Life Style

AriesYou will receive recognition that is rightfully yours for your accomplishments or for your contribution to a community effort. You have earned all this attention. This is your chance to showcase your talents. Don’t hesitate to present your qualifications with confidence.TaurusThe expression on a coworker’s face says it all when it is obvious they have been allocated a job nobody else wanted. Even if work relationships feel slightly strained, keep your mouth shut. If you can’t be nice to some people, just stick to being your usual practical self.GeminiIn light of the emphasis now being placed on home and family concerns, it’s advisable to connect with your loved ones and those friends you consider to be family. Giving and receiving love and support keeps relationships strong. Happy ...

Althia Bryden, 58, a stroke victim who started speaking with an Italian accent after initially losing her speech for three months (Image: PA REAL LIFE)Althia Bryden, 58, feels as though an imposter has taken over her speech after suffering a stroke that left her speaking with an Italian accent despite never having learnt the language. The former customer service advisor from Highbury, London, experienced a stroke on May 4 2024 which rendered her speechless and unable to feel the right side of her upper body for three months.Doctors discovered a carotid web was to blame for her condition, and following surgery in August 2024 to remove the blockage, Althia astonishingly regained her ability to talk but with the curious twist of a foreign intonation. Her conversations are now peppered with...

It's nearly Christmas time and if you are struggling to get your skincare-loving partner or friend a gift, Boots is extending their last Christmas delivery till Monday so your gift will arrive right to their doorstep on Christmas Eve. Anti-ageing gifts are always a good thought and don't get me wrong, that doesn't mean you are indicating that your giftee looks old but in general, anti-ageing skincare goodies are expensive. You can save better than half price on No7 sets such as the Ultimate Beauty 9-piece set or save 20% of premium beauty sets like the Kiehl's Midnight Renewal Set and Estee Lauder sets - so keep on reading to see some of my top picks.Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum Skincare Holiday Gift SetThis set is the creme de la creme and it includes four bestsellers from ...

When it comes to the festive season, there are some things that just taste like Christmas.One of them is mince pies. They may be small in size, but they pack a punch when it comes to flavour. After all, they're fruity, warming and, if you're lucky, put a spring in your step with a little brandy too.Even though I've munched on many over the years, I'd never attempted to make them. At least until now. It's something I put off for years, but I decided it was finally time to indulge in a little festive baking, and I'm really glad I did.After scrolling through TikTok, I soon discovered that filo mince pies were becoming quite the viral trend. Though I'm usually a sucker for tradition, I thought they looked rather nice, so I decided to give them a whirl.Naturally, I turned to one of my truste...

Marks and Spencer's shoppers are full of praise for a stylish coat that's 'very warm', with many complimenting its 'rich colour'. The Textured Collared Longline Coat is a gorgeous dark chocolate brown and is a flattering longline silhouette.Available in sizes six to 24, the M&S coat is made with wool for an 'insulating feel' and is designed in a regular fit. Priced at £89, the stunning coat has a cosy textured finish that's sure to look stunning worn with any outfit.The 'effortlessly elegant' coat has two side flap pockets perfect for storing your phone, keys and other essentials. It has large button fastenings and there are three smaller buttons on each cuff for added detail.The Textured Collared Longline Coat is part of the M&S Collection - a variety of easy-to-wear wardrobe s...

A man has shared an unusual hack to stop your car windshield from freezing.Motorists will be familiar with the difficulties of driving in winter and how icy cold weather can affect cars. Very cold days can cause frost to settle on your car and one TikTok user, HerbieLad49, has found an easy way to stop frost building on your windshield.He posted a video showing how he put a large tea towel directly on top of his car windshield to stop it from freezing. In the video, you can see him peeling the frozen towel off the windscreen to uncover the clear, frost-free windscreen underneath.He wrote a short caption for his video to sum up the results of the unusual car hack, writing: “Well, the windshield didn’t freeze. #ice #carhacks #dontforgetobringatowel.” The video has garnered 29.4 million vi...

If you've been overwhelmed by a heap of festive gifts to wrap, chances are, you've hit the dreaded moment of running out of tape at one point. However, the gurus over at Which? have let us in on a little secret – you actually don't need tape to make your presents look pretty as a picture.The UK consumer champion took to Instagram to share its clever method, explaining: "First, measure all four sides of the gift using the paper. Cut the paper to size, leaving just a little bit extra."Pull one corner of the paper over the edge of the gift. Score the excess of the paper on both sides of the gift. Then, bring the corners up, which will become the corners of the box."At the top of the gift, push the paper up and fold it over. Then tuck the excess paper into the pocket that's left." Social me...

A recent study has found that dogs are 75 percent more likely to require veterinary attention at Christmas time as a result of eating something they shouldn't.As Christmas chocolates and treats start to appear everywhere, it’s essential for pet owners to be aware of the increased risks their furry friends face during the festive season.All those indulgent treats, tempting smells and the hustle and bustle of holiday activities, make it a time of heightened risk for curious pets. Whether it’s leftovers on the table, a discarded snack in the bin or a treat hidden under the tree, the possibilities of food-related mishaps are endless.While it's no surprise that pets like to beg for snacks and leftovers, dogs are more likely to ingest something that could make them very poorly.According to th...

People puzzled by why oranges are left in Christmas stockings have had their question answered by a TikTok user and food fans.According to Claire Dinhut, also known as Condiment Claire, there are two believed reasons for this citrus tradition; one rooted deeply in old-world yuletide lore associated with Saint Nicholas, and another more contemporary theory.Although a less common occurrence today compared to long ago, the inclusion of an orange in the festive stocking remains a cherished ritual for numerous Christmas celebrants. Claire illuminated the possible explanations: "Have you ever wondered why we put oranges in stockings? So there are actually two theories.First up, St Nicholas. Legend has it that St Nicholas found out about this poor guy who had three daughters. Now this poor guy...

Gen Z has over time been criticised for their work-life balance, with some of them reportedly refusing to go to traditional offices to work.But despite this, a recent poll has revealed that only 45% of Gen Z feel they have achieved a good work-life balance, which is significantly lower than those in the final stretch of their careers. So what are they doing differently?Gen Z business owner and CEO of Girls on the Go, Vicky Owens, has revealed the unusual rules she enforces on her team in a way that is more tailored for the younger generations. In terms of communicating with her team, she said the most used used formats were simple text messages and FaceTime calls, as it's easy and convenient"Our offices ranges from coffee shops, our beds, sofas or anywhere between. Everyone feels produc...