Innehållsförteckning för May 2024 från Chat Specials

Research by a cake manufacturer found that the item that topped the list of men’s ‘little pleasures’ in life was ‘eating good food’. What topped the list for women? To find out, solve the puzzle… Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, QUAFF = RINK + D = DRINK. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down all the added letters to spell out the two-word answer. • SHEEP HERD• MUSCLE PAIN• CEREAL• BELEAGUER• COMPLAIN• OVER DRESS• TURNING TOOL• TOP QUALITY• PROVIDE KIT• HORSE• MIDDLE Your answer _________________________ The slim one Answer: FRESH SHEETS…

Walking into the living room, I had some exciting news to break. My fiancé Matthew, 31, had sat down our daughters Ella, 10, and Olivia, seven, ready to hear it. ‘Are you ready?’ I said, handing them a wooden box. Beaming, they took it from me. Opening it, they found a plastic egg inside and cracked it open to reveal a special message. A little birdy told me that a baby is on the way, it read. ‘Mummy’s having a baby!’ Ella shrieked. But it didn’t click with Olivia until we handed her the pregnancy test. ‘You’re going to be a big sister,’ I said. Grinning, Olivia was elated. ‘I’m not going to be the youngest anymore!’ she said. Me and Matt couldn’t have imagined a better reaction. At our…

Carrie Jade Does Not Exist Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts Grab yourself a cuppa, get cosy and prepare to have your mind truly blown! Join Bake Off legend Sue Perkins and journalist Katherine Denkinson as they delve deep to investigate the unbelievable tale of terminally ill influencer Carrie Jade Williams. Except, she doesn’t actually exist. Over this six-episode podcast, learn how one woman lied, schemed and manipulated hundreds of thousands of people online. From switching between accounts with over 100k followers to posing as an au pair and a therapist, Carrie Jade lived six lives – and told many, many more lies.…

According to a foot health company, how much does the average British woman spend in lifetime getting ready for the beach? To find out, solve the puzzle… Fit these numbers into the grid, reading across and down. One number doesn’t fit. This is the answer. Your answer ____________________________________________ 3 digits 150 227 345 438 522 609 742 792 806 824 903 936 4 digits 1546 2154 3685 4523 5384 6904 7192 8766 9601 5 digits 13865 15560 23576 34893 41682 48434 52125 58204 64652 72841 89651 96620 6 digits 151473 211637 452322 538978 688455 7 digits 1167332 6489969 7620200 9739128 8 digits 68391273 Number jig Answer: £13,865…

Give your interiors a beachy makeover Shell-ebrate all things fishy this spring!…

Juicy punnets of fruit, a bubbly refreshing beverage and wasps lingering around. That can only mean one thing – a Great British picnic. So, why not dress for the occasion? Wear gingham dresses, ditsy prints and motif items to embrace this sunny season. Bon appétit!…

Baby cramps Q I’m three months pregnant and I’ve recently started experiencing cramping, especially at nighttime. Is this normal? Lucy, Carmarthen A Our bodies undergo so many changes when we are pregnant to accommodate our baby’s growth, and within the second trimester, specifically between weeks 13 to 26, our bodies can certainly feel those changes. These rapid growth changes mean that your womb and stomach have to expand and change far faster than if it were regular weight gain. This rapid expansion can cause our ligaments to stretch, which can cause aching and cramping sensations. Ensuring you have a great, nutrientdense diet, regular, gentle exercise and limiting stimulants such as caffeine and fizzy drinks can help you manage these bodily changes. I’d also recommend talking about these sensations with your…

Believe it or not, there is a job for everything – the more bonkers the better in our eyes! These may sound like they are make-believe, but they do exist. Fancy a career change? You may never have thought that your dream job existed until now… A TIGHT SQUEEZE Getting stuck in the doors of the Underground is bad enough – but imagine getting pushed inside by a professional. The Japanese rail system is famous around the world for its punctuality. And it is said that nearly 40 million passengers use the train every single day. During peak times, the trains tend to run every three minutes. However, as you can imagine, they become extremely overcrowded. So, ‘Oshiyas’ or ‘pushers’ have been hired to literally squeeze as many people onto…

Following the estate agent around the house, I was really excited. Having been with my partner Martyn, 49, for seven years, in 2015, we were buying a house together. We’d always known of each other but had never been single at the same time. Meeting by chance in 2008, it became clear we wanted the same things in life – to settle down and have a family. And by August 2015 we’d found the perfect property for us – I couldn’t wait for us to move in, in the autumn. When I met Martyn back in 2008, he was a bit of an action man, he played cricket at a high level and he enjoyed football. Working as a foreman, he was physically fit, too. At the time, I was…

Holding the door open, two ponies trotted past me. They were raring to go, with artificial flowers clipped onto their bridles. ‘Come on girls,’ I called, leading them into the care home lounge. Trotting into the room, everyone’s faces lit up. Gasping, the care home residents leaned forwards in their armchairs. ‘Are they real?’ one lady asked. ‘They certainly are,’ I nodded. Then, I brought my ponies around to each resident. That day, Poppy and Tinkerbell were in their element. The residents stroked their manes, chatting away to them. Even after bringing my ponies into care homes for almost two years, the reactions never got old to me. It’s an idea I had since taking in two ponies in 2020 – I’d spotted them in a nearby field and offered…

Seize Them! Join this star-studded, female-led cast on a fantastical adventure back in time to the mucky Dark Ages! Aimee Lou Wood of Sex Education and Nicola Coughlan of Derry Girls and Bridgerton star as two warring leaders in this unmissable comedy blockbuster. Follow the journey of Queen Dagan (Wood), an arrogant and tyrannical leader, who finds herself dethroned by humble Joan (Coughlan), a tiny, unassuming peasant. This leads to an epic battle of wits in this hilarious film, but there’s one all-important question – who wins?! With guest appearances from comedians James Acaster and Lolly Adefope and packed with physical comedy and sword-fighting action, this is one to watch, leaving the entire family in stitches.…

Nicola Ashton, 34, Newent Locking the front door behind me, I headed to the bus stop with my daughter, Lottie. And while many may consider a trip on the buses a mundane part of their daily routine, my girl loved it. In fact, Lottie, nine, loves everything to do with buses! ‘38,’ she murmured as we walked along. ‘The 132.’ She knew their routes by heart. After a traumatic start to life, Lottie had a lower mental age than other children. She was born a month prematurely on 12 November 2014, and when she was just a month old, poor Lottie had a heart attack. Losing her for an hour, I had never been more frightened. Doctors still have no idea why this happened but it was a terrifying time…

With ice cream, arcade games and fish and chips on offer, it’s no surprise that seaside towns have been a must-visit destination for decades. Grab your bucket, spade and your best smile and head to the nation’s very best. Falmouth - Cornwall Enjoy the hustle and bustle of this charming seaside town, where creativity, history and world-renowned beauty come together as one. Enjoy award-winning fish and chips, a yummy cream tea and wander the secret gardens of the Roseland Peninsula. MUST SEE: National Maritime Museum Cornwall – Despite what you may think at first, this museum is one of the UK’s leading tourist destinations, celebrating the sea, boats and Cornish history. And it’s a hub for both children and adults alike. ‘Pirates – Explore Beneath the Surface’ is an exhibition…

HOW TO REGISTER It’s FREE to enter and it’s so easy to do. Just visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com and register by hitting the Create Free Account button, then you can enter as many competitions as you like. Go on, have fun! For website rules of play, go to comps.lifedeathprizes.com/rules. Terms and conditions apply, UK only…

Eat well to live well You may have heard that ultra-processed food (UPFs) are bad for us. But did you know they have been linked to 32 serious health problems? UPFs are foods high in fat, sugar, salt, colourings, sweeteners and preservatives. For example, Coke, sweets, pizza and cereal are all ultra processed foods. A study published in March in The British Medical Journal – which examined the eating habits of 9.9 million people – found that UPFs put us at risk of cardiovascular disease, cancers, obesity, type 2 diabetes and anxiety. HAVE YOU TRIED? Cetraben Moisture Protect Body Wash,£7.99, Boots If you have dry or sensitive skin, then you’ll know it can flare up at any time. But this body wash from Cetraben locks in moisture to help protect…

Simona Belcheva, 23, from Luton Boiling the kettle, I got the milk out of the fridge. There’s not enough left, I thought, unable to make my typical morning iced brew. Normally waking up at 7am, I’d leave my hubby Danyal, now 23, to snooze as I headed to the kitchen, before sticking something on the TV for my daughter Alayla, 19 months. Which is exactly what I did on 16 August last year. After celebrating Alayla’s first birthday just the day before, coffee was exactly what I needed that morning. I’ll just have to have a hot coffee instead. With Alayla sitting on the floor, I left the brew on the kitchen counter before going to grab the TV remote. However, as I walked the 10 steps to the living…

Sareeta Brewin, 46, Worcester Hearing thunder roll down the hallway, I knew what was happening. Our kitten Murphy had the zoomies. For most other kittens, charging round the house leaves just a scattering of paws on floorboards. But for 11kg Murphy, it was like the God Thor was striding down our halls. Over a metre in length, Murphy is huge. And despite towering over our other moggy, Mimi, he still thought he was a little kitten. We’d decided to get Murphy in 2021 after my mum Sheila passed away from breast cancer. And my daughter Mia, 15, had always loved animals. ‘I’m going to get that girl a pedigree,’ Mum would always tell me. So, when we’d sold her house, we decided it was time to honour Mum’s wishes. And…

Grabbing a glass, I was just about to crack open a cold bottle of wine when my phone lit up with a buzz. Hey Emma, how’s your week going? the message read. It was from my friend, Peter John. I’d known Peter for years – he was a local guy, and we had mutual friends. We weren’t close – I’d only really spoken to him when we’d met up as a group with other mates – so it was a bit strange to get a message from him. But replying, we got chatting. Fancy dinner? Peter wrote. Go on then, I replied. After all, he was a nice bloke and he seemed tidy – why not? The following week, we went for dinner at a local restaurant where we chatted…

Every body is a bikini body – so get ready to lather on that suncream, grab your favourite page-turner and head to the shore. There’s nothing better than the feeling of sand between your toes. Get holiday ready with these top picks… For covering up! Don’t forget your suncream – burning is never a good look We’re loving!…

TRAVEL FAR With the bank holidays coming up, even more of us will be taking to the train tracks and heading off on a weekend away. And you can cut back on your travel expenses with these top tips from TopCashback’s UK Director, Adam Bullock. Trainline savings By sticking to the same website for your ticketing, you could be eligible for extra savings, too. Trainline customers can receive 1.05% cashback on each journey – every little helps! Split ticketing Your journey will work out cheaper if you buy multiple tickets rather than one ticket for your full journey. Use Split My Fare which does the work for you. Buy a railcard Although it’s an upfront cost of £30 for one year, having a railcard will save you one third off…

Eat cost effective tweaks. well and save money with the help of cooking appliance brand Belling. Their new Energy-Saving Recipe Book contains some classic mealtime favourites, but with a few Clever To view the new free cookbook for yourself, please visit: belling.co.uk/en-gb CHICKEN TIKKA KEBABS YOU’LL NEED: • 600g chicken thighs, skinless and boneless• 1 medium lemon TIKKA MARINADE: • 5 tbsps natural yoghurt• 2 cloves garlic, finely grated• 1 tbsp medium curry powder• 2 tsps ground cumin• 2 tsps ground coriander• ½ tbsp ground turmeric• ½ tsp medium chilli powder• 1 tbsp tomato purée• 1 tbsp vegetable oil• Salt and black pepper MINT RAITA: • 150g natural yoghurt• A small handful of mint leaves, finely chopped• 1 clove garlic, crushed ONION SALAD: • 1 medium red onion, halved and thinly sliced•…

Liv Foley, 30, from Bristol Hearing the key twist in the front door, my partner Joe burst into the living room. Swinging a bag in his hands, he was beaming. ‘It’s for the nursery,’ he beamed, revealing a soft toy giraffe. ‘She’s going to love it,’ I grinned. Joe, 34, was fascinated with giraffes – and ever since finding out we were expecting a baby girl in April 2022, Joe wanted to buy her all things giraffe-themed. It hadn’t been an easy journey for us – going through two miscarriages, Joe and I hadn’t let ourselves believe it was really happening until the 20-week scan. So, we loved watching our baby grow at each scan. Then, at 3.50pm on 15 January 2023, weighing 6lb 1oz, Sylvie-Rae was born. As the…

Step by step L’Oréal’s newest Bright Reveal range works to fade your dark spots for a brighter, more even skin tone. With an easy, four-step regime, this has you covered from morning through to night. STEP 1: CLEANSE WITH THE BRIGHT REVEAL SPOT FADING SERUM-IN-CLEANSER Wash away spot irregularities with the power of serum in a cleanser. Tough on spots, gentle on skin, this can be used morning and night. STEP 2: CORRECT WITH THE BRIGHT REVEAL NIACINAMIDE DARK SPOT SERUM Apply three to four drops on a cleansed face and neck to prevent dark spots. Use it daily, morning and night for long-term effects. STEP 3: HYDRATE AND PROTECT WITH THE BRIGHT REVEAL DARK SPOT UV FLUID SPF50+ Apply the UV Fluid on the face each morning to help…

A PICTURE PAINTS A THOUSAND WORDS On 10 May this year, celebrate 200 years of the National Gallery – kickstarting a year-long celebration of art, creativity and imagination. With 12 exhibitions opening simultaneously at 12 museums and galleries across the 12 regions of the UK, half of the UK’s population will now be within just an hour’s journey of a National Gallery masterpiece. Check out Rembrandt in Brighton, Botticelli in Cambridge, Monet in York and Turner in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The National Gallery will also be visiting 18 UK locations – and with 24 local organisations creating community-led projects, the events are designed to help those with the least opportunities in the arts. So, get your sketchbook out and head out to find your nearest masterpiece. Please visit: nationalgallery.org.uk ADVENTURE CALLS… With six…

Theo Boyd, 52 Opening the fridge, I took out a tray of chocolate-covered strawberries and started piling them up onto a crystal plate. Arranging them artfully, I snapped a pic to send to my mum Sue and sister Hannah. They look great, Mum quickly text back. I’d always been close to my family, sending messages back and forth with Mum and Hannah several times a day. Mum, 74, and my dad Joe lived on a farm two hours away from my home in Texas – but I saw them a few times a month, and spoke to Mum every day. Dad had taken over the family farm from my grandparents, and when he and Mum married she helped out, too. Although they were retired, they still kept a hand in.…