Innehållsförteckning för APRIL SPECIAL 2020 från Chat Specials

Happy spring everyone! Here at Chat, we’re just as excited as you are to see the sunshine, and we’ve packed this issue full of springtime cheer. With a beautiful floral guide, we’re sure you’ll find something to add to a fresh new wardrobe (pg34). We’ve also got some handy tips on spring cleaning (pg14). Still not in the mood? Take a look at some adorable animals for inspiration (pg54). Sometimes it’s easier to show our true feelings by writing them down. This month, our hearts go out to Joyce (pg10). She’s written a letter to her daughter Hayley, who she spent years trying to protect. In the end, though, there was only so much she could do. Rhona (pg36) has also written a letter this month, to her darling husband.…

John Yates, Plaistow Putting together the final touches to my cart, I was ready to set off on my next challenge. It was September 2019, and I was about to embark on a 300-mile cart pulling challenge, to raise money for Brooke, the working horse and donkey charity. I’ve always been a big animal lover and after completing a 900-mile cycle last year for the Senior Staffy Club, I decided I would take on a big challenge each year. So, with my 50kg cart behind me, I made my way through Shrewsbury, Kidderminster, Worcester, Gloucester, Cirencester, Swindon and Salisbury. Trekking for anything up to 12-hours a day, it took me a month to get back home. Due to the early autumn flooding, I was pushing my way through inches of…

EASY FELT FLOWERS CRAFTS FOR SPRING Felt flowers are so easy to make and can be a fun addition to any DIY décor project. Using Hobbycraft’s guide and free downloadable template, you can learn how to make felt roses, peonies and pom pom flowers to craft two springtime projects. Go to www.hobbycraft.co.uk/ideas/decor-hobbies/ two-easy-spring-projects-using-felt-fl owers to download the peony and rose template. YOU’LL NEED: • Fabric scissors • Hot glue gun and glue sticks • Polyester felt sheets A4, assorted colours HOW TO MAKE A ROSE 1. Place the template on top of the felt, draw around and cut out. Repeat for the number of petals each flower requires. Then you will need to assemble your flowers. 2. Take one of the smallest petals and put a dab of hot glue in…

Financial independence A shocking 61% of UK adults don’t believe they are financially independent. Here’s King Street Wealth Management’s tips for saving the pennies and reaching your goals… Take advantage of technology Round-up features on many banking apps allow you to round up card purchases to the nearest pound and save the difference. If you spent £2.30, you’re charged £3 and save 70p! Open a lifetime ISA For every £4 you pay into one of these, the government will pay in £1, up to £4,000 per year until you’re 50. Great for saving for your first home or retirement! Start a pension Pensions are one of the most effective ways of saving for later life and you’re never too late to start. They’re tax efficient and your employer can pay…

The Titanic and the City of Widows it Left Behind – Julie Cook AVAILABLE FROM WATERSTONES, £19.99 When Titanic submerged in April 1912, the world’s focus was on the tragedy and the passengers who subsequently lost their lives. Ever since, films, documentaries and books have continued to maintain the same focus. However, in Julie Cook’s first book, she focuses on another group of people who suffered from the tragedy – the widows and children of the crew who perished on board. Cook’s great-grandfather died on the ship after working as a fireman who stoked the furnaces with coal – leaving her great-grandmother behind to raise five children alone. Using primary sources from archives, as well as interviews with descendants of Titanic crew victims and survivors, this work tells the story…

HOW TO MAKE A FLORAL SPRING WREATH Put a spring in your step with this gorgeous floral wreath, which is a great addition to any home. Hobbycraft have a huge selection of artificial flowers, meaning they can be re-used year after year. Create the perfect wreath for your home! YOU’LL NEED ... • Wire cutters • Green hobby wire • Flower tape • Rattan grapevine wreath • Artificial flowers of your choice • Artificial leaves of your choice • Ribbon METHOD 1. Cut the flowers into florets rather than using whole heads. Cut off the leaves. 2. Trim the foliage into assorted stems and bundles. 3. Push the foliage stems into the rattan wreath, spreading them evenly until completely covered. 4. Twist wire around the stems of the sprigs of…

Zoeleigh Bailey, 27, Manchester After trying for a baby - with my now ex-boyfriend - for over a year, I was beginning to wonder why I still hadn’t managed to fall pregnant. ‘I think I need to go and see the GP,’ I confided to my sister, Heidi, then 21. ‘I’m sure everything’s fine but there’s no harm in checking is there?’ she reassured. I’d always suffered from awful periods and I was beginning to worry they might affect me having children. I’d been to the doctors several times before, but they’d always fobbed me off and told me it was just heavy periods. But I was having my doubts. I was suffering from terrible stomach pains and felt sure something else must be wrong. A few weeks later, I…

FOR THE BATH: DOVE DEEPLY NOURISHING SHOWER AND SHAVE MOUSSE, £3, BOOTS Infused with cotton oil, this mousse is the perfect way to create a shower experience you’ll love. Made with gentle cleansers, this wash wraps your body in a creamy lather – making it perfect for shaving, too. Designed to restore your natural moisture barrier, quenching dryness and leaving skin radiant. Cocooning you in a soothing scent, this mousse will leave your skin soft, smooth and beautifully scented. BAYLIS AND HARDING PINK MAGNOLIA AND PEAR BLOSSOM BATH SOAK, £9, AMAZON Spring is in the air and this sensational fragrance has been created to awaken the senses. Delightful notes of pink magnolia combine with the prettiest pear blossoms, which perfectly captures the delicate essence of spring. Available in gorgeous pink…

Simon Monkhouse is an award-winning consultant weight loss surgeon practicing in London, Surrey and Sussex… ‘The public perceive weight loss surgery as cosmetic surgery. But it isn’t about looking better, it’s about restoring people’s metabolic health. The biggest risk for obese people isn’t surgery, it is the health risks of staying morbidly obese. Despite public perception, weight loss surgery is relatively low risk – in fact it’s as safe as gallbladder surgery. Ceely is really changing the way people see surgery – it’s refreshing and inspiring.’…

HOW HIGH CAN YOUR HEART GO? David Lloyds has introduced a new high intensity interval training class that you need to try! Blaze is a full body workout circuit which combines cardio, boxing and martial arts to give a unique HIIT session. Best of all, the class is synced to different coloured lighting and music by epic dancer DJs that will be sure to get you pumped. Plus, a Myzone heart-rate belt will track your performance so you’ll work your body at the right intensity. The signature 45-minute class is led by a fearless instructor that encourages you to burn up to 1000 calories per session. Available across the nation. Go to www.davidlloyd.co.uk. GOODBYE STINKY FEET Poo-Pourri, the original Before-You-Go toilet spray, has transformed the way we think about pooping.…

With the winter months behind us, the start of spring means longer, lighter days, the promise of warmer weather, fresh flowers in the garden and a renewed feeling of energy. Now feels like the perfect time to refresh our homes, edit what we have and what we need, as well as have a good deep clean. We’ve enlisted the help of Lynne Lambourne, Sustainable Interior Designer and long-term supporter of the British Heart Foundation, to share her top tips to refresh your home this spring. The Edit William Morris famously said, ‘Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful’ and this sums up the Spring Edit perfectly. Go around your house and edit what you have on display. Sometimes we…

Linda Jones, 51, Birmingham Returning from a trip to New York, I felt exhausted. I’d come down with some sort of virus, but I just couldn’t kick it. Before going on the holiday, I’d been suffering with short-term memory loss, headaches and extreme tiredness, but now, I was completely burnt out. I could barely get out of bed and even when I did, I’d have to crawl to the bathroom. It was totally out of nowhere. As a successful businesswoman, wife and mother-of-two, I just didn’t understand what was happening to me. I’d always been on my feet, living off the adrenaline – just the way I liked it, but now, everything was changing. Curled up in bed, I basically spent the next four months wrapped under the covers. My…

It was a love that lasted long after the break up for Carly ‘Charli’ Scott. No matter how badly her ex-boyfriend Steven Capobianco treated her, she still came running when he called. She was blind to his cruelty Falling pregnant with his baby was just another connection that meant she couldn’t break free. Charli, as she was known by her family and friends, was three years older than Steven when they met in 2009. They lived together for two years in Makawao, in the beautiful Hawaiian island of Maui. But while red-haired Charli was smitten with her boyfriend, Steven would tell his friends that they were just roommates and he avoided having his photo taken with her. Compassionate, thoughtful Charli deserved more. She was always happily singing out loud and…

Nasty bugs Q My son had norovirus and now I’m worried the whole house will come down with it. How can I make sure we don’t get it? Wendy, Cardiff A Norovirus, aka the winter vomiting bug! Patients will often report a fever, headaches, aches and pains, diarrhoea and vomiting. Fortunately, symptoms are quite short lived and most people will make a full recovery in around two or three days. In most cases, you can treat norovirus at home. Good hand hygiene and frequently washing your hands with hot soapy water is the best way to prevent the spread. Avoid contact with others if you you’re suffering and speak to your local pharmacist for further advice. Spot of bother Q I’ve been spotting while on the pill - is that…

We can all feel stressed from time to time, but when it takes over your life and starts to feel overwhelming it can lead to mental health problems or make existing problems even worse. This April is National Stress Awareness month and we’ve enlisted the help of Dr Elena Touroni, a consultant psychologist and co-founder of The Chelsea Psychology clinic, to share her advice on how to deal with stress… Make self-care a priority Take care of yourself physically, mentally and emotionally. You could take a long, indulgent bath a couple of times a week, read a chapter of your book during your lunch break or go to your favourite gym class. In my opinion, one of the most impactful mental health goals a person can set is the commitment…

Tracy Holden, 46, Blackburn Admiring my tan lines in the mirror, I grinned proudly. It was June 2016, and I was on holiday in Gran Canaria with my husband Phil, now 45, and our kids Reece, 14, and Annabelle, seven. ‘You’ve done well,’ Phil winked, admiring my newly bronzed skin. After a day spent in the sun, we were all starving. ‘I’ll just get ready for dinner then,’ I said to Phil, taking off my bikini top and laying out a lovely dress to put on when I got out of the shower. Just then, looking in the mirror, I noticed that my right nipple was completely flat. That’s odd, I thought. It’s never looked like that before. Feeling around my breast, I couldn’t feel any lumps, so I put…

She needs to back off Q I hate how my mother-in-law takes over when she comes to our house. She takes charge of the kids throws food from my cupboards that she doesn’t approve of – and my husband just lets her. How can I say something about it? Rachel, Oxford A Have you spoken to your husband about this? It’s important to get him on your side and explain that you need his support to ensure that his mum’s actions don’t create tension within the family. It isn’t reasonable at all for your mother-in-law to throw away food from your cupboards, in your home. The quickest way to resolve this would be for your husband to step in the next time she attempts this, calmly ask her to stop,…

Crystal Venus, 31, Margate Clicking through the different profiles, there was no-one that caught my eye. I’d been single about a year and although I was ready for a new relationship, none of the guys on the dating site seemed my type. ‘They just all look like they’re on here for one thing,’ I confided in my best mate, Laura. ‘You’re a fusspot that’s why!’ she teased, ruffling my hair in front of my eyes. But later that evening as I was giving the site one more scan before cancelling my subscription, I noticed a guy called Daniel. He had lovely kind eyes and looked really caring. I plucked up the courage to get chatting to him and over the next few months we spoke every day. Finally, we settled…

Rhona Dunbar, 50, Blairgowrie Dear Deam , Flipping through the newspaper that day long ago, I never thought I’d end up finding a hubby. But there you were, in the dating section. It was 1998 and I was living in Exeter. Working as a GP, with loads of mates, life was great. But at 29, it felt like there was something missing in my life… Your ad in the Would Like To Meet section caught my eye straight away. You had something important to tell me Dean, 29, loves extreme sports, good times ahead. I was intrigued. And I’d done a skydive before, once in my time… Biting my lip, I called you. No answer, so I left a message. A week later, you rang back. ‘Sorry I didn’t call…

Maureen O’Neill, 69, from Hinckley, Leicestershire Letting my granddaughter Livie, 12, dress me up in a baseball cap, body warmer and some chunky jewellery, we started ‘rapping’ in front of the camera. ‘Gangsta Gran!’ Livie laughed. We were having a whale of a time miming, and I couldn’t take myself seriously dancing around. Uploading the video online to TikTok, Livie hashtagged ‘#comedy’ and waited for the views to roll in.You see, I’m certainly not your normal 69-year-old grandmother. I’ve become somewhat of an internet sensation over the past two years. All for the love of my one and only grandchild, Livie. From the moment she was born in July 2007, she became the apple of my eye. When she was a baby, I would stay a couple of days every…

What’s your gut trying to tell you? For the one in five people in the UK who have Irritable Bowel Syndrome, bloating can be a common occurrence. Gastroenterologist, Dr Simon Smale, shares his expertise about bloating, and what we can do to help alleviate symptoms. He says: ‘Bloating is caused by excess gas in the bowel which leads to swelling. ‘Constipation and digestive disorders such as IBS, can cause unpredictable bowel movements and can also lead to bloating. ‘Rich, fatty or processed foods and eating too much are known to cause the dreaded stomach bloat, but other everyday food and drinks may also be causing us issues.’ Here’s how he suggests you can beat the bloat. 1. Steer clear of highly processed foods and avoid anything which is greasy, gassy…

Ceely Shakespeare, 36, Gatwick There has always been a stigma around weight loss surgery. Many people view a gastric sleeve as the ‘easy way out’ or ‘cheating’. But not me. I don’t think anyone should be embarrassed of having surgery. It can give you a new lease of life and a chance to get your health back on track. I do believe surgery should always be the last option, after you’ve exhausted every route. For me, a gastric sleeve was my final resort… I’ve spent my life overweight. In secondary, I was a size 14. I couldn’t fit into the school shop uniform, and I had to purchase my skirts from Etam. By the time P.E. came into the mix, I was too big to enjoy sport. I’d hide, terrified…

Sarah Richards, 48, from Cheshire In April 2018, I started to feel a little trickle when I ran. I loved to go jogging and you’d catch me out in the park running five times a week. Training for half marathons was my passion. I’d never had any problems with my pelvic floor before – even after having two daughters. As I flicked through the television, I saw a sanitary towel advertisement flash up. ‘It’s perfectly normal,’ the woman on the screen said, talking about her trickling bladder. It must be my age, I thought. I started wearing pantyliners, but it got progressively worse. Hold your pelvic floor, Sarah! I told myself jogging. I began wearing thicker pads, and my running times slowed. ‘I don’t think this trickling is normal,’ I…

CHIROPHOBIA: Fear of hands A monthly manicure may seem like a relaxing task for most women, but for some people, it would be their worst nightmare. Chirophobia can come in the form of one’s own hand or someone else’s. Either way, it’s probably caused by a painful experience involving a hand injury. We’re not quite sure how you can avoid this one, especially if you fear your own hands! Holding hands is almost definitely not an option! EPHNEBIPHOBIA: Fear of youths We all know that teenagers can live in their own bubble, and sometimes it can be frustrating to us older people when looking on from the outside. However, there are some people out there who have a genuine fear of teenagers and the youth. Whether it’s out of fear…