T LOunge for August 9th 2024

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PinMia’s Restaurant – Santorini, Greece

Say it with us now: “Ahhh.” Lean back, close your eyes, and let the sun and salty air lightly kiss you. Drinks and nibblies have been ordered. Lower your sunglasses and have a seat with us. It’s FRIDAY, dammit.

Sadie Sink Found Her Voice Thanks to ‘Stranger Things’ and Taylor Swift — Now She’s Ready to Conquer Her Greatest Fear
Sink, now 22, has spent her career playing characters who also confront, often quite literally, the source of their dread — characters like the headstrong Max on “Stranger Things” to the antisocial Ellie in “The Whale” to the wide-eyed young heroine of Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well: The Short Film.” Her ability to effortlessly conjure the darker and more difficult emotional complexities of adolescence is uncanny.
“She has always felt very raw and real and unlike most actors in terms of how she shows her vulnerabilities,” says Matt Duffer, who created and executive produces “Stranger Things” with his brother, Ross. “There are some actors who hit a few notes really, really well, but they kind of hit just those notes. Sadie is increasingly able to hit these very subtle, nuanced notes. That’s pretty rare.”

Channing Tatum on His Love Languages, a Little Bit of Dating Advice, and What It’s Like to Work With Zoë Kravitz
The actor, who stars as the mythological Greek god of love in the new campaign for Versace’s latest Eros fragrance, reflects on his career, his passions, and Donatella Versace.
Channing Tatum, who started his career as a model, is having a full-circle moment as he stars in his first fragrance campaign for Versace. “That was always kind of like the big job. You wanted to get the fragrance thing, and I just never was like one of the big, big models,” Tatum recently told Vanity Fair. “And just to get to step into this place in my life, I’ve sort of been doing everything that I’ve always wanted to do. Now I’ve directed, and I’m getting to do some of the types of movies that I’ve always wanted to do. It’s a real kind of climactic moment in general, and in my life and in my personal life. And to get to check this off and be like, Man, I’m getting to do something that I always dreamed about, but just not in the way and the timing that I always thought I was going to get to do it—you never know when things are going to come around.”

Blake Lively Is Her Own Stylist, And It’s Not That Deep
Why can’t the internet see the positive side to her recent floral fashion looks?
Blake Lively famously styles herself – a choice that’s become increasingly apparent this week. For her It Ends With Us press tour, the actor tapped into every botanical motif available, channelling her character, florist Lily Bloom, with a series of fluttering floral gowns, bedazzled fungi accessories, and flamboyant jewellery. Lively’s art, it seemed, imitated Bloom’s life, and was equally as hectic.

Can you wear black to a wedding? These 5 easy to recreate looks prove yes
It’s a fashion faux pas no more
With wedding season in full swing, wedding guest dresses have become a key topic of conversation in the Marie Claire offices recently. From floral dresses to bright-hued iterations and petite-specific designs, there is certainly no shortage of chic options around for whatever style of wedding you’re heading too.
However, while you might be inclined to think that weddings are a time for colourful looks and vibrant gowns (and they definitely have their place), a new study has actually found a more surprising trend emerging.
According to a study by the fabric experts at Dalston Mill Fabrics, the most popular colour for a wedding guest dress this summer, is actually black with searches for ‘black wedding guest dresses’ hitting over 74,000.

29 knotless braids that all the natural hair girls are loving
Protective styling but keep it cute.
Knotless braids have unapologetically dominated the natural hair community as one of the most popular protective styles and we can see why. As we know, textured hair is as complex as it is beautiful, that’s why protective hairstyles have been around for generations upon generations. Alongside looking delicately intricate, they allow those precious kinks and coils to be braided safely away from daily manipulation, breakage and split ends.
However, as reliable as braids, tight cornrows and locs can be, experts have warned us of the strain that certain styles can place on hair follicles and the tension they can create on scalps. In fact, Eleanor Richardson, consultant trichologist at Fulham Scalp & Hair Clinic warns: “The most common damage that we end up seeing in the clinic is traction [which is] a pulling force that’s been applied because of a very tight style. [This] may be due to very chunky braids, extensions, or weave-in styles that have been there for a while.”

French Olympian Alice Finot celebrated her record-breaking steeplechase time by proposing to her boyfriend
She just missed the podium, but a ring’s as good as a medal!
A ring’s as good as a medal!
Alice Finot, the French steeplechaser (it’s a track & field event that’s like an obstacle course) who broke the European record for the 3,000m event at the Paris Olympics but just missed the podium, coming in fourth, surprised the crowd by proposing to her boyfriend just after the race. And he said yes! Or, I guess he said “oui!”

Ramla Ali On Why Olympic Boxer Imane Khelif Deserves Compassion, Not Controversy
‘We must uphold the integrity of sports, and make sure that athletes are judged on their performance, not on baseless accusations that feed into harmful narratives.’
Ramla Ali is a professional boxer, model and activist. Selected as one of TIME Magazine’s women of the year and a former ELLE UK cover star, she was the first Somali boxer to compete at the Olympic Games and the first to win an international gold medal for the country in boxing. In 2021, she founded Sisters Club, a Not-For-Profit Charity providing free sports classes for women.
After two boxers have been dragged into a gender eligibility row following their inclusion in this years Olympics, Here, Ali shares a call for compassion.

Dissecting Gen-Z’s Obsession With The Olsen Twins
There’s an electroclash revival teetering into existence. There’s all those lyrics about doing keys and being a party girl on Brat. The coolest pop stars have got really into smoking again. (See: Dua Lipa at Glastonbury and Rosalía… everywhere?) Gigi Hadid appeared in Heaven and Dilara Findikoglu’s latest campaign sporting eyeliner I last saw at a The Horrors gig. MySpace’s hippest photographer, the bloody Cobrasnake, is getting hit up to photograph the coolest parties once again. And amidst all of this, what I’d call “Gen-Z Aesthetics TikTok” is beginning to mine the fashion archives for indie sleaze inspo and discovering some of the late-’00s’ greatest hits for the very first time.

How the Stripper Heel Went From the Main Stage to the Met Gala
The PVC “Pleaser” shoe owes its legacy to dancers, designers, and Frederick’s of Hollywood.
When Kim Kardashian shared a behind-the-scenes look at her 2024 Met Gala look, there was a surprise hidden underneath her Maison Margiela couture gown: a pair of gravity-defying clear platforms, a.k.a. “Pleaser” shoes.
However, Kardashian was far from the first (and no doubt not the last) to wear a stripper heel to The First Monday in May. Lady Gaga donned lace-up Pleaser-style boots to the 2016 Gala. And Janelle Monae, Doja Cat, and more have followed in the “Bad Romance” singer’s PVC-clad footsteps up The Met stairs in the years since.

24 Fast French Appetizers to Close Out the Olympics
Go for gold at your Olympic watching party with these iconic French appetizers and snacks.
As the 2024 Paris Olympics wrap up, all those medals and epic moments make us want to host an Olympic party and celebrate the closing ceremony in style. These French appetizer recipes are an exercise in effortless snacking, Paris-style, from shareable classics like light and airy gougères to cozy baked Brie. Best of all, they don’t tie you down to the kitchen, so you can enjoy the ceremonies and fun. Read on for more recipes that your guests will love as we bid adieu to Paris and these memorable Olympic games.

Some Rules of Dining Etiquette Are Made to Be Broken
No one really cares where you put your elbows.
​​It can be argued that in this age of self-absorption, main character syndrome, and heightened unawareness that there is a need for more manners and grace. Emily Post has probably rolled over in her grave so many times lately that the centrifugal force is greater than what any astronaut ever experienced while training at NASA. While it’s true that our society may have roughened its edges over the decades, there are most definitely a few rules of restaurant etiquette that can be thrown out the window in the year 2024.

Experience Istanbul’s Food Scene Beyond the Tourist Traps
Taste traditional street food, decadent baklava, and Michelin-starred tasting menus in the Turkish culinary destination.
Most visitors to Istanbul spend their time wandering among the city’s various touristy spots; whole days are filled with checking off the Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque, and recently opened Galataport that top “must see” lists. One offering that is vastly overlooked, however, is Istanbul’s food scene.
In reality, the city has a far broader, eclectic mix of dishes and experiences to sample. Long mornings can be whiled away indulging in decadent Turkish breakfast spreads, where hunks of fluffy simit bread are dipped into fresh jams and creamy cheese fondues. Afterwards, visitors can lounge at fragrant cafes, where locals revive centuries old cafe culture. More hearty meals also await, including moreish street food dishes and seven-course tasting menus. Here’s how to plan a visit to Istanbul around the local food.

What Kind of Mother Buys a Baby?
I don’t remember if it was my husband or therapist who first floated the idea of surrogacy, but I do remember my response—an unequivocal no. I was 35 years old, healthy, financially secure, and married to a healthy, financially secure, and emotionally supportive partner. In the 12 years we’d been together, I’d never once tried to get pregnant, and I should at least have to try. Surrogacy was for those who had struggled for years with infertility, who had gone through countless rounds of IVF and failed implantations. Surrogacy was for those who had suffered. Who did I think I was to treat someone’s last resort as my first?

‘It Ends With Us’ Costume Designer on Blake Lively’s Outfits Criticism: “It’s Great to Be Talked About”
Eric Daman also talks with The Hollywood Reporter about how ‘Gossip Girl’ inspired some of the costumes, and what it was like reuniting with Lively more than a decade after the hit show ended.
Eric Daman, the costume designer for It Ends With Us, admits he saw the online fan discourse surrounding Blake Lively‘s looks in the film, but he was just excited to see people talking about his work.
While filming was underway in New Jersey and New York in the Spring of 2023, some fans captured photos and videos of Lively dressed as her character Lily Bloom on the street. The images quickly spread across social media, with some book fans criticizing Lively’s outfits, as they weren’t what they imagined Lily wearing when reading Colleen Hoover‘s book that inspired the movie.
Daman brushes off the concerns and says and is honestly thrilled that “there’s just so much buzz around the looks themselves.”

The 50 Best Indie Horror Movies to Stream Right Now, from ‘X’ and ‘Terrifier’ to ‘The Strangers’ and ‘Fresh’
From “Barbarian” to “Terrifier” to “Midsommar,” newer fare joins horror indie staples like “Creep” and “The Strangers” on this hidden gem genre guide.
The best indie horror movies are the ones that totally envelop viewers in their nightmarish fantasies while impressing cinephiles with their bold vision, original stories, and commitment to craft. Practically synonymous with indie horror, A24 makes a sizable contribution to this list with the aforementioned Anya-Taylor Joy starring “The Witch” appearing alongside Rose Glass’ “Saint Maud” and Ti West’s “X” and “Pearl,” as well as Ari Aster’s “Hereditary” and “Midsommar.” Other studios — chiefly, Neon — also appear with some frequency on this list. But so do one-off projects championed by individual auteurs, from Adrian Tofei’s “Be My Cat: A Film for Anne” to Damien Leone’s gleefully gory “Terrifier.”

Why readers love — and love to hate — Colleen Hoover
It Ends With Us is at the center of Hoover’s very polarizing body of work.
This weekend, one of the most popular books of the decade is making its way to the big screen. Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us, a romantic tearjerker about breaking the cycle of abuse that became a social media sensation after it was published in 2016, is now a movie starring Blake Lively. The moment means the mainstream coronation of Hoover herself, the former social worker from Texas turned queen of the New York Times bestseller list.
Hoover sells books the way Danielle Steel used to sell books. She sells the way Stephen King still does. She sells the way new authors usually don’t.

Paris reminded us why we love the Olympics
Paris hosted a great Olympics. That’ll probably be the exception going forward.
It’s fair to observe that in the run-up to the Summer Olympics, Parisians were feeling a bit of, how do you say, ennui.
If they hadn’t already put their apartments on Airbnb in anticipation of fleeing the city, Parisians took to social media to complain about the Olympics and beg tourists not to come.
Well guess what? They came, with an Olympic record 9.7 million tickets sold by the start of the Games.
And guess what else? The many Parisians who stayed embraced Olympic fervor, cheering on the sporting exploits of Team France, from swimmer Leon Marchand (who dominated the pool in Michael Phelps-esque style) to its pole vaulters (somewhat less successful).

Gay Men Have Long Been Obsessed With Their Muscles. Now Everyone Is.
In Hollywood, on Instagram and beyond, the male-on-male gaze still decides what’s hot and what’s not.
DO GAY MEN have a particularly tortured relationship to body culture? The answer is: It’s getting better! The other answer is: It’s not getting better nearly fast enough. On TV, you can stream the 2023 Showtime limited series “Fellow Travelers,” in which the clandestine McCarthy-era relationship between a closeted gay man and his younger lover is depicted in scrupulously observed period detail — that is, until the actors Matt Bomer, 46, and Jonathan Bailey, 36, take off their clothes for the sex scenes and display muscle groups that hadn’t yet been invented in the 1950s; they are no longer characters but actors, unveiling bodies that are products of the best training and nutrition programs money can buy. When the story jumps forward 30 years and Bailey’s character is ravaged by late-stage AIDS, you may forgive yourself for the highly inappropriate thought “He looks pretty good.”

Wabi-Sabi is a Japanese Philosophy That Embraces a Beautifully Imperfect Home
Wabi-sabi is a centuries-old Japanese philosophy that embraces imperfection, simplicity, and the natural passage of time.
When designing your home, one thing to consider is the aesthetic that you’re striving for. Are you leaning towards a more romantic, cozy look? Then embracing rom-com decor may be the way to go. Prefer to opt for a lived-in, organic look? Then wabi-sabi might be the philosophy for you.
Wabi-sabi isn’t a design trend but an entire life philosophy that’s rooted in the Japanese idea that imperfect, natural, and organic elements are what make our spaces and everyday lives beautiful. It’s an idea that can make life more relaxing because you’re not running around worried about the pursuit of the new and the perfect. Instead, you focus on an appreciation for your current surroundings and the passing of time.

16 Burger Recipes That Go Beyond Just Beef
From classic hamburgers to turkey, seafood, and vegetarian versions, we’ve got something delicious for everyone.
Casual, easygoing, supremely delicious, and eaten with nothing but your hands, a burger is a beloved meal that always leaves us feeling sated. In fact, we love them so much that we’ve pulled together our best recipes, made with everything from ground beef, turkey, pork, and chicken to beans, grains, vegetables, and even seafood.
Once you’ve settled on a burger type, don’t just default to a traditional burger bun (although we definitely won’t judge if you do!). Think outside the bun box, and you might discover that you actually love a ciabatta roll, an English muffin, or a pretzel roll for your burger.

How to Care for Monstera—a Popular, Beginner-Friendly Houseplant
Known for its glossy green leaves, monstera is one of the easiest houseplants to care for.
Monstera is one of the most popular houseplants. Also referred to as the Swiss-cheese plant or split-leaf philodendron, this plant is beloved for its glossy, heart-shaped leaves that develop holes or fenestrations when it matures.
Beyond aesthetics, monstera is known for being easy to grow and easy to find at any nursery or big-box plant store. This fast grower thrives in bright light and well-draining soil and benefits from regular fertilization. To ensure your monstera plant flourishes, we spoke to gardening experts who shared their tips for how to grow and care for this common houseplant.

How to Clean Stainless Steel Pans the Right Way
Remove discoloration and stuck-on food from your stainless steel pans with these expert-approved tips.
Durable and excellent at conducting heat, stainless steel pans are a kitchen essential. This type of cookware is also extremely versatile and can do everything from sear to sauté. The only downside? Over time, stainless steel pans can build up with burnt-on food and discoloration from frequent use. But with some guidance from experts and the right cleaning supplies, you’ll be well on your way to returning your stainless steel pans to their former glory.

[Photo Credit: mias.restaurant]

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