A mum selling her son’s old games console was mortified when she accidentally gave away her sex toy in the box.
Sara Foggo, 34, was hoping to raise a bit of cash ahead of Christmas and stumbled across a Sega Mega Drive following a clearout of her kids’ bedrooms.
The mum-of-three, from Mirfield, West Yorkshire, placed the retro games console on Facebook marketplace for £25 but was let down by a couple of sellers.
Fortunately, Shane Tutton spotted the item and after agreeing to pay the asking price asked a mutual friend, James Bishop, to pick it up for him.
The following day James, who has known Sarah for years, came to pick the Mega Drive up without any fuss.
However, less than 24 hours later, Sara was confused when James messaged saying his friend was happy with the console but ‘there was a rabbit jumping about in a sock’ in the box.
Sara asked what he meant and was left gobsmacked when he told her it was a ‘rampant’ one and followed it up with a picture.
Lying on the carpet underneath the Mega Drive box was a purple vibrator sticking out of a sock.
Sara said: ‘I was absolutely mortified but I couldn’t stop laughing. Stuff like this only happens to me.
‘I was confused when he first messaged me, but when that picture came through I just thought “oh my God”.
‘It was my birthday so I was having a few drinks to celebrate so I went and grabbed the console from my son’s bedroom and put it next to the door ready for James.
‘When I grabbed the box I thought it was especially heavy but I just thought it was the manuals.
‘James came that afternoon and I handed it over to him. It wasn’t until he messaged me on Sunday saying about the rabbit hopping that I heard anything else.
‘I just couldn’t work out what he meant. When he said a “rampant” one and sent me the picture over, I could have died.’
Sara is now sad to have lost the sex toy, which cost more than what she sold the games console for.
She explained: ‘I wouldn’t have minded but the Rabbit was worth more than what I sold the Sega for. I won it in a competition a few years back but it normally costs £45. I only sold the Mega Drive for £25.
‘He’s got a right bargain. I had asked him for it back but I think he thought I was joking. I’m not sure I want it now though.
‘I don’t know Shane but it was lucky it was for him and not a child. Imagine if a kid had opened this Sega box on Christmas Day hoping to play Sonic and there’s a big 10-inch Rampant Rabbit with its tail spinning.
‘I joked that I should set up a GoFundMe for a replacement as it’s going to be lonely this Christmas.’
Even worse for Sara, the sock holding the Rampant Rabbit was not hers but instead belonged to her mum.
‘Mum’s had a laugh about it which is good. I’m even more out of pocket though, I’m going to have to buy her a new pair now.
‘I can’t remember why I put the Rabbit in that box. People have asked why it was in a children’s console box and I honestly have no idea.’
Mobile DJ James, 32, said: ‘Shane asked me to pick it up for him as a favour and when he sent me the profile, I realised I knew it was Sara.
‘He thought I was playing a prank on him but I didn’t know anything about it. He video called me saying “you’re funny you, you’re winding me up” and showed me the sock and Rabbit. We couldn’t stop laughing.
‘I wasn’t sure whether to tell her or not but I know she’s up for a laugh, so I did. It’s a good job Sara’s so easy going and can joke about it.’
While many of us have postponed or cancelled our winter breaks this year, there are still ways to get your hands on that holiday feeling.
You can even simulate your very own flight, buying memorabilia from British Airways flights including crockery and socks.
The carrier is selling off a number of items of surplus stock to raise extra cash, after their parent company IAG reported a £5.1 billion loss for the first nine months of 2020.
Carolina Martinoli, British Airways’ director of brand and customer experience, said it was the first time the airline had held such a sale.
‘We know that these special items will fly and we are delighted to be able to offer them in time for Christmas to give people the opportunity to make it memorable during a difficult year,’ she said.
If you want to get your hands on some of the items, head to WhatABuy.
From there, you can choose between First Class, Club World, or General items to buy.
Prices start from just £5, and go up to £250 for a large trolley.
Our top picks in First Class include William Edwards crockery, with a set of four pasta bowls costing £40 or a set of six teacups at £25.
In Club World, you can get a set of six bread baskets for just £10, or five pairs of socks for only £5.
Then, in general, the champagne flutes are the star of the show. For £6, you get a set of six, and can recreate that first glass of bubbles as you take off on your vacation.
The trolleys and trays are probably more suited to air travel enthusiasts, but make a lovely piece of history for those who are into their aeronautical mementoes.
Welcome back to How I Save, our weekly personal finance series exploring how people spend and save their money.
Each week we ask a different person to tell us what’s in their account, then ask them to track their spending for a week – down to even the tiniest purchases.
We then get some expert tips that they (and we) can learn from.
This time we’re chatting with Lily*, 28, a journalist living in south London.
How Lily saves:
I earn £34,000 a year. In my savings account right now I have £6,767.50 in a Help to Buy ISA and £1,447.52 in a normal ISA.
I’ve saved this by putting away roughly £200 or £300 a month, although this month I’m trying out £500.
I also got a big lump sum back on my student loan payments and I’ve got into selling on eBay too, which doesn’t bring in loads of money but helps stop me from taking my savings back out again. I’ve made about £350 since June through eBay.
I’m saving for my first home, which I’m aiming to buy next year. I also need smaller expensive things like a new laptop and Invisalign braces but they’re on the backburner for now.
I don’t have a real saving method, but I’m always conscious of my spending and can be obsessive. If I splurge one week I will try and save more the next – although it doesn’t always work.
The main thing I do is put my money into savings on pay day, so I know it’s already out of harm’s way.
I struggle with saving because I’m a lazy cook and feel like I’m always too busy to make food, so my real kryptonite is spending money on meal deals, takeaways, and meals out.
I previously had two credit cards, which impacted my credit score, so this year I also stopped saving for a few months until one was paid off (my credit score has now recovered, thank God).
I’m incredibly fortunate that my work and living situation hasn’t changed, so I’m generally saving more money by going out less and having to get the Tube every day. Impulse internet purchases are on the rise though!
How Lily spends:
Monthly expenses:
£502.50 on rent, around £80 on bills.
£175 to my mum who paid off the rest of my career development loan last year (I’m paying her back).
Phone bill usually £50ish, but £74.34 this month because I had to hotspot a lot at home.
Please note that the below week was recorded before the second national lockdown.
A week of spending:
Monday: Leftover Sunday roast for lunch, so nothing spent. Paid £3.10 to post an eBay package in the evening and got some £4.99 hayfever tablets at the same time.
Ended up going for dinner at a Middle Eastern place two doors down with my boyfriend. I felt guilty about eating out unnecessarily so ordered a cheap meal – Lamb wrap at £7. Tap water to drink.
Total spent on Monday: £15.09
Tuesday: More left over roast for lunch. Bought a makeup storage unit from Amazon for £11.90 during the day and went halves on some flowers for a friend who had a bereavement. I used my eBay money to pay for this, so £21.49 taken from my PayPal account.
Later my boyfriend and I met friends for dinner (outside!). Had a burger and shared two bottles of red wine, with my portion of the evening coming to £28.95.
Total spent on Tuesday: £62.34
Wednesday: Went to get a Tesco meal deal for lunch and also bought toiletries and a discounted cheesecake, so total spend £7.37. Made dinner out of food we had at home, nothing more spent.
Total spent on Wednesday: £7.37
Thursday: Ended up finishing the cheesecake in bed for my lunch… a terrible idea, but I guess it saved me money because I didn’t go to Tesco!
It was going to be dinner at home but I finished work late at night – so £11.11 on Chinese.
Total spent on Thursday: £11.11
Friday: Went to an optician’s appointment, which saw me spend £179.94 on glasses, sunglasses (2 for 1), eye wipes, drops, and the test. Would rather have put it on my credit card but I’m waiting for a replacement card in the post. Big life costs stress me as I feel like I have no control over my finances.
Met a friend outside of London and went to a pumpkin patch – the best afternoon ever. Spent £3.48 on snacks at the train station, £3 on entrance to the patch and £9 on three pumpkins (£6 of which my boyfriend and housemate will pay me back for).
Had an £11 soup and cider afterwards, which was less than I’d usually spend at dinner due to Specsavers costs still looming over me. Fare there was £7.10 and spent £8.45 on a train ticket home.
Total spent on Friday: £215.97
Saturday: Did a big food shop at Lidl as no food in the cupboards is the number one reason I spend so much in the week. My portion came to £25.69.
Went to a (beer garden) birthday meal in the afternoon and spent £14 on food and £8.85 on drinks. Tube travel was £4.10 and on my way home I realised I forgot to buy makeup wipes, which were £2.50 from the corner shop by my flat.
Total spent on Saturday: £55.14
Sunday: Really wanted this to be a nothing spent day – Spent $11 on a US GoFundme for a trans teen who lost their family to Covid.
Total spent on Sunday: $11 (£8.23)
Total spent this week: £375.25
How Lily could save:
We spoke to the experts over at Plum, the smart app for managing your money, to find out how Lily can put aside more (and what we can learn from her spending). Please note that tips from Plum do not constitute financial advice.
Here’s what they said:
Hi Lily, thanks for sharing your week with us! Let’s dive into your spending diary and see what’s going on…
Spending
Feeling guilty when you spend money is something that’s universally felt. The reason behind this is that we often feel that money we’ve spent could have gone towards something better or more important.
However, there’s no better cure for spending guilt than creating a monthly budget. A bit of organisation goes a long way, and creating a simple budget to guide your spending could help fight those blues.
We’re huge fans of 50/30/20 rule but nowadays there’s a lot of money management apps that can sort that out for you. For instance, Plum will give your personal finance a fitness check and will deliver a monthly report that contextualises spending by looking at your habits by category.
We can’t help but notice that you’ve got quite a lot of subscriptions action going on. Maybe it’s time for the end of the year review? Plum can help manage your unwanted subscriptions, and could automatically save you some extra money by finding you a better deal on things like broadband too.
With Black Friday a day away and festive season just around the corner, you’d need to be a superhuman to say no to the odd temptation. However, we have a little secret to share… if you find yourself feeling the urge to make an impulse buy, just go sleep on it first, or better still, wait three days until you make the purchase. This way, you’ll have more time to think and lower the chances of making an impulse buy.
Saving
Aiming to put away £500 a month into your savings account is a huge commitment – one that we want to applaud you for.
However, setting realistic goals is important so make sure you’re not over-stretching yourself.
Saving for a first home and other expensive things can feel quite overwhelming. One thing you can consider is automating the process of saving money. An auto-saving app like Plum can analyse your income and spending habits and calculate the perfect amount to set aside for you every few days, without you needing to think about it.
With just a few simple steps, you’ll be holding those keys to your first home in no time.
*Name has been changed.
How I Save is a weekly series about how people spend and save, out every Thursday. If you’d like to anonymously share how you spend and save – and get some expert advice on how to sort out your finances – get in touch by emailing ellen.scott@metro.co.uk.
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.
When Denise Hosh handed over her credit card for her children to use in the supermarket, she had no idea of the ridiculousness it would lead to.
That’s because while she sat patiently in the car waiting for her kids to come back, the pair – Hannah, 13, and Matthew, 11 – were buying sandals for their pet cockerel.
Yes, you read that right.
In their defence, the shoes were on sale, so at least they scored a bargain.
It all began when Denise pulled up outside Walmart and asked Hannah and Matthew to run inside.
Until then she had always said no to buying their cockerel, Jack, a pair of shoes, despite the children loving to dress the rescue bird up in outfits, so they clearly decided to take things into their own hands.
Although Denise was stunned by their purchase, it all worked out for the best, really, as Jack absolutely loves his new footwear.
Even Denise, 46, has since admitted the choice was ‘spot on’ and ‘brilliant’, and has bought Jack a bandana and a bow tie.
Denise, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US, said: ‘They ran over to the clearance section and spotted the shoes and Hannah instantly said “we should get these for Jack” – and instead of talking her out of it, Matthew totally talked her into it.
‘They jumped in and said “we owe you $3, we’ll pay you back” – she was in the front seat and opened the bag and was like “look we bought Jack sandals – they were on clearance”.
‘I’m slightly annoyed as they didn’t even get what daddy needed – I asked why they bought them. They are so impractical, they are going to only put them on for 10 seconds.’
The mum went on to explain that her daughter told her that the shoes would regularly have cost $9.77 and that ‘it would have been a crime not to’, to which Denise added, ‘I thought how do you argue with that?
‘She’s been begging me to buy the chicken shoes for a long time and I’ve always said no – I guess the one time I leave them unsupervised with a credit card it happens.’
A couple of days later Denise looked at her camera roll and discovered that the pair had actually dressed Jack up in his size two pair of shoes.
She posted the photos on Facebook, advising parents: ‘NEVER let your children go into Walmart alone’.
Those photos ended up receiving more than 210,000 likes, comments, and shares.
Denise, who homeschools her children, said: ‘It’s your house, your floors and your children so you want to be the disciplinary – but you can’t stop laughing and I was like “oh my gosh Jack, these are funny”.
‘I do trust them and their discernment is spot on, as clearly as you can see I’m definitely wrong on this one – the purchase was brilliant.
‘The children and I love laughter and light-heartedness – I love that it’s inspired people to laugh, and we have not stopped laughing at the hilarious comments that people have shared.
‘They took him outside and I was shocked at how fast and coordinated he was in them.
‘He’s a very gentle bird – he was just walking really cautiously and carefully in them – he wasn’t flapping.
‘People were like this is brilliant for bumblefoot – so there was actually a practical end to it.’
Since Jack’s fashion debut Hannah and Matthew have been heading to the clearance aisles and bagging more bargains for him to wear.
Denise said: ‘We have always dressed the chickens in dolls clothes, but this was the first time that she’d bought something specifically for Jack, and now they have their eyes open.
‘We’ve been playing get that chicken undressed and out of the house for years – that’s a running line – “please undress that chicken and get it out of the house right now”.
‘I did say no to a tutu the other day – I did veto that one, but they got a few bandanas and bow ties which he’s been wearing.’
Kee Kee the cat has a dark and destructive vice: stealing people’s underwear and bringing it back to her home.
This habit doesn’t seem to bother Kee Kee much, and she doesn’t appear to have any plans to tackle her strange addiction.
But it is causing a bit of embarrassment for the seven-year-old cat’s owner, Georgia Careless.
Kee Kee has so far brought home piles of socks, underpants, knickers, and even a Ted Baker bikini.
Georgia reckons her pet is sneaking into neighbours’ homes through open windows, doors, and cat flaps, but has no clue why Kee Kee prefers underwear over other treasures.
Some of her other finds include juggling balls and shuttlecocks.
Georgia, 21, has now had to return some of the more expensive items by listing them on Facebook.
‘She brings in the weirdest things, we call her Naughty Torty,’ says Georgia, of Wells, Somerset.
‘She is worse in the summer, when people have their doors open.
‘She’s crafty and never seems to get caught. She brings things in along the top of the fence and then through three cat flaps before leaving them for us.
‘There was one day where in the space of half an hour she brought us eight pairs of socks, one at a time.’
Kee Kee also has a long-standing feud with a nearby tortoise – regularly sneaking food away and bringing it back to Georgia’s house.
‘I’m pretty sure the food items she brings back are from a tortoise that lives a couple of roads up to us and nicks his lunch,’ Georgia added.
‘She knows what time to go, bringing stuff back the same time every day – normally a piece of lettuce and some crumbs.’
Fashion model Halima Aden has revealed on her Instagram that she is quitting runway shows due to her religious beliefs.
The 22-year-old is one of the first hijab-wearing Muslim models to advertise for brands such as Yeezy’s, Levi’s, Fenty, Nike, and various Fashion Week catwalks.
But, the model and headscarf designer said in a series of Instagram stories that she would be leaving the industry and only work with brands that won’t ask her to compromise her Muslim beliefs.
The model, who was born in a refugee camp and rose to fame in the last few years, said she regretted working with designers that asked her to compromise her faith.
Uploading pictures of herself wearing her hijab and clothes she wasn’t comfortable in – with one of them being Levi’s jeans used on her head instead of a scarf – Halima said never again.
Her candour has moved many from the Muslim community and other models, including Gigi and Bella Hadid who commended Halima’s honesty.
The Somali trailblazer from Minnessota credits her mum for keeping her grounded and said spending time with her during the pandemic allowed her to open her eyes.
In one of the images she shared – which has now disappeared from her feed – she wrote: ‘I should’ve walked off set because clearly, the stylist didn’t have a hijab-wearing woman in mind’.
Though she didn’t mention any brand names or designers, Halima said she regretted not speaking up and letting them minimise the importance of her hijab.
But she also thanked brands that didn’t make her compromise.
She wrote: ‘[Rihanna] let me wear the hijab I brought to set. This is the girl I’m returning to, the real Halima.”
Halima levelled her criticism at the industry, saying: ‘What I do blame the industry for is the lack of Muslim women stylists.’
Halima advised her one million strong followers to strive for homeownership, education, equal opportunities, and Imaan – meaning faith in Arabic.
She also wrote: ‘My mum said “go correct it, you were good and blessed before fashion. Correct the mistake you made publicly”. I never felt more free and relieved.
‘Thank you to Covid because being home with her has put back so much into perspective. I am not rushing back to fashion.’
This summer, Pauline Harmange’s book stirred up so much ire in her native France that one French government adviser tried to get it banned.
It’s hardly surprising: called I Hate Men, the title is undoubtedly controversial.
But despite the resulting furore – and the substantial amount of online hate directed at her – the 25-year-old author has ‘no regrets at all’.
‘I think it’s a great title. It’s not just provocative, it’s part of my thinking. It’s just that more nuanced when I can talk about it at length,’ remarks the writer, who lives in Lille, France with her husband and cat, Eleven. ‘I didn’t think the title would make people so angry. For me, it’s like saying I hate broccoli.
‘When I talk about misandry [the hatred of men] with my feminist friends, we agree it’s mostly distrust against men in general and an automatic dislike for men who hurt women, so it’s not hatred in a violent sense of the word. I say things a lot of women tend to think, but don’t speak aloud.
‘Even the most well-intended men fall back into the habit of using the privileges of patriarchy.’
Pauline speaks quietly but resolutely in flawless English. Still, for all that resolve, a request was made by her and her agent ahead of the interview that the piece would ‘not be combative’ in light of the online abuse she’s been subjected to.
‘It’s overwhelmingly coming from men. There are attacks on my looks, my private life, but there are also women who feel I’m not being a good feminist, that I’m working against women because they think I want to split society in two.’
True, that criticism has been unfairly fierce in certain quarters. But her surprise at the subsequent fallout is somewhat disingenuous. ‘I really don’t like this kind of exposure,’ she insists, realising in hindsight ‘I was very naïve’.
Pauline was approached to write about misandry by the small publishing house Monstrograph following a post on feminist burnout on her blog ‘Un invincible été’ (translated as ‘an invincible summer’).
Written in six months, I Hate Men, or Moi Les hommes, Je Les déteste, was published in August with little fanfare and an initial run of 400 copies.
‘I really can’t wrap my head around the fact Ralph Zurmély found the website. What happened next was really overwhelming,’ says Pauline.
Zurmély, an adviser to France’s ministry for gender equality, threatened legal action stating, ‘incitement to hatred on the grounds of gender is a criminal offence’.
‘At first, I thought it was a prank, but my editors were very serious and anxious,’ recalls Pauline, who’s not actually had any correspondence with Zurmély. ‘It’s very telling he decided to react to a title and a short text about the book.
‘He felt what I was going to say in the book was equivalent to a call to violence against men. He didn’t think this cause was maybe more evolved than that, and he was acting on a whim because he felt so attacked.’
In the book Pauline asks whether women have good reason to detest men. She references the abuse and harassment experienced on a daily basis and what is deemed acceptable, or not, by society.
It is timely given that just this week, there’s been a call to criminalise public sexual harassment following a survey by Plan International UK and Our Streets Now that found 51% of 14 to 21-year-olds had experienced some form of harassment this summer.
She also explores what she deems as the low standards set for men compared to women who she feels often carry the emotional burden of relationships.
‘It’s so frustrating to think all your life you’re going to have to be the main carer for your husband or boyfriend because he has the emotional capacity of a teaspoon. Men can be so much more, and they need to change and evolve,’ reckons Pauline.
Pauline’s journey to becoming a feminist wasn’t prompted by a specific experience. ‘I was a generic young girl wanting to be loved by anyone. Then I started reading about sexism and the impact of patriarchy.
‘I realised I wasn’t that interested in what men think of me because I couldn’t fit the standards. I wasn’t very feminine or very pretty,’ says Pauline, who reveals people are often shocked when they discover she has a husband.
‘When I first talked about the book, a lot of men thought I was a sad spinster or a lesbian, which is very homophobic of course, and then when people read it, some thought I should not call myself a misandrist if I have a husband, even if I talk at length about how I can juggle the two different things in my life.
‘But a lot of women are in relationships with men, or want to be, but also are wary of them.’
The book is not intended to be a handbook, she states. ‘It’s up to the reader to create their own way of discarding men’s advice and opinions and for some women, it is going to be more difficult.
‘My hope is women will read it and feel heard and understood in their anger, and that they will rejoice in their female relationships.’
I Hate Men by Pauline Harmange (Harper Collins) is out now.
‘Have you spoken to your parents yet about Christmas?’ came the question again from a concerned husband.
My response each time was to mumble, shrug and attempt to dodge the issue.
I didn’t want to tell them our plans, as if staying silent on the issue would prevent it from becoming concrete.
I had decided that I was not going to see my parents over Christmas, which would mean that it would just be the two of them on the day. I am their only child, and mother to their three grandchildren.
We’ve spent the last month in another lockdown only to sanction a nationwide free-for-all. As a thank you for our forbearance for the last 10 months, we can sample a special Christmas Covid-19 cocktail. It really will be the gift that keeps on giving.
My parents are in their late 70s and live in the Midlands, while I live in the south-east.
When he was 60, my healthy father suffered a massive heart attack, followed by a stroke. 17 years on, he steadfastly refuses to take a daytime nap (‘that’s for old people’, he says) and is frustrated with my scanty knowledge of Dua Lipa’s back catalogue compared to his.
My mother underwent eye surgery within a week of the first lockdown but told me after the event so as not to worry me – which then, of course, worried me more.
I felt helpless and channelled that into doing what I could for elderly neighbours which, in itself, made me feel guilty about what I was unable to do for my own parents in trying to keep them safe. I haven’t seen them since February.
They are acutely aware of the indiscriminate nature of Covid-19 and have followed Government advice to the letter. Any relaxations, however, they have chosen to ignore.
They go on their daily walks and do their shopping, but they haven’t set foot in so much as a coffee shop. They have approached the situation with the typical stoicism of their generation. Yes, they miss their theatre trips to Stratford-Upon-Avon, but they are looking forward to future trips rather than dwelling on those missed.
It is for this reason that I decided that I wasn’t going to hamper their efforts to protect themselves by invading their bubble.
We had ‘the conversation’ I had been evading at the weekend in anticipation of the announcement. Although my gut instinct was that we should not get together, I wanted them to do what they felt comfortable with.
They were clear that, at this stage, we should stay apart.
They felt it was madness to have everyone thrown together in the midst of a second wave. We agreed that we had, in my father’s words ‘got this far’ so it defied all logic to have my parents stay with us over Christmas.
I felt immense relief that we were on the same page, but the reality of what this meant hit hard.
My three children are in schools that have all seen cases of Covid-19 with periods of self-isolation on the part of teachers and students a regular occurrence. Any of us could be asymptomatic.
If my parents caught the virus as a result of spending Christmas with us, I would never forgive myself.
Dispensing with the hugs, the squishing up on the sofa to accommodate everyone, the sharing round of food and the rummaging through the Quality Street tin is impossible, yet what is Christmas without them?
Is everyone really going to be attached to a spray bottle of disinfectant and some Christmas-themed kitchen roll ready to spring into action every 30 seconds? I doubt it. A desperate attempt for everything to feel normal (whatever that is now) for five days will be anything but.
We have family dotted around the country, our nieces and nephews – on my husband’s side – at university in places equally scattered.
Every Christmas we get together at some point over the holiday. Yes, we could form household bubbles but we’re not going to, just like we haven’t seen them since lockdown.
It would feel like having some festive coronavirus cauldron bubbling away as we unite everyone from around the country in one overheated room (for who is really going to keep opening windows?).
We’ve all sacrificed much over the course of this year in an effort to get through this, but do we really want to stand there as in one of those wave machines, repeatedly getting smacked in the face by successive lockdowns unable to scramble back onto our feet?
People have suffered and I understand the visceral longing for families to be together; I feel it myself. I cried after the telephone conversation with my parents.
We are going to do a speedy present exchange on a driveway and so that they can see from afar how tall the children have grown.
It will take everything not to let the dam of emotion from the recent months burst forth.
A vaccine is on its way and yet we look to conduct a festive conga towards hospital beds. I want to spend time with my parents when we are out of this; they are not just for Christmas.
While many industries have floundered this year, aesthetics is having a field day.
Call it the Zoom Boom.
According to Dr Riccardo Frati of Frati Cosmetic Surgery enquiries about rhinoplasty and other facial treatments are up by around 30 per cent.
‘There is less opportunity to spend on other things, people are investing in appearance,’ he says. ‘And, because they are spending more time looking at themselves on Zoom, they’re more aware of their facial expressions and features.’
Mayoni Gooneratne, founder of The Clinic by Dr Mayoni agrees. ‘People are now looking at themselves for prolonged periods of time in a dynamic context, rather than occasionally and statically, in a mirror,’ she says.
‘We’re definitely seeing an increase in the number of Zoom related bookings since lockdown and, interestingly, the number of men booking in has nearly doubled over the last few months.’ Their primary request? Botox, to lessen, rather than eliminate, forehead lines.
Of course, not everyone’s response to the sight of their Resting Zoom Face is as invasive: enquiries about semi-permanent makeup have also spiked, according to Harley Street microblading artist Sian Dellar.
‘We’ve had many bookings to the eyes, brows and lips enhanced,’ she says. ‘Not only are people looking to accentuate the face’s upper section for added definition when mask-wearing, but they’re also keen to look ‘done’ at a moment’s notice, ready for that video meeting.’
And as for the parts of us that aren’t visible on Zoom? Our first lockdown back in March showed how readily people embraced the ‘only dressing the top half’ ethic – and this has carried over into grooming. According to research from beauty app Cosmetify, 45 per cent of Brits have stopped buying hair removal products and 33 per cent of men have abandoned their manscaping routine; there’s been a surge, on the other hand, in anti-ageing and concealer products, with consumers claiming that Zoom has made them depressingly aware of their lines and dark circles.
Video meetings have provided some beauty benefits as well, however – it’s highlighted the industry’s ability to adapt its usual hands-on services to Zoom. Dermalogica have launched facials over Zoom, with their virtual ‘Pro-Bright @ Home’ treatment promising to give skin its glow back in under an hour.
A Dermalogica expert talks you through each step of the process, which includes advanced resurfacing, Vitamin C serums and an intensely hydrating masque – products that are sent to you, as well as your consultation card and Zoom link, when you book. All you need to bring to the party is a bowl of warm water, a face cloth and a towel.
Tom Ford Beauty has also started offering virtual consultations, with complimentary and personalised specialist appointments via Zoom. The genius thing about this? Your specialist is actually looking at how you look on Zoom and can make recommendations for colour and makeup application accordingly.
And if the rigours of lockdown have left you too lethargic to bother with any of the above? Place your laptop on a stack of books and look up at the camera: it’s a more flattering angle that tautens and lifts your face.
In, we’re not exercising or walking as much. The salons are closed. We’re not getting all dressed up to leave the house. Naturally, that’s had an impact on our appearances.
The men of TikTok are honouring what they’re calling a ‘glow-down’ with videos showing what they looked like a year ago compared to now.
Most of the men who took part in the trend were sporting beards and stubbles as opposed to the clean-shaved and bright-eyed images of yesteryear.
TikTok user @rickykv started off the challenege after he shared his transformation, inspiring others to do the same.
He said: ‘OK, so everybody on TikTok loves to talk about “glow-ups.” Let’s talk about my glow-down.
‘So, this was a year ago, looking f**king delicious, looking like a little snack, and this is what I look like now’.
To most of us, Ricky might look pretty samey but some of the other men who took part certainly look different from how they did 12 months ago.
The video that Ricky, 20, shared received more than 700,000 views with others dueting him and using his sound to show their own images.
Most of the men had longer hair or grew more facial hair and some said they put on a few mounds.
Some women took part in the challenge too, though the trend was dominated by male TikTokkers.
Most of the users comforted one another, saying it was to be expected and that no one looks worse, just that they’re different because they’ve adapted to the stresses of the pandemic.
‘It’s ok man. We all had too many quarantine snacks,’ one said while another wrote: ‘One this pandemic passes we’ll all be alright.’
Through Ricky started the trend of pandemic glow-downs, it was Gabrielle McDonald who kicked off the challenge of sharing how people had passed their peak, in terms of attractiveness.
Few bits of furniture say luxury quite like a velvet chair, sofa, or chaise longue.
It’s one of those things that we lust over in photos in other people’s interiors, and dream of buying for ourselves if we suddenly got a massive amount of money out of the blue.
But then, in the midst of visions of lounging on velvet eating truffles, we worry about the boring bit: the practicality of a velvet sofa.
As a material tied with luxury, velvet can be a bit a scary prospect.
Does it need special care? Can you really get away with a velvet chair if you have a cat that likes to scratch or a partner who always, always spills their cup of tea?
The good news is that despite its rep and fancy aesthetics, velvet is secretly quite a practical fabric option.
‘Believe it or not, velvet is actually very durable,’ Kelly Collins, head of creative at Swyft, tells Metro.co.uk. ‘It’s a good choice for people with pets as its tight weave means that they can’t get their teeth and claws under it so easily.’
Kelly says that even spillages are easy to sort, so you don’t need to rule yourself out of the velvet sofa life just because you’re clumsy.
So, how can you make your velvet dreams a reality? And how can you make sure your sofa doesn’t end up looking rubbish when you do?
How to care for a velvet chair
It sounds weird, but you need to give your chair a good brush.
‘Brushing it down a few times a month will keep the velvet at its best for longer,’ says Kelly. ‘You can pick up fabric brushes online and for a low cost.
‘Always check the rub count of the fabric in advance of purchase and make sure it is over 20,000 (recommended for residential).’
FYI, a rub count is basically how durable a fabric is – how well it will stand up to daily use.
During a rub test, a special machine aggressively rubs a fabric, and counts the number of rubs until signs of wear and tear begin to show.
Asking about a sofa’s rub count doesn’t just make you look smart in front of a salesperson, it can also help you to ensure you’re choosing a fabric that works for your lifestyle.
Beyond brushing, there are other bits you should do to keep your velvet chair looking great – including being selective about where you place it.
‘Velvet is a long pile fabric which means it can mark if something heavy is left on it for a long period or if it’s pushed up hard against something,’ says Kelly.
‘Give the sofa a little space away from walls and radiators to keep it at its best for longer.’
How to clean a velvet sofa
For a proper deep clean, don’t even try to do it yourself. That’s far more stress than it’s worth.
Instead, call in a professional and make sure you never, ever bung velvet sofa covers in a washing machine.
General cleans, however, you can definitely do yourself.
Kelly says: ‘If the fabric has a guard treatment and it just needs a wipe down, give it a hoover first to remove any dust and other particles that might have collected.
‘Then, you can either use warm water with a white microfiber cloth or – if you are needing something a little stronger – use a white or clear household soap.’
What to do if you spill something on velvet
First off, don’t panic. This is not a total disaster that can’t be fixed.
‘For stains like mud, ketchup, lipstick or silly putty, you’ll need to get a teaspoon,’ says Kelly. First, remove any stain residue with the edge of the teaspoon or a flat utensil.
‘For other stains like pen or coffee, you won’t need to do this. Just dampen the fabric and blot.
‘Apply water to the stain and blot using a white paper towel. Ensure you blot and don’t rub in circular motions because it’ll just rip your paper towel and drive the fibres from it into your fabric. Repeat the process until you can’t see the stain on the paper towel anymore.
‘Apply more water to the area and rub with gentle movements with a white microfibre cloth.
‘Use soap for stubborn stains; any white bar of soap will do, whatever you have in the house. Now you can do the circular motion rub trick with a cloth or towel.
‘Repeat the process until the stain is completely removed.’
Once you’ve cleaned up the stain, don’t use a hairdryer to attempt to get your sofa all dried up and ready to be sat on – Kelly notes that applying heat can set the stain.
Instead, be patient and leave your sofa to air dry.
It’s nearly time to start decorating your Christmas tree – but what should you put on there?
Along with the essential lights and divisive tinsel, you’ll need some decorations you love enough to bring out year after year.
If they’re sustainable options too, even better.
Whatever your festive theme, we’ve rounded up the best eco-friendly decorations to upgrade your tree this year, from simple stars to a rather adorable pig bauble.
Set of 2 Red Paper Star Hanging Decoration
Hang paper stars all over the house for a simple, Scandi vibe this Christmas, and when 2021 arrives, fold up flat and reuse next year and the year after.
‘A Tree For Your Tree’ Tree Planting Decoration by The Drifting Bear Co,
Give back to the planet with this eco-friendly, bamboo Christmas decoration – for every order placed, a tree will be planted in an area of the world that needs it most.
Feel angelic by switching your glittery tree topper for a rustic wooden hand-made peg doll dressed in cotton bloomers, paper wings and a hessian skirt. A real doll of a find.
Shop small and sustainably this Christmas with handmade baubles using fabric offcuts, recycled PET sequins and embroidery. Festive cheer that won’t cost the earth.
These gooey, milk chocolate truffles definitely won’t last until the Big Day but for every bauble purchased, a tree will be planted in West Africa. Sweet.
Full marks to the eco message of these quirky, glass decorations especially as Paperchase only use bio-degradable glitter. Time to dream of a greener Christmas…
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on purchases made through one of these links but this never influences our experts’ opinions. Products are tested and reviewed independently of commercial initiatives.
Boozy kombucha, veggie jerky, and fancy breakfasts, apparently.
These are among the food trends that Whole Foods has predicted will be big in 2021 as part of their annual trends report.
Each year, a council of more than 50 Whole Foods Market team members, including foragers, buyers, and culinary experts, put together their prediction of trends for the food and drink world.
This coming year is a bit different, because, well, 2020 has been defined by coronavirus, which has impacted food.
But how will this ripple into next year? Will our experiences in lockdown still shape our food choices 12 months from now?
‘There have been radical shifts in consumer habits in 2020,’ says Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, Chief Marketing Officer at Whole Foods Market. ‘For example, shoppers have found new passions for cooking, they’ve purchased more items related to health and wellness, and more are eating breakfast at home every day compared to pre-COVID.
‘Food trends are a sign of the times, and our 2021 trends are no exception.’
So, what are the food trends for next year?
Supercharged drinks
Skip the pills – we’ll be drinking our supplements next year, in the form of probiotics and broth.
Brilliant breakfasts
‘With more people working from home, the most important meal is getting the attention it deserves, not just on weekends, but every day,’ says the report.
‘There’s a whole new lineup of innovative products tailored to people paying more attention to what they eat in the morning.
‘Think pancakes on weekdays, sous vide egg bites and even “eggs” made from mung beans.’
Upgraded basics
Lockdown may have given us a new appreciation for the basics – we’re suddenly so grateful to be able to buy flour and pasta – but next year we’ll be looking for ways to upgrade these staples.
Look out for new types of pasta, like Seggiano’s Red Lentil Tagliatelle, and flavoured salts to scatter on your home cooking.
Coffee in food
We won’t just be guzzling lattes and espresso shots next year. We’ll also be indulging in coffee in the form of bars, granolas, yoghurt, and even booze.
Upcycled foods
Good news – we’ll be cutting down on food waste in 2021.
‘Peels and stems have come a long way from the compost bin,’ says the report. ‘We’re seeing a huge rise in packaged products that use neglected and underused parts of an ingredient as a path to reducing food waste.
‘Upcycled foods, made from ingredients that would have otherwise been food waste, help to maximize the energy used to produce, transport and prepare that ingredient.’
Grownup baby food
Okay, this one’s a bit weird.
Whole Foods reckons that next year we’ll be enjoying portable squeeze pouches full of mushed up food.
They recommend Little Inca’s Happy Orange Quinoa; Munchfree’s Blueberry and Coconut Quinoa Porridge or Peek-a-Boo’s Apple Peach and Cookies Puree.
New oils
Bored of olive oil? You’ll have your pick of all sorts of exciting options next year.
Try walnut or pumpkin seed oils to give your salad dressings and your cooking a boost.
Boozy kombucha
Everyone’s favourite cultured drink will soon take your beers’ place in the fridge, with alcoholic booch becoming more common.
Try Bottleg Booch’s Ginger Alcoholic or Pink Lady Apple Kombucha.
Chickpeas
Nope, we’re not just talking about hummus.
Next year we’ll be eating pasta, flour, tofu, and cereal – all made from chickpeas.
Fruit and veg jerky
No longer the reserve of truckers grabbing chewy bacon bits, jerky is now veggie, too.
Expect to find fruit and veg in dried jerky form as an easy snack to grab whenever you fancy.
It can be a relief to know a food and drink fan. They are one of the easiest recipients to shop for, especially at Christmas with so many indulgent items up for grabs.
From cheese subscriptions to sparkling kombucha, we’ve got a list of gourmet treats to tickle their tastebuds this Christmas.
Whether they are looking for the perfect condiment, an endless supply of cheese or natural wine, we have got you covered.
Find out our top picks:
Black Garlic Ketchup
Update their condiment selection with an artisan sauce from Hawkshead Relish.
The sauce is made from a combination of crushed black garlic bulbs, tomatoes, olive oil, spices and balsamic vinegar.
It is recommended as an extra (and secret) ingredient in casseroles, risottos and stews.
What could be sweeter than honey that supports British beekeepers?
The trio pack of unpasteurised honey is produced from the native British Black Bee.
The box includes seaside honey from Norfolk coast marshes, summer honey from British wildflowers and the Orchard variety comes from apple and pear blossom.
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on purchases made through one of these links but this never influences our experts’ opinions. Products are tested and reviewed independently of commercial initiatives.
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on purchases made through one of these links but this never influences our experts’ opinions. Products are tested and reviewed independently of commercial initiatives.
Get ready for the day ahead with your star sign’s daily horoscope for today, November 27, 2020.
Sagittarius and Capricorn, there’s news on the money front, while Cancers should expect some intense emotions to flare.
Leo, it’s time to get productive, and Pisces, today’s the day to make a decision.
Read on for your daily forecast below.
What star sign are you?
Aries: March 21 to April 20
Taurus: April 21 to May 21
Gemini: May 22 to June 21
Cancer: June 22 to July 23
Leo: July 24 to August 23
Virgo: August 24 to September 23
Libra: September 24 to October 23
Scorpio: October 24 to November 22
Sagittarius: November 23 to December 21
Capricorn: December 22 to January 21
Aquarius: January 22 to February 19
Pisces: February 20 to March 20
Aries
If you want an instant fix, Venus’s opposition to Uranus can find you drawn to someone you encounter. A more measured aspect encourages you to invest your energy into something worthwhile, by being constructive.
Taurus
This can be an excitable day when you may get an inkling of how you feel about someone.
If this relationship is running low on love and care, then getting in touch might have a positive effect, otherwise there could be a permanent disconnect.
Gemini
With all the internal chatter going on, losing yourself in something that absorbs your attention may be the best way to silence your mind.
You might find a task like meeting a deadline keeps you so focused that you end up getting so much more done.
Cancer
If you find yourself irritated by someone, or that intense emotions like jealousy are bubbling up, try not to take them too seriously. If you don’t make too much of them, they’ll leave. In need of nurturing? Just go for it.
Leo
Have responsibilities to attend to? You may be dragging your feet, especially if you can think of better ways to spend your time.
You might have promised something and now wish you hadn’t. Just get those tasks out of the way.
Virgo
This can be one of those days when you are better off taking a reduced schedule. You may find it hard to settle and crave the kind of company that relieves boredom or that simmers with instant chemistry.
Libra
Your love life could regain its sparkle as a lively Venus aspect may enhance the pace at which a romance develops or add extra sizzle to your current bond.
Feelings might spill over and it can be difficult not to react to events as they unfold.
Scorpio
Someone could surprise you with an announcement you hadn’t anticipated. Yet if you think more deeply about this, you will have seen the signs all along.
While the aspect involved is temporary, it may have an intensity about it that can’t be ignored.
Sagittarius
The conversations you have today can shimmer with promise and leave you inspired by possibilities.
You’ll need to apply yourself for this to succeed, though. It may be a chance to earn money doing something you have always wanted to try.
Capricorn
You may get insights into how you could increase your cash flow, perhaps by selling items you no longer use or by actively marketing your skills. If you can use social media to boost your efforts, then so much the better.
Aquarius
Whatever happens in the days ahead can provide a break from the norm and might be linked with an encounter that gifts you with possibilities. Think carefully as it could clash with personal arrangements so a radical shift could be required.
Pisces
Is it time to find closure on that issue that’s been bugging you? Today’s powerful opposition can be a call to make that decision.
If you know it’s right, why hold back? If you need to tie up loose ends first, do so.
While you’re shopping all the best Black Friday deals, make some time for the best offers and discounts on beauty products, whether for yourself or to get ahead on your Christmas shopping.
Glossybox is a great place to start.
For Black Friday, the beauty brand is offering a one-off Black Friday 2020 Box, which costs just £20 – but contains £115 worth of products.
Inside each box are ten hero beauty buys – eight full-size, two minis – including haircare, skincare, and makeup.
That means it’s an easy win for a Christmas gift.
Included are Barry M false lashes, an Emite rose gold eyelash curler, the Philip Kingsley Rose and Lychee Elastizer, the Nudestix Cream Lip + Cheek Pencil, the DLS Cosmetics Eyeshadow Palette, the Bodyography Pro Makeup Brush Cleanser, and more.
You can also nab a £5 mystery box containing £50 worth of products, or, from 7am for subscribers, 9am for general public, grab the limited edition Christmas box, which contains delights including a MAC lipstick, the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, and Tarte’s Lash Paint Mascara.
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on purchases made through one of these links but this never influences our experts’ opinions. Products are tested and reviewed independently of commercial initiatives.
Here we go again, back in Tier 2. At least, we’re a bit more clued-up what that means – kind of.
With regions entering different tiers as lockdown restrictions ease – London being Tier 2 – we’re all following different rules.
Pubs and bars, under the new laws, can only operate if they can offer substantial meals and must take last orders at 10pm, but can stay open till 11.
Restaurants are also opening up, provided they follow the rule of six – you can meet up to six people outside of your household in an outdoor setting (and inside only if you’re from the same household).
Naturally, we want to know which restaurants and pubs that offer us some grub that we should be booking.
So we have very handily picked a few of the establishments meeting your socialising needs.
These are the pubs and restaurants in London offering outdoor and heated seating:
Skylight Christmas at Tobacco Dock will be offering exciting outdoor and socially distanced festive eating and drinking experiences situated on the rooftop venue and at ground level across the Grade-1 listed warehouses and cobbled lanes of Tobacco Dock.
The venue will host a rooftop igloo village, spacious Après Ski Lodge bar, an off-piste speakeasy bar, and a Christmas cocktail cinema experience.
This year guests can treat themselves to a magical winter rooftop experience with exclusive gin cocktails in an igloo setting adorned with foliage, sofas, chaise lounges, heaters, and dangling lights.
Pergola Paddington’s ‘Miracle on Kingdom Street’ – a seasonal escape featuring a Winter Wonderland Forest – has outdoor seating. It will also have a Chalet Moët timber lodge, created in partnership with Moët & Chandon. The lodge will be kitted out with sheepskin rugs, faux-fur cushions, and heaters to create a cosy refuge.
Perched on the roof, Chalet Moët will be available for private hire and bookable for mixed groups, with tables for groups of six to maintain social distancing.
In preparation for the colder months, Truman’s Social Club has installed a huge tent over their beer garden to provide cover from the rain and heaters to keep the cold at bay. With space for 130 people, the warm and cozy beer tent is ideal for those hoping to mix with people outside their household.
This winter, Bluebird Chelsea will be undergoing a transformation and turning into a ‘white wonderland’, launching on December 3rd. It will feature Christmas decorations, chalets available for private hire, a festive menu, Christmas events, and a menu of champagne and bubbly cocktail specials in partnership with Taittinger.
The outdoor terrace will be completely transformed into a festive wonderland and there will be heaters on hand to keep guests warm and cosy as the temperature drops as well as three cosy chalets available for exclusive bookings.
German Gymnasium will be transforming its popular outside space into a Hansel & Gretel-inspired woodland winter terrace in partnership with Jack Daniel’s. The terrace will be decorated in the style of the woodcutter’s house from Hansel & Gretel, complete with traditional wooden huts, festoon lighting, blankets, lanterns, and natural festive garlands to create a winter retreat in the heart of King’s Cross.
Michelin-starred Angler has a fancy outdoor terrace that has a retractable roof, meaning you can dine with people outside your household. However, they are not taking bookings so you’ll have to walk in and see if seats are available.
Barrafina is offering Spanish tapas but with a limited (paper) menu and will have several safety measures in place, including their own health questionnaire.
Temperatures will also be taken and there are several sanitising stations. Bathrooms are also located outside for those dining al fresco.
Pubs in London with outdoor heating:
If you’re in London and want to find yourself a lovely beer garden or roof terrace to nurse a pint, we’ve got a selection for you.
What could be more grownup than buying a fancy new mattress on Black Friday?
Imagine skipping the deals on the latest tech and bargain booze offers in favour of something genuinely practical and longlasting – that’d be something to pat yourself on the back for.
Mattresses are the obvious option, because they’re one of those massive purchases you have to make; meaning there’s a lot of money to be saved.
But it’s vital to do your research and make sure you’re getting the best deal, to avoid all sorts of post Black Friday regret.
Lucky for you, though, we’ve done the hard work for you and rounded up the best Black Friday deals on mattresses below.
Eve Sleep Premium Hybrid Mattress
WAS £978, NOW £782
Eve is offering 35% off all mattresses for Black Friday. We’d recommend the Premium Hybrid Mattress for the biggest saving.
Nectar is offering £125 off every mattress, or up to £397 off a bedding bundle (which includes a mattress, protector, bedding set, luxury duvet, and memory foam pillows).
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on purchases made through one of these links but this never influences our experts’ opinions. Products are tested and reviewed independently of commercial initiatives.
This Christmas is going to be unlike any other, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still exchange gifts (even if it is in a socially distanced fashion).
If you’re struggling over what to get for your girlfriend, never fear. We’ve compiled the best gifts for the woman in your life.
So, whether your girlfriend likes gardening, baking, tea, a few bevvies, beauty, her pets, or her plants, there’s a great gift for her.
Now more than ever, we’re hyperfocused on shopping local and keeping our high streets alive, so among the present ideas you’ll find independent brands and the big names you already know and love.
Check out our girlfriend gift guide for 2020 below.
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on purchases made through one of these links but this never influences our experts’ opinions. Products are tested and reviewed independently of commercial initiatives.