Table of contents for 7 September 2023 in Chat

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All sizes 8-24 TU at SAINSBURY'S STYLE TIP Mix and match coordinating items into your existing wardrobe to create new outfits. This blazer will look fab with jeans. All sizes 6-22 F&F at TESCO STYLE TIP Elevate your everyday basics with modern silhouettes and trend-led pieces with the latest offering from F&F. All sizes 8-24 GEORGE at ASDA STYLE TIP If you’ve not gone for prints before, ease yourself into the trend and team a patterned top with a plain skirt or trousers. All sizes 8-22 NUTMEG at MORRISONS STYLE TIP Be quick to snap up these new-season buys. A trench coat is a great investment that you’ll wear repeatedly.…

True-life PATIENT CASEBOOK Watching me sprawled on the sofa, my mum despaired. ‘Go out with your mates,’ she said. But I felt too weak. I was only 13, it’d always been this way. I was tired all the time. Could barely move some days. To make things worse, I suffered excruciating periods and always felt sick. Missed so much school. Realising it was more than just teenage hormones, Mum took me to the docs when I was 15. They ran lots of tests and eventually I had a diagnosis. ‘You have rheumatoid arthritis,’ the doctor said to me and Mum. An autoimmune condition, causing swelling, pain and stiffness in the joints. I was given medication to help the pain, yet my hands always hurt. And I still felt low. I…

Help! My baby is spotty Q Our lovely baby’s face is covered in spots and pus-filled blisters. My GP says they’re just baby spots, but surely they’re not normal? Klaryce, Stoke Newington A Baby spots, milk spots, or erythema toxicum neonatorum if you want to impress are common and probably affect around half of all newborn babies. Often they’re mild – a few red blotches or bumps mainly on the face. But sometimes they look more alarming with spots and pus-filled blisters covering the face and spreading everywhere apart from the palms and soles. The blisters can look like a skin infection, and you might need to check with your GP to be sure, but an infection isn’t to blame for baby spots, which are harmless. No one’s sure of…

A four-year long disagreement between Colombia and the EU over Colombian import tariffs on what frozen foodstuff was settled by the World Trade Organisation in December 2022? To find out, solve the puzzle… Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, OUT OF SHAPE = UNIT + F = UNFIT. 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…

Chalk it up These days it’s all screens, digital presentations and online notes. But we remember reams of printouts, overhead projectors and the teacher scratching on the board with chalk while we mucked about sending notes to our mates before hurriedly scribbling it all down. Book art Covering your textbooks was the perk of a new school year, using leftover wallpaper, wrapping paper, or if you were fancy, going to Athena to buy the best book covering you could find. Kids have tablets now, and the world’s knowledge at the click of a mouse. Yes, you can get iPad cases, but where’s the fun with no sticky-backed plastic? Assembly required Being allowed to sit on the benches at the back of assembly was an honour reserved for those in Year…

I want to feel pretty Q My grandson is getting married at the end of the year but I don’t know what I’ll wear. I live in T-shirts and jeans because nothing else looks good on me. I hate my legs as they look like white toothpicks. I’d love to feel pretty and stylish for once, but just don’t know where to start. Lena, 65 A Oh sweetheart. This is the perfect time to embrace the woman within and express your femininity. Take a friend or a family member shopping with you so they can give you advice. Get them to pull a selection of things out of your comfort zone. Find a stunning jumpsuit or timeless trouser suit if you’re worried about your legs, pet. Sexy doesn’t have a…

I could hear my mum Tina, then 38, shouting at me as I pedalled as fast as I could up the hill. ‘Slow down, you two,’ she called. But when I got to the top, I grinned at my brother Peter, then 4. He was 18 months younger than me, my partner in crime. We quickly sped back down together, before hitting the brakes. ‘Ahhh!’ I cried with joy as my little pink bike ground to a halt, the handlebar tassels flapping in the wind. It was summer 2002, and people had believed I’d never ride a bike. That’s because I wasn’t exactly like other kids. I had phocomelia syndrome, a birth defect that causes the upper or lower limbs of a child to be underdeveloped or missing. Doctors said…

1-7 September 2023 Aries 21 March-20 April The Moon in your sign on 2 September makes it a good time to channel your energy into starting a new exercise routine, a project or a personal transformation. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May On 4 September make sure you can rest, relax and reflect. Pamper yourself, listen to calming music or treat yourself to something nice. You deserve it. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June You crave variety. It is also important for you to connect with new people, so try an activity that will expand your tribe and help you develop ideas. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July Think about what motivates you most, then…

Q Do I really need a primer? Julie Woods, Rainham, Essex A They might seem like an unnecessary extra step, but primers have lots of amazing benefits. The most important one is that they create the ideal base for applying your make-up, helping to give products some grip to ensure they last all day. They also have lots of skincare benefits. NYX Professional Makeup Plump Right Back Primer, £15, Boots, is packed with electrolytes, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to hydrate, plump and refresh your skin ahead of make-up application. If you have oily skin, then opt for E.l.f Liquid Poreless Putty Primer, £10, Boots, which works to balance oil in your complexion for a truly shine-free and mattified face that lasts. Finally, if you suffer from rosacea or any redness, then…

Kiko Milano Beauty Roar pH Matte Liquid Lip Colour in Red For My Lips, £12.99, kikocosmetics.com Find it hard to choose a lip colour that suits you? Then let nature decide with this unique shade. Enriched with rosehip extract, the hydrating formula reacts with the pH in your lips to form a personalised hue. Garnier Body Superfood 48h Nutri-Glow Cream Mango + Vitamin C, £9.99, Superdrug This nutrient-rich body cream almost smells good enough to eat! The tropical-scented lotion absorbs quickly and leaves skin silky smooth. Avon Exxtravert Mascara, £11, Avon Coats lashes from root to tip with a completely clump-free, lengthening and volumising formula that lasts from morning till night. Add extra coats for more drama and volume. Makeup Revolution Mousse Blush in Blossom Rose Pink, £5.99, revolutionbeauty.com The…

In April 2008, 74-year-old Clifford Lambert was lonely. The socialite and former art dealer lived in Palm Springs, California, where he’d once shared his home with his partner of 10 years, Travis. Until April 2006, when their relationship dramatically ended. Neighbours had called police about their domestic disputes. To add to their tragic tale, the following year, Travis, then 35, had drowned in a swimming accident. Leaving Clifford not only heartbroken, but in search of company. Enter Daniel Garcia, who Clifford met online. The pair started seeing each other. Only, on 7 December 2008, Clifford was reported missing by a friend who hadn’t seen him for a week, despite calling repeatedly. No one seemed too alarmed, other than Clifford’s lawyer, who asked neighbours to keep an eye out. They did…

Hi there, I know you have no idea who I am. I imagine you don’t even know I exist. But you know those evenings when your hubby comes home with a relaxed smile on his face? His shoulders less tense, his laugh easy? Well, I’m the woman who put it there. And he hasn’t been playing golf with his mates, or out for a few beers. He’s not been working late. He’s been at my place, or in some fancy hotel room having mind-blowing, no-strings-attached sex. With me. You see, I’m your husband’s secret lover And as a serial mistress, I know all the gory details about your marriage. I’ve always been attracted to older, often married, men. In my 20s, I found that blokes my own age lacked emotional…

What was your dream job? When I was little I always wanted to be a ballet dancer, especially if it meant I got to wear a pink tutu. Unfortunately my knees are too bad to take it up these days! Tea or coffee? For me, there’s nothing better than a cup of coffee. I don’t know why but I’ve never liked tea. Even the smell makes me feel sick. Controversial, I know! Tell us about your best friend… My bestie Lynn is also the mum of my daughter’s best friend, and that’s how we met more than 20 years ago. We chat about everything, and always look forward to a natter at the school gates – only these days we’re waiting to collect our grandkids! TV guilty pleasure? I love…

What do entertainer Steve-O and model Emily Ratajkowski have in common? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the threeword prize answer. WIN £1,001 Puzzle 4 ACROSS 1 Curved sword (5) 4 The Crown star, _ Lithgow (4) 6 Eyeglasses (8) 13 Linguistic variety (7) 14 Marvel superhero (4,3) 15 Artists’ stand (5) 16 Cook in an oven (4) 17 Rubbish left in public (6) 18 Groups of insects (6) 20 Join between fabrics (4) 21 Make formal speech (5) 22 Ocean’s _, film starring Julia Roberts (6) 25 Sea-dwelling mammals (8) 28 Lessee (6) 30 Chocolate coffee (5) 32 Large handkerchief (8) 34 Spiny succulent (6) 35 Performance by a pair (4) 38 Jesy _, a member of Little Mix (6) 39 Gemstone made from tree resin (5) 40 Gaming centre (6) 43 Roman gown (4) 44 Dock (6) 45 Baptise (8) 48 Praise highly (5) 49 Mingles (6) 51…

Q My partner won’t perform oral sex because he’s read that it can give me a stroke! Surely that’s nonsense? Katie, Amesbury A Almost nonsense, but not quite. He’s probably read about the danger of an air embolus, when an air bubble enters your bloodstream and causes a blockage, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke and may be fatal. Very rarely, blowing into a woman’s vagina can force air into a blood vessel, leading to an embolus. It’s a risk if you’re pregnant, when small tears in your placenta – which attaches your baby to your womb – allow air in more easily, or if there’s an injury or tear inside your vagina or womb. But even then the risk is small and provided he doesn’t blow,…

1 Take a nap Studies have shown that insomnia and sleep deprivation lower our pain threshold, which may worsen headache pain, explains Dr Deborah Lee (doctorfox.co.uk). So if you haven’t slept well and you feel a headache looming, take a nap. ‘Many people find the best thing for a headache is sleep,’ says Dr Lee. But don’t nap for longer than 20 minutes otherwise it could affect your night-time slumber. 2 Stay indoors Pollution is often worse in hot weather due to airborne pollutants reacting in intense sunlight. In cities, buildings can trap pollution, while in rural areas farming practices can affect air quality. Numerous pollutants – including nitrogen dioxide and ozone – are thought to be a cause of headaches. Check uk-air.defra.gov.uk and if pollution levels are high, avoid going out or wear a…

My greatgrandma’s face lit up as I passed the scan photo over to her. ‘Another girl to add to the brood,’ she beamed, gazing at the blurry image. It was January 2021 and one by one I’d told all the incredible women in my life that I was expecting. First was my mum Wendy, then 54, who squealed with delight. Then I’d passed on the happy news to my gran Lynda, 73, who was thrilled for me and my fiance Albert, then 23. And last but not least, my great-grandma Kathleen – who was about to turn 101! Thanks to my sister Zoe, then 26, who had a little girl, Leah, then 6, we already had five generations of women in our family. Now we were about to become one…

Staring at the consultant, I shook my head. ‘What’s Usher syndrome?’ I said. ‘A rare genetic disorder,’ he explained. ‘You will eventually go blind.’ It was April 2011 and, aged just 20, I’d thought I was at the eye clinic for a routine check-up. My mum Gaynor, then 48, pulled me close, knowing the fear firing through me. You see, I’d already been born deaf. I’d been diagnosed at 2 when Mum realised I wasn’t trying to speak. Now the doctor was saying this had been the first sign of Usher syndrome. I’d picked up lip-reading early and Mum, my dad Norrie and my grandparents Janet and Michael were my champions. I’d made friends at school, won a Diana Award, named after Princess Diana, for an anti-bullying group I set…

Q I’ve been with my boyfriend for a few years now and we’re happy together. We live together and have been discussing marriage. I’m really happy when I’m with him but every time I go out with my friends, I get attention from other guys. I love it. I’m beginning to wonder if I’m settling down too young. Shannon, 24 A Some people are happy settling down young but others can feel trapped. It sounds like you want to be out there partying. And I worry that if you don’t get it out of your system now, then it’ll be an awful midlife crisis for you, love. You need to do what’s right for you. If you feel like you’re settling down too young, you may just be right, petal.…

Sila Star, 54, loves being an escort. She loves being a granny too. And she’s so proud of both her roles. Escorts are paid to date men, even spend the night with them. A bit different from traditional ‘granny’ activities like gardening and knitting. But the world of a sex worker is nothing new for Sila. ‘I’ve been an escort for more than 25 years,’ says Sila, who has three kids and two grandkids. ‘I started working at a strip club as a waitress, and I didn’t actually think that I would even want to become a stripper, and that progressed. ‘Now I’m an escort, model and content creator. ‘I want to become the world’s first grandma escort.’ The job has put food on the table for her and her…

Tuna pasta bake A classic, easy tea, plus great leftovers for lunch the following day. SERVES 4 PREP 10 MINS COOK 30 MINS ● 200g pasta, such as penne ● 1tbsp olive oil ● 1 small red onion, chopped ● 1 courgette, chopped ● 1 red pepper, deseeded and chopped ● 10 cherry tomatoes, halved ● 500g jar tomato pasta sauce ● 2tsp mixed dried Italian herbs ● 2 × 145g tins tuna chunks in spring water, drained and broken into chunks ● 150g grated mozzarella ● 150g Cheddar, grated 1 Heat the oven to 170C Fan/ Gas 5. Bring a medium-sized pan of salted water to the boil. Add the pasta and cook for 10-12 mins, then drain and put into a baking dish. 2 Meanwhile, heat the oil in…

TRUE-LIFE Pushing open the door to my daughter’s room, I already had a smile on my face. Always loved mornings with my 20-month-old, Margot. She’d greet me with her infectious grin, reaching out for a morning snuggle. Usually, Margot was an early riser and had me and her daddy Ben, then 39, out of bed by 5am. Only this day, in May 2021, was different. It was already past 7am. I’d just assumed Margot was giving her mum a much-needed lie-in. ‘Morning Margot,’ I said, moving towards her cot. But as I clamped eyes on her, shock ran through me like an electric current. There was no sunny smile, no crinkly blue eyes. Instead, my darling girl looked like a rag doll. Floppy arms and legs, groaning in pain. Unresponsive…

PS… Super Booster Daily Brightening Moisturiser, £3, Primark Looking to prolong your summer glow for as long as possible? Then invest in a face cream that contains brightening vitamin C, like this new moisturiser. The lightweight formula deeply hydrates and plumps, as well as leaving skin radiant. Catrice Cosmetics Cheek Affair & Blush Highlighter Palette, £5.49, justmylook.com This double-duty palette contains both a blusher and a highlighter – and we think it’s a bargain for the price. The highly pigmented powders offer a natural, sheeny finish – and you can keep it in your handbag for easy touch-ups while you’re out and about.…

Chat winners issue 23 (8 June 2023) £1,001 CASH P Gallagher, Bradford £500 CASH M McLaren, Newmarket S Wellings, Birmingham £250 CASH R Eynon, Tredegar J Di Capua, Wetherby £200 CASH J Simpson, Hull £100 CASH G Spenton, Wisbech J Alcorn, Colchester B Cliffe, Bury £75 CASH P Pratlett, Strabane £50 CASH P Robson, Chester-le-Street S Greaves, Birmingham L Moffatt, Newquay C McKen, Birmingham J Conroy, Widnes L Maclulskas, Sale £40 CASH T Herring, London £30 CASH T Glynn, Worksop J Stewart, Lanark £25 CASH C Pattimore, Cwmbran L Reynolds, Tilbury £20 CASH C Alexander, Haywards Heath Anyone from your town in the list this week..? L Ledger, Crewkerne S Breese, Axminster W Bryant, Bridgend S Williams, Cinderford J Fordyce, Wimborne D Cheung, London S Trickett, Christchurch E Cooper, Corby…

As I opened my door, a man with a shock of red hair and broad shoulders gave a cheeky grin. ‘I’m Nathan,’ he twinkled. ‘Here to look at your leak.’ Wow, talk about a hot handyman… It was May 2021 and water had been dripping through my living-room ceiling for months. Finally, the council had sent someone to look – and they’d certainly delivered! ‘Can I get you a cup of tea?’ I offered. ‘I wouldn’t say no,’ he winked at me. Was he flirting? Turns out he was – as soon as he left, I got a text from an unknown number. It was Nathan. I got your number from the job sheet, I hope you don’t mind, he wrote. I definitely didn’t. After just breaking up with my…

The opening lines of the murder trial were as chilling as the killing itself. ‘The last minutes of Becky Bliefnick’s life were not spent surrounded by family, friends and loved ones,’ said prosecutor Josh Jones. ‘The last minutes of Becky Bliefnick’s life were not spent in the warm embrace of her three children. ‘The last minutes of Becky Bliefnick’s life were not spent in love, and compassion, and tenderness. ‘No, the last minutes of Becky’s life were spent in fear, and pain, and terror as she lay on the cold, grey tiles of her bathroom floor, slowly bleeding to death.’ Just after midnight on 23 February 2023, Becky, a 41-year-old nurse, had locked herself in her bedroom when her house in Quincy, Illinois, was broken into. But her assailant broke…

Kathleen, 102 PM when born: David Lloyd George Average house price: £600 Popular song: Whispering, Paul Whiteman and his Ambassadors Orchestra Fact: A flight from London to South Africa takes 45 days Lynda, 75 PM when born: Clement Attlee Average house price: £1,500 Popular song: Now Is the Hour, Bing Crosby Event: The British National Health Service Act creates the NHS Wendy, 56 PM when born: Harold Wilson Average house price: £3,700 Popular song: All You Need Is Love, The Beatles Event: The world’s first human-to-human heart transplant takes place Emily, 22 PM when born: Tony Blair Average house price: £80,000 Popular song: Oops!.. I did it again, Britney Spears Event: Brad Pitt marries Jennifer Aniston Evelyn, 1 PM when born: Boris Johnson Average house price: £240,000 Popular song: Bad…

Q A few months ago, I met a new man – we went on a couple of dates before staying the night together. He seemed like a real gent, and afterwards told me how much he liked me. But it’s been over a week now and I haven’t heard from him since. I’m so confused and thought we could’ve really been something. Where do I go from here? Lacey, 34 A Ah, the age-old question – why would a man ghost you if he liked you? Who knows! Some people just don’t know how to communicate. There could be a load of reasons, but the outcome is the same. He clearly doesn’t want a serious relationship, petal. It’s nothing to do with you, everything to do with him. The rubbish…

3 ways to… AVOID ONLINE RIP-OFFS 1 Don't lose your £££ Fraudsters can be very sophisticated and make it hard to spot scam websites. But there are often tell-tale signs to look out for. First up, be suspicious of any offers that are ‘too good to be true’ – scam websites often use extremely low prices to try to lure people into buying items that are fake or non-existent. 2 Do your research If you’re planning to buy from a site you haven’t used before, check reviews online first – but don’t just look at one reviews site, check several. And you can also try the free Check a Website tool (getsafeonline.org/checkawebsite), which can help you determine whether a website is likely to be legitimate or a scam. Also, look out for…