HELLO!’s shopping team love H&M’s Toteme lookalike faux shearling jackets. Shop the affordable designer lookalike coats for just £37/$59.99 and £74.99/$119.99.
4 Nov, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
I’ve survived deadly sepsis six times — one symptom always raises the alarm
‘I woke up one morning with what felt like a really badly sprained back,’remembers Amani, recalling her first encounter with sepsis in 2020.
‘I thought I’d somehow pulled a muscle, but I also felt quite delirious and unusually unwell.’
The 37-year-old, from Bristol, has since survived the life-threatening condition six times, each caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI).
She didn’t immediately sound the alarm on that first February morning, having suffered from chronic illness since a water sports accident that impacted her bladder in 2011.
She took her temperature and noted it was 40°C, but, not wanting to cause a fuss, she resisted calling NHS 111 for a further two days.
The call operator immidiately sent an ambulance to her flat, ignoring her protests that she didn’t need one.
‘Unfortunately, when you live with severe chronic illness, you are used to living with such extreme and completely debilitating symptoms every day, so I pushed through my intense and scary symptoms for a couple of days,’ she says.
‘I remember feeling like something really bad was about to happen – an impending sense of doom – which I later learnt was actually a symptom of sepsis and has been a symptom of it every time I have had sepsis since.’
Amani’s experience with chronic illness began in her twenties, when she was working as a coasteering instructor in 2011.
The sport involves cliff jumping and sea swimming, but an accident left her with Cauda Equina (a condition impacting the nerves in the lower spine), and subsequent neurogenic bladder, where she struggled to pass urine and had to use catheters.
When Amani first got sepsis in 2020, she was intermittently self-catheterising up to 30 times a day, which greatly increases the risk of UTIs.
Approximately 30% of all sepsis cases are due to urosepsis, a medical emergency where an infection of the urinary tract spreads to the bloodstream.
‘When I was then taken into resus at the nearest hospital, they told me if I had actually denied the ambulance, I would have died in my sleep,’ she says.
‘I was only two hours away from dying when I got to them.’
Amani was treated with IV antibiotics, fluids, and pain relief.
She was also given IV fluid to help her kidneys function properly again, but her lungs took on fluid and she became really unwell from that, too.
‘I don’t remember much of the hours and days that followed, because I was so unwell,’ Amani says. ‘Eventually, after a few weeks of being in hospital, I was discharged home.’
Each time she’s had sepsis, the transition of coming home has been ‘really hard’ for Amani, who lives alone.
‘From my experience of surviving sepsis, and that of the many people I have connected with that have also survived sepsis, it can leave a lot to process in its wake and after you have survived it,’ she says.
‘Once you are home, ‘normal life’ continues around you, yet you nearly died and have so many emotions to process. It can feel incredibly isolating.’
An extra challenge for Amani is that despite being a repeat sufferer of sepsis, she often has to spot symptoms presenting differently.
‘This is important, because sepsis can be so sneaky and can develop so quickly – for example my fourth time of having sepsis, in 2024, I had been admitted to hospital for a kidney infection.
‘When I arrived, I was only mildly unwell, so they kept me in the corridor for observation and to await treatment, but within an hour I developed a 40°C temperature and started vomiting, and passing out.
‘I had suddenly become seriously unwell, and was rushed through to receive IV antibiotics, with sepsis again.’
Repeat cases haven’t made sepsis any easier. In fact, Amani says she’s ‘got more scared’ with each diagnosis, because she understands how bad the condition can get, and how dangerous it is.
The writer and artist now works with the charity Sepsis Research FEAT, helping raise awareness for the work and research they do, as well as the general signs of Sepsis.
Although her own symptoms have always varied slightly, they have included a high or low temperature, vomiting and severe nausea, confusion and feeling delirious, an impending sense of doom, chills and shivering, feeling very systemically unwell, shaking uncontrollably, shortness of breath or breathing faster than usual, a rapid heart rate; feeling exhausted and sleeping too much or being unable to rouse properly.
Symptoms of sepsis
The common symptoms of sepsis in adults are:
- A very high or low body temperature
- Uncontrollable shivering
- Confusion or disorientation
- Passing less urine than normal
- Blotchy or cold arms and legs
Other symptoms may include:
- Mottled or discoloured skin
- Fast, or difficulty in, breathing
- Rapid heartbeat
- Extreme pain or discomfort
- Feeling dizzy or faint
- Feeling of doom or that you may die
Source: Sepsis Research FEAT
She now also suffers with Post-Sepsis Syndrome (PSS) which leaves her with ongoing physical, mental, cognitive, and emotional challenges. Around 40% of people who have had sepsis live with PSS, often lasting for months or years.
‘It is also really important to remember that sepsis does not discriminate – even if you are not at a higher risk of sepsis like I am, anybody can get sepsis, so it is essential to know the signs and symptoms. It can literally save a life,’ says Amani.
My biggest advice to anyone wondering if they have sepsis is that you know your body better than anybody, so listen to how you feel, and trust your instincts, because it literally can save your life.’
4 Nov, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Queen Máxima surprises in shoulder-baring fuzzy top – before swapping to full leather look
Queen Máxima of the Netherlands opted for a fuzzy orange top as she stepped out to visit Haarlem College with Judith Tielen, the Secretary of State for Youth, Prevention and Sport, to talk about what Haarlem is doing to make young people feel better in their skin.
4 Nov, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Dyson’s Black Friday sale has started and prices are slashed by up to £550
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more
Although Black Friday doesn’t officially arrive until 28 November, Dyson’s sale has already begun!
And this year’s deals are some of the best we’ve ever seen. No exaggeration.
So, if you’ve been holding off on upgrading your vacuum cleaner, finally getting your hands on one of Dyson’s incredible hair dryers, or want an air purifier to improve the air quality in your home, now’s the time to pounce.
With savings of up to £550, these are the kinds of discounts that don’t come around often and we recommend adding to basket immediately as these bargains are only available while stocks last.
What to beat the rush and get yourself some incredible Dyson tech at a bargain price? Here’s our top picks…
Dyson V15s Detect Submarine Vacuum Cleaner
Get 2-in-1 with the Dyson V15s Detect Submarine™ cordless vacuum. It provides 240 Air Watts of suction power and can both vacuum and wash hard floors using the Submarine™ wet roller head. A laser illuminates fine dust while a Dust Detect Sensor measures and adapts suction based on debris levels. It includes hair de-tangling technology, runs for up to 60 minutes, and is designed for effective cleaning across multiple floor types.
Dyson Airwrap i.d.™ Multi-Styler and Dryer with Diffuser
Dyson’s Airwrap i.d.™ Multi-Styler and Dryer with Diffuser is engineered to style curly and coily hair, offering smooth drying and defined styling with minimal heat damage. It delivers 1,300 W of power and an airflow of 13.5 l/s, with three heat and three speed settings for controlled styling. Intelligent heat control measures air temperature over 40 times a second to protect hair from excessive heat, while negative ions help reduce static and enhance shine. It can also connect to the MyDyson app via Bluetooth to create a personalised hair profile and save your style settings.
Dyson 360 Vis Nav Robot Vacuum Cleaner
For hands-free cleaning, try Dyson’s 360 Vis Nav™ Robot Vacuum Cleaner which provides 22,000Pa of suction for powerful and efficient cleaning across all floor types. Its intelligent 360° vision system analyses, maps, and navigates the home with precision to ensure thorough coverage. The vacuum can be controlled, customised, and scheduled through the MyDysonᵀᴹ app for convenient, automated cleaning.
Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde Fan
Engineered to improve indoor air quality through advanced filtration, the Dyson Purifier Humidify Cool Formaldehyde PH04 Fan combines air purification, humidification, and cooling functions in one device. Its activated carbon filter removes gases, the HEPA H13 filter captures 99.95% of particles, and a catalytic filter breaks down formaldehyde. Air Multiplier™ technology distributes purified, humidified air evenly throughout the room.
Dyson V11 Extra Vacuum Cleaner
Need something strong? The Dyson V11 Extra Vacuum Cleaner provides 200 Air Watts of fade-free suction, powered by a Dyson Hyperdymium™ motor spinning at up to 125,000rpm. Its Motorbar™ cleaner head with polycarbonate vanes removes and de-tangles hair, while the battery offers up to 60 minutes of run time. The vacuum features 14 Root Cyclones™, filtration that captures 99.99% of particles and a point-and-shoot bin for easy and hygienic emptying.
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer Nickel/Copper
Worried about heat damage? Dyson’s Supersonic™ Hair Dryer Nickel/Copper is designed for fast drying without extreme heat. Its intelligent heat control helps protect hair’s natural shine, while the Dyson digital motor V9 delivers powerful airflow. Air Multiplier™ technology creates a high-pressure jet of air for efficient drying and precise styling.
Dyson Ball Animal Origin Vacuum Cleaner
If you struggle with moving your vacuum, try the Dyson Ball Animal Origin Vacuum Cleaner which uses Ball™ technology for easy manoeuvring around furniture. It includes a 60% larger bin than the Ball™ Animal and a one-touch ejection system for hygienic emptying. With a 14m reach, 99.97% filtration and a set of cleaning tools, it gives you practical cleaning throughout the home.
Dyson Wash G1 Wet Floor Cleaner
Hate mopping? The Dyson WashG1™ Wet Floor Cleaner uses a double roller system for effective forward and backward cleaning, removing wet and dry debris in one pass. Counter-rotating rollers prevent smearing, while 26 hydration points ensure even water distribution for a consistent finish. It features separate clean and dirty water tanks, six-point edge cleaning, and a self-cleaning cycle for easy maintenance.
The tech giants’ deals are not to be missed…
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Strictly co-host Claudia Winkleman just wore the ultimate Little Black Dress and the best news is – it retails for just £29.99.
3 Nov, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Single Brits have been enjoying 'try out season' before settling down for winter
Three in 10 singletons have been enjoying ‘Try Out Season’ – dating around before settling down with someone for the winter.
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Couple up for cuffing season is on the rise as temperatures drop – expert explains why
As the cold weather arrives and more of us are starting to stay at home – it’s no wonder so many people use this time to find a winter companion and cuffing season begins
3 Nov, 2025 | Admin | No Comments
Beauty fans say this lip plumper leaves lips ‘fuller and plumper’ in just three minutes
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more
Looking to achieve fuller, plumper lips without needles? RoC has the perfect solution to help you ditch the fillers and achieve that juicy lip look fast.
Whether you’re on the hunt for the perfect plumping product or, like countless celebrities, looking to dissolve your filler in favour of less invasive methods of plumping, the RoC Derm Correxion Lip Volumizer is a product you’ll want to get your hands on.
Developed with dermatologists and plastic surgeons who really know their stuff, this non-invasive lip plumper has been described as ‘excellent’, leaving lips ‘definitely fuller’ immediately after use.
And when we say immediately, we really mean it.
RoC Derm Correxion Lip Volumizer with Hyaluronic Acid 10ml
Working instantly and over time, this lip product works to deliver topical, dramatic plumping you can really see thanks to the formulation of 25% filling ingredients including Hyaluronic Acid Filling Spheres.
In clinical trials, 90% of users saw fuller, plumper lips in just three minutes, while after four weeks there showed to be a 2x visible volume improvements in the lips.
In the same clinical trials, after two weeks 87% said they’d use the RoC Derm Correxion Lip Volumizer instead of lip injections. That’s a big statement.
Working instantly and over time, this hydrating lip product works to deliver topical, dramatic plumping you can really see thanks to the formulation of 25% filling ingredients including Hyaluronic Acid Filling Spheres.
These Filling Spheres really do what they say on the tin, volumizing on contact with the lips for immediate fullness and 48hrs of deep hydration.
Alongside this you’ll find RoC’s powerful Pro-Collagen Peptide that actively smooths for younger-looking lips with more defined contours. The proof is written all over the before and after photos, which show visibly plumper, smoother and fuller lips.
Another thing we love about the plumper is that is doesn’t give that eye-watering sting or burn like many other plumping lip products.
Instead, it simply bathes your lips in a comforting and hydrating gel that leaves them feeling quenched and looking stunning all day.
But don’t just take our word for it: countless reviews have noted how impressed they are with the lip plumper, saying it adds ‘natural volume’ and raving that they ‘noticed a difference after the first day’.
‘Fabulous!’ Raved one five-star reviewer. ‘This is something I can really say does exactly what it says, it works a treat. I have only used it twice for going out but both times it was fabulous.
‘I put it on about an hour before applying my lipstick and my lips were definitely fuller. No burning, no pain, will definitely be buying again.’
Another added: ‘This by far beats out the competition when it comes to lip plumping go this route and avoid the fillers!’
‘This is such a nice product. I used it all month prior to a wedding and it made my lips so nice and was a good prep for the lip I wore in the wedding photos!’ Wrote a third.
Well colour us convinced…
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Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more
Forget 34th street, a miracle has instead happened on my feet, for I have found a pair of leather patent loafers that haven’t shredded my dogs like a nightmare on Elm Street.
You didn’t think it was possible, did you?
The shoes are from Clarks, and are, if I do say so myself, brilliantly chic while being wildly comfortable.
You may have read my piece on the trainers that left me singing the praises of a good Clarks shoe (I was shocked, dear reader) and it seems my weary trotters have found another pair to bed into.
Usually, I’d assume a pair of shoes that are perfectly wearable from the off are going to have some sort of soft leather outing (always grey), perhaps a zipper or velcro fastening, an orthopaedic footbed…
Not these babies.
The Clarks Nomad Loafer arrived and upon first inspection, the rigid sole and little give in the leather gave me pause. These are going to take at least 10 wears to feel somewhat comfortable, I thought, as I dug out my thickest socks to get going. Because nothing this cute doesn’t hurt,right?
Clarks Offer
Right now, you can get 10% off spends over £65 and 20% off spends over £100.
Ts and Cs: Applicable to full-priced items only, cannot be combined with another offer, promotion or discount.
Expires on 31/12/2025 11:59pm (BST)
The shoes are part of the mighty Clarks Originals catalogue, so I know I’m not sitting in the cheap seats (seeing as they are £160 at full price), but looks are certainly deceiving, and upon the first wear, I was off to the races.
For decades, Clarks Originals have been the unofficial uniform of artists, musicians, and tastemakers who, as the brand brags, ‘don’t follow trends – they create them’ (something no one has ever said about me, but I’ll try and fake it with the shoes at least).
People much cooler than I have riffed about the shoes in pop culture over the years, from Wu-Tang Clan rapping about the Wallabee moccasin in their 2000 song Gravel Pit, to Oasis’ Noel Gallagher creating his own version of the brand’s famous Desert Boot.
The shoes have appeared on album covers, in films, and on the feet of cultural pioneers. I’m in great company.
What I loved about the Nomad Loafer
The shoe itself is described as ‘a modern evolution of the iconic OG Wallabee Loafer,’ with the Wallabee known as the cool kid of the Clarks family, with the unmistakable Clarks black pebble crepe sole.
I went big and wore mine to the office, without taking a spare pair of shoes. A glutton for punishment, you may say, but thankfully, these saw me through the day with only the slightest of rubs on my left heel. No biggie.
A shoe that is made for the wide-foot girlies, the loafer gave my toes room to wriggle away, but the foot still felt contained and supported around the ankle.
Also, shout out to the crepe sole keeping things quiet. It may be solid, but no one is hearing me creeping around the house at 7am or running up and down stairs. The ultimate creeping shoe.
What I didn’t love about the Nomad Loafer
As with all good leather shoes, they are going to take a bit of time to wear in – not to be confused with breaking in. What I mean by wearing in is, the leather is still stiff, meaning I needed a helping hand from a shoehorn (only the first time) and my inserts don’t quite fit – yet.
Luckily, due to that solid sole, my arches are supported in the meantime. I can also already feel the leather moulding to my feet.
Being a wide-fit design, I will say it took a bit of getting used to not feeling like I was wearing clown shoes. Cut to me – much like a dog wearing a cone of shame – accidentally treading on a colleague’s toes as I misjudged how wide my foot was.
Wide stompers aside, these feel like the perfect winter shoe that will go with casual looks and jeans for walks around the park, as well as tights and skirts for the festive season as I twirl around the dancefloor.
Not that you’ll hear me, so watch out for your toes.
For more information and to shop the collection, visit Clarks Originals.
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