T LOunge for January 10th 2024

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PinIl Tridente Restaurant and Cocktail Bar – Positano, Italy

There it is, darlings. There’s your first FRIDAY LOunge of 2025. Given the year’s disastrous kick-off so far, we’d say everyone’s earned it. Tip your head back and let the sun warm your face while you wait for your cocktails and nibblies to arrive. The world of red carpetry has ground to a sudden and unplanned halt because of the L.A. wildfires, so content is likely to be a little on the light side today, but the good news is that we have FINALLY flipped on our mics and made a return to podcasting. The latest will be up shortly. First round’s on us.

Jesse Eisenberg’s Latest Film Is Painfully Good
The multihyphenate is writer, director, and star of ‘A Real Pain,’ the Golden Globe–nominated film about two cousins searching for connection on a Holocaust tour.
In 2008, when Jesse Eisenberg and his wife, Anna Strout, visited Poland, they finished their trip in the village of Krasnystaw, in front of the home where Eisenberg’s family had lived until 1939. Their trip was an odyssey of sorts to better understand who came before them.
“Anna’s [family] is from the west side of the country; mine is from the southeast,” says the Oscar-nominated actor, whose vast credits include The Social Network, Fleishman is in Trouble, Zombieland, and Sasquatch Sunset. “Both families survived the war in various ways and we wanted to go back to see where they are from.”

Thailand Is Set To Be This Year’s Must-Visit Spot, Thanks To ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3
Thai holidays have soared by as much as 412%, inspired by the upcoming third season of ‘The White Lotus’, which is set Koh Samui, Phuket, and Bangkok.
You’d be forgiven for assuming that nobody in their right mind would want to indulge their senses at The White Lotus given its track record. Yet, a matter of weeks before the third season, which is set in Thailand, premieres, travel companies are already seeing an uptick in searches for Thai holidays.
According to a recent study by Travel Republic, which analysed 138,000 Google searches, 11 million TikTok posts, and 80 million Instagram posts, Thailand is now on track to become this year’s ultimate holiday destination.
The upcoming series, which was filmed in different locations around Koh Samui, Phuket, and Bangkok, continues the show’s riff on capitalism and elitism.

How to fix a broken nail, according to top manicurists
It works.
Manicure repairs are pretty inevitable if you live a lifestyle that requires doing most day-to-day activities, so knowing how to fix a broken nail is a handy skillset to have in your back pocket. Anyone who’s suffered a tear will know how frustrating it can be, especially if your nail breaks low. Not only can it ruin the look of your entire manicure, but it can also be pretty painful when it catches on fabrics and your hair. But, we’re about to put you onto a couple of ways to correct the problem easily (including an epic yet simple hack that can help you fix a chipped nail using items already in your kitchen cupboards).

Like Nicole Kidman in Babygirl, I thought I was too independent to be sexually submissive – until I met my ‘doms’
At first, I felt like a bad feminist for relishing the childlike role I took with my Daddy. But having a safe place to be needy is incredibly powerful.
Thanks to 50 Shades of Grey and other inaccurate depictions of BDSM, many people believe that D/s relationships are largely about the dominant person using impact (such as spanking or slapping) and/or bondage (such as handcuffs or rope) on the submissive person. While a D/s relationship is about a consensual exchange of power, this can come in many forms. A dominant can be a guide, protector, champion, and pain-giver. Sometimes, dominants are called ‘daddies’ or ‘mommies’, which enhance the role of caregiver and disciplinarian.

How to clean suede shoes in 5 simple steps
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
If you’ve been Googling “How to clean suede shoes” you’re not alone.
Besides causing commuting nightmares and skyrocketing our energy bills, the frigid temps and recent snowfall have likely led to some sartorial casualties. Namely, the ruining of our favourite suede shoes.
Puddles, muddy sidewalks, wet escalators—water in general is kryptonite to suede and this is prime season when our suede pieces are getting hit the hardest. As beautiful as suede pieces are, they’re also incredibly delicate and prone to stains. Hands up if you, too, have splashed some coffee and marked your fave suede booties (ouch).

Here’s Why You Should Consider The Modern Shag Haircut
The low-maintenance style is set to be this year’s coolest look…
Blame the start of a New Year or the universal urge to start afresh, but there’s something about this time of year that makes us want to change things up.
The easiest way to revamp your look? A fresh haircut. If you’ve already experimented with a bob or dabbled with extensions, maybe it’s time to try something entirely new. Enter: the shag haircut. With its effortless layers and relaxed vibe, the modern shag is having a serious moment. From what to ask your hairdresser for to the best celebrity inspiration – we round up everything you need to know before getting the chop.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Open Their Montecito Home to Friends Forced to Evacuate Due to Wildfires
The Sussexes have made donations to relief efforts—including children’s clothes and other essential items to those impacted by the fires.
As the wildfires continue to rage in the greater Los Angeles area, California residents Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are doing what they can to help.
T&C can confirm that they have made donations to relief efforts through their Archewell Foundation, and have donated clothing, children’s items, and other essential supplies to those affected by the fires. In addition, they have opened their Montecito home to loved ones who were forced to evacuate due to the blaze.

California Wildfires: How to Help Those Affected by the Crisis in Los Angeles
Over 100,000 people have been forced to evacuate so far.
It’s been nearly three days since the California wildfires began, taking at least five lives and forcing over 100,000 people to evacuate so far. According to CNN, the Palisades fire alone has already destroyed over 1,000 structures, making it the most destructive fire in LA history.
With hurricane-force winds fanning the flames and multiple fires still at zero percent containment, it seems the destruction will only continue—and yet, as Glamour recently wrote, “amid the confusion and devastation, simple acts of kindness emerged, as they often do.”
We’ve seen fire fighters work tirelessly to protect and serve their communities. We’ve seen Hollywood actors moving abandoned cars to clear the roads for first responders and evacuees. We’ve seen giant corporations and small businesses alike open their doors (and Airbnbs) to those in need. As a Los Angeles resident, I’ve personally seen dozens of peers opening their doors to those in evacuation zones, fostering displaced pets, rushing to donate necessities, and doing whatever they can to spread the word about urgent resources—from local evacuation shelters and restaurants offering free food to ways to stay safe from smoke inhalation—all while monitoring wildfire apps like Watch Duty and preparing for their own potential evacuations.
Even if you’re not able to lend a physical hand, there are still plenty of ways to help those affected by the California wildfires. Here are just some organizations that could use your support.

Platinum Hair Color Ideas That Will Change Your Whole Look
It’s time to go bold.
Among the best hair colors to try in 2025, platinum hair color stands out as one of the boldest and most transformative shades there is. Take it from celebrities like Ariana Grande, Kim Kardashian, and Camila Cabello, who have all debuted their own versions of the icy color to signal new eras. If you’re ready to change your look in the new year—but are tired of the regular blonde, brunette, and black shades—platinum blonde is the perfect way to hit a hard reset.

Andie MacDowell Has a Message for Hollywood: Stop With the Older-Women Clichés
The acclaimed actor and model opens up about her most famous roles, changing her name, and her complex feelings about being called “matronly.”
MacDowell remembers a time recently where she could barely zip up a new outfit. She had it on for 10 minutes before she took it off. Then, as she was sleeping that night, she started to feel pain in her rib cage that prompted “newfound clarity in the morning,” she says. The result? Acknowledging she has “a great body” that doesn’t need to change for a look.
But now, the actor best known for roles in Four Weddings and a Funeral, Groundhog Day, and much more, wants to shed light on something else that’s frustrating her: the lack of smart, leading roles centered on mature women. Hollywood is evolving, yes, but not soon enough, and not in the way it needs to be, MacDowell tells me.

57 Valentine’s Day Nail Trends for the Hopeless Romantic
Very much like the holiday it celebrates, Valentine’s Day nail art ideas have evolved past the cheesy heart nail designs and sentiments. While red, baby pink, and white remain staple shades in these DIY creations, there are many reasons why you should incorporate nail colors like black, silver, gold, green, and more into your V-Day nail palette. Trendy nail designs that you might still have lingering from Christmas (think bows, shimmer, and jewels), can also make for a romantic glam nail look. The possibilities, just like in love, are endless.
So whether you’re out on a romantic date or calling your closest friends for a night in filled with champagne and Love Island, there is a nail art for just about everyone. Below are the 57 best Valentine’s Day nail art designs that will warm your heart—even if you’re cupid-averse. Scroll down to find the right one for you.

5 Trendy Techniques for Cooking With Cabbage
This humble vegetable can go a long way in your kitchen.
If your cooking goals for this year are anything like mine, they might include spending less on groceries while also cooking more at home. And trust me, those two goals are not incompatible.
To accomplish that, an important rule of thumb to remember is that the key to more affordable (and abundant) home cooking hinges on learning which ingredients will do a lot without costing half your paycheck. For example, canned beans are shelf stable, can be used in a variety of ways, and add inexpensive protein to your meals. Or, for when I need to feed a lot of people, I’ll often roast whole carrots before finishing them with a simple glaze — they look beautiful on a platter and don’t rack up a big bill.

Eurythmics’ ‘Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)’ Music Video Joins YouTube’s Billion Views Club
It marks their first visual to hit the milestone.
Talk about a sweet dream come true! Eurythmics’ music video for their classic 1983 hit, “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This),” has surpassed one billion YouTube views. It marks the British synth-pop duo’s first clip to enter the Billion Views Club.
The Chris Ashbrook-directed music video begins with member Annie Lennox giving a business meeting to Dave Stewart in a conference room while dressed in a sleek androgynous suit, chanting the instantly-recognizable opening chorus: “Sweet dreams are made of this/ Who am I to disagree?/ I travel the world and the seven seas/ Everybody’s looking for something.” The musical duo then meditate from the conference room and teleport into a colorful dream world. In their fantasy land, they play instruments in a farm amid a herd of cows.

Britt Lower of ‘Severance’ Takes a Swing
In the three years since her breakout role in the fantastical series, she ran off to join the circus — twice. Season 2 may raise her profile even more. What’s next?
“I’m very much a beginner,” the actress Britt Lower said.
This was on a mid-December evening at a warehouse space in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn. Dressed in a T-shirt and houndstooth-patterned leggings, Lower climbed a ladder to a narrow platform where an instructor clipped her into a safety harness. Seconds later, Lower was upside-down, swinging from the ceiling of the España-Streb Trapeze Academy.
She dismounted, exhilarated. It was her fifth trapeze class.
Lower (rhymes with flower), 39, has been performing — professionally and at lower altitudes — for a decade and a half, with arcs on a spate of shows including HBO’s meditative stoner series “High Maintenance,” Hulu’s spiky dramedy “Casual” and FX’s surreal comedy “Man Seeking Woman.” She became more recognizable in 2022, as a star of “Severance,” the fantastical Apple TV+ show about co-workers who have volunteered to have a procedure that psychically separates their work lives from their home lives. Season 2 premieres on Jan. 17.

I Quit Drinking Four Years Ago. I’m Still Confronting Drinking Culture.
Maybe you made a New Year’s resolution to cut down on the amount of alcohol you drink or to stop drinking altogether. Maybe you’ve committed to Dry January. Maybe you were alarmed when the surgeon general last week said that consuming alcohol is a leading preventable cause of cancer and that alcoholic beverages should carry warning labels more like those for cigarettes.
Whatever the reason, a reconsideration of alcohol in our lives is in the air.
As someone who stopped drinking four years ago, shortly after my brother died — for me, a moment of reflection — I am always encouraged when people tell me that they are considering quitting. This is in part because I know that quitting involves more than conquering your thirst; it’s also about confronting the aspects of our culture that normalize and romanticize drinking and can be suspicious and dismissive of those who quit.

Jamie Lee Curtis Donates $1 Million to L.A. Fire Relief Efforts
Jamie Lee Curtis has donated $1 million to a relief fund for communities impacted by the ongoing wildfires in the Los Angeles area.
“As the fire still rages on and @calfire @losangelesfiredepartment and all the available first responders and agencies involved in fighting fire and saving lives are still hard at work and neighbors and friends are banding together to save each other, my husband and I and our children have pledged $1 million from our Family Foundation to start a fund of support for our great city and state and the great people who live and love there,” Curtis wrote on Instagram. “I’m in communication with Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass and Senator Schiff as to where those funds need to be directed for the most impact.”

10 Ways to Upgrade Your Home Lighting on a Budget, According to Interior Designers
A beautiful lamp doesn’t have to break the bank.
Lighting may seem like a small detail, but it can have a big impact on your home. Luckily, updating these fixtures doesn’t have to be arduous and costly. There are many ways to incorporate affordable lighting in your home, from switching out a lampshade to inexpensive cordless options—and making the transformation happen is much easier than you’d think. We spoke to lighting experts and interior designers about how to put these foolproof solutions into action and illuminate your space like never before—without breaking the bank.

3 Foods to Avoid Cooking in Your Cast-Iron Skillet, According to Experts
The good news is that most things are still on the table.
Technically, you can cook just about anything in a cast-iron skillet. It’s one of our favorite kitchen tools, and we use it for everything from Sunday morning pancakes and Dutch babies to seared steak and sautéed vegetables. Maintaining a well-seasoned cast-iron pan takes time and patience, but the coating only gets better and more protective with age and use. But there are three things you should avoid cooking in a cast-iron skillet if you’re not sure the pan has been properly seasoned and cared for. Ahead, we spoke to an iron cookware expert and food scientist to get their insights.

14 Beautiful Castles in Scotland — From Cliffside Ruins to Present-day Royal Homes
These Scottish castles offer fascinating history, stunning architecture, and sweeping grounds.
It’s estimated Scotland has more than 1,500 castles scattered across its rugged landscapes, with the earliest structures dating to the 12th century. While many stand in ruins, others have been restored and transformed into living museums that attract lovers of history, architecture, and manicured gardens. You can visit the magnificent Edinburgh Castle when you are in the capital city or trek out to more remote locations, where you’ll find cliffside stunners like Dunnottar Castle.
From fairytale-like fortresses to historic homes that have served as filming locations for beloved movies and television shows, these are 14 of the most beautiful castles in Scotland.

[Photo Credit: iltridentepositano.com]

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