LONDON | Review: Hotel Megaro, Kings Cross

After attending the launch of Mouth Cancer Action Month (well, the after party anyway) over in ol' Westminster, a night in a London hotel called. Dentists sure know how to party a night away, and time just flew by speaking to mouth cancer survivor, Rachel, and their families. Before I knew it (and before another drink could be thrust into my hand) time had flown by, so I was prudent enough to book a hotel to save a night bus ride home. Hotel Megaro's* located right off Euston Road. As in, you can stand at the entrance and see St Pancras station...

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Is borrowing clothes from stores really such a bad idea? #cheapskate

It’s fair to say money’s tight. For those of us who work, a hefty chunk is taxed, a hefty chunk is spent on bills, rent and phones, and another hefty chunk is probably spent on trains, buses or petrol to, y’know, actually make enough money to spend on rent, bills, phones, trains buses and taxis after your earnings are taxed heftily. So with wallets being pulled every which way, is it really so bad to buy a dress, wear it, then return it for a refund? Is borrowing really so bad? I don’t think so. And sure, it may shock you and you might judge...

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Ryan Reynolds? More like Ryan Rey-no, amirite?

I can’t be the only one. I can’t be. I refuse to believe it. But for some reason, it seems I am. And I just don’t understand. You see, the men you girls probably fawn over, the Ryan Reynolds (weird head), the Harry Styles (ew, young) and the Robert Pattinsons (he played a sparkly vampire a little TOO well), I just don’t find remotely attractive. So while you dream about being the next Mrs Gyllenhall, just know that I have no idea what you find attractive about them. Take Brad Pitt for example. Sure, a fairly decent looking guy if you’re in to...

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When the week just doesn't go the way you want it: featuring Greater Anglia and broken fingers

We all have One of Those Days, but what's worse is when Those Days is actually one of Those Weeks. The Week when the universe, nature, and people all seem to huddle together and conspire to make your life just that bit more stressful and bothersome (I feel like Winnie the Pooh saying that). Take for example a fortnight ago. I was tired, up early and slightly frazzled. I'd been called at 5:30am to head into London to cover sick leave. I dutifully trotted to the station to get the Hell Train into work. If anyone's ever commuted with Greater Anglia,...

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Ale-o Ale-o, what have we here then? Autumn cocktails, guv

The season of elderflower cocktails, lavender-infused gin and strawberry champagne is over. As we bid a fond farewell to sunny days, it's time to look forward to all that winter has to offer us. Mulled wine. Salted caramel mochas. And ale cocktails? Seriously, just read on. Ale is usually the tipple of choice for red-nosed country folk in their local thatched pub. And with names like Fursty Ferret and Tangle Foot, it certainly brings to mind sitting in a pub in Norfolk next to a log fire while...

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Here's how to... be a charity shop thrifty pro

Everyone gets it; that buzz from shopping. The surge of excitement as you step through the doors, the thrill of the search as you battle against the other customers and the great sense of achievement as you leave with your new purchases. Not everyone gets the same rush as they step into a charity shop, though. Once the haunt of grans looking for knitting patterns, now every fashion blogger knows their worth. You can find some real gems hidden in the shelves if you’re prepared to shake off a little bit of dust and run it through the wash before...

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Suffering in silence: how needles can help

New research out today suggests that women are suffering with anxiety in silence, as over two thirds of the estimated three million UK sufferers fail to seek treatment. The study carried out by the British Acupuncture Council and Anxiety UK, to mark World Mental Health Day two weeks ago, questioned whether sufferers are currently aware of all the alternative options available to them. 43% of the women interviewed said talking to friends and family about their issues helps them cope with their anxiety, whilst physical exercise also plays a part...

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The top ten things women want to do on a day off... could you do better?

It appears that during the average working week women clock in at least 20 per cent more hours than men. A major study claims that because of housework and childcare, career women are working much longer hours than men, even though they may not be spending as much time in the office. Researchers at Cambridge University have found women who work outside the home still do the bulk of the domestic chores, including picking the kids up from school, helping with homework, cleaning and cooking. A woman's work is never done has never seemed truer. Unfair,...

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In which I stay in a London Travelodge and wash my hair with a bar of soap

London's a wonderful place. But London hotels really aren't, setting the ol' bank balance back at least a few hundred pounds for a night. And if they're not expensive, they're the size of a shoebox. Sure, I may live under an hour away from the city, but it's still annoying having to get anywhere early. You know what's even more annoying? Missing the last train home, and having to catch an array of night buses, each containing their very own selection of London's, er, specialest people. So when the boy's parents were travelling the long, cold,...

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Quick, light and easy winter soup recipes (includes avocados)

With a winter the worst in one hundred years on its way (yay *breaks out the mittens*) it's time to start eating warming, healthy food. Not the double cheeseburger and medium fries I've had for lunch every day for the past fortnight. I tell myself it;s allowed now cold weather's drawing in - after all, bears do it - but alas, I am not a bear. I need something more than cardboard burgers to nourish me. So here are a few recipes we've handpicked to suit even the drizzliest of days. A soup for those battling a winter cold Chicken broth 2 chicken...

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Why the X Factor has gone too far #ExpolitingPeople

The X-Factor, with its comedy acts, acid-tongued judges and brutal cuts, has crushed people’s dreams since its inception in 2004. Who hasn’t watched the first auditions and laughed at people singing to their cats, whilst insisting that ‘it must be a dare, it must be!’ Who didn’t laugh at Wagner? It’s hard to bear in mind, or care, that it probably wasn’t a dare and that they have genuine hopes of being successful – however misguided. If you thought Louis Walsh laughing hysterically as someone performed was uncomfortable, you haven’t seen anything...

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What's on your winter wishlist?

Unpopular though it may be, I'm actually quite glad to see the back of summer. I enjoyed the sun, the summer clothes and spending my graduation boiling in a black robe (alright, that one a bit less), but I'm happy to see the darker evenings and feel the autumnal bite in the air. And now the trees are turning all shades of the rainbow, it won't be long before we're in the throes of autumnal weather. Probably the top reason for this negative attitude, is the winter fashion - I, and I think many others, love winter fashion. While I claim to have...

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The top five awesome and moresome bars in Glasgow

Ah Scotland. The land where deep fried Mars bars were invented, and rich, peaty whisky sits in ageing barrels just waiting to be sipped in front of a warm fire. For those two reasons alone we're huge fans of our northernmost counterparts. So where better to enjoy a wee dram or cracking cocktail than Scotland’s second city? Glasgow is simply jammed with gems. Whether you're a Glaswegian by blood or just a tourist popping into town, Claire from DesignMyNight has collated and curated her top picks for the city. Next time you're heading north,...

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