Chatの 19 September 2024 の目次

I have to admit, I’m a bit nosy -maybe as you’re reading Chat, you are too! It doesn’t have to be a bad thing – it can just mean you like to know what’s going on, and are curious about other people’s lives. This week, undercover granny Marea is certainly in the nosy club. And she’s made a career out of it as a private investigator. She’s spilling the beans on her fascinating life on p24. So, go and have a nosy! Have a great week,…

What do actors Scarlett Johansson and Martine McCutcheon have in common? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the five-word prize answer. WIN £1,001 Puzzle 4 ACROSS 1 Punctuation mark (5) 4 Organ of smell (4) 6 Three-sided shape (8) 13 Progress (7) 14 Public concert (7) 15 Garden pest with a shell (5) 16 Goals (4) 17 Pressed clothes (6) 18 Pieces of written work (6) 20 Large military vehicle (4) 21 Precise (5) 22 Bookworm (6) 25 Look similar to (8) 28 Handy (6) 30 Large Greek island (5) 32 Flourishing (8) 34 _ Bull, film starring Robert De Niro (6) 35 Danny _, host of The Wall (4) 38 Shouted (6) 39 Take place (5) 40 Notion, idea (6) 43 Put under ground (4) 44 Easily frightened person (6) 45 At the present time (8) 48 Slack (5) 49 Parts of a flower (6) 51 Frozen…

Help! My head won't stop itching Q I have a very dry scalp. It flakes off, but then comes back weeping and sore. What should I do? Holly, York A Apart from eczema, other conditions like psoriasis, fungal infections, ringworm and head lice can cause a dry and itchy scalp. One common condition is seborrheic dermatitis – a type of eczema that affects the oily areas of the scalp, face and upper back. It happens due to an immune system reaction to a specific yeast on the skin. Treatment for this involves using antifungal and antiinflammatory creams, sprays or shampoos. For flare-ups, mild steroid creams may be prescribed, but they shouldn’t be used long-term. In some cases, a topical medication to suppress the immune system or an oral antifungal may…

1 Try DIY acupressure Need a quick fix on the go? With one hand, press the shallow indentation in the back of your head at the base of the skull. At the same time, with the thumb and forefinger of the other hand, press firmly into the upper hollows of the eye sockets, right where they straddle the bridge of the nose and meet the ‘T’ of the eyebrow bridge. Press softly at first, then more firmly, and hold. Try for three to five minutes and repeat if needed. 2 Cut out ham Yes, it really can help. This is because processed meats contain a substance called tyramine (also found in preserved, pickled, smoked, marinated and fermented foods) and preservatives (nitrates or nitrites), which appear to increase blood flow to the…

Tears streamed down my face as I turned away from playground bullies. ‘Weirdo,’ one of them shouted. ‘Freak,’ another added, pointing at my chest. It was 2012, I was 12, and those horrible kids were picking on me because I was born with Poland syndrome. The rare condition meant the right side of my body, including my chest, arm and hand, never developed properly. My fingers were webbed, I had no knuckles. Aged 2, I had my first op, to help with movement on my little hand. I couldn’t ride a bike or climb trees like other kids my age. Instead, I spent many hours writing stories in my notebook. But by 2015, I was 15 and desperate to fit in. During puberty, my left boob developed to a D…

Founded in 1545 and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997, the world’s oldest academic botanical garden site still in use is in which city? Solve the crossword, then read down the shaded squares to find the prize puzzle answer. ACROSS 1 Burst (3) 3 _ carte, type of menu (1,2) 5 Elderly (3) 6 Twosome (3) 7 Independence _, 1996 film (3) DOWN 1 Haughty, arrogant (5) 2 _ McGuinness, host of Take Me Out (5) 4 Nautical greeting (4) WIN 4 x £20 Puzzle 13 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

I feel so judged Q I want to move back to where I grew up, to be near my parents. But I feel like I’ll be judged as a failure if I don’t stay in the big city. I’ve lived here for 10 years and I think I’ve got everything I can from city life, but I’m worried about what people will think. I know I’m being silly but how can I stop feeling like this? Rachel, 32 A A thing to remember is that people think about you less than you think they do. In a good way! The real issue is that a part of you feels like it’s giving up to leave the city and move home. Have a word with yourself, remember why you want to…

Some people have the energy to light up a room. And in 2013, I was lucky enough to meet one of them. Me and Sabine were both working as stylists at the same hair salon. Sabine, then 20, had long dark hair and her incredible smile was just dazzling. She was so kind, too. Every day, I looked forward to seeing her walk through the salon door. My heart skipping a beat. It took weeks for me to pluck up the courage to ask her out. ‘Fancy coming to a party with me?’ I asked, trying to hide my nerves. ‘I thought you’d never ask,’ she said, flashing me that stunning smile. After that, we were inseparable. Sabine loved cooking, made all my favourite Nigerian food, like peanut soup and…

13-19 September 2024 Aries 21 March-20 April While, right now, you might feel in need of a new adventure, the universe is encouraging you to slow down a little and take stock. Pause before proceeding. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May Your steady nature and humour makes you popular among your peers. You need to know how much you bring to others and believe in your own worth. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June Are you feeling the luck and expansiveness of Jupiter? Over the past couple of months, life has started to change for the better. Enjoy the journey. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July With Mars in your sign, you feel motivated to…

Q I find that my perfume never last - I can’t smell it past lunchtime. Is it the formula? How can I stop it fading away? Alison Brian, Dorset Getting your fragrance to last longer can be tricky, but once you know the best tricks to do this, you’ll never look back! Oilier skin types can hold on to perfume longer than those with dry skin, so it’s worth adding some moisture to the areas where you apply your perfume. Pick one with similar scents to your fragrance, such as Garnier Body Superfood Body Cream Vitamin C & Mango, £7.89, Boots, which is deeply nourishing and smells of juicy mangos. Always opt for an eau de parfum formula over an eau de toilette as these have higher concentrations of perfume…

Dear Dad, I wish I’d known that Father’s Day 2023 would be my last with you. I would have hugged you, never letting you go. Instead, that day marked the start of what was to come. Me and my fiancé David, then 38, had planned a barbecue, but you came down with a tummy bug. Two weeks later, you were still poorly, weak and dehydrated. You lived just 10 minutes away so I checked in regularly, as well as juggling a full-time job, plus four kids aged between 18 and 5. You and me had always been close. And you were looking forward to walking me down the aisle in October. Seeing you so unwell was horrible – then, in July, you had a heart attack. By now, you were…

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Music blared through the car speakers as I cranked up the volume to Taylor Swift. Glancing in the rear-view mirror, I saw my little girl grinning back at me. ‘I love this song,’ she said. It was April 2024 and Coco, then 14, had been a ‘Swiftie’ for as long as I could remember. Knew all the words to her pop songs. Along with her big sis Tabitha, 17, we’d belt out all her hits on the school run. I loved seeing Coco smile. Diagnosed with autism aged 9, she now attended a school for children with additional needs. Did so well in her favourite subjects, geography, art and PE. Made me and her dad David, 58, so proud. Whenever Coco showed an interest in something, we always tried to…

EDITOR’S WARNING As dawn broke, the sun reflected off the water at a beauty spot in Buchanan County, Virginia. The air was still, birds tweeted in the trees. But half a mile away, horror unfolded. On 27 October 2008, Michelle Kehoe, then 35, turned up at a local house covered in blood. Her neck had been slashed by a knife, puncturing her trachea, leaving her unable to speak. A man killed my boys and tried to kill me, Michelle wrote in a note. While she was rushed to hospital, an Iowa state highway patrolman and firefighters discovered a heartbreaking scene. Michelle’s son Sean, then 7, was sitting in her vehicle, covered in blood. An 8cm-long, 2cm-wide knife wound to his throat. Traumatised but, miraculously, alive. But the body of his…

Q My shoulder has gradually stopped being mobile and is really stiff, but I didn’t injure it. What’s happening? Lucy, Bristol A This sounds like a condition called frozen shoulder. The cause isn’t fully understood, but factors such as changes in hormone levels, age, genetics, previous injury or surgery can contribute to it. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be used along with other treatments. It’s important to gently move your shoulder and apply heat before exercise. Overthe-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can also help reduce pain and swelling. This condition can continue for months so it’s important to see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis and personalised plan. This may include physiotherapy or injections in the shoulder. If usual treatments don’t work, surgery or other options may be considered.…

Waking up under my duvet, I rolled on to something crunchy. What the…? I padded through to my sister’s room, brandishing the four empty crisp packets that I’d found in my bed. ‘Did we eat crisps last night?’ I frowned. It was July 2014 and I was 19 – the night before, I’d been out with my sister, then 23. We’d had cocktails with friends before heading home, where we lived with our parents. ‘Why would we eat crisps when we’d already had kebabs on the way home?’ she mumbled, sleepily. Shrugging, I blamed the cocktails, changed my sheets and chucked the packets away. But I couldn’t help wondering… Did this have something to do with my other unusual behaviour? Ever since I was a toddler, I’d suffered night terrors.…

NO-FUSS FOOD Tuna pasta Transform store-cupboard staples in this tasty, speedy dinner. SERVES 4 PREP 10 MINS COOK 15 MINS ● 350g penne pasta ● 1tbsp olive oil ● 1 red onion, chopped ● 1 garlic clove, crushed ● 400g tin chopped tomatoes ● 200g tinned tuna, drained ● 250g green beans, halved ● 200g cherry tomatoes, halved ● 1-2tbsp black olives ● 2tbsp parsley, finely chopped Top tip Switch the penne for spaghetti or another pasta of your choice. 1 Cook the pasta in boiling salted water until just tender. 2 Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large pan and fry the onion for 3 mins, to soften. Add the garlic and fry for a further min. Pour in the chopped tomatoes, bring to the boil, then simmer for…

TRUE-LIFE Dance music pumped out as I shimmied with my mates. It was July 2017 and, aged 22, I was free and single. I wasn’t looking for love in the nightclub that evening. But it found me anyway. Across the dance floor, I saw a tall, dark-haired man. In chinos and a blazer, he looked really smart. Before I knew it, we were dancing together. ‘I’m Vinnie,’ he smiled, in a soft Irish accent. I was instantly smitten. I went home with him that night, and never left. Vinnie, then 40, was gentle, funny and kind. Our love was a whirlwind. We enjoyed his homemade curries and long walks over the local moors. Then, just five weeks after we met, I woke up with a diamond ring on my finger.…

W7 Lash-Out! Mascara, £4.95, w7makeup.co.uk Infused with bamboo leaf extract, this mascara coats and conditions lashes with a statement jet-black colour while also nourishing and strengthening to promote lash health. The cone-shaped brush works to reach even the shortest of hairs to amplify your eyes. Collection Hydra Setting Powder, £4.99, Superdrug Keep make-up in place and shine at bay with the help of this hydrating setting powder. Infused with nourishing hyaluronic acid, it works to prevent make-up fading and smudging while also moisturising your complexion. Sweep over the skin after applying your make-up for hours of hold!…

What’s your earliest nice memory? The times I would spend around my grandparents’ houses. They were filled with laughter, games and baking. Tell us your guilty pleasure TV programme? Without a doubt Bridgerton. I’ve fallen in love with the characters, storylines and modern pop songs that have been remade into beautiful, classical, instrumental pieces! I’ve since bought the collection of Bridgerton books, while I wait for season 4 to be released. If you could be famous, what would it be for? Writing. Since the age of 2, I’ve longed to be an author and I’m studying for a degree in Creative Writing and English Literature. I’d also be happy with my own blog or column. What was the last book you read? I’m part way through Things No One Taught…

Each of the two main areas of the Eden Project, enclosed under its domes, are referred to by what term? 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 Deep chasm • Untruth 4 Actor’s prompt • Period of darkness 6 Bobbin or reel • Slang for a shilling 8 Tavern • Brazilian dance Your answer:…

TOPS STYLE TIP Balance this bold print with solid-coloured bottoms and minimal accessories for a stylish look. BAGS STYLE TIP Opt for a slouchy shoulder bag or crossbody style to easily embrace this season’s must-have trend. SHOES STYLE TIP Dress up or dress down, this versatile pattern pairs perfectly with denim. FROM £7 BOTTOMS STYLE TIP Team with an oversized short-sleeved T-shirt for a relaxed look that’s perfect for everyday attire.…

True-life PATIENT CASEBOOK The room spun as the consultant’s words sank in. I had incurable cancer. It was August 2022, and three years earlier I’d undergone chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cervical and womb cancer. Now, it was back. Only, this time, treatment wasn’t an option. ‘How long have I got?’ I asked, devastated. ‘Twelve to 13 months,’ the consultant said. Beside me, my daughter Charley, then 28, reached out for my hand. I’d been married to her dad John, then 54, for 30 years. As well as Charley, we had two sons, Adam, then 30, and Jack, 19. We were grandparents to Brooklyn, 6, and Brody, 2, with a third on the way. I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving them. At home, I took to my bed for days,…

WIN 2 x £25 Puzzle 9 What items of sports equipment are expected to have a circumference of at least 75cm for men’s matches and 72cm for women’s? To find out, solve the puzzle… Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, Restrains = CURS + B = CURBS. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down the added letters to spell out the prize answer. Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

3 ways to… save energy this autumn Prepare for the colder months ahead to keep your energy bills low… 1 Easy first steps Draught-proofing your home to keep the warm air in and the cold air out can be a quick and affordable way to save on your energy bills. For example, draughts can come into your home through gaps around doors, letter boxes and keyholes. If you feel cold air coming in from under an external door, you can fit a weather bar or door brush strip or use a draft excluder. You can also buy letter box draught excluders and keyhole covers. You may be able to install these products yourself, but if not, call in an expert. For more on the different ways to draughtproof your house visit which.co.uk.…

Strictly Come Dancing BBC1 ● Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly host the return of the celebrity dance competition with a line-up of top stars hoping to impress judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood. But first we see them paired up with their professional partners. As the show celebrates 20 sparkling years, the famous faces stepping on to the ballroom floor include singer Toyah Willcox, Gladiators star Montell Douglas, aka Fire, TV presenter Nick Knowles, plus former Corrie star Shayne Ward and EastEnders’ Jamie Borthwick. And for the first time, this series will feature live signing for the deaf, which is available on BBC iPlayer and Red Button. DON’T MISS DON’T MISS My Mum, Your Dad ITV1 ● Davina McCall hosts again as the heartwarming…

Leighton Denny Nail Illuminator Blush, £14, leightondenny.com This two-in-one blush nude polish is designed to brighten dull and discoloured nails by instantly boosting radiance. It also provides a subtle pinky sheen. Noughty Detangling Hair Brush, £12.99, lovenoughty.co.uk Made from sustainable wheat straw, this gentle and scalp-friendly hair brush reduces breakage and detangles knots with ease. Ideal for wet or dry hair. Bubble Magic Melt Micellar Water, £15, Boots A milky make-up remover that melts away daily dirt, sweat and make-up quickly and gently, while soothing skin. Packed with hydrating ingredients this is a great daily budget cleanser. Morphe Hot Shot Blush Drops, £14, uk.morphe.com Formulated with niacinamide and glycerin, this silky liquid blush is so blendable. Not only does it provide a gorgeous flush of colour but it hydrates your skin,…

Chat winners issue 25 (20 June 2024) £1,001 CASH E Pointon, Kendal £500 CASH L Valentine, London K Young, Rotherham £250 CASH P Murden, Chelmsford C Hawkins, Sutton Coldfield £200 CASH C Drexel, Swadlincote £100 CASH M Smith, Cambridge J Kingston, Chesterfield J Swainson, Salford £50 CASH V Van Der Hoeven, Weybridge B Hamill, Yarn R Morris, Stoke on Trent J Rodgers, Loughborough S Shuell, Chester C Samuel, St Helens £40 CASH A Barker, Manningtree £30 CASH A Willis, Salford T Marland, London £25 CASH A Long, Liverpool B Kynoch, Thurso £20 CASH R Gower, Llanelli Anyone from your town in the list this week..? R Sturman, Peterborough O Dixon, Barnstaple P Fletcher, Hope Valley C Goodacre Phillips, Loughborough K Wakelin, Thame J Travis, Thornton Cleveleys S Bailey, Newcastle under…