Life Style

For countless UK motorists, swapping a car bulb or fitting a decorative headlight cover appears like innocent DIY work. However, specialists caution that one basic error could result in drivers being hit with fines reaching £1,000 - and potentially risk failing their MOT.The problem? Improperly installed bulbs or tinted headlight covers, both of which violate DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) regulations and compromise road safety. According to motoring specialists at Plates Express, numerous drivers remain unaware of how stringent the rules actually are. They state: "Your headlights aren't just about seeing the road-they're also about being seen by others. If you fit the wrong bulbs, or cover them in a way that reduces visibility, you're breaking the law and could face heavy p...

The heartwarming bond between a 93-year-old widower and his senior cat has captured the hearts of many after their daily routine was shared on social media, and it's not the first time a cat has warmed the hearts of the nation. Sarah Annett, 34, took to TikTok to share the touching relationship her grandfather, Walter Annett, shares with his elderly cat Angus, who he's had for over a decade.In an interview with Newsweek, Sarah explained that Angus initially sought refuge in Walter's home, which he shared with his late wife, as a way to escape from his loud but loving household filled with young children. Over time, Angus began spending more time at Walter's until he practically lived there.Sarah, from New Zealand, explained that Angus' original owners were aware of his frequent visits ...

High streets across Britain face another difficult weekend as multiple chains shutter branches for good. Store closures fell to the second lowest in a decade in 2024 (35 per day, as reported by PwC), but stubborn costs and a continued shift to online shopping continue to impact major brands.The Centre for Retail Research calculates that 17,349 shops will have closed by the end of the year, including several planned for this weekend. Closures landing on Saturday, September 6, and Sunday, September 7, include GAME and The Original Factory Shop, leaving once busy shopping streets with more empty shopfronts. Express.co.uk has rounded up what’s changing on the high street.The Original Factory ShopThe value department chain The Original Factory Shop is trimming sites to reduce overheads and r...

Men are moving away from hair gel to lightweight powders to add volume, shape and texture to their locks. Finding the right hair product can sometimes feel like a struggle with some weighing hair down, losing their hold or leaving behind an unwanted greasy finish. An increasingly popular product in the haircare arena is Slick Gorilla's Hair Styling Powder. Costing £11.95, it's been spotlighted in GQ, The Standard and Men's Health and received endorsements from celebrities like Welsh rugby player Louis Rees-Zammit, footballer Harvey Elliot, MMA fighter Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett and Fulham's midfielder Andreas Pereira. Currently, customers can try it for themselves, with the promo code REACH15 for a 15% discount on their initial purchase - taking the cost to £10.15. The styling powder is...

With the new school term having commenced on September 1, parents across the nation are experiencing a new phenomenon.This latest positive transformation is about more than just appearance — it’s a step forward in fostering community and building stronger connections. It also reflects that back-to-school isn’t just for the children — it’s a fresh start for parents too.Dubbed the “school gate glow up” — this latest trend is for those parents who are on weight loss journeys. Fresh findings from Chemist4U show that a staggering 91 per cent of parents undertaking weight loss injection programmes now feel prepared to strike up conversations with other  parents during drop-off and pick-ups.This burgeoning self-assurance isn't merely facilitating easier connections amongst parents but is simul...

Dog owners have been warned against feeding their pets their scraps, which could contain one common ingredient that is used in a huge number of dishes. It is common knowledge that dogs cannot eat many foods that humans eat, such as chocolate, raisins and sweets. However, there are some foods that you might think are harmless, but they can actually pose a grave threat to your pet's health and well-being. One of those is a common ingredient that most people have in their homes and include in a wide array of dishes. Meanwhile, some soft-hearted dog owners might let their pooches lick their plates after they have finished eating. Things like meat and cooked vegetables might seem harmless, but if there is one ingredient in the dish you have just eaten, it is best to avoid giving it to your d...

Autumn is here — which means it’s officially conker season. Conkers are the glossy brown fruit of the horse chestnut tree which are encased in a spiky green casing. Conkers fall to the ground in large volumes during autumn months, and while they are a food source for some species, like squirrels and deer, they are extremely poisonous to dogs, cats, and humans.Conkers contain a poisonous substance called aesculin that can trigger severe health complications in dogs and cats, even when consumed in tiny quantities.This hazard has prompted veterinary professionals to issue urgent alerts to pet owners as the autumn period brings these threats to gardens, walking routes, and popular woodland paths.Pet marketing agency Bubblegum Search has now consulted with a seasoned vet who has cautioned th...

Most British drivers are aware that petrol prices are steep, traffic snarls are expensive, and maintaining a vehicle is not economical.However, what numerous motorists fail to grasp is that the weekday you select for driving can significantly impact your expenses.Fresh research reveals that Fridays are persistently the most costly day to navigate Britain's highways, with elevated fuel charges, squandered money in gridlock, and heightened crash risks driving up expenditure.According to automotive specialists, the scheduling of trips has a greater effect on purses than most people anticipate.Specialists at Plates Express said: "Drivers often overlook how much day-to-day conditions affect costs. Friday is the classic 'getaway day' - more traffic, longer queues, and higher demand at the pum...

The corn moon arrives on 7 September (Image: Getty)The corn moon will arrive on September 7, coinciding with both the harvest moon and a lunar eclipse. The corn moon is the name for the full moon that arrives in harvest time in late summer, when crops like corn are becoming ripe. It symbolises abundance and is about gathering what was sown previously and clearing the fields afterwards, or making room for something new to come.This year, the corn moon kickstarts 'eclipse season', with an eclipse corridor forming from September 7 with the lunar eclipse in Pisces, which will last until the solar eclipse in Virgo on September 21. During this time, you may feel as though your emotions have been supercharged, and any reactions, both good or bad, may be amplified, according to astrologers.  RE...

Many new parents are eager to choose unique and rare names for their offspring. To achieve this, some are reviving older names that have become less popular, leading to a resurgence in vintage 'old-lady' names.QR Code Generator analysed data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) on the top 100 baby girl names in 1924, comparing them to the most recent ONS data on baby girl names to determine which of these nearly century-old monikers are the most and least popular today. The most favoured vintage baby name for girls is Lily, with 2,290 baby girls in the UK named Lily in 2023 - more than any other vintage baby girl name.Continuing the nature theme, Ivy was the second most popular, with 1,997 girls named Ivy in 2023.In third place, trends deviated from the floral and nature theme, ...