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Yearly Archives: 2023

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Megan Barton-Hanson is no longer in the Love Island Games!

During the most recent episode of the spin-off series, which originated in the United States, it was announced that Megan had to suddenly quit the show.

The brand-new series, which was pre-recorded in Fiji in September, involves bringing back previous Islanders to compete in physical challenges, alongside trying to find a romantic connection.

Megan had recently delighted viewers by coupling up in a same-sex partnership with Love Island USA star Kyra Green.

Sadly, the two girls never got to fully explore their connection in the villa, as it was confirmed that Megan abruptly had to depart from the series.

In a message to viewers, voiceover narrator Iain Stirling stated that the 29-year-old unfortunately had to quit the show due to “medical reasons”.

While no specific reason was given, Megan’s love interest Kyra went on to state how disappointed she was that her partner had to leave.

“I’m okay. I mean, it’s definitely upsetting… just obviously on different pages and I haven’t been really able to get on the same page because she’s been sick and out of here,” she detailed.

As confusion and speculation surrounding Megan’s exit grew, many viewers began to wonder if her recent concerns about her health were to blame.

In September, the same month that Love Island Games was filmed, the reality star took to Instagram to ask her 1.5M followers about pelvic inflammatory disease.

“I’d never heard of it but I think I may have had my first experience. I’ve not had pain/fever quite like it, the last five days have been hell… If you have good Essex/London-based gynaecologist recommendations please let me know or any tips or remedies for the pain and to stop it from reoccurring,” Megan pleaded at the time.

Megan has yet to comment on her early exit from Love Island Games.

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Fans are convinced that Louise Thompson has secretly tied the knot!

Back in 2018, the Made In Chelsea star announced her engagement to her partner Ryan Libbey, and the pair subsequently planned to get married in December of the following year.

Sadly, just six months before they were due to celebrate their wedding in London, Louise and Ryan called off their big day and put their plans on hold, citing at the time that they needed to “see the bigger picture”.

Now, after welcoming the pair's first child, Leo, in November 2021, Louise has shared a huge hint that she might have secretly eloped.

Taking to her Instagram stories yesterday, the 33-year-old teased her followers by posting a snap of her son’s wardrobe.

“POV [point of view]: You go into your child's clothing drawer and notice that your husband has put a bunch of your T-shirts in there. I know I'm small but I'm not THAT small,” Louise wrote, subtly referring to Ryan as her ‘husband’.

Credit: Louise Thompson Instagram

Louise and Ryan have yet to confirm or deny if they have tied the knot. After calling off their wedding back in 2019, the reality star spoke to MailOnline and shut down speculation that they were planning a ceremony in Ibiza.

“We are still sort of figuring out what it is we want to do because we're so busy with the business,” Louise stated at the time.

“I am someone that really wants to have the best day ever and I want to be in the right space, I am just not sure exactly what I want yet,” she added.

In February of this year, Louise acknowledged the difficulties that the couple have experienced, after she had a near-death experience when giving birth to Leo.

“Despite all of the hardship I feel very grateful for choosing you as my forever partner. You provide me with stability, strength, loyalty and love and you are a great friend and father to our baby boy,” she gushed on Instagram.

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Tougher laws that will manage and monitor sex offenders in the community are being implemented from today, Monday, November 13. 

These new laws are under the Sex Offenders (Amendment) Act 2023, which was commenced by the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee.

The Sex Offenders (Amendment) Act 2023 will now create stricter notification requirements for sex offenders. 

The amended act also allows the court to have the power to prohibit a sex offender from working with children or vulnerable people.

It allows An Garda Síochána to disclose information relating to anyone on the sex offender register where there is a serious risk to the public.

Speaking about the new laws, Minister McEntee explained, “These tough new laws will help us build stronger, safer communities and will strengthen our already robust system for monitoring sex offenders. The new laws will help alleviate understandable concerns which communities can have about sex offenders and the protection of public safety and our citizens”.

“For example, it introduces stricter notification requirements, and gives powers to the court to explicitly prohibit convicted sex offenders from working with children or vulnerable people”.

“This legislation gives An Garda Síochána and the Probation Service the tools to ensure sex offenders are managed effectively, striking an appropriate balance between monitoring and restricting offenders while also supporting them in their rehabilitation”.

McEntee added, “Tackling domestic, sexual and gender based violence and supporting victims of crime are priorities for me and my Department. I also want to reform the criminal justice system to make it more victim-centred, and this Act contains significant measures to help in that work”.

Sex offenders normally have seven days to inform the Gardaí of their name and address after leaving prison and if there’s any change to their name or address, and this has now been reduced to three days. 

The offenders also have three days to tell Gardaí  if they are going to be outside the State for more than three days and if they are returning to the State having been outside it for three days.

Other new laws allow Gardaí to take fingerprints, palm-prints and photographs to confirm the identity of the person.

Minister of State James Browne spoke about the act to reveal, “We fully understand that communities have concerns about the release of sex offenders and while we do have strong monitoring provisions already in place, the stricter oversight and management requirements this important piece of legislation introduces, will provide extra reassurance”.

“It introduces significantly stricter notification requirements for offenders, will allow for electronic monitoring in certain circumstances and will explicitly prohibit convicted sex offenders from working with children or vulnerable people”.

Browne went on to say, “This legislation underlies the government’s shared commitment to keeping everyone in our communities, and in particular women and children, safe from sexual violence”.

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Cat Deeley has broken her silence on her new gig!

Last week, it was confirmed that the former Stars In Their Eyes host would be joining Rylan Clark as the new co-host of This Morning.

Now, on the first day of her new role, Cat has opened up about what the job means to her.

Speaking live on air on ITV this morning, Cat and Rylan made their first appearances as the series’ new co-hosting team.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by This Morning (@thismorning)

“Can you believe they've let two of the naughtiest people on TV on live TV together?” she teased.

Rylan, who regularly steps in to host This Morning, joked in response: “Now this is officially the end. Babe, it is so lovely to see you.”

Cat later went on to admit that she had “forgotten” that she had already briefly been a part of the This Morning presenting family. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Cat Deeley (@catdeeley)

Back in 2003, the mum-of-two was a co-host alongside the late Paul O’Grady, as they fronted an episode to celebrate Cilla Black’s 60th birthday.

It has since been confirmed that Cat will be appearing alongside Rylan again for tomorrow’s episode, and will later be paired up with Irish host Craig Doyle on Wednesday.

It is understood that the 47-year-old has been brought in to cover for regular This Morning star Josie Gibson, as she is believed to be taking part in the new series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in Australia.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Cat Deeley (@catdeeley)

However, it is not yet known if Cat will become a permanent member of the This Morning team, following Holly Willoughby’s sudden exit last month, as well as Phillip Schofield’s departure in May.

Speaking on Rylan’s BBC Radio 2 show over the weekend, the former SMTV Live star gushed: “Can you believe it? They’ve let us loose.”

Cat later joked: “I like to think it’s care in the community or something like, they’re just looking after us… like they’re teetering on the brink of going downhill from here [so they thought], ‘Let’s just get them on’.”

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Jess Wright has been sharing an insight into her family life. 

Jess, known for her time on The Only Way is Essex from 2010 to 2016, is mum to a son named Presley. 

She welcomed her baby boy into the world with her husband William Lee-Kemp in May of last year.

As she opens up about her motherhood experience, Jess has revealed her future plans for having more children, and has explained when and why she plans on renewing her wedding vows.

While speaking to OK!, the 38-year-old admitted she would like her son to have a little brother or sister. 

“I’ve got three siblings and I feel like Presley should definitely have a sibling. He’s crying out for people to play with, so having a baby might be a lovely idea”.

“I can’t just be a mum of one, so who knows? But the clock is ticking, so I should probably get a move on”.

When describing motherhood and being a working mum, Jess explained, “It’s not even about coping. It’s about living your life as it is, but with a child in the mix”.

“And when you try and work at the same time, well… being a working mother is extremely hard. It’s all about fitting everything in at once”.

Jess then opened up about her plans to renew her wedding vows with William. The pair originally tied the knot in September 2021 in Majorca, Spain. 

The former reality star’s big day had to be rescheduled multiple times due to the Covid-19 pandemic, meaning wedding planning was ‘stressful’.

Looking forward to when she would renew her vows, Jess said, “Oh God, give me time! I have said in the past that due to it all getting interrupted with the pandemic and stuff, it was so stressful”. 

“So I would love to do another renewal of the vows, but potentially at the five-year mark. So we’ll see how it goes”.

When celebrating her and William’s two-year wedding anniversary earlier this year, Jess penned a heartfelt tribute to her husband that reads, “2 years today. Happy anniversary to my love. We’ve come so far & have forever to go”.

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Krishnan Guru-Murthy has revealed a heartwarming surprise following his Strictly departure!

During Sunday night’s show, it was confirmed that the Channel 4 newsreader would be the next celebrity to exit Strictly Come Dancing, after appearing for eight weeks.

Now, as Krishnan prepares to say goodbye to the hit BBC show, he has unveiled a heartwarming tribute to the series – as well as the first thing he chose to do after leaving Strictly.

Credit: Krishnan Guru-Murthy Instagram

Taking to his Instagram account last night, the 53-year-old posted two photos of himself in a guitar shop, as well as a snap with his son Jay – who attended Strictly’s live audience each week to support his father.

“Thanks for all the kind messages. Of course I’m terribly sad to be out and would have absolutely loved to get to Blackpool,” Krishnan began, in reference to the show’s milestone episode next Saturday, which will be broadcast live from Blackpool’s renowned Tower Ballroom.

“But we have to be realistic about the unusually high standard this group has got to. And I’m just the guy off the news who somehow found himself falling in love with doing samba rolls and batucadas,” he teased.

Krishnan then went on to explain how he chose to celebrate his achievement.

“When I started the show I set my sights on a reward so I would always be able to say, ‘That was for Strictly’. It’s an especially nice guitar I’ve wanted for years. Today I took Jay to the shop and walked out with it. And that makes me happy,” he gushed.

“Time to get a band back together perhaps. Or just persuade Lauren to come and sing from time to time,” he joked, referring to his dance partner Lauren Oakley.

Many Strictly viewers have since taken to the comments section of Krishnan’s post to wish him well.

“We all fell in love with you, Krishnan. Enjoy your beautiful new guitar,” one fan praised.

“So very sad to see you go. It’s been a joy watching your Strictly journey,” another replied.

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Sam Aston is about to become a dad once again!

The Coronation Street star has announced that he is expecting another baby with his wife Briony. The couple are already parents to three-year-old son Sonny and 18-month-old daughter Daisy.

However, the pair have sadly revealed that they were initially expecting twins, but lost one of their babies due to Vanishing Twin Syndrome – a condition which causes one of the babies to stop growing and be reabsorbed.

Now, ahead of their little one’s arrival, Sam and Briony have confirmed their baby news and have spoken out about the “bittersweet” nature of their pregnancy.

After previously experiencing two heartbreaking miscarriages within four months of each other, expectant mum Briony recalled how they felt after receiving the news that they were no longer going to welcome twins.

“We were excited and thankful, because we always wanted a baby that was healthy. Then we started thinking, ‘We could have had two… Will the living twin always wonder, ‘What if?’ and ‘Will they feel lonely?’ We found ourselves questioning what could have been, while feeling grateful for what we’ve got,” the 28-year-old stated in an interview with OK!.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Sam Aston (@samaston93)

Sam, who is best known for playing the role of Chesney Brown in the hit ITV soap, then joyfully went on to reveal the sex of their incoming arrival.

“It’s a girl! Briony had a blood test so we found out then. I know it’s not for everybody finding out the gender before the birth, but we’re too impatient. We like to know!” the 30-year-old teased.

After admitting that she had been “so convinced” that she was welcoming another son, Briony noted that they already have rules for picking their newborn’s name.

“I don’t want a name that ends in ‘y’, what with already having Brion-y, Sonn-y and Dais-y. I also don’t want a name that’s too floral or too similar to Daisy,” she hinted.

Sam and Briony, who have been together since 2012, are expected to welcome their baby daughter next spring.

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It might not be December just yet, but in our humble opinion, it’s never too early to decorate for the festive season!

Believe it or not, Christmas is almost here, and we couldn’t be more excited about it. While we’re not ready to battle with putting up the Christmas tree and untangling the tree lights just yet, we’re definitely in the mood to add a few festive touches to our home.

Thankfully, at the moment, there is no shortage of beautiful Christmas homeware decor in the shops! Below, we have picked out some of our favourite bits that are available right now – including everything from adorable ornaments and cushions, to the ultimate festive bedding!

No matter what your budget is, you should hopefully be able to find something to suit your home this Christmas in our list of top picks:

Next Christmas Brushed Cotton Fitted Sheet and Pillowcase Set (RRP from €31)

Christmas bedding is one of the easiest – and most popular – methods that festive fans choose nowadays to brighten up their bedrooms in December. However, it also hugely depends on what your room’s original colour scheme is, as it’s always best to try and coordinate with what you already have. If your room is rather minimalist, then this bedding set from Next could be the one for you! It is not over the top and doesn’t have any large pops of colour, but it still looks wonderfully Christmassy. Available to purchase here.

PULEO Pre-Lit Berry Spray Wreath (RRP €70)

If you’re looking to splash out on some lavish decor this year, then we’re certain that this beautiful wreath will catch your eye! It might have a slightly higher price tag than the other items on our list, but we definitely think it’s worth it. Whether you choose to place it above your fireplace or on your front door, this mesmerising festive wreath will bring Christmas joy to everyone in your home. Plus, the beautiful quality means that it will last for many years to come! Available to buy via Brown Thomas here.

H&M Home Mistletoe Printed Cushion Cover (RRP €4)

We’ll be the first to admit that we’re guilty of buying brand-new Christmas cushions every time December rolls around. However, if you don’t want to splash the cash on an entirely new cushion, one great way to save a few coins is to just buy the cushion cover! H&M Home has some lovely options at the moment, including this adorable mistletoe one. Just replace one of your year-round cushion covers with this one, and you’re good to go! Available to purchase here.

Dunnes Stores Christmas Check Throw (RRP €20)

It wouldn’t be Christmas without a cosy throw blanket! When you’re watching your favourite festive TV specials or reading a fluffy Christmas novel, there’s nothing more lovely than snuggling up on the sofa with a soft new blanket. While there are undoubtedly many to choose from, we immediately fell in love with this cute pick from Dunnes. You can never go wrong with a red checked pattern at this time of year! Available to buy here.

Marks & Spencer Cotton Blend Santa's Workshop Bedding Set (RRP from €27)

If you are a true Christmas fanatic, then we guarantee that you will instantly fall in love with this bedding set! The detailing in this design is breathtaking, as it depicts the business of Santa’s workshop ahead of Christmas Eve. We also love that it has a reversible cover with star confetti, so that you can swap it over if you occasionally want your bedding to be more minimalist. Either way, this duvet set will certainly get you in the festive spirit! Available to purchase here.

John Lewis Rainbow Time Capsule Bauble Tree (RRP £25)

Although Christmas decor tends to stick to colours such as red, gold, silver and green, we still try to find little ways to include brief pops of rainbow colour into our festive homeware. This year, this adorable mini tree immediately caught our eye! Not only is it sweetly made out of mini baubles, but we love the bright pops of colour that it includes. It would also make a lovely Christmas present for someone special! Available to buy here.

Next Reversible Brushed Cotton Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set (RRP from €47)

For our final bedding pick, we just had to go for this one! When we think of Christmas, our minds often wander to the classic tartan design, and so it continues to be a favourite with us. With this particular bedding set from Next, you can go for the traditional red checks, or you can opt for the cute illustrations of winter items. You can change it up depending on your festive mood! Available to purchase here.

H&M Home Wall-Hung Advent Calendar (RRP €14.99)

If you fancy doing something a bit different with your advent calendar this year, then why not personalise it to your own tastes? DIY wall advent calendars have been around for years now, and we would thoroughly recommend testing one out. In particular, we love the look of this one from H&M Home – it just screams ‘Christmas’, doesn’t it? Whether it’s for you or the little ones in your life, you can fill it up with whatever kind of treats you fancy. Available to buy here.

Marks & Spencer Snow Place Like Home Slogan Bath Mat (RRP €19)

Last but not least, if you enjoy taking lengthy baths or showers on the night before Christmas, then you might enjoy sprucing up your bathroom ahead of the party season! In particular, we think that this heartwarming bath mat would give you all of the cosy, Christmassy feels. If you want to turn it into a matching display, there is also a set of towels that you can get in the exact same design. How cute! Available to purchase here.

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Bare by Vogue is thrilled to announce that for the second year in a row, it is releasing a Holiday Collection. There is truly something for everyone with this collection of 6 ready-to-gift kits – from your experienced tan-loving bestie, to your novice secret santa, or for the person who just has everything. Have a colourful Christmas and give the gift of a sun-kissed glow with Bare by Vogue’s holiday heroes.

ULTIMATE SET (RRP €58 – worth €73)

Be glow-ready this holiday season with the Ultimate Gift Set. It is packed with everything you need for a full body routine; from the best selling Self Tan Foam (Dark), to the skin-reviving Face Tanning Mist (Medium). Bare by Vogue’s Instant Tan (Dark) offers a silky smooth tan while simultaneously blurring any imperfections. Its wash-off and rainproof formula makes this perfect for last minute festivities! For a long-lasting faux glow, opt for the Self Tan Foam and Face Tanning Mist cult combo. This set also includes the brand new Luxury Tanning Mitt Duo – a full size tanning mitt and mini face mitt – to make application a dream.

BEST SELLERS (RRP €45 – worth €55)

Includes Self Tan Foam (Medium), Face Tanning Mist (Light) & Luxury Tanning Mitt Duo

Have a Merry Berry Christmas with the Best Sellers Kit from Bare by Vogue. Ideal for both beginners to tanning and seasoned professionals, the award winning luxuriously rich Self Tan Foam (Medium) boasts some of nature's finest skin-enriching ingredients; Goji Berry, Oatmeal, Chamomile, Pomegranate, and Grapefruit, all contributing to the promotion of skin health and the ultimate glow. Achieve a natural looking facial tan that lasts for days, in just one application with the Face Tanning Mist (Light). The clear, lightweight formula is made with moisturising and firming ingredients for quick-drying, natural looking results. Use the Luxury Tanning Mitt Duo for a smooth, streak-free golden tan from head to toe.

BODY GLOW (RRP €35 – worth €45)

Includes Liquid Body Illuminator and Body Brush in Limited Edition Gold

Remain Bronzed & Bright with the Bare by Vogue Body Glow Kit. Elongate and slim parts of the body by highlighting down the centre while shading the edges. The hydrating Liquid Body Illuminator gives a sun-kissed shimmer while reflecting light for the ultimate glowy finish. The water-based formula blends seamlessly into the skin to minimise blemishes, cover imperfections and smooth the skin’s appearance for a radiance that is both water and transfer resistant. It is also enriched with amino acids such as Goji Berry and Pomegranate which nourish the skin whilst improving skin tone and texture, as well as Vitamin A & C for radiant, glowing skin and Hyaluronic Acid for added hydration. The angled, limited edition Gold Bare by Vogue Body Brush has ultra-soft bristles to give an even application while gliding over the face and body.

SKIN SAVIOURS (RRP €43 – worth €53)

Includes Face Tanning Serum (Medium) & Self Tan Foam (Dark)

Make your Christmas Wishes come true and treat your skin to some self care with Bare by Vogue William’s Skin Saviours combination. Our wonder product, Face Tanning Serum (Medium) has been specifically created with the face in mind and offers the perfect hybrid of a truly efficacious skincare serum, paired with sunless tan, to deliver the ultimate glow. Self-tan and skincare all-in-one! Packed full of skin-boosting ingredients to deeply nourish the complexion, this serum leaves you with a natural-looking, bronzed glow. Saturated with Hyaluronic Acid, Peptide Complex and Vitamin E, this serum draws moisture into the skin, deeply penetrating the pores with intense hydration and also helps to even skin tone and minimise the appearance of pigmentation. For a body tan to complement your bronzed face, the award winning luxuriously rich Self Tan Foam (Dark) is a streak-free winner every time.

FRESH BASE (RRP €42 – worth €52)

Includes Self Tan Foam (Dark), Express Tan Removal Gel & Luxury Exfoliating Mitt

Believe in Magic with the Fresh Base gift set, containing the best-selling Self Tan Foam (Dark) and revolutionary new Express Tan Removal Gel. When you are ready to hit refresh on your tan, Bare by Vogue’s Express Tan Removal Gel gently melts away old tan or tanning mishaps in as little as five minutes, without the need for harsh scrubbing. Infused with a delectable fruity scent, its rich hydrating formula is powered by a blend of Aloe Vera and Glycerin to lock in moisture and leave your skin nourished, exfoliated and ready for a new tanning application. Use the Luxury Exfoliating Mitt to lather your skin in the deluxe pink shimmering formula and gently buff away your old tan – revealing the perfect canvas for your dream tan application. Finally, apply the Self Tan Foam to smooth, supple skin and watch the magic happen.

PREP & GLOW (RRP €49 – worth €69) – Online Exclusive

Self Tan Lotion (Dark), Face Tanning Mist (Medium), Self Tan Eraser & Luxury Tanning Mitt

Your perfect tan routine is only a gift set away, with everything you need for a dream full body tanning experience, all contained in the Prep & Glow Gift Set, exclusively available online. Quickly and gently remove your tan using Bare by Vogue’s Self Tan Eraser, infused with botanicals Goji Berry, Oatmeal, Chamomile, Pomegranate and Grapefruit. The hydrating formula locks in moisture to prime the skin for your next Bare by Vogue tanning application. With the Luxury Tanning Mitt, effortlessly sweep our bestselling Self Tan Lotion (Dark) across the skin for a radiant, rich tan in 4-6 hours. Bring back the glow to your face with the Face Tanning Mist (Medium), enhance your skin with skin-loving extracts of oatmeal and chamomile, rich in a diverse range of antioxidants and anti-inflammatories that combat harmful free radicals, while soothing redness, blemishes and irritability.

The Bare by Vogue Holiday Collection is available to purchase in pharmacies and retailers nationwide, and the online exclusive at barebyvogue.com and zolobeauty.com.

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Bed bugs, scientifically known as Cimex lectularius, are small, reddish-brown insects that feed on the blood of mammals, particularly humans. Typically nocturnal, they emerge from hiding to feed during the night, attracted by the warmth and carbon dioxide emitted by their hosts.

These pests are incredibly adaptive and can thrive in various environments. Contrary to their name, bed bugs are not confined to beds; they can infest any space where humans frequent, including sofas, clothing, and luggage. They are expert hitchhikers, often catching rides on clothing or in luggage, facilitating their spread between locations.

Bed bugs can survive for several months without a blood meal, making them resilient and challenging to eradicate. They can hide in cracks, crevices, and seams, emerging to feed when a suitable host is present. To control and prevent infestations, regular inspection, proper hygiene, and prompt intervention are essential.

Top tips to avoid bed bugs:

Storage Tips:

Never store your clothes in drawers, especially those under the bed, to prevent potential bed bug infestations. Hang your clothes in wardrobes instead.

Suitcase Placement:

Keep your suitcase off the bed to avoid bed bug contact. Ideally, use a luggage rack if available; otherwise, position it closer to the door.

Dirty vs. Clean Clothes:

Separate dirty clothes in a plastic bag during your trip, as bed bugs are attracted to soiled items. Knot the bag securely each time you add dirty laundry.

Aircon Use:

Maintain a cool room temperature at night by using air conditioning. Bed bugs thrive between 21-32°C, making a cooler environment less favourable for their survival.

Laundry Facilities Caution:

Exercise caution when using shared laundry facilities. Transport clothes in a plastic bag, and upon washing, return them directly to the bag before folding them in your hotel room.

Post-Holiday Unpacking:

Unpack away from the bedroom upon returning home. Examine your suitcase carefully using a flashlight, vacuum it, and then store it to minimize the risk of bringing bed bugs into your living space.

Thorough Clothing Wash:

Wash every item, even unworn ones, upon returning home. If garment labels permit, use hot water for washing to eliminate any potential bed bugs.

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The plant lovers are currently having a real moment, Every interior magazine is decked out with greenery, cottage-core is the new aesthetic to aspire to and now, it's been discovered that plants are actually having a huge benefit on your mental health! Woohoo, thanks basil plant!

There's nearly a sense of achievement in nurturing and growing your houseplant. I bought a succulent a couple of summers ago, who is currently flourishing after a year and a half together. There's something very satisfying in watering and pruning her every so often, checking out her soil situation and seeing tiny new little leaves emerging now and then. It almost feels like self care, looking after this little pant.

green metal garden shovel filled with brown soil

So I decided to investigate further as to why this little thing was bringing me so much joy. I'm no gardener, I'm hardly out with my hands in the soil and my thumbs definitely aren't green, so why is this such a satisfying little ritual?

Well it turns out that gardening has historically brought a feel-good factor, and not just aesthetically either. Apparently being in close contact with nature and regularly nurturing it has many psychological and physiological benefits,. These include everything from ranging from increased pain tolerance, recovery from stress and anxiety through to relaxation and enhanced wellbeing.

person holding garden hose while watering plant

Studies have been done that show even something as simple as looking at plants, a picture, through your window, on a screen, can lower blood pressure, reduce stress, better your immune functioning and increase subjective vitality.

So just imagine what being in direct contact can do!

Actively gardening, specifically in older people, has the psychological benefit of rejuvenation, inner peace, and anxiety and stress reduction, as well as improved cognition. But the physical benefits are more than you would expect. Being outside and pottering about means that gardeners have access to regular sunshine and fresh air, which in turn can regulate circadian rhythms that control sleeping and eating patterns.

Man Planting Plant

Gardening can also be an opportunity for self-expression, self-sufficiency and enhanced self-esteem, especially for older adults who may find themselves losing parts of their identity or purpose with retirement, children leaving home and some more strenuous activities becoming unavailable to them. 

The activity and daily exercise that comes with a gardening routine means that there is a significantly reduced risk of morbidity and lowered mortality rates in a sample of older adults with cardiovascular disease. Regular physical activity in older people can also be associated with reduced risks of developing osteoporosis, reduce the risk of some cancers, Type 2 diabetes, depression and heart disease.

Woman Watering Green Plant

So go on out and grab some bulbs! There's never been a better time to start this super beneficial habit!

(SCOTT, T., MASSER, B., & PACHANA, N. (2015). Exploring the health and wellbeing benefits of gardening for older adults. Ageing and Society, 35(10), 2176-2200. doi:10.1017/S0144686X14000865)

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We all know a person in our lives that goes from happy and carefree to breathing fire and rage when they are hungry.

If you don’t know that person, then FYI, it is probably you.

So whether or not you are the person people avoid when you go into Incredible hungry hulk mode, there is a scientific explanation behind it.

The word “hanger” has been thrown around and slapped as a label to those who throw tantrums that could rival toddlers and, given to those whose irritability grows with every tummy rumble. So much so, that it was added to the dictionary as an official word last year.

However, rejoice hangry individuals! Our jokes have been in vain as evidence suggests that there is a genuine connection between hunger and anger.  

A Lecturer in Nutrition and Dietetics at King’s College London, Sophie Medlin, explained their findings surrounding hanger.

“We’ve long recognised that hunger leads to irritability in science,” she said during a Women’s Hour interview on BBC Radio 4.

“But the wonderful world of social media has merged the two words for us and now we know it as ‘hanger’. When our blood sugars drop, cortisol and adrenaline rise up in our bodies – our fight or flight hormones.”

These hormones are responsible for triggering a release of small, protein-like molecules called neuropeptides, which impacts the way the brain works.

“The ones that trigger for hunger are the same ones that trigger for anger and rage and impulsive type behaviours,” Medlin says. “So that’s why you get that sort of same response.”

The research found that hunger causes an increase in neuropeptide Y, which is interconnected to feelings of aggression.

It offers the explanation to why ‘hanger’ can affect your emotions when it comes to your nearest and dearest, who have to endure the outburst.

A study from 2014 found that low glucose levels relates to greater aggression in married couples. Which led to scientists to advise couples to resolve challenging issues on a full stomach, rather than an empty one.

Additionally, another study found that 62% of people make the wrong decisions when they’re ‘hangry’.

So, how do combat this hanger and keep it under control?

“It depends on how long it’s going to be until your next meal,” says Medlin. “Ideally you want something that’s going to bring your blood sugars up a little bit and also maintain them there. So a sort of savoury carbohydrate type snack would be the best thing to have.”

We will let you decide if you should be more empathetic towards those who are hangry, or you could remind them they’re probably making the wrong decision.

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