Christmas just got more inclusive with Wise Bartender’s brand-new Alcohol-Free Advent Calendars, the perfect choice for anyone cutting back or skipping alcohol this festive season. We have already dove into it and love the selection. It is a fantastic present for those who don’t drink or are cutting back.
Each calendar (£80 incl. delivery) includes 24 drinks from top brands like Lucky Saint, Tom Holland’s Bero Beer, Sea Arch and Sip Cocktails. Choose from:
We love a bit of glamour at Frost, and what could be more glamorous than Ted Baker? Gorgeous design meets high-quality cosmetics. They are the perfect gasp-worthy gifts. Buy them all, for yourself, or other people. Our favourites are below. The Ted Baker’s It’s In The Bag, The Trio of Tranquility Candles and the travel size pampering treats.
Elevate your gifting game with Ted’s elegant selection of pampering presents, exclusive to Boots!
Renowned for its iconic festive gifting, Ted Baker returns this Christmas with a stunning collection of ladies’ toiletry gifts—designed to delight the senses and bring a touch of luxury to the season.
Available exclusively at Boots, the 2025 range showcases Ted’s signature elegance with an opulent twist—think lavish prints, refined details, and beautifully blended fragrances.
From indulgent stocking fillers to impressive under-the-tree treats, each gift is thoughtfully curated to surprise and spoil—whether you’re shopping for a loved one or indulging in a little self-gifting magic.
FROM FESTIVE FAVOURITES TO NEW SEASON STARS
Ted Baker’s Christmas 2025 collection is brimming with beautifully curated gifts to suit every taste and occasion—whether you’re after compact travel companions, pamper-night must-haves, or showstopping sets that steal the spotlight. With key price points under £10, £15, and £20, festive gifting has never been easier; from charming stocking fillers to statement gifts, there’s something for everyone. Designed with all ages in mind, Ted Baker’s timeless appeal spans generations, making it the perfect choice for the whole family.
Hero Products include:
Ted Baker Spritz Fix Trio (RRP£20.00) – A luxurious trio of 150ml body sprays featuring three elegant scents: Peony & Chamomile, Jasmine & Lime Blossom, and Rose & Orchid. Perfect for fragrance layering or switching up your scent to suit your mood.
Travel Size Pampering Treats (RRP £12.50)– This compact set includes four essential pampering favourites in the Jasmine & Lime Blossom fragrance. Featuring bath foam, exfoliating cleanser, body spray, and body lotion, it’s ideal for gifting or enjoying a calming moment during the busy festive season.
Ted Baker Bathing Bliss Gift Set (RRP £25.00) – Bring the spa experience home this Christmas with a luxurious collection of Jasmine & Lime Blossom bath and body treats. Including body cleanser, scrub, face mask, whipped body crème, body spray, and a chic claw clip, it’s the perfect way to unwind after festive celebrations.
Ted Baker Style Out Your Sleep Set (RRP£28.00) – Drift off in style with this luxurious bedtime kit, featuring a soft eye mask, printed drawstring bag, and a selection of indulgent self-care products. Designed to help you rewind, relax, and recharge, it’s the ultimate evening ritual to top up your beauty sleep in Ted’s signature fashion.
Ted Baker Blissful Moments Bag (£52.00) – The ultimate companion for a luxurious self-care ritual. This indulgent collection features a curated selection of Ted Baker bathing favourites—including a body wash, body spray, exfoliating body cleanser, whipped body oil crème, hand wash and body lotion—each in one of three irresistible fragrances. Beautifully presented in a stylish bag, it’s a pamper session in a pouch.
Ted Baker’s Christmas collection brings affordable luxury to the heart of festive gifting, with each item beautifully packaged and ready to impress—no wrapping required. Whether you’re curating a cosy Christmas Eve pamper session or searching for a gift to surprise someone special, this ladies’ toiletry collection offers timeless elegance with a festive flourish.
All products are vegan, cruelty-free and thoughtfully designed with sustainability in mind, including reusable packaging across selected lines.
Available now, exclusively at Boots in-store and online at boots.com.
We love a good nail and Mylee make it super easy. These are the perfect way to get into the spooky season.
This Halloween slay your spooky season look with Mylee’s limited-edition Gel Nail Wraps – the ultimate shortcut to flawless, head-turning nails in minutes. Available at mylee.co.uk | Price: £13.99
Vegan, cruelty-free, and HEMA-free, these pre-designed wraps offer trend-led nail art and up to 14 days of high-gloss wear – no UV lamp required.
Choose from two bewitching designs:
Patchwork Pumpkin: Bold oranges, bats, and a jack-o-lantern charm.
Black Widow: Moody purples, cobwebs, and a touch of glitter.
Currently in the UK there are around 13 million women who are in the peri or menopausal stages of their life. That’s around a third of the entire UK female population.[1] But, this significant life change, which is the consequence of huge hormonal shifts, often makes itself very known. In fact, there are more than 30 recognised symptoms of menopause and three in four women will experience symptoms.[2]
But, while there are several symptoms such as hot flushes, anxiety, mood swings and sleep disruptions which are commonly known, there are in fact, many other, often debilitating symptoms, which can be caused by menopause.
Women’s health specialist GP Dr Janine David, advisor to Berkeley Health says: “With October marking World Menopause Awareness Month, there’s no time like now to increase awareness around this key life change. Menopause, marked as the time when there have been no periods for 12 consecutive months and no other biological or physiological cause can be identified, tends to occur between the ages of 45 and 55. Perimenopause, the period leading up to menopause, is when you have symptoms of menopause but your periods have not necessarily stopped. Perimenopause can go on for several years, as can the symptoms of perimenopause.”[3]
In other research, more than a third of UK women admitted that menopause affected their work life while 36% said that symptoms impacted their social life. Plus, a high 42% said their menopause symptoms were worse or much worse than they suspected.[4]
Explaining the hormonal shifts during menopause, Dr Gill Jenkins says: “Oestrogen is a hormone which will have been present in a woman’s life for the entirety of her reproductive years, but it starts to decline pretty rapidly during perimenopause, which usually fuels the menopausal symptoms.
But menopause does not have to be a difficult stage of a woman’s life. It’s all about good symptom management and self-awareness to help make it a fulfilling and satisfying time.
Dr Janine David continues: “To empower women and allow them to feel more in control of their health, Berkeley Health – the smart brains behind clinically backed self-care medical device testing solutions – has released a range of at-home tests which offer answers in minutes. This means women can better understand what’s driving their symptoms and discover if they are in fact menopausal. The Berkeley Health tests are all accredited by GenM too which means they are menopause friendly, trusted by retailers and they meet the MTick criteria on the grounds that the products are backed by authorised health claims under the medical device law.”
The Berkeley Health range of self-care tests for women going through the menopause include:
50% of women don’t seek medical advice about their menopausal symptoms
A high 50% of women aged 45 to 65 who have experienced the menopause in the past 10 years, had not consulted a healthcare professional about their menopause symptoms[5].
Dr Gill Jenkins adds: “This could indicate that women are unsure about what’s happening in their body or perhaps they’re unsure if help is even available. Although the Berkeley Health tests are not a replacement for medical advice, they can give women information to take to their GP or specialist. It allows them to advocate for their own health, rather than waiting years for symptoms to be recognised, whether they’re cause by menopause or not.”
The Berkeley Health Menopause FSH is the main menopause test offered by Berkeley Health.
Dr Janine David explains: “If you’re beginning to experience symptoms related to menopause such as a lack of menstrual cycles, hot flashes, sleep irregularities and obvious mood changes, this test is a great way to gain an understanding as to whether you’re entering menopause.
“Essentially, this simple urine test helps to identify levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). Menopause, which is the consequence of the end of ovary follicle lifecycle, leads to an increase of FSH, with values less than 20 mUl/mL going up to approximately 80 mUl/mL.”[6]
If the Berkeley Health Menopause FSH test indicates an increased FSH level, the onset of menopause is likely to have started.
The lesser-known signs of menopause
The menopause is more than just hot flushes and as a result brings with it so many other, often unknown, symptoms. These include:
A change in the vaginal pH: Vaginal pH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline the vaginal environment is. An acidic vaginal pH helps keep harmful bacteria, fungi and infections (such as UTIs or bacterial vaginosis) at bay.
A healthy vagina typically sits within the acidic range of 3.8 to 4.5 but hormonal shifts during menopause can cause this pH to change.
A 2020 study of 173 women found that a vaginal pH greater than 4.5 had an 84.9% sensitivity for diagnosing menopause.[7]
This change in the vaginal pH can lead to problems, for example, an increased risk of infection which can lead to symptoms such as itching, a strong odour and uncomfortable discharge.
Explaining why menopause can lead to change in pH, Dr Gill Jenkins explains: “During the reproductive years, oestrogen supports the vaginal lining and encourages the growth of Lactobacillus bacteria. These bacteria produce lactic acid, which keeps the vaginal environment acidic, between around 3.8 to 4.5. But, during menopause, oestrogen levels drop and vaginal cells can thin. There’s less lactic acid production and the acidity of the vagina can weaken, which can cause the pH to rise, often into the 5.0 to 7.5 range, which is more alkaline.”
Testing the vaginal pH can be an indicator of menopausal status. The Berkeley Health Vaginal PH test can identify any pH change; it’s an easy vaginal swab test which can be done in the privacy of home.
Increased risk of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): UTI symptoms are common for perimenopausal and menopausal women to experience even without having an actual infection.
Explaining why, Dr Gill Jenkins says: “The sharp decline in oestrogen levels during and after menopause can cause thinning and reduced elasticity of the vaginal and urethral tissues. This makes it easier for bacteria to enter and cause infection. However, many UTI symptoms, such as burning, urgency, pain with urination and pelvic discomfort, may not indicate a UTI at all as these symptoms are often due to the decline in oestrogen.”
As well as this, the decline of oestrogen raises vaginal pH and reduces Lactobacillus, which normally protect the urinary tract, so without this, women may experience dryness, irritation, and discomfort without any infection present[8].
A test, such as the Berkeley Health Urinary Tract Infection test helps to identify whether your uncomfortable symptoms are an infection or a sign of menopause.
Dr Gill Jenkins adds: “This at-home test means women can be in the know and on top of their health. No matter what’s causing their symptoms, they are at least armed with knowledge, which they can bring forward to their GP.”
Vitamin D deficiency risk: Vitamin D deficiency becomes more common after menopause as oestrogen, which declines during menopause, normally helps the body metabolise vitamin D.
But a vitamin D deficiency can cause problems, particularly with bones. Research has even confirmed lower vitamin D levels in postmenopausal women and a strong association with reduced bone mineral density[9].
The Berkeley Health Vitamin D test can identify a vitamin D deficiency if present.
Dr Gill Jenkins says: “Low vitamin D increases the risk of osteoporosis, fractures, muscle weakness and low mood, so it’s vital to know if you’re deficient. Some of the symptoms are common for menopausal women anyway, so a test can clarify if there’s a further problem.”
A higher chance of thyroid disorders: Your thyroid is a small, butterfly shaped gland found in the neck. It’s responsible for producing and releasing certain hormones, predominantly T3 and T4, which control how fast or slow your body uses energy.
Dr Janine David says: “This affects your metabolism, weight, mood and even your body temperature. Problems can arise when your thyroid stops working as it should.”
Dr Gill Jenkins adds to this, saying: “TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) is made by your brain and it acts pretty much like a thermostat signal. If your thyroid is underactive and isn’t making enough hormones (known as hypothyroidism), your brain sends out more TSH. If your thyroid is overactive and making too much hormone (known as hyperthyroidism), your brain sends out less TSH to slow it down.”
A high TSH level equals hypothyroidism, while a low TSH level equals hyperthyroidism.
Ageing and hormonal shifts, such as those seen in menopause, can increase the risk of thyroid issues, especially hypothyroidism.
So much so, that research has found that thyroid disorders are significantly more coming in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women compared with premenopausal women.[10]
The Berkeley Health Thyroid TSH tests can test for hypothyroidism and give women an indication of whether they may be entering menopause.
Dr Janine David adds: “Many of the symptoms of hypothyroidism can be frustrating and many overlap with symptoms of peri menopause symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, mood changes and irregular periods. Doing the Berkeley Health Thyroid TSH test is a quick and easy way to test your TSH.”
Last word:
Dr Janine David adds: “Menopause brings with it a vast array of symptoms and many are well known. But there are also lesser-known symptoms, which can be confused with menopause or simply be a standalone health problem.
“The Berkeley Health tests can test various elements of health. From measuring FSH, a rise of which can signal the approach of menopause, to screening for health- related health issues that commonly arise at this stage of life, including thyroid problems and vitamin D deficiency, women can feel empowered as they learn about their health.”
Testing allows women to take action early, so their GP can help them with the relevant diet, supplement or lifestyle changes.
Nature’s Path, the organic cereal brand is here to help you have a healthy and tasty breakfast for all the family. Anything that makes the morning routine easier is a win in my opinion.
Nature’s Path cereals are made with healthy grains, nuts, seeds and fruit – with no artificial additives. Each box is created with care for both people and the planet, with sustainability at the heart of everything the brand does. From recyclable packaging and Fairtrade partnerships to reducing food waste and donating to community causes, Nature’s Path is committed to making breakfast better in every way and for everyone.
Here are our favourites.
Nice & Nobbly Granola
The latest addition to the line-up, these golden-baked clusters, seeds and fruits are perfectly paired with fresh berries and creamy yoghurt. Available in all major UK supermarkets at RSP: £3.45
Maple Sunrise
Made with corn, quinoa, amaranth and flaxseeds, lightly toasted and drizzled with caramelly sweet maple syrup, Maple Sunrise is high in fibre with no artificial additives – making for a perfectly crunchy breakfast bowl! Available in all major UK supermarkets at RSP: £3.45
Mesa Sunrise
Mesa Sunrise is a delicate blend of corn, quinoa, buckwheat, amaranth and flaxseed, brought together and lightly toasted to create crisp, wholegrain flakes packed with feel-good flavour. Rich in omega 3, it is crisp and satisfying! Available in all major UK supermarkets at RSP: £3.45
Millet Rice
A combination of whole millet with oat bran, oat flour, and brown rice flour, Millet Rice is baked into perfectly crunchy flakes. This is a nuttily wholesome cereal that’ll show you just how good organic food can be. Available in all major UK supermarkets at RSP: £3.45
Choco Chimps
Featuring a delightful mascot, this nutritious and chocolatey cereal is formed from crunchy wholegrain corn balls, coated in flavourful Fairtrade cocoa. Part of the ‘Envirokidz’ duo, Nature’s Path donates a percentage of Choco Chimps sales to animal conservation efforts and global educational programmes – so far raising more than £3.7million! . Available in all major UK supermarkets at RSP: £3.45
Gorilla Munch
Gorilla Munch joins Choco Chimps to make up the ‘Envirokidz’ duo. This crunchy, wholegrain, corn puff cereal is moreish and nutrient-packed, with sales contributing to supporting gorillas and other vulnerable species. Available in all major UK supermarkets at RSP: £3.45
Wecasa teams up with Ollie Locke for World Mental Health Day to champion the power of me-time with tips that has helped him cope with the mental struggle
With the code OLLIE20 Wecasa and Ollie are giving all new customers 20% off all cleaning services, valid for a month
The partnership with Ollie Locke aims to remind everyone that investing in a calm home and personal downtime isn’t indulgent, it’s essential and yes, it is OK!
To mark World Mental Health Day (10th October), Wecasa – the at-home mobile cleaning, wellness, beauty and home services app – is joining forces with TV personality, actor and father to twins, Ollie Locke, to highlight the importance of protecting “me-time” as a cornerstone of good mental health.
In a world where busy schedules, long to-do lists and constant juggling of work and home life dominate, carving out time for yourself is no longer a luxury – it’s essential. Wecasa is on a mission to make me-time more accessible by delivering professional wellness, beauty, and home services straight to your door. Whether it’s a massage after a long work week, a cleaner to lift the load, or a haircut that boosts confidence, Wecasa empowers people to reclaim moments for themselves – guilt-free.
Ollie is a man who truly knows the juggle trying to balance a busy home life with young children and a hectic work schedule adding to the mental load that follows us all around – making him the perfect ambassador for Wecasa. Speaking on the partnership, Ollie said: “Life can feel like a juggling act, especially as a parent. We often underestimate how much the little things, like cleaning or folding laundry, weigh on us. Giving yourself permission to hand those tasks over, and carving out time just for you, can make all the difference to your mental wellbeing.”
Ollie’s Top Tips to Support Mental Health
Wecasa as a company truly believes that mental wellbeing starts with making space for yourself – and that includes outsourcing what you can. Whether it’s getting a massage, booking a cleaner, or finally treating yourself to a beauty appointment at home, it’s not indulgent – it’s essential for mental health. With the code OLLIE20 Wecasa and Ollie are giving all new customers 20% off all cleaning services, valid for a month.
It can be difficult to know where to start when trying to balance the daily juggle and mental load however, Ollie has learned from his own experience and these are the coping mechanisms that work for him:
Outsource to lighten your mental load: Sometimes the smallest things, like cleaning the kitchen or folding laundry, can weigh the heaviest on our minds. Don’t feel guilty about outsourcing these tasks. By letting someone else take care of the housework, you free up space for rest, connection, or just a breather.
Create small rituals of self-care: You don’t need a whole spa weekend to feel better. Even a 30-minute massage, a haircut at home, or simply taking the time to slow down with a treatment can reset your mood. Build these rituals into your week so you never feel like you’re running on empty.
Schedule ‘you-time’ like any other priority: We’re quick to put meetings, errands, and everyone else in our diaries, but we forget to put ourselves in there too. Book yourself into your own calendar. Whether that’s a facial at home, or even just an hour with your phone off, protecting that time is vital for your mental wellbeing.
Pierre André, co-founder at Wecasa adds: “Me-time is not selfish – it’s a form of self-preservation. When we pause to prioritise ourselves – even for an hour – we recharge, reset, and show up better in all areas of life. At Wecasa, we’re proud to have Ollie on board to help spread the word of our mission for World Mental Health Day. It’s important to remember that our homes often mirror our state of mind. A tidy, calm environment makes it easier to relax and focus on the things that really matter. By outsourcing cleaning and home tasks, you’re not just freeing up your time—you’re also protecting your headspace.”
With Wecasa’s flexible services – ranging from home cleaning and laundry support to massages, hairdressing, and beauty treatments at home – the partnership with Ollie Locke aims to remind everyone that investing in a calm home and personal downtime isn’t indulgent, it’s essential.
The Wecasa Club Makes Wellness More Affordable
Wecasa always strives to give customers easy access to what they need, seven days a week, whenever it suits you. The Wecasa Club launched late last year offering up discounted services and benefits from a monthly subscription.
Now offers on the Wecasa Club continues to expand with customers who book in for regular cleans with Wecasa professionals getting the benefits for free without paying the £9.90 monthly subscription – the benefits include:
25% off on all wellness services all year around, all funds go to the professional with Wecasa taking no margins on these services
Money back from your first wellness order
Priority access to Wecasa’s customer service
Throughout the year, Wecasa will offer you exclusive content, offers with other brands and invitations to events
Wecasa is your go-to online booking platform for mobile at-home cleaning, wellness, beauty and home services, seven days a week. Visit www.wecasa.co.uk for further information and to book now.
The Cotswolds Distillery, producers of the world’s best-selling English whisky Cotswolds Signature Single Malt, today launches an exclusive limited edition of 1,500 bottles.
Cotswolds Wychwood Harvest Single Malt Whisky is the latest in a series of whiskies released by the Distillery to celebrate the English harvest and is named after the ancient Wychwood Forest, near Witney in Oxfordshire.
Cotswolds Distillery was the first English Whisky Distillery to sell 100,000 bottles of English Single Malt Whiskyglobally and is available in more than 30 markets, including the US, Japan and Europe. “With the world spotlight on the Cotswolds region and many people relocating here from the US in particular, we feel the time is right to continue our global expansion, not only with our best-selling Signature English whisky but also introducing exciting new limited editions,” says Cotswolds Distillery Founder, Dan Szor.
Alice at 25 years old, is one of the youngest female distillers in the UK and has been personally involved in the Port cask selection which makes this whisky such a distinctive expression, with its deep red colour and depth of flavour. Alice has crafted this release from a rare parcel of Port and selected Bourbon casks, laid down nearly 10 years ago.
Under Dan’s guidance, Alice has been given free rein to innovate and experiment with different cask finishes and maturation lengths. It is Cotswolds Distillery’s most accomplished tribute to Port cask maturation to date and shines a spotlight on Alice’s innovative and creative mindset.
Commenting on this launch, Alice Pearson says: “I am really excited to introduce this latest Harvest expression both to UK and international consumers. We wanted to create a whisky that celebrates the traditions of the farming community which is bold and expressive.”
A new Harvest Series expression is released once a year and celebrates the Cotswolds scenery through the art of painting and whisky selection. The region attracts artists and craftsmen from around the world who are drawn to the area by the beauty of the Cotswolds. The design for the presentation tube for this fourth release was produced by Oxfordshire-based artist Andrea Bates. Taking inspiration from the Cotswolds landscape and a nod to the farmland that produces the harvest, it depicts a stunning farming landscape set against a cloudy sky.
Tasting Notes
The liquid offers deep crimson hues from being aged in the Port casks and delivers a concentrated dark fruit character with structure and depth, featuring notes of stewed berries, blackcurrant, and dark fruit compote. These layers are complemented by soft vanilla from carefully selected bourbon barrels, with a gentle wisp of peat.
ABV: 50.0% | RRP: £100 for 70cl bottle. Available from the Cotswolds Distillery and other fine retailers around the world.
