Archive June 22, 2025

I found the best lookalike for Birkenstock’s studded sandals and they’ll save you £100

We’ve found the ideal alternative pair that will give you the same look for less than £100 and are inspired by Birkenstock’s western-inspired studded sandals.

H&M’s studded sandals are a great alternative to Birkenstocks(Image: H&M)

A pair of double strap mules are a must-have if there is one pair of sandals for the summer. One of the most recognizable designs for this type of sandal is, of course, a pair of Birkenstock Arizonas, which is timeless and simple to style.

With the western aesthetic still trending (thanks in no small part to Beyonce ’s Cowboy Carter tour), the Birkenstock Arizona Rivet Sandals in Dark Rust are the ideal way to bring the cowboycore look to your summer wardrobe on the days when it’s too hot to don your cowboy boots. However with Birkenstock’s pair costing £135 they’re not always the most budget friendly pick, which is why we couldn’t wait to snap up H&M’s much more affordable alternative.

Kate Middleton introduces the Wimbledon tennis whites trend with a surprisingly affordable clutch bag.

READ MORE: The stunning floral maxi dress by Myleene Klass is still available and is ideal to wear to races.

The Birkenstock pair costs a total of £32.99, but the H&amp, M Studded Sandals are also only £102 less. They also have a very similar look that allows you to capture the western vibe without spending a lot. The brown pair has silver studs, while the black pair has gold stud details, and they both come in black and brown colors.

H&M studded sandals
The sandals come in both black and brown(Image: H&M)

The H&amp, M sandals have adjustable buckle fastenings, and the double straps have a comfortable moulded footbed that means you can wear them without problems for hours at once. Additionally, satin soles are used to absorb any moisture without causing friction or rubbing on your feet.

Although they’re made from 100% polyester, the straps have a very convincing suede-look finish, which makes them look much more expensive than they actually are. The hardware details also contribute to their luxe look, making them a great way to save money whilst still looking stylish.

The Birkenstock Arizona Studded Sandals are currently on sale for a limited time, reduced to £108. The Light Brown Faux Suede Studded Sandals are currently on sale for just £19.79, down from the original 32.99, at New Look.

H&M studded sandals
The H&M sandals are priced at £32.99(Image: H&M )

However, H&amp, M customers have already given them a glowing five star rating for their Studded Sandals. One user wrote, “Slightly awkward sizing, a little wide, but adjustable.” Look fantastic.

while another remarked, “Comfy and stylish. Excellent value for money.

Continue reading the article.

Sizes two to nine are the sandals. Due to how popular they are, the black and gold pair only has size twos available, whereas the brown colorway is currently out of stock in sizes seven and eight.

BBC Casualty’s Sam Colloby star Jonathan Kerrigan unrecognisable 29 years later

Jason Kerrigan is best known for playing Sam Colloby on Casualty, but he also regularly appeared in Heartbeat with his wife, and has since since made an appearance on a number of other shows.

Jonathan portrayed the bleach-blond nurse Sam Colloby in the late 90s(Image: TV Times/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

Some actors, like EastEnders’ Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale), Coronation Street’s William Roache (Ken Barlow), and Neighbours’ Stefan Dennis (Paul Robinson), become permanent fixtures on our screens. Others, like Jonathan Kerrigan of Casualty fame, make a significant impact despite their shorter stints.

After making his screen debut in the 1995 single Life Is Sweet, the bleach-blond nurse Sam Colloby, fifty-two-year-old Jonathan made his comedic debut in Casualty in 1996. Sam, his portrayal of Sam, quickly gained popularity as one of the show’s most adored characters.

READ MORE: EastEnders ‘to bring back’ another Slater 19 years after debut and fans are thrilled

ACTRESS CLAIRE GOOSE DEREK THOMSON PATERSON JOSEPH AND JONATHAN KERRIGAN IN THE BBC TV SHOW CASUALTY
Sam was involved in numerous personal and work-related dramas tied to his sexuality,(Image: BBC)

As an openly gay character, Sam was involved in numerous personal and work-related dramas tied to his sexuality, including discovering that a female car crash victim was secretly dating his boyfriend, reports OK!.

Sam’s presence, however, ensured that life was never dull. He helped find the victim of a colleague’s rape, fell from a hospital balcony, and saved a young girl’s life by performing an emergency tracheotomy. Before Sam’s character made the decision to pursue a career outside of nursing in 1999, Jonathan served as his character for four seasons of Casualty.

Jonathan Kerrigan
With Sam around, life was never dull(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
Continue reading the article.

Other stars of Casualty, such as the legendary Derek Thompson (Charlie Fairhead), have had much longer runs on the show, with Derek only recently retiring after a remarkable 37 years.

In reality, Jonathan took on the role of PC Steve Traynor in ITV’s Merseybeat, appearing in 30 episodes. He then transitioned to Heartbeat, a series set in 1960s Yorkshire, where he portrayed Sergeant Rob Walker and even composed the show’s theme tune.

JONATHAN KERRIGAN as Steve
Jonathan played Steve in Merseybeat(Image: BBC)

His relationship with Helen Trent, whom he later wed, was always at the center of the drama. Helen tragically passed away in an explosion, which was understandably devastated Rob.

In 2007, Jonathan chose to leave the show (later replaced by Joe McFadden), and went on to appear in various TV programmes including the American crime drama NCIS and BBC drama series In The Club, as well as films such as Diana – alongside Naomi Watts, who portrayed the late Princess of Wales – and The Somnambulists.

Jonathan Kerrigan, Saira Todd
He also starred alongside Saira Todd in a romantic series, Reach for the Moon(Image: LWT)

In 2011, Jonathan and Shelley Conn, who played Lady Mary in Netflix’s Bridgerton, tied the knot. They have a son together.

Since then, life has been bustling for him, with other roles including starring in The Five, a ten-part drama for Sky 1, written by American crime writer Harlan Coben, and Death In Paradise, acting alongside his real-life wife. Sporting a ginger-brown goatee and brown hair, he looks completely different from his days as Sam Colloby, a transformation not unlike that of former Heartbeat co-star Nick Berry.

Jonathan Kerrigan, Death in Paradise
Death In Paradise is known for its famous cameos, and Jonathan popped up in 2018(Image: BBC/Red Planet Pictures/Denis Guyenon)
Continue reading the article.

Irvine Welsh’s Crime, in which he starred as Mark McKendrick alongside Dougray Scott and Angela Griffin, is one of his most recent TV dramas. Additionally, he has a role in the historical TV drama series Outlander as Rev. Peleg Woodsworth.

Bundle for the 30th birthday

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image

varies

Shop here

Full speech: Donald Trump’s address to nation after attack on Iran

Donald Trump addressed the country after praising the “very successful” US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

His full address on Saturday evening is available in its entirety here:

The US military launched numerous precision strikes on Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, three important nuclear installations controlled by the Iranian regime.

As they built this abominably destructive enterprise, everyone knew those names for years. Our goals were to stop Iran’s nuclear enrichment capability and put an end to the state’s top nuclear sponsor, Iran, who is the world’s top nuclear supporter.

Tonight, I can reveal to the world that the military’s strikes were a remarkable success. The main nuclear enrichment facilities in Iran have been completely destroyed. The Middle East’s bullies, Iran, must now reconcile.

Future attacks will be much bigger and much simpler if they don’t.

Iran has been saying “Death to America, death to Israel” for 40 years.

They have been using roadside bombs to kill our people, stripping off their arms, and killing them.

Over a thousand people died as a direct result of their hatred, and hundreds more in the Middle East and other parts of the world, in particular, Qassem Soleimani, their general, was responsible for many of their deaths.

I made a long-held commitment to preventing this from occurring.

It won’t continue.

Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu deserves my gratitude and praise.

We worked together as a whole, which is something that perhaps has never happened before, and we have already accomplished a lot to end this terrible threat to Israel.

I want to congratulate the Israeli military on an operation unlike anything the world has seen in a long time and, most importantly, I want to thank the great American patriots who flew those magnificent machines tonight.

Hopefully, this is the last time we need their services. That’s great, I hope so. Additionally, I want to congratulate the spectacular general and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan “Razin” Caine, as well as all of the accomplished military personnel who participated in this attack.

This cannot continue, despite all of that being said.

Iran will experience far greater tragedy than we have seen in the past eight days, and either way there will be peace or tragedy.

Remember that there are still many targets. Even though tonight’s was by far the most difficult and perhaps the most deadly of them all, we will pursue those targets with precision, speed, and skill if peace does not intervene. In a matter of seconds, the majority of them can be removed.

No military could have done the things we did tonight, not even close. Never has a military been able to carry out the events that just recently occurred.

I want to thank everyone, and especially God, at a press conference that will be held tomorrow at 8 a.m. (12 00 GMT) at the Pentagon hosted by General Caine and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

We love our great military, and we love you, God, in a simple statement. They should be protected. God’s blessings on the Middle East. God blesses America and Israel, respectively.

Today’s horoscope for June 22 as Virgo develops a new passion

One star sign is working out how to be self-sufficient as another yearns for a new routine for Sunday, June 22 in today’s horoscope.

Find out what’s written in the stars with our astrologer Russell Grant(Image: Daily Record/GettyImages)

One star sign is having medical issues, and they are experiencing family tension. It’s Sunday, June 22.

There are 12 zodiac signs – Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces – and the horoscopes for each can give you the lowdown on what your future holds, be it in work, your love life, your friends and family or more.

These daily forecasts have been compiled by astrologer Russell Grant, who has been reading star signs for over 50 years. From Aries through to Pisces, here’s what today could bring for your horoscope – and what you can do to be prepared.

Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

Problems in a partnership can no longer be overlooked. You’re tired of stumbling around a snobby friend or coworker. Someone who understands and at least shares your values is a must. Never be afraid to venture out on your own. You possess the ability to succeed.

Taurus (Apr 21 – May 21)

This is not your style at all, so be careful not to rush things. Think carefully before making a decision regarding upcoming job assignments, along with the need to slow down. By consuming vitamin C and maintaining hydration, you prioritize your health.

Gemini (May 22 – June 21)

Your anxiety will be fueled by some unsettling news. Before reacting, take a deep breath. You may have more choices than you might think. Although this situation may be challenging, you will move on to better and more challenging experiences. You might need to make short-term financial adjustments in the interim.

Continue reading the article.

Cancer (June 22 – July 23)

You’ve recently begun to reflect on your family and wish you had known about the positive influence they had had on your life. Consider journaling your feelings and thoughts if you no longer have them with you. This will be calming.

Leo (July 24 – Aug 23)

You’re considering a career choice. For a creative person like you, finding stimulating work is crucial. Is it now appropriate to seek a permanent position to provide guidance, guidance, or instruction for others? You will prosper in a group of individuals who are eager to learn new skills, subjects, or methods.

Virgo (Aug 24 – Sept 23)

You might have more time and energy to devote to your home life if you changed your outside commitments. You might discover that you are passionate about decorating, gardening, or baking. You can see that having a peaceful home environment helps you realize that life has more meaning than a demanding career.

Libra (Sept 24 – Oct 23)

Although it’s great to have someone to back up ideas, you must ultimately rely on your own judgment when making decisions. If you see a job opportunity that appeals to you, accept it. This position might give you a much-needed break from your personal life’s stresses.

Scorpio (Oct 24 – Nov 22)

You’re savoring something different and getting tired of the same routines. If traveling is not your thing, you can read a book of a different genre than what is acceptable, volunteer for a local charity, or reserve a table at a new restaurant. It’s time to get out of a rut, whatever you choose to do.

Sagittarius (Nov 23 – Dec 21)

You may be thinking about a medical problem. You are aware that in order to maintain your health and well-being, you must learn how to unwind. Use this opportunity to develop a peaceful bedtime routine and ensure that you don’t use your phone for more than an hour before going to bed.

Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 20)

Family life is tense. At the very least you can talk to friends who are aware of your frustrations. Soon enough, you’ll start to laugh at the situation, which eases tension. Consider reducing the amount of time you spend with people who drain your energy. Focus more on those who boost and energize you.

Aquarius (Jan 21 – Feb 19)

The ideal time to visit your loved ones is right now. Be sure to be clear about what you mean when you express your thoughts with kindness and compassion. You have some fantastic concepts and plans, and everyone you know wants to hear them.

Continue reading the article.

Pisces (Feb 20 – Mar 20)

There are some exciting developments involving a workshop or a younger family member’s education. This opportunity will make you feel happy, whether it’s passing an exam, getting accepted into a university, or finding employment as a teacher. Make sure to celebrate.

READ MORE: ‘I spent years in pain because of IBS but two weeks later I don’t rush to the toilet’

‘I tried Molly-Mae Hague’s summer glow makeup – one product left me stunned’

What’s in her summer makeup bag, which is full of the dewiest creams and peachy blushes, has been shared by Molly Mae. The businesswoman and former Love Islander shared a candid video of her summer makeup look, which appears to be a big fan of Refy, a well-known beauty brand.

I knew Refy makeup would be good enough for Molly-Mae, so I knew I had to try it because it has a creamy formula, sunkissed blushes, and levelled brow products.

With so many celebrities and acclaimers humming the products, I knew it had to give it a shot because it’s a brand that keeps popping up on my TikTok and Instagram.

I was concerned about how long these cream-based products would last on my skin, especially in the warm weather, because I typically apply my setting powder day and night to prevent oily outbreaks.

Fans have been left in awe of Molly Mae’s radiant summer skin thanks to REFY’s new Summer Sculpt Collection, which she regularly shares her makeup tutorial videos. Although her video was only a short while long, she quickly developed into a bronze-and-dew beauty.

Molly Mae
Molly Mae wore REFY products as part of her must-have summer essentials.

The same makeup look has existed for six years, she wrote in the post. Was my hair more summery-looking? What kind of magic are you using in your glossaries, @REFY? She has previously expressed her long-standing love for the REFY Cream Bronzer and Cream Blush, both of which are available as a bundle from Jess Hunt’s beauty line.

The REFY Summer Sculpt Collection is what, exactly?

Nine skincare products are included in the Summer Sculpt Collection to help prepare the skin as well as makeup items for the finished look. It includes all the summer makeup items you need for your makeup bag. The dual-end Duo Brush, Face Sculpt, and Sculpt Primer are all included in the full-size package, with the option to choose your own blusher, bronzer, and lip gloss shade.

refy summer sculpt
Everything you need to glow in the summer is included in the £140 Summer Sculpt collection.

The REFY Summer Sculpt Collection is what I think of.

In her video, Molly shows how to moisturise her skin with the Face Sculpt moisturiser, followed by the Glow and Sculpt Primer, which is essentially a gua sha to promote blood flow and reduce any puffiness. I did the same, and I was incredibly impressed by how glowing my skin became right away.

My skin received a nice, relaxing massage from the moisturiser’s applicator, but I ultimately ended up rubbing it in with my fingers because I didn’t feel like covering my entire face properly. I’m always concerned about how well hydrating a formula will sink into my skin because I’m oily and sometimes it blends poorly with my makeup, but this wasn’t the case with these two products.

I chose to use NARS natural radiant longwear as my foundation after Molly applied her MAC foundation, so I copied Molly by applying the cream bronzer first. The influencer said she “struggles live without” the Duo brush, and I can see why.

By completing the survey below, help us make our content better. We’d like to hear from you.

My cheekbones were initially a shade of orange, but it quickly became apparent that the Cream Bronzer had been applied in a shade of tan. No patches or clumps were present, which is typical with powder contours or bronzers, which really made my cheekbones better.

I then applied REFY’s Cream Blush, which Molly called one of her “absolute favorites,” to my nose and the apples of my cheeks, giving a rosy, sun-kissed appearance. I didn’t expect a matte-looking skin, but it was already glowing, which is a big plus.

niamh after
I really enjoyed using all of the Refy products, in my opinion.

However, it didn’t stop there; I applied some Topaz Gloss Highlighter to the top of my cheekbones and nose, which increased the glow even more. I was completely shocked by how much my face changed as a cream highlight, which is something I usually never do. I thought my makeup would never look the same without it because it had such a natural yet dewy finish.

I’ve always been a sucker for creamy and shimmery products, but I’ve definitely grown to be a huge fan thanks to Molly Mae. I then applied the Refy Brow Pencil in Dark to my brows. Although the Summer Sculpt doesn’t include this, I would suggest using one.

The REFY mascara, which “never misses a single lash,” is a favorite of Molly Mae.

I then took the Lash Sculpt lengthening mascara and set my brows with the gel-like Refy Brow Sculpt, which helps hold my curly hairs in place. Another excellent mascara that Molly raved about, “it literally doesn’t miss a single lash.” Although I didn’t put on much, they would have become mentally ill if I had layered up.”

Even the smaller corner lashes are evenly coated thanks to the wand’s unique shape, but I felt like I needed to apply another mascara to my lashes to give them a fuller appearance. This would be ideal, however, for those who prefer an eye that looks more natural. I applied lip gloss in shades Topaz and the Lip Sculpt Liner to finish my lips. Both of these had shades that I liked, but the gloss is very sticky after applying.

The REFY Summer Sculpt Collection is what I think.

I can safely say that I am utterly obsessed with these products, and it lasted all day despite my concerns about my oily skin. I only applied the powder twice, which is a real result, and I wore it the entire day. Because the brozers are so orange and don’t look good without it, I feel like I would have trouble wearing this makeup.

Although the full kit costs a lot, it actually has everything you need to look flawlessly sun-kissed. I’ve grown to love REFY a lot, and Molly Mae and I both think I’ve just stepped off the plane from Dubai thanks to the glowy products.

How are products used and where can I buy them from?

The Summer Sculpt Collection costs only £44, which is a saving of £44 when purchased exclusively from REFY, but it costs £184.

You can also purchase all of the items I used separately here:

Do you have a tale to tell? Message niamh . kirk@reachplc.com