Penises everywhere – here’s what happens at Japan’s annual phallas festival Shinto Kanamra Matsuri

October 17, 2017, 11:05 pm

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You say festival, you think Glastonbury. Wilderness. Glitter on your face, flowers in your hair and booze on your breath.

Metro’s A to Z of fetishes: R is for redheads, robots and really nice shoes

Unless you are in Japan in April, in which case your first thought is probably about giant penises.

For the Japanese, spring marks the celebration of Shinto Kanamra Matsuri, otherwise known as The Festival Of The Steel Phallus.

The day-long festival takes place on the first Sunday of April at the Kanayama Shrine in Kawasaki, a city just… Read the full story

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Mum flogs wedding dress in brilliant Facebook post after her husband cheated

October 17, 2017, 11:09 pm

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A former bride-to-be is flogging her wedding dress with a glorious Facebook post after discovering her now ex-husband was allegedly chatting up girls on their honeymoon.

46-year-old Jane Tarren is selling her £800 designer dress for just £150 in an advert that describes it as ‘in stunning condition unlike my marriage’.

The mum-of-two, from York, walked down the aisle in May last year with Michael after they met on the Plenty of Fish website in November 2013.

Jane, a credit control manager, met Michael after she was at low, having lost both her parents in the space of four months.

The couple fell for each other quickly, tying the knot shortly after they… Read the full story

It-themed duvets are a thing and we have just one question: Why?

October 17, 2017, 11:11 pm

≫ Next: The anti-advent calendar is the perfect present for the Grinch in your life

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IT-themed duvet covers are here for anyone who wants to give themselves nightmares. 

Yep, you can now ditch your old rainbow and unicorn-covered duvet for one portraying a terrifying Pennywise.

The duvet covers, which are being sold on Redbubble, come in a variety of styles and feature both the original Pennywise, portrayed by Tim Curry, and the creepier 2017 version.

The anti-advent calendar is the perfect present for the Grinch in your life

October 17, 2017, 11:13 pm

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While most of us love the festive season – the idea of snuggling up on the cold, winter evenings with a hot chocolate, buying gifts for our loved ones and most importantly: waking up to them on Christmas morning – others set themselves into Grinch mode.

They hate the idea of having to put a Christmas tree up. Fairy lights give them headaches. And they can’t for the love of god stand The Snowman’s ‘I’m Walking in the Air.’

But you know what they will love? This anti-advent calendar.

The Misfortune Cookies Anti-Advent Calendar – Gruesome Christmas comes courtesy of Prezzybox, and features 24 days of pure dismay – in cookie form.

The anti-advent… Read the full story

Fancy living in a micro-house that only takes up one parking space?

October 17, 2017, 11:55 pm

≫ Next: Historical Sex: Sex toys have existed for longer than you can imagine

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We know, we know.

When we say ‘cosy’ or ‘micro’, you get horrible visions of that one studio apartment you viewed that didn’t have enough room to fold out the bed.

Well scrap that visual for a moment and take a look at this. It’s a micro-home, but much less miserable than what you’re imagining.

Over in Finland, architect Marco Casagrande (ironic name, am I right?) believes he may have come up with the answer to the housing crisis: A snazzy house that only takes up one parking space.

The TIKKU (that’s the name of the little house), has a base that measures two and a half metres by five metres, making it… Read the full story

Historical Sex: Sex toys have existed for longer than you can imagine

October 18, 2017, 12:00 am

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They may have only truly made it into mainstream culture relatively recently, but sex toys have been around in one form or another for pretty much as long as humans have been getting jiggy with it.

The oldest example that we know anything definite about is a carved siltstone phallus that’s reconstructed from fragments discovered during an archaeological dig at Hohle Fels in Germany.

Historical sex: How ancient Egyptians used goats, bees and crocodiles in sex

Believed to be around 28,000-years-old, it is different from… Read the full story

How your lack of sleep is ruining your sperm

October 18, 2017, 12:24 am

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You should know by now that you really should be getting more sleep. Seven hours a night, at least.

It’s good for your mental health, it’s been shown to make you smarter, and if you’re keen to get fit and healthy, sufficient sleep is essential.

But just in case you needed another reason to rest up, here it is: Your late nights are ruining the quality of your sperm (if you have sperm, that is).

If you’re trying to conceive – or you just base a lot of your self-worth in the quality of your sperm – you need to make sure you’re getting just the right amount of… Read the full story

The 10 most popular places renters move when they leave London

October 18, 2017, 1:06 am

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London is a brilliant place to live.

There’s so much to do, a new restaurant opens every week, and public transport is stellar.

London is also a bloody awful place to live.

The deeply depressing rent prices, the polluted air, the shoving you glumly put up with on the Tube.

It’s not surprising that after a few years of trying our hardest to make it in the city, we find ourselves burned out or priced out, and ready to ditch London for greener pastures.

New research from Countrywide has found that record numbers of renters are ditching the capital to rent places in other spots around the UK. With more than 50,000… Read the full story

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Gymnast who quit sport because of her vitiligo shares how she finally learned to love her skin

October 18, 2017, 2:01 am

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It’s taken years for Dionne Lees, 21, to embrace her skin.

Her vitiligo first started appearing when she was twelve years old, but Dionne just assumed the patches on her face were dodgy tanlines, caused by wearing sunglasses while sunbathing.

But as more white patches appeared, Dionne went to the doctor, who diagnosed her with vitiligo.

‘I was twelve years old when my vitiligo first spot developed,’ says Dionne. ‘I was in Lloret de Mar, Spain and I woke up with white patches on my eyes.

‘They were two big circles of white and the rest of me was really tanned. I had been wearing sunglasses while lying in the… Read the full story

Brits value high quality sleep and sausages above all else

October 18, 2017, 2:10 am

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Buying luxury items is a difficult process.

Whether it’s a hangover of my university ‘budget over everything’ mindset or simply the fact that I’d rather be spending my money on things that I don’t use to wipe my bum, going for the cheapest option is a habit that’s hard to shake.

We all know that upgrading your essentials can often lead to a far simpler life (and, in some cases, works out better value in the long run), but it seems I’m not alone in clinging onto my low-cost lifestyle.

A new study from YouGov has revealed that many Brits struggle to go for the luxury option when doing their grocery shopping, more often… Read the full story

21 Group Halloween costumes to try out with your friends this Halloween

October 18, 2017, 3:12 am

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Halloween can be a scary time for those of you who are still thinking about your costume.

Nevermind the things that go bump in the night which one of your squad is going to be Harley Quinn this year?

How your lack of sleep is ruining your sperm

Buying a costume last minute and going as a solitary witch is for amateurs and you and you friends are ready for the hard graft to look awesome this Halloween.

Whether your crew want to be the scariest gang in… Read the full story

Founder’s response to people kicking off about ‘Skinnypigs’ fitness class advert is bizarre

October 18, 2017, 3:21 am

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Remember Protein World?

Of course you do. They were the ones who released the ‘Are You Beach Body Ready?’ ads on the tube and got everyone fired up online after the founder started having a go at anyone who objected to being fat-shamed on their daily commutes.

Now that might sound like bad marketing to most of us but it won them plenty of publicity and approval from all the lads, lads, lads out there who admired the CEO’s smooth handling of the situation.

And Protein World’s influence is still being felt…this time at a gym in Sunderland.

SkinnyPigs Fitness claims to be ‘the only group fitness class designed specifically to make you look better… Read the full story

How long do Halloween pumpkins last and when should you carve them?

October 18, 2017, 3:24 am

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The frightfully festive holiday of Halloween is near and people are getting their spooky decorations in order with the key ingredient being the humble pumpkin.

Boss's response to people kicking off about a 'Skinnypigs' advert is bizarre

The supermarkets and vegetable shops are rife with pumpkins on their shelves as the countdown to Halloween is on.

Pumpkins are the easiest way to make your home into a Halloween layer and they can also be pretty lanterns.

Carving the pumpkin is one of the most traditional things about Halloween; the smell of pumpkin in the air, the orange dye… Read the full story

A Halloumi-themed pop-up restaurant is opening in London

October 18, 2017, 3:43 am

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Anyone with half a taste bud knows that halloumi is the best cheese of all.

Just slice that bad boy, chuck under a grill for a few minutes and bingo – hot slices of heaven.

Halloumi is way more versatile than many of us give it credit for being.

And what better way to see exactly what the cheese has to offer than with a week-long Halloumi pop-up restaurant?

The Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) is hoping that by having a restaurant dedicated to Halloumi, they’ll be able to showcase their national cheese and entice people to visit the island.

Read the full story

There’s a hands-free toothbrush that cleans your teeth in under three seconds

October 18, 2017, 3:46 am

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Admit it. You know that you’re supposed to brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day. And you’re supposed to floss.

But most of the time, you do a half-hearted scrub around your mouth, think ‘yep, that’s done’ once your mouth tastes of toothpaste, and merrily go to bed.

There are toothbrushes with timers to help you out, but after the first few weeks of commitment we tend to go right back to just turning off the brush the second it ‘feels’ like it’s done (usually only halfway through).

Could a hands-free toothbrush that cleans your teeth in under three seconds be the answer to our truly shoddy teeth-cleaning habits?

The Unico is… Read the full story

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People are not impressed with New Look’s juicing themed night shirt

October 18, 2017, 4:06 am

≫ Next: Women’s photos reveal the realities of being overweight

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Another day, another brand getting called out.

In the midst of insensitive Halloween costumes and bizarre customer relations from a fitness class, New Look is getting bashed for one of their night shirts.

The night shirt, currently in the sale section for £5, reads: ‘My heart says donuts but my jeans say juicing’.

You know, because if your jeans are tight, you should be juicing, apparently, despite quite a bit of research suggesting that juicing is not a healthy approach to losing weight, acting as a quick-fix fast that can lead to sugar spikes and fainting. Fun.

The night shirt has been called out on Twitter, by… Read the full story

Women’s photos reveal the realities of being overweight

October 18, 2017, 4:20 am

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Our society is obsessed with weight.

It’s nothing new – for centuries, we’ve been looking for ways to slim down, to accentuate and hide certain parts of our bodies.

As we become ever more concerned with fitness, however, our attitudes towards larger people has become more intolerant.

Photographer, performance artist and activist Haley Morris-Cafiero has been highlighting what it’s like to be overweight.

You might recognise her; over the past six years, she’s been travelling around the world taking pictures of herself as part of her project The Watchers.

And in each picture, we see other people’s reactions towards her.

‘The origins of the project were serendipitous,’ Haley tells… Read the full story

How to make Diwali Rangoli as part of your Diwali 2017 activities

October 18, 2017, 4:28 am

≫ Next: It’s time to stop saying ‘I’m fine’ when actually we’re anything but

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Thursday, October 19 marks the Hindu Festival of Lights for 2017 and people across the world will be decorating the floor of their homes with rangoli designs to celebrate.

There's a hands-free toothbrush that cleans your teeth in under three seconds

Rangoli is a popular folk art that sees people making colourful designs on the floor of their house, to serve as a welcoming gesture to the Gods and bring good luck during Diwali.

They are made during the Diwali festival in north India, and during the Onam and Pongal festivals in southern India.

The design chosen by the artist will have different religious implications, the… Read the full story

It’s time to stop saying ‘I’m fine’ when actually we’re anything but

October 18, 2017, 4:44 am

≫ Next: Obama’s chosen the coolest artist for his official presidential portrait

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I’ve made a point for a long time of not believing anyone who says ‘I’m fine’ when I ask them how they are.

Maybe that’s because I know whenever I say it I’m trying desperately to avoid having to explain why I’m not.

I’m not sure I can face the difficult questions that may follow the truth.

People are not impressed with New Look's juicing themed night shirt

When I was suffering from depression and anxiety over a period of almost seven years, my responses became completely automated.

Even when I walked… Read the full story

Obama’s chosen the coolest artist for his official presidential portrait

October 18, 2017, 4:59 am

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This is the incredible work of New York-based artist, Kehinde Wiley.

He’s the first black artist to ever be commissioned to paint a presidential portrait for the Smithsonian (the gallery has the only complete collection of presidential portraits outside the White House – they’ve all got to have one done at some point).

Barack Obama has chosen to have his portrait done by Kehinde who specialises in painting black men and women in the style of classical paintings – often in front of fantastically detailed floral patterns, a la William Morris.

They’re based on Renaissance and Baroque works – so many of his subjects are on horseback.

And we’d all like… Read the full story