We interrupt whatever you’re doing to bring you some important news: There’s a three-year-old girl in Brighton who’s cooler than all of us.
That cool kid is Autumn California Bailey (yes, even her name is cool), who has become an internet icon due to her skateboarding skills.
At just three years old, Autumn is already rolling around her local skate park and nailing tricks – all while wearing a pink tutu.
‘She started learning from Lizzie Armanto [American professional skateboarder] when she was one, she used to watch the YouTube videos of her skating,’ says her mum, Tara.
Autumn now has her own Instagram account dedicated to her mastery of skateboarding, with plenty of videos of her showing off her skills.
The account is run by her mum, to be clear. Autumn may be an expert skater, but she’s not yet old enough to run rampant on social media.
‘She’s made friends from all over the world, from Australia and America that she skated with,’ says Tara. ‘That’s how we do it really because I can’t skate.
‘We did a skate tour in Australia so we went to a skate park there. Since we’ve come back from there, her confidence is really high.’
Autumn does take the occassional tumble, but she’s always quick to get back up and on her board.
‘I think she’s like most other kids, if she takes a bad fall, she tends to lack confidence a bit,’ says Tara. ‘She did the pump track over there once, fell and split her lip open.’
We can only dream of being that cool. That is all.
Now, it seems a duo at an Australian zoo have become best friends after spending lockdown together.
Elsa the koala and Hope the wombat – who live at the Australian Reptile Park – have formed a very special bond.
The pair have become inseparable since the park – located in Somersby, New South Wales – shut down, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Elsa and Hope have become inseparable (Picture: The Australian Reptile Park)
Look at those faces (Picture: The Australian Reptile Park)
Park keepers initially put Hope into the koala enclosure while they cleaned her living area – but as soon as she met Elsa, the pair became close friends.
Curator Hayley Shute said: ‘Hope is a little ray of sunshine and we just knew the two of them would enjoy getting to know each other.
‘It makes for one cute video that’s for sure. It’s a very special friendship these two have formed and I can’t wait to see it continue to blossom.’
While it might seem like an unusual pairing, the wombat is actually a close relative of the koala – so it makes sense for the animals to strike up a bond.
Park keepers have watched the pair greet each other with a daily nose kiss.
They greet with a nose kiss (Picture: The Australian Reptile Park)
Cuddles (Picture: The Australian Reptile Park)
Australian Reptile Park director Liz Gabriel told Insider: ‘Hope and Elsa both had a rough start to life. But they are both growing into happy and healthy animals.’
Both of the animals were hand-reared by the keepers, to ensure they survived.
Back in October, the park posted a video of newborn Elsa, explaining she had to be cared for around the clock.
You’re probably not washing your face mask enough (Picture: Getty Images)
So you’ve packed your hand sanitiser, stocked up on all the pretty fabric face coverings you can find, and are officially ready to go to the shops. Good for you.
But wait… have you washed that face mask? Are you going to wash it the moment you get home?
Or are you pulling out a grimy face mask from the bottom of your bag each time you remember you’re supposed to be wearing one?
Many of us aren’t properly looking after our reusable cloth masks, either failing to wash them at all or just not doing a great job of giving them a proper clean.
Deyan Dimitrov, CEO of Laundryheap, explains what you need to know about keeping your face mask clean.
You need to wash your face mask every time you use it – otherwise you risk germs and bacteria lingering on the fabric.
Not only does this make wearing a face mask a pretty pointless endeavour, but you can also end up with a serious case of maskne (that’s acne around the mouth, chin, and nose, caused by wearing a grubby face mask).
‘The best way to wash your face mask is to pop it in the washing machine and add some fabric-safe disinfectant to the rinse compartment of your washing machine,’ says Deyan. ‘You should do this every time you wear it, just to keep safe.
‘It’s fine to throw it in with other similar colours, so don’t worry about washing it on its own.
‘If you don’t have the time for a machine wash in the evening, then you can easily handwash your mask. Fill up a clean basin with hot water and some detergent and begin to scrub the mask. Have the water as hot as you can and be sure to scrub the mask well for 5 minutes. Then rinse the mask with cold water and leave to dry completely.’
How to store your face mask when you’re not using it
If you’ve made the effort of cleaning your mask between uses, don’t wreck that work by ditching your mask in your handbag on the way back from the shops.
‘Leaving your mask loosely in your handbag could transfer germs to other items in your handbag and vice versa,’ says Deyan. Keep a small disposable bag inside your bag or pocket that you can keep the mask in until it’s time to wash it.
‘If you take your mask off, don’t put it back on until after you’ve washed it.’
Why you need more than one mask
Invest in the multi-pack – it’s a far better option than having to wait for your mask to finish being washed and dried between trips outside.
That way you can always have one clean and ready to go when you need it.
Amy and the play unit she created for her son (Picture: Amy Field)
Amy Field spotted an old bookcase and decided to use it to create something new for her son to play with – and it cost just £11.
The 28-year-old mum-of-two turned the piece of furniture into a Mario themed play station for son Theo, six, who is obsessed with the video game character.
The play unit comes complete with working Mario pipes to each world, and artificial grass.
Amy told money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk: ‘We originally saw the idea on Facebook, where a lady had done one for her son using storage cubes.
The unit features pipes between the different worlds (Picture: Amy Field)
It’s a great place for her son’s Mario toys (Picture: Amy Field)
‘My son is Mario obsessed so we showed him and he instantly wanted one… but it had to have working pipes!
‘We already had the bookshelf and we’ve recently renovated a house so we already had the paint. We used a mixture of masonry, normal wall paint and some acrylic.
They handpainted the backgrounds (Picture: Amy Field)
‘The pipes we used are plumbing pipes and fittings which again we already had from the house renovation.
‘All I needed was the artificial grass which I ordered off Amazon for £10.99.’
They started by cutting holes for the pipes so they could create a world on each shelf but join them together.
Amy, her partner and two children (Picture: Amy Field)
They then glued on the pipes and started painting.
Amy added: ‘The process of painting took an afternoon with my son’s help… He’s very particular!
‘We then stuck the grass down and added his toys which he has collected over the years.
‘It only cost £10.99 in total, which was the price for the grass.’
Amy says the activity has been the perfect bonding project during lockdown.
‘We loved doing this project together,’ she said. ‘It was something we could get stuck into and create something that would provide hours of fun after.
‘Theo loves it – he has spent hours playing with it and enjoyed the fact he got to pick the levels how he wanted it.
‘It cost very little and of course gave us somewhere to store all those Mario toys!’
Having a winery on the grounds of your house, where you grow and make delicious wines of all types, of course.
This winery in West Sussex has recently gone up for sale, and although it costs £6.75 million, it could become a profit-making endeavour that makes you a pretty penny over the years.
The Kingscote Wine Estate is located in East Grinstead, and boats a whopping 24 hectares of vines, with grapes including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Meunier, Bacchus, Pinot Blanc, Solaris and Regent.
There’s everything you need to create a thriving wine business, as well as a barn that’s been converted into a visitor centre for wannabe sommeliers to sample the wares.
24 acres of vines have been planted over the last 10 years (Picture: Savills)
The house itself is a Grade II listed five-bedroom farmhouse, but there’s also a two-bedroom coach house and other farm buildings included as part of the purchase.
Other land within the sale includes 9.09 hectares of woodland, 0.85 hectares of lakes and 23.47 hectares of pasture land, some of which has been used by previous owners as a wedding venue.
There’s everything you need to walk right in and start producing quality product (Picture: Savills)
Chris Spofforth of Savills, told Surrey Live: ‘Kingscote is a well-established commercial vineyard with all the facilities on site to undertake wine production from the vine to the shop.
‘The current owners have more than doubled the amount of vines on the estate over the last couple of years and worked hard to build up the brand, resulting in a significant trading opportunity for the new owners.’
The main barn was converted into a visitor centre (Picture: Savills)
With a guide price of £6.75 million it’s not exactly budget-friendly, but as a business option for someone with a passion for English wine and beautiful events, it might be the best investment you ever made.
Should I be forced to read an email that states ‘I would love to just bounce you up and down on my c**k Sam’? (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
Over the past few months, a few friends have confessed to experiencing something that can only be described as ‘lockdown horn’.
With many of us separated from our partners, unable to go on Tinder dates or hook-ups, there’s a whole lot of hot and bothered people out there with, dare I say, a little sex-crazed longing for intimacy.
Even I started to develop a crush on some of the MPs after watching the daily briefings (I decline to share which ones!).
But what happens if all this suppressed sexual tension stops being natural and harmless, and manifests into something much more sinister? What about the people who overstep the mark?
As someone who has been shielding since mid-March, I have become increasingly reliant on social media to continue working. As a freelancer, I’ve had to step up my online presence in order to grow my following, spread my content and educate as a disability rights campaigner.
I’m proud of what I’ve achieved, posting and engaging with followers and brands daily and setting up my own hashtag, #TheDailyRenke, which gives insight into my life and explores everything from body image and sex to ableism, discrimination and fashion.
Yet this openness and authenticity has left me exposed to something I didn’t expect: a surge in unsolicited sexual messages.
Some have simply made my toes curl but others have made me not only feel incredibly uncomfortable, but violated.
I am by no means a stranger to online abuse. I’ve frequently been on the receiving end of trolling that specifically targets me for my disability, with comments such as ‘real humans walk on legs’.
But a complete stranger telling me they had repeatedly masturbated over me, or that they want me on their hard c**k, has in many ways been more intimidating and distressing.
Changing my settings to private would, without a doubt, impact my livelihood (Picture: Sam Renke)
I felt objectified. My photos aren’t masturbation material and there was anger and aggression to the relentlessness of the messages, as though the sender was demanding I give them attention to satisfy their sexual desires.
As a very petite wheelchair user, I am already aware that any man could overpower me physically, and although this contact was virtual, it was something I had no control over and represented that same type of dominance.
So how can I avoid it? My social media platforms are open as I am a public figure and connecting with followers is a crucial part of my work. Influencers like myself rely on this type of accessibility and transparency. Changing my settings to private would, without a doubt, impact my livelihood.
It’s been suggested to me that I exercise caution on what I post to avoid giving trolls a ‘target’, which makes me think specifically about a number of recent posts I’ve done on body confidence, and sex and disability. Both subjects are still seen as taboo and disabled people continue to be either infantilised, deemed unattractive or seen as a fetish.
But this advice only feeds into the patriarchal attitude that anything vaguely sexualised is just asking for unwanted attention.
Haven’t we learned anything from the #MeToo movement? (Picture: Sam Renke)
I believe my role as a disability campaigner is to show how beautiful, strong and sassy disabled people are, and I communicate this message when I put up empowering images of myself. Does this really merit comments such as ‘I wont [sic] to put my big c**k in your tight p***y?’
If I want to post a picture of me in a bikini should I be forced to read an email that states ‘I would love to just bounce you up and down on my c**k Sam’?
Haven’t we learned anything from the #MeToo movement?
I’m an adult and whilst it is exhausting, I can challenge and confront this inappropriate behaviour. I have three young nieces, however, for whom technology plays a huge part in their growth and development.
It terrifies me that they may fall victim to what I’ve experienced – and with a study by YouGov reporting that four in 10 female millennials have been sent an unsolicited dick pic, I fear many will have to endure this form of sexual harassment for some time to come.
I worry about my family seeing how I am trolled, too – a horrible meme about me did the rounds a few years ago, which really played on my mind. I know that my mother has seen rude comments about me and that pains me more than anything.
One thing is for certain, though: I will not be changing my online content. The ideas I share are there to affirm disabled people and end harmful stereotypes that damage their lives, to help overturn years of ignorance and ableism, and to bring about equality.
I will block and report anyone that objectifies me. So, to the people sending me this stuff, know that you will never get my interest, respect or a date with me. It doesn’t make me a prude or overly sensitive.
Shops may be (slowly) opening once again, but shopping right now is still quite a different experience to the pre-coronavirus style we’re used to.
From socially distanced queues and one-way systems round the aisles to closed-off changing rooms, it’s going to be challenging to buy clothes without immediate buyer’s remorse.
How do you make sure clothes fit you when you can’t try them on? And how can you make sure you spend wisely when you’re being carefully herded around a store, knowing that to get another go you’ll need to brave a massive queue again?
Handily, personal stylist Susie Hasler, who runs Styled By Susie, has shared her tips for successful clothes shopping amid Covid-19.
Make a list and stick to it
‘It might sound a little OTT, but the better prepared you are to hit the shops, the less time you’ll spend browsing and lingering in stores,’ says Susie. ‘Once you’ve made it into the shop of your choice, the last thing you’ll want to do is forget some of the items you wanted to buy, or just grab what you think will work – as I guarantee it will result in you having to make a second trip to return items.
‘Before heading to the shops, you must make a plan.
A list is your friend. Have a specific idea in mind of what you want to shop for. Take a look through your wardrobe beforehand and identify any gaps you have.
‘Do you have lots of lovely summer skirts but no tops to go with them? If so, make a note of the colours of the skirts and which hues would complement them. Or do you need summer shoes? Have a style in mind – do you want flats, or sandals or wedges or trainers?
‘Add all these items to a list, so that the items you will be buying will make a complete outfit.
‘Then write down a list of shops you want to go to. Browse online to see whether they have anything you particularly like, and want to see ‘in the flesh’. Take some screenshots on your phone so that you have everything at your fingertips, and you can easily find items when in store.’
Wear something comfy
You’re going to be queuing for longer than usual – to get into the shops and to pay, too.
Wear comfortable shoes and bring snacks and water, just in case.
Make a list and check it twice (Credits: Getty Images/fStop)
Take your measurements
As most stores’ sizes come up differently, and you won’t be able to try on items in shops, finding something that fits is going to be tricky.
Susie recommends taking your measurements before you hit the shops, taking note of your leg length, hips, waist, shoulders and bust. Then cross-reference these with size charts of the shops you plan to visit online, again making note so you can easily check when you’re in the shop.
It’s also helpful to look through your wardrobe and check what sizes you’ve bought from different stores, so you can make a note of whether they run a touch too small or are massively oversized.
‘It’s probably wise to play it safe and head to familiar stores while changing rooms are closed,’ Susie adds.
‘Shops such as Zara, H&M and Mango are less generous with their sizing, compared to Next and M&S. This means you might need to size up once or even twice.
‘Also check that the size noted on the hanger is the same as what’s on the label – there’s nothing more frustrating than buying an item only to find it has been placed on the wrong hanger!
‘If you’ve measured yourself at home, pop a tape measure in your bag and compare the items of clothes you want to buy to ensure they’ll fit without having to try them on.’
Check your store’s return terms
Many shops have extended their returns and refunds deadlines, knowing that with changing rooms closed, people may need to exchange items that end up not fitting properly.
Check this in advance – and see if your chosen shops allow you to return items by post, which will save you an additional trip.
If your chosen store has an easy (and free) returns system, you can bypass the changing room dithering by just grabbing different sizes of the same item, taking them home to try them on, then sending the one that doesn’t fit back.
Don’t allow random impulse buys
‘Shopping post-pandemic means an end to hours of browsing – for now,’ says Susie. ‘You’ll also want to shop effectively, which is also good for the environment, and that means not just grabbing items of clothing for which you don’t have an outfit in mind.
‘I have carried out hundreds of wardrobe declutters on women who have countless items still with the labels on as when they got them home, they realised they had nothing to wear them with.
‘You may opt for a pretty printed skirt, but when you get it home you realise you have nothing to wear with it.
‘Not having enough basic items is the reason behind the saying “I have too many clothes but nothing to wear”.
‘Basics are “boring” items – the T-shirts, vests, cardigans and knitwear – that act as the glue to pull so many more outfits together.
‘A basic white T-shirt, for example, can be worn with jeans, with a co-ord suit, tucked into a pleated skirt or under a pair of dungarees. Just that one T-shirt will give you at least four different outfits!
‘You can’t beat a basic, and if you aim to stock up on vest tops and tees, you can be safe in the knowledge that they will go with anything you wear on the bottom half. ‘
The best shops for your body shape, according to Susie:
Pears
Next: They will work well for your curvy hips as their jeans will fit well on the waist too. They are also great for smart trousers and summer shorts.
H&M: Great for tops that show off your lovely delicate shoulders and décolletage. Look for ones with detail on the shoulders and pretty prints
Apples
River Island: Their jeans will work well for your shape and they offer a great online Curve range if you’re above a size 18.
Next: Great for Jeans and basics that don’t cling to the tummy
Mint Velvet: A higher price point but their clothes flatter curves as well as a fuller bust.
Hourglasses
Topshop: Their jeans work well for your curvaceous shape and will fit well on the hips as well as the waist. You may need to size up as Topshop sizing isn’t too generous!
Dorothy Perkins: Their dresses work well for hourglasses as they accentuate your waist and skim over the hips.
Rectangles
Zara and H&M work well for jeans and trousers because they are cut a little narrower on the hips.
H&M is great for rectangle shapes as they are cut well for their silhouette and they usually have a great choice of prints, patterns and fabrics. Try their slacks trousers which will fit well on your hips.
Mango is great if you like a more simple, chic look and it’s affordable too. Perfect for rectangle shaped ladies.
Strawberries
New Look: Great for skirts that are cut a little narrower on the hips, therefore showing off your narrowest point.
Hush: A higher price point but their dresses and tops are cut generously for the strawberry top half.
River Island: Their jeans will show off those killer legs. Choose light colours and rips.
Warehouse: Great for tops and blouses that fit well on broader shoulders and a fuller bust. You may have to size up.
Plus-sizes
Unfortunately the in-store ranges are sparse for plus-sized ladies but there are many options online which work so well for my clients. Most shops have an online Curve range. Some of my favourites include:
Mango Violeta Range, New Look Curve, Very Curve, River Island Plus and Dorothy Perkins Curve
Yours Clothing for plus-sized ladies. It’s not a visually appealing shop but the clothes are great
Evans has also become better in recent years and they are brilliant for stylish shoes in a wide fitting size
The rice dish and all the wrapped burritos (Picture: Mums Who Cook & Bake/Facebook)
If you want a cheap and delicious lunch without spending too long in front of the cooker, one mum has a great solution.
She makes up freezer burritos and creates up to 48 at a time so there is always something easy for lunch time.
The woman buys some tortilla wraps and then cooks up some rice.
She adds a can of beans and/or lentils, a tinned of chopped tomatoes and some coriander, as well as chicken stock powder and some cumin.
Once she’s created the rice, she then layers it up in the wrap with cheese, sour cream and hot sauce before rolling the whole thing and wrapping it in parchment paper.
She then places all the wraps in the freezer and when someone fancies a burrito, they just need to take it out, remove the paper and put it in the microwave for a few minutes, making sure it is piping hot the whole way through.
Of course, you do need to be careful when reheating rice because of the risk of food poisoning so it’s important to freeze it soon after cooking and don’t leave it at room temperature for too long. When microwaving, check to make sure the rice is hot before eating and do not reheat it more than once.
Posting on in the Mums Who Cook & Bake Facebook group, she explained: ‘Hubby and I make these often so that he always has a quick snack for work,” she said.
‘These wraps are cheapest at Costco and we usually make around 48 wraps at a time.’
Others loved the idea and said they would definitely be trying it out.
One said: ‘That’s an absolutely awesome idea, looks like I’m making them this weekend.’
Another added: ‘Wow, game changer! Thanks for sharing.’
Is it time to get the chop in the name of hygiene? (Picture: Getty)
The coronavirus pandemic has left us all in urgent need of a haircut.
But how will these much-needed trims take place, considering current social distancing regulations?
Industry leaders have said that salons will need to adapt to keep things hygienic for customers and staff.
Tim Hartley, a former director at Vidal Sassoon, is one such name calling for changes.
He says people should consider getting the classic 1920s-style bob at their first post-pandemic appointment – claiming it’s more ‘hygienic’ for salons and safer for customers (in regards to coronavirus), than longer styles.
Tim said: ‘We have to think about maximising hygiene. The sooner the long tresses of yesterday are dispensed with, the more hygienic it will be for us all.’
He fears the virus is more likely to spread in long, wavy hair, rather than shorter locks.
But just how ‘hygienic’ is the bob cut? And what makes certain hairstyles more hygienic than others?
In terms of salon-cleanliness, Sally-Kate Duboux – a hair stylist from HAIR BY DUBOUX – says a bob is a good option.
She tells Metro.co.uk: ‘Salons are looking at ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in order to maintain a safe environment to get the most fashionable of styles. Reducing air flow and blow-dry times is the first point of call.’
Sally-Kate says that while the National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) is yet to issue guidelines and advice on the use of hairdryers, the organisation has made suggestions that treatment times should be limited, to control the spread of COVID-19.
So, blow drying a bob will be significantly quicker than blow drying longer hair.
Sally-Kate adds: ‘Longer, thicker hair types have a dry time of up to an hour, especially if a bouncy blow dry is your go-to style.
‘These lengthy styles are off the service menu in many salons due to the risk of contamination, making the wash and go style a service of the future.’
But how hygienic is a bob hairstyle once a customer steps out of the salon? After all, our hair can’t be washed as regularly as our hands.
Ricky Walters, founder of SALON64, says short hair is likely to lead to more face-touching – something which is discouraged by health experts.
He tells Metro.co.uk: ‘Although shorter hair does sound like a great solution, any sort of layered bob can involve shorter pieces sliced through the hair.
‘These typically are batted away by clients and can result in involuntarily touching of one’s face.’
Ricky also highlights that hair cannot be tied up properly with a bob style – which could cause problems.
‘The luxury of being able to tie your hair up out the way into a tight pony tail will be gone and you may find being smothered by your hair is less hygienic than you first thought,’ he adds.
However, Fudge Professional hair expert and stylist Jonathan Andrews believes a bob is more hygienic than longer hair, due to the lack of contact it has.
‘Yes, it’s harder to tie up but it lends itself to when you have to wear protective clothing,’ Jonathan counters.
‘Your bob won’t touch that and won’t come into contact with clothes you are wearing and anything from the neck down – unlike long hair, which can still be an issue when tied up if it’s still long enough to touch your clothes.’
Jonathan also stresses that it’s easier to keep shorter hair clean.
He adds: ‘Another benefit of having a bob is that it’s much easier to wash and keep in a good condition and keep a clean routine, than long hair.’
So while it seems blow drying a bob haircut could be significantly more hygienic for salons, the jury is still out on whether it’s better for customers.
Catherine with her daughter, having a scan and the scan of her brain (Picture: SWNS)
Back in December 2018, Catherine Wilcockson, 37, suffered a blackout, felt tired and panicked at her daughter’s nativity play.
Initially, she was diagnosed with panic attacks and derealisation and prescribed antidepressants.
But six months later, she discovered it was actually due to a brain tumour, which had been growing in her head for 20 years.
The tumour was found in May 2019, when she had a sudden seizure while she was asleep and fell off her bed and smashed her head on the ground.
The mum says her daughters Shani, then nine, and Christie, then 15, saved her life after they rang their grandfather Terry for help who called an ambulance.
She was rushed to Northern General Hospital in Sheffield, South Yorks., where a CT scan revealed she had a tumour in her brain the size of two apples.
Speaking about her symptoms before her tumour was found, Catherine, from Sheffield, South Yorks., said: ‘It was an absolute nightmare – I couldn’t understand why I was feeling the way I did.
Catherine’s scar after the operation (Picture: Catherine Wilcockson/SWNS.COM)
‘I got this awful feeling come over me – I felt really panicky and like the world was closing down on me.
‘I was blacking out for short periods of time but it kept happening over and over.
‘It was quite scary and I realised something must be wrong.
Catherine in hospital (Picture: Catherine Wilcockson/SWNS.COM)
‘I couldn’t tell you what happened, one night I just woke up on the floor – I was confused and my girls looked terrified.
‘If not for my little girls I wouldn’t be alive today – they saved my life.’
Looking back now, she said she is glad it was eventually found as she continued to drive and go about her day-to-day life despite her symptoms.
Catherine with staff at the Royal Hallmshire Hospital in Sheffield (Picture: Catherine Wilcockson/SWNS.COM)
She recalled: ‘Looking back on it, it’s even worse because I was putting myself and others in danger. I wasn’t suffering with panic attacks, they were seizures.
‘I was driving every day, I was with my girls, it could have gone so wrong.’
Catherine was told she had the cancerous astrocytoma brain tumour grade 2 at Royal Hallamshire Hospital, in Sheffield.
Catherine and daughter Shani (Picture: Catherine Wilcockson/SWNS.COM)
It had likely been slowly growing in her brain for at least 20 years – as it normally presents in children.
A month later, on 18 June 2019, doctors performed the life-saving surgery which left her with 34 staples in her head.
The hairdresser said: ‘The surgeon was outstanding – I couldn’t praise him enough.
Catherine when she was admitted to hospital and diagnosed (Picture: Catherine Wilcockson/SWNS.COM)
‘To do something so terrifying but make you feel confident and positive is an amazing thing.
‘He kept me positive throughout and I felt safe – but it was so scary.
‘It’s a surreal experience to have someone open your head while you’re awake.’
Almost exactly a year on since her operation, the mum has kept in good spirits after successfully undergoing radiotherapy for six weeks and chemotherapy for six months.
In March of this year, she had a double celebration as she was told her tumour had shrunk to 5% of its original size on the day of Shani’s 10th birthday.
She is now doing well (Picture: Catherine Wilcockson/SWNS.COM)
She said: ‘Since the surgery I’ve just stayed positive.
‘It’s been a surreal year – from the diagnosis to coronavirus – but I choose to stay optimistic.
‘I could have died, but I’m here. And I’ve been able to spend so much time with my girls who mean the world to me.
‘I celebrated my daughter’s 10th birthday – which is something I won’t take for granted.
‘This year has been a complete whirlwind and roller coaster but I know I have to keep going forward – for me and for my girls.’
The mum says she wants to inspire others who may be faced with the numbing news that they have a devastating disease.
She said: ‘I want to tell others who might be going through the same thing that they can get through this too.
‘I remember all of the news I read was always so negative and bleak but you can come across the other end of this devastating news as strong as ever.’
Catherine is working with the charity Brain Tumour Research to share her story and, together with Shani, is taking part in its ‘Wear A Hat Day With Flowers’ this Friday.
The day will see people wearing their favourite hats adorned with flowers to raise money for the cause.
This week our ‘new normality’ finally began to dawn, when thousands of our favourite stores threw open their doors to welcome visitors for the first time in months.
After lockdown was announced on March 23, only shops that sold food and other essential items were allowed to remain open.
But on Monday, non-essential stores both big and small were finally able to unlock their doors in a bid to help restore people’s livelihoods and kickstart the economy. So, from now on, you’ll be able to buy anything you want on the high street again, from clothes, shoes and toys to books, electronics and furniture.
To keep both customers and staff safe, stores have had to follow strict measures put in place by the UK Government to prevent the spread of coronavirus before they can open.
It means that shopping won’t be quite the same as it used to be, but that you can browse and buy with confidence. Here’s how some of our biggest – and smallest – shops have been preparing to reopen.
We’ve done everything by the book
When Andy Rossiter returned to reopen his small chain of three independent book shops that closed in March, he found a time capsule waiting for him.
‘They were filled with titles that were of interest back then,’ he says. ‘So it was really exciting, if strange at first, to restock and reopen.’
During lockdown, many of us realised how important books are to our happiness, with the opening of a new novel one of the few joys afforded to us.
Andy Rossiter at his shop in Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire recently re-opened his small chain of book shops
So Andy, whose stores are in southwest England and Wales, found himself continuing to help regular customers hunt down books even when Rossiter Books was closed.
‘We’ve seen a lot of requests via email for copies of Humankind: A Hopeful History, by Dutch author Rutger Bergam,’ he says. ‘I can see why it resonates – its main point is that, fundamentally, human beings are nice. I think it’s really struck a nerve with people.
‘Travel writing and good fiction are also riding high. We had one customer request six travel books to be sent to their relative, to inspire them for future trips. I think escapism is more important than ever.’
To reopen safely, fixtures and till points in the shop have been moved around to make sure people can socially distance, hand sanitiser has been placed at the entrance, and Perspex screens at the tills.
Just two or three of the 13 staff who’ve been furloughed will be brought back initially.
To reopen safely, fixtures and till points in the shop have been moved around to make sure people can socially distance
‘We’re limiting our opening days from seven to five days a week, and we will also reduce our opening hours to allow for thorough cleaning at the beginning and end of the day,’ says Andy.
And, no doubt, to stock up on the deluge of new titles, whose release was delayed by coronavirus.
Back to flat-pack heaven
They may be a Swedish store, but no British weekend is complete without a trip to Ikea for meatballs and a browse around its marketplace.
Now hungry customers can get their fix once more, with the popular furniture chain having opened all of its 22 UK outlets earlier this month.
Ikea’s new systems and precautions have meant they have been able to safely re-open 22 of their stores
They were able to look to their other branches around the world, where they’d already come out of lockdown, to best see how to keep customers and staff safe.
This includes a ‘one in, one out’ policy at busy times, a one-way system, social distance wardens to ensure social-distancing measures are observed, plenty of hand sanitiser on tap, and frequent deep cleans.
They’ve also installed screens at checkouts, are only accepting cashless payments, either by credit card or contactless debit card, and are only allowing one person or group inside a room set at a time.
‘To help limit browsing, we are encouraging everyone to come to the store prepared for what they want to buy, as well as to bring their own bags,’ explains Peter Jelkeby, Ikea’s country retail manager
‘To help limit browsing, we are encouraging everyone to come to the store prepared for what they want to buy, as well as to bring their own bags,’ says Peter Jelkeby, Ikea’s country retail manager. ‘And we ask those who purely wish to return items not to come to our stores in the first instance. We have a 365-day returns policy and urge customers, where possible, to return items at a later date, when they will find it easier to do so.’
At the height of the crisis, Ikea supported the NHS by allowing the huge car parks of their Wembley and Gateshead stores to be used as drive-through Covid-19 test centres for medical staff.
They also reopened four Swedish Food Markets near large hospitals so that medics and other key workers could get good food.
Just as popular will be their decision to keep open their bistro, not to eat in, but to allow customers to buy those famous meatballs to take home.
Safety? We’ve done it ourselves
For 40 years, All Seasons DIY has been the place to go in Smethwick, in the West Midlands, whether you need a new drill, a hammer or a packet of screws.
All Seasons DIY in Smethwick, in the West Midlands is a family run business that has been going for 40 years
So when it closed in March on the same day as the schools shut, the family-run firm was deeply missed. So missed, in fact, that within a week it was open again. ‘It became obvious that people in the local community were relying on us for essentials and other products,’ says Surinder Josan, who runs the store with his wife and mother.
But first they had to make sure their customers – and Surinder’s son and daughter who fit working in the shop around their university studies – were safe.
‘We had to reassess how we both serve and interact with our customers, and we adopted several new measures to comply with social distancing to keep ourselves and our customers safe,’ says Surinder.
‘People in the local community were relying on us for essentials and other products,’ says Surinder Josan who runs the shop with his mother and wife
‘New measures include two-metre markers outside the entrance, limiting the number of people in store at one time, installing screens at the checkout areas, encouraging contactless payments, lowering the minimum card spend to £1, and offering hand wipes to customers.
‘We have also ensured that my mother has not returned to work, since she is elderly and at greater risk’, Surinder says.
Thanks to the steps they’ve taken within the store, she won’t be the only person they’ve kept safe from the Covid-19 threat.
Doing it for the families
Over the past three months, many children have shot up in size, but most are still having to squeeze into too-tight tops and too-short trousers as the clothes shops were shut.
It’s something that Marks & Spencer has recognised when planning to reopen its stores this month – it’s increased the amount of space dedicated to children’s wear by up to 30 per cent.
M&S is re-opening this month, with many new safety features in place
It means that if a child needs casual clothes, new pyjamas or bigger pair of shoes, it’s easier to find something that’s just right.
Despite introducing many measures to keep staff and customers safe, including hand sanitiser at the entrance and Perspex screens around the tills, M&S has also rearranged its stores to make it simple to find the things you need.
‘We know that customers will be coming out on a mission, be that something for growing kids, or new summer items for a family barbecue,’ says Alison Grainger, head of clothing and home retail.
‘So we’ll be making it easier for them to find what they need, and we’ll be making sure we have what they need in stock – from bringing in new summer products and increasing our kidswear offers to making sure we’ve got a great range of gifts for Father’s Day.’
The new measure include things like hand sanitiser at the entrance and Perspex screens around the tills
While all M&S’s stores and clothing spaces within food shops have reopened this week, some of its services haven’t. Although cafés remain closed, there are now Coffee To Go points in 49 stores. And while bra, suit and children’s shoe fitting services have been suspended, the company has improved its online bra-fitting tool to help women.
‘I’ve never been prouder to be part of the M&S team than over these past few months,’ says retail operations director Andrew Walmsley. ‘While shopping may feel different, there will still be the same great service and expert advice that customers expect.’
The five key rules that mean you can shop safely:
Before shops can open their doors once more they must follow strict UK Government advice to keep both shoppers and staff as safe as possible. To reopen, stores must have:
■ Carried out a Covid-19 risk assessment and shared the results with their staff.
■ Cleaning, handwashing and hygiene procedures in place in line with official UK Government guidance.
■ Taken all reasonable steps to help people work from home.
■ Taken all reasonable steps to maintain a two-metre distance between people in their workplace.
■ Done everything possible to manage the transmission risk of coronavirus if people can’t be kept two metres apart.
This UK Government advice applies to England only.
The Tube Tube, also known as the Plastock 360 Persona, is a PPE headshield designed for public transport (Picture: Spencer Griffiths)
As lockdown starts to ease and getting public transport becomes an option (but only when wearing a mask), travelling around London could look quite different to pre-coronavirus times.
We might all be wearing the Tube Tube, for one thing.
The Tube Tube, also known as the Plastock 360 Persona, is a PPE headshield that wraps around your entire head to protect you from Covid-19 when you’re out and about.
It’s the creation of plastic supplier Plastock, who hope the product will offer reassurance for nervous travellers on the move.
The idea behind the Tube Tube is that it could be more comfortable than face masks, allowing you to breathe without restriction and allow other people to read your facial expressions – as well as allowing for lipreading.
Each one is made bespoke to order (Picture: Spencer Griffiths)
It’s a lightweight Perspex tube that fits flush to the upper body to maximise protection, with each Tube Tube created bespoke to order so it’s propertly tailored to your body.
One downside though is the price – the Tube Tube is far more expensive than your average face mask, with prices starting from £95.
Gareth McLaughlin, an Assistant Events Manager from London, tried out the screen for his commute. He said: ‘I felt a bit self-conscious at first, but it’s lightweight, and doesn’t obstruct communication and breathing like a mask does.
‘I’ve been nervous about getting back on the tube, but the complete 360° barrier and the extra height gave me the reassurance to travel into work.’
Would you wear one? (Picture: Spencer Griffiths)
Co-founder of Plastock Dan Myers added: ‘The 15th June is a milestone for the UK economy – the opening of non-essential businesses will inevitably encourage people to leave the house more often, and at the same time, it will be mandatory to wear a face covering on public transport.
‘We wanted to create something which would make people feel safe while out and about, and also offer an alternative to face masks which many people find uncomfortable to wear.
‘The ‘Tube Tube’ will allow people to feel protected, protect others and abide by new travel advice, whilst keeping a clear view of their surroundings.
‘The pandemic has created increased anxiety levels across the UK, so we hope that by producing these protective shields, we will give people the confidence to be able to travel more easily.’
Momtaz Begum-Hossain is in a minority when she goes outdoor swimming – she is often the only South Asian woman, or woman of colour, in the water.
Momtaz only learnt how to swim as an adult and she never thought she would be confident enough to swim outdoors in wild settings, but she pushed herself to become braver and now she’s completely hooked.
Since sharing her new passion for swimming, she has received lots of messages from Asian women who told her they don’t know how to swim, but would love to learn. Now she’s hoping to inspire other ethnic minority women to take the plunge and show that wild swimming really is for everybody.
Like many people, Momtaz’s fitness journey started at school, and her memories are filled with PE horror stories.
‘I was told I was the worst person in my class at tennis so I had to play on my own, I came last every sports day and the dreaded swimming lessons,’ Momtaz tells Metro.co.uk.
‘As a child, the only water I had been in was a bathtub, so the pool petrified me. Each week I trembled as I gingerly clambered into the pool. I was the only pupil in my year not to get a green ribbon.’
Things changed when Momtaz went to university.
‘I started to get active by going to dance classes,’ she says. ‘I tried everything from African and Ragga Jam to contemporary, and it was the first time I realised, “hang on, exercise is actually fun!”
Momtaz only learnt to swim in her 20s (Picture: Momtaz Begum-Hossain)
And now, the fun factor is still the most important element for Momtaz. She describes herself as active, but certainly not a fitness freak.
‘You won’t find me on a gym treadmill, but you will see me at the weekly group cycle class where the instructor turns the disco ball on and plays old school drum n bass.
‘I’m also partial to boxfit because I love the shorts (I have three pairs) and just putting them on gives me a buzz.’
At 20, Momtaz couldn’t swim. But while she was doing an undergraduate placement on the outskirts of Reading, the only amenity was a leisure centre and she was offered swimming lessons, so she went along to try them.
‘The tutor immediately made me feel at ease,’ she says. ‘Her enthusiasm and positive spirit kept me coming back and I soon felt confident in the water.
‘A few months later, I went on a fieldtrip to Los Angeles as part of my Geography degree. Having the heat of the LA sun on my back and watching the beauty of sunlight reflected on the water’s surface in the hostel pool made me realise that swimming wasn’t just about “swimming”, but also slowing down and appreciating life.
‘I guess I was experiencing the “mindful” benefits of swimming before I even knew what mindfulness was.’
‘Swimming wasn’t just about “swimming”, but also slowing down and appreciating life’ (Picture: Momtaz Begum-Hossain)
But swimming pools is one thing, and open water is a completely different beast. Momtaz’s first experience of open water swimming was at Hampstead Ponds, and it completely terrified her – but only for the first few seconds.
‘I lowered my body into the water and stretched my legs out to discover with horror that I had done so in the wrong direction – right into the currents,’ she says.
‘As I clung onto the steps I could feel the water pulling me under. Luckily a friend came to my rescue and explained I should start swimming rather than hold on.
‘I let go and was pleasantly surprised at how easy I found it, but it was only when I got out of the water that I realised the real benefits. My muscles felt instantly relaxed and my whole body felt free in a way it had never done in a public swimming pool.
‘I began to crave that sensation of being in fresh, natural water so I started swimming alfresco wherever I could; in ponds, lakes, weirs, waterfalls, at home and abroad. But I’ve never been a strong swimmer, I do a very leisurely breaststroke and I only swim in water that I feel safe in, which means nothing too wavy.’
When Momtaz moved to East London’s Royal Docks three years ago, she was amazed to discover that people swam in them.
For the first two years she jealously watched the swimmers but could never pluck up he courage to go in herself.
‘The temperature was a refreshing 17 degrees but I didn’t mind the coolness. It felt amazing’ (Picture: Momtaz Begum-Hossain)
‘I had heard the water was cold, deep and unpredictable. There was no way I was going in,’ she says.
‘Then last year, on a balmy Indian summer evening in September, I had this urge to give it a try. It was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done – and I hated it.
‘The waves were vigorous, there was nowhere to stand and I felt stressed out that I was getting in the way of the triathletes who use the docks to train in. I didn’t last five minutes. I was proud I had tried it but decided I was never going in there again.’
Momtaz retreated back to her usual leisure centre where she swam indoors two or three times a week, before lockdown kicked in. But without outdoor swimming – something was missing.
‘My life felt incomplete,’ says Momtaz.
‘I missed the water so much. When it was announced eight weeks later that swimming in lakes and the sea was allowed again I sighed, as I don’t live near either.
‘But then I heard the docks had re-opened. Still scarred by my ordeal from last year, I sat at home feeling sorry for myself, that I wasn’t good enough to swim in them.
‘But with the weather reaching the mid 20s, and the constant urge to feel water lapping against my skin, I gave it another try.
‘It was the best decision I’ve ever made. The temperature was a refreshing 17 degrees but I didn’t mind the coolness. It felt amazing.’
Over the last month, Momtaz has been swimming regularly in the docks and each time she stays longer, swims further and has even tackled wavier conditions.
‘It has become an addiction,’ she adds. ‘I love the sense of freedom, being in such an expansive space and the joy of swimming up close and personal with the ducks.’
‘Being active isn’t a hobby or a privilege, it’s a basic biological ability that comes with being a human’ (Picture: Momtaz Begum-Hossain)
Since she has been sharing photos of herself swimming on social media, Momtaz has received so many messages from Asian women to tell her that they can’t swim.
‘Some of the reasons have included health issues, the fact they’ve never learnt, or feeling uncomfortable wearing swimming costumes,’ says Momtaz. ‘But I would argue that all of these concerns can be resolved.
‘Swimming is low impact. Just lying back in the water and floating without fear is something everyone should experience, it’s such a natural feeling and once you’re comfortable and realise that the pool is a place of pleasure, the swimming will come.
‘Modest swimwear is widely available too and it’s not just worn by Muslim women, but anyone who doesn’t want to wear a classic costume.’
Momtaz strongly believes that the joy of being physically active is something that everyone should experience, that everyone has a right to in their lives.
‘Being active isn’t a hobby or a privilege, it’s a basic biological ability that comes with being a human,’ says Momtaz.
‘Yet, we don’t all want to exercise in the same way. That’s why we need to make sure that all forms of fitness are accessible to everyone – and I think it’s a fitness provider’s responsibility to prioritise how they do this.
‘My pool in Tower Hamlets has women-only swimming sessions largely attended by Bangladeshi women who go with friends and family.
‘Before lockdown, I was attending a weekly Afrobeats dance class in Woolwich where the tutor was Afro-Caribbean and 90% of the class were Black women. The class was always full to capacity. The gym had scheduled it specifically to appeal to the local community and it worked.’
Momtaz swimming on holiday (Picture: Momtaz Begum-Hossain)
Momtaz says she draws confidence and inspiration from iconic strong women who are cultural icons – she says she likes to believe she can be like them.
‘This might sound a bit crazy, but I’ve always had this fantasy that one day I’ll be cast as a Bond Girl or Bat Girl in a movie,’ she tells us. ‘And often when I’m faced with a task that requires physical ability, I tell myself it’s part of the audition, or I’m in the role so I have to do it.
‘There’s something about knowing they can do it, so I can too – that gives me confidence.
‘In reality though it’s real women, not those in fiction, that have shown me what strength is.’
In the latter years of Momtaz’s mother’s life, she suffered a heart attack and had her leg amputated.
‘She was the most frail she’d ever been, yet the day she came home from hospital she wheeled herself into the kitchen in her new wheelchair, stretched up as far as she could to reach the cupboards and made my dad a cup of tea,’ Momtaz recalls.
‘While others would have been in bed resting, she was determined to get her life back to normal and she didn’t let anything stop her.
‘Doctors said she’d never walk again, but she stuck with the physio and before she passed away she was able to hobble around the house with a crutch and prosthetic leg.
‘That to me is what being a strong woman is. Pushing yourself to do things, even when they might not seem possible.’
Strong Women
Strong Women is a weekly series that champions diversity in the world of sport and fitness.
A Sport England study found that 40% of women were avoiding physical activity due to a fear of judgement.
But, contrary to the limited images we so often see, women of any age, size, race or ability can be active and enjoy sport and fitness.
We hope that by normalising diverse depictions of women who are fit, strong and love their bodies, we will empower all women to shed their self-consciousness when it comes to getting active.
Each week we talk to women who are redefining what it means to be strong and achieving incredible things.
Are you a woman redefining what it means to be strong? We want to hear from you.
A teenage girl can look forward to a normal life after surgeons removed a potentially fatal tumour from her neck.
Surbhi Ben, 15, endured years of cruel taunts and staring because of the rugby ball-sized tumour that grew from her neck onto her chest.
She was diagnosed with a desmoid tumour, a soft-tissue growth that, if left alone, would cause considerable damage to the surrounding structures and possible death.
But Surbhi, from Gujrat, India, was able to have the tumour removed after kind-hearted wellwishers donated almost £28,000 for the dangerous, but life-changing operation.
A dedicated medical team of 21 doctors and surgeons worked tirelessly for three days to remove the growth.
Surbhi underwent two months of gruelling radiotherapy before the surgeons performed the delicate operation and extensive reconstructive surgery.
Since the surgeries, Surbhi’s wounds have recovered and she is leading a normal teenage life.
Teen Surbhi Ben had this tumour growing on her neck (Picture: Newslions / SWNS.COM)
Surbhi’s mum Rekha said: ‘We are seeing a new, beautiful, bubbly and bold, Surbhi, thanks to all my brothers and sisters who contributed to her life-changing treatment.
‘Your kind gesture towards a complete stranger has reinstated my faith in humanity.
‘She is now leading a normal life, freely riding her bicycle, playing with friends in the neighbourhood and doing her studies, without being subjected to humiliating remarks from onlookers.’
Dr. Chetan Ginigeri from the Aster Hospital said: ‘It was a challenging operation. The outcome was uncertain. We took all the necessary precautions, due to the critical nature of Surbhi’s case.
‘Surbhi had initially undergone intervention radiology that entailed feeding vessel embolisation under general anaesthetic.
‘The team of doctors then carried out surgical debunking of the tumour. Following these procedures, a skin graft was taken for reconstruction of the area affected.’
It took surgeons three days to operate on the potentially fatal tumour (Picture: Newslions / SWNS.COM)
The treatment was made possible by Bangalore-based international news agency Newslions Media which covered the story and raised 5,100,000 rupees (£27,785) after it set up a crowdfunding campaign.
Surbhi’s father Purshottam Samatbhai, a farmer, said, ‘I wouldn’t have been able to afford such costly treatment. I don’t know how to thank the people who pitched in for her treatment.
‘They were a God-send. We will always remain indebted to them. They haven’t just helped Surbhi undergo surgery, they have gifted her a new life.’
An Indian news agency fundraised to donate to Surbhi’s medical costs (Picture: Newslions / SWNS.COM)
Dr Chetan Ginigeri added: ‘At the time of discharge, Surbhi was able to walk and do her routine activities. The wound had completely healed.
‘However, she has a tracheostomy tube in her windpipe for airway protection. She can eat and drink safely. She is undergoing voice training and, as soon as the vocal cords recover, her tube will be taken out and she will be back to normal.
Surbhi Ben in hospital after the surgery (Picture: Newslions / SWNS.COM)
The teenager’s wounds have now healed as she goes back to her normal life (Picture: Newslions / SWNS.COM)
‘It is likely to take around three months. We have advised her to visit us after three months for evaluation.
‘She will also require an MRI scan of the neck to check if there is any recurrence of the tumour. In which case she will require chemotherapy.’.
Surbhi, who is now at home and is due back in hospital next month for a final operation on her vocal cords.
There’s nothing like a cold beer or mixed drink to take the edge off a long flight, but there’s every chance that this might no longer be an option, as a number of airlines have stopped offering alcohol on planes.
Delta Airlines, KLM, and American Airlines are among the carriers who have changed their rules regarding drinking on planed to ‘minimise interaction between crew and passengers.’
EasyJet, British Airways, and Virgin Atlantic will also be switching away from alcohol drinks (at least on short-haul), with passengers now only offered water on their journey.
According to CNN, the idea is to have people keep their required face masks on for longer, only removing them to have a quick hydration boost rather than keeping them off for many sips of their alcoholic beverages.
It’s also supposed to reduce queues for the toilet, and staff will be on hand to manage groups of people congregating in certain areas and guide traffic.
Say hello to H2Only at 30,000 feet (Picture: Getty Images)
Food will also be off the menu for some upcoming flights, too, although on trips where this is the case customers will be allowed to bring their own snacks and non-alcoholic refreshments.
Others – particularly when it comes to long-haul carriers – will offer pre-packaged food, without special meals or alternatives to reduce interaction.
At the moment, these are just temporary measures, but as we aren’t quite sure whether we might experience second waves or mutations of coronavirus, it’s not entirely clear when we’ll be able to enjoy a take-off bubbly once again.
If you are desperate for a cross-country bevvy, Ryanair are one of the few airlines who haven’t nixed alcoholic drinks on their planes.
Instead, if you fly Ryanair you don’t be able to get a hot drink, so get your coffees before your journey.
It may not be the luxury ‘treat’ experience we may have gotten excited before in the past, it’s one way to get us back to normal as safely and quickly as possible.
There’ll always be a Bloody Mary or Black Russian waiting for us when we reach our destination.
Nicole Dean sticks to a £200 monthly budget for feeding her family
We could all do with tightening up our budgets in lockdown, whether it’s to deal with a paycut or to hastily catch up on the lofty saving goals we predicted without our daily commutes.
Take note from Nicole Dean, 25, a freelance CV writer and mum of twin two-year-old girls, who manages to make up 28 days of meals for her family for £200.
The mum has shared tips for cooking on a budget in lockdown and beyond, hoping to help other parents feed their family for less.
Nicole, who lives in Staffordshire, told money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk: ‘I know some people easily spend £500 per month on shopping as they buy more than they need and throw lots away.
‘I was brought up by my mum who had a very tight budget and it just made me budget for everything!
‘Here are some of my top tips for saving money. As you run out of something or notice you open the last packet, then pop the item on your phone to buy – for example, when opening the last toothpaste it should be on your list to buy.
One of Nicole’s family meals (Picture: Nicole Dean)
‘Buy two non-perishable items at a time or more to take advantage of offers. You will be able to afford this as not everything will need to be replaced at the same time. For example, buy two lots of shampoo at a time.
‘Don’t always go for the special meats on offer. Look and compare prices per kg.
‘Cook what you need for the next 24 hours once the oven is already on. For example, when cooking dinner, cook tomorrow’s sausage rolls for lunch too. It saves energy!
‘Write a list of 30 meals (or less if you wish to repeat meals). Write down the ingredients needed for each meal, that you don’t already have. This is your shopping list.
The mum recommends looking at the price per kg rather than blindly picking up discount deals (Picture: Nicole Dean)
‘When unpacking the shopping, put the items with the earliest use-by date in the freezer.
‘Always have lots of frozen or tinned veg available to bulk out meals.
‘Utilise leftovers! A leftover sausage can be chopped and added to tomorrow’s pasta dish. Leftover roasted meat can be made into a pie or meatloaf.
‘Limit snacks too – only buy one multipack of crisps each shop. Once it’s gone it doesn’t get replaced until the next one.
‘Choose fuller fat snacks to stay fuller for longer between meals, such as nuts, spreads, cheese, and fruit and vegetables.
Nicole’s twin daughters ‘pretty much eat anything’ (Picture: Nicole Dean)
‘Buy bigger packs of meat and freeze in individual portions. For example, eight large chicken breasts from Aldi are £8.99. You can get five meals out of this which is cheaper than five single packs of chicken.
‘I’d also recommend that you butterfly chicken before freezing, as it will defrost faster.’
Nicole is lucky to have daughters who ‘pretty much eat everything’, having always given them different foods to try to avoid any fussiness.
The mum sets herself food challenges to keep her spending on track, such as sharing 28 days of meals on social media to show what her family eats on a £200 monthly food budget.
Looks tasty, right? (Picture: Nicole Dean)
One of the mum’s recent success was the birthday cheesecake, which cost just £3.50 to make (Picture: Nicole Dean)
One of her recent budget successes was making a chocolate cheesecake for her daughter’s birthday for just £3.50, using Aldi ingredients rather than splurging on a shop-bought occasion cake.
‘I prefer not to waste money so we have extra for days out and so on,’ Nicole adds.
‘I’ve actually noticed a lot of food increase in price during lockdown so it’s been really helpful keeping to a budget as it means I’ve been able to cover the unexpected price hike without worry.
‘Also, where cheaper items had been sold out we have been having to buy the more expensive branded alternatives. It also means if there’s a special purchase I want to make for a nice dinner, such as steaks, we can do that too.’
If you want more tips and tricks on saving money, as well as chat about cash and alerts on deals and discounts, join our Facebook Group, Money Pot.
Keyworker Jade Bucknall proved she’s still got the moves after recreating an adorable dance tribute to Madonna that she made when she was six.
The 24-year-old was having a clear-out of her old possessions when she stumbled across a box of camcorder videotapes.
One of them was a clip of her younger self dancing to Madonna’s video for the theme tune of the James Bond film Die Another Day.
Jade, of Chesterfield, Derbyshire, has now recreated the routine and filmed herself dancing alongside the throwback video.
Since they’ve been posted on Facebook, the videos have been viewed, shared, and liked more than 10,000 times by people worldwide.
Jade, who works in a hospital operating theatre, admits she was obsessed with the movie when it was released in 2002.
Still flexible (Picture: Jade Bucknall / SWNS)
With extra downtime in lockdown, the family decided to go through all the tapes – recorded on a camcorder.
Jade said: ‘I was getting pretty bored during lockdown so my mum and I decided to have a clear out.
‘We were going through a box of old video tapes and came across six of me when I was a kid.
‘I was absolutely obsessed with Madonna’s Die Another Day.
‘I’d watch the music video and copy the routine and asked my mum to film me doing the dance on a proper old camcorder.’
Jade, when her Madonna obsession began (Picture: Jade Bucknall / SWNS)
Jade added: ‘I just thought it would be fun to recreate the dance routine and put it online so I did and the response has been amazing.
‘I took snippets of it and posted it on social media and it got a load of likes.
‘I’m not great at editing and technology but my dance teacher tends to do lots of edits, so I picked up a few tips off her when I put the old and the new footage together.
‘It took some time but I did it.’
Jade, when she’s not dancing (Picture: Jade Bucknall / SWNS)
Jade continued her love for dance into adulthood but decided not to pursue it professionally.
‘I chopped and changed in adolescence, I began studying dance full-time.
‘I got a job in the operating department at the hospital, which I’ve been doing since I was 18.
‘I was at a dance academy in Leicester but you had to look a certain way rather than being judged on actual dancing ability, so I fell out of love with it and got my old job back at the hospital.’
The secret note was hidden under layers of old wallpaper (Picture: Charlotte Morrison/Getty)
Stripping wallpaper is usually nothing more than a long and exhausting task – but finding a secret message underneath would certainly make the job more interesting.
Charlotte Morrison and her family received a shock when they got round to removing the wallpaper while doing some lockdown decorating.
Charlotte, from London, finally plucked up the courage to remove the many layers of old wallpaper that she knew lay underneath the layers of paint. She was worried about the condition of the plaster underneath, but she wasn’t expecting to see a message from the past scrawled on the wall.
A previous owner left a handy tip for future decorators on the wall before putting up his own wallpaper more than 20 years ago.
‘If you ever need to wallpaper this room again,’ read the note, ‘it will take eight rolls of wallpaper.
‘I bought just six rolls at £17 per roll, and didn’t have enough (it really pissed me off).’
The author of the note signed it ‘Jon’ and dated it ’21/12/97′ – and he clearly wanted to make sure no one else had to be annoyed like he was after not buying enough wallpaper.
Charlotte updated her followers on Facebook to let them know they had contacted Jon (Picture: Charlotte Morrison/Facebook)
Charlotte couldn’t believe that the note had endured all that time, and was delighted to get kind and practical advice from 23 years ago.
She posted the picture on Facebook and began a campaign to find Jon – and she was eventually successful.
A relative of Jon’s got in touch with Charlotte and described the house and even gave the correct address – so they knew it had to be the right guy. So now Jon knows that his message got through.
On social media, lots of people commented and expressed delight at following this wholesome tale.
‘What an interest find! There’s even a price for how much it cost back then,’ commented Ken.
‘I love how precise he was! I think you need to frame this and hang it in that room,’ suggested Melissa.
Charlotte is just thankful that her decorating job was made that little bit easier by some words of wisdom from the past.
Do you have a story to share? We want to hear from you.
Laura and Dave have spent years building their very own ecohome, made entirely out of rubbish and locally sourced materials (Picture: Laura Davies Art/Jam Press)
A couple have shared how they spent years designing and building their own eco-friendly home in Andalucia, Spain – entirely from rubbish.
Laura Davies and Dave Buchanan, both 55, moved over to Andalucia in 2002 and initially bought an old Cortijo, a type of traditional rural dwelling.
But even after installing a load of environmentally friendly features, the couple realised they wanted to immerse themselves fully in the countryside by making their own eco-home.
Laura discovered Earthships online and fell in love. These are a concept that came from American architect Michael Reynolds, and are sustainable homes made entirely from local and waste materials, such as old tyres and drink cans.
Inspired, the couple rushed out to buy a whole set of books on Earthships, realised this was something they could do, and began looking for land.
After finding the right plot, they met with the local town planner to get permission to build and submitted their project idea to the council. One year later it was approved and they were ready to start building.
The eco-home, which has a simple dome shape, has walls made entirely from car tyres that Laura and Dave collected from their local garage.
The walls are made from tyres collected from a local garage (Picture: Laura Davies Art/Jam Press)
Old drink cans and bottle bricks are held together by mud and papier mache (Picture: Laura Davies Art/Jam Press)
Natural cork from a nearby forest serves as insulation (Picture: Laura Davies Art/Jam Press)
The infill walls are made from old drink cans and bottle bricks, all held together with padobe, a mix of mud and papier-mache.
The roof, which is made of beams from local pine and other wood, collects rainwater, which the couple use for washing, cooking, watering their plants, and for the toilet.
The insulation is natural cork from a forest in the Valencia area of Spain and the front of the building is glass. Acting much like a greenhouse, it creates solar heat and light and keeping them warm during winter without the need for fossil fuel heating. It also allows them to grow food.
The tyre walls during construction (Picture: Laura Davies Art/Jam Press)
Old cans forming interior walls (Picture: Laura Davies Art/Jam Press)
Hot water and electricity are generated through solar panels.
The end result is the couple’s glorious dream home, which they’ve named Cuevas de Sol (Caves of Sun).
Despite the construction taking a lot of time and hard work – and even an injury for poor Dave, who nearly lost three fingers in the process – the couple couldn’t be happier with the home they’ve created.
The roof collects water that Laura and Dave use to do the washing (Picture: Laura Davies Art/Jam Press)
All electricity is provided through solar energy collected through the home’s panels (Picture: Laura Davies Art/Jam Press)
It’s quite lovely, isn’t it? (Picture: Laura Davies Art/Jam Press)
‘The thought of being able to build it ourselves was inspiring, plus the theory behind [Earthships] was genius,’ said Laura.
‘Dave had an accident with the bench saw during construction. He nearly lost three fingers and we had to take five months off for him to recuperate. So really it only took a year and a half!”
Spot the cat (Picture: Laura Davies Art/Jam Press)
‘We adore our home and are still sometimes surprised that we built it ourselves! It works so well, and in winter is especially lovely to live in with temperatures averaging 18C without any need for heating – if it does get a bit chilly I’ll bake a cake so the oven warms the room!
‘It is beautifully light and airy and lets us look straight into nature.’
Time to start saving for a trip to Iceland (Picture: Sky Lagoon/Pursuit)
Looking at the same four walls for the better part of the year has left us craving a getaway.
Most people are planning 2021 to be a year packed full of holidays (if permitted by then, of course).
Whether it’s trips away with friends, family or a partner – quite literally anything that gets us out the house will do.
The good news is that there’s plenty of beauty spots to add to the post-pandemic bucket list – including a new lagoon which is launching in Iceland next year.
Sky Lagoon is set to open on the oceanfront at Kársnes Harbour, Kópavogur – just a stone’s throw from capital city Reykjavik.
Not only will the geothermal lagoon boast delightful sights of the Atlantic Ocean by day, but it will also offer incredible views of the Northern Lights by night.
So guests can enjoy sunsets, sunrises and evening stars, on the dramatic ocean backdrop.
What the pool is set to look like (Picture: Sky Lagoon/Pursuit)
It will feature a swim-up bar (Picture: Sky Lagoon/Pursuit)
Relax with amazing views (Picture: Sky Lagoon/Pursuit)
The man-made pool will feature a 70-metre infinity edge that blends into the ocean landscape, as well as a cold pool, sauna and a swim-up bar – so guests won’t be short of things to do.
While an exact opening date hasn’t been announced by Pursuit – the hospitality company behind the project – it has said the lagoon should be ready for spring 2021 (which gives us plenty of time to save up).
What a landscape (Picture: Sky Lagoon/Pursuit)
One for the 2021 bucket list (Picture: Sky Lagoon/Pursuit)
In a statement Dagny Petursdottir, the general manager of Sky Lagoon, said: ‘We are thrilled to unveil plans to develop a remarkable geothermal lagoon experience along one of Iceland’s most stunning oceanfront locations.
‘Spending time relaxing in natural geothermal waters is an integral part of our culture here in Iceland.’
