If you’re looking for something to do with the kids this October midterm, there’s lots of family-friendly Halloween events happening across the country that the whole gang will enjoy. Kids will be getting their well deserved week off starting on the Bank Holiday, Monday, October 28th until Friday November 1st. RELATED: The 20 best pumpkin patches […]
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While Halloween is an exciting time for many kids, for some it can be completely overwhelming, with scary costumes, strangers ringing the doorbell non-stop, and the noise and heat from fireworks and bonfires. Often, kids on the autism spectrum and those with neurodivergent tendencies can find this time of year particularly difficult- and it’s easy […]
The post Tips to help kids with autism and neurodivergent little ones have a happier Halloween appeared first on RollerCoaster.
A COUPLE who go swinging together say it’s not cheating because they are sexually polyamorous but emotionally monogamous.
Lacy M and her husband Dan, both 40, joined the swinging community after the breakdown of their respective marriages.
The pair met on a swingers dating app and after becoming official decided that they wanted to carry on swinging and “explore” their sexuality further.
But the couple admit that they do get jealous when their partner is with other people – and will talk through it.
“For me, I wasn’t necessarily looking for a life partner,” says Lacy, a content creator, from Nashville, Tennessee.
“I was enjoying the swinger lifestyle, but it was nice to have someone where I could still be free to live this life and have this relationship.”
Dan, who also works as a content creator, reflected on meeting Lacy after his divorce.
“I was very similar to Lacy, we were both in long-term relationships and I was married for 13 years – she was married for seven,” he says.
“When Lacy and I first met, I was jaded to the whole system.
“I was against relationships altogether at that time but from talking to Lacy constantly and meeting her my opinion changed.”
Dan has two children and Lacy has one from their previous relationships.
“I had been single for a couple of years and had several long-term relationships that didn’t work out,” Lucy recalls.
“The last guy I dated told me there was a club where people could go have sex and you could watch.
“The thought of watching and being watched was definitely a turn on for me.
“I started doing research into the swinger lifestyle and I joined a swinger website – the rest was history.”
The couple first met on a swingers website in 2019 and started messaging.
At the time Dan said it seemed “sketchy” as he didn’t see “beautiful” single girls on the app.
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“She messaged me first and I was sceptical as you don’t see a lot of beautiful single women on these sites,” he explains.
“I wasn’t sure but we chatted a bit and exchanged a few pictures.
“Later that night she turned up at my hotel room and she was a very real person.”
The couple continued to message back and forth before becoming official in September 2019.
After four years of being a long-distance couple they moved to Nashville, Tennessee and started a life together.
We are emotionally monogamous but very much sexually non-monogamous.
Lacy M
Despite being in a relationship together, Lacy and Dan wanted to continue with the swinger’s lifestyle.
“For me, I loved the ability of exploring my sexuality,” Lacy explains.
“I love exploring these things with my partner, we are emotionally monogamous but very much sexually non-monogamous.”
“The sex is great, orgies, couples swaps, and meeting up with single females is amazing – but also the community is amazing,” Dan added.
“If you are an adult in your 30s through to your 60s there are not a lot of social things people can do.
“Swingers have it down, half the people that come to the parties come for the party and are not there for sex.”
Lacy and Dan said that boundaries are important when it comes to swinging.
They are always in the same room, any communication with people is done through group messaging and they always wear protection.
Despite the boundaries, Dan and Lacy said they can experience jealousy from time to time but say it is natural.
“Jealousy is a feeling – it is about how you cope with it,” Lacy says.
I can get jealous when he is softer with girls if he rubs her face or back or kisses her passionately.
Lacy M
“I can get jealous when he is softer with girls, if he rubs her face or back or kisses her passionately.
“For me, it is making sure I tell Dan it is bothering me.
“The problem comes when you experience these feelings in the heat of the moment and you make a scene.”
The pair said that swinging is a great way to build a network of friends and will regularly meet up with friends they have met in the community.
“Meeting new couples and forming a connection with them can be hard so a lot of times we rely on our long-term friends,” Dan says.
“We have a lot of couples that we are [ our] friends with benefits and there is a lot of emotional connection there, similar to how anyone is friends.”
Lacy and Dan said their family have been overall supportive of their lifestyle but some members of the family were shocked at first.
My dad is a real supporter of it and my mum doesn’t talk about it.
Dan
“I come from a very open and accepting family,” Lacy explains.
“I was fortunate in that sense, they love us and they are accepting.”
However, their non-traditional lifestyle has caused some issues for their children.
“Someone told my son at school so I had to have that conversation with him,” she says.
“I wish he could have found out from me but he is in middle school and there is a certain level of people saying ‘your mum is a swinger.'”
“My dad is a real supporter of it and my mum doesn’t talk about it,” Dan added.
“She said as long as it was safe and OK, that was it and we don’t talk about it.
“We’re really lucky, we have friends who have family members in the church and aren’t able to see their parents.
“We have been very fortunate with our family and their support.”
BEAUTY PIE fans should run and not walk, because Beauty Pie’s Black Friday deals are expected to be something special this year.
Known for its luxury-quality products at affordable, members-only prices, Beauty Pie has quickly become a favourite in the beauty world so now is your chance to save big in the Beauty Pie Black Friday sale.
Shop Beauty Pie Black Friday sale
Beauty Pie has previously taken part in the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, but whether the brand will launch a Black Friday 2024 sale remains to be seen.
At Beauty Pie, you’ll find a wide range of skincare, makeup, haircare and body products.
The brand’s unique subscription model gives shoppers access to high-end products without the high-end price tags.
Combine Beauty Pie’s lower prices with Black Friday discounts and it makes for one of the best times to score even bigger savings on your favourite Beauty Pie products.
Whether you’re stocking up on essentials for your own skincare haul or are treating a beauty enthusiast to some must-have items, Beauty Pie is the place to shop.
But, when is Black Friday, and what day is Cyber Monday this year? Will Beaut Pie be taking part? Here is everything you need to know about the annual sale season, including the best Black Friday deals to shop.
Shop Beauty Pie’s Black Friday sale
This year Black Friday falls on November 29.
The huge shopping event always falls on the fourth Friday of November.
Traditionally Black Friday follows the US Thanksgiving holiday, which falls on the fourth Thursday in November – this day stays the same, even if the date changes year on year.
However, this year the calendar falls a little different, and that means Black Friday is on the fifth Friday in November, which is 29 November.
Black Friday was once considered an American-only holiday, but nowadays it’s hard to find a brand or retailer that doesn’t take part in some kind of promotion for the event in other destinations too.
It’s safe to say that Black Friday and the Cyber Weekend are the most popular shopping events of the year and there’s thousands of deals from your most-loved brands and retailers to snap up.
But there is more meaning behind Black Friday than some realise.
Beauty Pie has taken part in the Black Friday festivities in previous years, so I suspect the brand won’t break tradition and will participate in the Black Friday sale for 2024.
However, Beauty Pie has yet to confirm if it will be discounting its beauty items this year.
Many brands and retailers opt to kick off Black Friday celebrations earlier than the expected date, and last year that included Beauty Pie too.
Can shoppers expect the same early Black Friday launch from Beauty Pie this year remains unknown.
I’ll be updating this page with all of the Beauty Pie Black Friday deals as they come in, so be sure to check back here for all the insight.
Beauty Pie’s Black Friday deals are a must for any beauty fan.
This year I’m expecting reductions on the prices of a Beauty Pie membership, as well as further discounts on some of the brand’s beauty essentials.
I also expect to see some savings on gift sets and stocking fillers for the Christmas season.
Considering Beauty Pie members can secure a big discount on the products, plus the extra discounts on top of that in the Black Friday sale means the Beauty Pie Black Friday sale is not to be missed.
With haircare, beauty accessories, products, fragrances and much more on offer, there’s something for everyone in the Black Friday sale and it is a great way to pick up your favourites for less.
I’ll bring you all the latest here – so continue to check this page for more information.
Prior to Black Friday 2023, Beauty Pie launched a deal on the Mini Starter Kit, which was worth £120 but was available for only £29.
Offers included a unique discount code that gave members and non-members alike 50% off their baskets.
These were some of our favourite reduced items in the sale:
New members were treated to a 60-day free trial and 20% off using the discount code “20OFF” at the checkout.
Black Friday kicks off on 29 November, but last year, Beauty Pie kickstarted its Black Friday sale well in advance of the scheduled date.
I anticipate something similar will happen this year, but right now it’s too early to tell.
The beauty retailer is remaining tight-lipped on what they’ll have in store for us this year, or if any other promotional offers will be dropping over the Cyber Weekend, so stay tuned.
As soon as I know more about the deals dropping this Black Friday I will update you, so you can enjoy a stress-free shopping spree.
At this stage, it’s still too early to tell when the sales will end – because Beauty Pie’s 2024 Black Friday sale hasn’t even started.
As soon as I get the details, I will update our readers on this page.
However, Cyber Monday is considered the final time to secure the last of the Black Friday sales before items return to their full price.
Shoppers can also sign up for email notifications at Beauty Pie to be the first to hear about news, offers and promotions from the brand.
It is also common for Black Friday offerings to last well into December and beyond the date of Cyber Monday on December 2, when most deals are expected to come to an end.
Cyber Monday is always the Monday directly after Black Friday, and Cyber Weekend, which means this year it falls on December 2.
Cyber Monday marks the end of the Black Friday and Cyber Weekend deals and offers.
Beauty Pie took part in Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales last year, though how long the deals will last for this year remains unknown.
In previous years I have seen many brands extend their promotions as a way to shift extra stock ahead of new season arrivals, but whether Beauty Pie will follow suit remains to be seen.
What I do know is Black Friday, Cyber Weekend and the final online Cyber Monday sales are the perfect time to pick up last-minute gifts for a skincare guru ahead of Christmas.
Beauty Pie Black Friday Sale
Beauty Pie offers two options for shipping, which include Standard and Next Day delivery.
From time to time, the brand also offers special promotions for Beauty Pie Members, which may include free shipping.
Beauty Pie’s delivery costs vary depending on your location and the shipping method you choose.
You can opt for UK Standard Delivery, which costs £3.36, or it is free for orders over £70.
UK Express Delivery is typically deliver in 1-2 business days and will cost £5.95.
Sun Vouchers is your one-stop shop for every deal and discount code currently available from your favourite online retailers. Don’t click ‘buy’ until you’ve checked Sun Vouchers for a discount code to apply to your basket.
A 19-YEAR-OLD beautician who joined a violent riot mob in a yellow cocktail dress has been slammed as “extremely stupid” by a judge.
Destiny Waugh handed out eggs for thugs to hurl at cops in Manchester during a week of far-right carnage in July.
The teen bought two cartons of eggs from a Shell garage in the Newton Heath area to “use as missiles”, a court heard on Tuesday.
Crowds had gathered outside a nearby Holiday Inn thought to be housing asylum seekers.
The 20-strong mob went on to hurl bricks and bottles at the hotel – as well as the eggs delivered by Waugh.
Rioting yobs also shouted racist slurs, attacked a bus driver and threw missiles at cops protecting the hotel.
Waugh did not take part in the rioting itself, but was snapped handing out eggs to thugs.
CCTV showed her walking into the garage in a halterneck yellow cocktail minidress.
The blonde bought two cartons of eggs and paid with cash – before taking them to the mob in a white carrier bag.
She handed herself in after cops released snaps of her flicking her hair and brandishing her fist at the riot.
Gavin Howie, prosecuting, said: “She is seen helping herself to two cartons of six eggs.
“She purchases those with cash and then returns to the scene where a number of youths were gathering.”
Howie added: “She approaches a group of boys and hands them the eggs.
“They were used as missiles and launched towards police officers stood at the entrance gate.
“This is a classic case of aiding and abetting – delivering the ammunition into their hands.”
Part-time cleaner and beauty therapy student Waugh told cops she had stumbled on the mob while walking along the road.
Howie said: “The best course of action here would have been for her to keep walking and not to return.
“She claimed she had no idea why the crowd were there and was not fully clued up on the Southport attacks.
“Ms Waugh’s involvement was relatively short – however, her actions encouraged teenage boys to take part.
He added: “This, in turn, provided encouragement to others for this to escalate.”
Verity Quaite, defending, said: “She has shown a considerable amount of immaturity here.
“She has been incredibly foolish and she said she feels disgusted with herself.”
Newton Heath local Waugh pleaded guilty to the charge of violent disorder at Manchester Crown Court.
She was sentenced to 16 months in young offenders institute, suspended for 18 months.
Waugh must complete 150 hours of unpaid work, attend 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days and pay £150 in costs.
Sentencing, Judge Alan Conrad QC said Waugh’s actions were “extremely stupid”.
He said: “In July of this year, there were terrible and tragic events in Southport following which there was an outpouring on social media.
“This included a large amount of false and inflammatory postings, leading to widespread and hate-filled incidents of violent disorder.”
The judge added: “It is that context which makes cases such as this so serious.
“You purchased eggs which you passed on to youths for them to be used as missiles.
“There is no evidence you did anything further. After you handed them over, you left the scene.”
Addressing Waugh, he said: “You were extremely stupid in acting as you did.”
DEATH In Paradise has announced a thrilling new project – but there’s a twist.
The creators of the beloved BBC detective drama have revealed an exciting new venture set to launch next month which will further immerse fans into Island life.
Fans will be challenged to crack some of the most notorious murders – just like their favourite characters from the show.
Teaming up with BBC Books the creators are introducing Death In Paradise: The Puzzle Book, a collection of no fewer than 150 unique puzzles, that transport fans to the sunny shores of Saint Marie.
The book will also feature appearances from a host of fan favourites.
Will you be able to help Ralf Little‘s DI Neville Parker in solving a crime, or could you handle the summer heat like DI Richard Poole (Ben Miller)?
DI Jack Mooney – portrayed by Ardal O’Hanlon – will require your help in resolving a problem, while DI Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall) will undoubtedly need extra assistance!
Other beloved characters also make an appearance, including DS Naomi Thomas, Camille Bordey and Florence Cassell, and of course the Commissioner of Saint Marie, Selwyn Patterson.
The book is set to hit the shelves on November 7, 2024.
Bosses have told fans to expect familiar faces, cunning clues and exciting brainteasers to get you in the mood for Saint Marie before the BBC drama makes its return in the New Year.
Following Ralf Little‘s departure from the hit series, Don Gilet steps into the spotlight as DI Mervin Wilson.
Delighted with his new role, Don said when it was announced: “Being offered the new lead role in Death in Paradise feels like a deeply loved and incredibly precious jewel has been placed in my hands.
“This is a big show, with a big heart and the love continually grows for it.”
He promised his commitment to the series, and the role by stating: “It is my intention to never lose sight of that and to remain grateful, humbled and dedicated.
“Even during those testing times when every sinew is screaming at me to run off the set and dive into the sea, swimming pool or an ice-cold beer whichever happens to be closer at the time!”
This passion was echoed by Tim Key, Executive Producer for Red Planet Pictures, who noted at the time: “Don is an amazing actor and we’re delighted that he’s joining us as the show enters another exciting new era. We’ve got huge plans for the new series and beyond, and I can’t wait for the audience to meet Mervin and to see what we’ve got in store.”
Death In Paradise started in 2011 and has welcomed four detectives so far to the island.
These are all of the actors who have played the lead detective in the hit BBC series so far:
Ben Miller as DI Richard Poole – Actor Ben played the first ever detective from seasons 1 to 2, and then returned as a guest star in the third and tenth series.
Kris Marshall as DI Humphrey Goodman. Next up My Family star took on the role for three years from series 3 to 6.
Ardal O’Hanlon as DI Jack Mooney. Father Ted star Ardal was a fan favourite and was the detective for three seasons from series 6 to 9.
Ralf Little as DI Neville Parker. The actor started in 2019 and is the longest-running star to have the detective role. He was on the show for four seasons from 9 to 13.
Death In Paradise: The Puzzle Book is available on November 7
A WIMBLEDON champion’s 13-year-old brother is already following hot on his sibling’s heels.
The rising star has stunned fans with his incredible technique despite only just turning a teenager.
His Instagram account boasts an impressive 34,600 followers already.
And he has shared plenty of content winning various trophies and tournaments.
Plus, the youngster has had the chance to train and compete at the prestigious Rafa Nadal Academy.
He was even on site at the All England Club with his family to witness his sibling clinching his maiden Wimbledon title – and meet Jannik Sinner.
And many believe the kid is tipped for greatness – just like his superstar older brother.
That is because Jaime Alcaraz is related to none other than Carlos Alcaraz.
That’s right, Carlos may have racked up four Grand Slams within months of turning 21 and become the youngest world No1 in men’s tennis history.
But some fans reckon he might not even turn out to be the best player in his family.
The older Alcaraz won his first Major at the US Open in 2022.
He then backed it up with successive Wimbledon crowns against Novak Djokovic – either side of clinching the 2024 French Open.
However, there is already plenty of excitement building around lookalike Jaime.
Jaime is the youngest of the four Alcaraz brothers.
A video on social media shows Jaime crunching his forehands and frantically scampering across the back of the court – in movement eerily similar to his champion brother.
So it is no wonder there is so much excitement about the latest Alcaraz child prodigy.
One fan said: “It looks like he’s going to be very very good. I guess it runs in the family.”
Another wrote: “Great footwork and the determination to chase everything. Impressive.”
TALK about pressure…
These rising stars are all making their way in tennis.
But they have got something in common – they’ve got a famous parent who also made their name in the sport.
So who are the players hoping to follow in the footsteps of their tennis mums and dads?
A third added: “Basically a carbon copy, right down to the haircut.”
A fourth joked: “Jaime Alcaraz plays tennis like this at 13 years old and he looks more like his brother Carlitos than Carlos Alcaraz himself — leave something for the rest of the world, crazy.”
And a final user simply typed: “Wow.”
Jaime secured a significant win on the Rafa Nadal Tour in Madrid last year, coming through a 48-player draw in the Under-12s category.
Incredibly, in an amazing twist of fate, brother Carlos won the exact same event seven years earlier.
So, Wimbledon titles in 2030 and 2031 for Jaime Alcaraz, maybe?
By Joshua Jones
THE absence of line judges at Wimbledon will be a sad sight.
For as long as I can remember, the men and women decked out in their Ralph Lauren outfits have been part of the furniture at the All England Club.
Yes, they provided some mild entertainment on the court when one would call “fault” with plenty of extra, and unnecessary, gusto and volume that boomed around Centre Court, prompting a snigger from the fans.
Then there was the ongoing game of dodgeball they had to play when a big serve nailed a mammoth ace down the line and they had to take rapid evasive action or take a whack to the top of the head.
And challenges provided some audience participation, excitedly joining in the clapping countdown before the inevitable “oooh” when the graphic showed just how close the ball was to landing in or out.
Purely objectively, Wimbledon’s decision to replace line judges with Hawk-Eye Live makes total sense.
The accuracy and consistency of calls in real-time will speed things up, save time and should mark the end of arguments over the tight incorrect calls – well, until the technology malfunctions.
And Wimbledon’s hand was somewhat forced to ditch tradition for their standing in tennis.
The Australian Open and US Open already use electronic line calling and the ATP Tour is adopting Hawk-Eye Live across all of its tournaments from 2025.
Wimbledon’s refusal to comply would leave them lagging behind and exposed to the threat of needless controversy over human error.
But the impact – as is so often the case in these decisions – has ramifications further down, below the surface with very little impact on Wimbledon’s Championships or the players.
It is on the line judges themselves.
Approximately 300 officials – aged from 18 to 80 – covered more than 650 matches at Wimbledon.
A fraction travel internationally with the circuit but the vast majority of those are part-time line judges based in the UK, earning up to £180 per day to work at the prestigious tournament and their chance to play their part at Wimbledon.
For many, they will help out at British tournaments throughout the year, spurred on by the possibility of taking to the lawns of the All England Club.
But it is understood many of those officials would be reluctant to work at the lower-level tournaments without the carrot of Wimbledon dangling in the summer.
That in turn will put a major stumbling block in the pathway for British tennis umpires, who grind up through the ranks to reach the pinnacle of the sport.
Like football with referees, tennis needs umpires and line judges.
So the inability to call “out” at Wimbledon could prove to be a major “fault” for the future of the UK’s tennis officials and therefore the state of the sport on these shores.
A PARAGLIDER has shared stunning footage showing a dog exploring the very top of the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt.
The 455ft tomb is the largest of the pyramids and held the title of the world’s tallest human-built structure for approximately 4,000 years.
Now, Alex Lang, a tourist exploring the pyramids from the sky, has shared jaw-dropping footage on social media of the moment he spotted the dog.
The brave canine looked unbothered by the extreme height as it barked at birds on the top of one of the seven wonders of the world.
In the now-viral footage, Lang is seen soaring high above the pyramid as he films the awe-inspiring view below.
It is not until he zooms in incredibly close to the apex of the structure that the sand-coloured dog can be seen just to the right of it.
At one point the dog even appears to be poking its head over the side looking down at what is below.
While Lang knew he would see incredible sights on October 14 when he went paragliding above the largest of the Giza pyramids, he was not expecting to see any movement when he looked down.
According to the tourist, the dog had made the huge journey up the brickwork to bark at the birds flying above the pyramid.
The moment went viral on social media after adventure athlete Marshall Mosher shared it on Instagram.
“A dog climbed all the way up the Great Pyramid of Giza! Do you think he lives up there?” he asked followers.
In the comments shocked viewers joked about the pooch with one saying “None of his friends are gonna believe him.”
Another said that the dog’s “next hiking point is Everest.”
While others questioned if the dog has since been rescued, others have suggested that he is the Egyptian god Anubis who has the head of a jackal.
“Not a dog. That is the Egyptian God Anubis,” one viewer claimed.
“He is considered the guide of the dead in the afterlife and the protector of the tombs. That’s why it is over the pyramid.”
“God Anubis chilling out,” another added.
In a follow-up video, Mosher took it upon himself to take to the skies to see if the “most famous pup” was still at the top.
“Today, during the @skyone.egy #paramotor event, I flew back up on my @airitalysrl motor to see if I could catch another glimpse of this ‘canine god’ guarding the afterlife (or just enjoying the best view in Egypt)!” he told followers.
However, once he was able to look at the apex of the Giza pyramid, the dog was gone which prompted the question, “Where do you think he went?”
According to the thrill-seeker, there are over 100 stray dogs in the Great Pyramids complex.
They have “lived here for thousands of years since the construction of the pyramids themselves,” he said in an Instagram story showing a picture of the dogs up close.
AS FPS players, we’ve gotten used to the luxury of battlegrounds full of chest-high walls you can dip behind to regenerate health.
Series like Call of Duty boast realism, but it’s hardly similar to war when you can recover from a bullet wound by having a little sit-down.
There are limits to how much realism gamers are willing to accept. No one wants a game over when they are shot a single time.
Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl feels like it’s the closest game to reality without frustrating its player base.
You can be taken out before you know what is happening if you go in like you would with a regular FPS.
Instead of healing over time, you’ll need to have the medical supply relevant to your current injury.
You are not only more vulnerable, but so are your weapons. They have durability, and can jam or stop working mid-battle.
Preparation is just as necessary as your skill in battle, as preparation will drastically reduce your chances of failure.
Ammo isn’t plentiful, and you won’t find munitions crates littered all over the map.
Instead, you will collect it from guns left by those defeated in battle. But it’s not only those shooting at you that you have to worry about.
There are anomalies and irradiated masses of land you will have to traverse in order to grab supplies, and they present their own challenges.
You have to be aware of the invisible threats around you at all times, and sprinting ahead is not recommended.
If you do need to retry a mission, you won’t be able to use your knowledge of enemy positions from your first try in your second attempt.
Their positions will shift, meaning that it is just as difficult as it was the first time you tried.
It emphasises a slow pace and forces the approach the developers want you to have to it. It’s oppressive but pulling it off is satisfying.
Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a fascinating open-world shooter, and presents a real-world challenge rather than a power fantasy.
If you want to read more about upcoming games, check out our Life is Strange: Double Exposure preview.
Get the lowdown on more of the latest Xbox releases from our expert reviewers.
For PS5 and Nintendo Switch, check out our full game reviews section.
