Latest news with #Bekah
The Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I bought a derelict house with my boyfriend of six months – people say renovations ‘destroy even long married couples'
A YOUNG woman has been warned after buying a derelict house with her boyfriend of six months, Bekah, from Manchester, and her boyfriend Ian first met six months ago on Hinge and have already bought a house together. 2 2 But they decided to go for a derelict building to save them money and renovate it themselves. Bekah revealed that she and her partner, who is a builder, had just enough money to buy the house, so were hoping that sharing the journey on social media would help pay for the work. She said: "Even though we've only been officially boyfriend and girlfriend for six months, we decided to pool our money and take the leap on this huge project. "We've both always had dreams of renovating houses and we're the perfect team to do it together." In the video it was clear the couple had already got to work, they hired gardeners to help strip the ivy taking over their house which was a bigger job than any of them imagined. She said that the overgrown ivy had caused structural issues in the house and that wasn't all. As Bekah got busy tearing off the wallpaper, she found that much of the structure was rotten and covered in mould. "I steamed off wallpaper in most of the room while documenting it all on this new account which I've made with the hope of being able to monetise some of the renovations," she explained. While she was terrified to see just how much work they had to do, she was grateful to those watching the videos, which helped her pay for the work. In a recent video, she shared how the garden clean up had cost her £500, but she had already made £400 from the TikTok creator fund after filming the process. Trolls say council houses can't look nice but my stunning hallway will prove them wrong And she hoped to do the same with the rest of the house. "My aim with this project is that if I vlog every single thing. hopefully, I can monetise so things will cover themselves," she added. The clip soon went viral on her TikTok account @ renovationstyled with over 349k views and 36k likes. While many were excited to follow the renovation project along, others warned it could break their relationship. One person wrote: "Renovations can destroy long married couples. If you survive this you know that he is 1000% the one!!" Another commented: "If you can renovate a house together you can survive anything." "Going to be a stunning house.. Be well worth it," penned a third. Home upgrades that add the most value to a house The best renovation to add value totally depends on your property, the local market and your potential buyers. Zoopla shared a list of upgrades that will instantly add value to your home. Loft conversion - increase of 15% Off-street parking - adds £50,000 to property price New kitchen - increase of 15% Garage conversion - increase of 15% Cellar or basement conversion - increase of 10-15% Open plan living space - increase of 3-5% New bathroom - increase of 3-5% Meanwhile a fourth said: "If you can survive a Reno together nothing can stop you." "Can't wait to see the progress! You've done so much already,' claimed a fifth
Buzz Feed
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Bekah Martinez Defends Not Shaving Her Legs For 7 Years
Bekah Martinez completely shut down a nasty comment about her body hair, and good for her because I'm so over unnecessary negativity in social media comments sections. Like, where the hell do people get off? You might remember her as Bekah M. from Season 22 of The Bachelor with Ari Luyendyk, but today she's dragging haters on the internet for criticizing her for not shaving her legs for seven years. With her Bachelor days behind her, Bekah has been engaged to Grayston Leonard since 2022. On July 9, she shared a comment she received on Instagram that read, "Your face doesn't jive with your hairy legs. Grey must be grossed out." Responding to the comment, that couldn't even get her fiancé's name-spelling right, Bekah defended her choice to remain unshaven. "I started sneaking my mom's razors in 3rd grade. I remember praying to God that he'd remove all my hair from the neck down. Family, friends, and even teachers and coaches would gently tease when any of my jet black leg stubble was growing out," Bekah wrote. "It was seemingly harmless but continued to reinforce that my body's hair was wrong." Bekah shared how she doesn't want her children to be shamed by unrealistic beauty standards. She shares three children with Grayston: Ruth, 6, Franklin, 5, and Ernest, 21 months. "I stopped shaving when I was pregnant with our first child. I wanted my daughter (and my future sons) to see that hair on a woman's body is normal. Not shameful. Not gross," she wrote on a photo of her pregnant. "I wanted to demonstrate that body hair is not 'masculine,' because I am a woman. And so, my body hair is feminine." Alongside a photo of her walking on the beach with her kids, Bekah said that when her daughter Ruth pointed to her legs and said, "Mom, my legs look like yours' without an ounce of shame, her decision to not shave her legs was worth it. But, before you assume that it was all about her children's future, think again. Bekah's decision not to shave was rooted in changing how she feels about her own body. She wrote on a photo of her playing on the beach with her kids, "It wasn't just for my kids. It was for me. I wanted to consciously work through the disgust I had in my natural body. I still don't love my body hair. In certain settings I feel people's stares and feel embarassed. But the feeling has so much less power over me than it used to." People are praising Bekah for her remarks and for not shaving her legs. Here's what some of them are saying: Good for you, Bekah! Now, I want to hear what you think. Share your thoughts in the comments.
The Irish Sun
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I bought an abandoned house – everyone said we'd made a mistake, the jungle of ivy is just the beginning
A COUPLE has bought a house that was abandoned 16 years ago, despite being warned it was a huge mistake. Bekah and her partner got the keys to their first home, they knew they'd taken on a big job, but nothing quite prepared them for the full-blown jungle waiting outside. 2 Bekah is renovating her new home that was abandoned in 2009 Credit: TikTok @renovation 2 She showed followers the overgrown ivy climbing her walls and windows Credit: TikTok @renovation The property, left abandoned since 2009, had been completely From a driveway you couldn't park on to a mystery green mass growing through the house, it looked less like a dream home and more like something out of a horror film. But instead of running for the hills, Bekah grabbed her phone and started filming. Posting under her new TikTok page Her first video has already racked up thousands of views and comments from fans cheering her on. In the now-viral clip, Bekah gives viewers a tour of the wild garden, complete with She said: 'You couldn't even see the windows at first." She calls it "cute cottage vibes" but worries "it's just taking over.' Most read in Fabulous As she pans across the overgrown mess, she reveals the full extent of the problem, which includes fence panels missing in action and so much greenery they had to call in the professionals to tackle day one. Bekah says she got a quote for the garden clearance. trimming back the ivy, removing overgrowth from the roof, Chloe Sims gives fans a tour of her huge new LA apartment after months spent searching for perfect home The massive job is going to set her back £500 as she was told it would be a full day's work by two people. Bekah asked her followers if they thought it was reasonable, captioning the video: 'It's a huge job, should we have done it ourselves?' To some, that might sound steep but Bekah's fans claimed she'd landed herself a sweet bargain. One user said: 'That's a great price. Imagine the work." Another added:. '£500? That's literally a steal! Take it!'. A third said: '£500 is amazing, go for it." Despite the wild start, Bekah's not backing down. With just three videos on her account so far, she's already gained 43,000 followers, all eager to watch her bring the forgotten home back to life and learn a thing or two about renovation on a budget. From ivy invasions to fence fiascos, it's already shaping up to be a makeover story worth sticking around for. And judging by the state of that driveway, it's only just getting started. Meanwhile, Bekah's home wasn't the only questionable home on the property market this year. Recently a The disturbing case featured on an episode of 24 Hours in Police Custody titled The Butcher of Suburbia which showed bodycam footage of officers walking through the home. Elsewhere, Rather than breaking the bank each month on a costly mortgage in the UK, Lewis and his wife Jordan purchased a huge property for £7,000. Read more on the Irish Sun Not only is the house massive, but it even came with 1.5 acres of land too. But social media users were left totally divided by the couple's home - while many thought it was 'beautiful,' whilst some trolls questioned their desire to . What is English Ivy? English Ivy, scientifically known as Hedera helix, is a versatile and hardy evergreen vine commonly found in gardens, landscapes, and indoor settings. Originating from Europe and Western Asia, it is widely appreciated for its lush, green foliage and ability to cover walls, trellises, and ground surfaces. Key Characteristics: Foliage: English Ivy has glossy, dark green leaves that can be lobed or unlobed, depending on the variety and maturity of the plant. Growth Habit: This plant is a vigorous climber, using aerial rootlets to attach itself to surfaces. It can also spread along the ground, creating dense mats of foliage. Flowers and Fruits: Although not commonly noticed, English Ivy produces small, greenish-yellow flowers in late summer to early fall. These are followed by black or dark purple berries, which are toxic to humans but provide food for birds. Uses: Ground Cover: Ideal for preventing soil erosion and covering large areas with minimal maintenance. Climbing Vine: Perfect for adding greenery to walls, fences, and trellises, providing both aesthetic appeal and privacy. Indoor Plant: Popular as a houseplant due to its adaptability to low light conditions and ease of care. Care Tips: Light: Thrives in partial to full shade but can tolerate some sun, especially in cooler climates. Water: Prefers moist, well-drained soil but is relatively drought-tolerant once established. Pruning: Regular pruning helps control its growth and prevents it from becoming invasive. Soil: Adaptable to a variety of soil types, though it prefers slightly alkaline to neutral pH levels. Cautions: Invasiveness: In some regions, English Ivy is considered invasive due to its aggressive growth habit. It can outcompete native plants and damage structures if not properly managed. Toxicity: All parts of the plant contain compounds that can be toxic if ingested by humans and pets. Handling the plant may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
The Sun
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I bought an abandoned house – everyone said we'd made a mistake, the jungle of ivy is just the beginning
A COUPLE has bought a house that was abandoned 16 years ago, despite being warned it was a huge mistake. Bekah and her partner got the keys to their first home, they knew they'd taken on a big job, but nothing quite prepared them for the full-blown jungle waiting outside. 2 2 The property, left abandoned since 2009, had been completely overtaken by ivy, weeds, and years of neglect. From a driveway you couldn't park on to a mystery green mass growing through the house, it looked less like a dream home and more like something out of a horror film. But instead of running for the hills, Bekah grabbed her phone and started filming. Posting under her new TikTok page @BekahBuilds, she's documenting every step of reviving the derelict house 'on a first-time buyer budget'. Her first video has already racked up thousands of views and comments from fans cheering her on. In the now-viral clip, Bekah gives viewers a tour of the wild garden, complete with tangled ivy climbing up the walls and trees literally growing into the roof. She said: 'You couldn't even see the windows at first." She calls it "cute cottage vibes" but worries "it's just taking over.' As she pans across the overgrown mess, she reveals the full extent of the problem, which includes fence panels missing in action and so much greenery they had to call in the professionals to tackle day one. Bekah says she got a quote for the garden clearance. trimming back the ivy, removing overgrowth from the roof, tidying the weeds, and clearing access to the fence. Chloe Sims gives fans a tour of her huge new LA apartment after months spent searching for perfect home The massive job is going to set her back £500 as she was told it would be a full day's work by two people. Bekah asked her followers if they thought it was reasonable, captioning the video: 'It's a huge job, should we have done it ourselves?' To some, that might sound steep but Bekah's fans claimed she'd landed herself a sweet bargain. One user said: 'That's a great price. Imagine the work." Another added:. '£500? That's literally a steal! Take it!'. A third said: '£500 is amazing, go for it." Despite the wild start, Bekah's not backing down. With just three videos on her account so far, she's already gained 43,000 followers, all eager to watch her bring the forgotten home back to life and learn a thing or two about renovation on a budget. From ivy invasions to fence fiascos, it's already shaping up to be a makeover story worth sticking around for. And judging by the state of that driveway, it's only just getting started. Meanwhile, Bekah's home wasn't the only questionable home on the property market this year. Recently a . Elsewhere, a couple have revealed that they ditched life in Bournemouth and moved to Bulgaria. Rather than breaking the bank each month on a costly mortgage in the UK, Lewis and his wife Jordan purchased a huge property for £7,000. Not only is the house massive, but it even came with 1.5 acres of land too. But social media users were left totally divided by the couple's home - while many thought it was 'beautiful,' whilst some trolls questioned their desire to live in Bulgaria. What is English Ivy? English Ivy, scientifically known as Hedera helix, is a versatile and hardy evergreen vine commonly found in gardens, landscapes, and indoor settings. Originating from Europe and Western Asia, it is widely appreciated for its lush, green foliage and ability to cover walls, trellises, and ground surfaces. Key Characteristics: Foliage: English Ivy has glossy, dark green leaves that can be lobed or unlobed, depending on the variety and maturity of the plant. Growth Habit: This plant is a vigorous climber, using aerial rootlets to attach itself to surfaces. It can also spread along the ground, creating dense mats of foliage. Flowers and Fruits: Although not commonly noticed, English Ivy produces small, greenish-yellow flowers in late summer to early fall. These are followed by black or dark purple berries, which are toxic to humans but provide food for birds. Uses: Ground Cover: Ideal for preventing soil erosion and covering large areas with minimal maintenance. Climbing Vine: Perfect for adding greenery to walls, fences, and trellises, providing both aesthetic appeal and privacy. Indoor Plant: Popular as a houseplant due to its adaptability to low light conditions and ease of care. Care Tips: Light: Thrives in partial to full shade but can tolerate some sun, especially in cooler climates. Water: Prefers moist, well-drained soil but is relatively drought-tolerant once established. Pruning: Regular pruning helps control its growth and prevents it from becoming invasive. Soil: Adaptable to a variety of soil types, though it prefers slightly alkaline to neutral pH levels. Cautions: Invasiveness: In some regions, English Ivy is considered invasive due to its aggressive growth habit. It can outcompete native plants and damage structures if not properly managed. Toxicity: All parts of the plant contain compounds that can be toxic if ingested by humans and pets. Handling the plant may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
New York Times
27-02-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Judge John Hodgman on Tired Inside Jokes
Bekah writes: Whenever I tell my husband, 'I love you, too!' he responds, 'You mean the famous Irish rock band?' My exasperation seems to bring him joy. It was funny for the first five years, but we're 16 years in, and the joke has run its course. Please order him to stop. I used to try to trap our son with the old 'Guess what? — What? — That's what!' game. I don't even understand that joke. Your husband's wordplay may be tired and loathsome, but at least it makes sense. Still, I followed some deep, genetic and bad impulse to annoy my family for my own amusement, and did so all the time until our son found a solution: When I asked 'Guess what?' he would simply stare at me in silence until I died inside. Good news: You can break your own husband's heart and bad habit the same way! The next time he says, 'I love you,' say nothing. Or if you really want to twist the knife, quote U2 and explain: 'Thanks! As for me, I still haven't found what I'm looking for.'
