7 days agoLatest NewsComments Off on Shoppers share savvy hack for 10p Father’s Day cards from Moonpig – here’s how to get yours
SHOPPERS have shared a savvy hack to help you get a cheap Father’s Day card.
You’ve got to be quick though, with the celebration just around the corner on June 15.
GettyShoppers can buy a card for 10p from Moonpig this Father’s Day[/caption]
GettyThey also have a range of gifts suitable for whatever your dad likes[/caption]
For a limited time only, shoppers can get a Moonpig card for as little as 10p.
A shopper on the Facebook group Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK posted a photo of the Father’s Day card they were ordering with a price of just 10p.
To use the offer, they used the code CRMCARDFREE after the alternative code FREEFD didn’t work.
While the card itself costs just 10p, shoppers do still have to pay for postage which is approximately £1.70.
Ordering with first class delivery should ensure that the card arrives in time for the special day.
Moonpig cards are a great way to show appreciation for your father, allowing you to customise the card with unique photos.
Another user shared a similar post, revealing their card was entirely free – except for postage.
They wrote: “Thanks just got mine but my card was free!”
Other commenters were just as excited by the limited time offer, with one writing: “Nice one! It worked for me.”
Another added: “Delivery always arrives on time with me too they are very good.”
Making the most of the offer does take some trial and error with different users reporting that only one of the codes worked for them.
After ordering their own card, one user excitedly commented: “After numerous attempts, FREEFD worked for me in the end!”
While another added: “Just used this code and got my card for free just had to pay shipping.”
After you’ve sorted a card, Moonpig also offer a range of gifts making it easier than ever to get your Father’s Day present delivered on time.
Their range of gifts include a variety of affordable products, whether your dad has a sweet tooth, or is more of a green thumb.
7 days agoLatest NewsComments Off on Night of hell for Ukraine as Putin launches 315 drones in one of biggest strikes of war sparking huge inferno in Kyiv
VLADIMIR Putin has killed at least two people in a terrifying drone blitz which tore through a Ukrainian maternity ward.
Russia directly attacked Kyiv with 315 drones and missiles and demolished large parts of the southern port of Odesa overnight.
APA Russian drone strike on Kyiv left dozens of residential buildings crumbling[/caption]
ReutersA woman runs past a warehouse which is on fire following Russia’s attacks[/caption]
ReutersAn explosion lights up the sky over the capital[/caption]
At least four people have been hospitalised in Kyiv with seven out of the city’s 10 districts being impacted.
The devastating aerial attacks sparked intense recovery operations as emergency services battled against fires in residential neighbourhoods.
Air raid alerts in Kyiv lasted for around five hours as they first alerted residents at around 5am, according to military data.
Timur Tkachenko, the head of Kyiv’s military district, said on Telegram: “A difficult night for all of us.
“Throughout the night, the enemy relentlessly terrorised Kyiv with attack drones.
“They targeted civilian infrastructure and peaceful residents of the city.”
Russia sent out a 315 drone blitz in the attack, including 250 Shaheds, and 7 missiles, according to Volodymyr Zelensky.
The heroic leader said the attack on Odesa is one of the worst to impact the region since war began.
Speaking on X, Zelensky said: “In Odesa, even a maternity hospital became a Russian target.
“Thirteen people were injured. Tragically, there are fatalities. My condolences to the families.
“It is vital that the response to this and other similar Russian attacks is not silence from the world, but concrete action.”
Earlier this week, Russian drones and missiles were launched at Kyiv again as Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bombers were reportedly unleashed to rain hell on the infamous Snake Island in the Black Sea.
Moscow launched a massive strike on Rivne using its Tu-22M3 and Tu-95MS strategic bombers to hit Dubny airbase.
Another key Ukrainian military airport – Hostomel – was also attacked as Putin sought revenge for the humiliating attack.
Polish armed forces command said Nato fighter jets were patrolling due to “intensive air attack by the Russian Federation on Ukrainian territory”.
Just days ago, Kharkiv was rocked overnight as 48 kamikaze drones, along with missiles and guided bombs, slammed into residential areas, according to the city’s mayor.
“We have a lot of damage,” Ihor Terekhov said.
More than 50 explosions rocked Kharkiv, with the mayor adding it was “the most powerful attack” on the city of the 39-month war.
APSmoke rises above a building destroyed by a Russian drone strike on Kyiv[/caption]
Shutterstock EditorialRory Mcllroy looks to add to his Masters win at the US Open[/caption]
X formerly Twitter / @NUCLRGOLFFans fumed at the menu prices[/caption]
And fans were stunned to see just how much a bite to eat could set them back.
A Philly cheesesteak was the heftiest meal on the menu – costing $13.95 (£10.33) – while crisps were $3.49 (£2.58).
A single Corona costs $11.95 (£8.85) – despite being able to buy a four-pack for £6 at Sainsbury’s.
Even a bottle of water is $4.95 (£3.66) – but what really did it for fans was the $1.95 (£1.44) price of a banana.
One raged: “$1.98 for a banana??? I’m taking my business elsewhere!”
Another fumed: “$1.95 for a banana is outrageous.”
One said: “$2 for a banana is crazy. Can get a bundle at the store for under $2!!! I am irate.”
Vogt – who runs his own dentistry practice in Indianapolis – is 1,173rd in the World Amateur Rankings but secured a debut place at a major.
Not only does he hope his golf career will take off but also his dentistry business, revealing: “I think they’ve gotten a ton of enquiries.
“I’ve got such a great team, I’ve got friends helping me out with all those messages and enquiries and said, ‘hey, guys, forward those to Chris, my buddy, and make sure you stay focused on patients because that’s what we’re there to do in McCordsville, Indiana’.
“It’s been a lot of fun, some patients reaching out and fellow dentists. I feel like there are so many people behind me this week – Oakmont, Pittsburgh, dentistry – it’s been fun.
“Honestly, from a business perspective, that’s not what it’s about. We try to take good care of people, and if it brings us more great patients that we can help, awesome.
“It will give us something to talk about maybe in and around the office.”
INSTAGRAM @thedentistsatgcMatt Vogt is a full-time dentist-turned US Open star[/caption]
7 days agoLatest NewsComments Off on Shoppers rush to Aldi to pick up fizzy drink dupe that’s £2 cheaper than Coca-Cola favourite & ‘it tastes better’
DIET Coke lovers are sharing their love for a comparable option in Aldi.
Diet Coke is one of the UK’s leading soft drink brands with ardent fans across the country, but now people are flocking to Aldi’s cheaper dupe.
Aldi’s Diet Coke dupe is a hit with shoppersAldiDamien McFaddenThe Vive Diet Cola is said to taste just as good as the original[/caption]
Part of Aldi’s Vive range of soft drinks, the Diet Cola has been described as “spicier” in taste than the original brand.
What’s even better is that Aldi’s Diet Cola is much cheaper, with a six-pack costing £1.60 or just 9p per can.
That more than half the price less than an eight-pack at Sainsbury’s which costs £5.20 or 18p per can.
The cost of a 2-litre bottle of Aldi’s Diet Cola is just 49p, at Sainsbury’s the equivalent Diet Coke bottle will set you back £2.55.
Fans of the Diet Coke dupe took to Reddit to share their thoughts on the product.
“[It’s] is a steal and tastes the same or better than the real Diet Coke. I love it,” wrote one person.
Another added: “I like the Aldi diet cola, better than diet coke.”
And a third commented: “I LOVE IT! Seriously it taste the best to me in comparison to all the other off brand diet sodas. Just has a bit more spice to it. I’m a big fan. It has caffeine but the amount isn’t listed.”
The Diet Cola is not the only bargain dupe available at Aldi, with shoppers raving about their other products.
Savvy shoppers have shared that Aldi has a great dupe of a Cadbury favourite.
Aldi’snew Honeycomb Clusters are a dupe ofCadbury’spopular Crunchie Clusters.
Chocolate fans will need to visit their nearest Aldi to grab the new snacks, as the dupe isn’t available online.
It comes after Home Bargains revealed their dupe of an elegant Polish chocolate bar, which is 92 per cent cheaper than the original.
When's the best time to shop at Aldi?
WHEN it comes to shopping at Aldi, the best time to do so depends on what you want to buy.
For reduced items – when shops open
Red sticker items are rare at Aldi’s 830 UK stores, but the supermarket says that none of its food goes to waste so there are some to be found – if you’re quick.
A spokesman for the supermarket said: “All items are reduced to 50 per cent of the recommend sales price before stores open on their best before or use by dates.”
That means you have the best chance of finding reduced food items if you go into stores as soon as it opens.
Opening times vary by shop but a majority open from 7am or 8am. You can find your nearest store’s times by using the supermarket’s online shop finder tool.
For Specialbuys – Thursdays and Sundays
Specialbuys are Aldi’s weekly collection of items that it doesn’t normally sell, which can range from pizza ovens to power tools.
New stock comes into stores every Thursday and Sunday, so naturally, these are the best days to visit for the best one-off special deals.
For an even better chance of bagging the best items, head there for your local store’s opening time.
Remember: once they’re gone, they’re gone, so if there’s something you really want, visit as early as possible
Remember to compare prices
It is important to always shop around as you might find a cheaper alternative.
Websites like Trolley and Price Spy let you compare thousands of products across different retailers to find the best price.
Price Spy even lets you see how much an item has cost over time, so you can see if the current price is a good deal.
A quick scan on the Google Shopping/Product tab will also bring up how much retailers are selling a certain item for too.
GettyAldi has a range of products that are dupes of more expensive items[/caption]
7 days agoLatest NewsComments Off on Love Island 2025 UPDATES: Brutal twist rocks villa as bombshell enters during first episode moments after coupling-up
THE new series of Love Island has been rocked by the arrival of its first bombshell – gorgeous American Antonia Laites.
Antonia – known as Toni– made her shock entrance moments after the 12 new girls and guys had coupled up with each other.
In a savage twist, Toni was told to pick a man as they gathered around the revamped fire pit and she chose footballer Ben Holbrough.
This has now left Shakira Khan, who was coupled up with Ben, single.
Shakira has just 24 hours to find a connection with a new man otherwise she is out of there.
7 days agoLatest NewsComments Off on Inside Hollywood’s most toxic divorce as ‘homeless’ Alice Evans’ secret game plan revealed in feud with Ioan Gruffudd
IF awards were given out for most toxic break-up in Hollywood, Alice Evans and Ioan Gruffudd would sweep the board.
Four years after the couple’s marriage ended, their bitter feud continues to overshadow anything either party has ever delivered on the big screen.
GettyThe bitter feud between Alice Evans and Ioan Gruffudd shows no signs of ending four years down the line[/caption]
InstagramAlice has recently claimed that she and the couple’s kids are homeless[/caption]
GettyIoan is now married to new love Bianca Evans[/caption]
And the end credits are still some way off from rolling, especially when Alice is the leading lady.
In recent weeks, the actress’s behaviour has become increasingly erratic, from declaring herself homeless to begging her Instagram followers for a place to stay.
Her antics have left fans understandably concerned for her well-being, but there are also suspicions that her brutal honesty is also part of a ‘game plan’ – one she secretly hopes may spark a career renaissance.
An insider told The Sun: “Alice is aware her car crash relationship is the only thing keeping her relevant right now.
“The acting jobs have dried up, and even she admits she’s currently unhireable.
“So documenting both her innermost feelings and stark truths of her desperate situation on social media maintains a profile, and therefore could lead to other opportunities away from acting but still within the industry, like her own reality show.”
The insider added: “Alice knows what she’s doing and will continue airing her dirty laundry in public. She has nothing to lose.”
While Alice, 56, continues to offload on social media, her Fantastic Four actor ex Ioan, 51, is quietly getting on with his life.
And his most recent movie, Bad Boys: Ride Or Die, banked an impressive $403million worldwide.
GettyThe couple are still locked in a battle for spousal support[/caption]
pixel8000Since their separation, Alice has taken to social media to air her grievances[/caption]
Instagram/aliceevansgruffAlice took aim at Ioan’s new partner on social media, calling her “stealer of my husband”[/caption]
He’s still battling Alice for spousal support and custody and financial support for their two daughters, Ella, 15, and Elsie, 11, but is doing all of his talking via lawyers – unlike his ex, whom he met on the set of the 2000 movie 102 Dalmatians.
Indeed, Alice is updating fans with every cough and spit of the fallout from the pair’s divorce, which she claims has left her financially ruined.
In February, Alice told her 95,000 Instagram followers she, her two daughters, plus their dog Emma were on the verge of being evicted from their home in Los Angeles.
She said it was due to being unable to pay her rent, all while Ioan, who says his ex-wife’s poverty claims are “exaggerated”, was living in comfort in a $5,500 (£4,000) a month apartment with a home gym.
Alice knows what she’s doing and will continue airing her dirty laundry in public. She has nothing to lose
Insider
She claimed there was “no way of renting even the cheapest room anywhere in the city” due to January’s wildfires, which has decimated the rental market.
Alice wrote: “Four years of hell. And now the girls and I are going to be homeless. Somebody please help. I think I have reached rock bottom.
“In 16 days, we have nowhere to go. Does anybody have a spare room? I’m so sorry for this. So embarrassed.”
In the comments section of the post, Alice replied to many fans’ offers of help, once again opting for stark honesty surrounding her situation.
She revealed that “both sets of grandparents estranged themselves from my girls” when quizzed why her family aren’t supporting her.
Four years of hell. And now the girls and I are going to be homeless. Somebody please help. I think I have reached rock bottom
Alice Evans
She explained: “It breaks my heart. It would be perfectly possible to take sides against me whilst retaining a relationship with my kids.
“They both have their own phones that I have vowed to never touch. Nothing is stopping them from communicating.
“I think it’s a terrible mistake. And punishing children for something they believe their mother has done. Not fair at all.”
She also responded to fans’ offers of rooms to inhabit in countries including Ireland and Mexico, saying she can’t leave LA “without authorisation”, but would have “loved” to take up their kind gestures.
Desperation
Instagram/aliceevansgruffAlice told her social media followers that she had “nowhere to go”[/caption]
GettyIoan says he believes his ex’s claims of financial ruin are exaggerated[/caption]
Instagram/aliceevansgruffAlice posted this caption on Instagram, asking fans for a spare room[/caption]
Such was her desperation, she repurposed her GoFundMe page – originally set up in 2022 to help pay for her divorce – to seek funds for a new home, and she’s now just over $6,500 (£5,000) from reaching her target of $25,000 (£18,000).
Thanking donors this week, some of whom shelled out $2,500 anonymously, she wrote: “Just wanted to tell everybody that me and the girls and Emma are safe with a roof over our heads!
“It’s been a whirlwind, but we made it through the last three days and managed to save all our belongings too!
“We could never, ever have done this without the incredible love and kindness from all of you. Honestly, I was at my wits’ end and you saved me.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will keep you posted. Love you so much.’
Confessing she felt shame in turning to the public for help, she previously wrote: “I’m so embarrassed about this. If you’re here, you know my story.
Alice is aware her car crash relationship is the only thing keeping her relevant right now
Insider
“You know how much I struggle to keep my two girls healthy and happy and a roof over their heads.
“You know what I’ve been through. It never ends. I’m just getting squeezed in every which way and smeared in the media so that nobody even wants to employ me.”
Ioan agreed to pay Alice $3,000 (£2,200) per month in child support and $1,500 (£1,100) a month in spousal support in September last year.
However, Alice has claimed the $4,500 (£3,300) fee was not sufficient to live in LA, and that money raised from the sale of their old marital home has slowly dwindled away, citing legal fees.
In March, the Vampire Diaries star slammed Ioan in a court filing for saying he “does not really believe” she was facing eviction and that she secretly had the money to pay for it, saying it was an effort “to make him look bad.”
Dark turn
InstagramThe pair’s two kids have now been roped into their bitter feud[/caption]
GettyIoan filed a restraining order against Alice after her rants against Bianca on social media[/caption]
Ioan thanked Bianca for ‘making him smile again’ after the split
Last month, the rift took another dark twist when Ioan claimed he saw Alice try to give their children cocaine after leaving the door of their family home unlocked so a drug dealer could enter.
The bombshell revelation came in the Welshman’s latest court bid to extend the aforementioned restraining order against him and his new wife, Bianca.
Alice and Ioan married seven years after co-starring in the Disney sequel, tying the knot in Mexico in 2007 during an intimate service attended by close friends and family who had “travelled from all over the world for it”.
They welcomed their first daughter Ella in 2009 before Elsie arrived four years later.
But in January 2021, the pair announced their separation, and it was New Jersey-born Alice, who was brought up in the UK, who revealed the news in a typically blunt style, kick-starting their public feud.
She wrote: “Sad news. My beloved husband/soulmate of 20 years, Ioan Gruffudd, has announced he is to leave his family, starting next week.
“Me and our young daughters are very confused and sad. We haven’t been given a reason except that he ‘no longer loves me’. I’m so sorry.”
But the rift turned really ugly when Ioan went public with new love and A Ray of Sunshine co-star Bianca, 32, nine months later, sharing a snap of the pair on Instagram alongside the caption: “Thank you for making me smile again.”
Timeline of Alice Evans and Ioan Gruffudd's bitter feud
2000–2007 – Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd met Alice Evans on the set of 102 Dalmatians in 2000. The couple married in 2007 and later welcomed two daughters, Ella and Elsie.
January 2021 – Alice announced on Twitter that Ioan had left the family.
March 2021 – Ioan files for divorce citing irreconcilable differences.
October 2021 – Ioan went public with his relationship with actress Bianca Wallace. Alice accused him of a three-year affair, which he denied.
February 2022 – Ioan filed for a domestic violence restraining order against Alice, alleging she threatened to make false accusations and destroy his career. He claimed she sent over 100 harassing messages, including threats to publish a fake diary portraying herself as a victim.
August 2022 – A judge granted Ioan a three-year restraining order against Alice, prohibiting her from contacting him or Bianca and from posting about them on social media.
July 2023 – The divorce was finalised. Alice claimed financial hardship, stating she earned only $300 monthly in royalties and was applying for food stamps, while accusing Ioan of living lavishly.
July 2024 – Alice filed court documents seeking increased child and spousal support, alleging she was behind on rent and utilities. She claimed Ioan spent extravagantly on travel and luxury items, including an engagement ring for Bianca.
April 2025 – Ioan married Bianca in an intimate seaside ceremony. The couple shared a video captioned “Mr & Mrs Gruffudd. Marriage now, wedding later.”
Previously, Ioan requested a restraining order against Alice in February 2022 after accusing her of harassment, making up “false stories about him”, and sending his mother “threatening emails.”
The actor’s daughter, Ella, then filed a domestic violence restraining order against him in June 2023 following an incident at his Los Angeles home, which was later rejected.
Two months later, Ioan accused Alice of keeping their children from him and had not seen them in three months, which his ex-wife denied.
She said he was to blame, claiming the actor had not bothered making contact with their daughters for 11 weeks.
Over the last two years, Alice’s complaints have centred around her financial struggles in the wake of their split.
She has said she’s relying on “food stamps”, while Ioan continues his “lavish lifestyle”, buying Rolex watches for his new partner, and is now reportedly considering working at Starbucks.
There have been worse angles for a reality show.
Getty Images - GettyAlice and Ioan met in 2000 and tied the knot seven years later[/caption]
Alice is said to be considering a plan that will bring her back into the limelightRex
7 days agoLatest NewsComments Off on Sneaky new iPhone trick saves you from bank-emptying phone calls by letting scam-busting ‘robot’ answer for you
A TIME-SAVING (and wallet-rescuing) new iPhone feature lets a robot “screen” your calls for you.
How many times have you answered the phone only to be met with silence, a spammer, or a sinister scammer? Probably too many to count.
AppleiOS 26 is finally official – and is out later this year[/caption]
AppleThere’s a new Call Screening feature coming to millions of iPhones[/caption]
AppleiPhone owners can also make the virtual robot “hold” phone calls for you too – alerting you when it’s finally time to speak to customer support[/caption]
This age-old problem is a nightmare for anyone with a phone – and that’s pretty much everyone.
So Apple has come up with a solution for iPhone owners called Call Screening.
It comes out in the upcoming iOS 26 update, which is expected to land on millions of iPhone models for free in September this year.
The feature works like Live Voicemail, a 2024 feature that transcribes voicemails in real time – giving you a chance to answer them.
Call Screening will answer the phone for you, and then use a robot voice to speak to the caller automatically.
It’ll ask the caller for their name and reason for calling – and then relay it to you.
You can then view the reply and answer, or ignore the call completely.
This means you can easily verify whether a call is worth taking or not.
But this feature puts a stop to that scam, because you no longer have to answer the phone to see if the caller is a crook.
The Phone app is also getting a revamp to have a new “unified” layout. This means you can have a combined tab with Favourites, Recents and Voicemail all in one place.
The change is optional, so you don’t have to accept it if you don’t want to.
And there’s a new Hold Assistant function that will “hold” phone calls for you while you wait for a human to answer – and alert you once the customer service agent actually picks up.
AppleThere’s a new (and optional) Phone app layout that combines Favourites, Recents and Voicemails into a single tab[/caption]
Apple is also doing some work to clean up your Messages inbox too.
After all, scammers and spammers don’t just target you over the phone – they’ll send you texts too.
Thankfully Apple is now making it possible to easily screen texts sent by strangers.
Apple explains: “In Messages, users can now screen messages from unknown senders, giving them more control over who appears in their conversation list.
Tap on the filter option in Messages to find the new Unknown Senders featureApple
“Messages from unknown senders will appear in a dedicated folder where users can then mark the number as known, ask for more information, or delete.
“These messages will remain silenced until a user accepts them.”
To find the menu once you have iOS 26 installed, just tap on the filter icon in the top-right corner of your chat list.
Then you’ll see an option for Unknown Senders.
You can easily screen your Messages to filter out texts from unknown sendersApple
Tap that and you’ll be taken to the dedicated window that lets you choose whether to accept or reject the messages.
The Messages app also received a couple of other tweaks.
7 days agoLatest NewsComments Off on Perfume lovers have found an M&S scent which smells identical to Chanel Mademoiselle but for £125 cheaper
MARILYN Monroe famously stated she wore “only Chanel” perfume to bed – which is all very well if you can afford the £135 price tag.
Thankfully shoppers have found a “dupe” for the Chanel Mademoiselle scent at M&S, and it’ll only set you back £10.
A woman raved about M&S’ Airport Arrival scent for being a designer dupetiktok/@lueurwithhannahChanelThe beauty lover claims it smells like Chanel Coco Mademoiselle[/caption]
The Marks and Spencer Airport Arrival scent is said to blend “warm spice with the delicate scent of mimosa.”
The description reads: “Cardamom and pink pepper give a vibrant opening, while violet and iris soften into a base of sandalwood, musk and vanilla.”
And for a tenner, this scent could be a huge money-saver.
With Chanel Mademoiselle costing £135 at Boots, you can avoid paying £125 for a very similar scent, according to beauty lovers.
Bargain hunter Hannah, who posts under @lueurwithhannah, wrote on TikTok: “If you want to smell like Coco Mademoiselle try this from M&S.
“Same top notes apparently.
“Here for the marks and Spencer dupes.”
The designer alternative is said to have an “ambery woody fragrance with a full-bodied character: sensual, deep and addictive.”
It isn’t the only M&S perfume to have caused a stir.
DUPE SCENTS
Alex Pavlova, from the UK, took to social media and claimed a selection of perfumedupes from M&S were so good she had ditched the originals.
She then went on to share four of her favourite ones and how much money the originals cost.
The first on her list was a dupe for the £234 Le Labo Santal 33 scent.
The cheaper alternative is the Warmth fragrance which costs a fraction of the price at £12.
GettyThere are a number of dupe scents in M&S according to shoppers[/caption]
M&S says the expertly blended scent combines aromatic notes of cardamom, cinnamon, cedarwood and sandalwood to evoke a warming feeling of comfort.
She also revealed that the Spiced Amber fragrance was a dupe of Paco Rabanne’s One Million and saves you £80.
Alex was also a fan of Jo Malone’s Wood Sage & Sea Salt perfume but at £118 it was on the pricier side.
tiktok/@beautyforeverybodyOne of her favourites was this Jo Malone dupe[/caption]
She found them all in M&S including this Le Labo dupe that cost a fraction of the priceM&S
Thankfully, she found a budget-friendly dupe from the British store with their Ocean Musk fragrance.
And for those who love the fresh and floral notes of Miss Dior perfume but want to avoid the £122 price tag, you’re in luck.
Alex revealed that the £10 Blooming Lovely fragrance for M&S was almost identical.
Why you should always buy a dupe over designer...
Fashion Editor Clemmie Fieldsend says it’s time fashion snobs stopped looking down their noses at affordable versions of designer buys.
Bargain US supermarketWalmartbecame a social media sensation when its £60 dupe of Hermès’ Birkin bag, dubbed the Wirkin, went viral.
Influencer @styledbykristi gushed: “Eighty dollars (£60), you can pretend that you got a Birkin. I mean, everyone will probably know it’s not, because who the hell has themoneyto spend on the real Birkin? Not me.”
Me neither. And why bother? I would never spend that on a designer bag (although if someone wants to buy one for me, that’s a different story).
Plus, if I splashed that much, I’d feel I was being ripped off…
We’ve all been told how the leading brands use the finest leather, thread, dyes and craftsmanship in the world.
But all that is inflated by fashion houses to create the desired illusion of exclusivity.
Just last year, Dior came under investigation for paying £44 to assemble a bag that sells for £2,000.
So while you might think you are paying for top-level craftsmanship carried out by a true artisan, chances are the poorly paid workers are not seeing any of your hard-earned cash.
Dupes— not to be mistaken for knock-offs that copy everything from the logo to the inside label — are a more practical and all-round sensible way to go.
I bought my first when I was 18. It lasted me four years and only broke after I wore it in the shower.
And these days, British high streets have plenty of dupes. In the past three years, Marks & Spencer, H&M and Mango have all seen huge spikes in sales thanks to their canny copies. They use the same viral, must-have marketing tactics that pricey brands have.
Fashion folk will tell you that you are making an investment and buying a “heritage piece” and will turn their noses up at a high street equivalent. But we’ve been wearing looks inspired by catwalk designers for decades.
If we can buy a bag that’s the spitting image of the pricier version, but doesn’t mean you have to remortgage, why not?
Shutterstock EditorialLove Island fans are convinced Ben doesn’t fancy new arrival Toni[/caption]
Shutterstock EditorialHe was initially partnered up with Shakira[/caption]
Shutterstock EditorialYet in a brutal twist, Toni stole the taxi driver in a recoupling session just mnutes in[/caption]
Shutterstock EditorialShakira will now need to crack on with another guy[/caption]
Love Island anchor Maya Jama, 30, delivered a huge bombshell when she entered the villa for a second time in episode one.
Her bombshell was that a bombshell was arriving.
Glam girl Toni, 24 – who is the first ever late show arrival from the United States – then arrived.
They quickly worked out she is American and on being the first American bombshell Toni says: “Lucky girl, aren’t I?”
Maya then explained that Toni was to immediately steal a boy.
Toni then opted for Ben, 23, meaning Shakira was left single and vulnerable.
Yet viewers aren’t convinced it’s a winning match.
One took to X to write: “Ben doesn’t fancy that girl btw.”
Another mused: “Ben doesn’t even look like he wants to be there. This season is about to be a mess.”
A third then added: “Ben did not want to be picked.”
It remains to be seen what the taxi driver’s next move is – and if he will take the time to get to know Toni, who recently revealed her crippling health battle.
NEXT STEPS
During Monday’s episode, Maya then revealed that Burnley lass Shakira is now single.
Maya clarified the brunette beauty wouldn’t be dumped from the villa immediately, but instead had 24 hours to graft and steal a boy from someone else.
She isn’t allowed to take Ben back from Antonia, and if she doesn’t get chosen, she’ll be packing her bags.
But if she does get selected in the next re-coupling round, another girl will be going home.
Leaving the group with that cliffhanger, Maya then suggested that the girls keep their “boys very close”.
The show’s six couples with Shakira single are now Toni and Ben, Meg and Dejon, Sophie and Harry, Helena and Conor, Alima and Blu, and Megan and Tommy.
Yet it might not look good for Shakira, who entered thevillafirst alongsideMeg Moore, 25.
Toni made her shock arrival during the opening episodeErotemeShe is the first entrant on the UK series from the USErotemeMaya Jama told how Shakira will get her chance to steal another manEroteme
