Hyakko 100 Makers and The Japan House London Is A Must Visit Before 10th May, 2026

Akira Japanese Restaurant Is Wonderful And Definitely One to Return To

Jeanie Davidson

2026-04-28T08:51:20.5130000 2026-04-28T09:57:09.2670000

Ever since I read Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden years ago I’ve had a fascination with Japan. I have even purchased a traditional silk kimono I have never worn I don’t have an Obi, the traditional sash needed to belt it and without it trails the floor. So it exists solely as a work of art amongst my possessions.

I remember being mesmerised by Sofia Coppola’s 2003 film Lost in Translation, earning her the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson who form an unlikely friendship in Tokyo. It’s an atmospheric drama filmed entirely on location primarily within the Shinjuku and Shibuya districts of the City, places I promised myself to visit and experience for real. The film focuses on themes of alienation and connection, highlighting the characters' isolation and the surreal, neon-lit beauty of the city. I connected.

Another film Babel 2006 I remember for its Japanese segment, directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu. Even though it’s an unusual film, a multi-story international film (with segments in Morocco, the US/Mexico border, and Japan), I didn’t really enjoy in it’s entirely, the Tokyo storyline I remembered on its own because it’s so distinctive and emotionally intense. And of course set in my beloved Japan.

I’ve already told you all about Studio Acca in Primrose Hill where you get a totally Japanese haircare experience like no other. Definitely check this snoop out if you like a nurturing experience like no other I have ever encountered in a hair care setting or traditional European salon.

The Japan House on High St Kensington is also a noteworthy establishment, a must visit cultural centre for anyone like me a little bit Japan mad. It opened in London in June 2018 as part of a global initiative by Japan’s government, with sister locations in Los Angeles and São Paulo, and includes exhibitions, a shop, and a restaurant. It’s located a short walk, less than a few minutes from High St Kensington tube or buses stop directly outside from Knightsbridge or other areas around central London.

It’s actually an experiential experience for Japanese aficionados whether you love the art, the culture, the food, the fashion part gallery and exhibition space that’s free to enter. It’s a wonderful place to visit and while away an afternoon either alone or with friends. There’s always something different happening and going alone you are sure to strike up conversation with other visitors. Its warm and friendly atmosphere is conducive to an interactive and immersive experience.

For afters the first floor restaurant Akira serves lunch, dinner and afternoon tea and opens Tuesday through Sunday from 12.00pm, last orders for lunch at 2.30pm and for dinner 10.00pm they close at 11.00pm.

I went recently to visit “Hyakkō 100+ Makers from Japan not a person or place, but a large exhibition of contemporary Japanese craft that’s been running since Dec 2025 and if you want to experience you’ve got until the 10th May, 2026

The word “Hyakkō” literally means “100 makers” (or more broadly, “many makers”)

It was absolutely fascinating to see around 2,000 handcrafted objects by 120+ artisans from across Japan made from a load of different Material and mediums including, ceramiccs, wood, glass, metal, lacquerware

The focus is on everyday objects, bowls, trays, tools, showing how craft fits into daily life.

The idea isn’t flashy art pieces but more the beauty of ordinary things, often tied to Japanese ideas like wabi-sabi (finding beauty in imperfection).

I loved wandering the rooms looking at the different everyday objects. It made me chuckle to myself the irony of H&M home being situated right next door.

The exhibition has been getting quite a bit of attention I read about it in the Guardian before Christmas and planned to go for a couple of months. There’s not much time left to enjoy the amazing free experience.

To sum up the beauty of this. It’s unusually minimal in explanation, sometimes just labeling the material rather than the maker which pushes you to focus on the object itself rather than the artist’s story, how it might be used and how you’d enjoy the piece in your everyday life.

Unlike my Kimono.

It does get busy so whilst you can just walk in it’s advisable to book a time slot to avoid queuing when you arrive. Also check out the events hosted at the Japan house. There are lots of talks and demonstrations going on around this exhibition for you to enjoy and mingle amongst others fascinated by all things Japanese. Afterwards we enjoyed an incredible lunch upstairs on the first floor at Akira. The sushi nigiri works of art in themselves whilst not inexpensive about £35 per person was absolutely delicious. We had a light meal one roll plus a couple of pieces each and one drink. When the food arrived we savoured it for a while just observing the colours and presentation. What a treat it was. Almost too beautiful to eat.

All in all a wonderful afternoon spent in Japan without getting on a flight.

Beverly Hills Housewives season 15 Bravo A Descent from the Pedestal

Bravo TV series

Shirley Yanez

2026-04-27T08:28:00.0000000 2026-04-27T09:28:25.3000000

This series for me has definitely pivoted from aspirational "lifestyle porn" to a gritty, high-stakes soap opera about starting over.

The Real Divorcees of Beverly Hills: A Descent from the Pedestal.

Season 15 has officially stripped away the last of the "Housewife" veneer. We are no longer watching the glamorous side of 90210; instead, we are witnessing a "Decent into Reality" as the diamonds lose their shine.

The show has shifted from showcasing luxury to a dark competition of who can endure the most painful divorce. Between Kyle’s fractured home life and Dorit’s public unravelling with PK, the cast members aren't competing for the best party anymore—they’re competing for the most sympathy in the wreckage of their former lives.

The "Real" in the title finally feels earned, but not in a fun way. These aren't housewives; they are bitter, feuding former friends who seem to relish in each other's downfalls. The glam is gone, replaced by legal filings and cold shoulders. If you’re looking for the aspirational Beverly Hills of old, you won’t find it here. This season is a raw look at what happens when the truth finally catches up to the image.

The transition from "Diamonds and Rosé" to "Depositions and Restraining Orders" is complete. What used to be a showcase of opulent estates and $90,000 sunglasses has devolved into a grim race to the bottom. We are watching a group of women who have replaced their "lifestyle goals" with "litigation goals," each seemingly desperate to prove that her heartbreak is the most profound and her legal fees the most astronomical. The "lifestyle" we’re seeing now isn't one of aspirational wealth; it’s the messy, realistic aftermath of lives built on fragile foundations. The Birkin bags now feel like shields used to deflect from the crumbling marriages and fractured friendships within. Instead of the playful banter and light-hearted "receipts" of earlier seasons, we get cold, calculated strikes intended to cause maximum reputational damage. There is a palpable bitterness that hangs over every dinner party—a sense that these women aren't just fighting with each other, but with the version of themselves they can no longer maintain. They aren't housewives; they are survivors of their own crafty insincere behaviour, navigating a descent that is as fascinating as it is uncomfortable to watch. The mask hasn't just slipped; it has shattered, leaving us with a Beverly Hills that is less "shining city on a hill" and more "car crash you can't look away from."

The Richards-Kemsley War: A Race to the Bottom

Nowhere is this descent more apparent than in the total annihilation of the friendship between Kyle and Dorit. This isn't just a "rift"—it’s a brutal, televised divorce of two women who have spent years curated as a package deal. The most jarring part of this season’s "Decent into Reality" is watching them weaponize their crumbling marriages against one another. Kyle’s sarcastic reunion quip to Dorit—"I’m not in the same financial position as you, I’m sorry"—wasn't just a read; it was a tactical strike on Dorit’s biggest vulnerability. For years, they competed for who had the most enviable husband; now, they are competing for who has the most justified reason to be "done".

Kyle has pivoted from the supportive sister-friend to a "strategic sniper," painting Dorit’s post-separation behaviour as "manic" and "erratic" on camera while claiming it’s out of "concern". Meanwhile, Dorit has fully shed the "token idiot" persona Kyle tried to pin on her. She is lashing out with a raw, pulsing energy, accusing Kyle colluding with PK through Mauricio to control the narrative.

The finale made it clear: there is no "healing" left here. When Kyle begged Andy to "make her shut up" during the reunion, it became the ultimate metaphor for their relationship. They aren't trying to save a friendship; they are trying to bury each other under the rubble of their former "perfect" lives. This isn't the Beverly Hills we signed up for, but it’s the most honest these women have ever been—even if that honesty is ugly, bitter, and deeply uncomfortable to watch.

Living; don’t wait until someone tells you your time is up to start

2022 historical melodrama starring Bill Nighy and Aimee Lou Wood

Lindsey Lowson

2026-04-27T08:24:00.0000000 2026-04-27T09:42:59.2230000

Sometimes the simplest of stories are the best. And make one of those films that lingers with you after the final “The End” Not a loud, in your face action packed picture but one that slowly builds with stunning shot framing by South African director Oliver Hermanus.

The film, written by Kazuo Ishiguro, is an English-language adaptation of Akira Kurosawa’s 1952 Japanese film Ikiru which makes all the more unusual adapted into a 2022 British historical drama film Living, starring Bill Nighy.

It’s an intriguing watch that develops frame by frame, the sets and the costumes coming together beautifully to create a period piece set in the 1950s that’s just about life. And suggests to the viewer perhaps how we all waste it until it’s too late. And yet it is not sad, it delivers a poignant and deep message, softly, gently, painlessly.

The main character Mr. William’s played by Nighy, a civil servant who has gone to the same job on the same train, lived in the same house eaten the same meals, Shepards pie and endured same unspoken torments until they have become comfortable receives a terminal diagnosis, 6 months, 9 tops which changes everything.

At work he becomes absent and then committed to making one massive difference. He changes the way he deals with colleagues, one Miss Harris cleverly played by Aimee Lou Wood he befriends after working with for 16 months and being so detached she confesses her nick name for him Mr. Zombie while having and an out of character innocent lunch at Fortums as an unlikely pair causing gossip and speculation.

The film shows how you never really know people or what they are going through. And shows how so many waste time never really living (why the title) until may be it’s too late.

Living is an inspirational work, not fast paced or entertaining in a song and dance or high action way but so colourful in it’s expression and deep emotional feeling the actors and clever director manage to convey onto the screen.

It’s the kind of film you watch and find yourself in. Not because you relate to the time, the work, the rigid routine but because finding courage to walk your own path in life and making a difference, living with direction and purpose can be a challenge few consciously tackle.

If this film tells you anything it’s don’t wait until someone tells you your time is up to start LIVING.

It’s a magnificent film, so creative and beautiful in style. It reminded me of Tom Ford’s A Single Man in some ways, how life’s challenges can bog you down but happiness is always available even in the most difficult of circumstances. A great film to help if you if you need a change of perspective. A clear outline on the origin of happiness and purpose.

Teddi Mellencamp Not Happy At All Her Doctor Said No to GLP 1 To Combat Weight Gained From Cancer Fighting Steroids

Global Media Send This Medical Weight Loss Drug Denial Viral

Bluebell Moss

2026-04-26T15:56:00.0000000 2026-04-26T16:21:17.9570000

Teddi Mellencamp is a health and wellness coach, reality TV personality and an ex cast member of the Bravo TV show Housewives of Beverley Hills.

GLP 1 is a medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes and now obesity by reducing appetite.

Here’s how this medicine works, GLP-1 receptor agonists (like semaglutide and tirzepatide) mimic the natural hormone GLP-1 to manage blood sugar and promote weight loss by slowing gastric emptying, increasing satiety, and curbing appetite. They work by stimulating insulin release, reducing glucagon, and influencing brain reward centers to decrease cravings, leading to significant calorie reduction and it’s big in Hollywood, really big.

Weight loss medicines have received a good deal of press and take up in the last couple of years but I’ve never seen a story explode in such a way around the world as when reality TV star and daughter of rock musician Jon Mellencamp, Teddi Mellencamp announced indignantly on her podcast a few days ago that her doctor had told her no, when she asked to be prescribed the medication.

Two T’s in a pod is the podcast of ex housewives Teddi Mellencamp and Tamra Judge who team up every week to Tell All. They watch and rehash everything from the Bravo franchise as only they can. “Who knows housewives better than housewives?! Right?!” They say.

Normally a chat/gossip experience for fans of the housewives franchise with lower ratings than Andy Cohen’s spin off Watch what happens live except news of Mellencamp getting pissed about being refused the medication after gaining weight thanks to steroids prescribed to combat stage 4 melanoma and having four tumours removed from her brain, has gone viral.

The reality alum quipped that she's a "health and wellness coach who's dying of cancer" to her podcast co-host Dolores Catania, who said her doctor should let her "go snort whatever"

I immediately thought after what you’ve been through who cares about a few extra pounds, get well and then lose the weight. But as Teddi says living her best life everyday she can’t do heavier in Hollywood, which is true when every magazine and media outlet is scrutinising everything. She’s had to contend with no hair, does she really have to deal with an additional 25lbs as well.

I guess the saddest part of this story is not the outrage it has caused, people slagging off Teddi as a narcissist saying they have no empathy for her which makes me wonder why not? When it’s the society we are all part of and the expectation in her world that creates the pressure to be body perfect even when you’ve been given a 50/50 of actually making it through.

Then there’s the doctor prescribing or not in this case, with a fiduciary responsibility to his or her patient. We’ve all seen what happens to the physician when then cave in to the demands of high profile people that then end up on the slab.

I am not a doctor and I have no idea how this weight loss diabetes medicine could interact with the intensive immunotherapy and related treatments for Stage 4 melanoma she has been undergoing since early 2025.

There is likely a good reason for the doctor to say no. However I can understand after everything why Teddi doesn’t want to feel fat as well.

Sure she could be stronger, care more about her body and what it can take (she is a heath and wellness coach professionally so we have to give a little credit surely) than what People magazine are saying about her on the red carpet. But in this completely unrealistic realm “in the Real Housewives world” where the way you look i.e. what’s on the outside accounts for 95% and your resilience, endurance and inner character only 5% looking great is very important and understandably if you don’t look great how can you feel great.

I hope Teddi will go back to her doctor, doing his or her best and explain how the side effects of the steroids are impacting her instead of blasting them on air on her show.

The conversation with Dolores Catania was about as light as when I heard a woman suggest she’d amputate her toes to fit into a pair of Manolo Blahniks or the men spending $50K-$250K on leg lengthening surgery, a massive undertaking to give them an extra few inches.

For me this is not a surprise Teddi Mellencamp would desire a miracle pill or potion to help her lose the weight gain from the cancer fighting medication she’s needed to get to a place after 17 surgeries (yes you read that correctly 17 surgeries) where no cancer is detected. Not yet in remission, only after 2-3 years of being clear of cancer you are considered in remission. And I certainly wouldn’t think to judge her for wanting it, her body, her choice.

I do think in our desire to see perfect and anything less than being castigated and thrown aside (and in that I don’t mean taking a pride in your appearance and your grooming) we have all certainly lost perspective on what is really important and maybe all that stress and pressure might have something to do with many of us getting sick in the first place.

Married At First Sight 6th Dinner Party and The Wheels Come Off Completely

The camera doesn’t lie, No one is spared on MAFSAU unhappy faces all round

MossMagg

2026-04-26T09:08:07.7030000 2026-04-26T09:36:34.4570000

Can you believe it, 12 seasons in and what began as the most controversial reality TV experiment is now almost a totally accepted concept that creates the ultimate water cooler moments. All my friends watch and then we discuss in great detail so I thought I’d share my perspective on this compulsive series.

If you are looking for an explosive reality look are human psychology and why relationships are sometimes so difficult to navigate and maintain over the long term this is a wonderful TV experience to begin late and binge watch.

Why I’ve kept the spoilers to an absolute minimum here. You gotta watch for yourself. I took about 10 pictures while watching the last episode and coincidently all the faces were strained, worried, shocked or unhappy including the experts, Mel, Alessandra and John.

Each week the couples undergo relationship tasks, following a commitment ceremony on the couch, a sort of therapy session where couple decide if they want to stay or leave the experiment and at the end of each week they come together in a dinner party setting when each others relationships are scrutinised by the whole group, it’s usually when the sparks fly and my favourite part of the show.

Except this season has been dominated by in fighting in the group not between the individual couples where the action usually is but by girls who just can’t get along.

At the top of the list are Gia partnered with Scott and Bec partnered with Danny, two, too hot to handle females the men are very careful how they handle, knowing things could kick off at any minute. These two girls have been at the centre of the drama the whole season.

This week the tension at the dinner party was palpable as all hell broke loose after “receipts” proof of bad behaviour circulated around the group. Gia pointing the finger at Bec for a hateful group chat leaving Alissa unwittingly in the centre of the scrap once again and the experts dumbfounded by the women’s inability to get along.

It all started when Gia said Danny (Bec’s husband) said she was more his type, he denied it but since then no one has been able to move on.

Feedback week came and went, Gia was paired with Danny and she failed to show up, leaving the experiment and then making a surprise return for the dinner party.

But it was when Bec tried to take the upper hand with Danny, he’d had enough. She said be wary how you speak and he said be wary what you text to people. She said it was two months ago, he said I don’t care if it was 10 years ago. You don’t speak about people like that. Bec stormed out and Danny didn’t follow.

The one thing about this show is it brutally exposes the light and dark sides of everyone’s nature. How centred the individuals participating are, and how they are able or not to control the narrative when the cameras are rolling. When things go awry the wheels usually fly off which is what makes this series such a compelling and addictive watch.

When the honeymoon period is over, like for couple Chris and Sam and Sam chose to speak out about the couch session the week before, Chris didn’t take it too well, got defensive and a big rift was created in their relationship. The strain and awkwardness was palpable.

Even for Rachel and Steven the cracks are super apparent as a lack of intimacy and pressure from the group is causing Steven to pull away. Every time Rachel leans in to kiss him you can see the look of dread on his face. Not sure what that’s about or why he continues to stay but it looks like he’s just not that into her from where I am sitting.

Philip and Stella continue to cruise along but even their relationship looks a bit rocky after they confessed the intimacy had declined to zero, Stella not wishing to use contraception, him terrified of an unwanted pregnancy and the solution presented a drastic but reversible vasectomy put their relationship on the road to nowhere for me regardless of how much they paper over the cracks.

The Barking Bakery Pet lovers dog lovers the iced woofins have been a life saver

Great trick for administering pet medication

Holly Barclay

2026-04-25T08:11:01.6100000 2026-04-25T08:50:47.7000000

I have been shopping a lot for dog treats lately, trying a few different ones. Our dog has had to be put on anti inflammatory medicine to help with pain from arthritis but getting her to take it has been challenging. She’s very fussy anyway and doesn’t goggle treats and food like dogs would usually so finding something she loves we can hide the medication in with her noticing has been tricky.

I heard someone talking about the iced Woofins from the Barking Bakery, available from Pets at Home and they have worked a treat literally.

They come in two sizes, a big iced woofin probably for larger dogs at £3.99 75g available in vanilla or carob. Or the trio of smaller buns where you get three for £3.59. The mini iced muffins are perfect bite sized treats to pop the medicine in and watch it be woofed down in a flash.

The barking bakery is the home of the original Woofin - a hand-baked cupcake especially for dogs. They can also help you with your dog birthday cakes, dog cookies and a whole array of tasty dog treats, like Pupcorn, Cookies and Domuttz.

If you are having problems getting your dog or puppy to take medicine these treats are perfect to help the medicine go down in a healthy way for your pet.

This female led business by entrepreneur Michelle Turnbull was turned down for investment on Dragons Den in 2019 but this did not stop her making the Barking Bakery a success. Now stocked and sold in over 450 Pets at Home stores along with other retailers The Range and Webbs and Gates Garden Centres.

The Barking Bakery, based in Lancashire, UK, is a specialized manufacturer of premium, meat-free dog treats, including "woofins" (cupcakes), birthday cakes, and pupcorn. Established in 2012, the family owned company focuses on high-quality, pet-safe, and DEVRA-approved ingredients to create indulgent, hand-iced products for special occasions.

https://www.thebarkingbakery.co.uk/

The Substance, The Star Demi Moore and The $8M Lancôme Anti Aging Cream Contract

A Massive Marketing Contract For Big Beauty Follows A Low Budget Film Challenging Societal...

Suzy Hutchinson

2026-04-24T09:26:44.9670000 2026-04-24T09:50:34.4930000

When I read Hollywood movie star Demi Moore is the new face of Lancôme having secured a global ambassador partnership said to be valued at approximately $8 million and wait for it, this deal marks one of Moore's major beauty contracts in recent years, coinciding with a high point in her career following her role in the film The Substance, I literally could not believe it. Has everyone gone completely mad. And forgotten the reason The Substance was such a ground breaking and epic role for Demi Moore. She took the Golden Globe for best actress. For the first time in her 45 year career she received a major award, aged 62.

This snoop is part movie review rave and part advertising rant, like you just can’t live in this world anymore without going mad. Demi Moore has been featured a lot in the news since the 2024 film release, a relatively low budget film that got a lot of global press. I’ve seen a post on X recently too that’s had a lot of traction showing Demi Moore next to the much curvier Italian actress Monica Belluci suggesting a more relaxed Mediterranean diet is preferable to the much stricter Hollywood routine and quest to be slim as we age.

The film the Substance is a deep film with a deeper message, a dark satire that poses questions in the narrative about beauty and aging. It belies belief really the beauty contract on this scale could follow and Lancôme executives believe the public would not question their choice of ambassador.

The film is all about an aging television and fitness guru Elizabeth Sparkle played by Moore who despite still looking and feeling amazing has reached her sell by date and is casually discarded for a younger version Sue, (margaret Qualley) by her callous sexiest and Hollywood TV executive caricature boss Harvey, played brilliantly Dennis Quaid.

It falls into the horror science fiction genre, the type of film I wouldn’t normally watch but the messaging is so powerful and it’s so brilliantly written and directed by French filmmaker Coralie Fargeat. It is a satire for sure, a body horror film that explores societal pressures on women's bodies and aging, marking her second feature film following Revenge and it is brilliant.

A must watch and it was not surprising to see it nominated across the 2024/25 awards season. Nominated for 5 academy awards. Nominated for 5 Golden Globe awards. Nominated for 5 BAFTAs. And nominated for 7 critics choice awards. At the Cannes Film Festival the Substance Won Best Screenplay and was nominated for the Palme d'Or.

When you consider the messaging in the film which contradicts completely the societal pressure particularly on women brands feed into to sell every kind of anti aging on the planet, the film is literally about a fading celebrity who gets fired for Demi to move over to selling the dream of anti aging cream with Lancôme, and when she’s actually had more cosmetic surgery than most stars, feels like a massive shocking contradiction. To use the celebrity and profile garnered from a film saying the complete opposite. They must think women are crazy.

Just for reference Demi Moore's 2026 global endorsement deal as a new face of Lancôme is valued at approximately $8 million. As part of this partnership, announced in April 2026, Moore is acting as a global ambassador for the brand, specifically fronting the campaign for the new high-end "Platinum" skincare line, Absolue Longevity MD.

Her role is part of a "collective" of brand ambassadors, representing a modern vision of beauty at every life stage.

This debut campaign focuses on the Reset Platform within the Absolue Longevity MD range, which focuses on reversing visible biological skin age without going under the knife.

My recommendation watch the film first and then if you want to buy the Lancôme new range, knock yourself out but not because you think Demi believes it’s going to help you.

When she played the role of Elizabeth Sparkle with such authenticity and passion, effectively telling us all to not buy into the quest for eternal youth, she was recognised for her acting talent the world over.

It is not published how much Moore was paid to star in the The Substance but it was a low-budget body-horror film ($17.5M budget) that became a commercial success, grossing over $77M.

Is Demi Moore The Perfect Anti-ageing Ambassador?

Lancôme new advertising campaign

Shirley Yanez

2026-04-24T08:42:00.0000000 2026-04-24T09:32:11.6200000

I had to write this today because, quite frankly, I’ve seen it all now.

We are officially living in a world where the message and the mirror no longer match — and no one seems to question it. A major Hollywood actress delivers a powerful, unsettling performance in a film warning us about the dangers of chasing youth, the obsession with reversing time, and the psychological cost of altering ourselves to meet impossible standards… …and then appears as the face of an anti-ageing serum campaign. Pause for a moment. Let that sink in.

We are being told, in one breath, “this path is damaging, unnatural, and dangerous” — and in the next, “buy this product and chase it anyway.” It would be funny if it weren’t so deeply damaging. Because this isn’t just about one celebrity or one campaign. This is about the culture we are all participating in. A culture where appearance is prioritised over authenticity. Where ageing is treated like a flaw to be corrected. Where “influence” is often nothing more than well-packaged insecurity sold at scale. Influencers — those modern-day role models — present a version of life that is filtered, curated, and carefully edited. Effort is hidden. Cost is concealed. Reality is airbrushed. And what’s left? A polished illusion that quietly tells millions of people: *you are not enough as you are.* That message lands.

It lands in the minds of young girls comparing themselves to impossible beauty standards. It lands in women who begin to see natural ageing as failure. It lands in anyone who starts to believe that happiness, confidence, and worth are something you can purchase — layer by layer. And here’s the irony. The more we chase this “perfect” version of ourselves, the further we move away from feeling whole. Because no serum, no filter, no procedure can fix a mindset that has been conditioned to feel inadequate. The internet — brilliant, powerful, transformative — has also become one of the most dangerous tools for mental health when left unchecked. Not because of what it is, but because of how it’s being used. Comparison has become constant. Validation has become external. Identity has become performative. And we are consuming it daily, often without question.

So perhaps the real issue isn’t the actress, or the brand, or even the influencers. It’s us. Our willingness to buy into it. To aspire to it. To measure ourselves against it. Because the moment we stop believing the illusion, it loses its power. The moment we stop funding it, it starts to disappear. Ageing is not a problem to be solved. It is a process to be understood, respected — even embraced. And confidence? That doesn’t come in a bottle. It comes from self-acceptance, from discipline, from how you live — not how you look. So maybe it’s time to wake up. To question what we’re being sold. To challenge what we’re being shown. And to step out of a system that profits from making us feel less than. Because the real anti-ageing solution isn’t external. It’s learning not to age your mind in a world that constantly tells you you should.

Is she a "bad" ambassador then?

It depends on what you value:

If you want honesty: She may fail as an ambassador because she represents a result that a cream alone could never achieve.

Have you been to Loop Generation in Brompton Cross Village? It’s like Recyled Heaven for the Glamarati

Down with the kids, street wear, urban wear, sweats, loungewear not so much

Poppy

2026-04-23T16:39:00.0000000 2026-04-23T17:39:39.7600000

My Mum loves lunch at Daphnes and having a nose in Chanel both on Draycott Avenue. Me on the other hand shop secondhand and vintage, and my Mum has just given me a few things, quite expensive things I won’t wear and wanted to sell.

So we decided to check out this consignment shop for two reasons.

I had never been to Loop Generation and as we were passing by after lunch we went in to have a snoop around.

First thing to say is Leander Rebello a fashion stylist on Instagram who moonlights in retail at Loop Generation couldn’t have been more welcoming and helpful, really knowledgeable about the stock and gave us the low down how to sell with Loop Generations, the costs commissions and how it all works.

First of all you have to message the team on Instagram or What’s App, with images of the items you want to sell and they will decide if they can help. They mostly stock high end designer pieces, not high st. From what we could see they have quite a lot of glamour and occasion wear, contemporary brands like Me and Em, Burberry and Balenciaga are downstairs, upstairs you’ll find more couture brands like Chanel and Balmain, Prada and Miu Miu. All the bags, accessories and shoes are upstairs and if you like Chanel bags they had a really large selection when we visited although not many classics, black, tan, navy, quite a few in random colours and styles.

It’s a big shop with lots to look at so take your time, we didn’t try on but we did take a peak at the changing rooms and they are spacious and quite luxurious with loads of mirrors. Theresa is quite a lot of security guards so we did feel a bit uncomfortable browsing like we were being watched, and I guess we were as they didn’t want the expensive kit going walkies without being paid for. It’s clearly a problem.

The shop is packed with stock and mainly glam occasion wear, they do have a bit of ready to wear work clothes but if you are looking for sweats, loungewear, jumpers, leggings, T shirts, street wear this is not your place. There seemed a bit of a disconnect for me, it felt like more a place for women my Mum’s age except she doesn’t really buy that much secondhand and me who shops secondhand all the time, the clothes felt a bit glitzy for my wardrobe. Loved the bags and shoes though.

My Mum bought a couple of things I am sure she won’t wear, she like to shop, nothing for me though. Downstairs I did see items as low as £20 or £30 so definitely some affordable pieces. And they did have a great menswear section downstairs too I told Reg about. Upstairs the prices are much higher ranging upwards of a couple of hundred pounds to a few thousand depending on the particular item. A well worn Balmain blazer was around the £500 which wasn’t bad I thought. A black Chanel jacket and eye watering £3250.

In this market if I can recoup a few quid on some of my Mum’s expensive things I won’t wear I’d be really happy so I will be photographing a few pieces and sending them over to see if they make the “Loop Generation” grade.

Thanks Loop Generation. If you want to send them over some pictures the what’s app number is +44 7704 663856 and if you go into store ask for Leander, I am sure he’ll be happy to help you.

Portofino Pizza From Crosta and Mollica Is Their Best Yet

Restaurant quality Italian Food from the supermarket to your table

Stylemum

2026-04-23T07:59:19.6030000 2026-04-23T09:10:32.0930000

Last year I wrote a love letter to Crosta and Mollica we were eating their two in a pack small frozen margarita pizzas at least once a week, sometimes twice and I was so blown away by the company and the quality I had to share. Happy to see it’s already had over 500 views. Which delights me. I want a company like Crosta and Mollica, independently owned competing with bigger companies and bigger TV advertising budgets like Chicago Town. We liked Chicago Town until we tried Crosta and Mollica. I stopped ordering take out pizza completely, Crosta Mollica are cheaper and easier to bung in the oven for 10 minutes when you get that pizza urge late night and honestly taste better than Domino’s when they come out of the oven. That crust. I don’t know how they do it but it’s one of those companies you know you should buy shares in if they ever go public. Yes I’ve looked into it.

I didn’t think it could get any better and then I tried the Portofino a luxury gourmet leap for the brand. Admittedly there is a hike in price to £9.20 which I get it is steep for a supermarket fresh pizza but wait until you try it. I never thought I’d ever pay nearly a tenner for a shop bought pizza but it is really worth it.

We almost got addicted to the less expensive (not frozen) Fiorentina at £6.50 for one, spinach, garlic, mushrooms and loads of black pepper which I did see a review for on here but the Collezione Romano luxury pizza has taken over for us now.

It’s like something you’d only get in a good Italian restaurant, the vine tomatoes are sweet, better than supermarket tomatoes these days and loaded with basil and creamy buffalo mozzarella but not too much. It doesn’t melt in blobs like other supermarket pizzas I’ve tried.

It is easy to imagine sitting on the water somewhere with a chilled glass of white wine soaking up the sun enjoying the vista.

This pizza has the power to transport you. I figure we pay way more to have something inferior delivered so for a treat a couple of times a month we are splurging on the Portofino and keeping the Crosta and Mollica Margariettas 2 for £6 stocked in the freezer for school nights.

If you haven’t tried this food brand yet, you are missing a trick. Look for the distinctive black and white striped packaging in the freezer section or chilled cabinet of your local Waitrose or Tesco.

Indi Pet Supplies and Cheese and Pickle Independent Shops At Pennbury Farm

Pet lovers and Wine Enthusiasts Check out these two lovely independent businesses

Holly Barclay

2026-04-22T08:40:06.7870000 2026-04-22T12:54:58.8530000

Indi Pet Supplies and Cheese and Pickle

I went to Pennbury Farm and shopped a little.

I love to browse and support small independent businesses especially when they are as lovely as these.

When you go for a bite to eat it’s easy to pass by the shops on site so this time I made a concerted effort to go inside and have a browse.

The proprietors of both stores could not have been friendlier. We met Mildred the cutest dog in Indi Pet Supplies the best advertisement for the delicious apparently, hand made puppy chews.

Both shops Cheese and Pickle which sells a plethora of food and gift items, a hand picked wine selection and individually bagged gourmet sweets. Toys and books, cards and crafts. Lots of cute relatively inexpensive items all beautifully merchandised. Loads to look at. It was like a Willie Wonka experience.

The Indi Pet Supplies Shop was the same. Colourful leads, collars, bowls, beds, blankets, pets paraphernalia all hand picked, hand curated, a store put together by people who clearly love animals.

Avoid the hustle and bustle in the week and you get to browse at your leisure, at the weekend the place is busy so you might find you have a wait a little while to be served. However the treats went down a storm so I am sure I’ll be back for more.

I purchased 2 packs of long handmade chews, like soft sausages, more snack than chew for £4.99 each, you get 5 in a packet so compared to supermarket options they were very reasonably priced for gourmet dog treats and they didn’t last very long.

Pennbury Farm is open 7 days a week for food but this super cute independent shop, Cheese annd Pickle is closed on Mondays.

Indi Pet Supplies is open from 10.00am to 4.00pm Tuesday through Sunday

https://www.indi.pet/

L’Oréal Paris Magic Root Retouch I Just Had To Share This It’s A Miracle

And I Haven’t Purchased L’Oreal Since They Whitened Beyoncé in 2008

Stylemum

2026-04-21T12:27:16.9330000 2026-04-21T16:59:35.5730000

I didn’t think anything would get me buying a L’Oreal product again. It was 2008, and it wasn’t just me outraged. L'Oréal Paris faced significant controversy over a Feria hair colour advertisement featuring Beyoncé, with critics and consumers alleging the company had "whitewashed" her by digitally lightening her skin tone and hair. It was a white Beyoncé we saw in the ad that appeared in Elle magazine.

I remember thinking that’s Beyoncé except she’s white.

I decided I didn’t want to support a brand that did that an aside from the occasional Kerastase hair care purchase, (owned by L’Oreal) I stuck to it. Until now.

My brilliant hair stylist at Studio 66 in St John’s Wood used it recently. I was short on time and wasn’t able to get my regular roots done. He didn’t ask me if I wanted to try it, just with a flick of the wrist, that took less than a second it was done and my visible white root miraculously disappeared as quickly as him, he was onto his next client. I didn’t even get a chance to ask what it was just remembered the striking turquoise container.

When I began my research it popped up immediately and my 20 year brand boycott came to an abrupt end. I purchased a container at £9.99 from Superdrug which will give me 25 applications.

Now a warm brunette I checked the colour matching online and I went for Brown thinking Dark Brown would be too dark however Brown does come out a little too light and a little too red for me so next time I’ll be going for Dark Brown.

Brown matches more to chestnut or Bronde colour hair if that helps. If you are a definite brunette even with some lighter tones, how I’d describe my hair you need the Dark Brown.

Questions I had were;

Does it wash out? Yes, it is temporary and washes out easily with shampoo.

Can I use it on hair that is already colored? Yes, it is designed to blend with salon-colored hair, as explained, I get my hair coloured every three to four weeks. This is great for inbetween colour appointments.

How long does it last? The spray is intended for temporary use some sites say daily use but I have found it lasts until my next wash.

It literally takes a second to apply and no need to reapply, it stays until your next wash. I have also tried the Wow powder in the past which is great, but this is quicker, much easier to apply. Like I said it takes less than a second. One quick squirt and you are done.

If you need Instant Root concealer spray I have not ever seen anything better than this. Whilst I am not aware of any more whitewashing the only downside for me, L’Oreal as a company are not yet cruelty free.

Uniqlo From Japan And Intimissimi From Italy Top My List For Luxuxy Basics On A Budget

Clothing Companies Are Struggling With Rising Costs And Shrinking Margins But Some Stand Out For...

Savannah Black

2026-04-21T09:18:00.0000000 2026-04-21T16:58:53.3930000

I friend of mine asked me yesterday where do I buy all my basics. Plain T shirts, leggings, sweatshirts, the things we all wear everyday.

She said “I’ve got all the big pieces, the things that make a statement, that amazing jacket or pair of flared jeans but nothing to go with them”

What about that cute T you are wearing I replied. It was 4 years old, she said didn’t fit properly and wasn’t the best quality when she bought it never mind now.

It got me thinking about how the choice for basics has shrunk, brands are making less anyway and finding decent staples has become a bit of a problem. H&M are losing money with a massive real estate portfolio, too many stores and not enough customers, priced higher than most fast fashion but customers don’t know anymore where they fit or who their customer is.

It’s not me. Zara are great at turnaround, small drops every two weeks create urgency for customers, they never really have overstock or sales so if you don’t buy when you see it you know it’ll be gone next week. These are usually the statement pieces my friend talked about though, Zara’s not that great for basics.

Marks and Spencer’s which used to be good I am told I would never shop in. When I think M&S I think my Nan, I don’t think my Mum even goes in there anymore. And All Saints the East London brand of my Generation that started life in Spitalfields seems to have lost traction and identity too. Resigned/confirmed to locations in big malls like Westfield in Hammersmith where even if I go I rarely step over the threshold anymore. I still have pieces in my wardrobe I wear but I am just not rushing to replace from there these days.

Which leaves us with Uniqlo. The Japanese creation of founder Tadashi Yanai. You might not have even heard of them. My friend hadn’t.

They are Japanese through and through embodying style and quality, the highest of standards in what they do. I guess that’s why they have carved a road to success in a difficult market and stolen customers away from more well known stores. If you are down with the kids and upwardly savvy men this is where you shop. They don’t have a shop on every high street but here in London we all live in the Uniqlo store when we need basic pieces, easy to style easy to wear.

Think Cos quality but younger and cheaper. Really good styles that incorporate brands within brands like Airism for their leggings and Heattech for their cashmere and thermal garments, great for layering, building outfits and comfortable active lifestyle. They are gender neutral so girls and guys shop here.

Uniqlo have definitely impressed Gen Z and Gen Alpha, the oldest now 15 into their shops and their clothes. Their profits up last quarter a staggering 29% when other high st brands are flagging.

I love Uniqlo too for every day. I want to wear brands like James Perse, American Vintage and Me and Em but the budget doesn’t always stretch that far. £100 for a T shirt is a bit excessive how ever nice they might look and feel.

Although I did recently stumble into the predominantly lingerie shop on Kensington High St, Intimissimi there’s a massive one on the corner of Regents St and Oxford St too. Don’t be put off thinking it’s all bras, knickers and suspenders belts, they make gorgeous athleisure pieces, exercise wear and brilliant staple T shirts too.

They have an interesting model, like Boots, buy 2 get the 3rd one free, buy 3 get the 4th one free which encourages bulk buying on things we need more than one of like pants.

But they also make amazing basic T shirts. Now they are not cheap. The long sleeve cashmere T shirts I bought were £40 but I bought 3 and I got a free one. Which brought the price down to £30 each. Much easier to stomach. And shopping with a friend, even better, two each and they come in a variety of colours including, black, white, off white, navy, so they’ve got all the basic colours covered.

On these T shirts feel incredible, sheer, clingy, but not too clingy and don’t ride up. They also wash amazingly well too and even though they have cashmere in them you don’t need to hand wash which can be a pain.

So this is my shopping for basics on a budget advice. First stop Uniqlo, think about really great quality basics on the scale of Primark except with Japanese precision and expectation of design and quality. If anyone has been to the Promod store in France it’s a bit like that. Simple stylish affordable quality.

And if you don’t find what you need in Uniqlo go to Intimissimi, Italian lingerie and basic under garments for layering brand. Good to add here a random small brand I discovered from a friend who works in fashion PR, check these out she said, the best black cotton leggings, I bought a pair and if you are on the search, they are made by a tiny British brand, Venus Cow. They are called The Perfect Black Leggings and you won’t find better for the £35 price tag. The quality is off the charts for the price.

Shop smart at Uniqlo and Intimissimi, take advantage of their BOGOF offers. The Italians and the Japanese love quality don’t you know.

Rocketman If you didn’t love Elton John Before You Will After Watching This Film

It’s true the greatest achievements, talent and success are born from from suffering

Holly HY

2026-04-20T08:58:00.0000000 2026-04-21T16:58:17.3170000

Ernest Hemingway said “Write hard and clear about what hurts”,

and that is what Bernie Taupin did for Elton John.

Rocketman the 2019 biographical film is one to add to my anthology, my movie list of all time favourites. A memoir in music and cinematic storytelling of the greatest showman of rock, the piano man Elton John. And I absolutely loved it.

It’s an honest and heartfelt confession of his rise to stardom in the the early seventies, his relationship with lyricist Bernie Taupin played with sensitivity to the story by Jamie Bell to the most stand out performance by Taron Egerton as Elton. A Welsh actor and singer who like Elton, graduated from the Royal Academy of Arts before gaining fame and recognition for his starring roles in Kingsman The Secret service and Kingsman The Golden Circle but it was epic portrayal as Elton John for which he took the BAFTA and the Golden Globe. Many considered him not being nominated for an Oscar in 2020 a snub. Joaquin Phoenix a worthy winner took home the statue for his role as Arthur Fleck in The Joker, a film I’ve seen 4 or 5 times already.

Rocketman is a beautiful film, a visual feast punctuated with the soundtrack of our lives. Elton Johns Your Song I checked was released in 1970 in the US and then 1971 in the UK. It was the first song I remember learning all the words to and has since been dubbed the UK’s favourite song.

Elton’s music tells the story of his turbulent life and meteoric rise to fame and fortune. It’s documented in the film by the age of 25 he was worth a staggering £25 million. And the way the movie is crafted centring on a beautiful friendship between two creative geniuses shows how Bernie told Elton’s story in his lyrics, perhaps why they are still so timeless and relatable today.

I think Elton John when he watches this film where he served as an executive producer he must be filled with pride and joy at his immense achievements not just in music but in raising 450 million for his aids foundation. He produced the film through his company, Rocket Pictures alongside his husband, David Furnish, who acted as a lead producer.

Like any film it is the pure talent of the lead actors, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden as music manager John Reid and the supremely talented Taron Egerton as Elton that make you believe you are watching the man himself share his story.

It is quite weird in a way I am not sure I have ever experienced to quite the same extent, watching a film believing it’s the real person. When I think about the recent film about Freddie Mercury, Bohemian Rhapsody or films like The Queen starring Helen Mirren or The Iron Lady Meryl Streep all highly acclaimed I didn’t feel the same, like you were actually watching the real person, and it’s not because Taron looks like Elton, he doesn’t, but he managed to manifest his energy somehow throughout the film. It was absolutely magical to watch.

If Elton John has produced the soundtrack to your life, you don’t even have to be a massive fan of the music, Elton’s music has touched most of us by osmosis; this movie is a spectacular musical biopic that tackles the very human issues we all endure everyday, love, loss, greed, addiction and the power we all have to “change your way of life”.

Watch it and be moved and never let the sun go down on me; or you.

How To Spot Fake Ronnie Fieg Clarks Adidas Samba Kith 8th Street Collaboration

Still on the hunt for these rare and collectible 2023 8th St trainers by Kith Founder Ronnie Fieg

Fred Moss

2026-04-19T10:55:00.0000000 2026-04-20T07:54:21.1330000

Almost a year ago now wrote my Guide To Identifying Fake 8th St samba sneakers. I shared what I had found out about how to identify fake Ronnie Fieg, Clarks Adidas collaboration sneakers. Link below. And I Got Burned Again Arghhh. There’s a a lot of these copy trainers out there.

I know I said I was saving up to pay retail, but they are just not available so have had my eyes open for a pair secondhand (with the box or receipt ideally) on marketplaces since you can no longer buy this limited edition release in stores. Where they are available dealers know they are desirable and can be sold at a premium. At the Kithmus release they retailed around $220 US dollars, now anywhere from £250 up for a new boxed pair, if you can find them.

They are expensive, anywhere between £150 and £350 even secondhand so it’s a big investment especially with so many fakes around.

I was really surprised and delighted to see a pair appear online in a charity shop listing. It was a bidding situation so I immediately followed. I was unable to check if the serial numbers were different in the right and left shoe, something I had discovered since my last purchase because images of this were not included. It should have been my first indicator to let this one go but it had been a while and I really wanted the shoes.

I was happy to bid up to £100, £120 at a push so I stayed up late to be in with a shot of winning the item, the auction ended around midnight. On the last day the shoes had been viewed over 100 times so I imagined there would be a lot of competition for them.

I had scrutinised the images provided, the toe looked the right shape, much narrower than the first pair, a good sign, the leather suede nappe looked right too. Really good quality. The green of the stripes was a bit off, more a blue green teal than dark Forest green but when I investigated this it wasn’t said to be an immediate red flag, colours varying with batch release. In fact when I inputted all the new images into Chat GPT, that came up with a thumbs up to say these shoes were authentic.

I didn’t look super closely at the soles which have to be signature Clark’s crepe, and looking at other pairs for sale these ones had not discoloured with wear which in hindsight is a big red flag. These soles turned out to be gum not crepe which is an indicator they are not authentic. They were also missing the triangle piece of leather threaded through the laces another indicator they may not be authentic.

But the biggest sign was when the end of the auction happened and I was the only bidder for this rare highly sought after item. I imagined there would be sneaker dealers far and wide bidding to scoop this item but no, only me.

When I won the item as the only bidder for a ridiculously low price I knew I had made a mistake. There I was like an idiot waiting to see the item start to move worrying I may not have bid high enough, about to lose out for a few pounds and absolutely nothing happened. I was first in a field of one.

I know the age old advice of something seems too good to be true it probably is. I immediately cancelled my purchase. I didn’t even want to wait until the sneakers arrived to check them out in person. I knew.

The most interesting part of the story for me was when I asked Ai again about authenticity using the same photos, the response I got days before saying no red flags immediately changed to red flags about the soles, the bleed on the stripes and most importantly the branding on the shoe tongue flaps. This wasn’t something I had really checked into from my last pair.

When I typed this was a completely different response from the last time using the same photos, ChatGPT asked me to login before I was able to continue. It had obviously had enough of me.

If you are in search of Ronnie Fieg, Clark’s, Adidas Samba trainers I’ve included a few pictures below of the tongue logos. You can see the authentic ones are much better quality leather and the brand embossing is much more pronounced and detailed.

Of course if you can get to the serial numbers and qr codes inside this is the easiest and quickest way to check authenticity.

Marshfield Farm Ice Cream Presents An Ethical Consumer Dilema

What to do when plant based is an option but lure of real dairy ice cream is staring you in the face

Margaret Louis

2026-04-19T08:55:00.0000000 2026-04-21T17:00:09.8130000

So many really good reasons to support Marshfield farm Ice cream, a certified B Corp business focusing on sustainability and regenerative farming. Love this. And when you take a look at the Hawking family website making ice cream in the Cotswolds since 1988 you do get the warm and fuzzies. They are exactly the kind of business I like to shop with.

What do you do when you are trying to eliminate dairy from your diet, a company like Marshfield farm presents you with plant based ice cream options but you fancy a real dairy ice cream treat. How strong are you at resisting?

In my case not very. We guiltily tried two dairy flavours, the honeycomb and the chocolate named invitingly heavenly honeycomb and Chocoholic heaven.

Neither a rant or a rave here. And I must qualify before going further we finished both pots of ice cream completely. We scoffed the lot, ate it all up. The icecream was perfectly fine, nothing wrong with it. Even though we opted for the dairy version it wasn’t super indulgent and didn’t leave you savouring until the last spoon or wanting another pot. It was OK (had a lot worse) and for the price £2.00 per tub probably better than OK when you think £2.00 would buy you a Cornetto or Magnum in a convenience store and Marshfield Ice Cream definitely was way better than that. The names on the tubs set an expectation maybe that turned out to be a little underwhelming.

The next time I buy I will certainly try a plant based option because I do applaud the brand for adding this range to their offering encouraging consumers to make small positive changes to their diet. There are not many vegan ice cream options in the main stream yet and good ones are hard to find so I am impressed to see a small brand doing this and for strict vegans it’s one to make a mental note of.

You can pay a lot for a single scoop of ice cream in a gelato shop. I’ve paid up to £6. Three times the price for a particular favourite so if you are on a budget and want to support a small independent brand doing things affordably and better than big name brands like Unilever (although they have sold the majority stake and to a company in the Netherlands now called The Magnum Ice Cream Company) Marshfield Ice cream is one to look out for on a hot day.

I found Marshfield Farm Ice Cream at Pennbury Farm in Great Glen Leicestershire but you can order directly from their website link below.

Is The Age Of The Influencer Coming To An End?

Have Reality Stars & Content Creators Conned Brands As Made In Chelsea Stars Confess They Cannot...

Jenny Smith

2026-04-18T12:22:00.0000000 2026-04-21T17:43:21.8570000

The influencer effect

After reading a few articles in the national media about Made In Chelsea Reality stars unable to maintain their fancy lifestyles for the show I have been really considering of late “the influencer effect” and can an influencer with a massive following really have a positive effect on your business and drive customers to your door.

I am a little bit hair obsessed, some people are car obsessed, cat obsessed, fashion obsessed food obsessed but whatever it is you like to watch on Instagram TikTok or your platform of choice does it really make you buy, change, try when you see something you like or is it just voyeurism and algorithms that make some people more visible than others.

I recently came across a fan feed on Instagram @gijsblom_luciaferrato I don’t know how. I probably was led there because of the girls hair colour, a bronde shade I like. I had absolutely no idea who these people were, where they were from, even if they were a couple, just 2 young attractive people being promoted and reposted by a fan. The girl Lucia Ferrato had long pretty hair similar to my own.

The fan feed has 14K follows so it made me curious to discover who these young people actually are and what they do. Lucia is a Milan born UK based model and TIKTOK sensation, known for her lip syncing videos and fashion dress ups. Her handle @itssluciaf has a 1.4M following. I haven’t chosen Lucia to feature especially, I am sure there are many other TIKTOKERS who have amassed a following of these mega proportions.

The interesting part of her feed for me was her support and features for her hairdresser @Lucale a boutique salon in Guildford Surrey.

Like many women I am very happy with my stylist, I am completely loyal and would not consider going elsewhere so it’s easy to see how marketing on this grand scale might not attract a big wave of new customers but I would certainly expect someone with this much influence on such a wide audience to have some effect, it’s reported she has gigs with big brands like L’Oreal and Calvin Klein so she must be great at driving business right? Her hair is really lovely too so I would think at least some of her following would also follow her stylist and flock to her salon in Guildford Surrey for the Lucia experience.

Like I said Lucia on TIKTOK has 1.4M followers her stylist has 125. The recent video she posted of a visit to Angela got 650,000 views and 54.7K likes and yet when Angela reposted the same TikTok reel on her feed on Instagram with 650 followers it got zero likes, one repost, and one comment. I wonder had it been J Lo admittedly with 17.8M followers or Sabrina Carpenter with a staggering 38.7M followers on TikTok if the response in Guildford would have been the same.

I am not sure if Lucia pays Angela to do her hair or if she uses her massive online “influence” to secure services for free but I think businesses need to wise up. Just because people sit scrolling all day doesn’t necessarily translate to business. I am in PR and exposure to sales is a tricky thing to measure. People aspire to luxury but everyone is struggling to keep the lights on. Even luxury retailers with millions of followers online like Hermes usually impervious to market conditions have reported the lowest results since 2021, with 20 billion wiped off their share value in a single day 15th April, 2026, the largest drop in their history. Chanel under the watchful eye of new creator Director Matthieu Blazy have moved into the menswear space for the first time in history to more drive sales and with a redesign away from the classic quilted flap bag, he has dropped the chain strap and the price of the maxi flap from £11,300, to £9,200 indicating even the top are looking for a discount. Like I said it’s a tough market for luxury retailers who have to be fair bought into the influencer effect, a phenomenon that reminds me a little of the multi level marketing and ponzi schemes of the 2000s that peaked again reporting record losses in the US in 2019.

And yet brands like Zara who don’t spend anything on marketing continue to out perform their competitors with their retail model of smaller drops and faster turnaround. The get it now or it will be gone psychology creating urgency to shop for their customers. They also operate differently with influencers focusing on affiliate partnerships instead. While not as aggressive with mass gifting as competitors, Zara only sends PR packages and gifts items to trusted and long term collaborators to showcase new collections.

Social media doesn’t create any urgency and as far as I can see no one is rushing to Lucia Ferrato’s hair stylist for a limited must have appointment. Of course this is just one example in isolation and doesn’t make a water tight case but as a small brand owner on the side of my regular job in PR and someone who spent 10 years building a following on Instagram initially working with influencers I learnt very quickly giving away free product to people with supposed reach, was a fools game. It may work better for massive companies but smaller businesses that desperately need PR and marketing the only winners were the influencers enjoying loads of free merch.

It may have worked for super cheap fashion brands like Shein, or Tiktokers selling gadgets under £10 drawing in a very very young audience with little or no disposable income but these models are already proving to be unsustainable as sales drop off and the only brands surviving in this current very difficult market are brands like Tadashi Yanai’s uniqlo focusing on quality staples, necessity people have to buy in any market with profits up a staggering 29%.

I know from my own behaviour I may look at hair styles online for inspiration but I would never abandon the trusted relationship I have built over time with the hair stylist I love, like a shiny beautiful influencer could not change my opinion on the brands I like, the restaurants I frequent, the airlines I trust. The only thing an influencer can do is perhaps show me something new but if I didn’t know them and didn’t trust them and their opinion, if I didn’t find them to be like minded, I probably wouldn’t believe them anyway.

Like anything copied, the days of the influencer are numbered. I think the media are finally recognising exposure does not equal influence. Only talent, originality, creativity and authenticity has the ability to truly influence and sell.

And so I want to share someone from Ethiopia I also discovered recently on Instagram @kaluputics if you haven’t seen this guy yet check him out. You’ll know immediately what I am talking about. There are two ways to succeed, either be the smartest or be first. This dude is a first.

Examination Security Prevent A Young Woman In Nigeria Sitting Her JAMB Because She Refused To Remove Her Hijab

And it got me thinking about face covering in the UK

Tara Chirpy

2026-04-18T08:01:00.0000000 2026-04-18T17:16:10.2130000

Image credit, Elon Tabitha, free images Unsplash.

I want to begin by qualifying the girl refused exam entry in Nigeria did not have her face covered. She was just wearing a traditional hijab and on further investigation the issue for security was around her ears being covered so they couldn’t identify her or see if she was wearing headphones or ear buds, a requirement for security officials to prevent cheating.

I would vote in favour of following France on a ban of the burqa in the UK. Regardless of what Muslim women say in defence of their right to wear whatever they like, a freedom I do believe in and support, I believe that religious expression needs to be considered in a secular society where pushing a religious uniform or narrative should be discouraged. The full face covering or the veil called the niqab, we are seeing more and more in the UK and for anyone who relies on lip reading to communicate it makes it virtually impossible to interact with someone wearing it. I visit a fast food restaurant regularly where a young woman covers her face for work and this makes it impossible for me to communicate with her and get my food ordered correctly. I cannot hear her and cannot read her lips. I also think as crime increases in the UK the veil is a facilitation of disguise.

The hijab is a different story altogether. It does not cover the face, just the ears, hair and neck, worn for modesty it can be combined with an abaya, the long often black cloak seen in the Middle East or with regular clothes like jeans.

I read the story online of a Nigerian student being refused entry to a JAMB examination hall in Nigeria which has sparked controversy and arguments about discrimination and freedom of religious expression online, all things permissible in Nigeria where approximately 50% of the population are Muslim. It appears this is simply a mistake made by over zealous examination security. It appears ears need to be visible as a way for biometrical assessment to identify students but instead of asking the young women to comply by simply exposing her ears for a moment, she was asked to remove her hijab completely, a request she felt unable to comply with and something she wasn’t required to do to be able to sit her exam to gain entrance to national universities for studies in Law, Medicine and Engineering. I have read online legit.ng this mistake is being rectified, the young woman will sit her exam and the member of staff in question will be disciplined. It hasn’t stopped the outrage on social media as people with diametrically opposed views wade in.

I am sure by joining the debate, as someone who believes in freedom of expression, freedom of speech and equality for women, my views will be challenged. It is clear like within all religions the definitions and boundaries are different for those practising and open to interpretation and judgement from within faith groups and outside.

I was raised in faith but have opted in adulthood to not conform to any religious doctrine or dogma choosing independent thinking instead.

I have been subjected to pioty, isolation, rejection and judgement like many who choose to abandon the faith or in-doctrine they had instilled in their early years. It doesn’t matter which faction or religious institution, I now see them all the same. Someone once said to me it doesn’t matter which golf club you join, they all have rules and if you don’t follow the rules the committee, the club hierarchy, the board will have you out. I now follow the Groucho Marx school of thinking on clubs, “I wouldn’t want to belong to a club that would have me as a member” the same goes for religion.

Whilst religion is not for me I am tolerant, understanding and appreciate each to their own and believe freedom of religion is a fundamental right.

However when you look back over the last 100 years or so, Muslim women were not required to cover in the same way, so wearing the burqa or the niqab is a relatively new thing.

Whilst Muslim women will argue aggressively this dress code does not represent oppression of women, in much the same way anyone coercively controlled will argue in the favour of their controller I do think there is something inherently wrong and cruel when children are forced to wear this get up, unable to play and be free to move and run along with other kids.

Religion is about discipline and following a strict regime pitched based on the wishes of the divine, except it’s open to interpretation. Personally whilst of course discipline and principle are the traits that build true character I prefer to script my own “religion” based upon my internal knowing and what is right for me as an individual.

Some of the tenants of faith I adhere to, not killing, (people or animals) not speaking about people negatively behind their backs (gossiping) but covering women from head to foot for modesty and because men cannot control their sexual urges I cannot buy into for women, however much Islamic women might disagree to the idea of subjugation, oppression or control.

Let’s not forget whilst face veiling has ancient roots, the modern, widespread adoption of the burqa and niqab is relatively recent, accelerating significantly since the late 1970s and 1980s. Which lends more to a shift in culture not religious tradition.

Women are already second class global citizens when it comes to the gender pay gap, domestic violence, sexual assault, medical research so I am for equality and women making their own choices as far as what they choose to wear however face covering in society cuts off identity, makes Islamic women invisible, limits their communication, and also creates a protection for deception and committing crime.

I have had something stolen by someone wearing an abaya and hijab and even though their face wasn’t covered it made it virtually impossible to determine who had taken my property as they disappeared into a sea of black.

So as a liberaterian and supporter of free speech, freedom of expression and freedom of religion I would welcome a ban on face covering in the UK. If you want to live with your face covered, you must choose to live somewhere where this practise is welcomed.

When I travel to Islamic countries I don’t dress the same as I would at home and if I chose to relocate to an Islamic country I would accept the societal norms for women in that place and behave accordingly. And if I didn’t wish to do that I wouldn’t choose to live there.

These are the reasons I am no longer part of organised religion but I would assert my deference and expect the same in return. Faith is a deeply personal decision. Laws are to protect the whole of society and I believe face covering in any form is fundamentally wrong.

Which 7 Films Have Won Oscars for Both Best Actor and Best Actress At The Oscars?

And which 3 films have won the “Big Five” Taking Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay...

Lindsey Lowson

2026-04-17T13:13:00.0000000 2026-04-17T14:57:11.9230000

Someone sent me a request on X well asked me this question, to be precise about the movies and Oscar history. It has never happened before, so I was quite flattered my film reviews on Poopsnoop have put me in a category worthy of being asked the question about films in general.

The question was an interesting one about a fantastic film I really love As Good As It Gets, 1997. I haven’t reviewed it but it is a brilliant picture. At the 70th Academy Awards 1998 both leading actors, Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt scoped the Oscars for Best Actor and Best Actress.

The questioner asked me if this was the last time this had happened for a single picture to win both leading actor awards. I didn’t know the answer so I did a bit of research.

The answer is yes, As Good As It Gets, was the last time a single film won both Best Actor (Jack Nicholson) and best actress (Helen Hunt) Oscars. The film was the 7th in Oscar history to achieve this feat, marking a significant achievement in Oscar awards history.

It made we want to delve deeper into the films that had also achieved this.

It Happened One Night 1934 starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert directed by Frank Capra. I haven’t seen this film but it’s now on my list to watch. Described as a ground breaking screwball comedy picture and setting the standard for the genre.

One Flew over The Cuckoos Nest, 1975 is a firm favourite. A film I’ll never forget seeing for the first time. Brilliant. The winners were Jack Nicholson and Louis Fletcher. Like It happened One Night it became the second film in history to sweep the Big Five categories, Best Picture, Best Director, Actor, Actress and Best Adapted Screen Play, nominated for nine awards in total.

Network 1976, another movie I haven’t seen or Coming Home 1978, not much of a movie buff I hadn’t even heard of this one. Peter Finch and Faye Dunaway won for Network. Jon Voight and the magnificent Jane Fonda I discovered for Coming Home which also scooped Best Original Screenplay so may be one to look out for too although this one like Deer Hunter, Platoon, Apocalypse Now, Full Metal Jacket, Good Morning Vietnam and Born on the 4th of July that followed, all largely released in the 1970’s and 80’s is about the Vietnam war, not a subject matter I get especially excited about, very violent and quite disturbing.

On Golden Pond everyone will agree is a fantastic film I haven’t seen for years, Henry Fonda in his last role opposite the brilliant Katharine Hepburn. It’s one for everyone to watch tackling themes of aging, morality, the complexities of enduring long term marriage as an elderly couple navigate the challenges of memory loss and fractured family so many endure. A very moving heart felt and funny film you won’t necessarily watch over and over but once seen would never forget.

And then the last film to scoop the “Big Five” most prestigious academy awards. The Silence of The Lambs starring Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins.

This is a film I absolutely love and quote in every day life “are you a size fourteen?” “she puts the lotion in the basket” “I’m having a friend for dinner” although that may be the sequel Hannibal also a magnificent chilling and stylish must watch film.

And every time I hear the Tom Petty American Girl and Savage Republic Real Men all I think about is Silence of The Lambs. Canadian Composer, conductor and orchestrator noted for his film scores (Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies) was the person responsible for this notable soundtrack album which I also love and I’d really recommend having a listen the whole way through.

It’s amazing to discover 3 films making history I haven’t seen. On a final note I did just watch a brilliant film black and white, 1952 drama film Something to Live For, directed by George Stevens, staring Joan Fontaine (Hitchcock’s Rebecca 1940) as Jenny Carey, Ray Milland (Billy Wilders Lost Weekend) as Alan Miller, and Teresa Wright as Edna Miller. The film focuses on a Broadway actress and a married adman, both battling alcoholism, who develop a complex bond and tells their story in a realistic and brutal way exposing the power of addiction, connection and infidelity in all it’s forms. Fantastic lesser known title for Black and White movie lovers, again another one I’d never seen or heard of before. I plan to do a full review on Something to Live For. I didn’t think I’d be crazy about it and then it got me and pulled me in the way only the best films can.

Waitrose Colombian Coffee Ice Cream The Best Coffee Ice cream I have Ever Tasted

What is happening to the Food and Hospitality Scene In London Richard Caring Sells Out for 1.4...

Poppy

2026-04-17T08:50:00.0000000 2026-04-17T09:54:35.8330000

When the King of Mayfair is leaving town you know there’s something up.

I worry. I worry about London. How it has changed. How expensive it is. Streets that were once safe to meander alone, Berkeley Square, Mount St, Knightsbridge, my neighbourhood are now scary and not just at night. People are getting mugged, assaulted, during the day too, you might as well be in Magaluf, not the most wonderful city in the world.

How anyone cannot notice the difference, I don’t know. Even Richard Caring owner of long established spots like Scott’s on Mount st, I’ve snooped about it, Annabels, the famous night time retreat in Berkeley Square has got out for a staggering 1.4 billion. When I told my friend about it, she just said, he knows what’s coming. It was quite depressing.

He had already dumped the Ivy restaurant chain, sold to an Abu Dhabi firm a couple of years ago and somewhere we used to go to literally all the time we’ve already stopped frequenting so regularly. It’s just not the same, the staff are miserable, it’s dead, and when it’s not, the treatment we used to get from the maitre D’ who’d always find us a table just isn’t happening anymore. It’s just no longer special.

Which brings me onto this ice cream. We are eating at home more. Having friends over. Going to friends. It’s cheaper and safer. Which is a shame but I am sure many other people are doing the same whilst the economy is so bad.

Two puddings in a restaurant in London will set you back £20. Two ice creams in a gelato shop, double scoops, £15. My favourite coffee shop Marchesa on Mount St, an icecream in there is £8.00 to go so this gem from Waitrose, discovered when a friend told us she had something amazing for us to try, 500ml of Colombian Coffee magic for £4.60. It is an absolute bargain and blooming delicious.

Not only does it taste better than any other ice cream I’ve tried in a long time, for £2.30 each, we get to indulge in the largest triple scoop serving when you eat one pot between two.

If you are not greedy this pot will easily generously serve four people. It says on the pot it’s supposed to serve six but I think that would be too small a portion.

Food memories evoke strong feelings and when I eat this ice cream I am transported to pondering flavours in a traditional Italian gelato shop searching out the words caffe or mocha not to be confused with equally delicious Affogato meaning drowned, vanilla ice cream with a shot of expresso poured over it.

In a changing world for young people who love to go out to eat, a landscape that is becoming, too expensive, too dangerous or just not so much fun anymore, there’s always Colombian Coffee Ice Cream from Waitrose.

Just for reference there’s 153 calories in 1/6 of the pot. If you share between two like us you are looking at closer to 500 calories. And if you eat the whole pot to yourself you need to get yourself to he gym or out for a brisk walk.

Writing this and thinking about the ice cream, I am going to get a biscuit. We already finished the ice cream.