Ikea launches its first ever range of yoga equipment

March 5, 2018, 6:28 am

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Wellness being the billion pound industry that it is, it’s not a surprise to find seemingly random companies investing in yoga and fitness gear.

Asos now sells vegan dinosaur t-shirts. Argos does proper bargain yoga gear.

And now Ikea – that beacon of Swedish interior design – has just launched its first ever yoga mat and block.

From April 2018, the HJÄRTELIG collection will be on sale, with prices starting at just £3.

It’s designed to cater for people’s increased desire to connect with the outdoors, so everything in the collection is made from sustainable materials, like cork, rattan and seagrass.

As well as scented candles, jewellery, bowls, bedding and plant pots, the limited-edition… Read the full story

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Woman who faced years of bullying finally embraces her giant birthmark

March 5, 2018, 6:53 am

≫ Next: 13 people reveal the most patronising things that have been said to them

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A woman who was nicknamed ‘Scarface’ by bullies has embraced her port wine stain birthmark thanks to supportive friends who taught her to see past it.

30-year-old Kellie Maddox, from Spokane, Washington, USA, was bullied as a child for the large birthmark that covers her left cheek.

The birth defect affects about one in 3,0000 people and is caused by a gene mutation that leads to enlarged blood vessels, permanently leaving an area of the skin stained pink, red or purple.

As a young girl, she dealt with name calling from her classmates who thought she was ‘ugly’, and as a teenager, her self-esteem plummeted because none of the boys… Read the full story

13 people reveal the most patronising things that have been said to them

March 5, 2018, 6:54 am

≫ Next: Super smart dog learns how to read commands from a card

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Whether you are an industry leader, buying a car or talking to a so-called friend – there seems to be nowhere to escape from being patronised.

The person who is doing the patronising probably thinks they are being helpful, unaware that they actually come across as, well, a bit of a dick.

Or. of course, they are doing it on purpose because they are the worst kind of people.

Whatever the truth is, these 13 people have shared the… Read the full story

Super smart dog learns how to read commands from a card

March 5, 2018, 7:02 am

≫ Next: Let’s not make ‘mixed weight’ relationships the next thing we have to worry about

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A dog has proved to be a genius after he was filmed obeying commands he read on a card.

Goldendoodle Oakley stunned his owners when he appeared to be able to read the instructions from left to right before performing commands like ‘sit’, ‘wave’ and ‘down’.

The bright pooch was showing off what he’d learned after a session with a trainer who thinks with practise and determination any dog can become a reader.

David and Joanne Greenbaum got one-year-old Oakley – who is a… Read the full story

Let’s not make ‘mixed weight’ relationships the next thing we have to worry about

March 5, 2018, 7:05 am

≫ Next: Glossier just launched their brand new ‘Lidstar’ eyeshadows

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Dating is a stressful process, which basically involves trying people out until you’re sure that you could spend significant amounts of time with them without feeling totally miserable. 

You need someone you find interesting, someone you makes you feel good about yourself, someone you have chemistry with. But what you might not have realised is that you’re also supposed to find someone who has the same weight as you. Otherwise you’re entering into a ‘mixed weight’ relationship.

Yes. ‘Mixed weight relationships’ are, apparently, a ‘thing’, something brought to my attention by model and body poisitive influencer Georgina Horne, aka Fuller Figure Fuller Bust.

Read the full story

Glossier just launched their brand new ‘Lidstar’ eyeshadows

March 5, 2018, 7:21 am

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After teasing their new eye product on Beyoncé at the Grammy’s back in January but keeping the deets under wraps, Glossier have finally launched their new eye shadow.

And in classic Glossier form, they went one step further and debuted the Lidstar eyeshadow on several Oscars attendees last night to drive hype.

The brand’s latest offering – also their first foray into eye makeup – is finally available to buy for £15 each, or you can save £5 and snap up a duo for £25.

Lidstar is described as a ‘glistening eye glow’ with each shade delivering a wash of twinkling colour, thanks to its formulation of what they describe as ‘custom-balanced ultrafine multicolour pearls’.

The eyeshadows that are housed in test tube-esque packaging with a doe foot applicator, promise to ‘lock on’ to lids for up to 12 hours without… Read the full story

If you’re writing your mum a birthday or Mother’s Day message, do it with feeling (and good grammar)

March 5, 2018, 8:07 am

≫ Next: Why a luxury fitness boot camp is the perfect solo holiday

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If you’ve ever sent your mum a generic birthday or Mother’s Day card, you might get schooled about a thing or two.

Use good grammar for goodness sake. She might have birthed you and put up with all your flaws, but why should she tolerate the wrong use of your?

Some mums might even make you try again and again till you’ve crafted the perfect message.

Not only was 13-year-old Tunmise asked to rewrite the birthday message for mum Kemi, which he did via Whatsapp, he was told to have more feeling and sincerity.

And as siblings often do, sister Anjola revelled in it, delighted to reveal the whole interaction on her Twitter.

Read the full story

Why a luxury fitness boot camp is the perfect solo holiday

March 5, 2018, 8:12 am

≫ Next: Women are happiest with their bodies when they’re underweight

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There comes a time in every fit person’s life where they plateau.

It might be sheer mental and physical exhaustion that drives them to the pastry section, or it could simply be that the gains stop coming from their routine.

In my case, it’s been a bit of both. I’m fit but my motivation has crashed. I spend my lunchtimes working out at 60% of my maximum output and evenings eating coconut chocolate from Waitrose and watching boxsets…and that’s led to the reemergence of my gut.

So I decided to sign up to a three-day blitz boot camp to remotivate, reeducate and reassess my fitness goals and abilities. In Marbella.

After all, what better way to make you feel better than some sun?

The Beast from the East, however, had other plans.

34 Degrees North is run by husband and wife duo Claire and James, who operate their boot camps out of the most luxurious hotels in Marbella and Ibiza. What better way… Read the full story

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Women are happiest with their bodies when they’re underweight

March 5, 2018, 9:17 am

≫ Next: You can now get Thai Massaman curry on top of your vegan pizza

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Women feel most body confident when they’re medically underweight. So that’s just great. 

Research from FitRated polled over 1,000 people, and came to the depressing conclusion that women feel happier with their bodies when they’re technically under weight.

FitRated say: ‘According to our study, women felt the most body confident when they were underweight, with a body mass index (BMI) under 18.5. Women whose BMI ranged from 18.5 to 24.9 rated their body confidence only a 3.4 on our scale of five, while overweight and obese women rated their confidence 2.8 and 2.1, respectively.’

The fitness company, who clearly support health rather than thinness, are quick to point out that… Read the full story

You can now get Thai Massaman curry on top of your vegan pizza

March 5, 2018, 9:25 am

≫ Next: We need these Oreo Buddha bowls in our lives

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Vegan pizza can be very hit and miss.

Sometimes you subtract cheese from the equation and end up with a sad little dough splodge, and other times, you’re left with a vegetable masterpiece.

Vegans have been subjected to some curious toppings in the past, with Goodfellas launching the UK’s first mainstream frozen pizza and announcing falafel as the topping. Hmm.

We’ve also had peanut butter offered up as a vegan pizza topping so it should come as no surprise that the people who created that are the ones who just launched Thai Massaman curry as a topping.

Sourdough pizza people Four Hundred Rabbits have teamed up with… Read the full story

We need these Oreo Buddha bowls in our lives

March 5, 2018, 9:58 am

≫ Next: Is this the poshest McDonald’s in the world?

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Buddha bowls and smoothie bowls became a trend a few years ago, and started popping up all over Instagram.

We’ve had incredible animal art in bowls, cosmic smoothie bowls and crazy colourful patterns drawn into blended fruit.

While they look incredibly pretty, it’s hard to believe that these people actually spend that much time every morning assembling their fruit and seeds in super straight lines.

Nigella Lawson agrees, calling smoothie bowls ‘crap’, and she’s previously taken a pop at all these Instagrammers who make every single meal photogenic, caring more about its look than its taste.

Plus, these bowls are… Read the full story

Is this the poshest McDonald’s in the world?

March 5, 2018, 11:40 pm

≫ Next: 8 of the best things to do in Frankfurt this summer

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McDonald’s might have rebranded to look slightly more chic than it used to, but if you want to enjoy a Big Mac in properly bougie surroundings, you need to head over to Maine.

Over there, you won’t find those ubiquitous golden arches. You won’t find any weird statues of Ronald McDonald greeting ravenous customers.

No, the only Maccie D’s in Freeport, Maine, USA, is housed in a 168-year-old mansion.

And it still features a formal dining room, complete with wooden chairs and candles.

The building was originally a colonial house built back in 1850 by William Gore, a Freeport merchant – and it’s known as Gore House.

In 1984, it was turned into a McDonald’s… Read the full story

8 of the best things to do in Frankfurt this summer

March 6, 2018, 12:00 am

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When you think of Germany, you immediately think of Berlin. 

It’s the capital and it’s steeped in history so it’s an obvious choice for a city break.

Cruelty free travel: 6 vegan tour operators you need to know about

But drive a few hours west and you’ll stumble across Germany’s true hidden gem, Frankfurt am Main, which will make you wonder why you hadn’t visited sooner.

Frankfurt has the perfect blend of both traditional architecture and modern skyscrapers, and is often dubbed Main-hattan for precisely this reason.

It’s not just the Christmas markets that make this city, it’s the summer when it comes alive.

Experience the old town, picnic in the Palmengarten, try some authentic German cuisine or ride the Ebbelwei Express tram – these are just some of the best things to do in the German city.

Take a walk tour through the city

Read the full story

Mum has the perfect response after her daughter rejects Curvy Barbie

March 6, 2018, 12:07 am

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When Allison Kimmey gave her five-year-old a Curvy Barbie, she wasn’t expecting her to brutally reject the doll.

Allison’s a body positivity campaigner from Florida, who has spoken candidly about her conversations with Cambelle about body image and ‘imperfections’.

But that didn’t prepare her for the moment when Cambelle binned Curvy barbie for being too big.

Taking to Instagram, Allison says that when asked why she threw the doll away, Cambell she no longer liked her because ‘her arms aren’t right. Her legs are too big. She doesn’t look like my other Barbies and she doesn’t fit into any of the clothes except this one outfit’.

‘I paused. I was speechless. I honestly… Read the full story

Gabriel Garcia Marquez books and quotes of the Colombian novelist celebrated in today’s Google Doodle

March 6, 2018, 12:28 am

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Today’s Google Doodle marks the 91st birthday of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, with a beautiful portrayal of one of his most famous creations.

The Colombian author, known as Gabo or Gabito, created novels, short stories, wrote screenplays and worked as a journalist over an extremely long and prolific career.

His first collection of short stories, ‘Eyes of a Blue Dog’, was released in 1947, and he wrote the film ‘Lessons for a Kiss’ in 2011, three years before his death in April 2014.

Today’s Doodle depicts the fictional village of Macondo which featured in a number of his works, most famously the novel ‘One… Read the full story

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Mum urges women to really embrace their post-pregnancy bodies

March 6, 2018, 12:35 am

≫ Next: Love Hearts ice lollies are a thing and we’re feeling so nostalgic

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Emily Marson gave birth to twin boys back in December after what was a difficult pregnancy.

The babies were born prematurely and Emily found herself being brought into hospital to be treated for dehydration and early contractions.

Eventually, she had to undergo a caesarean birth – leaving her with a visible scar.

And she’s now trying to help other mums come to terms with their postpartum bodies and scars of motherhood.

‘Our bodies go through a lot, a lot of change and your body is put through an enormous amount,’ she writes.

‘I am so proud of myself that I carried such beautiful children and gave them food, warmth and most importantly all the love… Read the full story

Love Hearts ice lollies are a thing and we’re feeling so nostalgic

March 6, 2018, 12:41 am

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Forget the Birthday Cake Ben & Jerry’s, because Love Hearts ice lollies are a thing and they’re making us feel all sorts of nostalgia.

Though they’re not exactly new, Instagram account Accidentally Vegan UK discovered the ice lollies just recently and shared a photo of them to their account.

The ice lollies are gluten-free, palm oil free and totally vegan.

According to the product description, the pack of four 65ml ice lollies are fruit flavoured and they each come with a signature Love Hearts message printed on each stick.

Messages include ‘Lick Me’, ‘All Yours’, ‘Cheer Up’ and ‘Kiss Me’.

This 16-year-old is a professional make up artist who caters to women of colour

March 6, 2018, 12:43 am

≫ Next: Neapolitan M&Ms exist and they taste just like the ice cream

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Rihanna changed the beauty game with the much-deserved success of her Fenty Beauty range last year.

Arguably, it wasn’t until the success of her makeup line that beauty brands realised just how much diversity is needed.

Cosmetic companies don’t always have colours and shades suitable for dark skin which can make it difficult for women of colour (WoC) to make the right purchases.

An American 16-year-old who feels that enough isn’t done to represent the different colours people come in within beauty brands has started her own makeup page.

Tiara Willis told Metro.co.uk why she began the movement and why representation is important.

Read the full story

Neapolitan M&Ms exist and they taste just like the ice cream

March 6, 2018, 12:47 am

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Neapolitan ice cream flavoured M&Ms are here and they sound every bit as delicious as they look.

The Neapolitan M&Ms are pink, cream and brown M&Ms which each come filled with an ice cream flavour.

The tiny chocolates consist of chocolate, strawberry and vanilla fillings.

People have been taking to both Twitter and Instagram to express their love for the M&Ms – which are said to smell exactly like Neapolitan ice cream.

m&ms neapolitan legit smells like actual neapolitan icecream.

— Wolf (@MagicallyWolf) March 5, 2018

Neopolitan M&Ms. They taste like neopolitan ice cream too. pic.twitter.com/wZXRvnqgOS

— Jewels… Read the full story

Does using animal tested products negate your vegan credentials?

March 6, 2018, 12:56 am

≫ Next: Between regular and plus-size clothing: 6 things you’ll understand if you’re a size 17

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Lots of people still think animal testing in Europe is illegal.

In some ways they’re right. In the EU, a law was passed in 2013 which made the sale of cosmetics tested on animals illegal.

However, this only refers to the final product. The ingredients themselves can be – and often are – tested on animals.

As well as this, household products like cleaners aren’t subject to these laws.

Cleaning products are often tested on animals to check for toxicity. Sometimes this involves feeding small rodents large quantities of the product in question and assessing how long it takes them to die.

Animal testing has never had a good reputation, but for a long time many… Read the full story