Comedian and writer Rosie Jones, known for her Channel 4 series and Bafta-nominated travel shows, reveals her shopping habits in the Guardian's How I Shop series. From splurging on grownup crockery to scrimping on socks, she shares her favourite buys and the items she regrets.
Last Treat and Food Shopping Habits
Jones recently bought four Denby pasta bowls, calling them a 'grownup' purchase. 'They were expensive, but I thought "screw it, I deserve it",' she said. However, she broke one within a week, which made her 'so sad'. The bowls cost £96 for a set of four at John Lewis.
Despite planning to do a weekly shop at Asda, Jones admits she rarely does. 'I am an Uber Eats lady,' she says, ordering from the Co-op for daily needs, particularly its salt and vinegar crisps. 'They’re so vinegary, they hurt the roof of your mouth – it’s incredible.'
Best Gifts Given and Received
Jones's best gift was Dom Pérignon champagne for her mother's 60th birthday, which her mum opened immediately. 'I just thought that was the best thing ever because when you get champagne you think "ooh no, I’ll save it for a celebration", but what’s a better celebration than your 60th birthday?' The champagne costs £202 at Majestic and £219 at Fortnum & Mason.
She also recommends Abba Voyage as a gift: 'If you’re looking for a present for someone, and you’re like "how do I give them the best night of their lives?", it’s gotta be Abba Voyage.'
Her best received gift was a bright red three-wheeled bike called 'Pickle' as a child. 'I can’t ride a two-wheeled bike because of my disability, so it was my first taste of freedom,' she says. Her parents later bought her an adult version when she was 14 or 15.
Favourite Online and High Street Shops
Jones loves Sugarhill Brighton boutique for its 'bright colours, fancy patterns, jumpsuits, co-ords'. She says, 'Whenever I wear something from there, people go "oh my god, where’s that from?"'
Her favourite bricks-and-mortar shop is Aesop on Lexington Street in central London. 'I’m a bougie bitch, and I love Aesop,' she says, adding that she buys her perfume there, a spicy unisex scent called Gloam, costing £120 at Liberty London or £150 at SpaceNK.
Essential Gadgets and Regrettable Purchases
Jones uses an anti-spill cup carrier due to her disability, which she calls her 'sex toy' because it looks like a swing. It costs £8.79 at Amazon and allows her to carry coffee without spilling.
Her biggest purchase regret is buying books whose authors turn out to be 'a bad man or a bad transphobe'. She says, 'Which makes me think "why did I give them money!?"'
Deliveries and Underwear
Jones gets toilet roll delivered every three months from Who Gives a Crap, costing from £28 a month. She says, 'It’s amazing that I used to spend life going "oh my god, I’ve only got four rolls left", and then I’d forget to get more and end up wiping my bum with a bit of paper or a receipt.'
For underwear, she buys everyday knickers from Uniqlo and bras from Bravissimo and Curvy Kate. 'I’m a large-booby lady,' she says, 'and I like a matching set, so you best be sure I’m getting the matching bottoms.'
Splurges and Scrimps
Jones's biggest splurge is Diptyque hand soap, which costs £59 at John Lewis or Selfridges. 'It’s in a glass container, and one of them lasts me an entire year. It makes me so happy whenever I go to the toilet and get to use a little bit of Diptyque.'
She scrimps on socks: 'I don’t care what’s on my feet. I never see them. Just put something between my foot and my shoe, and I’ll be happy.'
What to Buy with £20 and £200
With £20, Jones would buy four tins of Perelló olives, priced at £5.10 each at Ocado or £8.99 for two at Amazon. 'My nana is Spanish, so I’ve got Mediterranean olive oil running throughout my body,' she says.
With £200, she would choose an experience, such as dining at Rosi at the Beaumont hotel in Mayfair. 'I’m not assed about jewellery or designer clothes or handbags, but I love experiences and shows,' she says. 'If you gave me £200, I wouldn’t want anything that I could hold or touch, I’d want to make a memory with a loved one.'
Greatest Vintage Find
At Sandringham's Christmas market, Jones bought a camera turned into a lamp. 'I love it because I know no one else has a lamp like it. I also love it because when friends come into my living room, they go "are you filming us?", and I’m like "no! It’s a lamp."'
