T LOunge for January 27th 2026

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PinAkti Restaurant – Sydney, Australia

Well darlings, it’s TUESDAY once again, which does tend to suck, but at least we have a dreamy-fabulous LOunge in which to virtually spend it. Gotta take our wins where we can get them, right? Take  a seat and order something irresponsible.

Nigella Lawson to replace Prue Leith on The Great British Bake Off
The Domestic Goddess has arrived in the tent.
Hear ye, hear ye: Dame Prue Leith will be leaving The Great British Bake Off, to be replaced by none other than Nigella Lawson.
That was just an amuse-bouche; now let’s dive into the full recipe behind this exciting news.
Dame Prue has been a judge on the reality baking competition since 2017, when the show moved from the BBC to Channel 4.
Last week, she announced her departure, saying: “Now feels like the right time to step back.” Fans were left stunned, as Prue has long felt like a cornerstone of the series, her sharp eye and warm humour central to the show’s charm.
Everyone waited like delicate soufflés to see who would be named as her replacement — and now, the timer has rung. Enter: Nigella Lawson, beloved TV chef, author and culinary icon, whose voice, presence and unmistakable style are sure to bring new energy to the tent.
Bake Off fans, get ready: this is one switch that promises to be deliciously dramatic.

Bridgerton books: What order to read, what’s next and where to buy
Here’s your crash course on Julia Quinn’s book series.
The Bridgerton books series by Julia Quinn – which takes place in the Regency era in London – is a wildly popular series that follows the eight affluent Bridgerton siblings searching for love and marriage.
So, it wasn’t a surprise when Netflix unveiled that there was to be a Shonda Rhimes-produced show based on the books. Nor was it a surprise when it became an instant smash hit, reaching 63 million households in its first four weeks and making the Bridgerton cast bonafide stars.

A White Shirt Is a Year-Round Staple I Can’t Live Without — These Are the Ones I Rate
No capsule wardrobe is complete without a trench coat, the perfect pair of jeans, and – of course – a white shirt (or five).
Known for its enduring status as a timeless classic, the beauty of the white shirt lies in its multiple forms and, crucially, its ability to be dressed up or down. Button it to the neck beneath a trouser suit or wear it atop a vest with denim shorts. You could also buy a classic button-down a few sizes larger, belt it at the waist, and you have a chic mini dress. Find one with an oversized collar or artfully placed embroidery, and it instantly elevates favourite denim.

5-Minute Wall Angels are Thought to be Unrivalled For Arm Strength and Posture – So I Tried Them For a Week
Spoiler: they’re not as easy as they look.
Like many of us, I spend hours at a time staring at a screen during the working day, not to mention far too much time doom-scrolling in the evening. And I’m sure I’m not alone when I say my neck, shoulders and posture really pay the price for it. They’re achy by the end of the day, and recently I’ve even been waking up with a stiff, sore neck.
It’s perhaps no surprise, then, that research suggests that prolonged screen time can significantly increase the strain placed on the neck and shoulders, contributing to what’s now known as “text neck”. If you’ve not come across the term before, it’s exactly what it sounds like: a condition linked to looking down at devices for too long.
These 2026 skincare trends will be huge, according to experts
Think slow beauty with a high-tech twist.
A strange thing happened when I started speaking to experts and formulators for the 2026 skincare trends round-up: I let out a big sigh of relief. Even as a beauty editor, I find the sheer volume of skincare products entering the world right now overwhelming. It feels like the more high-tech ingredients launch, the less we know what to do with them or where they slot into our routines.
So the good news is, there’s definitely a change of gear in store for our faces in 2026 – and both your skin and your bank account will thank you for it. Given 50% of consumers now define beauty as “looking healthy”, it makes sense for our routines to become laser-focused on what our skin really needs to be strong, to repair itself and to radiate a lit-from-within glow – not just now, but for many years to come.

Aura nails are everywhere – here are our favourite ways to wear them
Quick vibe check.
Aura nails have been busy picking up a fan base over the last couple of years, especially among those looking for something a little more artistic. Not only does the nail art add an intriguing twist to a mani, but it’s also an easy way to personalise your fingertips and bring the energy.
New nail techniques are expanding the possibilities for mini artworks across our nail beds, and advancements like airbrush nails have made the rise of aura nails possible.

How to wear trainers with jeans, no matter where you’re heading this spring
Our favourite outfit combo is back and chicer than ever.
These days, every street style star knows how to wear trainers with jeans. However, there was once a time when this outfit combo meant one thing: you were someone’s dad. Channelling the idea of Adam Sandler-approved ‘Hot Dad Energy’, normcore, or any other fashion-forward aesthetics wasn’t a thing. You were just… someone’s dad! The kind of guy who relied on pairing his chunky running shoes with the blandest, medium-wash blue jeans.

The Feathered Bob Is The New French Bob – How To Recreate The Winter Hair Trend
Meet the versatile cut that’s perfect for refreshing your lengths.
The bob bandwagon shows no signs of slowing down, and we’re here for it. After all, this chop has cemented itself as the most versatile haircut of all time, delivering styles that include micro-bobs, curve cuts, French bobs and now, the feathered bob.
‘Delicate, layered edges create a feathered-like feel to your haircut immediately,’ says Marlon Hawkins colour and cutting director at Brooks & Brooks. ‘It opens up the haircut with more movement, more versatility and shape.’

We Tested 10 Store-Bought Chicken Noodle Soups — These Are the 4 We’d Buy Again
Homemade chicken noodle soup is hard to beat, but a few canned and jarred versions came close.
One of the best ways to fend off a wintry chill (or a cold) is chicken noodle soup. While nothing beats the homemade stuff (especially with homemade chicken stock), you can find many impressive canned and jarred chicken noodle soups at the grocery store. Finding these options in the soup aisle is easy; narrowing them down, however, is a challenge.
We tasted 10 store-bought chicken noodle soups side by side to help you figure out which are worth stocking in your pantry.

The Nearly Forgotten Chowder Cracker That Julia Child Loved — and Where to Find It Today
The common cracker is anything but an ordinary snack.
Julia Child insisted that you can’t enjoy a real New England chowder without toasted common crackers. The culinary legend wasn’t referring to any old crackers, but a puffed, oversized snack called “common crackers.” Once sold from cracker barrels in general stores, they’ve now been nearly forgotten, lost among a sea of tiny oyster crackers.
They haven’t disappeared entirely, though. If you know where to look, you can still find them — at a handful of restaurants and a beloved country store that keeps their legacy alive.

Netflix’s America’s Next Top Model Docuseries: Everything We Know
This could be explosive!
Ah, the show that introduced the world to the concept of the “go-see.” In the years since the original Tyra Banks-hosted America’s Next Top Model went off the air, there have been plenty of deep dives into the, frankly, insane stunts the show pulled. Search for ANTM on YouTube and you’ll find compilations of the judges’ worst remarks and video essays exposing behind-the-scenes secrets. Plus-sized model Sarah Hartshorne’s book You Wanna Be On Top? about her time on the show is a must-read for those looking for dish. But without access to the main creative team behind the series, many of these accounts have relied on leaks and hearsay. And we’re still waiting for our own TyraMail to show up at our doors!
Now, Netflix is giving fans access to the most visible faces of the show—Tyra herself, along with Miss J. Alexander and Jay Manuel, IYKYK—in a new documentary that promises way more dish. And maybe…accountability?

The First Look at Long-Awaited ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Toy Lines Is Finally Here
The hit Netflix animated film has finally revealed toy lines from Mattel and Hasbro that includes dolls, light sticks, board games and more.
KPop Demon Hunters has finally given die-hard fans a glimpse at Hasbro and Mattel toy lines.
The toy companies unveiled a slew of items at Nuremberg Toy Fair, including new dolls, action figures, collectibles, games and role play items inspired by the hit animated feature.
Unsurprisingly, Mattel’s line includes dolls, action figures, games and collectables. Among the offerings is an American Girl collection featuring individual dolls of the film’s main trio Rumi, Zoey and Mira, also known as the fictional K-pop girl group Huntrix. Each doll is inspired by the different characters’ “on-screen looks and personalities, featuring premium fabrics, detailed accessories and styling that reflects the film’s iconic fashion, music and attitude,” according to a release.

Tyra Banks Admits “I Went Too Far” in Netflix’s ‘America’s Next Top Model’ Documentary Trailer
The host and producer of ‘Top Model’ and her fellow former judges get candid about the reality hit: “Tyra would do anything for the success of her show.”
Tyra Banks and her fellow America’s Next Top Model judges get candid about the reality hit’s divisive legacy in the first trailer for a Netflix documentary about the series.
Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model is described as “the definitive, must-watch chronicle of America’s Next Top Model — and the chaos in front and behind the camera. What started as a glamorous launchpad for aspiring models became a pop-culture juggernaut defined by explosive drama, public meltdowns and controversies that still fuel viral moments today … Reality Check exposes the show’s complicated legacy and asks a provocative question: How far are we willing to go for entertainment?”

Sydney Sweeney climbs Hollywood sign to hang up bras for lingerie line promo, could face charges
The actress reportedly didn’t get the proper permission to climb the sign from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
Sydney Sweeney might be finding herself in hot water again, just as the backlash to her 2025 American Eagle campaign was dying down.
This time, Sweeney could be getting in trouble with the law rather than just dealing with public opinion. A trip to the Hollywood sign for promotion of her upcoming lingerie line could spell trouble for Sweeney due to a lack of proper approval, TMZ reported.
According to the outlet, the Euphoria star obtained a permit from FilmLA to shoot at the Hollywood sign, but she wasn’t allowed to touch or climb it without prior approval from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which owns the sign.

Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz’s Feud with David and Victoria Explodes: Inside the Drama and What It’ll Take to Heal
David and Victoria Beckham’s rift with their son Brooklyn and his wife Nicola Peltz Beckham has turned into a public war. Insiders reveal what really led to the toxic feud
In just two months, Brooklyn and Nicola Peltz Beckham will be marking their fourth wedding anniversary.
But instead of reflecting on happy memories, the couple are still nursing wounds from a lavish—and dramatic—wedding day that fractured a delicate relationship between the young couple and Brooklyn’s superstar parents, David and Victoria Beckham.
What began as family drama over perceived slights regarding a wedding dress (Brooklyn claims his mom pulled out of designing his wife’s gown “in the eleventh hour”) and a special dance between the newlyweds (“hijacked” by Victoria, says Brooklyn) has now turned into a full-blown public battle that has the world wondering: How on earth did things get this bad? And who is actually to blame?

BAFTA Film Awards Nominations: ‘One Battle After Another’ and ‘Sinners’ Dominate as ‘I Swear’ Leads the Charge for British Indies
The escalating “One Battle After Another” and “Sinners” duel is heading to the U.K., with the two films — both from Warner Bros. — emerging atop the pack of BAFTA Film Award nominees.
Following Tuesday’s announcement, Paul Thomas Anderson’s political satire leads the way with 14 nominations overall, just two shy of the record set by “Gandhi” and leveling with “All Quiet on the Western Front,” “Atonement,” “The King’s Speech” and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.”

The Right Way to Stain Wood, According to Pro Woodworkers
Take the guesswork out of getting a smooth, even finish.
Staining a coffee table you found at a thrift shop or the outdated dresser you’ve had for years may seem like a simple weekend project, but the process can be a bit more involved than one might think. Everything from the type of wood you’re working with to the stain you choose and how well you prepare the piece all dictate how high-end your finish and color turn out. To make the process a little more seamless, we consulted two professional woodworkers who shared their tips and step-by-step instructions for staining wood.

What Happens When You Don’t Dust, According to Allergists
A small cleaning habit with real health implications.
You might think dust is a cosmetic problem. Moreover, if it’s not actually visible, it isn’t truly urgent. “But from an air quality perspective, dust is anything but harmless,” warns air quality expert Michael Rubino, “especially when it’s allowed to build up over time.”
Here, our experts break down the health effects of dust buildup and the risks you run by skipping this household chore.

I’m an Interior Designer, and These Are My Favorite Places to Shop for Antiques in New England
Get ready to find something special.
There is something distinctively sweet about growing up in Rhode Island.
Here, summer and warm fall days are filled with heading to the beach, hiking a favorite trail, or sipping a cold drink (preferably one with Autocrat in it, but that’s a story for a different day). But, when the wind is whipping, or there’s simply too much of a chill in the air, we have to seek alternatives. For me, that’s always included venturing off to my favorite antique spots for a little treasure hunt.

[Photo Credit: srghospitality.com.au, perrydrakopoulos.com]

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