Welcome to this week’s blog and the last one for a couple of weeks as I head off on my holidays.

I came across this little health hack whilst on line recently and thought I’d share it with you.

It was written by Cardiologist: who claims that Losing Weight After 50 Comes Down To 1 Food,

He was at my annual doctor’s check-up. The doctor looked at him, frowning.

“Your cholesterol’s creeping up. Blood pressure’s borderline. You’ve gained some around the middle. Nothing serious yet — but something to watch. 

H left the clinic thinking: I’ve got to do something.

Not a crash diet. Not a gym. Just something small. Sustainable.

This a Cambridge-trained doctor talking about asimple olive oil ritual used in Mediterranean cultures.

One spoonful. First thing in the morning. That’s it.

“Olive oil is without doubt the perfect superfood,” the doctor said.

“It’s packed with remarkable compounds called polyphenols, which are phenomenal for your skin, hair, joints, weight…”

“They can literally transform your health.”

I thought why not? 30 days. Let’s see what happens. Here’s what happened to my body.

I’ve been a lifelong runner. And at 50, it had taken its toll on my knees, which has started to creaked and ached whenever I woke up in the morning.

But after a week of drinking olive oil, I noticed my joint pain has gone 

In any case, I go on drinking olive oil religiously each morning. And a few days later, I notice something else:

No food cravings.

I was always a snacker.

Afternoons, evenings, late nights But a couple weeks into drinking olive oil daily, I suddenly noticed I wasn’t feeling that urge so often.

I actually felt full after meals, and sometimes didn’t even want seconds, though I was eating the same food as always.

“The healthy fats in olive oil sort out cravings and help metabolism…

In fact, they even encourage your body to produce more of that chemical that says ‘I’m full’…

I was getting to the end of the 30 days drinking olive oil each morning, when my friends commented on the difference.

“What have you been doing, darling? You look…good”.

I looked brighter. More alert. More like myself.

I felt it too — more present, less foggy, and just a little more in control.

She forced me to show her the video, so she could have a go too. 

It’s an “ancient Italian ritual” and it’s key for getting the full benefits like:

• supported digestion and gut health
• reduced inflammation and smoother joints
• healthy bood sugar levels and metabolism

So if you feel like you’ve hit a slump, I really recommend giving it go!

All you need is good extra virgin olive oil and a spoon!

Onto this week and we discuss this heatwave and how to keep cool. 

Noticed an uncanny amount of Adidas stripes while out and about recently?

Occasionally a trend takes over London with such force that it feels like the city has signed one big, unofficial sponsorship deal. This summer 2025, that deal is with Adidas, specifically with their traditional three-stripe garments, such as the Firebird shorts and track jackets, which seem to be glued to the skin of every fourth Londoner these days.

Three-stripes have become a second skin, and Adidas has once again won over London, just two years since the Adidas Samba was declared dead in the water.

Adidas Originals was the second-highest rising search term on ASOS last week, while Depop has seen a 153 per cent increase in searches for ‘Adidas shorts’ since January, and a 34 per cent increase in the last month alone.

The popular resale site has also seen a 162 per cent rise in searches for ‘Adidas Firebird’ since January and a 35 per cent increase in searches for ‘Adidas track jacket’ over the same period. This would help explain why half the capital seems to be dressed in the brand. But it’s not just London: In April, the German brand reported double-digit growth across all markets and channels in the first quarter of 2025, 

Judging by the streets of London, Adidas is having a really great time at the moment, and it tends to in the summertime. “It’s a way for people to still retain their ‘edge’ in summer.”

But this summer is different. There are undeniable cultural forces at play. Oasis have reunited, leading to the recirculation of endless nostalgic images of Liam and Noel Gallagher from the 1990s, often clad in Adidas track jackets and bottoms. Adidas isn’t one to let an opportunity pass it by: it capitalised on the cultural moment by releasing an Adidas Originals x Oasis capsule collaboration in June, ready for the tour.

The collection is 90s-inspired, with many items featuring the original, iconic black and white Oasis logo, designed in 1993. With fashion trends now so heavily influenced by nostalgia, having numerous poster boys (and girls) for old trends can be vital to their revival. Oasis is only one piece of the pie. “Obviously the Robbie Williams at Glastonbury picture is a big one, in fact everyone was wearing Adidas at Glatonbury. I wrote about how big football shirts are this year,

Adidas collaborated with Glastonbury Festival to create an official festival football shirt for Glastonbury 2025.

Being able to fall back on this wealth of In the 2010s, Nike was on top with the whole hype sneaker, Jordans trend, and on top of basketball culture. But now, trends such as blokecore, Britpop, Y2K and nostalgic football-inspired fashion are really coming to the forefront, and that puts Adidas in the driver’s seat. Because Adidas is the original football sportswear brand.”

The brand’s connection to football, and by extension “blokecore” and other trends of that ilk, goes back as far as 1954, when Adidas introduced the first screw-in stud football boot during the Switzerland world cup. This revolutionised the beautiful game, allowing players to adjust their boots to different pitch conditions. From this moment on, Adidas and football were inextricably linked.

London shoe trends of recent years is the result of a collaboration between Adidas and south London-born fashion designer Grace Wales Bonner

since November 2020. She has designed a total of 25 trainers for Adidas, all of which have sold out almost immediately. Most recently, Adidas launched “The London Collection” in anticipation of Wimbledon 2025, where Adidas leaf trainers returned to players’ outfits for the first time in three decades. There’s also the new “London” Superstar trainer, set for release in October, which is inspired by the city’s 1970s punk scene. And that’s hardly its first footwear nod to the city: Adidas have had a shoe named after our fair capital, the Adidas London, since the 1970s. The brand has also collaborated with Transport for London on numerous occasions, most notably in 2018, when it released a series of trainers inspired by London Tube lines with roundels on the back of each heel.

Amazon has launched its hotly anticipated sale of the year – Prime Day. Or actually Prime Week.

Deals and discounts have been flooding in thick and fast with impressive early Prime Day deals, as well as new offers, from make-up to tech discounts, and everything in between.

While the Amazon sale, or any sale for that matter, is a great opportunity to invest in big ticket items, such as a new flat screen TV, washing machine, dishwasher, or top of the range coffee machine, some of us are on a budget and watching our pennies.

Amazon has curated a section to help find more affordable items on sale this Prime Day as it has an under £50 and under £15 section to shop.

It goes without saying those categories are also filled with a load of products from a medley of brands. 

Without further ado, here are the best bargains to buy for under £50 in Amazon’s Prime Day sale.

Best Buys Under £50

Welcome to Amanda Zips It Up

This week, rather than reporting on the latest trends to come out of Fashion houses and celebrity collaborations, I thought I’d let you know what I HAVE SEEN EVERYONE WEARING from London to the Balearics and my opinion on these looks – as according to Amanda Zips it Up.

What’s hot and what’s not?

4 looks I have seen literally everywhere which are RED HOT and one particular accessory for men which is simply NOT (hot). BASICALLY, what I find attractive and unattractive.

Lets Go.

A couple of weeks ago I ventured into central London to attend a daytime party in Soho. Driving down Park Lane, Regents Street and Oxford street – all I could see absolutely everywhere were girls of all ages, shapes and sizes wearing a Western style mini skirt with the COWBOY BOOT.

Thanks to Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter and Bella Hadid’s commitment to a horse-girl summer, the Western silhouette has line-danced right off the ranch and onto the feet of the fashion set.

I honestly thought Beyonce had added another date to her tour, there were that many girls rocking cowboy boots, Stetsons and rara skirts.

Mini-skirts and boots for summer might not sound particularly ground-breaking, but look around you and it’s clearly become the outfit du jour, especially throughout the streets and parks of London. From denim skirts and cowboy boots to lace slips and biker boots, skirts and boots are quite literally everywhere.

Boho skirt + cowboy boots

Personally, I would opt for a long lace maxi skirt, perhaps asymmetrical, but it seems the shorter the better. Ruffle kirts (rara) and balloon skirts (puffball) must be warn with a crop top and mid calf cowboy boots. Mostly black or brown boots. Whereas I prefer a red or blue ankle cowboy boot. But what if you find these skirts ‘too young’ for you?

Denim mini + cowboy boots

I mean, it doesn’t get more classic than this, does it? Go for a flouncy denim skirt like the above or make like Sienna Miller and opt for the ripped mini and beaten-up vintage cowboy boots combo. Either way, it’s a failsafe formula. And cowboy boots have never been more on-trend. 

Football Shirts

Football shirts have become a bit of a go-to piece this year – especially in the run-up to the Women’s Euros.

There’s even a popular X account documenting the best football shirts seen at Glastonbury. My personal favourites are all the cute fashion-tweaked footie shirts that might look absurd on an actual pitch – but that’s just me.

Football fashion, summer’s most surprising trend, snuck into my fashion eye through street style shots and viral TikTok videos.

Dua Lipa danced through a tour rehearsal in an Arsenal away shirt. Sabrina Carpenter wore her AC Milan jersey and a Three Lions shirt like an off-duty crop top. Rita Ora did the same with a deep-cut Genoa shirt and Hailey Bieber gave the Brazilian national kit an off-duty model twist.

What started as a nostalgic nod to football fandom is now fully embedded in fashion, thanks to Gen Z’s vintage obsession and the rise of the bloke-core aesthetic.

Rooted in early 00s “Lad” style, bloke-core is all about retro football kits, baggy jeans, and of course retro Adidas suede trainers . 

Footie shirts are being styled (and customised) with intention – tucked into cargos, layered under mesh tops, cropped, embroidered, even bedazzled.

Matching Shorts and T-Shirts

In 2025, some men might be seen wearing matching shorts and t-shirts, or matching sets, due to trends like the resurgence of retro sportswear and a focus on comfort and bold self-expression. And the colour is pink or orange.

Retro Sportswear Revival:

The fashion world is seeing a strong influence from retro sportswear, including the return of athletic-inspired shorts and t-shirts in bold colours like pink and orange.

Matching sets offer an easy, comfortable, and stylish outfit choice, especially for warmer weather or casual outings.

THE RAY BAN WAYFARER

When it comes to matters of style, I’m not one to argue with Idris Elba, Mark Ronson  or Kate Moss.Or indeed with any of the besuited cast of Reservoir Dogs. They all redefined what it was to be cool, and all of them wore Ray-Ban Wayfarers.

For generations, they have been the sunglasses style of discerning gents, Wayfarers are – and I hate over-using this word – timeless. They’re like the biker jacket of eyewear, only more wearable. They suit most face shapes, male and female. They work equally well with your suit for a summer wedding or with shorts and a T-shirt at the beach, and practically every dress code in between. And provided you don’t sit on them or scratch them, they’ll last.

Compared to almost any other style, Wayfarers have trend-proof staying power. Only Aviators really come close. 

The Wayfarer has always been cool, ever since its 1956 inception. Created by Bausch & Lomb – the original parent company behind Ray-Ban – the man responsible was Raymond Stegeman, a designer that wanted to pivot away from traditional metal frames and use acetate. The trapezoidal shape and sturdy arms made them a mid-century design classic, worn in the sixties by the likes of Bob Dylan and Andy Warhol.

Wayfarers exploded in popularity in the eighties, partly due to The Blues Brothers and partly due to a shrewd product placement deal that saw them on everything from Miami Vice to Tom Cruise in Risky Business. After this, Wayfarers were cemented into style immortality.

The Right Face Shape

Wayfarers are most flattering for people with round and oval faces, because the square of the frame complements the wearer’s features

The standard size is said by the brand to correctly fit 90 per cent of people, but there’s a definite way to check: just use a credit card.

Place one edge, magnetic strip vertical, in the centre of your nose. If the other edge ends at the corner of your eye (A), Ray-Ban’s Standard size will fit. If it extends well beyond the end of the eye (B), you need the Small size. If the credit card does not reach the end of the eye, you should go for a Large size (C):

Today, we discuss crossbody bags and bags in general, including backpacks and wallets. Based on my observations whilst taking many flights so far this summer, these are items that can distinguish the boys from the men. And what I find attractive and unattractive.

MEN. What you should not (and should!) carry

Fat Wallet. If your wallet is big and fat, it looks faintly ridiculous. It also ruins the clean lines of your clothing. Also, if your wallet has velcro or features graphic designs, you’ll look like a little boy. I recommend a clean, small, minimal wallet. It’s simple and fits nicely in the front pocket of your pants. 

Battered Suitcases. Nice luggage is a game-changer. Whether you’re going on a vacation or a weekend getaway, how you enclose your belongings says a lot about you. Invest in a luggage set comprising (at a minimum) a matching roller carry-on and a suitcase – a must for every adult travelling man.

Oversized holdalls.  If you overpack these, they are heavy as hell. Plus, they don’t have wheels, so you must lug the bloody thing around on your travels. In other words, they are super impractical, even though some look very classy (e.g. a Mulberry Clipper holdall). They’re a waste of money because you’ll probably still have to invest in wheeled luggage. 

Skimpy Gym bag. The popular skimpy nylon string bags make you look far from being an adult man. They are only one step up from lugging around a JD Sports plastic bag. Go for something more robust. However, a gym bag shouldn’t be gigantic, packing in your protein, pre-workout, supplements, wraps, several clothing changes, shoes, etc. You need a smaller, more manageable gym bag – perhaps one that’s darker because it will be sitting on the ground and is vulnerable to getting soiled. 

Cheap Backpacks. I have a love-hate relationship with backpacks. They are not particularly stylish or sexy. They are purely functional, especially if you’re going to hike somewhere or want to pack your backpack full of the necessaries to create a mobile office. However, there are some preferable high quality backpacks options, such as a Tumi, with spaces and pockets for everything.

Embarrassing Bum bags. These are almost never stylish. Most of the guys I see wearing them are younger, and still have much to learn in the style department.

Chronic Crossbody bag. If you’re the mature type, this is not a style that you should be adopting if a sophisticated look is your goal. I recommend a man-bag with a longer strap (NOT worn cross-body), to avoid looking like a drug dealer.

Welcome to Amanda Zips It Up and whilst I write this blog, it is the hottest day of the year… a sticky and yucky 33° – making it impossible to know what to wear on my feet, let alone my body.

As a child of the 80s, in my youth there was one style of shoe that ALL girls wanted to wear as soon as we hit the summer months. Jelly shoes – in pink (my preference) or blue.

Ugly as hell, but perfect for beaches, playgrounds and jumping in the fountains, they were completely waterproof and you could simply wash them under the tap. 

They gradually disappeared, only to be replaced by THE CROC – even more ugly.

But now jellies are back, but this time they’re crystal encrusted and they’re exclusively  GUCCI! Yes, Gucci released a pair of white rubber jelly sandals covered in crystals for over £500.

It goes without saying that online commentators are bashing the shoes on social media, saying they’re overpriced.

The new white Crystal Cage Sandals are an upgraded version of the brand’s previous plain rubber buckle strap sandals (aimed at men), which were embellished with just a double G gold logo and cost a bit less at £400.

Despite the fact that the shoes consist of plain rubber, the reason they are so costly is because they’re decorated with antiqued gold-tone hardware and are covered in crystals.

One commentator didn’t believe the shoes were real at first, writing ‘Did Gucci really drop jelly sandals for men or is that a prank?’ Meanwhile, there were a lot of comments from people joking that the shoes look like the ones worn by their uncles in bygone summers.

I actually love them, especially the black version aimed at men. But would I spend £500 on them. No. But what do you think?

Onto this week’s instalment, and we look at more ugly but trending footwear, why men’s underwear affects their health and how the Japanese diet makes you happy.

The type of underwear you choose to wear can significantly impact your health, comfort, and overall quality of life.

Fertility Issues:

If you and your partner are trying to make a baby, then you may want to pay attention to your underwear.

Wearing tight or restrictive underwear styles, such as briefs, can raise the scrotal temperature, because it keeps the testicles closer to the body. This in turn may lower sperm count as well as sperm quality.

Hygiene:

Hygiene is paramount for maintaining genital health, and the type of underwear you wear can either promote or hinder it.

Poorly ventilated underwear, especially those made from synthetic materials, can create a warm and moist environment conducive to the growth of bacteria and fungi, which then leads to a whole lot of health problems.

Chafing and Discomfort:

Chafing, the result of friction between the skin and clothing, is not only uncomfortable but can also lead to skin irritation and even open sores in severe cases.

Certain underwear types for male health, such as boxers or loose-fitting briefs, may reduce friction and chafing compared to tighter styles like briefs or thongs.

Additionally, selecting comfortable underwear for men’s well-being made from soft, smooth fabrics can further minimize the risk of chafing and discomfort, enhancing overall comfort and health.

Irritation:

Lastly, skin irritation. Certain fabrics or dyes can generated allergic reactions. Also, synthetic underwear such as polyester is treated with harsh chemicals that may be more toxic to the human skin.

How Different Types of Underwear Affect Men’s Health

Boxers

Boxers give the user a very loose, relaxed fit, providing ample room for movement and airflow. This breathability can help keep heat and moisture accumulation under control. It also helps scrotal temperature and reduce the risk of fertility issues associated with overheating, if that’s your concern.

However, the loose fit of boxers may not provide adequate support for men with larger testicles or those who prefer a more secure fit. They also may bunch up during activity and cause discomfort and irritation.

Briefs

Compared to boxers, briefs offer minimal coverage with a snug fit, and it supports your testicles in a much more stable way than boxers.

Though briefs, due to their smaller coverage as well as their tightness, may become uncomfortable during long periods of wear, and lead to chafing between your thighs. Breathability and moisture could be an issue as well, so it’s important to pay attention to the materials.

More importantly, briefs have been criticized for their role in potentially increasing scrotal temperature, potentially impacting sperm production and fertility.

Boxer Briefs

Boxer briefs combine the best of both worlds, offering the support of briefs with the coverage of boxers. The snug fit of boxer briefs provides support and compression, reducing movement and friction without overly constricting the genitals.

This balance between support and coverage makes boxer briefs a popular choice among men seeking comfort and versatility.

Of course, the close-fitting design of boxer briefs may still pose a risk of heat and moisture buildup, which is why you need to choose breathable fabrics for men’s underwear when choosing boxer briefs.

The Best On The High Street:

How gardening clogs overtook trainers to become the ‘It’ shoe of summer 2025

Shoe brands everywhere are clamouring to copy a certain silhouette this summer, and it’s all getting horticultural.

As fashion’s obsession with workwear marches on, the style-obsessed among us are looking in increasingly unusual directions to find inspiration.

We have mined kitchen-wear for nearly all its worth, courtesy of The Bear and all its stylish, shouty chefs. The painters and labourers have had their Carhartt and Dickies usurped, the hikers have had their boots and trainers pinched, and the fisherman have watched as their vests became fashion bait.

Now, style’s ever-seeking eye has landed upon the gardeners… yes, the gardening clog has just become the most stylish silhouette of 2025.

Shoe brands everywhere are pedalling variations on the simple gardening clog, with its rounded, rubber exterior and slip-on functionality. The cult shoe in New York right now — if you can believe it — is a pair of gardening clogs by French brand Plasticana. The Plasticana Gardana clog, made from hemp-plastic, was described by one New Yorker as “the ‘I live in Brooklyn’ shoes.”

But the clog has New York in a total chokehold, and it’s only time until clogmania spills over into London — in one way or another.

Merrell, recently collaborated with London-based brand YMC to create a version of Merrell’s extremely popular Moab Slide 2. Made with brushed leather and a leather footbed, the YMC x Merrell Moab Slide 2 is the natural evolution of the Birkenstock Boston Clog. Just even… cloggier.

They also collaborated with skate brand Dime to release a particularly sneaker-esque slip-on clog back in November. Despite looking like the kind of thing a pensioner would pop on before heading to Tesco, the shoe was modelled on a red carpet, a nod to its strangely fashionable appeal.

And where there are clogs, there are Crocs. The notoriously ugly footwear brand is successfully riding the clog wave, with a 20 per cent leap in stock this year after it reported higher than expected revenue.

Back in February, Meghan Markle donned a pair of Crocs clogs during an episode of her Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, prompting a 60 per cent surge in on-site clog sales.

Birkenstock is equally leaning into the horticultural side of things, branching out from their hit suede Boston clog to a more rubber-y alternative called the “Birki Flow”.

But can a clog successfully replace the long-reigning trainer as shoe of the summer? 

There’s one thing for sure this summer: whatever shoe you invest in, it better not have laces.

If you’re feeling a bit off, do you reach for comfort foods like ice-cream or chocolate, simply to make you feel ‘happier’?

As a far healthier alternative, a new study suggests that Japan’s traditional washoku diet, which is rich in fish, soy and vegetables, could help to fend off depression 

The Japanese diet is often associated with longevity and good health, but research suggests it may also help prevent depression. Studies into Japan’s traditional washoku diet — rich in fish, vegetables, minimally processed rice and soybeans — found that those consuming it were 17 to 20 per cent less likely to experience depression than those who ate it less often. The diet also contains miso soup, mushrooms, seaweed and green tea.

 As the study was observational, it doesn’t establish a direct causal link. However, it does support other findings that suggest a strong link between nutrition and mental health.

Here’s why a Japanese diet may boost your mood …

It’s full of oily fish

One element of the Japanese diet that’s particularly beneficial for our mental health is the high consumption of oily fish, as mentioned in this latest study. Oily fish contains omega-3 fatty acids, specifically EPA [eicosapentaenoic acid] and DHA [docosahexaenoic acid], which are very beneficial for brain health and associated with improved mood and mental wellbeing. Good sources include salmon, trout, mackerel, herring and sardines.

Several studies have shown that increasing your intake of omega-3 is also linked to improved cognitive function, such as sharper focus and memory, and can help reduce your risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s.

… and colourful vegetables

The washoku diet contains a wide range of vegetables that are cooked, fermented or raw, including leafy greens like spinach and kale, root vegetables such as sweet potato, radish and carrot, and salad. And seaweed which is packed with brain-friendly micronutrients like iodine, magnesium and zinc.

A diet high in antioxidants from vegetables helps reduce inflammation in the brain. This is really important for reducing the risk of depression because inflammation is the causal pathway. Another reason we’re beginning to believe vegetables are good for mental health is because they nourish your gut microbiome, with the gut-brain axis playing an important role in maintaining good mental health. When people start increasing their plant and fibre intake, their mood improves. Plants also provide bioactive compounds that reduce inflammation and contribute to better metabolic health. factor for mental health.

Japanese food is often fermented

Japanese vegetables are often fermented, which means they’ve undergone a preserving process that boosts their nutritional value and leaves them richer in probiotics, which are live microbes that improve gut health. Fermented foods may improve the gut microbiome and gut-brain axis. Good options include fermented yoghurt, kefir and sauerkraut.

The diet is rich in antioxidants

As well as plants, the diet also contains green tea and soy products, such as miso soup that’s made from soybeans. Soy contains isoflavones and phytoestrogens, which have been shown to reduce depressive symptoms, and folate, a B vitamin that supports the nervous system. These all contain good levels of antioxidants, which can reduce oxidative stress to the brain, There’s even the possibility that umami, a key flavour characteristic of Japanese food, stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system in the brain, which contributes to mental stability.

It keeps you full

It’s high in fibre, contains a diverse range of plants, is low in high-risk processed foods and processed meat, with a high focus on fish, vegetables and fermented foods, which is known for keeping us full. This in turn reduces our risk of overeating, obesity, and being overweight, all of which increase the risk of poor mental health. A 2021 study from Exeter University found that our risk of depression rises with body weight.

This study adds to the growing body of evidence that a healthy, balanced diet rich in whole, minimally processed foods, low in sugar and salt, and high in antioxidants, fibre and healthy fats supports our mental health,