Custard Tart Anyone? How a great product sells itself, literally

I Understand Custard Tart Lovers Will Move Heaven and Earth to Unearth a Custard Tart from...

Miranda Blacky

2026-03-24T16:54:00.0000000 2026-03-25T17:59:15.3700000

Word of mouth still makes a sale better than any social media post

or TV advert if the brand can afford it. Had to share these Unearthed custard tarts and how I discovered this brand never heard of before.

Was out on a walk and my friend told me about these custard tarts.

She’d had one for breakfast and she was raving so hard about the crumbly pastry, the brown skin, I know doesn’t sound very appetising. I don’t even like custard tarts but I understand if you are a custard tart fan you’ll understand. The pitch was so passionate I repeated it telling another friend of mine who does love a custard tart. And it sparked a chain of events.

Works like Chinese whispers. She was so excited before I knew it she was in the supermarket in search of the said custard tart, except my friend on the walk had told me the wrong brand name so I realised my other friend was searching in vain.

As luck would have it friend no. 1 realising she had pitched the wrong brand, popped over an image of the Portuguese custard tarts so highly praised by Unearthed over on WhatsApp app.

Friend No. 2 was already in the store with no phone for me to message her with the correct information.

Feeling bad for giving the wrong information and sending friend no. 2 on a wild goose chase for her much loved custard tart there was no other choice but to head to the store myself and track her down with the correct custard tart information.

She was so happy I had gone to the trouble of ensuring she wasn’t disappointed we told another person in the store what had happened and they bought a box of the custard tarts too.

When I think about how much a food brand you’ve never heard of has to spend to acquire a customer. I decided to share the story.

How one customer can become two, become three, can become four.

It’s why I love snooping here on Poopsnoop and like I say I don’t even like custard tarts.

Apparently if you are a fan of the cream custard horns from Tesco that cost around £1.35 each these are a million times better, you do have to bake them in the oven for twenty minutes so not the same immediate gratification but you get 6 for £4.60, (regular price £5.90) currently on offer at Waitrose. So much better value for money.

The brand Unearthed is known for bringing the holidays home so if you are in search of the Portuguese custard tart you enjoyed on your last vacation here you go. Pastel De Nata.

Whoever said great products don’t need marketing might just be right.

Salt Brushing By Sea Magik was an experience I definitely want to repeat

Sea Majik Range For Ocean lovers looking for budget beauty that packs a punch

Miranda Blacky

2026-03-14T10:27:00.0000000 2026-03-14T11:27:46.0830000

Since I quit smoking, now almost a full year ago I have been implementing more self care in other ways. Never really one for a lot of products and an intense beauty regiment I have been doing a little more pampering of late. I know a lifetime of smoking has taken a toll on my skin, something smokers do deny in favour of justifying the enjoyment from lighting up.

Someone asked me if I felt better for not smoking recently and whilst the immediate answer was no, (although the aches and pains are starting to subside) on reflection I didn’t think immediately about how proud I am of myself for actually managing to conquer the lifetime habit. So in that way I do feel accomplished internally.

I love the ocean, I have always loved the ocean. I spent a few years living by the sea. I love swimming in the ocean, early morning, I didn’t realise actually how much until in mid life I moved inland. My skin always feels revived when the salt of the sea hits it, where the scent of citrus, the wind and seaweed meet and I am not sure how the makers of Sea Magik have got the ocean invigorating experience in the jar but they have definitely managed it.

I don’t use a lot of skincare and beauty products. So I am by no means an expert. I bought this because I wanted to give my body a polish and it certainly did that. I’ve had scrubs before in pots and in a treatment setting and this one is definitely my favourite. It is not grainy which I liked, the texture is substantial but not gritty and as it works across the skin you can feel it disappearing to nothing, almost creating a sort of cleansing gel which I actually really loved.

And the touch, exfoliating and cleansing experience combined is topped of with this comforting scent of actually being by or in the ocean, transporting you to a vacation setting which is no mean feet when you are standing in the shower at the gym after a workout.

The best thing about this product is it didn’t cost me a million pounds, at £21 it’s actually on the more affordable end of beauty, so if your skin is feeling a little bit scaly and or neglected I’d really recommend a pot of Salt Brushing by Sea Magik.

The experience was so good I will be looking into other products in the range. Not sure where you can buy it other than in Holland and Barrett in the UK where I got mine and online. Then I read the range is stocked in Harrods pharmacy if you are in central London.

A few days after using the appearance of my skin, particularly my legs is much improved, and definitely feels softer and renewed. I will definitely be purchasing the Salt Brushing product again. It’s really really nice, made in the UK, 100% vegan, cruelty free, all natural and not too expensive either so checks all my boxes for beauty.

The nourishing seaweed bath and body oil pictured I bought as an accompanying product and it’s nice but it’s the Salt Brushing product I really loved that was snoop worthy.

Delfinos Italian and Pizza Restaurant Reception As Cold As A Raining Day In London

We imagined New York style pizza pie dripping, crispy base, chin dribbling deliciousness

Miranda Blacky

2026-02-06T10:25:00.0000000 2026-02-15T11:20:28.5670000

What we got was closer to the supermarket frozen section.

Just because it’s Mayfair doesn’t mean the food is going to taste great or you’ll be welcomed with open arms.

When you read the website Delfino sounds like absolute magic. A place you’d definitely want to experience if you’ve never been before. I was completely sold.

I was on Grosvenor Square in Mayfair, it was 4.30pm, we’d missed lunch, had some time to kill and fancied a quick New York Style Pizza. I popped New York Style Pizza Grosvenor Square in Google and Delfinos around the corner came up first, what looked like a gorgeous Italian restaurant established in 1953.

It was raining so we decided to drive to Delfinos on Mount St knowing there’d be plenty of parking outside and we wouldn’t have to walk far.

We were going to eat in but we didn’t have a reservation and the welcome we received was lukewarm warm so we decided on pizza to go instead.

The restaurant was pretty busy not full but busy so maybe it was just an off day for the staff. We felt a bit uncomfortable whilst we waited. IT wasn’t the friendliest of places. The only person who actually managed a smile was the chef who did give us a “Ciao” as we left.

The pizza sadly, which we ate in the hotel, was as mediocre as the reception, the crust was a bit soggy and the pre cooked peppers and mushroom were wet instead of crunchy, possibly out of a jar so disappointing for the £20.00 price tag.

It did say on the menu this particular pizza had chilli and it was HOT, HOT, HOT so if you like spicy then they do deliver here. Although probably this level of heat would be too much for most. Fair warning.

It’s cute little place in a great location, and like I say I could have hit on a bad day. Would I go back and give them another chance, well the images online are absolutely fantastic so maybe if I was passing, starving and I was out of other options. I’d probably sit down though, instead of take out. Maybe the service is better if you make a reservation.

Las Dunas Grand Luxury Hotel (formerly The Healthhouse) 5 Star Health and Beach Spa Hotel Estapona Not Quite The Vacation I was Expecting

Not all holiday booking sites make it clear this is a HEALTH SPA first and foremost

Miranda Blacky

2026-01-23T16:36:00.0000000 2026-01-24T09:02:52.2670000

I know the clue is in the name. Although it has changed from the Healthhouse to the GrandLuxury Hotel, they kept the towels though with the Healthhouse branding. This is an adults-only health resort supposedly the epitome of comfort, elegance and cutting-edge design. A luxurious retreat for those seeking rejuvenation, check and relaxation, check, the focus is on delicious nutritious food, medical spa treatments and all-round holistic happiness.

All sounded great at the time of booking. Be advised this resort closes from September to March and you feel it if you go when they are winding down or getting back up and running. Expect a few glitches and less than 5 star service, phones taking a long time to be answered, very slow getting requests to the room and sometimes dropping the ball completely.

We checked in for a week of pampering and luxury, except we weren’t quite ready for the “Health” aspects of what awaited us like no salt and pepper, calories controlled meals. Scrambled eggs without the yellows, whites only, fresh fruit plates, no bread only crackers. Had we known we’d have snuck food in our suitcases.

OK so here are the positives at Las Dunas Grand Luxury Hotel and there are many if you are on a serious diet and want to drop 20lbs.

The rooms are super luxurious, the pillows down filled, the bed linens and towels are of the highest quality. Fair to say the room was probably one of the most comfortable and spacious rooms I’ve ever stayed in and I’ve stayed in a lot at all different levels of luxury over the years.

The property is vast and quite sprawling, long dark corridors to access your room, it did take us a few days to get the lay of the land. It’s very quiet which is to be expected, no kids which for us was good but elements of being in an expensive hospital more than a spa.

The restaurants on property are strict so we found ourselves ordering room service quite a bit which is expensive and a little anti social. I guess the vibe is guests don’t want to see people scoffing hamburgers whilst they are trying to lose weight.

At breakfast for those who enjoy a shot of caffeine in the morning it’s decaf only. Like I said I’ve been to a couple of Thalassotherapy places in France, one we especially like in Antibes but nowhere quite as rigorous with the healthy policies as the Las Dunas Grand Luxury Hotel.

The pool is gorgeous, scattered with beautiful marble statues giving the whole place the feel of an Italian piazza, intricate mosaics and white stone colonnades and the sun loungers and big wickers domes for relaxing we couldn’t fault. The pool was massive, beautifully maintained and the service impeccable. The downers were no tea and coffee by the pool, in fact no drinks at all and certainly no cocktails unless you wanted to savour the hotels own healthy concoctions which could also be purchased in the Las Dunas spa area before leaving for an eye watering price, the health claims and benefits I am not sure could be independently verified.

I did feel like I’d stepped in Alan Parker’s dark comedy starring Anthony Hopkins the Road To Wellville. There were a lot of similarities.

We did have lengthy chats with the hotel management via what’s app, the reception is quite a walk away, particularly about the food, the breakfast, which would not have maintained a sparrow, and we did get the eggs upgraded to include the yolks but that was it.

It’s a health place through and through and the policies are strict. If you are not into this, it’s five star in every other way but probably not for you.

We did have a good old shop in the hotel boutique which was fabulous, large and carried quite a few beautiful clothing lines like Casall and Deha Italian sportswear brand I absolutely loved using premium fabrics and a focus on comfort. I would never have known about these gorgeous clothes without staying at the Las Dumas Grand Luxury Hotel. And the beachfront location is perfect for an ocean swim, the beach, Saladillo beach is a two minute walk away, is gorgeous and the hotel location equidistant from Marbella and Estepona makes both places easy to reach if you enjoy a night out in town or a visit to the local markets. Estapona’s market is in the harbour, and there’s a wonderful Saturday market in Puerto Banus for shopping local crafts, art, shoes and great quality dupe goods.

We didn’t do through the medical assessment on arrival, nor did we sign up for the customised health program they offer along side massage therapies, aqua and thalassotherapy and specifically designed exercise regimes. If you want and need this it’s available.

We did enjoy the vast spa facilities with water stations on every corridor. The facilities are extensive, large and situated in a separate building from the hotel so expect a bit of a hike to get there. It not just a hop skip and a jump from the sun lounger onto a massage table wearing your super comfy enveloping hotel dressing gown.

This place is specific, it’s a health facility first so anyone needing professional medical support for recovery, rehabilitation or targeted weight loss it would be a fantastic spot to get that help however if you are scrolling booking.com or Expedia.com in search of a 5 star oasis with home comforts like a dirty martini and a cheeseburger on the side it might not be the place for you.

The Best Store Bought Ice Cream Dessert I’ve Tasted In a Decade at Only A Couple Of Quid

Caffe Latte Tartufi Gelato Truffles

Miranda Blacky

2025-11-10T08:03:00.0000000 2025-11-11T15:47:07.4130000

Snoop Update 24 hours later

The dialogue in the car yesterday went like this “shall we get more of that ice cream? It’s good for my throat. It’s a long way to go just for ice cream. We’ll get it tomorrow” 10 minutes later. “Let’s go get that ice cream”

New images snapped before the second box was devoured. Better hurry. They only had 4 left in our Waitrose.

Original Snoop

I am in two minds writing this snoop. Selfishly I want to ensure the next time I go to Waitrose to buy this absolutely knockout dessert it’s not sold out, which I already fear it will be once people get wind of it and try it for themselves.

If I had floor to ceiling freezer cabinet facilities and could store these I’d be buying in bulk, no doubt about it.

How do I describe them. The new cafe au lait gelato desserts from Crosta Mollica quickly becoming my favourite ready made food company with their pizzas, flatbreads and now their ice cream puddings. They come in packs of two, ice cream bombs dusted in light bitter cocoa each sitting on its own paper fluted doilley a really nice presentation touch I have to add. 

But it’s when you sink your spoon into these delectable sweet treats you find yourself taking smaller spoonfuls as you know with each bite you are getting closer and closer to the experience being over, well I did anyway.

We had the cafe flavour and you can definitely taste the coffee not sure what other options there are in the range if any but boy was this one good.

Not cheap at £5.00 for two but when you think you’d happily pay £7.50 for this delivered in a smart restaurant, that good it puts the £2.50 each into perspective.

A massive thumbs up from me. Definitely be having a few of these over the holidays if they don’t sell out immediately that is.

Available in Waitrose and Tesco. Apologies for the limited photographs. I had to pull the box and paper out of the trash to take the photograph. When I buy more which will be soon, I Will add images of the actual gelato, or you can check out the pictures in the link.

Clarins Body Lift Cellulite Control Is in my top ten favourite beauty products for women over 50

Targets Early and Stubborn Cellulite Smooths Firms and refines and comes in a 400ml bottle

Miranda Blacky

2025-08-22T08:22:00.0000000 2025-08-22T08:54:45.7630000

I have been using this product for about 20 years one of the few skincare products I tried and have continued to use. It goes along way if you don’t use it every day as recommended.

Since I bought this one the product has been updated and is now called Clarins Body Fit Active Skin Smoothing Expert 400ml it retails for £60 but you can find it at Tesco in the Uk and on other websites too correctly for about £45. I always buy it duty free for an extra saving.

Clarins recommends applying every day from ankles to waist to optimise results and suggests following Clarins self massage body con tiring method on the Clarins website.

I am not that diligent with it. I have a good go with it once a week and step it up to once a day for two weeks before I go on holiday.

If the dimples around your stomach, thighs and backs if the legs are really bad I think giving up fizzy drinks and sparkling wine will be more effective than the Clarins Lift Minceur Anti Capitons in French however I do think with continued use this product has helped the time of my skin as I have aged and certainly using it gives me more confidence around the swimming pool in my bathing suit.

It definitely has some active ingredients in it because you can feel the tingle when you apply it. It goes on very cold which does take a bit of getting used to when you begin using the product especially if you live in a cold climate but the sensation over time has become a little addictive and like I say if the legs and thighs are a problem area with stubborn cellulite that no amount of dieting can shift the Clarins Body Lift Cellulite control is definitely worth a try.

it’s got organic Matcha tea extract and caffeine in it which is promoted as the magic ingredients.

I’ve been reading a few ladies in the community sharing their 10 cannot live without beauty products and I thought I’d join the challenge by adding a few of my more obscure favourite things when it comes to my limited pared down beauty regime. As I have gotten older I have tended to buy try less and less sticking only to what I really like that works for me.

Julia has a gin Magnolia Bliss 7.5ml at 30 euros to try out or 50ml at 105 euros.

It’s divine fresh, fruity and floral. A timeless young fragrance that most importantly holds all day.

Chanel CC correction complete super active cream spf 50

A complete beauty cream with 5 superpowers: it unifies, moisturizes, corrects, protects and boosts skin's glow, day after day. The secret? A formula enriched with enzymes. £55

Oaskia London Liquid Mask

The liquid mask lactic acid micro peel will completely transform your skin. I absolutely love it and invest. I’ve found the 30ml bottle regularly £77 on sale for £56 at Cult Beauty.

The Oskia Liquid Mask Lactic Acid Micropeel is a truly standout product in my opinion it actually delivers on its promise of radiant, rejuvenated skin.

Prestige Pawn luxury shopping and trading Brompton Cross

My god daughter likes the neighbourhood

Miranda Blacky

2025-07-20T11:27:00.0000000 2025-07-20T12:16:51.5830000

I live in Hampstead village which is a lovely shopping street, one of the few left in London you can meander up and down, window shop and have a complete experience without having to step foot in a shopping mall, the ghastly American concept from the 1970s now imported to the UK, the premier brand Westfield with high price rents and all the same shops. My god daughter often suggests going to the one in Hammersmith which I dread getting in and out of. The only positive for me a large Marks and Spencer’s food department.

Why I am always happy when she suggests a visit to Brompton Cross. I love Scalinis the old fashioned Italian restaurant at the top end of Walton St with the signature yellow and white furniture and dark blue awnings I’ve been going to for decades and if it’s a special occasion and a nice day Daphne’s for lunch is wonderful people watching if you get a seat outside on the pavement. You’ve also got Bibendum around the corner, now housing Claude Bosi at Bibendum, the renowned restaurant located in the historic Michelin House, a stunning architectural delight, if you are in the mood for Champagne and oysters, their signature.

Next door to Daphnes on Draycott Avenue is Prestige Pawn, another favourite of ours for a bit of shopping secondhand or trading in (for her not me) the designer handbag she had to have and then finding herself a bit hard up, she needs cash in a hurry. It’s actually a pawn brokers so you can borrow against your luxury item short term (interest rates are high), or fancying a change, she takes her “cash in the handbag” in for a swap, loan or sale. It really is a great service for anyone who makes a mistake, gets bored and wants a change or needs cash fast without jumping through too many hoops.

My only advice, make sure you are realistic if you want to sell your treasure outright and remember this is a business, they have to make money so what you think your item is worth based on what you paid divide that number by two and you are more likely to be closer to what you can expect to get. When visiting Prestige pawn it’s important to keep your expectations realistic.

The process is quick, it takes about 2-3 hours for the appraisal of your luxury item, and it doesn’t have to be a handbag, they are interested in watches, gold, diamonds, any high value item.

So you sign in your item, you have to sign them away if they determine your item is counterfeit or stolen, so don’t try to pull a fast one as you’ll be charged and you won’t get your item returned.

The service has always been exceptional whenever we have visited and the time needed for the appraisal means time to enjoy the lovely shopping neighbourhood and independent shops you don’t see on every high street or in every shopping mall.

If you like shopping for designer clothes on a budget there is a massive Loop Generation store (like the Real Real in New York City) where again you can trade, swap, get cash for unwanted designer pieces. The things they like the best are high end designer brands with tags on if possible and if not in pristine mint condition. The staff are very particular about what they will accept (all on consignment) the terms you get paid 30 days after your item sells. The whole process makes for a fantastic never know what you’ll find shopping experience on three levels. It’s a big store.

Prestige Pawn are different in that they don’t consign your luxury items, they loan against them or buy outright but the shop is also lovely to browse and it’s the kind of place if you love luxury goods you may just see something you love for quite a bit less than retail.

For savvy cost conscious ladies who like to lunch and shop there really isn’t anywhere better to start than Prestige Pawn brokers. You may have seen them featured on TV in the channel 4 show Posh Pawn. And if Brompton Cross is not accessible they have locations in Hatton Garden, Chelsea and also branches in Guildford and Weybridge in Surrey too.

The Brompton cross location is open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm and on Saturday 10.00am to 6pm. Closed on Sundays.

John Dalia Eyewear a treat to behold

I like buying things I’ve never heard of especially at my age. I love being surprised.

Miranda Blacky

2025-07-19T09:41:00.0000000 2025-07-20T09:05:50.9230000

I just invested in John Dalia sunglasses. The exciting new kid on the block, Frenchman John Dalia started trading in eyewear less than 15 years ago. I treated myself. And they are the best sunglasses I have ever owned. I thought Raybans were the best for driving. I’ve had a pair I have kept in my car for at least 15 years possibly longer, replacing the lenses as my eyes have deteriorated and the frames once when the arms fell off. To be fair they have lasted and served me well. I have been very loyal to Raybans for driving for many years. In my senior years over 50 I stick with things I like in the most part but I also like to reward the people who help me and take care of the things I need with kindness and professionalism so when my eye care expert showed me these beauties it was love at first sight. I decided it was time for a new pair of driving glasses and the credit card was out in a flash, something uncharacteristic for me. I am rarely impulsive these days. That said the John Dalia glasses are absolutely wonderful, super chic design that immediately appealed to me and on bright sunshine days when the glare off the windscreen is at its worst they have proven to be a very sound investment.

Many people don’t seem to appreciate what a difference a really good pair of sunglasses can make. I’ve had a Prada pair I dropped a bomb on in an airport many years ago now. I thought I’d end up having buyers remorse and they turned out to be incredible. I actually still have them even though the case is absolutely battered.

My new John Dalia shades purchase was a similar experience, completely extravagant and impulsive.

I think though sometimes when you absolutely spoil yourself and feel a little bit guilty afterwards you appreciate and wear something more, getting the most from the experience. I certainly do.

John Dalia may not be a name you know. I didn’t before a friend introduced me to the brand, like Linda Farrow they are known for using precious metals like gold and platinum in their frames which is why you can expect to pay more than perhaps you’d be used to even for designer frames.

One of the things that impressed me the most is the one year warranty offered by the John Dalia brand. John Dalia eyewear is covered by a one-year manufacturer's warranty against any defects in materials and workmanship. This warranty covers manufacturing defects and does not cover damage from misuse or modification. I like the idea of the glasses being protected at least for 12 months. It’ll be interesting if I have cause to need it and what happens in the event I do although I am just enjoying my purchase at present not worrying about my new glasses falling apart. Which I am sure they won’t. Even though they are light in weight they are very well made and the pair I chose have a goggle like guard around the outside of the rim stopping light penetrating the eye from the gap between the lens and the eye. A feature I really like.

I got mine from The Eye Place, in Belsize Park near to my home on Haverstock Hill where Alex is always on hand to help me with everything I need from my prescription contact lenses and sunglasses for driving. He has been the optician in this location for the last 15 years or so and I trust him implicitly to help me with my frame selection and keep me feeling stylish in my shades.

The frames weren’t cheap at £440 plus my prescription I do really love them though and as I said we’ve been replacing my prescription in the Raybans for a little over 15 years so I thought it was about time for a new pair and a big bill for Alex.

The pair I finally settled on were the John Dalia Harrison but it was a toss up between the Harrison and the John Dalia Samuel. I really liked both. But the Harrison was a little more octagonal where as the Samuel was more rectangular. They are described as unisex frames in a rectangular shape, combining metal and acetate. They feature titanium nose pads and acetate temple tips embossed with the John Dalia signature.

Customers I am told include Beyoncé, Elton John and Pharell Williams three names that appear repeatedly on my Spotify playlist so I feel like I amongst friends when I pop them on.

Hermes Picotin Lock Bag may not always impress

Funny story about the sought after bucket bag from Hermes

Miranda Blacky

2025-07-17T09:42:00.0000000 2025-07-20T12:41:20.7430000

Like many women I like to carry a smart handbag. I have a few, not loads, but the 4 or 5 I have, I love and use regularly. My two best bags are a medium classic flap in black gold hardware 1990 now considered vintage and an even older Hermes Birkin bag as heavily used and beat up as the Jane Birkin bag recently auctioned that went for €8.6 million ($10 million) that it was published in the press Lauren Sanchez Bezo, new wife of billionaire Jeff Bezo tried to purchase it but failed. I couldn’t afford my Birkin bag even in the state it’s in now and it tickles me when I use it and people around me pick it up from the floor and put it on a chair in the beauty salon or at a restaurant. I’ve had it so long I just don’t really see it like the precious aspiration wealth statement the Birkin bag has become. Not that I’d ever sell it, the clasp is actually broken from hard wear, something I am sure would detract from its resale value, I am not Jane Birkin after all.

I want to tell you a story about perception that may or may not change your view on the Hermes bag in general and what carrying one might say about you are not. I was out with my god daughter the other day and when we parked our car in Brompton Cross village, a prestigious area of London, close to the famed Knightsbridge, we had to circle the block a couple of times to get a space and managed to park just behind a space for a disabled vehicle close to Daphne’s restaurant where we planned to lunch.

Just as we were parking another expensive low slung salon car pulled into the disabled space in front and we were questioning why a blue badge holder would be driving such a high value vehicle. Not that a disabled vehicle owner couldn’t drive such a high value luxury vehicle, but I did question would that be a priority or affordable, we have a wheelchair user in our family and a super expensive car would be the last thing to buy with so many other things he needs to survive day to day. So I was curious to see the driver and if they or their passenger needed assistance. Not my god daughter she determined immediately it was someone so rich they didn’t care about the £100 parking penalty, the PCN notice levied if they got caught. When the driver and her passenger disembarked, the driver and the passenger didn’t appear to be limited in anyway, neither needing assistance. We couldn’t see any blue badge displayed and I thought about how selfish it was for able bodied people to take the disabled space should some else need it. My god daughter expressed casually rich people she knew did it all the time in London preferring to pay the ticket for the convenience should one be issued. She wasn’t as perplexed as I was. It was normal to her, common place. I thought about us circling, sticking to the rules to find a legal parking space. And questioned if I was the idiot, I certainly now had an opinion (and not a good one) about the women in the expensive car.

We bumped into them again on Walton Street later, they were window shopping, not particularly smartly attired or well groomed and my god daughter pointed out what I thought was a rather boring looked like fake leather bag one of the women was carrying as an Hermes Picotin Lock bag I’d never seen before. To be honest based on the general appearance and grooming of the women I thought the bag which retails for between £3,000 and £25,000 for a rare one, probably came from a lower end department store like Macy’s, absolutely nothing special.

And it got me thinking about the value women place on their handbag to say something about themselves, their social status and standing. Me included. Like I say I have a small collection of designer handbags myself, although I have never even considered paying the fine to park in a disabled spot for convenience when I am not registered disabled and my car does not display the necessary credentials to give me priority.

When I returned home I did a bit more research on the boring handbag we had spotted carried by the women with the expensive car parked in the disabled space and discovered the same bag, a dupe or fake can be picked up on DHgate or Joom.com in leather for anywhere between £35 - £70 depending on the trader you choose.

And I wondered how many kinder more stylish well groomed women could perhaps carry the dupe and convince observers it was the real thing when the reality is people may envy an expensive handbag or car but actually admire and respect exemplary behaviour, good character traits, grace over all, more than flash wheels and expensive trinkets. My father always said really wealthy people never talk about money or show off in any way. It’s the quiet one’s that are most likely the wealthiest. For they understand wealth as a privilege and a responsibility to make change and things better for those who have less or may be struggling. There is never shame in poverty he said only in those who flaunt wealth to the poor.

I didn’t immediately recognise the expensive bag so it didn’t have the desired effect on me and with the glut of copies, dupes, fakes available who knows it may not have even been as expensive as my God daughter thought.

The irony for me luxury brands like Hermes with the help of it girl icons like Jane Birkin have made us all believe and buy into consumer goods in such a way the market is now flooded with fakes devaluing the goods for the brands anyway and making purchasing secondhand precarious for those of us who cannot really afford to buy new.

And if you do happen to own the real thing and find yourself on hard times needing to sell without the original purchase receipt how do you prove the goods you have are real anyway?

When I purchased my bags it was because I actually loved them and the intention was to keep them for life. Which I have done and I carry them to enjoy and appreciate not worrying about what anyone else thinks except me.

I suppose the moral of the story is if you want to impress on looking people watchers best behave yourself and don’t take a disabled parking space you aren’t entitled to. It won’t matter how much your handbag (or car for that matter) cost.

Liberty Designer Vintage Clobber In The Basement

For Kate Middleton Recycling and Rewearing all the rage

Miranda Blacky

2025-05-09T07:00:00.0000000 2025-05-12T15:43:35.7400000

I love everything about Liberty, London’s iconic landmark situated off Regent St and next to Carnaby St opposite the iconic London Palladium. It’s a department store with a twist open 7 days a week from 10am, 12 noon on Sundays, where you will find surprises, things you’ve never heard of, the interesting and the eclectic.

Opened in 1875 by Arthur Lasenby Liberty, the renowned department store opened at 218 Regent Street in London with a plan to create a unique shopping experience featuring luxury goods, fabrics, and ornaments sourced from the far flung corners of the globe.

To this day for me it’s the very best shopping experience in London. Just walking through the Liberty flowers at the front entrance of the black and white listed building you are transported into retailing heaven.

Don’t be surprised to see a make up grooming experience happening on the ground floor, it may even be Trinny Woodal, (Trinny London on the ground floor) herself, this isn’t like Selfridges, or Harrods, stop and join in, they won’t mind.

I think this is why I love this shop. It’s service not snobbery. I can go in with dirty hair and I’ll still be treated in exactly the same way by retail professionals, the lady on the perfume, now called “The Fragrance Lounge” has been there for donkey’s years, who feel more like friends.

The shop is magical from the iconic Liberty prints, the ties, the scarves, the hankies as famous as Venetian marbled paper.

Seeing Kate Middleton sport an Alessandra Rich dress at the VE Day celebration in London, she wore at Windsor castle back in June, 2023 a dress I absolutely loved and homage to a dress the Late Diana Princess of wales wore at Royal Ascot back in 1988, it made me think about a little known (amongst my friends anyway) very glamourous secondhand department in the basement at Liberty.

They also have recycled concessions on the 1st and 2nd floors too.

The selection of recycled hand picked designer luxury is stupendous and with the Princess of Wales leading the charge for the well heeled, Liberty are bringing glamour stylish recycling into the forefront and changing the merchandising of what was once perhaps viewed not so favourably “secondhand Rose” springs to mind into aspiration for a new enlightened age.

What began as a toe dipping exercise, a table with a few bits of jewelery and accessories in 2006 has grown into the bones of the shop. It’s not consignment, it’s curated which is why I think it looks and feels unlike any secondhand store I’ve ever been into.

The staff are wonderful and if you don’t see the vintage piece you’ve had your eye on don’t worry, give them your brief and they’ll find it for you.

Prices, well even secondhand you may be surprised how expensive things are, Jackets range from about £250 up, dresses anywhere from £200 but when you factor in original rrp, cleaning and remerchandising in such a beautiful and remarkable way it’s a place I love to support. It’s a passionate place you can feel the minute you step inside.

I feel my money changing hands before I even decide what I am buying, sometimes just a candle I’ve never heard of, or some stationary, I love stationary. Liberty have made it possible for everyone to have something even if it’s small. The purple bag is accessible to all, and you don’t get that feeling anywhere else. And it is a feeling.

No trip to Liberty would be complete without going upstairs to the African and Indian section where the smell transports you to a Marrakech market or an Arabian Souq. I am always blown away by what’s up there, carpets and curios, loads of things handmade, the weird and the wonderful all in one place, a modern take on tales of travel, explorers returning from far off lands with treasures crafted by true artisans.

Honestly if you’ve never been it’s probably my favourite shop in the world. And an organisation I love to support where the staff are genuinely happy and feel privileged to be part of the business. And that makes for a beautiful experience for every single customer rich or poor, everyone gets the same “how can I help you today” service.

Bravo Liberty.

Holders Partners Curaden Swiss Dental Clinic and Orthodontic Care London

Comprehensive dental care from London’s oldest dental practise

Miranda Blacky

2025-05-02T09:19:00.0000000 2025-05-02T15:10:04.9630000

I have never had facial aesthetics, that’s not my thing. And that’s one thing I like about his clinic, it’s about teeth and healthy mouths first not just aesthetics, turkey teeth and making money.

When it comes to my beauty regime my teeth have been a different story, not so low maintenance. I get my exam every 6 months, have done for 40 years and I had 2 and half years of orthodontic treatment as an adult. I still am in retention almost thirty years later and I can honestly say it was the best decision I ever made in terms of my personal confidence.

You don’t realise how much being self conscious about your teeth, I struggled with “Dracula teeth” crowding and canines that were pushed up and stuck out badly enough to stop me smiling.

This Swiss clinic on Bond Street in London is like Narnia, the little door opens up into a labyrinth of high tech rooms, with all the latest X Ray and microscope magnifying equipment you are not going to find in every practise. And Dr Louis Guenin and Dr Christian Guenin are the nicest of people, caring and skill in equal measure, just lovely.

A few years after my treatment finished I was lucky to meet Dr. Dwight Damon, responsible for the Damon orthodontic bracket (a different less painful way of straightening the teeth than traditional braces, no extractions using self ligating wires) he’s now based in Spokane, Washington. I believe he, along with Zia Chishti and Kelsey Wirth of Stanford University formed Align Technology, home of the Invisalign technology, a series of retainers reducing treatment times and costs for simpler cases to as little as six months.

More advanced treatment options like Invisalign are available at Curaden Dental.

The doctors in Holford Partners Curaden Dental clinic are friendly and proficient and I have been very happy with the maintenance care I have received here while staying in London.

Dental care in the UK because of the National Health Service system doesn’t compare to the care you get in the US or Canada overall. Why this Swiss clinic in the heart of Mayfair is actually London’s oldest award winning practise.

This is a private clinic so everything is charged a la carte, individual services like your exam, clean etc. For complex cases or orthodontic care your treatment plan will be discussed at the outset agreed and then the cost is split across the length of time for the treatment, in some cases the clinic can offer finance arrangements to help with bigger bills like crowns and bridges.

I’ve have a lot of experience visiting dentists having had a very complex orthodontic case 30 years ago and extensive follow up care as a smoker who needs 3 month call backs for gum periodontal issues.

It has to be said I am at the dentist quite a bit especially as I get older and I have always received great care in London at Curaden Dental Clinic.

This is a great 50% offer your initial orthodontic consultation for anyone considering braces. It’s a saving of about £100.

Vivienne Westwood Prom and Party Dresses

The god daughter special relationship

Miranda Blacky

2025-03-31T07:00:00.0000000 2025-05-05T16:30:54.1400000

I have just been into Vivienne Westwood and it felt like stepping over the threshold into a Carrie Bradshaw New York City library moment.

I am less of a fan of the clothes, the Vivienne Westwood aesthetic isn’t really my aesthetic. I have done quite a bit of research into the Derbyshire born fashion designer, pioneer of the Punk Rock era for fashion with her then partner Malcolm McLaren. Worlds End artists and hippies (the neighbourhood took the name when the iconic shop was renamed in 1979) didn’t know what had hit them when their magical boutique at the top of the kings road, Sex was opened from 1974 to 1976. I was in my 20’s.

When we stepped inside we were greeted with the warmest of welcomes and embraced into the no nonsense approach of the Vivienne Westwood way a combination of structure and whimsy.

The reason I am accompanying my god daughter as she navigates shopping for a gown for her friend, my daughter’s special day.

She chose me she says because I am French, technically Canadian to help with the shopping. As honorary god mother with grown up children and still working, I usually get invited along to pay, much to my other half’s chagrin.

We still share the same last name and have a joint bank account which I am reliably informed is no longer the norm.

Women must have their own money my God daughter reminds me as she asks if I had a budget in mind.

In the shop, where we had an appointment that lasted about an hour in total we were treated to an array of off the peg creations and in the back room for couture customers, not us in this instance, champagne, pins, mirrors and measuring tapes in equal amounts were spied through a crack in the curtain.

There was a lot going on. We had one to one attention which was helpful however my god daughter I think was much more comfortable left to her own devices. She buys and wears Vivienne Westward tailoring. She knew what she wanted and I think she got frustrated when the lady helping us kept returning to a gown which was beautiful but not 100% for her.

In her defense my God daughter like all twenty somethings wasn’t as clear in her thinking and description of her vision and when she couldn’t communicate clearly or decide the lady helping just went for the sale. Which I would have done too. Good job it wasn’t Ms Westwood herself.

No one likes a procrastinator at best, a time waster at worst out shopping, even when they are yours. And word of warning posh shops don’t like browsers lingering and chatting if they don’t know them. In my experience these expensive retailers know how to get the wallet open and tend to be less polite if you don’t spend in the end.

I did feel bad for them. Even I wanted her to just say OK in the end. I’ll go back alone to buy a gift to make up.

Suzanne Bettley London Hats

I swear they will dupe anything these days

Miranda Blacky

2025-03-05T07:39:00.0000000 2025-03-23T10:48:24.6830000

I have been a purveyor of fine hats for over 5 decades.

One of my favourites in my collection is the absolute perfect hat I purchased over 25 years ago.

It’s lost a bit of its colour bleached by the sun and a few stitches have come unfastened on the brim but apart from that it’s wonderful and still my favourite.

So imagine my surprise when I spyed the exact same hat (or so I thought from the picture and label) on a secondhand website.

I didn’t waste a second I immediately purchased the hat, no haggling no messing about.

I was absolutely over the moon.

When the hat arrived I had been conned by the pictures.

I don’t know if Suzanne Bettley has sold her company and name to someone else and they are producing her hats cheaper maybe.

The hat on the right is the original, 30 years old, super quality, really well made, incredible. The new addition on the left, the brim first off is a couple of inches smaller in diameter. The fabric is cheaper, the construction is way less architectural, the stitching is more haphazard, it’s just an inferior hat.

The interesting thing for me is how many people have actually heard of Suzanne Bettley.

Buyer beware, they are copying everything.

You used to be able to find the original Suzanne Bettley hats in House of Fraser on Oxford St but it’s closed now.

For someone so prominent in British millinery it’s very weird you cannot find out anything online about her, she doesn’t feature on Wikipedia even no mention on the page about hat making.

It’s like she never really existed except unless you happen to own one of her magnificent hats.

Christian Louboutin

“My shoes are not for everyone”

Miranda Blacky

2025-02-26T14:46:00.0000000 2025-02-26T15:18:19.4930000

I own one pair. I’ve had them over twenty years. I remember when I bought them I paid full retail, I enjoyed the shopping experience immensely and I vowed back then I would keep them for ever.

I’d heard Christian Louboutin being interviewed years ago. He’s famous for making no excuse for making very high, very uncomfortable shoes, although he did say the ones made especially for Taylor Swifts Eras tour were designed for comfort and quick changes which head scratch might be a slight contradiction to the sassy quotes about discomfort and sex appeal Louboutin is more famous for.

The sex appeal of the red leather soles makes the Louboutin shoe instantly recognisable and as Coco Chanel famously said, “No woman is ugly in good shoes.”

When I went to buy mine I had a wonderful and very memorable experience.

When I heard Mr. Louboutin say his shoes were so special it was impossible for them to be for everyone it created a desire that one day I would own a pair. I went to the boutique but you can find Christian Louboutin shoe concessions in all the major department stores around the world.

My pair are not high heels, at my age I wanted to get the maximum wear possible over 20 or 30 years so knew I needed low to last.

I went for the iconic sweet Jane, I love the Miss Jane too, for me the flats are more useful. A classic French patent flat with a double strap. An absolute classic, never going out of style.

At the time I think they cost me 300 euros. Today if I wanted to replace them new I’d have to spend 800 or 900 euros.

Cross Townsend Fountain Pen

Goes everywhere with me

Miranda Blacky

2025-01-23T12:09:00.0000000 2025-01-23T14:27:52.6000000

I was taught handwriting at school and later when I was making my own invitations and note cards I had a go at calligraphy. I have always enjoyed letter writing, sending and receiving and there were no biros or ballpoint pens allowed at my school, every one had a fountain pen when I started writing essays.

The habit stuck for me. I’ve had a few gorgeous fountain pens in my lifetime, I am not a collector, I currently have two versions of the Cross Townsend on the go, one a cartridge version with a medium nib I keep in my pouchette, ready on standby should anyone say,

“You haven’t got a pen have you?”

With everyone using a smartphone something to write with has become almost obsolete.

I keep another fine nib version, I also have the spring cartridge accessory in the barrel I can fill up from an old fashioned ink bottle should I run out of cartridges which does happen from time to time.

I like cartridges, they are easy, they come in boxes of six and are easy to find online.

For about a tenner you can buy a push in converter for your fountain pens enabling the use of bottled ink in place of fountain pen ink cartridges. Compatible with classic Century, 21St century, Townsend, Calais, Aventura, Coventry, and solo fountain pens.

The Townsend is my favourite like a few American presidents before me. I like the weight in my hand. I also love to lend it to people to use. It’s a rare treat I think for many to write with a proper pen and is always a talking point when I get it out.

They are not inexpensive at around £250 these days and easy to misplace so that’s something to consider before investing. I love to give a fountain pen as a birthday gift, coming of age gift or graduation gift. I do keep notes on my phone but I love a handwritten list too. Something cathartic about ticking things off.

One of my Cross Townsend pens I’ve had for about 30 years the other one I purchased secondhand about 10 years ago as a back up.

I think in this high tech world there’s something beautiful in the art of penmanship and the craft of arguably one of the finest writing implements in the world.

Pierre Poilievre

Conservative Leader Canada

Miranda Blacky

2025-01-07T10:54:00.0000000 2025-01-07T12:34:56.1100000

I grew up in Montreal Canada so following the announcement about Justin Trudeau resignation and speculation about who will become the new leader of The Liberal Party I wanted to introduce you to Pierre Poilievre. He’s a member of the Canadian parliament and someone you all probably haven’t heard of, he’s been a Canadian M.P. since 2004 and been the leader of the Conservative Party; effectively Trudeau’s opposition since 2022.

I am not political. I think all politicians lie, they have to, and they all spin, they have to; which is why I rarely vote. I think you have to watch someone over a long period, really listen to what they say; listen for inconsistencies and get to know someone to discover more about their motives; whether the drive to do a difficult job like running a country comes from a deep genuine motive for things to be better for everybody (very rare) or someone who fundamentally is very ambitious and is attracted to all the power and treats that kind of job brings and the rewards afterwards that go on and on exponentially whether you have done a good job or not.

I don’t know Pierre Poilievre; nor have I ever met him in my political work capacity or otherwise. So I have no idea whether my good opinion of him is correct or not.

For me he talks a lot more common sense than anyone else.

I searched online for a royalty free image of Mr. Poilievre and couldn’t find one so until he gives us permission to use his picture we have to be content with the Canadian flag for copyright infringement purposes.

My motivation to write was to share a little story/explanation from Pierre Poilievre, about government spending and why it’s the road to nowhere. This is not an exact quote but the gist of what he said was this,

There are three ways for governments to get money to run their country better and help the people living there; tax the people; borrow more money or print more money. The problems with borrowing more money when economic growth is lagging it takes any economy backwards.

Obviously Mr. Poilievre explains printing more money appears the easiest option, he goes on to say if our economy in Canada has 10 apples and the money in circulation is $10 the value of each apple is $1.

We’re broke so we go ahead and print 10 more dollars so we have double the spending power but look what’s happened to the value of the apples, they are now $2 a piece and that is what is called inflation.

The only way governments can tax less is to cut government spending, period.

Color Wow Root Cover Up

For anyone who wants to cover grey hair between hair colours

Miranda Blacky

2025-01-01T09:49:00.0000000 2025-01-01T10:18:50.5430000

I started going grey very young. About aged 25 or 26 I began colouring my hair so have a great deal of experience in covering up a white stripe parting and have tried everything over the years, no one rocks a zig zag part better than me, to prolong the time between colours which as I have gotten older has become more and more of a challenge, I am never without this product.

You may have seen Jennifer Lopez’s hair stylist promoting Color Wow hair care products, and I agree with celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton this one definitely works.

Don’t be put off by the seemingly high price tag. At €40 - €45 the root cover up powder feels like an expensive make up purchase and it is but it’s going to save you money every week when your colour needs doing but you just want to delay it a few more days.

When I was younger it was always my lip gloss or eyeliner I always touched up, these days it’s my grey parting and grey eyebrows that get the most attention.

When I check my bag these days my hair powder is more important than my face powder that’s for sure.

Where to buy. I sometimes find I can save a few quid picking it me up on EBay or Amazon. But n France you can also find it in selected salons and in London sometimes in Marks and Spencer’s. I go for dark brown in the colour range Brun Fonce, my hairdresser used a combo of 5 and 6 to cover my now 100 % grey hair and this palette compliments a treat. There are 8 different colour choices so make sure you test first to get the best match to your colour.

Absolutely no stripe and you don’t have to do it everyday. The Color wow root cover stays put until you wash your hair.

First Dates

I am going to be on my favourite show and I cannot quite believe it

Miranda Blacky

2024-12-22T11:08:00.0000000 2024-12-22T11:37:15.4170000

I am smiling to myself as I write. My grand daughter submitted my name to appear on first dates 3 or 4 years ago now. I am a massive fan of the show and my grand daughter and I enjoy watching teen first dates together.

I have had a busy career and enjoy my single life so when it was suggested I throw my name in the hat for a laugh I thought why not.

We had great fun completing the application, submitting it to www.firstdatescasting.co.uk and then to be honest I forgot all about it until last week when I got an email saying I’d been cast and a match had been found for me.

The show which began in 2013 initially as an experiment, real daters were filmed, and then viewers got the chance to apply to date the unsuccessful participants the next week. This aspect was rethought and replaced with the cast of regular restaurant staff we now know as the First Dates Restaurant singles visit for the experience (of a lifetime or not ha ha)

The format of the show is a restaurant setting where Maitre D Fred and bartender Merlin, assisted by waitresses Cici and Aoife and waiters Grant and Kofi, my favorite staff member recruited from first dates hotel Italy is the hilarious Francesca.

The show now in it’s 10 season is produced by production company 2024 puts together willing singles looking for love in a restaurant setting (the hotel show extends the one date to an overnight stay and next day voyeurism which I also love to watch.

I am not sure how producers manage to capture such compelling compulsive viewing television and I couldn’t be more excited to actually be going one step further and taking part in my favourite show.

It’s true this hopeful happy, authentic TV format (an absolute diamond in the rough) shows us all we never know what’s coming around the corner.

I absolutely cannot wait to meet everyone and my date in the New Year. Roll on 2025.

Elvis Costello

Armed Forces was the album I first made out to

Miranda Blacky

2024-11-19T12:54:00.0000000 2025-05-05T16:24:42.1930000

On the 5th January, 1979 (my Dad’s birthday) singer song writer Elvis Costello released his third studio album, Armed Forces. I was 13.

It’s funny how music runs alongside our coming of age and how certain tracks take you unflinchingly back to laying behind a sofa in my best friend’s den (her parents Brenda and Eric Yeadon not out but not around either)

The track list

1. Accidents Will Happen 03:00

2. Senior Service 02:18

3. Oliver’s Army 02:57

4. Big Boys 02:55

5. Green Shirt 02:42

6. Party Girl 03:20

7. Goon Squad 03:15

8. Busy Bodies 03:33

9. Sunday’s Best 03:23

10. Moods For Moderns 02:49

11. Chemistry Class 02:55

12. Two Little Hitlers 03:10

13. (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding 03:30

The most familiar track list for me of any album. When I think back to “Oliver’s Army” and how I’d sung with gusto having no real idea what the song lyrics are about even today, I cannot say I ever really knew, or cared for that matter.

The elephant on the cover, I never connected to the “Armed Forces” album title.

Whenever I play this album now, which isn’t that often, or happen to hear one of the tracks out and about or on the radio it never fails to take me back to my very first necking session.

The boy, the moment, the magic, the memory is neatly and tidily packaged in this piece of creative.

Yeah…… what is so funny about Peace, Love and Understanding.

The Times and Sophia Money Coutts

The weekend wouldn’t be the same without the Sunday papers

Miranda Blacky

2024-10-26T12:28:00.0000000 2024-10-28T08:02:01.8930000

Had to snoop about this. My favourite UK broadsheet is offering a flash sale at the moment. You can get three months subscription for just £1. I presume after the three months it goes to £25 if you don’t cancel.

I have been sneaking a peak at “Modern Manners” in the Sunday telegraph. It’s the regular column of a journalist I am enjoying Sophia Money Coutts. The telegraph is the only physical paper I sometimes buy. For the crossword. Or sometimes I nick it out of my neighbours recycling on a Monday. They don’t do the crossword. So it’s been a treat to

See the regular Times feature writer here too.

For the writing in general I like the Times the best, (it feels less politically motivated to me) I do have a subscription online, but I miss the experience of the physical paper every day. I don’t have a commute anymore, when I went to an office reading the paper every day was just what I did.

I am old fashioned I like the whole thing spread out on the floor, sharing the sections when the house is full, fighting over the bits everyone wants, the fun of the Sunday Papers.

I was introduced to Sophia Money Coutts a journalist and author I am a little bit hooked on.

She wrote an article last summer, I’ll find the link and put it below. “How to live it up when you are broke” and do you know what a couple of her tips I am still using to amazing effect so thanks Sophia.

The newspaper business is in decline. Even I don’t always buy a Sunday paper and I love to have one. A print subscription is about £95 a month way too expensive for me - the digital subscription per paper £25 means I can only have one and at the moment it’s the Times.

There are a few publications I’d love to be able to read if not for free at a reduced rate.

These days the rubbish traffic grabbing headlines online are stopping real journalists at quality newspapers from having their work read which does make my blood boil and want to give this shout out.

FYI Sophia’s column in the Telegraph is extremely funny if you fancy a little knowing smirk and an inward giggle.

I understand newspapers have to make money, I go to the library so can access any newspaper I want for free. I do worry if the poor can only read the gossip eventually we as a society will slip further into decline, the proper journalists will have no role whatsoever and the days of well researched impartial news will be a thing of the past.

And for me this is very scary and why I make my subscription to at least one broadsheet a priority. To

keep good journalists working.