From CB: Cyber Monday is here, and there are so many things I’m interested in! I missed a few items I meant to buy Friday so I’m not going to make that mistake again. I need a nail dremel for my dog and this one by Bonve is on sale for around $15. People say it’s quiet, that their dog tolerates it and that it gets the job done. I also really want these ramekins. $12 for a set of six is such a great deal! Here are some sales and some more things Rosie and I are looking at on Amazon.

Fashion and accessories
Up to 40% off Coach Handbags and Shoes
Up to 41% off Dickies Men’s, Women’s, and Kids’ Apparel
Up to 49% off Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, and prAna Apparel and Footwear
Up to 62% off GAP Apparel for the Entire Family
Up to 32% off men’s wallets rings and backpacks from The Ridge
Up to 55% off watches from Anne Klein, Nine West, Invicta and more
Up to 53% off adidas Footwear, Apparel, and Accessories
Up to 35% off Timberland PRO Boots and Apparel
Up to 52% off BALEAF Fleece Lined Leggings, Sports Apparel
Up to 39% off Ekouaer Pajama Sets and Nightgowns

Beauty
Up to 40% off Premium Beauty from Bioderma, Olaplex, and more
Up to 50% off Oral Care from Crest and Oral-B
Up to 50% off Waterpik Oral Care
Up to 40% off Premium Beauty from Azzaro, Moroccanoil, and more
Up to 40% off Premium Beauty products from Revision, Billie Eilish, and more
Up to 35% off Panasonic Trimmers, Shavers, and Personal Care Products
Up to 34% off Wahl Trimmers, Shavers, and Personal Care
Up to 50% off COSRX Skincare
Up to 51% off skincare from Neutrogena, Aveeno, and more
Up to 42% off Maybelline Cosmetics

Home and Accessories
Up to 50% off Shark Vacuums, Air Purifiers and more
Up to 50% off Seasonal Home Decor: Christmas Trees, Ornaments, Garlands, Wreaths
Up to 30% off Nespresso Coffee and Espresso Machines
Up to 30% off KitchenAid Stand Mixers, Blenders, Toasters and more
Up to 30% off Household Essentials from Energizer, Glad, Cottonelle and more
Up to 42% off Bissell Little Greens, Hydrosteams, and Additional Floorcare
Up to 52% off Hoover and Dirt Devil Carpet Cleaners and Floorcare
Up to 47% off OXO Brew, Grinders and more
Up to 40% off Nuwave Air Fryer Ovens, Induction Cooktops, and more
Up to 49% off Lodge Enameled Dutch Ovens

Electronics
Up to 43% off Tablets from Samsung, Google, and more
Up to 40% off Gaming Laptops powered by NVIDIA GeForce
Up to 40% off Sony Headphones, Speakers and Home Theater
Up to 50% off Fire TV Streaming Devices and Alexa Voice Remote Pro
Up to 35% off Samsung The Frame TVs and Projectors
Up to 28% off Kindle E-readers
Up to 38% off PCs and Monitors from HP, Samsung, Acer, and more
Up to 28% off Samsung Galaxy Unlocked Phones
Up to 51% off Beats Headphones and Earbuds
Up to 50% off Ring Doorbells, Cameras and Bundles

The best reading glasses are $4 off

From CB: Once I bought Peepers glasses I don’t want to wear any of the cheaper reading glasses I have. They’re now on sale for $4 off and this is the model I have, The Showbiz. Other models Stardust, That’s a Wrap and Take a Bow are also on sale. They come in so many cute colors and I get compliments on mine often.

Apple AirPods and Samsung Galaxy Buds are on sale

From CB: Apple AirPods and Samsung Galaxy Buds would make great gifts this season and both are on sale. The 2nd Generation Apple Airpods are $49 off the list price and the noise canceling versions are $59 off. Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 with HiFi Sound are $71 off and the Ambient Sound versions are $50 off. If you’d like a more affordable alternative, the Tozo Wireless earbuds are pretty good, I’ve bought them twice (they still worked, I just lost one) and they’re on sale for just $19! That’s 53% off the list price.

Up to 43% off a Lodge pre-seasoned cast iron skillet

From CB: If you’re like me and have been too chicken to try cooking on a cast iron skillet, now is the time to pick one up from trusted brand Lodge. Their cast iron skillets are on sale for up to 43% off, with their 9 inch skillet now priced at under $19. What a great gift this would make. These have over 107,000 ratings, 4.7 stars and the same score on ReviewMeta. People say they cook food well once you get used to them and that the cleanup is a breeze. “No stick. No cleanup. Just a quick hot water rinse with a brush in case something got left on the pan.” ” I love cooking with cast iron and this pan appears strong, long-lasting, and very practical. As is typical of cast iron, it will be easy to cook on, serve, clean and store.”

25% off Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

From CB: Laneiege Lip Sleeping Mask is a fan favorite for good reason and you can get it now in the berry, gummy bear and mango versions for $6 off. This would make a great gift for just about anyone. I’ve had the berry version for a long time and I love how soft it makes my lips feel. This listing has over 3,600 ratings, 4.7 stars and a B on Fakespot. Reviewers say it’s the best lip mask and gloss and that it helps hydrate and repair chapped lips. “I love Laneige lip masks! They’re my all time favorite! Haven’t found one I like better yet. & I’m a lip mask junkie! I have tried them ALL!” “My lips have been so dry now that the heat is on at home. They’ve been peeling and splitting and it doesn’t help that I pick at them. I’ve tried so many lip balms that have helped so I was reluctant to try this but I bought vanilla because I was afraid the other flavors would be too sweet. I love this. My lips are better and softer even though I’ve only been using it for less than a week.”

$15 off Crest Whitening Strips

From Rosie: I’m a huge fan of the Crest Whitening Strips because I’ve seen really good results after using them. They’re so expensive, though, so I always try to pick them up when there’s a coupon or they’re on sale. They have a 4.6 star rating, almost 2,500 reviews, and a B on Fakespot. People who use them also love their results. “Out of all the whitening strips I’ve tried, these are hands down the best, nothing else comes close.” “These teeth whitening strips have been a game-changer for my teen. I highly recommend giving them a try if you’re looking to enhance your teeth’s appearance.” “I am one hundred percent satisfied with my purchase. Noticeable change in color from first use.”

40% off rechargeable walkie talkies for kids

From Rosie: My son was given this set as a birthday gift a few years ago and they get so much use, whether he’s using them with his brother, cousins, or neighborhood friends. They’re currently on sale for 40% off. There are eight different color options. They have a 4.5 star rating, more than 4,800 reviews and an A on Fakespot. Users have found they work great for all different types of activities. “We got these for camping and our other travels. When we split up we can still talk to each other without using up our phone batteries. These are great even when our phones are out of service!” “The best gift ever, our boys, ages 7 & 5, love them. It’s great that they are rechargeable & that they come with lanyards so you can carry them hands free.” “We took our grown kids on a cruise this March and these crazy things that we’re supposed to be a joke ended up being very very useful and our kids loved them!”

$6 off a multi-functional popcorn maker

From Rosie: Our family was given a popcorn maker earlier this year and we’ve really gotten into making popcorn with it. I even bought sampler packs of different flavor toppings so everyone can personalize their bowl. This particular one looks so cool! It makes a ton of popcorn, has a built-in butter melting tray and can be nested for easy storage. It comes in three different colors and two different sizes (only the smaller one is on sale). It has a 4.5 star rating, more than 3,000 reviews, and an A on Fakespot. People love how easy it is to use and make delicious popcorn. “Absolutely Fantastic. Great Value and easy to use for freshly made popcorn. Really brilliant and thoughtful design for popcorn lovers.” “This is great. I love popcorn and this is an awesome way to have movie theater popcorn at your home whenever you like! The best part is putting butter on the top to melt down into the popcorn while it pops. Once it’s finished, just flip it and you have your popcorn in a bowl ready to go!”

50% off a two-pack of micellar water for sensitive skin

From Rosie: CB and I have both recommended the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water before and I stand by my love of it. As luck would have it, a two-pack is currently on sale for 50% for Cyber Monday! It has almost 37,000 reviews and 4.5 stars on ReviewMeta. Users rave about how effective it is at removing their makeup while also leaving their skin feeling good. “I love how gentle and effective this micellar water is in removing makeup, dirt, and impurities from my skin. It effortlessly wipes away even the most stubborn waterproof makeup, leaving my skin feeling clean and refreshed without any residue. Unlike some other makeup removers, it doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin or leave it feeling dry.” “It works great. Really gentle but takes off all my makeup in a few quick rubs.” “My daughter will only use this on her skin to remove makeup. It’s the only thing that doesn’t cause her to break out as she has sensitive skin.”

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Piers Morgan has been obsessed with the Duchess of Sussex for years. Morgan is a rancid bigot and a deranged stalker, and for years he used his platform as co-host of Good Morning Britain to smear and disrespect Meghan. Everything came to a head in March 2021, following the Sussexes’ Oprah interview. Piers lost his everloving mind on air, and when he was called out on air, Piers stormed off in a huffy tantrum. He lost his job at GMB, but for a while, he still had a Daily Mail column, one which he used to denigrate and attack Meghan. Piers also bragged (around the same time) about members of the royal family “thanking” him for what he said about Meghan. Now Omid Scobie has revealed the royal who thanked him.

Queen Camilla reached out to Piers Morgan to thank him for calling Meghan Markle a “Pinocchio Princess,” a royal expert has alleged. Author Omid Scobie claims in his new book, “Endgame,” that Camilla appreciated the former “Good Morning Britain” host questioning whether Markle, 42, really experienced suicidal thoughts before she and Prince Harry stepped down from the royal family in 2020.

Back in March 2021, Morgan, 58, tweeted that he “wouldn’t believe [Meghan] if she read me a weather report.”

Morgan left “GMB” that same month after viewers — including Markle herself — complained over the coverage.

Morgan then referred to Markle as “Princess Pinocchio” in a column for the Daily Mail.

According to Scobie, Camilla approved of Markle’s nickname and sent a message to Morgan to thank him for “defending the Firm.”

Scobie claims a royal palace aide then told him that Camilla would never publicly address the matter or “speak ill of others,” but said there was was “gratitude” that “somebody was standing up” to Markle’s claims.

[From The NY Post]

This is really disgusting. I remember this era of Piers’ rants and they were indefensible, just the most bigoted, nasty, misogynistic bloviating ever. He was so disgusting, his post-Oprah-interview comments received some of the highest number of complaints in ITV history. The fact that Camilla was like “no, he’s a bold truth-teller, not an unhinged bigot” speaks volumes about her character and world-view.

Also, as the Telegraph reported, Scobie also included details about how close-minded Camilla is about food. A former aide told Scobie: “Even gluten-free or dairy-free options on a restaurant menu irk her.” Like… does Camilla not realize that those are just options? She doesn’t have to eat gluten-free?

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.

Omid Scobie’s Endgame has extensive reporting on several incidents of Prince William directly or indirectly briefing against the Sussexes. It’s 2023 and we’re basically in Year Seven of this story, because the dividing line of when this all began was when Prince Harry met then-Meghan Markle in 2016. As soon as Harry scored such a beautiful, glamorous, accomplished woman, William’s brain broke and he’s been seething with rage and jealousy ever since. My point is that long-time Sussex watchers know that William has briefed against Harry and organized specific stunts to “one-up” the Sussexes, but Scobie’s got extensive receipts and even some new information about who organized what and when (and why). Well, the Kensington Palace Clownshow decided to organize a huffy piece in the Daily Mail about how they have NEVER briefed against Harry, thank you very much.

Friends of the Prince of Wales last night blasted ‘outrageous’ suggestions that he briefed against his own brother after the latest round of claims by the writer dubbed ‘Meghan’s mouthpiece’. Supporters leapt to the defence of the future king, expressing their anger and frustration that Omid Scobie was ‘peddling’ what they described as conspiracy theories ‘dressed up as fact’ ahead of the publication of his new book tomorrow.

In extracts from Endgame, his second book attacking the Royal Family – as well as interviews to publicise it – Scobie has suggested that William ‘prioritised his loyalty to the monarchy’ over his brother and actively leaked information about Harry and Meghan to undermine them. Kensington Palace has remained silent on the furore, but the frustration of those loyal to William was clear. One told the Mail that Scobie’s depiction of the heir to the throne was the ‘very opposite’ of William’s personal mantra.

‘He has always been very tight-lipped when it comes to his family and made clear to anyone within his orbit that he would not do ‘deals’ with the media,’ they said. ‘Like Harry, he is scarred by his childhood experiences, seeing his mother and father engaged in what was dubbed ‘the war of the Waleses’. He never wanted history to repeat itself. That was something that he and Harry were meant to be united on.’

Another added: ‘It’s one thing writing a critique of the Royal Family. That’s freedom of expression. But it’s another thing to peddle conspiracy theories dressed up as fact. The suggestion that [royal aides] were briefing negative stories [about Harry and Meghan] is totally fabricated. It just didn’t happen. The truth is that everyone was walking on eggshells practically from the engagement trying to keep them happy.’

In his latest interview, with The Sunday Times, Scobie breathlessly describes William as a hot-headed, power-hungry man who has become increasingly willing to allow the Palace to deploy dirty tricks. Aside from the prince occasionally being prone to the famous Windsor temper, those who know him well say it would be anathma to him.

The author also paints the Princess of Wales as an under-achiever, who is too scared of putting a foot wrong to stick her head above the parapet.

‘That will really wind William up,’ said another source. ‘He’s immensely proud of what his wife has achieved. The princess has been the driving force behind a great deal of their work, particularly when it comes to bettering mental health.’

[From The Daily Mail]

“The princess has been the driving force behind a great deal of their work, particularly when it comes to bettering mental health.” As we’ve noted here at this blog, Heads Together basically died the moment Harry moved away. William and Kate still do vague projects under the banner of “mental health,” but the cause is definitely MIA at the Kensington clownshow. As for William’s “friends” crying about how William would never, ever brief against Harry… as I said, Scobie provides several richly detailed stories about how that’s completely false. Having read an embargoed copy of Endgame, it’s fascinating that William is mostly concerned (at the moment) with this part of the book. There are much worse parts for Peg.

Photos courtesy of Instar, Backgrid, Avalon Red.

Omid Scobie’s Endgame will be released tomorrow, but some outlets have gotten their hands on sanctioned excerpts or given special advanced access. I was lucky enough to read a copy over the holiday weekend, but I can’t use it as a source yet, which is why I’m going with reporting from other outlets. My “no spoiler” adherence to the NDA means that I’m going to try to give some context for this stuff, like the whole “Meghan named two racist individuals” story and “Meghan wants no part of the soap opera” story. Here are the secondary-source stories:

Meghan’s letters to Charles: Journalist Omid Scobie writes in “Endgame: Inside the Royal Family and the Monarchy’s Fight for Survival” that the Duchess of Sussex wrote private letters to King Charles III, in which she named the two people who took part in those “conversations,” per an advance copy obtained by Page Six.

Prince Harry knows he’s not getting an apology: Scobie quotes the Duke as saying: “I’m ready to forget. Get an apology or explanation? At this point, who cares, right?” But Scobie claims that conversely, the Duchess of Sussex had moved on and would not be extending such olive branches. Meghan, 42, “refuses ‘to dive back into the soap opera’,” he writes in extracts published in Paris Match magazine.

Prince William took down Prince Andrew: He says it was Prince William, 41, who orchestrated the downfall of his uncle, the Duke of York, at the height of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, and who was able to convince his grandmother, Elizabeth II, of punishing her “favourite son”. Meanwhile, the King could not bring himself to hurt his brother. “[He] was in tears because he was afraid for Andrew’s mental health,” Scobie writes. “Charles leads with his head and his heart. William is colder. He wants the job done and he has no problem with casualties along the way.”

[From The Telegraph & Page Six]

What’s crazy about reading the “leaks” and excerpts, having read the book, is how much of this stuff was cherrypicked and left context-free because the British media is still so focused on all things Sussex. The story about Meghan and Charles writing letters to each other after the Oprah interview was a story revealed this year, just weeks before the coronation. What was fascinating is the context for Scobie’s big reveal that Meghan “named” two people – the context being, that Charles’s operation leaks like a sieve and some leaks are designed to punish Charles, not the Sussexes (or the Sussexes are merely collateral damage). But news at seven, Meghan knows exactly who said what and she had no qualms about naming the individuals privately.

As for the stuff about Harry understanding that he won’t get an apology versus Meghan not wanting to be drawn into the soap opera… those are two sides of the same coin. Harry is resigned to the fact that his father cannot and will not navigate tricky interpersonal relationships, and Meghan simply doesn’t want to engage with her in-laws’ nonsense anymore.

The William sections of the book are fascinating though. That’s all I’ll say for now!

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid, Cover Images.

On Friday, the Princess of Wales stepped out in Barnet. She visited the baby bank called Sebby’s Corner. Sebby’s Corner provides diapers, baby essentials and birthday/Christmas gifts for children in need. Kate helped them set up their “Christmas grotto,” and her appearance there was also supposed to encourage people to donate funds, products or gently used items ahead of the holidays. Kate is also taking credit for creating Baby Bank Alliance, which seems to be a network for baby banks across the UK. Will and Kate love nothing more than bringing the gift of bureaucracy to smaller charities. You can see the Sebby’s Corner website here, it already seems well-run.

Shockingly, Kate did not show up empty-handed to the baby bank. That’s her thing, that’s her princess signature, showing up empty-handed to refugee centers, baby banks and food banks. This time, she brought fifty copies of her favorite children’s book, The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark. Which is nice, although I’m sure diapers, bottles and strollers probably would have been more welcome. Still, she didn’t come empty-handed so maybe this overgrown toddler is learning.

As for her outfit… the Meghan cosplay is off the charts, and what’s even worse is that Kate looks so much better when she does wear one of her “Meghan outfits.” Remember how the British press despised the fact that Meghan wore brown so often? Well, they’re full of praise for Kate’s “autumnal look.”

Meanwhile, Kate and William will be the royals in attendance at this year’s Royal Variety Show on November 30. They will be joined by Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel, possibly because Swedish pop star Zara Larsson will perform at this year’s Royal Variety. The awkwardness will be off the charts, I have no doubt.

Photos courtesy of Cover Images.

Omid Scobie gave an excellent interview to the Sunday Times this weekend, just ahead of the publication of Endgame on Tuesday. Scobie is absolutely trying to clarify some of the poorly-translated book excerpts which came from Paris Match, but he’s not on his back heel. Everything in Endgame is said with his whole chest, and as he writes in Endgame, he knows he’s burning a lot of bridges and he’s fine with that. It needed to be done. This Times piece is an interview, but it also summarizes some of the selected highlights from Endgame. Having read an embargoed copy of Endgame, I find it fascinating to watch which sections have been cherrypicked as super-controversial, meanwhile Scobie wrote about even bigger controversies which have (thus far) been ignored. You can read an archived copy of this Times piece here. Some highlights:

Did Meghan contribute to his book at all? “No, and I’m not her friend,” he says firmly. “I didn’t interview her for this book.” Nevertheless his perceived connection to Meghan has brought him racist abuse, social media pile-ons and death threats. “I’m very aware that I’m quite disliked in Britain. The way anything about me is said is as if I’m just the absolute worst person. I have mutual friends with [Meghan], and that definitely helps with getting information and breaking details,” he says, but, no, he’s not on the Sussex payroll. No, he’s not sleeping on the sofa at their mansion in Montecito.

The Sussexes are “in a good place”. “We have to remember that this is a couple that — this is just my own opinion — seem to have bonded over their shared traumas, experiences and battles that they’ve faced together against others. That kind of bond is much tougher to break than anything else.”

William’s machinations: William is a “hot-headed” company man who is “increasingly comfortable with the Palace’s dirty tricks and the courtiers who dream them up”. Scobie claims it is William who, through his loyal aides and press relationships, has painted his younger brother as mentally fragile. “The side of it that a lot of people don’t know, or within our industry have known but chosen not to report, is just how involved William has been in many of the things that have gone out about his own brother,” Scobie claims.

Kate is infantilized: Kate is portrayed as a woman terrified to do anything more than grinning photo ops. She reportedly had to be gently coaxed into appearing on Blue Peter in 2019. “In the coverage of Kate we infantilise her massively so the bar is always lower. The small achievements that we’ve seen from the Princess of Wales wouldn’t perhaps be noticed if it was from another member of the royal family, but with Kate it’s like ‘wow!’” Part of the Waleses’ strategy now, Scobie says, is to take Harry and Meghan on at their own game and focus on winning over the US. More trips, more press.

Crisis moment for the Windsors: “We are at this pivotal moment in time where the future of the royal family as we know it is in a crisis. That crisis being a lack of interest from young people, an apathy, a growing republican movement, questions over whether the family still uphold the morals and values of the crown that the Queen did such a great job of. But when you look at the cast of characters … it has been questionable.”

Royal jingoism: “To stay relevant, the system, in an almost Trumpian twist, leans on patriotism — even jingoism — to shore up its purpose,” he writes. It’s punchy stuff. “Rather than ever facing or confronting challenges of modern times, whether that is diversity or other social issues, the institution of the monarchy regularly turns away from that, and relies on support for things of the past as opposed to widening the following of the royal family,” he says.

William & Charles are out of sync, he says. “It would have been nice to see them come together on certain projects perhaps in the early years, to put on that united front, but they’re all working in silos.”

QEII’s people didn’t think Charles had what it takes: Before Queen Elizabeth II died, palace aides reportedly suggested that Charles didn’t have, in Scobie’s words, “the moxie or the vision for the family’s next chapter”.

Meghan’s next steps: One source in the book says she is working on “something more accessible … something rooted in her love of details, curating, hosting, life’s simple pleasures, and family”. A friend of Meghan’s told Scobie that the former actress is “busy working on creating something safe and timeless”. “I still don’t quite understand what that business project will be because, as I spoke to people while writing the book, it changed about five times. So we’ll see,” Scobie says. Her priority is apparently “business and philanthropy”, but since Netflix added Suits to its catalogue, the show that launched Meghan’s career has been a hit all over again. Scobie imagines there could be a cameo role for her in the coming spin-off, if she’d ever bite.

Whether Harry is sleeping in Montecito hotels: “I know a lot of people that know them, that are in their world, or their space, and I’ve just never come across anything of the sort,” he says, pointing out that the couple have a “massive guesthouse” at their disposal. “If you wanted to spend a night away, you don’t have to go as far as some janky hotel in Montecito town centre.” Harry’s British posho social circle back in Britain shrank when Meghan appeared and, Scobie says, “it only continues to get smaller as some of those friends, who were also friends with Prince William, have picked their sides”. He reportedly has a small group of pals in America. “The narrative that this is some friendless loser that now … is all alone and only has his wife to boss him around — it’s make-believe cartoon at this point.”

Could William be our final king? “It would take a lot to dismantle the British royal family. But could William be the last king as we know it? Absolutely.” He believes that the Windsors reduced to tourist attraction is a genuine danger, but that such a fate can be avoided if they kick into gear. “The book isn’t hammering the final nail in the coffin. It’s just a reality check.”

[From The Times]

Yeah, my takeaway from the book wasn’t that the monarchy will be done and dusted in the next decade, but that the left-behind Windsors can’t manage their way out of a paper bag, and they’re too busy tripping over their d-cks to notice that their relevancy, popularity and national/global standing diminishes with each year. There won’t be one atomic bomb which ends the British monarchy, it will be death by a thousand paper cuts. The “infantilized Kate” thing is correct, but I actually do think Scobie pulled his punches a little about Kate. He called her lazy, childish and hypocritical, for sure. But she’s a lot worse than that.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.

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We have a champion! NBC aired the 22nd National Dog Show on Thanksgiving Day (after the Parade). This year the short-in-stature but mighty-in-spirit Sealyham terrier won Best in Show, thanks to an outstanding performance by three-year-old Stache. I had never heard of the Sealyham breed of terrier, but the American Kennel Club tells me they were bred by a Welsh landowner in the 1800s who wanted the perfect terrier to drive off otters from the waters of his estate, named Sealy Ham. What a quintessentially British story. Anyway, Stache likely took this victory in stride, as it marks his 49th Best in Show win across many competitions. Damn, Stache is one helluva catch.

Stache, a Sealyham terrier, has won Best in Show at this year’s National Dog Show.

The cream colored male, with long hair sweeping down from his broad forehead, beat out six other finalists at the annual canine competition, hosted by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia and broadcast by NBC on Thanksgiving Day.

Stache, who is barely as tall as the judge’s knees, had to crane his neck to look at the silver platter he had just won. His handler, Margery Good, smiled broadly when accepting the award.

“He just gave a wonderful performance,” she said. “He stretched his little short legs and hands and flew around this ring.”

Stache defeated a group that included a German shepherd, a Great Dane, a Chesapeake Bay retriever, a Shih Tzu and an Azawakh, a hound originating from West Africa. A Dalmatian named Pumpkin won second place, known as Reserve Best in Show. Up to 2,000 dogs from across more than 200 breeds and varieties competed in this year’s event. There were only 165 breeds shown at the first National Dog Show in 2001.

Stache’s registered name is GCHP Goodspice Efbe Money Stache. He lives in Honey Brook, Pennsylvania, not far from where he picked up today’s prestigious award. Ahead of this win, Stache was the No. 2-ranked Terrier and No. 12-ranked All-Breed show dog in America. He has won 49 Best in Show prizes.

The American Kennel Club describes the Sealyham terrier as “brave and spirited, but not as spiky as small terriers.” It says they are sturdy and outgoing companions with a sly sense of humor.

It’s estimated that over 20 million animal lovers watched this year’s National Dog Show, according to Purina, which presented the show.

[From NPR]

I need more information on how this “sly sense of humor” manifests in Sealyham terriers. What, do they tie your shoelaces together under the table, throw a wink to the fourth wall and walk away? You can’t just drop in a descriptor like that and not give me examples! And for those who are wondering (like I did): no, Stache isn’t suffering from bangs trauma, the hair is supposed to be brushed down the forehead for competing Sealyham terriers. Congratulations to Stache and all the other finalists. Reserve Best in Show winner Pumpkin the Dalmatian really is a stunner with those rich spots and soulful face. Yaro the Azawakh is giving me real supermodel vibes, and seemed to trot along with an attitude of “I will SLAY next year.” And Comet the Shih Tzu, well, she just looks like a f—ing diva. And I mean that as a compliment.

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Before then-Meghan Markle met Prince Harry, she was a successful working actress on a popular cable drama. She was happy, moderately famous, making good money and well-respected in her industry and beyond. She got free clothes, she ran in elite circles, she traveled by private plane, she could afford to give herself an eat, pray, love summer. After two years of living in the UK, the Duchess of Sussex was likely clinically depressed and lived some of the darkest moments of her life, including contemplating suicide after being targeted by a palace-authorized smear campaign. She left that country, painstakingly built a new life for herself, and has spent the past four years healing and thriving. But, according to Richard Eden, Meghan is nothing more than a Hollywood wannabe because the Windsors are “24 carat celebrities.”

Meghan Markle now looks more like a Hollywood ‘wannabe’ than a member of the Royal Family, says Richard Eden. Writing in the latest edition of his Palace Confidential newsletter, Eden suggests that, in moving away from Britain, the Duchess of Sussex has turned her back on a life of genuine celebrity. And that success no longer lies within her own hands.

‘While the Princess of Wales stole the show in a striking scarlet cape coat as she greeted South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol at the start of his state visit to Britain, Meghan was courting the cameras on a red carpet in Los Angeles,’ he writes. ‘The contrast was striking. Members of the Royal Family walk down a red carpet when the other guests at a film premiere or theatrical first night have already taken their seats. But here was Meghan, who would have joined Catherine at the opulent state banquet at Buckingham Palace, instead walking down the carpet at the Power Of Women event.’

Unaccompanied by Prince Harry, writes Eden, Meghan ‘couldn’t have looked less regal… just another celebrity waiting to be interviewed by a reporter for Variety magazine. She posed for photographers like the wannabe starlet she once was, before being rushed along impatiently by another guest. Her interview emphasised that success is no longer in her own hands. She talked about the unnamed “exciting” new projects that her television company, Archewell Productions, “can’t wait to announce”. But if and when she does announce them will depend entirely on their paymasters at Netflix.’

It is all rather different from her brief time as a working royal, he writes – a time when the stars would line up to meet her, not the other way round.

‘Has there been any week in which it was demonstrated more vividly what the Duke and Duchess of Sussex threw away when they quit royal duties in 2020 to “find freedom” and find a fortune?’

[From The Daily Mail]

Eden is just loud and wrong, but one quick fact-check – while Little Red Flashing Hood was making a horse’s ass out of herself in a cartoonish red cape, Meghan and Harry were actually in Canada, checking in the upcoming Invictus Games, watching a hockey game and visiting local charities. Meghan did the Variety event on November 16th, well before Kate flashed the visiting Korean delegation.

As for the rest of it… the Windsors are so utterly desperate to BE celebrities and to have what Meghan already had before she even met Harry – a name, a career, celebrity friends, legitimacy and purpose. King Charles and Camilla literally did a stupid appearance on American Idol during coronation weekend. The Windsors were desperately trying to attach themselves to Meghan when she went to Beyonce’s birthday concert. They’re terrified of the fact that Harry and Meghan are already global celebrities on their own, and that they’re tight with famous and powerful people like Oprah, Tyler Perry, etc.

The part which offended me the most was “Meghan, who would have joined Catherine at the opulent state banquet at Buckingham Palace…” The Windsors were so racist and so scared of Meghan, they didn’t invite her to any state dinners, and at the few state functions she was invited to, they almost always shoved her in the back. In Eden’s delulu vision of “how things would have been if the Sussexes would have stayed,” I can guarantee that Charles, Camilla, William and Kate would have all thrown huge, public tantrums about the very idea of Meghan attending a state dinner. It’s also funny because Kate was far from the star of the Korean tour – after making an ass out of herself during the day, she was pushed off behind a gaudy candelabra at the state dinner. Meghan could have had all of this…

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images and Variety’s IG.

From CB: It’s Black Friday! There are always so many Christmas gifts and home products I want to get this time of year. Last week I got a Tineco iFloor 2 wet dry vacuum from Walmart for $99 and it leaks! It clogs up so easily with my dog’s hair and even when I clean it out it still leaves dirty water on my floor. It’s great for a few passes though so I am considering returning it and getting a Bissell Crosswave Pet Pro for 39% off for Black Friday. It’s on sale for $199 and it retails for over $329! Plus unlike the Tineco this cleans rugs. Here are some deals and some items that I’m looking at on Amazon. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving if you celebrate.

Fashion and accessories
Black Friday Deal Pre-loved Designer Handbags
Handbags, Ready-to-Wear & more from Luxury Designers
Up to 50% off Levi’s Men’s and Women’s Apparel
Up to 30% off Men’s and Women’s Fashion from Amazon Essentials and The Drop
Up to 57% off Winter Essentials from Calvin Klein, Levi’s and More
Up to 34% off THE GYM PEOPLE Yoga Leggings, Hoodies, and more
Up to 44% off New Balance Shoes and Apparel
Up to 55% off adidas Footwear, Apparel, and Accessories
Up to 54% off Champion Men’s and Women’s Apparel
Up to 44% off Under Armour Apparel, Footwear, and Accessories

Beauty
Up to 50% off Luxury Beauty by It Cosmetics, Ralph Lauren, Kérastase and More
Up to 40% off Premium Beauty from Grande Cosmetics, Moroccanoil and more.
Up to 40% off Premium Beauty products from Elemis, Clarins, and more.
Up to 32% off Beauty favorites from Dove, Nexxus, Degree, and more
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20% off Carol’s Daughter haircare sets
Up to 50% off Waterpik Oral Care
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Electronics
Up to 50% off Ring Doorbells, Cameras and Bundles
Up to 65% off Echo Show Devices and Smart Home Bundles
Up to 71% off Echo Smart Speakers and Free Smart Bulb Bundles
Up to 40% off Tablets from Samsung, Google, and more
Up to 39% off Samsung TVs and Soundbars
Up to 30% off Amazon Essentials Women’s Apparel
Up to 50% off Amazon Fire Tablets for the Whole Family
Up to 43% off Monitors from Samsung
Up to 38% off Handpicked PCs and Monitors from HP, Samsung, and more
Up to 42% off Anker portable power stations

Home and appliances
Deals on Holiday Décor
Up to 40% off Peloton Bike, Bike Plus, Guide, Accessories, and Apparel
Up to 45% off Roborock Robot Vacuums
Up to 47% off Cookware, Mini Refrigerators and Dutch Ovens from Goodful and more
Up to 44% off Ninja Grills, Blenders and More
Up to 30% off YETI Coolers and Drinkware
Up to 37% off Home Products from Amazon Brands
Up to 30% off KitchenAid Stand Mixers, Blenders, Toasters and more
Up to 50% off Games from Taco Cat, UNO, and more
Up to 42% off De’Longhi Kitchen Appliances
Up to 44% off Ninja Creami, Blenders, Air Fryers and more
Up to 46% off Instant Pot Air Fryers, Coffee Makers, and More

46% off shower steamers for spa aromatherapy at home

From CB: These shower steamers by Cleverfy are so nice smelling and I’ve reordered them several times along with buying them as gifts. The blue six count gift box is now on sale for under $14, which is 46% off the list price of $25. These are made with essential oils and are vegan and cruelty free. This listing has over 7,900 ratings, 4.3 stars and a C on Fakespot but I’m vouching for them! People love them as much as I do. “My mom loves essential oils and these steamers were the best gift for her. She said they were very calming and soothing for showering.” “I have a couple friends for whom I buy these shower steamers. They now ask if they will get more at Christmas or their birthday. Who am I to say no?”

50% off an Urban Decay Naked mini eyeshadow palette

From CB: I love the Urban Decay Naked palettes and have a couple of full size ones. You can get 50% off the Naked2 (matte) or Naked3 (shimmer) mini palettes. These are typically $33 but you can get them for under $17 this Black Friday! These would make great gifts and stocking stuffers. The Naked3 has 4.7 stars, over 2,700 ratings and a B on Fakespot. Reviewers say the pigment is excellent and the shadows have low fallout. “This palette is fantastic. Pigmented, long lasting, neutral colors that I think will look great on anyone. Have yet to be disappointed in Urban Decay’s products but I always wait to buy on sale because it’s on the pricier side.” “My everyday go to. I get so many compliments! This is the only palette you need!” Their full size palettes are also 50% off!

48% off a bestselling hyaluronic acid serum

From CB: Neutrogena hydroboost hydrating serum has a list price of almost $27 and is currently on sale for under $14. This would make an excellent gift for yourself or a friend. It’s oil free, noncomedogenic and is said to help skin retain moisture while reducing fine lines. This listing has over 18,000 ratings, 4.6 stars and the same score on ReviewMeta. People say they can really see results after just a couple of weeks. “I’m 52 and have used this for a while. Feels light weight and there is a noticeable difference to my skin . Brightens my skin and lines are less noticeable.” “I purchased this item along with the vitamin c as I am nearly 50 and need to start looking after my skin. I suffer with breakouts and quite large eye bags but only after using this for 4 days my skin now feels amazing. My eye bags and puffy eyes have nearly disappeared! I did not expect for my skin to look so much healthier after a few short days.” Their Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Face Moisturizer with Sunscreen is also on sale for over $13 off!

50% off Lancome Lash Idole mascara

From CB: I always want to try luxury mascara but I can’t justify the price point. Lancôme Lash Idôle Lash-Lifting & Volumizing Mascara has a list price of $30 but is currently on sale for $15! This listing has over 2,400 ratings, 4.5 stars and an B on Fakespot. People say it’s expensive but that it’s long lasting and is great at extending lashes without clumping. “I was hesitant to spend $30 on mascara, especially one I had never tried, after having buyer’s regret about some less expensive brands. But wow. It’s worth it. The mascara goes on smoothly without clumping, and my lashes look and feel fantastic. ” “I never write reviews but this is an exception. I have sensitive eyes and usually end up with raccoon eyes two hrs after putting mascara on but not with this one. This stuff is awesome, lengthens like crazy and no transfer under eyes 10 hrs later.” Their waterproof eyeliner is also on sale for 40% off!

58% off comfortable sweat pants he’ll want to wear all day

From CB: My son loves his adidas tracksuit and I’m sure he would like another pair of pants for Christmas. These adidas men’s Tiro23 sweat pants are on sale for up to 50% off, with some sizes and colors under $30. These have 94 ratings and 4.5 stars on ReviewMeta. Reviewers say they’re warm, comfortable and have become their favorite pants. “Perfect for winter weather. I like how warm they are and comfortable. Nice fabric and great quality. Definitely buying more colors.” “I saw these online listed on sale so I snagged a pair for my husband. They’re his new favorite pair of lounge pants around the house!” Women’s pants are also on sale for 40% off!

33% off an air fryer you’ll use every day

From CB: My air fryer’s handle broke off after about five years so I’m looking for a new one. This air fryer by trusted brand Instant Pot is on sale for under $80 for the 6 quart size. It has a window so you can see your food as it cooks, and you can put the basket in the dishwasher for easy clean up. This listing has almost 24,000 ratings 4.7 stars and the same score on ReviewMeta. People say it cooks quickly, that it’s easy to use and clean and that they wish they bought it earlier. “I love this Air Fryer! I use it everyday!! There are just two of us and it is a perfect size. Cooks evenly and is fast! I cook everything from salmon to brussels sprouts to cake. I especially like how easy it is to clean with just soap and water with a sponge.” “Now that I have this, I wish I hadn’t waited so long. I find SO many things to make in this oven. It helps me avoid using my big oven. This saves energy, is easier to clean (by far), and is more effective in some cases because of the concentrated heat and air.” The Instant Pot Duo Pressure Cooker is also on sale for $69 off!

42% off an iRobot Roomba vacuum for a cleaner home

From CB: The iRobot Roomba 694 has a list price of $279 but is on sale for under $160. This would make such a great gift for a loved one. This has almost 20,000 ratings, 4.3 stars and a B on Fakespot. Reviewers say it’s great at cleaning both carpet and bare floors, that it has a large bin and that it’s excellent at picking up pet hair. “I am not sure how I did without one before. I can run it as often as I want and it goes over my throw rugs, my rug under my dinning room table. I especially love it for my laminate and tile floors.” “I can’t live without my Roomba. It runs Monday- Friday at 10am. Makes several trips back to empty then starts again until finished. I have one golden retriever and this handles the hair beautifully.” The iRobot Roomba Combo i5+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum and Mop is also on sale for $200 off!

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Did you know that the Duchess of Edinburgh has been on several royal trips and tours in recent months? You probably didn’t realize it because her trips have barely gotten any coverage whatsoever, not even in the British media. Usually, only one photographer comes to her foreign events, and that guy seems to be Sophie’s official photographer. And even then, her photos rarely make the Royal Family’s Instagram, nor Getty Images or any publication anywhere. This is all a good thing, according to the Daily Mail’s Kate Mansey. Sophie is exhibiting the kind of no-drama, low-energy, forgettable work of the crown.

While all eyes have been on the state visit to Kenya followed by the celebrations for Charles’s 75th birthday, some other royal appointments have attracted less attention. Sophie and Edward, in particular, are emerging as under-the-radar royals, taking the strain of important visits – many of them long haul – while other front-line royals are engaged elsewhere.

Last week, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh returned from a five-day visit to Canada, where she is Colonel-in-Chief of the Lincoln and Welland Regiment and Patron of two Toronto hospitals. Last month found the duchess in Ethopia with little fanfare and no huge entourage. Her private secretary Alexander Stonor and her Assistant Private Secretary Annabelle Galletley were the only ones to travel with her. Meanwhile, her husband Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh has his own full itinerary, which has included recent visits to Turkey and Bahrain on official business. They are, in other words, extremely busy – even it it’s other members of the Royal Family who dominate the nation’s Instagram feeds.

There is plenty to do. In fact, With the Duke and Duchess of Sussex departing for a new life in America and the Duke of York out of the picture, Charles III’s slimmed-down Royal family is starting to look thinly spread. Thank goodness, then, for Edward and Sophie, who share much of the royal burden, often the less glamorous bits. At 59 and 58, respectively, they still have time on their side. Their children are more independent now they’re older, meanwhile. Lady Louise celebrated her 20th birthday earlier this month; son James, now the Earl of Wessex, is 15.

Could there be a future role for Lady Louise once she has finished her University degree? Given her poise and maturity – like mother, like daughter – we might hope so.

For it has only been eight months since Sophie became the Duchess of Edinburgh yet already she has done so much. It is clear that she is fast becoming one of the most important – and hardest working – members of the Royal family. She doesn’t always attract huge publicity for her work and she certainly does seek it, but it’s of huge value, all the same.

[From The Daily Mail]

It feels like Sophie’s post-QEII rebrand is to be the new Princess Anne. Anne just does her work quietly with little fanfare and Anne still, to this day, is the hardest working member of the family. The thing is, Anne has basically always been like this – she’s spent decades doing her work (meaningful work) and she’s earned the respect she gets across the board. Sophie is just… I don’t know, maybe it’s like I said, she’s trying a rebrand now that she can’t tell everyone that she was QEII’s favorite. Anyway, at some point, the family will have to reckon with the conundrum they created themselves: no one can outshine the monarch, even if the monarch is dreadfully unpopular and unlikeable. Charisma, sparkle, attention, good press, all of that must be punished. So this is what we’re left with – a bunch of elderly people having a mid-off.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.