Table of contents for HOLIDAY SPECIAL 2020 in Chat Specials

Here at Chat, we’re taking a walk on the wild side this month. With the latest animal accessories on pg12 and some delightful creature comforts for your home on pg38, we’re sure you’ll be just as wild as we are about this classic trend. This month, we’ve also learned that little moments, no matter how simple, can have a huge impact on our lives. Andy (pg16) had reached rock bottom and couldn’t see a way out. He’d decided to take his own life, but something so simple happened in the nick of time that changed his mind – you’ll never believe what it was. Even after a warning from her doctor, Sharon (pg32) was in denial about her weight. While her health was at risk, it was the simple things,…

Bronchopneumonia is a type of pneumonia, a condition that causes inflammation of the lungs. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may include coughing, breathing difficulties, and fever. Causes include bacterial, viral, or fungal chest infections. Untreated or severe bronchopneumonia can lead to complications, particularly in at-risk people, such as young children, older adults, and those with weakened or suppressed immune systems. If you’re struggling with bereavement, please visit: www.bereavement-trust.org.uk…

Lobsters put off sharks and other killers of the deep by emitting a piercing screech using a technique similar to playing the violin, according to new research. They turn their tentacles and shells into ‘bows’ and ‘fiddles’ to make the sound – around twice as loud as the noisiest football crowd or a passenger jet. The nocturnal crustaceans are the marine world’s ‘orchestra’ – but it doesn’t sound beautiful. Rather than producing sweet music, they create an ugly rasping blast that can travel almost two miles. The underwater sound system is unique in the animal kingdom – and has been likened to running a finger over a balloon. Its full power has been revealed for the first time after 24 spiny lobsters were tracked in the Bay of Saint Anne…

Don’t forget! It’s so important to sanitise your phone – you take it everywhere with you. Use anti-bacterial or a wipe. Daisy, Hertfordshire Hay fever tip To prevent hay fever symptoms, rub Vaseline on your nostrils. It helps catch the pollen. Jo, Liverpool Hairy feet To pick up hairs on your carpet, rub a shoe in circular motions and it’ll create a hair ball. Sharon, Portishead Home DIY Soak your dirty paint brushes in a bowl of white spirit and they’ll come out as good as new! Perfect for home DIY jobs. Flossie, Manchester Crafty tip If you’re struggling to thread a needle, spray hairspray on the cotton and it’ll glide straight through. Audrey, Reading Bubble free Avoid bubbles in your nail varnish by gently rolling out the bottle beforehand.…

Missed my chance? Q I’m 38 and I’ve never been in love. I’ve accepted I might never be in a relationship, but I can’t get over not having children. It consumes me and I feel so sad all the time. Daisy, Glasgow A I’m so sorry to hear that your situation is causing you to feel sad all the time. You’re not alone: this is a natural response that many women experience when they would like to have children but cannot for all sorts of reasons. I’d encourage you to see a grief counsellor who could help you to process your emotions and find a way forward. As you move along on this journey, could you consider other ways of children being part of your life? Do you have friends…

Bestsellers podcast Discover what it takes to become a bestselling author. Phil Williams and Natalie Jamieson interview twenty of the world’s biggest selling writers of fiction, non-fiction, sport, cookery, children’s and biography books, to discover how they got to the top. From crime thriller legend Michael Connelly to award-winning Lynda La Plante, each episode features an interview with a bestselling author. In each episode, the chosen author will read to you from their latest book, as well as give their personal reading recommendations. Bestsellers is all about big selling, easy to read books. So, whether you’re an avid reader or prefer a light read, this podcast celebrates the biggest names on bookshelves.…

A capsule wardrobe is a compact closet that only holds a bare minimum of clothing items, which all perfectly match each other. Fashion gurus love a capsule wardrobe, as they appear to be the solution to everyone’s fashion problems – saving you money, time and space. If you’d like to build a capsule wardrobe, and shop more sustainably, follow these five top tips to get you started… 1. TRIAL-RUN THE PROCESS Test your capsule wardrobe before fully committing. Pick 10 pieces out of your closet and wear only those pieces for the next 10 days. See how it goes! You’ll find yourself pairing items together that you’d never even considered before. 2. AIM FOR FEWER THAN 50 ITEMS Begin with a simple clear-out. Get rid of all the items you…

Mechelle Kerby, 37, Penpedairheol, South Wales You’d think raising a brood of strapping boys in the South Wales Valleys, you’d be sure to make a rugby player out of one of them. But not for me and my husband, Phillip, 37. Our boys were more interested in golf than rugby! We had four boys, Caerwyn, 13, Sion, 12, Rhodri, 11 and littler Neirin, four. The oldest three were far more interested in becoming the next Tiger Woods than they were the next Gavin Henson. Our only hope was Neirin. He loved kicking an oval ball on the sidelines as he watched me or his daddy play. And as we got the boys ready for school one morning, Sion came downstairs with his PE kit slung over his shoulder. ‘What is…

Scarlett London, 26, Hertfordshire Everyone remembers their first crush – the rush of adrenaline when they look your way, or, if you’re lucky, flash you a smile. For me, it was Josh*. At eight years old, I was head over heels. So it was no surprise that my stomach was doing somersaults when he took a seat next to me in our last lesson of the day. I was the envy of all the girls in my class, and felt pretty smug. Josh flashed me a smile, and I was on cloud nine, not paying any attention to the teacher. A few minutes later, though, I had a problem. Out of nowhere, my stomach felt heavy, like I needed the loo. Too embarrassed to ask permission to leave, I sat…

There are many medical conditions that almost all of us will have heard of. But what about those that are so rare that very few of us will know about? We look at some of the rarest and strangest medical conditions on record... FOREIGN ACCENT SYNDROME Imagine this: you were born and spent all your life in Birmingham, and you gew up with a stereotypically Brummie accent. One day, however, as you are engaged in one of your favourite sports, you receive a heavy blow to the head, and you pass out. When you wake up in the emergency room and call out to the nurse, you realise something shocking has happened to you – your accent is gone, and it has been replaced by what sounds like strong New…

Dear Aaron, Lorna Wells, 44, New Forrest From the moment I found out I was pregnant with you, I was in love. I’ve never loved anything the way I loved you. And sure enough, from the very moment you were born, I was in absolute awe. Whilst you were growing up, we did everything together. From cuddling up on the sofa and watching a film, to going to WWE tournaments together. And when you discovered your love of football at six-years-old, I was at every match – spurring you on from the sidelines. You were such a funny kid – always smiling and play fighting with me and your dad, Tony, 56. And you kept those kind and funny qualities with you as you grew into a handsome adult. You…

Kharis Harvey, 46, Looe, Cornwall As I pottered around the house, I could feel someone was watching me. But there was nothing unusual about that! My beloved goldfish, Gilly, had been watching me since I first bought her home from a pet shop in 2009. Her eyes always following me around the living room. And as I sat down to look through pages and pages of pet toys on my laptop, I held the screen up to try and get a second opinion. ‘What do you think, Gilly?’ I laughed. She just stared blankly ahead, but I knew exactly what that look meant. Her stare was the fishy version of puppy dog eyes. Gilly was only little when I’d first got her, but now she was as big as my…

Lisa O’Malley, 33, Peterborough Slamming my locker door shut, I stuffed my books in my rucksack and headed for the door. The end of the secondary school was coming up which meant our exams were in sight. ‘What’re you doing this weekend?’ my friend Jonny, then 16, asked me. ‘Probably revising,’ I replied. Jonathan ‘Jonny’ Youthed and I had known each other since we were five years old. All through primary and secondary school, we were practically inseparable. We met in reception and we’d been friends ever since. Although as we got older, I noticed myself wanting to be more than friends. And I was sure he felt the same. ‘Want to study together?’ he suggested anxiously. ‘It’s a date,’ I grinned. A few days later, he came round to…

Andy Salkeld, 36, Leeds It’s surprising what you can find on the internet. There’s tips and advice on pretty much everything out there – how to make a perfect pasta, how to tune a car engine, the intricate rules of any sport under the sun, and, if you really look for them, tips on how to take your own life. Back in May 2017, I’d entered a dark online world, found myself searching for a way out of my life – a way to end it all. But I didn’t just have some morbid fascination with death – I’d decided I wanted to die. I knew I wanted to die A few weeks earlier, while whipping up a delicious halloumi pasta, my wife had walked into the room with a…

The Secret Garden Based on the classic children’s novel, written by Frances Hodgson Burnett, the story of a young girl discovering a magical, hidden garden has remained a favourite for more than a hundred years. So popular, it has already been adapted three times – including in 1993 starring Dame Maggie Smith. With a modern twist, the story follows Mary Lennox as she explores the grounds of her uncle’s estate. While the novel was originally set in the Edwardian era, this adaptation, directed by Marc Munden, will move to post WWII Britain. With stars such as Dame Julie Walters and Colin Firth, it’s sure to be a family favourite.…

Skippy Peanut Butter is a deliciously smooth and creamy American style peanut butter packed with peanutty goodness and wow, can you make some seriously delicious dishes with it! BACON PEANUT BUTTER BURGER SERVES 4 YOU’LL NEED... • 455g (1lb) ground beef • 1 tsp salt • 1 tsp pepper • 115g mature cheddar cheese, sliced • 135g Skippy Smooth Peanut Butter • 340g maple-cured bacon • 4 wholemeal burger buns, split and toasted HOW TO DO IT... 1. Prepare the barbecue to a medium-high heat. In a large bowl, combine the beef, salt and pepper, and mix gently. Form the beef into 4 burgers, then barbecue until cooked to the desired point. Top each burger with 2 slices of cheese. 2. In a microwaveable bowl, microwave the peanut butter for…

How to help Q My 8-year-old daughter keeps wetting the bed. How can I help her break this habit? Maria, Chester A Bed wetting is far more common than you might think and can be a challenge to discuss and deal with. It isn’t done on purpose or down to your daughter being naughty or lazy and while I appreciate it’s difficult, it’s important to stay calm and reassure your daughter that it’s not her fault. There can be several reasons for bed wetting so I would suggest having a quick chat with your GP. Guidelines say, from the age of five children who wet the bed should be referred to a clinic who can advise on the best way to manage the situation. You could start with a bed…

Skincare for summer Say hello to Palmer’s super strength vitamin E range. With moisturising, skin-loving ingredients, this range is perfect for summer. Available from Superdrug. 1. PALMER’S NATURAL VITAMIN E BODY LOTION, £5.99 Providing super strength vitamin E and instantly moisturising, this lotion improves the appearance of dry, damaged or cracked skin. Helping to improve uneven skin tone and chafed skin. It can be used all over the body and is proven to provide 24-hours of moisturisation. 2. PALMER’S NATURAL VITAMIN E CONCENTRATED CREAM, £3.99 With vitamin E and vitamin C, this cream can be used on lips, hands, elbows, knees and feet, helping to soothe dry, damaged, cracked and chafed skin. Perfect for on the go and can be used by the whole family. Remember to apply as often…

Our bodies come in all different shapes and sizes, and it’s important to understand our own individual type in order to highlight our best bits. GlamFIT Studios Coach and weight loss mindset specialist Jenna Rigby helps us find the right workouts for our body type... APPLE If your shoulders and bust are larger than your relatively narrow hips, you have what’s known as an apple shape and are often seen as ‘top heavy’. THE BEST EXERCISES: Posture is key in enhancing this body type. Try pairing up chest and back day to provide strength in these areas and help to elevate your posture. My favourite chest exercise has to be press-ups. PEAR This is one of the most common body types – your shoulders and bust are narrower than your…

From baggy ankles to saggy gussets – no matter what shape or size, we all have issues when it comes to ill-fitting tights. UK-based hosiery brand Better has one simple mission: to provide the world with better tights. With an inclusive range of hosiery made for people of every shape and size, Better has developed a unique 360-degree stretch technology that ensures their tights fit seamlessly to your form. No more hoisting tights up every two minutes, or worrying about laddering on the first wear. What’s more, they’re producing their products as sustainably as possible – 3D knitting is longer-lasting and more environmentally friendly. All materials are ethically sourced and the tights are made responsibly and sustainably in Italy. Prices start at £6.50 on www.bettertights.com A purchase you won’t regret!…

Anica Zeyen, 35, Surrey When I was younger, my parents wouldn’t let me say: ‘I can’t do this’. Instead, they taught me to say: ‘I can’t do it this way’. As a visually impaired person, I have battled more daily challenges than most. But I don’t let it stop me from doing anything. I can still hike mountains, safari in Africa, swim with dolphins and go whiteboard rafting. I am a university lecturer, a wife and a mum. For me, no adventure or challenge is ever too big! In 1985, I was born with a rare degenerative eye condition that is called Cone-rod dystrophy (CRD). It is an inherited disease that, over time, causes deterioration of your vision. And there is no treatment or cure. For me, no challenge is…

Louise Blyth, 36, Nottinghamshire Dearest George, The first time I met you, I thought you were a plonker. Walking into a boardroom full of suited up executives, I was shaking with nerves. It was 2006, and at 23, I was at my first day of a sales graduate training programme at Mars Chocolate in Slough. Just then, you came up to me, a huge grin across your face. ‘Hi, I’m George,’ you said, oozing confidence. ‘Nice to meet you, sir,’ I replied. I figured you must be important, tried to make a good impression. A few minutes later, I was called into an introductory meeting with the other trainees – and there you were, sat at the front – you were trainee just like me! You’d acted like you’d owned…

Interflora has introduced Florist’s Choice, a service where its network of local artisan florists design and create something seriously special and completely unique on your behalf. Simply choose the type of gift you’re looking for and a price point that suits you (from £30) and Interflora’s talented florists will choose the freshest and most swoon-worthy stems they have in-store. Every design is one-of-a-kind and guaranteed to knock their socks off - the perfect way to surprise someone special, whatever the occasion. Visit www.interflora.co.uk/ content/fl orists-choice/…

Call Me Joe by Martin van Es & Andrew Crofts AVAILABLE FROM WATERSTONES FOR £8.99 The environment, society and mankind itself are facing extreme challenges in a world that is both more connected, and yet more divided than ever before. Fear and confusion seep into all parts of everyday life. Now, more than ever, the world needs one voice, one guide. One day the Earth is plunged into darkness and when light appears again, so does a man – Joe – claiming to be the son of God. Can Joe bring the world’s most creative thinkers and leaders together to tackle the ills of mankind? This compelling novel highlights the key concerns of our time and imagines a future where we all work together to ensure the future of our…

Holly Fairfax, 40, from Devon Sitting in my mum’s garden, I soaked in the sun. Chatting away over a few drinks, I noticed something funny on her legs. ‘What is it?’ she asked, as I couldn’t help but giggle. ‘You’ve got a little face in your knee!’ I laughed. As she looked down to see, she broke into a smile. Her knee had a tiny scar underneath it, which looked like a little mouth. ‘Hello, there,’ she chuckled. But our knee observation session was far from over. Looking over at my mine, she noticed something herself. ‘Well, you’ve got two little bald babies in yours,’ she laughed over. Looking down, I realised she was right. Only on closer inspection, I spotted something slightly older. ‘No! That’s definitely Phil Mitchell from…

It’s thought that one in five people in the UK has a low level of vitamin D in their blood and with many of us getting out and about less than usual, Consultant Nutritionist at The Happy Egg Co, Dr Janet Aylott, has shared her top tips on how to get your recommended levels every day... • DIET is one way in which we can increase our intake of vitamin D, with rich sources including egg yolks and oily fish such as salmon, herring and mackerel. Vitamin D may also be added to some foods such as fortified breakfast cereals, spreads and yogurts. • ENRICHING THE AMOUNT OF VITAMIN D IN FOOD SOURCES NATURALLY, such as through the fortification of hen’s feed to increase the amount of Vitamin D in…

Aromatherapist Fiona Wilkie (wellbeingtherapiesbyfi ona.co.uk) shares her recipe for an at-home aromatherapy facial massage... 1. Remove all of your makeup and cleanse your face. 2. Place 5ml of a ‘carrier oil’ (such as sweet almond or grapeseed oil) in a dish. Don’t worry if you don’t have these oils – simply use your favourite moisturising lotion. 3. Add up to 4 drops of your favourite essential oils to the dish and mix. (Lavender if you’re feeling a bit stressed, chamomile if you have a skin break out, frankincense to get rid of wrinkles, or neroli if you’re feeling a bit down.) 4. Place a few drops of your oil and moisturiser in the palm of your hand and then apply to your face by gently placing your palms in turn…