Table of contents for 6 June 2024 in Chat

Welcome to this week's Chat… When Georgia-Lee was on maternity leave she picked up a new skill between nappy changes, burping and feeds. She taught herself to make incredibly realistic bouquets made of cake (p23). They seriously look too good to eat! She started selling them and did so well that now she's running a thriving business, making cake bouquets for birthdays, weddings and even funerals. I'd love to hear if you've found a new talent that changed your life. Get in touch at the address over the page. Have a great week, PS If you're entering the puzzles online, this is the link to use: comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Glitter exploded everywhere as Mum added more sparkles to her 4ft placard. I love you, Gareth! the sign read. ‘Only the best for my fave,’ she grinned. Mum was obsessed with Gareth Gates and we were off to his concert in London. It was July 2002 and, aged 6, I was excited about getting Mum, Georgina, then 24, all to myself. The OTT placard was typical of Mum, who was the life and soul of the party. My best friend. She had her demons. Struggled with alcohol addiction, but she was functional, left her heavy drinking to weekends when I was visiting my dad. Mum worked 12-hour shifts in a care home so, aged 10, I moved in with my dad and half-siblings. Saw Mum at weekends. But during my teens,…

British DJ Fatboy Slim and American singer Macy Gray collaborated on which 2001 single that later featured on both artists’ greatest hits compilations? Make three nine-letter words using all of these three-letter sections and enter them in the grid as the starter letters indicate. Then make an anagram of the letters in the shaded squares to form the answer to this question. NCE PEC STO RES NES INS TOR GEM IDE WIN 5 x £20 Puzzle 3 TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

BELTED STYLE TIP A cinched-in waist is great for creating or accentuating curves. Look for removable straps for line-free tanning. SCOOP STYLE TIP A nod to 90s minimalism, this simple style will suit an athletic frame. Choose a high cut to lengthen your legs. TUMMY CONTROL STYLE TIP Ruched detailing and clever sculpting technology will help smooth your shape for a confidence boost. FROM £7 ONE SHOULDER STYLE TIP An asymmetric style breaks up broader shoulders. Get more mileage and wear as a top with shorts.…

Spice Aloud There'd be Something Kinda Ooooh if Sporty, Scary and Baby ever formed a band with Cheryl and Kimberley Walsh. Who knows what kind of girl power we'd have on our hands if two had become one. But if Ginger replaced fellow redhead Nicola Roberts, I think we all know who would Call the Shots. Take Direction If One Direction had teamed up with Take That it might now have looked a bit like they were taking their dads out for the day. But Could it be Magic? With Gary Barlow and Harry Styles, Robbie and Zayn, there'd be something for everyone. Directioners might find it odd when they sang Live While You're Young alongside the 1990s band. But perhaps this super group would Rule the World. Guns N'ABBA…

Escaping holiday hell Q My friends want me to go on holiday with them to Ibiza. The thought of clubbing and going on the pull is hellish – definitely not my idea of fun! I told them I couldn't afford it, to back out politely, but now they're offering to pay for me. How do I tell them I don't want to go without making it seem like I'm judging them? Louise, 30 A Well your mates sound lovely, petal. They must think a lot of you to want to cover your holiday costs. Good pals like that deserve honesty. Ibiza has more to offer than nightlife, but if you're certain you don't want to go, tell your friends firmly that they should have a lovely time, but it's not…

TRUE-LIFE Flicking through a magazine, I felt envy bubbling up. ‘I wish I had big boobs like theirs,’ I moaned, pointing at the models with their big, perky breasts. ‘Yours are perfect,’ my partner Vlatko, then 31, assured me. It was 2015 and I'd been with Vlatko for less than a year. He seemed to have no complaints about my 34Bs. But I did. ‘If I get a boob job, you'll have no reason to leave me,’ I said, staring down at my non-existent cleavage. ‘I'm not going anywhere,’ Vlatko laughed. I trusted him completely, but I'd been cheated on in the past. Was convinced it was due to my chest. Thought having the full package would prevent history repeating itself. Despite Vlatko's reassurance, I started researching boob ops and…

31 May-6 June 2024 Aries 21 March-20 April If you've been feeling low lately, you'll find your mood picks up now with the New Moon in Aries. Set three intentions for the coming six months that excite you. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May By being true to yourself, you allow others to do the same. Your honesty and integrity are respected, so keep being you and know the rest will fall into place. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June The Sun in your sign helps you achieve ambitions that you've focused on for some time. Believe in yourself and know you're more than able to get what you desire. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23…

Q What products should I use to define my curls? I've always straightened my hair but I'd love to know how it can look naturally. Anne Roberts, Rye A Embracing your hair's natural texture is a great idea – curls are also naturally voluminous and bouncy, helping your hair look fuller. While a curly hair routine can seem intimidating, once you have it set, it's easy. Plus, you can get away with washing curly hair less often – usually every week or so. The first thing you should do is swap to a curl-friendly shampoo – avoid formulas with sulphates and silicones as they can cause frizz. We like Andrew Fitzsimons Fantasy Curls Nourishing Shampoo, £10, Boots. Follow on with a rich conditioner or hair mask to keep hair nourished.…

We pay £25 for any photos that we use on Chat To Us! Spending all day catnapping on the step, my moggie Daisy really lives like a queen! Nicole Paul, Chatham Get in touch! EMAIL chat_magazine@futurenet.com POST Chat, 121-141 Westbourne Terrace, London W2 6JR Find us online at facebook.com/ChatMagazine…

What does singer Demi Lovato say is her favourite food? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the three-word prize answer. WIN £1,001 Puzzle 4 ACROSS 11 Christian _, True Romance actor (6) 12 Flying vehicles, in the US (9) 13 Skinny (4) 14 Line on the London Underground (8) 15 Deepness (5) 16 Makes a noise like a horse (6) 17 Digestive organ (7) 18 Temperature gauge (11) 20 Spotless (5) 22 Removes one's clothes (9) 24 Singer, _ Minogue (5) 28 Duplicating (7) 29 Game of _, fantasy drama series (7) 32 Religious building (6) 34 Draw near to (8) 36 Canadian city (8) 37 Type of nut (6) 39 Member of an army (7) 40 Broke suddenly (7) 45 Run off to get married (5) 47 Declared publicly (9) 48 Beauty and the _, film (5) 51 Sensible and dependable (11) 53 Parts of a…

Heel hell Q I've started running and I've developed an agonising pain in my heel. It's worse in the morning. What can I do? Linda, St Albans A You may have plantar fasciitis, a common issue for runners where the tissue connecting the heel bone to the toes gets inflamed. Try regular calf and plantar fascia stretches (search for ‘heel pain’ on nhs.uk for a useful video). Rolling a frozen water bottle or tennis ball under your foot can help, too. Opt for shoes with good arch support and cushioned insoles. Avoid high-impact activities and consider low-impact exercises, such as swimming. Painkillers can help, as can losing weight, if needed. If symptoms persist, see your GP, who might refer you to a physiotherapist or podiatrist. They can suggest exercises, special…

Bouncing my 4-month-old, Cooper, on my lap, I smiled. ‘Ready for a nap?’ I cooed. It was March 2023, and I was on maternity leave from my job at a travel company. While I loved being home looking after Cooper, I fancied something to keep me occupied between feeds. I've always liked baking, I thought. So with a few clicks online, I ordered a set of piping bags and nozzles. Wasted no time testing them out. Filling the bags with buttercream, I squeezed the icing onto a cupcake. A big blob splattered out. ‘Not quite what I was going for,’ I laughed. But with a few days’ practice, I got the hang of it. Carefully squeezing out different shapes, I realised the different nozzles would be perfect for flower petals.…

Looking at my body, I sighed at my wobbly tummy and thighs. Then, I carefully counted all the calories I'd eaten that day in my head. No sweets later on, I thought. But I wasn't a bride-to-be or a new mum wanting to fit back into her jeans. It was summer 1975 and I was a 9-year-old girl. Already bigger than my friends, I was obsessed with changing that. I'd feel ashamed when we all lined up for PE and I'd see my big thighs against their skinny ones. I'd put myself on a diet of vegetables and water. Only to break it whenever I got my pocket money, stuffing myself with sweets from the corner shop. Afterwards I'd be full of regret. But it didn't stop me doing the…

truly chat! When Lyndsey, then 16, first laid eyes on Jonathan, it was love at first sight. But while Lyndsey fell for Jon, then 20, the minute he walked into the office of her dad's garage, where she worked, it took a bit longer for him. ‘I honestly thought she was 12 or 13,’ he admits. When the pair got chatting, 4ft 10in Lyndsey told Jon that she'd been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer aged 5. It disrupted her hormones, leaving her with childlike features and looking much younger than her years. Lyndsey says growing up with her condition was very difficult. ‘When I was in school and I lost my hair to chemotherapy, no boy wanted to be with me,’ she says. They said she was too small,…

NO-FUSS FOOD Summer berry slice Turn a few slices of bread and some berries into a tasty treat. SERVES 5-6 PREP 20 MINS, PLUS CHILLING COOK 5 MINS ● 175g caster sugar ● 1kg summer berries, eg, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries, hulled and large ones halved ● 10-14 medium slices white bread, crusts removed and cut into fingers ● Strawberry leaves, to decorate (optional) ● Cream, to serve (optional) YOU WILL NEED ● 1kg loaf tin, lined with a double layer of cling film with a large overhang 1 Pour 6tbsp water into a large pan and add the sugar. Put over a medium heat and stir until the sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil. Add the blueberries, reduce the heat and simmer gently for 1 min. Remove from the heat…

TRUE-LIFE Weighed down by shopping bags, I trudged home. It was summer 1991 and, aged just 11, I was heading home to cook dinner for my mum, stepdad and three brothers. Most days, Mum would be in bed when I got home from school. She struggled with mental health issues. I did the cooking, cleaning, washing clothes. I loved school but, yawning at my desk, I'd feel exhausted. And my stepdad was strict – whatever I did, it was never good enough. Aged 13, in June 1994, I was taken into care. Suddenly, I had clean clothes, hot meals that I'd not muddled through cooking myself. My foster family were kind to me. I missed Mum, but now it was my turn to be looked after, my turn to be…

Essence Baby Got Blush Liquid Blush, £3.50, notino.co.uk Liquid blushers can give you a flattering, dewy flush and this one works brilliantly at an even better price. Dot onto the tops of your cheeks with the handy cushion applicator, then blend with a brush or your fingertips. You can also use this shade on eyes and lips, for a stylish, monotone make-up look. PS… Superfood Kombucha Glow Moisturiser, £4, Primark Primark's skincare range is seriously underrated. We're big fans of their new Superfood range, made using fairtrade ingredients. This moisturiser is a particular winner – it combines Vitamin E and shea butter with kombucha tea to nourish and plump skin while giving it a flattering, sheen-y glow.…

Under the dingy glow of street lights, Emma Caldwell, then 26, smiled towards the headlamps of prowling cars. It was August 2004 and her life was a world away from what it'd been six years earlier. Emma had grown up with loving parents William and Margaret and was close to siblings Jamie and Karen. Had excelled at school. Loved drama class, was a promising horse rider, and got a job as head stable girl. But in May 1998, Karen, then 31, died of cancer. It sent Emma into a spiral of grief that she desperately tried to numb with heroin. Addiction gripped her. And she turned to sex work to fund it. By summer 2004, she was living in a hostel and spending nights around the red-light district in Glasgow,…

Chat winners issue 10 (7 March 2024) £1,001 CASH M Cooper, Chesterfield £500 CASH P Ramage, Kilmarnock M Lockett, Stockport £250 CASH E Horrod, Lingfield L Richardson, Workington £200 CASH K Gregory, Yeovil £100 CASH L Johnston, Surbiton L Whale, Ashford P Whitworth, Preston £50 CASH SJ Atkins, Stockport T Hanlon, Burgess Hill S Smith, Birmingham D Hooker, Swindon J Yapp, Telford D Murray, Johnstone £40 CASH J Harvey, Sheffield £30 CASH S Gault, Darlington D Collins, Weston-super-Mare Anyone from your town in the list this week..? £25 CASH F Grasby, Hartlepool K Deed, Inverness £20 CASH S Duffy, Billingham J James, Sheffield J Blexhill, Hull B Lister, Sheffield S Helliwell, Chesterfield D Harper, Newcastle upon Tyne P Padgett, Sunderland G Stephens, Durham S McAree, Belfast A Gerbaldi, Hornchurch P England,…

This week we meet… Louise Cox, 41, from Bedfordshire Tell us about your pets! I have two dogs, Dot and Bert. Dot is a 14-year-old Jack Russell, and Bert is a rescue, so we're not sure what breed he is – he looks like a collie that shrank in the wash! They love gentle walks and lazing in the sunshine. Where's your dream holiday destination? I'm a bit of a holiday junkie, and try to go away 3-4 times per year. My favourite destination is Greece, but I'm yet to visit Skiathos, so that's my current dream. Meal out or takeaway at home? This is a tricky one, like asking if Dot or Bert is my favourite! I do like a takeaway, but would have to choose a meal out,…

Dougray Scott plays DI Ray Lennox in which BritBox/ITVX drama series, based on an Irvine Welsh novel? The answer to each clue (apart from the first) begins with the last letter of the preceding answer. The shaded squares will spell out the one-word prize answer. WIN £100 Puzzle 2 1 In leaf throughout the year (9) 2 Capital of Kenya (7) 3 Triangle with two equal sides (9) 4 Dachshund, informally (7,3) 5 Pungent cooking bulb (6) 6 North American country (6) 7 Overseas (6) 8 Ring-shaped fried treat (8) 9 Streetcar (4) 10 Compulsory (9) 11 Japanese currency unit (3) 12 Addictive substance in tobacco (8) 13 _ Wright, English filmmaker (5) 14 Misleading clue (3,7) 15 Sign of the zodiac represented by twins (6) 16 Desire to travel (5,4)…

Turning off the lamp, I snuggled into my pillow, ready for sleep. It was July 2022, and I'd enjoyed a day off from running my eyelash-extension business. Playing tennis, catching up with my sister Elena, then 36, on the phone. She lived in Austria, but we chatted constantly. Around 5am, I woke up feeling sick and dizzy. I drifted back off but hours later I woke again, still feeling terrible, and stumbled to the bathroom. Then a sharp pain came shooting through my head. Like a knife digging into my brain. Something's seriously wrong, I panicked. I need to get to my phone… Just then, my right leg gave way and I collapsed. I felt the cold hard floor slam into my face. Then nothing. When I came to, I…

YOU'RE THE JUDGE! Rylee Goodrich's dad David watched protectively as his daughter's date arrived. Home from university for the summer, Rylee, then 18, was going on a date with Anthony Barajas, 19. It was 26 July 2021 and the teenagers had met at a party a few weeks before. Only, David had rolled his eyes when he first heard about Anthony, a social media influencer. Sceptical about this lad his daughter was seeing, David, who worked as a private investigator, was on his guard. Today, Rylee had curled her blonde hair specially. And when Anthony arrived at the house, he came with gifts. Souvenirs from his recent holiday to Hawaii. A necklace for Rylee's younger sister, and little key chains for her parents. A sweet gesture, one that impressed David.…

1 Get moving If you're feeling achy or tender it may be the last thing you want to do, but exercise can work magic on sore muscles. ‘Avoid high-intensity workouts. Instead opt for light cardio activities, such as swimming, walking, jogging or cycling,’ says Dean Zweck from Total Fitness. ‘It will enhance circulation, pumping fresh blood to tired muscles, without causing additional strain.’ 2 Self-massage If you don't have the time or budget for a professional massage, you can work on your own muscles. Struggling to deliver the right pressure or stretch to those hard-to-reach places? Dean suggests using a foam roller or massage gun. They apply targeted pressure to overworked muscles, enhancing circulation and encouraging fresh blood and nutrients to the affected area. 3 Gentle stretches Adding stretches to your daily…

Popping the lid off a sports drink, I mixed in cold and flu powder and took a sip. ‘You can still do this,’ I said to myself. It was September 2014 and as a keen fell runner, I was taking on a 22-mile Man vs Mountain race. The track would take me climbing from sea level to the peak of Mount Snowdon. I'd spent months training, only to wake up on race day full of cold. After dosing myself up, I made it to the start line. My feet slipped on shale and I pumped my arms. Adrenaline kicked in and I raced up the mountain. I finished in just over four hours. A personal best! When bruises dotted across my legs the next day, I assumed it was from…

Go green, save cash The campaign Love Food Hate Waste is encouraging people to buy fruit and vegetables loose rather than pre-packaged, so they'll only buy the quantity they need in a bid to reduce food waste, which costs around £1,000 for an average family of four every year. For more tips, visit lovefood hatewaste.com. 3 ways to… spruce up your garden for less Don't pay more than you need to when giving your outside space a bit of a makeover… 1 Make do and mend If your garden furniture has seen better days, before replacing it, try to fix it first. You'll find useful guides online, such as B&Q's YouTube video on how to restore wooden garden furniture. If you need any tools to complete the job, see if you can…

Super Facialist Vegan Collagen Gel Cleanser, £12, superfacialist.co.uk If you're looking for a new daily cleanser, try this buy, which uses vegan-friendly collagen to deeply clean skin while leaving it feeling plump and soft. Soap & Glory FabuLipstick Satin Lipstick, £10.99, Boots Soap & Glory have revamped their make-up range, and we're big fans of this bold lipstick. The colour is buildable with a satin finish, so you can dial up the brightness gradually. Studio London Lash Icon 24H Volumising Mascara, £6, Superdrug The curved brush is the secret behind the brilliance of this mascara – it pushes up the lashes for an open-eyed look without the faff of eyelash curlers. OGX Rescue Fusions Deep Recovery Overnight Treatment, £15, Boots Do you wake up with bedhead? This is a smart styling buy…

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Dear Dad, Walking our beloved flat-coated retriever, Hewiee, across the dewy fields, the sun was just coming up. It was October 1996, I was 11, and this my favourite time of the day. Just me and you, my dad, Keith, then 47, on our early morning dog walk. You loverd animals, our house was full of pets. Dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters. Going past a pet shop, your face lit up. Ten minutes later, we'd be walking home with a new rabbit in a straw-filled box. Mum, Mary, then 42, didn't mind and my brother, Nick, then 15, loved them, too. Together, we look care of them. You were the fun, silly one, Dad, but always there for a cuddle and a chat, too. Especially through all the heartbreak…