T LOunge for January 29th 2024

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PinLila Izakaya Bar and Restaurant – Limassol, Cyprus

Another fabulous bunker for you to hunker down in until this WEDNESDAY passes you by. Sure, we could all go out into the world and do things but isn’t it so much better to stay inside, where it’s safe, warm and fabulous? Reality can wait. It’s overrated anyway.

Lady Gaga Addresses Harsh ‘Joker 2’ Reviews: “People Just Sometimes Don’t Like Some Things”
The star plays Harley Quinn in Todd Phillips’ ‘Joker: Folie à Deux,’ which was a critical and commercial disappointment when it hit theaters in the fall.
“People just sometimes don’t like some things,” Gaga said in her first public comments about reactions to the film, although she did not mention it by name. “It’s that simple. And I think to be an artist, you have to be willing for people to sometimes not like it. And you keep going, even if something didn’t connect in the way that you intended.”

Anthony Mackie Clarifies His Viral Captain America Comment: “I’m a Proud American”
The actor turned heads when he previously said, “To me Captain America represents a lot of different things and I don’t think the term ‘America’ should be one of those representations.”
Anthony Mackie has clarified earlier remarks about the ethos of Captain America that some on the Internet took issue with.
“Let me be clear about this, I’m a proud American and taking on the shield of a hero like CAP is the honor of a lifetime,” Mackie wrote on Instagram stories Tuesday. “I have the utmost respect for those who serve and have served our country. CAP has universal characteristics that people all over the world can relate to.” The statement comes after earlier comments trended online on Monday and Tuesday.

Forget dainty jewels, you need to treat yourself to a pair of 80’s inspired earrings and I’ve found the best ones
The bigger the better
I firmly believe finishing an outfit with a great pair of earrings is a non-negotiable. While I can go without most items of jewellery (and I usually do on a day to day basis), it’s rare you’ll catch me outside without a pair of classic gold hoops, supersized studs or a set of trending statement earrings dangling from my ear lobes. I’ll be honest, at this point it’s an attachment, but one I’m definitely not mad about considering a great pair of earrings has the ability to elevate almost any outfit.
So, it’ll probably come as no surprise to you to hear that in light of my love for the humble earring, I’m constantly on the lookout for new styles to stay ahead of the season’s jewellery trends. Yet, it seems this season, it’s not newness we’re being drawn to and instead it’s a vintage look that’s set to adorn our ears. I’m calling it now, 2025 is the year of an 80’s earring revival.

It’s official: these are the 8 best brown lip liners for recreating the iconic 90’s supermodel look
The best brown lip liners, tried and tested
The espresso lip trend is going nowhere in 2025. Made popular in the 1990’s by supermodels like Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford, the iconic look, which involves lining the lips with one of the best brown liners topped with either a clear or coordinating brown gloss, has had a resurgence recently with many celebrities and influencers opting to switch up classic nude lips and rosy tones for something darker and richer.

All the chicest people follow this styling hack and Carey Mulligan just proved why
Think of it like top half tonal dressing
As a fashion editor, I’m always on the lookout for ways to make my outfits look more elevated. From investing in quality fabrics, like the best cashmere jumpers, to taking the time to ensure my outfits feel curated and considered, I want to look expensive (no matter how much my outfit may have actually cost). And, this weekend, Carey Mulligan stepped out in one of my favourite fashion hacks for channeling just such an aesthetic – one that countless stylish women rely on to look effortlessly elegant day to day.

This classic ’90s denim staple is coming back with full force this year
The appetite for straight-leg jeans is ongoing
Commonly associated with the ’90s, straight-leg jeans are a classic denim silhouette that is fuss-free, sleek, and, most importantly, comfortable. The unsung hero of the era is often overlooked because of its simplicity, but trust us, a staple pair of straight-leg jeans will take your everyday wardrobe basics very far.
A fan favourite among the fashion set, you’ll likely spot your everyday street-style girlie with Agolde’s ’90s midrise jeans or a classic pair of Levi’s 501s. From high street to luxury, the drama lies in the details when it comes to this trusty pair of denim.

Why are my lips so dry? 7 common causes and how to avoid them
Because it’s chapped lips season.
If you’re wondering: why are my lips so dry you’re very much not the only one. Google has seen a breakout in searches for “lips constantly dry” throughout January – proof that dry Jan isn’t just targeting our alcohol intake.
It’s no surprise, in winter our lips seem to have a mind of their own and switch from super smooth to dry and cracked in what seems like hours. But, it’s worth knowing there are a few key causes of dry lips – as well as a couple of bad habits that exacerbate them, which the majority of us are guilty of doing on a daily basis.
It’s also important to understand that the skin on our lips is much more fragile than our skin elsewhere (so if you’re moisturising your face and body daily but missing out a step dedicated to your lips, you’re missing a trick).

What is the ‘divine feminine’ and how can you harness its energy?
Your inner witchy woman is calling.
If you’re into all things occult and mystical, you have probably already come across the phrase “divine feminine” in one of your Instagram or TikTok scrolling sessions. The somewhat vague term suggests a mysterious type of spirituality that is connected to feminine energy. You might imagine wise witchy women in cloaks à la Dune’s Bene Gesserit or Shakespeare’s three sisters as seen in Macbeth. Maybe, you imagine a Goop-y Gwyneth Paltrow-esque goddess woman, lighting candles and uncorking mysterious oils and creams. Perhaps, you are even picturing Minah’s doomed sisterhood in The Traitors.
Whatever witchy images spring to mind, chances are, you are still a tad confused. What exactly is the divine feminine? And can we incorporate the concept into our own day-to-day lives?

From Handshakes Instead of Hugs to Prince Louis’s Adorable Antics: The Peculiar History of Royal Parenting
Though Prince William and Princess Kate are determined to do things differently, they’re still restricted in just how much control they have over their children’s lives.
What royal watchers can forget the adorable antics of Prince Louis, and all the times he has acted, well, like a kid? At the Trooping of the Colour last month, the five-year-old pulled his famous faces, and at one point seemed to imitate a pilot as the military flew over Buckingham Palace. Fans have also been charmed by Prince William and Princess Kate’s seemingly relaxed and accepting reaction to their youngest child’s cheeky behavior—unthinkable to previous royal generations.

50 Powerful Women Share Their Power Picks
We asked some of the most successful and stylish professionals we know to tell us about the one item they can’t live without.
When there aren’t enough hours in the day, it’s hard to fathom how the super successful women we admire manage to make work look so effortless, while juggling life as a mere mortal. Talk to them, though (we did!), and you’ll learn that being at the top of their game—shaping culture, dreaming up big ideas, and creating a meaningful impact—requires more than hustle alone. It’s not just about having a sharp business plan or enviable leadership skills, either. True success often lies in the habits, gadgets, and stuff that make day-to-day life a little smoother.
And so, we asked 50 women—from founders and creatives to changemakers and CEOs—to share the one thing they rely on to give them an edge. Their answers offer a glimpse at the essentials that fuel their success. For some, it’s insightful tech that maximizes their time awake; for others, it’s a grounding daily ritual that helps them carve out some calm amid chaos.
What the items all have in common is that they reveal that true mogul status isn’t just about what you achieve, but also about how and what you use to recharge, refresh, and redefine what’s possible. They’re also a reminder that getting to the top isn’t about constantly adding more to your plate—it’s about choosing what truly works for you and letting go of the rest.

15 Reverse French Manicures That Reimagine the Classic Nail Look
A French manicure is one of the most timeless nail looks. Though its popularity waxes and wanes, the classic design, which mimics the look of a natural nail with a sheer pink or nude base and a white tip, never truly goes out of style. But more recently, it’s been reinvented. The reverse French manicure turns the concept of the French tip on its head, featuring a white border at the base of the nail rather than the tip. It forms what some have called a “cuticle cuff.” Celebrities like Blake Lively and Keke Palmer have been spotted wearing the trend. Because the design is thin and dainty, it allows you to introduce a pop of color into a manicure that’s still versatile and easy to style. And it’s a format that can be used all year round. Add a warm brown or a rich red for fall, an icy blue or silver come winter, or a bright citrus hue for spring and summer.

How to Prevent Mascara-Stained Under Eyes Once and For All
No more raccoon eyes.
Mascara stained under eyes: they’ve happened to the best of us, and it goes something like this. After carefully swiping on a few layers of mascara, you do a quick makeup check in the mirror a few hours later, only to find black smudges outlining the under eyes (and not in a good way) accompanied by small dark flecks. The look is grungier and more of a left-over-makeup look, which is far from the curled, glossy look you were going for. “Mascara stains can create a tired, unkempt look, undermining an otherwise polished appearance,” says makeup expert Kat James. But there are ways to prevent it from happening, thanks to some easy-to-follow makeup tips straight from makeup artists themselves.

A Decade After #OscarsSoWhite, How Much Has Actually Changed?
When the 2025 Oscar nominations finally landed last week, there was much to rejoice about: RaMell Ross’s ravishing Nickel Boys had made it onto the best-picture shortlist; The Substance’s Coralie Fargeat prevented the best-director line-up from being an all-male washout; and Emilia Pérez’s Karla Sofía Gascón made history as the first openly trans actor to be in the running for best actress.
At the same time, though, there were significant disappointments. Where was Marianne Jean-Baptiste in the best-actress race, she who has given what is, unquestionably, the performance of the year in Mike Leigh’s Hard Truths, and has so far collected no fewer than 14 film festival and critics’ prizes, as well as BAFTA and Critics’ Choice Award nominations for her efforts?

The Price of Coffee in the US Hit an All-Time High — Here’s Why
Consumers may soon see the cost passed on to them.
On Tuesday, Arabica coffee prices hit an eye-watering new high on the Intercontinental Exchange at $3.48 a pound, according to the Wall Street Journal. This means the price is up more than 40% over the last three months and 79% year-over-year — and it’s set to trickle down to the consumer level soon. However, this sharp increase can’t be blamed on one single cause. Instead it’s the result of several converging influences.

Lentils Are Your Ticket to Quick and Hearty Meals — Here’s How to Cook Them
In just a few steps, you can transform these versatile legumes into soups, salads, and beyond.
If you’ve ever had a ho-hum bowl of lentil soup, you could be forgiven for thinking lentils are boring. But “if they’re cooked well, they can be luxurious,” says 2024 F&W Best New Chef Karyn Tomlinson, whose stewed lentils at her St. Paul restaurant, Myriel, drew rave reviews from F&W restaurant editor Raphael Brion. It’s something chefs around the world have long known. These affordable, protein-rich legumes — whether they’re red, brown, or green — are the base of a staggering array of global dishes.
Red lentils are cooked down into a soft texture for Indian dals or misir wat, a spiced stew that Ethiopian Israeli chef Fanta Prada serves with fresh injera. Chef Ana Sortun simmers them, adding bulgur during the final few minutes, then forms the mixture into Turkish-inspired kibbeh (pan-fried patties) for her Vegetarian Red Lentil Wraps. Brown lentils add a subtle bite to lentil soups and stews, while peppery French lentils hold their shape for Tomlinson’s Lentil Salad with Roasted Red Peppers.

The No. 1 Thing You Need to Know About French Food, According to Jacques Pépin
If anyone knows French cuisine, it’s this legendary chef.
Chef, cookbook author, and French food expert Jacques Pépin has been doling out culinary wisdom for decades, and at age 89 — when he’s not busy painting — he’s still an active force in the food world.
Last week, he sat down to chat with fellow food icon José Andrés for the Spanish chef’s podcast, Longer Tables with José Andrés. The duo reflected on everything from Pépin’s first years in the United States to his friendship with Julia Child. As a French chef in America, Pépin has a unique perspective on how others perceive the cuisine of his home country — and there’s one myth he’s hoping to debunk.

Idina Menzel Played Elphaba and Elsa. Now She’s Going Out on a Limb.
Menzel, a fan favorite since “Rent,” is back on Broadway in “Redwood,” and this time she’s climbing conifers.
In an entertainment industry where actors are lucky to have one career-defining role, Menzel already has three: Maureen, the rabble-rousing performance artist in “Rent”; Elphaba, the green-skinned who-are-you-calling-wicked witch in “Wicked”; and Elsa, the ice-conjuring queen in Disney’s animated “Frozen” films. Those characters have many strengths, but serenity is not one of them.

Mona Lisa to Get Her Own Room as the Overcrowded Louvre Expands
President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to alleviate crowds at the Paris museum and to charge higher fees for visitors from outside the European Union.
The Louvre Museum in Paris will move the Mona Lisa to a newly created exhibition space, President Emmanuel Macron of France announced on Tuesday as he unveiled sweeping plans to expand and renovate the world’s biggest and most visited museum.
Speaking in front of Leonardo da Vinci’s 16-century masterpiece itself, Mr. Macron also said that the Louvre would create a new entrance in its easternmost facade, near the Seine River, to alleviate overcrowding at the museum, which is swarmed by nearly nine million visitors every year.

Why Every Best Actress Nominee Has a Solid Shot at the Oscar
The strong lineup includes comeback kid Demi Moore, Brazilian actress Fernanda Torres, and “Emilia Pérez” star Karla Sofía Gascón. But who will win?
Ever since the Oscar nominations were announced last week, one statistic has really stuck with me: For the first time since 1978, all five best-actress nominees come from films that are also nominated for best picture.
There are a couple of different ways you could look at that statistic. One is that the recent push to diversify the academy has actually paid dividends: For a long time, female-led movies just weren’t given the same canonical weight as the ones that starred men. Now that more women have become Oscar voters and the best-picture field has expanded beyond five nominees, the kinds of movies that are thought of as the most important of the year have finally changed, too.
That’s the highbrow way of looking at it, anyway. The part of me that simply enjoys a suspenseful Oscar race sees that statistic as proof that this is the strongest best-actress lineup we’ve had in ages. Any one of the five nominees has a competitive case to win and below, I’ll lay them all out.

Dolly Parton Announces ‘Dolly: An Original Musical’ Will Premiere in Nashville This Summer, Prior to Planned 2026 Broadway Run
Dolly Parton announced Tuesday that her autobiographical stage musical “Dolly: An Original Musical” will have its world premiere in Nashville this July, the first public stop on the way to a planned Broadway opening in 2026.
Directed by Tony winner Bartlett Sher, the Nashville production will play a limited four-week engagement on the campus of Belmont University, at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. Preview performances begin July 18, with the official opening night set for Aug. 8. Most of the Belmont performances will actually take place during that preview stage, as the show is scheduled to have its last night on Aug. 17. Tickets are now on sale at www.dollymusical.com.

Why Ben Whishaw had 55 pages of dialogue to memorize in new movie while co-lead Rebecca Hall had only 3
In “Peter Hujar’s Day,” which had its premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, the bulk of the speaking falls to Whishaw.
Normally, if an actor has 55 pages of dialogue in a film while his female counterpart has only three, there’s clearly a wonky gender dynamic at play.
But that is not at all the case with Peter Hujar’s Day, the new film from Ira Sachs which premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival on Monday. The film is a recreation of a conversation between Hujar (Ben Whishaw) and his close friend, Linda Rosenkrantz (Rebecca Hall), using the word-for-word transcript of the real individuals’ chat.

Our 30 Most Popular Soup Recipes Ever
Including chicken noodle, split pea with ham, tomato, cream of broccoli, and more.
No matter the season, soup is guaranteed to please. While this collection is filled with recipes our editors love, they’re ultimately your picks! We combed through the archives and rounded up 30 of our most popular soup recipes.
The beauty of these recipes is that you can customize many of them based on what’s in season: squash and zucchini during the summertime, root vegetables during winter, or adjust based on what you already have. Whatever you decide, make sure these all-star recipes are on your radar the next time a craving for something incredibly comforting strikes.

6 Foods You Should Be Cooking in a Cast-Iron Skillet, According to a Food Scientist
This versatile pan is our go-to.
We reach for our cast-iron skillet on the daily, probably more often than most other tools in our kitchen. Whether we’re getting a golden brown sear on a piece of meat, baking cornbread, or deep-frying just about anything, a cast-iron pan is often the best tool for the task—and that is true for both professional chefs and home cooks. A well-cared for cast-iron skillet is naturally nonstick and has the most even and reliable heat absorption, making it suitable for so many techniques and dishes. Plus, it can go from the stovetop to the oven to the grill. We spoke with a food scientist to find out which foods you should always cook in cast iron.

6 Reasons Your Carpet Smells—and How to Remove the Odors
These simple strategies use common household ingredients.
The first thing our feet touch in the morning and what welcomes us home at night, carpets cascade through our homes. Rugs and carpeting can be decorative staples, but, practically speaking, they are also where we spend much of our time. So when there is an unmistakable odor coming up from the carpet, you will want to get to the bottom of it right away. “Carpets act as a giant filter, collecting dust, germs, pollutants, and odors,” explains Ken Faherty, founder of Be Green Carpet Cleaning. “However, unlike your HVAC filter, you can’t easily replace your carpet.”
It may take some effort, but rest assured that there are effective and safe DIY strategies to remove even the most bothersome of carpet smells and leave your home refreshed. Read on for expert advice for treating odors that get trapped in carpeting—and why they may have gotten there in the first place.

6 Smart Tricks for Keeping Bananas From Ripening Too Quickly
How to slow down the inevitable process.
Bananas sure are sneaky when it comes to ripening. One day, you’re waiting for a bunch of green bananas to ripen. And the next? The whole lot has gone spotty brown. If your bananas tend to over-ripen before you and your family get a chance to eat them, there are some tricks to help slow down the inevitable process.
Learning to keep bananas from ripening too quickly can help cut down on waste and earn you savings in your weekly grocery budget. While it’s impossible to keep them edible forever, there are a few ways you can try to keep your bananas fresh for longer. (Take note, though: there’s plenty you can do with overripe bananas, so the ones you can’t save don’t necessarily have to go in the compost.)

This Under-the-radar European Capital Is a Can’t-miss Cultural Destination — With Gourmet Street Food, Lively Nightlife, and City Beaches
One writer explores the wine bars and market stalls transforming Serbia’s capital into a must-visit cultural destination.
It’s a capital with a long history of being in flux, of trying to regulate its own rhythm amidst centuries of bombardments, ever-shifting borders, and its more recent past: decades of communism, the Yugoslav Wars, years of hyperinflation, and the 1999 NATO bombing have all left scars on the city. Yet time and again, Belgrade has managed to rebuild, and during my recent visit, it felt on the verge of a reimagining, which is perhaps why I found myself forming such a swift bond with the city — an unexpected kinship borne out of mutual reinvention.
The secret to making the most of a trip to Belgrade — to anywhere, really — is to find the places where you want to root yourself.

[Photo Credit: boomprojectdesign.com]

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