Five ways to upcycle your empty booze bottles into something new
IF you had a boozy bank holiday weekend, you might have a few empty bottles lying around.
Before you ditch them, try these great upcycling tricks to turn them into something new.
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LIGHT WORK: Clean out wine bottles and remove labels by soaking them in warm, soapy water.
Fill with battery-powered fairy lights, £3 at Poundland, for an instant glow and garden ambiance.
FLOWER POWER: Turn gin bottles into sleek vases by soaking off labels and painting with a light-coloured beige or cream matte paint using tester pots, from £1.50 at B&Q.
It will give your vase an on-trend ceramic look. Wrap twine around the neck for rustic charm. It will be perfect for displaying garden cuttings or supermarket blooms.
CLEAN UP: Ditch ugly detergent bottles by decanting them into a pretty empty bottle.
Gin bottles especially are a great swap for holding your washing-up liquid instead of the unsightly plastic bottles.
You can even buy a budget pourer or pump to place on top of your bottle for £2.50 at amazon.co.uk.
MINI SAVER: When thoroughly washed, use slim half-sized vodka bottles as toothbrush holders or a place to hold your cotton wool in the bathroom.
If you are crafty, these smaller bottles also are great to stash away for birthdays and Christmas gifts, just add homemade bath salts for a thoughtful budget present.
BEER WE GO: Carefully cut the tops off clean beer bottles with a £5 glass cutter from Homebase or Screwfix — it is a lot easier to do this than you would think.
I'm an upcycling furniture artist - I found an absolute gem that is packed with loads of fantastic treasure for the home
Then use them as mini tumblers, or mini plant pots to grow your own herbs, taken from sprigs of supermarket bunches. Try growing basil or mint and place on a sunny windowsill.
All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability
Deal of the day
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YOU can eat outdoors tonight if you pick up the Milano table and chairs patio set with parasol. It was £100 now £70 at B&M.
SAVE: £30
Cheap treat
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SCOFF a Wall's mini Twister after dinner. A pack of six was £2.75 now £1.85 at Iceland.
SAVE: 90p
What's new?
PRET is celebrating today's bank holiday with a picnic of sorts.
Selected stores in Glasgow, Edinburgh, London and Liverpool will be giving away a free sandwich to the first 50 people called Nick today.
Top swap
IF you are a fan of the cult Aesop Reverence Aromatique hand wash, £33, from spacenk.com, head to Lidl this week.
Its similar Deluxe Aromatic hand wash is on sale for £2.99. In-store only.
Shop & save
ADD these tasty Itsu Bao buns to your freezer for a speedy meal in the future. Previously £3.95, now £3 at Morrisons.
Hot right now
GET down to Marks & Spencer for a sale on selected toys, reduced by up to 50 per cent.
PLAY NOW TO WIN £200
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Every month we're giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers - whether you're saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered.
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Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
How DOES Sir Rod Stewart still do it at 80? Secrets behind Maggie May rocker's eternal vitality (and how he maintains THAT hair) as he's set to take Glastonbury
At 80 years old, Rod Stewart is still delighting fans with energetic performances while sporting an impressively youthful head of blond rocker hair - so it's perhaps no surprise that after decades in the industry, it was in November confirmed that he would play the Legends slot on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. And experts have now revealed the secrets behind his vitality ahead of the appearance - which will mark 23 years since the musician's last stint at the Somerset festival in 2002. At the time of the announcement, the singer was 79 - and has since celebrated his milestone birthday. Yet despite being decades older than many of the other acts in the line-up, the star has shown no signs of slowing down over recent years; not only displaying an impressive stamina, but also looking years younger than his age. However, his ability to perform at the highest level is no accident, according to men's health specialist GP Dr Jeff Foster, who described him as 'the epitome of being the Peter Pan of pop, rarely ageing and with the looks and energy of someone at least two decades younger'. The medical director of men's health organisation said that the octogenarian as 'defying the typical expectations of ageing'. This, the medic told FEMAIL, is 'no accident'. He explained: 'Despite his advancing years, he's managed to avoid the all-too-common "middle-age spread" and remains in top form, set to perform in front of thousands at Glastonbury. 'That alone tells us this is a man who takes his health seriously.' The medic said discipline likely plays a strong role in Sir Rod's longevity - listing what type of activities this could include. The rocker could be staving off the effects of ageing via a regular - and likely daily - exercise regime. This, according to the doctor, may include activities like resistance training to preserve muscle mass. 'We're talking also talking a clean, protein-rich diet, minimal alcohol intake, and a well curated blend of vitamins and supplements,' he continued. In addition, Dr Foster suggested that Sir Rod could be working with a private GP behind the scenes, keeping track of vital health metrics. 'Regular blood tests, hormone checks (particularly testosterone), and early interventions are key at this stage in a man's life,' the medic revealed. 'A dip in these markers can rapidly accelerate the ageing process , but proactive management can keep a man feeling decades younger.' When it comes to the rocker, it's not just his energy levels and health that make him seem younger than his years - his looks also knock off decades, according to Aesthetic Expert and Medical Director of Cosmedics Skin Clinics Dr Ross Perry. Dr Perry told FEMAIL: 'Sir Rod Stewart looks incredible for his age, and in truth, should probably look decades older, especially considering the amount of time he's spent in the sun over the years.' The medic believes that Sir Rod 'takes care of himself', saying he 'always appears healthy, with a warm glow to his skin'. It's not all about the effort Rod puts in though, Dr Perry suggested, noting: 'From an aesthetic perspective, I'd say he's genetically blessed with good skin, which does run in families, but lifestyle plays a huge role.' In addition to this, steps that can be taken are all important factors, including a healthy diet, minimal sun exposure in later years, adequate sleep, and good skincare. Dr Perry also considered the idea that Sir Rod may have had some help from aesthetic doctors over the years - though this is unconfirmed. 'It's very possible Sir Rod has had a few subtle 'tweakments' over the years,' the medic told FEMAIL. 'These might include a minor eyelid lift to counteract drooping or hooded lids, which is very common with age, and perhaps a touch of Botox around the eyes to soften crow's feet. 'His cheeks still look full, which often hollow with age, suggesting he may have had a small amount of dermal filler but if so, it's been done very naturally and conservatively.' Discussing another aspect of the musician's youthful look, the expert added: 'His teeth are also well-maintained, not unnaturally white or obviously veneered, but youthful and suited to his appearance. That's likely the work of a skilled cosmetic dentist.' One of Sir Rod's features that cannot be ignored is his signature hairstyle, described by Dr Perry as on of his 'most striking features'. 'It's remained largely unchanged for the last four decades, still thick, lustrous and highlighted blonde which is rare for a man of his age, as most would be experiencing significant greying or hair thinning by now,' he continued. 'His hair alone shaves years off his overall look.' It has previously been reported that Sir Rod invests some time and money into his locks: it's thought the 80-year-old has long been a client at London based salon Steven Carey salon in Mayfair, with his chauffeur-driven car regularly spotted pulling up at the salon's doors. Elsewhere it's been speculated that the rocker spends thousands of pounds a year maintaining his impressive locks. A full set of highlights at the salon on Maddox Street costs around £220 a pop, with Sir Rod likely needing his high-maintenance do tended to at least every six weeks; with three hours in the chair a likelihood. The music icon is said to receive the A-List treatment when he attends the salon, with a lunch of sandwiches brought to his styling chair. A source previously said: 'Rod is quite pedantic about his locks. He gets high and lowlights put in every three weeks, and even if his hair doesn't really need doing he'll still come in to get it tweaked, either with a few strokes of colour or a tiny trim.' Jason Hogan is Creative Master at expert colourists Josh Wood Atelier - and has told MailOnline that it's clear the Maggie May crooner has a hairdresser tending to his tresses regularly. 'Rod obviously has his hair cut regularly to maintain his signature style. When he was younger he probably had highlights regularly to maintain his colour. 'Now, he probably has more white hair, he may uses a mixture of permanent hair colour as well highlights that allow him to achieve that blonde look without having to use so much bleach on hair.' 'In terms of how people keep their hair throughout their life, genetics play a huge part in how we maintain our hair but with such amazing hair transplant therapies available these days it is very easy to hide receding hairlines and male pattern baldness,' he continued. 'Cosmetic treatments will always looks after the condition and quality of the hair. Making sure you are getting enough protein and collagen in your diet so the hair coming through is growing to its maximum capacity.' A more unusual hair hack was revealed in 2021, when it was suggested that Sir Rod rubbed mayonnaise into his tresses to keep them strong and healthy. According to reports, the singer even recommended Small Faces' late frontman Steve Marriott give it a go. Steve's former tour manager Elliot Saltzman has told The Sun how the guitarist - who died in 1991 at the age of 44 - revealed Rod inspired his own spiky hairstyle. Explaining the method behind Steve's hairstyle, Elliot said: '[It] was created by putting mayonnaise on his hair and rubbing a towel on his head really fast. And he said he got this from Rod Stewart.' The oily condiment has long been used as a DIY hair mask as it's packed with nourishing properties. Sir Rod's 2025 Glastonbury appearance was announced by co-organiser Emily Eavis in a post on Instagram last year which read: 'Bringing Sir Rod Stewart back for the Sunday afternoon slot on the Pyramid Stage is everything we could wish for.' 'What a way to bow out with the final legends slot before we take a fallow year. We cannot wait.' The singer will become one of the oldest artists to perform a major set at the event. Burt Bacharach played the Pyramid stage in 2015 at the age of 87, while Paul McCartney headlined the week after his 80th birthday back in 2022. The five-day festival takes place in June at Somerset's Worth Farm and draws in around around 200,000 music fans each year to watch some of the world's biggest musicians perform. The official Glastonbury tickets went on sale on November 14 and November 17. The stakes were even higher than usual, as 2026 will be a fallow year, meaning the festival will not go ahead. Rod's Glastonbury announcement also came just days after the rocker told fans he plans to end large scale world tours. He had claimed his 2025 European and North American tour dates would be his last major projects - but admitted he didn't want to hang up the microphone just yet. 'This will be the end of large-scale world tours for me, but I have no desire to retire,' the musician revealed. 'I love what I do and I do what I love. I'm fit, have a full head of hair and can run 100 metres in 18 seconds at the jolly old age of 79.' The Maggie May hitmaker added he wants to to perform at more intimate venues for his next tour slated for 2026, after the release of album Swing Fever with Jools Holland earlier this year. He explained: 'I'd like to move onto a Great American Songbook, Swing Fever tour the year after next - smaller venues and more intimacy. But then again, I may not. The ambiguous Sir Rod Stewart.' Sir Rod is currently headlining a residency in Las Vegas from March until June at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Speaking to the Soccer A-Z podcast in 2024, Rod revealed: 'Next year is really really busy but it is the best job in the world! I travel I sing, I'm happy and I have a drink after the show and I get paid for it!' he exclaimed. And the rocker is looking at many years in the game ahead. Back in July last year, Sir Rod said he has 'no fear' about death ahead of his 80th birthday and added he aims to stick around for another 15 years. He told The Sun: 'I'm aware my days are numbered but I've got no fear. We have all got to pass on at some point, so we are all in the same basket. I am going to be enjoying myself for these last few years as much as I can. I say few — probably another 15. I can do that easy mate, easy. 'I'm not like I was in the '70s and '80s and I can't stay up all night, get drunk and go mad and still have a voice just like that. Nowadays I have to protect my voice before and after every show. 'But no, you think I just have water on my rider? You're talking to Rod Stewart here, mate. We go mad after every show. There are 13 of us, six women, really great musicians and I make them drink. We absolutely love it.' In a recent Radio Times interview, the star also revealed that alcohol is usually a part of his performing ritual. 'I looked at [my rider provision] the other day and I thought, what is all this s**t doing here?' he said. 'All I need is a few bottles of wine and some crisps, and that's it. And there's all these bloody things! What am I gonna do with them? 'No houmous, but big piles of bananas and apples! And when you think the whole world's bloody starving. I gotta do something about that. Thank you for reminding me.' He also revealed that he gargles rum and coke before each show. 'Been drinking that 40 years. I never drink it any other time,' he continued. 'The vocal cords need a lot of looking after. I mean, they're absolute gold.' Rod, who has had both prostate and thyroid cancer, said: 'I am more aware of my health now than before. You should be when you start getting on a bit. It's very important. I am a bit of a hypochondriac. I think men in particular should take advantage of all the wonderful medical science out there.' Despite this, he revealed he doesn't take any medication at all apart from the odd anti-inflammatory treatment if his knee is giving him trouble. Rod has also said he works out three or four times a week and is kept on the straight and narrow by his personal trainer whom he has been working with for more than three decades. While Sir Rod's youthful appearance and impressive energy levels can be contributed to a number of scientific and medical factors, GP Dr Jeff Foster pointed out more factor that could be keeping the rocker young. 'Let's not underestimate the power of love,' he told FEMAIL. 'Having a younger partner like [wife] Penny and children later in life can be incredibly energising. 'Staying mentally and physically active to keep up with family life keeps both body and brain agile.'
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Professional homemaker who offers £200 workshops in cooking and cleaning has followers as young as 10 years old - but insists she's NOT a tradwife
A professional homemaker has revealed how she found global success among fans as young as 10 by teaching domestic skills - and why onlookers should never mistake her for a tradwife. Charlie Gray's West Sussex countryside home she shares with her husband Simon and their three children is by no means in perfect order, but that's not her goal. 'It's about slowing down and taking the time to do small things that end up making you feel better if you've had a stressful day,' Charlie, 44, of Ask Charlie, told Femail. Small things, she explained, include ditching microwave meals for homemade dishes, planning housework, and taking time to put household items in their rightful place rather than casting them aside after use. Older generations may consider her tips basic. But, according to Charlie, the mother of Archie, 16, Coco, 15, and Gus, 14, society is witnessing a downward trajectory in home economics skills. Evidence suggests similarly. Not only is there a takeaway boom, thanks to services like Deliveroo distracting Britons from home-cooked options, but a study by Mintel found 76 per cent of the nation's parents, with children aged 6 to 17, say that their offspring have zero cleaning responsibilities. According to Charlie, the trend is resulting in individuals who are unable to adequately care for their homes due to a lack of life experience and education. That's where she steps in. 'I teach practical skills, cooking, running a home, making life easier. From batch cooking, to meal planning and organising your time.' With her values and dedication to a relaxed home, people might be quick to label her a tradwife, but Charlie believes them to be wrong. 'I don't want to be associated with them at all. I run my own business. I have my own income. I pay taxes. So I'm not a tradwife.' Charlie owes her homemaking skillset to her mother, who equipped her with the necessary skills to have a comfortable home life from an early age. 'I had an amazing mother who taught my brother and I how to do most things, and I grew up thinking that that was normal,' she said. When she became a mother, her husband travelled for work, and so she sought outside help to ease her load of raising three children born consecutively over three years. The influencer, who has more than 34,000 followers on Instagram, is married to husband Simon, 18 years her senior, whom she met while working as a secretary - she described him in an interview with The Telegraph last month as 'the most wonderful man I've ever met'. His career, running a successful seafood business, has meant she is able to stay at home and care for the couple's children, Archie, Coco and Gus. Charlie said, 'We didn't have any family that could come and help if there was a problem, or if I'd had a sleepless night. There wasn't anyone to call and say, 'Can you come and be an extra pair of hands?' So, we had an au pair.' Though she didn't know it at the time, that hire would help spark her lightbulb moment for her business because she quickly realised that others didn't share her level of understanding regarding domestic skills. 'It was then that I realised that practical skills haven't been passed down through the generations like they used to be,' she said. @askcharliehow My sourdough masterclass, I have made it as easy as I possibly can to teach you how to make your own starter and bake sourdough bread at home, with very tutorials and the note that go with I take you step by step how to make wonderful loaves at home! The links on my bio #sourdoughbread #sourdoughstarter #sourdoughbaking #makeyourownsourdoughstarter #onlinecourse ♬ original sound - Charlie Gray Charlie believes cooking skills dwindled in the late '70s when ready meals became a novelty in the UK. 'It was easy just to pop something in the oven that was frozen, and it was an exciting novelty. 'Now, there's a shift in society where people don't want ultra-processed food, people want to look after themselves. They want to know what they're eating, they don't want to eat rubbish, and so I think it's a circle back.' By 2018, when her children were a little older, Charlie decided to act on her findings and launched Ask Charlie. Explaining on her website, she writes, 'I am very aware that a lot of these practical skills that were passed down from parents have been lost over time. Without home economics lessons being taught anymore, I hope with Ask Charlie I can help. With her booming social media accounts, where she shares her tips and tricks, comprehensive online courses, and a podcast, Charlie has helped thousands of people across the globe. Many learn from her for free through social content, and she also offers online courses, starting from £5, as well as a course called Efficient Home, which runs over four weeks and costs £200. Beneath the surface of teaching how to fold, iron, and bake, Charlie is teaching others how to find comfort in their surroundings. She said, 'It's about finding what's important to you and what makes you feel comfortable in your home and your environment. 'The world is a crazy place. You listen to the news, and it's awful, and you need to have some comfort and security. Cooking and nurturing are that for a lot of people. 'I want to create. I don't want there to be controversy and angst, I just want people to feel safe and secure in their environment. So, it's a bit of escapism as well.' The reception, Charlie said, has been 'amazing'. 'I get messages from people daily, saying, 'Thank you for sharing that. It's made life easier for me.' So, it's been really positive.' Her client base is dotted around the globe, and she has younger generations soaking up her knowledge, such as how to make sourdough, and becoming fans. 'The youngest I'm aware of is 10,' Charlie said before recalling the time the child came up to her and said, 'I'm your biggest fan. I've watched all your videos. I love them, and I find you really inspiring.' Charlie continued, 'Then I have a lady in Australia who is in her late seventies. It's really varied, and there's quite a few men as well.' Closer to home, Charlie's children, Archie, Coco, and Gus, are also learning the ways of a smooth-running home from their mother. 'I get them involved,' Charlie said, adding, 'I think it's important as a parent that we can teach our children as much as possible, so they're ready when they fly the nest, and they can cook a meal, wash their clothes, and change a bed. 'It's very daunting when you leave home and go off to university, or a first job, or whatever it might be, if you don't know how to do things. So, I think it's about preparing them for the future.' It's not just her children's future she's busy prepping for, but also her own. What that entails exactly, she can't yet reveal. But she assured Femail that a string of 'very exciting' projects are in the works.
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
£20 Color Wow becomes 'must-have' buy for unruly hair in the humid weather
'Amazing product. Where has this been all my life! Well worth the money and will definitely purchase again.' As Scotland was struck by a heatwave over the past couple of days, with temperatures reaching a high of 28.9 in Drumnadrochit, many of us tried to make the most of the unusually warm weather. However, while we could all do with a bit of Vitamin D, the weather can have a negative impact on our hair. For those who have spent what seems like a lifetime forcing your hair to look smooth, sleek and frizz free, going outdoors into the heat can be the last thing you want to do because as soon as the humidity hits, all your hardwork is ruined. If this is something you struggle with, Amazon has just dropped the price of the COLOR WOW Extra Strength Dream Coat, which is an anti-humidity treatment for your hair. With some reviewers hailing it as a 'must-have' buy, shoppers can now grab a 200ml bottle for the reduced price of £20.95. Normally priced at £32, shoppers will also be able to start using the treatment on their hair the next day due to Amazon's speedy delivery service, reports Birmingham Live. Shoppers will need to use the Color Wow treatment after they have finished shampooing, conditioning and towel-drying their hair. From there, users should split their hair into sections and spray each of them liberally. Finally, shoppers will need to blow-dry the sections. The spray works by locking moisture into the strands of your hair and blocking out any humidity. This is done with use of flex-elastic polymers that will keep straight, blow-dried styles looking glossy and sleek. The anti-frizz results are said to last for up to four washes. Suitable for coarse, frizzy, dry, curly, damaged or coily hair, the waterproof technology in the treatment should be able to keep any pesky flyaways and frizz at bay between washes. COLOR WOW Extra Strength Dream Coat £32 £20.95 Amazon Buy Now Product Description Another popular anti-frizz product is the R+Co Moon Landing Anti-Humidity Spray. Priced at £26.50, this 180ml bottle is said to calm frizz and repel moisture. Infused with a polymer blend and a sea buckthorn oil, this product will tame flyaways and leave hair looking shiny and hydrated. Alternatively, shoppers can buy Living Proof No Frizz Instant De-Frizzer from SpaceNK for £28. This 208ml bottle is said to provide softness, smoothness and shine to your hair, and is ideal for those who have medium to thick tresses. Shoppers can also get 15 per cent off their first order by using the code FIRST15. Back to Color Wow, Amazon shoppers have been raving over this treatment, which has been bought by over 3,000 shoppers in the last 30 days. One happy shopper said: "Amazing product. Where has this been all my life! Well worth the money and will definitely purchase again." With another added: "I was sceptical to try yet another hair product so bought this small bottle given the price. I have just used it and it is exactly what is says on the tin .. 'wow'. Normally if I blow dry my hair it looks like I have been dragged through a hedge backwards and need to use the straighteners to look presentable. "This has made me look like I have just gone for a blow dry at the salon and I don't need to use my straighteners. I haven't seen if it lives up to staying on the hair for a couple of washes but I am definitely buying the bigger bottle!" However, some shoppers noted varying results, as one person said: "All of my friends where raving about this product so I bought it myself. To be honest, it didn't do much for me, maybe it's because I only use a brush and hairdryer on it and maybe you are supposed to use something more "professional" to seal the product." With another adding: "I bought this product cause I saw good results on my friend hair but it doesn't do the same thing on my hair." Despite this, one five-star reviewer wrote: "This is now on my must have list. It works even on my very unruly hair! It keeps it sleek and glossy between washes. Great for anti frizz!!!!" With a sixth shopper commenting: "Performs so well and makes my hair so so shiny. My style stays even when it's humid." To buy the COLOR WOW Extra Strength Dream Coat, click HERE. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
