T LOunge for March 15th, 2024

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PinLauda Restaurant – Oia, Santorini, Greece

It’s FRIDAY!!!! All day long! Let’s celebrate that!

Comedy Queen Kristen Wiig Is Back With a New Life, Glam Look and Star-Packed Series
In Apple’s ‘Palm Royale’ she plays a counterfeit socialite on the make. But in life and career, she’s still improvising: “I don’t know what I’m going to do next year.”
Wiig’s latest bow to serendipity is Apple TV+’s Palm Royale, a 1960s-set comedy series premiering March 20 in which she plays the lead, Maxine, a social climber trying to infiltrate Palm Beach high society among a group who seem oblivious to the women’s movement and other social changes happening around them. Laura Dern, who had originally developed the show with the intention of playing Maxine herself, recruited Wiig when her own post-COVID scheduling pileup seemed like it might imperil the show. (Dern, an executive producer, now plays a supporting role.) Palm Royale, which Wiig also executive produces, makes use of some of the SNL alumna’s particular gifts, like her knack for physical comedy and her ability to find the humanity in a character doing something unsympathetic, in this case lying and scheming to be accepted by a group of wealthy women.

Niecy Nash-Betts Is Thriving by Living Life “Out Loud”: “I Choose Myself Everyday”
Ahead of being feted at the GLAAD Media Awards, the Emmy winner speaks with THR about falling in love, hiking with Oprah and the debate over straight actors playing gay roles.
Niecy Nash-Betts will take the GLAAD Media Awards stage in Los Angeles on March 14, bringing the Emmy Award-winning actress back into the organization’s fold after she hosted the show in 2021. At the time, the veteran star of such shows as Reno 911! and Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story was fresh from revealing to the world that she’d married musician Jessica Betts, and since then, Nash-Betts has, in her words, lived her life out, proud and with absolutely no shame. The couple was featured on the cover of Essence — a first in the magazine’s 50-year history — and played lovers on broadcast television courtesy of Nash-Betts’ series The Rookie: Feds. Now, the actress will receive the Stephen F. Kolzak Award for helping raise the visibility of LGBTQ people and issues.

“These Days I Really Do Give A Sh*t”: Billie Piper Gets Candid On Fame, Relationships And A Very Royal Scandal
As Netflix’s Scoop throws the Prince Andrew scandal into sharp focus, its transcendent star Billie Piper speaks openly to Giles Hattersley about dramas royal, professional and personal.
An actor of rare ability, the best of Piper’s stage work is up there with Dench or Jackson, yet there remains a curious boundarylessness to her career. While not underhyped exactly, her peripatetic celebrity is unusual enough for some to forget her powers. She is, for example, still the youngest woman to ever have a solo single debut at No1 in the UK (1998’s “Because We Want To” – she was 15), while also being the only person to sweep all six of London theatre’s best actress awards, including an Olivier, in a single year (Yerma, The Young Vic, 2017). It’s true that she takes long stints off, so when she does materialise from the ether – in, say, Sky’s cult comedy I Hate Suzie or playwright Lucy Prebble’s original production of The Effect at the National – audiences are usually guaranteed an event. Scoop is no exception.

Here’s how to read the Dune books in order
Enter the Duniverse
Dune: Part Two left us longing for more Arrakis content, but given the fact that the newest film was only just released, we sadly have a bit of waiting to do until we get a Dune 3. The good news, however, is that there’s certainly no shortage of reading to do in the meantime, with there being 23 (yes, you read that right) Dune books in total.
So if you’re feeling ready to take the leap and embark on the rich and rewarding world of Frank Herbert’s Dune, you’ve got some catching up to do. Power, prophecy and politics rule the themes of the desert sci-fi books, with the original Dune book being written in 1965 by Frank Herbert. Despite being rejected by 20 publishers, Dune defied all odds to become the best-selling science fiction novel of all time globally, with Herbert going on to write a further five sequels before his death in 1986.

Meghan Markle made a surprise return to Instagram with a new project, and it’s giving ‘The Tig’
She’s back, baby!
Seven years after shuttering her personal account before she joined the royal family, Meghan Markle is back on Instagram.
The Duchess of Sussex hard-launched her new project, American Riviera Orchard, with a new account on March 14. The bio reads simply, “By Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex⁣⁣⁣, Established 2024” and includes a link to the project’s website (which itself offers no information, just a call to “join the waitlist”). Intriguing.

Is Banning Phones Amplifying Fashion’s Elitism Problem?
Whether it’s The Row’s recent phone ban at fashion month, or the likes of André 3000 imposing no-phone gigs, it seems popular culture is struggling to find a place for technology.
As the ultimate in quiet luxury brands, a fashion show for The Row always comes with a level of whispered exclusivity. But, for their AW24 runway, that was taken up another by designers Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.
Prior to the show in Paris, guests were emailed with a request: ‘We kindly ask that you refrain from capturing or sharing any content during your experience.’ Instead, attendees were given a taste of a pre-smartphone era: they were provided with a notebook and pen on each seat.
In the week following the show, those beyond the exclusive group attending had the now-unusual experience of waiting for images to be officially released, rather than log in to Instagram and watch a video from their favourite fashion editor almost in real time. The policy has since been hotly debated.

How To Figure Out If You Really Want Kids
Motherhood clarity therapist Ann Davidman shares her advice on how to get clarity on one of life’s biggest quandaries
‘Do you want kids?’
You’ll likely be asked this at least once in your lifetime. Especially if you’re a woman. I was confronted with the question for the first time last summer. Deep in conversation with another journalist, as we reeled off our plans for the year ahead – friends’ weddings, holidays abroad, staycations – we soon got onto the topic of relationships. He posed the question with the nonchalance of someone wondering if I take milk in my tea. ‘Yes,’ I immediately replied before pausing. ‘But I don’t know why.’

TikTok, Tech And Trackers – Has Our Sleep Anxiety Reached Its Peak?
Between endless TikTok videos and the techiest of trackers, our fixation with getting enough shuteye has reached an all-time high. But with so much at our disposal, are we helping or hindering those zs in the long run? One sleep sufferer investigates
While the cost of living crisis, unnerving news cycles and mounting stress levels are contributing to our sleep epidemic, social media is also guilty of disturbing our REM. The term ‘sleep’ has 47.5 billion views on TikTok and there are countless videos from so-called ‘experts’ (often without the right qualifications) sharing advice on sleep tactics, hypnotherapy and sleep hygiene. I’ve found myself watching them – often just before bed – with many telling me that the sleep hypnosis might cause me to nod off straight away (‘make sure you are lying down,’ they warn). One also informed me about how the brain ‘eats itself’ during the day and relies on a good night’s sleep to repair itself at night. It’s true, yes, but perhaps not the best wording for someone already prone to sleep anxiety.

Is The Girls on the Bus Based on a True Story?
The new series, streaming now on Max, follows reporters on a presidential campaign—so how much of it really happened?
The new series The Girls on the Bus, streaming now on Max, takes places in a fictional world. The four reporters it depicts—and the presidential candidates they’re following around the country—aren’t real people working for real news outlets. But audiences could be forgiven for feeling like the drama that unfolds on the 10-part series feels recognizable; it’s based on the book Chasing Hillary by journalist Amy Chozick, who chronicled Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign and also served as the Bus showrunner.

Everything You Need to Know About Eyelash Extensions
Including the cost, application process, and maintenance.
The quest for long, thick, luscious lashes has no sign of waning with celebrities and influencers alike sharing their eye-popping faux lashes on social media. “But it’s the general population who has really embraced the look,” says Clementina Richardson, the founder of Envious Lashes.“To be able to jump out of bed in the morning with wide awake eyes and to reduce the number of steps in your makeup routine — who wouldn’t want to give extensions a try?” Agreed!
Lash extensions are hairs made of synthetic fibers that are glued to natural lashes to enhance their length, curl, and thickness. If you’ve been dying to give lash extensions a go but have a few questions, we’ve got all of the answers, ahead. Consider this your official guide to lash extensions.

A Biography in Braids
Braids are an act of love and nurturing, of communion and connection. Braids are also a sign of tribal affiliation. A right of passage. An embrace of Blackness. A form of protest. A celebration of culture. An act of resistance. A map to freedom. A source of stigma. A birthright. A secret language. A place to rest. A proud lineage. So, when I think of braids, I think of mothers and daughters and sisters, yes, but I also think of the long chain of relationships that extend beyond the bonds of mother- and sister- hood. I think of all the ways in which braids are woven into the story of my life.

A Global Guide to the Best Braiding Salons and Braiders
Nobody trusts just anybody with their hair. And if you’re someone who gets braids, then you’ve no doubt done your homework—finding skilled professionals who you trust implicitly with your strands. So, as we compile a guide to the best braiders in the business, who better to poll than you—our braid-enthused readers. Fill us in on your favorite braiding destinations below, and tell us about your go-to braided style. We’ll see you at the salon.

An Irving Penn Exhibition Opens in San Francisco, Serving as a Reminder—Should We Need It—Of His Enduring Genius
A new survey, “Irving Penn,” opening at San Francisco’s de Young Museum on Saturday (it will be up through July 21) reminds us of one crucial thing about Mr. Penn’s work: His images still resonate with contemporary meaning and relevance. (And it was, and always will be, Mr. Penn, which I learned when I first started at Vogue—not simply “Penn,” and never, ever “Irving.” It’s a mark of respect for the decades of pictures he did for the magazine, many of which are on display in this show.) Over the course of “Irving Penn,” with its 12 galleries featuring 175 images drawn from his 70-year career, it is clear that few, if anyone, came close to matching the impressive duality of his work: astounding technical virtuosity co-existed with the profoundly curious way he viewed humanity.

How to Capture Your Wedding for Social Media
Since the dawn of social media, wedding photos have become a mainstay in our feeds. They began with dedicated Facebook albums, then later got their own hashtags on Instagram. Now, in the era of TikTok and Reels, weddings have turned into a major multimedia moment with video trends, dress reveals, and viral dances.
It’s no surprise that couples will want to share one of the biggest—and most photographed—days of their lives with their friends and followers. They invested in looking their best, curating a beautiful event, and recording every detail.

It’s Official: Ina Garten’s Favorite Butter Is the Best in the World
And the good news is it’s affordable and easy to find.
The “Ask Ina” section on celebrity cookbook author and TV personality Ina Garten’s website is a treasure trove filled with questions from Barefoot Contessa fans from around the world — and, of course, Garten has diligently responded to a slew of them. If you’re curious about what size Le Creuset Dutch oven she uses most frequently or how to keep a frozen key lime pie crust from sticking to a glass pie pan or a “delicious and unpretentious” restaurant in Paris suitable for a milestone birthday celebration, she’s got you covered. For the record: She recommended the Le Creuset Dutch oven #26, letting the pie defrost for at least 15 minutes before serving, and Le Bistrot Paul Bert on the 11th Arrondissement. So when a man from Enterprise, Alabama wrote Garten to ask what brand of butter she used for cooking, she responded with great intel all of us could use…

Wendy’s Is Introducing a Brand-New Frosty Flavor — and It’s Perfect for Spring
We can’t wait to try it with fries.
Wendy’s knows it’s got a good thing going with its Frosty. The dessert is beloved by, well, just about everyone. So, to make our collective day a bit brighter, the fast food chain has announced it’s expanding the Frosty lineup to include an all-new, limited-edition flavor.
In the past, Wendy’s has offered some other tasty limited-edition flavors, including a seasonal Pumpkin Spice and Peppermint Frosty. And now, it’s back just in time for spring with a new, nostalgia-inducing flavor with the Orange Dreamsicle Frosty.

‘We went full hog’: The Gentlemen’s costume designer reveals how she created Daniel Ing’s ‘bespoke’ chicken outfit – as she shares behind-the-scenes snaps from the set
In the series Freddy Halstead, played by Daniel Ings, wears an incredible feathered chicken costume during one notable scene
The scene has proven to be one of the most popular in the series so far, with many viewers saying Ings’s acting, combined with the incredibly detailed costume, left them howling with laughter. Taking to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, one person wrote, ‘That chicken scene better get this show a few Emmys.’
Another commented, ‘I’m sorry but Daniel Ings dressed as a chicken killing a gangster is the best comedic moment of 2024… Thank you for everything Guy Ritchie, we’re not worthy.’
‘I know they were cracking up on set doing this chicken dance,’ another wrote.
Now, costume designer LouLou Bontemps has opened up about the process behind making the incredibly detailed chicken suit – revealing it is actually a ‘cockerel outfit’.

Sometimes kids need a push. Here’s how to do it kindly.
Raising an independent child is about empathy.
While many kids refuse to accept help with anything, others want their caregivers to do everything for them. Put on their clothes. Brush their teeth. Spoon them food. Find the toy they were holding two seconds ago.
Although it’s overwhelming to do everything for our kids, it feels amazing to know we’re needed. But there is a point when, if you do everything for your child, they won’t build the confidence they need to succeed on their own.

Flower Arrangements Are Reaching New Heights
Floral designers are finding drama in tall, statuesque compositions.
If last summer saw the culmination of a trend for sprawling, low-lying floral landscapes, Yatco’s work represents an aesthetic about-face. Increasingly, arrangements seem more orderly than meadowlike, their precise structures clearly shaped by human hand and their blooms, whether lush and densely grouped or spare and few, visibly contained by vases. When the world outside feels turbulent, they seem to remind us, we tend to tighten our grip. But these works are also defined by their height, their long stems often extending above or through equally elongated vessels. In their ascent there is optimism: If there are constraints on all sides, then the only way is up.

Hello, Halloumi
A new recipe from Hetty Lui McKinnon combines salty halloumi cheese, jarred marinara and harissa for a fantastically easy five-ingredient baked pasta.
I found halloumi later in life, and we connected instantly. It’s salty, tangy and squeaky, an underrated quality in cheese. So I’m making up for lost halloumi time with pesto pasta with halloumi, seared halloumi salads and this new five-ingredient baked tomato pasta with harissa and halloumi from the vegetarian cooking queen Hetty Lui McKinnon.

Can You Reuse Your Plastic Freezer and Sandwich Bags?
Food safety experts weigh in on whether you not you can reuse your plastic resealable bags.
Whether you use them for packing snacks or storing leftovers, plastic freezer and sandwich bags are items many people keep in their kitchen. But if you want to cut back on your plastic use, you may be wondering if you can reuse this food storage staple more than once. To answer this question, we spoke to food safety experts who explain how to safely reuse resealable bags and when to throw them away.

16 St. Patrick’s Day Desserts for a Sweet Ending to Your Feast
Finish your March 17 feast with a festive sweet or two from our collection of St. Patrick’s Day desserts. Choose from classic recipes like Celtic knot cookies and sticky toffee pudding, ones made with traditional Irish flavors like whiskey, or choose a dessert with an emerald green hue. If you’re serving a crowd, cupcakes are the way to go, and we’ve got options with decadent flavors and decorations just right for the holiday. For a fun and delicious ending, try Irish potato candy, a sweet treat that looks like spuds.

14 Succulents That Will Thrive Indoors All Year Round
These indoor succulent plants are accustomed to drought conditions, so they can survive with minimal water.
If you’re looking to add indoor succulent plants to your home, you have plenty of options. From petite and terrarium-dwelling to sprawling and beginner-friendly, there is a little something for everyone in the succulent world. As desert natives, these plants are accustomed to harsh conditions, capable of surviving both lengthy droughts and extreme temperatures better than many of their peers. If you want to add a succulent to your houseplant collection, we’re sharing a few low-maintenance varieties that are well-suited to indoor environments.

10 Best Cocktail Cities in America, According to Bartenders
We’ll toast to these destinations any time.
Sure, you can get a good cocktail just about anywhere. But what about a great one? For that, you may have to travel. The U.S. is filled with fantastic cities offering stellar bars home to bartenders ready to whip up your preferred cocktail. But, rather than take our word for it, we asked some of the nation’s best bartenders to share their favorite cocktail cities — and the bars you should be visiting in each. Here are 10 cities that are perfect for your next spirits-driven escape.

[Photo Credit: laudarestaurant.com]

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