Many people have channeled their creativity during lockdown and one dad has gone above and beyond with his quarantine project.
For the last three months, dad Ed Astrid has been building his very own coffee house.
And his creation could rival rival the most hipster cafés we see on the high street.
The 53-year-old contractor from Orange County, California, used tools and resources left over from his previous jobs, and gave the old materials new life.
Of course, every coffee shop needs a name – Ed has decided to call his La Vida (which means life in Spanish).
And there’s even outdoor seating.
Proud daughter Julianna was delighted with the backyard café and shared photos of it on Twitter – unsurprisingly, it blew up online.
Her tweet has amassed more than 300,000 likes so far and Julianna has since been contacted by coffee brands offering to send different brews to fill up La Vida.
The garden before the shop (Picture: Julianna Astrid)
The window in the shop is made from leftover materials from Ed’s construction job (Picture: Julianna Astrid)
We reached out to Julianna to see what she makes of her dad’s project and the viral fame that the family is now enjoying.
She tells Metro.co.uk: ‘I’ve grown up watching my dad build amazing things around our house and for other people, he is truly an extraordinary builder.
‘He has always had a love for coffee and cozy spots and recently decided to fuel that love into something for his own backyard where the family and our guests can sit back, lounge and bond.’
Just your average hip café (Picture: Julianna Astrid)
Julianna says the DIY project is a testament to Ed’s work ethic.
She adds: ‘He is a very hardworking man who is all about doing the things he says he’s gonna do.
‘My dad loves looking at little houses and different structures on Pinterest and randomly one day he told us “yeah I think I’m gonna build a coffee shop in the backyard”, all of us started cracking up because it was so random and honestly, just a funny thought!
‘Three months later, this thing was built! Something that really makes me proud is his eye for seeing beauty in everything.’
Of course, there’s a menu (Picture: Julianna Astrid)
La Vida offers coffees by the fireplace (Picture: Julianna Astrid)
Ed, who isn’t used to all the attention, is delighted to see the viral reaction to his project.
Julianna added: ‘My dad is honestly so grateful for all the exposure and love from those who adore his coffee shop.
‘He had no idea I posted the tweet in the first place so when I told him it went viral the next day he was so surprised – my dad isn’t really the social media type and he works so hard every day, so it was super heartwarming to see him so happy and getting so much love for something he loved building.
‘He’s super appreciative of all the kind comments and wants to start making videos on youtube to show people how to build things themselves!’
Do you have a DIY story of your own that you want to share?
A hairdresser was touched to receive this heartwarming letter (Picture: Sara Verkuilen/Getty)
This year, we’ve really appreciated the value of our hairdressers.
Salons might offer a quick beauty treatment, but the job they do can really affect people’s confidence and happiness.
One hairdresser, who went above and beyond, was touched to receive a heartwarming letter after she provided exemplary service.
Sara Verkuilen from Virginia, U.S, received a personal note from a widower who said his wife, who had dementia, was delighted with her haircut.
The man also revealed that she had sadly passed away since the beauty appointment in December last year.
But it meant a great deal to her and her husband said it was ‘the last best moment of her life’.
The devoted partner loved watching his wife feel more confident and wanted to tell Sara how great her service had been.
Sara didn’t have the sender’s details so couldn’t get in touch with him sadly (Picture: Sara Verkuilen/Getty)
Sara was moved by the letter and shared it on her Facebook, saying ‘This is why I love what I do. Thank you for this letter.’
The sender, who didn’t leave his name, wrote: ‘Dear Sara,
‘This is a little bit awkward. But I’ve waited a really long time to pass this on to you.
‘My wife and I came in for haircuts shortly before Christmas of last year. My wife was suffering from dementia, and you treated her as if you’d been working with dementia patients all your life.
‘You let us sit next to each other, and when it came time for her cut you turned her chair towards me so I could watch her expression as you cut her hair.
‘It turned out even better than I thought it would.
‘Sadly, she died in March. And that haircut was one of the last, best moments of her life. She felt so pretty.
‘She visited the mirror in her bathroom several times during the day and would come out beaming.
‘To see her so happy was priceless.
‘Looking back, it was likely one of the dozens of haircuts you gave that day. But one which revitalised a woman’s sense of self and her singular beauty. I hope you always realise the power of your profession.
‘It’s so easy to take things like that for granted.
‘Sincerely, a grateful customer.’
Sara’s employer Hair Cuttery was also moved by the letter and shared the post on its Facebook page.
The company wrote: ‘When stories like this come out, we are all reminded of why we chose to do this.
‘We couldn’t be prouder to have Sara be a part of Hair Cuttery family of brands.’
Replace the cab ride with a boat trip (Picture: Rex)
Last summer, Uber launched a new service – boat rides.
However, the alternative cab ride was only available in Cambridge, during the August bank holiday. It has also been trialled as an island-hopping experience in Croatia.
Now, the boat is back – and it’s bigger than ever.
Uber has teamed up with Thames Clippers in London, offering customers a trip across the river in one of its 20-strong boats, which have been branded with the company’s logo.
So, how does it work?
The views will be much better than a car (Picture: PA)
It’s actually just as easy as ordering an Uber car; you simply book your journey through the app, and use a QR code when climbing aboard.
But there’s a hitch – you can’t get a ride whenever you want.
Uber boats follow a particular schedule, but are a great way to see the city and avoid traffic jams, if you’re not in a rush.
During the pandemic, the ferry has been shut – and this latest project with Uber is meant to encourage more people to use it.
The hope is that incorporating the service within the app will streamline the process and make it easier for passengers to hop on and off at their leisure.
That being said, contactless, Oyster card payments and tickets bought at the ferry office are also fine to use.
Whether you’re after a nice location for a mini-trip with the family or a solo weekend away from the crowds, we’ve got you covered.
Here are seven of the most best staycation spots in the UK.
But be warned, they are so peaceful and beautiful that you might never want to leave.
The Wiremill, Surrey
Caption: Best staycation UK
Provider: (Picture:Wiremill)
If you want the luxuries of a hotel but need a nature kick, the Wiremill in Surrey is an excellent option.
The pub-slash-boutique-hotel is hidden away next to a 26-acre lake (which you can spend a day walking around) and is ideal for couples, friends or for a solo visit.
The rooms are housed in the basement, with six to choose from – one of which includes a clawfoot tub in an open plan space.
The hotel is located in the basement of the Wiremill pub (Picture: Wiremill/Tim Foster)
But the best part is undoubtedly watching the sun set over the lake in the expansive garden, which has recently been adapted for social distancing.
And the pub menu, made with local ingredients.
Prices start from £89 during the week and £109 at weekends.
Mole’s Cottage, East Dorset
It’s a very spacious cottage (Picture: Mole’s Cottage)
Last but not least, there’s Mole’s Cottage.
This self-catered cottage is ideal for a family holiday or for a large party of friends (so long as you stick to lockdown rules) – it can accommodate up to 16 peple.
Inside, there are eight en-suite rooms, six king-size doubles and two twin bedrooms, along with a cosy front room, complete with an open fire place and leather sofas, as well as a small kitchen and dining table.
We could definitely see ourselves cosying up in front of that fire (Picture: Mole’s Cottage)
But really, you come here for the country-side joys; take afternoon walks or have picnics in the sun, enjoy a spot of golfing, and explore the nearby hillsides and chalk river valleys.
Or go for dinner at the nearby AA rosette restaurant at the Museum Inn.
Prices start from £800 per night.
The Well, Margate, Kent
An Insta-worthy staycation (Picture: The Well)
If relaxation and serenity is at the top of your list for a staycation, try The Well in Margate, Kent.
Not only is it beyond adorable (just look at that tub), but the room’s layout and interior has been designed with mindfulness as its key theme.
Grab a cuppa from the hotel’s coffee bar and explore the Viking Coastal Trail or join in on morning meditation or yoga.
Beach views? Check (Picture:The Well)
The Well also offers moksha therapies, ‘allowing your body to find balance and enhance your wellbeing’, sound sessions with crystal bowls on the beach and has its own herbal shop.
There’s also a bar so you can wind down with cocktails or have a candle-lit dinner.
Pandemic? Stress? Not here.
It’s a pricey experience though at £250 per night, with a two-night minimum, plus cleaning and service fees (£143).
Lost Meadow Treepod, Cornwall
Is it just us or does this look a bit like a beehive? (Picture:Lost Meadow Treepod/Canopy&Stars)
Suspended from a tree in a Cornwall forest, the round treehouse offers basic comforts for two people, with sleeping bags inside, and a toilet and shower in the woods.
There is a kitchen hut and fire circle, but you’ll have to source your own breakfast.
Thankfully, there are many villages nearby.
There’s no bed, so you’ll need sleeping bags (Picture:Lost Meadow Treepod/Canopy&Stars)
This is a journey into the wild, with plenty of adventures to be had – including hiking, deer-watching and fishing in the stream that runs past the pod.
Owner of the pod, Ed, also offers plane rides over Cornwall.
Prices start from £105 per night.
Flint Barns B&B, Rathfinny Wine Estate, East Sussex
Have a picnic at the vineyard during your stay (Picture: Rathfinny Wine Estate)
Fancy spending a day drinking excellent wine fresh and having picnics a strone’s throw from an actual vineyard?
Rathfinny Wine Estate in East Sussex runs its very own bed and breakfast, called Flint Barns in Sussex, which is an excellent choice for couples or friends.
As you might expect, there are plenty of activities to take part in wine-themed activities to take part in.
Join a tour of the wine cellar, book a private tasting or have lunch al fresco while taking in the sunshine over a bottle of the estate’s finest.
David and Sharon were able to have the first-ever wedding at the willow cathedral (Picture: James Daditis / SWNS)
If you’ve been to Somerset, you might have visited the famous Willow Cathedral – the only one of its kind in the UK.
The picturesque landmark in Taunton, built in 2011 by artists Steffan Jennings and Sophie Courtier as part of a redevelopment project, has been used for public performances and picnics.
David Hallam, 56, and Sharon Fawcett, 58, have become the first-ever couple to tie the knot at the gorgeous spot.
The pair became man and wife in front of 30 guests at the 98ft long green cathedral, made from Somerset willow.
Stunning (Picture: James Daditis / SWNS)
Coach driver David and Sharon, who live nearby, got the idea to marry here when they spotted it on a dog walk and realised it was the perfect location for their ceremony.
They then asked permission from the Long Run Association Committee, which thought it was a great idea.
Thankfully, the couple registered their wedding at Taunton Registry Office in February – just weeks before the UK was put under strict lockdown restrictions.
And despite fears that their dream day may not go ahead, the pair were able to stick to their intended wedding date.
They live near the cathedral and thought it would make a great wedding venue (Picture: James Daditis / SWNS)
Sharon said: ‘It’s just such a beautiful place. Once the idea came into my head we had to go with it!
‘It’s a popular place for picnics and yoga classes but there’s never been a wedding there at all!
‘Luckily we didn’t have to change to date as Boris said weddings could go ahead last week.’
But to ensure social distancing, the couple had to cut their guest list by half and handed out PPE and hand sanitiser on arrival.
To ensure social distancing, the couple cut their guest list by half (Picture: James Daditis / SWNS)
The couple got engaged at Glastonbury, where they also met the celebrant who officiated their wedding.
Sharon said: ‘We got a cider to celebrate and started speaking to the manager of the cider bus.
‘He congratulated us, then handed me a leaflet about how he was a celebrant.
‘He said if we ever needed his services to give him a ring.
‘At the time I just popped it in the bottom of my Glastonbury bag.’
The newlyweds – who both decided to retire during lockdown – will now spend their honeymoon driving to Spain, where they will settle in their retirement villa.
Dreamt anything saucy lately? (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night from a dirty dream that leaves you hot and bothered?
You lucky duck.
There are a lot of scientific theories for why human beings have dreams, which are essentially hallucinations concocted by our brain.
They happen on average around four to six times per night, according to The National Sleep Foundation, and are most vibrant during the REM (rapid eye movement) part of our sleeping cycle.
As for the contents of our dreams, that’s a bit more complicated.
Steve Richards, a depth psychologist, has 40 years’ worth of experience in analysing people’s subconscious.
He explains that our dreams are connected to what we see, how we feel and how we want these scenarios to be acted out.
So what does it mean if our dreams are primarily of a sexual nature?
Are we just really horny from a lack of physical intimacy or is there a deeper meaning?
Let’s find out.
Why do we dream about sex and what does it mean?
Steve says: ‘Dreams compensate for our conscious attitude and adaptation towards the external world.
‘In this sense they offer alternatives for how we see people, situations and relationships: and most of all, another perspective, on we, ourselves.
‘Our conscious mind has the executive role of adapting to the external word, in real-time, but it’s information processing capacity is limited.’
In simpler terms, if you’ve been obsessing about sleeping with your colleague, it is very likely that you will dream about them in a naked, between-the-sheets way.
Symbolism also plays a big part in what happens in our dreams; it is a surreal landscape, the contents of which are personal to you.
It is often the details that we swiftly forget when we wake up, and it is often these which can be analysed to reveal our innermost thoughts.
Having sex with someone of the opposite gender in a dream doesn’t necessarily mean that you are bisexual or gay (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
He says: ‘Symbols are a kind of psychological broadband that carry a huge amount of information, summed up within them, which, with close attention, their meaning can be unpacked for conscious use.
‘Often these dream symbols are purely personal, and relate to what depth psychologists call “complexes”, which are systems of ideas and emotions that have clustered together through the lived experience of our lives.
‘Complexes are normal, they are in some sense just learning and memories, grouped by a common set of emotions and feelings.
‘Sometimes however, they become split-off from the rest of our unconscious mind, and cause disturbances; such as anxiety, depression or even neuroses.
‘Some depth psychologists believe that complexes are “the architects of dreams”. However, there is a deeper level to the psyche, that we all share.
‘This part, is related to the evolutionary older parts of our brain, that we have in common with our ancient human ancestors, and even other species: such as mammals, reptiles and birds.’
But let’s get down to specifics, with a few scenarios.
You dream about having sex with someone of the opposite gender, but you consider yourself straight. You dream about being in bed with your ex, who you hate.
Or perhaps you dream about having a full-blown orgy in your parents’ garden with people all dressed in dog costumes.
Does this mean you are bisexual or gay, are still in love with your ex or have secret fetishes?
Not quite.
Steve said: ‘Sexuality is a normal part of our lives, and is driven by instinctive pressures from deep within our genetic inheritance.
‘As such, sex dreams have little to do with our conscious sexuality, preferences or morals. They simply express that instinctual pressure.’
Dreams are a highly debated topic, and there is no definite answer to every detail in them, but they can reflect our existing sex life and give us ideas for desires to explore.
Steve says: ‘Often, sexually-themed dreams will be caused by the level of satisfaction we have in our sex lives at any given time, but just as frequently, they simply portray the bandwidth of potential for expression that we all carry, independent of our sexuality.
‘So acting outside of our normal sexual preferences and morality, in dreams, is in itself, perfectly normal.’
Additionally, some studies suggest that what we watch or read before bed can affect our dreams.
So don’t be surprised if you have a sexy session in your sleep if you’ve spent all day reading erotic books or watching porn.
Other research reveals that our overall health is a factor in what we dream about too, which Steve agrees with.
He adds: ‘Your mind and body are opposite sides of the same coin, what affects one, affects the other.
‘To keep in healthy balance, your mind and body need to communicate, we experience this communication in our dreams.
‘Look closely at the content of your dreams and learn to take them as natural “facts” written in a symbolic language.’
Eid ul Adha 2020 or Bakra Eid 2020 will be celebrated in July (Picture: Getty)
Eid al-Adha, the second Islamic holiday of the year which is celebrated alongside Eid al-Fitr, is taking place later this month.
The festival, also known as Eid ul Adha or Eid Qurban or the ‘festival of the sacrifice’ commemorates Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son for God.
He was about to go ahead with the sacrifice, when Allah replaced his son with a lamb, in turn, sparing his life. It had been a test.
To celebrate the day, Muslims often slaughter a lamb, sheep or goat as part of the festivities, which is then divided into three parts to be shared among the poor, within your home, and to relatives.
When does the festival fall this year, and why are there two Eids?
When is Eid al-Adha 2020?
Eid al-Adha is expected to be celebrated on Friday 31 July 2020.
The festival falls on the tenth day of Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic Hijri calendar, which means the date vary each year.
Millions of people normally visit Kaaba in Mecca for pilgrimage (Picture: Getty)
All eyes will be on the skies for sightings of the new moon on July 22, to determine exactly when the festival will fall this year.
Once the new moon is sighted, marking the start of the twelfth month, the date of Eid al-Adha can be confirmed.
Why are there two Eid celebrations?
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are both important events on the Islamic calendar but they are celebrated for different reasons.
Eid al Fitr marks the end of Ramadan while Eid al-Adha (sometimes known as ‘Big Eid’) celebrates Ibraham’s sacrifice.
Eid al-Adha is considered the holiest of the two and falls at the end of Hajj, a pilgrimage to Mecca in Sauda Arabia which millions of Muslims undertake at least once if they are financially and physically able to.
Meanwhile, Eid al Fitr coincides with the end of Ramadan and is celebrated during the first three days of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar.
The date of Eid al-Fitr is also determined by the Islamic lunar calendar so varies every year.
Are people still performing the Hajj this year?
While some pilgrims will perform the Hajj this year, the numbers will be substantially lower than in previous years, owing to the coronavirus pandemic.
Last year, Saudi Arabia said 1.85 million pilgrims from more than 160 different countries travelled to the kingdom for the Hajj, with another 634,000 joining from within Saudi Arabia.
Muslim prayers in the Holy city of Mecca (Picture: Getty)
Al Jazeera report that the country will only allow about 1,000 pilgrims residing in the kingdom to perform the Hajj this year.
Needless to say, the gathering will be far more modest than ones in previous years.
The Hajj is one of the largest religious gatherings on earth and a massive logistical challenge for the Saudi government to oversee each year. The kingdom provides pilgrims with health care and buses for transportation, as well as meals, snacks and water along the routes of Hajj.
When George Emberson asked his parents Hannah and Darryl to build a treehouse, they had to be creative.
Nine-year-old George has autism and once he has an idea, his mind is set, but the family didn’t have enough wood or a tree big enough to build what he wanted.
In a bid to make something to fulfil George’s dream, Hannah, 35, posted on a village Facebook group asking for spare wood.
The family, from Wiltshire, were overwhelmed with what they received and they ended up creating an amazing pastel playhouse for a total of £250 – with similar structures made by professionals costing thousands.
Hannah, her husband Darryl, 40, and their four kids aged five, nine, 10 and 13 pulled together to build the ‘Lockdown Lodge’.
The started with a base (Picture: Hannah Emberson)
Hannah told money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk: ‘The idea for our tree house project came about whilst making a fruit and veg planter as a family project. ‘Our nine-year-old son asked whether we could build him a tree house.
And then added the frame (Picture: Hannah Emberson)
‘We live in the village of Winterslow in Wiltshire and have a wonderfully supportive community. During the pandemic, everyone has come together to support one another; we have only lived in the village a year, but it truly feels like home.
‘Fortunately our pleas were answered and we were offered much more than we could have imagined!’
The family all worked together to build the lodge (Picture: Hannah Emberson)
One local family had spent two years developing their property and they had lots of cladding off cuts, old barn doors, decking, bannister spindles and more.
Hannah added: ‘Everything was arranged so we could make a safe contactless collection.
The four Emberson kids (Picture: Hannah Emberson)
‘Our initial plan was to make a raised structure using a couple of pallets – nothing fancy! But with the unexpected resources, we decided to start building and plan as we went along to make the most of what we had.
‘We began with the base and moved on to the back and far side, making a frame and using the wood to clad it out.
‘We extended the frame to make the opposite side and when we ran out of the cladding, we used two old barn style doors for the front, cutting out windows and fitting some perspex we already had, leftover from a previous project.
The finished playhouse (Picture: Hannah Emberson)
‘The roof was made using two more doors, secured together with end timbers and covered in roofing felt. We upcycled as much possible; making the barn-style door from all the offcuts, carefully securing them together and sanding to a nice finish before painting.
‘With some adjustments, we used an old section of decking, carefully cutting it in around the tree… it’s as close to a treehouse as we could manage! Finally, we added the bannister, rope, steps and window boxes.’
The whole project cost £250 (Picture: Hannah Emberson)
Hannah had some leftover Frenchic Funiture paint she’d used to upcycle a desk just before lockdown and she decided to pick up some more from a local stockist to stencil the playhouse.
Once stores started to reopen, they were able to go to Ikea for some decoration and pillows to make it really comfy inside.
They named it Lockdown Lodge (Picture: Hannah Emberson)
Hannah said: ‘We spent around £250 in total. For extra bits we couldn’t source for free such as fixings, rope, door and window trims, felt for the roof and extra decking boards, we used B&Q’s click and collect system.’
Hannah and her family feel that building Lockdown Lodge provided the perfect distraction from the stresses of the outside world during the pandemic, and even helped them feel closer to their community.
‘When we first began the project, I hoped it would give our children a safe space to enjoy outdoors and make the most of an unused, overgrown part of the garden,’ she added.
‘We hadn’t planned for it to be anything fancy, but the generosity of others and access to wonderful paint made it what it is.
The inside (Picture: Hannah Emberson)
‘With my husband furloughed and myself staying home due to my asthma, it gave us the opportunity to enjoy time together during lockdown.
‘We are both quite handy with DIY projects so we were equally able to work together throughout. It also provided a welcome downtime from trying to homeschool four children.
The kids love the finished result (Picture: Hannah Emberson)
‘The kids helped with removing nails from pallets, sanding, painting, some drilling and screwing, and painting – although I did the more detailed bits. They also helped us to decide with design ideas – particularly with the decking around the tree.’
Hannah wants to take up more upcycling projects and recommends that other people reach out to their local community to find resources.
Hannah and Darryl (Picture: Hannah Emberson)
She said: ‘It saves money and landfills if items can be reused and whilst it takes a little more effort and extra creativity, it is certainly more rewarding in the long-term.
‘Being able to connect with people locally, albeit virtually, has helped us develop a sense of belonging within our community and reduce feelings of isolation.
‘We named the playhouse ‘Lockdown Lodge’ as it seemed fitting to have it as a memory of this time and shows that despite the challenges faced, there have been some positives to come out of this pandemic.
‘When we look at what has been achieved, we have a huge sense of accomplishment and gratitude.’
The children love spending time in the Lockdown Lodge, reading, drawing and writing stories together.
Charlotte before the surgery, and in hospital (Picture: Charlotte Warhurst)
Charlotte Warhurst was on the phone to a friend when she suddenly developed a pain in her head like nothing she’d ever experienced before.
Her friend heard her slur her words and Charlotte got help from her mum Pat.
A healthy 21-year-old, she had no idea what was happening but her mum, who works as a children’s nurse, knew there was something seriously wrong.
She was rushed to hospital from her home in the Wirral, Merseyside, and a CT scan showed that a brain aneurysm had burst causing a bleed on her brain.
A brain aneurysm is where there is a bulge in a blood vessel caused by a weakness. Sometimes the pressure becomes too much and this bulge bursts.
Charlotte at Glastonbury last year before the surgery (Picture: Charlotte Warhurst)
Charlotte was quickly moved to The Walton Centre hospital in Liverpool for specialist treatment and taken to surgery so they could coil the aneurysm, meaning the vessel is filled with tiny metal coils to stop it bleeding.
Luckily the treatment was successful but in recovery, Charlotte was told the news that she had another aneurysm, and there was a chance it could burst like this one, though it may be worse.
Doctors offered her more surgery or told her they could monitor it.
Charlotte last summer (Picture: Charlotte Warhurst)
Charlotte, now 30, tells Metro.co.uk: ‘I was halfway through my nursing training and I was 21. I’d just had this massive surgery and I wanted to get back to uni after that. I wanted to get back to my life. I decided to take the wait and see approach.’
For eight years, Charlotte lived with the aneurysm in her head and she admits it caused her a lot of anxiety during that time.
She lived with the aneurysm for eight years (Picture: Charlotte Warhurst)
‘I knew that if it ruptured, there was a possibility I might not survive this time. It was frightening and a lot to deal with.
‘I would just be doing normal things like driving and think “what if it happened now?”
‘I would get headaches quite often after the first aneurysm and every time I would be so scared it was happening again.
Charlotte after the surgery in hospital (Picture: Charlotte Warhurst)
‘It massively impacted my day-to-day life.’
In 2019, Charlotte decided she could no longer live with the ‘ticking time bomb’.
She was now a qualified nurse, engaged to her partner Joel and planning her dream wedding.
She says: ‘We were thinking about the future and knew we wanted a family some day. I heard that child birth can cause an aneurysm to rupture. At that stage I didn’t want to have to worry about it any more and decided to have the surgery.’
Charlotte was told of the risks of the surgery before agreeing but wanted to go ahead.
With her partner Joel (Picture: Charlotte Warhurst)
On 2 September last year, she went into theatre to have a similar procedure to before, where they would coil the first aneurysm.
Sadly, the surgery went wrong and Charlotte woke up five weeks later, unable to move the left side of her body.
She says: ‘I went into the surgery and then my life changed forever.
Using a wheelchair (Picture: Charlotte Warhurst)
‘The aneurysm ruptured while they were trying to coil it and I had a catastrophic bleed on the brain.
‘I was on blood thinners to stop a stroke but it meant there was more bleeding.
At home for Christmas (Picture: Charlotte Warhurst)
‘I had to have an emergency craniotomy, where a piece of the skull is removed to relieve the pressure and then I was put in an induced coma for five weeks to recover.’
The bleed had caused brain damage and left her paralysed down her left side. She also couldn’t talk, couldn’t swallow and lost her peripheral vision on both sides.
Being discharged from rehab (Picture: Charlotte Warhurst)
‘It was scary when I woke up. It took me a while to realise the severity of it. The days after I woke up there were speech and language therapists and physios and they were talking to me about rehab.’
In the months after she had to slowly learn how to do things again and was in rehab units right up until the outbreak of coronavirus.
She was discharged due to coronavirus and is continuing her recovery at home (Picture: Charlotte Warhurst)
Due to the situation, they decided she would be better off at home
She says: ‘Initially I was able to talk again and eat and drink quite quickly. I have been so determined to get better. I might never get back to the person I was before but I want to get my independence back.
‘I am determined to walk again and I am doing well. I was able to walk with a stick for the first time a few weeks ago. It was only a few metres but it was something. My left side is still paralysed but I have learned to compensate and step in a way that is safe for me.
‘I’m now at home and my physio is still coming out to me every week. At first, it was hard but I have come on well because I have had to cope with things around the home. It’s nice to be in your own environment.’
Now, Charlotte and Joel have put their wedding on hold as their house is not suitable for her long-term needs and they want to sell the house to find something that is easier for her.
Charlotte adds: ‘The house is so important and the wedding will happen after that. I want to keep working to be able to walk down the aisle on my big day as well.’
She and her family have been supported by Headway, the brain injury charity and she is keen to raise awareness of the work that they do.
Charlotte is also posting about her recovery and rehabilitation on Instagram @charls_story.
Custom pink details throughout the house are included – from a pool table to a piano (Picture: Realtor.com)
If you remember when you were younger being jealous of the richer kids whose parents could afford the Barbie Dream House, get ready to feel the adult version of that now.
A pink mansion that looks like a real life version of the toy house (although isn’t affiliated to Barbie officially) is up for sale for a cool $5.99 million (£4.75 million) in California.
Despite the eye-watering price tag, though, it’s actually a whole lot cheaper than it used to be, as the house was previously on sale in 2003 for $16.5 million (£13 million).
It has languished on the market for many years, but that doesn’t necessarily reflect the quality of this unique home.
Disney designed the dreamy waterfalls around the garden (Picture: Realtor.com)
The house is located in Indian Wells, a few hours from LA, and has seven bedrooms, 14 bathrooms, and parking spaces for 20 cars.
But the main selling point is the 80s decor, which features pink heavily throughout, with neon lights, ceiling mirrors, a waterfall, and light-up floors.
One of the neon kitchens (Picture: Realtor.com)
Even the kitchen is a pink Formica dream, and the property comes with a magenta pool table with many areas for entertaining in rosy-hued style.
The retro home has a theatre, steam room, lagoon, and views of lakes – as well as the Malibu Barbie style palm trees dotted across the gardens.
Imagine entertaining friends out here (Picture: Realtor.com)
The waterfalls on the property were designed by Disney and it even boasts its own included collection of minerals and gems.
It’s also located in the sought-after Vintage Club, where top stars pay hundreds of thousands to play golf on the Tom Fazio-designed courses.
A pink tubed awning and jade lions line the entryway (Picture: Realtor.com)
Despite all these features, though, the price for the mansion appears to keep going down going from $8.5 million to $5.99 million in the last two years alone.
Despite the fact that the home (especially the pink whirlpool baths and sprawling marble flooring) looks straight out of an Instagram home inspo account, the 80s style just isn’t something people are putting their money where their mouths are for.
Peep the pink among the marble (Picture: Realtor.com)
We’re sure whoever ends up in this California period home will love it the way we do.
And, hopefully they won’t brag about it like those Barbie Dream House kids did.
This time, the woman diving into the toilet bowl is 19-year-old care and support worker Eden Grant, from West Sussex.
She isn’t used to doing a number two at her boyfriend Kray’s place.
Luckily for her, there’s a toilet in the lobby which she grew accustomed to using.
But unluckily for Eden, her most recent visit was a bit more memorable than the other trips.
That’s because Eden had clogged up the toilet in the busy lobby area.
So naturally, she decided to scoop up the poo in some gloves and a bit of tissue to take to her boyfriend’s to flush away.
As you do.
Oh dear (Picture: Eden Grant)
A panicked Eden recorded herself and she was mortified by the events. When she called to tell her boyfriend what she had done and that there was an incoming parcel, he decided to film too.
The video has been shared on TikTok where it’s now been watched 1.4m times.
But Eden and Kray now find the whole situation hilarious.
Eden explains to Metro.co.uk: ‘I can’t go to the toilet in the same flat as my boyfriend. I just can’t do it. I usually go to the toilet in the lobby.
‘But for the last couple of days, they’ve had people going in for leaks and stuff. The other evening we went for a meal and I really needed to go, so I went and then I couldn’t flush and I was like “omg”.
‘I picked it up with a pot of gloves and a bit of tissue and took it upstairs to dispose of.
‘I told my boyfriend and he knew the whole dilemma and locked me out (I don’t know if deliberate or not). He thought it was funny and disgusting, anyone would.’
Eden is unable to go to the toilet while her boyfriend is around (Picture: Eden Grant)
When asked why Eden hadn’t considered just leaving the log behind in the public toilet, she says that was never an option for her.
She adds: ‘There was no way I was gonna leave that in the toilet, no way, no chance, I just couldn’t do it. I would rather have done what I did.’
While the story might be a little TMI for some people, Eden says she’s pretty carefree and wasn’t reluctant sharing it.
She hopes she can muster the courage to go soon (Picture: Eden Grant)
‘I’m one of those people who don’t care what they post. If I find it funny I’ll post. My boyfriend thought it was disgusting and was like “you can’t post that” and I was like “watch me”.
‘We just laugh about it now. That’ll teach me. I just need to grow some balls and go to the toilet in the same flat as my boyfriend.’
Everyone loves a bargain – especially when hundreds of pounds can be saved.
Savvy shoppers will be pleased to hear that Homebase has brought out a chair which is a dupe for a popular one sold on the high street.
The home improvement retailer is selling a lavish art-deco chair in a stunning scallop design.
Priced at £99, the velvet chair comes with gold-coloured metal tapered legs and is available in five different colours: emerald green, teal, cerise, duck egg blue and blush pink.
The more expensive option from Oliver Bonas (Picture: Oliver Bonas)
This means the lookalike Homebase chair is almost £300 cheaper.
It’s worth pointing out that the Oliver Bonas chair has extra finesse in terms of the attention to detail – so it looks like you pay a little more for the quality.
Instead of metal chrome legs, the OB product has beech legs finished with gold-toned steel caps. There’s also more scallops on the back of the chair and on the seat cushion itself.
Similar to the Homebase chair, it also comes in five different colours – azure blue, mustard yellow, dusty pink, dark grey and mint green.
While the Oliver Bonas chair is of a higher quality, there’s no denying the Homebase product is a bargain for those less-fussed about details.
But it seems there are plenty of other deals on the high street at the moment.
It’s a great feeling when you find a cleaner that does what you want to get your home sparkling, but that satisfaction is even greater when you’ve made the cleaner yourself.
TikToker Mama Mila shared her recipe recently for a homemade grout cleaner that transformed her floors, and people are going crazy for it.
Of course, you shouldn’t normally go mixing household cleaners as the results can vary (and sometimes be dangerous) but Mila has researched and found a mixture that’s both safe and effective.
In a video that’s now been watched over 62,000 times, Mila shared her top tip.
Mixing together half a cup of baking soda with a third of a cup of hydrogen peroxide, Mila applied to her tiled floors and left to settle for around ten minutes.
She then used a hard brush to scrub the grout and finished up by using a damp mop to get rid of the excess.
Although her floor was clean before, the homemade cleaner took the grout up a level – to the point it looked like freshly-laid tile.
The acidic hydrogen peroxide mixed with the baking soda will create a small-scale chemical reaction that bubbles and lifts dirt, and can be used for various items (from ovens to white fabrics).
You do need to be careful in that you must never store this mix in a container after using. The carbon dioxide created will expand and could cause an explosion or spray when opened, so it’s safer and easier to only make as much as you need for one specific cleaning project.
You can buy hydrogen peroxide from most pharmacies for a few pounds, and baking soda should cost you less than £1 from a grocery store.
In Mama Mila’s case, the whole thing cost her less than $5 AUD, which is a small price to pay for a floor that clean.
Do you have a great cleaning tip you’d like to share?
I was transvaginally fitted with the mesh in November 2014 (Picture: Victoria Adams)
I can still remember what the gynaecologist said. That a procedure he’d recommended to fix my incontinence would ‘transform’ my life. He wasn’t wrong.
Ever since I had the operation, my sex life has become non-existent, I live in constant pain, and I’ve even tried to take my life twice.
I was first told about the vaginal mesh procedure – where a synthetic net-like implant to treat incontinence and prolapses is inserted into the body – in 2014, after having a partial hysterectomy that caused me to suffer from stress incontinence.
I was still relatively young and I worked as a long distance driver – it wasn’t practical to have to stop for a tinkle every half an hour. On top of that, wetting myself at 33 was just embarrassing.
First, my doctors suggested I tried pelvic floor exercises and changing my diet. Neither worked. That was when my gynaecologist suggested I had the mesh procedure – or, to give it its proper term: laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy – promising it would change my life for the better.
I was transvaginally fitted with the mesh in November 2014 and so excited to get home and heal from the operation so that I could begin my new, incontinence-free life.
Instead, virtually straight after the surgery, I started having problems.
Within a month I’d been admitted back into hospital in unbearable agony in my abdomen and pelvic region. The doctors told me that it was being caused by severe constipation due to my medication, but I just didn’t believe them. I was suffering pain that felt worse than labour. It was like stabbing, shooting pains up and down my legs and was unbearable.
Even so, I was discharged from hospital. The pain continued and my stress incontinence grew worse. Then, I started getting an angry red rash called erythema on my eyes, my back and my tummy. My eyes would often puff up, and my legs would go weak. My knees would give way out of nowhere.
My GP diagnosed me with something called chondromalacia patellae, where cartilage damage is found around the kneecap.
Although my health problems all seemed unrelated, I couldn’t stop thinking about how fit and healthy I had been before the mesh was fitted. Now, it felt like I had some sort of toxin inside me that my body was reacting to. I constantly wondered if it was all being caused by the implant.
Before the procedure, I was going to the gym five times a week (Picture: Victoria Adams)
Every time I tried raising the subject of my mesh with either my doctor, physiotherapist or chronic pain team, I was dismissed. I was told it couldn’t be related to that. It was so frustrating and felt like no one was listening to me.
Meanwhile, my life continued to go downhill.
My relationship with my partner suffered, as we were no longer intimate due to the pain I was in and how it’s affected my body confidence.
I was also getting disciplinary action in my lorry driving job due to the amount of time I was taking off for hospital appointments and pain-related issues.
Within a year of the operation I’d been made redundant, just after I had my first knee operation to file down the bone and flush out fragments – I’ve had three more since – so I ended up doing agency work. I took on jobs in retail and hospitality, but neither offered the stability of a full-time position.
It was only in 2018 that everything clicked together.
Something came on TV one morning: a segment about vaginal mesh on the Victoria Derbyshire show. There was a group of women who’d had implants like me to treat incontinence or prolapses, and they were all talking about chronic pain they’d suffered, including problems with their hips and other ailments.
My life continued to go downhill (Picture: Victoria Adams)
In that moment, I knew I was right – that it was the mesh causing all my health problems.
I barely slept for three days after that, because I was online looking at support groups for people with mesh implants, and reading other people’s stories.
Then I contacted a second hospital to ask for the mesh to be taken out, and to see my medical notes.
However, the doctor I saw refused to remove it and that my health issues have nothing to do with mesh.
It was heartbreaking to hear that the hospital that had caused all this trouble wouldn’t help me but I refused to give up. After educating myself online, I decided to pay for a private translabial scan, which is the only way to ‘see’ mesh that has been implanted inside the body.
An ultrasound last year finally revealed that some of it had deteriorated, and couldn’t be seen. The rest of it seemed to have shrunk and its tight grip was causing inflammation in my surrounding organs, including my bowel.
From that moment on, I have been on a mission to get this mesh removed from my body.
Through the support group Mesh UK, I found out about a doctor in Bristol who could remove mesh implants. I had to argue with my GP for 45 minutes to get the referral, because he didn’t want to refer me out of the area, but he eventually agreed.
I went on the waiting list and finally in late 2019, had my first mini-operation in Bristol, to see where the mesh had attached itself to my bowel.
The doctors told me that it would need to be cut out, but warned that the operation could take up to eight hours.
There are a lot of risks with the removal of vaginal mesh, because it’s designed to be permanent. The potential damage is different for everyone – when I had my pre-op consultation, my doctor told me that I could end up with a colostomy bag, or that the operation could even leave me disabled and reliant on a wheelchair.
Hearing all this was so overwhelming. There were so many ‘what ifs’. Even so, I was willing to go ahead, to get this thing out of me.
I’m desperate to have the operation to get rid of it (Picture: Victoria Adams)
I was six weeks away from having the mesh removed when the coronavirus pandemic struck. So now I’m still waiting and wish I’d never had the mesh implanted.
I’ve suffered a nervous breakdown and attempted suicide twice, all because of vaginal mesh.
I’m desperate to have the operation to get rid of it, but I can’t help but feel nervous about doctors touching me again. I’m afraid I’ll be left in even more pain – or die.
Last week a review came out condemning the vaginal mesh procedure, saying that the UK healthcare system had failed the thousands of women who developed life-changing conditions after pelvic mesh surgery.
In response, Health Secretary Matt Hancock apologised to all the women affected by it, but his words mean nothing to me. It’s too late for that.
No amount of money, compensation or saying sorry is going to make a difference to me, for having six years of my life destroyed.
What right did these doctors have to put this plastic inside us?
Before the procedure, I was going to the gym five times a week. I was earning good money. I had a fantastic sex life. I was going on holiday, walking, running, and enjoying the countryside.
Now, I’m in so much pain every day. I’m lucky if I can go a day without falling down due to my bad knees. I’m taking four different kinds of painkillers. I just want to be chopped in half, from the waist down, just so I can have an agony-free day.
That’s why I’m sharing my story. People need to know the truth about vaginal mesh. It doesn’t transform your life, it ruins it.
The healthy snack (Picture: Jarek Filipowicz / SWNS)
A celebrity chef claims to have created the ‘world’s healthiest’ cookie, which contains our recommended five-a-day.
Nutritionist Gurpareet Bains – whose recipes are used by the likes of Dermot O’Leary and Dame Vivienne Westwood – has brought out the unusual snack, which is thought to be nutritional equivalent of five whole bags of leafy greens.
The cookie features five full portions fruit and vegetables – something believed to be a culinary first.
The blueberry-flavoured ‘Chikitsa Crumble’ (which takes its name from the Hindi for ‘therapy’ or ‘treatment’) is not only packed full of fibre, but he also claims it helps to lower cholesterol, manage Type 2 diabetes and boosts heart health.
Gurpareet Bains and his creation (Picture: Jarek Filipowicz / SWNS)
While the exact recipe for the gluten-free cookies remains a secret, they feature a blend of nuts, spices, courgette, pumpkin, carrot, blueberries, and goji berries.
They’re made with four and a half 80g portions of vegetables and one 40g serving of fruit which (when oven dried and thoroughly dehydrated) results in a bitesize snack weighing 84g.
Each individual cookie contains 12g of fibre, 12g of protein and 280 calories.
They feature five portions of fruit and veg (Picture: Jarek Filipowicz / SWNS)
It’s thought to be a culinary first (Picture: Jarek Filipowicz / SWNS)
Gurpareet was inspired to create the healthy snack for people who don’t enjoy eating fruit and vegetables – much like his own nieces and nephews.
He said: ‘The cookie was developed to help children, teenagers and adults – including those who won’t normally touch fruit and vegetables – to get their vital “five-a-day” without even realising it.’
The snack is suitable for all kinds of diets (Picture: Jarek Filipowicz / SWNS)
It seems Gurpareet’s new creation has gone down a treat with his family members in lockdown – so much so, he’s begun making weekly batches of 100 for his extended friends and family.
The chef is now considering rolling them out more widely, through his website.
He added: ‘As a chef and nutritionist, I’m constantly reminded how difficult it is for people to make healthy food choices and to navigate their way through the minefield of diet advice and conflicting information.
‘The cookies cut through the noise by providing a minimum intake of fruit and vegetables in a handy snack. I’m over the moon that they’ve become so popular.’
Do you regret your name choice? (Picture: Getty Images)
Choosing a name for your baby is a difficult process.
It might be something you know even before you fall pregnant or something you only decide on after the baby is born.
But of course, you’ve no idea who your child will grow up to be and their name will be stuck with them.
A new survey by Gigacalculator has revealed that some parents really regret their choice.
A huge 73% of the 5,842 surveyed said that they thought of better names for their children after they’d already made it official and 30% admit that they didn’t give enough thought to their children’s names.
The biggest reason for regretting their choice was because they felt their child didn’t suit it as they got older.
Others said they changed their mind because a friend chose the same name for their child or a celebrity named their baby the same thing after them.
Meanwhile, 32% said they didn’t like it now because their child was teased for it at school.
Some also said they regretted their choice because it was a name their partner liked and they went along with it.
The names parents regret the most for boys were Hunter, with 32% of parents who chose that name saying they didn’t like it now, Jaxon, with 29% and Carter with 28%.
For girls, 35% of parents who named their child Aurora said they now regret it, while 32% regret choosing Arabella and 28% regret naming their baby Lyla.
The survey also asked parents to list the names they would never call their children.
For boys, the top answer was Boris, perhaps inspired by our current Prime Minister, followed by Donald, inspired by the U.S. President.
For girls, the top answer was Karen, followed by Isis and then Meghan.
The most regretted boys names
These are the top 10 most regretted names and the percentage of parents who chose that name and later regretted it:
Hunter – 32%
Jaxon – 29%
Carter – 28%
Tobias – 25%
Oliver – 24%
Grayson – 22%
Felix – 21%
Jasper – 20%
Sonny – 17%
Dexter – 12%
The most regretted girls names
These are the top 10 most regretted names and the percentage of parents who chose that name and later regretted it:
Celebrate with Krispy Kreme (Picture: Krispy Kreme/Getty/Metro.co.uk)
Did you celebrate a birthday during lockdown?
It’s been almost four months since it started and over 22 million people apparently celebrated getting a year older during that time.
In an attempt to make up for the fact they missed out on a party this year, Krispy Kreme is giving away doughnuts to everyone with a lockdown birthday.
The offer is for anyone with a birthday between 23 March, when lockdown started, and 3 July, as pubs and restaurants reopened.
Obviously, there are still some restrictions in place and we should all still follow social distancing but anyone with a birthday this month has a few more options.
The doughnut chain is celebrating its birthday this week but this year, they want to treat those who missed out during the pandemic.
The catch is that the offer is only valid if you buy something else with a minimum value of £1.55.
To get your free doughnut, you need to show a form of ID with your birth date and you’ll get an original glazed treat when you pick up something else which costs more than £1.55 any time between 13 and 19 July.
Richard Cheshire, Krispy Kreme UK and Ireland’s CEO said: ‘We started making our iconic Original Glazed doughnut from the USA in 1937. Ever since, we’ve always been committed to making people smile.
‘For our birthday this year, we want to bring smiles to the millions of UK doughnut fans who feel like they missed out on celebrations this year by offering the joy of an Original Glazed treat on us.’
You’ll need this for games night (Picture: Etsy/StonePointWoodwork)
Jenga was all the rage once but these days, the classic game might get sidelined for more exciting options.
But a woodworker has come up with a pretty genius way to make the tower game more adult-friendly.
Custom woodworker Brian Calteaux has come up with jelly shot Jenga where there are 15 blocks that can be filled with an alcoholic beverage of your choice.
The Little Tipsy Jello Shot Tower works the same as its traditional counterpart whereby each player removes a block and places it at the top.
But in the boozier version, a person that pulls out one of the container blocks has to drink the contents of it.
Fun, right?
And if the boozier among us want a Jenga game that has more than 15 shot holes, they can pay a bit more to add more blocks.
Sadly, at the moment, they aren’t shipping to the UK but hopefully that will change soon.
They’re bigger than your average Jenga pieces (Picture: Etsy/StonePointWoodwork)
The set includes 54 natural, sanded 7.5″ blocks and 25 jello shot cups with lids and laminated rules and a recipe card to create your shots.
Brian says the Jenga is ‘perfect for backyard get-togethers, graduations, ladies’ nights, camping, wedding parties, reunions, bachelor/bachelorette parties, tailgating, etc. It makes a great gift too!
‘Add a few Jello shots and have fun.’
Customers who have been able to get their hands on the stuff have raved about it.
One pleased buyer wrote: ‘Great workmanship, no rough edges’ while another said ‘I love it! Great product and communication. Arrived today beautifully packaged. Very pleased.’
The gin has notes of citrus and herbs (Picture: PA)
Are your summer drinks lacking regal finesse?
Well, an official Buckingham Palace gin has gone on sale – made with ingredients handpicked from the Queen’s garden.
The Royal Collection Trust has launched a London Dry gin in its shops, priced at £40 for a 70cl bottle. The spirit will also be served at future events at the Palace.
The gin, which has a citrussy and herbal kick to it, is made up of 12 botanicals – many of which have been collected from the Buckingham Palace garden, including lemon verbena, hawthorn berries, bay leaves and mulberry leaves.
The Royal Collection Trust’s website offers a serving suggestion, stating: ‘For the perfect summer thirst-quencher, the recommended serving method is to pour a measure of the gin into an ice-filled short tumbler before topping up with tonic and garnishing with a slice of lemon.’
It features ingredients from the Palace gardens (Picture: PA)
Looks refreshing (Picture: PA)
Naturally, the bottle has a decadent feel to it. It has a clear and turquoise colour scheme and features a ring of flowers entwined in a decorative gold circle on the front, along with a sketch of Buckingham Palace on the back.
All sales from the gin will go towards Royal Collection Trust – a charity which maintains and displays the large collection of royal artefacts.
It’s hoped this will help give the charity a much-needed boost, after suffering financial difficulties brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
Currently, the trust has taken out a £22 million loan (after predicting losses of £30 million) and is seeking voluntary redundancies among its 650 staff.
Of course, we know the Queen herself is partial to a gin cocktail.
Her favourite is said to be gin and Dubonnet – one part gin and two parts Dubonnet, with ice cubes and a slice of lemon – a drink she often enjoys before lunch.
