T LOunge for December 8th 2025

Pin

Pin

Pin

Pin

Pin

PinTerrazza at Rocco Restaurant – Lisbon, Portugal

It’s MONDAY and we’re feeling the need for a bright and stimulating LOunge with just a touch of Christmas to it. We had a busy weekend promoting our feature article on the fabulous Harlow, but it’s time to settle down and get back to the business of being bitches.

Meet Connor Storrie, the Actor Who Plays Ilya Rozanov in ‘Heated Rivalry’
The Texas native plays a Russian hockey star and half of the lead couple in the breakout HBO Max hit.
Heated Rivalry is the internet’s new television obsession, thanks in large part to its breakout leads, Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams. The rising actors play Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander, two hockey stars pitted against each other in a legendary sports rivalry. Unbeknownst to the public, the pair are secretly hooking up, in this gay enemies-to-lovers hockey romance based on author Rachel Reid’s #BookTok-beloved series.
25-year-old Storrie plays Ilya, a Russian phenom who’s known for the powerful skills that back up his constant trash-talking. Viewers who watch the romance series may be surprised to discover that the man behind the character is an American with a very different background. Read on to learn more about Connor Storrie, from how he perfected that Russian accent to the secret behind his chemistry with Williams.

‘The Testaments’: First Look Revealed At ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Sequel Teases Return To Gilead
Based on Margaret Atwood’s award-winning novel of the same name, ‘The Testaments’ is set years after the events of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ and returns viewers to the dystopian theocracy of Gilead.
The Handmaid’s Tale fans, rejoice! Hulu has announced the release window for the dystopian series’ sequel, The Testaments, and it’s coming sooner than expected.
The Testaments, which is based on Margaret Atwood’s award-winning novel of the same name, will premiere in April, with first-look images from the show unveiled at CCXP25 in Brazil.
The Testaments is set years after the events of The Handmaid’s Tale and returns viewers to the dystopian theocracy of Gilead. The story focuses on Aunt Lydia, Agnes and Daisy as their lives become increasingly intertwined as they rebel against Gilead.

Eternity‘s Elizabeth Olsen and Da’Vine Joy Randolph on the joy of ageing
‘This film allows us to really understand what a privilege it is to get to grow old at all.’
Eternity is one of my favourite films of the year. The new A24 romcom written and directed by David Freyne and starring Elizabeth Olsen, Callum Turner and Miles Teller is a unique, witty and supremely fun take on what happens in the great beyond, in the afterlife – a place where you get to choose which ‘eternity’ you want to spend, well, eternity in. After arriving on a train to a giant, Grand Central-esque train station at the precise age you were most happiest in in life, all deceased humans are assigned their very own ‘AC’ (Afterlife Consultant) to help them navigate the 1960s style mega convention centre where they can choose which eternity best suits their desires. And what an array to choose from! ‘Beach World’ and ‘Mountain World’ seem to be the most popular and then there are more niche experiences such as ‘Studio 54 World – minus the AIDS crisis!’ Or ‘1930s Germany – minus the Nazis!’ ‘Men Free World’ is at full capacity. A vast consumer-driven flurry of sales folk pitch to the bemused, freshly deceased to decide where they will spend their eternity – the only catch is, once you’ve made your decision, it cannot be overturned.

From Manolos to UGGs: Sarah Jessica Parker on Her Evolving Shoe Philosophy
The style icon and multi-award-winning actor speaks exclusively with Marie Claire to celebrate her new UGG campaign
As an avid and lifelong Sex and The City fan, I couldn’t help but wonder… is there a deeper meaning behind Sarah Jessica Parker starring in UGG’s Autumn/Winter 2025 campaign? The actor was unveiled as the new face of the cult Southern Californian brand just days after the final-ever episode of And Just Like That aired earlier this year—and it feels anything but coincidental.
Instead, it reads as a fabulously full-circle moment. One that marks the end of one chapter for the actor—namely, the Manolo Blahnik stiletto-filled Carrie-verse—and an intentional step in another, wonderfully unexpected direction. It’s worth noting, too, that SJP Collection, Parker’s namesake shoe brand best-known for its glamorous heels, is currently in the process of winding down.

Inside Our Fragrance Wardrobes: The Marie Claire Editors’ Most-Loved Christmas Scents
The scents defining our Christmas
As we inch closer and closer to Christmas Day, there’s one thing that can transport us into holiday mode faster than the first time you hear Mariah Carey sing, “It’s tiiiime”—and that’s scent. From freshly cut pine to sumptuous florals warmed with spice, the right fragrance can spark nostalgia, set the mood and make even the dankest December day feel completely magical.
We asked the Marie Claire UK editors to share the Christmas candles and perfumes they genuinely adore—the ones they burn, spritz and gift year after year, and that never fail to put them in a festive mindset. So whether you’re still searching for that spark of Christmas spirit or looking to elevate your fragrance wardrobe this winter, consider this your insider guide to the scents worth celebrating.

Feeling the Cold? Here’s Why the Most Stylish Women Are Wearing Triangle Scarves
And you’ll want to, too
It’s no secret that we’re big fans of the timeless allure that is associated with French-girl fashion. From their sleek styling tips to their classic independent brands, you can’t go wrong looking in their direction for some effortless styling inspiration.
Enter the triangle knitted scarf. A direct relative of the classic silk neckerchief, the triangle scarf maintains the same silhouette but is crafted from warm fabrics like cashmere and wool, making it easy to polish any outfit.
It’s a great—and more budget-friendly—alternative to this season’s scarf coat, while simultaneously keeping your neck warm while avoiding the stress of a bundled layer of fabric.

FYI, Jennifer Aniston’s Trainer Swears By These 3 Simple Moves For Boosting Muscle From Home
Building strength is one of the best ways to stay grounded amidst the festive chaos.
If there’s one woman inspiring my workouts this winter, it’s Jennifer Aniston. Put simply, her approach to exercise is fab: proof that building muscle should and can be the priority, no matter what age we reach or how busy our lives become.
Speaking of busy lives, December always comes with its own set of challenges, doesn’t it? As lovely as this time of year is, I always find it super hard to keep up with my regular strength training sessions. Between a busy social calendar, wrapping up work before the break, and the (not so) occasional extra sweet treat here and there, my motivation in the muscle-building department slides.

What We Know About the Highly-Anticipated ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ Film Sequel
The Summer I Turned Pretty is one of the most talked-about shows of 2025, with the TV adaptation of Jenny Han’s bestselling book series breaking viewership records.
And with the show’s third season seeing Isabella ‘Belly’ Conklin and Conrad Fisher finally getting their happy ending, many fans believed the Amazon Prime show would end there.
However, The Summer I Turned Pretty gods delivered this September, confirming that the show would be getting a film sequel for Belly and Conrad’s final chapter.
And from casting and plot lines to scripts and release dates, every detail around the highly-anticipated project is going viral. Here’s what we know about The Summer I Turned Pretty film sequel…

39 updos you’ll actually want to wear on repeat
The coolest way to upgrade your messy bun.
Not-such-a-spoiler alert: we are all collectively obsessed with updos right now. The hashtag #updo has racked up billions of views on TikTok, and it’s no surprise that our ongoing love for the 1990s is behind many of the biggest revival looks.
This latest wave is all about snatched silhouettes, such as ultra sleek buns, polished chignons and anything that looks like it belongs on the head of a model moving between castings. The claw clip, once the unofficial mascot of the decade, has reclaimed permanent residence in our handbags, ready to twist hair up in seconds. That nostalgic 1990s updo, famously worn by icons like Pamela Anderson in a messy meets glamorous style, keeps inspiring new interpretations every single day.

What actually are peptides in skincare? Here’s everything you need to know
They’re one of the most reliable ways to future-proof your skin without irritation.
If there’s one beauty buzzword that just won’t quit, it’s *drumroll please* peptides. They’ve quietly made their way into serums, eye creams, overnight masks and even your favourite makeup-skincare hybrids, all promising bouncier, stronger, glowier skin. But unlike trendier actives that swing in and out of fashion (cough, snail mucin, cough), peptides have real staying power, and dermatologists, facialists and makeup artists are all in agreement: they’re one of the most reliable ways to future-proof your skin without irritation.

7 Of The Best Chocolate Perfumes To Try Now
If you’re not a fan of gourmand perfumes, you may have overlooked chocolate perfumes in the past, but hopefully not for much longer. A surprisingly versatile and complex note that’s often derided for being too sweet and saccharine, the best chocolate perfumes often combine their signature creamy note with elegant spices, woods, resins and even florals. The result is often unexpected, but always (of course) completely delicious.

My New Year’s Eve Makeup Is Going to Be Festive—But Elevated
The big question? Glitter or gloss.
If there’s any time to lean into cliché, it’s New Year’s Eve. Why risk a bad year by not drinking champagne, eating 12 grapes under the table, and, most importantly, throwing glitter on your eyelids? “New Year’s Eve glam is all about sparkle and glitter, metallic eyes, bold lips, jewel tones, glowy skin, and overall fun, vibrant makeup,” says Steve Kassajikian, Head of Global Artistry for Urban Decay.
Autumne West, Nordstrom’s National Beauty Director, adds that year after year she sees classic glam that includes “shimmery eyes, black winged liner and red lips.”
But this year? Things might look a little, well, supercharged. “Maximal makeup and a return to full glam is a buzzing topic that seems to be off and then on again; maybe we’ll see some New Year’s makeup resolutions that include having a little more fun and experimenting with makeup and colors,” West adds.

The 10 Best Nail Looks of the Week Are All About Jelly Nails, Ombré, and Studded Details
Apologies to your beauty budget.
For years, the Ralph Lauren teddy bear sweater has evaded my grasp. The preppy knitwear has been high on my wishlist, but from the steep price to specific designs I wanted immediately selling out, it’s just never worked out timing-wise for me. So imagine my excitement when I see one of my favorite nail artists create one of the most intricate and incredibly adorable designs to fill the teddy bear-sized hole in my heart. (And hey, maybe this could help me manifest the sweater come Christmas).

Corduroy Pants With Sneakers Is Winter’s Most Stylish Combo
Dakota Johnson proves this is the perfect outfit for those times you want a relaxed look with a polished twist.
It’s cold out, which means it’s finally time to start wearing corduroy pants with sneakers. This isn’t your grandfather’s style. The pairing of a classic pair of trousers with tennis shoes gives a much more relaxed, less formal twist to the outfit without sacrificing any elegance. Last winter, the textured pants became the go-to for polished, minimalist, quiet luxury looks. Now, we’re seeing them interpreted in a slightly more casual way that works perfectly for looking cool at work or for weekend plans with friends.

The Best New Bourbons of 2025
After tasting hundreds of whiskeys — sometimes with the people who made them — these are my top bourbon picks of the year.
Every year, legacy and craft distillers release a barrage of new limited-edition whiskeys. It can be difficult to keep up. As budgets shrink and booze prices continue to soar, it’s even more difficult to decide where to splurge.
I’m fortunate to have tried many of these new whiskeys. I also often get to share a pour with the people who make them, sometimes at their distilleries. Writing about spirits has taken me all over the world. I’ve visited producers of every major category and sat at some of the world’s best bars. I’ve learned a thing or two from those experiences, and hope to share this unique perspective about what works and what doesn’t.

A Country-by-Country Guide to Marzipan Shapes Around the World
These are the traditional shapes to seek out, whether gifting or tasting, on your next trip.
In the Jewish Quarter of Toledo, Spain, visitors will find a wonderland of spiraled and dense almondy cakes, topped with studs of candied fruit and swirls of white icing. These are the famous marzipan eels at Santo Tomé, a seventh-generation marzipan and candy shop that opened in 1856 and now has five locations throughout the city. When you walk into the main shop and factory, on Santo Tomé Street, you’re faced with a Guinness-record-breaking marzipan sculpture of Don Quixote (another popular export of the area) rising more than eleven feet and brandishing a lance and sword.

Port’s Great Reinvention: How a Centuries-Old Wine Found Its Cool Again
From rare aged tawnies to playful cocktails at modern bars, port’s latest chapter is captivating new drinkers with a blend of luxury, terroir, and versatility.
Of all the drinks in this wide, wild world, port is the one whose fate is most clearly tied to the shifting whims of culture and the zeitgeist. Its latest act may be port’s most interesting and broad-ranging of all.
Port was “invented” in the 17th century. British merchants sought to ensure that the still wine they shipped in from the Douro could withstand the long, arduous journey across the sea, so they fortified it with brandy. The liquor stabilized the wine, and also made it more powerful, sweeter, and to many, better.

How Princess Margaret’s Wedding Tiara Broke Tradition (and Why It Won’t Be Seen Again)
She wears the Poltimore Tiara in that famous bathtub portrait.
Princess Margaret was known for doing things her own way. When it came time to select a tiara for her 1960 wedding with photographer Antony Armstrong‑Jones, the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II defied tradition by buying her own headpiece instead of choosing one from the royal collection. It would be 21 years before Princess Diana, too, went against the norm by donning the Spencer Tiara from her family’s vault.
Margaret won the Poltimore Tiara at auction in 1959, dropping £5,500 on the towering piece according to former crown jeweler Garrard. The princess further bucked tradition by wearing her prized tiara in its necklace form ahead of her big day, although the world wouldn’t see it in tiara form until her televised ceremony. In 2006, four years after Margaret’s death, the public got a better look at the tiara upon the release of an intimate, never-before-seen portrait.

Boundary-Pushing Architect Frank Gehry Has Died at 96
Frank Gehry, the trailblazing postmodern architect known for his gestural work on the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Los Angeles’s Walt Disney Concert Hall, Paris’s Fondation Louis Vuitton, and Miami’s New World Center, has died at his Santa Monica home following a brief respiratory illness, according to reports. Gehry, who was deemed “the most important architect of our age” by Vanity Fair in 2010, was 96.

The Fashion World Is Banning Fur. Will Fur-Loving Hollywood Get the Memo?
As New York Fashion Week is the latest major institution to ban animal skins on runways, fans of mink-loving celebs are urging them to follow suit: “I love you Kim but I hope those furs are not real”
From the 1930s through the ’50s, you’d be hard-pressed to encounter any high-profile Hollywood film that didn’t include the industry’s most popular actresses in mink coats. Think of Myrna Loy in The Thin Man, Rita Hayworth in Gilda or Marilyn Monroe in How to Marry a Millionaire. At the height of the Great Depression, a woman onscreen swathed in fur made a statement of both style and wealth. Actresses also happily participated in fashion editorials and advertisements, from Joan Fontaine wearing a white mink in a 1944 Vogue editorial to the famed “What Becomes a Legend Most?” campaign orchestrated by the mink brand Blackglama, which between 1968 and 1994 featured pretty much every star of Hollywood’s golden era and beyond, including Audrey Hepburn, Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand.

The 17 Best Movie Performances of 2025
From the return of a screen-actor GOAT to not one but two great turns from Michael B. Jordan — these were the actors that made
A mother grieving an unfathomable loss. Another mother who loses her mind. An angel who loses his wings. A small-town gumshoe trying to crack a murder case in clickity-clack heels. An unwelcome visitor with surprisingly potent powers of persuasion. Not one but two different stoic recluses who live in the woods, and must eventually find their way back to society. Not one but two identical twin brothers with business aspirations, and who must eventually contend with some nasty-ass bloodsuckers.
These were some of the screen performances that left us laughing, weeping, gasping, and in several cases, breaking into spontaneous applause.

How to Wash Shoes in a Washing Machine So They’re Like New Again
You’re going to want to read this first before you hit start.
A pair of scuffed-up shoes can ruin the look of an outfit. Frustrating, yes—but before you banish them from your closet, know that your shoes may have a lot of life still left in them. Before you give up on them entirely, try cleaning them first. You might be surprised by the results. And if the particular pair is machine-washable, cleaning your shoes can be as simple as hitting a few buttons.
We turned to our laundry experts for the safest way to wash shoes in a washing machine that will have them looking like new again.

5 Entryway Décor Mistakes That Make a Bad First Impression
Your guests will notice these faux pas right away.
The entryway is one of the most important spaces in your home, and is key to making a good first impression. However, it’s often the last thing that we think to decorate. Whether it’s cluttered with coats and shoes or missing the proper lighting, a lackluster entryway can send the wrong message.
Fortunately, these problems can be easily fixed with a few thoughtful changes, like swapping in a better rug or adding a small table and mirror. Here, we asked interior designers to share the most common décor mistakes they see in entryways—and the simple updates that can make this space feel more warm, polished, and put together.

24 Christmas Appetizers to Kick Off All Your Festive Celebrations
Classics (like pigs in a blanket) meet new favorites (like shrimp salad canapés).
There’s a long and storied tradition of welcoming dinner guests by way of a starter bite or two. Appetizers can also set the mood and be a real party-saver if the main meal is running a little behind schedule. Just remember this: During the holiday season, you’ll want to choose appetizers that feel special enough for the occasion.
Whether you want to prepare something quick and easy or take the whole day to master a new pastry technique, we have a delicious Christmas appetizer idea for every type of host. Some are rich and decadent, others are meaty classics, and some are just plain fun and delicious. Whichever route you choose, you’re bound to delight your loved ones.

How to Decorate 6 of Martha’s Prettiest Holiday Sugar Cookies
Follow Martha’s techniques for embellished snowflakes, stars, wreaths, and more.
When it comes to holiday cookies, you’d be surprised how far one recipe can go—especially if you come to the table with a few decorating kills. Case in point: Though they look different, the cornerstone of all the beautiful cookies shown here is one of Martha’s longtime favorite recipes: Sugar Cookies. It’s her go-to when she wants a delicious canvas for decorated cut-out cookies.

This European City Is Called the ‘Paris of the North’—and It Has Some of the Best Northern Lights Views
Venture into the Arctic Circle and explore northern Norway’s biggest city, Tromsø.
Surrounded by snow-dusted mountains and glassy fjords, Tromsø sits within a dramatic backdrop some 200 miles into the Arctic Circle. Naturally, this Norwegian city is a good base for watching the famous northern lights, but there’s much more to it than craning your neck skyward to glimpse the aurora borealis.
Whether you’re eating reindeer stew with traditional Sámi herders or soaking in the striking architecture of the Arctic Cathedral, you’ll find the city known as the “Paris of the North” is a delight long before the evening sky lights up. Here’s what you need to know before planning a trip to Tromsø, Norway.

[Photo Credit: rocco.pt]

• T LOunge