Rhys Ifans is The Reason To Watch Mr. Nice 2010

the true story of International drug trafficker loveable rogue Howard Marks

Constocking

2026-02-22T10:48:00.0000000 2026-03-02T10:17:12.1630000

A 2010 true story adapted from the book Mr. Nice by Howard Marks starring Rhys Ifans, Chloe Sevigny, David Thewlis, Christian Mackay, Elsa Pataky, Crispin Glover.

Oxford University student Howard Marks (Rhys Ifans) becomes an international drug smuggler with alleged connections to MI6, the IRA and the Mafia.

I haven’t snooped about a movie before, I don’t find time to watch that many but I loved this one so much I really wanted to recommend it. It’s a better than great film would be suitable for anyone from ages 12 up. Shows British culture beautifully to an international audience as well as keeping you completely hooked in the story and the colourful cast of characters that take you through historical and global events and milestones.

I’ve watched this movie before and despite remembering it was brilliant and worth watching again the second experience was completely engrossing and almost like watching for the first time, with highlights of oh I remember this bit. Or oh yes, this bit was really good.

Notable for it’s fast moving and extremely witty script Ifans plays the charismatic rogue Howard Marks to a tee, his rock star swagger and the equally gorgeous women in his life, first wife, Ilze, Elsa Pataky and then Judy Marks, Chloe Sevegny in the action crime drug heist movie, except it’s a true story of super bright boy from the welsh valleys whose life changes completely when he gets accepted to Oxford University on a scholarship in the 1960s.

What happens on the rollercoaster ride of a journey that begins with Marks addressing a theatre audience as he shares his adventure of becoming the most prolific international trafficker of cannabis with the assistance of Jim McCann of the provisional IRA.

James Joseph McCann (born 1939) is a figure linked to Irish republicanism who was involved in the smuggling of arms to the Provisional IRA during the 1970s and later became associated with drug trafficking.

It’s a whacky and heart rending story told beautifully by director Bernard Rose, that begins in black and white (I didn’t remember that at all) but makes a significant impact in how the story unfolds over time.

The clothes, the styling, the script will endear anyone whose parents grew up in the 60’s and 70’s working class Britain. The references in the black and white styling and Marks home in Wales, UK make a stark contrast to his millionaire lifestyle later in life.

It’s such a fantastic movie with gorgeous Rhys Ifans, who often plays the idiot in films like Notting Hill, Twin Town and then as British comedic icon Peter Cook in Not Only But Always a role which earned him a BAFTA.

But it is in Mr. Nice he comes alive as the sexiest of leading men, I know difficult to imagine but even if you don’t like a Welsh accent, coming from someone with a Swedish one, (both difficult to understand for some people) this is easily overcome.

The film in some ways reminded me of Leonardo Di Caprio in Catch me if you Can, another true story about a very clever out of the box individual who decided on a life of crime and spent years evading law enforcement.

Howard marks was eventually caught and extradited to the US where he ended up serving 7 years in detention in Indiana. Sentenced to 25 years he was released in 1995 for good behaviour.

In the film it is documented he educated other prisoners during his detention teaching them to read and write and served his time as “prison attorney” filing appeals on behalf of other prisoners. He is quoted in the film as believing he could evade law enforcement because even with his new name, Mr. Nice, everyone knew who he was and could have given him up at any time, he believed no one would because they genuinely liked him and thought him a “nice guy.” Something that proved not necessarily so when his associates and friends were called to give evidence against him at his trial.

My favourite quote from the movie

“ A dealer is really just someone who buys more dope than he can smoke. And I have to say, I'm ashamed, I tried to smoke it all. There was just too fuckin' much of it.”

This movie is funny, sad, gorgeous charismatic acting, full of wonderful locations, costumes and style. I do wonder why more people have not watched it: definitely up there in my top 30 movies of all time.

Orange Fortnums (and Mason) and Champagne Heavenly Breakfast Marmalade or apelsinmarmelad

British Marmalade at it’s finest - get the Amphora it’s the best deal

Constocking

2026-02-07T09:45:58.4230000 2026-02-07T11:11:43.6930000

I spent the day on here yesterday getting to know people and decided this weekend to come back and share something that has reminded me of home Sweden in a funny sort of way, even though it’s very British.

Food is a pleasure zone for me for sure. I look forward to what I am going to eat every day and flavours and smells create memories and reminders of happy times gone by. I haven’t snooped for a while but a gift I received over the holidays has brought me back to share and reading a load of other product snoops from Fortnums in the Uk. Clearly a popular place for food lovers like me. I’ve taken a few recommendations so here’s mine to add to the list. IN Sweden we’re made our own, I am not a great cook but Marmalade is very easy and unlike jam no problems getting it to set, you just boil fruit sugar and a dash of white vinegar then pop it in a jar but I honestly don’t think you could ever make anything yourself that tastes better than this.

Orange Fortnums (and Mason) and Champagne Heavenly Breakfast Marmalade or apelsinmarmelad.

My breakfast combo of choice growing up in Sweden was cheese and marmalade. The treat I looked forward to consisted of two slices of lightly toasted bread, thick slices of mild cheese (my favourite was called ”Baronost,” Baron cheese), topped off with what was referred to back home as ”British orange marmalade”

Since living and working in London I have discovered the very best orange marmalade I’ve ever ever tasted at Fortnum and Mason. The same place I buy the Moroccan Mint tea from, another find if you love fresh mint tea and don’t have time to make it.

They call it Bucks Fizz in a jar equally delicious but longer lasting with no hangover.

And they’d be right, whomever “they” is.

This marmalade is show stopping, award winning, makes you buy better bread to warrant putting the marmalade on it and gives you a little joyous feeling when you wake up in the morning and remember there’s a new jar downstairs waiting for you.

For anyone who struggles getting out of bed especially in the winter this just might be the incentive you need.

What makes it so special and noteworthy

Well first off the price at £8.50 a jar for the small one. 340g. I’d rather pay £16 for the bigger one where you get a massive 840g (1lb 12 oz) of glistening liquid gold, almost three times the quantity for double the price.

You don’t have to worry about it expiring, it rarely lasts long enough to even warrant keeping it in the fridge. I keep it in the cupboard without issue.

It’s everything a great homemade product is and more. It doesn’t taste boozy, just luxurious, with thick shreds of orange peel, sweetly coated in the jelly like syrup where the marmalade hasn’t quite set so you get a combination of texture and well as a combination of taste.

It’s one of those things that’s simply a show stopper. I’ve even served it to people, guests who categorically say “no thanks I don’t like marmalade” and been converted and with cheese.

Even the budget conscious I believe would try it once and it will become a wont that cannot be skipped.

Who can afford £16 for a jar of marmalade, it’s a lot but we all find money for the things we just can’t live without. When you think a packet of 20 Camel now costs over £20 (I don’t smoke anymore I just overheard someone buying them in my local convenience store and was staggered) it makes the marmalade, in relative pleasure terms extremely good value.

https://www.fortnumandmason.com/orange-champagne-marmalade-amphora-800g

Tropicana Banana and Strawberry Smoothies are Mumsnet Rated

Convenient healthy lunch box smoothie for kids on sale at Morrisons Chalk Farm Doctors kids...

Constocking

2025-08-27T06:56:05.5470000 2025-08-27T10:20:48.2700000

Not as good of a deal as Morrisons own brand strawberry banana and blackcurrant smoothies at £1.85 for four a personal favourite of my kids I discovered browsing Poopsnoop, if you can find them. I buy online usually as we don’t have many Morrison stores in London. I make a special trip to Morrisons in Chalk Farm when I have time for the cream cakes which are excellent and a family favourite and the black current, banana strawberry smoothies.

Although the Tropicana strawberry and banana smoothie are a great alternative if you cannot find the Morrisons one. And an added bonus the Tropicana kids smoothies do have added multivitamins, Vitamin C, B1, B6 and E and have been rated by Mumsnet if you are worried your kids or you are not eating enough fruit and veg. I’ve never really bought into vitamin supplements, never had them growing up and introduced in to our lives in the 1950s vital amines were isolated in 1911 by a biochemist Casimir Funk known to cause Beri Beri in Pigeons a deficiency in Thiamine or B1 known to have a range of symptoms and so hence Vitamins evolved. For me it’s a multimillion dollar business if you eat a balanced healthy diet every day you don’t need to step you foot into as the body has no capacity to store unused additional vitamins and your body actually just excretes what you don’t need.

That said kids aren’t always the best with consuming fruit and vegetables so if extra vitamins gives you peace of mind then Tropicana kids smoothie offer a little extra value.

At £3.50 for 4 they do come in a lot more expensive if you have a few packed lunches to make but currently they are on offer at Morrisons for £2.50 so if branded juice means they are more likely to be consumed then they don’t taste bad at all.

Like I said I think the even cheaper £1.85 non branded generic Morrisons version with added blackcurrant are tastier but if you cannot find those these Tropicana kids smoothies are a great second choice option.

Dom Perignon Champagne for two adults only on special occasions

Constocking

2025-06-12T08:55:23.0100000 2025-06-12T10:39:33.2700000

You can literally pay anything for a bottle of Dom Perignon, the price is determined by the vintage, what’s so special about this champagne is each vintage is made from only one batch of grapes making each year unique and special from the last, a bottle of 2015 might only be £215 whilst the Dom Perignon from say 2008 could cost you more at £370 and then again 2006 is £315

And 2012 £235 yet a year later 2013 costs £15 less at £220. It all depends who thinks what about each vintage produced, how popular the wine is and who says one is better than the next.

I took the current prices off the website we sometimes shop on because they have a very comprehensive offering if you are looking to find out more about this specific champagne Champagnedirect.co.uk.

I certainly don’t drink Dom Perignon often enough to be able to discern one vintage from the next and even though the brand is now owned by the much cheaper and more widely guzzled Moet and Chandon the process of manufacture is kept completely separate. Dom Perignon is produced at a completely different distillery using distinct processes that separate it from its owners sister champagne brand.

I don’t drink alcohol every day, as a physician I see too many patients who consume too much alcohol but I also appreciate the benefits a couple of glasses of very fine wine or champagne can have to both mind and body.

Champagne is well known for its fizz, the bubbles which are attributed to heady feeling you get quickly from a glass of good champagne. The difference with a bottle of Dom Perignon you don’t get that really fizzy experience, the one that gets up your nose or stops you being able to swallow that first sip.

The danger is Dom Perignon slips down with the slightest of tickles making it very easy to guzzle not savour.

When the weather is warm and the evenings are long I can’t think of anything I enjoy more than popping open a bottle of Dom Perignon something we reserve for very special occasions. We don’t share. It’s too expensive to open at a drinks party, a case of 6 bottles is going to set you back £1300 plus depending on the vintage you choose.

No for us it’s a secret endeavour for two, an anniversary, birthday or holiday getaway, adults only no kids, to be savoured, enjoyed and always stopping at just one bottle.

Don’t be surprised if you cannot find a specific year like 2023. Unlike other Champagne houses, Dom Perignon will never non-vintage bubbles, so when it decides a year isn't up to snuff it doesn’t come out. Simple as.

Where it goes, who knows. I guess these strict rules about quality is what keeps the price elevated and the mystique and allure in tact.

A bottle of Dom Perignon regardless of the vintage you get your hands on is certainly a memorable experience to be savoured and truly appreciated.

We're Not Really Strangers Revealing Card Game

Public Mental Heath Warning Feelings May Arise

Constocking

2025-03-28T07:57:54.4670000 2025-03-29T08:05:26.5030000

I picked up this little card game in Urban Outfitters in California, we stayed at the Hyatt Centric Delphine Hotel on Pico which was a lovely hotel and great location for the beach, the pier and 3rd St promenade.

The urban outfitter is located at 1440 Third St. at Broadway, Santa Monica, CA and I think the game cost me about $30. The reason I am writing this is because it's absolute genius and it's not really available anywhere else I've later found out. Since returning to London I've told friends in the UK and Sweden about it however finding it online has proved tricky for anyone not living in America.

For anyone in the US you can purchase on the We are not really strangers website link below. I did find it available on Amazon if you don't mind buying from that monster.

The premise of the game is to think. It's a card game that asks thought provoking questions that might challenge, embarrass, make you laugh, and as the game progresses you not only find out about the people playing but you also find out about yourself.

What would I do in that situation? I don't know what I think about that? Yikes I said that and now I am saying this but the two things are the complete opposite.

The very best thing about the game is it's gets everyone talking across generations so it's a magnificent way to diffuse an argument or contravention. The game also sparked conversation, discussion and questions for days after we played,

"you know when you said" or "did that really happen to you" or "how can I do this when you said that"

The other beauty is don't need any knowledge or experience to play and it doesn't matter if you are young or old, male or female. A grandparent for example could easily play with a kid.

The youngest member of our family is 8 and she loved playing.

This is a very interesting fun and thought provoking way to spend a couple of hours around the pool, in the airport or when friends come to visit.

Whats included and how to play.

2-6 players

2 pencils and WNRS notepad

2 transparent Dig Deeper cards

150 questions and wildcards

Warning: Feelings may arise

Chanel les Beiges Blush No. 21 plus a gorgeous money saving alternative

Constocking

2025-03-11T11:01:53.0130000 2025-03-28T08:12:49.2470000

I absolutely love this blush. No brush, no mess, goes on light, I am in my forties now, and don’t have time to be reapplying my make up during the day so an easy blush stick works perfectly for me.

I am quite pale skinned with dark hair so the one thing I would say is this colour is not perfect for me, maybe a bit too pink but the product, ease of application, ease of blend and how long it lasts endures, I can usually still see a bit of pink in my cheeks at the end the end of the day. The only downside for me only 4 colours to choose from and they are very natural nudes, so I’d say more for women and girls who like a very natural sunkissed look.

Cost $52 US, £42 in the UK which I know is on the high end for a stick blush (although saying that UK stock is limited, no. 20 and no. 21 are sold out) On the upside if you can find one you don’t need much product so it does last pretty well. I’ve had my stick over 12 months and I’d say I’ve used about half.

If it was exactly the right colour for me I’d have probably used it up by now.

All in all I think for ease this blush would be tough to beat. So subtle, you don’t even need a mirror.

Although if you are on a budget and want a less well known alternative however pretty much exactly the same result with some feel good factor thrown in try Violette_Fr. Bisou blush, the colour I like best is Maryam and the cost $36. You can also get an extra 15% off if a new customer and happy to join the Violette_Fr mailing list.

It’s a small independent brand I really like as well. I like a renaissance inspired natural flush and Maryam delivers this for me against my skin tone.

The reason I like Violette_Fr so much is this version is cheaper for a start, the colours available, 6 and they are much stronger, wear all year around. Violette offers Multi-dimensional Color, a Skin-Like Finish and a Natural Radiance I love.

I’ve included the link for Violette Bisou blush as this one is more difficult to source.

Extra things to consider before shopping, Violette is vegan friendly cruelty free, Chanel is not. Violette 1% goes back to the planet and sustainability issues, Chanel does not make any similar claims.

Piccadilly Arcade London

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2025-02-26T11:08:24.7100000 2025-02-26T11:33:45.2730000

There are two areas I love to stroll around in London, one is Holland Park, I am always happy to see the wrought iron Victorian ballastrades around the grand entrances to the 19th century mansions with grand iron porches and railings and for window shopping no where captures my imagination of a day gone by than St James, the area in London where the brands you’ve never heard of, have been there for centuries and probably will endure for a few more hundred years to come.

One such spectacle is the Piccadilly Arcade, less well known than it’s sister, the Burlington Arcade that connects the posh shopping enclave of Bond St to the bustle of Piccadilly, Fortnum and Mason and the world famous Ritz hotel.

In the Piccadilly arcade you’ll find family businesses from another time, jewellers and watchmakers, shirt makers and perfumers, many call this area of St James the Kings village because it includes some of the most established London merchants dating back to the 18th century.

If you are brave enough to step over the threshold of any one of the shops which includes the like of Faberge and Deakin and Francis.

For the discerning coffee drinker or the nosey people watcher (I am the latter) pull up a pew in Cut Coffee and watch the beautiful people walk by.

It’s one of the best places in London, quiet, intimate where no one will bother you, to pretend to poke your nose in a book but really watch the world go by.

Floris London

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2025-02-26T09:23:06.6470000 2025-02-26T10:59:07.2330000

Before there was Jo Malone there was Floris.

This is the perfect example of an old brand that has disappeared under the radar. Few of the Creed clan or Tom Ford set would probably have even heard of Floris yet consider wearing it, even though its understated heritage and quiet status globally outstrips both. Even Creed despite association to a tailoring business started in London around 1760 the perfume production didn’t begin until the 1960s or 1970s.

Floris was the original “Jo Malone”. Simple fragrances with simple names like Magnolia, soulle amber and night scented Jasmine in simple navy classic packaging.

If you are looking for something incredible, with fragrance that will hold and hold for days, have a look at the range from Floris.

The fragrances are available in Harvey Nichols, Selfridges and Liberty and direct to us the consumer on the Floris website.

It’s not a fancy website and the graphics and feel is dated; it reminds me of a bit more expensive Yardley which I understand no one is going to get excited about the branding and packaging of Yardleys Lily of the Valley.

Floris is very different because of the quality of the product which keeps its discerning and understated customers coming back.

The fragrances are available in 4 sizes, 2ml to try before you invest, 10ml for £25, 50ml for £80 (such value when you see how little you actually need) and 100ml at £125.

This is a brand that will endure without marketing simply because the product stands alone.

Loads of beautiful scents to choose from, recipes that have stood the test of time; just a beautiful brand that doesn’t need marketing.

The navy packaging has been the same since my father purchased my first bottle many years ago now.

I love supporting a family business that opened its doors on Jermyn st London in 1730 and is still independent to this day.

What are we all buying into? Let’s support experience, history and quality instead of marketing, packaging and shareholders.

If fragrance doesn’t hold you have purchased water.

OFF White by Virgil Abloh

Constocking

2025-01-31T17:06:43.6200000 2025-01-31T17:16:56.9770000

I have always loved the relaxed monochrome over sized clothing the late Virgil Abloh, fashion designer is known for. He remarkably smashed through stereotypes becoming the first black creative director of a luxury fashion house.

Virgil Abloh was born on September 30, 1980 in Rockford, Illinois and died on November 28, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois, aged 41.

After launching his own label Off White 2012:13, an evolution from his first street wear brand Pyrex Vision, he paired up with Nike in 2017 and then in 2018 he secured his tenure at the top of Louis Vuitton until his untimely death.

His clothes are quite androgynous in style, and quite a few pieces are genderless, something I like.

I love the athleisure, the leggings and long sleeve crop tops. The energy and colour palettes are simple, solid colours with some intarsia and monochromatic interpretations of the “Off White” arrows.

The clothes are expensive. The knitwear I have loved, and in the most part the quality has justified the price.

This is one of my favourite luxury brands for anyone looking for clothes you’ll reach for all the time, things that become your favourites and things easy to share and pass on.

Sort of like original Prada with a deep urban street connection. One of the few brands today I think you can still feel part of the story and connect when you wear the clothes. Sort of inspirational.

The legacy lives on.

The Twenty Two

Constocking

2025-01-11T10:31:06.6830000 2025-01-11T12:02:21.8100000

They say The Twenty Two is for the creative and the curious.

I was invited by one of my patients, a private home with rooms, but not a “hotel” in the sense anyone can walk in, it’s not open to the public.

It’s one of those places, located just off bustling Oxford St, a mews house with tiny signage outside. From the exterior it’s quiet and understated.

It’s when you get inside you get the Narnia experience. You sort of feel you are somewhere mere mortals don’t get go but not because it’s austere, the reverse, they make you feel like you are old friend even though you’ve never been before.

I was only meeting my patient there so I didn’t get the full experience but I did get to snoop around, the interiors created by Cuban American Natalia Miyar, are opulent and maximalist inspired by 18th century France I feel fortunate to have seen.

You can feel the fun and frivolity, the Latina in the design Forbes magazine called, classic French decor combined with modern Mayfair.

I understand the designer worked very closely with property magnet and former Blakes owner Navid Mirtorabi on this her first hotel project and the result is stunning.

You cannot just pop in for lunch or use the meeting rooms or bar. Everything is private and you need to be a member of the Capital A program to get access.

However you can book in to stay and experience the Pierre Frey wallpaper in the 31 fantastically appointed rooms and for this level of luxury and this location I’ll be booking in for sure at under £500 a night.

When you compare this rate to other more well known luxury properties it’s an absolute steal including breakfast.

Big shout out to the lovely doorman pictured.

Fortnum and Mason Moroccan Mint Green Tea

Constocking

2025-01-08T16:04:09.0630000 2025-01-08T16:16:01.4470000

You get 15 tea bags in the box so at least£7.95 for 15 tea bags it works out at 53p per cup.

Some luxury tea bags (like Tea Pigs you can use for two cups) I didn’t find these to extend more than one.

I got this box of Mint tea from Fortnums and Mason, Moroccan Mint green tea for Christmas and it tasted of nothing. The packaging spectacular but the individually wrapped tea bags first of all difficult to remove from the wrapper without busting the tea bag. You obviously get the health benefits of green tea, it would definitely be improved with a few sprigs of fresh mint.

For me the best value Mint Tea bags are Tesco Finest, sadly they don’t sell them in any of three tescos near me so it means shopping online for one thing which makes them too expensive and defeats the object.

Tea pigs mint tea I love. The cost about £10 in Waitrose for 40 bags about 0.22p per cup.

These tea bags will definitely stretch to more than one cup