Table of contents for 14 August 2025 in Chat

F&F at Tesco Sizes from 6-22 STYLE TIP We’ll be stocking up on these elevated basics. From chic slip dresses to cool band tees, F&F has you covered. Tu at Sainsbury’s Sizes from 6-26 STYLE TIP These transseasonal pieces will work hard in your wardrobe. Invest now and wear later with some simple styling tweaks. George at Asda Sizes from 6-24 STYLE TIP Your one-stop shop for summer essentials. Team vibrant pops of colour with neutrals for an effortless holiday wardrobe. Nutmeg at Morrisons Sizes from 8-22 STYLE TIP Mix and match these stylish staples. Don’t be afraid to combine prints – leopard is neutral and can look great with stripes.…

How can I soothe my eczema? Q I have dry patches of eczema on random parts of my body – they are very itchy. Help! Zoe, Bath A Eczema can flare up due to factors like stress, weather changes or allergens. Heat and dryness can also make rashes worse, causing them to itch more. To manage eczema, it’s important to keep your skin moisturised with a fragrance-free cream or ointment. Avoid harsh soaps or hot showers, as these can irritate your skin. Keep your room cool at night, and wear natural fabrics to avoid sweating. Break the itch-scratch cycle by moisturising right after washing with a non-soap emollient. If your eczema continues or gets worse, see your GP. They might suggest topical steroids or other prescription creams to reduce inflammation…

WIN 2 x £25 Puzzle 9 The Romanian cordial socata and the French liqueur St-Germain are traditionally flavoured with what botanical product? To find out, solve the puzzle… Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, Defraud = CHAT + E = CHEAT. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down the added letters to spell out the prize answer. Defraud Distress beacon Among Carries Attempted Put off Wooden shoes Sag Rocks Magical stones Matured Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Foul-weather friend Q I got some amazing news recently. I’d grafted really hard for it and I told my mate thinking she’d be thrilled but she barely reacted. Every time I get a step ahead, new job or flat, she goes quiet on me. It’s like she prefers me when I’m struggling. I’m starting to think she just doesn’t like seeing me grow. Kerry, 28 A It’s sad to say, but some folk only like to be friends with those who are down. It makes them feel better. So when you’re shining, she’s squinting! That doesn’t sound like a very good mate. Not everyone is going to be in your life for all seasons, pet. You’re moving on to different places now. Maybe she’s not a person you want on…

3 Ways to.. reduce food Waste Take action to cut down the amount of food that ends up in the bin 1 Plan ahead Making a meal plan for the week and only buying the food you’ll need is a key way to cut food waste. But if your plans often change, it’s a good idea to include recipes that use ingredients that won’t go off if you don’t use them straight away, such as tinned tuna, a jar of passata or frozen vegetables. Find tips on creating flexible and simple meal plans at lovefoodhatewaste.com. Also, to establish what food items tend to get wasted in your house, keep a note for a week or two of which ones end up in the bin – ideally note the cost of the…

Outlander: Blood of My Blood MGM+ ● Ahead of the eighth and final series of Outlander, this 10-part prequel tells the stories of the parents of Claire and Jamie Fraser, who met and fell in love after she was transported in time from 1945 to 1743 via a stone circle. It begins in 1716 with the romance between Jamie’s mum and dad, Ellen Mackenzie (Harriet Slater) and Brian Fraser (Jamie Roy), who come from rival clans. Meanwhile, in the 1920s, Claire’s folks Henry (Jeremy Irvine) and Julia (Hermione Corfield) are on holiday in the Highlands when they end up at the stones following an accident and are forced apart… DON’T MISS DON’T MISS Ridley ITV1 ● It’s been three years since we first met former detective inspector Alex Ridley (Adrian…

Madison Conradis, 36, Florida, USA Relaxing at home, I typed out a message to my twin sister Christine. What you up to? It was 2013, and I was a student, working part-time in a hotel. I was a grafter, just like Christine, who was training to be a lawyer. More than just my twin, she was my bestie. I was a tomboy, while Christine was more girly. But we had so much in common, and we were really close. Now, Christine lived a few hours’ drive away, but we talked every day. And were constantly messaging, like now. But mid catch-up, my phone pinged with a Facebook message from an old school friend. There’s some photos of you online, it read. I clicked the link he’d sent to a website…

To Dad, Remember when I’d come to work with you as a child? You’d wake me up at 5am, carry me to the bunk behind the seats of your lorry, and let me drift off again. By the time I woke up, we’d be miles and miles away from home. Sometimes at a supermarket, other times a shopping centre. My favourite was when we’d do drop-offs at a cookie shop in Bluewater, Kent. I’d help you load the pallets onto your trolley, skip alongside you as you delivered your orders. ‘Aren’t you a good girl,’ the staff at the cookie shop would coo at me. Then you’d load the empty boxes back on the trolley, sit me on top and wheel me back to the lorry. And I’d be grinning…

Kirsty Lodge, 42, from Wakefield When making a cuppa, what comes first, tea or milk? Has to be the tea for me. Tea bag, water, let it sit then milk. The perfect brew. It’s a no to the builder’s tea for me. What’s one thing you can do really well? Eggs. Probably not the answer you expected, but I’m pretty good at making the perfect boiled egg. What are you reading at the moment? In all honesty, it’s been a while since I’ve picked up a book, but the last one I read was Betrayal by Lesley Pearse. I much prefer a magazine or a word search. What was the first concert you ever went to? The first concert I went to was Michael Jackson, Roundhay Park, Leeds. It was…

No pane, no gain For sparkling window panes and mirrors, I add a dash of dishwasher rinse aid to the water when cleaning. It works like a charm. Maggie Cobbett, Ripon, North Yorkshire Buzz off, barflies I was enjoying a glass of wine outside, but not the insects that wanted to share it with me. I found that a Pringles lid fit perfectly on top, saving me having to swat them away! Joanna Withers, Chorley, Lancashire Carry on gardening I wanted somewhere to put plant cuttings as I was tidying up the garden and didn’t want to keep bending down. I bought an oval-shaped plastic container with slots for handles. With a bungee cord around my back hooked either side of the bucket, I can do my gardening and fill…

YOU’RE THE JUDGE! Norma Caraker loved her job as a waitress. Her husband Tom had been mayor of Troy, Illinois, for more than two decades. And, after Tom had died in 2018, following his battle with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, Norma, 60, had remained a much-loved member of the community. Known for her generosity and kind heart, she’d donate her waitressing tips to charity. She’d even share her work schedule on Facebook, so locals could stop by at the restaurants she worked in to say hello. With three children from a previous marriage and two stepchildren, Norma also had grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Plenty of people to look out for her – including her son, Neil Howard, who, in September 2023, then 44, was living in her basement. He’d had his…

1 Wash your hands It’s basic common sense, says registered nurse and health education specialist, Bailyn Fields*. ‘Especially if you’ve been out and about or handling money, make sure you wash your hands properly before you eat.’ The NHS advice is to work up a lather and wash your hands all over, including the back, between your fingers and under your nails, for as long as it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song twice (20 seconds in total). 2 Think before you drink Don’t add ice to your drinks unless you’re in a place where you know it’s safe to drink the local tap water, says Bailyn. ‘Your coffee and tea should be safe as they’re made with boiling water. Canned drinks and fizzy water or colas in sealed bottles…

HAPPY HOUR SUNNY SHADES GREAT VALUE…

Dawn Nunn, 67 Lying on the hospital bed, I looked up in terror at the doctors and midwives bustling around me. ‘What’s happening?’ I trembled, clutching my bump. It was March 1974 and I was 29 weeks pregnant. Just 16, I was a single mum-to-be, and all alone. I’d been admitted to hospital with dehydration. Now, two days later, while still in hospital, I’d felt a gush of water down below… My waters had broken. Far too early and I was completely terrified. ‘Please,’ I begged a midwife. ‘My baby…’ ‘Just be quiet and let nature take its course,’ she snapped. So upsetting. A few hours later, at lunchtime, I gave birth to my little boy. Jason. Despite the shock and the pain I was in, I listened carefully for…

Feeling optimistic, ‘beautiful and intelligent’ Molly McLaren, 23, swiped right on her Tinder match. It was November 2016. Molly, a high-flying sports health student at the University of Kent, was predicted to achieve a first class degree. She hadn’t had many serious boyfriends. But, after browsing profiles on the dating app, she liked the look of Joshua Stimpson, a double glazing salesman. The pair chatted online for quite a while, getting to know one another. Then they arranged a first date. And soon, they were in a relationship. As the weeks went by, Molly introduced her new boyfriend to her parents, Doug and Joanne. They welcomed the ‘quiet’ young man into their home in Chatham, Kent. He was clearly besotted with their daughter. Joanne noticed that Joshua would lie on…

Emma Higginson, 27, Coventry Launching a ball across the park, I watched my dog Millie bolt after it. ‘Slow down!’ I laughed after her. She was running so fast she’d almost tripped over her own legs! A black springer spaniel crossed with a Staffy, Millie, then 6, had been with me since she was a puppy. I couldn’t imagine life without her, and even my partner Connor, then 28, had fallen for her when we’d met. ‘She’s full of energy,’ my mum Jill, then 57, laughed. Unlike her Jack Russell, Hollie, then 13, who was enjoying a leisurely mooch around the park. But the pair of them were best pals, so I often met up with Mum so we could walk them together. Later that week, in August 2024, I…

Jessica Inneh, 31, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Sitting at my desk in a call centre, I put my headset on and let out a sigh. I couldn’t bear the thought of having to do this job for the rest of my life. ‘I want to make a difference,’ I told my mum, Gillian, and dad, Peter, when I got home. It was 2015, and I’d been working as a data quality agent since leaving school. That evening, I looked up courses online. I applied to an Access to Healthcare course at Tyne Metropolitan College. And when I was accepted to start the following year, I was chuffed. ‘I’m going to be a nursing assistant!’ I told Mum, beaming with joy. ‘You’ll be great,’ she said, giving me a hug. In May 2016, I…

Emma Hughes, 57, Gosport, Hampshire Singing my heart out on stage, I felt on top of the world. Dressed in leather trousers and a baggy top, I belted out tune after tune. I loved every minute of being in a covers band when I wasn’t working full-time as a programme delivery manager. Only, it was what came after that I always dreaded. Sure enough, days after my pub gig, I went online to discover people had posted photos of me on stage. Cringe. It was July 2023 and, at 5ft 5in, I was 13st 9lb and a size 16. ‘There I am, Fat Emma,’ I groaned to my husband Jon, then 56. ‘You always look beautiful!’ he retorted. But I didn’t believe him. The truth was, I really hated the…

Caryn de Nocker, 46, Maidstone Running out the door of our local village hall in her brown and yellow uniform, my daughter Hermione, then 7, was beaming. ‘Look, Mum!’ she said, proud as punch, holding out her very first Brownie badge for me to see. It was spring 2023, and going to Brownies on a Friday evening was Hermione’s favourite time of the week. Along with swimming, tap and ballet, she had a hectic schedule. Me and her dad Rory, then 43, could hardly keep up! But with so much energy, Hermione loved every minute. Amazing, because life hadn’t been easy for her. Diagnosed with a heart murmur at birth in July 2015, from 17 months she suffered frequent seizures. Some lasted as long as two hours and, at 4,…

Prawn lettuce cups Seriously satisfying, these Thai-style salad boats are ready in a flash. SERVES 4 PREP 15 MINS COOK 5 MINS 200g dried vermicelli rice noodles, broken 2 carrots, cut into matchsticks 1 red onion, thinly sliced 1tbsp vegetable oil 2 lemongrass stalks, finely chopped 300g raw king prawns 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped Handful mint and basil leaves, roughly torn 2 Little Gem lettuce, separated into leaves Handful salted peanuts, crushed, to serve 1 garlic clove, crushed 2cm piece fresh root ginger, finely grated 1tsp light brown soft sugar 1tbsp fish sauce Juice 3 limes FOR THE DRESSING: Put in a bowl with the carrot and red onion. Add the lemongrass and prawns, then stir-fry for 2 mins. Add the chilli, reserving a little to garnish,…

Aries 21 March-20 April Saturn ruling your sign enables you to make some plans for the long term. So, think about where you want to be a year from now and take action accordingly. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May You’re fond of the good things in life: food, beautiful views, to name a couple. However, you know it’s an inside job, so focus on restoring your inner peace. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June The life and soul of the party, you can be relied on to provide entertainment and one-liners. Embrace the spotlight and you might discover a secret admirer. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July You’re a force to be reckoned with…

Q I’d like a new summery perfume under £ 15. What would you recommend? Michelle Barton, Bromley, London A Summer is a great time to experiment with new fragrances, and you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a good quality one. There are lots of lovely high-street options which don’t compromise on quality just because they’re affordable. M&S After Sun Snooze Eau de Toilette, £10, M&S, is one of the newest fragrances from the brand for this summer. It’s packed with mandarin, orange flower, tuberose and ylang-ylang, which create a scent reminiscent of a post-beach nap. If you dislike floral scents, then perhaps something more musky like The Body Shop Tender Tonka Fragrance Mist, £13, thebodyshop.com, will impress you. The warming mist is blended with spicy black pepper…

TEXT Simply text CHATD followed by a space and your answer/s (spaces between answers please) full name, door number and postcode to 63333 Texts cost 50p plus standard network charge (maximum 160 characters per text). When you enter by text, you may in future get SMS marketing messages from Future plc and Chat. If you want to receive these, please end your text with OPTIN. Texting tips Don’t put any spaces in an answer that has several words: eg: CHATISTHEBEST not CHAT IS THE BEST. If the answer is a name, you need only give the surname: eg: CLOONEY not GEORGE CLOONEY. You can use capitals or small letters, but don’t use any commas, etc. Leave out answers you don’t wish to enter. INTERNET Join our Chat Comp Club now…

Chat winners issue 20 (15 May 2025) Anyone from your town in the list this week..? £1,001 CASH S Cowie, Ipswich £500 CASH A Lewis, Pontypool T Moon, Doncaster £250 CASH J Blyth, Glasgow W Clegg, Kendal £200 CASH E Upton, Evesham £100 CASH G Chilton, Moreton-in-Marsh L Comb, Bridlington C Osborn, Newton Abbot £75 CASH M Siefert, Warrington £50 CASH D Willoughby, Basingstoke G Badger, Banbury SB Christian, Keighley J Sims, Sheffield N Campbell, Wigston J Renshaw, Ashton-under-Lyne £40 CASH A Chapman, Southsea £30 CASH L Tate, Basingstoke J Webb, Highbridge £25 CASH L Stephenson, Consett L Walton, Rugby £20 CASH D Edwards, Newhaven P Thompson, King’s Lynn V Ireson, Leighton Buzzard L Buchanan, Coatbridge J Mason, Downpatrick D Westwood, Enfield J Knowles, Bedworth S Walsh, Bradford C Prior,…