Life Style

Brits have endured a properly frosty start to January 2026, with snow, ice and sub-zero temperatures triggering travel disruption and weather warnings across parts of the UK. While the cold snap will not last forever, the Met Office says further wintry hazards, including snow, ice and overnight frost, remain possible through late January and into early February.It is not just the forecasts showing concern. Analysis by SEO company Four Pillar SEO shows Google searches for phrases such as “how to remove snow from driveway” have surged from virtually no interest last month to peak levels in recent days, suggesting households are scrambling for quick solutions as icy conditions bite.Long-term Met Office climate data shows a typical UK January averages around 11 air-frost days, with February...

As the UK continues to experience plummeting temperatures and ice and snow, many will have to continue with daily life. Households will still be faced with running errands, getting to work, and ferrying children to school, despite the Arctic airmass disrupting everyday plans.There are a number of Yellow and Amber weather warnings in place, as reported by the Met Office, which will remain in place in parts across the country until Friday. If the ice and snow are heavy, the Met Office advised to avoid travel if you can. However, if it’s unavoidable and you have to drive, there are some steps you can take to ensure your journey is safe.Car insurance brand Rooster Insurance also shared some advice for drivers if they find themselves skidding on icy or snowy roads. In a post from November 20...

Getting enough restful sleep is important for staying healthy and fighting those winter blues, which is why putting together a bedtime routine is a good New Year's resolution. The OK! Beauty Box editors have curated a limited edition box filled with goodies to help you get your beauty sleep, and it's packed with nine goodies including skincare, sleep accessories and home fragrance worth over £245.The Limited Edition Sleep Better Box costs £60, and contains nine full-size products from popular wellbeing brands like Neom, Aromatherapy Associates and Purscents. There are skincare products, sleep mists, an eye mask and even pillowcases, which would collectively cost over £245 if bought on their own. This means that the box can save shoppers around 75% on the total value of its contents.Star...

Travellers heading abroad this January are being warned to pack carefully or risk facing hefty baggage charges at the airport. With freezing temperatures, icy conditions, and ongoing snowfall affecting parts of Britain, many are dreaming of a winter escape.However, holidaymakers need to be mindful of their clothing choices - particularly bulky items worn to combat the cold. A spokesperson from Ski Vertigo has revealed chunky winter garments are among the primary culprits behind unexpected baggage fees during January travel. They explain this occurs because passengers frequently pack heavy jackets and boots without recognising how rapidly weight restrictions are breached, resulting in additional charges from airlines, which can escalate rapidly.Baggage fees differ according airlines, des...

Anyone who reguarly shops on ASOS has been urged to take note of a change to its refunds policy. The online fashion and beauty retailer, which stocks brands like Topshop, Charlotte Tilbury and Nike - as well as own-brand clothing - ships all over the world, with its headquarters in London. Buying clothes online isn't always straightforward, so you'll often find yourself sending things back if they aren't suitable. ASOS has announced that from today, January 6, a change has been made to the policy to prevent unsustainable volumes of returns. And shoppers could face losing money if they don't follow the rules. Returns to ASOS used to be free for everyone, but in 2024, a £3.95 fee was introduced for people who had high return rates and kept less than £40 worth of their order.Now, customers...

A mum combating loneliness across the UK, thanks to her 750 'Chatty Cafés', is aiming to open her 1,000th in 2026 - after already helping 30,000 isolated Brits. Alex Hoskyn, 42, of Oldham, Greater Manchester, felt desolate herself in 2017 after the birth of her first child, Henry, being alone on maternity leave during the day with her husband out working and was desperate for company. She realised the simple act of "20 minutes of conversation" could boost everyone’s day, and some had the brainwave to put a sign on tables inviting people to sit and chat - sparking The Chatty Café Scheme. Now the non-profit social enterprise has 750 ‘Chatter and Natter’ tables across Britain in cafes, pubs, community centres, care homes and Costa Coffee stores and has helped over 30,000 lonely people. But...

With temperatures continuing to plummet this January, it's likely that you'll be utilising your central heating and radiators as much as you can. Of course with that comes an increase in energy usage and greater bills. Indeed, Ofgem’s new price cap, which took effect in October 2025, pushed the average dual-fuel bill from £1,720 to around £1,755 a year.However, experts from Which? have a trick you can apply to the valves of your radiators that can help cut costs. Taking to TikTok, they recommended in a video that thermostat valves and dials should never be turned to more than three - unless it's the room where your thermostat is.They elaborated: "Whacking your valve up to five opens the valve to the max, letting loads of hot water into the radiator when your central is heating on." Whil...

Whether commuting to work or walking the dog, with the temperature dropping and snow falling in many areas of the UK, a warm and cosy coat is an essential this time of year. And right now, as part of the January sales, shoppers can get 57% off a toasty padded coat from Mountain Warehouse, as it has dropped from £149.99 to £64.99. It's been described as "incredibly warm". Stylish and practical, the discount covers both chic colours (burgundy and grey) and sizes six to 20. However,  sizes 22 and 24 have already sold out.The coat is made from a waterproof outer material, and one shopper said: "I absolutely love this jacket! It's incredibly warm, genuinely waterproof, and fits perfectly. Plus, all of this comes at a very reasonable price – great value for the quality!"Made from a breathable...

If you are someone who struggles to reach food or utensils stored on high kitchen shelves, a home expert may have just the solution to make your life easier when it comes to cooking.Andrea Wolf took to TikTok to share her "high shelf hack" that she believes will transform your culinary experience. "High shelves don't have to be a black hole," she insisted in a video. "The best way to utilise high shelves in the kitchen is to make them into drawers," Andrea continued. "One of the biggest mistakes people make is to put a category (of items) that they think is not used often up top and it just gets shoved back."However, Andrea says that even commonly used kitchen staples such as tea and coffee can go on the top shelf if you follow her advice. "For items like this that we do use often, as l...

One in three adults celebrating their birthday in January have scrapped their own party plans. Research involving 2,000 adults, including 250 January-born individuals, revealed man are convinced their friends won't show up and decide to move their celebrations to a different month entirely.A third (32%) of those who postponed or cancelled January birthday festivities did so fearing their nearest and dearest would pull out last minute, compounded by the fact that 35% of all respondents admitted to socialising less during January.The study was commissioned by Madrí Excepcional 0.0% to herald the launch of its January Birthday Bar Tab, providing anyone born in January with complimentary 0.0% or 4.6% beers for themselves and a companion.January-born actor and comedian Henry Rowley, who part...