Innehållsförteckning för November 2024 från Chat Specials

When life gets stressful, we turn to our passions for comfort. For Jen (pg13), she spends hours creating her dream home. Only, she’ll never live in this house. Creating a minuscule Parisian château, her perfectly crafted dollhouse is truly charming. After losing her hearing, Carly (pg42) felt lost in the world. However, this nature lover turned to creatures great and small to bring her back to life. Heading to her local woodlands, beautiful swifts would swirl high above her. And now, she’s even dedicated her time to helping these majestic creatures – just like they helped her. When we hear the word ‘travelling’, we often think of exotic destinations. But Kay (pg34) is on a mission to see the best Scotland has to offer. A keen explorer, she tours the…

Trying my best to get a word in edgeways, I had a chatterbox on my hands. With my daughter Liz, now 17, interested in all things makeup and dolls from a young age, from the day she started talking she didn’t stop. Something that me and her dad Phillip, now 62, had to get used to. Despite splitting up when Liz was just 13 months old, with our relationship not always a healthy one, I still made sure that Liz would go and see her dad often. Only, with a bubbly personality and plenty of friends, our girl was always on the go, looking for her next adventure. Whether that meant birthday parties or spending time at sleepovers, Liz’s calendar was always busy. However, she loved spending time with me…

Goodbyespiders! Spiders don’t like the texture or scent of chalk. So to stop them coming into your home, draw a line with chalk across all of your windowsills this season instead. Carole, Bristol A simple swap I wasn’t keen on my blue kitchen tiles anymore. I bought some cheap stick-on tiles from Temu. They were so easy to apply and have really changed the whole vibe of my kitchen space. Highly recommend. Trinnie, Caerphilly Bobble-free! Run a cheap razor over your jumpers that have got a little bobbly in storage. Your clothes will look as good as new. Natasha, Bradford Remember, remember… Keep a bucket of sand outside if you’re planning on using sparklers. Everyone can stick them straight into the sand to put them out. Cat litter and soil…

Heidi Soholt is an experienced BACP psychotherapist who specialises in a wide range of issues including anxiety, low self-esteem and complex trauma. Heidi has a private therapy practice based in Stirling, Scotland, and also provides remote online support to clients worldwide. For more, please visit: hsoholt.com and bacp.co.uk Am I really repulsive? Q I have a birthmark acrossone side of my face, and I hate how I look. I feel like everyone stares at me and laughs. I don’t want to leave the house. Will I ever learn to love myself? Wren, Hampshire A Birthmarks can be challenging to live with, particularly in terms of other’s reactions. Feeling different can be isolating, and it can take time to build confidence and self-acceptance. It can be very helpful to connect with others…

UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS Refresh your entire home from top to bottom with these goodies from B&M. What’s more, everything’s £24 or under… Bathroom Kitchen Bedroom Living room…

Tucking myself up under the duvet, instead of counting sheep, I had another foolproof method.  One: Best Pear, two: Ms Congeniality, three: Best Smile… my inner voice remarked. Picturing my collection of crowns, sashes, medals and gifts kept safe and sound in three big boxes, I was in the land of nod in no time – counting all of the pageant awards I had won over the last two years. As recalling all of my joyous, confident and brunette Barbie moments was something that I especially wanted to keep in the forefront in my mind. After all, swapping a hospital gown for a pageant gown was an action that changed my life forever. Waking up on New Year’s Day back in 2019, it wasn’t quite the start to the year…

Try it out Healthy habits are important. But it’s easy to be distracted from your goals. Enter Streaks – a to-do list you can stick to. Picking out your goals, every time you complete a task your streak is extended. It can be as simple as making sure you go for a run on a Monday. Seeing your progress gives you the incentive to keep building healthy habits. • Streaks is available to download on the Appstore and Google Play Get involved November means Movember is here. And while you may not have a preference for growing facial hair, there are still ways to get involved. So, why not host a Mo-ment? Throw a party and get your loved ones involved. Use the Movember App to sign up as a…

FILM AND TV 1 What is the name of the daughter of Andy Sugden and Debbie Dingle in Emmerdale? a Dakota Dingle b Sarah Sugden c Daisy Dingle 2 Name the iconic film the the following line comes from – ‘I’m scared of walking out of this room and never feeling the rest of my whole life, the way I feel when I’m with you.’ a Love Actually b Dirty Dancing c The Notebook 3 Which two medical soap operas take place in the same hospital? a Doctors and Holby City  b Grey’s Anatomy and Casualty c Casualty and Holby City 4 What was the name of the private school that Rory Gilmore was accepted into in the TV series Gilmore Girls? a Durdan b Sumners c Chilton 5 Name the film that is hitting cinemas this…

Red sky at night … The sunsets at this time of year are just so beautiful. Gail, Taunton Farm fun I recently went for a trip to Clarkson’s Farm with my young children. They had the most amazing time and loved leaving their messages on the wall. Louise, Fleet Beside the seaside It might be chilly now, but that doesn’t stop me heading out for a stroll along my local seafront. Cathy, Dorset Cocktail time When the weather is miserable, going out seems like such a chore – so my friends and I decided to have a night at home instead, decorating glasses and making our own cocktails. It was so much fun! Jessica, Leamington Spa Snuggle up There’s nothing like cosying up with a good book in front of…

Slipping my River Island crossbody bag over my shoulders, I was ready to take my three little terrors out for a long walk. Along with my cousin Jade, 38, we were taking my three pooches, French Bulldogs Ralphie, River and Reggie, to the woods for a nice long stroll. We’d then have lunch at my gran Joan’s house, and an afternoon of work at my salon. And in early January this year, my winter coat matched the neutral tones of my favourite bag – a birthday present from my teenage daughter Tehya, 19. And given that she was a typical teenager and usually forgot my birthday, I was over the moon. The bag accompanied me to work, out with the dogs and meeting friends. Shutting the door behind us, Jade…

In a survey by a holiday company asking of which British traits we are most proud, the Sunday roast dinner topped the list. The second was that we do what in a crisis? The answer to each clue (apart from the first) begins with the last letter of the preceding answer. The shaded squares will then spell out the four-word answer. 1 Envelope details (7) 2 Playground up and down ride (6) 3 Tree that sounds like it’s crying (7,6) 4 Container for carrying irrigation or feed around the garden (8,3) 5 Sibling’s son (6) 6 Chemical for eradicating unwanted plants (10) 7 Shoes or boots with wheels (6,6) 8 Racket sport played indoors (6) 9 Official booklet of rules and advice for road users (7,4) 10 Company that helps buy and sell…

Blood Ties by Jo Nesbo £22, WATERSTONES If you’re a fan of juicy thrillers, Jo Nesbo’s new release will leave you desperate for more. How far would you go to cling onto power? Would you put your family and loyalty on the line? Carl and Roy Opgard have asked themselves those questions. In many ways, they’ve succeeded as much as they possibly could in the small town of Os. Carl manages the spa hotel, and Roy has got plans to bring thrills to the town with a new amusement park. But when the local sheriffs come knocking, not all is as it seems. There’s evidence to suggest that the brothers have been covering a shady past. What has truly happened in this sleepy town? Have Roy and Carl been caught…

Stepping out amongst the bushy heather and expansive greenery, I was exactly where I wanted to be. And all this was just a stone’s throw from my home in Edinburgh. But I hadn’t always realised quite how beautiful it was. At 18, travel became a huge part of my life after I went off for a solo season in Ibiza – much to my mum’s horror! Moving to London to start my degree, I soon realised life in the big smoke wasn’t for me and returned to Edinburgh in January 2010. And looking for jobs, a tour guide company in Edinburgh offered discount tours in Europe for its staff. Determined to travel again, it sounded like a bit of me – I wanted to get my hands on that discount.…

Luxe buys Westlab Relax Bath Salts, £6, Sainsbury’s Slip into the tub and unwind after a long day with these decadent bath salts. Designed to relax the mind and body and support a more restful and replenishing night’s sleep, these salts are a winter staple. With magnesium, chamomile and bergamot, these relaxing salts will wash away tension for mood-boosting results. Bouclème Silk Scrunchies, from £12, Boucleme.co.uk A luxurious and gentle alternative to traditional hair ties, silk scrunchies are huge right now. Made from 100% mulberry silk, these bands will minimise friction and reduce breakage. Unlike elastic bands, these will glide effortlessly through strands, making them ideal for all hair types. Choose from either the Small Skinny set or the Medium set. SKINCARE SAVIOUR Botanics Reusable Silicone Sheet Mask, £7, Boots…

Pulling up in my sparkly pink wrapped Beetle, I knew what reaction I was going to get. ‘There she is, hi Barbie!’ my friends, family and colleagues would tease when they saw me. And they weren’t wrong. The truth is, I’d always been pink and Barbie mad. Vibrant in personality and colourful in my lifestyle, that was just the way I was. In fact, for my hen party, before tying the knot with Andy, now 48, I managed to get everyone dressed as Barbie. Sporting the finest shades of pink, wearing tutus and tiaras, we even had a hot pink limo to ride into town in style. For the big day, I had a subtle nod to Barbie with a baby pink ribbon around my dress with my bridesmaids in…

Driving up to the familiar sliding window, a paper bag stuffed full of food was passed to me. Immediately, the tantalising smell of crispy chicken was enough to get me drooling. I was a drive-thru regular at KFC, picking up my order at least once a week – a chicken three-piece meal with a Pepsi Max and a Zinger Burger. As a mum to three kids – my son Hadley, now three, and two-year-old twins Everley and Oakley – sometimes I needed a little me-time. So when my husband Tom, 36, was at work, I’d drop the children off with my mum Tracey, 57, and head to my favourite takeaway. Sneakily binning the wrappers when I arrived home, I kept my junk food habit a secret – I didn’t want…

Taking a glance at Margaret Dale Hawke’s Facebook, you would find a woman who loved her children. Posting daily from her home in Port Hedland, Western Australia, one would assume Margaret radiated positivity. When your children desire to talk and share their problems with you, stop everything and listen to them. There is nothing more IMPORTANT than that. Just one of many motivational quotes splashed across her feed. Every day is a new start. The time is always right to do what’s right. Love without limits. Just a few examples of the quotes Margaret liked to share with her friends. Posting constantly, it seemed she always had an inspirational message up her sleeve. Aside from posting an assault of positivity, Margaret would also post photos of her children – celebrating…

Watching my daughter eat her dinner with a knife and fork, I felt overcome with emotion. It was so simple – but something I wasn’t sure Caitlin would ever do. You see, Caitlin, now eight, had been born with only one functioning hand. She had a condition called symbrachydactyly – it caused short fingers that may be webbed or joined, or not developed at all. When she was first born I was upset, wondering what her life would be like – but as days and weeks passed, we came to accept her condition. I also discovered Reach, a limb difference charity, which was a huge help. Luckily, Caitlin’s special arm didn’t hold her back. In April 2018 we welcomed Caitlin’s little brother Benjamin, now six, and she doted on him.…

Snuggling up on the sofa, we were all glued to the telly. My daughters Ella, now eight, and Priya, now five, giggled to Lilo & Stitch. Ella was a Stitch superfan – her bed was completely covered in Stitch toys and cushions. ‘You might as well be Stitch at this rate!’ I laughed. After all, she was dressed in her Stitch tracksuit and slippers. Ever since she was little, Ella had always loved Disney. ‘Ohana means family,’ Ella would say along with her favourite film. But for me and my partner Antony, now 26, Stitch’s main message had always been especially close to our hearts. When Ella was 10 months old, she experienced sudden heart failure in October 2016. At first, the doctors thought that her left heart ventricle was…

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day – so make sure yours is a delicious one! • The Positive Kitchen by Olivia Mae Bradley, £25, available from Waterstones • Follow Olivia on Instagram: @livthepositivefoodie HASH BROWN EGG MUFFINS CALORIES PER MUFFIN: 205 kcal CARBS: 9g FAT: 14g PROTEIN: 16g INGREDIENTS: • 6 frozen hash browns, thawed• Pinch of salt and pepper• 6 bacon medallions• 4 large eggs• 60g Cheddar cheese, grated• 1 tsp fresh parsley, chopped METHOD 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C, then take a muffin tray and lightly spray it with oil. When the hash browns have thawed, put them into a bowl with some salt and pepper and mix together roughly to break up the hash browns. 2. Take the hash brown mixture and mould it…

Carly Ahlen, from Kent Gazing up at the clear sky above, I stared in wonder. Swooping through the air, their wings outstretched, a flock of birds performed their magical dance. ‘What are they?’ I asked inquisitively – I was barely more than 10 years old. ‘They’re swifts Carly,’ my dad Mitch told me. The swifts were more like magical beings to me. Waking up every morning to the sound of their cheerful birdsong, my love for wild birds continued to grow. I never imagined a day where I wouldn’t be able to hear them. Joining the British Army in The Royal Logistics Corps as a driver in 1998, I followed in Dad’s footsteps. He was a successful lieutenant colonel and I’d spent my childhood travelling with him across the world.…

Ask our doc With Cheryl Lythgoe, Head Matron for Benenden Health. (www.benenden.co.uk) Eye have a problem Q Recently, I’ve noticed floaters and flashes of light in my eyes. I seem to get headaches around the same time. I’m not sure whether I’m just straining my eyes or if this is something more serious – please help! Monica, Haversham A I can certainly understand your concern, however, both floaters and flashes can be normal signs of ageing and are usually caused by a harmless process called posterior vitreous detachment.If you are experiencing a deterioration in your vision which could be a gradual shading of vision from one side, a rapid decline in your central vision or a sudden onset of floaters that you haven’t had before, I suggest you have an…

FANTASTIC FOLKLORE Take a break from the present day and enter a past world of raucous folklore and adventures at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens in Durham. With mythical performances and captivating tales brought to life, The Glittering North event at the castle allows you to press pause on the real world and indulge in light-filled trails of stories and immersive performances. Make a day of it and explore the castle and grounds first – with beautiful walks, a Deer Park and unique gardens, it’s a perfect escape from daily life. • The Glittering North is on selected dates from 12 October to 3 November, tickets from £13. General admission from £4 • Visit: raby.co.uk GET SAUCY! Sauce addicts, listen up! Heinz asked celebrity astrologer Inbaal Honigman to help answer one…