Life Style

Baby monitors are a fantastic way to keep an eye on your little one as they sleep, or when you put them down for their nap during the day. It just quickly puts your mind at ease that your child is safe and sleeping soundly, rather than having to constantly physically go in their room and check on them, potentially risking disturbing their slumber.But one mum was left gobsmacked when she noticed an unexpected guest in her two-year-old’s room on the monitor. Mum Tori was quick to say on TikTok that she didn’t want any unsolicited parenting advice, because she "knew what was coming" when she posted the video.In the adorable video, the family cat could be seen curling up with her little girl in different positions throughout the night. Over the top of the video, Tori wrote: “When the big hu...

Nobody wants rubbish piling up outside their home, which is why it's crucial to dispose of waste and recycling properly. Yet a binman has issued a warning that your recycling could be "rejected" and left uncollected if you mistakenly include one common household item.What many don't realise is that not everything plastic can go into the recycling bin, despite assumptions that all plastic items can be bundled together. A popular binman on TikTok, known as The No1 Binman, has revealed the specific item that must be kept out, as it can actually contaminate your entire recycling load.He outlined what householders need to understand in a video posted online, and his advice may come as quite a shock. There's a good chance you've been recycling incorrectly for years, potentially causing issues...

People are being encouraged to put rice in wardrobes this winter to stop the build up of one common issue. Rice can help reduce humidity and it is said by placing a jar - or sock - of the grains in your wardrobe, it can help keep it drier.Experts say that by doing this, it can stop the buildup of mould, which is more common in the winter months because the chilly temperatures combined with the warmth indoors can lead to excess moisture in the air. It is said that doing this can also help prevent musty smells caused by trapped moisture, as well as the buildup of mildew. The advice is particularly useful as Britons across the country face a cold snap.Man Made DIY, which shared the tip on its website, recommends replacing the jar of rice every few months or if the rice begins to clump.Whil...

As 2026 kicks off, expectant parents will be looking forward to welcoming their bundles of joy in the coming months. While those who haven't yet chosen a name will be cracking open the baby name dictionaries in search of the perfect pick. 2025 saw some interesting trends in baby names, with some classic choices experiencing a notable decline in popularity.For girls' names, Elodie, Gracie, and Nova all dropped 64 places, landing in 59th, 62nd, and 64th, respectively, according to babycentre.co.uk. Similarly, in these rankings, Amara dropped 57 places, and Hazel ended up 33 places lower than in 2024, while Evie and Penelope dropped 30.Meanwhile, for boys' names, the biggest fall was seen in the name Aiden, which dropped 49 spots to land at 95. While the classic Thomas dropped 39 spots, an...

The temperatures have dropped significantly in recent days, and it’s finally beginning to feel properly wintery. With snow and ice across certain parts of the UK, leaving your car overnight on the driveway outside can leave it vulnerable and prone to freezing. And there’s nothing worse than desperately trying to de-ice your car when you’re in a rush. You were supposed to meet with a friend five minutes ago, but you’re still there, desperately scratching at your windscreen with a scraper or, in some cases, a credit card.On Reddit’s ‘Ask UK’ forum, someone asked others for the most efficient way to de-ice a car. They wrote: “On icy mornings, I am always surprised to see my neighbours chiselling away at ice on their windows for up to 10 to 15 minutes with their plastic scrapers.“I, on the ...

If you have ever noticed your laundry come out dirtier or smellier than it was before you put it in your washing machine, an expert has offered advice on where you may be going wrong. Taking to TikTok, Kelli, who is an employee of Splash 'Em Out, pointed out the "number one mistake" that many fall victim to. "Too much detergent," she said, "laundry is not a soap show."Kelli continued with what she described as a "gross fact", advising: "Extra detergent doesn't rinse out - it sticks to your fabric and traps sweat and bacteria." The smell that returns once the clothes have been dried is down to the bacteria feeding on leftover soap, she revealed."Over-soaping re-deposits dirty water right back on to your clothes," Kelli added. She added a final pointer: "Big machine does not mean big dete...

When did you last receive a phone call from someone you actually wanted to speak to? I can’t remember when a friend last rang “for a chat”. As a consequence, my voicemail is full of messages, not from old acquaintances but from scammers and annoying utility companies begging me to switch to a smart meter – when will they get the message?As we march ever deeper into the digital age where even texts and emails will be supplanted by some new form of AI communication, I for one will be glad to see the back of the old “dog and bone”. This March 10 marks 150 years since Graham Bell made the first successful, intelligible call, famously telling his assistant: “Mr Watson, come here – I want to see you.”Ironic then that at a time when phones have never been more ubiquitous we are using them less...

A woman was left astounded after discovering what she brands one of the 'most enchanting' gorges in the UK. Britain boasts countless stunning parks and walking destinations, with the South West of England being no exception. From the renowned Cotswolds to magnificent Cornwall beaches and forests, there's always a new location to discover for those seeking adventure.For those craving inspiration slightly further away, one outdoor enthusiast is now encouraging visitors to explore a particular spot in Somerset. She described it as the ideal destination for a 'magical' walk.Georgia, known as 'gplansthings' on TikTok, revealed she'd been residing in Bath for nearly four years. She eventually made time to visit Ebbor Gorge, situated just forty minutes' drive from the historic city.In her brie...

Experts have issued an alert to anyone who is placing hot food directly in the freezer. On its website, consumer watchdog, Which?, have noted that if you do this, you could be unknowingly be increasing your energy bills.The expert states that if you have "recently cooked food", you should never put it in the freezer straight away. Instead, it needs to be left out to cool down. Ideally, the food you plan to freeze for later use should be left to cool at room temperature for a maximum of one to two hours before freezing. If you do not do this, "the warmth will send the temperature in the freezer skyrocketing."As a result, "not only will that compromise the quality of other frozen food by potentially thawing it slightly, but it will also force your freezer to work harder to cool down, push...

You may not realise the damage these things can do (Image: Iparraguirre Recio via Getty Images)While most of us understand the significance of maintaining a balanced diet and avoiding smoking, there are five less well-known habits that can damage heart health. We frequently hear about the importance of cardiovascular wellbeing, but many are inadvertently participating in behaviours that can harm this vital organ.Consulting a leading cardiologist regarding the five everyday habits that could be jeopardising your cardiovascular health, Surrey Live asked about daily habits from sleep patterns to stress levels - as these behaviours might be causing more harm than you realise.So what are these five things harming your heart? Here is what you need to know about your health.Lack of physical ac...