Crimson Room Cocktail Bar – Bangkok, Thailand
SWANKY! We have it in spades for you in today’s LOunge. Pat your hair, adjust your chapeau, smooth out the silk of your gown, and take a seat, surrounded by your delusions and fantasies. It’s THURSDAY. Act like it.
The 25 Best Memes of 2025
Brain rot took center stage in the year’s internet discourse. AI was a close second
As we say our goodbyes to 2025, we must bid adieu to the memes that came with it. It was a surreal year on the internet — many of this year’s memes leaned heavily into the brain rot that’s come with the rise of AI and over-consumerism, though others sprang out of good old-fashioned candid camera moments. Trump was back in office, Katy Perry was in space, and kids everywhere were screaming “six seven” for some reason, before adults co-opted it and made it cringe. Presented to you in roughly the order they came into our lives, let’s take a walk through the memes that defined 2025 — for better and for worse.
Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams And Anna Wintour Will Co-Chair The 2026 Met Gala
At the 2026 Met Gala, the Metropolitan Museum of Art will celebrate its spring Costume Institute exhibition, titled Costume Art – and set to co-chair the fête are major forces from the worlds of entertainment, sport, and, of course, fashion: namely, Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour.
This spring’s event will mark Beyoncé’s first Met Gala appearance in a decade – she last walked the Met’s steps in 2016, when she attended the Manus x Machina gala in Givenchy Haute Couture. Kidman and Williams, meanwhile, have made regular appearances over the years, including at the Superfine gala this past May. (There, Kidman wore sculptural, vintage-inspired Balenciaga, while Williams opted for a custom tennis skirt, polo and cape by Lacoste.)
Princess Diana and Prince Charles’s Rare Wedding Champagne Is Up For Auction
A magnum of Dom Pérignon Vintage 1961 served at the 1981 nuptials, only one of twelve in existence, may fetch up to $95,000.
Some bubbles are worth more than others: particularly when they’ve crossed paths with royalty. Take a magnum of Dom Pérignon Vintage 1961, served at the wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles decades before he would become King.
On December 11, one of these very rare bottles will be auctioned off by Bruun Rasmussen at Kongens Lyngby, a Danish auction house on the outskirts of Copenhagen. The vintage is from 1961, the year of the bride’s birth. It was disgorged twenty years later and labeled with a historical note: “Shipped specially in honor of the wedding of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer, July 29, 1981.”
No Ski Plans? Skicore Stills Belongs in Your Winter Wardrobe
Stay on-piste with this season’s most functional trend
The notion that skiwear is purely functional and only for the slopes is an outdated one. According to this season’s biggest runways,, alpine style has gone mainstream—meaning skiing novices like myself can embrace the look without ever seeing a snowflake. Enter Fair Isle knits, puffer jackets, and snoods, snowballing their way into our everyday winter wardrobes.
Indeed, runways at Acne Studios, Moschino, Alaïa, and Lacoste championed this trend while showing how to incorporate it into daily life—proving these pieces work just as hard on the slopes as they do in the city.
The Best Watches for Women: 12 Styles That Signal You Have Excellent Taste, Recommended by Insiders
Timeless icons that are well worth the investment
There comes a time when you just feel ready. Ready to put away the watches that were gifted or handed down to you in your younger years, and finally acquire an investment watch of your choosing. One that makes you feel confident, and powerful.
Whether a major milestone is prompting you to seek out a luxury watch, such as a promotion, or it’s “just because”, this guide is your shortcut to the best watches for women from the world’s most iconic brands, including Rolex, Omega, TAG Heuer, and more.
I’ve Found The 9 Best Room Sprays For Those Who Want Their Home To Smell Expensive
Transform your space
There’s something about wintertime that makes me take home fragrance very seriously. I love to host year-round, but when the temperature drops, and we spend less time outside, my interior really comes into its own, including scent. Of course, at this time of year, I lean heavily on Christmas candles and reed diffusers in festive aromas, but as I learnt recently, there’s an art to scenting the home and the best room sprays are essential tools that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Room sprays offer an alternative way of filling your space with scent. Amanda Connock, founder of British fragrance brand Connock England, says that a room spray is the perfect way to refresh a room quickly and layers well with candles and diffusers. Whilst luxury candles certainly create a cosseting, cosy feel, a room spray is a great way to “finish with an instant lift”.
Years Of Damaging Gel Manis Made Me Turn To Polish Full Time—This Is The Longest-Lasting Formula I’ve Found
Has all the gel-like qualities
For years, every three weeks without fail, I would head to a nail salon for a gel removal and fresh manicure. I flip-flopped between chic spots where they served flat whites or glasses of champagne, to no-frills local places where you’re farmed out one by one without so much as a hello. This repetitive routine took its toll on my nails; the removals weren’t always gentle or caring, and my nail beds never got a break or a breath of fresh air.
It wasn’t until I had two children that I could no longer keep up the habit, and my nails finally got the reset they so desperately needed.
If You Want Healthy-Looking Hair, These Are The Best Shine Sprays For A Long-Lasting Glossy Finish
Transform dull, lacklustre hair
I’ve always found it hard to achieve hair that shines. As a blonde, this is a pretty universal experience: darker hair naturally reflects the light more, and (usually because of the lack of bleach) is healthier and therefore less dull. But since dyeing my hair slightly darker (it’s still blonde, but more of a bronde shade), I’ve noticed a little more shine, which has spurred me on to find products to help me achieve that glossy look. Most notably, I’ve been testing some of the best shine sprays the industry has to offer.
Red nail polish will rule 2026
From claret to tomato, get your red nail inspiration here
Our favourite beauty trick for instant polish (excuse the pun)? Red nails. Timeless, chic and bold, the enduring appeal of a scarlet mani will never fade. Sure, we love a fun trend, (see: milky pink, glazed donut chromes and even surprise smash-hits like baby blue and espresso) but, throughout 2025, and continuing confidently into 2026, red has never lost ground.
“I feel like red nails have come into a chic era at the moment,” confirmed celebrity manicurist, Michelle Humphrey, who counts Dua Lipa and Sabrina Carpenter as clients. “Less is more and what better way to sex up a look than a statement red nail,” she insists. “Think expensive and luxury vibes here,” she adds.
9 Best Shampoos for Dry Scalp to Beat Flakes, Itch, and Winter Dryness
The best shampoos for dry scalp don’t just rinse away flakes—they deliver a gentle, moisturizing cleanse that actually helps keep dryness and itchiness from coming back. And now that we’re heading into the driest stretch of the year, it’s more crucial than ever for anyone with a flake- or itch-prone scalp to level up their wash routine. Along with other notable factors such as age, excessive product buildup, and underlying conditions like psoriasis, winter weather can make everything worse. “Cold weather, low humidity, or even too much indoor heating can pull moisture from the skin, especially in the winter months,” says Alexandra Bowles, DO, a board-certified dermatologist at Mona Dermatology in Cincinnati. That includes the skin on your scalp.
Trust Me—These 10 Winter Lip Combos Are a Compliment Magnet
Chapped lips? Never heard of them.
In a dream world, my lips are hydrated, smooth, little pillows that have never once been the victim of a nasty New York City winter. Unfortunately, that is a far, far cry from my reality. My lips are historically screaming for hydration. If there was a silver lining to this personal debacle, it’s that I’ve evolved into an expert for how to treat dry, chapped, cracked lips. I have my favorite lip balms and masks on a nightly rotation, but I still like to use a great lip liner and lipstick combo during the day. After all, winter makeup trends are too good to pass up.
Snowflake Nails Are the Cutest Cold-Weather Mani
Icy chic
The weather outside is frightful, but snowflake nails are so delightful. One way to embrace the cold winter without stepping outside? Wearing snowflakes as a cute nail design.
Snowflake nail art is a winter forever-trend for a reason: It brings a seasonal yet subtle touch to your manicure. While you can opt for a classic white snowflake on each nail, you’d be surprised by how many ways there are to wear the trend. You can lean holiday-coded or icy-chic, cartoon-style or more delicate. After all, every snowflake (mani) is different right?
Feeling inspired? Keep reading for all the snowflake nails you can try out this winter.
Tartan Is Having an Interior Design Comeback
When Queen Victoria and Prince Albert made their first visit to the Scottish Highlands in 1842, they discovered a “dear paradise” where “all seemed to breathe freedom and peace”—a refuge where even the world’s most powerful monarch could “forget the world and its sad turmoils.” Soon, the couple purchased Balmoral Castle, where they decked nearly every room in tartan native to the country’s mountainous north as well as a grey-purple “Balmoral” tartan designed by Albert to honor the region’s heathery terrain. “The curtains, the furniture, the carpets, the furniture [coverings] are all of different plaids,” noted Lord Clarendon when he visited the castle in 1856. Evidently, the abundance of Royal Stewart and tartan linoleum in the servants’ quarters was too much for the then-secretary of state.
The Most Incredible Creations From This Year’s National Gingerbread House Competition
After a yearlong hiatus, the contest returned to Asheville with 235 entries from 25 states, spanning elaborate miniature villages, standout youth projects, and a few newly introduced awards.
In November, gingerbread artists from across the country gathered at The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa in Asheville, North Carolina, for the return of one of the nation’s most beloved holiday traditions. After the competition was canceled in 2024 due to Hurricane Helene, this year’s event carried special significance. “This year was so important as we wanted the country to know that Asheville was OK and rebuilding better than ever after Hurricane Helene,” says John Cook, executive pastry chef of The Omni. “To see our gingerbread family return as well as so many new competitors this year really made it special.”
Now in its third decade, the National Gingerbread House Competition drew 235 entrants — from ambitious hobbyists to seasoned pastry chefs — representing 25 states. And while the display cases brimmed with imaginative, candy-crusted scenes, it was a whimsical village of tiny, crooked homes that stole the show.
“I Don’t Think God’s Done With Me”: Dolly Parton, in Conversation With Zac Brown
Two breeds of country music royalty walk into the studio: one’s been “chasing butterflies” since the Smoky Mountains, the other rose from bar gigs to stadiums on grit, harmony, and a fried-chicken hook. On “Butterfly,” a duet off Zac Brown Band’s new album Love & Fear, Tennessee-born national treasure Dolly Parton, now 79 and energetic as ever, joins three-time Grammy Award winner Zac Brown in a belt-along paean to faith and heartbreak. “I was just completely blown away,” Brown told Parton on a Zoom last month when the two reflected on their studio session. “I had chills down my toenails, which is hard to do.” As the Backwoods Barbie returned to full health after a kidney-stone related infection earlier this fall, she gave Brown a call to share some of her hard-earned wisdom.
The 34 best TV Christmas episodes, from sitcom specials to anthology installments
Tis the season to rewatch these festive TV episodes.
‘Tis the season for celebrating the holidays with our favorite TV characters. Whether you’re in the mood for the wacky workplace hijinks of The Office or 30 Rock, the good old-fashioned coziness of Downton Abbey or Gilmore Girls, or the subversive snark of South Park, Christmas episodes offer a little something for everyone, depending on your taste.
The beauty of television is that it can offer an escape from the chaos of our lives, a comfort blanket to help us feel less alone, or a sobering reflection that rings powerfully true. Ahead, we’ve rounded up our go-to Christmas episodes worth revisiting this season, many of which have become perennial traditions in the lead-up to Dec. 25.
14 Habits That Are Making Your Home Dirtier, According to Professional Cleaners
From wearing shoes inside to leaving your bed unmade, keep your home tidy by breaking these habits.
Many people strive for a clean home, but if yours constantly attracts dust and dirt, there are a few things you may be doing that contribute to the buildup. While habits like not making your bed or wearing shoes inside may seem harmless in the moment, they can cause your home to accumulate dust, dirt, dander, and other unwanted grime. To make your cleaning efforts more effective, try to break these habits, which experts say are actually making your home dirtier.
14 Easy—and Impactful—Home Upgrades That Cost Less Than $100
Best of all, you can do them all on your own.
Home renovations often require a big budget, months of planning, and a team of contractors to achieve the results you want. But thankfully, some home upgrades don’t require a significant investment of time or money. Often, it’s those tiny yet meaningful design choices that breathe new life into a space, making it more functional, beautiful—or both. From elevating a piece of tired old furniture to adding color to a room, home design and renovation experts share the best home upgrades you can do for under $100.
Can You Leave Christmas Tree Lights On Overnight? What Experts Want You to Know
Avoid fire risks with these Christmas light safety tips.
After all of the unpacking, untangling, and careful hanging of your strands of lights, it’s finally time to see your Christmas tree in all of its glowing glory. And while it can be tempting to let your tree shine 24 hours a day, it’s essential to turn off your Christmas lights before you go to bed.
Letting your tree glow for hours on end can not only dry out your tree prematurely but can also pose various safety hazards to your home and family. To keep you safe, we consulted electrical experts to determine exactly how long it is safe to leave your Christmas tree lights on and the risks of keeping them lit overnight.
This 100-mile Trail Through the English Countryside Is Straight Out of a Fairy Tale—With Cozy Pubs and Storybook Views
Discover insider tips for hiking the scenic Cotswold Way.
As someone who’s been regularly traveling to England for the last 14-plus years, I’m well-acquainted with its cultural nuances and unique traditions. I’m a big fan of a full English breakfast, I’ll rarely say no to a cup of tea, and I don’t need an excuse to throw on my Barbour jacket. But my favorite thing about life on the other side of the Atlantic is the English affinity for a long walk in the countryside followed by a trip to a local pub.
This combination of fresh air, pastoral scenery, and a convivial, cozy atmosphere is unmatched—and it’s the very reason I’ve always been intrigued by the Cotswold Way. The 102-mile walking trail runs from Chipping Campden to Bath—the latter of which is, quite possibly, my favorite city in the world—passing by charming villages, historic sites, and, yes, plenty of traditional pubs.
12 of the Best U.S. National Parks to Visit During the Winter
Head to these all-season standouts for snow-dusted scenery or cooler hiking conditions.
Visiting a national park in the summer has been a rite of passage since the country’s “best idea” became reality more than a century ago. Yet heat-seeking sightseers are missing what might be the parks’ best-kept secret: winter.
Freezing temperatures yield a fresh take on park landscapes, from ice-coated coastal cliffs in Maine’s Acadia National Park to the snow-covered forests of Sequoia and Kings Canyon in California. Exploring them on foot, skis, or snowshoes is a special way to see the parks outside of the high season. And for other parks, winter is the high season. It’s definitely the best time to enjoy the sawgrass marshes of the Florida Everglades, for example, and the desert scenes of Arizona’s Saguaro National Park. So, whether you’re craving snowy scenery or a warm escape, here are the best national parks to visit in winter.
[Photo Credit: paradigmshiftstudio.squarespace.com]
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