Lois Borny

Marks & Spencer’s Apothecary and other fragrance ranges are presented as low-cost alternatives to luxury perfumes from brands including Le Labo, Jo Malone, Chanel, Sol de Janeiro, YSL, Lancôme and Giorgio Armani. The featured M&S scents cost roughly £8–£12 and use notes such as sandalwood, neroli, amber, vanilla, jasmine and red berries to evoke more expensive fragrances, with some comparisons based on shopper or TikTok feedback rather than independent testing.

Lakeland’s 10-in-1 Tri-Ply Only Pan Pro is tested as a lower-cost alternative to the Our Place Always Pan Pro. The stainless-steel and aluminium pan heats quickly and evenly, offers effective PFAS-free non-stick cooking, works on all hob types and is easy to hand-wash. Its 3-litre capacity, steamer basket and included spatula make it useful for couples, small families, solo cooks and batch cooking. Drawbacks include a 200°C oven limit, hot handles, the lack of dishwasher compatibility, no pour spout and an awkward strainer function. Overall, it is judged excellent value and a high-quality, versatile piece of cookware, although it cannot replace every pan and its usefulness depends on individual cooking habits.

The Lakeland 10-in-1 Tri-Ply Only Pan Pro is tested as a lower-cost alternative to premium multi-purpose pans. It heats quickly and evenly, has an effective PFAS-free non-stick coating, works on all hob types and is easy to clean by hand. Its main drawbacks are the 200°C oven limit, hot handles, lack of dishwasher safety and an awkward strainer basket. The reviewer considers it excellent value for couples, small families and batch cooks, although its usefulness depends on individual cooking habits and it cannot replace every separate pot and pan.

The Independent outlines current ways to save on Nespresso coffee, noting that discount codes are uncommon but machine and capsule promotions are available. Nespresso Plus offers free delivery, subscription convenience, free capsules for customers receiving 70 capsules monthly, and discounts on machines and accessories, while Nespresso & You members can unlock additional rewards and 20% off accessories. The article advises consumers to avoid buying more coffee or products than they need solely to obtain discounts and explains that the publication manually verifies featured offers.

Footasylum is offering discounts of up to 50 percent on trainers and apparel, alongside 20 percent codes for students and eligible NHS, emergency services, armed forces, teachers and other key workers. Students can verify their status through UNiDAYS or Student Beans, while key workers use Gocertify. Footasylum’s loyalty app awards five points per pound spent, with points becoming available after 28 days and expiring after 180 days. The article advises shoppers to compare prices before buying.

Lakeland’s 10-in-1 Tri-Ply Only Pan Pro is judged to be excellent value, with fast and even heating, an effective PFAS-free non-stick coating, a sleek but manageable design, and useful steaming and straining accessories. Testing found that food released easily during stovetop and oven cooking, while the pan remained easy to hand-wash. Drawbacks include hot handles, the lack of a pour spout, awkward use of the strainer, no dishwasher compatibility and a relatively low 200C oven limit. It is recommended for couples, small families and solo cooks, although its versatility is unlikely to replace every other pan in a kitchen.

Marks & Spencer’s Apothecary and other fragrance ranges offer perfumes priced from £8 to £12 that shoppers and TikTok users compare with luxury scents from Le Labo, Jo Malone, Sol de Janeiro, Chanel, YSL, Paco Rabanne, Lancôme and Giorgio Armani. The roundup highlights scents with similar woody, floral, fruity, amber and citrus profiles, presenting M&S products as substantially cheaper alternatives while noting that some comparisons are based on consumer opinion rather than independent testing.

A selection of discounted Amazon Haul products is highlighted, featuring budget-friendly deals across beauty, sportswear, home goods and children’s items, with many well-known brands included. The roundup notes significant percentage reductions on items such as skincare kits, swimwear, inflatables, games, clothing and Lego sets, emphasizing affordability and variety for shoppers.

Retailers including Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose and Ocado offer substantial discounts on popular beers for World Cup gatherings, with notable savings available for loyalty card holders. Beers such as Heineken, Peroni, Birra Moretti, Asahi, BrewDog and Beavertown feature prominently, with reductions ranging from £4 to more than £11 on multipacks, making them appealing options for stocking up during the tournament.

Varenna on Lake Como has introduced fines for visitors walking shirtless or in swimwear outside designated areas as part of broader efforts to manage mass tourism. The rules limit tourist group sizes, discourage loitering in public spaces and ban amplified tour-guide audio. Local authorities cite the need to protect residents’ quality of life. Other Italian destinations including Sorrento, Portofino and Venice have enacted similar measures to curb disruptive tourist behavior.

Eurostar is offering a limited-time sale with one-way tickets from London starting at £35 for travel to Paris, Lille, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam on Eurostar Plus and Premier seats. The promotion runs until 13 July and applies only to adult bookings of two to nine travellers for trips between late July and late September, excluding certain dates. Refund conditions vary by ticket type, and additional savings can be earned through the Club Eurostar loyalty programme.

A roundup of the week's best Amazon Haul discounts highlights low‑priced products across categories including accessories, homeware, electronics storage, activewear, and cosmetics. Deals feature reduced prices on items such as Adidas sports socks, a William Morris wash bag, a Lego Botanicals roses set, and various household and beauty accessories, with most offers priced under £20. The guide notes regularly updated bargains sourced directly from manufacturers, offering significant savings for shoppers.

Kate Middleton’s blue Gabriela Hearst suit at Wimbledon prompted a roundup of similar high-street pieces, featuring affordable and premium alternatives from Next, Asos, Whistles, Jigsaw and Finery London, each offering variations on the bold summer-blue tailoring she wore while attending early tournament rounds.

Amazon Haul is highlighted as an ultra‑low‑cost storefront offering products under £20, including additional flash discounts. Current notable deals include reduced prices on Brabantia bin liners, Lego Botanicals roses, satin pillowcases, Crayola Twistables, silicone insulation pads and an EcoTools makeup brush set. The guide notes that prices vary by colour on some items and will be updated weekly to reflect new offers.

Amazon Haul offers low-cost items sourced directly from manufacturers, generally under £20 and often far cheaper, but with delivery times of one to two weeks. It includes unbranded goods as well as occasional recognised brands and covers categories such as beauty, home essentials, tech and clothing. Orders under £15 incur a flat £2.99 delivery fee, Amazon Prime shipping benefits do not apply, and the return window is reduced to 15 days. Products are new, and the service is accessible through Amazon’s main site or app.

The live shopping guide tracks Amazon Prime Day deals on fans, air coolers and portable air conditioners in the UK. Highlighted offers include the EcoFlow WAVE 3 portable air conditioner, Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Pro fan and Morphy Richards Airflex fan, while tested budget recommendations include the Swan Nordic air cooler and Blyss A018I-09C portable air conditioner. The guide explains that fans cool people rather than rooms, whereas portable air conditioners lower indoor temperatures, and notes that air coolers generally cost less to run than air conditioners. Stock and prices are subject to change, with alternatives available from retailers including Currys and John Lewis.

Amazon’s Prime Day sale includes discounts on more than 100 LEGO sets, but the offers are limited to Prime members. Featured deals include the LEGO Icons NASA Artemis Launch System, Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle, Botanicals Succulents, The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell and Star Wars Rebel U-wing Starfighter, with savings ranging from modest reductions to nearly £100.

Avis is offering up to 20 per cent off car rentals booked before 25 June 2026 for travel completed by 31 December 2026, using the code O253600. The service operates in more than 165 countries and offers airport pickup, self-service key kiosks, online pre-registration through QuickPass, various vehicle sizes and optional extras such as child seats, GPS and accessibility equipment.

Skechers Slip-ins Hotshot Perfect Choice trainers are promoted as an affordable retro-style footwear option, discounted at Amazon from £64 to £29.75. The shoes feature fixed stretch laces, a hands-free slip-in design, a gum sole, suede and faux-leather detailing, and air-cooled memory foam. Although IndyBest did not test them, largely positive Amazon reviews praise their comfort, fit, lightweight construction and ease of use.

The Skechers Go Walk Flex sandals are promoted as a versatile summer option priced below £50 at Amazon. Features include a flexible traction outsole, contoured footbed, lightweight cushioning, adjustable straps, vegan materials and machine washability. Although IndyBest did not test the sandals, customer reviews describe them as exceptionally comfortable, non-rubbing and suitable for walking, travel, cycling and poolside use.

Skechers’ Slip-ins Relaxed Fit Viper Court Reload shoes are recommended as a budget-friendly pickleball option after real-world testing. The shoes receive praise for their stylish design, cushioning, breathable construction, secure slip-in heel, court-focused outsole and machine-washable materials, although they may fit slightly wide. A white, light blue and pink version is advertised at Amazon for £59.46, reduced from £90, with additional colours available.

Aldi’s limited-edition wooden toy range is scheduled to return to stores on 17 May, with all items priced below £35. The 2026 collection includes a wooden outdoor BBQ, mud kitchen, shop front, easel, table and chairs, bookshelf and picnic play bench, along with themed accessory sets. The range has sold out quickly in previous years, prompting early queues and purchase limits, so shoppers are encouraged to visit stores promptly.

Matt Fitzpatrick wore Skechers Blade Tour Slip-ins golf shoes during his RBC Heritage playoff victory over Scottie Scheffler. A similar pair of Skechers men’s Go Golf Blade spiked golf shoes is promoted on Amazon at £105.03, reduced from £160. The shoes are described as lightweight, comfortable and supportive, with spikes for traction, a water-repellent upper and a slip-on design; customer reviews praise their comfort, durability, stability and ease of cleaning.

The guide reviews nine cat carriers across hard, soft and wicker designs, naming the Catit Cabrio the best overall. The review team prioritizes ventilation, privacy, secure construction, easy cleaning and removable or top-opening sections that reduce stress when loading and unloading cats. The Pets at Home Roadrunner is the budget choice, while the Ferplast Atlas 20 Deluxe, Petsfit expandable carrier and other models suit specific needs such as top access, extra space, portability, visibility or car travel. Blue Cross vet Anna Ewers Clark advises keeping carriers available as familiar resting places, using non-slip bedding, avoiding novelty backpacks and selecting designs that are easy to assemble and clean.

Sainsbury’s Habitat cast iron casserole dishes offer a similar orange enamelled design to Le Creuset cookware at substantially lower prices, with the 4.7-litre model costing £45 compared with £355 for a 5.3-litre Le Creuset dish. Habitat’s dishes are oven-safe to 260C and compatible with various hob types, including induction, but their performance has not been tested and they carry only a one-year guarantee versus Le Creuset’s lifetime guarantee. Le Creuset remains highly regarded for its durability and craftsmanship, making the Habitat dishes a budget-focused alternative rather than a proven equivalent.

Aldi’s Reka walking pad costs £89.99 and is marketed as an affordable way to increase daily activity at home, particularly while working at a standing desk. It offers adjustable speed, an LED display, quiet operation and easy storage, and includes a 12-month warranty. The product had not been tested by IndyBest, and availability may vary between Aldi stores.

Six Senses London is a luxury wellness hotel in the redeveloped Whiteley’s department store in Bayswater, West London. The review praises its polished but warm service, Art Deco-inspired rooms, locally sourced food at Whiteley’s Kitchen and extensive wellness facilities, including biohacking equipment, a longevity clinic, fitness centre and Alchemy Bar. The hotel offers accessible rooms, family facilities and pet-friendly amenities, although some services incur extra charges and the expected 20-metre spa pool is not due to open until June 2026. It is best suited to guests seeking advanced wellness experiences rather than traditional silver-service luxury.