A married couple is now facing a crisis due to the wife’s strange bedtime habit. The husband is so fed up that he’s been sleeping in his car for two weeks, leaving others baffled

In September 2001, my husband Roger and I were woken by strange noises.

We rushed to our eight-year-old daughter Becky’s bedroom to find she was having a seizure. When she came round, she had no idea that anything had happened. 

We saw her GP urgently that morning who gave us a referral letter in a sealed envelope to take to the hospital. 

I will always regret not reading that letter. 

Becky was seen at the hospital by a registrar who told us not to worry as it was probably just a migraine, and told us to give her paracetamol if it happened again. They said that they wouldn’t be able to investigate further unless these episodes became ‘regular and frequent’.

Over the next two years, Becky had a handful of nighttime seizures, each spaced several months apart. 

For Sarah

Last year, on March 10, we lost our beloved colleague Sarah Whiteley. Sarah was a fantastic journalist; she was Metro’s parenting columnist and a valued member of our first-person and opinion desk.

Sarah died aged 39 from SUDEP – sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. It is thought that every year around 1,000 people die from causes related to epilepsy.

With support from Sarah’s family, Metro is fundraising for two very important charities: SUDEP Action and Epilepsy Action.

From March 10 to March 26, which marks Purple Day (epilepsy awareness day), we will be running a series of features and first-person pieces, raising awareness of epilepsy and SUDEP.

Sarah was so incredible at helping other people share their experiences; she was a born storyteller and we hope to do her proud with this series, while raising money in her memory.

This was extremely worrying but as they weren’t ‘regular and frequent’, we believed there was nothing we could or should do. 

When they started happening at monthly intervals in January, February and March 2004, we saw a different GP who agreed to refer Becky again.

Tragically, we subsequently found out the referral was incorrectly triaged. Instead of a neurology specialist, Becky saw a general paediatrician who diagnosed migraine and prescribed medication to treat them.

They stated that even if I was right that she had epilepsy, as by now I had come to suspect, she wouldn’t be prescribed anti-seizure medication as she was approaching puberty.

But not to worry, said the paediatrician: Becky couldn’t come to any harm from the seizures.

Becky then told him about regular lapses of attention and visual disturbances she was experiencing at school (which it was clear to us were absence seizures). 

The paediatrician was still adamant it wasn’t epilepsy but agreed to arrange for an EEG to ‘prove me wrong’. Even then, he reiterated that seizure control medication would be out of the question, and that if she had already been on epilepsy medication, he would have taken her off it due to her age. 

We have subsequently found this information to be totally unfounded and extremely dangerous. 

The EEG did indicate a problem and Becky was referred for an MRI, the results of which were due on May 6. Two days before, on May 4, 2004, our lives changed forever.

Roger found Becky lying face down so he ruffled her hair but she didn’t stir. He pulled her duvet back and knew straight away something was seriously wrong.

He yelled for me and I rang 999 who talked us through CPR but in our heart of hearts, we knew we had lost her. 

That was the worst day of our lives. Much of it is a blur but I will never forget having to say goodbye to Becky at the hospital and then being interviewed by the police back at home.

It was the police who called us a few days later to say that Becky had died from sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). 

At no point had any of the doctors mentioned SUDEP before. We heard it as just a phrase until my sister, who herself has controlled epilepsy, called to say she had done some research and found the charity SUDEP Action, who have been, and still are, an amazing support to us and many other bereaved families.

We felt totally let down by Becky’s GP, the registrar and the paediatrician – none of whom appeared to take us seriously or have any knowledge of epilepsy. 

We requested Becky’s medical notes before her inquest and the letter the GP had written for the hospital following Becky’s first seizure stated ‘IMO (in my opinion) migraine’.

I have no doubt Becky’s misdiagnosis was based solely on those words in the GPs hand-written note.

Since Becky’s death aged just 11, I have discovered a great deal about SUDEP including the fact that around 80% of all epilepsy deaths are potentially avoidable, which for us is obviously devastating. 

I feel passionately that everyone with epilepsy and parents and carers of children with epilepsy, should be given the facts about SUDEP risk very early on so they can make educated choices about their lifestyle to dramatically reduce any risk – and it can be reduced. 

I believe many clinicians withhold this information for fear of ‘upsetting’ people who have been newly diagnosed with epilepsy but SUDEP risk should be openly talked about in the same way most people are aware you can die if you have asthma. 

I have no doubt our lives would be vastly different if anyone had mentioned SUDEP risk while Becky was alive. I would far rather be upset than bereaved. 

We will never know what Becky’s future looked like but I know she would definitely be the most caring aunty to our six-month-old granddaughter.

Our beautiful Becky was a very bright, happy girl with a wise head on her young shoulders. She was a loving sister and loyal friend who also enjoyed her own company whether it be writing poems, drawing or creating ‘crafts’ in her bedroom. 

For us, everything changed that day in May 2004 and I know there will always be a Becky-shaped hole in our lives.

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing jess.austin@metro.co.uk. 

Share your views in the comments below.

Looking at the sun glistening on the water, I braced myself as a wave roared towards me.

I paddled, then jumped up onto my board, feeling only exhilaration as I surfed the wave to the shore.

Six months prior, this would have been unimaginable – I would have been lying in bed screaming in pain due to severe stage 4 endometriosis. My torturous symptoms not only affected my fertility and organs but my daily life. 

Moving to Spain has changed everything.

For the first time in over a decade, I am pain free. I can exercise without collapsing, eat without rushing to the toilet. And instead of surviving on a concoction of pain medication, mountain hikes, boxing classes and weekly surf lessons form my new routine.

For 10 years since the age of 17 I visited the GP every month with excruciating pain during my period. I was always told it was ‘normal’.

As time progressed, the pain became unmanageable. I missed work, was bed-bound and even vomited or blacked out from the pain.

Then, in 2013, I was rushed to hospital with severe abdominal pain. A scan revealed I had a 15cm ovarian cyst. I was given a laparoscopy – a procedure where a thin tube with a camera is inserted into the body – which confirmed stage 4 endometriosis, the highest grade of the condition.

My fertility had already been compromised; I was 27.

Endometriosis is a condition where cells like the ones in the lining of the uterus are found elsewhere in the body. It usually affects the ovaries and fallopian tubes but can also be found on organs such as the bowel and bladder. Sadly, it affects 1 in 10 women and takes an average of eight years and 10 months from the first GP visit to get a diagnosis.

The pain I’d experienced is a common symptom, as are painful periods, heavy menstrual bleeding, fatigue, painful bowel movements and pain during sex.

Following my diagnosis, I was naively under the impression I could be cured, but there is no known cure for endometriosis. Following diagnostic surgery, most patients are advised to manage symptoms with hormone treatments. Radical surgery is an option in severe cases.

I was told to start IVF immediately as pregnancy would help symptoms – but what followed was 10 years of hell.

My endometriosis was aggressive, spreading like wildfire to my bowel, colon, rectum and bladder. I underwent four private surgeries, my fallopian tubes were removed and I was hospitalised repeatedly with pain and ovarian infections.

I also experienced nine failed cycles of IVF. One resulted in an early miscarriage, and another a termination for medical reasons at 21 weeks, during peak lockdown. Following this loss, I was hospitalised with sepsis.

The next step was complex surgery, which involved a bowel, rectum and bladder reconstruction, potentially resulting in a permanent colostomy bag. I was terrified of my life changing so much at only 37.

Around this time, my mum suddenly passed away. It was then I started to look at life with a new perspective.

Though I was mentally, physically and financially broken, I didn’t want to be defined by a disease. I felt there had to be another solution to fixing my endometriosis and as they say a change is as good as a rest, I decided to test the theory.

In September 2022, my husband and I decided we wanted to move to Spain. We’d previously lived in Ibiza for a year in 2016, and knew we loved the slower pace and outdoor lifestyle.

It wasn’t easy: Brexit made moving abroad challenging. We researched visa options and found a route that worked for us. Luckily my husband holds an EU passport, and I was able to apply for residency as a non-EU family member. 

We spent a summer in Andalusia, exploring the region’s stunning natural landscapes and Pueblos Blancos, the white, hilltop villages. We visited different cities and coastlines, before settling on the beautiful foodie city of San Sebastián.

While we settled into our Spanish way of life, I noticed my health significantly improving. I reduced my reliance on painkillers, transitioning from frequent morphine use in the UK to occasional paracetamol. 

After a long, complicated process with mounds of paperwork – my residency took eight months to complete alone – we finally got the green light on our residency application and officially moved to Spain in June 2023 with our dog.  

My daily routine became so much slower. Instead of waking up, taking a painkiller and trudging across a muddy field with the dog, only to be in pain hours later while struggling at the laptop, I’d wake up, enjoy a leisurely coffee on the terrace then take a long dog-walk on the beach, before settling down to work from home as a freelance editor.

Rather than eight hours at the laptop, I followed in Spanish footsteps and prioritised life and health. I took little breaks strolling around the city or had lunch at a local bar. 

A lunchtime surf is something I could only have ever dreamt of before, but now it’s become my reality.

My stress and endometriosis pain has eased, allowing me to move more and feel healthier; I drove a lot in the UK, now I usually walk everywhere. While fatigue persisted, it became less frequent and my daily cold swims in the sea have reduced my inflammation.

My diet has also changed drastically. I eat smaller portions thanks to San Sebastián’s signature pintxos (tiny, tasty bites, usually a small piece of bread with a delicious topping). As supermarkets only stock produce that’s in season, there are fewer instant food and frozen products, which encourages me to cook from scratch.

One year ago, I would never have been able to survive on a diet of cava and jamón – they would’ve caused extreme pain – but now I enjoy them.

I asked my endometriosis consultant earlier this year how such improvement could be possible. His instant explanation was ‘the produce.’ He believes the quality of the food is having a significant impact on reducing my inflammation and therefore my symptoms.

And this summer, my annual endometriosis MRI showed no progression or new adhesions. For the first time, my condition was dormant.

While I am not cured, and I take a hormone pill daily, I am stable. Plus I was overjoyed to be removed from the surgery list – I cried happy tears.

I believe a slower, healthier lifestyle in the sunshine has significantly improved my endometriosis and I only wish I’d done it sooner.

This isn’t to say that a move abroad is necessarily going to help every other endometriosis sufferer, but I believe my experience can help people who want to make positive lifestyle changes.

The UK’s fast pace isn’t essential; slow down and say no to extra commitments. It might take longer to walk to the store or gym, but do it. You’ll get exercise, a healthy dose of fresh air and feel better for it.

Shop at your local weekly market; make it an enjoyable, slow-living experience. Join a local wild swimming group and reap the benefits of cold-water therapy.

Two years ago, I was in constant pain. I’m living proof that significant improvement is possible, and that a change really is as good as a rest!

This article was originally published January 4, 2025

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing Ross.Mccafferty@metro.co.uk. 

Share your views in the comments below.

When Rosie opened a letter and saw the words ‘abnormal cells’ she felt pure panic.

‘I didn’t think I’d be told that way,’ the 38-year-old tells Metro. ‘No one explained what those words actually meant. All I got was a number to make an appointment for a procedure to remove them.’

The letter, which Rosie Dixon received in 2018, was inviting her to undergo a large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) to remove some pre-cancerous cells discovered in her cervix.

When she made the appointment, she claims there was no room to question the procedure because she was funnelled through an efficient ‘conveyor belt’ system to remove them.

‘I could only ask questions once I was already in the room; there’s no pre-appointment where you can speak to the doctor and explain your fears,’ she remembers. ‘I did ask what are the chances of the cells becoming cancerous and are there any alternative treatments, but they couldn’t answer them. It felt like the doctors were being extremely pushy and that if I didn’t have it done now there was a chance I might not get seen. It was almost as if they were surprised anyone would question the process.’

Rosie says she also felt forced into going ahead because her loved ones were scared by the phrase ‘pre-cancerous cells’ combined with a real sense of urgency. ‘I don’t blame them — the doctors or my loved ones — but it felt like there was no room to make a different choice or at least slow down,’ she explains.

Plus, she adds, there was one side effect that wasn’t discussed with her at all: sexual dysfunction.

‘They only told me about short-term side effects, like bleeding and higher risk of pre-term labour. In their opinion, there were no long-term side effects. Yet, now, after sex, I often experience cramping, and it feels like there’s something wrong inside me. I also have chronic pelvic pain that started after the LLETZ. 

‘I made the link by asking myself, when was the last time I felt intact and pain free? And it was before the procedure.’

Every year, pre-cancerous cells are removed from 50,000 cervixes in the UK via a large loop excision of the transformation zone, commonly known as LLETZ. 

It’s become a standard procedure typically done under a local anaesthetic, designed to remove cells often caused by high-risk strains of the HPV virus before they develop into cervical cancer, the fourth most common cancer in women globally and 14th in the UK. 

‘The procedure uses a small, thin wire with an electric current to burn off the abnormal cells; it’s very quick,’ explains Dr Oluwatobi Adesanya, a GP with a special interest in women’s health. ‘It’s successful for nine out of 10 people who have it. The whole system is an excellent screening programme for cancer because it’s preventative.’

With the NHS aiming to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040, it’s undoubtedly a massive win for women’s health; however, some patients, like Rosie, claim to face long-term side effects that massively impact their sex lives.

Maddie Brown*, 43, had the procedure in 2022. 

‘It was a positive experience and went really well; I was given leaflets with lots of information,’ she recalls to Metro. However, over the next year, she noticed a side effect not included in the leaflets. 

‘At first, I didn’t notice anything because I was single, but when I started seeing my partner in 2023, I immediatelywas aware of differences in sensation,’ explains the civil servant from Wales.

‘I put it down to being with someone new, but once our relationship became more established I started to question what was happening. I’ve never had a super high sex drive, but I did notice a drop, and I couldn’t orgasm from penetrative sex anymore. 

‘Luckily, my clitoris still works, but I didn’t expect something like this to happen and I only made the link after I researched my symptoms and found other women online sharing the same experiences as me.’

Though her partner is always understanding, the impact on Maddie’s confidence is significant. 

‘It’s changed what I enjoy,’ she admits. ‘Especially as we’ve managed to find our relationship at this point in our lives, and everything else works so well. I sometimes feel we’ll never have the closeness and intimacy that I really crave. 

‘I’m keen not to put people off getting a procedure if that’s what they need, but it’s not really informed consent if you don’t know how it could affect you.’

Research into the impact of LLETZ on sexual dysfunction is limited, making it difficult to determine precisely how common the problem is. One study published in the Journal of Korean Medicine showed that as many as 65% of women experience some degree of change in sexual sensation after LLETZ, while a 2010 Thai paper found that the procedure is connected to ‘small but statistically significant decreases in overall sexual satisfaction, vaginal elasticity, and orgasmic satisfaction.’

Despite these findings, such side effects do not appear in any literature given to patients before or after the procedure. It also isn’t mentioned on the NHS page about LLETZ. However, the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology does mention sexual dysfunction in relation to the procedure, with symptoms including decreased lubrication, pain during intercourse, altered orgasmic sensation, and a feeling of reduced sexual satisfaction. 

Pharmacist Anna, 30, had LLETZ procedures in 2014 and a decade later, in 2024.

‘After both, I didn’t have any libido, struggled with lubrication, and while I can get aroused and orgasm, it feels so different – like it’s not happening to me,’ she tells Metro from her home in Cardiff. ‘I’ve also had pain and some bleeding after sex. I didn’t realise this would be an issue because no one mentioned it. I felt quite prepared to look out for signs of infection, but not this.

‘Now, I’m often self-conscious of bleeding, and I worry that it’s going to hurt me when I have sex or that my partner is going to feel the difference. I don’t feel comfortable or as sexy.’

As someone who works in healthcare, Anna was surprised by the lack of opportunity to ask questions before and after the procedure. ‘I’m reluctant to criticise the people involved because I know what the pressure is like, but It felt like a conveyor belt and kind of a tick box procedure,’ she admits.

One of the issues is that the process is streamlined mainly due to time and monetary constraints. Cervical screenings are conducted on 3.5 million women a year, and following any abnormal results, the NHS is under intense pressure to process these swiftly, meaning patients may not get to discuss the procedure with their GP before or afterwards. 

Patients will have a short consultation immediately before the LLETZ procedure, but there is no follow up appointment for patients to discuss concerns. All results are communicated by letter or text, and a follow-up cervical screening is conducted six months later.

‘In an ideal world, most healthcare professionals would want that pre-counselling and after-counselling. You would want the patient to feel they have more autonomy and choice,’ says Dr Adesanya. 

Without any check-in from their GPs, Rosie, Maddie, and Anna figured out the root of their newfound sexual dysfunction alone by finding a Facebook group with nearly 9,000 members supporting people healing from LLETZ procedures. There, they encountered many other women with similar side effects.

Lots of the posts share struggles to reclaim pleasure after this life-saving procedure, often without the support of doctors. Even after confirming the authenticity of their symptoms, the women still didn’t feel comfortable reporting them, citing fear of dismissal, disbelief, and enduring stigma around women’s sexuality.

Dr Olivia Giovannetti, assistant professor at Queen’s University in Canada, who has conducted several studies into the long-term effects of LLETZ and the information available on it, believes that medical misogyny may play a part in the problem. 

‘Women in the eyes of the healthcare system are still very much viewed as the vessel to birth children, and there’s a lack of consideration for sexual pleasure,’ she tells Metro.

‘I get responses, particularly from older men, like ‘well, my patients never complain,’ or they get defensive, saying treating the cancer is more important [than sexuality]. While the greater good is always removing the cancer cells, that doesn’t change the fact that some people are going home unable to connect with their partner or feel like they’ve lost a part of themselves.’

Dr Adesanya adds that more counselling should be offered to women.

‘It’s been trained in our minds that when you request a prostate-related blood test for men, you counsel them to let them know what doing this may mean regarding hospital appointments, biopsies, and procedures,’ she explains. ‘Do we routinely say this to women when inviting them for cervical screening? No. More definitely needs to be done in terms of educational awareness.’

While Rosie acknowledges that the LLETZ is potentially life-saving, sheadmits she would decline the procedure if she could do it all over again. 

‘If there’s a 1 in a 100 chance of getting cancer, what would you prefer, that, or 1 in 10 that you will be emotionally scarred, physically scarred?,’ she asks. ‘I would go with the odds of chancing it because, to me, quality of life is more important than its length.’

Meanwhile, although Anna is angry about her treatment, she would still do it again if adequately informed, she admits. ‘The cervical screening test and the HPV vaccine are amazing services that help identify and reduce the risk of cancer, ‘ she says. ‘I just would have felt more prepared with how to deal with the side effects if I’d been told. I would have felt less alone.’

An NHS spokesperson told Metro: ‘This treatment is offered to remove abnormal cells with the aim of preventing cervical cancer, and as with all treatments this has to be balanced against any potential risks associated with the procedure itself, including pain, bleeding or discharge.

‘We’d encourage all patients to discuss any concerns about this procedure with their clinician so that they can make an informed decision about whether to proceed.’

A woman has revealed she suffers from a rare condition that means sex is constantly on her mind while she’s asleep – which has now made her start sleepwalking outside naked and looking for men

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Around seven or eight years ago, I stopped drinking caffeine because it made me feel incredibly anxious – not to mention heart palpitations, jitters, shaky hands and the rest.

After being served a few Instagram ads, I came across Rainbow Dust from Spacegoods, and I’m incredibly thankful. Even more so that I’ve managed to get a 20% off discount code with METRO20 so you can give it a whirl too.

Ever since I started drinking it back in 2023, I can honestly say I’ve never felt better – and that’s probably thanks to the use of mushrooms and adaptogenic ingredients instead.

Thanks to TikTok, I realised during lockdown that I might have some ADHD tendencies. If you’ve spent a lot of time around me, you might have noticed this too.

Rainbow Dust Starter Kit

Rainbow Dust is designed to support focus, energy, and mental performance. With its great taste, you can enjoy it with water or milk, whether hot or cold. Best of all, it provides these benefits without causing any jitters, anxiety, or crashes.

Buy Now for £39 (was £125) – save extra 20% with metro20

While I’m no doctor or scientist, I’ve found that drinking my morning cup of Rainbow Dust, which is designed to ‘unlock your very best self,’ has made a noticeable difference. I’m more focused, my energy levels stay consistent, and I never feel jittery. In fact, I get more done and am less distracted by everything around me.

There have been times when I look at the clock and realise no time has passed, but since I started drinking Rainbow Dust, I sometimes miss my usual lunch spot because I’m so engrossed in what I’m doing – which is a massive improvement for me when I have strict guidelines to meet.

Made with all-natural ingredients, the Rainbow Dust is a delicious powder concoction that’s perfect for your everyday routine. It’s vegan and cruelty-free, so you can scoop, mix, drink, and create to your heart’s content.

The great thing about Spacegoods’ Rainbow Dust is that it helps support your mental performance and energy throughout the day. Personally, I love a mug of the vanilla and chocolate in the afternoon when the cravings for a sweet treat hit.

Better still? Rainbow Dust has been designed for ultimate convenience, allowing you to mix it with virtually anything you enjoy! As for the best part? Six out of its nine active ingredients are powerful adaptogens.

Key ingredients include Lion’s Mane mushroom (known as the ‘brain’ mushroom), Cordyceps mushroom (the ‘energy’ booster), and Chaga mushroom (the ‘immunity’ enhancer). Additionally, it features Rhodiola Rosea, Maca Root, and Ashwagandha, which are all linked to supporting memory and cognitive function.

So, if you’re looking for an alternative to your morning cup of poorly made coffee, why not give Spacegoods a go – and make the most of that limited time offer of 20% off with METRO20 too.

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Whether you’re still on the hunt for a Mother’s Day gift or just want a treat for yourself, this week’s Trend Trove is truly chocka with things you’re going to want to shop pronto.

And I would know because everything in this list has me in a chokehold.

From fashion perfectly suited to the incoming warmer days and fragrances that smell like a warm hug from someone you love, to homeware fit for spring and truly the most comfortable bra you’ll ever wear, this is my curated selection of must-haves to inform your impulse buying.

I’ve been sleeping very well lately all thanks to my Drowsy Eyelash Protecting Sleep Mask, which blocks out every bit of light while keeping that claustrophobic, eyelash squishing feeling at bay. True game-changer.

Evelyn & Bobbie, an amazing female-owned underwear brand, has just dropped in John Lewis and I need every single piece of their smoothing, seamless and oh-so comfortable designs – but the Wire-Free Push-Up Bra is at the top of my ‘must-have’ list.

Damson Madder has also just dropped their new Spring Collection and it’s absolutely stunning – full of florals, unique designs and adorable graphics. The Becca Mini Dress, however, has my heart.

And in my bid to not always wear dirty white Salomons out the house, my eye was instantly drawn to the Salomon ASC + trainers in Vanilla Ice / Castlerock / Neon Flame – a sleeker but just as comfy and reliable pair as my older ones.

Designed to take you from A-to-B stylishly but, most importantly, comfortably, they’re a total must for me.

Ready to explore this week’s top picks and treat yourself while you’re at it? Get stuck into the Trend Trove below.

Evelyn & Bobbie – Evelyn Wire-Free Push-Up Bra

Now available in John Lewis, the Evelyn & Bobbie Wire-Free Push-Up Bra is a totally elevated piece designed to give you push-up lift, a smooth and seamless silhouette and oh-so comfortable, adaptive fit. Wireless, smoothing and ergonomic, this game-changing bra will instantly become your everyday lingerie favourite. Trust me, this bra looks and feels absolutely amazing.

shop £68

Damson Madder Becca Bubble Mini Dress – Blue Margot Gingham

We're utterly obsessed with this Becca Bubble Mini Dress – over everything from the patterned fabric to the multi-way design. Made from 100% organic cotton, this dress features removable puff sleeves and a fully smocked bodice.

shop £100

The Fine Bedding Co Boutique Silk Pillow

Designed to turn your bedroom into a boutique hotel without the early checkout, this medium/firm, beautifully rich silk blend pillow is packed full of advanced Smartfil fibres blended with the finest silk, giving you a taste of ultimate natural indulgence from home.

shop £38

Malin + Goetz Tomato Room Spray 147ml

Honestly, when I first smelled this scent I was instantly transported to my old family greenhouse. Fresh, odour-neutralising and aromatic, this room spray is the ideal choice for refreshing your indoor spaces and bringing a spring-like feeling home.

shop £48

Neom Real Luxury Hand Wash 300ml

We all know I love a bit of luxe when it comes to my hand wash, and this refillable Neom Real Luxury Hand Wash is just as its namesake suggests. Featuring 100% natural fragrances from 24 essential oils and presented in a recyclable bottle designed to be refilled and reused, this luxurious formula cleanses, softens, and replenishes the hands for that perfect moment of sink-side self-care.

shop £25

PHLUR Vanilla Skin Eau De Parfum 50ml

Leaning into the second skin perfume trend that oozes understated, comforting warm skin-like notes, Vanilla Skin, unlike other vanilla perfumes, evokes an iconic creaminess wrapped in a kaleidoscope of spice and intrigue that keeps you coming back for more. My new absolute favourite.

shop £99

Anthropologie Harlie Brown Studio Belle Journée Tea Towel

What's not to love about this adorable Croissant tea towel from Anthropologie? Crafted from 100% cotton with embroidered writing, French-inspired stripes and a gorgeous croissant graphic from Harlie Brown Studio's ever-so-beloved French plate line, it's almost to good to dry the dishes with.

shop £22

Salomon ACS + SEASONAL in Vanilla Ice / Castlerock / Neon Flame

As a self-proclaimed Salomon girlie, I can confidently say that the ACS + are the most comfortable trainers I own. I already have the all-white pair and wear them every single day, but this pair recently caught my eye. Robust, comfy and boasting the handiest toggle closure you'll wonder how you lived without, this pair is right at the top of my wish list.

shop £155

Drowsy Damask Rose Eyelash Protecting Sleep Mask

When I say this sleek mask transformed my sleep, I really mean it. Created with high-quality, 22 momme pure mulberry silk, this luxe eye mask features fully contoured eyecups that block off light while keeping your eye area protected, ideal if you hate sleep masks pressing on your lashes.

shop £79

Jimmy Fairly The Coeur Sunglasses

Utterly chic, these gorgeous Jimmy Fairly sunglasses are my new absolute favourites for summer. Boasting the most adorable tortoiseshell, heart-shaped frames with hard-working category 3 lenses, they don't just look and feel the part, but really work in protecting your eyes, too.

shop £100

Kipling Art M Ocean Blue weekend bag

I'm always on the hunt for a really good, roomy and comfortable weekend bag – and this Kipling one caught my eye instantly. This medium tote is the ideal size for weekends, boasting a sizeable main compartment, inner zip pocket and handy trolley sleeve for popping on your suitcase. It's also water repellent – ideal for our British weather.

shop £107

Juliette has a Gun Not a Perfume Eau de Parfum, 50ml

This unique perfume is truly like nothing I've ever smelled before. Self-proclaimed 'not' a perfume, it's made out of a single element called Cetalox which blends with your own scent and produces a different effect on everyone. How will it work on you? The only way to find out is to try it…

shop £100

Sorry bank account (again).

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Resident agony aunt Coleen Nolan has advice for a worried parent who’s concerned her son’s partner is not right for him as she’s immature with no interest in the family