EXCLUSIVE I lost five stone in a year and have kept it off by following five free unconventional rules: Anyone can do it and there's NO weight-loss jabs or gym required: NAOMI HOLBROOK
A pupil at a 'competitive girl's school' where everyone else was 'slimmer and sportier', Naomi 'always felt like the big girl'.
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The Sun
28 minutes ago
- The Sun
How to transform your home & add £10K to the value in just ONE MONTH & there's a £5 buy that'll save your tired bathroom
MOVING house can be stressful when it comes to trying to get the most money for your house or flat. Thankfully there are some very savvy tricks which can boost the value of your pad by a whopping £10,000 in just one month. 4 For as little as just £5, you can transform your property and make it more attractive to buyers with very little effort. Interiors expert Laura Carter, from the online store Furniturebox, shared ten quick and easy tips for an instant home make-over and crucial buying hacks for new home owners… 1. Declutter Start by removing any unnecessary items from each room to create a sense of spaciousness and calm. Organise bookshelves, surfaces, and storage areas for a more polished look. 2. Rearrange furniture Experiment with different furniture arrangements to create new focal points and improve traffic flow. Consider moving large pieces like sofas, beds, or tables to optimise space and create a fresh feel. 3. Add a splash of colour Introduce new colours through textiles like throw pillows, blankets, rugs, or curtains. Consider painting an accent wall or a focal point like the front door for a bold statement. 4. Shed new light Swap out outdated lighting fixtures for more stylish options like pendant lights, sconces, or floor lamps. Consider dimmable bulbs for creating a warmer, more inviting atmosphere. 6 ways to make your house look posh on a budget 5. Embrace nature Incorporate natural elements by adding indoor plants and flowers to bring life and freshness to your space. Consider incorporating natural materials like wood, stone, or woven textures for a calming effect. 6. Accessorise Use mirrors to enhance light and create the illusion of more space. Display artwork or personal photos to add character and personality to your rooms. Style surfaces like coffee tables and bookshelves with intention, using odd-number groupings and varied heights. 7. Clean the carpets 4 It costs £4,000 to recarpet a new home but the carpets you have inherited may just need a spring clean. Get rid of those old coffee and wine stains and they will look great for a good few years. You don't need to bring in a professional firm - a good carpet steam cleaner can be hired for as little as £25 a day. 8. Flout the grout Tatty tiles in kitchen and bathrooms can be transformed with an extra strong cleaner from a DIY store. Revamping the grouting around your tiles is as important as cleaning them, and can have a big impact. A clever trick is to invest in a £5 grout pen which can spruce up dull or yellowing grout and freshen-up the look of a bathroom, kitchen or toilet. 4 9. Invest to impress There are lots of ways to add value without spending big but it is worth splashing out on a few 'investment pieces' - a big and bold new sofa can transform a living room and it is worth paying a little extra for a stunning dining set. One 2025 design tip is 'curve core' which is all about rounded edges, warm tones and organic shapes. 10. Get a little help from your friends Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and if there is a look that a friend has that you love, don't be afraid to adapt it to your own home. There may be a lamp, mirror or coffee table they have that you know would look great in your home too. Chances are they have borrowed the idea from someone else anyway. How to add 20k value to your home Property expert Jonathan Rolande shares 12 simple, affordable hacks that could help add £20k of value to your property… Banish bins - before the estate agent takes photos, move them out of sight. Value added: £1k Ace your kerb appeal - re-paint the front door, add pots and plants. Value added: £2.5k Up your EPC rating - switch to energy-saving LED light bulbs, and insulate your loft. Value added: £3k Clean your carpets - it'll instantly refresh the room and eliminate odours. Value added: £3k Take a pen to tatty tiles - a £5 grout pen could be the difference between poor offers and a swift property sale. Value added: £1k Groom the garden - buyers want a low-maintenance space, so trim the lawn and bushes, and hide the rusty trampoline and BBQ. Value added: £1k Buff up your basin taps - remove any limescale so the fittings stand out in photos. Value added: £500 Replace the toilet seat - and accessorise the bathroom with new towels and a soap dispenser. Value added: £500 Remove scuffs and scrapes - you can get a magic eraser for a couple of quid and the walls and skirtings will look brand new. Value added: £1.5k Replace dodgy door knobs - out with the old, and in with modern sleek handles for kitchen cupboards. Value added: £3k Update the drapes - and tie curtains back to allow more light in. Value added: £1k Go greige - swap garish painted walls for a neutral hue – like grey or beige – but don't be too bland. A splash of colour on a feature wall, cushions or cabinets will add a little interest. Value added: £2k.
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Travis Kelce lifts lid on relationship with Taylor Swift
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The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
I quit the UK for ‘luxury' life in Dubai but it left me at BREAKING point – reality is nothing like the Instagram pics
A WOMAN who ditched the UK for Dubai has returned home, after life in the city pushed her to breaking point. Natalie Goodall, now 32, made the decision to relocate to the UAE after she was offered a golf coaching job aged just 18. 6 6 She jumped at the chance - living with a friend then various family members before renting her own apartment in Damac Hills. Natalie lived in the seemingly idyllic and luxurious city for years until the Dubai lifestyle became too much - because the city's " business model" didn't allow for "work-life balance". After years of working 80 hour, six-day weeks, Natalie moved back to the UK in 2019 and has settled down in West Parley, Dorset. And, while she loved Dubai and says she'll go back for holidays, she said she's unlikely to relocate back there. As swathes of Brits opt to move out there with high expectations of luxurious living and endless fun, Natalie feels that Brits going with high expectations "may be disappointed." Natalie, now a self-employed PGA professional, said: "I never saw myself leaving Dubai - I was working at one of the best golf schools in the world. "And the city was absolutely stunning, on my day off I went down to the beach and when you let your hair down you could have a bloody good time. "But afterwards you'd look at your bank balance and think 'oh crap'. "But the business model out there - there is no work life balance. "I was coming home to my partner after 12 hour days, at 9pm, and I could barely hold a conversation because I'd be so tired. "In my last year I told him 'I can't do this' - you know when your time is up. "It's a very glamorous place and I can see moving there is a trend - but everywhere has their downfalls." At the time, she was making the equivalent of around £25-£30k a year - but the high costs in Dubai meant she couldn't enjoy the full extent of the luxurious lifestyle compared to what people assume. She said: "I was just making money to survive - in the service industry you were worked very hard. How easy is it to move abroad? Brexit means British citizens now have to apply for visas to move to countries within the EU. While some countries residency restrictions are easier than others, here's what you need to do at home before moving: Notify HMRC about your upcoming move. Let your local authority know and provide a forwarding address. Contact your mortgage and utility providers and bank before leaving. If you have paid enough UK national insurance contributions, you can qualify for a state pension abroad - contact the International Pension Centre. You can sign up to the Royal Mail's redirection service. If you have outstanding student loans, contact the Student Loans Centre. If you have children, give due notice to childcares and schools. "I was working six days a week and I couldn't afford to reduce my hours." After meeting her fellow expat partner Will Coan, 34, in 2017, while out there, the pair lived together but Natalie began to "spiral". She said: "You can feel yourself, your work and time management aren't as good, your diet goes out the window. " I never saw myself leaving Dubai but it's not sustainable - as I got older, I started to think, how the bloody hell will I have a life here? "It's not on an individual person - it's just the business model out there." In September 2019, she moved from Dubai back to the UK and got a job in Guernsey, once she had secured the necessary golf qualifications to be a coach. Nine months later, Will, who worked in a role in food manufacturing, finished his contract and moved back to the UK as well. They now own a home together in West Parley and are happier than ever. 6 6 6
