T LOunge for April 15th 2025

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PinLa Dolce Vita Orient Express Dining Car and Lounge Bar – Italy

It’s TUESDAY and everything is terrible! Best to spend the day in today’s gorgeous LOunge, sheltered from all that nonsense outside. In completely unrelated news, our good pal Mo Ryan is currently auctioning off a bunch of really cool TV memorabilia in order to benefit charities like Trans Lifeline.

Our First Look at Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights Is Here, and It’s…Strange!
There’s obviously no right way to reinterpret a classic piece of literature, and I, for one, have been extremely excited to find out how director Emerald Fennell would toy with Wuthering Heights ever since those very first photos from her big-screen adaptation leaked. I was, truthfully, kind of into Margot Robbie as Cathy with her big, poofy wedding dress (despite the fact that, yeah, yeah, it wasn’t a totally accurate period re-creation—yawn, congrats on your English-lit degree!), but the most recently captured images of Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff actually do have me somewhat up in arms.

Cate Blanchett Is “Serious About Giving Up Acting”
The two-time Oscar winner previously described her profession as a “love affair,” telling Vanity Fair that “you have to be seduced back into it.”
After winning two Oscars and making films with some of Hollywood’s foremost auteurs, Cate Blanchett has already considered retirement from acting. “My family roll their eyes every time I say it, but I mean it: I am serious about giving up acting,” she recently told the Radio Times. “[There are] a lot of things I want to do with my life.”
The 55-year-old actor, who picked up Academy Awards for 2013’s Blue Jasmine and 2004’s The Aviator, said she has never outgrown the “feeling of being uncomfortable” with fame. “When you go on a talk show, or even here now, and then you see sound bites of things you’ve said, pulled out and italicized, they sound really loud,” Blanchett continued. “I’m not that person. I make more sense in motion—it’s been a long time to remotely get comfortable with the idea of being photographed.”

Saturday Night Live is coming to the UK – here are the female comedians we’d love to see on it
US comedy stalwart Saturday Night Live is coming to the UK, and we can’t wait to find out who will make the line-up.
Seeing as SNL boosted the careers of the likes of Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader and many more, its launch this side of the Atlantic could bring a lot of new UK comedic talent to our screens.
“For over 50 years Saturday Night Live has held a unique position in TV and in our collective culture, reflecting and creating the global conversation all under the masterful comedic guidance of Lorne Michaels,” Sky’s chief content officer, Cécile Frot-Coutaz has said. “The show has discovered and nurtured countless comedy and musical talents over the years and we are thrilled to be partnering with Lorne and the SNL team to bring an all-British version of the show.”

Sustainable living needn’t feel overwhelming – 43 ways to incorporate eco practices into your everyday
Let these tips from the top sustainability pros help.
Keen to read up on how to adopt a more sustainable way of living? Then you’re in the right place.
Taking the time to learn how to live sustainably and make your day-to-day life that little bit more eco-friendly is important, as the latest IPCC report showed. In short, we don’t have long left before the damage we’ve caused to our planet becomes irreversible – which is why, now more than ever, we all need to do our bit.
Sure, reducing your plastic usage is key, but so too is reading up on greenwashing, buying ethical fashion (not fast fashion) where possible, and investing in sustainable beauty products, too.

Rodeo hair is the 2025 take on the bombshell blowout—and it’s set to be huge this summer
The higher the hair, the closer to god…
Has the rodeo ever been so fashionable? I don’t think so. Since last summer, all sorts of sartorial inspiration has been coming out of the South, and it’s only set to ramp up when Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter concert tour commences later this month.
One trend we’re going to see everywhere very soon is rodeo hair. Everyone from Maura Higgins and Sabrina Carpenter to Beyoncé has been rocking the style. It’s an XXL take on bombshell hair, and it packs a punch.
“The comeback of rodeo hair is part of a bigger trend where people are embracing boldness, glamour, and volume in their hairstyles,” Zoe Adams, international artist at Taylor Taylor London, tells me. “With vintage and retro styles making a comeback, rodeo hair gives a nod to classic Americana while still feeling fresh and modern. It’s a bold look that stands out, especially now when people love to express their individuality and make a statement with their style.”

These are the 8 best fake tan formulas for pale skin – as tested by beauty editors with fair skin
No streaks, just a subtly sunkissed glow
It’s fair to say I know my way around fake tan. As a former Irish dancer where the tan was just as important as the footwork, slapping on layers of streaky, orange lotion was a weekly ritual. Thankfully, formulas have come a long way since then—especially if you have pale skin like me.
Tanning when you’re on the fairer side can be intimidating. There’s a lot that can go wrong and when it doesn’t wash off immediately, panic can set in; as can some more untraditional removal methods (read: lemon juice, which is never a good idea). But trust us when we tell you, these products won’t steer you wrong, it’s all about choosing which is right for you and some expert tanning tips to give the results you’re after.

When it comes to citrus scents, believe me when I say these 11 perfumes are in a league of their own
Fresh, bright and guaranteed to get you compliments
As soon as the weather starts heating up, my whole fragrance collection rotates to feature citrus perfumes exclusively. And with many, many years of writing about the best perfumes under my belt, I want you to know this one truth: citrus notes are, hands down, the most versatile and impressive out there.
Consider yourself a loather of citrus perfumes? Let me school you on why your opinion is wrong. Not all citrus fragrances are warm, sticky, and sun-soaked. In fact, citrus notes are often leant on by perfumers to add a joy-inducing, mood-boosting quality. Whether combined with a deep, woody base, a floral heart or an effervescent top, a citrus element is, for me, a non-negotiable to any spring/summer scent.

How to pack a suitcase the right way: useful tips, tricks, and hacks
Because it shouldn’t be this hard!
Why is figuring out how to pack a suitcase such a thing? Who among us hasn’t frantically watched YouTube videos or TikToks the night before travel when nothing fits into our bags but we aren’t willing to edit down everything we’ve mindlessly crammed into our suitcase?
The good news is that there are solutions to deploy when getting ready for a trip, and they include a firm checklist and a few easy methods. Keep reading to learn, once and for all, how to pack a suitcase properly.

How to nail perfect beach waves with minimal effort
Which means more time for mojitos…
All this sunshine got you in the mood for holiday-inspired hair? Say hello to laidback-looking beach waves, which continue to be one of the most sought-after hair styles come summer.
Whether sprinkled with salt from the sea (or your favourite salt spray) and styled minimally to add to the air of nonchalance, beach waves are the off-duty equivalent to no-makeup-makeup. Like no makeup-makeup though, often the most “effortless” looking styles take the most work to create.
The good news is that beach waves can be fairly easy to create, it just depends on how glossy vs undone you want it to look.
There’s two ways to create beach goddess vibes, one takes a bit more elbow grease (heat, styling, the whole shebang) the other is wonderfully low-maintenance. The former will give you a slightly sleeker finish, the latter is more relaxed.
Here’s everything you need to know to master the look – no actual beach required.

Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch Fight to the Finish in The Roses
A reimagining of the hit 1989 comedy sees two powerhouse actors playing a couple whose marriage devolves into a hilarious divorce battle.
Olivia Colman has a friend who’s going through a horrible divorce. “She has a little victory every day by putting wee in her husband’s tea,” she tells Vanity Fair. “She pees in his tea every day.”
It sounds like a detail out of the Oscar winner’s new film The Roses, a reimaging of the 1989 comedy directed by Danny DeVito. The original film starred Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner as a wealthy couple whose seemingly perfect marriage falls apart, leading to an increasingly outrageous divorce battle. “I love that you can see the journey of two people who adore each other and slowly, slowly, bit by bit start to try and tear each other apart,” Colman says.

This Summer’s Biggest Dress Trend Is Also One Of The Easiest To Wear — Here’s How To Style It
Daisy Edgar Jones has a best-in-class approach.
If pyjamas were once strictly reserved for bedtime, they are now so much part of fashion’s wardrobe that we barely blink twice if people wear them on a Saturday night. The next item of sleepwear destined to make the transition to your out-of-the-home wardrobe? The nightgown.
More typically worn by children and older people, and often seen as slightly old-fashioned and even just a bit dowdy, the nightie hasn’t had the nonchalance of its pyjama cousins. But its had something of a glow-up in recent times, with endorsement from the cool girl contingency.

‘A Pixie Cut Is Hair Prison – Here’s What I Learned From Getting The Chop’
Alex Holder hoped she’d find her ‘Mia Farrow’ when she cut her long blonde hair, but her cropped hair has prompted something altogether more existential.
Here’s the thing about growing out a pixie, there are only two options, you either choose the mullet route or you choose graduate bob. And both must pass through a Princess Diana stage. There is no skipping this bit unless you like the gel look and are willing to wear a hard helmet of hair for five months.
A pixie cut is hair prison. I should know, I’ve been locked up for just over a year.
It’s a prison many of us enter voluntarily. Secretly we all want to know if there’s a Mia Farrow waiting behind those curtains. But for every Mia there’s a Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell. The hairdresser runs their shaver up the back of your head, and what you hope they find is 2010 Emma Watson but instead there is every chance they’ll uncover Weird Barbie.

How To Find Your Signature Scent And The Best Perfumes To Try In 2025
As is the case with every category in the ever bulging beauty industry right now, choosing a perfume isn’t exactly a straightforward affair. Aside from the boundless scents to choose from, you have to consider olfactive categories, sillage, sustainability, suitability, among many other factors.
Those who have found their signature scent might be reluctant to venture into unknown territory, while others might go through flacons at a rate of knots unable to find the one that truly sticks. And for some, it’s a complete fluke when they do find the perfume that has people asking them ‘what are you wearing?’ on the tube (for me, that’s Diptyque’s L’Eau Papier). But there is in fact a learned art when it comes to finding the best perfume for you.

The 75 Best Rom-Coms of All Time
Guaranteed to put us in a good mood.
There’s no surer cure for the blues than a shot of serotonin straight to the heart in the form of one of the best rom-coms of all time. The feel-good movies we grew up with are the ultimate comfort watches, and if you’re looking for something that will remind you why the slog of dating is ultimately worth it, look no further. These are the stories that make us smile, laugh, and add color to our wardrobes. Everything from modern romances based on fan fiction to tried and true classics beloved by generations.
These 75 best rom-coms of all time are guaranteed to boost your mood. Here’s where you can stream them now.

The Last of Us Showrunner Responds to the Kaitlyn Dever Casting Uproar
“We would’ve struggled to find someone as good as Kaitlyn to play this role.”
Kaitlyn Dever, who stars in season 2 of The Last of Us, may not have the physique of a pro wrestler, but she’s bulked up where it counts: her talent. Dever’s benching 300, emotionally. She’s swole-hearted.
After the latest episode of HBO’s sci-fi hit, based on the critically acclaimed post-apocalyptic video game, a handful of viewers questioned whether Dever was the right person for the role of Abby, a character who is large and physically threatening in the game. “She supposed to be able to kill dudes with her bare hands. The TV version would get tossed around,” wrote one viewer on X.com.
Everyone’s entitled to their opinions, and we’re certainly not opposed to more big-armed women on television, but for anyone complaining that Dever isn’t “built like a [large, sturdy object],” please note that the showrunners, Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, have actually already addressed this.

55 Coolest Short Haircuts for Women to Try in 2025
Snip-snip.
If you’ve found yourself considering one of the coolest short haircuts for women, you’re not alone. Shorter styles are trending particularly hard for 2025, and what better way to change your look than with a fresh cut? Bobs of all kinds—from the chopped bob to the easygoing undone bob—are having a moment, but there are more options than ever when it comes to short hairstyles, from buzz cuts to shoulder-skimming lobs. And who knows? You may even be tempted to pair your fresh cut with a new hair color.
Whether you’re in the market for a classic short pixie or something a little trendier (how’s a modern Diana bob or shaggy bob sound?), we spoke to top stylists and gathered up the coolest short haircuts for women to flatter your face shape and hair type. Ready to say goodbye to long hair? Scroll on for options for every style and hair texture, and get ready to screenshot. Something tells us you’re going to want to head to the salon ASAP.

Why the All-Female Space Crew Wore ‘Sexy’ Designer Flight Suits for the Blue Origin Launch
Katy Perry, Lauren Sánchez, and the rest of the Taking Up Space crew wore skintight jumpsuits by Monse for their brief flight.
Is there a dress code for space? The six women passengers aboard the “historic” Blue Origin launch on April 14 weren’t taking any chances.
The crew, which included singer Katy Perry, broadcast journalist Gayle King, broadcast journalist Lauren Sánchez, entrepreneur and activist Amanda Nguyen, aerospace engineer and former NASA scientist Aisha Bowe, and film producer Kerianne Flynn, made good on their commitment to arrive in full glam ahead of lift off at 9:30 a.m. ET, sharing their looks on Instagram ahead of the 11-minute voyage.
All six women had blow-outs for the flight and were dressed in matching Blue Origin–branded jumpsuits that were cinched at the waist and included the option for a slight flare leg thanks to a slim zipper. The skintight suits were made for the voyage by the fashion brand Monse, which took a 3D scan of each passenger’s body for the perfect fit.

Here’s What You Should Expect From a Restaurant on Your Birthday As an Adult
Do you deserve free cake or a song just for being born?
Every single person who is reading this has a birthday. Some celebrate the day while others avoid it at all costs, wanting to ignore the passing of time. I have at least a couple of friends who don’t just celebrate the day they were born, but the entire month.
A birthday feels special until you remember there are about 17.7 million people around the world who have the same birthday you do. That’s not to say it shouldn’t be recognized. Gifts, cards, cake, and all the well-wishes are deserved, but what should someone expect from a restaurant when they go out to celebrate? It all depends on the establishment.

Butter Lambs Are the Most Adorable Easter Tradition You Need to Know About
Move over, Easter bunny.
Every family has its own set of Easter traditions. My mom, for instance, always filled my plastic eggs up with pennies, even though the change never amounted to any useful amount of money. In other families, Easter means a special visitor at the dinner table: No, not the Easter bunny, but a stick of butter in the shape of a lamb. It’s a tradition found on many tables across the Midwest, and like many customs in the U.S., it originated outside the country.

A Collection of Over 140 Items of Abraham Lincoln Ephemera Heads to Auction
Next month, history buffs will have the opportunity to bid on the gloves that President Lincoln wore on the night of his assassination, among other objects from his life and career.
Even 160 years after his assassination, President Lincoln’s death continues to be a subject of fascination for historians—both academic and amateur. Today marks the anniversary of Lincoln’s murder, and next month, clothing that he wore that night to Ford’s Theatre—including gloves, a cuff button, and a swatch from his shirt—will go to auction by Freeman’s-Hindman’s Auction House.

10 Y2K Nail Ideas That’ll Take You Back to the Year 2000
They’re as cute as the hot-pink inflatable chair you had in your bedroom.
We might not want to bring back every trend from the early 2000s (let’s leave the scrunched hair and flat-ironed bangs look in the past), but we’re completely on board with re-creating the manicures of that era. With their colorful, chunky jewels and liberal use of chrome, they were all about creative freedom.
The early 2000s pushed us to mix and match colors, experiment with new hairstyles, and take risks in both beauty and fashion. Nothing was off-limits, and that bold spirit is something we’re craving more and more these days.

On the anniversary of her death, revisit the life of Victoria Eugenia of Spain, a story set to be told in the upcoming period drama, Ena
Queen Victoria loved Victoria Eugenie as if she were her mother, but the political turmoil of 20th century Europe was not as kind to the young royal – as Ena promises a Spanish answer to The Crown, Tatler looks through her life
From assassination attempts to dynastic diseases, the life of Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg was rife with royal drama. No wonder, then, that Ena, a new biopic based on her British upbringing as the granddaughter of Queen Victoria and her own turbulent reign as the Queen of Spain, has got everybody talking. Could it fill the regal gap left by The Crown? The Spanish series, unveiled at Mipcom in Cannes, lurches from fairy tale to family tragedy and political thriller – just like the life of its subject. But who was the real Victoria Eugenie?

Why Should I Change My Name? He’s the Problem.
If one’s name is a brand, then mine is tarnished. It should not surprise that, however fleetingly, I’ve wondered what it would be like if I could introduce myself as Bob or Matt or Jim — you know, something bland and lacking baggage. I wonder how that would feel.
No parent can foresee all the possible repercussions of naming a child. For one, it’s a decision sometimes made in an atmosphere of great stress. My son’s name was chosen from my wife’s hospital bed. My name was meant to honor my father’s late, beloved uncle Allan, and they wanted a Jewish name, so Elon (the Hebrew word for “oak tree”) was close enough, recalled my father.

Van Gogh’s Last Painting Poses a Problem for an Idyllic French Village
It was recently determined that the artist painted his final work, “Tree Roots,” in Auvers-sur-Oise. The roots still exist, igniting a fight over their preservation.
Auvers-sur-Oise, a village near Paris famed as an artist’s paradise, is also where Vincent Van Gogh spent his final days and it has long drawn tourists to walk in the tortured painter’s last footsteps. But ever since art experts identified his final work before he took his life, there has been strife in the town.
Van Gogh’s final painting was disputed for decades, because he didn’t date his works. But in 2020 experts concluded that gnarled tree roots protruding from a hillside in Auvers, as depicted in his “Tree Roots,” was made on the day he died. This finding may have settled one dispute, but it immediately stirred another, this one between the municipality and the owners of the property where the roots grow.

How to Harvest Thyme to Encourage Flavorful New Growth
Plus, learn tips on properly storing your fresh thyme after you’ve harvested it.
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a hardy, drought-tolerant, woody-stemmed perennial herb that grows easily in garden beds or garden pots. Native to the Mediterranean region, the low-growing herb is commonly used as a wonderful addition to many culinary dishes, including sauces, soups, and stews.
As a member of the mint family, the aromatic herb offers a unique flavor profile ranging from earthy, minty, and slightly floral with hints of lemon and pepper. Although thyme is an easy plant to grow, knowing when and how to harvest is important in keeping the plant healthy, productive, and less “woody” for years to come. Thyme plants are hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9, which means they’ll survive down to negative 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ahead, we talked to garden experts to learn how to harvest thyme for immediate culinary uses and how to dry and store it for future enjoyment.

How to Clean a Glass Stovetop (Without Scratching It)
Your glass stovetop will sparkle like new with these simple cleaning methods.
Your stovetop is a workhorse in the kitchen, helping you accomplish everything from sautéing vegetables to pan-searing chicken. Because of how often it’s used, stovetops easily build up with oil splatter, burnt-on food pieces, and other debris. If you don’t clean the surface frequently, this accumulated grime can negatively impact your stovetop’s efficacy and even become a safety hazard. Luckily, if you have a glass stovetop, this buildup is much easier to maintain and can be cleaned with a few basic materials. Ahead, our experts explain how to clean a glass stovetop so it’s both clean and functional for everyday use.

This Small Minnesota Town Has a 90-year-old Lumberjack Festival and Relaxed River Vibes—and It’s Just 30 Minutes From Minneapolis
Stillwater, Minnesota, an easy escape from Minneapolis, offers a laid-back pace.
Considered Minnesota’s historic birthplace, Stillwater is a popular spring and summer getaway only 30 minutes from urban Minneapolis. The town, home to roughly 20,000 residents, sits near the Wisconsin border, where people can show up on their boats for waterfront dining and admire the work of the circa 1931 lift bridge, one of the few still in operation.
The easiest way to get to Stillwater is by flying into Minneapolis—Saint Paul International Airport and renting a car to make the 35-minute drive. If you have time, take the St. Croix Scenic Byway. Once there, you can leave the car behind as the town is nice and compact for exploring.
Don’t miss Lumberjack Days, a 90-year tradition held every July featuring live music, BMX stunt performances, local food, and, of course, lumberjack shows with log rolling and speed sawing.

South Carolina’s Lowcountry Has Quiet Towns, Beautiful Coastal Waterways, and a Fascinatingly Complex History—Here’s What It Was Like to Visit
On a roadtrip through sleepy towns and coastal waterways, Tayari Jones unveils a history more relevant than ever.
South Carolina’s coast, made up of islands, marshes, deltas, rivers, and small towns, is known as the “Lowcountry” because so much of it lies close to sea level. But to think of this term as merely geographical is a bit too literal for my taste.
I’ve lived in Atlanta most of my life, and though South Carolina is only one state away, it has a distinct, complex history that has always fascinated me. As a Southerner, I also understand things operate on more than one frequency. Sure, the topography may be low, but there is also a feeling that there are hidden histories beneath the surface.

[Photo Credit: orient-express.com]

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