The baked bean pizza; asking your partner to calm down during an argument; Pickle Rick condoms.
All examples of very bad ideas.
But, none of them is worse than the idea posed by Twitter user DaddyAllDay this week that advises all straight men should have something called a ‘lady drawer’.
In a tweet, they said: ‘I feel like every guy needs a “lady drawer” if you plan on having frequent guests’ alongside a picture of said lady drawer.
In there are some genuinely useful products, along with some not go useful ones which have resulted in DaddyAllDay’s post going viral for all the wrong reasons.
As well as tampons and wet wipes, there was a dildo and some pregnancy tests. Just in case you want to share sex toys with the last ‘guest’ or make sure that you’re not with child before you head to bed.
This reply may have summed it up best: ‘Ah yes the classic etiquette advice: make all your female friends, family, and hookups feel at home with (checks notes) two bottles of nail polish remover, an open pregnancy test and a used dildo.’
Yet aside from the obvious weirdness of some of the additions, I still think the well-meaning idea of a drawer of miscellaneous items for your sexual partners is a terrible one.
For the record, I’m not saying to go buy all this shit. You really just need makeup wipes, tampons, hair ties, and a hair brush. I just had all that laying round so I designated a drawer for it.
If you’re in a situation where it’s a casual hookup, you’re faced with the fact that you might be brushing your hair with the same brush that’s been through the locks of however many more people who’ve done the same.
Absolutely no shaming here on body counts or so-called ‘promiscuity’, but I am more than happy to highlight the fact that communal doesn’t translate well to personal hygiene products.
The more the merrier is not a phrase I want to associate with a scrunchie or a pack of wipes I use to clean my face. Even less so for a dildo.
Then, if you’re entering more emotional territory with the person whose house – and drawer – it is, you have a reminder of their past dating habits every time you reach for a hair bobble.
We all need to acknowledge our partners’ pasts, but do you really have to have a creepy drawer filled with nail polish remover left behind by a former flame to help you do it?
It has a vibe that’s transactional and impersonal. Tampons are a brilliant thing to have lying around, and surely everyone should have a hairbrush
But it takes away any semblance of thoughtfulness when it’s placed in a designated drawer for females, and sends the sterile message that you’re at some airport hotel
‘Here is your identikit toiletry pack, customer number 576760’.
Is he going to fold the loo roll into a point and put a chocolate on the pillow too? Because these things would be far better and not make me feel like I’m in the home of someone who has a tarpaulin laid on downstairs to murder me without ruining the carpet.
If you’ve ever been on a date with someone who has clearly-practised pick up lines or recommends a venue that they’ve clearly been to with dates numerous times before then you’ll know what I mean.
The place might be nice, the joke might make you laugh. But once you realise it wasn’t personalised for you, you’ll end up feeling like another product on their conveyer belt of shagging.
Women, ladies, females. Say it loud and say it proud: ‘We are not a monolith, and do not require your drawer of pink, used tat’.
At 35lb, Bazooka is one of the largest cats the shelter has seen (Picture: PA)
Meet Bazooka, your new favourite chunky cat.
Weighing in at 35lb, when Bazooka was taken into the care of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), staff were worried about his size.
The cat came into the shelter after his owner died, and it’s thought that his former owner’s dementia is the cause of his weight gain – staff believe he kept refilling Bazooka’s dish, forgetting he had already eaten.
That’s made Bazooka one of the heaviest cats to ever stay in the shelter.
Staff believe he will need to shed almost half his body weight in order to reach a normal, healthy size.
The good news is that the weight loss journey can start now.
The shelter believes the cat’s size is down to his former owner’s dementia, which led to overfeeding (Picture: SPCA of Wake County)
While Bazooka is beginning his fitness plan at a foster home, the massive ginger cat has already found a forever home that he’ll move into on Monday.
Spokeswoman Darci Vanderslick said: ‘The process could take six months or longer, it really depends on how much exercise he is doing.
‘With cats, it is very difficult to get them to lose weight so each pound is quite difficult but makes a huge difference to their overall health.
‘We really want to approach Bazooka’s story out of love and compassion, because he was very much loved by his owner.’
He’s now found a forever home (Picture: SPCA of Wake County)
As well as help from his family, Bazooka will also find plenty of support online. He gained a load of fans after the shelter shared a photo of the cat on Facebook, writing: ‘That’s one big boy! Bazooka arrived at the SPCA today where he‘ll receive some much needed medical care.
‘Let’s all send our well wishes to Bazooka as he begins his weight loss journey!’
The photo also included the hashtags #dechonking and #bodypawsitive, which we need to take a moment to appreciate.
Are you helping a pet shed some excess pounds? Get in touch to share their transformation by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
‘By the time he was in nursery, he could read the whole of some of his favourite storybooks’ (Picture: Nur Anira Asyikin Hashim)
When little Haryz uttered his first words at just seven months old, his mum Anira knew he was going to be special.
By two, the youngster – whose full name is Muhammad Haryz Nadzim – was reading himself bedtime stories.
Now, the little brainbox has become the current youngest person to be accepted into Mensa, the global high IQ society. (The youngest ever member to be accepted was just two years old).
‘We hope that we can help him to reach his full potential and support him with whatever he does’ (Picture: Nur Anira Asyikin Hashim)
Parents Anira and Mohd, from Durham, both have backgrounds in engineering – but never expected their son would show signs of such incredible intellect at such a young age.
‘We didn’t have much experience, so we just thought that’s how kids were,’ Anira tells Metro.co.uk. ‘It was only when he started going to nursery, we were told he is more advanced than other children, then we realised he was special.
‘By the time he was in nursery, he could read the whole of some of his favourite storybooks.’
English isn’t even Harry’s first language, his parents speak Malay with him at home (Picture: Nur Anira Asyikin Hashim)
Haryz has now been invited to join British Mensa after achieving an incredible IQ score of 142 on the Stanford Binet test – putting him in top 0.3% of the population.
He is now one of the youngest in the world to be accepted into the exclusive club. He was tested by Lyn Kendall, a psychologist who specialises in gifted children.
‘We just really wanted to clarify how we could help him,’ explains mum Anira. ‘We hope that we can help him to reach his full potential and support him with whatever he does.
‘We didn’t want him to feel under-stimulated, but at the same time we didn’t want him to feel he was being pushed. We want him to be a normal child who plays and does normal things that children do.’
‘He is very much a three-year-old in every other sense’ (Picture: Nur Anira Asyikin Hashim)
After realising that Haryz could remember and recite entire stories at the age of two, his parents set up a YouTube channel called Little Haryz, so other children could watch and be encouraged.
‘He is very much a three-year-old in every other sense,’ Anira tells us. ‘He enjoys jumping in puddles, painting, singing, all the normal stuff for a child of that age.
‘His favourite television programmes are Story Bots and Numberblocks, but he often prefers having conversations with older peers and adults.
‘Haryz loves to ask questions and talks about space and numbers, and he loves reading books.’
What’s even more remarkable about Haryz intellect and love of reading, is that English isn’t even his first language.
‘We communicate with him in the Malay language at home,’ explains Anira. ‘Haryz has no idea how clever he is.’
(Picture: Nur Anira Asyikin Hashim)
The family are utterly delighted that Haryz has been accepted into Mensa, and they hope this is the first step in his journey towards achieving incredible things.
‘It’s exciting and we are sure this will help him in giving him a little bit of belief and confidence in himself so he can better benefit society in the future,’ says Anira.
‘We hope we can provide him with an environment that will motivate him to learn.
‘The most important thing is that he is happy with what he is doing, and we will be proud of him no matter what he achieves.’
Speaking to Mensa, they were able to confirm that Haryz will be the youngest current member of the society as soon as all of his membership paperwork is processed.
‘Mensa members are highly individual and come from vastly different backgrounds and careers, but there are several traits which keep recurring,’ explains a Mensa spokesperson.
‘Probably chief among those is curiosity – people with high IQ take little at face value and are continually asking “Why?” and “What if ?”’
Alessia and Jente have travelled 13 countries by hitchiking (Picture: MDWfeatures / The Art Of Hitchhiking)
A couple have travelled almost 6,000 miles by hitchhiking in a bid to show that jumping in strangers’ cars ‘isn’t dangerous’.
Jente Jacobs, 23, and Alessia Capraro, 22, are the creators of The Art Of Hitchhiking, a project that sees them share photos and videos of their travels as they grab rides from whoever will stop by the side of the road.
The couple met and fell in love during a year-long foreign exchange programme that brought them both to the Dominican Republic in 2014.
Once their programme finished, Jenta returned to Belgium and Alessia returned to Italy. They continued a long-distance relationship for three years, travelling to see each other once a month.
They decided to celebrate their shared love of travel by exploring the world together – but with limited funds, moving around would be tough.
The couple in Puglia, Italy (Picture: MDWfeatures / The Art Of Hitchhiking)
Rather than giving up, the couple set about on adventuring from city to city by hitchhiking.
Thanks to the kindness of strangers, the couple have travelled 5,800 miles over 13 different countries: Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Italy, Greece, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria and Italy – all on a budget of less than £25 a day.
‘When you travel in this way, you cannot really prepare yourself for it,’ Alessia says. ‘Every decision is taken at the very last minute.
‘Before leaving we can just plan the first two/three days, and then we need to let everything just go as it needs to go.
They stick to a strict budget to keep costs low (Picture: MDWfeatures / The Art Of Hitchhiking)
‘To travel as long as possible, we live on a budget of €15 (£12.85) per day, per person. We don’t use any money for transportation, so all our money goes to food and accommodation.
‘We use couch surfing a lot, but it isn’t always easy to find a host in every city. If nobody can give us a place to sleep, we choose the cheapest hostel/hotel we can find. We also have a tent if there is a camping place available.
‘I think the most difficult thing to accept for [family] was the fact that we travel by hitchhiking. But, in the end everything went well. They accepted it, maybe also the fact that Jente is travelling with me and I am not a girl travelling alone.
‘We don’t hitchhike when it is dark outside. In the dark you can’t see the drivers very well who stop.
Alessia looking out over the landscape in Albania from Berat Castle (Picture: MDWfeatures / The Art Of Hitchhiking)
‘As this is very important to get a good feeling about the driver, we prefer to not take the risk to step in a car with the wrong person. Never get in a car with someone who you don’t trust.’
Between trips, the couple live in Belgium and take on any job they can to save up for their next adventure. In 2019 the pair decided to begin a social media page dedicated to their travels.
Their adventures have seen them share some amazing experiences, from visiting Portugal’s Quinta da Regaleira to the Ancient Greek temple of Poseidon in Athens.
As exciting as the pair have found travelling the globe and hitchhiking, they are aware of the dangers of their methods, and are super careful about personal safety.
The couple say they have to trust every driver they accept a ride from (Picture: MDWfeatures / The Art Of Hitchhiking)
But the couple hope that their adventures will show people that hitchhiking is a viable money-saving option for travelling.
‘Some friends called me crazy before starting this adventure,’ says Jente. ‘But a lot of them came to me, after following our first trips, and said that it looks awesome and they want to try it themselves one day.
‘So, I concluded it isn’t such a crazy idea.
‘One of the best experiences was definitely Albania. Thinking about the prejudices people have about the country and their inhabitants and what we really encountered – the difference couldn’t be bigger. We were never welcomed in such a friendly way.
‘The aim of our social media project is to break down the wrong prejudices about a country/culture and show the kindness, generosity and hospitality in the world. Attract people who also want to rebuild their own image of the world.
‘Also, we want to show that hitchhiking isn’t dangerous at all.’
Having never smoked, Karen was shocked to discover she had throat cancer (Picture: Caters)
When Karen Liesching-Schroder, 47, noticed a small ulcer on her tongue, she thought nothing of it.
But after 18 months of the ulcer hanging around, the mum-of-two was told she had tongue cancer.
Karen, a nursery nurse, had suffered with a persistent ulcer for over a year, but when she had it biopsied the results came back all clear.
Several months later, Karen found herself unable to eat and in immense pain.
Karen, from Rochford, Essex, said: ‘I was naive and never imaged it would be anything sinister as I am healthy and never smoked before.
‘I associated mouth cancers to elderly men who smoke so I was shocked when I was diagnosed.
‘Especially after the ulcer 18 months before came back with the all clear.
‘The doctor said if it comes back – which it did in August 2015 – to not worry nor return.
‘But the pain worsened, and I was unable to speak, eat nor drink so I went to the doctors and explained how even soothing gels weren’t getting rid of my ulcer.
‘I barely looked inside my own mouth as I feared what I might see so when the nurse described it as a hole in my tongue, I was shocked!
‘I had another biopsy in February 2016 – I wasn’t expecting to hear the word “cancer”.’
In March 2016 Karen had the right side of her tongue removed and underwent a neck dissection to prevent the cancer from spreading to the glands.
After six weeks of radiotherapy she was in remission, but months later she began experiencing pain again.
In November 2016 she had another large ulcer removed from under her tongue, and doctors discovered she had an aggressive form of oral thrush.
Karen is sharing her story to urge people not to dismiss health problems and pain, and to raise awareness of mouth cancer.
The mum-of-two had part of her tongue removed and her throat dissected (Picture: CATERS NEWS AGENCY)
She says: ‘I am sharing my story so people do not think they are fine because they are healthy and non-smokers because it can happen to anyone.
‘I am very lucky that they caught the cancer quick enough.
‘I was worried when I developed multiple ulcers under my tongue which was oral thrush that had come back.
‘I had another operation to remove the ulcers under my tongue and I had to take morphine for four months.
‘There was a chance of my teeth being removed or my tongue being reconstructed.
‘People have many misconceptions about mouth cancer as it isn’t spoken about enough.
‘I have problems swallowing as the radiotherapy has damaged the base of my tongue.
‘I have lost confidence as my speech is sometimes slurred but I had speech therapy last year to help with both swallowing issues and confidence.’
‘One lady recently said the sessions were, “one of the friendliest groups she’s ever been to”’ (Picture: Chatter Chairs)
A personal trainer is bringing fun and fitness to elderly clients – some as old as 92 – with a specially designed chair-based workout.
Emma Fisher, from Vicars Cross, Cheshire, is a qualified senior fitness instructor and is using her expertise to provide low-impact workouts that are kind on older joints and work on balance, strength and stability.
The classes – called Chatter Chairs – are also an incredible social tool for older people and are helping to tackle chronic loneliness.
Emma reached out to get funding for her innovative new concept (Picture: Chatter Chairs)
The idea for seated workouts came after Emma was leading more intense senior sessions and she became frustrated by how many people had to leave the class or stop coming because of their limited mobility.
‘I decided to design a fitness session that could accommodate these limitations and the seated format was the answer,’ Emma tells Metro.co.uk.
‘I set up the chairs in a semi-circle format to encourage interaction and play background music from the 50s, 60s and 70s.
‘My clients absolutely love the sessions. There is so much joy, and so many smiles. One lady recently said the sessions were, “one of the friendliest groups she’s ever been to.”’
‘One of the senior gents Peter, he’s 92, likes to do the rep counting for the group’ (Picture: Chatter Chairs)
As well as the physical exercise, Emma says the group attendees love chatting and reminiscing about the past. They particularly love to share memories from their school days and venues in the city where they used to go dancing.
‘The shared talks and discussions offer such an uplifting boost to the mental health and well-being of all those who come,’ says Emma.
The group focuses on movements that will build up muscle strength.
Emma uses two different weighted dumbbells to work the upper body, plus a wrist loop band and handled resistance bands. Ankle weights and therapy bands strengthen and stretch the lower body muscles.
‘I also engage in joint mobility moves through the ankles and wrists,’ says Emma. ‘Because we use varied weights, the sessions appeal to both men and ladies of different ages and abilities, including those with disabilities with limited or no mobility in their arms or legs.’
To get Chatter Chairs off the ground, Emma applied to BrightLife – an organisation that offers funding for any community projects that reduce isolation in the community.
‘The sessions appeal to both men and ladies of different ages and abilities’ (Picture: Chatter Chairs)
In August 2017, she was awarded £10,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund to set up and finance two venues for 18 months.
Now, she offers the sessions in two residential homes and a daycare centre too.
Emma says there have been loads of highlights since she began working with her older clients. And she has some real characters who come along every week without fail.
‘One of the senior gents Peter, he’s 92, likes to do the rep counting for the group – this can be a slow process which makes us work even harder as we lift the weights!’ says Emma.
‘I have a lady who is also 92 and she comes every week with her walker. She only lives less than a mile away, but she pays the Dial a Ride to bring her and she loves the social interaction.’
‘GPs need to support projects like mine and actively encourage fitness’ (Picture: Chatter Chairs)
Emma says keeping fit is vital for seniors because strength training not only builds up bone and muscle but also counteracts the weakness and frailty that comes with ageing.
‘Sacopenia, which is age-related muscle loss, increases after the age of 50 by about 1-2% per year and, coupled with a sedentary lifestyle, this can have an impact on a person’s ability to perform everyday activities, such as climbing stairs, lifting objects and walking unaided,’ explains Emma.
‘There are many reasons why people don’t exercise – for those who suffer from joint-related pain such as osteoporosis and arthritis, they simply can’t manage to join in mainstream activity groups such as walking, swimming or yoga.
‘For others, the prospect of joining a mainstream gym fills them with dread.’
Emma says clients have told her horror stories about going to gyms and being treated dismissively by fitness professionals.
‘A doctor had advised one of my clients to use her local gym facility,’ she says. ‘On arriving there, the fitness instructor said, “what am I supposed to do with you?”
‘GPs need to support projects like mine and actively encourage fitness as a way of alleviating depression and getting people more active.
‘The benefits of the exercises I offer offset the rate of decline and create a confidence in the participants strength ability.
‘Many talk about the reduction in hip and knee pain and how the sessions offer them the courage to get out more in general.’
Fancy a creampie? (Picture: Twitter/McDonaldsJapan)
You just popped in for an apple pie, but you went for something more tantalising instead, following your instincts and deciding to live dangerously.
Now, the cream is oozing from the inside of your treat, warmly inviting you in for more.
No, this isn’t an excerpt from an erotic fiction book read by middle aged women on the beach, but the experience of eating the new dessert released by McDonald’s in Japan.
The internet are going somewhat wild for it due to its sexual connotations rather than the taste, though, as the name has been somewhat lost in translation.
The dessert – which comes in cream cheese or chocolate flavours – is akin to an apple pie but with an indulgent cream filling. Due to this, it’s been named the ‘adult creampie’.
Anyone who’s ever been on a porn site will know what this implies, and it’s not the standard end to a meal.
McDonald’s Japan have been tweeting like mad promoting the product with the hashtag #大人のクリームパイ which translates to #adultcreampie.
Suffice to say, people have had a field day taking the mick.
Gotta love Japan, where they censor porn and have creative products names like this.
McDonald’s in Japan have yet to reply to English speaking tweeters pointing out the faux pas.
Realistically, it’s very unlikely that they’d change the name due it translating weirdly into a completely different language. It’s not their fault our minds are all in gutter.
Many languages have words for things we can’t directly translate to English. For example, in German, you might describe the height of a small child as Dreikäsehoch, which would literally translate as ‘three cheese high’.
It’s enjoyable to be in Japan and see a sizzling pork dish be described on the menu as ‘Flare Up Pork Bastard’. This one just happens to be a bit more NSFW.
In all seriousness, the pies do seem quite tasty, and at ¥150 (£1.04) each, they’re also exceptional value.
You also earn points on your McDonald’s loyalty card with every creampie you purchase. That’s a win win.
We love snooping around other people’s properties (we’ve even created a series called What I Rent for this exact purpose).
Estate agents have the upper hand on this, seeing more homes in a month than most people do in a lifetime.
Venessa Van Winkle, who runs the Van Winkle Real Estate Group in Weatherford, Texas, has blessed the world by creating an Instagram account – hilariously titled ‘Please hate these things’ to show off of all the, er, questionable interiors that she encounters in her job.
From an all-things-yellow bathroom to a toilet seat with butterflies glazed inside it and a velvet carpet staircase, there’s no shortage of quirky rooms to explore.
Far be it for us to judge someone else’s style, but these are pretty kitsch choices.
Yusaku is worth around $2 billion (£1.5 billion) (Picture: REUTERS/Toru Hanai/File Photo)
What do you have to offer your potential life partner? Love? A good sense of humour?
Whatever it is, it’s probably not as much as Yusaku Maezawa, who wants to find a girlfriend so he can take her to the moon.
The Japanese billionaire, who formerly owned fashion brand Zozo Inc, is set to be the first commercial passenger on board Elon Musk’s SpaceX and wants to quite literally fly someone to the moon to come along with him.
To help him pick who, he sent a callout last week looking for a girlfriend, which will be accompanied by a documentary on AbemaTV that tracks his search for his very own cosmic girl.
And he’s such an eligible bachelor that he’s been absolutely inundated with callouts, with the current total sitting at over 20,000.
Another girl, another planet (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)
44-year-old Yusaku posted his ad on the Abema TV website, saying: ‘I’m sure I’ve been able to acquire my share of money, social status, and fame along the way
‘But now I’m restarting my life. I’m 44 now. As feelings of loneliness and emptiness slowly begin to surge upon me, there’s one thing that I think about: Continuing to love one woman…
‘I want to find a life partner. With that future partner of mine, I want to shout our love and world peace from outer space.’
The conditions of the potential partner weren’t totally unreasonable either. Here are the qualities he’s looking for:
Single women aged 20 or over
Bright personality and always positive
Interested in going into space and able to participate in the preparation for it
Want to enjoy life to the fullest
Be someone who wishes for world peace
Yusaku is quite a catch. He’s into art (and even owns and original Basquiat) and holds the world record for the most retweeted tweet ever.
If people thought that their stars would align with his, they were asked to complete a questionnaire with questions like ‘If you rode in a private jet where would you go?’ and ‘If Maezawa farted in front of you what would you say?’.
The answers will be sifted through in the coming days, with lucky ladies getting a call between 25 and 26 January. After this, dates will begin, and the final decision will be made by the end of March.
This will all then be broadcast on the show – Full Moon Lovers. Who said modern dating was complicated, eh?
Oh, oh yes (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
Valentine’s Day might be around the corner – but today is all about sex.
It’s National Fetish Day, a joyous time to celebrate kinks that Brits love in the bedroom.
Having sexual preferences in the sack is completely normal and nothing to be ashamed about, with the exception being if it’s harmful to others, of course.
In honour of this special occasion, Killing Kittens, a company that organises sex parties for pleasure-seeking people (aren’t we all, really?), has revealed the top 10 fetishes in the UK through a new survey.
Most are fairly common, but some of them might surprise you.
Top of the list is – unsurprisingly – the big whammy: BDSM – with 16% of people claiming that this is their all-time kink.
For those who aren’t familiar with the term, it stands for Bondage/Discipline/Dominance/Submission/Sadism /Masochism, and so covers quite a few different desires in one.
Runner-up for 2020 is having a foot fetish, which as of last night we also know that Love Island’s Finley Tapp is a fan of. If you’re intrigued by the prospect of playing with someone’s trotters, you can check out our helpful guide to feet 101.
Meanwhile exhibitionism, restraints, group sex and latex are all tied for third place.
Interestingly, the study also found that 31% of the 405 participants have always known they were into their particular fetish of choice, while 14% said that they discovered it when having fun with a new lover.
Half of those who took part also said they were comfortable openly chatting to friends about their kinks.
The findings showed that, although less popular as a whole, people also like getting freaky between the sheets with the help of hairbrushes, wellies and flowers.
Others confessed that they have a thing for dimples and being pressed up naked against the cool glass of a tall building, as well as getting paid for sex.
Admittedly, the survey is quite small, but additional findings by Vivastreet, which analysed the most popular Google fetish search terms, revealed similar results.
Over the past 12 months, 90, 500 people searched for BDSM, 74,000 fancied learning more about dogging and 60,500 people asked questions about anal sex.
If this has piqued your curiosity around laundry hacks, you’re in luck, as we have another trick up our sleeves.
As it turns out, distilled white vinegar isn’t just good for salad dressings and pickling gherkins but is the unsung hero of laundry problems.
From turning your whites to actual whites again, and helping dark clothes retain their colour, it has many uses beyond being a cooking ingredient, explains Kegan Kimball from Laundryheap.
White vinegar is a natural fabric softener
Don’t fancy splurging on expensive scented fabric softeners or just want soft clothes that don’t smell like lavender and tropical fruits? Get the vinegar in.
‘Want to soften up those scratchy jumpers without piling on the chemicals?,’ says Kegan.
‘Rough fibres will need relaxing if you want your clothes to feel soft and white vinegar is also a great go-to. Soak the garment in a white vinegar and water solution for around 20 minutes, drain and then air dry, (remember to always lie any woollens flat to dry).’
Additionally, fabric softeners should not be used on baby clothes because these can meddle with the flame retardant properties of their garments, so white vinegar is a great alternative.
While we’re on the topic, it’s also recommended that you use a detergent that is hypoallergenic (which white vinegar is) and free of perfume when it comes to doing laundry for your little ones.
The magical potion can make your white clothes white again
The magical potion (Picture: Shutterstock)
Do you ever look at hotel sheets and towels, and wonder: how the hell can I get my own whites this bright?
No need to spend lots of money on expensive products that promise to bring back the shine of your dull or graying whites.
As Kegan says: ‘Did we mention it’s 50p?! As a cheap, natural alternative to much more expensive, chemical based products, vinegar really is amazing.’
Here’s what you do: pour a cup of white distilled vinegar into a pot filled with water and bring to a boil. Once it’s nice and hot, bring it off the stove and pour into a tub or anything you can use to soak the clothes in overnight.
The following morning, throw them in the wash as you normally would, and voilà: white clothes.
Warning: some fabrics do not take well to this method, stick to 100% cotton only or you risk damaging your clothes, according to The Spruce.
It also preserves colour in dark fabrics
Oh white vinegar, is there anything you can’t do?
Not only does it help you brighten white garments, but the acidic solution can also work to retain colours in darker fabrics.
‘Because vinegar helps to neutralise soaps, it also works well to remove any residue that will dull your bright colours,’ says Kegan.
‘To keep your clothes bright as new, make it a commitment to add half a cup into the final rinse cycle of every colour wash.’
It’s a great cleaning product
OK, if you read our previous laundry hack (see above), you’re already aware of the amazing cleaning properties of white vinegar, but there’s no harm in a refresher, right?
Kegan says: ‘You can’t have clean clothes if your machine isn’t clean.
‘To ensure your machine is spotless, pour a few cups of white wine vinegar into the detergent drawer and run an empty cycle with hot water.
Top (additional) tip: you can also use white wine vinegar to clean your iron.
‘You can also use a mixture of equal parts white wine vinegar and water to help de-limescale your iron.
‘Pour this mix into the water reservoir of your iron, taking care to only fill it up about a third of the way. Then, turn it on to medium heat and let the iron steam for about 5-10 minutes so the vinegar evaporates – taking your limescale with it.’
Use it as an antibacterial solution
Kegan says: ‘Not many laundry products can fight bacteria or cut through mildew quite like white vinegar can.
‘Combined with its power to neutralise smells, it’s a great choice if you want to kill germs effectively and ensure your clothes don’t pick up musty smells from your machine as it neutralises smells instead of masking them.
‘Plus, white vinegar is an all natural, antibacterial product, making it a great choice for the eco-conscious who don’t want to add extra chemicals to the water supply. To reap its full benefits, just add a small cup into your machine drawer during the final rinse cycle.’
Get rid of creases
Imagine the following scenario: you have the most important meeting of your career in the morning and need your lucky shirt, but the iron is broken.
Breathe. Thanks to white vinegar, everything is going to be OK.
‘Many would be surprised to learn that vinegar is also a powerful de-creaser’, says Kegan.
‘If you’re short on time, just pour one part vinegar to three parts water into a spray bottle, spritz on your creases and leave hanging up to air dry. Then watch them slowly disappear!
‘This one’s also great if you’re in between washes and clothes need freshening up, as it tackles creases and odours in one go.
‘Additionally, because of its de-creasing powers, vinegar is a great way to erase hemline creases if you’ve taken any hems down.
‘Just dampen the crease with an equal parts vinegar and water solution and iron over while it’s still a little damp. The vinegar coupled with the steam created will banish those lines forever.’
We don’t know about you, but we’ll be adding white vinegar to the shopping list from now on.
Auryn is delighted with her brand new Bunbun (Picture: Nadine Peacock /SWNS.COM)
Every parent will know just how much their child’s favourite toy means to them.
Which is why these parents, from Thrapston, Northamptonshire, went the extra mile to make sure their little girl could keep her special relationship with her toy bunny.
Auryn’s mums, Nadine and Chelsea, were desperate to replace their daughter’s favourite cuddly toy before it got too tattered, and said they lived in fear of the day it finally fell apart.
The director of Poundland found the bunnies and sent them to the family for free (Picture: Nadine Peacock /SWNS.COM)
Two-year-old Auryn Peacock has had her cuddly bunny – Bunbun – since she was a baby. And the pair are completely inseparable. And after years of being carted around and played with by the toddler, Bunbun is now starting to look a little worse for wear.
But when Nadine and Chelsea returned to Poundland, where they bought the original Bunbun, they were devastated to find that the bunny toy was no longer stocked by the budget retailer.
‘We were pretty upset because we thought what the hell are we going to do if we can’t find this bunny,’ said Nadine.
‘Auryn sleeps with it, eats with it, and if I take it off her she has a baby meltdown.
Nadine and Chelsea just want their little girl to be happy (Picture: Nadine Peacock /SWNS.COM)
‘It is her comfort. Without that she will not do anything. She won’t sleep, she won’t eat, she won’t want to put her coat on to go out, she won’t go in the car.’
Nadine phoned different stores around the UK and scoured social media without luck – so she finally emailed the directors of Poundland, after spotting their details on Companies House.
The email had the subject line: ‘HELP TWO MUMS’ the plea said: ‘We desperately need a spare PLEASE HELP US.
‘We just want to buy a couple of spares as this one is falling apart and it’s her comfort teddy. She won’t sleep/eat or go anywhere without it.’
Within days, the parents got a response from retail director Austin Cooke saying he was on the case. And, miraculously, he found two bunny toys hiding in the back room of one of the Poundland shops.
‘When we got the two new ones it was like having a mini-party’ (Picture: Nadine Peacock /SWNS.COM)
He posted them to the family for free, and now the toddler has a new bunny – and her parents have a spare. So Auryn can play with Bunbun as vigorously as she wants.
‘When we got the two new ones it was like having a mini-party,’ says Nadine.
‘We now know that Auryn has got a brand new one ready for when this one falls apart. For the next six years, she will always have a comfort. It makes her happy and that makes us happy.
‘Auryn sleeps with it, eats with it, and if I take it off her she has a baby meltdown’ (Picture: Nadine Peacock /SWNS.COM)
‘Anyone that has got kids knows if there is a specific item they will only have, that is the most important thing in their world. This bunny is Auryn’s life.’
Nadine says Auryn was confused at first because she couldn’t get her head around seeing a brand new, identical Bunbun, but she quickly got excited and started cuddling all three of them.
‘The kindness and generosity of Austin and his team has blown me and the wife away,’ adds Nadine.
‘To have even taken the time to read our email and to want to help us was enough but to then actually find two and give them to us for free! What a lovely bunch of human beings.’
Shame is a feeling that women battle with daily (Picture: This Girl Can)
The latest This Girl Can advert has set social media alight with well-deserved critical acclaim.
A celebration of women of all shapes, sizes, ages and races taking part in various sports, it marks the first time an advert has depicted a female athlete with a tampon string hanging on display. A small, insignificant shot for some, but for women like myself it’s a landmark moment.
Periods weren’t publicly discussed until a couple of years ago. Even tampon adverts never actually showed a tampon. Period blood was replaced with a much more ‘palatable’ blue gel and the product’s main selling point was always about discretion.
Shame is a feeling that women battle with daily. We’re taught from a young age to feel shameful about our bodies, how they look, how they function on a monthly basis.
The links between period shame and exercise are entrenched in women’s sport. Boxing was once considered a male-only profession because menstruation was thought to cause havoc on a training program. Try telling that to Nicola Adams.
I was terrified of swimming at school. I have an awkwardly long body which is hard to cater for in one piece. We weren’t allowed to wear bikinis and the camel toe was real.
A school swimming trip was in the calendar, at the exact time I was due on my period (Picture: This Girl Can)
I started my period at 11 and was terrified of tampons. There was a lot of shame in my relationship with my body, especially my vagina. The act of putting a stringed wad of cotton up there I thought was sinful and would lead to an eternity in hell. Classic Catholic guilt, and I’m an atheist.
A school swimming trip was in the calendar, at the exact time I was due on my period. My mum helped fashion me some swimming shorts that had a compartment for an ultra-long sanitary towel. We tested it out. I almost drowned with the weight of it.
So, god bless my mother, she helped me to put in my first tampon. KY Jelly at the ready, I stood with one leg an on the toilet as she guided me on how best to apply it. Three attempts later and it was in… sort of.
But I was still so worried about the string coming out of the side and someone noticing and nicknaming me ‘twine’ for the rest of my school days that I told Mrs Ingham I was on my period and couldn’t join in.
She was furious, as it would appear half the girls in the year had synced alongside me. I wish we had an advert like This Girl Can to watch back then, maybe we would’ve actually embraced swimming instead of fearing it.
Even as an adult, I’ve felt exercise shame. Being the outwardly strong-minded feminist, some may perceive me to never really be matched up with the insecure chubby girl I’ve always felt like on the inside.
I feared going to the gym because I wasn’t already skinny enough. Oh the irony.
Friends would suggest going for a run or joining a gym together and I would make any excuse I could to get out of it. I feared being judged for not doing it right, getting the technique wrong, having an aneurysm after five minutes on the treadmill.
I told myself the gym was for the vain and felt smug as my bottle of Malbec depleted along with my fitness levels. Then the scientist in me took over.
I bang on to my friends, family and you lovely readers about the importance of maintaining good mental health whilst simultaneously turning a blind eye to something scientifically proven to boost my mood. Damn you science.
It’s not like I’m a gym virgin; I go through phases with it. But the longer I go without, the harder it is to go back. Like when you forget to reply to a friend’s text, and the longer you leave it the more elaborate your excuse has to be.
No more excuses. I sucked it up and went back to the gym, tail between my leggings.
I think women often worry about being judged at the gym. But hear me when I say… nobody gives a toss. People are either looking at themselves in the mirror, swiping tinder during a rest break, or thinking about their divorce settlement whilst punishing a punchbag. So just do it.
I ran for a bit, lifted some weights (probably in the wrong way, but f*ck it I was on a roll) and did some stretches on a stinky mat. And I felt great. Not skinny, not strong, not particularly fit, just great.
I hope the This Girl Can’ ad inspires other women to feel the same. I hate the term ‘real women’ – models aren’t robots – but seeing relatable bodies enjoying fitness in the ad was a big inspiration for me.
The cynical will no doubt critique the ad as woke tokenism. But they can get in the bin.
Campaigns like This Girl Can literally change lives. To see yourself in an advert is validating and gives women the confidence to get involved in sport, no matter their background or experience.
The campaign has encouraged over 4million women to get active since its launch, so it’s clearly doing something right.
Boots are playing their cards close to their chest when it comes to sharing info about further 2020 sales. (Picture: Chris J. Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Hopefully the 2020 Boots sale will be just as good and there are rumoured to be some big brand names included in the generous discount event, too.
After breaking tradition in 2019 and launching their huge sale on February 1 instead of at the start of the year to coincide with other stores’ January sales, when will the 2020 Boots 70 per cent sale event start?
When does the 2020 Boots 70% off sale start
Although Boots has already been offering discounts of up to 50 per cent across some products in their stores this month, the retailer is expected to follow the same pattern as previous years and offer an additional 20 per cent off certain items.
If you thought the Black Friday sale was busy, just wait for the 70 per cent sale to drop. (Picture: Hollie Adams/Getty Images)
The logic behind this prediction is that last year the sale launched on Friday, February 1, which was the fifth Friday of the year.
In 2020, the fifth Friday of the year will be Friday, January 31 – hence the prediction that this is when the Boots 70 per cent off sale will start – although no one knows for sure yet and a rep from Boots told Metro.co.uk: ‘Boots haven’t set a date or confirmed the 70% off sale yet.’
What brands are expected to be included?
The 70 per cent off sale usually comprises of stock that Boots have leftover after the Christmas period.
Last year Soap and Glory, No7, Child’s Farm, Tommee Tippee and Champneys were all brands spotted in the sale and available at a hugely discounted price.
The brands in this year’s sale may differ and there’s no way of knowing which products might be discounted – so you’ll just have to be ready to descend on your nearest Boots store when the day comes!
This discrimination was blatant, and needed to be challenged (Picture: Matt Spike)
I was the kid who always fought for the window seat, never failed to talk his way into the flight deck, spent every penny I earned on flying lessons and dreamed of a career in the sky.
In April 2017, that dream – and my life – was shattered when I was told by doctors that I’d never be able to get the green light needed to fly a commercial airliner.
Even as I write this and think back to that day, my heart sinks. It just didn’t make any sense. I was fit and healthy, on successful treatment and posed no risk to flight safety.
Unfortunately, the Civil Aviation Authorities across Europe disagreed.
The rules stated that a pilot who held a license, and who subsequently became HIV positive, could continue to fly, but a HIV positive person who wished to become a commercial pilot was not able to get the medical sign off required in order to begin training.
Pilots living with HIV are limited to flying as part of a multi-person crew, but the limitation that allowed them to continue to fly couldn’t be applied to people seeking their first pilot medical check, who didn’t already hold a license.
It was a catch-22. Without the medical, I couldn’t train to get a license, yet without the license, I was unable to obtain that special kind of medical certificate that would allow me to train.
This discrimination was blatant and needed to be challenged.
I gathered evidence from medical experts across the UK to prove that I was fit to fly (Picture: Matt Spike)
I gathered evidence from medical experts across the UK to prove that I was fit to fly. I also identified a provision within the European regulations that would allow the UK CAA to deviate from the rules.
I took this research to the charity HIV Scotland and together we began a political and media campaign that would set the wheels in motion for change.
My MP Patrick Grady raised the issue at transport questions in Westminster and my MSP Bob Doris took the issue to Nicola Sturgeon at First Ministers questions. She then urged the CAA to take action and update their rules.
Meanwhile, tweeting under the pseudonym of @PilotAnthonyGLA and interviewing anonymously with BuzzFeed and the BBC, we raised the issue in mainstream media.
The medical evidence, political pressure and media attention combined was enough to drive a change at the UK CAA and in January 2018, they announced a U-turn.
A person living with HIV can now get the medical they need to train as a commercial pilot.
We dodged thunderstorms, battled 60mph winds and driving rain, but it’s all in a day’s work in the Outer Hebrides and it was a day’s work I will never forget.
I’m still smiling from ear-to-ear and feel proud and privileged not only to realise a boyhood dream, but to have made it possible for many others, to realise theirs, too.
HIV is just one small part of who I am and it did not stop me (Picture: Matt Spike)
But this isn’t just about me.
It’s about breaking down the stigma that is still associated with everyone that lives with HIV. It’s about provoking a conversation, busting the myths and getting the message out to everyone that HIV has changed.
In 2020, a person living with HIV on successful treatment, has a normal life expectancy and cannot pass that virus on to others.
HIV is just one small part of who I am and it did not stop me, and should not stop any other person living with HIV from doing whatever and becoming whomever, they wish to be.
The journey isn’t over yet, though.
Regulations across Europe with regard to HIV and flying are currently under review and I am determined that 2020 becomes the year that anyone across the continent living with HIV who wants to become a pilot, like me, can make that dream come true.
It might seem like it’s too early to nab yourself a table at a fancy restaurant but beware: the best places book up long before the amorous occasion actually takes place.
If Cupid has struck you with his arrow and you’re in need of somewhere special to take your darling – or a friend, for that matter – we’ve got you covered.
Here is our selection of some of the most romantic restaurants in London, guaranteed to provide an atmosphere that says l’amour. The rest is up to you.
Bleeding Heart, Farringdon
Make sure to get the cheese board (Picture: Bleeding Heart)
Bleeding Heart: an excellent name choice for a lovey-dovey restaurant, right?
Well, here’s a historical tidbit for you; the restaurant is actually named after the yard where it’s located, where a woman named Lady Elizabeth Hatton was apparently found murdered in the 17th century… so, that’s nice.
Don’t let that put you off though. The waiters are super attentive so you feel fancy, but aren’t all over you. The cheese trolley is a thing to behold (not the most romantic food, but a couple who cheeses together stays together).
Choose between The Bistro or The Tavern, book a table for two and gorge a three-course meal for £37.00.
Gordon’s Wine Bar, Charing Cross
Nothing like the candlelight in a cellar for a bit of romantic feel (Picture: Gordon’s wine bar/Chio photography)
It can be really tricky to find a space to sit, so try to go at more off-peak times and be ready to share your table with another couple.
If you can, grab the seats deep in the exposed-brick cave at the back of the bar, as they are definitely the most romantic.
As for the food, it’s all about sharing: cheese and meat boards, tapas and cold plates.
Pair with wine, of course (it’s a wine bar, remember?).
Wright Brothers, Spitalfields
(Picture: Charlotte Anderson/The Wright Brothers)
If your lover likes seafood, take them to The Wright Brothers. There are five venues to choose from, but we’d recommend the one in Spitalfields.
The specials change daily, picked up fresh from Brixham Market every morning, while the regular menu features treasures from the ocean such as stonebass ceviche and devilled whitebait, St Austell Bay mussels and monkfish fillet.
And let’s not forget the oysters, rumoured to be an aphrodisiac (just don’t blame us if you start feeling frisky at the dinner table).
Never tried an oyster? Swing by any day between 3pm to 6pm and splurp one down for just £1.
Clos Maggiore, Covent Garden
The perfect setting for a proposal, perhaps? (Picture: Clos Maggiore)
Clos Maggiore tops most lists for romantic dinners spots in London – in fact it has been voted most romantic restaurant in the world – so book a table early.
The space was designed to make people fall in love with roaring fires, candlelight and it’s most noticeable feature – the flowers decorating the ceiling.
Head chef Marcellin Marc and his team serve up French cuisine used with locally sourced ingredients where possible and the dishes comes highly rated; his menus have been awarded three AA rosettes in the past.
Choose from a range of sample menus that feature delights such as roasted vermicelli pasta with native lobster, roasted black Iberian pork loin and burrata from Puglia with heirloom beetroot.
Galvin La Chapelle, Liverpool Street
Prepare to salivate over your food (Picture: Galvin La Chapelle)
If you’re after a romantic evening with amazing food, Galvin La Chapelle will not disappoint.
After all, it was once an actual chapel with arched windows and high stone ceilings – and this snazzy joint has a Michelin star to its name. Top tip: sit near the open kitchen and watch the chefs as they churn out succulent dish after succulent dish (we can all but guarantee you’ll drool over the food).
As for Valentine’s Day, there is, of course, a special menu.
Five courses for £125 is a bit pricey, but if you’re after something out of the ordinary or are celebrating an anniversary, it’s worth it.
Bingham Riverhouse, Richmond
Have a glass of champagne by the river (Picture: Bingham Riverhouse)
Make no mistake, Bingham Riverhouse is a posh place (it’s in Richmond, after all) but the atmosphere is very relaxed.
Plus, it’s right by the river and is a super intimate space – Cupid would approve.
The Valentine’s Day menu is also available for vegetarians and vegans, and we love an inclusive approach, but be prepared to fork out the cash for the ‘seasonal fayre’.
A seven-course menu will set you back £95 and you can also add a wine flight to the mix for £165.
In other words: take someone you really care about, not your random Tinder hook-up.
10 Greek Street, Soho
The interior is basic but the food is anything but (Picture: 10 Greek Street)
We understand if you’re surprised by this choice.
No, 10 Greek Street’s sleek, contemporary interior and location (smack-bang in the middle of Soho) doesn’t scream date night, but that’s not why you should visit.
Here, it’s all about the food with seabass, braised rabbit, Longhorn beef and whole red mullet on the menu, alongside crumbed sweetbreads, butternut squash and more goodies.
Top tip: get the burrata and thank us later.
The service is personal, the wine is affordable and the environment is very cosy.
However, it does get very crowded, so you might feel awkward sharing loving compliments or gentle embraces – but that’s what after dinner drinks are for, right?
Not much storage space. Or sleeping space. Or toilet space. (Picture: Foxtons)
If the worst part of your day is getting out of bed and traipsing to the bathroom for a pee, you’re in for a real treat.
This prime piece of real estate allows you to reach your toilet right from where you sleep. And likely smell it too.
Located in trendy Camden, you’ll be only a stone’s throw from emo club nights filled with 40-year-olds and t-shirts that say iPood on them.
You’ll also save money on incense, as the smell of it will simply waft over into your windows from the piercing shops and crystal skull stands.
The money saved can be spent on the rent for this little pied a terre, which comes in at £1,625. You really are paying for the convenience.
According to Foxtons: ‘This is a stunning studio flat boasting high-specification fixtures and fittings, high ceilings and newly refurbished interiors that are of the highest standard.’
Can you imagine writing that description? The alarm in your brain writing ‘don’t mention the bed toilet, don’t mention the bed toilet’ in huge ticker-tape?
Marble vs laminate wood marks the invisible line between bathroom and bedroom (Picture: Foxtons)
Imagine bringing a guest round (Picture: Foxtons)
Foxtons have called this bedroom/toilet situation the ‘sleeping area’ on the floor plan.
They’re quick to mention the Smeg oven and engineered wood floors. They even reference the ‘imposingly high ceilings’.
No mention of the bed toilet. But it’s definitely real. Too real almost.
The only plausible explanation is that this was formerly one half of a single property that’s now two, and where the bed is sitting right now used to house a bath.
The rest of the flat is actually quite beautiful (Picture: Foxtons)
You’re close to Primrose Hill as well as your loo (Picture: Foxtons)
To maximise profits – as well as human suffering – whoever developed this place has decided that a bedroom can have a little toilet as a treat.
According to the property letting company, the average price for a studio flat in Camden is between £303 and £357.
This is £375 a week. But can we really call a bed in a bathroom a bedroom? Foxtons think so.
One last money shot (Picture: Foxtons)
It’s one of those moments where you really do need to stop and assess how it’s come to this. Having to go to the toilet roughly a foot from where you rest your head at night is now touted as a ‘stunning’ living solution.
On the plus side, this ‘home’ doesn’t require a deposit and is offered on a long let basis.
So even though you’ll have to cover your bed in tarpaulin every day to protect it from shower overspill, the security you’ll have is unrivalled.
They say never sh*t where you eat, but what about sh*tting where you sleep? Could you do it?
There’s now a new trend emerging, which involves tobacco – we shouldn’t really have to say this, but putting tobacco inside your vagina is a very bad idea.
Commonly used in Senegal, ‘vaginal tobacco’ is marketed as a ‘miracle’ method for ‘sending your man into seventh heaven’, according to professor Pascal Foumane, who spoke to SciDevNet.
It’s used in west Africa for three reasons: to boost libido, assist with sexual pleasure and to shrink genitals – and is sold at the very cheap price of 13p per sachet.
Made from dried tobacco leaves and ‘tangora’ (roots from a particular tree), as well as plants found in the area including ‘kankouran mano’ and ‘koundinding’, the product has various code names, such as ‘Secret’ and ‘Jumbo’.
Some producers will also include soda and shea butter as additional components in the tobacco.
Women are being admitted to A&E after having lost consciousness as a result of using the products, according to Gnima Ndiaye, a reproductive health coordinator in Senegal, who also reveals that she encountered a 36-year-old woman with stage three cervical cancer, which is ‘very rare for someone of her age’.
‘The same year, I received a 25-year-old girl who had vaginal lesions and who bled on contact with the speculum [a medical tool used for vaginal examinations],’ she said.
‘In both cases, they said they used tobacco.’
Other symptoms of using the product include an inflamed cervix or vagina, as well as repeated STIs.
One Senegalese woman, named Neyba, believes that vaginal tobacco helped her conceive a child.
‘I told an aunt about my difficulty getting pregnant and she recommended this product,’ she said.
‘After using it I was able to have a child. Even the doctors were surprised. I feel heartache and unbearable pain every time I apply the product.
‘But once the effect has passed, I feel really good.’
However, Aminata Seck, a midwife, recalls childbirth complications that she has seen due to women having used so-called vaginal tobacco.
She said: ‘They had too great an increase in the rate of uterine contractions, which sometimes caused a decrease in oxygenation in the fetus, resulting in stillbirth or, in other cases, neonatal death.’
Dr Shree Datta, a consultant obstetrician-gyneacologist at MyHealthcare Clinic, tells us why inserting tobacco inside your body is dangerous and can have very harmful effects.
‘I would never recommend putting tobacco in your vagina!,’ she says.
‘There is no evidence that tobacco in your vagina will improve tightness or libido, if anything it may put your health at risk – causing ulcers, scarring or irritation to your vagina, and in some cases bleeding.
‘It can also cause an infection or change in your discharge – and while there is little research, I will say it really is not worth the risk to your health.’
Dealing with a declining sex drive can be stressful, as can feeling as if you’re vagina isn’t ‘tight enough’ – but there’s really only one way to ensure that you get help that won’t harm you: talk to your doctor.
‘If you are worried about your pelvic floor muscles, vaginal tightness or libido – please ask to be assessed by a gynaecologist,’ adds Dr Shree.
‘There are a few scientific, approved ways to tighten your vagina and improve your pelvic floor. While improving your pelvic floor muscle tone can help with urinary leakage, I would recommend talking to a gynaecologist for an accurate diagnosis so that treatment can be tailored correctly.’
Other items that don't belong in your vagina
Tea tree oil
Ice lollies
Scented products
Toothpaste
Glitter
Salt
Apple cider vinegar
Chocolate
Jade eggs
Steam
Hot wax
Anything that can cause an ice burn
Anything non-sterile or not clearly labelled for internal/vaginal use.
This is by no means a comprehensive list of products that don’t belong inside your vagina. As a general rule of thumb: if you’re not sure it’s safe, don’t do it.
Dr Shree adds: ‘If you would like to find a way to tighten your pelvic floor muscles – please ensure it is safe or seek specialist advice. Whilst physiotherapist input is always recommended for improving your pelvic floor muscles, other options we may also consider include surgery, the use of pessaries, possible medication and newer non-surgical techniques.
‘These include Votiva and Mona Lisa touch, but their success depends on your individual issue so you must be assessed carefully by a gynaecologist to find which option is best for you.’
It’s completely natural to spend January dreaming of white sands, palm trees and warm, crystal clear oceans.
At this point, we have been engulfed in darkness for so long that we have forgotten what it feels like to be warm, we haven’t seen daylight in months and we literally never take our coats off. The sun? We don’t know her.
But, before we blow our life savings on a long-haul flight to somewhere exotic and permanently boiling, it’s worth considering something closer to home.
Cornwall, on the rugged south-westerly tip of the country, has 400 miles of coastline, with 158 miles designated as Heritage Coast. That’s a whole lot of natural beauty. And the best thing about visiting in the winter – you’ll basically have it all to yourself.
This January, I took myself off for a solo beach holiday to Newquay. And it was just what I needed.
After a manic festive period with just a couple of days away from the rat race, heading to the coast on my own was the perfect antidote and an incredible way to reset and recharge for the new decade.
It was the longest trip I have ever done completely on my own, and I can’t recommend it enough.
Starting the new year by taking a few days to prioritise your own needs, with literally no responsibility to anyone else, is the best gift of self-care you can give yourself.
Tolcarne Beach
Nestled in a stunning crescent bay, backed by dramatic cliffs on the outskirts of Newquay, is Tolcarne Beach.
And lined up along the edge of the beach, just out of reach of the high tide, is Tolcarne Beach Village, complete with adorable beach houses, luxury suites and fully functioning apartments.
To reach the village you have to pick your way down a winding staircase built directly into the cliff face – which is mildly treacherous if, like me, you keep getting distracted by the unreal landscape.
Beach huts, luxury suites and apartments. Oh my (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
The ocean is so close to the village that the crashing waves almost kiss the balconies at certain points in the day.
The fresh, sea air was a shock to my pollution-encrusted city-dwelling lungs, but I paused at the bottom of the stairs to breathe it in deeply.
I spent the first night in one of the Colonial Suites – which was every bit as luxurious as you would hope. From the four-poster bed to the free-standing bath, the room was decked out with unique furnishings and decadent little touches to make it feel truly special.
On the other side of the village, there’s a row of apartments. With two stories, two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a fully-functioning kitchen – these apartments are perfect for a little family getaway.
They also have one-bedroom options if you’re after a cosy base for your solo mini-break. And cosy doesn’t even cut it.
You’ll feel like a princess in this four-poster (Pictures: Metro.co.uk)
I spent the final three nights of my trip in one of these apartments, and when I wasn’t writing at the dinner table, looking out over the balcony at dogs on the beach, or cooking myself wholesome dinners – I was lying on the double bed listening to the wind howl and the waves crash.
Between the apartments and the suites, sits the Colonial Restaurant, which serves up an array of delicious cooked breakfasts and Caribbean inspired food in the evenings.
I broke Veganuary for one evening to try the curried monkfish. I regret nothing.
The monkfish was unreal (Pictures: Metro.co.uk)
Fitness
The first thing I noticed when I arrived at Tolcarne Beach was the sheer number of surfers. Men and women of all ages, shapes and sizes, running out into the freezing, frothing ocean with nothing but a thin layer of neoprene to protect them.
‘Could never be me,’ I thought as I poured myself another cup of tea and cuddled on the sofa with many blankets. But, as I watched them emerge from the water, the last ones leaving only because the sun had gone down, I could suddenly see the appeal.
Running feels easier when this is your view (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
The ocean looked so invigorating, and the surfers looked so energised and happy as they traipsed up the beach at the end of each evening. If you need proof that you’re alive, battling freezing waves in the middle of January will certainly do that.
Full disclosure – I never went surfing. I’m not the biggest ocean fan. But if that’s you’re thing, January is an amazing time to do it because the waves are huge.
But you’ll need to know what you’re doing – the surf school at Tolcarne Beach Village only operates during the summer.
Preferring to keep my feet on solid ground, I decided to run every morning. Starting with a steep sprint to the top of the cliffs, you can then pick your way along the edge with a stunning ocean view for company.
When the tide is out you can explore the neighbouring beaches (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
There are also plenty of coastal hikes that start from nearby points, and when the tide is out in the mornings, the beach links up with the neighbouring bays and you can explore the caves and rocks and cliffs at the edge of the ocean.
Self-care
I tried to get into meditation during my stay at Tolcarne Beach. Because… new year, new me.
Using the Headspace app, I set aside ten minutes every morning to practice – without much hope, as I have tried to meditate many, many times over the last few years with zero success.
I’m not saying I have now reached enlightenment, but meditating regularly, completely alone, in front of the ocean, was the closest I have ever come to success. I feel like I took some of the major principles of mindfulness on board, and managed to unlock a new level of calm.
Taking time to appreciate being alone was incredibly calming (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
It’s significantly easier to clear your head of thoughts when you’re completely removed from your life and everyone in it – even for just a few days.
I tried to keep these principles of mindfulness as much as I could throughout my stay – I resisted putting music on or having the TV on in the background. I tried to listen to the ocean, feel the sand under my feet, be as present as possible.
The village also offers a wide selection of beauty treatments, from waxing and manicures to full-body massages, if you really want to get your self-care on.
Winter at the coast
It may seem counterintuitive to book a holiday at the British coast in winter. Most of think that beaches in the UK are only good for the two weeks every year where the temperature warrants removing a layer of clothing.
But the coast has so much to offer, even during the off-season.
The biggest selling point is the peace and quiet.
It often feels like your own private beach (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
Newquay is increasingly tapping into the potential of the winter season. It’s no longer a ghost town from autumn to spring, and many of the larger attractions, including the zoo, stay open all year.
At the same time, the beaches are blissfully clear, the kids are in school, and there’s plenty of breathing space to do exactly what you want.
Yes, it might be freezing. Yes, it might rain. But there is something intensely romantic about sitting somewhere warm and watching the elements fight it out on the other side of the window.
In the UK, we rarely face weather that’s extreme enough to stop you enjoying being outdoors – all you need is some seriously waterproof kit, and you’re usually good to go.
Getting there
By car: From London, Newquay is around a five-hour drive.
By train: The most direct train from London takes five hours and 15 minutes from Paddington, with a change at Par.
By plane: Flying is probably the easiest option. FlyBe offers daily flights from London Heathrow. It takes less than an hour and costs around £100.
It’s not exactly ground-breaking to say that it’s useful having something in common with your partner and maybe this goes double when you’re both trans.
Sometimes I don’t even have to form a coherent sentence and my partner, Gwyn, knows exactly what I mean, and he can draw on his own experience to help me.
However, the assumption many people make is that because we are both transitioning, the destination of our journeys is exactly the same. There can’t be that much variety, surely?
Except two people’s transgender journeys are never the same. In some ways, we’ve developed together but we’ve also had to adapt to each other whilst changing as individuals in the most drastic way.
Gwyn is a trans man, transitioning from female to male. I’m the same though I also identify as non-binary, so I don’t feel like I am either a man or a woman.
We have both made social and medical changes in order to feel comfortable with our bodies and our relationships to them. Not everyone has to go through hormone therapy and surgeries for their transition, but it has been essential for our well being to do so.
It means we have hit the same transitioning milestones – but rarely at the same time. Gwyn started hormone replacement therapy before me, for instance, but I had top surgery before him.
We embrace the people we have both become (Picture: Graysen Hall)
Angel that he is, Gwyn was solely happy that I was taking the next step on my journey. He never expressed any bitterness that he had to wait longer than me, even when asked, and nursed me with dedication and support throughout my recovery.
In contrast, when he started testosterone – something I wouldn’t do for another few months – I suffered major bouts of jealousy.
Seeing him so happy was wonderful, but being so far away from it myself heightened my own gender dysphoria and sense of unease.
I wanted to be a source of clear and concise support, to be selfless and put my partner first but there have been times when I simply couldn’t. Outwardly I was congratulatory and overtly positive, while on the inside I was struggling to cope with the fact that I just wasn’t there yet.
I put up a front like it didn’t matter but by closing up I have, at times, made our relationship increasingly difficult to sustain.
In the early days, we were on and off again like a light switch, breaking up then getting back together and even dating people in the interim.
It has taken us a long time to master how to talk about our feelings in the depth needed to make ‘us’ work. Slowly, we have both learned how to share our feelings, regardless of whether those feelings are positive or negative, and communicate so much more. It’s made us a stronger and more loving unit.
We can see the real people that were hiding away and have welcomed them forward (Picture: Graysen Hall)
New differences had the potential to push us apart but we stuck out the trials and difficulties and as a result, we’ve grown together. In fact my feelings towards Gwyn have changed for the better: I have fallen more deeply in love with him.
I have always seen him as a man – that is what he is, regardless of his medical transition progress – but facial hair definitely suits him more than a clean-shaven face.
Seeing the progression of his beard and finding Gwyn more attractive on a superficial level has been a change I wasn’t necessarily expecting (and I know the feeling is mutual!).
We don’t dwell on the fact that neither of us is the same person as when we first met – I don’t believe anyone, trans or otherwise, is the same person today as they were yesterday, and they will be different tomorrow, too.
Instead, we embrace the people we have both become. We weren’t happy in our skin before we transitioned; now we can see the real people that were hiding away and have welcomed them forward.
We are free to love and be loved unconditionally, as our authentic selves, without barriers, or fear of rejection that is so common in the trans community. That’s what true love is to me.
Watching the person you adore most in the world go through something you so strongly desire to go through yourself has been an incredible challenge, but I am so grateful to Gwyn for the journey we have shared together so far.
As we plan to get married in 2021 I am looking forward to many more years ahead, with their ups and downs, jealousy and support, and sharing even more steps forward.
Love, Or Something Like It is a new series for Metro.co.uk, covering everything from mating and dating to lust and loss, to find out what love is and how to find it in the present day.
