T LOunge for October 1st 2024

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PinFrenchy Bar and Brasserie – Toronto, Canada

It’s TUESDAY, darlings; officially the worst day of any week. Best to simply hunker down until it passes. Chat amongst yourselves while the storm rages outside.

Serena Williams: ‘Mistakes mean that you’re strong enough to try’
The G.O.A.T may be done with tennis, but she has her sights set on a new kind of international domination. Here, Serena Williams talks motherhood, her beauty empire, investing in Black business – and “still being codependent” with Venus.
Every morning, Serena Williams wakes up and says to herself: “Put your best foot forward today.” It sounds obvious, coming from the literal Greatest of All Time—an athlete so decorated she constructed her own trophy room and whose 23 Grand Slam wins set a record for women in the Open Era. But for Williams, whom I meet at home in Jupiter, Florida, on the kind of blazing hot morning that bathes the ground in almost eerie white light, the new motto in fact represents personal growth. To her it’s a concession. She can’t be perfect all the time.

Pamela Anderson: ‘I feel more comfortable in my skin now than I have in the last 30 years’
She’s been a world-famous sex symbol, an icon of pop culture since the ’90s – and now Pamela Anderson is also honoured as one of GLAMOUR’s two Global Women of the Year. Here, she opens up to Emily Maddick about her new era, past mistakes, the lasting impact of the sex tape scandal, what she feels about Donald Trump and how finally at the age of 57 she feels more confident about her appearance than ever before.

Valentino Anatomy of Dreams embodies the unashamedly elegant and thoughtfully considered nature of Italy’s sartorial grace.
French perfume houses have long ruled the game when it comes to haute couture fragrances. With the recent resurgence of high-end classic scents (like, for example, the standout success of Balmain Les Éternels upon its launch), there is an obvious desire for high-end glamour in the 2024 fragrance landscape.
And the latest couturier to enter the world of luxury fragrance is causing a shift. Amongst a sea of effortlessly chic French aromas, Valentino has delivered Anatomy of Dreams—a collection of seven parfums that deliver a hearty dose of pure Italian glamour.

This luxury fragrance brand is worn on the necks of many celebrities—here are the 11 chicest scents
If it’s good enough for Rihanna…
Kilian is one of those fragrance brands that just screams ‘cool’. It is a little illusive and under-the-radar, provides seriously luxurious perfumes and is only available at certain higher-end retailers. And that’s before I even mention its celebrity following—because, yes, Kilian is a celebrity perfume must-have. It is said that Rihanna wears ‘Love, Don’t Be Shy,’ while Beyonce was apparently spotted by an anonymous source purchasing a scent from the brand during her Renaissance tour. Priyanka Chopra Jones also likes ‘Forbidden Games’, according to a recent interview.
Created by Kilian Hennessy, Kilian now has an offering of 34 unisex perfumes across five olfactive families, all of which have been inspired by the founder’s core memories and love for elegant luxury. But which of those 34 should are really worth investing in? After testing them, here are 11 of my beauty-editor favourites…

The best face serum is the most important step in your skincare routine, according to experts – here’s 20 that team MC highly rate
When you work in the beauty industry, like I do, you can offer forget that not everyone has the same knowledge about products. Especially skincare products, as quite understandably, they can be confusing. A recent Whatsapp message from a good friend showed me that there’s still work to be done when it comes to finding the best face serum.
A lot of people think that the cornerstone of a good skincare routine is a good moisturiser. There’s no denying that nourishment is important, but in order to treat the skin and feed it what it needs, you need to employ a hardworking serum. Sometimes more than one.
What these little bottles of joy can do is pretty much unrivalled in the skincare world.

“I never stopped to think about whether hard work worked for me”
Author and TED Talks speaker Ellie Middleton says we’ve been tricked into doing life in hard-mode
Growing up, I was taught that if you want anything in life, you’ve got to work hard for it. Sayings like “Don’t take the easy way out” and “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard” are bandied around from the moment we start achieving things and repeated at every opportunity. From exams and extracurricular activities to university, apprenticeships, full-time jobs, and side hustles, we’re taught hard work is the only way.
Are you guilty of ‘phone snubbing’? Here’s how to rediscover connection in a digital world (and why you should)
Author and TED Talk speaker Hannah Brencher reveals how she learned to embrace vulnerability after disconnecting from social media
On my 33rd birthday, I decided to turn off my phone—not as a one-time gesture or a 30-day experiment, but to reclaim my time and energy. The endless scrolling and constant accessibility had taken its toll on me, so I set a goal: 1,000 hours of unplugged time over the course of a year, which equates to three to four hours daily.
I wasn’t looking to disconnect entirely (tempting as it sounds), and I couldn’t give up my Facetime calls with my mum. However, I realised that my constant connectivity was causing me to miss out on something important. We often convince ourselves we’re not missing out because our phones keep us informed and connected. But I realised this “always on” mentality came at a cost. While I was plugged in, I was passing up the opportunity to be fully present with others, investing in my life, and experiencing the growth that comes from unfiltered, face-to-face interactions.

These are the best TV shows of all time
There’s a series for you, whatever your mood.
Comedy doesn’t really come any better than Schitt’s Creek, and all six, including the final series of the show, are on Netflix right now. The comedic show follows a family who suddenly loses all their money, and the last remaining asset they own is a small town aptly called Schitt’s Creek, where they are forced to move to with hilarious consequences. It’s worth watching for the one-liners of Catherine O’Hara’s Moira Rose alone. And yes, she is the mother from Home Alone. Mind. Blown.
Aside from that, of course, there are the modern classics such as the tear-jerking Queer Eye and the best prison drama since Bad Girls, Orange Is The New Black, and those cult classics, Sex and the City, Friends, and The Fresh Prince Bel-Air. So, what better way to switch off from the world than diving into a good boxset? Here’s our roundup of 96 of the best TV shows ever that you need to watch ASAP…

Netflix’s Nobody Wants This and the persistent Jewish stereotype
The Adam Brody and Kristen Bell rom-com series is a delightful binge, but veers into territory that’s a bit too frustrating and predictable.
I watch a lot of TV. A lot. And no show has been on my mind like Nobody Wants This, Netflix’s new rom-com with millennial icons Adam Brody and Kristen Bell.
In fact, I’ve watched all 10 episodes twice now. (One of the “perks” of getting screeners early.) When early buzz for Nobody Wants This started making the rounds, I got plenty of DMs asking me if I had seen it yet and what I thought. Without giving too much away — because I always want someone to form their own opinion first — I’d say, “I generally love it, but there’s some things to discuss. Message me once you watch.”

Ryan Murphy Thinks the Menendez Brothers Weren’t Incestuous, but Were Abused
“I think that people really struggle with the idea that two things can be true at the same time,” says the producer behind the Netflix hit Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. “You could kill your parents, and you could have been sexually abused, and you could be morally ambiguous.”
Ryan Murphy is well aware of your opinions. The mega-producer has made headlines for the second season of his controversial and immensely popular Netflix anthology series, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, which takes an unflinching look at the Beverly Hills brothers who were found guilty of first-degree murder for the deaths of their parents, Jose and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez, in the ’90s. The brothers, currently serving life sentences without the possibility of parole, maintain that their parents, particularly their father, had emotionally, psychologically, and sexually abused them for years.
The thorny and complicated nature of the Menendez story is precisely what drew Murphy to it in the first place. “I only write things or work on things that I’m interested in doing. I guess, shockingly, 100% of those things tend to be provocative,” Murphy tells Vanity Fair. “So, you can call me a provocateur. I’ll take it.”

The 98 Best Spooky Movies to Watch for Halloween
One of the best things about Halloween month (how all mature adults refer to October) is the fact that it coincides with the official start of Cozy Season. When the leaves start to fall and Rite Aid rolls out the ghost and skeleton costumes, there’s nothing better than curling up in a blanket or 12, sipping a seasonal beverage—Pumking ale, anyone?—and freaking the living hell out of yourself with a horror movie.
To celebrate all things Halloween-adjacent, we’ve put together a master list of the very best spooky movies to watch in the coming month.

This Is the Real Reason Olive Oil Often Comes in a Green Bottle
Does the color of your bottle actually matter? Experts weigh in.
Cruise the condiment aisle at your local grocery store and you’ll notice a sea of green bottles: olive oil, in plastic and glass containers and from budget picks to upscale options. But why the monochrome? Dark green bottles are near synonymous with olive oil, and the answer involves a lot more than aesthetics. Here’s what’s behind that signature bottle shade, according to olive oil sommeliers and chefs.

Spain Proves Wine Can Be Aged and Inexpensive — Here Are 7 Reds to Seek Out
Plus, they’re all under $40.
When it comes to wine, the Venn diagram of delicious and affordable doesn’t always have the most robust center. But when it comes to wines from Spain, that overlap is staggeringly large.
Spain also makes some of the world’s most age-worthy red wines. They can rival the long-lived wines of Barolo or Bordeaux, yet at the same time many of them sell for prices that make them relative bargains.

Dunkin’ Is Going All Out for Halloween With New Drinks, Munchkins, and Costumes
We’re in it for the ‘reimagined’ spider doughnut.
Dunkin’ isn’t just ready for spooky season. It is embodying spooky season.
On Tuesday, the coffee chain announced its plans to go all-out for Halloween with a month full of new food and beverage options, all inspired by the ghosts, goblins, and things that go bump in the night that scare us all fall long.

‘Veep’ Reunion Fundraiser Brings in $735K for Harris-Walz
More than 20,000 fans of the HBO political comedy donated to WisDems to tune into the event — where a highlight was Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Tony Hale’s recreation of their iconic bathroom scene in the 2015 episode, “Crate.”
The opening was pitch-perfect for the audience of more than 20,000 Veep fans who received a Zoom link after donating to the night’s sponsor, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, in hopes of electing Harris and running mate Tim Walz into the White House for 2024. (And who are in on the ultimate Veep joke that Meyer is Trump.)
And it was only a taste of the nearly two-hour event that included an entire cast table read of season three’s now timelier-than-ever episode “Crate” (where Meyer finds out she’s going to be president because the current POTUS is stepping down), as well as Q&A sessions led by host Stephen Colbert with Wisconsin’s real-life politicos, Veep‘s creator Armando Iannucci, the Veep ensemble, and a roster special guests who stepped in to read roles that included Larry David, Jason Alexander, Kevin Smith, Kumail Nanjiani, and surprise guest and Veep alum Patton Oswalt.

FX Orders Ryan Murphy Series ‘The Beauty’ Starring Evan Peters, Anthony Ramos, Jeremy Pope & Ashton Kutcher
Another month, another star-studded new series from Ryan Murphy under his Disney deal. FX has given a series order to The Beauty, a drama starring Evan Peters, Anthony Ramos, Jeremy Pope and Ashton Kutcher. Peters, Ramos and Pope also executive produce.[…]
The 2016 graphic novel The Beauty is about an STD that makes those affected beautiful. But the disease, dubbed “the Beauty,” eventually kills its hosts as part of a suspected sinister government plot. The main characters in the comics are detectives Drew Foster and Kara Vaughn, partners on beauty crime cases who have to find their way past corrupt politicians, vengeful federal agents, and a terrifying mercenary out to collect the price on their heads.

Does Anyone Really Know You?
Our yearning to be fully known is inevitable—and, perhaps, misleading.
Does anybody really know you? It’s a question that arises at odd moments—sometimes, perversely, when we’re surrounded by people who know us well. Suddenly, we become conscious of an inner sanctum they’ve never breached. Like Levin, we might feel subtly private. More dramatically, we might perceive ourselves as lost, abandoned, as though we’re passing through the world unnoticed. Perhaps we’re wearing a mask that others are too inattentive to peer behind; or maybe we’re just too deep to know. There are many variations on a central theme: others sail to our shores, they even disembark, but they never quite venture into our unexplored interiors. This can be a source of sorrow, or a relief.

‘It’s About Time’: DOJ Opens First Federal Probe Into 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre
More than a century later, the few remaining survivors and their descendants are celebrating the long-overdue investigation into one of the deadliest racial attacks in U.S. history.
More than 100 years after a white mob devastated the thriving Black community of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced the first-ever federal investigation into the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, the Associated Press (AP)reports.
Known as “Black Wall Street,” Greenwood was home to a prosperous Black community before it was violently attacked. Thirty five city blocks of Black-owned businesses, churches, hospitals and homes were bombed, burned and destroyed. It’s estimated that up to 300 people were killed. Thousands were left homeless and generations of wealth destroyed in one of the worst instances of racial violence in U.S. history.
“We acknowledge descendants of the survivors, and the victims continue to bear the trauma of this act of racial terrorism,” Assistant U.S. Attorney General Kristen Clarke said during her remarks according the AP.

Princess Theodora of Greece’s bridal designer, Celia Kritharioti, shares the intricate details and touching inspirations behind the royal bride’s breathtaking gown
50,000 crystals and 1,200 hours of hand-crafted embellishments created in Athens’ oldest haute couture house proved to be the perfect recipe for the Greek royal’s wedding ensemble. Designer Celia Kritharioti tells Tatler how she masterminded the stunning look
Alas, at any wedding – and especially a royal one at that – all eyes were on the bride and what she was wearing. Princess Theodora looked to Celia Kritharioti, the crystal-clad couturier to the stars who creates her coveted sparkling ensembles from the country’s oldest atelier and first haute couture house, for her bridal looks. Kritharioti – who is no stranger to the family, having been entrusted with countless commissions for regal-chic over the years – relished in the opportunity, creating not one, not two, but three breathtaking designs for the occasion: a bow-backed design for the pre-wedding party at the Byzantine Museum, the breathtaking ceremony gown, and an off-the-shoulder minidress encrusted with Swarovski crystals and hand-made flowers for the after-party. ‘Apart from the responsibility and excitement to dress a royal princess, it is truly an honour to have created the wedding dress of the last princess of this family and to know that this dress will be taken good care of for the next generations, especially in this day and age where craftsmanship is eliminated,’ Kritharioti tells Tatler.

Why Do So Many Women Wear Giant Eyeglasses?
A reader wonders why more women start opting for chunky frames at a certain age. Our fashion critic explains the appeal.
It’s not a trend, and it’s not actually Mr. Magoo you should be thinking of, but Edna Mode from “The Incredibles.” She’s the fashion reference here.
Not to mention Carrie Donovan, the fashion editor at The New York Times who was immortalized in Old Navy ads of the 1990s, and Jenna Lyons, the former J. Crew designer and now Real Housewife of New York — highly influential wearers of giant glasses with big frames all, and evidence that this, well, eye-catching style is not exactly a new … spectacle.
As to why the style is so popular, that has something to do with looks (get it?!), of course, but it also has a lot to do with self-image and the way we interface with the world at different stages in life.

Never-Before-Seen Photos of Marilyn Monroe Showcasing Her Classic Beauty Featured in New Book by Close Friend
‘Marilyn Monroe by Eve Arnold’ (out Sep. 30) collects the photographer’s intimate and candid images of the Hollywood icon
Photojournalist Eve Arnold’s pictures of Marilyn Monroe are some of the most intimate and candid ever taken of the Hollywood legend, springing not just from the pair’s long collaboration, but from a friendship that began in the early 1950s.
During her lifetime, Arnold, who died in 2012 at the age of 99, published two books collecting her images of Monroe. Now, Marilyn Monroe by Eve Arnold, a newly revised and redesigned edition of the photographer’s 1987 book Marilyn Monroe: An Appreciation, spotlights more than 100 of her pictures of the actress.
Along with a forward by Anjelica Huston, a new introduction by Arnold’s grandson Michael Arnold and the photographer’s own biography of Monroe, the book, out Sep. 30 from ACC Art Books, features many never-before seen photos from Arnold’s archive. See a few of the highlights here.

Spirit Halloween slams ‘irrelevant’ Saturday Night Live after season 50 premiere sketch
The offending sketch in question plays as an uplifting commercial spoof of the store, which is America’s largest Halloween retailer.
Spirit Halloween has a spooky response to Saturday Night Live’s recent sketch about them.
The seasonal retailer retweeted the sketch, which debuted in Saturday’s season 50 premiere, on Monday with the caption, “We are great at raising things back from the dead @nbcsnl.” The tweet also included a picture for a fake costume resembling the ones the Halloween store actually sells for “SNL 50: The Anniversary Season,” which is described on the packaging as an “irrelevant 50-year-old TV show.” The fake costume is said to include: “dated references,” “unknown cast members,” and “shrinking ratings.”

Bowen Yang clarifies ‘personal stance’ on Chappell Roan after backlash to Saturday Night Live sketch
Yang addressed Roan’s fans criticizing him for the “SNL” bit: “Everything she has ever asked for has been reasonable,” Yang wrote on Instagram.
Saturday Night Live star Bowen Yang has clarified his personal stance on supporting rising pop star Chappell Roan, following fan backlash to his Weekend Update performance as the viral baby pygmy hippopotamus Moo Deng — in which he referenced Roan’s past comments about maintaining boundaries with intrusive fans.
After Yang’s SNL sketch from the show’s season 50 premiere drew criticism from Roan’s notoriously protective fans (and also elicited other online messages of understanding and support), the 33-year-old comedian and actor addressed the response Sunday in an Instagram Story.

How to Prepare Your Houseplants for Winter After a Summer Outside
Keep your favorite potted plants thriving year-round with these expert suggestions.
Placing your potted plants outside in the warmer months allows them to reap the benefits of humid air, nutrient-filled rainwater, and plenty of temperate sun exposure. But don’t be too quick to congratulate yourself on your green thumb because your favorite houseplants survived the summer: Helping these same plants adjust to a winter spent indoors can provide a challenge for both new and experienced gardeners.
As you trade lush houseplants for colorful mums and leafy outdoor trees for fall-ready pumpkins in your exterior decor, move your plants inside with confidence by incorporating these expert techniques.

Cottage Cheese Is Cool Again, Here’s How to Eat It
If you thought cottage cheese was boring and bland, think again.
It’s official: Cottage cheese has made a comeback. Once considered a diet food of the 1970s, the dairy product has become all the rage on social media, where people are sharing unconventional (and delicious!) ways to use the ingredient. Learn why cottage cheese is cool again, plus how to eat cottage cheese and the different types to choose from, according to culinary professionals.

24 Pumpkin Dessert Recipes, Including Everything from Pies to Cheesecake
Pumpkin makes a delicious addition to classic desserts, including cheesecake, carrot cake, snickerdoodles, and more.
Pumpkin recipes are synonymous with fall foliage, warm spices, and two of our favorite holidays: Halloween and Thanksgiving. From pumpkin cakes and pies to muffins and tarts, we’re sharing a selection of tasty pumpkin dessert recipes that will carry you through fall.
When shopping for pumpkin in the grocery store, choose canned pumpkin puree rather than pumpkin pie filling, which contains sugar, flavor, and other additives that can affect the flavor and texture of your pumpkin dessert. You can also make pure pumpkin puree using fresh pumpkin; the kind you find in the store is simply cooked and purred raw pumpkin, so it will add natural flavor, moistness, and color to your recipes.

[Photo Credit: hilton.com]

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