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.

How Clarins Double Serum For The Face And Eye Compares To Mrs Rodial Pink Diamond Lifting Serum

Anti aging skincare serum and how I still manage to get testers of my favourite lotions and potions

Savannah Black

2026-03-17T11:11:00.0000000 2026-03-17T11:43:26.7930000

Have you noticed the slow decline in availability of beauty products. I usually buy a couple maybe 3 or 4 products a month, I have been a victim participant in and of the lipstick effect, women who buy a lipstick as a pick me up when other more expensive desires/wants are out of reach like the latest high tech skincare reveal or a new brand influencers are talking about.

And yet more and more times than not I go into boots, NK Space, Flannels thinking they probably won’t have what I want and if not what am I going to get instead.

I’ve made a load more mistakes lately because of this phenomenon, what I want to replace something used up I love, I cannot get leads me to something else which 9 times out of 10 isn’t right. Since Covid and the wars in Ukraine, Gaza, Iran and now pretty much the whole of the Middle East, Make up brands don’t say something is discontinued or no longer available, they leave you up in the air just having to wait, guess when something will become available.

I have found building great relationships with the beauty consultants on the counters in the shops I go to the most, Boots, Flannels, John Lewis and NK Space has really served me well. When testers become unavailable to most people because of people selling them online I felt like I was placed in a privileged good customer category for my loyalty.

It’s been an absolute blessing because instead of having to invest in new products I still get to try before I buy. The disappearance of testers is something so many of my friends are moaning about. The masses have ruined this amazing brand generosity for the few by creating a secondary market and selling instead of trying.

These two new products Double Serum from Clarins have been a blessing delivered in sample size.

At £92 for 50ml the price makes it a luxury product for me but boy does it feel amazing on the skin and I have actually had a couple of people ask me if I’ve done anything (I guess they mean Botox) recently. I haven’t incidentally.

This product was awarded the Best of The Best for anti aging serum in the Bazaar UK Beauty Editors Choice awards 2024 so others in the business clearly liked it too. I’ve been using the Complete age defying complex in conjunction with the Double Serum for eyes. This one costs £62 for 20ml and it was recommended I use a very small amount around the eye socket, not on the thin skin directly under the eye as that is where product can build up and make the eye look puffy. This was a mistake I was making and when I changed the routine my eyes are way brighter and more open with darker pigmentation appearing reduced.

I really like these products. Having the tester converted me into a customer. I’ve even used the double serum on my chest decollate area which I know is a big area to cover but it’s worked a charm there too.

If you have tried the youth bomb from beauty pie and been like urghh, not that it’s bad I just didn’t love it. This double serum from Clarins is the same kind of thing, similar texture except less sticky and soaks in better and the feeling of the skin even after a few days is worth investing in.

Oh and if you want to save a bit of money I’ve seen Clarins Double Serum on Brand Alley recently for half price.

As you know I was a big fan of the pink diamond lifting oil from Mrs Rodial but have been unable to find it anywhere so had to eventually bite the bullet and try something new. It is back in stock now on the Rodial website at £125 for 30ml and I do like it better than the Clarins Double Serum but hey it’s a lot more expensive.

When I need a new anti aging serum all things being equal and budget permitting I would probably go back to Mrs Rodial but in the meantime I am definitely enjoying using the Clarins Double Serum. In this case, not always the truth when it comes to beauty and skincare you do get what you pay for.

I’ve added the brand alley discounted link which I know doesn’t align with promoting my stay loyal to your beauty consultant ideology however I work on a purchase from my consultant first and then if I happen to see a great deal elsewhere like online or sometimes in TK Maxx I don’t feel bad topping up my supply or buying a gift for a friend at the cheaper price. Trying to keep things real and balanced.

My 12 Favourite Luxury Fashion Brands Focused on Natural Fabrics & Minimalist Design

Stand Out Clothing Brands Not Made In China in the most part although always check the label

Savannah Black

2026-02-12T09:50:00.0000000 2026-03-19T13:01:17.0230000

I love this time of year, not for the freezing dark mornings and the constant raining but for the wardrobe sort out and the excitement of wearing less, putting the heavy knitwear and woolly socks away and think about cool cottons, summer dresses, regular pedicures and sandals and trainers instead of boots, hats and scarves.

I was in central London a few days ago window shopping in Zimmerman, planning for my spring summer wardrobe and noticed the shop next door Nanushka on Bruton St parallel to Upper Brook St, is closing down everything 75% off and it made me think about businesses even in wealthy Mayfair dwindling away and all the more reason to think about my summer wardrobe before everyone else, before there’s nothing left to buy at all.

1. Zimmermann — Aussie Elegance with Natural Textiles

Based: Sydney, Australia

Price Tier: Premium luxury (ready-to-wear often £500–£2,500+)

Celebrity Fans: Beyoncé, Kendall Jenner, Margot Robbie, Taylor Swift and Katie Holmes have all worn Zimmermann.

I always check where clothes Are Made, you cannot avoid slave labour totally but the more you look and find out the less likely you are to support bad practise and exploitation. ZZimmerman offer a combination of production in Australia and Europe, using quality natural fabrics like cotton, linen and silk for dresses, blouses, and tailored pieces.

Zimmermann is known for romantic yet structured designs that bridge femininity with functional elegance. Its use of premium natural fibres gives staples a silk-soft feel and a natural fall, making them wardrobe favourites for both everyday and special occasions.

2. Jil Sander — Master of Minimalist Precision

Based: Hamburg, Germany (with significant design operations in Milan, Italy)

Price Tier: Premium luxury (often £600–£2,000+)

Celebrity Fans: Minimalism devotees, fashion editors and style curators often champion Jil Sander for its refined simplicity.

Where Clothes Are Made: Mostly in Europe — Italy and France — with a focus on cotton, silk, wool and fine poplin.

Jil Sander’s approach is one of spare elegance: impeccably cut cotton shirts, understated trousers and crisp tailoring that speak through shape and quality rather than embellishment.

3. Khaite — New York-Born Refined Essentials

Based: New York City, USA

Price Tier: Premium luxury (elevated ready-to-wear staples often £400–£2,000+)

Celebrity Fans: Worn by Katie Holmes, Kendall Jenner, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Cindy Crawford — especially its denim and refined staples.

Where Clothes Are Made: Designed in NYC; denim often made in Los Angeles and many knitwear and cashmere pieces manufactured in Italy, with some garments in other European workshops.

Khaite has carved out a niche as a luxury brand producing timeless essentials — including classic denim, crisp cotton poplin pieces and beautifully tailored staples — with a minimalist yet sensual design language that feels effortless and modern. If you like understated and under branded, my preference Khaite also make wonderful bags, accessories and shoes that feel and look like couture for less.

4. Totême — Scandinavian Modular Wardrobe Staples

Based: Stockholm, Sweden

Price Tier: Luxury (often £300–£1,800+)

Celebrity Fans: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Jennifer Lawrence, Sophie Turner and other minimalists.

Where Clothes Are Made: Italian and European ateliers crafting pieces in cotton, linen and wool.

Totême blends strict minimalism with functional design. Its structured trousers, classic shirts, soft linen dresses and cosy wool coats make up timeless capsule wardrobes built around quality fabrics that feel planted in everyday life.

5. Isabel Marant — Parisian Casual Luxe

Based: Paris, France

Price Tier: Premium (often £250–£1,500)

Celebrity Fans: Alexa Chung, Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss and Sienna Miller.

Where Clothes Are Made: European production in France and Italy with cotton, wool, linen and jersey staples. However I have found some Isabel Marant Etoile collection made in China.

Isabel Marant’s pieces often feel casual but luxe — relaxed trousers, cotton poplin shirts, and soft knitwear that feel like elevated basics with a Parisian edge.

6. Ganni — Playful Scandinavian Minimalism

Based: Copenhagen, Denmark

Price Tier: Accessible luxury (often £150–£800)

I have quite a few Ganni pieces in my wardrobe and I go to this brand often because it’s the cheapest on this list. For me it’s the brand that consistently delivers value for my fashion sensibility.

Celebrity Fans: Popular with fashion influencers and style stars around the world.

Where Clothes Are Made: Production across Europe and Asia, with many garments featuring cotton and wool blends that elevate everyday essentials.

Though a bit more playful and trend-forward than ultra-quiet minimalism, Ganni’s focus on quality natural fabrics and wearable shapes ensures its collections feel luxe without logos.

There are a few others too on the cheaper end, I love the simple staples at Cos, even some pieces from Uniqlo especially their JW Anderson and Jil Sander collaborations are worth a look, in the middle I am always lured into the Me and Em store, especially the sale, they do have great reductions and not the stuff from 10 seasons ago no one else wants and on the more expensive end, brands like Iro Paris, Self Portrait (for dresses and special occasions - although I buy these second hand as the quality is better than new stock) and Musier Paris make amazing clothes using luxury staple fabrics.

Why These Brands Stand Out For Me

Across this list, what unifies these houses is a commitment to:

Quality natural fabrics — such as premium cotton, linen, silk, wool and cashmere that feel beautiful and endure over time.

Subtle, refined design — where cuts, proportions and material choices matter more than loud logos.

Timeless silhouettes — the beauty of buying staple pieces from brands like these, you’ll wear the clothes for years, not just a season. I’ve got a couple of Ganni summer dresses I love so much I cannot wait for the sun to come out, get a bit of a tan and wear some gorgeous cotton well steamed crisp cotton next to the skin. No better feeling.

The Instagram Effect - a BBC Three documentary Shocking accounts will change your relationship with Instagram

I have no doubt anyone who watches The Instagram Effect will struggle to give as much time to...

Savannah Black

2026-01-09T08:55:00.0000000 2026-01-09T09:13:01.2530000

The Instagram Effect: BBC Three’s hard hitting documentary deep dive into the murky waters of social media harm

And what Instagram and Meta are doing with the alleged $5 billion committed to improving online safety and wellbeing for users on their platforms.

I watched with interest I have been a pretty regular poster on Instagram, I spent about 5 years working diligently every day to grow a legitimate following. I thought I was doing everything right, I began posting around 2012 before the site exploded but it never worked for me. My account ended up getting hacked. At the time I thought it was the end of the world. Later I realised it was the blessing I needed to stop the repetitive, getting you no where behaviour, posting, scrolling, watching, the likes, the visitors. Despite how hard I was working it wasn’t producing the results, the rewards it appeared other accounts were getting.

When I saw the Instagram Effect marketed I was immediately drawn to the content. And for anyone with an account on Instagram watching the documentary will change your relationship with the app. I had no idea this film was made over four years ago.

When think about stats like half the world globally using social media and 87% of teens aged between 12-15 having some account online.

Years ago the online safety bill was government proposed legislation pre ported to stamp out harmful and illegal content circulating, which allegedly would force social media companies to act faster when it comes to super disturbing content that follows impressionable teenagers around like a bad smell, content that goes as far as suggesting young people should starve themselves, self harm, even take their own life with active hashtags directing users to said content and the algorithms keeping users trapped in a cycle of this content, even if they have the will and presence of mind to stop themselves viewing it.

Sadly the social media companies know how to keep the scrolling and ex employees and whistleblowers like Frances Haugen and Arturo Bejar have been fighting hard addressing the concerns and observations made whilst working at Meta who purchased Instagram the photo sharing app in 2012, 18 months after it launched for over $1 billion in cash and stock, a move considered visionary at the time.

The documentary specifically looks at how the app undermines self confidence, especially affecting body image and body dismorphier and exacerbates self harm and eating disorders especially in young people.

The film features three young women especially memorable the first a fashion blogger and influencer who suffering with an eating disorder driven by attempts to reach an unrealistic Instagram norm from spending up to 14 hours a day on the app comparing her self to over edited images of other women she was copying and competing with, now a healthy weight after realising she needed help she now has a completely different relationship with the app and her followers.

Another who underwent a BBL, Brazilian Butt Lift with drastic consequences. She got a significant with a clinic in Turkey in exchange for sharing her experience online with her followers except she was unable to tell the truth and found herself in a very difficult position with the service provider. She later discovered this particular procedure kills more people than any other cosmetic surgery procedure.

The third and saddest story of all was a young 16 year old who ended up down an Instagram rabbit hole of self harm, bullying and suicide, young people telling each other they are worthless, suggesting they harm themselves and viewing disturbing content of actually suicide the Instagram platform should be immediately deleting. There safety measure a banner warning saying this content is sensitive. Like that’s going to stop a curious young mind from clicking. Not.

She ended up in a residential psychiatric unit for her own safety and after 18 months without her phone completely had recovered sufficiently to start using the phone at home at the weekends with her family, sisters and mother there to help her in her rehabilitation.

The personal stories are interwoven with interviews of former executives and consultants working at Instagram, explaining the growth curve and how they saw things going wrong as the audience, especially young people grew exponentially. It was as fascinating as it was exposing and deeply worrying for parents, Arturo Bejar a safety consultant at Instagram spoke to the US congress about his experience as a parent in 2023. He testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 saying his recommendations and concerns had been ignored by Meta the parent of Instagram.

If you are using the app, or have kids using the app, which frankly is most of us the documentary is a very insightful and thought provoking watch. It will help Everyone get a clear understanding of how the app works and how it is designed to keep you scrolling to satisfy advertisers not users. At what cost, well about 98 billion last year and a lot of pain and suffering.

Arturo Bejar said after blowing the whistle on Meta it’s unlikely he’ll ever work in the industry again.

The Materialist stars Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal, a clever and lux love triangle movie

The Materialist is a film written and directed by Celine Song full of brutal truth with a sound...

Savannah Black

2026-01-02T10:30:00.0000000 2026-01-07T17:28:23.9870000

Happy New Year. I watched New Years Day. What a brilliant, light, funny, thought provoking movie. Yeah, I recommend anyone watch this film, the women need to see it and the men will say, yep, I get it.

Hollywood’s bible Variety Magazine said it was a must watch of 2025 a Rom Com style movie with a deeper much more intrinsic message. We decided it was either written by someone extremely clever, who just had to give a genius film a studio ending or perhaps happened by default that the brilliant themes and realities conceived in this film cannot ever be followed through on, as that would shatter the whole LOVE illusion that is challenged in this film and thus “Hollywood” would cease to exist. No studio boss is going to green light that that must not be talked about, so writer Celine Song is forced to give us the unlikely yet predictable ending somewhat erasing all the good writing throughout for me.

The film takes on the business premise in that, Marriage is indeed a contract and when a matchmaker is involved they are more caring PIMP than professional service provider. No matchmaker can ever dispatch the perfect partner conceived on a piece of paper as a list of qualities and attributes something the Materialist manages to challenge and produce humour from at every turn.

The film was interesting for me as I spent a few years working for a very prestigious matchmaker so had insight into the workings of the business of love and could entirely relate to both the celebration at a marriage culminating from a match and the darker side, the disappointment side when some clients don’t get what they want. And the stress delivered to the matchmaker, come friend, come therapist having to constantly recalibrate their clients back on the horse after a fall.

Lucy Mason, delicately played by Dakota Johnson, the daughter of Melanie Griffiths and Don Johnson dances the fine line between shrewd professional $80,000 a year matchmaker, a working girl, surviving the high rents and expensive living in Manhattan, maintaining a polished appearance, iPhone constantly at the ready for her well heeled high maintenance clients. When you’ve paid a lot of money, matchmakers fees run in the thousands not the hundreds, you expect bang for your buck.

She’s juggling two guys, her broke, working as a waiter, waiting to be an actor, ex boyfriend, John played by Chris Evans, and her unicorn potential client Harry Castillo, (Pedro Pascual) brother of one of her fixed up clients she meets at his wedding on the singles table.

It’s got all the elements of a great chick flick, love triangle between the gorgeous leads, glamour, money, luxury travel and fabulous restaurants inter woven with real life, financial struggles, hard work and the realities of life.

The person who wrote it, Celine Song had worked as Matchmaker and her experience was evident in the script. It matched mine to a tee.

Mid Forties to Late Fifties affluent men all want to date women under 30. No one will date a woman forty plus and 35 and female you are a borderline past your sell by date commodity.

In the agency I worked for all the men paid, expect the younger good looking ones happy to date older and in reverse all the good looking women didn’t pay. They were on the books for the older men with money that won’t date over thirty.

The film was also directed by Celine Song known for her acclaimed debut Past Lives. She’s a Canadian playwright and screenwriter and has cleverly crafted this romantic comedy-drama about love, class, and modern relationships.

There is one very unexpected twist in the movie which shocked me and made me challenge my own views about the type of men I date and my own checklist, not dissimilar to The Materialist herself. I am sure many other people both men and women who say they are not prepared to settle but also long to feel valued and receive validation for who they are would connect, enjoy and learn something about themselves from this film.

Great clothes, great sets, lovely lux movie set in NYC, and a memorable soundtrack, tackling the challenges of dating and connection, and with humour, sometimes a little snide, with a stark brutality of life on the side, what’s not to love.

10 Best Waterproof Wellington Boots UK

Top 10 waterproof wellies for British weather, ranked from luxury to budget. Includes Le...

Savannah Black

2025-12-03T06:00:00.0000000 2025-12-08T15:55:56.4330000

The 10 best waterproof wellington boots for the outdoors (sorted from most expensive to least)

Looking for wellies that can handle British weather, farmyards and muddy footpaths?

I decided to write this as I have just dug out my wellies, not seen the light of day since last year, put them on, walked through a pretty deep puddle half way from home and ended up squelching all the way back.

I was looking for a wellington boots waterproof outdoor round up online to break down all the choices, my goodness who knew there were so many Wellington boot options.

Below is a straight-talking round-up of 10 excellent waterproof boots, ranked from the priciest luxury picks to great-value budget options. Prices are typical UK retail ranges and will vary by size, season and stock.

1) Le Chameau Chasseur (often miswritten as “le chateau”)

Typical price: £300–£380

Key features:

- Handcrafted natural rubber with a full-length zip - Leather or neoprene lining options - Adjustable calf; grippy, abrasion-resistant outsole

Best for: All-day country wear, fields, beating and shooting; premium comfort and longevity

Value verdict: Expensive, but superb build and reparability make it a long-term investment if you’re out in the field weekly.

Who wears them; Kate Middleton, Princess of wales is probably their most notable brand ambassador. She favours the Vierzonord boots by Le Chameau.

2) Aigle Parcours 2 ISO (brand often mis-typed as “agile”)

Typical price: £170–£220

Key features:

- Handmade in France; tri-density rubber for shock absorption - 4.5 mm neoprene lining for warmth - Adjustable gusset; supportive ankle and heel

Best for: Long walks and standing for hours; wet, cold countryside

Value verdict: Outstanding blend of comfort, durability and warmth at a lower price than luxury-tier boots. Our best overall value pick.

Who wears; Liv Tyler, Natalie Portman and Eva Mendes

3) Muck Boot Arctic Sport Tall

Typical price: £145–£180

Key features:

- 5 mm neoprene bootie with rubber overlay - Warm fleece lining; aggressive, slip-resistant outsole - Flexible, easy-on comfort; excellent cold-weather performance

Best for: Winter chores, cold yards and static work in freezing conditions

Value verdict: If warmth is your priority, the cost is justified by serious insulation and day-long comfort.

Who wears; Georgia Toffolo

4) Bogs Classic High

Typical price: £120–£150

Key features:

- 7 mm neoprene with durable rubber shell - Comfortable, supportive footbed; odour control treatment - Easy pull-on handles; non-marking outsole

Best for: Everyday winter wear, slushy commutes, stable and garden use

Value verdict: Tough and cosy with minimal faff; great if you need insulated wellies that double as all-rounders.

Who wears; Not widely seen as a must have amongst celebrities, more noted for practicality than status

5) Hunter Original Tall

Typical price: £110–£140

Key features:

- Handcrafted natural rubber; iconic design - Flexible, comfortable fit for casual wear - Water-dispersing tread for wet pavements and parks

Best for: Daily, urban-to-country use and style-led wear

Value verdict: You’re paying partly for the brand and look; still a dependable classic for mixed use.

Who wears; Me along with Kate Moss, Olivia Rodrigo and Alexa Chung. I went for these because there were to most pairs available secondhand which may not be the best testament if everyone is selling theirs.

6) Barbour Tempest (Barbour included as requested)

Typical price: £100–£130

Key features:

- Vulcanised rubber; adjustable side gusset - Rugged outsole; quick-dry lining (often tartan print) - Kick-spur for easy removal

Best for: Mixed farm-and-field days and weekend walks

Value verdict: Solid durability and comfort from a trusted country name, usually undercutting comparable fashion-first boots.

Who wears; Dua Lipa, Lily Allen, Daisy Edgar Jones

7) Rockfish Neoprene-Lined Tall (Rockfish included as requested)

Typical price: £80–£100

Key features:

- Natural rubber with neoprene lining - Reinforced heel and toe; robust traction - Often available in extended sizes and bright colours

Best for: Cold, wet weather with plenty of mud; dog walkers and yard work

Value verdict: Strong spec for the money; a savvy mid-range alternative to bigger-name brands.

Who wears; not too many celebrity sighting although everyone at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary wears then daily which perhaps is a much better endorsement for anyone wanting to keep their feet dry.

8) Joules Field Welly Tall

Typical price: £55–£80

Key features:

- Natural rubber; adjustable side strap - Cushioned insole; water-dispersing outsole - Wide choice of colours and prints

Best for: Weekend walks, festivals, gardening and school runs

Value verdict: A cheerful, comfortable everyday welly at a fair price—great for occasional outdoor use.

Who wears; fond of a British brand Princess Kate and hubby Prince William have both been photographed wearing Joules wellies along with Holly Willoughby and Taylor Swift

9) Cotswold Lowther (Lowther wellies are manufactured by Hunter so if you want the same wellington without the branding this is a good option)

Typical price: £45–£65

Key features:

- Waterproof rubber with textile lining - Cleated outsole for muddy tracks - Straightforward, no-nonsense fit

Best for: Light yard duties, gardening and dog walks

Value verdict: Budget-friendly without feeling flimsy; a sensible choice if you don’t live in your wellies.

Who wears; no one specifically has been linked to Lowther wellies, but loads of celebrities have been spotted in Hunters the parent brand manufacturing the Lowther welly including, she likes her wellies The Princess of Wales. Not sure which are her actual favourites though.

10) StormWells Classic (often written “storm well”)

Typical price: £25–£40

Key features:

- Waterproof PVC construction - Easy-clean finish; slip-resistant tread - Lightweight and simple

Best for: Occasional wet-day use, festivals, keeping in the car boot for emergencies

Value verdict: Cheapest here and perfectly serviceable for infrequent wear; not for heavy farm or daily abuse.

Who wears; I couldn’t find high fashion celebrity endorsements, more durable, functional and affordable for consumers.

Quick buying tips

- Lining: Neoprene is warmer for winter and long static periods; cotton/poly linings are cooler for milder months.

- Fit and calf: Measure your calf and check brand size charts. Adjustable gussets or full zips help if you wear thick socks or tucking-in trousers.

- Outsole: Look for deep, self-cleaning lugs for clay and farm use; flatter treads suit pavements.

- Repairability: Premium natural-rubber boots can often be re-soled or professionally repaired, improving long-term value.

Best value at a glance

- Best overall value: Aigle Parcours 2 ISO – comfort, durability and warmth without the ultra-luxury price.

- Best budget: Cotswold Lowther (these boots are actually manufactured by Hunter) – dependable and affordable for weekend and garden use.

- Luxury pick: Le Chameau Chasseur – top-tier materials and craftsmanship for heavy countryside use.

Note on pricing and names: Prices are typical UK ranges and can change with sales and stock. If you typed “le chateau”, most country-wear shoppers mean Le Chameau; similarly, “agile” refers to Aigle, and “storm well” to StormWells.

I also bought a replacement for my Town and Country’s which don’t come up so long, about 14 inches as opposed to Hunters at 16 inches, sitting just under the knee. they had served me so well and I found a pair of Burfords brand new by Town and country, regular price £35 for just £10 on EBay. I decided I’d have these as well and keep my Hunters for Sunday lunch in the country.

When my new Hunter wellies arrive I’ll snap more pictures, in the meantime I’ve taken a few shots of my trusty wellingtons that have given up after some years and a new pair of Town and Country Burfords I found in a charity shop online for super cheap to keep me going.

Chloe Ayling My Unbelievable Kidnapping BBC 3 3 Part Documentary Series

Whether you already have an opinion or not a gripping three part documentary that will change...

Savannah Black

2025-08-11T15:33:00.0000000 2025-08-11T15:52:57.4530000

Chloe Ayling was kidnapped in July 2017. She was lured to Milan, Italy for a fake photoshoot and subsequently drugged and kidnapped. The incident involved a ransom demand and alleged attempted sale of Ayling online. She was held captive for six days before being released to the British consulate

Chloe Ayling’s BBC documentary, Chloe Ayling, my unbelievable Kidnapping The three-part documentary series, "Chloe Ayling: My Unbelievable Kidnapping," was made by BBC Studios Documentary Unit. It was commissioned by BBC three and is available to watch on BBC IPlayer. The series explores Chloe Ayling's 2017 kidnapping in Milan, featuring her first-person account and interviews with others involved.

Kidnapped: The Chloe Ayling Story" the six part drama series was produced by River Pictures for BBC Three and IPlayer in association with ZD Fneo. The series was written by Georgia Lester. with individual episodes penned by Nessa Wrafter and Tolula Dada. Al Mackay directed the series, and Clare Shepard produced it. 

When the story of Chloe Ayling’s kidnapping hit the headlines in July 2017 I remember seeing bits about it but I don’t read the tabloid newspapers or watch TV shows like This Morning so the whole thing slipped under my radar and I didn’t have any preconceived idea about Chloe or what had happened to her and when I decided to watch the documentary series I had made no prior judgement on her or her case.

The documentary series not to be confused with kidnapped the Chloe Ayling story a 6 part drama series starring Nadia Parkes as Chloe is in 3 episodes and is entitled Chloe Ayling, my unbelievable kidnapping.

Firstly I want to congratulate Clare Sillery Head of Commissioning, BBC Documentaries, and Fiona Campbell Controller for Youth Audiences. But specifically Tom Pullen for shining this alternate media light on this multi faceted story.

I have only watched 2 of the three episodes so far and cannot express how what happened to Chloe is a compelling multi level layered story of persecution, first at the hands of her attacker Lucasz Herba a crazy Polish guy now serving 16 years in Italy for the 6 day ordeal he subjected her to including drugging her and holding her against her will, threatening her in the most terrifying way and making her believe her death was imminent and then in follow up to that how she was vilified and victimised not just by the press and the TV media but by the public as well who all waded in with opinions and incorrect judgements about her and her story.

The documentary is so well done it makes you jump to the wrong conclusions yourself and then cleverly holds the mirror up for us all so we can all reflect on our own limited stereotypical viewpoint without having all the facts, I include myself here.

Thank goodness the judge Ilio Mannucci Pacini, in charge of this case in Milan was completely non prejudicial and looked only at the facts of the case and considered the victims account in its entirety. Taking into account possible reasons why Chloe omittted certain elements of the time she spend as a captive because of shame and guilt around coercion and her own behaviour in extreme circumstances of trauma and duress.

When Chloe described how she considered her death and just hoped it would not be too painful my heart broke for her and the pain she has endured, not just during the kidnap but for years following, this happened 8 years ago now. I thought about how her young life has been disrupted and overtaken by this one event and yet she has fought through to be heard and understood and thank goodness for the TV producers and commissioners that have allowed Chloe’s real wider story to be told.

I am not going to spoil the watch by revealing too much detail about this documentary, suffice to say it has more intrigue and suspense than the best Hitchcock thriller and when you see beautiful Chloe wryly smiling her way through her presenting directly to camera, monologues that form the framework of the piece I think anyone will form an opinion. And I will tell you it’s likely the wrong one. Which is what makes this documentary so absolutely brilliant because the filmmaker wants us to have that experience. The film is spectacular in that it forces everyone who watches it to take a long hard look at themselves and instead of standing on the sidelines as the know it alls we all are forces shame and then empathy out in all of us.

What happened to Chloe at the hands of Lucasz Herba is unthinkable but I hope journalists like Ruth Langsford, Eamon Holmes and especially Piers Morgan have personally apologised to Chloe Ayling face to face. If they haven’t then it’s clear to me they need to.

The facts are out there. Everyone has written about this from tabloids to broadsheets. Watch for yourself and then make your own mind up about Chloe Ayling. Mother. Daughter, wife and friend.

Waso Deliver all over the City of London

if you like Japanese food you are going to love Waso

Savannah Black

2025-07-08T15:22:00.0000000 2025-07-09T10:46:10.4670000

For the British who love everything Japanese including the food, Waso are the best. I have a couple of hair clients, salons in the City of London I visit and they order lunch from Waso all the time, how I discovered them.

I am writing this snoop purely and simply because I was so inspired by founder and CEO Toshihiro Yoshimura.

When you taste the food you’ll be blown away. And like everything Japanese I’ve ever encountered the standards are through the roof from 5 star service, graciousness and gratitude. They make you feel so valued as a customer it makes you in turn want to support them. It’s a winning formula.

The Waso mission statement “Creating a world where everyone believes in their authenticity”

This is a dream come true for Toshihiro who at 28, in 2015 quit his job at J.P. Morgan in Tokyo to start his business rooted in his love of Japanese culture.

He moved to London and with his secondary school classmate and launched Waso on an entrepreneur visa.

His idea was to deliver lunch to London offices, no minimum order no delivery fee. They optimised delivery routes to minimise costs initially cooking all the food himself.

Like every entrepreneur these guys grafted. When they couldn’t afford office space they bought the cheapest thing at a cafe and worked from there. They pounded the pavement hanging out at tube stations handing out leaflets to anyone who would take one.

One feature on TV in Tokyo, they won a lunch contract with Japan House London’s and they were off.

Like all entrepreneurs Toshihiro and his partner Gen had to do everything. Cooking the food, delivering the food from one trolley on foot. All with absolutely no money, they had to raise investment which even being in the financial district is never easy.

Then Waso faced COVID and to survive they had to rethink the whole business. They moved to a frozen bento home delivery model and because the food standards were so high and the food so good orders surged.

Toshihiro says the service is not perfect yet. He has very high standards and is committed to improving with a wider range always with a focus on accessible pricing.

I truly believe in the passion behind this business. You can taste the love in the homemade food. They say they want to deliver flavours that boost your spirits during tough times and during those moments when you need a lift.

I guess sometimes we forget that’s what food is supposed to do. Nourish us.

For anyone in the City or East London who hasn’t tried Waso yet they offer Japanese food delivered daily and I promise you the food is as good as I’ve eaten in the very best Japanese restaurants for a fraction of the price.

It’s not surprising they continue to go from strength to strength.

When ever I am in the City now I always look forward to ordering lunch from Waso Tokyo. There’s nowhere like it outside Japan itself.

Glamot Dot Com in the Czech Republic offers great savings

Affordable luxury hair and beauty online shipped FedEx globally

Savannah Black

2025-06-25T13:16:00.0000000 2025-06-25T15:02:27.4370000

I was recently in search of this sustainable cruelty free hair serum from Oway a specialist brand available in salons but not that easy to find on a budget or at a discount, Oway Glossy Nectar, it comes in two sizes 50ml at £24.00 rrp and 160ml at £53.00 rrp.

It’s not tricky to find, you buy direct from Oway dot com if you are happy to pay the full retail and wait for it to come, about a week.

I like a deal, things like this I’d normally be able to find on EBay or Amazon and save a few quid. Not this time.

However I did find a site called Glamot dot com with stock available for an unbelievable low price about £13 for the small bottle £31 for the big one so a significant saving. 160ml on the Oway website is £53.

And they use FedEx to ship, probably the most trusted and most expensive global shipper so £7 for 24 hour delivery is well worth it when the savings are so significant.

I read the reviews on Trust Pilot, 160 people in total have taken the time with the majority giving 5 stars and the average is a 4.2 rating. There are an couple of negatives but aside from one lady saying her hairdryer wasn’t 100% and the team at Glamdot didn’t get back to her about it everyone else seemed very positive about the service and fast turnaround on shipping and delivery.

It’s a family company that began in 2003, a husband and wife team Daniel and Gabca Novak so all sounds amazing, Daniel’s Mum was a hairdresser and beautician her whole life and instilled in him a desire to give customers the very best possible service. I like the story and I am going for it, placing my order from the Czech Republic.

I’ll update here when my product arrives.

I love to see people bucking trends, doing things differently and stretching the boundaries of great service at an affordable price, winning customers from all over the globe happy to try doing things differently too, taking a risk and buying from a company that may not have the marketing budget of say an Amazon or EBay but have loads of happy customers shouting their corner instead.

McDonald’s and the money making ketchup policy

This made me crazy

Savannah Black

2025-06-02T17:54:00.0000000 2025-06-03T13:30:42.5000000

A classic rant

Are you using the app today. The robotic automaton auto pilot voice looms out from the drive through metal box. I never use the app, neither does anyone else if you listen to the customers around you and yet the script has to be adhered to without any explanation why the app would be better for us. Should I use the app for a discount? That would be a good reason.

I don’t think the food is cheaper if you use the app is it? I think they think if they ask us if we are using the app enough we’ll just suddenly start using it. NOT. It’s just super annoying.

I always order the same thing. 2 x McPlant burger meals with water, medium with one ketchup which costs £13.98.

Today the price went up by 20p to £14.18 so when I arrived at the window to pay I said “you’ve put your prices up??” The lady in the kiosk looked at me blankly and then said yes.

Oh I said when was that? She said three weeks ago. I didn’t question her further, I knew it was rubbish as I buy this lunch once a week and last week and the week before the price was £13.98

So when I got to the window to collect my food which I always have to wait for because no one obviously buys the McPlant and they are never ready, should be called slow food not fast food but hey I digress, I just hope they don’t remove them from the menu. This has already happened in the US due to low sales.

I asked again about the increased price.

I concluded there had been no price increase and I asked if I had been charged 20p for my ketchup. The person in the booth said yes. When I asked why, he said he didn’t know. The policy is everyone gets one free ketchup and if you want more than one you have to pay. Fair Enough. I explained we had only asked for one ketchup for two meals and he said they would refund the 20p for the ketchup.

The food wasn’t ready surprise surprise so we had to wait in Bay one.

When the food was delivered I asked about my 20p overcharge. Did she have my 20p. The lady who brought the food knew nothing about it.

You cannot eat your food in the pick up bay so instead of letting it go cold we abandoned the quest to get the 20p back, it was the principle more than anything, the staff at McDonalds whacking on a charge few would ever question.

I thought about how much that would be if they did it to every customer and when questioned staff saying the prices had gone up when they actually hadn’t at all. I wonder what would happen if I just said anything when questioned to my customers, I’d probably get fired.

You are going to love the next bit. When we opened to bag to tuck in, yep you guessed it, no ketchup.

Loot fails it’s leading lady Maya Rudolph

Fans wait to see if Apple commissions a third season

Savannah Black

2025-05-14T07:10:00.0000000 2025-05-14T08:07:53.0570000

For me Maya Rudolph is a comedic genius so Loot, an American comedy TV show created by Matt Hubbard and Alan Yang premiered on June 24, 2022, on Apple TV+ was an easy box set yes. For anyone who doesn’t know who she is, she played Lillian in Bridesmaids, Annie’s best friend who got married. She’s the daughter of American soul singer Minnie Ripperton famous for the 1974 classic, “Loving You” a lullaby written for Maya and her brother Marc.

In the US she’s more well known for her appearances on Saturday Night Live, a comedy skit, sketch show probably her most famous, a take off of Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential election. I’ll try to find a you tube link for you all.

It wasn’t me who actually said the show fails its leading lady but after watching, as a massive fan, five or six episodes, I’ve given up.

The premise of the story is a good one, the Loot plot follows Molly Novak nee Wells as she reimagines her life’s purpose after discovering her husband of 20 years is cheating with Hayley. Molly must work out what to do with her $87 billion settlement; she decides to re-engage with her charitable foundation and reconnect with the real world-finding herself along the way.

For me inspite of a capable ensemble cast the show just doesn’t land in the way I’d expect from a tour de force comedic talent like Rudolph.

The sets are colourful, the clothes are whacky, but the really brilliant gags are few and far between and the writing feels like it doesn’t know where it’s going, sometimes silly, sometimes serious and emotional, I couldn’t connect with the character, in the same way America Ferrera is Ugly Betty, or Calista Flockhart embodied Ally McBeal.

You kinda feel like you are in the Barbie movie one minute, Bridesmaids the next and even though the episodes are short, 35 minutes they did drag.

For me Loot just isn’t as good as we’ve come to expect from genius Maya Rudolph and it’s really hard to say why, even her relationship with ex husband John Novak played by Adam Scott I didn’t buy into.

The visit to the exclusive Los Angeles members only spa Halsa in episode 5 where Molly has an altercation with her old life friend Jacinta, played by Caitlin Reilly felt like watching a rerun of Rose Byrne’s hilarious portrayal of Helen in Bridesmaids.

They look absolutely nothing alike but the acting, timing, even the dialogue felt like a complete take off. I have watched Bridesmaids almost to word perfect level it has to be said.

I wanted to love it, I love Maya Rudolph. I may return but unlikely. And if Apple TV Commision a third season of which there are rumours it will be because of the stars wide appeal and genuine fan base support not because the material delivered is worthy.

I am surprised Maya isn’t saying let me write it.

It’s a shame because there’s not very much female led TV anyway and certainly not female led comedy.

I so wanted to love this show but it feels knocked off and pieced together punctuated by not enough moments of Maya Rudolph genius.

I can only remember one incredible “Bridesmaids” worthy gag.

“What am I doing at 9.00am? I’ll be sleeping.

Furla Bags and Classic Italian accessories

For ladies who don’t like to flaunt what they like

Savannah Black

2025-05-11T10:45:00.0000000 2025-05-12T15:22:25.9130000

There’s nothing more annoying for the onlooking people watching, blogger following style seeker, me, than seeing someone wearing something that instead of it being a wealth statement, heavily branded and immediately recognisable it’s fabulous and you have no idea who it’s by, welcome to Furla.

I only own two Furla bags so it’s not like I am a massive customer but I much prefer to carry something people have to ask me about if they like it, something not everyone has got, something that truly represents my taste and style. I don’t like a follow the pack purchase.

My first Furla bag I couldn’t really afford. I got swept up in the moment whilst on holiday in the US and had a mad moment at the Furla concession in Saks Fifth Avenue department store, at the time it was a brand I’d never heard of.

I was bowled over by an Ox blood leather shoulder bag, (this was 15 years ago long before Ox blood had a revival courtesy of the Kardashians) it was structured and so modern in design, a single flap for easy in and out, a longer thinner design, later popularised in over branded fashion by Fendi, it was large enough to get my stuff in but not so large it couldn’t move from day to evening.

The thing I loved the most about it, it was a mystery to who had made it yet with absolutely no doubt it was of the highest quality and craftsmanship, you could see it, for me the bag would spark curiosity, it was full of knowing and for me not known for my impulsive shopping decisions, I felt like I just had to have it and bought it on the spot.

I didn’t flinch at the price, if I remember it was about $300. Somehow anything purchased on holiday becomes just part of that whole expensive experience which never has to be justified. I even got the added joy of browsing through a glossy magazine later and spotting my gorgeous bag in a glossy ad campaign I now wish I’d kept. I have kept the bag of course and carry it all the time. It is still one of my favourites and apart from a couple of expensive gifts, the most expensive bag I’ve ever bought myself.

The opportunity came up to buy a second Furla bag in TK Maxx 10 years later when for a very short time in the Gold Label section they had on offer the classic Jelly bean, double handed plastic transparent candy bag for about £50. This was a bargain I couldn’t resist. Today they are selling for anything up to £200 in good condition and very collectible.

Furla made the iconic Candy bag in virtually every colour, now highly collectible so much so you can buy a fake on Chinese website DHgate for about £50.

If you love the simplicity of Italian design; the modernism of Prada, the cut of Armani, the fun of Gucci, Furla just might be the brand you seek, not so aspirational for the herd or as expensive, that will keep you ahead of the pack when it comes to style.

Katherine Ryan at The London Palladium

Funny Girl to Battleaxe sold out show

Savannah Black

2025-04-14T07:52:00.0000000 2025-04-14T08:39:35.0470000

Making it in comedy is not easy. I cannot remember the last time there was a lady comedienne at the height of her career performing to sold out crowds in London at the London Palladium no less.

There was French and Saunders and Victoria Wood, Julie Walter’s Mrs overall is iconic but since then there was the good looking girl with dark hair, an impressionist on Britains got talent whose name I am going to have to look up, I didn’t I want to say Fran somebody (maybe I am getting confused with actress Fran Dresser, she looks a bit like her but I digress. Oh and the hilarious bafta winning Irish comedienne Aisling Bea guest host of hit show Have I Got News for You then all of a sudden there’s Catherine Ryan, the Canadian import who appeared on our screens in the UK in 2012 in Jimmy Carrs show 8 out of ten cats on channel 4.

In 12 short years she’s gone from a guest appearance on Channel 4 to headlining her own show at the iconic London Palladium.

I haven’t seen the show yet, it was sold out on 11th April when I took this picture. The next dates available are the 1st, 2nd, 3rd May. The tickets start at £30 up to £47 which seems very reasonable to me for a westend show in an iconic theatre like the London Palladium.

I love stand up comedy more than any other kind of live theatre, I love a heckler too and I think Katheryn Ryan is very funny indeed.

Her cutting, brutal matter of fact comedic style is very brave and she plays dead pan, stoney faced better than anyone.

I remember laughing so hard when Katherine Ryan played the “send to all” game on Michael McIntyres Big Game Show. Blooming hilarious.

The one thing that spoils the performance for me is Katherine Ryan face fillers, indulgence of Botox, face fillers, lip enhancements and the like. First off before you all go mad as a woman supporting a woman here, sharing and pitching her show, I believe she can do what she likes to her face, that’s her business. For me as fan though and I am a big fan because her comedy initially was all around navigating life as a single Mum and being brutal about the pitfalls of relationships it was a little bit contradictory to the intention of the comedy to have so much stuff put in your face to puff it out. Why? You’re so beautiful and gifted I wanted to shout. I guess I just don’t get it.

Katherine Ryan does so much with her face in her comedy I fear soon she won’t be able to move her face at all and for me that would be a great shame.

I honestly don’t want her to go from Funny girl to Battleaxe for real. For me it was the saddest part about another genius comedienne Joan Rivers. Maybe these super talented brave funny women we admire for saying the things we dare not say do have an Achilles heel after all.

Mrs Rodial Snake Oil Secret Lifting Oil

And Pink Diamond Lifting Oil Two for One

Savannah Black

2025-04-04T14:45:00.0000000 2025-04-04T15:07:53.8630000

A few snoopers writing about Mrs Rodial so wanted to add my experience into the mix. Inspired by Anita Roddick back in the day I was captivated by Maria Hatzistefanis and wanted to check out what all the fuss was about.

These are two products I love I found in TK Maxx Wadsley Green, Sheffield of all places. To be fair it is a good place to find discounted skincare products. These Mrs Rodial skincare products weren’t super cheap, I paid £29.99 for the Pink Diamond lifting oil although a definite saving. (and considering it's sold out and tough to find anyway) Result.

The first Mrs Rodial product I tried was the banana lowlighter and under eye concealer also available in Peach and Latte, two shades a bit darker.

The lowlighter at £38 she created to deliver that lit-from-within glow without the shimmer often found in brightening and highlighting products. Banana Lowlighter is an all-in-one colour corrector, skin like concealer for natural, lightweight coverage. I was used to Touché Eclat shade 01 and was looking for an alternative.

I liked the creamy formula blended with a soft yellow undertone to help conceal imperfections, diminish the appearance of dark circles under eyes and brighten high points of my face for a natural highlight.

It worked, I liked it but for no other reason than price I went back to the slightly cheaper YSL touché Eclat no. 1 at £31 when the budget was strained. Which is currently available on sale at Look Fantastic with an extra 20% off so even cheaper at £24.50.

The skin care is a different story. Both these products I’ve purchased more than once and both I love to either use individually or in combination.

The snake oil drops are a hydrating and sort of tightening serum. I pop a few drops from the pipette onto my fingers and apply between cleanse and moisturise. I use snake oil face serum in the morning.

The pink diamond lifting oil I use before bed. Again a few drops applied before slapping on a night cream or moisturiser.

It might be psychological I think the quality of my skin has improved. I have a few wrinkles around my eyes and both those and my jaw line have improved with consistent use and I don’t really buy into a lot of potions and lotions.

The snake oil drops retail for £55 and they are in stock. This luxurious facial oil drenches skin with a 5-in-1 oil blend featuring babassu, almond and peach kernel oil. It’s rich in omega 3 and 6, vitamin E and antioxidants to help soften and condition and hydrate the skin.

The Pink diamond lifting oil containing rice bran oil and marshmallow root (two things we’ll know retails for £75 currently out of stock on the rodial.com website

Teoni’s Apple Pie Cookies

Went bust in 2020

Savannah Black

2025-03-16T10:24:00.0000000 2025-03-18T16:01:40.3300000

It was an independent cookie company. Teonis is a family run company based in Cullompton, Devon Teoni's specialize in producing delicious hand made biscuits from the finest ingredients.

And you can taste all the love in these truly mega cookies.

They are available in Sainsbury’s and loads of specialty farm shops and luxury food outlets and delicatessens.

I don’t know who came up with the idea to make an apple pie cookie (lots of other delicious flavours) these are combination of chewy and crunchy, sweet with a hint, just a hint of spice.

The type of homemade cookie everyone wants to buy into. The type of cookie biscuit you could serve with ice cream to make a posh dessert.

Handmade in Devon. Flavours include, Dipped Chocolate Chip Cookies, maple and pecan, Dipped Cranberry Cookies, Dipped Stem Ginger Cookies and Dipped White Chocolate Chip.

I know hard to pick.

You get 6 in a packet and they cost around £4.50 depending on which variety you pick which I know sounds like crikey for a packet of biscuits but when you think 75p per cookie I cannot think of anything else that can compare for the price.

The cookies are vegetarian, not suitable for gluten free or plant based vegan diet.

Not sure what happened in 2020 when the company went into administration. On Teoni Cookies X account it read

Teoni's went into ADMINISTRATION January 2020 due to directors dispute. Unfortunately I am now longer apart of Teoni Cookies. Take care Teoni x.

Sadly the founder of the company is no longer involved.

Alliance Boots

the parent company of Boots the Chemist

Savannah Black

2025-03-10T11:47:00.0000000 2025-03-17T07:33:49.9600000

Over ten years ago I read a report launched in 2013 by Britain's biggest union, Unite, the UK anti-poverty charity War on Want, and the Change to Win federation of US trade unions, with a call for Alliance Boots the parent company of UK high street chemist to disclose its tax returns and shine some light on its complex web of debt strategies.

Fast forward 10 years and not much has changed.

You don’t have to look very far to find out more on the subject, broadsheets in the UK, the Guardian and the Independent have covered the subject of tax avoidance and disgruntled employees, in particular pharmacists up in arms about poor working conditions and pay.

When I was younger Boots was the go to place to get everything chemist related particularly when going on holiday, sunscreen and travel accessories. It was hard to break the habit.

For 10 years I’ve done my best not to shop in Boots. The report out in 2013 published by Unite stated over 1.12 billion in UK tax had been avoided in the six years prior since Alliance Boots went public.

Three years later in 2016 the Guardian published this headline,

Britain’s biggest pharmacy used to be a family business, dedicated to serving society. Now, many of the company’s own staff believe that its relentless drive for profit is putting the public at risk.

And the story gained momentum with another two follow up articles in the Guardian highlighting the shocking exploitation of the private equity backed chain from whistleblowing staff.

12 months ago reports in the Telegraph said Seb James, Boots’ UK managing director, wrote to employees informing them of an end to home-working, as he promised to make the business “more effective” in advance of Boots being floated on the stock market.

The way I see it, this massive British household name has ripped us off, treated their staff poorly, put profit over the health and wellbeing of their customers and now the privately held group just want to float the business for a gazillion pounds.

Many might say one person cannot make a difference to a giant like Boots. Yet Boots Alliance is still trying to raise capital.

As of three days ago Walgreens in the US announced a 10 billion dollar deal to swallow up Alliance Boots with no published plans to make the operation any better.

Tepe Tooth Cleaners and Boots the Chemist

Back on three month call backs

Savannah Black

2025-03-10T09:15:00.0000000 2025-03-17T07:34:29.9170000

Good Lord, £7 quid, £7 quid for the equipment I need recommended by my dentist who I just paid £130 to be told I need to come back in 3 months because my cleaning is not up to scratch.

I had been going to an NHS dentist but with kids teeth in crisis reported this week and 90% of patients paying for private dental care it seems to me the state of peoples teeth in the UK is not the best, including mine.

I have been a regular flosser, not good enough I am now told by my private hygienist and have been put in a strict routine of dipping these sticks in corsodyl or listerine and poking them diligently between every tooth, dipping in between to try and remove any food or debris getting stuck.

Interestingly for me, the difference between my hygiene report at the NHS dentist and the hygiene report at my new dentist did give me a big shock. And I was concerned as a regular attendee for checks and cleans my teeth were not in a better state.

The Tepe cleaning sticks are quite nifty bits of kit to be fair, I tried those ones that look like mini toilet brushes on twisted wire but they are fiddly to use, won’t push through and go bendy and unmanageable.

I broke my boots boycott went to boots for them, I couldn’t think where else I might find them. The don’t sell them at Superdrug.

I’ll do another snoop about why I boycotted Boots. I don’t like the UK company’s tax arrangements.

Palm Royale Apple TV

Recommended by Louis Staples culture and entertainment Harpers Bazaar

Savannah Black

2024-12-23T09:54:00.0000000 2025-03-17T07:35:09.7300000

I have recently subscribed to Apple TV but I am struggling to find the shows I want to watch. So many I’ve never heard of to pick from. I’ve started looking for reviews and reviewers. So far my advice, Don’t believe everything you read when it comes to what to watch.

“Not every TV series needs to radically change our lives” read the by line of Louis Staples piece in Harpers Bazaar about the latest project executive produced by American actress and Bridesmaid star Kristen Wiig on Apple TV, an Apple Original series.

We’ve not heard much of Kristen Wiig since the massive success 2011 when she was catapulted to household name cult comedy actress success as Annie. Palm Royale came in March 2024 with a bang although this time the bonfire may have failed to ignite.

The Harpers Bazaar headline read “In defence of a pretty good show”

_

After watching 5 episodes of this mediocre production I am in two minds whether to invest anymore time in what should have been absolutely fantastic TV.

Directed by Tate Taylor with a whole host of stars led by Wiig, guest starring the legendary Carol Burnett, the west wing’s Alison Janney, Oscar winner Laura Dern and for the younger audience acting debut from Cindy Crawford’s daughter Kai’s Gerber not to mention Latin sex symbol all singing all dancing sensation Ricky Martin.

It sort of reminded me of that dinner when you bought all the right ingredients but the recipe just didn’t come together.

Adapted from the best selling book by Juliet Macdonald, Mr and Mrs American Pie by Abe Sylvia the script didn’t land as well as I’d hoped and I found myself seeing Annie keep emerging from Bridemaids, (even though Wiig looks and sounds completely different, playing a bottle blonde from Atlanta, Georgia with an exaggerated southern drawl.

The first three episodes aired in March and a second series followed. I am not sure how far into the second season I got before switching off mid episode.

For me, I agree with the Harpers writer, a TV series doesn’t need to change my life, but with everything thrown at it except the kitchen sink talent, money, Hollywood, Apple TV marketing and audience, it does need to offer more than camp and colourful.

I don’t really have much to compare it to, the idea is portrayed in a “Dr. Pseus” or “Big Fish” or “Miss Periguim” kinda way. Colourful, mystical, a big weird. I stuck with it, it had all the makings of a marvellous memorable “Ally McBeal” “Sex and The City” impact.

I loved Bridesmaids so much and admired Wiigs talent so much I wanted to love it like “Madmen” be addicted like “Sugar”

The Harpers Bazaar article did its job and hooked me in.

Even the credits, the artwork, the music paved the way for something special that for me just never quite got there.

What’s it about well, the Palm Royale is a private members club in 1960’s Palm Beach frequented by only the most affluent and well connected in society and one women’s quest, a former beauty pageant winner, Maxine “Delacourt” Simmons to find her rightful place in society.

I think it shows me how when I read a review in a magazine I have to make a “marketing” allowance. I.E. How much the show needed a push and how much or how a journalist can spin their real opinion to make us click, buy in, watch.

American Vintage

Remarketing - Has a brand you love put you off simply by not listening?

Savannah Black

2024-12-11T09:12:00.0000000 2025-03-17T07:37:06.8130000

Remarketing has put me off shopping. I swear it makes me feel like a mug spending money with brands I know are not listening to me.

My friend and I are always laughing about cling on brands that you cannot shake off, you know the ones that desperately follow you around the internet, text you, email you, to the point you wish you’d never bought the pesky whatever. And these days it’s more brands than not. Which only goes to show the state of the economy.

I now have a love hate relationship with American Vintage. My friend picked up my phone this morning and said oh look they are texting you again. I looked down to see yet another Text from American Vintage.

It is a joke as I have contacted them at least 10 times asking to removed from their mailing list, not because I dislike them or their products, the opposite actually, I have found two products they make, the Massachusetts Vest and and long sleeve T shirt, a twin set that costs around £100 I have a few sets in white and then other sets in black and off white and I cannot pass the store in Hampstead without having a nose inside.

The T shirts are long sleeve, really fine cotton like a Muslim gauze which I love, they skim but don’t cling and are long in the body. This is something that works well for me.

I am a loyal customer that doesn’t need pestering. I am already singing about these T shirts to everyone I know, but the brand doesn’t know me or understand what kind of customer I am. And I don’t feel like American Vintage care about me, even though I wear their products pretty much every day.

I think when all companies care about is driving the next sale and so blarzey about the impression they leave on their customers they don’t even try to cover up the fact they are ignoring what you, the customer wants.

It comes across as ungrateful for my loyalty, recommendations and custom and ruins the shopping experience because it’s hard to have a lovely experience in store when you know the brand is actually ignoring you.

If I were the CEO I’d do an experiment to prove a point. I’d send a marketing text saying something like FREE PRODUCT, anything you want up to £50, our gift to you in gratitude for your loyalty, just click the link.

Then American Vintage would be able to see how many of their customers are even reading what you send, or if like me everyone has gone BRAND BLIND.

Fortnum and Mason

A few of my favourite things

Savannah Black

2024-11-10T11:14:00.0000000 2025-03-17T07:37:45.9600000

Did you know the scotch egg was invented in 1737 at Fortnum and Mason. These are the kinds of things you find out when you step inside the Charlie and the Chocolate factory experience for foodies off Piccadilly, London.

I don’t shop in fortnums on a regular basis but I do return every year for a hamper. It’s something that has become a bit of a tradition in our family.

Here are the ten Fortnum and Mason things we cannot live without.

The Champagne and Orange marmalade, you get 340g for £8 but it’ll be the best £8 you’ve ever spent.

Made with sweet rather than Seville oranges and a generous helping of both Champagne and Marc de Champagne.

The zero alcohol champagne, give this to your guests and they’ll be guzzling like there’s no tomorrow and won’t understand why there’s no hangover the next day.

For Fortnums it’s the latest in British 314-year tea history, the Sparkling Tea is a certified organic blend inspired by eight of Fortnums famous and rare brews – and despite its celebration-ready appearance, amazingly contains zero alcohol.

We buy more of this tipple over the holidays now than booze. It’s £19.95 a bottle.

The next on the list is tea, and the Mint Infusion at £9.95 comes in a presentation tin (makes a cute present) and the Moroccan Mint are both on the list. It’s an indulgence 15 tea bags for £8. We spread them out over the holidays. One tea bag will make a pot of tea for two.

I also absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE the Highgrove Organic peppermint thins at £14.95 - if you are an after eight fan these are the same idea but elevated to a whole new level and Vegan.

Could you, would you pay £22 for a tin of biscuits. Ordinarily I’d say no way. Let me introduce you to Toffolosus, Salty-sweet and chewy toffee combines with plump dates in this expertly baked and abundant chocolate covered biscuit masterpiece. They are Colossally good.

Selfridges used to make the very best toffee biscuits, discontinued about 5 or 6 years ago so if you were a fan of those and like me missing them, this is the closest replacement I have found.

The final thing I always pick up from Fortnums is a few packets of Brandy snap. Interestingly their’s is not the best I’ve tried, it’s just so hard to source (unless you make your own) I buy it from here before it all runs out. You get six in the box and they cost a fiver.

Very few people can afford to do their holiday shop at Fortnum and Mason. I enjoy the store and all it has to offer by picking a handful of luxury items for my hamper each year. The rest we get from Aldi and Sainsbury’s. Wink wink.