T LOunge for March 12th 2025

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PinRuby Ray’s Restaurant – Saint Julian’s, Malta

Let’s all be a little moody and mysterious this WEDNESDAY, shall we? The times call for it. Settle into a dark corner and sit in a pool of light all day being inscrutable as hell.

Netflix’s ‘The Leopard’ Gains Global Traction as Streamer Screens Sumptuous Show at Italian Embassies Around the World
Netflix’s “The Leopard” is gaining global traction with viewers just as the streaming giant is taking the sumptuous Sicilian series on a tour involving gala presentations in Italian embassies in Washington D.C., London, Berlin, Brussels and other world capitals.
The high-end show, based on the classic Sicily-set novel by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, dropped on Netflix March 5. In its first five days, “The Leopard” scored more than 3 million views worldwide and landed in the streamer’s Top 10 in over 30 countries including Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Germany, Mexico and Spain — in addition to Italy, where “The Leopard” rapidly shot to No. 1, Netflix said on Wednesday.

Disney Scales Back ‘Snow White’ Hollywood Premiere Amid Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot Controversies
Zegler reasons that the backlash to the film is due to the “passion” for the original film. “I interpret people’s sentiments towards this film as passion,” she said in an interview in the March issue of Vogue Mexico. “What an honor to be a part of something that people feel so passionately about. We’re not always going to agree with everyone who surrounds us and all we can do is our best.” […]
World politics have also come into play. Zegler has promoted “free Palestine” on social media. At the same time, Gadot, who is Israeli, has become an outspoken supporter of Israel on social media as well as in a passionate speech she delivered on March 4 when she was honored at the Anti-Defamation League’s annual summit in New York City. “Never did I imagine that on the streets of the United States, and different cities around the world, we would see people not condemning Hamas, but celebrating, justifying and cheering on a massacre of Jews,” she said, in part.

Dylan Mulvaney Is Ready to Move On
Two years after the Bud Light controversy she calls “Beergate,” the actor, comedian, and TikTok star is ready for her next chapter.
Dylan Mulvaney peers back at me through my computer screen, and all I can see is pink gingham. Pink gingham shirt, sheer pink-gingham curtain, even the book she’s written—Paper Doll: Notes From a Late Bloomer—is patched with pink and white squares throughout.
“I exist in a sea of gingham,” she says. The more we talk, the more I begin to understand why she’d be attracted to this pattern, going so far as to choose it as a defining visual for Paper Doll, her memoir that chronicles what the world didn’t see during her very public transition. “I love retro aesthetics, and when we were designing the book, I was like, ‘I think gingham will stand the test of time,’” she says. “If it’s lived on this long, I think it will continue to.”

As someone with oily skin, prone to enlarged pores and fine lines, this is my secret to a smooth, flawless base
My make-up has never looked better
I believe your base is the most important part of your make-up. You can spend hours creating an elaborate eye look or flawlessly blending your bronzer and blusher for a sculpted look, yet if your base becomes dry or cakes throughout the day, your whole look can be ruined. It’s for this reason I put a lot of stock in a great make-up primer as it creates the perfect canvas for everything else that follows.
As someone with oily skin, prone to enlarged pores and fine lines, I need a great smoothing primer that smooths fine lines and minimises shine—something that’s even more important now that the weather’s warming up and we’re moving into spring.

Every beauty editor I know is obsessed with the naked manicure—it’s clean, precise and *expensive-looking*
Fresh and clean for spring
Every beauty editor I know wants a variation of these three things when it comes to their manis: super clean, precise, and minimalist. While I love colour as much as the next person, when you’re writing and trying the latest trends, sometimes you just want something that feels super fresh and neutral. Enter the naked manicure, which has been making the rounds on the fingernails of all the chicest women I know.

If you like the low-maintenance approach to hair styling and want to get ready in minutes—you need to know about the ‘lived-in bob’
Kiera Knightley is a fan
You should know the score by now—the bob is the haircut of the year. But within the trend are an endless number of iterations. It’s only just March, but so far, we’ve seen the pullet, flicked-out styles, midi shags, and the macro bob, for those who are feeling brave.
I’m quite low-maintenance when it comes to my hair—I like to keep things simple here. I simply do not have the time, nor the skill to be faffing around each morning, creating a perfectly coifed, frizz-free and shiny look. That’s why I was so intrigued by the proliferation of the “lived-in bob” at the Brits, the Oscars, and Milan Fashion Week, especially when it was worn so effortlessly by Kiera Knightley.

I tried doing a 10-minute power walk every morning for a week – it’s the best energy boost I’ve ever tried
One to add to your routine?
Walking is by no means a new form of exercise, but it is refreshing to see how many people are now trying walking workouts. Of course, nothing quite beats a leisurely amble where you’re simply walking for the pure joy of it, but there’s also something to be said for upping the pace and turning your walk into a mini sweat session.
Enter: the power walk. We’ve all heard the term, and whether or not you’re a power walker yourself, you’ve probably got an inkling that it’s a simple yet effective form of exercise. Yep – it turns out that power walking can have many physical and mental health benefits, including improved cardiovascular fitness, increased muscle strength, and a more positive sense of wellbeing to boot.

9 spring makeup looks that are the moment (from butter skin to boy blush)
A whole vibe
…Ready for it? The season is finally shifting so we’re looking ahead to the spring makeup looks that are set to take off. The SS25 runway shows give us a taste of what to expect, but honestly, we want to know what the girlies on TikTok are getting behind.
One place to look for an early scoop are the global makeup artists who have helped to curate and coin the celebrity and editorial looks we love. We spoke to Nikki Wolff (better known as @nikkimakeup) whose clients include Sabrina Carpenter, Dua Lipa, Yara Shahidi and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Hila Karmand who’s worked with the likes of Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwall, Dina Asher-Smith and Joan Smalls.
Obviously, it’s a vibe-shift from the moodier aesthetic of autumn-winter with trends like watercolour makeup, butter skin and boy blush all making an appearance.

39 best Apple TV+ shows to watch for your next Sunday sofa session
Move on over, Netflix.
Apple TV+ has upped its game with an impressive line-up of binge-worthy TV shows, so move on over, Netflix!
The platform has brought out so many big guns (and names), with shows fronted by Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston (The Morning Show), Tom Hiddleston and Clare Danes (The Essex Serpent); and one of the most star-studded casts we’ve seen in a long time in the environmental crisis drama, Extrapolations.
We also recommend adding upcoming series The Studio and Loot, executive produced by Maya Rudolph, to your watchlists.

The boho necklaces and bracelets we’ll be wearing this spring 2025
You might already have these in your jewellery box.
If you’re one of those people who can’t hit the beach without accessories, or if, as a teenager, you treasured stacked beaded necklaces (in all colours) and rigid bracelets (almost always made of wood), listen up: the boho and eclectic jewellery that you wore during your youth — the pieces you bought in the markets and stalls on the promenade during your holidays — is back for spring 2025.

Why Doechii Is The Beauty Icon We All Need Right Now, And How To Recreate Her Best Looks
She’s a real style chameleon
We’re only just getting into spring and already 2025 is proving to be a mega year for Doechii. The 26-year-old Florida-born rapper and songwriter was nominated for three Grammy Awards this year for Best New Artist, Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Album (which she won). She’s a force to be reckoned with, and if the red carpets are any indication, it’s clear that not only is she reshaping the music industry, Doechii is also set to be this generation’s fashion and beauty icon too.
Forget formulaic dressing or committing to a single aesthetic, Doechii understands that the world of style and glamour is limitless, and it’s hers for the taking. Doechii’s style is imaginative and experimental, keeping us on our toes as she transforms from one look to the next. No appearance is the same, and we can always rely on her to deliver a major moment that will no doubt go down in pop culture history.

Bantu Knots Are So Easy to DIY—Here’s How to Do Them
They’re a must in your natural-hair arsenal.
Bantu knots are a versatile, cute, and easy-to-DIY protective style. Originating in the Zulu Kingdom (located in present-day South Africa), the style has become more and more trendy, with stars like Beyoncé rocking Bantu knots in her Black Is King film and Tanner Adell wearing her platinum knots to the County Music Awards. This protective style is great for natural hair and helps to retain moisture and prevent breakage.

This Common Pantry Staple Lasts Forever — Yes, Really
Some foods expire in days — this one lasts for centuries.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), approximately 30–40% of the food supply in the United States is wasted every year. That’s about 133 billion pounds — or $161 billion worth — of food. So yes, it’s bad for both our wallets and the environment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), food waste is the “single most common material” found in landfills and incinerators across the country.
While some foods are destined to spoil after just a few days, one pantry staple seems to have cracked the code on immortality: honey. Yes, that golden, sweet liquid stashed in kitchen cabinets can last for years, decades, and maybe even eternity.

Are Frozen Vegetable More Nutritious Than Fresh Ones?
Don’t underestimate the power of the freezer aisle.
Turning to frozen vegetables may sometimes feel like you’re taking a shortcut in the kitchen. They are affordable and last much longer than that head of fresh broccoli decomposing in your crisper drawer, so that must mean the frozen stuff is somehow poor quality, right?
There’s a misconception that fresh fruits and vegetables are healthier than their frozen counterparts. I myself have been guilty of perceiving produce from the freezer aisle as inferior. Misleading content online, which sometimes claims that fruits lose their nutrients once frozen, doesn’t help set the record straight, either.

This Is the World’s Best Bourbon, According to the World Whiskies Awards
The 13-year-old bottled-in-bond bourbon was “reserved for a momentous occasion.”
As with many things in life, taste in whiskey is at least a little subjective. But pit the best drams head to head, and there will invariably be some standouts. In February 2025, the World Whiskies Awards announced one bourbon that stood above the rest.
Old Fitzgerald 2024 VVS was named the World’s Best Bourbon at the 2025 World Whiskies Awards. This 13-year bottled-in-bond bourbon also earned the title of Best Kentucky Bourbon. Old Elk’s 9-Year-Old Straight Bourbon took home the award for Best Non-Kentucky Bourbon.

The wellness trend which has the social set all a-buzz: how beekeeping became the hobby beloved by the A-list and royals alike for its ‘meditative’ qualities
Hive mind: Meghan Markle is just the latest star to be spotted diving into beekeeping as a hobby
James Middleton, the Princess of Wales’ younger brother, is also a convert since his sisters gifted him 1,000 Buckfast bees for his birthday, and David Beckham, whose passion for beekeeping was shown in his own Netflix documentary, has also previously discussed swapping tips on the hobby with King Charles himself. ‘It was inspiring to hear from the King about the work of His Majesty’s foundation during my recent visit to Highgrove Gardens – and compare beekeeping tips!’ he told the BBC.

5 Years After Covid Closed the Theaters, Audiences Are Returning
Broadway is almost back, and pop music tours and sports events are booming. But Hollywood, museums and other cultural sectors have yet to bounce back.
It was five years ago today — March 12, 2020 — that the widening coronavirus pandemic forced Broadway to go dark, museums to shut their doors, concert halls and opera houses to go silent and stadiums and arenas to remain empty.
At the time, they hoped to reopen in a month. It took many a year and a half.
Since live performances resumed, the recovery has been uneven, but there are signs that audiences are finally coming back.

Rosie O’Donnell Confirms Move to Ireland, Will Return to U.S. ‘When It’s Safe for All Citizens to Have Equal Rights’
The comedian previously seemed to hint that she had moved abroad in a selfie as she joked about driving on the “wrong side of the road”
Rosie O’Donnell has confirmed that she is no longer living in the U.S.
In a TikTok video posted on Tuesday, March 11, the comedian confirmed she had moved to Ireland on Jan. 15 with her 12-year-old daughter Dakota, four days after she seemingly teased that she was living abroad in an Instagram post.
“It’s been pretty wonderful, I have to say. The people are so loving and so kind, so welcoming. And I’m very grateful,” O’Donnell said in the TikTok video as she revealed her international move.

The Benefits of Artichokes and The Best Ways to Enjoy Them, According to a Nutritionist
Rich in essential nutrients, artichokes are as impressive as they look.
At first glance, fresh artichokes might look like they belong in a decorative centerpiece—but they deserve a spot on your plate, too. Artichokes are an impressive source of essential nutrients, including fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. They’re also a tasty ingredient to cook with, whether you’re making chicken entrees or party-friendly dips. Read on to learn about the health benefits of artichokes, according to a nutritionist. Plus, find chef-approved ways to enjoy this special spring vegetable.

This Is the Most Hated Chore in the US—But Our Method Makes It So Easy
Homeowners prefer to leave this task to the pros, but you don’t have to.
While the idea of spring cleaning so you have a spotless, organized home in time for warmer weather is appealing, actually doing the work isn’t so enticing. But out of all the chores homeowners dread tackling, there is one that is most hated—cleaning the carpets, according to a new report by Yelp.
When looking at searches on Yelp for common household tasks in 2024, the website found that cleaning carpets was often something people sought professional help for. And for good reason—carpets take the brunt of the daily activity in your home, building up with hard-to-clean crumbs, dirt, stains, and odors.
Even if your carpet looks like a lost cause, you can refresh it with cleaning supplies you likely already have on hand. Rather than hiring a professional, consider our straightforward method for cleaning your carpet at home.

A Traveler Asked a Sick Passenger to Mask Up and Was Reseated—Were They Wrong?
Who do you think was in the right?
Despite the plentiful studies showing that masks can suppress the spread of viruses, including COVID-19, many passengers are choosing to forgo them. And as one United Airlines passenger recently learned, asking your seatmate to “mask up” could even get you in trouble.
In early March, Redditor Lex_Mariner took to the United Airlines subreddit to vent about an experience with a passenger who appeared to be ill sitting next to them.
“[I] had a wet-coughing, sneezing, nose-dripping lady sit next to me. I asked her quite [civilly] if she would consider wearing a mask,” Mariner wrote. “She immediately went off on a loud ‘you have no right’ tirade and pushed the call button. I was reprimanded by the [flight attendant] for just making such a request.”

The Most Underrated Road Trip for Music Lovers Has Stops at Dollywood, Graceland, and Ground Zero Blues Club
If you love the blues, country, or rock ‘n’ roll, put this itinerary on your wish list.
While so much about travel is often centered around destinations, sometimes the greatest trips are all about the journey. Take the humble road trip, for example. Even though being somewhere new is inherently thrilling, road trips are also about watching the changing landscapes, the time you spend listening to your favorite songs, and the hours spent chatting with friends. The novelty of road trips makes them exciting—and in 2025, why not try a route that’s a little less traveled than others?

[Photo Credit: ruby-rays.com]

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