‘I’m a former barista and my favourite coffee machine is now half price with free pods’

Following on from a stint working as a barista at Starbucks when I was at university, I like to think that I know a thing or two about good coffee. As such, my coffee pod machine is one of my most used kitchen appliances, whirring into action at least two or three times a day – and my favourite model is now hugely reduced in a limited-time-only sale.

I’ve tried a number of different coffee machines but my Nespresso Vertuo Next is, I think, the best, for taste, easy and style. Usually priced at around the £125 mark on Amazon or £149 on the Nespresso website, it’s now down to £65 on Amazon as part of its big spring sale – a saving of 48%.

Not only that, but this offer also entitles you to 50 free Nespresso Vertuo capsules from the Nespresso website, given that these range from 47p-85p per pod, that’s saving you at a minimum of £23.50 of top notch coffee for free.

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Comes in a number of colours, including this black (Laura Mulley)

This offer gets you the Nespresso Vertuo Next automatic pod coffee machine by Magimix in Matt Black (an Amazon exclusive) for £65 instead of the usual £124.38, or you can buy it together with a milk frother for £95 instead of the usual £199, an even better saving.

If you’re a coffee connoisseur, you’ll love the brews that the Vertuo makes, they are, in my opinion, far superior to the original Pixie machine and, depending on the variety you buy, really do taste like café-made coffee. It’s also handy to just have one button to press instead of selecting your size, and the machine slides the used pod back into the empties bucket in a very slick and satisfying way.

I had previously tried the smaller Vertuo Pop and I initially didn’t see why the bigger device could be better, but little things like the adjustable cup tray and bigger compartment for used pods did actually make a difference.

Nespresso Vertuo Next (left) and the Pixie machine (right)
Laura has been seeing how the Nespresso Vertuo Next (left) compares to her Pixie machine (right) (Laura Mulley)

The biggest downside to the Vertuo machines is that you can only use Vertuo pods, which are currently only available through Nespresso. These are more expensive, and non-compostable – although I’ve bought this nifty little £12.99 device so I can recycle them at home.

In summary, if you like a good coffee and are on the look-out for a new home machine, the Vertuo Next gets my vote – especially when it has such a big discount.

As an alternative, Lavazza machines are also a popular choice, in particular the Lavazza A Modo Mio Deséa. Our head of shopping Zoe also recommends the Grind Two Nespresso pod-compatible coffee machine, which looks sleek and shiny and makes excellent drinks.

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Prince Harry ‘sent unpleasant message to charity boss’ after Meghan request was refused

Prince Harry allegedly sent a direct ‘ unpleasant ‘ message to the chair of Sentebale – Dr Sophie Chandauka – after she refused to publicly defend his wife Meghan

Prince Harry sent an ‘unpleasant’ message to the head of his former African charity after she refused to publicly defend his wife Meghan, it has been claimed. The Duke of Sussex dramatically quit as patron of Sentebale, a HIV charity he founded almost 20 years ago and has become embroiled in a public spat with Dr Sophie Chandauka, the organisation’s chair.

She issued a blistering statement of her own, criticising the move by Harry, co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho and the trustees of the charity to step down. And in an interview yesterday, she claimed that after an awkward moment between her and Meghan was captured on camera at a polo match to raise funds for Sentebale last year, she was asked to issue a statement by Harry’s team defending the duchess.

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Harry and Meghan with Dr Sophie Chandauka and other polo players at a Sentebale fundraiser last year
Harry and Meghan with Dr Sophie Chandauka and other polo players at a Sentebale fundraiser last year (Image: PA)

She said she refused the request saying “we cannot become an extension of the Sussex machine”. Now it has been reported that after Dr Chandauka’s refusal, Harry allegedly sent her a direct message asking her to “explain herself”. Sources told The Telegraph that the message was “unpleasant in tone” and used ‘imperious’ language leaving the charity chair “taken aback”. The publication reports that this dispute is believed to have contibuted to the bitter row that has engulfed the charity. The Mirror has approached the Sussexes for comment.

The clip of the seemingly tense encounter between Dr Chandauka and Meghan resurfaced on the back of the explosive row being triggered. At the charity polo fundraiser in April in Florida last year, Harry and Meghan shared a kiss as the Duchess presented Harry’s winning team with a trophy.

Footage from the trophy presentation appeared to show Meghan asking Dr Chandauka not to pose next to Harry as he celebrated his win. Meghan awkwardly signalled for Dr Chandauka to move by repeatedly waving her hands towards the opposite side of the stage.

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As a result, others on stage moved up to make enough space and the charity chairwoman had to crouch under the trophy to move into the spot Meghan asked her to be in. In an interview on Sky News yesterday, Dr Chandauka addressed the event claiming that Meghan had only decided to turn up at short notice – bringing her “very famous friend” Serena Williams with her. Recalling the day to Sir Trevor Phillips, she claimed: “We would have been really excited had we known ahead of time]Meghan was coming], but we didn’t.

” And so the choreography went badly on stage because we had too many people on stage. The international press captured this, and there was a lot of talk about the Duchess and the choreography on stage and whether she should have been there and her treatment of me.

Dr Chandauka was gestured to move for the photo by Meghan
Dr Chandauka was gestured to move for the photo by Meghan (Image: sussexroyal_hm / Instagram)

“Prince Harry asked me to issue some sort of a statement in support of the Duchess, and I said I wouldn’t. Not because I didn’t care about the Duchess, but because I knew what would happen if I did so, number one. And number two, because we cannot be an extension of the Sussexes.”

Footage from the event also appeared in Polo – a Netflix documentary produced by Prince Harry that premiered on the streaming service last year. And Dr Chandauka also suggested that allowing his Netflix show to film a Sentebale fund-raiser almost wrecked the event.

Prince Harry and Dr Sophie Chandauka together last year
Prince Harry and Dr Sophie Chandauka together last year (Image: Getty Images for Sentebale)

She claimed: “We had a very generous family that was happy for us to use their polo grounds at a material discount. And then, about a month before the event was about to take place, Prince Harry called the team and said: ‘ I’m doing a Netflix show, and I would love to bring a camera crew”.

The charity chair alleged that no one involved in the fundraiser had agreed to appear on a TV show. Another problem was that the venue owners allegedly now saw the event as a commercial undertaking and named a high price, she said. She added: “We couldn’t afford it … so now we lost the venue”. However, the event did go ahead at what Dr Chandauka says was a different venue.

Since Dr Chandauka’s latest interviews, representatives for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have not commented. However, a source close to the former trustees and patrons of Sentebale dismissed her comments as a “publicity stunt”. They added: “They remain firm in their resignation, for the good of the charity, and look forward to the adjudication of the truth”.

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Boss £72 perfume that ‘smells like summer’ now £28 in limited time Amazon sale

Amazon shoppers are racing to snap up the last of the bargains before the Prime Spring Deal Days sale ends tonight, and this perfume deal is too good to miss. Usually the 75ml bottle of Boss Woman would set you back £72, but for a limited time only you can now get your hands on it for £28.50.

Amazon is currently the cheapest place to get your hands on the Boss Woman perfume, with The Perfume Shop still pricing it at £72 for 75ml, whilst Debenhams has it on sale down to £34. The fragrance is a big hit with shoppers who love its warm and fruity scent, with some saying it “smells like summer”.

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The Boss Woman perfume was designed to have an uplifting, free-spirited scent, which makes it perfect as we start to head into the warmer, lighter months. It combines light and oriental woody fragrances with sharp fruity notes.

It has an ambery fragrance profile, which opens with crispy apple, bergamot and white peach. The heart notes are plum, cinnamon stick and orange flowers, before finishing with base notes of creamy vanilla, olivewood and sandalwood.

Amazon shoppers have given it a 4.7 out of 5 star rating, with one saying: “This perfume is sweet, citrusy and smells like summer! It isn’t strong or overpowering. My favourite”!

The Boss Woman perfume ‘ smells like summer ‘ (Amazon)

Another agreed: “Was hoping this is Boss Orange then realised that Boss Orange has been discontinued. This smells just as good. Smells good. Durability is good. Smells fresh. I was given this as a birthday present. Bottle is cute”.

One did mention: “Good scent but will advice to do smell it in the shops first. does not last as long as was expecting”. With Boss Woman being an eau de toilette, rather than a eau de parfum, it does have a slightly lower concentration of perfume, which can impact the longevity of it.

However another chimed in: “One of my favourite perfumes. The smell lasts a while when sprayed on clothes. The bottle I received was the genuine brand and not a replica”.

If longevity is important, another great fragrance which combines fresh, fruity notes with more woody, earthy undertones is Marc Jacobs Daisy Ever So Fresh Eau de Parfum. The eau de parfum is usually priced at £59 for a 30ml bottle, it’s currently down to £35.40 in Look Fantastic’s sale, saving you an impressive 40%.

It’s touted as “An energising elixir of mandarin, mango and pineapple introduce the scent, uplifted by a floral bouquet of rosewater and orange blossom. Inspiring spontaneity with its youthful spirit, the fragrance settles onto a warm bed of cashmere woods”.

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All you have to do to join is click on this link, select ‘ Join Chat ‘ and you’re in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group.

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The Range’s ‘stunning’ £15 ornament that looks ‘so beautiful’ in gardens

The new ornament, which shoppers deemed “beautiful” and “beautiful,” is in demand.

Shoppers are loving the new product from The Range (Image: John Keeble/Getty Images))

A “stunning” new garden ornament that is on sale at The Range has received rave reviews from customers. Particularly notable are the fact that it looks “beautiful” and “beautiful.”

As people look to give their outdoor spaces a seasonal makeover, The Range appears to have unveiled a perfect item. The Solar Double Floral Heart Planter, retailing for only £14.99, has become an online sensation among buyers eager to add some flair to their gardens.

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The Range shared a picture of the garden ornament on Facebook. We LOVE this! ” was the tagline. This solar double flower planter combines all the best elements: solar light, flower plants, and garden ornaments! NOW only £14.99! “!

The blog quickly accumulated hundreds of likes and a flurry of enthusiastic customers’ comments. One customer wrote, “I already have one and I love it,” while others expressed their admiration.

A second friend was tagged and said, “I know you love a solar light pretty, isn’t it? ” A fourth wrote, “Mummy absolutely LOVES this,” and a third wrote, “Stunning.”

A sixth aficionados claimed they were “very tempted” to purchase the product, while a fifth devoted customer said: “Love this.” Other comments included “beautiful,” “how gorgeous,” and “Isn’t this lovely”

One shopper responded, “omg you so need this,” while the other wrote, “neeeeed.” One third responded, “so pretty,” with another, “that is beautiful”!

On the retailer’s website, the Solar Double Floral Heart Planter is listed at £14.99, down from £25.95. The heart-shaped planter features a stone texture and emits a warm white glow.

The Solar Double Floral Heart Planter, a charming addition to your garden that elegantly combines a garden ornament, solar light, and flower planter, is described in The Range as “. This heart-shaped sculpture features LED lights that illuminate your space thanks to its realistic stone texture and intricate floral details.

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“Inside, there’s a designated area for you to plant your favourite flowers, adding a personal touch to this.” The planter is 46cm x 42.5cm x 20cm and weights 3.75kg.

Vogue Williams’ sweet Mother’s Day message as Spencer Matthews noticeably missing

Vogue Williams wrote a sweet letter to her mother to celebrate Mother’s Day, but Spencer Matthews was noticeably absent from the post after she had to fight back against their union.

Vogue shared some sweet pictures of her kids(Image: @voguewilliams/Instagram)

Vogue Williams’ husband Spencer Matthews was noticeably absent from her Mother’s Day post. To mark the occasion, the TV presenter shared some snaps of her enjoying the day with her three children by the beach.

Writing alongside the sweet snaps taken in a beautiful idyllic sandy paradise, Vogue penned: “Best Mother’s Day ever.” However, whilst Vogue showed off her working holiday in the island of St Barths with the kids – Theodore, six, Gigi, four, and two-year-old Otto – Spencer was noticeably absent from the photos she shared to mark the occasion.

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One commenter read, “The cutest kids… and their gorgeous mam,” in a rush from the fans. “Happy Mother’s Day,” another added! “You have lovely babies, bless them,” said a third commentator. I hope you had a wonderful day, “x”.

Whilst Spencer didn’t feature in the post, Vogue did pay a sweet tribute to her mother in law. Writing alongside a new snap of them together on her story, she shared: “I lucked out with my amazing mother in law… dreamiest Janey.” She also shared a snap of her posing with Spencer as they drank Margaritas to mark Mother’s Day.

(Image: @voguewilliams/Instagram)

Spencer also wrote, “Happiest of Mother’s Days to my incredible wife, mother, and every other mum out there!!” in a pair of him and Vogue and enjoying the sunshine with mother Jane. What a pleasure to spend it all together in St. Barths’ sunshine.

Sources previously revealed that Vogue and Spencer aren’t on the “same page” about addressing speculation they have split.

According to a source, “Vogue is much more sensitive than Spencer when it comes to talking about their relationship and their family, and she takes rumors about their marriage much more seriously,” according to a source. magazine .

Vogue finds it difficult to see them all the time, especially since they have children, which she said herself. “It’s a little like water off a duck’s back to Spencer. Spencer also believes that speaking out loud almost always has the opposite effect, as opposed to the other way around. They may have disagreements about it, which can sometimes be problematic.

Vogue just yesterday denied splitting from Spencer on social media.

“I have to inform you that Spen and I are not divorcing, with great sadness. Although I typically steer clear of fabricated and cruel rumors, this one keeps popping up. She had said, “I don’t want my children to hear these lies in the playground, but it’s disappointing to see this narrative being pushed almost daily when it’s absolutely untrue.”

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“The whole thing feels very strange and mean, even though we’re not sure what angle it’s coming from or where it’s coming from.” We’re very happily married and deeply in love, and I hope posting the truth on my own platform will stop this.

Geri Horner tried to flirt with George Michael and couldn’t believe his response

Geri Halliwell-Horner revealed she once tried it on with George Michael, but the Careless Whisper star didn’t take the bait.

Geri Halliwell-Horner has admitted she once tried to flirt with George Michael (Image: WireImage)

Geri Halliwell-Horner has admitted she once tried to flirt with George Michael without realising he was gay. The artist formerly known as Ginger Spice, 52, used to live with the late singer, who supported Geri when she left the Spice Girls.

The pair shared a second apartment during their friendship, with Geri explaining that she would play her music to the pop star’s tragic passing in 2016 as a result of heart and liver disease to get his recommendations on how to improve it. However, one night, Geri made the decision to reconsider their relationship and accept only her advances as rejections.

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Geri Halliwell-Horner, George Michael
Geri Halliwell-Horner has revealed she once tried it on with her former flatmate, George Michael(Image: PA)

She explained to The Sunday Times about the awkward exchange, saying, “I tried flirting with him once, and it didn’t work, and I was like, “What? “.

Geri also mentioned how they bonded over both losing their parents in an earlier interview about the friendship they shared. When Geri was just 21 years old, her father, Laurence, passed away in 1993, while Lesley, George’s mother, passed away in 1997.

Geri thanked the star for being her “angel” and praised Geri for protecting her from the beginning. He was someone I could talk to openly about grief because he had lost his mother and father, as well as myself.

She previously described how the two navigated their grief together, recalling that “he was just so honest about his mother’s passing, and that honesty helped me.”

When George died, Geri admitted she was like the “walking wounded”. In the early hours of Christmas Day 2016, the much-loved star died in bed at his home in Goring-on-Thames, at the age of 53. He was found by his partner, Fadi Fawaz.

A senior coroner in Oxfordshire ruled in March 2017 that George’s death was caused by dilated cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, and fatty liver disease.

In 2019, the singer’s legion of devoted fans was left devastated by the tragic death, with Geri posting a sincere condolence to the singer in honor of her friend’s passing.

Taking to Instagram, sharing a photo of the pair, she wrote: “Sometimes in life an angel appears just when you need one – George was for me. looking back with gratitude #cowboys&angels.”

Later, she turned her grief into music by writing a song in honor of George to raise money for Childline, his favorite charity.

Geri evoked her friend with candid photos of him throughout his life in the heartfelt video for the single Angels In Chains.

George’s favorite charity, Childline, which appointed Geri as its official ambassador, received all profits from the track.

The lyrics to the tearjerking song are: “The brightest star burns half as long, who knows why the good die young? ” Say goodbye, I wonder where you’ve gone; the pain is now being treated.

Montague George Hector Horner, Geri’s son, was born one year after George’s passing. He was named after her late friend.

The singer “wanted George to be a part of Monty’s life,” according to The Mirror in 2017, and therefore made the decision to honor his legacy by using Monty’s middle name.

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