T LOunge for September 9th 2024

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PinSan Carlo Restaurant – Alderley Edge, UK

It’s MONDAY, darlings! Are we excited about that? Of course not! But we DO have a ton of celebrity style choices to show you today, so buckle up, buttercups. As always, the drinks are free and the nibblies evaporate inside you once you eat them. Extroverts to the center, introverts to the corners. Settle in.

Demi Moore and the Subversive Politics of the Naked Body
She has become known for baring all (or, at least, a lot). But her work, including her newest film, “The Substance,” should be understood in a wider context.
By the end of the 1990s, after years of giving her all to Hollywood and baring most of her all, too, Demi Moore began her fade-out. She had been a major film star that decade, complete with huge hits, humbling flops, famous friends, a celebrity marriage and headline-making magazine covers. Like all stars, she put in the work and sold the merch, herself included. And, like a lot of female stars, she made movies with male filmmakers who turned her into a spectacle of desire, a spectacle that she partly sought ownership of via her body.
You see a lot of her body in Moore’s latest movie, “The Substance,” from the French filmmaker Coralie Fargeat. (It opens Sept. 20.) It’s a body-horror freakout that satirically takes aim at the commodification of women, and Moore is ferociously memorable in it as an actress who’s fired when she hits 50.

Nicole Kidman Wins Best Actress, and Loses Her Beloved Mother, in One Overwhelming Moment
The Babygirl star—whose win in Venice jolts an electrifying Oscar race—arrived at the film festival ready to accept the honor before receiving the tragic news.
In Oscar terms, we’ve lived through a whole season in about a week—at least when it comes to the best actress race.
Between the Venice, Telluride, and Toronto Film Festivals, what once felt like a shapeless and wide-open lead actress field has come into abrupt, exciting focus. Credit Nicole Kidman’s thrilling but bittersweet Volpi Cup win in Venice this evening. Her performance in Babygirl, Halina Reijn’s acclaimed erotic drama, is among the very best of her screen career—fearless, vulnerable, and slyly comic at once. But she was unable to accept the award in person, as after just returning to Venice for the closing ceremony, she received some tragic personal news.

A Shared Escape: How To Do Group Travel Right
We might not be able to choose our relatives, but we can decide where we go on holiday… Whether it’s a big birthday gathering or the annual family reunion, travelling together can be tricky (who could forget that Succession Tuscany trip?). Here’s how to do group travel the right way
Pulling off a successful group trip is never easy. It’s fine to sit there and talk about your dream getaway with all your loved ones sharing under one roof in an idyllic setting, but taking it out of the group chat and making it a reality that is actually booked is something altogether more complicated.
Be it with a big family get together, a birthday trip or girls’ holiday, picking a destination and time off that works for everyone can prove to be a tricky task. First, there are major considerations to smooth out: annual leave, budgets, beach or city, food preferences and that’s before you’ve even considered where you’ll choose to stay. It’s safe to say that there’s a lot to consider.

Kate Middleton Releases A Rare Message On Future Work Amid Ongoing Cancer Treatment
‘Looking forward to working with you!’
While Kate Middleton continues her treatment for cancer, she is also looking ahead to future endeavours for her royal work.
In a new message posted on X (the social media platform formerly known as Twitter), Kate shared a note to British TV show host Dwayne Fields, who was named the new U.K. Chief Scout of youth development organisation Scouts. The Princess became a joint president of Scouts back in 2020, becoming the first woman to hold the position in the non-profit’s history. She works alongside fellow joint president Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent.

Maximalist nails are here to steal all the attention
Give us colour, give us chrome.
Nail art has come full-circle with the resounding return of maximalist nails. We’re talking colour, we’re talking chrome, we’re talking bold 3D details and XXL attention-grabbing shapes.
For context: the 2010s saw us resurrect minimalist nail art (after cartoon nail stickers and cutesy gemstones ruled the nineties and noughties). And with milky pink shades, glazed finishes and barely-there French tips headlining, we vowed never again to return to the chaos of mix-n-match, pattern-clash, multi-colour nails. But, well, we’ve been truly humbled by the wave of stunning, creative, individual artistry that’s exploding amongst nail artists. But while these manis are scene-stealing, they’re very aspirational (and wearable), too.

Adding salt to coffee might be our new favourite morning hack
Hear me out!
We’ve answered the questions of whether or not coffee is good for you and the best time to drink it, but there’s a new caffeine hack taking over the internet: adding salt in coffee.
Personally, I love putting salt in coffee; possibly even more so than sweetener. But my really unpopular theory is that I’m pretty sure you’d like it too. Hear me out!

40 mystery movies and TV series that will have you playing detective
You’ll be guessing ’til the end…
Who doesn’t love a good detective? Mystery movies have had their fair share of epic sleuths, from Scooby-Doo (it’s a fact) right the way to the king of the tash, Poirot!
There’s something about a good mystery movie that we all love – and in a strange way, is comforting. Maybe it’s because we all love to play armchair detective, donning our best sleuth personas and desperately trying to figure out the whodunnit before the grand reveal (we’re normally always wrong!). Or maybe we all just love being on the edge of our seats, letting ourselves be totally immersed in the twist and turns of a mind-bending plot for a few hours.

51 of the best Halloween costume ideas from celebrities that will always win spooky season
From Hailey Bieber to Kim K.
Halloween costume ideas are something we’re searching for all year round because, come the spooky season, we all want to win the battle of looking the scariest.
Luckily, celebrities have pulled through over the years with their terrifying ensembles that have quite literally sent shivers down our spines. From the likes of Kourtney Kardashian, Kylie Jenner and Doja Cat pulling out all the stops to Harry Styles’ award-worthy Dorothy transformation Emily Ratajkowski’s Marge Simpson tribute, the rich and famous never come to play when getting into character.

Will & Harper trailer: Will Ferrell corrects someone who misgenders his trans bestie in new documentary
The Netflix documentary follows Ferrell and longtime friend Harper Steele on a cross-country road trip.
In my ideal America, Will Ferrell would take every newly out transgender person on a road trip. For now, though, only Harper Steele gets that honour. In Will & Harper, a new documentary from Netflix that follows the duo on a 16-day cross-country odyssey in a station wagon, the former SNL head writer’s decades-long friendship with Ferrell takes the front seat.
The official trailer, released Thursday, offers a tear-jerking first look at the pair’s many misadventures, which appear to include watching dirt track racing, doing cannonballs in a motel pool, and hanging out with Tina Fey.

New Film Lee Brings The Women Who Defined Vogue’s War Years Back To Life
When in 1945, after six long years, the Second World War ended and peace came at last, British Vogue had acquired a gravity unexpected when the conflict came about. This was chiefly thanks to two women from very different backgrounds and of very different temperaments, one British and one American, who found enough common ground to propel Vogue into the modern age. Their story is told in Lee, released in September.

Pairing Steak With Rosé Is the Pro Move You Should Try — Here’s Why
It’s time to ditch some antiquated rules.
The old concept that red wine should be served with meat while white wine goes with fish is a good rule for beginners — until you know when to break it — but where does that leave rosé?
Does it go well with salmon? (Probably.) Duck? (Likely.) How about…lamb? The answer with wine is that what you pair it with truly depends on your own personal preferences, not necessarily whether it’s fish or fowl.

Is It Ever OK to Bring Your Own Food to a Restaurant?
There are plenty of reasons you might want to sneak in a sandwich or a nip of whiskey, but a veteran waiter explains why that might work out the way you hoped.
A restaurant’s primary purpose is to provide food and drinks for hungry customers who look at the menu, decide what they’d like, and then have the food prepared for them. If the menu doesn’t offer anything to their liking, then they have chosen the wrong restaurant. They can either have a glass of water while the rest of their party eats or they can choose to go somewhere else. The menu not providing something they want to eat is not an open invitation for them to whip out their own meal. Simply put, it is hardly ever acceptable to bring your own food into a restaurant.

Heinz Made a Canned Carbonara — and Some Chefs Aren’t Pleased
‘If somebody came in here and asked for a can of carbonara, they would immediately be thrown out.’
Heinz wants to make your next Italian-inspired meal even easier — but not everyone is happy about it.
In late August, Heinz announced it’s now selling canned Heinz Spaghetti Carbonara in UK stores as a “fail-proof, quick, and easy Carbonara that comes with absolutely zero drama.” The company noted that it created the product after listening on social media and hearing people say over and over again how difficult it can be to perfect carbonara.

Cocktail-Inspired Perfume Is Fall’s Next Big Trend—These 11 Will Sell Out
Pick your poison.
It’s safe to say that fragrance is having a moment. I’d go so far as to say we’re in the midst of a “perfume boom,” whether we realize it or not. Instead of sticking to classic, simple scents like vanilla, rose, and amber, brands are brewing up fantasy perfumes to cater to the TikTok generation’s love of super-specific aesthetics. They don’t just make you smell good; they conjure a specific character, object, or moment in time. Want to smell like you’re on an expensive vacation? There are scents for that. Want to channel NYC It-girl energy? Yep. How about cosplaying as a drawer full of fresh laundry? Believe it or not, there are whole categories of perfumes catered to pretty much any preference. And the latest (and trendiest) one is all about turning your signature drink into a signature scent.

8 Greek-Inspired Desserts From Honey-Drenched Doughnuts to Olive Oil Cake
Transport to the Mediterranean with these enticing Greek desserts that highlight many beloved flavors from the region.
Greek cuisine is beloved for many of its savory staples, such as tzatziki, a zesty cucumber yogurt dip, and roasted eggplant moussaka, a luscious béchamel-based entree, to name a couple. But a Greek-style meal wouldn’t be complete without one of these delicious Greek desserts, many of which feature phyllo (a thinly rolled, unleavened dough) and other prominent Mediterranean spices, like cinnamon and clove. From Crispy, Golden Honey-Drenched Loukoumades to Strawberry Ekmek Kataifi, there’s a new-meets-old Greek-inspired dessert for everyone.

June Ambrose: Rap’s Style Architect
Arguably one of the most influential style icons, Ambrose reflects on turning her fantastical imagination into unforgettable masterpieces.
Ambrose continues to toil away artistically, proving her relevance as a style savant. This is because, aside from her husband and her two children, fashion remains one of her greatest passions. It’s refreshing to witness her growth as a significant contributor to hip-hop culture; and it’s especially remarkable considering that at one time in her life, people thought she might be destined for a career in the clergy.
Born in Antigua, and raised in St. Croix for her first three years, Ambrose says she used to run through the village in St. Croix saying, “Jesus is coming!” while waving a Bible. “I used to emulate anyone who was doing good,” she remembers. “That’s who I wanted to be.” But her interests would soon shift to the sartorial field.

I can’t take care of all my mom’s needs. Am I a monster?
Introducing Your Mileage May Vary, an unconventional new advice column.
My mother is retired, disabled, and poor. I assist her with her medical care by arranging appointments, talking to her doctors, and finding medical resources that she needs for her many ailments. I’ve even been able to find a home health aide to come to her house six days a week to assist her with daily cleaning, cooking, and other tasks.
But as she ages, I know she will need more help than I can provide from afar. And I know I cannot take on the actual tasks of caring for an elderly person with the many issues she has. … Am I a monster for accepting the fact that she will likely end up in a state-run retirement community?

Raising a shy kid? You can help them open up.
It’s all about getting them comfortable with the unfamiliar.
Shyness is generally understood to be a fear of new people or social situations, says Raha Hassan, an assistant professor of psychology at Western University who studies shyness. It’s a separate experience from introversion, where people recharge their social batteries with alone time, or social anxiety, a clinical disorder where people may even be fearful of people or social scenarios they’re very comfortable with. It’s possible to be shy, introverted, and socially anxious — or to simply be shy.

6 European Cities Where You Can Swim in the Wild
Looking to take a dip in or near a city center? Here are some urban areas that have successfully opened up waterways for swimmers.
The Olympic Games in Paris generated a lot of excitement around the cleanup project of the Seine River, where triathlon and swimming competitions took place. And there’s more to come: Mayor Anne Hidalgo plans to open three public swimming spots on the Seine by next summer, and similar projects are in the works in Boston, London and Amsterdam.
But these plans to develop “blue infrastructure” — which can help cool cities, promote biodiversity and improve quality of life — won’t be the first. Here are six European cities that have successfully opened up their waterways for swimming.

Christian Siriano Sent Textile Waste Down the Runway at New York Fashion Week Spring-Summer 2025
In an exclusive interview with Teen Vogue, the designer explains his partnership with Circ.
Christian Siriano has never played by the archaic fashion rules. The designer has long championed size inclusion in his collections despite the industry standards lagging slowly behind. This season, he’s added another innovation to his collection with Circ. Two looks in his RTW Spring 2025 show were made entirely with Circ Lyocell, a recycled textile that had the look and feel of silk.
“I’ve never actually used a fully sustainable fabrication, and I felt like it was really needed,” Siriano told Teen Vogue in an exclusive backstage interview about the partnership. “I think what I did with it was try to show how it can feel luxurious and feel evening-like and elegant. And it’s not just for day wear. I think sometimes when people think of recycled fabric they don’t think of evening.”

10 Date-Night Desserts That Make the Sweetest Ending for Any Meal
Whether you want mousse, pudding, pavlova, or sorbet, these small-batch treats will satisfy.
Sometimes dinner needs dessert; that’s often the case for us, at least. But when you’re cooking for a pair, you don’t need a dessert that serves four or six or eight—a dessert recipe that makes enough for two (or can be stored easily) is just the ticket. Our selection of sweet endings that serve two includes several indulgent chocolate desserts because who doesn’t love chocolate? There are also fruity options for when that’s what you fancy. Some are make-ahead, some are elaborate, and some are easy. A couple of the recipes might make more than two servings because we aren’t entirely sure how many chocolate-covered strawberries you can eat. Whether your dessert is for date night or you just don’t want leftovers, these recipes will satisfy your sweet tooth in delicious style.

How to Pick a Perfect Papaya—and Ways to Enjoy This Delicious Fruit
Whether you want a green fruit for savory recipes or a ripe one for sweet dishes, here’s what you need to know.
Choosing the right papaya can be intimidating for the uninitiated. However, if you know how to pick a papaya both at its peak and when it’s still green, you’ll be rewarded with a wealth of delicious possibilities for expanding your everyday repertoire. After all, this fleshy fruit can be used in countless ways, both raw and cooked, which is one of many reasons why it’s hugely popular across the globe.
To help you pick a good papaya, we’re sharing everything you need to know about the fruit, including tips for selecting and choosing the right type—ripe or green—for your recipe.

Can You Eat Watermelon Seeds? We Asked a Chef and Dietitian
Forget all those stories you heard as a kid about what happens when you eat watermelon seeds.
Can you eat watermelon seeds? Despite the myth you heard as a kid about a plant growing inside your stomach if you mistakenly swallowed some seeds, we’re here to confirm that yes, watermelon seeds are perfectly safe to eat in moderation. What’s more, they can also be delicious if prepared the right way. We connected with a chef and dietitian to learn more about the benefits of watermelon seeds and the best ways to enjoy them.

[Photo Credit: sancarlo.co.uk, fettle-design.co.uk]

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