Latest news with #SodaStream
Irish Examiner
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Wish List: Eight fun and fab buys to liven up our homes inside and out
Inner pieces Analogue activities are making a major comeback, from mindful colouring to crafting with clay. Research shows that puzzles allow you to slow down, disconnect, and strengthen the short-term memory. Shop Vibes & Scribes' handpicked selection of art and travel-inspired jigsaws with pieces catering for jigsaw juniors to power puzzlers. Pieces & Peace Souk Marrakech, €24.99, transports me right back to a wonderful week I spent in Morocco, captivated by the colours, textures, and flavours of the beautiful Berber country. Pop into the store to browse the full range or shop online at Al-fresco furniture Interiors lovers, here's a tip: carve out some time in your schedule to visit family-run business Bracken's, situated in the Gorey Business Park. I've fallen head over heels for the Nardi Maximo outdoor five-piece modular sofa. Made from regenerated resin and textiles infused with recycled content, it isn't afraid of a bit of bad weather. Imagine you and your doggos, cats, or humans stretching out on this bad boy with a book/treat/toy mouse. For smaller spaces, Bracken's has plenty of quality alternatives for different spaces and budgets. Run, don't walk to this department store of dreams, visit the website, at your own risk. Blooming bargains If you think ditching the plastic-wrapped fresh fruit and veg is but a smug move, think again. Anyone who has tasted the flavours and aromas of fresh, seasonal, local produce will admit the contrast is undeniable. One of my favourite stalls in the English Market in Cork is The Roughty Foodie, offering the Holy Trinity of farmers' produce, fruit, veg, and the most beautiful flowers I have ever seen. From wild sweet peas grown in Howe Hill to Bushby's chemical-free strawberries and pink peonies, their bouquets are incredibly well-priced. Houseplants range from €4 and bunches from €7. Check out @theroughtyfoodie on Instagram and the website at Carbonated comeback There was so much to love about the 80s; hair metal, yellow Walkmans, mix tapes and Tom Selleck's moustache. Along with chained-up payphones (what was that about?), the most coveted item in any 80s household was the SodaStream. Transforming your water and drinks into sparkling sodas, the technology behind it was fantastical. As a diehard San Pellegrino sparkling water fan, a carbonator would save me money and waste. Highly reviewed is the Aarke Carbonator 3 Sparkling Water Maker, €210, a sleek stainless-steel device with a matte burgundy finish. Created by those harbingers of taste, the Swedes, the aesthetic will not just blend into your kitchen but elevate its surroundings. The reviews are unanimously good, plus it's BPA, cordless and electricity-free. Get yours at Faerly ( an Irish online shop with sustainability at its heart and plastic-free shopping to boot. Mapping our history Long before we relied on Google Maps, paper maps were as commonplace as the white sliced pan. From the treasure maps made by older sisters to Easter egg hunts and roadside consultations, maps formed part of the fabric of daily life. As a post-colonial nation, it feels especially poignant to reclaim the landscape, original boundaries and Irish place names of the past. I haven't seen anything on the market that resembles these charming 3D wooden maps from Sligo business Outcrop. From €99, this West Cork map showing Kenmare, Sheep's Head, Bantry Bay, and Mizen Head is crafted from formaldehyde-free bamboo plywood and comes with a custom-made engraving. Purchase online at Eternal flames No screensaver can ever imitate the truly mesmerising look of fire burning from a wood-fired stove. Studies indicate the hypnotic flames of a real fire reduce blood pressure and calm the nervous system. Regardless of inclement weather, the RB73 Quaruba XL mobile outdoor fireplace, €2,095 from Croghan in Wexford, will stand the test of time. Made with Corten steel, the stove rusts over time, forming a protective patina to combat erosion. Chilly nights become cosy gatherings with this fire in your outdoor furniture arsenal. You may want to consider implementing a ban on acoustic guitars — just saying. This is available in-store or online at Sleep on it Sometimes we just want an item to do exactly what it says on the tin — no gimmicks, no fads. That's why I love this classic Monocle alarm clock from Unbound in Cork. At just €16.99, you can set your alarm for the morning and actually leave your phone outside the bedroom. I'll try anything for a good night's sleep: misting lavender, counting sheep, writing to worry dolls and shoving the poor craythurs under the pillow. But what if it was as simple as ditching the phone? Time to test the theory. Available at or at the Bridge Street store in Cork. Negative space Storage containers are my absolute weakness. Some people like hiking, others (ahem) like transporting items from one storage box to another one. Fruitless, maybe? Fun, oh, yes! So, when I spotted this mini-stool with extra storage, I was already thinking of ways to fit it into my tiny house. The geometric striped stool in yellow ochre just screams summer. It's available for €200 at Next or
The Irish Sun
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
I took a ride in AI-powered robotaxis set to hit UK – they have more gadgets than James Bond but I missed key element
AS my odd-looking taxi pulled up, it was comforting to know that the driver couldn't have downed a skinful the night before. And I was certain this cabbie wouldn't spend the journey telling me why my football team, 6 Robot Jaguar I-PACE has a light on top that displays the name of the person it is picking up Credit: Paul Edwards 6 The Sun's Oliver sitting in a Waymo vehicle waiting for it to take him on his 1.6-mile journey Credit: Paul Edwards 6 Navigating a multi-lane highway with no one at the wheel as traffic whizzes by Credit: Paul Edwards That's because there wasn't a human behind the steering wheel. I was about to take a ride in an AI-powered robotaxi. They are coming to Britain next year after driverless vehicles were given the go-ahead. Ride-hailing app Uber will be allowed to put passengers' lives in the hands of artificial intelligence in London. For someone who has struggled to comprehend tech since the invention of the SodaStream, this ride was a frightening prospect. Well, would you get on an airliner without a pilot? READ MORE ON ROBOTAXIS Gazing out on to the busy freeway in Phoenix, Arizona, with giant SUVs motoring past, I had a similar pang of nerves about riding in the driverless contraption that had come to pick me up. More gadgets than Bond I had read some horror stories about robotaxies going rogue. In 2021, a self-driving car in the sunbelt city became confused by traffic cones then drove away from a technician sent to rescue it. Eventually the Waymo motor had to be disabled so a human driver could get behind the wheel. The passenger filmed the 33-minute debacle and plastered it on YouTube. Most read in Motors Last year a General Motors-owned Cruise robotaxi struck and dragged a pedestrian 20 feet in San Francisco. The woman — who was injured — survived the ordeal. And in 2018 a cyclist was killed by an Uber cyber car with a safety driver in Phoenix. Watch moment passenger left TRAPPED in driverless car 'going round in circles' after robot taxi malfunctions The back-up driver had been looking down to watch The Voice TV show which he was streaming when Elaine Herzberg, 49, crossed a darkened road in front of her. It was the first fatal collision involving a fully autonomous vehicle. Nevertheless, with self-driving cars being touted as the Booking my ride was simple. I downloaded the app of Waymo One — a self-drive firm owned by Google's parent company Alphabet — and punched in my details along with where I wanted to go. With the thermometer hitting 39C in this desert city, I was on the hunt for a nice, cool pint of Guinness and was told Casey Moore's Oyster House was the place to go. At least there would be no argument about designated drivers. Soon I was tracking the Waymo on my phone as it surged to my hotel through the early rush-hour traffic. And then the gleaming white Jaguar I-PACE came into view — with no one at the wheel. On the roof was something that looked like a giant police blue light with my initials displayed on it. Unlocking its door with the app, I sat in the back (no one is allowed in the driver's seat) as the Waymo played calming elevator music. 6 Screen on dashboard to greet passenger and button they must press to get going Credit: Paul Edwards 6 Booking a ride on app, which is also used to unlock the door Credit: Paul Edwards I pressed a screen between the front seats saying 'start ride'. Then, a bit like KITT, the car from Eighties TV series Knight Rider, Waymo began talking. As we pulled smoothly away from the hotel forecourt, the robotaxi told me to buckle up. And then, with the steering wheel spinning as if by some invisible force, we eased into the Phoenix traffic as I let out an involuntary 'whoaa!' On the opposite side of the road cars were whizzing towards us but all-electric Waymo deftly navigated the right path before pulling up at a red light. How did it know it was red? That's one for the brainiacs. Swinging left into East Apache Boulevard, I caught sight of a couple of pedestrians ahead. How would the cyber motor react? My Waymo One slowed and made sure to give them a wide berth. That's because it is bristling with more gadgets than a James Bond car. Its sensors include cameras, radars and something called lidars which use lasers to create a 3D image of the vehicle's surroundings. The in-car computer then makes sense of all the data that Waymo is gathering. And, learning to trust the tech, I was soon beginning to relax. All speed limits were observed and driving rules obeyed. The ride was smooth and felt safe. Perhaps I was better off without a driver after all. Wayve's technology operates more like a human driver would learning to drive in one city and then applying that knowledge to drive in new places. Bill Gates Britain's Department for Transport estimates that 88 per cent of road accidents are caused by human error. Soon we were pulling up outside the pub. Keeping the rear door open a little too long, an actual human called Brian came through on Waymo's intercom to check I was OK. He was certainly more amenable than Johnny, the robot driver of the taxi in 1990 sci-fi flick Total Recall, who My 14-minute journey over 1.6 miles had cost $9.33 (just over £7). And, unlike most things in America, there was no need to add a tip. Waymo One serves 180 square miles of Arizona's capital — that makes Phoenix the largest fully autonomous ride-hail service zone in the world. After a couple of pints, I decided to summon another Waymo. Not arriving at the front of the pub as I had imagined, it headed to- wards a park- ing lot at the back. Would the robotaxi be able to navigate this manoeuvre? In May this year another empty Waymo trying to pick up its ride collided with a telephone pole in a Phoenix alleyway. No one was injured but pictures show a fire crew attending the scene with the robotaxi suffering a crumpled front grill. Hunk of metal Waymo voluntarily recalled its 672-car fleet for a software update in what the company called a 'safety-first approach'. The crash was put down to the robotaxi's software having 'assigned a low damage score' to the pole. It had misjudged the danger because there was no kerb or clear road edge. My Waymo pulled into the parking lot smoothly and confidently. But, unlike many humans, could it parallel park? Indeed it could and reversing is no problem either. And — despite having sampled some local beverages — there was no barked warning: 'Mate, you're not going to be sick in my cab, are you?' Soon this taxi was traversing the two miles to Society restaurant like a London cabbie with The Knowledge. The 11-minute ride cost $13.31 (£10.25). Again, no tip required by the computer chip and its hunk of metal. With millions employed as drivers across the globe, tech titans are investing billions in robo vehicle technology for what they see as a lucrative driverless future. 6 Johnny drives Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1990 sci-fi flick Total Recall Last year Elon Musk unveiled Tesla's Cybercab at the Warner Bros studio lot in Hollywood. The world's richest man insisted that the sleek, golden two-seater car without a steering wheel or pedals will be on sale 'before 2027'. Meanwhile Amazon-owned Zoox's self-driving cars will soon be available to the public in Las Vegas. In Scotland a robobus with a back-up driver plies a route over the Forth Road Bridge. Wuhan in China — where Covid was first detected — has more than 400 self-driving Apollo Go cars taking passengers. Tech giant Baidu delayed increasing the fleet to a thousand after complaints by human taxi drivers. A cab firm in the city accused the robotaxis of 'taking jobs from the grass roots'. It will be far from the last time humans protest about losing their jobs to AI-powered robots. Self-driving cars could bring jobs, investment, and the opportunity for the UK to be among the world leaders in new technology. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander Over here, the UK start-up Wayve will be teaming up with Uber for its taxi service next spring. If all goes well, the plan is to roll out these services across the country in the second half of 2027 when last year's Automated Vehicles Act comes fully into force. Founded in 2017 by New Zealand-born Alex Kendall, Wayve believes it can produce robocars that are safer and cheaper than anyone else by giving the car 'its own brain.' Its AI-driven software can be used to make any car self-driving using cameras. The live images are used to train itself to drive by visual observation. Microsoft founder Bill Gates went for a ride to get fish and chips in a Wayve-powered motor — with a back-up driver — while in London. The tech giant said: 'Other self-driving technologies work only on specific mapped streets. 'Wayve's technology operates more like a human driver would learning to drive in one city and then applying that knowledge to drive in new places.' In May, Wayve raised $1.05billion (£840million) in funding, with Microsoft and Nvidia, a leading chip-maker, among investors. It is the largest known investment in an AI company in Europe to date. According to the Department for Transport, the UK cybercar industry could be worth £42billion and create 38,000 jobs by 2035. This week, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: 'The future of transport is arriving. 'Self-driving cars could bring jobs, investment, and the opportunity for the UK to be among the world leaders in new technology.' Back in Phoenix, I summoned another Waymo for a ride back to my hotel. By now I was relaxed enough to enjoy the experience of being driven through the night-time streets by a machine seemingly with a mind of its own. Yet, as the journey progressed, I realised I was missing something. There was no round-up of the Champions League scores and no chat about the most famous person to ride in the cab. Waymos don't do banter. You still need a human driver for that.
Scottish Sun
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
I took a ride in AI-powered robotaxis set to hit UK – they have more gadgets than James Bond but I missed key element
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AS my odd-looking taxi pulled up, it was comforting to know that the driver couldn't have downed a skinful the night before. And I was certain this cabbie wouldn't spend the journey telling me why my football team, Crystal Palace, aren't as good as I think they are. 6 Robot Jaguar I-PACE has a light on top that displays the name of the person it is picking up Credit: Paul Edwards 6 The Sun's Oliver sitting in a Waymo vehicle waiting for it to take him on his 1.6-mile journey Credit: Paul Edwards 6 Navigating a multi-lane highway with no one at the wheel as traffic whizzes by Credit: Paul Edwards That's because there wasn't a human behind the steering wheel. I was about to take a ride in an AI-powered robotaxi. They are coming to Britain next year after driverless vehicles were given the go-ahead. Ride-hailing app Uber will be allowed to put passengers' lives in the hands of artificial intelligence in London. For someone who has struggled to comprehend tech since the invention of the SodaStream, this ride was a frightening prospect. Well, would you get on an airliner without a pilot? READ MORE ON ROBOTAXIS BUCKLE UP! Uber self-driving robotaxis are coming to UK roads NEXT YEAR Gazing out on to the busy freeway in Phoenix, Arizona, with giant SUVs motoring past, I had a similar pang of nerves about riding in the driverless contraption that had come to pick me up. More gadgets than Bond I had read some horror stories about robotaxies going rogue. In 2021, a self-driving car in the sunbelt city became confused by traffic cones then drove away from a technician sent to rescue it. Eventually the Waymo motor had to be disabled so a human driver could get behind the wheel. The passenger filmed the 33-minute debacle and plastered it on YouTube. Last year a General Motors-owned Cruise robotaxi struck and dragged a pedestrian 20 feet in San Francisco. The woman — who was injured — survived the ordeal. And in 2018 a cyclist was killed by an Uber cyber car with a safety driver in Phoenix. Watch moment passenger left TRAPPED in driverless car 'going round in circles' after robot taxi malfunctions The back-up driver had been looking down to watch The Voice TV show which he was streaming when Elaine Herzberg, 49, crossed a darkened road in front of her. It was the first fatal collision involving a fully autonomous vehicle. Nevertheless, with self-driving cars being touted as the future of motoring, it was time for a test run. Booking my ride was simple. I downloaded the app of Waymo One — a self-drive firm owned by Google's parent company Alphabet — and punched in my details along with where I wanted to go. With the thermometer hitting 39C in this desert city, I was on the hunt for a nice, cool pint of Guinness and was told Casey Moore's Oyster House was the place to go. At least there would be no argument about designated drivers. Soon I was tracking the Waymo on my phone as it surged to my hotel through the early rush-hour traffic. And then the gleaming white Jaguar I-PACE came into view — with no one at the wheel. On the roof was something that looked like a giant police blue light with my initials displayed on it. Unlocking its door with the app, I sat in the back (no one is allowed in the driver's seat) as the Waymo played calming elevator music. 6 Screen on dashboard to greet passenger and button they must press to get going Credit: Paul Edwards 6 Booking a ride on app, which is also used to unlock the door Credit: Paul Edwards I pressed a screen between the front seats saying 'start ride'. Then, a bit like KITT, the car from Eighties TV series Knight Rider, Waymo began talking. As we pulled smoothly away from the hotel forecourt, the robotaxi told me to buckle up. And then, with the steering wheel spinning as if by some invisible force, we eased into the Phoenix traffic as I let out an involuntary 'whoaa!' On the opposite side of the road cars were whizzing towards us but all-electric Waymo deftly navigated the right path before pulling up at a red light. How did it know it was red? That's one for the brainiacs. Swinging left into East Apache Boulevard, I caught sight of a couple of pedestrians ahead. How would the cyber motor react? My Waymo One slowed and made sure to give them a wide berth. That's because it is bristling with more gadgets than a James Bond car. Its sensors include cameras, radars and something called lidars which use lasers to create a 3D image of the vehicle's surroundings. The in-car computer then makes sense of all the data that Waymo is gathering. And, learning to trust the tech, I was soon beginning to relax. All speed limits were observed and driving rules obeyed. The ride was smooth and felt safe. Perhaps I was better off without a driver after all. Wayve's technology operates more like a human driver would learning to drive in one city and then applying that knowledge to drive in new places. Bill Gates Britain's Department for Transport estimates that 88 per cent of road accidents are caused by human error. Soon we were pulling up outside the pub. Keeping the rear door open a little too long, an actual human called Brian came through on Waymo's intercom to check I was OK. He was certainly more amenable than Johnny, the robot driver of the taxi in 1990 sci-fi flick Total Recall, who Arnold Schwarzenegger ripped out of the cab in frustration be- cause he was not listening to his in- structions. My 14-minute journey over 1.6 miles had cost $9.33 (just over £7). And, unlike most things in America, there was no need to add a tip. Waymo One serves 180 square miles of Arizona's capital — that makes Phoenix the largest fully autonomous ride-hail service zone in the world. After a couple of pints, I decided to summon another Waymo. Not arriving at the front of the pub as I had imagined, it headed to- wards a park- ing lot at the back. Would the robotaxi be able to navigate this manoeuvre? In May this year another empty Waymo trying to pick up its ride collided with a telephone pole in a Phoenix alleyway. No one was injured but pictures show a fire crew attending the scene with the robotaxi suffering a crumpled front grill. Hunk of metal Waymo voluntarily recalled its 672-car fleet for a software update in what the company called a 'safety-first approach'. The crash was put down to the robotaxi's software having 'assigned a low damage score' to the pole. It had misjudged the danger because there was no kerb or clear road edge. My Waymo pulled into the parking lot smoothly and confidently. But, unlike many humans, could it parallel park? Indeed it could and reversing is no problem either. And — despite having sampled some local beverages — there was no barked warning: 'Mate, you're not going to be sick in my cab, are you?' Soon this taxi was traversing the two miles to Society restaurant like a London cabbie with The Knowledge. The 11-minute ride cost $13.31 (£10.25). Again, no tip required by the computer chip and its hunk of metal. With millions employed as drivers across the globe, tech titans are investing billions in robo vehicle technology for what they see as a lucrative driverless future. 6 Johnny drives Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1990 sci-fi flick Total Recall Last year Elon Musk unveiled Tesla's Cybercab at the Warner Bros studio lot in Hollywood. The world's richest man insisted that the sleek, golden two-seater car without a steering wheel or pedals will be on sale 'before 2027'. Meanwhile Amazon-owned Zoox's self-driving cars will soon be available to the public in Las Vegas. In Scotland a robobus with a back-up driver plies a route over the Forth Road Bridge. Wuhan in China — where Covid was first detected — has more than 400 self-driving Apollo Go cars taking passengers. Tech giant Baidu delayed increasing the fleet to a thousand after complaints by human taxi drivers. A cab firm in the city accused the robotaxis of 'taking jobs from the grass roots'. It will be far from the last time humans protest about losing their jobs to AI-powered robots. Self-driving cars could bring jobs, investment, and the opportunity for the UK to be among the world leaders in new technology. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander Over here, the UK start-up Wayve will be teaming up with Uber for its taxi service next spring. If all goes well, the plan is to roll out these services across the country in the second half of 2027 when last year's Automated Vehicles Act comes fully into force. Founded in 2017 by New Zealand-born Alex Kendall, Wayve believes it can produce robocars that are safer and cheaper than anyone else by giving the car 'its own brain.' Its AI-driven software can be used to make any car self-driving using cameras. The live images are used to train itself to drive by visual observation. Microsoft founder Bill Gates went for a ride to get fish and chips in a Wayve-powered motor — with a back-up driver — while in London. The tech giant said: 'Other self-driving technologies work only on specific mapped streets. 'Wayve's technology operates more like a human driver would learning to drive in one city and then applying that knowledge to drive in new places.' In May, Wayve raised $1.05billion (£840million) in funding, with Microsoft and Nvidia, a leading chip-maker, among investors. It is the largest known investment in an AI company in Europe to date. According to the Department for Transport, the UK cybercar industry could be worth £42billion and create 38,000 jobs by 2035. This week, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: 'The future of transport is arriving. 'Self-driving cars could bring jobs, investment, and the opportunity for the UK to be among the world leaders in new technology.' Back in Phoenix, I summoned another Waymo for a ride back to my hotel. By now I was relaxed enough to enjoy the experience of being driven through the night-time streets by a machine seemingly with a mind of its own. Yet, as the journey progressed, I realised I was missing something. There was no round-up of the Champions League scores and no chat about the most famous person to ride in the cab. Waymos don't do banter. You still need a human driver for that.
Daily Mail
30-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Want to be the next member of #MomTok? Here's 10 MUST-HAVE buys for fans of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives returned for its second season on May 15, and if, like me, you couldn't peel your eyes away from the drama, we've got everything you need to get your #MomTok fix before season two, part two, returns. The show, which centers around Taylor Frankie Paul and her 'soft swinging' scandal, follows nine Mormon influencers and their journeys with friendship, motherhood and MomTok - TikTok content that the group records together that initially shot them to internet fame before they landed the show. Whether you love or hate (or love to hate) reality TV, you can't argue that the Hulu series, which is available to watch on Disney+ in the UK, makes for great entertainment. And with the season two premiere hitting five million views in just five days of streaming, it's undeniably popular. From Sodastreams so you can get your 'dirty soda' fix at home (petition for the UK to get its own Swig location, please), to Taylor's exact lip combo, we've gathered all of the SLOMW-inspired buys you'll want to buy, ASAP. Now, if we could just get the theme tune out of our heads. SodaStream Terra Bundle Kit The #SLOMW girls are obsessed with 'dirty sodas', and since its release date, fans have been taking to TikTok to recreate or create their own versions of the girl's favourite drinks. Since, unfortunately, we don't have Swig in the UK, we're using a SodaStream to get our 'dirty soda' fix at home. The luxe machine allows users to create an endless variety of carbonated drinks at the push of the button, and customers have noted it's a great way to save on the expense of buying fizzy drinks at the supermarket. What's your favourite combination? £149.99 Shop Stanley Rose Quartz Quencher H2.0 Flowstate Tumbler Of course, you'll need somewhere to store your soda, and the #MomTok girls are rarely spotted without their trusty Stanley cups in tow. We love this baby pink option, with a convenient carry handle and straw for on the go sipping. Not only does it look super cute, but it also boasts vacuum insulation which keeps drinks cold for up to nine hours. £32 Shop Brushworks Pink Cloud Headband MomTok member Whitney Leavitt was widely regarded as the 'villain' of #SLOMW season one, and shocked viewers when she returned for season two groveling to become part of the group again. Whether you're a fan of Whitney or not, many TikTok users have dubbed her as the best dressed on the show, and she's rarely without a headband in tow! This bubble-shaped design would definitely get the Whitney stamp of approval, and customers have noted it's great for keeping hair out of your face when doing skincare or makeup. £8.99 Shop Will MomTok Survive This Graphic Sticker After the shocking revelation in the season two, part one finale, we've all been left wondering one question: will MomTok survive this? Made from a durable, water-resistant material, this graphic sticker is great for adding a SLOMW spin on your laptop, water bottle or notebook, and is the perfect gift for a friend who's equally obsessed with the show. £1.64 Shop Revlon ColorStay Lip Liner in Nude As if we couldn't love #MomTok queen Taylor Frankie Paul anymore, she took to TikTok to share her much-requested, signature lip look - and it's under £18 (and available in the UK, thankfully). Taylor shared that she uses Revlon's ColorStay Lip Liner in shade Nude to overline her lips - and the long-wear formula lasts for hours without smudging or bleeding. We're obsessed! £5.59 Shop Milani Keep It Full Lip Plumper in Soft Rose The next step in Taylor's lip routine is to slather on Milani's Keep It Full Lip Plumper in Soft Rose. The muted, pink-nude gloss applies like butter, and boasts a slight cooling sensation that provides a plumping effect to the list - you'll want to make sure it's always in your handbag. £13 Shop Free People Sprint To The Finish Pants Though we can't peel our eyes away from the on-screen drama, the fashion on SLOMW keeps us interested, too. The MomTok girls effortlessly stay looking comfortable and cute, often clad in athleisure get ups and coordinating sets. Taylor recently took to Instagram and shared a video in these Free People tracksuit bottoms, which, of course, prompted a flurry of comments asking where she got them. We've tracked them down for you, and the bottoms will not only pair great with an oversized tee or other items of workout wear, but also boast cosy fleece-lined interior to keep you snug when the weather cools down. £98 Shop Told You So by Mayci Neeley SLOMW star Mayci Neeley is set to release her own book in October, and it's now available to pre-order on Amazon - and we can't wait to read it. Described as a 'dark and funny memoir', the book will detail what growing up Mormon is really like, as well as her experience becoming an early mother and losing her son's father in a tragic accident. As well as providing readers with the inside happenings of the MomTok group, the book will also offer an insightful glimpse into Mayci's journey with love and loss. £21.46 Shop Amazon Basics Extendable Tripod On the latest season, MomTok member Mikayla Matthews revealed that she makes her husbands entire yearly salary off one brand deal alone. Tempted to start your own MomTok, yet? If so, you'll want to invest in this tripod from Amazon, which doubles as a selfie stick, with universal smartphone compatibility and a wireless remote. 100 per cent beginner friendly, it's a must have for those looking to form MomTok 2.0. £14 Shop
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
SodaStream UK review: I tested out the cult-classic drinks maker now slashed by nearly 50%
THE SodaStream has stood the test of time, surviving over a century since its founding in 1903. It's come a long way since then — these days, sparkling water is just one of many perks offered by the sleek devices. 5 SodaStream Art, £139.99 £74.99 from Amazon BUY HERE However, something that hasn't improved over time is my ability to drink any more than a sip of tea a day. So, in a bid to up my water intake by making it more interesting, I've decided to do a SodaStream review (with the added benefit that I could also use it to make cocktails). I reviewed the sparkling water maker to see if it lives up to the hype, whether it's worth the investment and if the novelty would help me to increase my abysmal water intake. Pros Super easy set up One gas canister makes 60 litres of soda water You can decide how carbonated you want the water Money-saving investment Convenient for summer gatherings, BBQs, etc Helps you to stay on top of your water intake Cons Slightly expensive when not on sale Rating: 9.5/10 How I tested the SodaStream 5 I tested the SodaStream by assessing how easy it was to set up, and how convenient and cost-effective it is compared to bulk-buying sparkling water. I evaluated the efficiency of creating different levels of carbonation and whether I could genuinely tell the difference when using it to make cocktails and other drinks. At Sun Shopping, it's our job to ensure we test everything thoroughly to provide a fair review, helping you to decide on purchases you've been pondering. SodaStream review: Quickfire Q&A How much is the SodaStream? On Amazon, the SodaStream Terra has been reduced from £109.99 to £57.11, a whopping 48% off, with the Art model slashed to £74.99. You can find further discounts on the SodaStream site. Who's it best for? Anyone looking to increase their water intake, or for regular hosts who continually end up buying soda water for parties or gatherings. What we loved: How easy it was to set up! I took one look at the gas canister and panicked, but it was extremely simple to assemble. I also love that you can determine how fizzy you want your water by holding the lever down for more or less time. What we didn't I really struggled to think of a con — the only thing I can think of is that it can't be packed away easily, but even then, it looks nice on a countertop and is far from an eyesore. SodaStream review: The Nitty Gritty First impressions 5 SodaStream Art, £139.99 £74.99 from Amazon BUY HERE Straight off the bat, the SodaStream was extremely easy to set up and comes with a very simple, clearly laid-out instruction manual. The machine itself feels lightweight but not cheap, and can easily be assembled by one person. I lifted it straight out of the box, opened up the back compartment, took the cap off the carbonated canister and clicked it into place. I then gave the bottle a little rinse, filled it with water up to the line, and inserted it into the front — and you're ready to go! Once everything is in place, I simply pulled the lever down to carbonate the water. 5 BUY HERE The lever can be held down for between one and five seconds to suit your carbonation preference. This makes it ideal for parties or last-minute gatherings, as the whole process (from unboxing to carbonation) took quite literally minutes. Does it deliver? The SodaStream delivered on all fronts. From price to easy assembly, the whole process was straightforward, and it even looks sleek on my countertop. SodaStream Art, £139.99 £74.99 from Amazon BUY HERE Most importantly, it did what I wanted it to do, which was to make me drink more water throughout the day, and my friends have commented on the SodaStream bottle now permanently planted by my side. How much is the SodaStream? There are various SodaStream models available. The Art retails at £139.99 on Amazon but is currently on sale for £74.99. The Terra model usally retails at £109.99 but has also been slashed by nearly 50% and is now £56.99 on Amazon. In the long run, the SodaStream is an investment; one CO2 canister creates 60 litres of sparkling water and cashes in at £12.99, equating to 20p per litre. Across major supermarket own brands, a bottle of soda water will set you back around 85p, working out at £51 per 60 litres compared to SodaStream's £12.99. At the higher end of the scale, one litre of Schweppes soda water from major supermarkets costs around £1.80, equating to £108 per 60 litres — more than eight times more expensive than SodaStream. Where to buy a SodaStream You can buy the SodaStream directly from the brand's site, or alternatively it's available at a range of retailers, including: SodaStream has a sale on site at the moment and on top of this the brand is offering 10% off when you sign up to the newsletter, as well as an extra £5 off Art Bundles with code EXTRA 5. SodaStream alternatives There are several alternatives to the SodaStream. SodaStream rivals.
