Reusable water bottles are beneficial in so many ways. Helping keep you hydrated, they also cut down on single-use plastic, and save you money every time you refill instead of buying a new bottle of water. Plus, with all the chic stainless steel flasks and glass bottles on the market – not to mention sporty carrying straps – they’ve become something of a fashion accessory. Trying to hit the NHS-recommended eight glasses of water a day for adults is an excellent idea, of course, but did you know there’s one way your refillable bottle could potentially be detrimental to your health? According to a study from waterfilterguru.com, reusable water bottles contain an average of 20.8m colony-forming units (CFUs) of bacteria, which equates to 40,000 times more than the microbes on a toilet seat. So what might be the consequences if you continuously sip and refill without washing your bottle properly between uses? We asked health experts to talk through the risks… Bottling up bacteria “A common misconception when it comes to reusable water bottle hygiene is that as you’re typically filling it with pure water and it’s only coming into contact with your own mouth, there’s little need to clean it often,” says Dr Donald Grant, senior clinician at The Independent Pharmacy. However, every time you drink from the bottle, you’re transferring bacteria from your mouth, which can then multiply in the container. “Anything that is reusable can be prone to accumulating dirt, dust or debris and, as a result, bacteria,” says private GP Dr Suhail Hussain. “This is exacerbated by the fact water bottles are the ideal environment for harbouring bacteria due to being moist.” Hard to reach crevices – for example, inside a screw top or under a flip-up straw – could also develop mould, and then there’s contamination from other sources. “When you store it in a gym bag, for instance, it can pick up bacteria from the interior of the bag or anything else stored in it, while you can also transfer bacteria from your hands to your bottle,” says Grant. “If your bottle has a valve cap, you may need to lift or twist it with your fingers, and this can transfer bacteria you may have picked up from touching other objects or surfaces.” What types of microbes are found in water bottles? “These might be simple commensals such as streptococcus and staphylococcus, which normally live in symbiosis with their host (i.e. us) but can become problematic if they accumulate, or the individual is under the weather,” Hussain says.“Bacteria such as E. coli – a common cause of urine and bowel infections – can often colonise the water bottle following repeated handling, such as taking the cap on and off.” These bacteria can potentially cause a variety of issues. “You may become sick and develop gastric illness, such as diarrhoea or vomiting,” Hussain continues. “Gram negative rods – another common bacterium found in unwashed bottles – can lead to urogenital tract infections and pneumonia.” Grant warns: “If there’s a build-up of mould inside the bottle, this can cause allergy symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing, or red and itchy eyes. Symptoms might be more severe for someone with asthma.” How often should you wash your reusable water bottle? “To minimise your risk of getting sick, you should ideally clean your water bottle after each use,” Grant says. “As a minimum, you should aim to wash it thoroughly at least a few times a week.” Hot water and washing up liquid are all you need to banish bacteria on the daily. “Fill the bottle with hot soapy mixture and swill around, or leave to soak in a detergent mixture,” Hussain advises. “Remember to pay special attention to lids/caps and screw top regions – use a clean brush [to scrub them].” If you’ve neglected your bottle for a few days and it needs a deeper clean, Grant suggests: “Soak your bottle overnight in a solution of half vinegar and half water. Rinse the bottle and let it dry fully before using it again.” Storage is also important to help minimise nasty microbes. “Where possible, you should keep your water bottle out of germ-rich environments such as your gym locker or sports bag,” Grant says. “You should also avoid filling your bottle with anything other than water, such as protein shakes, energy drinks, or sugar-rich liquids, as sugar can stimulate the growth of bacteria.” Hussain adds: “Don’t leave water bottle in the sun for long periods of time or siting in the cup holder in the car – the mixture of warmth and moisture is likely to make bacterial overgrowth worse.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Prince George visits Eton with parents Prince William and Kate Middleton King Charles and Queen Camilla ecstatic after getting their first Royal Ascot winner As Elon Musk calls cis ‘a slur’ – what does the term cisgender actually mean?

The season two premiere of And Just Like That brought back a familiar face for many loyal Sex and the City fans, and no, it wasn’t the upcoming cameo from actor Kim Cattrall as Samantha Jones. The second season of And Just Like That, which debuted on Max on Thursday 22 June, saw the return of Carrie Bradshaw’s beloved Vivienne Westwood wedding gown, which she wore to her failed wedding to Mr Big (Chris Noth) in the 2008 Sex and the City movie. When Sarah Jessica Parker was photographed wearing the fan-favourite bridal gown in the streets of New York City last November, many fans wondered the reason for its reprise. Now, the season two premiere has revealed that Carrie dons the flowing gown to none other than the Met Gala. Warning: Spoilers ahead In the season two premiere, Carrie works with an up-and-coming designer named Smoke (Bethlehem Million) to create a custom design for the annual fashion event, themed “Veiled Beauty”. But when things go awry, the columnist resorts to her fashion archive and pulls the wedding dress out of her closet. “I may have something,” Carrie tells Smoke during the episode. “I’ve only worn it once. It’s not the best memory.” She even decides to wear the same bird-like headpiece that she wore to her wedding, but this time pairing it with teal gloves, teal heels, and a matching teal cape that Smoke had made. Although wearing the same wedding gown twice may seem like bad luck to some, Parker revealed how the new season of And Just Like That was able to give the dress “new life”. In an interview with People, Parker detailed how she and And Just Like That showrunner Michael Patrick King wanted to change the narrative surrounding the iconic dress by breaking it out for season two. “How would it become something else?” the actor told People. “How would we layer it and give it a new life and have it feel modern and change the poetry that surrounded that dress from a lot of really painful but important memories that I don’t think Carrie really wanted to let go of, especially given this loss?” King – who directed the original Sex and the City movie – noted how they wanted first-time viewers to relate to the moment as well, despite not knowing the original importance of the wedding dress. “It must mean something for someone who has never seen the scene where Carrie is left at the altar,” King told People. “So, you just have to create a story, like in that case, the Met Ball, which is named Veiled Beauty, which gets me to wedding veil, which gets to wedding gown, and then Carrie tells Smoke: ‘It wasn’t the best memory.’” “All you need to know is it was a bad moment that she’s putting it on, and then everybody gets to enjoy the gown.” And just like that, fans of the series took to Twitter on Thursday to applaud Carrie for repurposing the iconic wedding dress for the Met Gala. “CARRIE WEARING HER WEDDING DRESS AHH LOVE THE CHANGING THE NARRATIVE TO THAT DRESS,” one viewer tweeted. “I know it was supposed to be a sad moment but when Carrie threw on her wedding dress and veil and rocked it with them shoes and cape I was like yass!!!!” another person said. “Take that pain and sashay that gala”. A third fan wrote: “Carrie Bradshaw repurposed the Vivienne Westwood wedding dress and wore it to the MET Ball!! What a way to honour her,” which appears to refer to the designer’s death in December 2022. Although the return of the wedding dress was a nice surprise for fans of the original series, Parker and King detailed the lengths they had to go to retrieve the Vivienne Westwood gown. “We weren’t entirely certain that we could get the dress back,” Parker told People. “It was in London and unearthing it was complicated – getting it through customs in time and then making sure was this, in fact, the original dress? The colour looked different.” Not to mention Parker worried about fitting into the dress more than a decade later, adding that it “was terrifying to put it on”. “It was really incredible and fun and thank goodness it fit!” Parker said. “It was very special to have it back in our possession for a brief period and to figure out how it helped tell this story now.” The first two episodes of And Just Like That season two are available to stream on Max. Read The Indpendent’s two-star review here. Read More And Just Like That season two review: A toothless imitation of Sex and the City Sarah Jessica Parker’s son James explains why it feels ‘weird’ watching And Just Like That Sex and the City stars recall ‘near-death experience’ that occurred while filming season three Glastonbury 2023: All the best fashion at the biggest UK festival of the year Warehouse advert featured ‘unhealthily thin’ model, ASA rules Glastonbury festival fashion might not even exist anymore

A mother has struck a chord with other parents after sharing the heartache she felt for her daughter when just two children RSVP’d yes to attend her birthday party. Sadie Christgau, who goes by the username @saddiegou on TikTok, questioned whether other parents had faced similar situations in a video posted to the platform earlier this month, in which she revealed that she’d invited her daughter’s entire preschool class to her fifth birthday. “Two kids RSVP’d to my little girl’s birthday party. I invited her whole entire class. Two RSVP’d. It’s in two hours,” Christgau said in the video, before revealing that she invited all of her Facebook friends with children after she “started panicking” no one would show up. “I started panicking. I started inviting all my Facebook friends with kids and I said: ‘Just show up, we have enough stuff for 25 kids.’” “I don’t even know what to do,” an emotional Christgau added in the video, which saw her sitting in front of decorations she’d put up for her daughter’s party. In the caption of the video, the TikToker asked viewers whether they’ve ever found themselves in the same situation. “Has anyone else had this happen to their kid?” she wrote. The video, which has been viewed more than 3.1m times as of 22 June, has resonated with viewers, with many fellow parents revealing their own similar experiences. “Same happened for my daughter’s birthday last year!! I invited the entire class, eight RSVP’d, four of the eight cancelled at the last minute and only two showed!!” one viewer revealed. @saddiegau Has anyone else had this happen to thier kid? #fifthbirthday ♬ original sound - Sadiegau Another said: “We invited 35 kids to a joint birthday party for my son and daughter - even wrote on the invite to not bring gifts. Five rsvp’d and three showed up.” Numerous other parents revealed that they’d stopped hosting birthday parties for their children after similar scenarios, with many instead encouraging Christgau to celebrate her children’s birthdays with “experiences”. “This happened to my son when he was 12. We now only do birthday experiences. Pick somewhere you want to go instead. We all love it! It’s memories!” one person commented. Another said: “That’s why we stopped throwing birthday parties and instead let our kids pick what we do for their birthday and they’re always so happy.” “Yea, we stopped throwing parties. Instead I’ll take mine to go do something fun for the whole day and then have family over for cake and icecream!” someone else said. Other parents revealed that they make it a point to attend each birthday party their child is invited to so that the situation does not happen. “This is the exact reason we go to EVERY birthday party we are invited to. Breaks my heart,” one person wrote, while another viewer said: “It breaks my heart to read so many people saying that this has happened to their children too. My children go to every birthday they are invited to.” In a follow-up video, the TikToker revealed that the party was ultimately a success after her friends showed up with their children. @saddiegau Update! Thank you to everyone who shared kind words with me ❤️ ♬ original sound - Sadiegau “They came and they all had so much fun together,” she said. Christgau then addressed some of the critical comments she’d received on her initial video, with the mother of six revealing that many people had asked her why she’d invited her daughter’s entire class, or why she’d prepared to host 25 children. According to Christgau, she made sure she had enough for 25 children because she’s experienced people RSVP at the last second to birthday parties that she’s previously thrown for her children and would never want to have to turn a child away. “I can’t do it, that’s not me,” she said. As for why she invited the entire class, Christgau noted that her daughter is in preschool and is “still learning who her friend group is”. “And also, other kids don’t understand when they don’t get invited to a birthday party when they’re five. Some of them are even four! So obviously I’m going to invite the whole entire class,” she continued. The TikToker also addressed comments from viewers who’d suggested that the parents of classmates didn’t want to have to pay for birthday gifts, with Christgau revealing that her children bring handmade gifts when they attend birthday parties. “It’s really not about the gifts,” she explained, adding that it’s instead about “emotional development” and allowing children to “learn how to play with others”. After acknowledging that views on birthday parties are divided among parents, Christgau reiterated that she would never host a party without inviting her child’s entire class. “I’m not going to leave anyone out,” she said, before explaining that it may be different when her children are older, but that right now they are “still in the process of meeting each other and learning who each other are”. While speaking to Today, Christgau said she’d also invited all of the children in her daughter’s classroom because the five year old is “very social and assumes everyone is her best friend”. “I thought inviting the whole class would be easier than asking her to pick a few friends, and I didn’t want to leave anyone out,” she explained. The Independent has contacted Christgau for comment. Read More Mum sends out extremely blunt invites for twins’ multi-themed birthday: ‘Set your expectations appropriately’ Mother sparks viral debate for ‘shaming’ parent who refused to give her daughter a slice of cake Schoolboy almost dies from swallowing magnets for TikTok challenge Woman shares honest review of New York City apartment TikTok mom slammed after making 5-year-old son run in 104 degree heat

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A woman has sparked a debate with her recent claim that she has discovered the best time of the year to get pregnant. Lily Scott shared a recent video about the topic to TikTok, where she claimed she knows she is “right” in her belief that February is the best month to get pregnant. According to Scott, who outlined a number of reasons for her claim, the first is because Valentine’s Day takes place during the month. “You guys go all in, have the best time of your life,” she said. “Obviously you can’t pick if you ovulate, so anytime, Valentine’s Day or after, that’s when you’re doing said deed.” The mother, who’s based in Washington, DC, then claimed that February is a perfect time to get pregnant because women would most likely feel a “little sick” during the months of March, which she said is a “throwaway month,” April, and May. As noted by the Mayo Clinic, many people experience morning sickness during the first three months of pregnancy. In her video, Scott explained that by June, women who’d gotten pregnant in February would reach their second trimester and start to feel better, “just in time for summer”. “Maybe you do it European style, have a glass of wine one or two days a week, you get to travel still, you’re feeling good,” she continued of her reasons why the timing would be perfect. “There’s no pressure to look good, because you have a bump at this point.” She went on to explain that pregnant women would then reach their third trimester by fall, which she said is “fine” because of the opportunity to get “cosy”. She also claimed that, because of the colder weather, women would be able to layer up if they wanted to cover their growing baby bump. “You’re in your third trimester so everyone know’s to pull back when asking you to do things,” she alleged. “You don’t feel super confident in your skin because now you’re going from cutely pregnant to completely massive. That’s okay. Here’s a sweater. Put on a scarf, another scarf. Nobody cares. You’re getting cosier and cosier.” @thelillyscott Clearly I’ve thought this through. And yes, I absolutely acknowledge that this is ideal and concieving doesnt always just happen! Just having fun with a hypotjetical here!! #besttimetobepregnant #pregnancy #pregtok #pregnanttiktok #preggo #familyplanning #secondpregnancy @Lillyscott ♬ original sound - Lillyscott She noted that once a woman is 40 weeks pregnant, it’ll be around Halloween time and it will be “chilly” weather outside, which can be beneficial to women who find they are getting “really hot” at this point in their pregnancy. In the video, Scott then included astrology as another benefit of a February pregnancy, as she noted that the child would likely be a scorpio, the astrological sign for people born between 23 October and 21 November. She also claimed that the mother would then be on maternity leave during Thanksgiving, and that her family could help her out with different chores around the home. The TikTok user then suggested that a six-week maternity leave would end right around Christmas, when many people receive “time off anyway”. “And your partner is probably going to get off during that time, so you’ll get extra help,” she alleged. She also explained the benefits of having a one-month old baby around this time of the year, continuing: “Your baby’s a month old, it’s the holidays. No one’s going to ask you to get a present for them, no one’s going to ask you to wrap anything. People are going to bring you gifts.” By April or May, the hypothetical mother would be recovering after giving birth, and could have finished breastfeeding, according to Scott. As noted by the World Health Organization, it is recommended that babies are exclusively breastfed until they’re six months old. When they are six months old, they can start eating solid foods in addition to being breastfed. In her TikTok video, Scott also predicted that, when the baby is six-months old, mothers would have more opportunities to travel again while caring for their child, as these travel plans would be happening in the summer months. Scott’s video, which she captioned: “Clearly I’ve thought this through. And yes, I absolutely acknowledge that this is ideal and conceiving doesn’t always just happen. Just having fun with a hypothetical here,” has since been viewed more than 5.7m times, with many viewers divided by the TikToker’s controversial claim. According to some skeptics, February is the not the best month to get pregnant because it would mean being pregnant during the summer months. “Pregnant during the summertime? Never,” one person responded, while another said: “But then you have to carry a baby during the hot summer.” “Having three pregnancies, two of which being through summer...I highly recommend NOT being pregnant through summer…Start in July or August,” a third individual added. Others were unconvinced by the suggestion due to the astrological sign associated with the due date. “But I don’t want a Scorpio as a baby,” one person wrote. “Or you end up being born on Thanksgiving and it kills your birthday vibe forever,” another viewer claimed. One viewer pointed out another downside to giving birth in November, writing: “I didn’t like being postpartum in the winter. No sun, days short and miserable lol.” However, others agreed with Scott’s advice, with some revealing they’d be welcome to their babies being born around November or December. “Watching this four months pregnant in June and you could not be more right,” one person wrote, while another added: “Currently living this and can confirm it all.” Speaking to Today, Scott revealed that she came up with the theory while thinking about when she wants to have her next child. “I’ve been thinking about when I want to get pregnant again - the second you have your first baby, everyone asks when the next one is coming,” she said. “We all know it can take time to get pregnant.” She also clarified her comments about Scropios and the month of March, adding: “There are so many different perspectives [about astrology]. I wasn’t saying that March babies are unwanted - they’re special and amazing! I love Scorpios.” The Independent has contacted Scott for comment. 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Glastonbury has officially kicked off, with thousands of people rushing through the gates of Worthy Farm to attend the biggest festival in the world. The annual celebration of live music and performing arts will see headliners such as Arctic Monkeys, Elton John, and Guns ‘N’ Roses take to the main stage, as well as hundreds of other artists. Get live updates on Glastonbury 2023 here. It is also an event known for attracting some of the most edgy and chic sartorial looks that informed festival fashion all around the world. Famously, celebrities including Kate Moss, Alexa Chung and Sienna Miller have sparked trends while attending the major event. Although festival fashion has changed drastically over the years, this year’s Glastonbury can still expect to see some head-turning outfits, as revellers trot out their hardiest gear amid the sun and rain forecasts for the next few days. Here are our favourite looks at the festival so far: Ready, set, match Matching group outfits is a great way to make a statement as well as keep an eye on members of your squad at all times. Lost Jessica? Just look for the girl vibing in the Healing Fields in the same outfit as you. Flower power Are flower crowns a little 2010? Perhaps, but they’re classic festival-wear for a reason. This version is bright and vibrant, and most importantly, BIG. We love a good flower crown. Flying high Inflatable wings are certainly an unusual choice, but look perfectly in the right place at Glastonbury. We just hope he looks where he’s going, or someone’s going to get a face full of wing. Feeling green We can’t tell if this guy is trying to blend in with the foliage behind him, but he’s doing a pretty good job of it. 10/10 camouflage skills. Dress for the weather you want This huge wide-brimmed feather hat screams “sunshine” and will be sure to keep the excellent weather in Somerset going – even when the sun slips behind a cloud. Smile, boys Don’t feel like smiling? Let your head do it for you. Suited and booted These lads look like they know how to have a good time. Is the one in pink their leader? Read More Glastonbury festival fashion isn’t just about ripping off Kate Moss… it might not even exist anymore Glastonbury 2023 – live: Festival kicks off at Worthy Farm with spectacular fireworks display Free milk, £1 camping and political protests: Glastonbury through the years, in pictures How to navigate summer festivals with your teenager Glastonbury festival fashion might not even exist anymore 6 hacks for handling the heatwave at a festival

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If you’re taking your teen to Glastonbury or any festivals this summer, you are probably thinking about all the things that could possibly go wrong. There could be a big fall out, maybe they get lost, or it may just turn out to not really be their thing. Either way, it’s best to be positive, as they are at that age where they probably want more independence, embracing more responsibility, and figuring out their likes and dislikes. Here are a few things to consider before the big event. Choose the festival together In a typical year, thousands of festivals take place across the country with some having more than 200,000 people in attendance. From music to heritage and comedy to film, it’s safe to say that you and your teen are spoilt for choice. “Taking kids to festivals is a great way of introducing some outside life and it’s good to try and make it as cost effective as possible, so being prepared is key,” said child and behavioural expert Amanda Jenner. “Make sure you pick your festival wisely for the first time and check the events so you can make a plan for the day.” And sometimes, opting for a smaller or fringe festival would make for a less overwhelming introduction. Allow them to bring a friend This wouldn’t be a terrible idea, especially if the friend is also a first-time goer. Although a festival is like a small town populated with friendly faces you can build new interactions with, it helps to have a familiar face around — close in age — who your teen can share this new experience with. It could also help ease any quiet worries they have and give them a real opportunity to enjoy themselves, escape for the weekend and strengthen their friendship bond. “Bringing a friend is OK, but it’s a huge responsibility so lay down the rules in front of both sets of parents and have a meeting point if you get separated. Make sure they have mobiles fully charged. Location settings on at all times,” Jenner added. Tell them the truth If you’ve been to a festival before, you would know what to expect, so rip the band-aid off. Give your child the heads up and let them know that there will be incredibly long queues, huge crowds and sometimes even some chaos. And yes, people will be drunk, giddy and misbehaving. “I would make your own wrist band with mobile numbers on it so you can be contacted at anytime if you get separated. And make a note of any medical conditions to be on the safe side,” said Jenner. [xdelx],, At this point, it may also be worth speaking to them about staying hydrated, alcohol consumption and interacting with strangers. “Make sure they are hydrated at all times and understand the importance of fluids. Freeze water bottles so they stay cool all day. [For older children], explain the rules: never accept anything of anyone other than your parents. “Pack snacks for the day as it can be expensive. Nothing that would melt. Invest in a soft cool bag to keep things cold for snacks during the day. As food is pricey.” Support them in their outfit choices Thankfully the sun will be shining, but knowing British weather, you can’t put all your eggs in one basket. Remember to bring a light jacket you can layer up with, your umbrella, and hat too. That aside, festivals are for statement outfits that will ensure you stand out from the crowd. Depending on your teen — you know them best — let them choose a theme that combines their personal style with comfort. It’ll give them something to look forward to. Make a plan but be flexible Familiarising yourself with the schedule could help you better plan your time at the festival. Depending on what type of festival it is, there could be many things happening at the same time. Are there any must-sees? Things you don’t mind missing? Any non-negotiables? Dividing your schedule using these subcategories will help you both remain on the same page. “Give them some space. But perhaps for a first festival allow 30 minutes at a time to see if they adhere to the times, and let them go for a further 15 mins each time,” said Jenner. “Make sure you have a good plan so you get the most out of the day and night. There are so many things to see, especially in the family facilities that are available.” [xdelx] Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live 10 ways to give your home an instant summer glow How – and why – to prioritise mindfulness in the busyness of summer 5 sandal trends that will be huge this summer