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Daily Mirror
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Pamela Anderson just copied Kate Middleton's style with her go-to handbag
Both Pamela Anderson and Princess Kate have been spotted with this chic white handbag, and the versatile bag is surprisingly affordable considering its A-list fan base They might not have been a fashion pairing we'd expect, but it turns out that both Pamela Anderson and Kate Middleton have more in common than it first appears. Whilst out and about in New York last week, Pamela was spotted carrying Strathberry's Mosaic Bag, which just so happens to be a firm favourite of the Princess of Wales. Whilst Pamela styled hers with a metallic turquoise midi skirt and voluminous pale blue top, Princess Kate paired hers with a tonal all-white outfit whilst at the 'Together At Christmas ' Carol Service at Westminster Abbey in 2023. Both women opted for the vanilla shade of the handbag, showing just how versatile and easy to style it is. Despite its decidedly A-list fanbase, the bag is actually reasonably priced compared to some other designer totes carried by famous faces. You can pick up the regular Mosaic Bag for £485, or you can choose the smaller Nano Mosaic Bag for £395 if you want an even more affordable option. We also spotted some great alternatives, such as Kate Spade's Madison Small Dolly Duffle Crossbody Bag which currently has a huge discount that sees the price slashed from £349 to £99. Alternatively, Aldo's Cocktailchic Bag is now £66.50 down from £99, whilst the Aubrielle Metallic-Buckle Top Handle Bag from Charles & Keith is priced at £75. However, all of the Mosaic Bags are made from 100% calf leather and are handmade in Spain which gives them that luxury edge and justifies the slightly higher price tag. The geometric design was inspired by Scottish artists working with mosaics, and features carefully placed leather panels to create the shape. If Pamela and Princess Kate's vanilla shade isn't for you, there are a huge 12 different shades to pick from, not to mention different textures such as croc effect, suede and grained leather. The bag also comes with a detachable leather strap, which allows you to carry it either as a top-handle bag or as a crossbody, making it versatile. Gold hardware details add to the high-end look, whilst a soft microfibre lining stops your belongings getting scuffed and scratched whilst inside. There's also a zipped internal pocket to safely store valuables. For a truly unique look, you can also opt for personalisation on the Mosaic Bags, including adding additional straps, bag tags, and even getting your initials embossed into the leather. With a 4.9 out of 5 star rating, it's also clearly a hit with shoppers. One said: 'I was a little worried it would be too dark for summer. But I love the Khaki colour. The size is really good, it could fit more than just a wallet and phone. Quality is beautifully made. I would love to own a sky blue for a Mosaic bag too. Would go with all my colourful summer dresses and jeans.' Another agreed: 'Timeless! I am absolutely in-love with my new mosaic bag in brown chocolate with vanilla stitch. It's very versatile & functional for my everyday use & the quality is top notch. It's worth it & such a classic investment. Thank you Strathberry.' Some found a little inconsistency with the stitching, with one writing: 'The stiching in the corners were uneven. One corner had a wide gap.' However, the reviews have all been overwhelmingly positive, with another saying: 'I think this bag is extremely elegant. Finishing of this bag was perfect with quality. The bag is spacious and practical.' Shop the Mosaic Bag for £485 now.
Irish Independent
16-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Iconic County Sligo hall in dire need of repairs
The hall has been the beating heart of the closeknit West Sligo community for generations. The charming little hall is tucked away amongst the trees at Beltra, halfway between Ballysadare and Skreen, best known as home to the annual Beltra Show, now Beltra Agricultural Show. Outside of show time, this unassuming building plays a thriving and central role in the local community, and has done so for over a hundred years. Aleck Crichton recalled how his grandmother, Olga, helped to make it a centre point of the community, both through the annual show, and also by her diligent promotion of the ICA (Originally the Society of United Irishwomen). Olga was also a noted activist for women's rights, especially votes for women. Apart from The Beltra Show, the Hall was consistently used for dances, amateur dramatics (in the 1930s attracting actors and patrons from the Abbey Theatre in Dublin), concerts and children's dance lessons. It was also used by the VEC in the 50s and 60s for training courses. In recent years the Hall's activities have widened even further. Apart from the ICA these include Beltra's weekly Country Market (founded 2010), Tireragh Scout Group, the Ladies Brae Women's Group, Men's Group, Christmas celebrations connected with Christ Church's Carol Service, the Feis and other activities, cementing its importance as an important community hub. The increased activity of recent years has greatly helped with the Hall's upkeep, maintenance and preservation, including tarmacking the carpark, redecorating the kitchen/tearoom, replacing windows, upgrading basins and providing hot water in the loo cubicles, and, most recently, laying a new floor in the main hall. The committee has received modest grants for a few of these projects, and are enormously grateful for the willing local volunteers who have come forward to carry out some of this work. The Hall is now in desperate need of a new roof. The leaks are damaging the fabric of the building. Several applications for a Historic Buildings Grant (the Hall is a Protected Structure) have finally yielded results, but only for less than half the estimated cost of €30,000. The local community has already raised just under €15, McBride, chairperson of the Beltra Country Market told The Sligo Champion: 'We use the hall every Saturday morning and apart from our members, the hall is our greatest asset. It's so warm and welcoming and lovely. It is a beautiful pitch-pine lined hall and it brings a smile to people's faces when they come in and we are so lucky to have it. It is unique, it's historic and it was built in 1905 which means it is now 120 years old.' 'Water is seeping down the walls and causing damp, and it is leaking like a sieve. Our aim is to make the roof solid for this year, and it has to be done before the Beltra Show which is on the first Saturday in September.' Naomi said that work on repairing the roof will start on June 24. 'We have it all scheduled and we have a heritage building contractor doing the work so the character of the hall will be kept and to a high standard. The material in the roof is corrugated iron and it is one of the last structures of its kind in the country. So, it is really important, and it is a protected structure and is of historical importance as well as great importance to the community in the area. 'The Crichton family built it, and it has been in community use ever since and never more so than now. 'It is for all the community, and it is so noticeable when you drive along the N 59 to see this beautiful red building in the clearing. Naomi added that the hall had also hosted plays and dances in the pastt. 'But in the last 15 years since the Market started, we have had a re-birth and now we have the Tireragh Scouts which is a new group that was formed a few years ago. 'There are currently Yoga classes, and we had dancing classes a few years ago so it is thriving. And there are so many families in the area whose association with the hall goes back for generations and it is really the beating heart of the community. 'It holds a very warm place in people's hearts. In 2011, Mary McAleese, then President of Ireland, wrote a letter congratulating the Show on its centenary year.' 'Many thanks to all those who have so generously donated their time and expertise over the years. We want The Beltra Agricultural Show, Beltra Country Market, amateur dramatics, Scouts, dancing, concerts, men's and women's groups and lots of other activities to be centred here for the next generation and beyond.' 'Beltra Hall needs the public's help make up the shortfall in our roof fund. Please help if you can. Donations of any size are welcome. 'We will be raffling hampers in SuperValu, Ballysadare on Friday 13th June, and there will be a fundraising entertainment evening, 'Raise the Roof' in the Hall on Friday 20th June at 7.30pm.' Donation buckets are now in Collery's Shop Beltra, and Beltra Post Office. For more information on how you can donate by cheque or on line, get tickets for 'Raise the Roof' or otherwise help, please contact Audrie Kee on 086 6069063 or Beltra Post Office 071 91 66601.'
