Life Style

Condensation can be a nightmare, but it’s rife at this time of year thanks to the fact that your heating is likely cranked up, and it’s freezing outside.According to Envirovent, “Condensation occurs when warm air collides with cold surfaces, or when there's too much humidity in your home. When this moisture-packed warm air comes into contact with a chilly surface, it cools down quickly and releases the water, which turns into liquid droplets on the cold surface”. This can lead to your windowsill becoming saturated with water, meaning you’re having to regularly clean it each morning, which can get seriously frustrating. You'll also likely be looking up on social media 'how to get rid of condensation'.Plus, you ignore the condensation, it could lead to mould, damp and damage to window fra...

If you've ever switched on the TV in the late afternoon or early evening, you'll have seen the host of quiz shows that we Brits love to watch. From BBC offerings like Pointless and Mastermind, to beloved ITV shows such as The Chase and Tipping Point, millions of us settle down with a cup of tea every afternoon to test how smart we really are.One of the trickiest quiz shows on TV is widely agreed to be BBC Two's Only Connect. Hosted by Victoria Coren Mitchell, the show sees teams of players compete in a tournament in which they have to find connections between seemingly unrelated clues. The clues can be linked in a variety of ways, including thematically, linguistically, and factually - and often require some serious lateral thinking to figure out.As one of the hardest quiz shows out the...

For parents who choose not to allow their children screen access, finding alternative activities can present a challenge. Every parent has the right to raise their children as they see fit, and some prefer to restrict or completely eliminate screen time in their households for various reasons.Whilst this approach isn't universal, certain parents notice changes in their children's behaviour and sleep patterns when they reduce screen time, particularly during evening hours. Conversely, others are perfectly comfortable with their children enjoying television as a way to relax and unwind.Eliminating screen time raises an important question: how do you entertain a young child for extended periods without digital devices?One father, who shares content on TikTok under the handle @koohry, outli...

The new year has arrived, prompting countless individuals to tackle any extra pounds gained during the festive period. Whilst you're absolutely fine as you are, if you're considering a more mindful approach to eating, organisations like Slimming World have built a reputation for helping people achieve their goals.Yet dieters have previously been puzzled by one particular Slimming World guideline, which many have branded as 'odd', with some insisting it's completely illogical. A medical professional has now shed light on the scientific reasoning behind this controversial rule.But which guideline has sparked such debate?It concerns bananas. For those unfamiliar with Slimming World's system, certain foods can be consumed freely without restriction - and bananas fall into this category.Howe...

JD Sports has unveiled plans to enable some customers to purchase its products directly through AI platforms without having to exit the applications. This marks the latest strategy by a major retailer to respond to consumers' growing tendency to use AI platforms such as ChatGPT and Copilot.The sportswear retailer's technology chief informed the Press Association that the company believes AI represents 'the future of how people will shop' and JD intends to remain at the cutting edge of this technology.JD Sports has announced its collaboration with Commercetools and payment company Stripe to facilitate 'one-click purchases' via AI platforms. The firm stated it will roll out the technology in the United States over the coming months but shoppers will be hopeful that the UK will follow.The ...

Household mirrors will be totally streak-free if you clean them with an unusual 1p item found in the kitchen, it has been claimed. Cleaning a mirror only to found yourself spending ages trying to polish it so it's free of both streaks and dust is an infuriating task.In a world of dubious cleaning hacks, however, home writer Wendy Rose Gould believes she's found one that "actually delivers" when it comes to this troublesome household task. Indeed, she says the tip has been in circulation for a while, but claims that professional cleaners "keep it in their back pocket", so she decided to try it for herself and was left impressed with the results. In her piece for US lifestyle brand Real Simple, Wendy explained that she'd tried coffee filters on everything from device screens to glass and ...

As cold weather has hit the UK, many of us have reached for antifreeze sprays. The handy product helps to remove ice from cars before getting out on the roads.However, a veterinary nurse has now urged people to be extra careful with how they it. This is because the product can be extremely dangerous to animals that come into contact with it.Taking to TikTok, expert Jade urged people to stay away from antifreeze products that contain ethylene glycol because these can harm your pets, or other furry friends in your neighbourhood.She told her followers: "It's absolutely freezing, and I just want to remind you guys that products containing ethylene glycol are highly toxic to cats."Ethylene glycol is a clear, sweet-tasting, viscous liquid used primarily as antifreeze or coolants in vehicles. ...

Drivers are being warned they could face fines of up to £300 for a simple but increasingly common mistake. Experts say a growing number of motorists are being caught driving vehicles that exceed their legal weight limits, often without realising it.Many of the cases involve people moving home or transporting work equipment, with enforcement officers reporting a rise in overloaded vans on UK roads. Drew Hamilton, a van expert at First Step Vehicle Solutions, said many drivers have little understanding of how much their vehicle can legally carry.“Too many motorists assume a van can take whatever they can fit into it,” he said. “That assumption is leading to overloaded vehicles on the road every day, and it can result in fines of up to £300 and, in some cases, penalty points.”Every van has...

When icy conditions strike, many people reach for table salt to scatter across their driveways, melting the ice and making pathways safer. However, one woman insists there's a simpler solution - and it could save you money too.TikTok user @boy_and_girl_mama has demonstrated how she uses dishwasher salt rather than table salt to grit her pathways, describing it as a game-changer.In her clip, she's shown emptying the final portion of a 3kg bag of Tesco dishwasher salt, priced at £3.75, into a container before sprinkling it across the pathways outside her property.As temperatures plummet, the Met Office is encouraging people to clear snow and ice from pavements outside their homes or in public areas to reduce the risk of slips and falls.A statement reads: "Don't be put off clearing paths b...

In March 2024 I packed up my life in New Zealand and bade goodbye to the lush green forests, dream-like beaches and easy going lifestyle to move to London. The choice was not an easy one — I was saying goodbye to family and friends, I didn’t have a job lined up, and I was terrified.However, having lived here for more than a year now, I can pretty confidently say it was the best decision of my life. Despite being comfortable with my choice, I’m always a little taken aback when I say where I’m from and people who were born and raised in the UK ask the same question: “Why on earth did you leave New Zealand for this?”I think I must have been asked this a hundred times, and honestly, the only answer I had at first was, “Why not?”But, once I thought about it a little more, I realised there’s ...