Life Style

When a woman lost her pet cat, she was too devastated to do day-to-day tasks like cooking.So while grieving the loss of her moggy Ella, she decided to get a takeaway. What she didn't anticipate was that the meal would end up changing her life forever.The animal lover said: "After Ella passed away, we ordered Chinese food and opened our fortune cookies. One said, 'Little acorns lead to mighty oaks.' I’ve kept it on our record cabinet since, not thinking much of it."However, the significance of that fortune soon became clear a few days later.In a Facebook post, the cat owner revealed: “I happened to look at the Richmond SPCA website when I saw they had a cat named Acorn available for adoption. Immediately, I grabbed the fortune cookie paper and felt it was a sign. They didn’t even have a ...

Choosing a name for your newborn baby can be quite the task. Any expectant parents will understand the feeling of trawling through baby name dictionaries in search of the perfect one for their bundle of joy.In recent years, there has been a rise in parents opting for unique, classic and traditional names. Irish names have also been popular with the likes of Maeve, Orla, Rory and Aiden, making the top 100 list last year. The names typically have strong meanings and rich history, which can give them a timeless yet distinctive touch.If you are looking to use an Irish name or want to be inspired, there are plenty to choose from. Plus, there are many that are still pretty rare, so they are perfect if you want your child's name to stand out.TikTok user Shania O'Donnell has rounded up rare Iri...

Princess Kate has created one of the world's leading wardrobes (Image: Getty) This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more Princess Catherine’s wardrobe has reached a point where it no longer follows fashion conversations - it leads them with quiet authority. As the future Queen, she has carved out a style identity that balances restraint with confidence, never chasing spectacle but always commanding attention. Her fashion choices feel intentional, thoughtful and rooted in longevity rather than novelty. Over the years, the royal has built a wardrobe that reflects her role - functional, refined and unmistakably British. What sets her apart is not reinvention, but consistency. These are the style principles that define he...

Primark has issued an urgent product recall as one item poses a danger to the public. The high street retailer is recalling the items from customers and urges them to stop using them straight away if they have purchased them.They are recalling Primark Baby Bear and Balloon Soother Clips due to a choking risk. The Office for Product Safety and Standards say the item is not compliant with the relevant safety standards specific to soother clips. The straps are used to keep dummies or soothers close to babies by attaching them to their clothes or bib.However, the item has been recalled from customers. The recall relates to the 2pk Soother Clips - Baby Bear sold between June and August 2025 and the 2pk Soother Clips - Balloon sold from March to September 2025.They have a kimball number of 80...

Catherine, Princess of Wales – once titled the Duchess of Cambridge – hasn't always been a member of The Royal Family; it was the pivotal moment when she met Prince William at the University of St. Andrews, in Scotland, when her future would change forever. Throughout the decades, there have been crucial turning points that have shaped her life, from attending St. Andrews, to marrying a prince, having three children, and spearheading an important campaign. Then there's the more frightening curveball that came her way – cancer. Now in remission, following treatment, Kate is looking forward to another year of living.Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, birthed Prince George on July 22, 2013, at 4.24pm inside the private wing of St. Mary's Hospital, London. The new mum, 31 at the time, is seen...

A new poll has found almost half of adults expect their New Year’s resolutions to last just two months or less when they set one, with 8% convinced they won’t make it through the first week.According to a survey of 2,000 adults, the most common reasons for breaking New Year's resolutions include not seeing the results quickly enough, getting bored or forgetting to do them. But the study revealed one of the top reasons people abandon their goals is giving in to temptation – with many admitting they struggle to resist the things they enjoy most.Commissioned by McDonald’s following the launch of its Big Arch burger, the study found 40% of adults have set themselves a resolution for 2026, with this figure standing at 71% for Gen Zs – higher than any other age group.A spokesperson for the br...

My experience working in hospitality solidified my opinion that everyone needs to work at least a year serving the public. Either retail or hospitality, I’m not picky, but I do think it should be put into law because the staggering entitlement and rudeness of some people needs to be seen to be believed. Once you’ve been on the other side of it, you dedicate your life to ensuring you are the model customer and if everyone had this attitude, the world would be a kinder and more efficient place. I worked as a barista for seven years across two cities and in that time I saw it all. Myself and my coworkers were always nothing less than polite and welcoming to all customers — but beneath the surface we were seething, simmering rage machines, biding our time until the disrespectful customers l...

A spokesperson for Lloyds Banking Group previously said: "The way people are banking has changed, with over 21 million customers choosing apps to manage their money."We're providing more choice than ever before, bringing together the best in digital convenience with our people."Alongside our app, our customers can use any Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland branch, the Post Office or banking hubs for their everyday banking, and deposit cash at over 30,000 PayPoint locations."Since 2015, Lloyds Banking Group, which is made up of Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland, has shut down 1,470 sites.The full list of the 55 Lloyds and Halifax banks that are closing this year has been revealed, with some having already shut their doors.

January can often be the start of a 'new year, new me' mentality and if you're keen to upgrade your skincare routine then it's worth addressing what your current concerns are. If you haven't heard of it before, niacinamide is multi-purpose item that is designed to tackle a host of issues. It can strengthen the skin's barrier, boost hydration, regulate oil production, minimise pores, reduces redness and inflammation, fade dark spots, and smooth fine lines.With so many products on the market, it can be hard to figure out what to try. Medik8 has built a loyal following, and the brand has started the year with a new launch aimed at tackling congestion, visible pores, and uneven skin texture.The latest addition, Niacinamide Peptides, centres around a 10% niacinamide blend and the brand says ...

Iconic British brand River Island has announced it will be closing a total of 32 stores in January. The company explained this is part of a restructuring plan to help save the fashion retailer after a £32.3million pre-tax loss and a 19% drop in sales.The retailer said the main challenges have been the rise of online shopping and high operating costs. The brand’s CEO, Ben Lewis, added that the fashion brand has “a large portfolio of stores no longer aligned to our customers’ needs,” despite being “much loved” by British shoppers. River Island has 200 shops and employs over 5,000 staff. These jobs are at risk, although the company plans to relocate staff where possible. Many high-street shops closed down in 2025, including supermarket Marks and Spencer, which permanently closed its iconic...