Cheshire

Eleven Mother’s Day present ideas from Cheshire Oaks

The Manc The Manc - 17th March 2022

With just over a week to go until Mother’s Day, the clock is ticking if you’re still looking for that perfect present for your mum. 

Perhaps you’ve been procrastinating, perhaps you’re just genuinely stuck for what to get – either way, we’ve pulled some of the best present ideas from a selection at luxury designer outlet Cheshire Oaks to help you show your mum just how loved she really is. 

No matter your budget, there’s something here to suit – from coveted luxury handbags and beauty products to quirky homeware pieces and more.

Keep reading to discover some of the best gift ideas for your mum this Mother’s Day.

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New Balance

For those mums who are always on their feet, a stylish pair of New Balance trainers are sure to be a hit. Widely considered to be some of the most comfortable trainers on the market, these fresh foam kicks will have your mum looking chic as anything whilst she’s out and about.

L’Occitane

If your mum can’t live without her luxury skincare, French beauty house L’Occitane is a must. There are a whole range of different gift sets to choose from in store, but if you’re in need of some inspiration you can’t go wrong with this Luxury Divine Face Care Collection. A PH-friendly makeup remover, alcohol-free toner and divine cream combine to offer an indulgent skincare routine to leave skin looking smoother and refreshed.

Mulberry

Surely every mum wants a Mulberry of her own, and if you’re the one to get it for her – well, just expect you’ll be in her good books for a very long time to come. These British-made luxury leather goods are the ultimate arm candy – with designs to match every style.

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Molton Brown

Help your mum bring the spa to her this year with a Molton Brown gift set. The opulent fragrance brand has just released a new fragrance, rose and rhubarb, but if floral’s not her style you can also find comfort in the more classic, aromatic and woody Molton Brown scents.

UGG

Like a hug for your feet, these Australian sheepskin boots have been a wardrobe staple for years. Whether you opt for shoes, slippers or boots, know that these super cosy and breathable boots will give her years of comfort.

Levi’s

A good pair of Levi’s are a classic for a reason. So much so, that rare original pairs of Levi’s from the 50s can go for tens of thousands of pounds online. Get her a good fit, and she’ll want to hang on to those bad boys for life.

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Hotel Chocolat

Luxury hot chocolate is having a moment in the UK, and it doesn’t get much more luxurious than Hotel Chocolat. Made with grated pieces of real chocolate, this high-end drinking chocolate is designed to be deeply chocolatey with rich cocoa flavours running throughout. Pair it with a Velvetiser if you want to go all out.

Furla

This sought-after Italian handbag brand is known for its quality craftsmanship and materials, making it the perfect choice for busy mums in need of a stylish, reliable upgrade that’s going to last a long time.

Fossil

There’s nothing like a classic timepiece to keep you in mum’s good books. As something she’ll wear every day, whenever she looks down to check the time she’ll think of you – and there’s something really special about that.

The Cosmetics Company – Jo Malone

Simple but beautifully crafted, Jo Malone’s fragrances have become somewhat of a go-to for special occasions and gifts and you can find them at Cheshire Oaks’ The Cosmetics Company. Of course, the infamous candles are a solid favourite – but if you want to up the ante, why not get her a scent she can enjoy everywhere.

Cath Kidston

Known for her eclectic, bright and colourful prints, at Cath Kidston you’ll find everything from beautiful homeware to stylish bags and clothing. There’s something cute to be discovered here on every budget.

Feature image – Supplied

Cheshire

Hollywood megastar Leonardo DiCaprio heaps praise on Chester Zoo for ‘bringing fish back from the dead’

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

Actual Leonardo DiCaprio has publicly praised Chester Zoo for its conservation work, which saw a fish species ‘brought back from the dead’. 

The Oscar-winning megastar and keen environmentalist posted on Instagram to his 55.6m followers to talk about golden skiffia fish. 

The fish species hasn’t been seen in its native central-western Mexico since the 1990s, but 1,200 were successfully bred and released into the Teuchitlan River this month. 

The reintroduction of the fish coincided with the country’s Day of the Dead celebrations. 

Leo wrote: “This year’s Day of the Dead celebrations included a unique ‘resurrection’ in Jalisco, Mexico, where conservationists released more than 1,000 Golden Skiffia into the fish’s native range in the Teuchitlán River. 

“The freshwater fish had not been documented in the wild since the late 1990s. The events, in the midst of Mexico’s #DayoftheDead celebrations, included formal speeches, traditional dances and the official release of the fish.

The fish that Chester Zoo has brought ‘back to life’, to the delight of Leonardo DiCaprio. Credit: ©Manfred Meiners

“Bringing the species back from the ‘dead’ is the result of collaborative conservation work between Michoacan University of Mexico, @chesterzoo, the Goodeid Working Group and @Shoal_Org (a program of @Rewild and @synchearth).”

Paul Bamford, regional programme manager for Latin America at Chester Zoo, added: “This project is a great example of how zoos can contribute to conservation in the field through conservation breeding and research, utilising the skills and experience that have been developed in zoos to help strengthen existing and new wild populations. 

“By supporting freshwater conservation in Mexico and the ecosystems where the fish live, we’re not only protecting biodiversity and the wellbeing of freshwater environments, but also the people and communities that live alongside them.”

Omar Domínguez-Domínguez, a professor and researcher from the Michoacan University of Mexico, who is leading the golden skiffia reintroduction, said: “The Day of the Dead is a traditional Mexican celebration, when it is believed that people’s deceased ancestors return to the land of the living for one night, to talk and spend time with their families. 

“Releasing the golden skiffia at this time is a metaphor for how the species has come back from the dead to return to its home, not for one night, but forever.

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“Releasing this species back into the wild is a light of hope for this wonderful family of fishes – the goodeids – and for the conservation of freshwater fish more generally. Knowing that universities, zoos and aquarists can come together to fix some of what has been destroyed and return to nature some of what has been lost is an amazing thing.”

The skaffia was pushed to extinction by dam construction, water extraction, pollution and the introduction of invasive species.

Conservationists hope that the fish being released will ultimately result in a healthy, self-sustaining population that can fulfil its important natural role in the ecosystem of eating algae and mosquito larvae, which helps keep populations of those species in check.

Featured image: Sony Pictures

Cheshire

Local coffee shop hits out as Costa opens THIRD cafe nearby

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant

A local coffee shop has taken to social media to make its voice heard as coffeehouse chain Costa opens a third cafe in its neighbourhood today.

In a sassy Instagram post titled “#COSTALIVING”, Macclesfield coffee shop Yas Bean laid out the case for why we should all be supporting local businesses over big chains wherever possible.

It wrote: “Macclesfield has a new @costacoffee opening tomorrow. Our *third* Costa. In fact there are now TWO within 0.3 of a mile of each other?!?!?!

“It will “create 12 new jobs”, but sadly the benefits for the local community end abruptly there.”

It went on to explain that, unlike local businesses, Costa doesn’t use “local dairies, bakers, grocers, coffee roasters, local artists or crafters”, adding: “They don’t support local charities, join initiatives to improve their surroundings or create events.”

It continued to make a strong case for why supporting local business is good for your neighbourhood, writing: “In these days ahead – where you spend your money makes a HUGE difference to your community.

“The above is true of many many other shops in our town, but I can only speak for ourselves. Macclesfield is ruddy rife with wonderful people! Support Local, Support independent. It’s amazing, fun and sexy.”

Image: Yas Bean
Image: Yas Bean

The post, which has been liked over 600 times, then went on to list a number of its local suppliers, including roasters Kick Back Coffee, milk suppliers Jackson’s Dairies, bread wholesaler Masa Bakery, meat supplier Spearings Butchers, sticker creator T.Ink Studio, and grocer The Corner Plot.

Tackling the subject of cost it said, by comparison, that drinks are actually cheaper because they are “better quality, more ethically sourced”, and “don’t taste like the run off from a marmite factory mixed with sugar.”

“When you buy from us you support your local butcher, baker and candlestick maker. Well, not quite but we do have some lovely cards made by locals.

Image: Yas Bean
Yas Bean owners Mika Johnson and Dan Hardman. / Image: Yas Bean

Speaking to The Manc about the post, owner Mika Johnson elaborated: “Independent businesses like us try to use local wherever possible. So when you buy a latte from us you’re not only helping us and our staff but also the local dairy and coffee roaster and their staff too.

“There is a huge knock-on effect for the local economy. Plus seeing local business thrive and running my own shop is such a great confidence boost, it’s been huge for my mental health.

“We are seeing loads of small businesses take a leap and it’s amazing. We often collaborate with others to create fun events, raise money for charity, or help spread the word. This collaboration forms relationships that we really cherish and I think it’s beautiful.”

Read more: A Manchester bar is undercutting the Christmas markets with half-price mulled wine

Asked whether he’d noticed Costa taking much business from the shop, Mika added: “As far as whether Costa are taking custom from us, I don’t think they necessarily are.

“In Macclesfield, we luckily have a strong locally minded community. But that’s not to say it doesn’t limit the potential for individuals to grow. We all need each other now more than ever!”

To find out more about Yas Bean and check out their brilliant coffee shop, you can follow them on Instagram here.

Feature image – Yas Bean

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