How to support a friend who lives with Inflammatory bowel disease

December 3, 2017, 4:12 am

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Today marks the start of Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week, a week completely dedicated to shedding light on and breaking the stigma around inflammatory bowel disease.

I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a form of Inflammatory bowel disease, almost three years ago.

Since this diagnosis, I have undergone multiple surgeries, I have lived with debilitating symptoms, and unfortunately, I have had to deal with people who simply do not understand the disease – which has left me feeling alone and at times, embarrassed.

What is Inflammatory bowel disease?

According to the NHS, Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term mainly used to describe… Read the full story

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Celebrate ‘Resistmas’ this year with these badass women on top of your Christmas tree

December 3, 2017, 4:29 am

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Could you imagine a more fitting angel for your Christmas tree than Beyonce-perfection-Knowles?

She’s an actual angel in human form.

As is Serena. Michelle Obama. Oprah.

And you can have them all decorating your festive fur, because nonprofit organisation Women To Look Up To has made a load of 3D figurines of inspiring women.

‘Every Christmas we place a ‘Topper’ […] made of no more than plastic and glitter on top of trees,’ they say.

‘For many, she has lost her meaning, which is why Women To Look Up To have created a range of modern female role models to place on top instead.’

Read the full story

Disney princesses are being turned into pies and they look too good to eat

December 3, 2017, 4:57 am

≫ Next: Ross, the cat with no ears, is looking for a home

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Those Disney princesses get around, don’t they?

They’ve been reimagined as queens. They’ve had their dresses made into bridal gowns. They’ve been photographed dealing with various real life struggles.

And now…they’ve been turned into pies.

Baker Jessica Leigh Clark-Bojin, the baker behind Pies Are Awesome, has been uploading pictures of her handmade princess pies to Instagram.

You can chow down on Belle, Tiana and Brave’s Princess Merida.

They’re stuffed with fruity fillings and then covered in layers of pastry, sprinkles and edible colouring.

And Jessica’s also uploaded a handy tutorial, in case you want to… Read the full story

Ross, the cat with no ears, is looking for a home

December 3, 2017, 5:43 am

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This is Ross.

He’s got no ears and he’s blind – just like his mum, Rachel.

They’re inseparable and they’re now looking for a home together in time for Christmas.

They’re best F.R.I.E.N.D.S (geddit?) as well as being mother and son so staff at RSPCA South Godstone Animal Centre in Surrey are trying their hardest to keep them together.

The pair were rescued in September after East Grinstead locals reported them as being abandoned.

Rachel had been spotted bumping into things and was too scared to leave a garden where residents had been feeding her and Ross.

‘Residents were worried about the cats’ welfare as they feared the… Read the full story

The 8 best vegan restaurants in Birmingham

December 3, 2017, 6:00 am

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With a huge surge of interest in veganism and plant-based diets, many people are on the hunt for meat-free dining – and most assume London is where it’s at.

12 independent vegan brands that should be on your radar

Whilst there is a huge range of vegan options in London, Birmingham is also full of options to check out.

In fact, the vegan scene in Britain’s second city has exploded; from vegan shops, dedicated eateries and everything… Read the full story

10 things not to say to someone with fake nails

December 3, 2017, 8:06 am

≫ Next: Astrology might be total crap, but please just let me enjoy it

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There’s nothing quite like walking out of the nail shop with a fresh set of acrylics or shellac.

Suddenly you’re swishing your hands around like it’s nobody’s business and gesticulating wildly, showing off your new talons.

Despite the fact that artificial nails have been around for centuries, though, it seems some people just don’t know how to deal with us rocking them.

I get asked so many inane questions about my nails, and while they’re not offensive or rude, they’re still mega annoying.

Don’t do it, people.

These are the worst offenders:

1. How do you use the loo with those?

Just fine thank you. Do you tend to ask people about their toilet habits often? I think… Read the full story

Astrology might be total crap, but please just let me enjoy it

December 3, 2017, 8:33 am

≫ Next: Here’s where to stay for a London Christmas shopping break

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I read my horoscopes every day without fail.

For those of you wondering (plenty, I’m sure), I’m a Pisces sun with a Cancer moon. That means I’m relatively social, but also sensitive and can sometimes need my time alone in my own world to recharge.

I can guarantee that half the people reading this will be thinking ‘OMG, I’m a Pisces too’ or some variation on that theme.

The rest of you, will be rolling your eyes so hard you can see your brains.

Astrology is weirdly divisive, with people either being super into it, or thinking it’s the biggest waste of time.

A tweet I saw recently was getting quite a… Read the full story

Here’s where to stay for a London Christmas shopping break

December 3, 2017, 9:13 am

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The Advent calendars are being opened, the decorations are up and Underneath The Tree is back on the airwaves – there’s no denying Christmas is on its way.

So it’s time to get serious about gifts.

For many, there’s little festive joy to be found in shopping online – especially if your orders turn up too late or doesn’t quite live up to the picture.

So, if Christmas shopping is one of the highlights of your holiday season, why not take things further with a weekend or mid-week break to a retail mecca?

London, with its bright… Read the full story

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A gallery of the craziest eyebrows you will ever see has been shared online

December 3, 2017, 10:14 am

≫ Next: If you’re in need of a proper weekend break, head to Retford (yes, seriously)

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If eyes are the windows to the soul, eyebrows are the curtains.

They can be used to frame your face, but some people haven’t quite got the hang of filling them in just yet.

While there are some eyebrow trends that are a little unique, these styles are even more eccentric.

If you want to try out the internet’s weirdest eyebrow styles, it might be worth proceeding with caution as you will definitely be getting some stares.

Read the full story

If you’re in need of a proper weekend break, head to Retford (yes, seriously)

December 3, 2017, 12:49 pm

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Retford isn’t the sort of place that you plan to visit.

I’ve seen signs to it on my way up the A1 to Yorkshire but the closest I’ve ever come is stopping at the Grantham service station for Burger King and a pee.

So when it was suggested that I go to a spa weekend up there, I was skeptical.

Don’t get me wrong, you can put a spa anywhere but you usually associate them with exotic surroundings or secluded forests.

Ye Olde Bell Inn sounds like an ancient pub rather than a deluxe health farm…and it kind of is.Only, it also has a state of the art spa on sight.… Read the full story

When do schools break up for Christmas?

December 3, 2017, 11:00 pm

≫ Next: How to look after your mental health when you’re moving house

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Christmas is only a few weeks away – and that means the start of the school holidays for thousands of schoolchildren.

While it’s still freezing outside, it’s a great chance to spend time with the family as well as getting together for that all important roast turkey.

You could pay this man £4,000 to put up your Christmas lights

And all those presents…

But the Christmas holidays won’t last forever with the… Read the full story

How to look after your mental health when you’re moving house

December 3, 2017, 11:00 pm

≫ Next: Fiona the hippo kissing a little girl is the most pure thing of 2017

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Did you know that moving house is widely considered a very stressful experience?

Seriously stressful. Recent research found that 61% of us rate moving house as the most stressful event in our lives, ranking it as more stressful than getting a divorce.

So, yeah, it’s not as simple as shifting a few boxes.

Naturally, I do not currently own a house (because house prices are out of control and we’re all screwed. THANKS, PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS), so instead I’ve been renting for the last few years.

Last weekend I moved into my partner’s place, and, knowing packing up all my stuff and moving had the potential to be stress-filled, I took steps to make the move as easy as humanly possible.

Some steps I took definitely worked. There were others I wish I had taken. I shall now impart them on to you, because when you struggle with mental illness it’s incredibly important to avoid excess stress. The last thing you need when you’re working on… Read the full story

Fiona the hippo kissing a little girl is the most pure thing of 2017

December 3, 2017, 11:35 pm

≫ Next: The genius behind these geometric pies has no culinary experience

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2017 has been pretty bleak.

Sure, last year was darker but the past few months have certainly been plagued with bad news and the prospect of impending nuclear war.

Which is why we all need a little light relief to remind us that we have PLENTY of joy and wonder around us.

And there’s no better ambassador for that than Fiona the Hippo.

She’s already an internet star but her pureness reached new heights this weekend when she swam up to greet a small child, giving her a little smooth through the glass at Cincinnati Zoo.

The zoo, quite rightly, is… Read the full story

The genius behind these geometric pies has no culinary experience

December 3, 2017, 11:55 pm

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Pies are really having their moment in the sun.

Cakes used to be the go-to dessert of choice for showing off artistic skill and craftsmanship.

Today, bakers have moved away from coloured fondant and are starting to manipulate pastry into incredible, tasty-looking designs.

Remember the Disney princess pies? Far too good to eat.

But you’ve seen nothing yet.

Lauren Ko has only been making pies for a year and she’s been coming out with all kinds of mad designs.

Every pie top she creates is fantastically intricate, delicate and spectacular.

Read the full story

There’s a graveyard in London where you can forage for sloes and wild food

December 4, 2017, 12:00 am

≫ Next: Freelee the Banana Girl defends her decision not to shave her body hair

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It is a freezing cold November morning and I’m standing in the middle of a graveyard.

I can see my breath form a small plume in front of me as we begin meandering down a path between dozens of crumbling headstones.

Like making sloe gin? Map of where sloe bushes grow in London

Today I’m foraging for berries to make sloe gin in a place filled with 350,000 dead bodies. And yes, it’s in central London.

Initially I can’t shake the feeling that I’m grave robbing to make alcohol but, and hear… Read the full story

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Freelee the Banana Girl defends her decision not to shave her body hair

December 4, 2017, 1:03 am

≫ Next: Asda is the first supermarket to launch officially vegan mince pies

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A vegan blogger who was branded ‘disgusting’ by trolls for not shaving her armpits is defending her decision.

Freelee the Banana Girl (AKA Leanne Ratcliffe) is a raw vegan who has come in for her fair share of criticism in the past.

But her decision to stop shaving is oddly receiving more abuse that her Raw Till 4 propaganda.

She uploaded a photo last month of her unshaved legs saying that she was starting to embrace her ‘true self’ and hoped to inspire other women to do the same.

Then last week, she shared a picture of her hairy armpits.

‘I haven’t shaved my furry armpits in ages now and I love it,’… Read the full story

Asda is the first supermarket to launch officially vegan mince pies

December 4, 2017, 1:23 am

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Veganism is going mainstream at last, with more plant-based products on the market than ever.

Christmas, however, is still a tricky time of year for those of us who don’t want to chow down on dairy.

But Asda is making things a little easier this year.

The supermarket has just launched the first range of vegan mince pies which have been accredited by the Vegan Society.

There are a few ‘accidentally vegan’ pies around already (notably from Iceland) but these are the first treats that carry the official stamp of approval.

Read the full story

How one bride-to-be embraced her alopecia in the most beautiful way

December 4, 2017, 1:40 am

≫ Next: Fancy some soap that looks like food?

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Weddings can be stressful.

From choosing bridesmaids to the pressure to make your ‘do look Instagrammable, there’s a myriad of things to consider before getting hitched.

But for one bride, her upcoming nuptials led her to make some positive changes.

Bride-to-be Makenzee Meaux has had alopecia since she was eight years old but instead of worrying about a wig for her engagement photos, she decided to no longer hide it.

She took to Facebook to share photos with her fiancé and how it led her to make a decision.

‘While taking our engagement pictures I decided that it was time to stop hiding from the one thing I tried… Read the full story

Fancy some soap that looks like food?

December 4, 2017, 1:42 am

≫ Next: Paris Hilton launches first unicorn-infused skin care product

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Picture it now: you’re back after a night out and all you want to do is scoff your face.

But instead of it being a chocolate éclair or a Toblerone bar, it’s er, soap.

It could happen.

Why you ask?

Because an artist has been creating soap that looks like real savoury food and desserts.

Rochelle Havier says her work is hand carved, piped and handpainted. And they’re very realistic.

Among her soapy designs include a lamb chop with peas and asparagus, buffalo wings and stuffed lobster.

Read the full story

Paris Hilton launches first unicorn-infused skin care product

December 4, 2017, 1:57 am

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Where has Paris Hilton been all this time?

Oh, those halcyon days when she went everywhere with Nicole and her little yappy chihuahua.

A purer time.

Anyway, she’s back now and she’s a beauty mogul, doncha know?

She’s launching her first skincare product and it’s made of unicorns (obviously).

It’s called Unicorn Mist and look exactly how you’d imagine a spray of Paris Hilton face spritz would look like.

But what does it smell like?

Well, Paris says that she’s ‘always loved the scent and effects of rose water’, but who knows what else the bottle contains.

But rose water is excellent for skin because… Read the full story