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Wine lovers rejoice – your tipple is officially the nation’s favourite drink, says survey

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Three wine glasses filled with wine (white and rose) on a pink background
Glass of vino, anyone? (Picture: Shutterstock/Metro.co.uk)

Wine lovers, we have good news.

You can now boast that the grape-based tipple is our nation’s favourite drink.

Wine has overtaken both beer and spirits as the most enjoyable alcoholic beverage, according to a new survey by YouGov.

White wines topped the list, with sauvignon blanc and pinot grigio in joint first place, followed by Malbec, Shiraz and prosecco.

It was revealed that 81% of 2,000 participants had let their taste buds be tantalised by a glass of wine in the past year, compared to 79% who had drunk beer or spirits.

This follows a recent campaign by the wine industry against Chancellor Sajid Javid to slash duty tax on wine, which has increased by 39% over the past decade.

Meanwhile, the duty for beer and spirits increased substantially less, at 16% and 27% respectively.

Today is also  unofficially known as ‘Wine Tax Freedom Day’, as it falls on a date that represents the percentage equivalent of the duty tax.

Wine duty currently accounts for £2.68 (including VAT) of a £5 wine bottle, according to research from Bibendum, a wine, spirit and beer supplier in the UK, published in The Morning Advertiser.

This isn’t the first time wine has been voted the most popular drink among Brits.

In 2015, a poll by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association revealed that those aged 25 to 34 years old prefer vino.

The findings are also unsurprising when you consider that the UK is currently one of the world’s fastest growing wine regions – three million vines were planted across Norfolk, Essex, Northampton and Suffolk in 2019, double the amount from the previous year.

If you’re noticing red wine in particular flying off the shelves, it could be because of its beneficial properties; a recent study suggests the beverage helps reduce stress and anxiety.

But never mind the statistics – what do you prefer?

MORE: Red wine contains an ingredient that really does relieve stress and anxiety, study says

MORE: Woman’s friends rescue white outfit when someone spills wine over her – by covering it in more wine

MORE: Wine experts say red wine can actually be better if it’s chilled


Couple get married in the primary school hall where they met when they were four

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Jemma Fullthorpe, 33, and Phil Allen, 32, who got married at Kingsthorpe Lower School in Northampton, where they were both former pupils.
This couple met when they were four-year-olds, in 1992 (Picture: SWNS)

We’ve seen a few stories of couples who got married after meeting in primary school which makes us want to dredge up old yearbooks (hey Billy, are you out there? Still listening to Westlife?).

It worked out for childhood buddies Jemma Fullthorpe and Phil Allen who just got married after first meeting each other as four-year-olds.

The couple met at Kingsthorpe Lower School in Northampton in 1992.

They were inseparable until Phil, 32, and his family moved to London meaning they went to different secondary schools.

A few years later, Phil contacted Jemma, 31, on Facebook where they chatted for some time.

After years of chatting and eventually dating, the pair decided to get married in the school where they first met 27 years ago.

With the permission of the current headteacher, they said their vows in the school hall where they used to do PE classes.

The couple when they were in primary school
‘Phil is always behind me, as he is in this picture’ (Picture: SWNS)

Jemma, who works in a solicitor’s office, said: ‘It was brilliant to get married where our story started.

‘The hall is where I have my first memories of Phil.

‘He was a bit naughty and always cheeky. We had mutual friends at school and we used to play on the same green outside my parents’ house.

‘At one point there was a school reunion and I was expecting him to come.

‘I was bricking it but Phil wasn’t there. I was half disappointed and half nervous. I’d wanted to see him.’

Though the reunion didn’t work out and they didn’t talk for a decade, the couple used Facebook to reconnect.

After Phil moved back to Northampton, Jemma decided to meet up with him when she went home for a few days.

Jemma and Phil on their wedding day cutting cake in the sports hall
Where it all began (Picture: SWNS)

‘I finally decided to meet him when I was back home for a few days. My ex-partner had just kicked me out and I was feeling very down,’ added Jemma.

‘I posted a Facebook status saying “It’s just me at home with the dogs.” It was a low point.

‘He commented straight away and invited me out for a walk on the green where we used to play.

‘After that, we saw each other every day.’

Phil, a tree surgeon, proposed in 2017 by hiding a ring in a Kinder Surprise egg along with instructions which read ‘will you marry me?’

The bride and groom kiss
How cute (Picture: SWNS)

The couple now live across the road from their old primary school in Northampton.

Phil said: ‘The school brought us together and we were delighted to be able to have our wedding there.

‘It brought back loads of memories and was the perfect day.’

MORE: Londoner who matched on Bumble with a Canadian woman while passing through airport marries her

MORE: Couple get married in surprise wedding planned by friend at PizzaExpress

MORE: Couple who met at 16 and 44 defend relationship on Age Gap Love

Morrisons has just launched a ham, egg and chips sandwich

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The ham, eggs and chips sandwich
The sandwich is limited edition (Picture: Morrisons)

Morrisons is launching a new Ham, Egg and Chips sandwich, inspired by the British pub classic.

The limited edition sandwich has been created for shoppers who fancy a pub lunch without actually having to go out.

The sandwich features roasted potato chips with hard-boiled free-range eggs and thinly sliced ham, with flame roasted chutney and mayonnaise on seeded white brad.

Rob Gallagher, Food to Go Buyer at Morrisons, said: ‘Customers told us that they loved the flavours of pub classics and that they were always looking out for more adventurous sandwich fillings and so we have combined them to create our new Ham, Egg and Chips sandwich.’

Homemade eggs with French fries and fried bacon on plate - close up view
Fancy this in a sandwich? (Picture: Getty)

The new pub inpsired sandwich comes part of a new meal deal range, with other additions to the limited edition range including fig and Wensleydale sandwiches, the ‘CLT’ – a sandwich featuring carrot, lettuce and tomatoes, a chicken dinner sandwich and a chicken Yorkshire pudding wrap.

The ham, egg and chips sandwich was made available on 5 August, and will be around for 12 weeks.

Morrisons has also recently opened bee-friendly farms to protect the bee population.

The supermarket has launched Project Pollinator, a farming scheme that has transformed 57 acres of farmland into nectar rich habitats to increase the bee population on farms by up to 55%.

Working with farmers, Morrisons is launching Bee-friendly products, with one the most popular being Bee-Friendly eggs which are now available in 300 Morrisons stores nationwide.

The programme has been introduced following growing concerns about the decline in wild bees throughout the UK.

MORE: Morrisons opens bee-friendly farms to protect the bee population

MORE: Morrisons is selling Parma Violet-flavoured Lambrini

These are all the mouth-watering foods people are eating on Eid-Al-Adha

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Three different types of food eaten on Eid-Al-Adha
Eid Mubarak to those celebrating! (Picture: Naheeda Mizan/Rahul Jalil/Shabana Ahmed)

Eid is about worship, about swag, and food. Lots and lots of food.

Muslims celebrating Eid-Al-Adha, to honour prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, eat as much as they can on the special day.

The occasion centres on food as a lamb is sacrificed to honour how God replaced Abraham’s son with the animal.

On the second Eid of the year, Muslim households sacrifice the lamb and hand it out to family, friends, and the poor.

The three-day celebrations consist of many different meals with each culture consuming their own special cuisines.

So, in case you want to nose around what Muslims eat on Eid or just want to see if others are eating the same as you, these are some of the delicious meals gobbled up during the festivities.

As with Christmas or any meal-heavy occasions, loads of Muslims wake up on the second day of Eid, eating the leftovers from the day before.

For those from Bangladeshi or other south Asian households, that might include choi fita/pita/pitha (these can take on different names in different households/groups).

These are little dumplings made up of browned rice flour, water and salt. You can make a fita biran which means to fry them and add caramelised onions and other garnishings like chilli and eggs.

And of course, you can pair that with the Qurbani (sacrificed) meat cooked for the occasion.

Other fried goods include narikeler pitha/fob/pob which are coconut puff pastries, also called curry pastries.

These are filled with coconut shavings which have been fried and drenched in sugar.

Another popular staple is handesh – rice flour and date molasses cakes popular in Bangladesh and India.

These are round fried things, ripped and dipped into milk and eaten as a cereal, consumed by itself or accompanied with a fresh, hot chai.

Main meals may include biryani, korma, lamb curries, sambus (samosa) and more.

Please enjoy these delicious-looking food pics bound to get you hungry:

Eid dessert table
We wish we were invited to this Eid (Picture: Promi Ferdousi)
Choi pitha bhaji - chopped up choi pitha stir fried with crispy onions and green chilli and fresh coriander
Choi pitha bhaji (browned rice flour, water and salt) stir-fried with crispy onions and green chilli and fresh coriander omg (Picture: Rahul Jalil)
Handesh/sondesh - rice flour and date molasses cakes (
Handesh – rice flour and date molasses cakes (Picutre: Naheeda Mizan)
Sondesh - a sweet dessert made with milk and sugar
Sondesh – a sweet dessert made with milk and sugar (Picture: Dina Begum)
Nobabi Shemai - crispy vermicelli layered with a creamy pudding centre.
Nobabi Shemai – crispy vermicelli layered with a creamy pudding centre (Picture: Dina Begum)
Gajar halwa - carrot-based sweet dessert
Gajar halwa – carrot-based sweet dessert (Picture: Naheeda Mizan)
Table of finger foods
Some Metro.co.uk folks were invited to this Eid celebration (Picture: Jennifer Haque)
Khaza/Khaza/Goja mishti (sweets) - refined wheat flour with sugar made into layered dough, with or without dry fruit or other stuffing, and lightly fried in oil
Khaza/Khaza/Goja mishti (sweets) – refined wheat flour with sugar made into layered dough, with or without dry fruit or other stuffing, and lightly fried in oil (Picture: Naheeda Mizan)
bowl of chicken, potatoes and veg
Not a traditional Eid meal but a delicious looking plate of chicken, potatoes and veg (Picture: Yasmin Khatun Dewan)
Biryani and curries set at a a table
Biryani and other beautiful goods (Picture: Shabana Ahmed)
Korma and rice
Korma and rice (Picture: Promi Ferdousi)
Chot poti
Chot poti – The dish consists of potatoes, chickpeas, and onions and is usually topped with additional diced chillies or grated boiled eggs (Picture: Promi Ferdousi)
Fried flour good
Pita can take on many different forms and shapes (Picture: GreenBadgeTaxi/Twitter)

MORE: Eid al-Adha images, quotes, messages, greetings and wishes

MORE: How are people celebrating Eid al-Adha 2019 and how long does it last?

MORE: Young black Muslims show off their Eid swag using #BlackOutEid hashtag

Aldi baby range goes on sale this week with prices starting at £4

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Some of the items in the Aldi baby range (Picture: Aldi)
Some of the items in the range (Picture: Aldi)

Having a baby is expensive and new parents are always looking for ways to save money.

Well budget supermarket Aldi is selling a whole range of baby products at lower prices.

The products cost from £4 and include everything for a changing table to cot.

You can pre-order the range from today online but the products won’t be in stores until Thursday 15 August.

Stock will be limited so get down to your local store early.

Aldi baby range changing unit (Picture: Aldi)
The changing unit (Picture: Aldi)

Items include the white nursery cot bed with drawer for £129.99 and a cot bed mattress for £29.99.

The Moses basket with stand for when they are really tiny is £29.99.

There’s also a wardrobe for £119.99 and changing table for £99.99 to complete the nursery furniture set.

You can pick up lots of things you need for baby’s early years including clothes, bottles and toys.

For when your little one gets older, there are potty training tools and lots of plates and bowls for them to eat from.

And if you’re just a friend to a new parent, there are lots of great gift ideas too.

Aldi baby range roar hamper (Picture: Aldi)
The Roar hamper (Picture: Aldi)

The Roar baby hamper for £39.99 includes raptor themed baby essentials, such as blanket, cloths, sleep suits and lots more lion and dinosaur themed goodies.

The description on the website says: ‘This Roar Hamper is sure to make life easier when the baby arrives.’

Getting everything under one roof at cheaper prices sounds perfect for busy parents-to-be.

MORE: These are all the mouth-watering foods people are eating on Eid-Al-Adha

MORE: Morrisons has just launched a ham, egg and chips sandwich

Mum’s brain tumour undetected for 10 years because she thought she was just tired

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Emily's scar following her surgery for a brain tumour
Emily’s scar following her surgery (Picture: Caters)

A tumour started growing on Emily Corrigan’s brain 10 year ago – but she had no idea and she put her symptoms down to tiredness.

A decade later, it was discovered when she had a seizure and it had grown to was the size of an orange.

The mum-of-four said she dismissed dizziness, fatigue and headaches because she thought it was just part of being busy with her kids.

But the school office secretary from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, has since undergone two brain surgeries, with the most recent being in October 2018, in a bid to save her life.

Emily is now sharing her story to warn others not to dismiss extreme fatigue.

She said: ‘I was so tired all of the time and had terrible headaches and pains. I just ignored it because I knew I was tired and thought it was normal for a mum of young kids to feel like that.

‘The tumour was present probably since I was 18. Looking back now the signs were fairly obvious that something wasn’t right but I just dismissed it.’

Emily had been feeling tired for years and finally saw a doctor a year before her diagnosis because she also developed crippling headaches.

She had an MRI booked to investigate but she cancelled the appointment after she convinced herself that she was wasting everyone’s time.

She said: ‘I was getting terrible flashing pains in my head and was very tired. I had four young children and just dismissed the symptoms to being busy running around after them.

‘In hindsight there were definite signs. I was far more tired than most mum’s I know but time and time again I just put it down to being a busy mum.

Emily with her daughters (left) Francesca and Annabel
Emily with her daughters (left) Francesca and Annabel (Picture: Caters News)

‘I’d be up early with my kids from the crack of dawn until late at night so I never thought anything of it.

‘In the year or so before I had the seizure I was just slowing down. I put on weight and had no energy and felt lethargic all the time.

‘I had flashing pains for about three years, they were always in the same place in my head.

‘I convinced myself that nothing was wrong with me.

‘If I’d gone then and had that MRI the tumour would have been found and something could have been done about it earlier.’

In July 2015, she suffered a seizure at home and she was found by her partner Stewart, 42.

Emily with her partner Stewart, and children Sonny, Harvey, Francesca and Annabel
Emily with her partner Stewart, and children Sonny, Harvey, Francesca and Annabel (Picture: Caters News)

He rushed her to hospital but Emily was placed in a coma and her family were told that she had a cancerous brain tumour.

The 4.2cm by 4.5cm tumour was removed by surgeons but it returned in October 2018 meaning that she had to have more surgery.

Emily said: ‘It’s been so hard and has taken such a huge toll on us all.

‘I’ve been able to manage with the kids as best as I can but the surgery and treatment has taken any energy out of me.

‘The kids have been great but it can be difficult at times when I explain to them what’s happening to me.’

Emily has completed a 30 sessions of radiotherapy and is currently undergoing chemotherapy.

Friends and family are now raising £2,000 on GoFundMe to help support Emily and her family financially.

MORE: Aldi baby range goes on sale this week with prices starting at £4

MORE: These are all the mouth-watering foods people are eating on Eid-Al-Adha

We’ve fallen in love with these cat twins who have different coloured eyes

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The cats are gorgeous
The cats are gorgeous (Picture: sis.twins/Caters News)

We’ve fallen in love with two adorable twin cats who have contrasting blue and green eyes.

Iriss and Abyss live with their owner Pavel Dyagilev, 34, in Russia.

Pavel says that most people ask whether the cats are real due to their unusual appearance.

The white cats have a condition called heterochromia iridis which causes each eye to vary in colour.

Pavel said: ‘When I found an ad on social media that two kittens were seeking a new home I never imagined that I’d end up with two.

The cats' coloured eyes
Look at their eyes! (Picture: sis.twins/Caters News)

‘But I looked through the pictures of kittens and saw two twins, always together on the photos. And my heart melted.

‘Heterochromia by itself is not such a rare condition. This is a condition most commonly seen among white-colored felines but may appear in all other cats who carry the white spotting gene too. It is really seldom where there are twin cats from one litter who both have heterochromia, especially when their parents do not have this condition and the other kitten also has no heterochromia.’

The beautiful cats
Aren’t they beautiful? (Picture: sis.twins/Caters News)

Pavel adds that most people are wowed by Iriss and Abyss’s appearances, and even those who aren’t ‘cat people’ are mesmerised by their eyes.

The cats have even become online celebrities with their own Instagram accounts, where followers love looking at photos of their pretty eyes.

Pavel added: ‘The girls don’t feel starstruck by their online following. But they have all the features to be real stars.

‘They do not go out to exhibitions or crowded places because it is a huge stress for them. So our Instagram is a perfect source for the world to meet the unique beauty of Iriss and Abyss.’

MORE: RSPCA is looking for people to cuddle cats and rabbits

MORE: How to keep cats cool in hot weather

Marks & Spencer launches cans of vodka, lime and soda for £2

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The vodka lime and soda
We need one of these (Picture: Marks & Spencer)

On a hot summer’s day, there’s nothing better to drink than a simple vodka, lime and soda.

And so we’re pretty happy that Marks & Spencer has launched its own version so that we can enjoy one even when we don’t have time to go to a bar.

The new Vodka, Lime and Soda cans are currently available to buy in store.

They cost £2 each and contain just 113 calories – and they’re pretty boozy too, with an 8% alcohol volume.

A vodka lime and soda
The cans are just £2 (Picture: Getty)

M&S Drinks Product Developer Jenny Rea said: ‘Many people will know vodka, lime and soda as an absolute classic, however over in the US it’s currently THE drink of the moment and taking over picnics and pool sides, as well as filling Instagram with a growing number of social posts and hashtags.’

This new release comes after the store launched four new cocktail cans back in June: the aperitivo spritzer, cherry spritzer, peach spritzer and a vermouth & tonic.

The aperitivo spritzer is a sparkling cocktail with white wine and orange bitters, the cherry spritzer is a mix of cherry juice and rosé wine, while the peach version is peach juice and white wine.

The vermouth and tonic is exactly what it says on the tin.

Each 250ml can has 5.5% alcohol and costs £2.

All cans are available in M&S stores right now – so you might want to head over ASAP if you’re thinking about stocking up.

MORE: The heatwave cocktail guide: London bartenders advise what to drink

MORE: A self-service cocktail bar has launched in London


What is a ‘blind vagina’?

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An illustration of a woman in her underwear, holding her hands in front of her vagina with a pink background
It’s a rare condition (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)

In June this year, a study was published which focused on a Pakistani woman who was experiencing problems while having sex with her husband.

She found that penetration was near impossible and the 20-year-old also had pain in the lower part of her stomach.

As she had never had a period, her mother believed these symptoms were due to delayed puberty, however this was not the case as her ‘breast development was normal’ for her age and ‘other secondary sexual characters seemed normal’, according to the researchers.

So, what was wrong? The woman eventually saw a doctor who explained that she has what is known as a ‘blind vagina’.

If you haven’t heard the phrase before, you’re not the only one – the condition is very rare and there isn’t much information about it.

We ask experts to explain the symptoms and how it can be treated.

What is a blind vagina?

Rest assured that contrary to to its name, a blind vagina does not mean your vagina is fumbling around in the dark, unable to guide a penis through its entrance.

It is a condition in which the vaginal canal is very short, which can cause problems during sex, as well as other issues.

‘A “blind vagina”, also know as a “dead-end vagina”, is a short vaginal canal that has a section of tissue blocking the vagina, therefore making it shorter,’ Dr Sarah Welsh, co-founder of Hanx, tells Metro.co.uk.

‘This generally means the end of the vagina does not continue to the reproductive organs (including the neck or the womb, then to the womb).’

For women with this condition, the vaginal canal measures around two centrimetres – a third of the average length for vaginal canals, which is six centimetres.

What are the symptoms of a blind vagina?

Women who have a blind vagina will often experience pain during sex.

That being said, if your lover has been unable to fully penetrate you recently or you can’t fit your favourite dildo inside your vagina, don’t panic – there are a number of reasons this could be happening (such as dryness) and it does not mean you have a blind vagina.

It is a congenital condition, which means that women who have a blind vagina are born with it – and according to Dr Welsh, it is also more common among people with ‘intersex conditions’ (an umbrella term for people with an anatomy that isn’t decidedly female or male, such as men born without testis or women who don’t have a clitoris).

‘It can occur at any depth of the vagina and cause a blockage of the vagina canal,’ Dr Shree Datta, consultant gynaecologist at My Healthcare Clinic, tells Metro.co.uk.

‘This means that there is no clear canal connecting the upper and lower vagina. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, absent or light periods during puberty, and pain during sexual intercourse.’

The severity of this pain varies from case to case, and a woman might not even know she has a blind vagina until puberty or when she starts having sex (or otherwise penetrating her vagina with fingers or sex toys).

Having a blind vagina does not only come with physical symptoms; some women also feel ashamed because of their inability to have sex and as is often the case when it comes to vagnial issues, there is a stigma attached to the condition.

It can be difficult when you are ‘different’ from other women that you surround yourself with – especially when you’re going through puberty – and some women may feel there is something ‘wrong’ with them, because they can’t have sex.

Some can also be blamed by their partners for having this condition in the first place.

As an example, the Pakistani woman from the study had been physically and sexually abused by her husband because of their problems in the bedroom.

What are the treatment options for a blind vagina?

A blind vagina can be treated, but this usually involves surgery.

Dr Datta said: ‘Treatment is primarily surgical at a specialist hospital to remove the fibrous tissue creating the blockage in the vagina.

‘This may require further treatment to ensure the vagina canal does not narrow as it heals.

‘In the vast majority of cases we are able to treat women successfully and fully.’

If you have any concerns about your vagina, whether related to pain, odour, appearance or anything else, it’s best to have a chat with your local GP.

There are also many sexual health clinics across the country that offer drop-in hours – and if it’s extremely urgent, we recommend a visit to AE.

While you’re in the waiting room, why not read up about why you shouldn’t put chocolate in your vagina?

MORE: What happens to your vagina and vulva as you age?

MORE: Your vagina is the easiest target for influencers to sell you self-hate

MORE: Your hayfever medication could be making your vagina dry

Bride-to-be shamed for unusual engagement ring that looks like a ‘jewel encrusted speculum’

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Two photos of the ring that people slammed in That's It I'm Ring Shaming
It’s definitely an interesting choice (Picture: That’s It I’m Ring Shaming/Facebook)

People can be brutal when it comes to engagement rings – and we’re not even referring to budding brides.

Random strangers can be just as harsh, if not more so; one woman was told her ring looked ‘like a prolapsed butthole’, while another was shamed when her boyfriend decided to propose with a ring made of his own hair.

The latest in undesirable engagement rings comes courtesy of That’s It I’m Ring Shaming, a private group on Facebook, where a woman posted a photo of an unusual ring with inverted green gems.

It’s a slightly odd ‘V’ design with a double band that features small blue diamonds, while three main green stones make up the main part of the ring.

However, due to the positioning of these gems, the ring looks completely different depending on which angle you view it from.

According to the user who posted the photo, it’s ‘a ring “only slightly” acceptable from one angle’.

Unfortunately, it seems people don’t agree as many said there was no angle that worked well, with one person saying it was ‘hideous all around’.

‘Is that one angle with your eyes closed?,’ someone else asked.

Others claimed it resembled a speculum, a medical contraption often used by gynaecologists when exploring a woman’s vagina.

‘It’s a jewel encrusted speculum,’ wrote one person.

Another said: ‘What the hell is going on with this monstrosity?’.

Others were just confused.

Someone wrote ‘what the **** is that?’, while another said ‘…this hurt my eyes’.

The colour coordination of the gems – bright green and dark blue – was also brought up.

‘Its colors don’t even match!,’ wrote someone.

One person also said they wouldn’t accept this ring unless their ‘neck was crooked’ – once again referecing the many different angles.

Suffice to say people are not impressed.

MORE: People aren’t impressed with this engagement ring made by a boyfriend using his own hair

MORE: Bride-to-be shamed for wearing two ‘ugly’ engagement rings when fiancé couldn’t choose one

MORE: Woman mocked for her ‘tiny’ engagement ring and told not to bother wearing it

Charlotte Tilbury’s new Walk of Shame line criticised for ‘slut-shaming’

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Charlotte Tillbury's new makeup line advertised on a model
The new line Walk of Shame was criticised for its name (Picture: @ctilburymakeup/Instagram)

Makeup brands are no strangers to criticism, specifically when their lines are named after culturally sensitive things.

The latest brand to come under fire for a new collection is Charlotte Tilbury for its Walk of Shame eyeshadow and lipstick range.

It includes a fiery red lipstick and a glittery palette which wowed Instagram followers when it was advertised on model Chloé Lloyd.

But some took issue with the name, as the phrase ‘walk of shame’ has been criticised in the past for being ‘slut-shamey’.

Users said the name was ‘tone-deaf’ as the idiom is used to humiliate women for having sexual agency.

Meanwhile, men who choose to have sexual encounters are lauded, therefore a derogatory, gendered phrase shouldn’t be used to celebrate a makeup line, some said.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1BrveiHdAf/

The pink eye makeup look and matching glossy lips was praised by most fans, but some felt the name really missed the mark.

‘The name of this palette bugs me,’ wrote one person while another said: ‘Pillow Talk and Glowgasm, OK. But why Walk Of Shame?.

‘The name of this gorgeous palette is a real oversight,’ echoed another.

Users claimed that ‘walk of shame’, usually reserved for women, shouldn’t be used in a celebratory way as it’s used to humiliate women.

The phrase received wide condemnation last year after Facebook group Maga Walk Of Shame became really popular.

The page consisted of pictures of women – taken without their consent – walking back to their hotels in Magaluf, in the early mornings.

The Walk of Shame Luxury Pallette is available for £39.99 while the lipsticks are priced between £16-£24. You can also buy it as a trio for £71.

Other palettes in the collection include Pillow Talk, Dreamgasm and The Uptown Girl.

Many users said they were excited about the shimmering range, but a minority felt it was offensive.

We’ve contacted Charlotte Tillbury to see if they have a comment to share on the issue. We’ll update the article if they respond.

MORE: Don’t tell 12-year-olds they need makeup because they will carry it with them for life

MORE: In The Style criticised for choosing size 12 Chessie King for body positivity campaign

MORE: M&S criticised after vegan customer spots beef collagen in Super Water juice

Munchies launches chocolate fudge brownie flavour for just £1

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Munchies launches chocolate fudge flavour
Like the original, but even better (Picture: Nestlé)

Just when we thought chocolate couldn’t get any better, Nestlé goes ahead and releases a brand new Munchies flavour.

If you’re not familiar with the original, the square treat has a thick chocolate coating filled with soft caramel and a small round biscuit in the middle.

Munchies was originally launched in the UK in 1957 and has been a staple chocolate snack in the country every since.

Well, things are about to get even more delicious, with the release of a chocolate fudge brownie flavour.

Munchies fans will be delighted to know that the new product will still have the same texture as the original – but with the added goodness of a chocolate fudge brownie ganache around the biscuit centre.

Before you run to your nearest supermarket, note that it seems like Poundland has scored an exclusive deal on the product.

The supermarket announced the arrival of the Munchies chocolate fudge brownie addition on Facebook earlier today, though one person commented on the post and claimed the product had been on sale for several weeks in their local Poundland store.

One woman was particularly enchanted by the flavour and wrote: ‘Literally bought a pack and I can confirm I’d die for them.’

‘Probably won’t be as nice as they sound,’ said one sceptic.

If you’d like to try it for yourself, you can pick up a pack for just £1.

For those not big on sharing, we recommend buying two packs – just in case it tastes as good as we imagine.

MORE: Morrisons has just launched a ham, egg and chips sandwich

MORE: These are all the mouth-watering foods people are eating on Eid-Al-Adha

MORE: Afternoon Tea Week: Seven experiences where you can have a quirky cuppa

Cillian Murphy has a doppelganger and the resemblance is uncanny

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Pictures of Scott and Cillian Murphy
Scott is Cillian Murphy’s doppelganger (Picture: Kennedy News and Media; Ben Blackall; Robert Viglasky)

A gardener looks so much like Peaky Blinders’ Tommy Shelby – played by actor Cillian Murphy – that people are apparently ‘screaming’ when they spot him in bars.

Scott Blower said that when the show was first released in 2013, he had no idea who people were referring to when they stopped to tell him about the resemblance between the pair.

However, by the time the show became big, Scott started getting offered freebies on holidays in Marbella, thanks to his doppelganger.

Scott admits that he looks so much like the actor that he could walk out of a bar with a different woman every night – but always tells them he’s not the Peaky Blinders star. Fans are also left disappointed when he reveals that he has a girlfriend, named Nicola Stones.

The 47-year-old has now landed a job at a Peaky Blinders-themed bar, where he is paid to wander around in full 20s attire and pretends to be the flat cap-wearing Tommy Shelby.

What’s even more uncanny is that Scott’s grandmother is from the same small town in Cork, Ireland, that Cillian Murphy was born in.

A picture of Scott as Peaky Blinder protagonist Cillian Murphy
He’s the spitting image of Cillian (Picture: Kennedy News and Media)
Scott as a Peaky Blinder
Doesn’t he look just like him? (Picture: Kennedy News and Media)

Scott from Sale in Greater Manchester said: ‘[When it first started a few years ago] big fans of his would come up to me, in a bar or something, and say you look like Cillian Murphy, and I’d never even heard of him.

‘Then when we went to Marbella, it was when Peaky Blinders was out, I was just getting mobbed. Even on the plane people thought it was him going away with his friends, so it was crazy.

‘My mates loved it because we could get free beds – you know how they charge for beds and things like that over there? – so my mates would lap it up.

‘I never feel tempted to act like I am actually him. I would never do that. I usually just tell them. Even when I’m out shopping with my kids, I get stopped and I’ll say I’m not him.

‘This is blokes as well – blokes run over. I say “listen I’m not him” and they say “oh yeah” and I have to get my phone out and show them my Instagram page.’

Scott with his girlfriend Nicola
It’s crazy how much they look alike (Picture: Kennedy News and Media)

Scott said: ‘I was single when I started it and I could have walked out the bar or an event every week with a different woman but I’m not like that. I’m glad I met Nicola now and she’s accepting it so it’s all fine.

‘Obviously she does get a bit jealous, but she’s not too fussed. She used to be a rep when she was younger so she knows all that fussing is just your job.

‘She agrees I look like Cillian Murphy – I think that’s why she likes me.’

The couple met by chance in April, when Nicola ended up in the Peaky Blinders bar after another event she was going to was cancelled.

She had pictures taken with Scott posing in his lookalike role and the pair hit it off.

Nicola, from Urmston, Greater Manchester, said: ‘I was astonished at how much of a similarity there was. I was pretty drunk as well so it was even more so and I was like “wow”, but I knew it wasn’t him.

‘I was definitely attracted to Cillian Murphy before I met Scott – I think everyone woman is.

‘I don’t think of him as Tommy Shelby, I think of him as Scott my boyfriend. But when we see Cillian Murphy on TV it’s quite funny.’

With his work at the Peaky Blinders-themed bar in Manchester and with the fifth series just around the corner, Scott said he is now getting asked to do gigs almost every weekend.

Scott said: ‘The gigs are getting better and better.

‘The first one I did was a 1920s ball so I turned up there and got mobbed. It’s not like Beatles-mobbing but even at the bar [Peaky Blinders Manchester] it’s crazy.

‘When I see [Cillian Murphy] on TV it is weird. From certain angles, it’s just like looking at me. Obviously we’re not identical but it is freaky.

‘I can’t do a Brummie accent. I’ve tried.

‘I keep getting asked to do filming for things like parodies. Everyone says “you’ve got the same tone, you just need to do the Brummie accent and you’ll smash it”.

‘One of the three guys I [work at Peaky Blinders Manchester with] sounds like Alfie Solomons so he does all the talking and it’s just a bit of a laugh.

‘Friends and family just think it’s great.’

MORE: Bride-to-be shamed for unusual engagement ring that looks like a ‘jewel encrusted speculum’

MORE: What is a ‘blind vagina’?

MORE: Mum’s brain tumour undetected for 10 years because she thought she was just tired

Daily Fitness Challenge: Can you do these V-sits for a minute?

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V-sits are all about balance and core strength.

If you can blast through this move for a full minute your abs will be on fire – but we promise it will help in the long run.

Our daily challenges are perfect to try at home, at the gym or in the park. They are designed to get you moving every day.

Throughout this Staying Active summer series, fitness experts Elia and Amanda – both qualified instructors at Flykick – will be on hand to show you how to do each challenge and give you their top tips.

Check back every day to see what the next challenge is – you could even film your progress to make a record of how far you’ve come.

The aim is to be active every day for six weeks over summer. Today’s challenge will test different muscle groups and help to improve your muscle performance.

These daily challenges can be done on their own, or you can include them in larger workout – it’s totally up to you. As long as you’re moving, that’s what matters.

Woman doing a V sit outside
Make sure you don’t round your shoulders. (Picture: Getty)

We know doing the same fitness routine every week can get really tedious, trying a new challenge every day will keep your fitness fresh and fun – and you might even learn some new moves.

How to do V-sits

Engage your core and lift your legs up to an extended position at a 45-degree angle.

Reach your arms up towards your shins. Make sure you keep your core tight and your spine spine strong throughout the movement – don’t round your shoulders forward.

Hold this V-shape for several seconds. As you get stronger you can hold the position for longer.

Return to your starting position slowly while continuing to keep your abs engaged.

Just before you reach the floor, stop and hold the position for a few seconds.

I am Team GB

Toyota has teamed up with Team GB to re-launch the hugely successful participation campaign ‘I am Team GB’.

Inspired by the achievements of Team GB athletes and the amazing efforts of local community heroes, Team GB has created ‘The Nation’s Biggest Sports Day’, which will take place on the 24thAugust.

Over the weekend, there will be hundreds of free and fun activities across the country, put on by an army of volunteers; the ‘I am Team GB Games Makers’.

To Join the Team and be part of The Nation’s Biggest Sports Day sign up at: www.IAmTeamGB.com

Parents are puzzled by this very odd baby routine from the 1950s

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baby routine
Okay, baby, time to sleep soundly until 6am (Photo by Lambert/Getty Images)

Getting a baby to stick to your plan for the day isn’t easy.

You might have visions of an afternoon nap followed by a peaceful night’s sleep, but a baby might not fancy sticking to your schedule.

Maybe modern mums are doing it all wrong.

Perhaps parents should follow this absolutely bizarre baby routine thought to be from the 1950s.

Spoiler: We don’t think they should.

People are puzzled and amazed by a baby routine that was shared by Mum’s Grapevine.

The schedule, titled ‘Baby’s Day’ starts promptly at 6am with a feed, change, the mysterious ‘hold out’, followed by allowing the baby to sleep again.

We have no clue what ‘hold out’ means. Hold the baby away from you? Hold it outside? We reckon as long as you’re holding the baby you can probably tick this task off.

Mum's Grapevine
‘Mothering’ takes place at 2pm (Picture: Mum’s Grapevine/ Facebook)

At 9am it’s time for a drink of water, followed by allowing the baby to ‘kick on bed without clothes’. In summer mums are expected to give babies a daily sunbath at this time, too. That can be followed with a normal bath with water.

By 10am it’s time for another feeding, another holding out, and then parents are instructed to ‘put out of doors to sleep’. Yep, we should be making our babies nap outside, apparently.

At 1pm it’s another drink of water, more kicking and playing, then it’s time for feeding, more holding out, and an ‘outing and mothering’.

We thought the whole day had been spent mothering, but apparently not.

Going on an outing and doing mothering takes around two hours, then the baby is due another orange juice, a bath, a feed, more holding out, and finally bedtime at 6pm – ‘lights out, windows open, door shut, no dummy’.

The last order of the day is at 10pm, when baby should be fed ‘in a darkened room’, changed, and sent back to bed, where baby shall sleep soundly until 6am.

If the baby would actually play ball and stick to this routine, it actually sounds like a decent day.

Parents in the Facebook group have approved of the rigid schedule, asking how they’d ever survived without it.

If anyone fancies trying out ‘baby’s day’ and reporting back, do let us know your findings – if only your discovery of what it means to ‘hold out’ a baby.

Or you can follow a more modern day routine of just sticking Baby Shark on a loop and grasping at sleep whenever you can.

MORE: Aldi baby range goes on sale this week with prices starting at £4

MORE: A baby deer is sporting a pink cast after being found abandoned with a broken leg

MORE: Laura Kenny’s top tips on returning to exercise after having a baby


These exercises will help you run faster (and improve your 10K time)

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A young woman sprinting outdoors
Scream if you want to go faster. Or just do these exercises. (Picture: Getty)

There’s nothing like the feeling of smashing you personal best. It makes all those early morning runs feel worth it.

But runners will know that improving your time often comes down to the finest of margins, and making that push to improve your speed can be incredibly difficult.

If you’ve got a 10K – or any distance event – coming up, and you’re keen to shave some seconds off your time, there are ways to do it. You just have to focus your training.

We asked Anthony Mayatt, personal trainer and owner of Breathe Fitness, for his top tips on how to get faster.

‘Weight training is very beneficial for long distance runners, especially if you are looking to add in a longer distance or trying to run faster,’ explains Anthony.

‘Working explosively helps recruit more muscle fibers so that your power output can increase for your runs.

Weight training also helps runners in general by improving posture and reducing the chance of injuries, such IT band syndrome or shin splints.

‘Look to add one or two strength sessions a week into your training schedule.’

Five exercises to improve your speed over a long distance

1) Sprint sessions

Work on short sprints to help your legs recruit more muscle fibers and improve power when you want to increase your speed over a longer distance.

6-10 X 100m sprint

Recovery walk back to the start line before repeating.

2) Deadlifts

It’s important to work the posterior chain for strong hamstrings, lower back and strength around the pelvis. This exercise should be explosive, so work at a smaller rep range with heavy weight.

4 X 6-8 reps

  • Stand tall with a barbell, feet shoulder-width apart, pointing forwards.
  • Bend from your hips, keeping your chest out and shoulders back and drop the weight straight down, keeping the bar as close to your legs as possible.
  • Pause when the bar reaches ankle to knee height, depending on lower back posture (no rounding of the back), and return to the starting position.
A woman preparing for a deadlift with weights in a gym
Deadlifts should be explosive – it’s all about power. (Picture: Getty)

3) Pull ups

Even though your legs are doing most of the work, your arms are swinging and your upper body is supporting you as you run. So you need good posture and a strong upper body when you want to move faster.

Pull ups will train your back, arms, shoulders and core, so add this into your training.

4 X 6 reps, add a resistance band to assist if you cannot complete a full set.

4) Split squats

Running works by one leg going forwards and the other back, which is exactly how a split squat works, but without having to step into the movement.

By adding resistance to the movement, you can train your glutes and legs to get them stronger – helping your power output.

3 x 6 (each leg) holding dumbbells in each hand.

5) Plank

Your core needs to be strong, a weak one will more likely lead to injury and slower runs.

A plank is very much a mental exercise with no movement involved. This will work the transverse abdominus, which acts like a belt around the waist pulling it in so hits the core in its entirety.

There is no need to hold it for too long as it is hard to keep a good muscle contraction for a long period, so work between 30 second – 1 minute, and do it 3-5 times with a break between each one.

I am Team GB

Toyota has teamed up with Team GB to re-launch the hugely successful participation campaign ‘I am Team GB’.

Inspired by the achievements of Team GB athletes and the amazing efforts of local community heroes, Team GB has created ‘The Nation’s Biggest Sports Day’, which will take place on the 24thAugust.

Over the weekend, there will be hundreds of free and fun activities across the country, put on by an army of volunteers; the ‘I am Team GB Games Makers’.

To Join the Team and be part of The Nation’s Biggest Sports Day sign up at: www.IAmTeamGB.com

How to build muscle and tone your arms

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Young Woman Weigh training at the Gym
‘It is better to spend more time working on the triceps rather than biceps.’ (Picture: Getty)

It can be really difficult to target something specific in the gym.

If you don’t have a professional training plan, making a significant change to one area of your body can be damn-near impossible. Which is really frustrating.

But, with the right guidance, it is possible to make one body part stronger – you just have to be dedicated.

Last week we told you how to build muscle in your legs – and today we’re looking at the arms.

We asked Anthony Mayatt, personal trainer and founder of Breathe Fitness for his top tips on creating chiseled, strong arms and shoulders.

Woman in gym getting ready for exercise
‘The body strengthens and builds when at rest, so a good night’s sleep is your secret weapon.’ (Picture: Getty)

Exercises to build muscle and tone your arms and shoulders

‘When training the arms, it is better to spend more time working on the triceps rather than biceps,’ explains Anthony.

‘This is because the triceps take up two thirds the upper arm size, so if you spend hours doing hundreds of biceps curls then you’ll be wasting a lot of energy.

‘I am not saying avoid biceps but spend more of an arm session on the triceps.’

Dips (weighted/bodyweight)

When working the triceps you can never go wrong with dips.

If you are able to do lots of these then its a good idea to add weight by putting a dumbbell between your feet or attaching a weight plate to a belt.

Close grip bench press

This will also target the chest a bit but a great pressing exercise to target the triceps using a barbell.

Biceps curl (barbell or dumbbell)

The biceps work only through flexion and extension of the elbow.

Using a barbell means having the hands in a supinated position, but with dumbbells you can add rotation in the wrists, which mean you can also hit the forearms.

Top tips for building muscle

If you’re training multiple times a week then it’s good to split the muscle groups so you can overload each one more and allow them to rest on other workout days.

If you’re training only a couple of times a week, then it’s better to work your full body every session. To build muscle, it’s important to train regularly and not take too many rest days.

To build muscle, nutrition is important – making sure you eat enough to repair and build the muscle. Speak with a nutritionist to find the right amount based on your weight and activity levels.

The body strengthens and builds when at rest, so a good night’s sleep is your secret weapon to bigger, stronger muscles.

Get your night routine in check and make sure you always get a good number of hours sleep each night.

Anthony Mayatt, personal trainer

Military press

A standing barbell press is the perfect way to target the shoulders. It’s so important to engage the core by squeezing the glutes to stop the body arching when pressing.

Front/lateral raise

The shoulder is made up of different areas and this move will target the outside (lateral) and front of the shoulder.

Generally a lighter weight is used on this one compared to military press as works small sections of the muscle.

I am Team GB

Toyota has teamed up with Team GB to re-launch the hugely successful participation campaign ‘I am Team GB’.

Inspired by the achievements of Team GB athletes and the amazing efforts of local community heroes, Team GB has created ‘The Nation’s Biggest Sports Day’, which will take place on the 24thAugust.

Over the weekend, there will be hundreds of free and fun activities across the country, put on by an army of volunteers; the ‘I am Team GB Games Makers’.

To Join the Team and be part of The Nation’s Biggest Sports Day sign up at: www.IAmTeamGB.com

Woman calls out I Saw It First for dress with a neckline so small that only a grapefruit can fit through it

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I Saw It First is being called out for the tiny neckline on this dress
I Saw It First is being called out for the tiny neckline on this dress (Picture: @phoebe_buchan)

A women has called out I Saw It First for sending her a dress with a neckline so small only a grapefruit could fit through it.

Phoebe Buchan, 19, from Norfolk, had ordered a £17.50 White Dobby Mesh Frill Sleeve mini dress. When it arrived it had a rip in the neck, so she sent it back and ordered a new one.

When the new dress came, Phoebe discovered why the original’s neck may have been ripped.

Phoebe tried to try the dress on but found she couldn’t stretch the neckline over her head.

The shopper shared photos of her struggles to get the dress on, along with a grapefruit to show just how small the dress’s neckline really was.

Phoebe Buchan attempting to try on the I Saw It First dress
Phoebe struggled to get the dress over her head (Picture: @phoebe_buchan)

She tweeted: ‘I received this dress 2 days ago with a ripped neck – not exactly surprised as the second dress I ordered looks like this.

‘How on earth does anyone with a head wear this? Outfit for my weekend away ruined now. Please see grapefruit for size reference.’

The dress is marketed online with an image of it being worn by a model – who appears to have a normal sized head. The neckline also doesn’t appear to be holding the model’s neck in a deathly tight grip. Interesting.

The dress being worn by a model on the I Saw It First website
The dress being worn by a model on the I Saw It First website (Picture: @phoebe_buchan/I Saw It First)

After Phoebe tweeted the brand, I Saw It First’s customer care team got in touch to say they would look into the issue.

We’ve approached I Saw It First for comment and will update this article if we hear back.

If it’s any consolation to Phoebe, she’s not the only person struggling to wedge her head into an online order.

Back in May another shopper struggled to get inside a dress from PrettyLittleThing.

MORE: Shanina Shaik says Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2019 is cancelled to work on rebrand

MORE: How to build muscle and tone your arms

What I Rent: Caspar, £1,100 a month for a one-bedroom flat in Brixton

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Tenant Caspar Aremi is pictured in the living room of his one bedroom flat in Brixton, London, August 2nd, 2019
Caspar lives alone in between Brixton and Clapham (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

Finding somewhere to live in London can be tough.

You spot somewhere decent, within your budget, and with an easy commute to work, then show up to the viewing to realise the listing employed some very sneaky camera angles to make the flat look far larger than it is.

To get a more realistic view of London renting than pictures snapped by estate agents or Instagram #interiorgoals, our weekly series What I Rent takes you inside different people’s rented properties, from the lovely flats at genuinely reasonable prices to the grim houseshares with no functioning toilet.

Last week we were in West Norwood with a couple of graphic designers, Ben and Emma.

This time around we’re in Brixton with Caspar, a social media editor renting a one-bedroom flat.

 Tenant Caspar Aremi is pictured in the living room of his one bedroom flat in Brixton, London, August 2nd, 2019. Caspar pays ?1100 a month, not including bills. Photo credit: Susannah Ireland
He pays £1,100 a month in rent (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

Hey, Caspar! How much do you pay to live here?

My rent is £1,100 per month.

I’m not sure the exact amount for bills, but nothing out of the ordinary. Council tax is around £90, gas and electric is £60, Sky broadband is £25.

The only one that is more than I’d expected is water, they bill me £30 per month. Thames Waters’ own website says a single person in a small flat would pay around £15 per month, but they say they set me at this rate and if I use less at the end of the year they adjust the following year. I don’t even shower at home, I go to the gym six days a week, so I definitely expect this to be much less.

Do you think you have a good deal?

Yes – I really wanted to live on my own, for my own mental health. I’ve never enjoyed living with other people.

My last place was a very small room in someone else’s house, I had a tiny bit of space in the bathroom and a very small shelf in a kitchen cupboard. The landlords used the living room all the time, either themselves or throwing dinner parties constantly so I felt a bit trapped in my room.

When they wanted to raise the rent even more, I realised I could pay a little more to get a whole flat.

Dog doorstop Details are pictured in the bedroom of tenant Caspar Aremi's one bedroom flat in Brixton, London, August 2nd, 2019. Caspar pays ?1100 a month, not including bills. Photo credit: Susannah Ireland
Living alone is really important for Caspar’s mental health (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

What area is your home in?

I’m exactly half way between Clapham and Brixton. Technically a Brixton SW2 postcode, but I spend more time in Clapham so I just tell people ‘Clapham’ when they ask.

How many rooms are in your place? How many bathrooms?

A huge bedroom, a bathroom, and a living room/kitchen. The living room is the smallest room, I wish I could switch it with the bedroom but that wouldn’t be practical.

Are you happy where you live?

I really like the flat – the street it’s on is quiet so there’s not much noise from outside (thankfully, as it’s a lower ground floor flat), and the neighbours are all really nice, there’s a WhatsApp group for all the residents which is really friendly.

I’m close to big parks, and the night life of Clapham and Brixton. I have loads of tube stations within 10 minutes’ walk in every direction. There are big supermarkets in walking distance, and a corner shop right next door too.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, AUGUST 2ND 2019. WHAT I RENT: BRIXTON Details are pictured in the kitchen of tenant Caspar Aremi's one bedroom flat in Brixton, London, August 2nd, 2019. Caspar pays ?1100 a month, not including bills. Photo credit: Susannah Ireland
Caspar is a big fan of plants, especially orchids (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

Do you feel like you have enough space?

For just me, definitely. I had a friend stay for a few weeks recently as he was moving house and even with all his junk it didn’t feel too cramped.

How did you find the flat?

I’ve been here about six months, I moved in at the start of the year.

Someone I worked with very briefly about 15 years ago shared the listing on Facebook, she was friends with the landlord. He wanted to rent privately with someone who at least vaguely knew someone he knew.

It was (just) within my budget, in the right area, and was the very first place I looked at, but it felt right as soon as I visited.

What’s it like living alone?

I love it. I’m a bit of an introvert, and find being around other people all the time really stressful. Having to bump into people first thing in the morning after youv’e woken up, or immediately being asked how your day was the second you get in the door really winds me up. Being able to come back here and unwind, not worry about any problems not of my own causing, has been brilliant.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, AUGUST 2ND 2019. WHAT I RENT: BRIXTON Details are pictured in the bedroom of tenant Caspar Aremi's one bedroom flat in Brixton, London, August 2nd, 2019. Caspar pays ?1100 a month, not including bills. Photo credit: Susannah Ireland
After putting up with houseshares, Caspar realised he wouldn’t need to pay that much more to get his own place (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

How have you made the flat feel like home?

The landlord left a lot of kitchen stuff here, but I’d bought lots of my own for moving (as well as collecting it over the years) so all of his has been packed away in boxes.

I’ve also hidden a lot of his furniture away as I have lots of Ikea bits of my own, so it definitely feels more like my own place.

I have plants everywhere, I’m a big orchid fan so they’re in every window.

One thing I’d like to have done is put up some of my artwork, but there are huge mirrors all around the place. It’s handy, but suspect it was done so tenants wouldn’t be able to hammer things into the walls!

Are there any issues with the flat?

Nothing major. The building had a problem with the drains recently and being on the lower ground floor, I had water coming up from my kitchen floor. The landlord got on it very quickly, and was already looking to replace the floor in the flat from it happening a while ago, so I know he’s got things in motion to stop it happening again.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, AUGUST 2ND 2019. WHAT I RENT: BRIXTON Details are pictured in the living room of tenant Caspar Aremi's one bedroom flat in Brixton, London, August 2nd, 2019. Caspar pays ?1100 a month, not including bills. Photo credit: Susannah Ireland
He moved in six months ago and doesn’t plan to move out any time soon (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)

I don’t love the bed either. It’s a divan with dodgy drawers under it which aren’t really usable so I feel like I’ve lost storage space there. I offered to buy a new one but the landlord is going to take care of it once the new floors are down later in the year.

The living room being sort of narrow and a weird shape made getting my big TV in to a space complicated. Normal TV benches took up too much space, and the wall wouldn’t support a mount, but I found a TV stand that worked and now it feels right.

Do you have plans to move again any time soon?

No, I’d like to stay here for a few years at least.

Have you considered buying a place?

Not even on the horizon. If I met someone and was settled down maybe, but honestly, it’s never been a priority.

Makes sense. Shall we have a look around?

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, AUGUST 2ND 2019. WHAT I RENT: BRIXTON Tenant Caspar Aremi is pictured in the living room of his one bedroom flat in Brixton, London, August 2nd, 2019. Caspar pays ?1100 a month, not including bills. Photo credit: Susannah Ireland
Caspar in his living room (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, AUGUST 2ND 2019. WHAT I RENT: BRIXTON General view of the living room of tenant Caspar Aremi's one bedroom flat in Brixton, London, August 2nd, 2019. Caspar pays ?1100 a month, not including bills. Photo credit: Susannah Ireland
It’s a touch narrow, but look at all that shelving! (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, AUGUST 2ND 2019. WHAT I RENT: BRIXTON General view of the living room of tenant Caspar Aremi's one bedroom flat in Brixton, London, August 2nd, 2019. Caspar pays ?1100 a month, not including bills. Photo credit: Susannah Ireland
We appreciate a strong collection of pillows (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, AUGUST 2ND 2019. WHAT I RENT: BRIXTON Details are pictured in the living room of tenant Caspar Aremi's one bedroom flat in Brixton, London, August 2nd, 2019. Caspar pays ?1100 a month, not including bills. Photo credit: Susannah Ireland
And look at that booze collection! (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, AUGUST 2ND 2019. WHAT I RENT: BRIXTON Details are pictured in the living room of tenant Caspar Aremi's one bedroom flat in Brixton, London, August 2nd, 2019. Caspar pays ?1100 a month, not including bills. Photo credit: Susannah Ireland
An intriguing array (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, AUGUST 2ND 2019. WHAT I RENT: BRIXTON General view of the kitchen of tenant Caspar Aremi's one bedroom flat in Brixton, London, August 2nd, 2019. Caspar pays ?1100 a month, not including bills. Photo credit: Susannah Ireland
Here’s the kitchen, with a little dining area (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, AUGUST 2ND 2019. WHAT I RENT: BRIXTON General view of the kitchen of tenant Caspar Aremi's one bedroom flat in Brixton, London, August 2nd, 2019. Caspar pays ?1100 a month, not including bills. Photo credit: Susannah Ireland
It’s a nice kitchen, right? (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, AUGUST 2ND 2019. WHAT I RENT: BRIXTON Details are pictured in the kitchen of tenant Caspar Aremi's one bedroom flat in Brixton, London, August 2nd, 2019. Caspar pays ?1100 a month, not including bills. Photo credit: Susannah Ireland
Someone has fancy taste in nut butter and salt (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, AUGUST 2ND 2019. WHAT I RENT: BRIXTON Tenant Caspar Aremi is pictured in the bedroom of his one bedroom flat in Brixton, London, August 2nd, 2019. Caspar pays ?1100 a month, not including bills. Photo credit: Susannah Ireland
Welcome to the bedroom (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, AUGUST 2ND 2019. WHAT I RENT: BRIXTON General view of the bedroom of tenant Caspar Aremi's one bedroom flat in Brixton, London, August 2nd, 2019. Caspar pays ?1100 a month, not including bills. Photo credit: Susannah Ireland
Yes, it’s pretty big (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, AUGUST 2ND 2019. WHAT I RENT: BRIXTON General view of the bedroom of tenant Caspar Aremi's one bedroom flat in Brixton, London, August 2nd, 2019. Caspar pays ?1100 a month, not including bills. Photo credit: Susannah Ireland
Caspar’s got some working space as well as room to relax (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, AUGUST 2ND 2019. WHAT I RENT: BRIXTON Details are pictured in the bedroom of tenant Caspar Aremi's one bedroom flat in Brixton, London, August 2nd, 2019. Caspar pays ?1100 a month, not including bills. Photo credit: Susannah Ireland
You can tell a lot about someone from their pens (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, AUGUST 2ND 2019. WHAT I RENT: BRIXTON Details are pictured in the living room of tenant Caspar Aremi's one bedroom flat in Brixton, London, August 2nd, 2019. Caspar pays ?1100 a month, not including bills. Photo credit: Susannah Ireland
We’re going to guess that Caspar likes Star Wars (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, AUGUST 2ND 2019. WHAT I RENT: BRIXTON General view of the bathroom of tenant Caspar Aremi's one bedroom flat in Brixton, London, August 2nd, 2019. Caspar pays ?1100 a month, not including bills. Photo credit: Susannah Ireland
Finally, here’s the bathroom (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, AUGUST 2ND 2019. WHAT I RENT: BRIXTON Details are pictured in the bathroom of tenant Caspar Aremi's one bedroom flat in Brixton, London, August 2nd, 2019. Caspar pays ?1100 a month, not including bills. Photo credit: Susannah Ireland
Points for a neatly arranged shower caddy (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, AUGUST 2ND 2019. WHAT I RENT: BRIXTON Details are pictured in the bathroom of tenant Caspar Aremi's one bedroom flat in Brixton, London, August 2nd, 2019. Caspar pays ?1100 a month, not including bills. Photo credit: Susannah Ireland
Further points for the squeegee (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, AUGUST 2ND 2019. WHAT I RENT: BRIXTON General view of the bathroom of tenant Caspar Aremi's one bedroom flat in Brixton, London, August 2nd, 2019. Caspar pays ?1100 a month, not including bills. Photo credit: Susannah Ireland
Plenty of spare loo rolls (Picture: Susannah Ireland/Metro.co.uk)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, AUGUST 2ND 2019. WHAT I RENT: BRIXTON A toothbrush is pictured in the bathroom of tenant Caspar Aremi's one bedroom flat in Brixton, London, August 2nd, 2019. Caspar pays ?1100 a month, not including bills. Photo credit: Susannah Ireland
We wouldn’t leave you without a toothbrush pic (Picture: Susannah Ireland/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 in London.

How to get involved in What I Rent

What I Rent is Metro.co.uk's weekly series that takes you inside the places in London people are renting, to give us all a better sense of what's normal and how much we should be paying.

If you fancy taking part, please email whatirent@metro.co.uk.

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.

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MORE: What I Rent: Anthony and Alison, £765 a month for a three-bedroom house in Clifton, York

A stunning Wendy house in the Cotswolds is selling for £15,000

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The pretty house
The Wendy house has entertained generations of children (Picture: Chorley’s / SWNS)

The smallest and cheapest home in the Cotswolds is going on sale for just £15,000.

No, it’s not big enough for you and your family. But it is very cute.

The timber framed Wendy house – which looks like a Tudor dwelling – has entertained generations of children.

It was built at Prinknash Bird & Deer Park which is due to close this autumn.

The park was created in 1974 by Philip Meigh MA RCA, a cartoonist and artist.

The tiny house
It will sell at auction (Picture: Chorley’s / SWNS)

The Wendy house is set to sell for between £12,000 and £15,000 at nearby Chorley’s auctioneers in Gloucestershire on 17 September.

It offers ‘the unique opportunity for another public attraction or a private individual to acquire a stunning area for children’s parties or perhaps a spot of quiet contemplation for a (small) adult.’

The inside of the Wendy house
Could you fit this in your garden? (Picture: Chorley’s / SWNS)

The original Wendy house first appeared in J M Barrie’s 1904 play Peter Pan and was built for the character Wendy Darling.

If you’re a fan of Peter Pan, you could turn the house into your very own backyard Neverland – as long as you’re willing to spend £15,000 first, of course.

MORE: Idyllic property with waterfront views on the market for £1.6m

MORE: This 18th century property seen in Holby City and Midsomer Murders is on the market for £1.67 million

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