Indice dei contenuti per 11-Oct-2018 in Chat

How far would you go to pay for life’s luxuries? When Shan was skint she chose a rather extreme way to live the high life (p24). And check out baby Benjamin (p10). He’s a little sweetheart, but his mum Ashley was preparing to say goodbye to him before he was even born. Then there’s Becs who made a life-changing decision that caused truly strange things to begin to happen (p44)! On top of that we’ve got more gripping real-life reads, prize puzzles, bargain fashion (p12), beauty, homes (p22), tips and more. Have a great week!…

From fearlessly defending their home to snuggling up with us on the couch, dogs are our ultimate animal companions. They come in all shapes and sizes, packed full of personality, which makes owning a dog one of life’s greatest joys. So how do you keep these loyal creatures healthy and happy? The easiest way is to make sure they’ve got a nutritionally balanced diet that allows them to enjoy an active lifestyle. IAMS for Vitality is a new dry dog food range that delivers just that. Developed with vets – and based on 70 years of experience – it gives dogs just the right amount of nutrition to meet their daily needs. In fact, when you feed your dog IAMS for Vitality, you’ll be giving them ingredients that promote seven…

Seb’s a fighter – I could see it in his eyes Dawn Revell, 48, Berkshire Whizzing down the hill was a distinctive green bike, and the boy behind the bars – my son Seb. Active and always up to mischief, he wouldn’t slow down for a second. Only one day after rugby in late 2016, he looked ready to collapse. Knees muddy, his face was as white as a sheet and he was shaking. ‘Hard practice?’ I asked. ‘Yeah… I really ache,’ he said, stretching his back. I reckoned he’d be fine after a good night’s sleep. But as the months passed, he kept complaining of the same things... Tiredness and aching joints. And he was always pale. So I made an appointment at the surgery for the day after…

Julie Morawaka, 55, Great Wakering Like any other couple, me and Mike, 58, had been through our fair share of ups and downs over our five years together. But when it came to our love life, we’d never had any complaints. So when I found myself traipsing back and forth to the doctor in December 2015, complaining of the constant need to wee and struggling to go, it was little more than a thorn in my side. Diagnosed with a urine infection, I was given antibiotics and sent home. But the symptoms didn’t clear – and in July 2016, I returned to the doctor with a dull ache in my back. ‘It’s keeping me up at night,’ I groaned. He examined me and prescribed more antibiotics. ‘It’s another infection,’ he…

Shan Morgan, 24, Leicester Slurping noodles in my uni dorm, I scrolled through Instagram and spotted that all my mates were on holiday. America, Dubai… How could they afford it? While they were jetsetting, I was living on baked beans in student digs. A few weeks later, I got chatting to them. I couldn’t help but notice their perfectly manicured nails, gorgeous salon-styled hair and designer handbags. ‘How on earth do you pay for it all?’ I huffed. ‘We’re sugar babies,’ they grinned. Sugar WHAT?! Turned out the girls had signed up to a dating site for sugar daddies and sugar babies – women who receive cash, gifts or holidays from older fellas. Sometimes a bloke even paid them cash to join him for lunch! It got me thinking. I’d…

There it lay. Fold after fold of saggy skin. Now deflated, my apron of fat looked bigger, worse. More like a curtain. But unable to eat, I couldn’t just fall back on my old coping mechanisms. Soon, I started to get sores between the folds and had to use talc to stop them rubbing. Whenever I went to the toilet, I was forced to hold my saggy skin like a dress. Even that didn’t stop the folds from becoming trapped between the bowl and toilet seat. It would have taken a decade to save up for the op When I finally confided in a friend about my belly, she had a suggestion. ‘What about a tummy tuck?’ she offered gently. ‘If only,’ I mused. I didn’t have the thousands in…

Subscription services are handy, but follow these tips so you're not wasting money on services you don't use… 1 Do I need it? Make a list of subscriptions and the cost and decide if they're worth it. Do this every couple of months. It makes sense to have Netflix while it's showing your favourite series but, after it ends, why not ditch it until there's something new you want to watch? 2 Deals Haggle to reduce the cost of your subscriptions. If they're online, click on the option to cancel your contract and you may be offered a good deal to stay. Always take up good offers - for example, if you love recipe boxes, shop around to get discounts they offer to new users. And if your gym membership…

Chloe Buck, 22, Goole, East Yorkshire When a friend request from Jonathan Binks, 25, popped up on my Facebook, I clicked through to look at his profile. With spiky hair and glasses, he looked cute, if a bit geeky. Hey beautiful, how are you? he messaged minutes later. I was intrigued. We agreed to meet for a drink in the local pub. ‘You’re gorgeous,’ he grinned. The next day, he wanted to make our relationship official on Facebook. Bit quick... But after such a lovely date, I threw caution to the wind. It was September 2014 and after a rough couple of years, I wondered if Jony would bring me the slice of happiness I reckoned was badly overdue. Things continued at breakneck speed. Within weeks, I’d moved from my…

1 Toothpaste I’m totally obsessed with making my teeth whiter at home and I’m loving the new Pearl Drops Luminous Bright White toothpaste, £7. 2 Moisturiser My skin has been playing up recently due to all the sudden weather changes, but Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Water Gel Cream Moisturiser, £12.99, has really kept it feeling hydrated. 3 Hair Mask I never have time to fully pamper myself but when I have a few minutes to spare, I love putting on Aussie’s 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor Treatment, £4.99.…

Coronation Street Wedding disasters? Bride-to-be Tracy is raging when she thinks Abi has slept with Steve in the run-up to their big day. The fiery Barlow unleashes her fury on Abi before later storming off to confront her groom with a slap round his face! Meanwhile, Daniel is forging ahead with his secret surprise wedding to Sinead on the same day as Tracy’s. As Sinead returns from her hospital MRI scan, she’s stunned when Daniel proposes. Emmerdale Mystery at the ball As Home Farm prepares to host a charity ball, Joe tells Debbie they’re getting married, but as the bride-to-be tells her dad Cain that she’ll never forgive him if he interferes, Graham is determined to put a stop to the nuptials. Later on, Joe goes missing... Meanwhile, Ross plots…

Everyone’s a winner! This sign outside a beauty salon in Luddendenfoot made me laugh. I think my wife Jill will definitely be keen on the idea of Wife Daycare, as long as she can have lots of beauty treatments (I’ll pick up the tab, of course!). David Jackson, Todmorden Our bodies, our choice A lot of women’s bodies carry scars – from childbirth to surgery. But Sharon Donnelly (issue 30, 26 July) has done more for life after cancer than any advert ever could by embracing her body after a double mastectomy. She used every ounce of energy she had to make doctors agree to remove her healthy breast, even after having post-op complications. Good for Sharon. She has earned my utmost admiration and her fabulous photo has paved the…

In 2016, Kouider hired shy French nanny Sophie Lionnet, 21, to help with her children. But, soon, Kouider created a fantasy in which Sophie was colluding with Kouider’s ex, Mark Walton, saying the pair were in a sexual relationship. Kouider convinced her partner Medouni it was true – a delusion later referred to as the psychosis folie a deux, ‘madness of two’. Soon after, the couple began torturing, starving and interrogating Sophie about her non-existent relationship with Walton. In August 2017, Kouider even took Sophie to a London police station to force her to confess to plotting with Mark to shoot the family. But, in a private conversation with the police, Sophie said none of Kouider’s story was true.…

‘We got Lottie as a rescue dog, and because she’s a beagle cross trailhound she needs a LOT of daily exercise. She loves to run outside, play – and make a lot of noise!’ KATHY LOCKE, WORCESTERSHIRE ‘Frankie has so much energy – we always have to change up her playtime to keep her entertained! Chasing a ball is her absolute favourite game, but she always takes time out to give us cuddles.’ WENDY EASTWOOD, EAST YORKSHIRE ‘Pimms is such a loveable dog, she really doesn’t need much to make her happy! She enjoys walks on the beach, treats and visits with our neighbours. She’s so sociable.’ GARETH STRACHAN, BRIGHTON…

After a three-week trial, the jury found Frances Hall, 53, guilty of felony murder and aggravated assault. She faced serving life in prison. But her defence team appealed to the court for leniency on the grounds of ‘sudden passion’ – a legal term for reacting in the heat of the moment. They claimed Hall’s actions were a direct result of seeing her husband and mistress together. Frances Hall told the judge, ‘I am not this evil person that they said I am.’ The judge took pity on Hall, sentencing her to just two years in prison. She was released last month.…

Give me a break Q I fell and broke my wrist last month. The hospital is pestering me to have an osteoporosis check. Is it necessary? Celia, Newport A Breaking a bone from falling over can be a sign of osteoporosis - weakened bones. It's important to check with a bone-density scan because osteoporosis, if you have it, can be treated to help prevent further breaks. Glaucoma cure? Q My optician says I'm developing glaucoma. Is there any treatment? Emily, Watford A Glaucoma means increased pressure in the fluid inside your eye. Gradually, it damages cells in your retina, causing loss of sight. Treatment usually means regular eyedrops to reduce pressure, or sometimes tablets or surgery. Help me breathe! Q After getting short of breath, I've been told I have…

More than 10,000 people are diagnosed with bladder cancer every year in the UK, making it the 10th most common form of cancer. As it takes a long time to develop, starting in the bladder lining, it is more likely to occur in older people, and is rare in people under 40. Smokers and those working closely with dyes and chemicals are at higher risk. Common symptoms include blood in your urine and difficulty passing water. If you're concerned, visit your GP. To support The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, visit royalmarsden.org/donate…

Pesto chicken drumsticks with herby vegetables Serves: 4 Prep: 15 min Cook: 40 min • 750g baby new potatoes, scrubbed • 2 courgettes, sliced • 1 red pepper, deseeded and cut into 8 • 2 garlic cloves, crushed • Sea-salt crystals • 150ml chicken stock • 2tbsp olive oil • 4tsp pesto • 4 chicken legs • 2tsp chicken seasoning • Few sprigs rosemary 1 Heat oven to 200C/Gas 6. Take a large roasting tin and tip in the potatoes, courgettes, pepper and garlic. Sprinkle with sea salt. 2 Pour in the stock and drizzle over 1tbsp oil. 3 Spread the pesto between the chicken flesh and skin and arrange on top of the vegetables. 4 Sprinkle over the seasoning and rosemary and drizzle with 1tbsp oil. Roast for 20…

BARGAIN OF THE WEEK Expert Skincare is the latest affordable range from Boots (£2.50-£4). We've tried it and are pleased to report it's really good. Expert Skincare Q10 Anti-Age Day Cream, £4. 3 NEW MASCARAS YOU NEED TO TRY Mark. Big and Style Volume Mascara, £8.50, avon.uk.com Flake free Gives limitless volume without clumping your lashes together or flaking. It’s water-resistant, too! L’Oréal Unlimited Mascara, £10.99 Instant volume Helps you achieve unlimited lash impact from every angle thanks to the bendable brush – you’ll never miss a lash again. Natural Collection Definition Mascara, £2.49 Flirty lashes Defines and separates your lashes for the look you’ve been dreaming of. 90% of women who used Maybelline Lash Sensational Serum, £14.99 , saw their lashes looking fuller and thick er in…

Last September, the charred remains of nanny Sophie Lionnet were found in a bonfire in Wimbledon, south London. Her killers Sabrina Kouider and Ouissem Medouni blamed each other throughout the investigation and trial, but this May were both found guilty of Sophie’s murder. They were sentenced to life, to serve a minimum of 30 years. Here’s how they were caught... 1 Boyband obsession Sabrina Kouider, 35, was a stylist, make-up artist, fashion designer and songwriter. She moved to the UK from Paris in 2011, and had a relationship with music mogul and founder member of 1990s boyband Boyzone, Mark Walton. The relationship ended, with Mark describing it as ‘probably the most turbulent’ he’d ever had. After the split, Kouider rekindled a romance with Ouissem Medouni, 40, but became obsessed with…

Kiera Smith, 35 Waddling behind the bar, my back ached and my feet throbbed. Seven months pregnant with my second child, I was ready for my shift pulling pints to end. But then a familiar face appeared and all my aches melted away. ‘Come sit down for a minute,’ he smiled, pulling out a chair. ‘Thanks, love,’ I said, easing myself down. It was 2002, and Daniel and I worked for the same river-cruise company. He was a captain, and I was working behind the bar. I was single but already pregnant when we’d met that summer, so I hadn’t expected romance to blossom. But now it had, everything was slotting into place. Daniel looked after me and doted on my 18-month-old daughter Holly, treating her to ice cream at…

Eggcellent  When we found the holiday villa where we were staying didn't have egg cups, we used the jumbo towel pegs instead. Worked a treat! Jacqueline Stelling, Tewkesbury Family fun When the grandkids were round, I made this simple ring-toss game by cutting out the centre of paper plates, and gluing empty kitchen roll tubes to another plate as a target. The kids decorated them all, and now have a great indoor and outdoor game to keep them entertained for ages. Richard Emerson, Grimsby Hole meal! If heating up leftovers, fashion a little hole in the middle of your food. It'll heat up quicker and ensure everything is piping hot all the way through. Sian Walker, Halesowen Pest control Sprinkle plain bran around plants to keep snails and slugs away.…

Bubbly wee Q I've noticed bubbles of air in my wee! What's going on? Rowena, St Neots A Rarely, an infection can be to blame, but it usually means a fistula - a connection between your bladder and bowel. Diverticulitis, a bowel infection, is often the cause, and the fistula might heal itself. But cancer is also a possibility - and this, or a fistula that won't close, means an op. Allergic to sex? Q Sex makes me itch all over. My partner says I must be allergic to it! Tash, Grimsby A Sex involves rubbing and sweating, and the excitement opens blood vessels in your skin to increase blood flow... all of which can worsen itchy skin conditions such as eczema. Try keeping cool, taking an antihistamine tablet beforehand,…

Amanda Nauffts, 36 Checking my reflection in the changing-room mirror, I dropped my head into my hands and sobbed. ‘I’ll never be able to wear something like this,’ I sniffled, yanking at the clingy prom dress. ‘It’s alright, love,’ my mum, Kay, 49, soothed. ‘We’ll find something.’ But at 13st, there wasn’t anything that didn’t make my bulging rolls of tummy fat look even worse. Peeling the dress off, I sloped out of the store. ‘I know what’ll cheer ’ said Mum. ‘How about lunch?’ Immediately, my mood lifted. Mum always knew how to make me feel better. Wedging ourselves into the nearest booth, we ordered our favourite – two large pepperoni pizzas – and gobbled down slice after scrummy slice, chilli oil dripping down our wrists as we ate…

Aries 21 March - 20 April You’re in a familiar routine. But, if you stick too closely to what you did before, you’ll make the same mistakes as you did then, which’ll make you cross. Focus, avoid the pitfalls and you’ll be fine… • Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April - 21 May You need time to think before giving a definite answer. If your relationship is as good as you think it is, the other person will understand and wait. If not, then that tells you something, too, doesn’t it? • Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May - 21 June Reopening an old argument seems like asking for trouble, but you have to do it. Though you’re in a stronger position now, the…

You could be a winner today There’s so much to enjoy at Chat Mag Bingo and October is no exception! Check our exciting Link Games, Huge Jackpots, New Games and of course a fest of exciting BINGO promotions… A Clean Sweep! Sweep up with a bit of autumnal cleaning this month to reveal some exciting offers! Simply opt in and each day you sweep away the autumn leaves on our promotional scratchcard between 8-17 October, you’ll discover how to earn a prize draw entry to enter the day’s Box Bonanza to win a cash prize. Opt in required. Wagering requirements apply. Date restrictions apply. See full T&Cs for details. Pick ‘N Play! Pick ’N Play. Enjoy the chance to win £30. Simply opt in by picking and playing £10 on…

Envious of Dani from Love Island’s Bambi lashes? Us too! But viewers were a tad confused when she was spotted using a hairdryer to blow-dry them! But it seems that she’s actually on to something – I mean they look great, right? She swears by using Johnson’s Baby Shampoo, £1.59, to gently wash her lashes to keep them fluffy and fresh every day. To give your lashes even more oomph, finish with generous lashings of volumising mascara. Want to know Emily Ratajkowski’s skin secret? We ALL do, because just look at her flawless complexion and striking features. But apparently she forgoes expensive brands and is in fact a huge fan of using Eucerin Aquaphor Soothing Skin Balm, £9, on her skin. ‘I love Aquaphor. I use it on my lips,…