Melanie Kaidan

A gardening and storage expert recommends a homemade wasp deterrent made from water, washing-up liquid, geranium essential oil and clove. The spray can be applied every few days around seating areas, sheds, decking and storage containers, but regular cleaning, removing food residue and rotting fruit, replacing cardboard boxes with secure airtight containers, and checking for early signs of nests are also advised.

A Good Food chicken fajitas recipe provides a quick family meal serving four in about 25 minutes, with 15 minutes of preparation and 10 minutes of cooking. Chicken, onion, pepper and optional chilli are marinated with smoked paprika, coriander, cumin, garlic, olive oil, lime and Tabasco, then griddled and served in warmed tortillas with salad, salsa and guacamole.

Italian chef Roberta d'Elia shares three principles for a flavorful tomato sauce: use slightly over-ripe, fresh tomatoes, avoid refrigerating them, and slow-roast them to intensify their sweetness. The accompanying recipe combines roasted tomatoes with garlic, sugar, tomato purée, olive oil and basil, producing a textured sauce in about an hour that can be served with orecchiette and Parmigiano Reggiano.

Mary Berry’s fork biscuits require just butter, caster sugar and self-raising flour. The ingredients are beaten into a soft dough, shaped into walnut-sized balls, pressed with a fork and baked at 180°C for 12–15 minutes, producing about 16 buttery, shortbread-like biscuits.

A recipe from Egg Info explains how to make four air-fryer egg cups in about 15 minutes using eggs, vegetables, cheese, double cream and coriander. The mixture is cooked in ramekins at 150°C before additional cheese is melted at 200°C; bacon or sausage can be added for extra protein and flavour.

Torquay has been named the UK's most affordable autumn staycation destination in research by credit card provider Aqua, ranking ahead of Blackpool and Portsmouth. A two-person weekend in a three-star hotel from November 7 to 9 could cost as little as £79, while the town is about 2.5 hours by car from Cardiff. The article highlights Torquay Harbour, the South West Coast Path, milder autumn conditions, wildlife and local food and drink, alongside positive visitor reviews describing the resort as peaceful, welcoming and relaxing.

Ina Garten recommends using much less liquid—about one tablespoon of cream for two extra-large eggs—to make scrambled eggs lighter and fluffier. Her method involves cooking the eggs slowly in butter, then adding goat cheese, chives and more butter; the recipe can be scaled for multiple servings.

Gordon Ramsay's egg-free chocolate mousse uses four ingredients: ripe avocados, runny honey, vanilla extract and raw cacao powder. The ingredients are blended in a food processor, portioned into small dessert glasses and chilled for about an hour. The vegetarian, plant-based recipe is presented as a quick alternative to traditional mousse, without eggs or cream.

After flying business class with nine airlines, Melanie Kaidan says British Airways impressed her most, particularly on a London Heathrow–Barbados route. She highlights the lounge, attentive cabin crew, Champagne, extensive food and drink choices, afternoon tea, The White Company amenity kit, privacy-focused lie-flat seating, plush bedding and in-flight entertainment.

Monty Don advises pruning lavender annually as soon as its flowers begin to fade to prevent woody, leggy growth. Gardeners should cut the plant back aggressively while leaving new growth on each branch, allowing it to regrow before winter. Mature plants that are beyond recovery may need replacing, while French, Spanish and Italian varieties should generally be pruned in spring because they are less hardy. Gardening author Anya Lautenbach also says hard pruning promotes bushier plants and more flowers the following year.

Vintage watches from the late 1970s and early 1980s are attracting renewed interest in the second-hand market, driven largely by nostalgia. Horologist Mark Baldwin says vintage Casio calculator watches can sell for £400 to £800, while well-preserved Smiths watches can fetch between £150 and £1,500, with unengraved examples generally commanding higher prices. Sekonda, Timex and Rotary watches are also benefiting from the revival of retro aesthetics.

Llangollen in North Wales ranked fifth in Away Resorts’ study of UK staycation destinations offering broad appeal, scoring 59%. The town is praised for its shops, restaurants, countryside and activities, including walks along the River Dee, visits to Castell Dinas Brân and Horseshoe Falls, the Llangollen Canal and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, water sports, and the steam railway. Its historic and cultural attractions include Plas Newydd and the annual Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

A Holidu study using Google Maps ratings and reviews for more than 9,500 UK beaches ranked Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire first and Traeth Mwnt in Ceredigion second. Woolacombe Beach in Devon was England’s highest-ranked beach in third place, followed by Dunraven Bay in Glamorgan and Trebarwith Strand in Cornwall. The ranking highlights Wales as a leading destination for UK seaside holidays, while noting features such as cleanliness awards, surfing, wildlife, geology and coastal scenery.

Travel expert Fred Harrington advises people planning Christmas trips to begin searching for flights before July, when seasonal demand and airline pricing adjustments may increase fares. He recommends comparing Google Flights, Skyscanner and airline websites in private browsing mode, checking flexible dates and alternative routes, and searching midweek to uncover lower fares. The article claims these techniques can help travellers avoid higher weekend pricing and find cheaper December flights.

White trainers can reportedly be refreshed without a washing machine or harsh chemical cleaners by using white vinegar and baking soda. Laura Harnett of Seep recommends soaking laces in diluted vinegar, applying a paste of baking soda, vinegar and hot water to the shoes, and using baking soda overnight to remove odours from removable insoles. Insoles that are especially dirty can be washed gently by hand and air-dried.

Limescale from hard-water minerals can restrict shower-head flow, damage fittings and shorten appliance life. Vidalux expert Andy Ellis recommends citric acid, including lemon juice, as an effective natural treatment; lemon juice can be applied to a cloth around a shower head or tap for 30 minutes to an hour before scrubbing and rinsing. Other suggested household treatments include ketchup, orange peel with baking soda, toothpaste and shaving foam, each with specific application and waiting times.

Home Bargains has launched a gift card available in all UK stores, with values ranging from £10 to £150 and a 24-month validity period. The retailer says the card lets recipients choose from its range of homeware, beauty products, toys and food. The article also reports the return of Home Bargains’ £7.99 wireless LED lamp, which previously sold out twice after going viral and is available while stocks last.

A wine expert advises transferring leftover wine into a mason jar or other airtight container rather than reusing the original cork, reducing the wine's exposure to oxygen and helping preserve its freshness. The piece also shares a 20/20 serving rule from alcohol enthusiast Heather Muriello: chill red wine for 20 minutes before serving and let white wine sit outside the refrigerator for 20 minutes. Wine Folly explains that differences in production, including whether grape skins and seeds are used during fermentation, influence how red and white wines should be served.