The range includes costumes, knitwear and accessories (Picture: B&M)
You might have your Christmas Day outfit all sorted – but what about your dog?
If you want to get your pooch all dressed up to join in the festivities, you’re in luck – B&M has launched a range of super-cute Christmas clothes for dogs, with prices starting from just £1 for a tiny Santa hat.
You can dress your furry friend up as a reindeer, an elf, a penguin or even Santa Claus himself, with the costumes costing £6 each.
The range also includes cosy knitted onesies, jumpers, and cardigans and hooded coats adorned with Santas, snowmen, Christmas puddings and penguins, as well as chic Nordic and Fairisle patterns – prices for the knitwear start from £3 for a pink penguin jumper.
And to keep your dog extra-snug in the cold weather, you can snap up a set of woolly leg warmers for your dog for just £2 – there are four different designs to choose from.
The collection even includes three festive harnesses, each costing £6, which you can attach to your dog’s lead so they can look the part while you take them out for a Christmas Day walk.
One shopper posted an adorable picture on Instagram of her sausage dog decked out in one of the designs, which B&M shared on their account.
Dion and Callum had no idea Lilly-May was on the way but are now proud parents (Picture: Wales News Service)
Dion Seaborne started suffering from severe back pain and thought she had hurt herself at the Burger King restaurant where she works.
But the 18-year-old was actually in labour and she had no idea she was even pregnant.
Unsuspecting Dion, Griffithstown, South Wales, went to A&E at Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport, South Wales, on November 6
She had been seen by a doctor but was waiting for more tests on her sore back, so she went to the loo while she waited.
Alone in the hospital due to Covid, she ended up giving birth to daughter Lilly-May on the toilet.
Dion said: ‘My back had been sore for about three days and I thought I had hurt it in work, so I went to the hospital to find out what was wrong.
‘Because of Covid-19 restrictions I was there by myself. I’d been seen, had my blood pressure and temperature taken and was waiting to be seen again.
Callum and Dion with Lilly-May (Picture: Wales News Service)
‘It was about 3am and I needed to go to the toilet. I was pushing and pushing and the next thing Lilly-May was born.
‘I had to shout for a nurse to come and help me because I couldn’t reach the emergency button and at this point Lilly-May was in the toilet.
‘They got her out of the toilet and took her off to get cleaned up. And then I was able to hold her and was taken to the maternity ward.
‘I found it terrifying. I have never been so scared in my life.’
Dion rang her partner Callum Morris, also 18, to share the exciting news.
She said: ‘When I rang Callum to tell him that he was a dad to a little girl, he was so surprised he went upstairs to wake his mum up to tell her because it was 4am.
‘He came down to the hospital to bring me some clothes and things and that’s when he met Lilly-May for the first time.
Baby Lily May (Picture: Wales News Service)
‘His face was a picture. He couldn’t stop smiling, saying he loves her and giving her cuddles.’
Dion says she had no pregnancy symptoms and even felt like she lost weight before the birth.
She said: ‘I was still having my regular periods so it never crossed my mind that I could be pregnant.
‘I was feeling normal. I didn’t have any food cravings, my feet didn’t swell and my clothes even fitted me the same.
‘I didn’t feel any different. I hadn’t put on any weight, in fact everyone was telling me I’d lost some weight.’
Dion says she isn’t a big drinker so luckily that did not impact her baby but she had carried on lifting heavy boxes at work and even went on fairground rides.
She added: ‘When I think about it, I was doing everything I shouldn’t have been doing if I’d known I was pregnant.’
Lilly-May was healthy and the couple are now getting used to life as a family of three.
Student Jasmine Dauphine, like many others, missed out on a school milestone – prom.
But not one to dwell on things, Jasmine, 18, decided to buy a stunning prom dress anyway and wear it to mark the lost occasion.
Wearing a custom-made dress from Lunss and a headpiece she made herself, Jasmine headed to Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial with her sister.
The pair wanted to create a regal photoshoot – think Met Gala and other extravagant award shows.
Luckily for Jasmine, also visiting the tourist spot was photographer Isabella Ortiz.
The Florida-based photographer is accustomed to shooting weddings but couldn’t help snap a few pics of the beautiful Jasmine.
Together, they ended up creating an epic set of photos that immediately went viral.
What a dress (Picture: @futuraphotographyvideo/Instagram)
The pictures, taken by 24-year-old Isabella and Jasmine’s sister, received more than 500,000 likes.
Like Jasmine, Isabella was also overwhelmed with all the love online.
She told us how exactly the dreamy photoshoot came to be.
Isabella explained to Metro.co.uk: ‘I was visiting Washington D.C. for the very first time. On the way to the Lincoln Memorial, I noticed Jasmine from afar and the creative in me was like “oh my God, I have to take a picture of her!”
A queen (Picture: @futuraphotographyvideo/Instagram)
‘I simply walked up to her and kindly asked, praying she would say yes. I was like “Oh my goodness you look so beautiful, can I please take a picture of you?” She kindly accepted and literally made my day!
‘In regards to the reception of the pictures, honestly, I’m completely shocked. It just feels so unreal.
‘It’s so crazy because when I saw Jasmine that day I knew she was someone super special. I am 10000% certain she captured not only my attention but everyone’s attention that day with her beauty.
‘Jasmine is straight-up stunning. I remember rushing back home so excited to edit the pictures because I just couldn’t wait to share with her the amazing photos!’
Keep your pets safe this Christmas (Picture: Getty)
Adding Christmas plants to your space is a great way to give your house some colour and vibrancy.
With the Christmas period approaching and the big day just around the corner, plants such as Mistletoe and holly are back to bring good cheer.
However, there are some Christmas plants known to be a danger to pets as they can have toxic effects on your cat or dog if ingested.
Many of our favourite, trendy Christmas plants can cause harmful symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting.
Among the most popular of the holiday plants is the Euphorbia pulcherrima, more widely known as poinsettia.
Though this plant is not toxic, it can cause some unwanted effects for both humans and pets. It’s sap can cause skin irritation in humans, sometimes resulting in a mild, itchy rash.
For cats and dogs however, the effects can be more severe, causing gastrointestinal upset if enough of the plant is ingested. So if you have a cat or dog, it’s best to give the pretty poinsettia a miss and completely remove it from your space, as even a nibble can pose a risk.
Holly is another Christmas plant favourite, sung about in many of our favourite joyful jingles. But if you have a pet around, it’s a no-no.
Saponin glycosides, methylxanthines, and cyanogens are the toxic principles found in holly and they can do your cat some harm. Though cats are unlikely to chew on holly leaves due to their sharp spines, it’s better to completely remove all Holly from your house, if you have any.
Holly can cause symptoms such as hypersalivation (drooling), loss of appetite and vomiting. Make sure you skip the holly this winter, to avoid any risk to your feline.
Other Christmas plants that pose a risk to your pets include:
Azalea (Rhododendron) – Known for their high number of blooms, azaleas contain substances called grayantoxins, but these beauties can be toxic for both people and pets.
Yew (Taxus) – A yew is an evergreen tree or shrub that grows red berries, but the chemicals found in yew called taxines, can be life threatening.
Boxwood (Buxus) – The evergreen plant boxwood is better to be avoided. If ingested by your pet, it can cause effects such as dehydration.
Amaryllis – Amaryllis produces beautiful flowers, some in a deep Christmas red, but it is also potentially toxic for people and pets.
Cyclamen – The chemical found in cyclamen, called triterpenoid saponins, although usually hidden in the soil of a pot can cause issues if your pet tries to dig into it.
Kalanchoe – Kalanchoe is a very popular houseplant, however, it can cause gastric upset. It’s worth steering clear of this one if you have pets.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) – The calcium oxalate crystals present in peace lily, despite the friendly name, can be hazardous to your pet.
Mistletoe – The very well known mistletoe contains several chemicals that can be poisonous and lead to gastrointestinal issues.
Chrysanthemum – Though only mildly toxic, this beautiful and bright plant can be harmful to your feline.
Gardenia – The white and fragrant blooms of gardenia can be bad for your pet’s health due to the genioposide and gardenoside found in it.
What should I do if my pet has ingested or been in contact with a potentially toxic plant?
If your pet ingests a toxic Christmas plant, watch out for symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhoea, shaking, lack of coordination, coughing, sneezing, problems breathing, or seizures.
Some reactions can take longer to show than others, and larger pets may be less likely to actually get sick from what they ingested.
If you think your pet has been affected:
Call the vet as soon as possible.
Find a safe space to put your pet in – manage your pet’s stress by putting him or her in a safe space, and moving the pet away from the poisonous substance.
Try to keep your pet from grooming him or herself – this can cause the toxin to spread across their body and cause more harm.
Other options
But fear not. There are plenty of other Christmas houseplants that could brighten up your space and are safe for pets. Some of these include:
If only lasagnes were as easy to make as they are to consume (which goes for any food, pretty much).
One mum who was reluctant to go to the lengths of buying and cooking minced meat, got creative and came up with her own easy-to-make alternative.
The woman, who’s from Australia, skipped on the minced meat altogether, using her secret (not so secret now) ingredient – ravioli.
Instead of the meat layer, Bree added ravioli – opting for a beef packet – and layered them in between a mixture of passata and pasta sauce, and topping off with cheese.
You can try this one yourself. Once you’re happy with the number of layers you have, you just bung it in the oven and cook until the cheese gets brown.
And that’s literally all there is to the dish.
You can see why it went down such a treat on the Facebook page where Bree shared the hack.
Ingredients:
One large packet of ravioli
700g jar of passata
500g bowl of pasta sauce
Mozarella
Method:
Spray a baking dish with oil and pour your mixture of passata and pasta sauce (Dolmio’s or otherwise).
You can add frozen vegetables at this point if you like.
Add a layer of uncooked ravioli, then some more sauce and cheese. Then more sauce, ravioli, sauce and cheese.
On the post, she wrote: ‘Spray baking dish with oil, spread some sauce on the bottom, add a later of uncooked ravioli, then some more sauce and cheese. Then more sauce, ravioli, sauce and cheese, repeat until you run out.’
She continued: ‘I do lots of layers of sauce as I hate dry pasta bakes and the ravioli isn’t pre-cooked. So I try and make sure sauce is touching both sides of the pasta.
‘I put it in a 200° oven for 45 minutes or so then remove foil and brown cheese for 10 minutes or so.’
Looks delicious (Picture: Facebook)
Remember that you can also add other things to the dish and don’t have to stick to three ingredients.
You can add vegetables to the sauce and serve the lasagne with garlic bread.
Followers on the group said they’re keen to try it out.
One person wrote: ‘That’s such a great idea and so easy, thanks for sharing I’ll be trying this.’
Meanwhile, another said: ‘Thank you, Bree! I might try this with the garlic chicken ravioli that my kids love, and a mixture of passata and creamy jar sauce.
‘I think I’ll add thawed spinach as you did, and if I don’t have roasted vegies to hand, maybe some grated zucchini and carrot in with the sauce. Sounds like a winner.’
Purple sweets made up just 4.7% of the tin’s contents (Picture: Twitter/@stephenbhull)
Everyone knows Christmas really begins when you crack open the big tin of Quality Street – but for one man, that moment was bittersweet this year.
Stephen Hull, who is head of digital at ITV news, conducted an audit of his Quality Street tin for the benefit of his Twitter following, and the results were… well, more than a little shocking.
‘Bit of spare time on my hands today so I audited the unopened Quality Street tin,’ he wrote. ‘Just 4 purples (4.7%) and yet a massive 11 (12.9%) orange ones. Another blow for 2020. Who do I complain to? #inequalitystreet’.
Bit of spare time on my hands today so I audited the unopened Quality Street tin. Just 4 purples (4.7%) and yet a massive 11 (12.9%) orange ones. Another blow for 2020. Who do I complain to? #inequalitystreetpic.twitter.com/8cDu6yDbcP
Whether or not you’re a fan of the hazelnut-and-caramel-flavour purple sweets (though honestly, we’d find it hard to believe you if you said you weren’t), the clearly uneven distribution of chocolates in the tin is a worrying sight.
Many other Twitter users weighed in to express their anger.
‘The worst thing about Quality Street is they put both a toffee penny and toffee finger in there – there’s no need for both,’ one woman tweeted.
‘Also, only 4 each of the two best flavours, the purple one and the green Noisette triangle? Outrageous.’
Another person wrote: ‘That is all kinds of wrong. Orange creams shouldn’t even be in the mix let alone staging a bloody takeover’.
So, is this the standard for Quality Street these days, or just a one-off?
Commenting on the fiasco, a spokesperson for Nestlé, the food manufacturer behind Quality Street, told Metro.co.uk: ‘We know that Quality Street fans feel passionately about their favourites, and we have procedures in place to help ensure that each of the 12 varieties are well represented within the mix.
‘And, for those who can’t resist a Caramel Swirl, or who’d love a tin of purely Purple Ones, our website allows you to pick and mix the sweets you love to create your perfect combination.’
That’s that, then. A tin of strawberry cremes, please.
Do you have a story to share? We want to hear from you.
A mock up of Selfridges’ new Christmas market in Marylebone, London (Picture: Selfridges)
After being hit by a second lockdown, Selfridges is trying to make up for lost time.
This week, the famous department store’s doors will reopen but this time, with an added twist.
Selfridges is redesigning the mews market that was first opened back in the summer, with a well timed Christmas revamp.
The market will feature gourmet street food, as well as retail stalls and even fairground rides.
Among the list of businesses trading there will be Fundi Pizza serving Neopolitan style pizzas and Only Jerkin with their fried chicken and jerk gravy.
Selfridges will also be selling their own selection from their food range so you’ll be able to buy Christmas pudding, gingerbread and more.
Other food stalls will include:
Pabellon – Venezuelan traders serving dishes such as Arepa filled corn bread
Tramshed Project – Run by chefs Andrew Clarke and Daniel Watkins, who will be serving burgers and BBQ
Ask Mummy Daddy – Traditional and vegan pick and mix sweets.
Pop Dogs Official – Currywurst and bratwurst as well as vegan sausages.
Gully – North Indian street food
Choco Fruit – Fruit drizzled in chocolate and covered in a choice of toppings
Sicilian Goods – Italian Christmas sweet treats
Cheese Wheel – Fresh pasta made in a supersized wheel of Grana Padano
Drinks will also be available to buy from a roaming drinks cart, serving different beverages from mulled wine to warm apple ciders.
You’ll be able to stock up with Christmas decoration and goods, with items such as trees from Moyses Stevens, toys and wreaths.
The Marylebone mews market will be launching on 3 December and will run daily throughout December, between 4–9pm on weekdays and 12–9pm at weekends.
‘We’re very excited to welcome customers back into our London store with the addition of our brilliant new Christmas market – a destination for visitors to become immersed in the joy of Christmas,’ said Meave Wall, store director at Selfridges.
‘We’ve brought together some of the best food traders in London, alongside fairground rides and stalls with gifts from independent British brands for those wishing to do some Christmas shopping.’
‘The open-air environment not only means everyone can wrap up and enjoy warming hot chocolates and the festive lights, but it’s a convenient way for Londoners and any visitors to the capital to enjoy the festivities and create magical new memories.’
Save time shopping for the things you love – Treasure Truck is a unique and fun way to shop with Amazon
Shopping changed a lot in 2020. Deliveries came more often and when stocks ran low, we all became total pros at tracking down the things we needed.
But since we’re already spending much of our days online – working or scrolling social – browsing has become a bit boring.
Wouldn’t it be nice, for example, if the good products came to us? Even better, whenever they were on offer. Needless to say, the experts at Amazon are already on it.
Now, they bring us Treasure Truck, a unique (and seriously fun) way to shop online where you get a text every time they have something awesome for you, like a limited-time offer or fun free event.
Product alerts could be anything from home and kitchen must-haves to trending tech hand-picked by the team at Treasure Truck who have searched far and wide for the hottest finds, so you don’t have to.
It’s like finding hidden treasure – except you don’t need the pirate map.
Who doesn’t love surprises? Treasure Truck will alert you to cool products, free events and offers direct to your phone, which could brighten up your day (Picture: Amazon)
What’s magic about the service is that not only will Amazon’s experts help connect you with the brands they know you need to know about, they’ll delight you with discounts on the ones you already love.
That means Treasure Truck can save you time searching online for the top-selling multi-cooker or the best-rated home cinema equipment as well as saving you money by letting you know when the hot products are on offer.
Not every day is an offer day but sometimes Treasure Truck will check in unexpectedly and brighten things up with an exclusive find. They feature one hand-picked item at a time and share it over text, then they’ll deliver it direct to your door if you decide to go for it!
Product alerts could be anything from trending tech to must-have homewares you’re not going to want to miss out on. Like Christmas, come early
Not just that, but Treasure Truck will send you surprise notifications about cool unique events, like private gigs and pop-up shops (Picture: Amazon)
On top of the amazing product alerts, you’ll receive surprise notifications about one-of-a-kind experiences, like prize draws, digital events, and (when it’s safe to do so) pop-up shops and private gigs.
It’s your chance to escape the boredom and share fun new moments – because we could all use a little extra joy right now.
To sign up* for Treasure Truck text alerts click here. Signing up is free of charge and you can always visit www.amazon.co.uk/ttstop to cancel.
If that wasn’t enough, this Christmas, Treasure Truck has provided us with an unbeatable homeware bundle worth £164.42** to give away to one lucky winner.
Brighten up your home with products hand-picked by Amazon’s team of experts, who will not only introduce you to new brands but keep you in the know about offers on the ones you already love (Picture: Amazon)
Metro readers who enter this prize draw have a chance to get their hands on the all-new Amazon Echo Dot, the 4th Generation Alexa voice-command speaker and clock, as well as an Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus 10-in-1 multi-cooker to help rustle up some extraordinary home-cooked feasts.
To find out more, and for full terms and conditions, use this link to see how you can enter the prize draw which is open from 17:30PM on 30/11/2020 to 23:59PM on 21/12/2020 to UK residents aged 18+.
* By signing up, you agree to receive text alerts (including marketing messages) provided by or on behalf of Amazon about Treasure Truck. Message frequency varies. Consent is not a condition to purchase. Message and data rates may apply. You can always visit www.amazon.co.uk/ttstop to cancel.
** Based on www.amazon.co.uk website prices as at 25th November 2020
What’s in the stars today? (Picture: Getty/ Metro.co.uk)(Picture: M
Get ready for the day ahead with your star sign’s daily horoscope for today, December 1, 2020
It’s a new month and the planets are shifting, which brings emotional changes, especially for Aries and Taurus.
Libra is making new friends today and learning useful skills, while Sagittarius is taking stock and looking for a new project.
Read on below for your daily forecast.
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
Planetary shifts from today suggest your mood can become lighter after a time of intense emotions. With expressive Mercury moving into adventure-seeking Sagittarius, your quest for something different can get under way.
Taurus
As Mercury enters an intense zone, it also moves into the sign of Sagittarius, which suggests that on the surface you might make light of issues, even though they may be causing some emotional discomfort.
Gemini
You may sense that a key relationship is at a turning point and this could cause you to wonder where things might go from here. However, from a cosmic perspective, it can be best to not overthink this.
Cancer
You may be drawn to people with something different about them. You might also be attracted by a chance that requires you to learn new skills. The key to finding something that appeals can also hinge on the willingness to leave your comfort zone.
Leo
An encounter could change your life in a positive way even though you might meet for a short time only. Destiny may play its hand, with the influence of yesterday’s Eclipse ongoing. Don’t be surprised if you keep bumping into them.
Virgo
Mercury moves into your home zone from today, which can see you taking a step back and reconsidering aspects of your life from a more personal perspective. Also, you’ll want to put a bold idea to the test before you commit to it.
Libra
There can be much to explore close to home that gives you many options, involves new friendships or makes life easier.
The Moon in Gemini and its link to Mars might find you taking someone’s advice and learning a useful skill.
Scorpio
With the festive season now under way, Mercury’s move into your money zone can be a call to get organised.
If you want to save money, this lively planet could encourage you to use any artistic skills you have to make gifts.
Sagittarius
With Mercury entering your sign, this may be a good time to take stock of your life and consider what your next project might be. If yesterday’s Eclipse makes you question a key bond, Mercury urges you to talk.
Capricorn
If you’ve endured a situation for a while, then tackling it yourself or getting help could be a game-changer. Moving through this experience may have enabled you to tap into a wealth of resources and given you confidence to boot.
Aquarius
Your curiosity about certain people can encourage you to join groups and connect with anyone whose bold spirit aligns with yours.
As the planet of talk and thought enters a sociable zone, you may find you’re fascinated by others’ ideas.
Pisces
Unexpected help may come your way so consider taking it up as it could make life so much easier. Allowing someone else to handle the smaller tasks enables you to focus on those things you excel at and to take the credit where it is due.
Many small businesses are relying on Christmas spending to stay afloat this year (Picture: Getty)
This hasn’t exactly been a vintage year for many of the UK’s small and independent businesses.
With two national lockdowns forcing many to stop trading for weeks at a time, and a lot of us tightening our belts as a result of pay cuts, furlough or redundancy, it’s a difficult time to be in charge of your own company.
After a challenging month, as we enter the festive period, many of the UK’s independent shops, pubs, cinemas, restaurants and salons will be hoping that the nation’s Christmas shopping habits will give them a much-needed boost after a difficult and worrying time.
Here, five small businesses across the country share what it would mean if customers chose to shop with them this Christmas.
‘We’re two sisters who launched our soy wax candle company bang in the middle of lockdown,’ says Mofe and Febimara.
‘We’d gone through many months of research and development and we didn’t want lockdown to hold us back, but it’s definitely been an interesting year.
‘We would have liked to be able to meet our customers face to face and tell them about the candles, but that hasn’t been a possibility for us. We’ve taken part in a few virtual markets but it hasn’t been the same as face to face contact.
Torera Essentials launched in the middle of the first lockdown
‘At some point in every small business, the owners will have a bit of imposter syndrome sneak in, so it would be very validating for people to spend money with us over Christmas, as well as allowing us to invest back into our business and make 2021 a bigger and better year.
‘We do a little dance every time we receive an order, so would love to bash out a whole routine over the Christmas period!
‘Choosing to buy Black or shop small is important, as your money is going directly into supporting somebody’s dream. Shopping small should become the new norm.’
‘My online vintage clothing business has been quite badly affected this year,’ says Lynette. ‘I’m lucky in that I’ve had my website since 2011 so have a lot of regular clients and a good social media following, but I normally sell a lot of festival and holiday vintage clothing in summer and vintage party dresses in winter, and this has been affected.
‘I’ve adapted by selling more vintage homeware since this has been much more popular thanks to everyone staying at home all year. On a personal level, the toll has been huge. I caught Covid and was hospitalised twice, which meant I struggled to work for a few weeks as I simply didn’t have the energy.
‘Thankfully I think people do want to shop locally and shop from small independent businesses this year. I feel that the pandemic has tapped into the kindness inherent in most people and our willingness to support one another.
‘With small businesses like mine, each order is personally appreciated and treasured, and you get a personal touch. I reply personally to all messages and handwrite thank you cards, so it’s very different to shopping at large retailers.’
Simon says: ‘At the end of 2019 after years of wanting to, I decided to fulfil a dream of mine by setting up my own mobile gin bar. I purchased a horse trailer, fitted it out to look like a vintage submarine from ‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea’, and was all set to travel around on the events circuit serving gin in character as a Victorian gentleman when the first lockdown hit.
‘With the hospitality and events industries on pause, I needed to find a creative way to avoid sitting around and drinking my stock. I was never under the impression that we’d resolve the pandemic quickly, and being asthmatic I was in no hurry to put myself at risk, so the Nautilus Mobile Bar became the Nautilus Smugglers’ Club, a subscription box of craft gin, mixers and garnishes, all selected by me along with tasting notes and a few extras.
Simon had just started his mobile gin bar business when lockdown hit
‘It was a challenge turning a barman-for-hire business into an e-commerce one, but in doing so I’ve created something that will hopefully prove more sustainable.
‘I’m of the mind that people shouldn’t support small businesses just because of some quaint idea of a world before supermarkets, but because it’s a genuinely nice experience dealing with someone that cares deeply for their business, loves what they do and enjoys interacting with customers.
‘Big retailers, while often cheap and convenient, are just another obstacle to human contact and that’s what we’re all missing now. We’ve all learned a lot about what we liked and disliked about the world before lockdown and I think the small business experience is something people have really enjoyed and will want to see playing a more prominent role after life returns to normal.’
‘I’m an ex-professional musician and run an immersive live music experience which offers people the chance to experience being rockstars for the day,’ David says.
‘The best way to describe it is karaoke meets Guitar Hero. After the first lockdown, we hoped we’d be able to get back up and running easily, even with the rule of six, as most groups that booked wth us were smaller than that anyway, but the second lockdown and ban on households mixing has made it almost impossible for us to operate.
‘To be totally honest I’m not expecting a surge in sales over the Christmas period, even though we do offer gift vouchers so people can book an experience day when it suits them.
‘I think people will mostly be giving more tangible gifts this Christmas given the uncertainty involved with booking anything at the moment. It would make a huge difference if we did see a surge though.
‘On a personal level, I haven’t taken a salary since January so it would really help me out, but more importantly, it would mean we could keep our amazing team of musicians employed during this tough time.’
‘When the lockdown hit in March preparations were well underway for my third year trading as my Belgian Waffle street food business ‘Sugar Spun Sisters’,’ Lianne and Sean tell us. ‘We had a big summer season of festivals, street food events and weddings lined up and hoped that we’d still be able to do them after a brief lockdown, which wasn’t the case.
‘We really struggled to pivot the business to offer any type of takeaway option since waffles and ice cream don’t travel particularly well, so decided to set up a donut business to put to use the vegan recipes I had formulated. It’s been quite challenging but we’re just happy to have survived.
Lianne started making vegan donuts after her Belgian waffle business had to close
‘Small businesses have had continued blows this year and many won’t make it. They rarely have big cash reserves and nobody could have predicted that we’d spend so long in lockdown.
‘Supporting us during this difficult time means the world. Putting money into local companies and helping them to survive means more choice, more creativity and more job creation in the economy, but if there’s an independent you love there are other ways to support them too.
‘If you can’t afford to spend, promote them on your social media or leave a glowing review and you might inspire someone else to use their product or service.’
And yes, that’s still the case when your cat brings home some truly baffling evidence of their mischief, as little kitten Zico did.
Zico, an eight-month-old rescue cat, returned home after some time out in the garden and slipped in through the cat flap – all while holding a full packet of Dreamies treats in his mouth.
How did Zico get hold of his haul? We may never know.
Lee Harvey, 42, and he family were making breakfast at home in Southampton when they spied Zico coming over the garden fence – then spotted a large orange packet between his teeth.
Lee’s daughters Lauryn, 13, and Jodi, 19, grabbed their phones to film the moment as they laughed at their pet’s exploits.
Heading directly for the back door, the cat stepped through the cat flap and dropped his haul on the doormat.
Even more baffling was when the next day, Zico brought home a second packet of treats, despite none of the neighbours having a cat.
Lee said: ‘We still have no idea where they are coming from but he’s pleased as punch to have treats on tap.
The family have no clue where the treats could have come from (Picture: @sonnythesmilingcat/Kennedy News)
‘None of our close neighbours have cats so we still don’t know who they belong to. “To make matters worse, he brought another packet home the following day.
‘They’re not ours, as we keep ours in a tin to prevent our cats helping themselves.
‘We all found it very funny that he had helped himself to some treats from someone else’s house, rather than wait for his breakfast.
‘I asked the girls what he had in his mouth and they started filming him. Only as he came closer did we realise he’d stolen Dreamies from somewhere.
The next day, he brought home another bag (Picture: @sonnythesmilingcat/Kennedy News)
‘We rehomed him in April during the first lockdown, as an essential purchase and smile maker, after our cat had to be put to sleep following a short illness.
‘He has only been chipped and neutered in the past two months so the outside world is all new to him.
‘So far Zico has gifted us with feathers, a collection of washing pegs, elastic bands and a fat worm, which he wasn’t that keen on wiggling around in his mouth.’
Zico shows no remorse for his criminal activity (Picture: @sonnythesmilingcat/Kennedy News)
The video has been a hit among other cat lovers, being shared thousands of times on social media.
One commenter said: ‘I can’t stop watching this. He’s so chuffed with himself just strolling in like ‘hell yeah’.’
Another commenter said: ‘They’re [Dreamies] a powerful and all-consuming drug.’
True that.
Do you have a mischievous cat who keeps bringing home stolen goods?
Don’t chuck out that old tumble dryer just yet (Picture: Facebook/Getty)
Anyone who’s about to throw out their old tumble dryer: stop right there.
If you’ve bought a new washing machine or tumble dryer in the Black Friday sales, there’s something important you should do before you bin your old one.
That task is simple, but could bring you a lot of joy: open up your tumble dryer and check what’s inside.
Mum Lana, of Cleveland, Ohio, shared a photo of what was found hidden inside a tumble dryer that was no longer working – and it’s quite the haul.
The photo has been making its way around the internet for quite some time, so we’re not sure who the dryer and its contents belong to.
When the owner unscrewed the dryer and took it apart, they found plenty of lint, pens, and rubbish… but also quite a bit of cash.
Along with coins, there were a number of cash notes, which were clean, dry, and in good enough condition to spend.
Lana wrote on Facebook: ‘Before you throw them non working dryers out, You might want to get a screw driver and open them up.’
Just look at that cash! (Picture: Facebook)
That post has been shared more than 32,000 times, with many people vowing to never again chuck out a tumble dryer without at least checking what’s tucked away inside.
Just imagine the regret you’d feel if you threw out a washing machine that secretly had a load of forgotten £20 notes inside.
One person wrote: ‘I often wondered where all my $$ was going.’
Another said: ‘Let me go open my grandma’s dryer TONIGHT.’
But one man raised a valid point, writing: ‘But where them socks at?’
We’re sticking with the theory that tumble dryers have a hole to another dimension.
Will Ramsay at Bughtrig House, Near Leitholm, Coldstream (Picture: Phil Wilkinson)
Will Ramsay is looking at a forlorn, human-sized frog slumped on the floor.
‘He’s sad because he’s waiting for the princess to turn up,’ says Will. ‘But I think there is hope for him – hope is an important thing right now.’
The Frog Prince, a sculpture by Kate Williamson, is one of the many weird and wonderful artworks that fill Will’s glorious 1785, ten-bedroom stately home in the Scottish Borders. Will is the mastermind behind the Affordable Art Fair, which just celebrated its 20th year and has 14 events across the world annually with 250,000 visitors.
This year has been unexpected and difficult for Will, with his events being rescheduled or having their formats adapted. Will’s artworks, many of which have been bought at the fair – which aims to democratise art collecting – have helped Will through extended periods at home, as well as the stress of the unknown. A bit of hope has certainly come in handy.
‘Looking at my artworks is a stress relief,’ he says. ‘I look at the art in different ways now.’
Will points out a giant sculpture that sits in his garden that reads, ‘Give Us A Smile Love’.
‘Art can change your mood and make you happy,’ he explains. A road sign (seen overleaf) in the huge landscaped garden is created by Daisy Delaney and reads No hard feelings for 400 yards.
‘Anything that makes me smile is good – this one is a real mood-lifter.’
The exterior of the house is incredibly impressive (Picture: Phil Wilkinson)
Will and his wife Natasha inherited the property, which had been handed down from his grandfather, Admiral Sir Bertram Home Ramsay, who originally bought it in 1938 and was the man responsible for organising the Dunkirk evacuation two years later. His portrait stands in the dramatic pink-themed living room and co-habits happily with edgy contemporary artworks.
In the dining room is a portrait of Will’s grandmother flanked by one of a few pieces of cutting edge video art, showing, among other things, footage of skips by YukihiroTaguchi.
This room is also treated to distinctive William Morris-esque floral wallpaper that pops colours in a modern graphic way, all the while being in keeping with the sumptuous, traditional interiors.
Will Ramsay isn’t afraid of a splash of colour (Picture: Phil Wilkinson)
It is this celebration of the old and the new that Will says typifies his style. Nothing is left to chance – he has trialled many things in the house including a large camel that ended up in the greenhouse – but overall it is a perfectly pitched menagerie of different styles and eras.
A lot of the pieces in the house are inherited antiques but with updated touches, such as the armchairs recovered in electrifying pink. The animal print rug was sourced from an antiques shop and the lights were picked up on a trip to Amsterdam.
‘Pink is fun. It’s uplifting and I could never have gone pastel or a dark colour. And fun is important. The art world shouldn’t be too serious.’
He continues: ‘I love combining old and new. It’s important because a lot of people want to make their houses apt for them. What granny liked may not be suitable for us but we are a bit hasty with rejecting the past and there is a way of mixing the two. A lot of contemporary artists are inspired by the past so we should celebrate it.’
A lot of the pieces in the house are inherited antiques but with updated touches (Picture: Phil Wilkinson)
The house was in a good state when Will and Natasha took it on but it was old-fashioned in design with a lot of pokey rooms. They opened out the layout and took out a lot of unnecessary rooms to create the grand spiralling staircase that cuts through and links the four-floored house, which they then filled with artworks and curiosities.
The Laughing Cavalier, cleverly mounted on mirrors to give the effect of floating in the middle of the dining room is actually a photographic portrait of Will created by Maisie Broadhead.
‘I like the trickery of trying to encourage people to look beyond the surface and look at things carefully,’ he says.
‘When I go to someone else’s house, I try to ask questions about it because if they are anything like me and my wife they have thought about why everything is there, why it is in a certain place. If you don’t ask anything it’s a shame because you haven’t learnt any new stories or got to know someone better.’
The blue room – called the Smoking Room because Will’s grandmother used to chainsmoke in it – is slightly more serene than the pink room but still utilises a bold pallet. The Zoffany turquoise wallpaper gives a pop art makeover to a traditional, hunting-lodge feel. On the wall are traditional marionettes from China.
‘A lot of contemporary artists are inspired by the past so we should celebrate it.’ (Picture: Phil Wilkinson)
‘We have given the room a zingyness’ says Will. ‘A couple of the cushions were re-covered in the same colour, too.’
The family bath is, naturally, not exactly what you might expect – it is outside on a balcony above the front door. Imported from India it features a wood covering designed by Will and is the perfect place for him to unwind.
‘I always had a dream to have a bath that comes out on two railway tracks at the touch of a button, like in old warehouses. I didn’t manage to fit it to railway tracks, but it is a working bath with a hot tap.’
Not everything in the house is quite so chirpy. Hidden away in the old stove room at the back of a Georgian greenhouse — a semi-basement that Will calls a ‘temple-cum-dungeon — is a creamy white sculpture. At first glance it could be a Madonna and child but it’s Jodie Foster from Silence of the Lambs by Maria von Köhler.
‘An art collection is a journey of discovery’ (Picture: Phil Wilkinson)
‘It kind of has an innocence but there is of course an edge to it. My wife said: “No way is that going in the house,” so now it’s in an outbuilding.’
Also in the garden is a piece by Rob Mulholland, an eerie mirror of a figure that also demands another look.
Will says he is unlikely to ever sell the house, but even if he moved he wouldn’t sell any of the art.
‘I spot my pieces and I remember the story of them. Often you get to share a moment with the artist through the artwork. An art collection is a journey of discovery: not only do I love learning the artist’s story about each artwork, but also each tells my life story: when and where I have bought each artwork.
‘The fact that I can pull them together from the four corners of the world into one home, and take them with me wherever I live throughout my life, is special.’
Do you have a story to share? We want to hear from you.
Harry is only two but he loves reading (Picture: LatestDeals)
The first of December can only mean one thing – advent calendar season is finally here.
But one mum took her annual advent calendar for her son to the next level. Instead of opening his first calendar door to find a chunk of cheap chocolate, little Harry will have a brand new book to open and enjoy every day.
Renata Kostialova upped her festive game this year and created a wall-mounted mega book advent calendar especially for her two-year-old son.
The crafty mum, who is from Leeds, is thrilled with her creation and says it cost her just £20 to make, and only took two hours.
‘I’m always looking for budget ways to recreate or improve on items that I have seen in the shops,’ Renata told money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk.
‘I’ve had lots of crafty ideas during lockdown, as I’ve had a bit more time on my hands, so my hidden talents started pouring out.
She used clear glue dots to mount the calendar to the wall (Picture: LatestDeals)
‘I’m a single mum and we live in a fairly small flat, so I’m always looking for fun and space-saving ways to decorate and display my crafts, and my number one inspiration is my son.
‘I was sat looking at the bare wall in his room, and the idea for the mega book advent calendar just popped into my head.’
Harry might only be two, but Renata says he has recently shown and interest in books and reading, so she thought the special calendar could be something they could enjoy together.
‘I could have put the books in a nice box under the Christmas tree, but I wanted something that was very visual and on display,’ she explains.
Harry will have a brand new book to open every day (Picture: Latest Deals)
The best thing about the craft was that Renata managed to get the books she needed for a bargain price.
‘The Works had a £10 for 10 books offer on, so I got two batches – it was the best £20 I ever spent,’ she says.
‘I had the other four books spare at home to add. Plus, I already had the wrapping paper, the white card for the number cutouts, and the clear glue dots at home from previous crafts.’
While Harry was napping, Renata set to work. It only took her two hours to wrap all the books, assemble the calendar with the numbers, and mount it on the wall.
‘For the last parcel, marked 24th Dec, there was an obvious choice: The Night Before Christmas,’ she says.
Renata got the books for a cheap deal (Picture: LatestDeals)
Renata used clear glue dots to mount the calendar so she wouldn’t damage the wall. She also added some stickers for extra fun.
‘When Harry woke up to the surprise his face was just a picture,’ she says.
Renata shared her festive craft on social media, which earned her thousands of positive reactions.
‘People have been really nice and supportive and full of praise, which is really great,’ she says. ‘And many of them were thankful, saying they are also going to try it, which I found very flattering.’
All that’s left to do is for Harry to start ripping open his daily reading material.
She glued the numbers on each parcel (Picture: LatestDeals)
‘We are really excited to start opening the books before bedtime,’ she says. ‘I have some more surprises in store for my little man, too.’
If you want to recreate the mega book advent calendar, Renata says to just have fun with it.
‘Use your imagination and don’t overthink it,’ she advises. ‘It’s fairly simple, as books are easy objects to wrap. If cutting the numbers out free hand is holding you up, just factor in a bit more time to sketch them out first – it’ll be worth it for the final result.’
The creative mum is now turning her attention to some new projects.
‘In the run-up to Christmas, we’ve hand-made Christmas cards for family and friends, as well as other advent calendars, such as a huge snowman filled with 24 Kinder Surprise eggs,’ she says. ‘I’ve also made Christmas wreaths from twigs we have found on our daily walks.
he also made this tasty looking snowman (Picture: LatestDeals)
More favourites are the Santa posters that Renata made for her son’s friends.
‘They set them the task of creating Santa’s fluffy beard in time for Christmas Eve,’ she explains. ‘There are 24 circles – one for each day – that need some white puffs of cotton wool to be stuck to them. When the kids add the last cotton wool balls, they know that Santa will come that night.’
Renata has also made personalised Santa sacks for family members, and is all set to decorate her tree, which is going to be themed with mini construction vehicles complete with a crane driven by a Santa as the tree topper. She’s also planning on making a temporary fireplace out of cardboard boxes.
‘I had some people asking me where I find the time with work and a child, or why I don’t just buy ready-made versions, but I think there’s something very therapeutic in making your own things,’ she explains.
‘Hand-made items have a different value. And of course, seeing my child happy is just priceless.’
Do you have a DIY hack to share? We want to hear from you.
You don’t get the sparkly satisfaction of a gleaming bathroom or freshly hoovered carpets, and yet scrubbing away that pesky limescale still has to be done.
Thankfully, an Australian mum has shared her genius way of deep cleaning the kettle using one natural ingredient.
‘This is the natural, no-scrub way to rid kettle limescale,’ she captioned the video on TikTok.
The woman, who calls herself Mama_Mila_, shared the clever video with her 160,000 followers and demonstrated how easy the cleaning hack is to complete.
We all know what it looks like when the kettle needs cleaning. You get those spotted stains at the bottom – which come from overuse and not cleaning it enough.
But this easy cleaning tactic simply involves filling the kettle with water and adding slices of lemon into the kettle, which act as a natural deodoriser.
All you need is a lemon (Picture: TikTok/mama_mila_ )
Once you have added the lemon, Mila explains that you should then boil the kettle twice and keep the hot water in the kettle for 30 minutes before draining.
Taking a look inside the kettle after pouring the water out, you can see that this clever lemon trick works wonders – the stains are gone and the inside of the kettle is gleaming.
It is though that the acidity in the lemons also kills bacteria, mould and germs, so it is more than just a great natural cleaning product.
So simple (Picture: TikTok/mama_mila_ )
People commenting on the post were quick to express their joy at having discovered a clever way to speed up this time-consuming task.
And many shared their own DIY cleaning hacks and the household products they use, including vinegar, lemon juice and citric acid.
That is some serious limescale (Picture: TikTok/mama_mila_ )
So shiny (Picture: TikTok/mama_mila_ )
‘Be careful with vinegar and a full kettle, it will boil over – found out the hard way,’ warned one woman.
‘Citric acid also does a treat, only [costs] a couple dollars,’ another added.
Someone else said: ‘My hubby didn’t believe that this would work!! Loved proving him wrong.’
Not only does the high acidity level help loosen soap scum, limescale and even rust, but because of its acidity, it is also a powerful disinfectant as well. Oh, and it’s super cheap.
So, get your hands on some lemons and some vinegar and get your home shipshape in time for Christmas.
Do you have a DIY cleaning hack to share? We want to hear from you.
Dario rents a one-bedroom flat in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia (Picture: Dario)
What’s the reality of renting in the UK and beyond?
That’s what our series, What I Rent, hopes to explore.
Each week we take you inside a different person’s rented property, looking at how they’ve turned a house or flat into a home, nosing around their bathroom, and chatting with them about their experiences in the world of renting.
This time around we’re talking to Dario, 30, an English professor currently making a living as a business analyst and doing graphic design on the side.
Dario rents a one-bedroom apartment alone in Belgrade, the capital city of Serbia.
Dario pays €200 a month (Picture: Dario)
Hey, Dario! How much do you pay to live here?
Monthly rent for the apartment I live in amounts to €200 (£179), sans the bills. Add another €50-ish for the bills.
And what do you get for what you pay?
It is a one-bathroom apartment, with a separate bedroom, and an open space living room plus kitchen.
Do you think you have a good deal?
I think I have a great deal, as the previous apartment I rented was a studio with more or less the same rent price tag.
How did you find the flat?
I found the place on an online property rentals website.
Do you like the area?
My rented home is located in a small suburban area of the capital.
It is a quiet, family-oriented area with plenty of fresh markets and small, independent businesses, which is something that is important to me in order to make sustainable lifestyle decisions.
The English professor thinks he has a great deal on the one-bedroom flat (Picture: Dario)
How have you made the flat feel like home?
When I started my renter’s journey, it was extremely important for me to rent an apartment which is not furnished, as I wanted to have all of the furniture and decor representative my style and aesthetics.
I enjoy making a place home by slowly adding high-quality pieces over time.
Have you found it difficult to decorate while renting?
I do find it a bit tricky as things like the kitchen and the bathroom come in the state which is not susceptible to changes.
However, keeping things rather simple and minimal helps inject my own personality into the space.
I had a couple of adjustments made (adding marble counters e.g.) by my landlord upon my request, so we have a great relationship when it comes to improving the space.
Do you feel like you have enough space?
I do! I never had more, really!
Dario has stuck to a minimalist theme (Picture: Dario)
Are there any problems with the flat you have to deal with?
The only downsides to renting is that you cannot really change the walls or tiles as much, but you just have to work with what you have.
Do you have plans to move again?
Not in the near future.
Do you want to own a place some day or are you happy to rent?
I would love owning a place of my own one day, as I already would be able to fill it in with the stuff I invested in over time, but also because there are no limitations when it comes to transforming something that is completely and utterly yours.
True. Shall we have a look around?
Welcome in (Picture: Dario)
A nice collection of coffee table books (Picture: Dario)
Plants are key (Picture: Dario)
Th flat isn’t massive, but Dario says it’s the most space he’s had (Picture: Dario)
The kitchen, living, and dining area are all in one open plan space (Picture: Dario)
There’s a small balcony too (Picture: Dario)
Fresh fruit and pampas, oh my (Picture: Dario)
And yes, those are freshly baked pastries (Picture: Dario)
Those neutral tones are quite soothing (Picture: Dario)
Dario has created a little coffee station (Picture: Dario)
Take another look at those pastries (Picture: Dario)
The bedroom (Picture: Dario)
And finally, the bathroom (Picture: Dario)
Continuing that neutral theme (Picture: Dario)
What I Rent is a weekly series that’s out every Tuesday at 10am.
Check back next week to have another nose around a rented property.
How to get involved in What I Rent
What I Rent is Metro.co.uk’s weekly series that takes you inside the places people are renting, to give us all a better sense of what’s normal and how much we should be paying.
If you fancy taking part, please email whatirent@metro.co.uk. You’ll need to take pictures of your kitchen, living room, bathroom, and bedroom, plus a few photos of you in your bedroom or living area.
Make sure you get permission from your housemates! You’ll also need to be okay with sharing how much you’re paying for rent, as that’s pretty important.
We're not just after the prettiest places out there, by the way. We want the reality of renting, so if you're currently renting a place you hate, we'd love to see that too (and sympathise greatly!).
Family portrait by Andrew Lee (Picture: Andrew Lee/Wildlife Photographer/PA)
The picture above was a magic moment for Andrew Lee, who had been trying to capture burrowing owls in Ontario Canada.
He’d waited for days to get a shot with mum, dad, and all their babies. Finally, they moved into focus and glanced his way, creating the majestic photograph you see before you.
This year’s People’s Choice Award – as part of the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year – is now open for voting, with the public able to vote on 25 shortlisted pictures.
Voting is open until 2pm on 2 February 2021, with a winner being crowned soon after that.
As for the pictures, they include everything from a zebra head being smuggled through an airport to a cosy-looking red squirrel. One thing they all have in common, though, is just how stunning they are.
Two Eurasian red squirrels (only one is clearly visible) called Drey dreaming by Neil Anderson, UK (Picturer: Neil Anderson/Wildlife Photographer/PA)
White danger by Petri Pietilainen, Finland (Picture: Petri Pietilainen/Wildlife Photographer/PA)
Coexistence by Pallavi Prasad Laveti, India (Picture: Pallavi Prasad Laveti/Wildlife Photographer/PA)
Bear trainer Grant Ibragimov with Siberian brown bears, backstage at the Saint Petersburg State Circus, called Backstage at the circus by Kirsten Luce (Picture: Kirsten Luce/Wildlife Photographer/PA)
Bushfire by Robert Irwin, Australia (Picture: Robert Irwin/Wildlife Photographer/PA)
Shut the front door by Sam Sloss, Italy/USA (Picture: Sam Sloss/Wildlife Photographer/PA)
A window to life by Sergio Marijuan Campuzano, Spain (Picture: Sergio Marijuan/Wildlife Photographer/PA)
Losing the fight by Aaron Gekoski, UK (Picture: Aaron Gekoski/Wildlife Photographer/PA)
Turtle time machine by Thomas Peschak, Germany/South Africa (Picture: Thomas Peschak/Wildlife Photographer/PA)
Two grey reef sharks as they tear a fish apart, called Drawn and quartered by Laurent Ballesta, France (Picture: Laurent Ballesta/Wildlife Photographer/PA)
Close encounter by Guillermo Esteves, USA (Picture: Guillermo Esteves/Wildlife Photographer/PA)
Bat woman by Douglas Gimesy, Australia (Picture: Douglas Gimesy/Wildlife Photographer/PA)
A long-nosed dragon in the Great Sandy Desert in Western Australia, called Resting dragon by Gary Meredith, Australia (Picture: Gary Meredith/Wildlife Photographer/PA)
Lion king by Wim van den Heever, South Africa (Picture: Wim van den Heever/Wildlife Photographer/PA)
A special moment by Oliver Richter, Germany (Picture: Oliver Richter/Wildlife Photographer/PA)
An ‘alpha’ mandrill called The alpha by Mogens Trolle, Denmark (Picture: Mogens Trolle/Wildlife Photographer/PA)
Joseph Wachira comforting Sudan, the last male northern white rhino left on the planet, moments before he passed away at Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy in northern Kenya, suffering from age-related complications, called The last goodbye by Ami Vitale, USA (Picture: Ami Vitale/Wildlife Photographer/PA)
A mountain hare near Tomatin in the Scottish Highlands, called Hare ball by Andy Parkinson, UK (Picture: Andy Parkinson/Wildlife Photographer/PA)
A zebra head confiscated at a border point in the USA, called Licence to kill by Britta Jaschinski, Germany (Picture: Britta Jaschinski/Wildlife Photographer/PA)
A takin on a path in the Bhutanese mountains, called Spirit of Bhutan by Emmanuel Rondeau, France (Picture: Emmanuel Rondeau/Wildlife Photographer/PA)
The Mai Po Nature Reserve in Hong Kong, called Border refuge by Joseph Dominic Anthony, Hong Kong/UK (Picture: Joseph Dominic Anthony/Wildlife Photographer/PA)
Burrowing owls called The real garden gnomes by Karine Aigner, USA (Picture: Karine Aigner/Wildlife Photographer/PA)
A Japanese warbonnet photographed in the north of the Gulf of Oprichnik in the Sea of Japan, called Eye to eye by Andrey Shpatak, Russia (Picture: Andrey Shpatak/Wildlife Photographer/PA)
A six-month-old snow leopard cub, called Baby on the rocks by Frederic Larrey, France (Picture: Frederic Larrey/Wildlife Photographer/PA)
The couple posed for the stunning photoshoot for the magazine’s January issue (Picture: ELLE UK/Meinke Klein)
Fashion model Aweng Ade-Chuol has taken a stand against the homophobic abuse she received after getting married last year, by appearing on the cover of Elle UK magazine in a clinch with her wife.
The South Sudanese supermodel and nail artist Alexus posed for the stunning cover as part of a shoot for the magazine’s January issue, which is on sale from today.
In the accompanying interview, Aweng spoke candidly about the abuse and the effect it had on her mental health.
Trigger warning: This article contains reference to suicide.
Same-sex marriage has been constitutionally banned in South Sudan since 2011, and Aweng faced severe backlash from her community after her wedding in New York last December.
‘We got married and the whole world, literally the whole of my community, were wishing that I passed, in a way… A few months later, I attempt [suicide],’ she told the magazine.
‘It was really absurd, because subconsciously I felt I was maybe drained by the fact we’d got married. It’s still a discussion now, like, “How dare she marry a woman?” You can’t control what people say, and there were tabloids and newspapers back in Sudan… It was a whole thing.’
Aweng shared the mental impact of her ordeal at the time in an Instagram post, saying: ‘Completely torn. I cannot get up today. I will check in next week. This world continues to fail every version of my existence. Rest in strength. You screamed for help & the world watched.’
Aweng suggested ‘therapy and self-acceptance’ as coping mechanisms for LGBTQIA+ people facing similar situations. In September, she wrote the words ‘I am a lesbian’ on Twitter for the first time, and she told Elle UK the reaction was ‘beautiful’.
‘I wish I could say, “Let me hold the torch for the LGBTQIA+ Sudanese community,” but it’s a lot for one person to handle,’ she continued. ‘I’m human at the end of the day, I’m very human, I’m learning myself.’
Kristi Carver, 41, makes her own take on Baileys every year (Picture: Caters News)
It’s December, it’s almost Christmas, and thus it is time to crack out the Baileys.
But if you don’t have leftovers from last year, pause before rushing out to buy a new bottle – because it turns out you can make your own on the cheap.
Kristi Carver, 41, from Carlisle, Cumbria, makes her own Baileys for just a fiver a bottle every year.
Ahead of Christmas 2020, she decided to share her recipe on Facebook, explaining that her version of the tipple is a fraction of the price of buying a bottle from the supermarket.
Plus, it can easily be made vegan and non-alcoholic.
You could even change up the flavours to make your own creamy, boozy delicious drink.
Kristi, a civil servant, said: ‘We’ve made it for years; it’s a recipe that has been in our family for ten years and my dad passed it down to me.
‘When I serve it to friends and family, they always say it’s so much nicer than Baileys and they tell me I should turn it into my own product!
‘It’s fun that you can mix it up and make different versions; when I was pregnant I was always drinking the non-alcoholic version and my 10-year-old daughter loves it as well.’
‘If you want to make it vegan, just swap the milk out for full fat coconut milk and the eggs for a vegan alternative.
‘You can make it with whatever value whiskey you can find and I get two big bottles out of it for £10.
‘You just blend all of the ingredients together and it can keep in the fridge for a couple of weeks.
‘It’s delicious and definitely a Christmas favourite in our household.’
How to make your own Baileys
Super easy and cheap to make (Picture: Caters News)
