T LOunge for October 7th 2025

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PinYun He Restaurant – Suzhou, China

It’s TUESDAY, darlings. While we can’t do much about that unfortunate fact, we can at least provide you with a bright, sunny, fabulous LOunge in which to pretend to spend it. Blow off your responsibilities and come have cocktails with us.

Beyond Monster: 6 Grisly Films Inspired by Serial Killer Ed Gein
As Ryan Murphy brings a new series about the murderer to Netflix, here’s a guide to movies that fictionalized his story—from Psycho to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.
Even if you don’t know his name, you know the macabre legacy of Ed Gein. In 1957, the reclusive farmer from Plainfield, Wisconsin, was unmasked as the most crazed and disturbing serial killer America had ever seen—and arguably has ever seen since. So gruesome and grotesque were the crimes of the so-called Butcher of Plainfield, Plainfield Ghoul, or Grandfather of Gore that more than 65 years of filmmaking haven’t yet imagined much worse.
“You can understand why moviemakers gravitate toward Gein,” says Christopher Berry-Dee, author of Serial Killers at the Movies. “He’s unique, creative, enterprising, and imaginative. We don’t get many killers like Ed anymore.” As yet another version of Gein rears its ugly head into the zeitgeist—this time on Ryan Murphy’s new season of Monster, starring Charlie Hunnam as Gein and Laurie Metcalf as his overbearing mother—here’s a look back at Hollywood’s long and lurid history of borrowing from Gein for the big screen.

Aimee Lou Wood and Suranne Jones talk filming up North and vulnerable mother-daughter moments in new series Film Club
The Sex Education star describes co-writing her personal, charming BBC romcom as “like your skin’s been peeled off”.
Sex Education superstar Aimee Lou Wood’s first TV writing project, Film Club, references a vagina’s “flaps” within the first five minutes.
When her on-screen sister Izzie (Liv Hill) asks her for a tampon, she hands her a super-plus-sized one. She is immediately teased for having “giant flaps”, and responds with a dramatic “I’ve got massive, wizened, 28-year-old flaps”, rather reminiscent of her Sex Education character Aimee’s graphic comedic flair.

Malachite Is Poised to Be 2026’s Breakout Skincare Ingredient—Here’s Why Experts Are Excited
The new super-ingredient for fighting pollution
While air pollution levels may have slowed in some areas over recent years, they are still a huge concern. A recent report estimated that air pollution contributed towards 30,000 deaths in the UK in 2025 and cost over £27 billion annually. In other words, the situation is still pretty serious.
And while health concerns are of course front and centres of our minds, beauty experts have shown concern for the impact this may all be having on our skin, too. For this reason, new power-players in the pollution-proof category have slowly been rising in popularity—most notably, the buzzworthy ingredient malachite.

New Fragrances Launch Every Day, But These 11 Heroes Have Hundreds of 5-Star Reviews For A Reason
Iconic scents with appealing price tags
When it comes to my personal fragrance choices, I must admit that I love wearing niche perfumes that fly under the radar, compared to the more popular scents that have widespread appeal. However, I’m not snobby about scents and will be the first to admit that perfumes become classics for a reason. Rather than leaning into fleeting trends (like this year’s penchant for nostalgic gourmands like marshmallow and banana) classic perfumes stand the test of time and remain appealing year after year for one reason—they smell undeniably good. Whether it’s a statement floral like Lancôme La Vie Est Belle, an iconic power player like Mugler Angel or a nostalgic celebrity scent like Britney Spears Fantasy, these perfumes continue to have universal appeal and enduring wear.

How Hypnotherapy Helped Me Break Out of an Insomnia Cycle
After trying conventional methods, I went out of my comfort zone
A strange thing happened a few months ago: I started struggling with sleep. Despite never rearing its head before I turned 30, this bout of insomnia has brought me incredible stress and exhaustion, and it’s compounded by the fact that I’m a famously sleepy person; eagerly anticipating each evening’s tasty morsel of rest. But alas, recently I have found myself staring at the ceiling for hours on end, willing my brain to shut off, as my partner snores gently beside me—a patter of sounds that have quickly become affronting.

Black Leggings Are in Every Stylish Woman’s Wardrobe — Here’s Why
The y’re the go-to for building everyday autumn outfits with ease
Before I begin, I know that black leggings are a controversial item, especially in fashion circles. While some dub them an essential part of any great capsule wardrobe, many wouldn’t be caught dead in them. Then, there are those who condemn the stretchy staple in the outside world yet quickly ditch their jeans or tailored trousers as soon as they come through the door in favour of their comfiest pair — I’ve been this person, and while I’m not proud of it, I’m pleased to say I’ve seen the error of my ways.

Yes, Heels Comfortable Enough to Wear Every Day Do Exist—These are 12 of the Best
Practical, chic and bang on trend
This generation is fortunate enough that heels are no longer considered to be a requirement for work, parties, or even the smartest events—let alone for everyday life. As casual dressing continues to dominate the world around us, and “effortless chic” remains the aesthetic aim, it’s no surprise that women today are increasingly side-stepping heels in favour of no-fuss footwear like trainers, ballet flats and loafers.
That said, nothing can beat the elevation that a good heeled shoe can bring—and I mean that both physically and stylistically. A little added height can stop tailored trousers and jeans from pooling on the floor, while also lengthening the legs and overall silhouette to exceedingly elegant effect. Not to mention the fact that a great pair of heels can singlehandedly transform a super-simple look, like an LBD or t-shirt-and-jeans combo, into something altogether more impactful and polished.

Britain Has Its First Female Archbishop of Canterbury — So Why Did Some Headlines Name Her Husband Instead?
“We’re still measuring women by who they’re married to and whether they’re mothers, not by what they’ve achieved.”
When Dame Sarah Mullally was named the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, it should have been a moment that spotlighted her — the woman making history. After all, she is the first-ever woman to hold the position of Archbishop-designate — the spiritual head of the Anglican Communion and one of the most influential religious figures in the UK.
A moment that should have celebrated Mullally’s historic leadership was quietly reframed through the lens of someone else, someone male.

Taylor Swift’s Wedding-Guest Dress Is Worthy Of A (Billionaire) Bridesmaid
At the risk of enraging a significant subsection of the internet, I must disclose that while I am tapped into contemporary culture, I am not tapped into the Taylorverse. I too can get down with the liars and the dirty, dirty cheats of the world, but I’ll admit I’m not au fait with the many nuances of Taylor’s lyrical world, or the complexities of The Life of a Showgirl.
Still, one thing I am well-versed in is dressing for weddings, and all of the potential sartorial dilemmas that entails. For anyone who isn’t, and is thus sick of scouring the web for understated midi-dresses in neutral shades, Taylor has a solution: an Oscar de la Renta dress and a $24,000 diamond necklace (suitable only for those with budgets that allow for PJ transportation to the reception).

The True Story of Anthony Perkins, the ‘Psycho’ Actor in Netflix’s ‘Monster: The Ed Gein Story’
Ryan Murphy’s true crime series explores the filming of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic horror film.
The latest installment of Ryan Murphy’s Monster franchise might initially focus on the 1950s Wisconsin-based serial killer Ed Gein, but the Netflix series extends beyond Gein’s immediate atrocities and into the Hollywood horror stories he inspired. One of those films is the classic Alfred Hitchcock thriller Psycho, which borrows Gein’s obsession with his mother to fuel the main character Norman Bates, who was played by actor Anthony Perkins.
Fictionalized versions of Hitchcock and Perkins appear in Monster: The Ed Gein Story, and the series also contends with Perkins’s real life and how the role of Norman Bates affected both his career and his psyche. Ahead, we’ll unpack what the true-crime drama got right about Perkins and what liberties it took in its portrayal.

Fashion Month Has Spoken and Red Hair Is Officially Fall’s Hottest Color Trend
There’s never been a better time to go copper, burgundy, or crimson.
The final day of the Paris Spring/Summer 2026 shows has come and gone (thank you, Matthieu Blazy for the Chanel reset) which means that fashion month is officially over. There’s been no shortage of swoon-worthy fashion and beauty moments, from the runways to the sidewalks laden with street style stars. Amongst the endless enviable glamour outside shows in New York, Paris, Milan, and London, there has been one undeniable and, frankly, hard to miss beauty trend this season: red hair. Flaming, crimson, auburn, burgundy—the variations of the fiery shade have popped up across multiple time zones and various style aesthetics, proof that there’s never been a better time to try out the red hair trend.

The Best Apples to Eat Right Now, According to an Apple Reviewer
Tired of lackluster fruit? These top-rated picks will deliver big flavor.
Look hard enough, and you’ll find someone who specializes in nearly every food or drink out there. Water sommeliers are now doling out annual awards for the best bottles of the most basic beverage, and one man established himself as a rotisserie chicken expert by reviewing every option he could possibly get his hands on. Just in time for your fall grocery trip, I want to tell you there’s also an apple expert who can point you to the very best fruit.

Why Is Everybody Drinking Vermouth?
It was a sticky night in the Berkshires when I found myself at Ombra, a tapas-inspired restaurant in Lenox. I had just come from an oppressively hot summer party at the Norman Rockwell Museum, and instead of ordering the usual crisp rosé or predictable Aperol spritz, I noticed multiple patrons around me drinking something different: an amber liquid, over ice, garnished with orange slices and, to my confusion, an olive.
Color me ignorant, but I had never thought of vermouth as something to be enjoyed on its own. It was the thing you barely—and I mean barely—added to a martini, or the thing you left to collect dust on your bar shelf for years on end. But my partner, recalling some vermouth he sampled in Barcelona, insisted we order a round. I followed suit. That first sip of chilled vermouth was herbal, barely sweet, enjoyably bitter, and instantly refreshing. I chalked it up to the restaurant’s Spanish-leaning influences, and didn’t think of vermouth again for a few weeks.

20 Best Kitchen Paint Colors for Every Style, From Timeless Neutrals to Moody Earth Tones
These designer-approved colors are perfect for the heart of the home.
Do you dream of a light and bright space for gathering with friends and family? Or would you prefer a moodier vibe set up for evening cocktails and at-home date nights? Your kitchen paint color sets the stage for the style of kitchen you want to achieve, and the choices go far beyond your basic neutrals (though, when you do choose a neutral, there are nuances to consider!).
To help you figure out the right deep, layered green-gray, the perfect subtle light blue, or the white with just the right undertones, we asked interior designers for their go-to colors. Here are the kitchen paint colors they swear by in their own work.

The Buffet-Style Dinner Don’ts Martha Says to Always Avoid
Let your spread shine with these simple fixes.
Buffet-style dinners can feel like the ultimate solution for entertaining. “Buffets are one of my favorite ways to entertain,” our founder previously shared in The Martha Manual: How to Do (Almost) Everything. Guests can help themselves, the host is freed up to mingle, and the table itself becomes a feast for the eyes. What could be better?
“If you are having a large group over, a buffet is practical and impressive,” Martha said in Martha Stewart’s Organizing. But while buffets seem effortless, the truth is they require some forethought and prep just like any plated dinner party—and even seasoned entertainers can fall into some common traps.

The Science-Backed Benefits of Eating Apples Every Day
Paired with peanut butter or cheese or simply sliced for a snack, this seasonal favorite is the superfood of fall.
Given the intrinsic meaning of the age-old proverb “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” it’s not much of a leap to assume that the health benefits of apples are a cut above other fruits—or at the very least, well worth seeking out. Just in time for apple season, we connected with dietitians to uncover more about apples’ nutritional benefits and the best ways to enjoy the pick of the crop.

[Photo Credit: abconcept.net]

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