Innehållsförteckning för AUTUMN SPECIAL 2020 från Chat Specials

With autumn in fall swing and winter just around the corner, cosy evenings at home make for perfect plans. This month, we’re sharing with you our favourite films for a night in front of the television, along with a warming hot chocolate recipe to cuddle up with (pg14). However, just because it’s colder, doesn’t mean we have to stay indoors. Ellie (pg56) has recently left home for university and she’s planning on taking the world in her stride. Making the most of the time we have is important. After both Atima and her mother were diagnosed with breast cancer (pg16), she was determined to live a healthy life. In order to raise money for Breast Cancer Now, this season she’ll be stepping outside to take on many fun challenges. And…

As any red-head would know, life can be tough. Always the odd one out as a child, people would stare at my fiery locks, making me feel self-conscious. But when you’ve got a famous lookalike, it makes things a lot easier. My family have always been fans of the Royals, and I connected right away with Prince Harry. Not only was he my age, but he also had that signature red hair. And if a prince could handle it, then so could I. As I got older, more and more people would tell me that I looked like the Prince. ‘You should try lookalike modelling,’ my mates would often tell me. By then I was working as a property developer in London, but I got to thinking. In 2011, I…

Peering down the barrel of my gun, I braced myself and took aim. With careful precision, I calmly pulled the trigger. ‘Bang!’ I yelled, watching gleefully as my target burst into smithereens in front of me. ‘Come on son, time to go,’ a voice said, bringing an abrupt end to the battle. As I carefully rested it against the wall, my assault rifle transformed back into a dirty old broom, and the war zone melted into a quiet school corridor. At eight years old, I was obsessed with the Army. With my dad working as a school caretaker, I’d often hang out with him in the afternoons, and turn his assortment of mops and brooms into my personal arsenal, each day whisking me away to an intense battle scene in…

As I fumbled around with oxygen tanks, tears rolled down my cheeks. It was the middle of the night and as my six-month-old daughter, Maisie, lay crying in her cot, I’d never felt more alone. While most new mums feel the same at some point, for me, things were different. My worries weren’t the usual new mum stresses. I wasn’t panicking about milestones or worried about teething, my concerns were focused on Maisie’s health. Maisie had a heart condition which meant my days were filled with medicines and lots of medical terms. Our little girl needed an oxygen tank to breath and had to be fed through a tube. For myself and my husband Adam, 34, everything had become so clinical and it certainly wasn’t what I was expecting for…

Amanda Large, 47, Belfast Dearest Toby, Travelling to the rescue centre in the car to collect you, I was so excited. It was 5 November 2006. Your elderly owner had gone into a hospice, and you needed a new home. At four years old, you only had one eye, but that didn’t matter to me. I was anticipating all the cuddles and kisses I’d get from my cute, fluffy bundle of love. Only, you weren’t what I’d pictured at all, Toby… Your filthy, matted hair and stubborn ways came as a shock. Growling and snarling, I thought you’d never want to be my friend. On the way home, I stopped at a petrol station and bought you a breakfast roll – a peace offering. You accepted it, until the food…

Hailed as the closest thing to mature cheddar ever made, Violife has launched the EPIC Mature Cheddar Flavour Grated! The dairy-free alternative to cheese is a fridge essential that quickly transforms your favourite dishes. Violife’s range of dairy-free alternatives to cheese are fortified with vitamin B12, free from preservatives and GMOs as well as all common allergens, including dairy, lactose, gluten, soy and nuts, meaning they can be enjoyed by everyone regardless of their dietary requirements. MAC & CHEESE SERVES 6 YOU’LL NEED... • 1 pack Violife Epic Mature Cheddar Flavour Grated • 1 pack Violife Prosociano, grated • 300g macaroni • 1 large broccoli crown, chopped • 625ml almond milk • 35g plain flour • 3 Tbsp dry breadcrumbs • 3/4 tsp paprika • ¼ tsp garlic powder •…

Missing her meds Q My elderly mother keeps forgetting to take her meds. Could skipping the odd day have a detrimental effect on her health? Ann, Durham A It’s important that all patients develop a good medication management routine, as in some cases, skipping medicines can make them less effective. Equally, missing a dose and subsequently taking meds too close together can leave you at an increased risk of side effects. Every medication is different and it is hard to know what the effects of missed medication will be without knowing the exact medication. However, patients should try and read the patient information leaflet which comes with medication to understand what to do if a medication dose is missed. Pill boxes or ‘dosette boxes’ are one effective way to ensure…

BE FLAWLESS FINISHING TOUCH FLAWLESS DERMAPLANE GLOW, £19.99, WILKO Dead skin and peach fuzz are often the hidden culprits when it comes to a dull complexion. They can unknowingly stop you from achieving that perfect makeup application you’ve been striving for, and even hinder the absorption of your favourite skincare products. Here to banish these worries, the Dermaplaning Glow is an ingenious at-home professional tool which helps you to achieve a radiant complexion. Light and easy to use, it gently removes the top layer of dead, dry skin and peach fuzz to instantly reveal a brighter, younger-looking face after just one use. How to use • Hold your cleansed skin taut • Place the Finishing Touch Flawless Dermaplane Glow at a 45 degree angle to your skin • Use light,…

Ellie Coneley, 18, Leeds Not understanding When I was born, I was diagnosed with a bilateral Tessier cleft. It meant that not only did I have facial deformities from my lip up, but I was blind in my left eye as it hadn’t developed properly. My mum, Levi, now 38, had no idea I’d be born like it. Nothing had shown up in any of my scans! I think it was really hard for her. I wondered why I didn’t look like my brother After all, my mouth was split from my lips to my eyes, meaning there was a gaping hole in my face. Although she loves me now, I think she struggled to bond when I was a baby. At the time she was a first-time mum and…

FILM AND TV 1 What’s the pub called in ITV soap Emmerdale? a The Rovers Return b The Woolpack c The Queen Vic 2 Which series from the 2000s featured the characters Sheldon and Leonard? a The Big Bang Theory b Desperate Housewives c Mad Men 3 In the movie Frozen, which song does Elsa sing as she builds the castle? a For the First Time in Forever b Do You Want to Build a Snowman? c Let It Go 4 Which comedian wrote and stars in After Life on Netfl ix? a Russell Howard b Ricky Gervais c Jimmy Carr 5 Which character in Netflix series The Crown has been played by both Claire Foy and Olivia Colman? a Princess Margaret b The Queen c Princess Diana 6 The…

SWEET TREAT With the winter months fast approaching, we’ve got the perfect thing to get you through the cold weather – a bottle of Hotel Chocolat Salted Caramel Vodka. This single distilled creamy East Anglian sugar beet vodka is blended with gorgeous natural caramels, with a pinch of Maldon sea salt for extra flavour. This world class small batch vodka is known for its sumptuous smoothness of the sip, as well as the cream soda undertones. Simply delicious! Serve neat, over ice, or chilled from the fridge. You can also drizzle it over anything from ice cream to a sticky toffee pudding for that extra indulgence. Enjoy! • Available for £25 from John Lewis & Partners and from www.hotelchocolat.com MUSIC AND LYRICS It’s happened to all of us – you’ve…

Help make life-changing breast cancer research and care happen. On 23 October, join thousands of others around the UK wearing pink and raising vital funds for Breast Cancer Now. Wear it Pink manager Summer Kendrick says: ‘The coronavirus crisis is having a devastating impact on our ability to deliver the progress and support that we know people affected by breast cancer rely on. If there was ever a time to find that pink top, grab that pink tie or dig out that pink tutu, that time is now.’ Register at wearitpink.org…

It’s hard to imagine reading the news without coming across a story about Meghan Markle. But back in 2005, when my husband Chris, now 40, and I moved from South Africa to the UK, Meghan Markle was an unknown name. In 2011, we had our son Jake, and working as a primary school teacher while being a mum, I barely had time for much else. That year, I got a call from my aunt. ‘Have you seen the show Suits?’ she asked. ‘The character Rachel looks exactly like you!’ I never got round to watching the show, and soon forgot all about it. It was only when Meghan started dating Prince Harry and was thrust into the media’s spotlight that I noticed a resemblance. And it seemed the more attention…

Church-going Diane Staudte was growing increasingly frustrated with her family. Her love for husband Mark had turned to hate and she thought her son Shaun was lazy. One of her daughters, Sarah, had just graduated from college, but according to Diane, she wasn’t getting a job quick enough to pay off her student debts. So she came up with a solution – kill them all, one by one. But she needed help, so one family member escaped death and was enlisted to perfect her deadly plan. Quiet and religious Diane, 51, lived in Springfield, Missouri, with her husband Mark, 61, their son Shaun, 26, and three daughters – Rachel, 25, Sarah, 27, and an 11-year-old. She chose the ideal weapon Diane worked in healthcare while Mark was unemployed, spending his…

Friendili is a brand new iOS and Android app that revolutionises the way parents and carers of children facing health and disability challenges make friends, get support and interact. Founded by Jessica, the app will initially be available in the UK and Ireland and aims to bring people together to create a pocket-sized support network. Users will be able to connect across shared interests, the age of their child and any health, special education needs or disability challenges they may have. The free app is the first of it’s kind and hopes to bring together families who might otherwise feel isolated. To find out more visit: friendili.com.…

Hangover cure Scientists claim to have found a pill that can cure your hangovers – and it can be bought for as little as 15p! It contains a chemical called L-cysteine, one of many amino acids already present in the body and also used to extend the shelf life of bread. Researchers tested the tablet on a group of men who were ordered to drink for several hours on six different occasions. Men given the pill were thought to have suffered fewer hangover symptoms of nausea, headache, stress and anxiety compared to those given a placebo tablet. Researchers believe that if the pill helps to reduce anxiety and stress, people are much less likely to reach for a ‘hair of the dog’ and drink again to rid their hangover! A…

We all experience bad hair days, but cult hair brand Azure are here to help. With top mood-boosting picks, these products are designed to ensure your locks are on point, so you will always feel your best. 1. AMPLIFY FEATHERWEIGHT STYLING CREAM, £10.99, BOOTS Transform fine, flat hair so it never looks dull again! With specifically chosen natural ingredients to repel grime and let hair shine through. This hair-boosting product will also stimulate growth and thicken hair. 2. SMOOTH AND CURL MIRACLE LOTION, £12.99, BOOTS True to its name, this really is a miracle product. This leave-in conditioning styler was specifically created for complete frizz and curl control. With a curly memory ingredient, this product gives your curls definition and ensures they stay that way throughout the day, even in…

HERE’S TO YOU, MA’AM! It’s been the biggest honour being Her Majesty’s lookalike! Mary Reynolds, 87, Harrow Huddled under pieces of old newspaper, I tried to keep myself warm. It was a November evening in 1947, and at just 14, my friends and I were camped outside Westminster Abbey. Sleeping on the streets may have seemed like a crazy idea, but this night was different – the next morning, Princess Elizabeth was to marry the Duke of Edinburgh! After a sleepless night, I caught a glimpse of the Princess as she headed to the church, and it was a dream come true. I camped out again six years later for the Coronation, and watched as Princess Elizabeth was crowned the Queen. I’d always been a huge fan of the…

The Twins of Auschwitz by Eva Mozes Kor AVAILABLE FROM WATERSTONES FOR £7.99 When the Tattooist of Auschwitz was released, the world was blown away by it’s honest re-tale of the horrors of Auschwitz. Since then, more survivors have come out to tell their story – now it’s Eva’s turn to tell hers. In the summer of 1944, Eva Mozes Kor and her family arrived at the concentration camp. Her parents and two older sisters were taken to the gas chambers, while her and her twin sister, Miriam, were herded into the care of the man who became known as the Angel of Death: Dr. Josef Mengele. Subject to Mengele’s sadistic medical experiments, they were forced to fight daily for their own survival. On the 75th year of the Auschwitz…

We’ve all been there – you’ve bought a gorgeous new pair of shoes and can’t wait to wear them out. But within minutes, you notice a strap is too tight, they’re cutting into the backs of your heels, or they’re making your feet a bit sweaty. Instead of begrudgingly shoving the shoes in the back of your  wardrobe, try some of these remedies from style experts at Public Desire to make them much more comfortable… 1. BLISTERS Line each shoe with moleskin foam, which creates a cushion. The padding absorbs friction with a layer of cotton over the foam. 2. TIGHT STRAPS While most straps stretch with wear, you can shorten the breaking-in process with water. Spritz them with a light spray of water to help gently stretch the leather.…

Best theme park Paultons Park, the home of Peppa Pig World, has been named by Tripadvisor as the 10th best-rated amusement park in the world, and the fourth best in Europe. The family theme park has also retained its title for an unbeaten fifth year in a row as the UK’s best-rated amusement park in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards. Richard Mancey, Paultons Park managing director, said; ‘We are proud to have ranked in the top ten amusement parks worldwide. We are focused on improvement and investment in order to excel at everything we offer.’ • paultonspark.co.uk History and culture Love podcasts? You’ll love this immersive walking tour of Notting Hill! Discover one of London’s most iconic neighbourhoods and learn about the influence and origin of Black British culture. This…

Katharine Hill, the UK Director of the national charity Care For The Family (cff.org.uk) answers your questions. Spent out Q During lockdown, I have spent so much money online shopping. I was anxious, and bored, but now I can’t pay it back and I can’t face telling my husband. What if he’s so angry, he leaves? Joanna, Surrey A A healthy marriage is based on trust, and so it is important that you have an honest conversation with your husband before your worries snowball. Choose a time when he is not distracted, when the two of you can talk without interruption. Prepare beforehand by making sure you know the exact amount you owe and the specifics of how you spent it (is it credit card debt, for example). This will…

Jane Mann, 59, Chester Calculating dates in my head, I worked out that my next period was only due in two weeks. But, staring down at my pants while sat in the office bathroom, there was no mistaking it – there were spots of blood. It was 1991, and at 30, my periods had always been regular. But lately, I’d been bleeding in between. A single mum to Jessica, then six, and working full time at an accounting firm, I was rushed off my feet. Perhaps it’s stress, I thought. When the bleeding continued, I went to my GP for tests. ‘I’m sorry, but you have cervical cancer,’ he told me. I was devastated, and my only option was drastic. I had no choice but to have a hysterectomy. I…

EYLURE DYBROW, £7.50, SUPERDRUG Introducing your brow’s new bestie. This permanent tint for brows will give you salon quality results within minutes. The proven formula will darken your hairs to ensure an even colour and leave you with beautifully defined brows. With a super easy and under 15 minutes application, you will be rockin’ your fabulous looking brows in no time! Available in both dark brown and black, this tint will darken your brows for up to six weeks. SLEEK NANO BROW DISC, £7.99, BOOTS Up your brow game with this new brow disc. The unique tip provides ultimate precision, perfect for building the appearance of fuller brows. The long-lasting formula is waterproof and smudge proof so brows will stay in place all day and night.…

Most of us give our lawns a final mow during October, then leave our gardens to fend for themselves over the bitter winter months. But spending a little longer preparing your outside space for the colder weather will help it look its best come spring. Garden designer Julian Gardner (gardnerdesigns.co.uk) shares his tips… Tidy paths and paving Clear up all the leaves and debris once the trees are bare (it’s much easier while everything is still crisp and dry). It’s also worth giving your paving a thorough clean with a stiff brush and some soapy water before the frost arrives so it will be less slippery and safer during the wet winter months. Alternatively, if you have one, just give it a blast with a pressure washer. Maintain borders Cut…