T LOunge for February 5th 2026

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PinManko Restaurant – Paris, France

It’s THURSDAY and we’re feeling like a swanky LOunge with some cool elegance and deeply flattering lightly. Don’t we all deserve it? Apologies for the podcast delay but a series of domestic issues and mishaps keep preventing us from recording. By tomorrow, we promise.

Sarah Pidgeon Steps Into the Spotlight
When the actress signed on to play Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, she had a feeling it would change her career. But when filming for ‘Love Story’ began and the parallels to her main character appeared—the obsessive, sometimes critical, takes from fans, the incessant flock of paparazzi—it illuminated what she didn’t want from fame.
No one really knows her name just yet, or recognizes her face, so actress Sarah Pidgeon and I walk like two friends recording a “Spend a Day in New York City’s West Village With Me” TikTok. We duck into a basement-level crafts store where she holds up different colors of yarn to her face for a scarf she hopes to make. I offer suggestions that seem to match her bright-blue eyes. When two shopkeepers chime in, she goes with their advice and lands on a steely gray.
We continue our easy stroll up picturesque Hudson Street, where November leaves fall in slow motion like paid extras, and we eventually sit down at Anton’s, a wine bar and café, where the head waiter does know Sarah by name (she’s a regular) and who interrupts our meal three times with reminders to eat the bread. Pidgeon and I chit-chat about where she grew up (Birmingham, Michigan, a Detroit suburb); her first adult pet (Tinky-Winky, a kitten that now lives with her mom in Ann Arbor because filming got too busy); her recommendations as an Anton’s aficionado (definitely one of the pastas). It’s all so normal that I almost don’t want to draw attention to why we’re really here: the project with the potential to blow up Pidgeon’s entire spot.

How the Woman Who Shot Sinners Could Make History at the Oscars
Autumn Durald Arkapaw could be the first woman ever to win a best-cinematography Oscar, though she’s trying not to focus on it: “I feel the pressure of that.”
Autumn Durald Arkapaw is a foodie. If she’d known that culinary school existed when she was young, she might have a James Beard Award by now—or at least a stint on Top Chef.
Instead, Arkapaw became a cinematographer. She sees parallels between the two career paths: Both are “very technical, as far as what you need to learn, and then there’s a creative side to it, execution-wise. And long hours, high pressure,” she tells me over a spread of cheese, some delicious croquettes, and olives at an LA restaurant.
Maybe she would have been a great chef. But then we wouldn’t have Arkapaw’s work: the cool indies she made with Gia Coppola (Palo Alto) and Max Minghella (Teen Spirit) before teaming up with Ryan Coogler on Marvel blockbuster Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and now, Sinners.
This Is What You Should Be Doing to Rain-Proof Your Hair, According to Experts
Prepare to take notes
While a sturdy umbrella helps, and staying indoors sounds dreamy (but unrealistic), the experts agree that with the right prep, products and styling choices, you can protect your hair against rain-induced frizz. So, take notes.
“When hair is exposed to rain, the water penetrates the outer cuticle layer and moves into the inner cortex, causing the hair fibre to swell. This swelling lifts and disrupts the cuticle, which reduces smoothness and increases friction between strands,” explains Dr Aamna Adel, Consultant Dermatologist. The result? Frizz.

Losing a Friend Is the Breakup No One Warns You About
We have endless language for romantic break-ups, but almost none for the grief of losing a friend.
It is a cliché universally acknowledged that winter is when we do our brooding. The trees stripped of their foliage remind us how abundant they looked not long ago, while the same friends we used to go clubbing with post pictures of their one-year-olds in fluffy onesies. It is a time for contemplation, permitting ourselves the indulgence of digging up old graves.
Lately I have been thinking about an old friend. Let’s call her C. Every day after lectures, C and I would go back to my student house and hang out. It was our second year at university, and I was living with six other students. In hindsight, a wretched idea. The time C and I spent together was often the best part of my day. I was weaned on sitcoms that gave us an unrealistic idea of friendship.Shows where the template for friendship meant spending constant time together, living in symbiotic harmony only occasionally disturbed by celebrity guests and bungled dinner reservations. But when my friendship with C ended abruptly, I was bereft.

Polka dot nails are the cutest manicure trend for spring
Your cue to get a little dotty.
Last year, we told you (early) about the incoming nail trend of the summer: polka dot nails. After popping up in fashion, it was only natural that the fun print would make its way over to beauty too and it’s safe to say that we’ve been obsessed.
A really versatile style, the best part about the nail trend is that it really does work for anyone. Minimal mani lover? Fan of jelly nails? Or maybe aura nails are more your thing? Well, the great news is that the polka dot nails trend works with all of these styles and more.

5 super chic ways to style a satin skirt for spring 2026
The classic satin skirt quickly transforms from a ‘maid of honour’ to ‘off-duty model’ with these simple styling tricks.
Once upon a time, we only thought about how to style a satin skirt maybe once or twice a year. The wardrobe staple sat at the bottom of our wardrobes, quietly reserved for very specific moments, like awkward Christmas parties and even more awkward date nights.
In 2026, though, this narrative has flipped. From silk midi skirts to satin maxi skirts, the piece is no longer a shiny sidekick — it’s the main event. In fact, it’s becoming the quiet MVP of the modern capsule wardrobe for the upcomiogn spring season.

How to style a brown leather jacket for spring 2026
With the Devil Wears Prada sequel around the corner, what better time to cosplay as Andy Sachs.
You might have noticed that the brown leather jacket has risen as the new style staple for this winter, and that’s set to continue into spring. But not all of them are created equal: a few different strains of brown leather jacket have been trending simultaneously.
There’s the chocolate brown versions, which reflect how popular the shade has been this season. There’s also oxblood, another trending hue, especially for jackets and footwear. A cross between burgundy and dark brown, it offers drama and depth while remaining conveniently versatile. Aviator-style jackets have a purposefully worn appearance and are lined with shearling. And then there’s the suede jackets, which offer a softer alternative. Suede is made from animal hide the same way leather is, but it uses the fuzzy underside as opposed to the outer grain.

Apron Dresses Have Always Been a Feminist Symbol. But Can They Even Be Subversive in 2026?
They’ve started to trend on the runways and red carpets. Here’s what that means in terms of culture, politics, and the tradwife of it all.
By the time the fifth apron dress walked down Miu Miu’s Spring 2026 runway, it was no longer a nudge-nudge wink-wink, but a hit-you-over-the-head prompt: Miuccia Prada wanted us to think about what we wear in the kitchen. Anatomy of a Fall star Sandra Hüller opened the show in a dark blue gabardine smock. Bejeweled ones, candy-colored crochet, and ruffled ones followed. Halfway through, Academy Award nominee Richard E. Grant came out in a kinky black leather apron over a quarter-zip and ascot.

Love Story Brought in a New Costume Designer After Fan Outrage Over Carolyn Bessette’s Looks
“I actually think it’s good that the photos got out there, because we listened to a lot of feedback.”
Love Story, the upcoming Ryan Murphy-produced limited series about JFK Jr.’s romance with wife Carolyn Bessette Kennedy—a relationship marked by tabloid fascination and ending in tragedy—will feature exactingly accurate costumes after fashion lovers heaped scorn on set photos and early wardrobe tests.
Wait, hold on.
You’re telling me that the internet got mad about an element of a television show that…deserved it? And that instead of doxxing and harassing the creatives behind the show, people…shared genuine criticisms? And the makers of the show heard those criticisms and responded by…fixing the problem?
A miracle has occurred!

Queen Camilla’s Unexpected $7,400 Accessory Is a Nod to Her Beloved Dogs at Special Appearance
She strayed from the royal collection for a meaningful new addition.
Queen Camilla ensured two important royal family members were front and center as she stepped out for a milestone appearance on Wednesday. As she marked the 2,000th coronation library she’s opened as part of her work with The National Literacy Trust’s National Year of Reading, Queen Camilla swapped out her priceless royal heirlooms for a meaningful loud luxury accessory: An unexpected yet personal $7,400 brooch that paid homage to her fur babies.

We Tasted 8 Buffalo Sauces — These 3 Will Take Your Wings to New Heights
These are the best Buffalo sauces for wings, pizza, and dips.
Super Bowl LX is right around the corner, and Buffalo wings are sure to fly off the plate on game day. Grocery store aisles aren’t short on bottled Buffalo sauces, but which ones are actually worth buying for the big game and beyond? To find out, we tasted eight popular store-bought Buffalo sauces side by side.
We selected eight of the most popular bottled Buffalo sauces available nationwide. To keep the playing field level, we focused on classic, original-style Buffalo sauces. When a brand didn’t specify a heat level, we chose medium. We also excluded any Buffalo sauces with added flavors (like Buffalo garlic or Buffalo ranch), as well as specialty formulas such as dairy-free versions and those made with avocado oil.

28 Super Sandwiches for Game Day, From Meatball Subs to Eggplant Parm and Barbecue
Is it really Super Bowl Sunday without a standout sandwich?
Skip the party sub on Super Bowl Sunday and make a platter of incredible, irresistible sandwiches instead. From favorites like the club sandwich, Reuben, Philly cheesesteak, and eggplant Parmesan to fun riffs on classics such as French onion grilled cheese, barbecue jackfruit, and beef bulgogi sloppy joes, we have delicious recipes for every style of sandwich. Try saucy meatball subs, a spicy banh mi-po’boy mash-up, and more fresh, meaty, stacked, layered, and delightfully messy Super Bowl sandwiches for game day.

Every Expert We Spoke to Said Storing Your Cast Iron Cookware This Way Is Ruining It
Leave rust in the dust.
Not all of my cast iron cookware is as spoiled as my everyday Lodge skillet. While it sees me through Saturday night steaks and weeknight sautés all year, other pieces — like my double Dutch oven, muffin pan, and loaf pan — often only see the dark ends of my cabinets. On a few occasions, I’ve pulled my cast iron out of those cabinets and found rust encroaching on what I thought was impenetrable seasoning. And after I asked experts for their opinions, I understand why the rust formed.

Should You Have a Phone-Free Wedding Ceremony? Here’s How to Do It
Call to mind some of the most stunning wedding photographs you’ve ever seen: cascading flowers, radiant smiles, a few well-earned tears, maybe candlelight flickering against silk and tulle. Now imagine the same with some of those teary eyes angled down toward glowing screens, while others frame the bride with their phones. It breaks the spell a little, doesn’t it?
For all the money, time, and painstaking consideration that go into the aesthetic details of a wedding ceremony, the moment itself is fleeting. What remains are memories and photographs—both of which can be quietly compromised by the presence of cell phones. And it’s not just about aesthetics. From emotional presence to the quality of the images themselves, there’s a growing case for phone-free ceremonies. Here’s why many are choosing to unplug, and how to do it gracefully if you decide to follow suit.

From Bieber to Sweeney, Celebrities Suddenly Want You to Buy Their Underwear
Celebrities are slinging their own lines of skivvies, which raises the question: Is underwear the new tequila?
When Justin Bieber moodily slouched into the spotlight at Sunday’s Grammy Awards, strumming his low-fi version of “Yukon,” all eyes were on his … shimmering, baggy boxers.
Swag indeed, the singer had reemerged into the public eye practically nude aside from a guitar and some new product for sale — his Skylrk-brand accessory line. Bieber launched the company in July, and it features a rather sparse selection of items, such as socks, sandals, sunglasses and, yes, boxers — which sold out overnight.
The skivvies-slinging came on the heels of Sydney Sweeney announcing last week she was launching a lingerie line called Syrn (pronounced “siren”).

Pieter Mulier is Versace’s new creative director
The former Alaïa designer replaces Dario Vitale, becoming the first new boss under Prada Group ownership
It’s official: Pieter Mulier is the new creative director of Versace. The news was announced in a statement this afternoon (February 5), on the Italian label’s Instagram page. “Versace and Prada Group announce the appointment of Pieter Mulier as chief creative officer, effective July 1, 2026. This choice marks the beginning of a new chapter for the brand.”
Today’s news comes less than a week after the announcement that Mulier would be leaving his role as creative director of Alaïa after five years at the helm. The announcement also follows a turbulent year for Italy’s most famous fashion brand. In March last year, Donatella Versace gave up her creative director title after 27 years, transitioning to a “brand ambassador” role.

20 Best Super Bowl Commercials of 2026—Watch Sabrina Carpenter, KATSEYE, and More
How many Oscar nominees can you spot?
The 2026 Super Bowl (officially the Super Bowl LX) is finally around the corner, and it’s time to set the mood by looking at the best Super Bowl commercials of 2026 before we all turn our attention to Bad Bunny—and, well, football too.
Every year in the lead-up to the Big Game, brands pull out all of the stops with their respective Super Bowl ads, competing for the biggest name in music, film, TV, and beyond to work with them and get their eyes on their product with the most creative, funny, or poignant commercial. (Millions of viewers tune into the Super Bowl, after all!)
Brands pay a pretty penny for their ads, and celebs, from Beyoncé and the Beckhams to Aubrey Plaza and Bad Bunny, jump at the chance to appear in Super Bowl commercials every year—so 2026 would be no different. Taylor Swift might not be watching her fiancé play this year, but that doesn’t mean the Super Bowl will have any less star power. Cue: all the Super Bowl 2026 commercials featuring Sabrina Carpenter, Emma Stone, KATSEYE, Kendall Jenner, and many more.

Whoopi Goldberg Has Unfinished Business
Long before authenticity became a brand, there was Whoopi Goldberg. A self-described weird kid from the New York projects who came up through experimental theater, conquered standup, became a movie star, and won an EGOT, Whoopi has somehow defined culture while refusing to conform to it. As a co-host of The View for nearly two decades, she’s been a stabilizing force on America’s most chaotic morning show. An author, activist, and entrepreneur, she has seemingly done it all. But as the 70-year-old told Jeremy O. Harris on a recent day off, she isn’t quite finished yet.

Savannah Guthrie addresses ransom note rumors in emotional plea for missing mom: ‘Everyone is looking for you, mommy’
Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen at her home on Saturday night.
“Bring her home,” Savannah Guthrie captioned an emotional video she posted late Wednesday, in which she, her brother Camron, and her sister Annie, spoke directly to both their mother and to anyone responsible for her disappearance.
“Our mom is our heart and our home. She’s 84 years old. Her health, her heart is fragile. She lives in constant pain. She is without any medicine. She needs it to survive. She needs it not to suffer,” the Today anchor said in the clip. “We, too, have heard the reports about a ransom letter in the media. As a family, we are doing everything that we can. We are ready to talk. However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. We need to know, without a doubt, that she is alive and that you have her.”

This Dog Breed Just Won Westminster—37 Years After Its Last Victory
Penny the Doberman Pinscher took the top honor.
After rounds of competitive breed and group judging with over 2,500 entries, the Westminster Kennel Club crowned its 150th winner this week—Penny the Doberman Pinscher.
The regal prize-winning pup was named Best in Show at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Tuesday. Following two days of bench breed judging to determine Best in Breed at the Jacob K. Javits Center, the winning dogs moved on to represent their breeds in group judging at the Midtown venue. From there, the seven group winners were judged to determine Best in Show.

This Color-Coded Kitchen Towel Habit Makes Cleaning Easier (and Safer!)
A simple system that actually sticks.
We have news for you—it’s time to streamline your kitchen towels. Using a color-coded towel system can help you stay relaxed in the kitchen—even amid hosting chaos—and keep things sanitary and clean.
Color-coded towel organization helps prevent cross-contamination, keeps your kitchen cleaner, and makes it easy for guests to stay organized. Better yet, the system can have aesthetic value based on your design choices.
It’s really quite simple; here’s how it works.

Why You Should Never Dry Wet Shoes on Your Heater
It’s a shortcut that comes with risks.
When you head out into the elements, especially in the cold or rainy seasons, there’s always a chance that your shoes could meet up with some moisture. But when you come back inside and strip those wet shoes off, resist the urge to place them on a nearby heater for drying. That practice, while familiar, is hardly safe—not for your shoes, your appliances, or yourself.
Here’s why drying your wet shoes on a heater is so hazardous, as well as how to safely dry them instead.

15 of the Best Places to Visit in Finland—From Santa Claus Village to the Sauna Capital of the World
Put these local-recommended cities, national parks, lakes, and other beautiful destinations on your itinerary.
If you’re planning a trip to Finland, there’s a good chance that seeing the northern lights is at the top of your list. During the winter months, Lapland, the country’s northernmost region, is known as one of the best places in the world to view the aurora borealis, but amazing as the experience may be, there are many more reasons to visit this Nordic country.
Adventurous travelers and those who prefer fresh air to indoor activities will feel right at home in Finland. Nicknamed the “Land of a Thousand Lakes,” the country actually has around 188,000 of them, making it a prime destination for activities like ice fishing, swimming, paddleboarding, and cruising.

18 of the Best Things to Do in Sedona, According to Locals
Sedona experts weigh in on where to hike, bike, and relax in this Arizona desert town.
Rich in natural beauty, Sedona, Arizona, has long been regarded as a sacred place. Its red rock buttes are said to house mysterious cosmic forces conducive to healing and self-exploration. “Whether it’s the energy of the land, the genuine hospitality of its people, [or] the cultures that coexist in harmony … there’s no denying this place feels different than anywhere else,” Brett Briseno of Tanzerra Resorts, which owns the local Enchantment Resort and Mii Amo spa, told Travel + Leisure. “I would use the word majestic, but others might simply say there’s a positivity and peacefulness here that’s rare in the world.”

[Photo Credit: manko-paris.com, bureau-lacroix.com]

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