By Ellen Coughlan for Mailonline

Published: 03:38 EDT, March 20, 2024 | Updated: 5:16 AM EDT, March 20, 2024

CHOCOLATE overload at Easter is a given, but this year why not swap your favorite cocoa egg for a grown-up, boozy treat?

Aldi has just launched a new drink inspired by the famous Cadbury Creme Egg.

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Featuring the milk chocolate and vanilla flavors of the fondant, mixed with liqueur, the Ballycastle chocolate cream liqueur is in stores now and is expected to sell out, priced at £7.69 for 70cl.

Drinks guru Helena Nicklin tried and rated the Easter egg-themed Bevvie, along with other sweet drinks on the market this spring, with a score of a five.

Asda Extra Special – 4/5 (Espresso martini chocolate, cream liqueur, 70cl, £8)

FANS who love a boozy, chocolatey, caffeine-filled cocktail will really enjoy this creamy, ready-to-drink option.

The contents of the bottle are beautifully balanced, with just enough coffee and chocolate flavor.

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It’s ridiculously delicious and not too sugary like normal espresso martini cocktails can be.

Aldi Ballycastle – 4/5 (Chocolate Cream Liqueur, 70cl, £7.69)

AS A liqueur aimed at Creme Egg lovers, you expect something super sweet here – and you certainly get that.

The fondant flavor is striking with its notes of vanilla and white chocolate.

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The consistency may be slightly thicker, so serve over ice or mix into a cocktail.

Great for Easter – and at a great price.

M&S Salted Caramel – 5/5 (Brownie Liqueur, 70cl, up to £10 in price drop)

Do you LOVE a freshly baked salted caramel brownie?

You won’t be disappointed with this delicious liqueur from M&S.

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There are lots of cakey flavors and although it is sweeter than many others, it is perfectly balanced with the saltiness of the caramel.

With the price drop to ten euros, this is definitely worth a try.

Rubis Chocolate Wine – 3/5 (50cl, £17, Ocado)

FINE wine purists may look away in horror at this, but they shouldn’t.

This is a vino made with the Rioja grape tempranillo, fortified like port and blended with cocoa essence.

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It shouldn’t work, but somehow it does.

It’s more like a liqueur in the glass: you can drink it chilled over ice, but it can also work in cocktails.

Hotel Chocolat – 1/5 (Velvet chocolate cream, 500ml, £22 – £18 with Clubcard – Tesco)

I had high hopes for this, as the big brand Hotel Chocolat should really be the choccy experts, especially at the high price.

But unfortunately not so.

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This liqueur is thin and sugary when you pour and drink it and tastes like cheap chocolate milk with a splash of vodka in it.

Not luxurious enough for the name – and not for the price tag either.

Tiptree Choc Orange – 3/5 (Liqueur, 35cl, £19.99, Amazon & Master of Malt)

A NICE looking bottle with an element of surprise as the liquid is clear.

Super sweet with lots of vanilla essence, there’s not much orange in it but it’s still enjoyable.

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I would liken this to boozy mini eggs in a bottle with their sugary shells – perfect for Easter.

Cacao Wonderland – 4/5 (Chocolate Porter, 440ml, £3.25, Morrisons)

A CHOCCY beer is not traditional and can therefore rightly attract strange looks if you brew it at Easter.

But with a dark porter, the addition of choc works like a dream.

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This one is delicious, with tons of chocca-mocha flavor that blends seamlessly with the malty brew.

One for porter purists, but also with universal appeal.

Asda Extra Special – 3/5 (Blonde chocolate cream liqueur, £8, 70cl)

BLONDE chocolate is the trend this spring.

What it means is a creamier, milkier, white choc feeling in your glass.

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This drink was the richest drink of the bunch that I tried. Pampering with a hint of vanilla.

I think it could have used a little more flavor, but it’s still drinkable.

A wedding planner has sparked debate after revealing a bride had sent a ‘missed RSVP’ card to her guests.

Nishma Mistry, 39, from Britain, who runs Asian Bride Sorority, a support group designed to make Asian wedding planning easier for brides, took to TikTok on Sunday to share a ‘missed RSVP card’ .

The card reads: ‘Missed RSVP. We’re sorry you can’t come to our wedding. Our RSVP has been sent and unfortunately you have not responded.

‘We would have liked to have you there, but the final figures have now been received and your presence will be missed, Bride & Groom’.

The post sparked heated debate, with some people saying it was “tacky,” “rude” and “passive-aggressive,” while others said it was just the bride and groom defining their boundaries, while some called it “genius.”

In a follow-up video, Nishma explained, “I posted this this weekend and it has caused quite a discussion.

“Some people say it’s passive-aggressive, other people say it’s downright rude. Some people have said it’s tasteless.

‘I really appreciate all these opinions. Some people have said that it’s not that hard to just call your guests and see if they’re actually coming, and all of these opinions are completely true.

“The tricky thing is if you’re planning a big wedding, or a South Asian wedding where you have three to five events spread out over a week, sometimes a couple of weeks.

“Usually you’re dealing with 300-500 guests.”

Nishma added that RSVPing is a “new concept” within South Asian communities, meaning people simply “forget” to respond.

“As harsh as this sounds, and there are easier ways to put it, if someone gets this, they wouldn’t forget to report next time.”

However, people were still torn, with some praising it as “genius.”

‘No. “I personally called all my guests who didn’t register the last day before I had to make headcount notifications to the caterer and venue,” one person said.

“This needs to be rephrased so as not to sound passive-aggressive. Is the idea to say you’re going to miss them or that they missed the deadline?’ added another.

‘That is genius. “I literally called people the week before my deadline to get numbers and several people said ‘yes, we’re coming’ over the phone and then never showed up,” a third wrote.

‘Call to check. ESPECIALLY because things get lost in the mail or things get missed on social media because they rely on algorithms or just technology in general,” says another.

“It’s not that hard to respond either,” one noted.

‘No! Between texts, calls, email, FB and FB messenger, you can just tell if they are coming. What if the RSVP is lost?’ said another.

“I think if they changed the wording from ‘unfortunately you didn’t respond’ to ‘unfortunately we didn’t receive a response’ it would go more smoothly,” one person said.

“People who are angry at boundaries are the ones who cross them,” another noted.

“If I forgot to respond and the bride called me to check, I would be embarrassed,” one person wrote.

“People complaining clearly haven’t planned an event that you have to pay per head for,” said one.

“Dinners aren’t cheap, and I think the person who received the invite would have the decency to reply knowing how expensive weddings are,” said another.

“I approve the message, but I would have done it verbally and called or emailed people a week before the deadline and given them one last warning.”

WHEN you look at the G in the Google logo, you may think that it is perfectly symmetrical and pleasing to the eye.

The tech giant has billions of users, but not everyone looks closely at its logo to spot a hidden flaw.

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Technically it is not an error as the G has been slightly modified to be imperfect.

This makes it look perfect to the average human eye.

The G in Google’s logo is actually not a perfect circle.

It is imperfect due to a design technique called “overshooting.” Medium.

It is a technique used in typography, the art of making text look attractive.

By using overshooting, the G actually looks perfect to the human eye.

This is despite the fact that it is mathematically imperfect when you draw a full circle around the letter.

A Reddit user edited the G to bring it full circle and received mixed reactions in the comments.

“Created an actual symmetrical Google logo. How would you feel if Google used it?” they asked in a popular tone Reddit forum.

“The original looks more visually balanced,” one person wrote.

“The original looks even worse now,” said another.

“There’s a reason why Google used the first one,” another Redditor wrote.

Google’s largely white website is thought to play a role in requiring the G to be somewhat imperfect.

This is because the human eye can see shapes differently depending on the background color they are on.

The fact that the logo is multi-colored could also be to blame.

Companies often consider color composition in their logos to make them appear more attractive.

ONE’s tips for getting a head start on spring cleaning will help prevent seasonal dust disasters.

The cleaning professional’s sensitivities have made her a genius at getting rid of allergens.

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“Spring cleaning hacks you need to know,” says Mai Zimmy (@maizimmy).

It seemed omniscient to her tips were born out of necessity.

“I’m an expert on being allergic to things – I’m also an expert on removing allergens,” she said.

Dust mites were definitely no match for Mai.

“Instead of your ceiling fan sprinkling you with dust when you turn it on, grab a pillowcase and slide the dust off into the cover,” she said.

She repeated this action on each blade of the fan.

She had another trick up her sleeve for spring cleaning for harder-to-reach places.

“I love this 6-foot extendable duster with removable dust heads. I use it on my ceiling fans and all the dirty vents in my house cause ew,” she said.

One of her favorite cleaning items, the Swiffer ceiling fan duster super extenderretails for $15.16 on Amazon and has many rave reviews.

“This duster is a perfect solution for anyone with back or knee/leg problems as it reaches almost everything in the home,” wrote one customer.

“Worked exactly as advertised. I have 15-foot vaulted ceilings and worked great to clean my 94” fan without climbing a ladder,” said another buyer.

Even dust-collecting fabric headboards weren’t safe for the cleaning professional as she shared her next tip.

“A quick roll with the lint roller will take care of that in a jiffy,” she said.

She used the roller over her own piece of furniture until the dust disappeared.

Her fans were also floored by the way she was able to clean everything from her floors to her fans.

“That pillowcase hack is actually so clever!” said one follower.

“The lint roller works on my rug wall hanger! Great idea,” said yet another viewer.

“I literally just cleaned my ceiling fan and wish I saw this first,” said a third onlooker.

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MARTIN Lewis’s MoneySavingExpert has revealed a host of brilliant hacks to make flying with EasyJet cheaper.

The British multinational airline is already cheaper than most, but there are a number of ways travelers can further reduce their costs.

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When it comes to luggage, booking tickets, checking in, boarding and flying, these are the tips and tricks that money-conscious EasyJet travelers should keep in mind.

Luggage

Passengers who have booked a standard seat are allowed to bring a small bag, approximately the size of a backpack, into the cabin.

These small bags should be 45 cm x 36 cm x 20 cm.

But there is also the option to take a second larger bag of 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm on board for a fee from € 5.99 – up to an undefined maximum amount.

Paying for this option also ensures that passengers receive priority ‘expedited boarding’.

If you choose not to pay extra, you must adhere to EasyJet’s strict hand luggage limit of just one bag, although you are also allowed to bring a shopping bag.

EasyJet’s terms and conditions state that passengers can bring on board “one standard bag of goods purchased at the airport” in addition to their hand luggage.

Some passengers have reported getting away with stuffing items that don’t fit in their carry-on luggage into a duty-free tote bag or similar.

Others have carried their baggage overloaded – their heavy coats, large bootsor chunky sweaters – instead of packing them.

If your luggage doesn’t fit in your free carry-on, you can get a second carry-on – and more room to stretch your legs.

People booking seats with extra legroom are entitled to bring an extra small bag into the cabin.

Prices for front row seats start at £7.99 each way, so you can get both an extra bag and spacious seats for the price of one.

Another hack to consider is taking squishable carry-on luggage, for example weekend bags, that can defy the size limits.

And be smart about the way you approach packing: with the right methods, you can bring in more than you might think.

If you need to spend money to check luggage, make sure you pay in advance or you could be charged up to £100 per return flight.

Booking

If you can get tickets as soon as they launch, you’ll probably get the cheapest deal possible.

They are released in different tranches throughout the year, so keep an eye on EasyJet’s seat release schedule.

Tickets have already been released for travel through November 30 this year; the date when tickets go on sale for travel after November 30 is yet to be confirmed.

Keep in mind that you may be able to find a better deal elsewhere. Always compare and never assume that EasyJet is the cheapest.

If you can find the same flight as the one you booked for less, you’ll get the difference back in the form of a voucher, which you can use within six months, as long as the lower price wasn’t a retail price.

But you must have booked directly through EasyJet to claim it.

This refund trick is only offered by EasyJet to those who are members or join EasyJet Plus or Flight Club.

Please note that paying for a single flight over £100 by credit card (fully refundable, so there is no interest) will give you Section 75 protection, which means the card company is jointly and severally liable if something goes wrong.

And don’t pay for EasyJet’s extras, such as car hire, hotels and travel insurance, without checking prices elsewhere first.

Checking in

You can check in 30 days in advance and get a better seat on your flight at no extra cost.

To choose your own seat you have to pay, but you are more likely to get a better seat the earlier you check in.

Board and fly

Try to get to the gate, queue up and board early to get some overhead storage space for your luggage as space in EasyJet cabins is limited.

When you’re in the air, you won’t want to buy snacks or meals, if you can avoid it, as they can be quite expensive. Why not pack a picnic a mile high instead?

Please note that you may be entitled to compensation of approximately €100 to €500 if your flight is delayed by more than three hours or if your flight is cancelled.

By Alan Chadwick

Published: 9:15 PM EST, March 3, 2024 | Updated: 9:15 PM EST, March 3, 2024

A PROUD wife has helped her husband go viral on TikTok after sharing his hack to quickly clear snow.

She was amazed when he was able to remove the thick layer of snow without using a shovel.

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The married couple (@peterjlouden) has amassed 3,500 followers on TikTok despite only posting one video.

In the video, the woman’s husband can be seen bending down to pick up the corners of a plastic sheet he had placed on the stairs before the snow fell.

“Let’s see if this works,” she says.

Her husband effortlessly drags the plastic sheet away in one swift motion, leaving their steps without a trace.

He bows happily after proving that his hack to clear the snow in the easiest way possible worked.

“That’s great,” she says in surprise.

“Wow… my husband is not an idiot.”

The video went viral with 3.9 million views, almost 490,000 likes and thousands of people saved it to watch again.

Many viewers praised the woman’s husband and suggested that rocks could help keep the plastic in place during windy weather.

“True men of genius… today we salute you, Mr. Snow Tarp Stairs,” one person wrote.

“Great example of working smarter, not harder,” said another.

“I’ll do this before the next snowstorm hits,” a third commented.

“You win winter,” a fourth added.

“I have something like this for my windshield and I do the same thing. I never have to clean my windshield after a storm again,” said another.

from Amazon The Hiraliy store sells heavy duty waterproof tarps for $26 depending on size.

It has a 4.4 star rating from satisfied customers and there are many reviews talking about how it can be used to keep things dry.

The ‘genius’ hack comes after another homeowner shared an idea for clearing snow.

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Detria (@detriarochelle) confessed that she could be “lazy,” as she demonstrated using Litheli’s cordless leaf blower to remove snow from her walkway in less than 10 minutes.

“I figure if someone is willing to bring me a delivery during a snowstorm, the least I can do is make sure they can deliver it safely to my property,” she said.

She earned a bottle of wine by also removing snow from her neighbor’s yard.

“It took me eight minutes to remove all that snow,” she said.

“I’m telling you, if you want quick removal, use your leaf blower.

“I salted everything and it lasted the entire snowstorm.”

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ALDI shoppers have hailed a ‘genius’ hack to slow down the store’s speedy checkout staff.

The German supermarket has become a household favorite with Brits, but its notoriously fast-paced staff continue to cause problems for many customers.

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But one savvy shopper has revealed the devious trick they’re using to solve the problem – although many say it’s “despicable”.

In an effort to help fellow shoppers struggling to pack their bags quickly enough, the shopper shared a photo to an Aldi Facebook group detailing their hack.

They claim that spacing individual items up to the conveyor belt forces cashier staff to wait until they slowly reach the checkout.

As a result, buyers will have more time to pack their bags after their items have been scanned.

The post was captioned: “In your face Aldi. So we have time to pack.”

The big reveal left fellow shoppers stunned, but many people thanked the person for sharing the tip and suggested they try it for themselves.

One wrote: “Ohhhh, I love it! Packing at Aldi should be an Olympic sport!”

A second said: “Applause – this is genius.”

However, the post certainly divided opinion in the group, with some people hitting back at the controversial tactic.

One person spat: ‘People like you packing their bags at the checkout is so annoying and selfish. Try to pack on the couch like everyone else.”

Another snapped back: “If you can’t cope, go to Woolies or Coles OR actually use the supplied bench for packing which isn’t at the checkout.”

A third added: “I despise it when people do this.”

Interestingly, two members of the group who claimed to work at Aldi revealed that it’s a trick that many customers try to use – and staff have their own methods to get around it.

One employee responded, “I let customers do this, I just raise my arm to move the belt, let it all build up and then start scanning.”

Another said they did the exact same thing, writing: “When I worked at Aldi and people did this, I would hold the first item off the sensor with my arm until it all piled up.”

Elsewhere, a savvy mum has unveiled a groundbreaking alternative to plastic bags, making the weekly shop a breeze.

Instead of struggling with bags for life (or juggling things after you forget them), Canadian mom Jess uses her laundry baskets — and people are convinced she’s a genius.

And another Aldi shopper previously shared a simple self-checkout tip that can take all the stress out of shopping.

The celebrity shopper took to social media to share his ‘pro tip’, which you can use when you don’t have many items in your cart.

By Richard Eden for The Daily Mail

Published: 5:01 PM EST, February 23, 2024 | Updated: 5:25 PM EST, February 23, 2024