Life Style

Many families look forward to the half-term holidays as a time to spend quality time together. Most schools are set to break up next week, from February 16 to February 20.But for some parents, work commitments or unexpected situations can make childcare difficult. When that happens, questions often arise about whether children can be left at home alone - but the legal position in the UK is not always clear-cut. The Government stresses that the decision varies for every child, but there are clear guidelines in place to help steer parents.The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) very clearly states that children under 12 are rarely mature enough to be left alone for long periods of time. They suggested always leaving them in childcare or with family.So, once ...

Families looking for a 'magical day out might like a '1,000-acre estate' that's been described as 'the best National Trust property.' The 'beautiful' location often goes viral on social media. Described by reviewers as a 'hidden gem in Northumberland', fans agree Cragside is a 'must visit if you're in the area.'Found in Rothbury, Cragside is an 'enchanting destination', with a house and 'grand fantasy garden.' The National Trust website explains that the destination offers fun for all the family, including dogs, with pets allowed in all the outdoor spaces, provided they're kept on a lead so they don't startle the deer and other wildlife.The highlights include a Rock Garden, Pinetum, Nelly's Moss Lakes, and Pump House. With '40-miles of footpaths', there's lots to explore. Social media u...

With spring on the horizon, many of us are looking forward to ditching the heavy jackets and thicker trousers in favour of less layers and fun new season finds. Roman is known for its reasonably priced quality staples, and we've found a pair of spring-ready trousers that have been slashed in price to just £24 - but there's now a way that savvy shoppers can save even more.The Roman Denim Baby Corduroy Wide Leg Trousers come in a gorgeous sky blue denim shade, and they usually retail for £32. Now in Roman's up to 70% off sale, they've been reduced to just £24, but fashion fans who use the code GRAB10 can bag the item for £21.60. Available in sizes S-L, we love that the bottoms feature a handy stretch tie waist, making them bloat-friendly and comfortable for everyday wear. They're made fro...

If you're struggling to remove any stubborn mattress stains, a cleaning specialist claims to have just the solution. Azure MacCannell took to TikTok with a "hack" that requires a bathroom essential you may already possess. In a video, she applied shaving cream directly to the stain before rubbing it in with her hand.Next, Azure took a microfibre cloth and continued to rub more vigorously before revealing the end result. And her tricks didn't end there.Azure also claims foaming glass cleaner is perfect for removing stains on microfibre surfaces, while she uses fast-acting washing up liquid or spray on fabric stains before placing the dirty items in the washing machine.Her final "hack" of her short clip involves removing permanent marker stains from clothing. To do this, simply use a stea...

There is nothing better than having money to buy your favourite snacks, but Marks and Spencer can be very expensive unless you are on the hunt for a yellow sticker bargain. These stickers are discounted price labels often placed on items that are going to expire the next day to help supermarkets cut down on food waste.I used to avoid going into M&S Food Halls as I like to try to save money, but I love their dark chocolate jaffa cake biscuits and have recently developed a strategy to feed my addiction. I worked in the bakery section of a Marks and Spencer for one summer while at university, and now I now only visit my local store at certain times I know when the yellow stickers are being placed.When is the best time to visit M&S for yellow stickers? Many people make the mistake o...

Superstitions surround Chinese New Year also known as Spring Festival which begins on February 17 (Image: Catherine Falls Commercial via Getty Images)Chinese New Year, also called the Lunar New Year, begins with the second new moon after December’s winter solstice, which generally falls between late January and late February each year. The timing varies depending on the clockless pattern of a given moon cycle - and in 2026 the year of the Fire Horse begins on February 17.There are many superstitions surrounding Chinese New Year, including things you “shouldn’t do” on the day it begins for fear of “bringing misfortune”. This includes wearing certain colours and eating specific things, with even a humble bowl of morning porridge considered “unlucky”. This fresh Lunar New Year leads into a...

Josh Wilkinson has left his life behind in Adelaide, Australia (Image: YOUTUBE/JOSHTRADAMUS)A 34-year-old Australian has packed up his bags and left his hometown Adelaide for pastures new, due to two issues. Frequently ranked as a go-to expat destination for Britons, Australia is believed to host over one million UK nationals currently residing across the nation, with Sydney proving particularly popular.Those who move to the country are said to be attracted to its glorious weather, stunning beaches, bustling cities, good healthcare system and robust employment prospects.With such attributes appearing to offer an ideal lifestyle, it may come as a surprise that a resident would want to leave.Nevertheless, content creator Josh Wilkinson recently explained why he believed he had little opti...

Beauty fans are always on the lookout for ways to refresh their routine, and curated edits have become a popular way to try a mix of well known products in one go. Bringing together skincare, makeup and haircare staples, these collections are designed to cover everyday essentials while also introducing something new - and the Roxie Nafousi Edit from LookFantastic has all of that and more.The Roxie Nafousi Edit is worth over £175, but only costs £44 - down from £55, saving customers 20% on their purchase. The edit focuses on practical, travel-friendly items that can be used every day, and packed easily for trips to the gym or weekends away.The collection features a mix of full-size favourites and deluxe minis. A full-size Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser (worth £37) uses salicylic, lac...

Pancakes are traditionally eaten on Shrove Tuesday (Image: Getty)Pancake Day is a popular, ancient tradition that has been observed for centuries. Falling the day before Lent begins in the Christian calendar, people often try their hand at flipping pancakes and savouring their creations with a variety of different toppings.It originated as far back as the 16th century when people celebrated before settling down to the subsequent weeks of Lent, during which often rigorous fasting rules were observed. Spanning six weeks to commemorate the 40-day fast Jesus undertook in the wilderness before beginning his ministry, people refrained from eating rich foods such as meat, eggs, cheese, and milk. Read more: Salmonella, Campylobacter and E.coli alert as bacteria found in pet food Read more: F...

A good pair of trousers is a wardrobe staple everyone needs and a key element of any outfit. Finding a pair that's both comfortable and stylish can be a challenge, but we've spotted a design that ticks both boxes for less than £35 at Uniqlo. The Japanese brand is well known for its affordable and versatile staples, which are comfortable and easy to mix and match. These barrel leg trousers cost £34.90 and are great for making a subtle statementThe trousers have a mid-rise waist and a casual fit, with a wide barrel leg that provides space and movement. They come in black, off white, dark grey and dark brown, all versatile shades that can be incorporated into any wardrobe, and are made from a cotton-blend jersey that keeps them cool and crisp, with a touch of elastane for extra comfort.Eve...