T LOunge for February 7th 2024

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PinCasa Boho Bar and Restaurant – Phuket, Thailand

That’ll do nicely, don’t you think? It is, blessedly, FRIDAY. Let’s all high-five each other for making it through another one, shall we? Good job, team. Now spread out and take over this LOunge for the day. You’ve earned it.

The Last Showgirl: Pamela Anderson and Gia Coppola in conversation
Pamela Anderson and director Gia Coppola discuss their new film The Last Showgirl, which portrays the nuanced reality behind the ‘glitz and glamour’ of life for women performers in Las Vegas
Gia Cappola: I’ve always loved Las Vegas and I’ve been looking for the right story. So when I came across Kate [​​Gersten’s] play, I thought it was a beautiful portrait of what it’s like to live there, which was a part of my fascination with this unusual city and what goes on behind the magic. At the heart of it, it’s a mother-daughter story but it also deals with how our culture so easily discards anything after a certain point – technology, art, humans.
I found it really inspiring to understand the world of showgirls, which is an icon of the city. And Shelly, I think she’s so human and lovable and flawed. To be in love with something that sometimes doesn’t love you back is a situation we’ve all faced in many different forms. And how do we meet these challenges? Pamela just made it come to life in a much grander way than I could have even imagined.

Was Chappell Roan’s Grammys Speech Naive or Necessary? Why Both Sides of the Debate Are Right, and Sometimes Not
Late Wednesday evening, an uproar erupted across the music industry over an op-ed published in the Hollywood Reporter, in which Jeff Rabhan (former chair of New York University’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music) unpacked some of the implications of Chappell Roan’s passionate statement about music companies owing musicians “a livable wage and health care” during her speech accepting the best new artist award at the Grammy Awards.
As is the case with many such situations, both sides are right about some things and less right about others. That segment of Chappell’s speech bears repeating in full:
“I told myself if I ever won a Grammy, and I got to stand up here in front of the most powerful people in music, I would demand that labels and the industry, profiting millions of dollars off of artists, would offer a livable wage and health care, especially to developing artists.

Netflix Will Not Release Controversial Prince Doc Following New Deal With Singer’s Estate
A New York Times report last year alleged that the unreleased documentary accused the late musician of physical and emotional abuse.
Netflix will not release Ezra Edelman’s Prince documentary following a new deal with the late singer’s estate, the two parties announced Thursday.
“The Prince Estate and Netflix have come to a mutual agreement that will allow the estate to develop and produce a new documentary featuring exclusive content from Prince’s archive,” a statement from both parties’ social media read. “As a result, the Netflix documentary will not be released.”
A New York Times report last September alleged that Edelman’s project would accuse Prince of physical and emotional abuse. The documentary was reportedly nine hours, and featured interviews with dozens of Prince’s former business partners, lovers, friends and associates. Edelman is best known for O.J.: Made in America.

Ben Stiller Takes Control
The obsessive actor-director is finally fulfilling his creative ambitions with ‘Severance,’ but perfectionism can have its price.
Stiller’s latest project, executive producing and directing the majority of episodes of the Apple TV+ show Severance, which began its second season Jan. 17, is the fulfillment of that childhood obsession. The show exemplifies a certain kind of storytelling, a genre-straddling project with tension, drama and humor that was common on the big screen during the ’70s and has mainly been found on television over the past decade, in programs like Better Call Saul, Fargo and Stiller’s own 2018 limited series, Escape at Dannemora. It’s the kind of thing 12-year-old Ben wanted to make, and that grown-up Ben might have made earlier if not for a minor detour he took as a global comedy star in films like There’s Something About Mary and Zoolander and franchises like Meet the Parents and Night at the Museum.

Messy, Imperfect And Chaotic — Why Gen Z Can’t Get Enough Of Bridget Jones
Our favourite hapless heroine is (almost) back in ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy’, and, in true Bridget fashion, has found a new generation of fans too.
The year is 1995 and Helen Fielding, a then-unknown writer, has just published her first column for The Independent under the pseudonymous, Bridget Jones. Bridget is a 30-something woman in media who lives alone in Notting Hill and whose hapless attempts at self-improvement invariably crash on the rocks of reality.
Fast forward 30 years, and you’d be forgiven for assuming that audiences once enraptured by Bridget Jones, the archetypal chain-smoking, calorie-counting female anti-hero, had petered out, perhaps had their love for the character watered down. Yet, if social media — for the most part, the modern-day mortal enemy of truth — is to be believed, Bridget Jones is back, and actually bigger and better than ever before.

My oily eyelids make liner a no-go, but I think I’ve just found a gel formula that can withstand anything
Time to perfect my winged liner technique
As someone with both hooded eyes and oily eyelids, eyeliner is pretty much a non-starter in my make-up routine. I’ve tried countless products over the years but very few manage to stay on my upper lash line without transferring or smudging after 30 minutes of wear. I had pretty much sworn off the sleek winged liner look for life. But after coming across the new Jones Road Gel Liner—which promises to be water and transfer-resistant—I thought it was worth one last go.
I have made my way through many of the best waterproof eyeliners in my quest for the ideal fit, but I have found it difficult to get on with liquid formulas that can be messy and hard to work with. However, as someone who severely struggles to draw two symmetrical wings on my wonky eyes, potted eyeliner has always intimidated me.

News alert: your scalp has a moisture barrier—here’s how one simple shampoo swap can transform dry, colour-damaged hair
No, I didn’t know it did either…
I say it every time, but this year, I want to take better care of my hair. From skipping heat protectant to forgoing leave-in treatments, I get into a good routine for a few weeks, before inevitably dropping off.
Now, I have super dry, wavy hair that is always in need of some TLC — and that was before I started colouring it; what began as covering my greys quickly morphed into getting an all-over cherry-red gloss. While my hairstylist, Gustav Fouche, is excellent and does what he can to minimise damage, I have noticed that it is a little drier than before. That’s why my interest was piqued when I saw that oil-based shampoos were trending. Promising to clean your hair gently, while re-infusing it with moisture, they seemed like a one-way ticket to the long, lustrous hair that always felt out of reach.

I drank carrot juice every day for a month to get a tan – and this is the result…
Carrot juice is orange, but can it help tan your skin? Beauty editor Anna Bader tries it out.
A healthy tan makes me feel full of life. It puts me in a good mood and magics up a beautiful glow for my face. The trouble is, in winter and spring, my skin is snow-white; I’m not in the least bit tanned and I want to change that.
Bye-bye winter pastiness: this is why I’m doing the carrot juice experiment
So, I decided to get clued up on the best method for natural tanning, even in the colder months. As a beauty editor, I know that the sun and UV rays are damaging to the skin, so using a sunbed would never be an option for me.

13 best hair straighteners 2025, reviewed by experts & editors
Smooth and sleek hair? Easy.
In a world of intimidating hair tools, you can always turn to the best hair straighteners for unbeaten versatility – serving pin-straight hair, beach waves, bouncy curls and everything in between. Celebrity hair stylist and Dyson’s Global Ambassador Larry King rates these multi-purpose tools for being suitable even for novices: “Hair straighteners are amazing for beginners – as you progress and your ability grows, you’re able to create more shapes, bends and curls to the hair.”

Where is Kinda Pregnant filmed? Filming locations revealed
Daydreaming of NYC? Same.
Kinda Pregnant is Amy Schumer’s new Netflix comedy about a woman who is kinda pregnant… but not really. Directed by Tyler Spindel, the film follows Lainey, a New Yorker, who fakes a pregnancy and ends up meeting the man of her dreams on the way.
Although the film has had mixed reviews, it does have one thing in common with the classic rom-coms of yore: its many iconic New York City locations. If you’ve seen the film, it’s probably left you daydreaming of strolls through Central Park and charming old brownstones. Curious to see where exactly the film was shot? Let’s take a closer look.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Where is the real Belle Gibson now?
Introducing your latest scammer obsession.
It’s no secret that we all love a good scammer story. If you admit to having an unhealthy fascination with the likes of Caroline Calloway or Anna Delvey, allow us to introduce you to your latest obsession: Apple Cider Vinegar.
The new Netflix show is inspired by the real-life story of Belle Gibson, a woman who built a hugely successful wellness brand on an elaborate lie that she had cancer. The show is based on the book The Woman Who Fooled the World, by Australian journalists Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano who research and reported on Gibson’s story. (Funnily enough, the Netflix show is coming out alongside news of another cancer-scammer adaptation based on the story of Amanda Riley).

The ‘Dolce Vita’ Bob Is The Retro Haircut You’ll Want To Try This Spring – Here’s How To Recreate It
Retro curls, side partings, and extra volume – the latest bob fascination has a distinctly vintage feel.
From claw clips to finger waves, French twists and Bardot bangs, retro hairstyles have been making a major resurgence of late. And the latest one rising to top of our moodboards, signalling the return of polished and glamorous ‘dos, is the ‘dolce vita’ bob.
Popularised in the 1950s, and reemerging thanks to singer-songwriter Raye, whose sculpted, coiffed bob is now something of a signature, this retro bob is officially trending, with everyone from Sabrina Carpenter to Cardi B and Zendaya making a strong case for the bouncy, polished curls and short crop.

Why Jennifer Aniston Is (Still) An Icon For Beachy, Layered Hairstyles
A hairstylist explains the enduring appeal of her looks
It’s been 30 (!) years since Jennifer Aniston introduced us to The Rachel, a choppy, layered haircut sported by her Friends character in 1995. To this day, she continues to inspire many hair transformation through the many looks she’s sported throughout her impressive career. From conquering our screens in beloved rom-coms such as Bruce Almighty and Murder Mystery to delivering a stellar performance in The Morning Show (it earned her multiple Golden Globe nominations), Aniston remains one of the most revered actors and style icons of our time.

Carrie Preston Can’t Get Enough of Elsbeth’s Feel-Good Attitude Either
The star of the hit CBS series opens up about the network TV revival and the mysteries still to come in season 2.
Elsbeth Tascioni isn’t your typical law enforcement official. Regularly clad in bright pink and patterned outfits, hoisting no less than three tote bags around N.Y.C., and donning a perpetually sunny attitude, Carrie Preston plays the title character—who first appeared on CBS’s The Good Wife before landing her own eponymous spin-off—as a breath of fresh air in the typical police procedural format.
In each episode of Elsbeth, the former lawyer turned NYPD consultant uses her quirky personality and excellent attention to detail to sniff out the killer behind the case-of-the-week. With season 2 of the CBS show now back on the air, following a midseason hiatus, Elsbeth will have to problem-solve her way out of two dynamite situations that could make or break her: a high-profile legal case she worked on in Chicago being publicly relitigated, and a powerful (and evil) judge is keeping a close watch on her after she nearly identified him as the real killer in a case he oversaw.

35 Chin-Length Haircuts to Inspire Your Next Chop
The chin-length haircut draws attention to all your favorite features.
In 2025, A-listers like Gabrielle Union, Ayo Edebiri, Lily Collins, and more are all appearing with closely cropped hair that just grazes the chin. Why the sudden surge? “Chin-length haircuts offer fashionable, timeless, [and] structured looks that make a profound statement,” says hairstylist and curl expert David Reid. “They draw attention to your best features because they rest so closely to the face and on the chin and jawline.” The cut has endless variations, from blunt with bangs, to edgy and asymmetrical, or a sloping inverted shape. Each style can be tailored to highlight your favorite facial features and complement your hair texture.

These Beloved Food Rituals Bring Carnival Season to Life in the Bayous of Louisiana
Mardi Gras is the greatest party on Earth. Here’s how the locals celebrate.
The seasons on the bayous of Louisiana are not necessarily summer, fall, winter, and spring. They are marked by nature, traditions, and distinct emotions. They are rituals playing out on a stove every day. We mark years with dishes and celebrations — some so small that they are personal to my own table, or those at my New Orleans restaurant, Mosquito Supper Club — and some, like Fat Tuesday, that are world-renowned. We commemorate, reminisce, and harvest through the year. We celebrate holidays and memorialize the days life marks for us, like the passing of a loved one or the date a hurricane made landfall. We never need an excuse to gather and toast to life, love, and supper.

Seafood Nachos, Po’boys, and Gumbo Are Football Fan Favorites in New Orleans
Here’s where to eat around the Dome, aka the Caesars Superdome, the host of Super Bowl LIX.
With its central location in one of the world’s top party towns, just 20 minutes by foot from the intersection of Canal and Bourbon Streets, the Caesars Superdome is an absolute scene on game days. Chants of “Who dat? Who dat? Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints?” ring out as New Orleans Saints fans bedecked in black and gold parade through the streets and tailgate officially at Champions Square and unofficially under overpasses around the stadium, which will host Super Bowl LIX on February 9.
The options for where to eat and drink before, after, or during an NFL game in New Orleans are practically endless and easy to love, so here are a few strong ways to get started.

Are Natural Food Dyes Better? Experts Weigh In on the Pros and Cons
With mounting research on health risks and regulatory bans, the food industry is rethinking its approach to color.
Now that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a ban on red dye No.3, it’s fair to wonder about dyes in your food. Several companies have moved toward using natural dyes in their food products over the last few years, but artificial dyes still dominate the market.
Still, the FDA’s ban, along with bans on certain artificial food dyes in California and a growing body of research that links artificial dyes with health issues, suggest that these manufactured food colorings are on the way out.
Most people aren’t as well versed in natural food dyes as they are the artificial versions, raising a lot of questions about what these are and how you can even find them in products. Here’s what a dietitian, food safety expert, and toxicologist want you to know.

Gen Z doesn’t know how to act in bars
Why hasn’t anyone told America’s youngest adults about drinking etiquette?
One of America’s favorite pastimes, right up there with baseball and gimmick food, is generational disdain. Gen Z is experiencing the same hot scrutiny that millennials, Gen X, and even baby boomers were subject to. Every little facet of their lives becomes a perplexing anthropological study, an affirmation to older people that youth is wasted on the young.
They’re having less sex and are praying more. They look old but are, taxonomically, young. They love TikTok and social media, but are antisocial and the loneliest young people have ever been.

The Many Ways You Can Give Antiques a New Life
They can be restored, recovered, repurposed and more. You can also use these techniques to customize new furniture.
It’s not always obvious what to do with some pieces of furniture. Most of us hang on to family heirlooms even if we don’t love them, have favorite chairs and sofas that inevitably start to fall apart and second-guess ourselves about timeworn items that turn up at antiques stores at estate sales.
Fortunately, there’s no need to accept vintage furniture as it is. With a little updating, it’s possible to give old pieces new life.

This Is the Most Popular Supermarket in the US, According to a New Study
Publix, Trader Joe’s, and Wegmans top the list.
There are many factors to consider when choosing a go-to supermarket. How organized it is, how friendly the employees are, and the sales offered are all things that may influence your shopping experience. A recent study by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) analyzed these factors to find the most popular supermarket chains in the United States.
ACSI measures customer satisfaction across multiple industries. For this study, ACSI collected data from January to December 2024 and compared it to the previous year’s data to help supermarkets improve customer satisfaction.

How to Restore and Protect Leather Furniture, Clothing, and Accessories, According to Experts
Fix cracked, peeling, and faded leather with these helpful tips.
Well-loved leather furniture, shoes, and clothes can start to show their wear over time. Dirt, tears, and even faded patches can make your once-favorite leather pieces start to look a little tattered and worn—which is where leather restoration comes in. Unlike other materials, leather requires a special touch, especially when the material is particularly lackluster. Ahead, we talked to a leather professional to learn how to restore leather goods to their former glory.

6 Make-Ahead Super Bowl Foods That Will Score Big on Game Day
Spend more time enjoying the big game with these Super Bowl foods that can be made ahead of time and refrigerated.
No matter which team is playing on Super Bowl Sunday, one thing is always a given: There will be food—and lots of it. Whether you’re cooking for your family or contributing a dish to a tailgate party or potluck, the last thing you want is to spend the day stressed out in the kitchen. In this party playbook, you’ll prep most of the dishes ahead of time, leaving just a few finishing touches for game day.

30 Super Bowl Desserts That Taste Like Sweet Victory
These desserts will have everyone cheering when they take a bite.
Things can get tense during the Super Bowl—so why not add some sweetness to game day with these irresistible desserts? From blondies and cheesecake bars to football cupcakes, sugar cookies, and sheet cakes, we have the winning treats that will appeal to everyone, no matter which team they’re rooting for.

These Are the Most Romantic Restaurants in the U.S., According to OpenTable
The restaurant reservation platform shares its top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants list.
It’s February, so there’s plenty of love in the air. If you would like to show your love through food, then OpenTable has a list for you.
Each year, the restaurant reservation platform shares its top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants list. But before we get into the list, we want to share OpenTable’s findings from the company’s latest survey, which shows that this year’s Valentine’s Day celebrations will “break all the rules.”
“According to a survey commissioned by OpenTable, Valentine’s Day dining is undergoing a dramatic shift, as singles and group celebrations redefine the traditionally couple-focused holiday,” the company shared in an announcement. “The data shows a remarkable 61 percent of singles are willing to dine out for a first date on Feb. 14, while 51 percent of all diners are considering double dates.

I’ve Lived in Italy 15+ Years — Here Are 10 Unspoken Rules to Follow When You Visit
As a foreigner visiting Italy, you’re probably not going to blend in — but you can still try.
After living in Italy for over 15 years, I’ve learned to adhere to the social norms and customs that prevail in this country, from how to dress to when to eat. As a visitor, it might take you a while to pick up on these unspoken rules, but the sooner you do, the more you’ll feel at ease moving around the country and interacting with locals. Here are 10 things to know before traveling to Italy.

[Photo Credit: casabohophuket.com]

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