Table of contents for 31 August 2023 in Chat

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TRUE-LIFE YOU’RE THE JUDGE! Flicking through the latest edition of People magazine, it was hard for Gary Zerola, then 29, not to feel smug. It was 2001. The magazine had just published its annual list of the 50 most eligible bachelors in America. And Gary had made the cut. His name nestled alongside the likes of Hollywood actors Josh Hartnett and Ben Affleck. It wasn’t something he took for granted. Sure, he was a success now. Had his own private law practice. In court, he was known for his flashy suits, brooding good looks and charm. But it wasn’t just his legal work that caught the eye of newspaper gossip columns and, eventually, People magazine. In 1998 he’d set up his non-profit, One for the Kids, raising money to buy…

Q Every summer I get a sore, red weeping rash under my breasts – how can I stop it? Maureen, Bournemouth A Sounds like intertrigo. This usually occurs where your skin rubs, such as armpits and groins, or under your breasts – particularly if they’re large or droopy. Sweating increases friction and skin damage, which is why intertrigo is common in the summer. At first there’s an area of inflamed, broken skin, but soon a fungal infection sets in, sometimes followed by bacteria, resulting in an itchy or sore red rash that might weep and smell. Wash regularly with plain water and gently pat dry afterwards, or use a hairdryer. Wear a well-fitting cotton bra and change it daily. Your chemist will suggest using antifungal cream and your GP can…

Sitting in the driver’s seat of a red double-decker bus, I pressed my foot to the accelerator. Here we go, I thought as the vehicle bumped across the grass of Exeter’s Westpoint showground. Living in Cornwall, I was used to reversing for huge tractors on country roads, but this was thrilling. And it was all for a good cause, too. It was September 2005, and I was doing the Marie Curie Ladies’ Driving Challenge to raise money for the charity. Marie Curie supports people with a terminal illness – and their friends and families. Provides nurses, doctors and healthcare workers. And while I’d thankfully never needed to call on Marie Curie’s services myself, I’d fundraised for the charity since November 1993. I’d wanted to do something worthwhile once my children…

Am I a no-booze bore? Q I’m due to go on my first girls’ holiday, but I won’t be able to drink, for medical reasons. I’ve explained this to them but they’ve said they would still want to go out every night. I’m worried that I won’t be able to, and don’t want to ruin the holiday. Please help! Kristy, 19 A You can not drink and still have a good time on your holiday, flower. Shopping, dancing, gossiping and giggling are just as much fun while sober. And if you really don’t want to go out, you don’t have to! I’m sure your pals will know that you might not be up for every night out, and they’ll want you to be comfortable. You can have a night off…

3 ways to… MAKE GOODS LAST A LITTLE LONGER Looking after your household appliances can help to extend their life. 1 Start with the basics First, read the user manual to make sure that you’re using each of your appliances correctly. The manuals will also give you information on maintenance – if you can’t find it, try the manufacturer’s website. Make sure you keep your appliances clean. You can find tips on how to do this at goodto.com. And don’t forget about filters – appliances such as tumble dryers, cooker hoods and vacuum cleaners have filters, which are vital for ensuring harmful debris doesn’t end up inside your appliances. If your filter is unclean or damaged, your appliance may not perform as well and it could even result in damage…

25-31 August 2023 Aries 21 March-20 April You have the courage to face your fears now. Many changes are occurring, so use your fiery energy to create a positive shift in all areas of your life. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May With Jupiter in your sign, miracles can occur. Give your concerns to the universe, take inspired action and trust in the divine plan. You can do it! ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June Your ruler, Mercury, is governing the Sun in Virgo for the next month. So tap into your communication skills to help you to clearly say exactly what you need. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July You are deeply sensitive and…

Q How can I stop my mascara smudging? Sylvia Davies, Southampton A There’s nothing more annoying than those pesky panda eyes appearing. This can happen for a couple of reasons – a common culprit is that your skincare hasn’t had enough time to sink in before you moved on to make-up. Wait around 15 minutes if you can, and check if you’re using an oil-free eye cream – they can cause eye make-up to slip around a little more. Other factors like the weather can also cause smudging, but you can help prevent that with a bit of extra prep. Set your base with a translucent setting powder to prevent any transfer. We like Morphe Bake and Set Powder, £12, lookfantastic.com – apply with a fluffy brush. Swapping to a…

Fave snack with a cuppa? I love any biscuit I can dunk, but it has to be one that won’t break up and sink to the bottom. My number one choice is a Tunnock’s Teacake – especially licking the marshmallow off my fingers afterwards. First thing you’d buy if you won the Lotto? Ah, I’d love to splash out on a brand-new camper van. I’d use it to travel the North Coast 500 route in Scotland, regularly stopping to admire the scenery with a cup of tea. And a doughnut of course! Any advice for your younger self? I’d remind myself of the four rules for finding a great man. Firstly, make sure he is loyal and true. Secondly, make sure he makes you laugh and loves you passionately above…

Which woven fabric has varieties known as Harris and Donegal? The answer to each clue (apart from the first) begins with the last letter of the preceding answer. The shaded squares will spell the one-word prize answer. WIN £100 Puzzle 2 1 Bottlenose or Risso’s, for example (7) 2 Tabloid or broadsheet (9) 3 Haphazard (6) 4 Alexandre Dumas novel, The Three _ (10) 5 Place of refuge, safe haven (9) 6 Abominable snowman (4) 7 Violet-blue dye (6) 8 Having eight sides (9) 9 Soup serving spoon (5) 10 It catches the worm, according to the saying (5,4) 11 Pub sports equipment (9) 12 One-humped camel (9) 13 _ pudding, beef accompaniment (9) 14 _ Flame, The Bangles song (7) 15 Race track circuit (3) 16 Chess piece (4) Your answer:…

STYLE TIP Update the western look with a sage green jacket and on-trend cowboy boots. Wearing a mini bag alongside your handbag means you’ll always know where your phone is. STYLE TIP If you love cargo trousers, why not try a skirt in the same style? Dress it up with a pretty, femininelooking top. STYLE TIP Faded pink jeans work with everything, although avoid black accessories, as they can feel a bit too heavy. STYLE TIP An open-weave knit is the perfect transitional jumper for pairing with denim shorts. Layer over a nude cami for coverage.…

True-life PATIENT CASEBOOK Holding my mum Regula’s hand as she took me into town, I saw the shoe shop up ahead. ‘Let’s go and say hello,’ Mum said. I smiled. Loved visiting the shop. Everyone was welcoming. I’d been born with a club foot, a condition where one or both feet turn in and under. It happens because the large tendon at the back of the ankle – the Achilles – is shorter than normal. If untreated, it can be painful or difficult to walk. Mum made sure I was treated as a baby, so once a week over several months, my foot had been gently stretched and manipulated, before being put into a cast. I was too young to remember. But I do remember the trips to buy my…

Q I had a one-night stand while I was still with my ex, but we stayed together and had a baby. He is a brilliant dad. Only, I recently bumped into the one-night stand and realised that my son is the spitting image of him. I feel so stupid that I never considered the possibility he was my son’s father. My ex is such a good dad that I don’t know what to do! Kim, 27 A The right thing to do by everyone involved in this situation is to be honest, flower. Talk to your ex and see if he would be willing to take a DNA test. If your son grows up and needs to know any medical history, it’s only fair he knows who his biological dad…

Chorizo hash with fried eggs A Spanish twist on corned beef hash that’s ready in no time, thanks to handy tinned potatoes. SERVES 3 PREP 5 MINS COOK 25 MINS ● 60g chorizo, cut into chunks ● 1 large onion, sliced ● 1 yellow pepper, sliced ● ½tsp dried mixed herbs ● 400g tin boiled potatoes, drained ● 1tbsp sherry vinegar ● 2 fried eggs, to serve ● Parsley to serve (optional) 1 Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat, add the chorizo and fry until crisp and it’s released its oil. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a plate, leaving as much oil in the pan as possible. 2 Add onion to the pan and fry for 5 mins. Add the pepper and herbs and cook for a further…

Studio London Flaunt Flawless Cream Blush, £5, Superdrug This clever two-in-one will really earn its place in your make-up bag. The creamy formula can be used as a blush or a lip shade, and it works well as a cream eyeshadow too. Apply with your fingertips to help it melt into the skin, for a flattering pop of pink. Wear on lips, eyes and cheeks for a stylish monotone look. Lacura Thirty Two Havana Nights Body Mist, £2.99, Aldi Body mists are a great way of getting a fresh scent without having to splash out on an expensive perfume – the only difference is that the formulas are less concentrated, so they may not last as long. This smells similar to the cult Sol de Janeiro body mist, with a…

TRUE-LIFE Sitting on the grass beside my girlfriend Grace, I spotted a familiar face approaching from across the park. ‘Can I join you?’ Chelsea, then 17, smiled, plonking herself down. It was March 2018 and I’d been with Grace, then 16, for six months. I was 14, and still working out who I was. Experimenting with my sexuality. And with alcohol, too… Life at home hadn’t been easy, and I’d been in and out of care. But I loved spending time with Grace. And though Chelsea, who was a friend of Grace’s housemate, often turned up uninvited, we had fun together. Hanging out in the park, taking the train to Ramsgate beach. Sometimes Chelsea could make me feel uncomfortable, though. ‘You look hot today,’ she’d say when Grace wasn’t about,…

Garden goals When the time came to get rid of the children’s pop-up Wendy house, I decided to repurpose the frame to make a netted cover for my raised vegetable beds. Aileen Allardyce, Alford, Aberdeenshire Drawer score I always keep an eye out for odd wallpaper offcuts – they are great for lining drawers! Carol McClymont, Newport, Gwent Eggs-actly what we needed Going camping but still want scrambled eggs for brekkie? Try pre-cracking and mixing the eggs into a plastic bottle – much easier to store and quick to prepare! Linda MacDonald, Selby, North Yorkshire £25 For every photo tip that we print No squashed toms Stop your tomatoes getting squashed in the fridge and keep them fresh in an egg box! Jacqueline Patrick, Waterlooville, Hampshire Very a-peeling Instead of…

WIN £1,001 Puzzle 4 What does model Kelly Brook describe as being like ‘something out of a sitcom’? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the three-word prize answer. ACROSS 11 Natural ability (6) 12 More badly behaved (9) 13 Cherish, adore (4) 14 Pink wading bird (8) 15 Marisa _, actor (5) 16 Modest (6) 17 More hazardous (7) 18 2001 film starring Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman (6,5) 20 Once more (5) 22 Stinging arachnids (9) 24 In what place? (5) 28 Hit for the Spice Girls (7) 29 Attains (7) 32 James Bond actor, _ Craig (6) 34 Hunger (8) 36 Blue gemstone (8) 37 Solitary (6) 39 Corrupt, taint (7) 40 If I Were a Boy singer (7) 45 Courageous (5) 47 Oceanic bird (9) 48 Frighten (5) 51 Poet who wrote The Bell Jar (6,5) 53 Memory loss (7) 55 Ten years (6) 56…

Help! I'm so clumsy Q I’m always accidentprone and breaking things. My friends joke about it, but could something be wrong? Sue, Carshalton A A tendency for clumsiness is usually just the way you are, although a sudden increase could occasionally point to a cause such as a stroke, Parkinson’s disease, overdoing alcohol or a drug side-effect. In older people a gradual increase can be normal, as coordination skills and reaction times start to decline slightly, or may be an early feature of Alzheimer’s disease. However, the most common reason for clumsiness is simply that you’re distracted or not paying attention to people and things around you. This is often the result of anxiety, combined with lack of sleep and tiredness. Anxiety can also make matters worse through shaking hands…

1 Bad breath Good oral hygiene can prevent bad breath, but if that doesn’t help then you may have hidden health issues. ‘Sometimes it’s a sign of infection,’ says Dr Khaled Kasem, chief orthodontist at smile2impress.com. ‘If you’re brushing and flossing twice daily but can’t get rid of the odour, visit your GP – you may be suffering from a sinus or tonsil infection, or something such as a kidney problem or blood disorder.’ 2 Receding gums Although receding gums happen naturally as we age, it’s worth getting them checked. ‘Receding gums is often a sign of gum disease, which develops when you don’t look after your oral health,’ explains Dr Kasem. ‘It’s caused by a build-up of plaque on the teeth. If the plaque isn’t removed it will irritate the gums,…

Launched in the early 2000s, Zopa, Kiva and ArtistShare were early examples of digital platforms for what activity? To find out, solve the puzzle… Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, Rustic boats = RATS + F = RAFTS. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down the added letters to spell out the prize answer. WIN 2 × £25 Puzzle 9 Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Q I’ve been seeing a woman for four months now and it’s going well. But I found out through friends that when she was 16 she had an unplanned pregnancy, and gave her baby to her in-laws. I am shocked that she hasn’t told me. I really thought we had something special. Rick, 38 A This is a huge thing that she’s done, pet, to give her baby to someone who could give them a life that maybe she couldn’t. That must have taken a huge amount of strength and courage. You’ve only known her four months, and maybe she’d have opened up and maybe she never would. Either way, it’s nothing to do with you. If this makes you feel like you don’t want to be with her, then…

Byoma Brightening Serum, £12.99, Boots Skin looking dull? This hard-working serum blends brightening and nourishing ingredients (including niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and ceramides) for a plumper, more radiant complexion. Pacifica Lavender Moon Body Lotion, £13, cultbeauty.co.uk Keep your limbs soft and supple with this nourishing cream – it has a relaxing lavender scent that makes it ideal to use before getting into bed. PS… Hydrating Facial Cleanser, £6, Primark Cleansers work best when they’re relatively frill-free, and we love this hydrating option. Skin feels comfortable after washing off – none of that tight, dry feeling. Noughty Back To Balance Shampoo, £7.99, lovenoughty.co.uk If you have oily roots, use this shampoo once a week for super-clean hair – it will also remove product build-up, important if you’re a daily dry shampoo user.…

Chat winners issue 22 (1 June 2023) £1,001 CASH A Roughley, Wigan £500 CASH L Hart, Tetbury P Peatfield, Retford £250 CASH J Wilson, Workington J McGillivray, Clackmannanshire £200 CASH J Jessney, Hull £100 CASH J Collins, Bridgend M Keyte, Bristol D Cooke, Great Yarmouth £75 CASH B Mabbott, Hull £50 CASH J Sansome, Wellingborough H Kear, Pontyclun M Ball, Swansea £40 CASH D Skinner, Christchurch £30 CASH C Dakota, Telford A Thompson, York £25 CASH M Willis, Clacton-on-Sea D Pike, Yelverton £20 CASH V Boughton-Fox, Ely D Brown, Malmesbury Anyone from your town in the list this week..? R Rowley, Halesowen C Mayfield, Penzance G Koshy, Hull G Mackay, Doncaster E Horrod, Lingfield R Hartnett, Darlington W Wilson, Blaydon-on-Tyne B Astley, Dundee V Trimmer, Dartford P Daley, Nottingham P…