Author: Lucy Contrino

As households prepare to switch their boilers back on after summer, heating engineers are warning that September is often the most expensive month of the year for boiler breakdowns, repairs, and inefficiency. Rob Jones, heating engineer at UK Radiators, explains: “After months of being idle, boilers are suddenly put under pressure when temperatures drop in September. It’s the equivalent of asking someone to run a marathon after sitting on the sofa all summer – parts fail, pressure drops, and efficiency suffers. That’s why we see a huge spike in callouts every September.” The Hidden Costs of the September Switch-On Why September…

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The independent family-owned estate agency has grown across major UK cities while maintaining its family-led, customer-first ethos. One year after Griffin Property Co rebranded as Emoov, the online estate agency is celebrating its first anniversary and nationwide expansion, increased customer trust, and a reaffirmation of its core identity as a family-run business. Founded by experienced estate agent Nick Neale, who brings 25 years of expertise in the property sector, Emoov has expanded steadily while remaining independent. Unlike many competitors, the company has grown without outside investment, allowing it to maintain control over its customer-first approach. “We’ve proven that you don’t need…

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After Cristiano Ronaldo hit the headlines thanks to the enormous $5m engagement ring he presented to his fiancée, Georgina Rodríguez, new research from 77 Diamonds has found that the vast majority of UK women would actually rather wear a smaller, more subtle engagement ring. Georgina Rodríguez’s ring certainly makes a bold statement, with a centre diamond estimated to measure between 35-40 carats, but 77 Diamonds has surveyed 1,000 UK women and found that, for the vast majority of women, making a statement isn’t especially important. While 29% of respondents do state that having an engagement ring that makes a statement is desirable, an overwhelming…

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Something weird happened at the cologne counter last week. A guy was testing fragrances and kept muttering, “This smells like my grandmother’s apple pie”, and “Wait, is that coffee?” Turns out he wasn’t losing his mind. Modern men’s fragrance really does smell like food now. Walk into any fragrance shop and your nose gets confused. Chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, and even truffle scents waft from expensive bottles. Perfumers have basically raided every kitchen cabinet they could find. The whole thing started when fragrance houses realised something interesting: food smells trigger stronger emotional reactions than traditional “masculine” scents ever could. 1. Sweet…

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“CARROTS are one of our nation’s most versatile yet underappreciated foods,” says leading nutritionist Dr Laura Wyness. Dr Wyness, who has 20 years’ experience as an author, podcast host and public speaker on nutrition and public health, heard through a colleague about a small group of farmers who have joined together to organise British Carrot Day 2025. “I was very keen to support the farmers as I think when a food falls into the category of ‘common staple’ there is a very real risk of their nutritional value being forgotten about,” explained Dr Wyness, a Scot who wouldn’t make her…

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Brits hunting for Christmas bargains online have been urged to tread carefully, as an SEO consultant has warned that certain Google searches could leave shoppers more exposed to scams. According to Luca Tagliaferro, SEO consultant, fraudsters target trending search terms around the festive season to lure people into fake websites, clone stores and phishing pages. “If a deal looks too good to be true – it usually is” “Every December, I see a surge in risky search behaviour,” explains Luca. “People type in terms like ‘cheapest iPhone 16 deals’, ‘PS5 half price’, or ‘luxury perfumes 80% off’. Scammers know this – they…

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Bring on the warmth and glow this Christmas and all year round with an Eco Fuego wax fuelled fire pit. This eco-friendly burner is a truly unique, useful and thoughtful gift for the whole family to enjoy any time of year; whether it’s a cosy winter warm-up in the garden, a chilled-out night under the stars or for taking away on your next outdoor adventure to the campsite or glamping site, this ground-breaking fire pit will enhance any outdoor space, wherever or whenever the mood takes you! Stylish and beautifully crafted Eco Fuego fire pits look the part and are truly revolutionary when…

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Two culinary superstars have joined The Harper, Norfolk’s most luxurious boutique hotel, this Autumn. Jack Gosling has been appointed as Executive Chef, at the helm of the hotel’s restaurant, Stanleys and experienced sommelier Rui Pereira has bolstered the hotel’s offering, joining the team as Food & Beverage Manager, overseeing all aspects of the guest culinary experience. Jack’s culinary journey has taken him all over the world from his Norfolk roots to Australia, Asia and Central America then on to Amsterdam Netherlands where he spent 6 years working at 2 Michelin starred restaurant spectrum in the Waldorf Astoria hotel. Blending global…

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Hackstons, the luxury whisky specialist redefining asset ownership and premium retail, is proud to announce it has been shortlisted for “Newcomer of the Year” at the prestigious Drinks Retailing Awards 2026. The Newcomer of the Year category celebrates the UK’s most innovative and entrepreneurial drinks retailers, recognising businesses that bring fresh ideas, premium service, and genuine impact to the market. With its flagship Knightsbridge store and rapidly growing eCommerce platform, Hackstons has been recognised for its distinctive approach to luxury retail, its curated and ambitious product range, and its commitment to education and experience-led service. Since opening in August 2024,…

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To celebrate the reissue of A Passion For Mushrooms – a reimagined edition of the late Antonio Carluccio’s love letter to all things funghi – TOZI Restaurant and Barin Victoria will present a special four-course menu from 7th – 11th October, priced at £60 per person. A quarter of menu sales will be donated to The Antonio Carluccio Foundation, which supports disadvantaged young chefs and global hunger initiatives. Having been at the helm of TOZI Restaurant and Bar for almost 13 years, Head Chef Maurilio Molteni worked with his friend and mentor Antonio at his iconic Neal Street Restaurant. The Passion For Mushrooms Menu is a celebration of…

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