Porridge, you little sh*t. Give!”
‘And then try to corner him, usually at the end of the garden or on the landing, depending on the weather – and I try to prize his jaws open, whilst bartering with him, as I try to retrieve whatever he’s found and claimed as his.’
Sometimes the rescue lurcher gets himself into some real scrapes by putting the wrong thing in his mouth.
‘He tried to kill himself by eating a box of rat poison that I had forgotten we had,’ remembers Joy. ‘He found the bag at the back of the pantry while I was preparing rice.
You didn’t like that cushion anyway did you Joy? (Picture: Joy Loft)
‘My son and I spent the next two hours and more than £300 at the vets with him – getting him to vomit. We were trying to save a bit of money on a takeaway by cooking our own rice… Fail!’
But this pesky pup has a serious soft spot when it comes to Joy’s granddaughter Alex.
In fact, he is utterly besotted with the five-year-old girl.
Alex and Porridge are inseparable (Picture: Joy Loft)
‘She was only three when we got him, and I don’t know if it’s because she’s so small or young, but he just knows he has to be careful with her.
‘Alex always wants to sit on the same chair as him for breakfast. She’s pulled and pushed at him, shoved her hand in his mouth to try and get her toys back – and from Porridge… nothing. He lets her do anything.
‘And when she’s ill. He’s attached to her.’
Porridge is endless gentle around the little girl (Picture: Joy Loft)
Joy says then when she discovers something has ‘been Porriged’, she heaves a heavy sigh. And no room is safe – he’s even learnt how to work the child gate into her bedroom.
‘He learnt that if he pressed up and down, in just the right place, he could open it,’ explains Joy.
‘I know when he’s in there because I can hear him introducing himself to my pillows – which I assume are female – and when he leaves, he’s always wagging his tail, and I’m left with a bed in disarray!’
Joy says that, despite it all, she loves Porridge, because that is what you do when you have a dog.
‘I read somewhere that a dog is a part of our lives, but we are all of their lives. Something like that.
Whenever Alex is sick Porridge won’t leave her side (Picture: Joy Loft)
‘If you’re going to kick off because your dog chewed something, or weed or pooed in the house – don’t have one. I treat it as an occupational hazard.’
And it’s certainly not all destruction. Porridge adds a lot of love and companionship to Joy’s life – and she wouldn’t trade him for the world.
‘When I sit down with a cup of tea he’ll woof at me until I move forward and he can snuggle up behind me.
‘When I go to bed he’ll sleep at the bottom of the bed for an hour, then he’ll walk up, stand over me and lick my face until I lift the covers up and he can crawl under. We call it a drainpipe.
‘Mostly I love him cos he gives the best kisses. If it’s not big wet and sloppy it’s not a real kiss.’
Maybe my own name and work as activist would feature in a history text book (Picture: Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images)
We are in the midst of very important month, a month of reflection, a time to educate, grow and learn from our mistakes.
No, I’m not referring to the general election, rather 22 November to 22 December, which marks Disability History Month.
Disability History Month aims to raise awareness of the unequal position disabled people hold in society, and to advocate for disability equality. It highlights the historical roots of this inequality, focusing on the significance of disabled people’s campaigning, celebrating individual trailblazers and social movements.
Apart from having a physical disability myself, I grew up in a very non-disabled world. None of the period dramas I adored on television showed disabled characters – the closest was Tiny Tim, the ‘cripple’ from a Christmas Carol, and I certainly didn’t learn anything about disability history at school.
It never crossed my mind what someone with a disability did before the invention of a wheelchair, the origins of that little blue badge or why my primary school was obliged to buy soft play so I could participate in P.E. like everyone else.
All that changed went I went to Lancaster University and had the opportunity to take a class named ‘Genocide’.
Admittedly, I took it out of morbid fascination, just like many of my peers. Actually, what I learnt about the link between genocide and disability shook me to my core. I heard about ‘Aktion T4’, the Nazi programme of involuntary euthanasia of disabled people.
Between 275,000 and 300,000 disabled people were killed – and I knew nothing about it. What enraged me more was that the German national memorial to those murdered was only erected in 2014, which felt to me like a reflection of the sheer apathy towards disabled people and their history.
Kahlo is a perfect example of someone who didn’t let circumstances control them (Picture: Getty Images)
I’ve always been in awe of strong disabled women and looking at my own struggles with intersectionality, I often wonder what life would have been like for disabled women such as Suffragette Rosa May Billinghurst. Billinghurst used a hand-propelled tricycle after a childhood case of polio.
She founded the Greenwich Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) and was thrown in Holloway Prison on multiple occasions for fighting against injustices.
Another strong, fierce disabled female icon was Frida Kahlo. Famous for her art, Kahlo was also a feminist and ‘rebel’, taking on both female and male lovers. Many of us are in awe of her tenacious character yet not aware that she had multiple disabilities: she developed polio at the age of six, which led to her right leg being thinner than her left and she may have been born with spina bifida, a condition that affects the development of the spinal column.
Kahlo is a perfect example of someone who didn’t let circumstances control them – she took control and used it to her advantage. She personified the social model of disability, which argues disabled people aren’t impeded by their disability but by social barriers. I admire her greatly.
It’s not only individuals that have shaped the way the disability community live today but a range of organisations, including Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC), Disabled People’s Direct Action Network (DAN) and The Alliance for Integration – and I could go on.
Scope recently launched their flagship campaign Scope for Change, which supports disabled people aged 18 to 25 to plan and run campaigns on the issues that matter to them. Initiatives like this are so vital to maintain.
I could come up with an equally long list of today’s trailblazers. I feel blessed to live in an era where so many influential disabled role models exist. For all their flaws and opportunities for abuse, the internet and social media platforms have allowed the most wonderful disabled individuals to shine though: #disabledandcute, #actuallyautistic, #GetYourBellyOut or #DisaBodyPosi.
Personally, knowing how hard other disabled people fought for the rights I have today makes me, as a campaigner, want to fight equally as hard – if not harder – to ensure future generations never feel ostracised, vulnerable or are left wanting for what they are entitled to. My aim is to make this an equal and safe world to live in.
Disability History Month is a platform for us to show who we are, our journey and our triumphs, and highlights how far we have come – as well as how far we still have to go.
For our non-disabled counterparts, it is a wake up call – an education and an opportunity to overcome ignorance. As humans we are supposed to learn from our past and not let history repeat itself, yet as we approach 2020, we still see disabled people used as scapegoats, mocked and oppressed.
As an ex-teacher I can only hope Disability History Month is rolled out as a compulsory part of the national curriculum and history text books.
I would have loved my class to have known a little bit more about Miss Renke, if for no other reason than to highlight the history of language and pacify the derogatory comments I often heard in the classroom such as ‘retard’, ‘spack’, ‘mong’ or ‘freak’ – all completely unacceptable and rooted in ableist oppression.
I can only hope that the future of those in the disability community is much brighter, equal and tolerant. That maybe my own name and work as an activist would feature in a history text book, or iPad, in the not so distant future.
Cameron shares a one-bedroom flat in Hamilton with his girlfriend of three years (Picture: Michael McGurk/Metro.co.uk)
In our weekly series What I Rent, we take you inside people’s rented properties to see what they get for what they pay.
This is partly to satisfy the joy we take in being nosy about other people’s homes, but also to explore the reality of renting in the UK (and sometimes further afield).
This time we’re in Hamilton in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, with Cameron.
Cameron, a 23-year-old working in education as well as a freelance photographer and videographer, shares a one-bedroom flat with his girlfriend, who works for the National Autistic Society.
They’ve been together for three years and have shared the flat for a year.
They’ve lived in this flat for one year in January (Picture: Michael McGurk/Metro.co.uk)
Hi, Cameron! How much do you pay to live here?
Rent is £395 a month, total. Bills are about £100 each per month, so the total amount each of us pay a month is around £300. We’ve had a terrible experience with energy providers because we have an ancient meter. It’s hard to get the flat warm in winter and some months have cost up to £200.
Do you think you have a good deal?
I think the flat looks good at a glance but when you start looking closely or live here you can see why it’s modestly priced. It’s ideal for still being able to save for a house though.
Why Hamilton?
We didn’t choose Hamilton for any particular reason but it’s quite close to family and work.
I used to live in Ayrshire with my parents. After that I lived in Glasgow for a wee while then moved to Edinburgh for uni, rent was extortionate there at £800 a month for a studio flat.
What a collection (Picture: Michael McGurk/Metro.co.uk)
Are you happy where you live?
I like the classic tenement style building and being on the top floor.
All the smokers below us contribute to making the flat stink of cigarettes sometimes, but we counteract this with lots of wax warmers and diffusers.
Do you feel like you have enough space?
It’s hard to find storage but you learn to be efficient and not keep unnecessary items.
Keep an eye out – you’ll spot a lot of deer motifs in this place (Picture: Michael McGurk/Metro.co.uk)
How did you find this place?
It was the first place we viewed on Zoopla so we went for it because we didn’t think we’d find somewhere else as nice for the cost.
How have you made the flat feel like home?
When I first moved in I wanted to make a sizeable purchase to settle into my new home. I bought a new TV that cost £2,600 and I still have sudden feelings of regret to this day… It’s a beautiful television but I have tried to punt it to my friends, family and boss with little success. Hopefully, I never need to buy a television again!
I’ve kitted the place out with smart home tech to bring the flat to life and add some style at night. Most of the furniture we’ve bought is sort of rustic and minimalist, with the aim of saving space and prioritising practicality.
12 rules for life: Be a llama (Picture: Michael McGurk/Metro.co.uk)
Are there any problems with the flat?
The major annoyance with the flat is my growling toilet… there is a macerator installed which is very active at any moment of running water.
Even in the bath, it will continue attempting to grind anything that passes through the pipes, ruining any chance of a peaceful soak.
What are your plans for the future, house-wise?
We’ll probably be here for another couple of years and then buy our first home. A much larger older build back in Ayrshire might be a fun next step.
Sounds good to us. Shall we have a look around?
Welcome in (Picture: Michael McGurk/Metro.co.uk)
Here’s the living room (Picture: Michael McGurk/Metro.co.uk)
And here’s the same living room, but with party lighting (Picture: Michael McGurk/Metro.co.uk)
Here’s the bulb responsible (Picture: Michael McGurk/Metro.co.uk)
We love an accent chair (Picture: Michael McGurk/Metro.co.uk)
Cute (Picture: Michael McGurk/Metro.co.uk)
The dining table (Picture: Michael McGurk/Metro.co.uk)
And the computer corner, again in that party lighting (Picture: Michael McGurk/Metro.co.uk)
The kitchen (Picture: Michael McGurk/Metro.co.uk)
The bedroom. Do you see the deer? (Picture: Michael McGurk/Metro.co.uk)
Yes, that is a Buddha plug-in air freshener (Picture: Michael McGurk/Metro.co.uk)
A narrow but lovely bathroom (Picture: Michael McGurk/Metro.co.uk)
There’s that troublesome toilet (Picture: Michael McGurk/Metro.co.uk)
And of course… (Picture: Michael McGurk/Metro.co.uk)
What I Rent is a weekly series that’s out every Tuesday at 10am. Check back next week to have a nose around another rented property.
How to get involved in What I Rent
What I Rent is Metro.co.uk's weekly series that takes you inside the places people are renting, to give us all a better sense of what's normal and how much we should be paying.
You'll need to have pictures taken of your kitchen, living room, bathroom, and bedroom, plus a few photos of you in your room. Make sure you get permission for your housemates!
You'll also need to be okay with sharing how much you're paying for rent, as that's pretty important.
The entire art world has been dominated by discussions about bananas this week – all because of one controversial piece.
The installation in question was comprised of nothing more than a banana duct taped to a plain wall. And it sold for $120,000 (£91,000) from Art Basel Miami Beach on Friday.
That’s a lot of money for something you could do at home. So Poundland has come up with a way to create your own version – for the tiniest fraction of the price.
Posting the pictures on the company Facebook page, the alternative artistic creation is comprised of a plastic, ‘stress banana’ and a single strip of duct tape. With both items costing just £1.
So the entire thing can be bought and installed in your home for the low, low cost of £2.
Another added bonus is that the plastic banana won’t need replacing.
And you wouldn’t even need to replace the banana (Picture: Poundland)
On the original masterpiece – by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan – buyers were advised that they would need to replace the banana when it started to rot and go brown. But that’s not an issue with the Poundland version.
‘You don’t need £90,000 for a banana and duct tape at Poundland,’ read the Facebook post, and customers jumped into the comments to show their appreciation for the innovative creation.
‘This, world gone crazy! £90k for a banana!’ said one incredulous poster.
The veggie dipper meal is coming in January (Picture: McDonald’s)
McDonald’s is launching their first-ever fully vegan meal in January.
Yes, following on from big vegan food news like the Greggs vegan sausage roll and Ikea plant-based meatballs, McDonald’s will sell veggie dippers, approved by The Vegan Society.
Although they didn’t contain any meat or dairy products in the ingredients, they weren’t sold as vegan because the wrap passed through the same toaster as buns that contained milk and the goujons weren’t prepared in a way that prevented contamination with any dairy products.
Now the new veggie dippers, made with the same red pepper, rice, sundried tomato pesto and split pea mix as the goujons, are going to be prepared separately from meat and dairy products, meaning they have been granted the full Vegan Society accreditation.
They will be available from 2 January – just in time for veganuary.
Fries have already been approved by the Vegan Society so for the first time, customers can order a fully plant-based meal at the fast-food chain. A meal will cost £4.99 or you can get four veggie dippers on their own for £3.29.
The veggie dippers will also be available as a fully vegan Happy Meal, which will cost £2.99.
Thomas O’Neill, Head of Food Marketing at McDonald’s UK & Ireland, said: ‘In the last 12 months we’ve seen an 80% uplift in customers ordering vegetarian options at McDonald’s, so it is time for the brand famous for the dippable McNugget to launch a dippable option for our vegetarian, vegan and flexitarian customers.
‘The Veggie Dippers are a delicious addition to our menu and we’re looking forward to seeing what customers make of our first vegan Extra Value Meal and Happy Meal in the New Year.’
The reindeer-themed mural, which draws attention to homelessness, made its debut in the city over the weekend, with anyone who sits on the bench next to it appearing to look like Father Christmas.
So just where in the city is it – and what does it depict?
Here’s what you need to know about Banksy’s latest artwork…
Where is Banksy’s newest artwork located?
The mural has been painted on a brick wall in Vyse Street, in the city’s Jewellery quarter.
Passers-by have been doing their Santa impersonations by sitting on the bench next to the reindeer (Picture: PA)
Luke Crane from the Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement District told BBC News that they were keen to protect the artwork.
“We are very keen to make sure it is a part of our community and not something that is taken away,” he said.
“I think it comes at a great time of year – we obviously didn’t know it was coming, but what a great time.
The artwork appears to make a park bench look as though it’s being pulled by Santa’s sleigh, with two reindeer painted on the wall next to the bench.
A video on Banksy’s Instagram page shows a homeless man called Ryan having a drink before lying down on the bench as the camera pans out – making it look as though he is being spirited away by the reindeer.
He highlighted the kindness of locals as he wrote: ‘In the 20 minutes we filmed Ryan on this bench passers-by gave him a hot drink, two chocolate bars and a lighter – without him ever asking for anything,’ adding: ‘God bless Birmingham.’
It comes just weeks after this Banksy painting sold for over £9m (Picture: PA)
The post has been liked over two and a half million times since it debuted on Instagram yesterday, with passers-by queueing up to pose on the bench.
However the artwork has also been the object of vandalism – with someone having painted red noses on to the reindeer.
Christmas is a time of contentment and excitement.
But it can also be a period of panicked, crazed chaos – more commonly known as Christmas shopping.
Traipsing up and down the high street and perusing endless pages of online retailers before buying everyone the same stuff you have done for the last 17 years is the kind of festive tradition we all find ourselves trapped in – but wait, could there be an answer to our gifting conundrum?
From your vegan best mate to your annoyingly active aunt, Bootiques is the perfect place to find all sorts of prezzies that everyone in your life will love… even the ridiculously tricky ones.
For the person who’s firmly planted in the vegan camp
Veganism is about so much more than just the food we eat – and brave be the person who hands over a prezzie that isn’t vegan friendly.
Bootiques have you covered – their curated shopping platform includes a store just for our plant-based pals, everything from gelatin-free vitamins to ethically created cosmetics.
This luxe massage oil is naturally-inspired and scented with fig and sandalwood.
Just gently rub it in to your other half’s skin and you’ll have a very merry Christmas indeed.
For the one who dreams of relaxing
The modern world is a menace when it comes to being able to enjoy the slow lane – so mindfulness, relaxation and a good night’s sleep is so important.
If you know someone who is always running around at a million miles an hour or simply loves to integrate inner peace into their day, then a festive gift from the sleep-focused Bootique will be just dreamy for them.
If you know someone who’s tired of waking up tired then help them relax and unwind ready for a peaceful night’s sleep with the ultimate night time treat.
Packed with a body massager to appease tired limbs, a sweet smelling body butter and a relaxing pillow spritz – your giftee will be in the land of nod before you know it.
The one who is a fan of fitness
We all have that person who makes us feel like the ultimate coach potato. The one who’s starts the day off with spinning before a run at lunch and evening yoga.
Well, rather than be envious, let’s celebrate their health focused foibles by giving them something useful for their exercise experiences.
Working up a sweat works up a real thirst – so make sure your gym-going giftee is always hydrated.
Something sleek like this water bottle will slip easily into any bag – and is a much more sustainable way to get a post-workout watering than by buying a plastic bottle.
For the one whose lewks are always on fleek
Make-up tutorials are big business these days. Who hasn’t been pulled down a rabbit hole of highlighting on social media before?
And we all know someone who cares more about contouring than culture, so treat them to something all beauty kweens need.
If you’ve spent hours on working on the perfect face of war paint, you need to make it last.
That’s why a setting spray is every would-be MUA’s must-have – and means they will look ready for their close up all of Christmas.
For the one who used to be cute but is now a tenacious tween
Remember how innocent youngsters used to be? No, us neither.
That stage in-between being a kid and a teenager is a tricky one; sullen and sweet at the same time. They want to be treated as a grown-up, but also like a baby.
So the best way to buy for them is to combine the two; something that’s cutesy but cool at the same time.
Forget hair stuck in the plughole, one of the biggest cleaning annoyances for anyone with long hair is when it gets trapped in your vacuum.
The roller part of the cleaner can easily get clogged with long hairs, reducing the efficacy of your vacuum and meaning the roller gets stuck as you push it around the house.
One cleaning influencer has given us her top tip to stop the clog, though, and the best part is, it costs less than a pound.
Mrs D’s Cleaning Reviews, whose real name is Kelly, shared the hack on her Instagram page, where her 28,000 followers keep up to date with product reviews and handy tricks.
Kelly says that, although there are a number of products on the market specifically designed to get rid of the built-up hair in a vacuum, they can be expensive.
Instead, she uses a product designed for tailors which she bought from Home Bargains for 59p – a stitch picker.
The stitch picker took the roller from this… (Picture: @mrs.ds.cleaning.reviews)
In a video on her page, Kelly calls her own bristle roller ‘disgraceful’, but says that it’s a predicament many people will find themselves in.
While some people may use scissors or a knife, this can be dangerous and damage the bristles in the cleaner too.
All you need to do with the small stitch picker is run it through the hair facing away from you, and it should cut through the clogged up strands.
From there, simply pluck the hair out the bristles, and your vacuum will look as good as new.
… To this (Picture: @mrs.ds.cleaning.reviews)
Kelly says on her post, ‘The stitch picker glides through the tangled hair so easy, and it’s the only thing I will use to remove the hair from my vacuum roller.’
Her fans clearly agree, as the series of videos have racked up hundreds of likes.
Commenters have raved about the tip, with one saying, ‘This is genius. I have so many of these little tools in my sewing kit and long hair is the bain of my life.’
Another said ‘Such a clever tip. Would never have thought of this.’
So, rather than throwing away the whole vacuum or cutting your hand, you can get it working like it was always supposed to.
Parents are outraged that these boy dollS have genitals (Picture: LOL Dolls/Melissa Moore/Facebook)
In recent times, we’ve seen gender-neutral dolls for children as the toy industry attempts to become more representative of society.
To get boys more involved in playing with dolls, toy manufacturer MGA Entertainment introduced male LOL Surprise dolls.
The brand, which has brought us classic toys such as Bratz, added the male counterpart to their LOL collection – those dolls that come in capsules.
To honour the surprise element of the toy, you don’t know which toy you’re going to get until you open it.
But when parents purchased the dolls for their children, they were surprised to find that the male dolls had genitals.
As with the female dolls, the boys have a hole in the area genitals would be.
But unlike the girls, they have a sculpted penis and testicles too, which has angered some mums and dads.
Annoyed parents took to social media to ask the brand why their toys were anatomically correct.
Some who took to Facebook and Twitter said it was ‘disgusting’ to have that detail.
Parents took to social media to slam the toy’s ‘details’ (Picture: Facebook)
One mum wrote on Facebook: ‘Very inappropriate for a toy that states ages 3+. We won’t be buying anything LOL again.’
Another tweeted: ‘Why the f*** do the male LOL Surprisedolls have male genitals!?!? And detailed af too!?!?’
One mum wrote: ‘I am infuriated about this! You do not include genitals on the female dolls, so why include genitals on the male dolls?
‘Considering the majority of your consumers are little girls, I suggest this change IMMEDIATELY. Such a HUGE fail; please keep the genital area FLAT.
‘This brand clearly has low moral; we will no longer be purchasing these dolls since they do not fit the standards I’ve made for my daughter.’
MGA Entertainment introduced LOL Surprise male dolls to encourage boys to play with dolls too (Picture: LOL Surprise)
MGA Entertainment is, however, unmoving in its position and said the feature was added to be reflective of real life, but designed in a kid-appropriate way.
They commented on some of the criticisms on social media saying: ‘With the introduction of the ultra-rare Punk Bois the brand will now be universally gender-inclusive for both girls and boys.
‘For many years the toy industry has been moving towards dolls that are more “real” and anatomically correct.
‘We believe this trend is here to stay and we will continue to lead the charge in toys becoming more gender-inclusive.’
They added: ‘We think boys will be excited to have a doll that looks like them. Also, many of our girl fans have brothers of their own and will be excited their LOL Surprise dolls have a “real” brother, just like they do.’
Some parents were on board and couldn’t see the issue with accurate genitalia.
One wrote: ‘Parents are offended by body parts? There’s nothing offensive about this, teach your kids proper terms and that yes, there ARE differences.’
Others joked that the product delivered on its name and gave them a surprise.
‘We’re excited to inspire more women to see themselves in sport by thinking creatively and designing inclusively’ (Picture: Nike)
In a bid to ensure that sport is accessible for everyone, Nike is launching a brand new modest swimwear range.
Following the success of the Nike Pro Hijab, the sports brand has unveiled the Victory Swim collection – a range of apparel that brings performance innovation to modest swimwear.
Launching in February 2020, the collection will include the Nike Victory Full-Coverage Swimsuit, as well as separate options.
The range will launch in February next year (Picture: Nike)
Other items in the range include the Swim Hijab, the Swim Tunic Top and the Swim Leggings.
Designers say they saw a gap in clothing for water sports – specifically, a lack of options for female athletes who are after more modest options.
Existing products were lacking in either coverage or functionality, and athletes said they felt weighed down by baggy garments, or worried about whether their hijabs and coverings would remain in place.
The range combines modesty with performance technology (Picture: Nike)
‘The more we listened, the more possibility we saw to serve female athletes in new dimensions,’ says Martha Moore, Nike Creative Director, VP.
‘As we continue broadening our vision for innovation, we’re excited to inspire more women to see themselves in sport by thinking creatively and designing inclusively.
‘To us, Nike Victory Swim Collection shows the power of innovation to invite all women to discover the joy of sport.’
‘I feel super light and confident in this’ (Picture: Nike)
The range is constructed from warp-knit fabric, making it lightweight, breathable and quick-drying. The head-to-toe UPF 40+ rating also offers great sun protection.
Both the Nike Victory Full-Coverage Swimsuit and the Nike Victory Swim Tunic Top feature a built-in sports bra with perforated cups for added support.
‘I feel super light and confident in this,’ says Emirati figure skater Zahra Lari.
‘It doesn’t weigh you down, and it helped me swim better. It’s so different than any of the swimsuits I’ve ever seen, and I know I can wear this confidently.’
There will be 125,000 paper bags up for grabs at the entrances of Morrisons stores on Saturday 21 December – the last weekend before the big day, so you can pick them up as you do your Christmas grocery shop.
The bags will include oversized, misshapen and scarred carrots, like the ones for sale in the wonky veg range.
Morrisons said that at Christmas carrot sales soar – from a typical 450,000 bags-a-week across all stores to over 1.6 million in the last three weeks of December – but wonky carrots still only account for between 10 to 15 % of carrots sales.
Carrot farmers have been struggling with unseasonably wet weather in October and November so there are more wonky carrots around.
Pulling carrots from wet fields has resulted in muddy or slightly scarred carrots which have fallen short of a ‘Class 1’ criteria. Some of the crop has also grown to be oversized or oddly shaped – but they’re still all perfectly fine to eat.
Alastair Ferguson, Carrot Farmer for Morrisons at Strawsons Farm said: ‘The heavy rainfall this year has made harvesting very challenging. We’ve plenty of standard carrots for Christmas dinner – but also have a lot of wonky carrots. Carrots for Rudolph is helpful because it introduces customers to wonky, finds these carrots a home, and stops them being wasted.’
Andy Todd, Carrot Buyer at Morrisons said: ‘We want to make it easy for our customers to enjoy these magical Christmas traditions. And at the same time, we want to highlight that wonky carrots are just as tasty as perfect-looking carrots – to support our farmers.’
If you want to pick up some wonky carrots for your Christmas dinner, they are also on sale at 50p for a 1kg from all Morrisons stores.
