Índex per 8 February 2024 a Chat

If you’re a cheap date like me, you’ll love how we’re celebrating Valentine’s Day this year. We have recipes for a posh date night at home (p40) and sexy undies from just a fiver (p12). Plus some fab ideas on how to feel the love for just pennies (p23). And, if you’re single, why not opt out of the whole daft thing, curl up with your furry friend and enjoy our feel-good ‘Fur-st dates’ feature (p38). Pets are better than partners anyway – we don’t even mind when they snore! Have a great week,…

Which cottonbased textile, with a name derived from a French city in Aisne, is the traditional choice of material for producing Pakistani shalwar kameez suits? To find out, solve the puzzle… The three answers in this puzzle read the same across and down. The clues are given, but not in the right order. Read down the shaded squares to spell the prize answer. WIN 5x £20 Puzzle 3 FAMILIAR CONTAINER  FOR LIQUIDS SOUND Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

SEXY SUPPORT Lilac tones make a fresh change from pink. Look for padded cups if you want an extra boost. SOFT BRALETTES Stay comfy without compromising on style with a wireless design. Lace and mesh details keep it feeling slinky. BEAUTIFUL BALCONETTES Give your bust a natural lift with these retroinspired designs. Florals add a flirty touch. FROM £5 SMOOTHING BODIES STYLE TIP Dress to impress with an alluring all-in-one. Clever corseting and waistbands help to create a figure-enhancing silhouette…

True-life PATIENT CASEBOOK Putting the finishing touches to my son’s nursery, I smiled. ‘You’re ready then?’ my husband, David, then 34, asked, handing me a tea. ‘Born ready,’ I grinned. It was June 2016, and I was heavily pregnant. We’d picked out the name Jude. I’d read every pregnancy and baby book, been to ante-natal classes and written a birth plan. On the 22 August 2016, I went to hospital in the early stages of labour. As contractions rolled through my body, David held my hand. Only, after several hours, I was in agony. Concerned, my midwife checked my baby’s heart rate. It’d dropped. ‘We need to deliver your baby now,’ she said. Alarm pulsed through me as 12 doctors swarmed around me. My baby had flipped to a back-to-back…

STYLISH STRIPES KEEP IT CLEAN PERFECT FOR PANCAKE DAY…

3 ways to… resist impulse shopping Reduce the urge to make unplanned purchases with these handy tips. 1 Add it up When you’re thinking about making an impulse purchase, consider how long it would take you to earn the money to pay for it. Realising something is the equivalent of a week’s work might make you rethink and decide it’s not really such a great bargain after all. 2 Be savvy online Ever tempted to splash out when you see people you follow on social media showing off their latest swanky holiday or designer handbag? To combat this, remind yourself about the decisions or savings goals you’ve made for your money. When you focus on the holiday or deposit on a house that you’re saving for, you’ll be less inclined to fritter…

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What do socialite Pippa Matthews and comedian Michael McIntyre have in common? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the four-word prize answer. WIN £1,001 Puzzle 4 ACROSS 1 Part of a flower (5) 4 Large canine (4) 6 Body part (8) 13 Flow of vehicles (7) 14 Type of cocktail (7) 15 Mends with stitches (5) 16 Coloured part of the eye (4) 17 Chewy sweet (6) 18 Robinson _, literary castaway (6) 20 Skinny (4) 21 Actions (5) 22 Burns with hot water (6) 25 Ominous (8) 28 Smother or suppress (6) 30 _ Goulding, Love Me Like You Do singer (5) 32 Christina _, Dirrty singer (8) 34 Period of 10 years (6) 35 Chew, nibble (4) 38 Pencil rubber (6) 39 Searches for prey (5) 40 Unoccupied (6) 43 Scheme (4) 44 Monsters that live under bridges (6) 45 Actor, _ Lyndhurst…

Scald has changed my skin Q I scalded my arm, it’s healed now but it’s left a pale patch. Will it go back to normal? Loreen, Manchester A You have post-inflammatory hypopigmentation (PIH), which means a pale patch left after your skin’s been inflamed. The inflammation has damaged melanocytes – the skin cells that make the brown pigment melanin. Besides burns and scalds, PIH can also occur after skin diseases that inflame your skin, and occasionally after laser treatment. Often the diagnosis is fairly obvious but if there’s any doubt your doctor can rule out other causes such as a fungal skin infection. Provided the inflammation hasn’t scarred your skin, the colour should gradually return over several months and camouflage creams can disguise it in the meantime. Laser treatment can…

Staring at the rows of beautiful shoes in my wardrobe, I sighed. There were easily 200 pairs. Boots, flats and heels in every colour under the sun. And my favourites – a bright red pair of sandals that were more work of art than footwear. ‘Admiring your collection?’ my husband Dan, then 39, asked, slipping an arm around my shoulder. ‘No,’ I wailed. ‘Most of them don’t fit.’ It was true, I loved shoes and had been collecting them for years. But now, in August 2013, I’d just turned 50 and my collection rarely left the wardrobe. My feet were too podgy to squash into any of my size 7s. I’d been a healthy weight as a kid. Was a svelte size 12 right up until I was 27. Only,…

From 1994 to 2008, all four of the England rugby union team’s head coaches had previously coached which Premiership side? Solve the crossword, then read down the shaded squares to find the prize puzzle answer. ACROSS 1 Scottish folk hero, _ Roy (3) 3 Scrap of cloth (3) 5 Hatchet (3) 6 Almond, for example (3) 7 Very warm (3) DOWN 1 Arrive at (5) 2 David _, The Office character (5) 4 Movable barrier in a fence (4) WIN 4 x £20 Puzzle 13 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Nightmare mother-in-law Q My hubby’s mum is coming to visit for a week. I’d love to say I’m excited but I’m not. Last time she stayed, I was ready to boot her out the door. She’s so bossy, questions my parenting and she’s even worse when drinking. She’s not even here yet and I’m ready for her to be gone! Emma, 41 A Unfortunately you can’t uninvite your mother-in-law – as much as you’d like to. She’s your hubby’s mum and the grandmother of your children. What you can do, is not offer her a drink! When she arrives, grit your teeth, put on a fake smile and pop the kettle on rather than popping a bottle of booze. Take a walk if you have to. And remember, it’s only…

2-8 February 2024 Aries 21 March-20 April If you are finding it hard to balance your own priorities with the needs of those close to you, think how you can communicate your desires to them better. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May You are grounded and practical in your approach to life. Now, more than ever, it’s important to use these strengths to create a clear plan for the months ahead. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June Focus on nurturing yourself. Your mind is very active, which can be tiring for your physical body, so find a way to calm your mind and you will feel more energised. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July Naturally…

Q My skin feels really dry at the moment – what can I do to hydrate it? Sandra Powell, Birmingham A The winter can wreak havoc on your complexion, for lots of reasons. The main culprit is going in and out of the frosty outdoors to the central heating – it can really zap the moisture from your skin. There are a few ways of providing a hit of hydration. The best ingredient you can use is hyaluronic acid. It’s a super-hydrator that’s able to hold 1000-times its weight in water. Use it in a serum – the formulas are more concentrated, sinking deeper into the skin and making the biggest difference. We rate Revolution Skincare 4X Hyaluronic Acid Serum, £8, revolutionbeauty.com – apply it morning and night after cleansing,…

L'Oreal Elvive Hydra Pure Oil Control Scalp Serum, £12.99, Boots Caring for your scalp will lead to healthier, happier hair. This serum is also designed to overhaul greasy roots while treating the scalp, leaving it looking clean and feeling balanced. NYX Fix Sticks, £6.49, Superdrug NYX’s new concealers use colour-correcting technology to hide imperfections. This green shade will counteract redness, neutralise blemishes and help skin look more even. Maybelline Lifter Plump in Red Flag, £9.99, Superdrug For instantly plumper, fullerlooking lips, try this tinted gloss. The secret ingredient is a hint of chilli extract, which isn’t for the faint of heart – but it boosts volume in a matter of seconds. PROVOKE Touch Of Silver Go Icy Platinum Effect Shampoo, £4.99, justmylook.com Go from brassy blonde to platinum with this…

When Franc Cano met Steven Gordon outside a probation office in 2010, they were both already monsters. Both sex offenders who’d served time for molesting young children. Now homeless and on parole with electronic tags, the pair became close. And as their friendship grew, so did their evil. Twice they cut off their GPS tracking devices and fled the state together. In May 2012, they were arrested after spending two weeks staying in a Las Vegas hotel under fake names. They both briefly went back to jail for violating their parole. But afterwards, no one stepped in to stop them from hanging around the streets of Anaheim, California together. Even though their registered sex offender status meant they were prohibited from associating with one another. Instead, they became inseparable. Slept…

What would be your perfect romantic evening? My ideal romantic night would start by checking into a hotel somewhere midafternoon, followed by a little exploration of the local area before coming back for a cosy dinner and drinks by an open fire. Ever had a Valentine’s card from a secret admirer? Yes, I received a Valentine’s card two years ago and still have no idea who sent it. What a mystery! Soppy romcom or scary horror film? I’d choose a romantic comedy any day. My partner loves a scary movie, though. I don’t mind going to the cinema with them, but I have to hold their hand! What’s your fave song to dance to? As a fitness and Zumba teacher, I love a good let-loose dance. My all time favourite…

In addition to the piano, actor Zooey Deschanel has played what string instrument as part of She & Him? The number next to the clue tells you which line the answer’s in. We’ve put a section in to start you off! There may be two Across answers in one line. Down words fill themselves in. The shaded squares spell out the one-word prize answer. WIN £100 Puzzle 2 2 Plant of the US and Latin America with stiff, swordshaped leaves• Fire remains 4 Chicken • European currency units 6 Man, informally • ‘_! Humbug!’, Scrooge’s expression 8 Nocturnal bird • Sunday meal Your answer:…

I t’s one of my fave photos. Two baby girls, cuddled into the paws of a giant, fluffy toy panda. It was taken in December 1972, when my twin Vicky and I were just a couple of months old and dressed in matching frilly white dresses. We were identical in every way. Except one. In that pic, I was missing my lower right arm and leg. Our mum Caroline, then 21, hadn’t known there was a problem until I was born. ‘Your sister took up too much room,’ Mum told me when I was old enough to understand. It meant, while Vicky developed normally in the womb, I hadn’t. As a kid, I took my missing ‘bits’ in my stride. I was walking from 14 months and got my first…

The list of Dr Amie Harwick’s achievements was a long one. She was a doctor of human sexuality. A celebrated sex and marriage therapist in Hollywood, California. A published author, having released her book The New Sex Bible for Women in 2014. But Amie was adored for much more than her long list of credentials. She was also a ‘quirky and fun’ person. A one-time model and personal trainer who loved photography and music, listening to anything from Tori Amos to heavy metal. She’d grown up in Pennsylvania before moving to Los Angeles in 2001, working her socks off to eventually buy her dream home in the Hollywood Hills. Attended glitzy parties, and was once engaged to famous American actor and gameshow host Drew Carey. But while Amie’s life was…

Q There’s a discharge and a fishy smell from my vagina after sex – what’s wrong? Ella, Yarmouth A You should check with your GP or sexual health clinic, but this sounds like bacterial vaginosis (BV). It’s not an infection, but simply an overgrowth of bacteria that normally live quite harmlessly inside your vagina. Besides a watery off-white discharge, there’s often a characteristic fishy smell, which is more noticeable after sex. While BV is generally harmless, it can cause problems if you’re pregnant, although this is rare. It’s more likely to occur if you’re having sex, particularly with different partners, have a contraceptive coil in place or use vaginal douches or perfumes, as these can all interfere with your vagina’s natural defences. BV can also reduce your defence against sexual…

Crunching away in the school canteen, I spotted friends staring at my lunchbox. It was filled with veggies. And I was chomping on my third carrot. ‘How can you eat so many?!’ one spluttered. Shrugging, I carried on munching away. It was 2014 and at 12, I’d become determined to get in my 5-a-day. So I set myself a challenge to eat as many veggies as I could and carrots were my faves. ‘Can’t get enough of them,’ I laughed. An understatement! Before long I was eating eight carrots a day – both raw and cooked – as well as whole peppers and sweet potatoes too. No such thing as too much veg, I thought. I ate other food groups, too, and was a healthy weight. Only, at 16, people…

I skipped to the front door as the letterbox clinked and the post plopped on the doormat. ‘Another blue one!’ I called, delivering the airmail letter to my mum, Patsy, then 30. It was 1973 and at 6, I watched as Mum pulled out a handwritten letter and some family pics. ‘Carol Ann’s children are growing up!’ Mum exclaimed. Peering over her shoulder at the photograph, I was curious about these kids from overseas. Wondered about their lives. I’d recently started noticing Mum got a letter in a special blue envelope every few months. ‘Carol Ann’s my pen pal,’ she told me. ‘We’ve been exchanging letters since we were 12!’ Carol Ann lived in New York and had three kids too, just like Mum. They’d started writing to each other…

When Ali Chapman steps out on the red carpet, she looks every inch the Hollywood starlet. Glamorous outfit, immaculate hair and make-up. And after 12 years in Los Angeles, she’s used to the flash of cameras. Yet despite being on the bill for blockbuster movies, Ali still feels pigeonholed when it comes to the acting roles she is offered. ‘Most of the roles that I get cast for are character roles. Elves or leprechauns,’ says Ali. And it’s all because she is a little person. ‘I am 3ft 8in tall,’ says Ali. ‘I am a little person actress in Hollywood. I have a rare form of dwarfism called hypochondroplasia. ‘I have a shorter torso but longer limbs.’ Ali stopped growing when she was 5 years old, and first noticed she…

UNDER £15 FOR 2 Houmous pitta bites Simple yet sophisticated, these pitta bites are so moreish. SERVES 2 PREP 10 MINS COOK 5 MINS ● ¼ red onion, thinly sliced ● 1tbsp red wine vinegar ● 1tsp sugar ● 1 pitta bread, cut into 8 squares ● 1tbsp olive oil ● 3tbsp houmous ● 2tbsp pomegranate seeds ● 1tbsp chopped parsley 1 In a small bowl, mix the onion, vinegar and sugar, then set aside for 30 mins to pickle. 2 Heat a grill to medium, and mix the pitta bread with the olive oil and season. Put onto a lined baking tray and cook for 5 mins until crisp. 3 When cooled, top each pitta square with a dollop of houmous, a few slices of onion, a sprinkling of pomegranate…

TRUE-LIFE Choking back tears, I watched my classmates rip open the pink and red envelopes on their desks. Valentine’s Day cards full of hearts and cute poems, and signed ‘love’ with a question mark. ‘Who do you reckon yours is from?’ they whispered, eyes sparkling. Yet my desk stayed empty. It was February 2006 and I was 7. Back home, my tears fell. ‘I was the only one who didn’t get a card,’ I sobbed to my mum Ina, then 41, and dad Jose, 38. My uncle Charles, then 54, who everyone called Mick, was there, too. ‘It’ll be OK,’ he soothed. And the next day, a card was pushed through the front door. Addressed to me! Excitedly ripping it open, my heart leapt when I saw it was a…

PS…High Pigment Blusher, £1.50, Primark A bright pink blusher can be an instant pick-me-up for drab-looking skin, and this buy is an absolute steal at £1.50. It has a lovely velvety texture that blends easily, and it’s available in three other shades if you’re after something subtler. Apply with a fluffy brush to the apples of your cheeks. E.l.f Instant Lift Waterproof Brow Pencil, £4, elfcosmetics.co.uk Shape and define your brows with this smart 2-in-1 buy. One side has a spoolie to brush them up, while the other is a waterproof pencil to add definition. It’s the perfect buy to take up less space in your make-up bag. It has a really fine tip, which mimics brow hairs brilliantly. Plus it’s impressively long-wearing.…

Chat winners issue 43 (26 Oct 2023) Anyone from your town in the list this week..? £1,001 CASH J Kennett, Warlingham £500 CASH J Low, Sheffield N Green, Derby £250 CASH R Kennedy, Nottingham J Woods, Middlesbrough £200 CASH B Dobson, Craigavon £100 CASH C Jones, Colchester C Evans, Walsall A Goddard, London £75 CASH M Stala, Southampton £50 CASH D Taylor, Weston-super-Mare S Rosser, Llanelli R Painton, Glasgow C Denman, Runcorn G Jordan, Bristol M Plant, Nottingham £40 CASH K Wilson, Hornchurch £30 CASH J Baruch, Tunbridge Wells J Spencer, Hornchurch £25 CASH P Noble, Fraserburgh A Donaldson, Wellingborough £20 CASH M Stevens, Cradley Heath SE Day, Devizes J Muldoon, Stoke-on-Trent E Malcolm, London L D’Netto, Birmingham J Tevarley, Altrincham C Dennis, Torpoint J Fordyce, Wimborne K Bateson, King’s…

Dear my future love, For a moment back in July 2022, I almost gave up on love. On life, actually. I was sitting in the doc’s office as he used those dreaded words. Breast cancer. I was already living with myeloma, a type of blood cancer, after being diagnosed four years earlier. After chemo, I’d gone into partial remission. Docs warned it’d rear its ugly head again eventually. But now a routine mammogram had found pre-cancerous cells in my left breast. First time around I’d stayed positive, determined to live for my two wonderful grown-up children and four lovely grandkids. Now I was dealing with a second, unrelated, cancer, and all I could think was… This must be it. I’m going to die. Back in 1982 I’d gone through hell…