Coola Sunscreen All The Way From San Diego California Has Got Me Back Snooping and Raving

No better feeling than discovering something exceptional and new

Amanda Moss

2026-05-18T05:06:00.0000000 2026-05-18T07:26:26.5500000

It’s taken a truly remarkable product, one I’d never heard of to get me back snooping. And if it wasn’t for my cousin who lives in Santa Monica California I probably never would have come across the Coola Product range.

The coola story resonates with me. It began when Chris Birchby, COOLA’s founder, was living in Southern California and his parents were both diagnosed with melanoma. I can relate. My Dad who loved being outside was also diagnosed with melanoma. MY cousin who now lives in Southern California, joined us recently on a family holiday. Like the Coola founder she is totally inspired by the healthy California lifestyle around her, and we all want an effective, organic sunscreen that feels nice enough to use every day. When Chris Birchby couldn’t find what he was looking for, COOLA was born.

And what a product. I cannot tell you how amazing the Coola sunscreen is. First of all my cousin is mixed race, my aunt went to Barbados and never came home, so Fi’s skin is freckly like us but the colour of a sunkissed Latina or Brazilian. Us on the other hand are as pale and pasty as they come. Not red heads exactly but we have the same pink skin that burns easily and the milk bottle legs and mind the glare jokes so well worn and over done they produce a yawn rather than a giggle. With the melanoma fear hanging heavy we understand how important sun protection actually is.

Here’s why I am raving about this incredible product. The first reason is the easy of application. “Can you do my back” is no more. My husband who always kindly obliges has been absolved of all sunscreen application responsibility. The ingenious wide spray mechanism means you can do your own back. Yes. One squirt from the top, bam, upper back done, one spray from the bottom, up and under, lower back done. I could do my whole body, back of the legs and bum, completely covered with minimal rub in required. My cousin brought two 177ml containers with her and they lasted the whole 10 days for 5 of us and absolutely no burn or sting for anyone.

And I have the type of skin if exposed at all, any bit missed, shoulders, bum, under arms, tops of the feet, sides, bikini or bathing suit edges, any bit missed in the past you could be sure would be flame red raw, and yet nothing, a miracle.

My cousin whilst she doesn’t have the same skin type that’s susceptible to the burn she has another problem, skin that really dries out she struggles to keep moisturised so natural ingredients like Buriti Oil, Raspberry seed oil, and prickly pear extract are why it’s great for her darker skin type.

The scent, pina colada tropical, sweet and good enough to eat made us all smile. Everyone young and old was happy with the fruity cocktail scent.

The ethical credentials of the Coola brand make it all the more attractive for us. Farm to Face, Antioxidant Enriched, Cruelty Free, Gluten Free, Vegan, Hawaii Reef Compliant.

We had Broad spectrum SPF 30 but there are much higher options 50 and 70 in the range if you need more protection. The kids especially were in and out of the water. On the bottle it says you get 80 minutes of water resistant protection. I doused myself well twice a day and had no problems with any burn. The children, all teenagers now, I encouraged them to spray more frequently keeping topping up the good covering first thing especially the first three or four days. I had bought a can of solarcaine which I’d recommend to anyone for sunburn but we didn’t need it this trip thanks to Coola.

I loved the product so much, with San Diego origins I thought getting more would prove very difficult. The Coola website doesn’t ship outside the US. I immediately went in search online when we returned to the UK in preparation for our next planned trip and found Coola closer to home than I’d ever have imagined. It is distributed by facethefuture.co.uk

In Wakefield Yorkshire, right on my doorstep. IT was meant to be.

I absolutely love love love this product. There isn’t a sunscreen product I’ve ever used or experienced as effective, sustainable, and ingeniously easy to use as this one. Congratulations Coola. You’ve got me. Trying your lip balm products next. I’ve picked SPF 30 • Organic • Lip Balm, Skinny Dip. The Liplux® Tinted Lip Balm Mineral Sunscreen. I’ll keep you posted.

Mrs Rodial Bronze Highlighter and the pleasure of shopping duty free

One of the highlights of travel great duty free exclusive products to try

Vivienne Chan

2026-05-17T05:02:00.0000000 2026-05-17T05:39:51.4770000

One of the things I love the most about flying internationally, aside from going somewhere new is the duty free shopping and getting to try some new beauty products with a significant saving. As an Asian American looking sun-kissed and tanned is not always easy so I am always on the look out for an easy product to lift my complexion especially at the beginning of my vacation. I also like to purchase new things on the way out as I have the time to improve my beauty routine, which is non existent once I get back home and back into the swing of work.

I’ve flown internationally a few times lately and noticed Virgin had quit their duty free onboard so to find a good selection in Europe this summer was really great and great prices too, this product in the US is about 60 bucks, €47 euros, I got it for 24 pounds (30.00 dollars) so pretty much half price.

Worth noting here for all the animal lovers, Mrs Rodial don’t test on animals and have chosen to stay out of the Chinese market for this reason, another great motivator to buy from this range.

The product I am so happy with I am buying a couple more at this price on my return trip.

It do easy, a flawless finish and as it says in the marketing contains vitamin C and vitamin E to give your skin a hydrating lift too. I’ve been wearing it on it’s own for the first two or three days of vacation before the sun gives me that healthy glow naturally and my skin has got a real lift.

The Finish: This glowlighter gives you a warm, sun-kissed tint with a silky, luminous finish that blurs skin imperfections. The active Ingredients are its hydrating specifics like Hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture and Vitamin E soothes and protects the skin barrier. Ìt goes on super smooth and east; and very quick to apply. The best thing I found it can be used alone to warm up my complexion. I have targeted the high points of my face as a liquid contour, and when I get home and or the tan has faded I’ll mix directly into my favorite foundation or moisturizer to give me an all-over luminous base.

I saw this product featured in a glossy so I already knew about it but look out for this gem of beauty product. I’d say this would work on any type of skin, Caucasian, Asian, even black or mixed raced skin this product which provide Sheen and light coverage.

I love it these products contain things like hellianthus annus seed cera, sunflower seed wax that acts as a natural emolliant and provides texture enhancing, another reason this product not only look great but feels so good on my face. It wears all day too, even in the sun.

Thanks Mrs Rodial this is a good one. I tried your banana concealer before and it was too light for my skin tone but your bronze glowlighter the perfect holiday companion.

Tamarix Del Mar Suites Santorini Deliver Hospitality Excellence On Every Level

I have stayed in the best hotels all around the world and Tamarix can challenge them all

Shirley Yanez

2026-05-16T07:30:00.0000000 2026-05-18T07:20:53.0970000

How can I describe the heaven that awaits you at Tamarix Del Mar Villas and Suites in Kamari Beach Santorini?

It is a truly luxurious and peaceful hideaway where serenity and genuine hospitality awaits from the moment you push open the large wooden door. You’d could never imagine what lies in side and you’d never find out about Tamarix villas and suites, a 5 star boutique hotel with only 19 rooms unless someone you know and trust had already been.

We were greeted by Zena a seasoned hotelier and expert in the art of hospitality and Constantina who offered warmth and efficiency in equal measure to get us checked in and ensure everything ran seamlessly.

That feeling when you are being effortlessly looked after without fuss or ceremony.

The lunch we enjoyed poolside was delicious, the produce fresh and tasted like tomatoes just plucked from the vine and feta and olives no one does better than the Greeks. Even the chips tasted better than anywhere and the freshly made lemonade and gorgeous mix and match ceramics makes you feel like a guest in someone’s home, that someone has great taste and the highest of standards, but easy and effortless like the best is just where they live.

The rooms have everything you could ever want. The crispest of white walls, beautifully appointed with mirrors, a hair dryer, an iron, luxury linens, down pillows, matelasse coverlets,

handmade arts and crafts furniture, wicker buffets and colourful throw pillows, books, a DVD player, a private terrace and a roof top hot tub with a spectacular ocean view.

You’d never want for anything.

We awoke to bird song, the place is spectacularly quiet the guests stylish, respectful and discerning. Everyone is clearly loving the energy in Tamarix villas and suites. The feeling is palpable.

It’s not an air B and B, it’s not a big 5 star hotel. It’s personal and yet tasteful, massages and spa treatments booked with 24 hours notice, sauna, fitness gym and indoor pool all available to be enjoyed at your leisure.

If you are looking for a lively bar and a party scene this is not the place for you.

It’s a luxurious home from home a villa, with individual pool side cottages, the scent of magnolia and jasmine arches permeates, whilst the bougainvillea climbs the milky walls, the whole place set with the mountains on one side and the ocean on the other, a short walk to the volcanic beach, the promenade, restaurants, cafes, cocktails and shops.

I have done my best to describe what awaits you at Tamarix Villas and Suites but it’s the kind of place you really have to experience for yourself to understand how unique this beautiful hideaway actually is.

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Taste Better Than Ever, Why? They Are Vegan In The UK

In the US Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Contain Milk and Eggs

Elizabeth Black

2026-05-14T08:06:00.0000000 2026-05-14T12:02:33.7370000

For Americans this is a brand we all grew up with. For 80 years Krispy Kreme have been making doughnuts. It’s a company as recognizable as Aunt Jemima, founded by Vernon Rudolph in 1937 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He opened the first store in the historic Old Salem area and by the end of the 1950s Krispy Kreme had grown to 29 stores and spread to 12 states. It took another 40 years to get California and two more decades 2018 for a Krispy Kreme shop to open within the San Francisco city limits where I grew up.

There’s nothing better than a Krispy Kreme doughnut, and in the UK if you are plant based you may be surprised to know you can enjoy them completely guilt free. They are vegan.

Also you are not going to ruin your work out or disciplined fitness routine because your average Krispy Kreme glazed doughnut or doughnut with Jam is actually only 195 calories, the chocolate coated ones a little more but not major, way less sugar and fat than your average snickers or mars bar.

One of the highlights for me moving to UK was the recipe change to plant based Krispy Kremes. I buy the box of three for £8.30 and often pick up the bigger box of 12 to say thank you or take to a party. People who have never tied one are actually blown away by how good they actually are.

If you’ve never indulged, give Krispy Kreme a go. They also make a great plant based alternative to cake for a birthday party for kids of any age.

I absolutely LOVE this brand for making their products so inclusive and for non vegans I challenge you to do the taste test.

I bet they’ll be a few people reading this who enjoy a Krispy Kreme themselves and will say, “really no way”

Who knows maybe the US will follow the UK’s lead and make all Krispy Kreme’s plant based.

The reason I am writing this I want more people to support this company for making an outstanding product without animal cruelty.

Kudos to you, Krispy Kreme UK.

SJP uses all her fashion credentials and following to endorse Primark

Labour exploitation and environmentally hazardous impact from clothing

Holly HY

2026-05-13T10:33:00.0000000 2026-05-14T06:47:26.1330000

Every day we face the incredulous, unfair, unjust, and down right ridiculous online. I felt compelled to get it out and have a rant because I couldn’t have been more shocked to see Sarah Jessica Parker, someone I have followed, admired, even loved for many many years, front and centre at the Primark superstore opening in NYC. WTF.

Sarah Jessica Parker needs little introduction especially in fashion circles. Probably most famous for her portrayal of Carrie Bradshaw in the widely acclaimed and award winning HBO series Sex and The City alongside Co stars, Kristen Davis, Kim Catrell and Cynthia Nixon.

When do you imagine we are going to see Sarah Jessica Parker on the red carpet sporting her latest purchase from Primark?

This rant is less about my love for Sarah Jessica Parker, her talent as an actor, her passion for literature as an advocate for reading and her position as a booker prize judge 2025, publisher (SJP LIT), her love of the ballet, longtime supporter and Vice chair of the board of directors for the New York City Ballet (NYCB) and unwavering support of the arts in general, through initiatives like Turnaround Arts program mentoring students in high poverty schools but more about how could she use her hard fought for position as the guiding light for all things fashion and style to promote and endorse Primark? Sarah supporting and endorsing Primark is a stark contradiction to all she represents, even worse for me than Anna Wintour, someone well known for being mercenary and ruthless, selling out the Met Gala to Jeff Bezos. As someone on social media commented, “Sarah, you don’t need to do this” as Hello Magazine headline read “Sarah Jessica Parker just wore top to toe Primark- and just like that we’re obsessed” it was for the new 54,000 sq foot store opening in Herald Square, Manhattan New York City.

I am not going to pull all the stats and recount all the negative media coverage about the unethical practises of the fast fashion retailing giant. How many workers do we have to see pinning their cries for help to trousers bound for the west to open our eyes or the piles and piles, mountains of clothes ending up in Kantamanto Market in Accra, Ghana. Around 15 million items of used clothing arrive every week and where 40% is unusable and unsaleable, strangling their beautiful landscape and ocean as we use their country as a dumping ground for a cheap top worn once.

SJP what are you thinking? Surely You don’t need the money. I honestly thought you’d be the type to be outside protesting not inside sipping champagne telling the press you think the clothes are well made.

The worst part is how disappointed I feel to have invested so much love, and genuine support into someone I don’t actually know, only think I know because of constant exposure on TV, in films and through the press and social media.

I have unfollowed Sarah Jessica Parker today, someone whose posts I have always shared and commented on in the past, even looked forward to.

It was like choosing to give up smoking, something you like but discover is really not doing you that much good. I remember deleting R. Kelly from my play list and feeling that sense of loss. Now whenever I hear an old favourite all I can think of is how many people he hurt and immediately switch off. You can change years of enjoyment and mental connection if you really want to. I try not to listen to Michael Jackson anymore for the same reason.

SJP may not be a wife beater or abuser but her decision to stand with a major fast fashion producer, when her whole gig is about standing out, standing alone, philanthropy, creating style and recycling luxury, is such a let down I can’t stand it.

The famous basketball coach John Wooden said “care more about your character than your reputation, your character is who you really are, your reputation only who people think you are.”

I wonder how many other grown up women of her 9.9 million followers on Instagram who love fashion and style as much as Carrie Bradshaw an incarnation of Sarah Jessica herself will feel the same.

The thought of never rewatching and revisiting Sex and The City, the movies One and Two, and Just Like That, well it’s difficult to go there but if Samantha (Kim Cattrell) could say goodbye then so can I.

I don’t imagine my unfollow will impact that much. Although that said a simple solitary act, reminds me of a story I once read about about a woman and animal lover, activist and environmentalist walking along a beach throwing stranded baby turtles back into ocean one by one and her friend saying, “why do you do this, look how many there are, you’ll never make a difference” her reply, “I just made a difference to that one.”

My reason to throw SJP back in the proverbial ocean as a fashion lover myself; I may be wrong but I just don’t see her rewearing her Grey Primark suit or giving up her Manolo Blaniks in favour of shopping Primark and Atmosphere any time soon. And just like that, I’m just not buying it Sarah. Sorry.

“The woman realized she was not alone — she was on her own”

Celebs Go Dating Producers Question TV Show Format We Can’t Stop Watching

I am a fan of The Housewives Franchise Except Real Housewives of Cheshire For The Exact Same Reasons

Suzy Hutchinson

2026-05-12T08:48:18.4500000 2026-05-12T16:16:48.2170000

Oh my goodness, are you watching this season of celebs Go Dating narrated by Rob Beckett?

The celebrity title a little erroneous depending on your definition. I am using the term “Celebs” loosely as Coleen Nolan and Professor Green are the only cast members I actually recognise and know who they are.

Joining them are Rugby player and ex husband of Chloe Madeley, Richard and Judy’s son in law, I know, James Haskell, Gabby Allen, who was in Love Island I understand, Lucinda Light a married at first sight Australia cast member and the hilarious if not instantly recognisable David Potts who I believe is back at the agency for a second go around. Yep, he’s done the show before.

He’s most recognisable for not wearing any trousers, his signature look, he reminds me totally of a cross between one of Dick Emery’s drag characters, Les Dawson in drag also comes to mind and Ampika from Housewives of Cheshire. Every time he speaks his timing and thick Lancashire accent just makes me think of her. Loud, proud and can’t look away, mouth wide open watchable. I guess why he was recast for the show.

At the beginning, we are now into the second week of the new series, I watched, honestly thinking after the first 30 minutes, when will this actually be over. As each ad break came, I thought OK that’s it. The format really drags at the beginning and even quirky agency coordinator Tom with his flamboyant styling and oratory prowess that always alludes to talking dirty with clever innuendo, he’s good at it, cannot carry the show.

I found myself wondering things like, does Anna really like her hair two tone like that, distinctly dark roots and blonde ends or pausing the action to see Paul Brunson’s Loewe trainers. Anything but actually watch the show which is so canned and manufactured it’s a little bit painful.

Why keep torturing myself you may ask. Why indeed? It’s one of those formats it’s so bad it’s addictive if you get my drift.

When the mixer happened and the celebs had to pick one non-celeb (they call them that on the show, “Celebs on this side, non-celebs on this side” to join them for a date on the island of Tenerife in a luxury villa, think Love Island meets Married at First Sight, things did start to get more revealing from a psychology point of view.

The actual dates are helped along by the experts suggesting topics of discussion for example Dr. Tara, sex expert suggested Coleen Nolan 61 talk dirty to her match Steve 51 on their first date. Advice you’d never give any woman in real life. It was obviously just to create spicy content for the format.

David on his date with Fireman Thomas was told to be less loud and more vulnerable. He was just as loud and not remotely vulnerable. Once again the conversation centered around Thomas’s hose.

James Haskell was encouraged to see his date Scarlett whilst baby sitting Professor Green who really doesn’t want to be there at all. He can’t even use the words dating, he’s calling his “dates” Meet ups, and managing to put off all his matches as they label him a complete time waster and not remotely interested in making an effort to connect. He has explained he is neuro divergent, couldn’t feel more uncomfortable and simply not ready to meet anyone since his break up with Made In Chelsea cast member Mille MacKintosh in 2016 and then a more recent split from former girlfriend Karina Adams, mum to his son announced April 2024. His latest match on Celebs Go Dating, Jane (not selected by him at the mixer, he wasn’t taken with anyone) asked him if she could get an invite to his next gig, making cheeky conversation, he killed the mood by saying “Not yet”.

The sex talk and just getting down and dirty continues with potty mouth Lucinda Light who cannot stop talking about hers and everyone else’s genitalia and stirrings in her and their nether regions. I cannot imagine any man being attracted to a woman who constantly talks about sitting on dildos and demanding arousal. Not unless he’s paying her directly. Call me old fashioned and I am not a prude.

Like I said the content is indeed to shock for sure, be humourous, sure, and down right mucky definitely but I am not sure how many genuine relationships will actually be formed.

This is as fake as it is funny with participants, I’d imagine taking part for exposure, media coverage or the fee. Because I don’t expect any real connections to be made. The celebrities are getting their egos stroked as cast members with a free holiday thrown in and the non celebrities, daters are the second class citizens providing content for TV executives likely for free, for a free trip to Tenerife and a little bit of air time.

Good TV when you get into it for all the wrong reasons. This isn’t aspirational, beauty glamour, success, more like makes you really happy it’s not you up there exposing yourself in more ways than one.

Tortilla No better Fresh Fast Food For Me

It’s where I would spend my very last £10 in the UK

Margaret Louis

2026-05-12T06:51:00.0000000 2026-05-12T08:38:07.8800000

When I read the about page on Tortilla’s website I can totally relate.

“Nothing could beat the tomato cracked rice, avocado-leaf infused pinto beans, cleaver chopped meats, fresh guacamole, and the endless table of salsas. All in burritos the size of your head. It was heaven.”

When we moved to London, we searched for the same taquerias but couldn’t find any. We loved this place but there were two things missing: Californian sunshine and Mexican food. So, we decided to do what we could about one of them!”

A little bit of history. When I first returned to the UK from California there were two things I couldn’t live without, two things that I never imagined leaving behind.

And then there was Mexican Food and probably Jack In The Box curly fries which for anyone who doesn’t live in the US must be tried if only once.

For a few years I thought what an opportunity to bring tacos, burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas to the UK but I neither had the time, the money or the inclination to open a fast food chain. Then in 2007 Brandon and Jen Stephens were thinking exactly the same and opened Tortilla. I was a customer from those early days. I was in London a lot and used to make special trips to Islington on my way to and from the City of London to feast on their offering. I’d even skip lunch, knowing I was stopping at Tortilla on the way home. It’s a success story. Tortilla is the UK's largest fast-casual Mexican restaurant brand, founded to bring California-style burritos and tacos to London and then we got one closer to the Midlands in Nottingham and then in 2022 we got one in Leicester too.

It’s a delicious tasty fresh meal in flour tortilla, hence the name. If you haven’t been I definitely recommend you try one.

They offer customizable, fresh, and high-quality Mexican food, with over 80 locations across the UK and the Middle East, plus delivery.

Just writing this makes me want to eat one, even for breakfast. It’s the kind of food you can enjoy at any time day or night, (a bit like really good pizza)

As a vegetarian it’s the perfect fast food option, beans, black or refried, rice, tomato or coriander, grilled mixed vegetables, onions, peppers, meat choices of course, I pass on those, then the salad bar, fresh chunky guacamole, fresh proper pico de gallo, three different salsa choice, hot, medium and mild, all delicious, cheese and sour cream if you are feeling indulgent, squeeze of fresh limes, however many you want, chopped coriander, fresh chopped jalepenos. Need I say more.

And all for the bargain price of £9.00. I cannot think of any better, healthier, complete meal than this. Like I said if I was down to my last tenner, this is what I would buy.

You can also upgrade to chips and a drink for a couple of quid more and they have a loyalty program if you can keep track of a loyalty card. I am loyal without the incentive. I don’t always carry my wallet.

There are few businesses I truly truly love and support regularly with real passion and excitement and this is one of them.

I am a raving fan so thought it was about time I shared. I have one about once a week, and will make a special journey to collect. They are better than Taco Bell, which I do enjoy when passing, usually on the M1, by a clear mile.

The photos I took on Finchley Road London, I park in Waitrose, free for two hours as Finchley Road is no stopping but I go to Nottingham, Leicester, London, anywhere where I see that red logo I’ll stop.

And for Corona lovers too, you’ll get one here to enjoy with your Taco salad, quesadilla, burrito, which ever takes your fancy. For anyone looking for an even healthier option try the taco salad.

Amanda Land Receives Four Nominations At The TV BAFTAs Lucy Punch And Joanna Lumley Jipped Out of the Gong For Best Comedy Performance

The Best British Comedy For Two Decades

Savannah Black

2026-05-11T07:25:00.0000000 2026-05-11T10:32:11.7100000

The show did quite rightly win the BAFTA for Best Comedy thank goodness. At least the 8,300 members responsible for picking the winners didn’t completely lose it this year. I breathed a sigh of relief when the winner was announced after screaming loudly at the TV, NOOOOOOOOOOO when the best comedy performance award went to probably a very well deserving Katherine Parkinson.

Lucy Punch, Philippa Dunne and Joanna Lumley as Mum Felicity are comedy Gold, absolutely dazzling In Amanda Land, why for many it was such a shocker whilst both were nominated for best actress neither picked up the gong. They were pipped to the post by Katherine Parkinson for her role as Rachel in Here we Go. Can’t comment as I haven’t seen it.

I didn’t watch Motherland the prequel to Amanda Land with the team of writers that includes Holly Walsh, Laurence Rickard, Helen Serafinowicz, and Barunka O'Shaughnessy.

The second series of Amanda Land just binged was written in the most part by Holly Walsh and Laurence Richard and it’s even funnier, nuanced than before. Definitely a must watch. If like me when someone mentions BBC comedy you think “not funny” think again. It’s like Mum and Daughter Amanda Punch and Felicity Lumley have settled in and are producing some of the very best comedy the BBC have produced well frankly for me since Gavin and Stacey James Corden and Ruth Jones 20 years ago, blimey has it been that long.

Amanda Land now sitting in the BBC legacy of shows that includes Fawlty Towers (1975-1979)

The Young Ones (1982-1984) and The legendary Blackadder (1983-1989)

When I think it’s over 20 years since I can name a show that made me howl like Amanda Land and citing shows that were on our screens over 50 years ago in comparison is an indication of how funny this TV series actually is. My Dad absolutely loved sitcoms, a comedy writer himself was a wealth of knowledge and got me hooked on the classics so I have had a TV comedy education that is possibly second to none.

The reason this show is standout, well, the writers have managed to shine a “Bridemaids” style Kirsten Fieg light, a combination of facial expression, funny looks and exceptional timing and given the extremely talented Lucy Punch such intelligent material and character building gags, exposing not Amanda, she’s extremely loveable, but the absolute stupidity in today’s world of influencing, aspiration, aging, singledom, divorce, and family life in all it’s colourful forms, coupled with parenting teenagers, a struggle for most in the smart phone selfie age.

Few will dispute the indeliable mark Absolutely Fabulous left on us in the UK, (1992-2012) and Patsy and Edina have managed to be reincarnated to some extent as Felicity, Amanda’s Mum and Aunt Joan, Felicity’s fabulously, shabby and eccentric sister introduced in the Amandaland Christmas Special 2025. I just hope we are back at Joan’s this Christmas for a repeat of last year.

Amanda Land wouldn’t be the same without the supporting cast, Philippa Dunne as Amanda’s friend and high school teacher Anne, lesbian couple Fi Rochenda Sandall and chef Della, Siobhan McSweeny, downstairs neighbour Mal, Samuel Anderson and Ekow Quarty as accountant JJ, Mal’s football coaching friend and new husband to his ex wife who makes an appearance in season two as charity food bank worker Abs played beautifully by Harriet Webb; some truly hilarious interactions between Amanda and Abs towards the end of season two.

With so much on digital TV you have to pay for and not just through subscriptions but pay per view as well it is so refreshing to see a comedy this exceptional appear on our screen courtesy of the BBC. I have no doubt it will be exported on Comedy Central in the US if it hasn’t happened already so for fans of classics like Friends, Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Will and Grace, Cheers, and the so very memorable Dream On, here’s one from the Brits, laugh out loud funny for you to get your teeth into.

We say a glimpse of Amanda as Lucy Punch nailed in just a few minutes, a scene as far back as 2004. She created a memorable moment in Life and Death of Peter Sellers, a BBC film where her character in her portrayal of a flight attendant opposite Geoffrey Rush was so distinct and hilarious she might be reincarnated 2 decades later in Amanda.

Right now the funniest show on TV by a clear mile.

Oak and Poppy In Hampstead Really Tried to Be Fair And Balanced Here

Some people might love it. Too many negatives, to return in a hurry. Not a leisurely lunch...

Miranda Blacky

2026-05-10T11:06:00.0000000 2026-05-10T11:48:41.7830000

Really don’t want to trash this place as it has the potential to be a great spot especially as the weather gets better and customers are in search of places to eat and hang out in Hampstead. This restaurant is at the bottom of the High St on Rosslyn Hill. I think the problems are easily fixed with a better manager and a few small tweaks.

There’s a reason this place wasn’t packed and we got in without a reservation on a really sunny busy weekend.

A visit to Poppy and Oak in Hampstead for lunch wasn’t all I hoped for or frankly expected.

Let’s start with the positives. We got a table.

We’d already tried to get into Ottolenghi down the road and told without a reservation the best they could do was put us on a wait list, take our number and give a call when something turned up.

We were hungry after a busy morning and fancied a leisurely lunch and a cocktail or two so declined and went in search of an alternative.

Poppy and Oak looks super inviting from the outside, big black framed windows against creamy sandstone building with cafe tables bustling with life. The food being served looked good too on gorgeous colourful earthenware I immediately noticed.

Inside it looked pretty dead so getting a table we didn’t anticipate a problem.

The hostess asked us immediately where we’d like to sit, at the front of the restaurant or towards the back. We picked the front, not so far to walk and she immediately told us she had reservations and we had to give the table back in one hour. We didn’t get it as it wasn’t packed but went for it anyway.

The positives, we got lunch. The crockery was beautiful.

The negatives began to stack up the minute we sat down.

The tables are too close together for a start. When a couple sat down at the table next to us we felt like we were lunching together.

The place was very noisy. The kind of acoustics where every bang and clatter bounces off the walls and no background music. It felt like we were in a badly run canteen with people running around, very frenetic and yet surprisingly not busy. I dread to think what it would have been like at full capacity.

The menu was OK, but it took a while for us to actually order. We opted for the quinoa salad with Asian dressing at £16, the crudities at £17, basically hummus and aubergine babaganoush with raw veggies when it arrived and a portion of fries £7 and decided to split as we had less than hour. When we didn’t order drinks just water because of time constraints the waitress flashed us a look like “oh no more people who don’t order a drink.” It was palpable. “So just water then?” She said like she’d just smelled something unpleasant. I wanted to remind her we now only had 44 minutes left of the hour allocated and didn’t want to chug cocktails and wine. I didn’t. When the water arrived I felt like we were being punished, rationed, the smallest tumblers, we drank slowly. Didn’t want to make a fuss and ask for any more.

There was a mezze sharing plater £26 with halloumi fries, olives, hummus, falafel, babaganoush which did sound good but thought it was a lot for appetizers, we saw it arrive as the people next to us ordered it and there was a lot of food to be fair.

Even though it took a while to order, the food came out at break neck speed, like it was all made ahead of time and the waitress was able to just go in the kitchen, pick up the plates and bring them out to the table. It was weirdly quick.

And when we tasted the food you could tell that was the system. The crudities were two pots of dip, one hummus, one aubergine and a pile of dry tasteless vegetables, the carrots were white liked they’d been chopped the day before.

The salad was completely tasteless, most quinoa, a few edamame beans, I found one bead of pomegranate in the whole salad, a highlight.

We were going to have a cocktail, but with the time constraints, the noise and the most uncomfortable restaurant chairs I think I’ve ever sat on, we decided to down the food as quickly as possible and get the hell out of there.

Neither of us complained about the chairs while we were eating but when we got outside we both simultaneously mentioned about headaches, aching backs and questioned what we’d just experienced.

If you like clatter, disorganisation, and tables on top of each other with only OK food for the price and really uncomfortable seats you may enjoy this restaurant.

On a gorgeous day the tables outside would be better for sure.

Not the best lunch I’ve had which was a shame because I can see so much potential for the restaurant with a bit of love and passion. I think the main thing missing was soul.

Still A Bargain Or Two To Be Found In TK Maxx But You Have To Root

Sahara Mara

2026-05-09T18:42:00.0000000 2026-05-10T07:47:41.8030000

I used to find incredible exercise clothes in TK Maxx. In the past I’ve found Varley, Alo, Lululemon, Sweaty Betty and Manuka.

I remember me telling my friends to go to TK Maxx to find something eluding them on the high st and them telling me it’s all a load of rubbish, I can never find anything, there’s just too much stuff to go through. I can’t be bothered. So I do understand you have to be a certain type of shopper, enjoy finding a real bargain, to do the necessary work. And in the last 2 years the quality of the stock has declined, designers and high end athleisure brands aren’t making so much stock, therefore less excess stock trickling down and after too many fruitless visits even I have stopped even browsing never mind shopping in TK Maxx.

Except I was in there for another reason the other day, with a friend looking for towels and bedding and I did have a browse downstairs at the clearance rails and was pretty surprised to find current stock, Vivere brand sold in John Lewis for £95 for £10 in TK Maxx.

Don’t get me wrong most of the stock was low end, synthetic mass produced clothing I wouldn’t want to buy but I did also see a pair of 100% leather Carel style red patent mary Jane shoes for £24.99 by a London brand called Off The Hook, the same shoes sold in ASOS, Next and Dorothy Perkins £43.99 and if you want to buy the original super stylish Carel Paris version you are looking at shelling out a staggering £420 rrp.

I read sports athleisure retailer JD Sports, somewhere I have purchased trainers, are closing 24 stores, as the retailer continues to struggle, consumers haven’t got the readies to spend on clothes they once had. So even the no 1 sportswear retailer is down, year on year from 2024 with profits for JD Sports down 6.4% in January 2026 from the previous year and CEO Regis Schultz is predicting muted growth for 2027. The decline in sales was blamed on a tough consumer backdrop coupled with cold wet weather resulting in fewer people actually going shopping. It could also be because Nike the no 1 brand for trainers pulled their shoes from stores opting for a direct to consumer approach which hurt their business too.

I think people just have less money to spend, and increased fuel and energy costs are causing inflation on the price of goods in stores. I paid £1.64 for a litre of fuel in London the last time I filled up my car so certainly can’t shop and go out like I used to.

We just don’t have the money to treat ourselves when petrol and heating is draining wallets.

It was encouraging to see a couple of much higher priced current items available in TK Maxx, particularly when shopping is becoming less and less pleasurable and affordable quality clothes are getting harder and harder to source if you don’t want to support fast fashion.

I also saw some very cute summer dresses from brand Nobody’s Child I’ve also seen in Selfridges. I think buyers at TK Maxx have realised just offering customers their own boutique brands exposed in recent TV documentaries has stopped bargain hunters looking for the designer bargains, the model TK Maxx established their business based on, has stopped footfall into stores and without more on offer shoppers wouldn’t return. What may be happening as smaller fashion companies continue to struggle in very challenging conditions for retail more stock is becoming available to TK Maxx buyers.

It might be worth a visit if you don’t have anything specific in mind you need and have time to have a really good look.

You do have to search and be prepared to look through a lot of stuff that wouldn’t always be out of place in a jumble sale or charity shop.

Will Babbo Survive In St Johns Wood With So Many Other Great Choices to Pick From

There are 10 restaurant choices on and around St Johns Wood High St

Jeanie Davidson

2026-05-08T09:17:20.3370000 2026-05-08T17:32:06.0770000

From the Ivy, to DRUNCH, Johnny Greens to Soutine, The Good Life and Sahara, Circus Pizza at Panzers Deli and Maido Sushi, Motcombs (British/European) already closed and Fora (Mediterranean/Turkish), there’s a lot of choice in the neighbourhood.

Babbo replaced Harry Morgan’s on St John’s Wood High St and to be honest it’s struggled to take off. Every time I walk by I wonder how they are surviving.

The restaurant has had a somewhat turbulent past.

When Babbo meaning "daddy" in Italian, in Albemarle Street opened in 2014, keen restaurant watchers, may have thought it was connected to Babbo, Mario Batali’s celebrated Italian place near MacDougal Street in New York. But no, perhaps an odd naming decision for the original owner, a bit like as said in the Evening Standard in 2014 “someone opening a restaurant in New York and calling it Le Caprice. Oh, of course, someone has, but he (Richard Caring) at least owns the London original.”

It began as a passion of Brazilian lawyer Tatiana Joorabchian when she met chef Douglas Santi running his own restaurant in San Paulo where she was born.

Former Chelsea footballers David Luiz and Willian did not simply buy the Mayfair Italian restaurant Babbo from Tatiana Joorabchian, but rather launched it as a new venture in 2018 in partnership with her husband, super-agent Kia Joorabchian. The restaurant opened in 2018 on Albemarle Street in Mayfair, the footballers hoping to use their sporting celebrity status to draw a whole new crowd and clean up.

In December 2024 the famed Babbo in Mayfair closed, the restaurant now owned by the Chelsea players. After a dispute with the landlord the well known and very busy restaurant in the west end at 39 Albemarle Street, Mayfair, London W1S 4JQ reopened on St John’s Wood High st and like many restaurant moves it seemed ill fated from the start.

I never went to Babbo when it was in Albermarle street, so do not have a bench mark for comparison. Although reviews were mixed I love to support local and they haven’t been short of positive press and influencer reviews online since opening so I have been to Babbos on St John’s Wood High St a couple of times. Once we sat on the terrace, alone, once inside where 3 business men were enjoying coffee in the lounge area by the loos and one other table for lunch was taken.

Since Harry Morgan closed, the interior has been completely transformed. Studio Du Feu interior architecture and design agency have completely reinvented this venue creating an 84-seater restaurant and small private lounge often confused on social media with the famous Babbo’s in NYC. It’s deep red in theme, from the awnings outside to the wall coverings and art, the sultry décor connecting to the crimson uniforms of the staff.

They offer a set lunch time menu during the week. 12.00pm to 3.00pm, two courses for £25.00, three courses for £32.00 along side their à la carte menu. Yet even with the on a budget option to draw people in it’s very hard to create an atmosphere in an empty restaurant.

We gave it a go anyway.

Honestly the food from executive chef Nicola Cariglia and his team wasn’t terrible, large portions, more home cooked plates than fine dining but it did feel very average. A couple of bowls of pasta, ricotta and spinach ravioli in tomato sauce, a couple of bowls of affogato, vanilla ice cream with an espresso shot and a bottle of house wine in a restaurant with no people. Usually a bad sign. Especially when you can’t get a table in the Ivy across the road. Maybe why this location for the move was chosen.

I don’t know if it’s the decor, dark and moody, the prices or the economy that are keeping people away. The terrace is amazing for people watching but the draw of the Chelsea footballer owners doesn’t appear to be working. It’s in the spot where a busy breakfast/lunch all day diner and deli used to be so it’s visible to passers by but the Australian place Johnny Green off the High St which I don’t really rate at all is actually way busier.

There are a lot of options and competition on St John’s High St and surrounding area, with a bustling England’s Grace, and the Lebanese Sahara further down, Soutine’s on the corner where Carluccios used to be and The Good Life opposite if you want fresh healthy casual and on a budget so Babbo’s have to do something different if they want to turn around the lunch and dinner customers is St Johns Wood.

The well respected Mottram’s showed a move to a new location doesn’t always gel, it’s not easy running a restaurant in this market, after a pretty disastrous start, they’ve already closed in St John’s Wood after less than a year.

MAFSAU GIA Closes The Experiment With The Most Revealing And Explosive Content Ever

I said it was going to be bumpy, didn’t realise how bumpy things would get

Holly HY

2026-05-07T11:27:00.0000000 2026-05-08T06:55:16.1870000

I bet Gia, the girl who has become a reality star for all the wrong reasons wishes she had never signed up for the MAFSAU experiment.

You can tell from my profile I do like to watch the glamour and psychology producers of reality formats manage to deliver in the Bravo Franchise real housewives, Love Island and Married at First Sight. I have watched the latest season of Married At First Sight in it’s entirety and reviewed it near the beginning and the fights began erupting, not between the couples necessarily but between the cast, and mainly the women, of which cast member Gia paired with Scott was usually at the centre.

But I don’t think even producers could have predicted how she would provide them with the most exposing content of all in their new end of experiment challenge, “Is the grass greener” where participants attend a dinner party and are introduced to another potential match the experts had lined up for them at the beginning of the process.

The task is pitched as a confronting challenge to see how each person responds to a new potential match and to enable participants to test the strength and validity of their feelings to their existing match.

The men particularly Scott, Gia’s partner and David, Alissa’s partner surprisingly felt so uncomfortable facing this challenge, they chose to remove themselves to not threaten their existing relationships. In contrast it was their partners Alissa and Gia had the most fun meeting their new matches. Alissa connecting with her new guy on social media and Gia going as far to say she would date her guy James on the outside, and telling him she would be available and done with the experiment in a week.

Producers of the show must have been jumping for joy to capture these exposes on camera. The behaviour so revealing and ruthless on the part of the women it became too brutal to own. It does make you realise how unconscious their behaviour is when both women are clearly pretending to be working on relationships without real genuine feelings behind them or so in secure and unstable in their existing relationships they are seeking validation from anywhere, perhaps in an attempt to make existing partners not delivering the adoration they have been taught to expect in Disney movies, jealous.

The twist, no one knew, thought about or even considered the camera capturing everything would later be shown to their respective other halves, and boy when they were, did the shit hit the fan.

The camera doesn’t lie. (Even though the edit sometimes does.)

When David tackled Alissa on her behaviour she didn’t even acknowledge his feelings or accept how her behaviour might have hurt him. Instead she got defensive, blew the whole thing up and blamed him for it. But why? Was it just a massive ego, no empathy or compassion, does she just not like him? Does she really think he’s a weak man? There’s been a question mark around him the whole season about his job and more importantly his bank balance.

And that was the less explosive and least dramatic ending of the two.

Gia made up some cockamamie story about being unable to stay for the last two days of the experiment when she’d managed 3 months already and gave Scott an ultimatum she was leaving with him or without him. Again why? Was it on reflection she couldn’t face being exposed yet again and looking like she was the bad one, unable to really explain why she had behaved in such a way.

Scott woke up just in time and decided to call her out and stay put. Scott is definitely coming out as the good guy in the edit, but it’s a TV show so you just don’t know. We know Gia has told him she loves him and he hasn’t said it back. Not a good position for any women to be in.

Of course he was devastated on camera when he saw the evidence on film in front of him, Gia hustling to be someone else’s trophy wife was not a pretty watch. In her defense we might not know what pushed her to be like that. The edit this season has focused on the women’s feuding and the men’s more devious behaviour has been kept from the narrative. We all know men cheat and like to control in real life.

Gia’s first question to suitor James, how much money did he make and would he pay for everything because that’s what she expected. Was this a dig at what she wasn’t getting from Scott?

If so it is surely going to backfire, especially if she does like him and this behaviour stems from feeling angry, hurt and insecure.

In the past every MAFS season has had it’s villain, I thought this year, Bec had been cast to take the top spot but at the 11th hour Gia has ended the season as the best MAFS villain in history, shallow, mercenary, and with one massive agenda, except is that really the truth or just the story ruthless TV producers have told us. Could Gia just be a girl not getting what she needs from her partner and that insecurity has manifested in her trying to manufacture something that Scott is unable to deliver.

She may have thought she was clever enough to keep her real self and feelings under wraps, but the truth always comes out in the end. I almost think producers came up with this final task to expose the fakery they knew was happening but were unable to pinpoint and expose for the viewer.

The “is the grass greener” task was the ultimate bait and switch entrapment scheme to catch out the cast and boy did it work. The men in the case of Scott and David unable to even participate which for men bold enough to enter an experiment like this in the first place did raise a deeper question for me why they weren’t secure enough to sit in a room with other women if they were genuine. Married men meet and talk to other women in their everyday lives all the time without ripping someone’s clothes off even if they want to.

This TV was so explosive, cringeworthy, and heart rending for the people, in this case two women, who had trusted ambitious men who either wouldn’t communicate, wouldn’t truly commit maybe believed themselves worthy of more. Or maybe it was the men, who found themselves at the mercy or ruthless women, as producers would have us believe. If this is true what they got in the end was one big old slap in the face.

It’s been a fantastic season, probably the best yet and if you’ve never watched Married at First Sight it would be one incredible weekend binge watch if you are at a loose end. It’s the final dinner party next where all will be revealed. I remember someone telling me there are always three sides to any story, my side, your side and the truth. Get TV producers involved and the truth goes out the window so you really have to read between the lines. The one thing that is true the women have come off way worse in the edit than the men Mafsau 2026. And for any women thinking of signing up they should really watch this season very carefully before doing so.

Oscar Wilde said it’s better to be talked about than not talked about. In the case of Gia and Alissa I am not so sure. Once out you cannot get toothpaste back in the tube and these girls I fear may be covered in toothpaste for a very long time.

TK Maxx And The Click And Collect Service

My first experience of TK Maxx click and collect may not be typical but it was very haphazard

Georgina

2026-05-07T09:58:06.3570000 2026-05-09T18:34:54.5570000

We all like a bargain and although I have stopped shopping so frequently at TK Maxx for clothes, make up and home in store when I needed a new suitcase it was the first place I thought of to buy a decent one and save a bit of money.

I don’t particularly like shopping online, I like to see what I am buying and cannot stand the hassle of returns so I found a couple of options online and then actually went into my local store to take a look and make a purchase.

Unfortunately there was nothing like the suitcases I’d seen online in the store so a sales assistant suggested I purchase online and do click and collect so I could come into the store to take a look and then could get my money back immediately if the item didn’t work for me.

First of all it wasn’t smooth. The confirmation email went into spam so I didn’t have an order number. When I phoned the store a week later they said they didn’t have a click and collect order for me and gave me the central customer service number. When I called customer service they said my item was at the store. When I called the store back and told them they didn’t manage to locate my item.

I went to the store to pick it up unaware there is a click and collect button at the front of the store, literally click and collect.

I stood in a very busy queue for about twenty minutes and when I finally got to the counter waited another 15 minutes before anyone could actually log in to their system in store. Then they couldn’t find my item.

It was chaos. I almost abandoned the pick up when someone did finally appear with my item. I meant to open it and take a look in store but after all the standing around I had to leave.

When I got home later and checked the item, a suitcase it was too small and had to go back.

I deliberated whether or not to attempt the whole process again. In this case I did, I am in need of the suitcase, so ordered the next size up before returning the original purchase (I hope that process is smoother) but I would recommend if you are time poor, unsure about sizes, unsure what exactly you need and like hassle free shopping this is probably not the best route to go.

I know measurements are provided on websites but it’s way easier to see an item like luggage in the flesh before purchasing.

Had I found the order confirmation in the first instance and had the order number I’d have had more peace of mind when trying to locate my purchase. My advice check your spam thoroughly to find the confirmation email. Don’t just assume you didn’t get one as it didn’t drop into your inbox.

DHU Heathcare The Outpatiant Alternative To Traditional A&E In The East Midlands

Here’s what I discovered when I called 111

Fat Francis

2026-05-06T18:55:43.5670000 2026-05-06T19:36:29.9270000

Since I have lost a good deal of weight (without weight loss drugs or surgical intervention) my health has dramatically improved so I haven’t really been to the doctors or visited a hospital in quite some time.

This is not an aspirational snoop more informational for anyone like me who rarely goes to the doctor and doesn’t know the ropes.

On the one hand I had a pretty good urgent care experience with DHU Healthcare considering we don’t have to pay a penny for our free for everyone National Health Service.

On the other, Dr. Eastland Staveley who made controversial comments in response to a post about babies being sniped, is now working for the same CIC.

His comments on social media were enough to get him fired from his role at Finlay’s Private practise headquartered in Birmingham with a central London clinic in Great Titchfield St. However he is still practising as a G.P. The GMC are investigating the matter but has not officially confirmed details regarding ongoing investigations or the outcome of complaints at this time.

I’ve read the GMC take the stand that political views are not connected, separate from their members ability to practise, recognising doctors are entitled to their own opinions, to campaign, and to lobby government as private citizens. I guess the lines become blurred when as a private citizen you are advocating for the death of babies. Dr. Staveley defended his words and justified them as a joke.

The connection to this incident and my recent treatment is he happens to now be employed in Leicester with the not for profit community interest company (CIC) and social enterprise I have just experienced as my urgent care provider.

DHU Healthcare delivers urgent care, primary care and NHS 111 services. It operates as a business in structure but reinvests surpluses (profits) back into patient care rather than distributing them to shareholders. The use of independent care providers by the NHS is designed to relieve the pressure on stretched A and E departments across the country. Their considerations when it comes to the appointment of professional staff is another discussion.

Here’s a breakdown of the 111 process.

What do you do when you need urgent care, that is not immediately life threatening and it’s either out of hours or your G.P. doesn’t have available appointments?

You call 111. They take your information, name date of birth and the details of your issue and then make you an appointment at one of their local urgent centres across the East Midlands, Oadby, Loughborough, Lutterworth, Market Harborough, Merlyn Vaz, Leicester, Warren Lane, Leicester Forest, Oakham and Melton Mowbray all run by DHU Healthcare.

I attended two centres, Loughborough about 30 miles from my home and Oadby for a follow up much closer about 10 miles from my home.

The appointment system was chaotic, when I arrived in Loughborough the appointment I thought had been made didn’t appear to have been. However they did manage to see me after a couple of hours wait. I was told the wait in A&E could have been up to 12 hours so a couple of hours was a blessing and the care I received was absolutely excellent.

I had to return to Oadby the next day, they said to arrive before 8am when they opened. Again I thought I had an appointment. This wasn’t the case but fortunately they did manage to fit me in that morning, again I only had to wait about an hour and a half and the care was excellent.

My synopsis when you get in to see a clinician the care DHU Healthcare provided was 1st rate, the organisation and appointment scheduling wasn’t so good and you might be directed to a centre some distance away which could prove very difficult for patients without transport.

My advice, when you speak to the operator on 111, ask direct questions about whether they have actually made you an appointment or whether you have to book yourself in when you arrive and then wait to be seen. Patients at Loughborough are seen on a greatest need first basis so if your injury is minor you could be waiting quite sometime. The good thing about Loughborough though is it is also on a hospital site so the staff and clinicians have access to additional facilities and support in the event of a very serious injury, problem or emergency, if the patient needs referring for admission.

In my experience and having lived overseas, we are very fortunate in the UK to have a service like this within the National Health Service. Whilst I appreciate the demands on these resources are extremely high, the organisation from the initial point of contact to receiving care could definitely be smoother. The care provided on the other hand was exceptional so I’d recommend anyone to use the 111 service instead of going to A and E in the first instance.

Don’t worry about having the right change or a smart phone to deal with a parking app. There are no worries around recent NHS car parking issues. Car parking is free.

The recent controversy around Dr. Staveley’s appointment at DHU Healthcare did not affect my treatment. This remains an issue for the GMC and his employer to resolve.

Froth coffee so much more than amazing coffee and great cakes

Sharing time with a business owner and hearing their story makes the experience of a daily cuppa...

Stylemum

2026-05-06T08:35:13.9930000 2026-05-06T15:54:46.7030000

Rehan is an independent entrepreneur coffee shop owner with a big story and so much passion about his business I feel a little bit honoured to have shared a few minutes with him.

This guy is knowledgeable about his coffee. His story, he tasted coffee in Milan so delicious he wanted to bring it to London, high altitude Costa Rican beans celebrated for their bright crisp fruity flavour with high caffeine content, the best quality. He proudly showed me his beans, “Notice how they are not split” he said encouraging me to smell them.

I felt bad when I ordered a peppermint tea which he then shared how he really invests and serves the best quality for his customers. I was told to take a seat and my tea was served to me. It really was someone going the extra mile.

For me Froth Coffee is exactly the kind of small independent business I want to rave about. Rehan asked I snap a picture of his google QR code proudly saying his reviews on Google were worthy of note. Whilst everyone may be drawn to a Starbucks or a Costa, they recognise the brand, without Google, the only place to promote and market yourself online, Rehan explained, businesses like Froth Coffee people just don’t know exists. All the more reason to snoop I thought.

The decor inside was really tasteful and modern, deco vibes in brights yellow and neutral tones. Comfy cushions strewn on sofas art work on the walls carefully chosen to create an ambiance of cool with good Latino music playing quietly in the background maybe to accent where the coffee you might be trying originated.

I loved the experience with my vegan plant based biscoff biscuit served on the side. Had I had time I’d have tried one of the pastries, hot cross buns and cakes on offer. Whilst I was there a couple of customers came in for the hot cross buns and Rehan told me about a French customer he has, who told him she couldn’t tell the difference between his croissants and the ones she’d buy in her local bakery at home.

He also told me he believed in Karma, and asked me if I understood the concept. When you are good, goodness comes back to you. I said I did.

If you are on or near the Finchley Road, just a little up from the O2 centre where the big Sainsbury’s is and fancy a cuppa pop into Froths and have the experience.

Great to meet you Rehan and thanks for sharing your story so I could in turn share it with the world here on Poopsnoop.

I was asked to review the business on Google, ah ha I said, like you and your coffee, I can do better than that.

Froth Coffee is open 7 days from 6.30am to 4pm. On Sunday opens at 8.00am.

This business also reduces food waste and helps people on lower incomes by partnering with Too Good To Go where you can buy surplus food at a reduced cost.

https://www.toogoodtogo.com/en-gb/find/london/frothcoffee/meal/bakedgoodsbag-203143940553169184

It’s very tough these days being an independent food retailer.

Strepsils and Holland and Barrett, Brands Old and New I Buy Into

I Go To Holland and Barrett Instead of The Pharmacy These Days

Holly Barclay

2026-05-05T08:25:25.5170000 2026-05-06T08:32:08.0730000

Whenever I get a scratchy throat I reach for a strepsil.

Strepsils are manufactured in the UK by Reckitt (specifically Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare (UK) Ltd). It’s a name I trust. My father was a fan of the lozenges produced at their factory in Nottingham and I remember sucking just one occasionally for a sore throat. That or a hot toddy, I know, in the sixties and seventies this was the norm, no doctor unless you were dying. Healthy food, plenty of fluids, a hot water bottle and a good nights sleep cured most things.

And I follow this routine today.

As I have aged I have added more nuts into my diet and like to snack on dried fruit instead of chocolate and biscuits. Holland and Barrett with over 150 years experience in this space have an amazing selection to choose from offering really good buy two get the third one free so when I go, I stock up. The local small pharmacy doesn’t carry the wide range of vitamins and minerals available and I prefer a more homeopathic approach anyway.

I have added an iron tablet for energy as I no longer eat red meat or drink red wine. I have also opted for vitamin C and K, vitamin C to ward off colds (instead of a flu vaccine) and Vitamin K to help with bruising, blood clotting, wound healing and bone density all things that deteriorate as well as age.

I also swear by the Aduna super cacao available at Holland and Barrett, a nutrient-dense, minimally processed cacao powder with higher concentrations of flavanols, 8x more than regular cocoa. It is designed to support cardiovascular health and boost energy and promotes healthy blood pressure and circulation, enhances skin hydration, and offers a natural, antioxidant-rich mood boost. I love it.

You just make it like a cup of hot chocolate on the stove and it tastes absolutely delicious.

If I have any questions or issues I cannot speak more highly of the staff who are friendly and knowledgeable about the products they sell.

I’ve had a couple of issues, one with a muscle pain in my hip and bum and a patch of dry skin and the remedies, (one magnesium citrate, the other olive oil) and advice provided sorted out both problems within a couple of weeks.

Many people go to the pharmacy for advice but if you want to try a more holistic approach to wellness and well being I’d definitely make a trip to Holland and Barrett.

It’s a franchise business so each owner is like an independent business, a box of chocolates you never know what you are going to get but I have found it’s usually someone caring, knowledgeable and really helpful.

Earthworks INDEPENDENT Florist and Musings On Why Beautiful Shops Like This Are Dwindling

Are you struggling to shop for decent quality, flowers, furniture, clothing, shoes in the UK?

Lily Blacker

2026-05-04T09:42:00.0000000 2026-05-04T10:37:58.4930000

This weekend I went to Earthworks, a small independent florist in Uppingham in Rutland and bought flowers for the bank holiday. I treated my friend with a spectacular hostess gift. I didn’t ask the prices, I went in with the attitude I am having some gorgeous flowers with the express desire to transfer my cash to a small independent business who doesn’t have the marketing pounds to come up first on Google and have everyone flocking to their door. Their gorgeous shop front is their big investment in advertising but with footfall dwindling and supermarket bunches available for much less, customers sacrificing experience for cheaper prices (quality, experience and creative passion and expertise) I am not sure whether beautiful shops like Earthworks will actually survive.

It got me thinking about the internet and how just like big brands swallowing up small ones and everything mushing into one and the same for the consumer, the internet has created a steady stream of traffic and all the money directed to a handful of internet giants, Amazon being the one I can proudly say I do not spend money with. (Except Amazon prime TV subscription which I am actually thinking of cancelling as there is never anything worth watching that I don’t have to pay additional fees for). A monthly subscription to browse product you have to pay for, seems like money for old rope to me. I keep saying let’s just hook up the DVD player. A debate rant for another day.

When I read Russell and Bromley had gone bust, after over 150 years in business, I thought there goes another one. All the shoe shops around the country closing except 3 in London. And the brand name acquired by Next I suspect to increase their online power directing customers to them through another powerful brand name and search.

I did a bit of research to discover as of early 2026, Next Plc has an extensive portfolio, operating as a multi-brand retailer that owns or holds significant stakes in numerous high street and online names. They acquired Russell & Bromley in January 2026, and the company continues to aggressively expand its brand stable.

Next acquired Joules, a well known local fashion brand for us here in Market Harborough out of administration in December 2022 in a £34 million deal. Next owns 74% of the equity, with founder Tom Joule who can often be seen around town owning 26%. Not sure how that’s going as just before Christmas their flag ship store closed and moved to a much smaller site next to the church.

I used to shop in Jojo Maman Bebe, we also have a shop in Market Harborough. I’ve even snooped about them. Next acquired a 44% stake in this maternity and baby retailer in April 2022, partnering with investment firms to save the brand. I used to love this shop and even though they say Next don’t get involved in the running of the business, it has changed over the last 4 years.

The fabulous British shoe retailer Russell & Bromley, Next acquired the heritage footwear brand, including its brand name, intellectual property, and 3 stores (Chelsea, Mayfair, and Bluewater) in January 2026 for £2.5m, plus £1.3m for stock. It’s not a lot of money for the family owned and run business with all that history.

And there are a lot of other Key High Street/Brand Names Owned or Partnered with Next you may be surprised about.

The strategy, apparently, is as I suspected to integrate these brands into their “total platform” for a massive online system, which handles website, warehousing, and logistics.

Sounds like one company to me.

FatFace, yep Reiss (51% stake), Cath Kidston who knew, Made.com (Brand and IP) the beautiful independent handmade furniture store that a few years ago was in the news for raising £10 million and partnering with amazing interior designers to bring British “made” quality back to consumers. It flopped. Seraphine (Maternity) choice of the Princess of Wales no less. Not enough influence to keep them afloat.

And then there’s Lipsy, oh no the Gap UK (Joint venture), I didn’t know about that one and Victoria’s Secret UK (Joint venture) if you’ve bought into those incredible runway shows filled with super models wearing angel wings strutting effortlessly about in their bras and pants. Love and Roses and Friends Like These I haven’t heard of and I don’t shop at Next but if they are brands you love it’s probably good to be aware. Knowledge is power.

My Gran still shops Next, she remembers when it was a breath of fresh air on the High Street, modern designs, beautiful fabrics, British made, gorgeous shop interiors. She still tells me what it used to be like and how saving up and going to Next for something was really something. She remembered Mahogany old fashioned shop fittings and feeling like you were shopping somewhere very special and curated.

I don’t know about you but this description of Next today just feels like a complete fabrication.

I don’t blame Next, they are just a business with shareholders looking for a board to deliver profits, doing their job and growing. It’s what big companies do, buy companies under value when they are trouble to grow and increase market share.

It’s our fault the consumers for mindlessly buying in to poor ethics, bad quality and frankly terrible design.

When one company owns everything and the internet drives everyone there to shop it’s time for us all to wake up and smell the coffee before it’s too late and there’s absolutely nothing left filled with life, creativity and passion.

The UK used to be a renowned centre for manufacturing, heritage, production and craft that attracted people from all over the world. If we are not careful all we’ll see is are high streets full of “Nexts” and then it won’t be any surprise no one wants to walk down them.

If you are searching for beautiful hand tied bouquets or amazing event flowers in Rutland call Lesley at Earthworks on 01572 822276 and get the buzz from supporting independent. Earthworks is open Tuesday–Friday (10:00 am–3:30 pm) and Saturday (9:30 am–3:30 pm)

Thanks for the advice and expertise. My friend was blown away by your flowers.

The Life And Death Of Peter Sellers A Brilliantly Complex and Revealing Non Documentary Film

For someone who loved the Pink Panther and Being There But hasn’t Watched Much Out Of Hollywood...

Jeanie Davidson

2026-05-03T12:04:03.4670000 2026-05-03T12:16:12.9700000

After reading about Geoffrey Rush’s epic portrayal of Lionel Logue in The Kings Speech I watched it and then was on a mission to explore more of his films. I don’t watch a lot of films, usually too busy watching the football and yet when I saw this film, as a big Pink Panther fan, not just the films but the Henri Mancini score too, I could not believe I missed The Life and Death of Peter Sellers 2004.

It is possibly one of the best films I have ever seen. It has to be one of the most creative, complex and revealing non-documentary movies ever made about an actual person, living or dead, and the inspired casting of Geoffrey Rush shows his immense talent as an actor to take this on - he is truly magnificent in all the various and sundry Sellers guises, especially the ones from Dr. Strangelove.

The film explores his complex relationship with his parents Peggy and Bill (Miriam Margoyles and the late Peter Vaughan) and his 1st wife Anne (Emily Watson) and Second wife Britt Ekland, Charlize Theron.

Everywhere you look there’s another titan of acting talent, Stanley Tucci as director Stanley Kubrick, John Lithgow as Pink Panther Director Blake Edwards.

It a beautifully crafted biographical film about Peter Sellers' turbulent rise from popular BBC radio performer to one of the world's most gifted comedic actors. Propelled by an overly possessive mother, Sellers struggled to reconcile his relationship with women, his celebrity status and his many selves and this is the expressed on screen by director Stephen Hopkins and writers Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely.

The screenplay was adapted from a book by Roger Lewis of the same title and the film took 9 Emmys including best actor for Rush, Best Director and Best Writing category dominating the movie mini series category in 2005 for HBO who produced the film in association with the BBC.

If you haven’t seen this film watch it immediately. Even if you don’t like Peter Sellers, if that’s possible, it’s action packed from beginning to end, full of massive acting talent and although many remember Geoffrey Rush’s stand out Oscar winning performance in Shine U really don’t think there’s an actor alive who could have done what he did, or achieved what he managed to achieve in this role.

He must have been completely exhausted at the end of filming this for sure. I was exhausted watching.

There are too many brilliant, poignant, touching, clever, hilarious scenes in this film to mention individually. I’ll be watching again soon because it’s that type of movie, so good you miss bits and find something new and exciting every time you watch. But one scene in particular showed the depth of emotion, story telling and exploration into Sellers talent and troubled many personas which never seem to quite align. Peg turns up on set when Peter is filming Dr. Strange love and has lunch with her in character, famously plagued by "alien hand syndrome," where his gloved hand intermittently tries to strangle him or give a Nazi salute.

It’s a strange, strained meeting between the two, mad, funny, yet not, deeply phoney, painful yet exposing of the relationship. A love that could never be. When Peg leaves in a chauffeur driven rolls Royce and her driver asks how was your lunch with your son, she reply’s “He wasn’t there.”

It wasn’t until 1979 Sellers starred in “Being There” a significant commercial and critical success for him, providing a major hit after a string of failed films outside the Pink Panther series. This film was hailed as his finest work since the 1960s, earning him a Best Actor Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe win.

The greatest tragedy in the story of possibly the world greatest comedic talent, Peter Sellers died just 7 months after Being There was released in the US. He left no finalised will. His estimated £4.5 million fortune (approx. £30m today) went to his fourth wife, Lynne Frederick, from whom he was already separated and his three children, Mikey and Sarah with Anne and Victoria with Britt each received £2000. Sadly despite last-minute efforts to change his will on the day of his last heart attack, new documents were not legally filed before his death.

The best film I’ve actually seen in years.

https://youtu.be/m9pBWtZHV1o?

Hagen Coffee Shop Is My New No. 1 Coffee Shop in St John’s Wood

Had to find a new spot when Laurents Deli closed

Rupert Dobbin

2026-05-03T09:51:00.0000000 2026-05-03T10:27:25.9900000

There are a few places to get coffee in St John’s Wood. I’ve been sampling them all after my favourite local spot Laurents Deli on the High Street sadly closed.

There are the usual suspects the big Starbucks on the corner of the High St and St John’s Wood Terrace, Pret A Manger opposite where you can save a bit as a regular using their app, and Gail’s Bakery serves barista style coffee too, a big more expensive but this would be my favourite of the three for flavour if you are looking for a name brand you know.

That said we’ve got a relatively new spot for coffee a lot of people miss, opened in early 2025 when I ask my friends if they’ve been no one seems to have heard about them.

The Hagen Expresso Bar in Mayfair, Brook Street I’ve been to once before so when I spotted this new addition in the neighbourhood we were pretty stoked. It’s the best place for me to grab my daily fix. It’s good that sit and chill a while energy I love, and even though it’s a bigger business with a few locations it feels independent and personal. Every location has its own character, reflecting the neighbourhood it calls home and the staff are relaxed and quick which is great whether you have time to hang out or need your coffee to go.

The aroma as you pass this place tucked in between a hair dressers and an estate agent on St John’s Wood Terrace at the top of the High St will draw you in. It’s got those European cafe tabac feels where cigarette smoke swirls (outside) and the superior blends and sustainably sourced and roasted beans are savoured in whichever form, expresso, americano, latte, flat white floats your boat.

I love this place for my daily fix. £3.00 - £3.50 for a single shot.

Pennbury Farm Everything has Changed. If You Stopped Going Go Back Immediately

A local business that has transformed into a wonderful friendly experience with fantastic food...

Margaret Louis

2026-05-02T08:47:00.0000000 2026-05-02T10:17:01.7630000

I wrote a less than favourable snoop about Pennbury Farm a couple of years ago and then I stopped going completely.

I don’t want to live my life ranting and complaining, hoping things will get better. It’s the definition of insanity to keep repeating the same behaviour expecting a different result. Then I saw a couple of reviews extolling the virtues of the place and thought to myself am I missing something here? A lot can change in a couple of years.

And that it has.

We went back with a little trepidation and oh my I love what you’ve done with the place Pennbury Farm. The uncomfortable tables and chairs, first off, have all have been replaced by a new covered terrace area outside giving “on holiday” vibes with lovely plants, serene vibes and interesting decor. The view of the tall trees in the distance on a clear day is something to behold and clearly very well thought out.

Credit where credit is due. It’s like a complete 180% for this business. The staff are smiling and accommodating, nothing too much trouble, the menu has expanded and the food is absolutely delicious.

The chef has created some stand out dishes people are clearly coming back for, it’s busy, like the Cod Tacos and a Poke Bowl so good and unique for Leicestershire I can’t stop telling people about it. They also serve St Martin’s coffee, the flat whites are a little bit too good and the bakery cakes (vegan options too) are massive for the £3.00 - £4.00 price. The pancake stack for breakfast with fresh fruit compote is a super size portion of fluffy and light homemade pancakes. Make sure you are hungry before you order this American style plate of heaven. And they serve alcohol if you fancy a beer, a cider or glass of wine with lunch.

Even the bathrooms have had a massive upgrade, stylish cabin style cubicles definitely delivering a glamping feeling.

On a sunny day I cannot think of anywhere nicer to enjoy an outdoor coffee lunch experience than Pennbury Farm.

I am so delighted for this thriving business where so much has changed for the better and wanted to rave about it. If you like a menu that’s a little bit quirky and creative and food that is made and served with love and not super expensive either get Pennbury Farm on your radar.

What a difference. Magnificent.