List of All Articles with Tag 'lifestyle'

Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc. is poised to launch its first private space tourists on Thursday morning, the company’s

Raised blood sugar levels could be linked to a greater risk of heart diseases, a new study suggests. Research from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found that men and women with raised blood sugar levels have a 30-50% increased chance of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) even when these levels are below the threshold for diabetes. Highlighting the importance of diet and lifestyle factors, the study also found that for blood sugar levels within the normal range, those with the lowest levels had a 10% lower risk of developing any form of CVD, which includes heart attacks and strokes. What are blood sugar levels? “Blood sugar levels, also known as blood glucose levels, are a measurement that shows how much glucose you have in your blood,” says Dr Gill Jenkins, GP, and advisor to the Tea Advisory Panel. “Glucose is a sugar that you get either directly from food and drink, through digestion of carbohydrate-containing foods, or through other metabolic processes in the body.” Blood sugar levels fluctuate throughout the day, she explains: “Increasing with eating and drinking (including alcohol), falling if you haven’t eaten or drunk for some time.” The energy spike and subsequent slump you get from a fizzy drink or sweet snack is explained by the rise and fall of blood sugar. “Blood glucose levels can also change with exercise, state of hydration, and with physical or mental stress, and certain medications,” Jenkins says. “Even in people without diabetes, major illnesses, hormonal disorders, or certain medications such as steroids and some antidepressants, can cause blood sugar fluctuations.” How can you tell if your blood sugar is raised? Getting a sudden energy boost from a sugary food or drink isn’t actually a symptom of high blood sugar, also known as hyperglycaemia. “Symptoms of very high blood sugar usually come on gradually and include feeling very thirsty, peeing a lot, blurred vision, feeling weak or tired and unintentionally losing weight,” Jenkins says. “However, you may have no symptoms – or may not notice them – running constantly raised sugar levels.” How to lower your blood sugar levels Diet, exercise and other lifestyle factors can all impact your blood sugar levels. “In general, avoid eating too much sugary or starchy food – and that includes sugary drinks, as well as alcohol,” says Jenkins. “Focus as much as possible on unprocessed grains, such as oats, mixing in a few seeds or nuts.” Getting your five-a-day fruit and vegetables also helps: “Especially green leafy varieties such as kale, broccoli, spinach, cavolo nero.” Fruits such as strawberries, raspberries and blueberries are excellent, but be careful with ripe tropical varieties: “Limit fruit which may, depending on the individual, produce a higher glycaemic response, such as mango, banana, pineapple, melon.” Stay hydrated with water or other low-sugar beverages, such as tea, which has been shown to normalise blood sugar levels following a meal. “The reason for these findings are related to the polyphenol content of black tea, which help to regulate blood glucose and insulin,” says Jenkins. Aim for the NHS-recommended 150-minutes of exercise a week, combining moderate movement – such as walking – with intense activity, if your fitness allows. “Walking alone reduces weight – if you also pay attention to diet – and improves insulin sensitivity, which helps to control blood glucose,” Jenkins says. “Even if you don’t ‘exercise’, being more active will help – take the stairs rather than the escalator, park your car a little further from work, get off the bus one stop early and then walk.” A study last year found that even standing up as much as possible throughout the day can significantly reduce your blood sugar levels. Lastly, check with your GP if you have other illnesses, advises Jenkins. “If you have diabetes, take your diabetes medication exactly as prescribed and follow any recommendations your diabetes nurse, doctor or health care team gives you.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Remove VAT from period pants, government urged ‘Long Covid has taken away my ability to eat food or urinate in three years’ 11 ways to max up your monochrome scheme

American politics are tense and polarized, and the Iowa causes are just six months away

A dance teacher diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome – meaning she has unpredictable tics where she whistles, blinks and sometimes swears – has said watching Lewis Capaldi’s “beautiful” Glastonbury performance left her “speechless” and she wants to raise awareness of the incurable condition so others do not feel “lost or alone”. Bryony Munro, 24, a dance teacher who lives in Scotland, started experiencing symptoms of Tourette’s syndrome – a condition which causes a person to make involuntary sounds and movements called tics – when she was 12 as she started to spontaneously hiccup. However, it was not until her early 20s, in summer 2021 – when her limbs started “jerking all the time” and she developed other tics, such as whistling, clearing her throat and blinking – that she received an official diagnosis, which she described as “bittersweet”. “I was very happy to have that definition, but then knowing what comes with that was very daunting and scary; I was terrified,” Bryony told PA Real Life. In the years leading up to her diagnosis, Bryony said people would stare at her in public, whisper, and talk behind her back, saying “She’s making it up” or “She’s faking it” – and this made her realise that “people are very misinformed of what Tourette’s is”. “People treated me differently because they didn’t believe I was telling the truth and they tried to tear me down,” she said. “I wish they would have just asked me questions rather than making up rumours behind my back that aren’t true.” Bryony has since set up her own Instagram and TikTok accounts to address the most common misconceptions about Tourette’s, as she wants to raise awareness of the condition, but the “outlets” that have helped her through her darkest times are music, singing and dancing. She said performing in front of an audience can be “terrifying” when you have Tourette’s, but she believes Capaldi’s moving performance at Glastonbury, where he appeared to struggle with an increasing number of tics while singing his hit song Someone You Loved, will help to change the way the condition is perceived. “It was almost like an out-of-body experience because I just put myself in his shoes,” she said. “My heart broke – not in a bad way – but seeing the amount of love he received from his fans left me speechless, it was just beautiful, and having so many people watch that live or online just brings so much awareness and takes the pressure off the Tourette’s community because they are beginning to see what it’s really like for people with the condition.” Tourette’s syndrome is a condition that causes a person to make involuntary sounds and movements called tics, and there is no cure, the NHS says. Tics are not usually harmful to overall health, but physical manifestations, such as jerking of the head, can be painful, and may be worse during periods of stress or anxiety. Bryony’s first tic came in the form of a hiccup or “inhale of breath”, which did not affect her daily life at the time, but her symptoms progressively worsened. Her tics became debilitating during the Covid pandemic, which led to her diagnosis in 2021, but her lack of knowledge about the condition initially left her feeling “terrified”. Her other diagnoses of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, depression and functional neurological disorder (FND) – which affects how the brain receives and sends information to the rest of the body and can cause Bryony to have absence seizures – added to her concerns as she feared she would have a “constant battle with her mind and body”. “I think seeing how it was presented on TV and in the media, and initially having my own misconceptions about Tourette’s, made me feel terrified to have to live with it,” she said. “Tics can be very damaging as there are very aggressive tics that can make you kick, punch, jump and literally jump out into oncoming traffic, which is terrifying. “When my tics first started getting worse, I had this punching tick where I punched a wall, but some of my other tics, like my toes wrinkling, are not visible to others. “I was very much in the dark to begin with, but doing research and reaching out to people was probably the best thing I could have done.” While Bryony’s tics have not put her in any life-threatening situations, she said daily tasks, such as brushing her teeth or doing her make-up, can be challenging and time-consuming. She cannot drive and, on days when her tics are particularly bad, she cannot cook, style her hair with straighteners or curlers, or use the kettle, as she could hurt herself. “It’s so unpredictable and, right now, I’m not able to go anywhere on my own just in case I do have an episode where I might hurt myself,” she explained. Bryony has “tools” to manage her Tourette’s, such as using stress toys to “keep (her) hands busy”, but she said she does not know where she would be without music, singing and dancing. She teaches dance to pupils ranging from two-and-a-half years old to 30, and said focusing on something else “helps (her) tics melt away for a little while”. She is training her golden retriever puppy Nala, whose name was inspired by Disney’s The Lion King, to become an assistance dog so she can “live a more normal life” in the future. “Having that independence back again from taking Nala into work, to do shopping, maybe to go to the gym, it will be so relieving; the pressure will be enormously decreased,” she said. “Even the social anxiety of being out of the house, having her with me will just be so good for me.” Bryony, who lives with her “incredibly supportive” fiance Matthew, 31, a chef, wants to continue raising awareness of Tourette’s, and is even more inspired to educate others after Capaldi’s performance at Glastonbury in June, as she has seen the “love” he has received and does not want anyone to feel “lost or alone”. “Knowing he had the support of every single person there; I couldn’t imagine the amount of love that he must have felt,” she said. “I felt it through watching it through my phone, I fully felt all of that.” She added: “You never know anyone’s full story or full life story, so accepting people for who they are, and accepting yourself for who you are, is probably the best advice I can give. “Also, just be kind because you have no idea what anyone is going through.” You can follow Bryony on Instagram or TikTok @brydoeslife Read More ‘Long Covid has taken away my ability to eat food or urinate in three years’ Grimes says her and Elon Musk’s three-year-old child X ‘knows a lot about rockets’ How many steps a day can cut risk of early death (and it’s not 10,000) ‘Long Covid has taken away my ability to eat food or urinate in three years’ Grimes says her and Elon Musk’s three-year-old child X ‘knows a lot about rockets’ How many steps a day can cut risk of early death (and it’s not 10,000)

The simple white vest is an iconic style, and a favourite of men from Tony Soprano to Stanley Kowalski, Marlo Brando's character in A Street Named Desire – but its nickname has become somewhat dated. Now, Gen Z social media users have come up with a new term for the jarringly named “wife beater”, after a resurgence in popularity of the white tank top. People have started referring to the item as a “wife pleaser” to make it less triggering for victims of family and domestic violence. Tutorials on how to style the top have surged in popularity in recent times, while fashion magazines and websites have started listing them in articles like the “best wife pleasers of the summer”. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter The term has been prompting anger for several years already. In 2018, The New York Times ran an opinion piece titled: "Are we really still calling this shirt a wife beater?" “I myself have used the term before — and I’ve worn the shirt plenty — but this time it stopped me cold. Given the torrent of revelations of abuse against women in the #MeToo era, the name suddenly seemed grossly inappropriate,” wrote the author. He continued: "We don’t call our pants 'child molesters' or our hats 'cat mutilators'. We immediately recognise such descriptions as violent and abhorrent. And yet, we somehow overlook the same when we call our shirts wife beaters." The “wife pleaser”, by contrast, appears to have been in use since last year, and has now gone viral again. In July 2022, InStyle ran an article about American actor Chris Evans’ love of the item, called ‘Chris Evans’s "wife pleasers" are this summer's ultimate fashion throwback". Social media users on TikTok are also calling it the “wife respecter” and a “wife caresser”. And in 2018, Jonathan Van Ness, star of Netflix series Queer Eye, even called it a “wife lover”, when the cast were helping a subject choose an outfit on the show. The term wife beater, meanwhile, has far more sinister roots. It appears to have entered common use in 1947, when a man wearing a white tank top was arrested for murdering his wife. His mugshot was nicknamed “The Wife Beater”, and the term stuck. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

A young woman whose health “deteriorated rapidly” after being diagnosed with long Covid and suffering a liver bleed is now in a wheelchair, feeds herself through a tube in her chest and has been unable to urinate in three years. Abigail Snowball, 29, was told she suffered from a rare condition known as Fowler’s Syndrome a few months after she was diagnosed with long Covid in July 2020 and her bladder stopped working. The social worker, from Northumberland, says she was “never sick” and enjoyed long runs before testing positive for coronavirus in early 2020 and feeling a sharp pain under her ribs which scans showed was a bleed on her liver. Abigail had not fully recovered from the virus and since the diagnosis, her health has gone from bad to worse, to the point where she has not been able to urinate in three years. She now depends on her husband Mark, 34, to carry her to the bathroom so she can empty her bladder, which can take up to four hours, and has not been able to enjoy a mouthful of food for nearly a year. “I had never really been ill before,” Abigail told PA Real Life. “As a child, I was always really lucky and never poorly. I look back at pictures from before Covid and I don’t even recognise myself.” Abigail had completed a 20-mile race, the Run Northumberland BIG 20, just a week before testing positive for Covid and having to quarantine away from Mark, who works in maintenance for Nissan. “It was very much at the start of the pandemic, back at the time when there weren’t any vaccines or much testing,” she said. “It was just tiredness like I’ve never felt before in my entire life. I remember having a cup of tea and struggling to lift the mug up.” Like many other people’s experience of catching Covid, Abigail’s health improved over the next 10 days. “I did get better, but I never fully recovered,” she said. But a couple of months later, while visiting her parents, Jane and Ray Cresswell, in Cornwall on holiday, she suddenly began feeling a sharp pain under her ribs. “It was a really strange location to have pain,” she added. She visited the GP a week later and was admitted to Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital (NSECH) in July 2020, where scans revealed Abigail had suffered a bleed on her liver. “That’s when they diagnosed me with long Covid,” she said. “There was no other explanation, because they tested for blood disorders and carried out a scan. “They asked me if I had a fall or accident, but there was literally nothing.” Abigail was recovering from her liver bleed in hospital late one evening when a nurse asked when the last time she urinated was. “I actually thought, ‘god, it wasn’t since this morning’,” she said. “From that point, my bladder never regained any function. That was really the start of my health declining quickly.” Doctors hoped her bladder block was simply a result of the liver “trauma” and that she would be on the mend soon. But, sadly, this was not the case. A few months later, Abigail was diagnosed with a rare condition called Fowler’s Syndrome, which causes women to have problems passing urine. Abigail’s condition has deteriorated over the past few weeks and she is now losing weight rapidly. “I am now sleeping on the sofa downstairs and my husband Mark is having to carry me to the toilet and back again,” she said. “We can spend up to four hours at a time trying to drain my bladder, and the pain is just unbearable. “I went from running 20 miles to using a wheelchair. You don’t realise how inaccessible the world is until you are in that position.” Since the diagnosis, Abigail has spent more than 350 days in hospital and undergone 12 surgeries, including one in October 2021 to try and reconstruct her bladder. To make matters worse, she developed intestinal failure last year, which means she can no longer eat food. “I haven’t eaten anything in a year now,” she said. Instead, she is fed through TPN (total parenteral nutrition), a tube in her chest which delivers nutrients directly into the blood stream. Abigail and Mark, who married earlier this year in May, both received close to six months of training on how to perform the feeding procedure given there is a high risk of infection. “We had never even heard of that – being fed through a line into your heart,” she said. Abigail has been told by doctors that her liver bleed was “extremely likely” to have been caused by Covid. While Covid is known to harm the lungs, it has also been found to affect other organs, including the heart, liver and kidneys, but wider research is needed to better understand its long-term effects. Liver problems are common among patients with Covid-19, according to a study carried out by researchers at Oxford University and published in the peer-reviewed journal Hepatology Communications. Abigail, whose condition is considered “severe”, is hoping to receive specialist treatment in London, known as bladder Botox, which involves injecting Botox into the bladder every three to nine months, but there is no guarantee this will work. “Because of how severe and complex my case is, we’ve exhausted all our options here and the doctors are saying that I need to see the specialists in London,” she said. “Removing my bladder completely remains on the cards, but it’s incredibly high risk because of my intestinal problems. “There is no cure for Fowler’s, so it’s about managing it in the best way possible.” The combination of health conditions has left Abigail unable to perform everyday tasks. “It’s funny because the things I want to be able to do are so normal,” she said. “Just being able to wake up, take the dog for a walk and go to work. “Things that in the past, I completely took for granted.” To help cover the costs, Abigail’s friend Emma Holt has set up a GoFundMe which has received thousands of pounds in donations. “We never imagined in our wildest dreams that we would raise the amount of money that we have already,” she said. “It’s the one thing that really keeps us going, when things are really difficult. “Knowing that we have so many people behind us and supporting us is amazing.” Fowler’s Syndrome is most often caused by infection or following surgery or trauma, but a link to long Covid has yet to be established and more research is needed. Dani Coombe, CEO, Fowler’s Syndrome UK said: “It’s too early to say if long Covid is a trigger for Fowler’s syndrome; we haven’t seen an increase in Fowler’s and retention post-Covid yet, and there is no indicator that urinary retention gets worse. “Our research into what patients believe triggered their urinary retention shows that infection is the most common trigger at 57 per cent, followed by surgery in 32 per cent of patients and trauma at 19 per cent. “It would be noteworthy to see in coming years if there is an increase in women with Fowler’s because of the trauma of Covid-19.” Read More Fake meat is dying, but that shouldn’t mean the end of veganism What I gained (and lost) from walking 10,000 steps a day for five months Woman behind ‘not real’ plane tirade identified as marketing executive with $2m home Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Large media companies have been reporting stronger-than-expected profits as the twin strikes by Hollywood writers and actors grind

A strike by minibus taxi drivers in Cape Town triggered violence that’s claimed the lives of five people

LVMH led luxury stocks higher in Europe on Thursday as China lifted a ban on group tours, boosting

When it comes to duality in design, there isn’t a black or white answer as to why a monochrome scheme works so well in the world of interiors – it just does. The foundation for a minimalist style, there’s a sense of simplicity if you favour subtlety over drama, especially with varying tones of grey – or you can go bold with a stark black and white statement-making contrast. Either way, it’s no surprise this timeless classic is easy to update with modish pieces and decorative accessories. Here’s how to strike the right balance for visual impact… 1. George Cream & Black Spot Decal Mug – Set of 4, £10, Direct.asda Spot the difference… whether it’s an Americano or cortado, your favourite coffee will taste that much better in one of these striking mugs. 2. Spode Zoological Gardens Set of Pasta Bowls, £52.70, (was £62), Spode These pasta bowls are tailor-made for spaghetti al nero di seppia (spaghetti with squid ink) – and thrill of exotic wild animals on the dinner party guest list. 3. Small Donut Lamps, £10 each, B&M in-store If you’re bookending a bureau or sofa with side tables, these donut lamps lend interest with their curvaceous shape – and you can always style the white on one side and black on the other. 4. Palm Leaf Print, Black & White Palm Tree Photograph, from £49; Monochrome Coast, Black & White Beach Painting, from £59; Land Rover Defender Beach at Dawn, Black & White Photography, from £49; Surfer, Black & White Photography, from £49; Vintage Star Shell, Black & White, Shell Art Print, from £59; Framed, Beach House Art Graphic art prints are super effective when it comes to creating a chic monochromatic aesthetic – especially if you group them in different shapes and sizes. After all, there’s a reason why photographers still shoot in black and white; somehow everything looks more striking – and graphic. 5. Concrete & Wax Candles, from left: Large Candle and Holder Set, Grey, £55, Slim Candle and Holder Set, White, £38, Mid Candle and Holder Set, Black, £45, Concrete & Wax These cool candles come with a concrete holder for a fluid line and look great grouped together. Available in Lime, Basil & Mandarin, Tobacco & Oak, Sandalwood & Black Pepper Amber Noir, Curious Rose, and Cherished Leather, we’d love to add all these fragrances to our scented stash. 6. Moxie Abstract Face Art Wallpaper Mural, £25.95 per square metre, WallpaperMural When you want to beautify your living space, this face line art print solves the decorating dilemma of how to create a wonder wall tailored to your exact spec. Made to order, you can always start with one panel and then really go to town when you realise your monochromatic muse is a huge hit. 7. Borneo Black Wicker Chair with Boucle Latte Cushion, £224.99 (was £299.99), Desser No monochrome scheme is complete without an accent chair, especially when you want to add interest with wicker, texture and timber. With sweeping arms, cane panel, deep seat and black finish, this piece will add visual interest and dimension to a neutral scheme. 8. Memphis – White Sideboard, 90cm, £99, Out & Out Original More than a decorative afterthought, cue this modish cabinet with storage room for all your dinnerware, table-scaping props and stemware. With a melamine coating for a glossy effect and metal feet, it’s contemporary and chic. 9. ‘La Femme’ Screen Printed Cushion – Black, £59, Bon Bon Fistral When it comes to soft furnishings, a statement scatter cushion with a sophisticated silhouette will enhance a plain sofa or armchair – and make it look and feel more luxe. 10. Monochrome Bud Vase Trio, £13.99, The Wisteria Tree While the beauty of monochrome is all about styling your décor around a palette of black and white, every canvas needs a little colour… namely greenery. These bud vases are perfect for freshly cut foliage, olive stems and eucalyptus. 11. Charcoal Grey Bedtime Bundle, Duvet Cover, Sheets and Pillowcases, from £177, (was £263), Piglet in Bed If you’re updating your bedding, grey is the go-between for light and dark – and an instant refresh layered with white; plus a few lush ferns to help filter toxins. This charcoal grey set is made from stonewashed French linen with natural breathability and pre-washed for softness. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live How to get the ‘quiet luxury’ look on the high street 6 survival tips for parents of live-at-home university students What is TikTok’s ‘soft life era’ and could it be the secret to happiness?

Fads come and go, but when is a trend not a trend? “The ‘quiet luxury’ anti-trend is an understated approach to dressing that can be perfected by styling timeless, low-key staples with minimalistic designs,” says Sheila McKain, chief product officer at Hush. Indeed, when celebrating classic tailoring, ‘quiet luxury’ proves a little goes a long way. Think pared-down pieces that don’t shout ‘look at me,’ but have a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ that makes you look effortlessly chic and rich – without a logo or label in sight. To master this aesthetic, McKain says you don’t have to spend thousands on high-end designer pieces: “It’s more about choosing great quality and thoughtful design – selecting core items you can use to create a base is key.” She says trophy pieces include a classic blazer, wide-leg trousers or straight-leg jeans and a crisp, white shirt. “When styled together, each of these pieces can create a multitude of everyday looks,” suggests McKain. To ensure you get the most wear out of each item, she says to keep colours neutral and stay within a palette of brown, beige, black and white. As far as accessories go, she says jewellery should be kept minimal with something as simple as a small hoop earring. If this sounds a little too safe, a gold bangle or carefully selected thin gold necklace chains (styled effortlessly) will luxe up your look to the desired effect. As Sian Ryan, director of design at River Island, puts it: “Quiet luxury is essentially a wardrobe of styling essentials, where items can be worn in a multitude of ways and span many seasons – ensuring customers get a true sense of value for money.” Here’s how to get the look… 1. The white shirt “My favourite outfit at the minute is a white shirt teamed with a straight-leg jean and pointed-toe kitten heel,” says Ryan. “When I wear this, I feel put together, yet effortless. I like to think of it as ‘easy elegance’.” Whether you wear your crisp, white shirt open with a sleeveless white vest underneath, or buttoned up nonchalantly, go a size larger to make it look more expensive. Longer in the sleeve, wider on the shoulder and a little more length gives it that luxurious, designer feel. Hush Pia Oversized Cotton Shirt, £79 Asket The Lyocell Shirt, £100 2. Neutral knits “Neutral knitwear in super-soft luxury yarns are perfect for when the days turn cooler,” says Karen Peacock, Albaray’s co-founder and chief creative officer. “A chic colour palette that goes with everything helps create multiple ways to wear.” Remember, fabrics play a leading role, so look for soft-to-the-touch in a smooth yarn for a cashmere cheat – or some texture for your rib crib-sheet. Reiss Evie Cashmere Wool Hooded Cardigan, Camel, £128 Albaray Merino Wool Rib Jumper, £129 – available mid August 3. Tailored jacket “An elevated blazer in a heritage check looks ideal styled with a classic jean and white T-shirt combination,” suggests Peacock. “A simple look which creates an easy, pared-back luxe look.” River Island Beige Rolled Sleeve Blazer, with Linen, £69 Albaray Check Wool Blazer, £175 – available mid August 4. Straight-leg jeans Whether you go for a washed look or mid-wash blue, a looser fit is encouraged to make them look premium. And remember, no obvious branding on the bum or rips on knees. Plus, if you can comfortably pose with hand-in-pocket, you’re in the inner circle for classy, desirable denim. Primark Cares Straight Leg Denim Jeans, £16 Hush Agnes Straight Jeans, £79 5. Camel coat Looking ahead and transitioning into Autumn, a timeless camel coat always looks effortlessly chic. Naturally, the colour plays a part. Camel isn’t practical, it shows every mark and therein lies the beauty of it – you’re wealthy enough to fork out for dry cleaning bills. “A camel coat offers versatility and a sense of polish to any outfit,” notes Peacock. A welcome addition to any wardrobe, she says a masculine silhouette and slight oversized fit allows for multiple layering opportunities… we’re thinking an ivory sweater tied around the shoulders, just so. Lipsy Military Blazer Coat, Camel, £64, Next Reiss Mia Wool-Blend Mid Length Coat, Camel, £328 6. Gold jewellery “From understated hoops to simple chains, the quiet luxury trend is about choosing the right pieces, and keeping it simple, timeless and refined,” says Sally Arkley-Wade, head of product and trading at H Samuel. She says to focus on quality materials and subtle details to create elegant and sophisticated looks. “Team your plain white top, those everyday jeans or timeless shirt with affordable must-haves,” suggests Arkley-Wade. “Choose from 9ct gold chains, stack up your ear with 9ct gold hoops, or invest in the finer details – whatever your style, you will find something to suit your budget.” And select pieces which can be worn with a variety of outfits, she adds. “Mix and match delicate necklaces, stack thin rings, or layer bracelets to add depth and interest to your overall style.” Accessorize Small Simple Hoops, Gold, £3.20 (was £4) From top: H Samuel 9ct Yellow Gold 16 Inch Curb Chain, £89.99; 9ct Yellow Gold 18 Inch Rope Chain, £129 (was £159); 9ct Yellow Gold 18 Inch Anchor Chain, £269, rest of items from a selection. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live 6 survival tips for parents of live-at-home university students What is TikTok’s ‘soft life era’ and could it be the secret to happiness? Kim Kardashian teased as the face of a major fashion brand

European stocks extended gains into a second session, as China’s decision to relax travel curbs offered a lift