Life Style

A rescue dog's adoption has been described as a "Christmas miracle" following the animal's remarkable transformation upon learning she was heading to her forever home.A volunteer from BarkVille Dog Rescue, based in the US, documented the touching moment when one-year old Rosalind's fortunes took a turn for the better. Volunteer, Bruna confessed in a TikTok clip: "When I first met Rosalind last week, I immediately fell in love with her. I saw a broken, deeply scared dog, but also a soul with so much love to give. She wanted to trust us, but fear was holding her back."She revealed that Rosalind's anxious temperament meant staff couldn't walk her outdoors, as she "completely shut down" when placed on a lead. "The day I met her, I decided to carry her outside and place her in the sun," Brun...

The Woburn Sands Garden Centre, in Milton Keynes, has announced that it will permanently close its doors this year. The beloved garden centre is one of the longest-established garden stores in the area, with more than 60 years of trading. After a very challenging year, the garden centre has made the “difficult decision” to close down. Due to rising costs and financial losses, the company is “no longer viable”. A closing-down sale started on January 9, 2026, with 20% off everything. On their Facebook page, Woburn Sands Garden Centre said: “After several years of extremely challenging trading conditions, we have made the very difficult decision to close the business."Recent Government policies have made it almost impossible for businesses to survive. This has led to sustained financial lo...

As the UK prepares for the arrival of Storm Goretti, people have been warned to expect dipping temperatures, and potentially more snow and ice on the ground. A common hindrance many drivers face in the morning is their cars covered in frost, including on their windscreens. There are a number of Yellow weather warnings in place, as reported by the Met Office, in certain parts of the UK for snow and ice. If you’re considering heading outside and using your car, a car insurance brand has warned drivers of a simple task that could see them breaking the law, and face fines. If your car needs to be defrosted before you head on your journey, Rooster Car Insurance have warned how this could be illegal.In a TikTok video, Rooster explained that leaving your car engine on to defrost the windscreen...

People with disabilities or health issues that impact their mobility, including hidden conditions like dementia or Parkinson's, could qualify for a Blue Badge. This permit enables holders to park closer to their destinations.Whether they're driving or simply a passenger, Blue Badge holders can park free of charge in disabled parking bays and may also be exempt from other parking restrictions.This could include parking in numerous areas where non-holders are not allowed, such as on-street parking meter spaces and even over single or double yellow lines under certain conditions.However, it's crucial to note that there are still several locations where badge holders are not permitted to park at any time, day or night. Non-compliance with these rules may result in a potentially substantial ...

If you have the space in your garden, one horticultural expert has identified the perfect tree to plant now that will yield 5kg of fruit on an annual basis. Gardening expert, Bex Edwards from You Garden recommends the Cherry Stella - a tree that will produce "gorgeous sweet cherries" and stay "beautifully compact" within your patch. Taking to TikTok, she suggested purchasing one that has already been grafted.Showcasing the "knobbly bit" of her example, she Bex elaborated in a video: "So you can see the graft point - the tree has stuck onto grafting rootstock, a very skilled process - but that's what keeps it nice and compact."Bex advised that fully grown, the tree will only reach around two and a half metres in height. However, despite this, it still be "very, very fruitful". She contin...

Fancy making your own laundry detergent to save money this year? Not only is it good for your wallet, but it can reduce plastic waste, as well as work wonders for sensitive skin where you can avoid harsh chemicals. Now one woman revealed how you can make a homemade batch yourself using just four ingredients and very little effort.Over on TikTok, the mum, known as @cleanwithlilyx, shared a clip of the method with her 154,900 followers. She began: "How to make homemade laundry detergent."First she got her hands on a set of "lovely" storage jars and thought it was only right to make her own homemade laundry detergent.The mum grabbed four items, borax, odour crystal and carbonate soda, as well as essential oils which are optional but can work great if you want fragrance.She explained: "Once...

Having never made a sausage risotto before (but having made a fair few vegetarian risottos over the years), I was keen to try out Olive magazine's chorizo risotto. Chorizo is a flavourful pork sausage that is deep red in colouring and has a spicy kick - perfect for me.While the recipe calls for 225g of spicy chorizo ring, I only had a 130g pack of diced chorizo, so I decided to add an extra ingredient – and I'm so glad I did. Without changing anything else, the first thing I cooked was mushrooms to add to this spicy chorizo risotto. And, I must say, the end result pleased everyone that dined with me that evening.Chorizo risottoServes: 4Cooks in: 40 minsIngredients285g mushrooms130g spicy chorizoOne onion, finely choppedTwo garlic cloves, finely chopped300g arborio riceTwo tbsp tomato pu...

Just as the seasons change, our skincare routine needs to as well. Winter is notorious for drying skin out, which can, in turn, make it appear lifeless and dull. If constantly transitioning between biting cold and dry radiator heat is taking a toll on your skin, it may be time to consider incorporating hydrating products into your skincare routine. Charlotte Tilbury is a renowned name in the world of beauty and skincare, and the brand offers a specially curated set that claims to be specifically designed to help replenish hydration in your skin. After using all three products, one shopper said: "My skin looked amazing and so smooth, I could not see any pores or imperfections."Charlotte’s Hydration Revival Skincare Discovery Set costs £42, but the total value of the products inside is sa...

Over the past few years, we have seen signs that the UK high street is really struggling. Online shopping has taken over, and because of the lower levels of footfall, many retailers have been forced to shut their doors for good. An example of this is Poundland, the bargain store that was once thriving - but 'challenging trading conditions' have made it difficult for them to sustain this. This month alone, four have already closed, with 10 more expected to shut in the coming weeks. By the end of 2026, around 100 shops are expected to pull their shutters down for good.Stores expected to close will be holding clearance sales with discounts of up to 40%, giving customers one final chance to grab a bargain.Darren MacDonald, Poundland’s UK country manager, said: “We know how disappointing it...

Choosing the ideal baby name can prove challenging. After discovering a name you adore and sharing it with family and friends, you may discover their views clash with yours, potentially receiving peculiar reactions or even frank admissions that they dislike the choice.Nevertheless, it's crucial to recognise that satisfying everyone with a baby name is impossible, as preferences vary greatly. Provided you're content as the child's parent, whatever name you've selected is suitable - and external judgements shouldn't concern you, regardless of how critical they might be.One expectant mother has turned to Reddit seeking broader perspectives on her baby name choice, particularly after relatives warned her she was making a tremendous error with the Welsh name she's picked.The woman resides in...