Photographer David Yarrow has launched a gripping new initiative to save koalas impacted by the Australian wildfires
Getty Images
As bushfires continue to blaze their devastatingly destructive trail across Australia, as many as 32 people have lost their lives, 2,000 homes have been destroyed and more than a billion animals are believed to have perished.
With the crisis showing no signs of ceasing, charities worldwide have launched a wave of campaigns aimed at helping victims, humans and wildlife alike.
The latest effort comes from British photographer David Yarrow, whose #KoalaComeback initiative aims to raise $2 million for WildArk and Earth Alliance’s Australia Wildfire fund.
The concept is a simple yet moving one: Yarrow is using the devastating photos he captured during a recent trip to Australia to build his campaign, in the hope that the images will encourage people to donate to support local organisations working on wildlife rehabilitation and habitat restoration.
So far, the initiative has received endorsement from the likes of Leo DiCaprio, Cindy Crawford, Cara Delevingne, Tom Hardy and Chris Hemsworth.
The celebrities are taking to social media to share the most powerful image from Yarrow’s portfolio, of a lone koala sitting helplessly at the base of a tree. Aptly named ‘Survivor’, the emotive shot forms the holding image of Yarrow’s campaign.
Every donor to the initiative will receive a digital print of the same image, which they are encouraged to share on their own profiles to help the campaign go viral.
Getty Images
‘The day in Australia when I saw 500 dead animals for every live one will remain with me forever’, said Yarrow, discussing the inspiration behind sharing his photography on such a wide scale.
‘This is a call to arms and we are blessed with a celebrated army of passionate conservationists.’
Discussing the impact of ‘Survivor’, Yarrow said: ‘I hope that this photograph will become known and emblematic of a period in time when we all became aware of our planet’s deep fragility – and that it can help us raise money to make a difference.’
Become a ‘Koala Hero’ by lending your support to the #KoalaComeback Campaign today.
The best cleansing oil is often overlooked in the quest to find the best cleanser. But there are a number of benefits to using oil to wash your face. For me, an oil or balm really is the way to go.
Lifting dirt and oil easily, they are usually applied to dry skin, then emulsify with a little water and wash off as a milk. They then leave your skin feeling clean and soft.
Much like a cleansing balm, oil cleanser can be used as the first step in your double cleanse, as it’s great at breaking down tough make-up, like the best waterproof mascara. You might look like a panda temporarily, but the whole thing will easily wipe off with the help of a hot flannel. They really are the bees knees.
However, Consultant Dermatologist and author of The Skincare BibleDr Anjali Mahto does issue a word of caution on using cleansing oils if your skin is prone to acne. ‘Cleansing oils are a favourite among many however, I don’t like to use oils or oil cleansers on acne-prone skin. They can be highly comedogenic, so I’d avoid it if you’re prone to breakouts and blackheads,’ she explains. ‘They are better for those with dry, very dry or mature skin.
‘Some cleansing oils are very good for those with a sensitive skin type, although it is important to remember that no matter what the product type, there are usually specific products for sensitive skin,’ Dr Anjali continues. ‘Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser is a really gentle formula which will ensure your skin is left soft and refreshed, without causing irritation.’
Interested? Read on as we break down the best cleansing oil buys that money can bag. Keep on scrolling for more of the Marie Claire approved cleansing oils to snap up, stat.
Not drinking for 31 days is a challenge many of us try hard to succeed at, but a recent YouGov survey revealed almost a third gave up just days into 2020. Dr Zoe Williams charts her own drinking behaviour and asks if this challenge is actually unmasking a booze bombshell
Getty Images
Did you set yourself the challenge of Dry January this year? Are you still hanging in there? Well done if you are! But if you fell at the first hurdle, you are not alone.
A recent YouGov survey asked people how well they were sticking to to their New Year’s Resolutions. When it came to Dry January, only a week into the month and 29% confessed they had succumbed to the urge to drink, and in fact, a whopping 16% were already back on the booze by January 3rd.
What does these findings mean? Is it simply that January is a ridiculous time of year to deprive ourselves of anything? I mean, it’s a tough month thanks to the post-festive comedown, dark mornings, cold weather and a six-month wait until any guaranteed sunshine. Or are these stats a sign of something far more serious and an indication that many more people than we realise are living with alcohol dependence?
When we say the word ‘alcoholism’ we tend to conjure up images of brown paper bags, of a person who ‘needs’ to drink every day, their health, at the expense of their job and relationships with loved ones. The truth is alcohol dependence is much more mainstream than that. You don’t have to be drinking to extreme levels to become dependent on alcohol. Not being able to get through a weekend without a few drinks could be a significant enough warning sign.
Credits: James Cannon
THE FACTS
British women are among the world’s biggest drinkers – matching men drink-for-drink.
On average, women in the UK are now consuming three alcoholic drinks daily – exactly the same as men.
The NHS estimates that just under one in 10 men and one in 20 women show signs of alcohol dependence.
One study found women with a university degree are twice as likely to be problem drinkers, compared with those who left education earlier.
Drinking alcohol causes 11,900 cases of cancer a year in the UK.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK and 8% of cases each year are caused by drinking alcohol. The risk increases even at low levels of drinking.
Cutting back has lots of benefits other than reducing your cancer risk – including reducing the risk of accidents, high blood pressure and liver disease.
Personally, I have not jumped on the Dry January bandwagon this year. But I did give it a go last August and it was somewhat of a revelation. With the encouragement of my therapist (therapy is new to me, and is great by the way) I decided to take a long hard look at ‘why I drink’ and the effect that alcohol was having on me, and my mental health in particular.
This came about whilst exploring the patterns of my chronic anxiety. My therapist asked about my relationship with alcohol and, after initially scoffing at the word ‘relationship’, the thoughts and feelings that popped up in an attempt to respond to this seemingly simple question were a smorgasbord of joy, fear, fun, anxiety, excitement, anger and the worse one of all… shame.
As a rugby-playing medical student, it goes without saying booze was a pretty big part of my life at uni. It has been a key player in many of the best times of my life too but I’ve also witnessed, very close-up, the devastation that alcoholism can bring. So I guess it’s no surprise that this ‘relationship’ might be complex. An important part of the process was to pay attention to what thoughts and feelings came up around alcohol, so I kept a diary.
Dr Zoe on the rugby field
EXCERPTS FROM MY ALCOHOL-FREE DIARY
Day 1
1:30pm: Pledge made. No alcohol for two weeks.
4pm: Remember that we are coming up to a bank holiday weekend and feel a slight panic. Then I remind myself that this challenge is not a punishment, it’s about self-love and respect.
6pm – Tell my friend Verity that I’m not drinking for two weeks. She says “Ah, that’s good”, like it’s not a big deal. I realise that this is maybe is a bigger deal to me than most.
11pm: Start questioning ‘Am I an alcoholic?’ (I’m not)
Day 2
4pm: Personal trainer session. During the post-workout endorphin rush three thoughts pop up: ‘I think I like the new non-drinking me.’ ‘I don’t think I know how to have fun without alcohol.’ And finally, ‘Well, here’s an opportunity to learn that new skill.’
Day 5
12noon: Have a chat with friend Jenny about the not-drinking thing. Explain to her that I think I like myself better after a couple of drinks, but less after too many. She’s asks why better after a couple. I answer, ‘Funnier, more fun, more banter. Also less distracted, more present in the moment. AND LESS ANXIOUS.’
6:30pm – We order the bill from lunch, my homemade lemonade and the 4 bottles of wine that the three of them got through – I’m very smug at my bill being a quarter the price of theirs. They’re all a little tipsy and I feel a little tipsy too, despite not drinking. Perhaps it’s not just the effects of alcohol that allow that fun side to come out, but the environment and how those are around you?
Day 6
Travel to the Cotswolds to see an old group of friends – our first time together in years. We were super close in London during our early thirties and we drank A LOT. Three have had babies recently so are well practised at abstinence and tell me to have a non-alcoholic beer. I question whether this is cheating, then remember the challenge is alcohol. So have a non-alcoholic beer which is quite nice. Then switch back to water. My friends are extremely proud of me. I realise that this is a big deal to these people too.
Day 8
Scrolling through Instagram and feel the ‘urge’ to have a drink. Take a moment to sit with that thought and figure out why. Force myself to go back to Instagram and realise I feel sad and the urge to drink intensifies. I shed a couple of tears (unusual for me). Unfollow the person and the urge has gone. Wow. I just eliminated that specific trigger to drink.
A summary then; I’ve learned alcohol has a more significant presence in my life, and is actually a bigger deal to me than it is to many people. I have both healthy and unhealthy triggers for drinking, and I now know how to differentiate between the two by taking a moment to acknowledge the feelings that accompany a desire to drink. I’ve realised my anxiety levels on any given day are acutely linked to alcohol consumption on the preceding couple of days. And I learned alcohol is not always required for me to feel ‘tipsy’.
So back to Dry January. Is failing to stop drinking for 31 days a cause for concern? The answer is maybe. But the fact you even attempted it is a positive. Most people who even have the mildest of alcohol dependence would just think Dry January is not a good idea in the first place. If reading this has increased your concern, or even made you wonder if you have a problem, my advice is – give it a go for two weeks, keep a diary. What you discover about yourself might surprise you. And if you really, genuinely can’t do it then it’s time to ask for help.
There’s a fine line between ‘probably drinking more than I should, but I could stop in an instant if I wanted to’ and alcohol dependence? I’m confident I’m on the correct side of that line, but I’m also aware that I’m not a million miles away from it. Knowledge is power and better understanding of my ‘relationship’ with alcohol has helped me to better understand my relationship with myself and my chronic anxiety. Good luck.
You’re not alone, get help and support here
Your GP is your first port of call for alcohol problems. They will be able to provide confidential advice and refer you for extra support.
Drinkline, a free, confidential helpline for people who are concerned about their drinking, or someone else’s. Call 0300 123 1110
Alcoholics Anonymous, whose helpline is open 24/7 on 0800 9177 650. If you would prefer, you can also email them at help@aamail.org or live chat via their website at https://ift.tt/YpBwya.
You can join a SMART Recovery meeting online here.
Al-Anon which offers support and understanding to the families and friends of dependent drinkers. You can call their confidential helpline on 020 7403 0888 (open 10am-10pm). There are lots more resources for families and friends here.
Nacoasupport anyone affected by their parent(s) drinking, including adults. Here are some of the questions that children often ask about alcohol and the effects on them and their family. For more information, visit nacoa.org.uk, call 0800 358 3456or email helpline@nacoa.org.uk. You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.
If you are looking for urgent support please contact the Samaritans, who are available 24/7 on 116 123 or jo@samaritans.org.
We've tested all the new launches to bring you the best of the best (yaaaass)
The life of a beauty addict is never dull thanks to dozens of brand new make-up, skin and hair products launching every single week.
New launches always bring with them a lot of hype, and so it can be hard to tell whether that hype is actually warranted – because nobody wants to splash their hard earned cash on something they’ll eventually regret buying.
Fortunately for you, the Marie Claire online beauty team gets to test the lot of them way before they hit the shops, from the best mascara to the best moisturisers for dry skin.
We’ll be bringing you a break down of the best new releases you should be fighting to get your hands on before they sell out (which trust us, they will do).
So, what’s good this month?
Jo Malone London has added to its Cologne Intense round-up with a fragrance that celebrates two of Madagascar’s hero ingredients, vetiver and golden vanilla. It’s earthy and warming, making it the perfect fragrance for day and night-time.
And Charlotte Tilbury has the ultimate news for fans of the iconic Pillow Talk shade, launching a whole collection that celebrates the brand’s best-seller. There’s eyeshadow palettes, blusher, eyeliner and two new lipsticks to get stuck in to. Thanks, Charlotte!
Keep scrolling for our curated edit of the best new make-up launches and skincare drops, waving goodbye to your healthy bank balance in the process. Make sure you check back here for all the latest new beauty products 2020 brings in, as and when they’re announced.
It’s high time you treated yourself to a big beauty haul, we say.
Personal trainer James Smith AKA @JamesSmithPT is known for his straight-talking fitness advice and no-nonsense Instagram rants. Here, he breaks down where we’re going wrong in the gym…
Self-confessed ‘intentional disruptor and educator’ James Smith certainly knows how to ruffle a few feathers. His expletive-filled social media rants – taking aim at everything from ‘hip dips’ to the diet industry – have won him legions of fans and his book, Not A Diet Book, has become a bestseller, reaching first place in the Amazon, Audible and Apple ebook charts. Having trained clients since 2014, with thousands of coaching hours on the gym floor under his belt, who better to ask for fitness advice? Here, the man dubbed ‘the Gordon Ramsay of fitness’ explains all…
Be careful of ‘Insta-advice’
A lot of personal trainers are successful because of Facebook advert systems, TV exposure or how many social media followers they have. The main takeaway from the personal training course I did was that you can lie on the floor, do nothing and call it a ‘full-body stretch’! And the only thing I got wrong in my first practical was stepping over a barbell. The qualification was about insurance on the gym floor, not being educated. The standards in fitness are awful and there are a lot of trainers with very little knowledge.
Diet is crucial
I see fitness like baking – everyone’s excited about the icing part, but not many people have baked the cake yet. People need to understand it’s important to be aware of calories. Unfortunately, a lot of people at this time of year just go to the gym more, but we’re lucky if we burn 10% of our daily calories at the gym. We need to have a better understanding of this and need to move away from the mindset that you need to run around on a treadmill to have a potato…
…The gym is not
For me, the gym is a place to get stronger, but we can get fitter without it. For most people, losing 5-10kg is easily accomplished without stepping foot in the gym. I did a piece for ITV’s Tonight last year where I partnered up with a 49-year-old lady and gave her 10,000 steps a day, two cookies and 1600 calories, with no gym visits. She lost 17lb in three weeks by parking further from work, taking the stairs and always opting to make cups of tea in the office.
The way I see it, taking the stairs or walking up the escalator instead of standing still is exercise, which is what we should be doing. But we’re placing far too much importance on ‘training’. People need to realise that while there are benefits to say, weight training, twice a week is actually fine for a normal person, and focusing on movement is more important.
Sleep is your friend
Sleep is not a sexy subject and it’s deemed ‘cool’ to go to bed late and survive on not much sleep, but we’re overlooking the huge benefits. Obviously some people have young children, or do shift work, but a lot of people sat at their desks all day usually have a structured life balance, which means a good sleep routine is possible. I’m a big sleeper and I often nap, particularly when I’m working my hardest. Maybe if you don’t need a nap in the afternoon you’re not working hard enough!
Everything in moderation
If anyone is going to be king of the middle ground, it’s me. I don’t have a six pack but appreciate when it’s time to be sensible (and when it’s time to have a gin and tonic). People are putting all their eggs into the basket of ‘I need an expensive personal trainer and Lululemon leggings’ but you can be a little less extreme and just be accountable for the amount you move, and the amount you consume.
Track progress visually
What’s the first thing people do when food comes out in a nice restaurant? Go for their phones. So in a world where we’re all photographers and caught up with how we look, I don’t understand why we’ve overlooked photos as a metric. If you can’t differentiate progress in your photographs, pass them on to someone else to take a look. I’m not saying how you look is the be-all-and-end-all, but often it’s an unflattering photograph (I’ve had those moments myself) that spurs change – it doesn’t come from a body fat percentage.
At the moment I’m on my book tour, living with my best mates on a tour bus. I’m averaging five sandwiches a day and loads of sweets – I even ate a cheese string today because my mates are having them! Your tribe is really important. My online academy has about 10,000 members and those guys become friends and training partners because they share similar goals that they might not share with partners or friends. If you pair somebody up with the right person, you can go far.
Swerve silly objectives
People allow stupid, faddy diets and over-ambitious goals to derail their progress. People say ‘I’d like a six pack’ but they’re setting themselves up for failure – I know because I did it. If you set yourself a sensible target over a sensible timeframe with a sensible method of achieving it, you’re less likely to lose motivation. Be realistic – is it worth giving up 95% of your life for a 5% change in bodyweight? For a lot of people, it’s not. Don’t align yourself with someone who has an unobtainable physique either, it’s not a battle you’re going to win.
It was then announced by Buckingham Palace that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be losing their HRH titles following a new deal, and repaying ‘Sovereign Grant expenditure for the refurbishment of Frogmore Cottage’.
Releasing an official statement, Buckingham Palace announced: ‘The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are grateful to Her Majesty and the Royal Family for their ongoing support as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.’
Amid the backlash they have faced, the couple made no secret of the fact that they were looking forward to having a bit more privacy and stepping back. This week however, it was reported that they were initially shocked when the Queen removed one of their titles.
The title in question? Their Commonwealth Youth Ambassador titles.
According to TMZ sources, Prince Harry and Meghan didn’t realise that their ambassadorships that meant a great deal to them were ‘on the table’ when discussing the Sussex family’s future and they were ‘shocked’ when they were forced to give up their roles. But, according to TMZ, ‘the Queen drew a hard line in the sand, and they had to surrender the role.’
Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice are tipped to be taking up the roles that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have lost.
It was then announced by Buckingham Palace that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be losing their HRH titles following a new deal, and repaying ‘Sovereign Grant expenditure for the refurbishment of Frogmore Cottage’.
Releasing an official statement, Buckingham Palace announced: ‘The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are grateful to Her Majesty and the Royal Family for their ongoing support as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.’
The Sussexes have faced a wave of backlash from the public since their split from the royals, with Prince Harry’s father, Prince Charles, reported to be offering the couple ‘love and affection on standby’.
Meghan’s father, Thomas Markle, on the other hand has been stoking the fire, taking part in yet another TV interview, this time telling the world that he thinks Prince Harry is a ‘very insecure man’.
‘I think that Harry is a very insecure man and I think that’s being shifted on to my daughter,’ he explained in a TV clip of Harry & Meghan: The Royals in Crisis, an upcoming TMZ prime-time special on Fox News, via Daily Mail TV. ‘I think she winds up mothering him.’
He later continued: ‘I hope that they stay together and love each other and take care of their child, my grandson. I hope that some day we do get back together but I’m 75 so there isn’t a lot of time.’
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have not yet responded.
It was then announced by Buckingham Palace that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be losing their HRH titles following a new deal, and repaying ‘Sovereign Grant expenditure for the refurbishment of Frogmore Cottage’.
Releasing an official statement, Buckingham Palace announced: ‘The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are grateful to Her Majesty and the Royal Family for their ongoing support as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.’
The Sussexes have faced a wave of backlash from the public since their split from the royals, and according to sources, they have ruffled a lot of feathers within the palace walls too, with other working royals now put under pressure.
But while Kate and Meghan reportedly ‘couldn’t be further apart’, William and Harry are said to be putting the past behind them, and Prince William is apparently reaching out to his younger brother.
According to sources, via The Sunday Times and The Express, Prince William along with his father Prince Charles have been ‘reaching out’ to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, now in Canada. They are reportedly providing ‘love and affection on standby’ and are making contingency plans in case the Sussex family wants to return.
It was then announced by Buckingham Palace that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be losing their HRH titles following a new deal, and repaying ‘Sovereign Grant expenditure for the refurbishment of Frogmore Cottage’.
Releasing an official statement, Buckingham Palace announced: ‘The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are grateful to Her Majesty and the Royal Family for their ongoing support as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.’
The Sussexes have faced a wave of backlash from the public since their split from the royals, and according to sources, they have ruffled a lot of feathers within the palace walls too, with other working royals now having to step up.
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are tipped as the two royals to take Harry and Meghan’s places, but the Mountbatten-Windsors that are feeling the stress now however are Prince William and Kate Middleton, with the Duchess of Cambridge said to be feeling the pressure more than most.
‘Kate’s in a panic and has been having bouts of anxiety,’ an Us Weekly source reported. ‘She barely has time to rest, and when she does try to sleep, her mind is constantly racing.’
The source then went on to add that Kate was ‘stretched pretty thin’ – working 18-hour days.
And in terms of her friendship with Meghan, it doesn’t sound good, with the source reporting that ‘they couldn’t be further apart.’
Broadcaster Vick Hope explains why she's ready to spring into the new decade with the same energy that inspired the couple to trade in their royal duties for a blissful new life in Canada
Getty Images
“We are taking a leap of faith,” said Harry of his and Meghan’s decision to step back from royal life, in his first public speech since the announcement, “there really was no other option.”
I’ve never paid much attention to what the monarchy get up to, but finding oneself 17 stories deep into any given newspaper last week without word of much else, I think we can all agree HashtagMegxit (or, my preferred #Harryvederci, say it out loud, who’s with me?) has been unavoidable. The tabloid backlash was stratospheric, stoking some often pretty venomous debate online, as twitter erupted with wildly oscillating opinions about how this man, woman and their little baby should want to live their lives.
Regardless of where you stand on how they went about delivering the news, the relentless hostility, racism, vilification and hounding they’ve put up with over the last few years is undeniable, right down to the ‘Megxit’ headlines, a hashtag originally hatched by trolls who have long used it as a rallying cry for a campaign of hate against the duchess. Not to labour the point, but #Harryvederci was an underrated, more aurally satisfying and far less…well…troll-y option and I’m frankly gutted it didn’t catch on.
However you hashtag it, the royals formerly known as Sussex have left the building. There’s only so far you can be pushed before the only option to save yourself is to jump: to take a “leap of faith”, as Harry put it. And it is this choice of words that’s had me, for the first time ever, fully invested in and even inspired by Team HRH.
‘Meghan Markle’
Verb
Past tense: Meghan Markled
to Meghan Markle – to value yourself and mental health enough to up and leave a room / situation / environment in which your authentic self is not welcomed or wanted.
Person A : Where’s Ryan?
Person B : Oh, he Meghan Markled
Inspired to cut ties that I’ve come to rely on even though they hurt me, seek adventures even if they scare me, walk away from toxic relationships and environments, go it alone in the knowledge that I am strong enough, challenge myself with new work, take the plunge into the unknown, and risk belief ‘outside of the boundaries of reason’ (thank you Collins English Dictionary). Because it’s true, the bigger the risk, the bigger the reward. And if you find a path with no obstacles, spoiler alert: it probably doesn’t lead anywhere.
Of course, risk-taking is generally discouraged, and so many of us -particularly, women- feel pressure to do ‘the done thing’. Society tells us that stability, security and settling down should be our goals, which is brilliant if it’s what you want and it’s on your terms. But who else has stuck out a relationship that we knew in our gut wasn’t right for fear of being ‘the single one‘? Who else has felt under-stimulated or disrespected in the workplace, trapped in a job with no growth for fear of not finding a new one? Who else has found themselves in an unhealthy or just plain shit situation, even something as seemingly trivial as a night out that you can’t leave for fear of what people might say, yet making you bristle with resentment? Who else feels they’ve compromised themselves, their integrity, dreams, desires, freedom, mental health and personal happiness, to fit in or feel validated by others?
Vick Hope (Getty Images)
What struck me about how #Megxit/#Harryvederci was reported was that journalists framed Harry and Meghan’s actions through the prism of their own values: “they can’t expect hand-outs anymore” (financial), “simply another tarnished celebrity couple…they’ll lose their allure and appeal, people could tire of them both” (popularity), “freedom…at a price” (security). Looking back at 2019, I realised I’d become a slave to these values, worrying too much about the past and the future, and what others think of me, rather than living in the present, remembering who I am and rejoicing in the people, places and passions that stimulate and exhilarate.
So let’s attack 2020 with all the energy of a former duke & duchess moving to Canada. Certain personal events last year reminded me that life is fleeting. We are not guaranteed tomorrow, so today, I’m asking you to be kind to yourself. And if you’re itching to change careers, head off travelling solo, or get out of unhealthy relationships, go ahead and ‘Meghan Markle’ (a brand new, actual verb) for yourself, without feeling ashamed or embarrassed about taking a pay drop or being alone. Do not regret what you didn’t do, and don’t let resentment fester. Taking risks doesn’t mean shirking responsibility, but embracing possibilities. Goodbyes do not need to be negative, as you’re saying hello to something new. Let’s reframe risk-taking. Let’s reframe goodbyes. Let’s grab life by the balls and take a leap of faith, admitting: ‘I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing here, but I know who the fuck I am.’
Hands up if you’re a big Percy Pig fan? Same. The M&S favourite now has a full range, and you can enjoy so many delicious treats if you want to change things up and try something different from the chewy original – whether you want a Percy Pig dessert sauce to pour on your pancakes or Percy Pig muffins to sink your teeth into, there’s something for everyone.
Oh, and if you’re after the same sweet flavours in boozy form, there’s even a Percy Pig cocktail to enjoy on a Friday evening with your pals.
(Yes, one bar in Glasgow has been getting creative and it’s making us want to hop on a train and head up to Scotland immediately.)
And now we have some excellent news to share at the end of a long week – a new sweet has been added to the range. Enter the Percy Pig Phizzy Chews.
Yum.
The newbie is a little Percy Pig covered in a sugar coating, and while they don’t share the shape of the original piggy they are moreish mini mouthfuls.
Credit: M&S/Instagram
The Percy Pig Phizzy Chews are made from real fruit juice and do not contain artificial colours or flavours. Each bag contains a mixture of flavours, including apple, grape, strawberry, blueberry, lemon and orange.
One 150g bag will set you back just £1.65 and they’re already in stores.
Who doesn’t love a cheeky Nando’s? Whether you’re a fan of the wing roulette, always order a half chicken or you prefer your bird in a delicious wrap, there’s something for everyone – even if you’re not keen on spicing things up with extra hot.
And they’ve really been going the extra mile over the last few months. Not only did the trial a new (very afforable) lunch menu, they also released a merch line for anyone who wants to wear their love of Nando’s on their sleeve.
But in news we never knew we needed, Nando’s is changing up it’s famous PERi-ometer and adding a new spice flavour.
Praise be.
Don’t worry – if you love the current climb from mild to mouth burning, all the classics are staying put. However, if you’ve come to love the Mango & Lime baste you’ll have to wave goodbye and prepare yourself for the newbie: Passion Fruit & Mango.
From the 3rd February, you’ll be able to try the tropical flavour which is a mild spice with a fruity twist. It is being introduced to the menu following its popularity at the Nando’s Yard pop-up last summer, and will be available in stores for four months – so if you want to give it a go the time is now.
According to the chain, ‘the tangy new flavour is perfect for those who like a little sweetness on their wings or want to try something different on their burger.’
Everyone has weighed in on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s decision to step back as ‘senior royals’, from Justin Trudeau to Oprah, and now Harry’s old friend, Nacho Figueras, has opened up about the couple’s unprecedented move.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced that they would be cutting back on royal duties, aiming to become financially independent from the institution and splitting their time between the UK and Canada going forward. While they hoped to continue supporting the Queen, talks were held with the monarch, Prince Charles and Prince William and it was decided that they will no longer be able to formally represent the crown and they lost their royal titles.
Harry spoke about the difficult decision during a speech at a London dinner for his charity, Sentebale, revealing that ‘there was no other option’ but to resign, telling guests: ‘It brings me great sadness that it has come to this. The decision that I have made for my wife and I to step back is not one I made lightly.
‘I hope that helps you understand what it had come to, that I would step my family back from all I have ever known, to take a step forward into what I hope can be a more peaceful life.’
In a clip for the ABC special, Royal Divide: Harry, Meghan, and The Crown, Figueras said that he has spoken to Harry since the royal split.
‘I spoke to Harry a few days ago,’ he said.
‘He has suffered a lot from all of the things that have happened to him. He wants to live a normal life, as normal as his life is going to be right? Because when you have a thousand paparazzi outside your house in Canada waiting to get a picture of your son that’s not very normal.’
Figueras also hinted that the impact of Princess Diana’s death has contributed to Harry’s decision to step back, continuing: ‘He’s protecting his family, he’s protecting his wife and his child – he was a son of someone that has suffered the attack from the press firsthand, and it’s undeniable, and he doesn’t want for that to happen to his family.’
Harry is currently in Canada with Meghan and their son, Archie Harrison, and it is unclear when they will return to the UK.