T LOunge for April 30th 2026

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PinBiBo Bar and Restaurant – Budapest, Hungary

Cozy modern whimsy! That’s what we need from a LOunge on this THURSDAY. Let’s all be grandiose and dramatic today, just to feel something! Settle into velvet and prepare to be the most dazzling and controversial person in the room. Or just sit in the corner and silently judge everyone. That’s good too. We support that.

Meryl Streep Rejected ‘Devil Wears Prada’ at First So She Could Double Her Salary: ‘They Needed Me. I Was Ready to Retire’
Meryl Streep very nearly didn’t play Miranda Priestly.
Speaking on “Today” as part of a group interview with her “The Devil Wears Prada 2” castmates Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci, Streep discussed her decision to sign on for the 2006 original.
“I knew it was going to be a hit,” Streep told host Jenna Bush Hager (who herself has a cameo in “The Devil Wears Prada 2”). “I read the script — the script was great. They called me up, and they made an offer, and I said ‘No. I’m not going to do it.’” Streep said she foresaw the film’s success — and wanted to be paid accordingly. “I wanted to see if I doubled my ask, and they went right away and said ‘Sure.’”

Venus Williams On Co-Hosting The Met, Building Her Legacy, and Defying Expectations at 45
Sacrifice has been a recurring theme in Venus’s career, though she wouldn’t frame her story that way. Venus and Serena were famously molded into prodigies on the public tennis courts in Compton, California, by their father, Richard Williams, who worked as a security guard, and their mother, Oracene Price, then a registered nurse. “We were just laser-focused,” she says. “We missed out on things that we didn’t even know we were missing out on.” Skipping the juniors circuit to stay in school was about the only thing she had in common with her teenage peers. “I remember one kid, I was kind of friends with him. He was like, ‘You think you’re better than us.’ Because I didn’t have time to hang out after school,” Venus says. “We immediately went to train for five hours.”

Is Gen Z Really Lazy at Work, or Just Done with Burnout Culture?
They’re logging off at 5pm, and being labelled “uncommitted.” But the real problem might be the culture they’re refusing to inherit.
I was sitting across from a 25-year-old accounts manager who had just been described by her boss as ‘not committed enough.’ She had left work at 5pm to get to her favourite gym class.
When I asked what it was like hearing that, she said something I hadn’t expected. That she was tired. Not physically. Tired of performing commitment in a way that had nothing to do with the quality of her work, and tired of the unspoken rule that staying late meant caring more. She’d watched women fifteen years older than her run themselves into the ground and call it ambition.

Is The White Lotus cursed? All the on-set drama, as Helena Bonham Carter exits season 4
Another person has left the hit HBO show abruptly.
As fans of The White Lotus will know, these five-star luxury resorts dotted around the globe are anything but relaxing – with a different guest popping their clogs every damn season. But, if recent events (and celebrity gossip columns) are anything to go by, it seems the drama extends beyond the screen and that the set itself is cursed.
The latest fatality? Helena Bonham Carter. And she lasted just one week.

Our ultimate edit of wedding suits for women opting to ditch the dress
Bridal suiting is more popular than ever right now.
As a recent bride, let me tell you that wedding dress stress is not the one. In fact, my friends on the hunt for the best wedding suits for women right now might just have the right idea. Because while I loved – and still love – my wedding dress more than anything else I’ve ever worn, I did have to design it myself to make sure every box was ticked.
After all, when you’re attending weddings – often several – every year, and you’re seeing brides in the most unbelievable dresses all over Instagram and TikTok every day (these algorithms certainly know a bride-to-be when they see one), it can feel almost impossible to find a dress that you not only love, but that doesn’t feel like something you’ve seen time and time again already. And if there’s one day you don’t want to feel apathetic about your look, it’s your wedding day.

Should I Marry a Murderer?: Where is Dr Caroline Muirhead now?
Life looks pretty different now.
At the start of Should I Marry a Murderer?, Dr Caroline Muirhead feels instantly relatable. She hangs out with her friends, has endured a painful heartbreak, posts Snapchats with embarrassing filters, and has been told by men that she’s “too much” — honestly, hard relate. By the end of the three-part Netflix documentary, however, we’re left with the portrait of a broken woman who made a decision no one could have imagined.
Should I Marry a Murderer? follows Muirhead through her relationship with Alexander “Sandy” McKellar, and how, shortly after their engagement, he revealed a dark secret from his past. The series is already being positioned to rival recent true-crime hits like Trust Me: The False Prophet and The Truth and Tragedy of Moriah Wilson.
Here’s everything we know about Dr Caroline Muirhead, her role in solving a missing persons case, and her life since the documentary aired.

10 Of The Most Complimented Perfumes To Try This Summer
Meet the scents of the season.
There was a time not so long ago when it felt like sunny days might never return. Now, our editors are slathering on SPF, swapping heavy make-up for skin tints and dewy mists, and finally bringing our summer perfumes back into rotation. And while we wholeheartedly agree that your signature scent should reflect your personal taste, identity, and style, it’s hard to say no to a fragrance that’s guaranteed to capture the attention of friends, loved ones, and even strangers passing by. As it happens, our most reached-for scents also tend to be our most complimented.

How Much Of Netflix’s ‘Gripping’ Psychological Thriller ‘Unchosen’ Is Based On True Cult Stories?
There are around 2,000 cults in the UK. Which were inspiration for Netflix’s latest drama Unchosen?
The more you learn about cults, the harder it is to imagine them existing in the modern world. And yet, so many do – you might just not know about them, unless you happen to be in one yourself.
This stark reminder came via a new Netflix series, Unchosen, which depicts a fictional cult called the Fellowship of the Divine (led by Mr Phillips, played by a ‘gripping’ Christopher Ecclestone according to The Times) in which technology of any kind is banned (‘pipelines of pornography and sewage to our souls!’) and men are superior to women in just about every way possible. They have agency and get to prance around working and feeling important, while women have none and are bound to the home. Classic!

3 Bob Haircuts For Fine Hair That Look Instantly Full And Bouncy
These short, voluminous styles were made for thin hair.
If you’ve got fine hair, but desperately want to brave the chop and get a bob this summer, we’ve got some good news: there’s plenty of sophisticated options for every texture and style. It’s all about finding the right shape for you.
The bad news is, not every type of bob haircut will work for thinner hair types. In fact, a bob for fine hair requires completely different considerations to that of fuller heads, so it’s important to have a trained eye and expert hand at the helm of your fresh ‘do. That being said, when cut and styled well, a bob can be transformative for wispier hair types – not to mention, it makes the ultimate summer refresh.

Taylor Swift Sets The Record Straight On ‘Weird’ Fan Theories And Why Criticism Fuels Her
The singer spoke extensively about songwriting in a new interview. Here are the biggest revelations.
Taylor Swift has given her first major interview of the year to The New York Times, speaking in-depth about her songwriting.
In the 30-minute video, the singer goes through her discography and details her writing process. She also candidly addresses what she has accepted about being a public figure, how criticism has inspired some of her best music, and what she thinks about fan analyses of her lyrics.
There was a lot to take in during the discussion. Here, some of her most revealing quotes.

Cherry Nails Are the Cutest Manicure Trend to Try This Summer
Give your classic red polish a twist with something as sweet as cherry pie.
We’re not surprised that cherry nails are taking off right now. As soon as summer comes around, sweet fruit nails seem to always start popping up on our FYP and on manicures everywhere.
If micro fruit nails were last year’s top banana, cherry nails are taking the title for 2026. While shades like black cherry are popular during the colder months, this nail trend is a little more straightforward. Simply put, it’s the cherry on top of your manicure.

If You Miss Old Pyrex Glass, Try These 9 Sturdier Alternatives That Won’t Crack Under Pressure
Looking for real borosilicate glass? These are my top picks.
Back in the ’90s, kitchenware brand Pyrex stopped making its signature storage containers and tools from borosilicate glass, the sturdy stuff that science beakers are made of. Borosilicate glass gets its extra resistance to “thermal shock,” or sudden changes in temperature, from boron trioxide, which makes it easy to take containers from freezer to microwave or oven without cracking. Luckily, plenty of brands, like shopper-favorite OXO, still make plenty of excellent kitchen items from borosilicate glass. Read on for my nine picks, like freezer-safe storage containers and nesting mixing bowls, from $5.

We Put 16 Store-Bought Barbecue Sauces to the Test — Here Are the 5 We’d Use at Home
Standout picks were selected based on balance, ingredient quality, and performance across a range of dishes.
There’s nothing better than slathering a sweet, tangy, slightly punchy barbecue sauce onto essentially any smoked, grilled, or roasted meat. Hell, throw it on some veggies, and you’ve got yourself a party, too. But a condiment once reserved for one or two brands has exploded over the years, with both big-name suppliers and up-and-coming mom-and-pop operations now in the mix. So, of course, you’re a little confused about which one to buy at the grocery store. But, naturally, the Food & Wine team is here to have your back and make that selection process a whole lot easier.

In Defense of the Sexy Wedding-Guest Dress
I was mercilessly bullied by the same girl, let’s call her Sarah, from elementary school through high school. It started with the standard stuff—getting my glasses broken, being shoved into lockers—before evolving into a kind of psychological warfare, involving sinister voicemails and vicious rumor-spreading. I’d like to say the experience made me stronger, or that her cruelty motivated me to succeed, but I’m not so sure that either of those clichés rings true.
When I knew that I would see her again, I had no desire to kill her with kindness. Instead, I was thinking about revenge. Specifically, revenge dressing.

‘It’s sickening to watch’: Sex workers weigh in on Euphoria
Almost every female character in season three of Sam Levinson’s controversial series is involved in some form of sex work. But what does the show get right and wrong about the industry?
We’re only three episodes into the third season of Euphoria, and we’ve already seen Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) film pup play and adult baby content for OnlyFans, Jules (Hunter Schafer) get wrapped in clingfilm as part of a BDSM mummification ritual by her sugar daddy Ellis (Sam Trammell), and Magick (Rosalía) dance with a neck brace as part of a lawsuit claim at the Silver Slipper strip club. Euphoria’s preoccupation with sex work hasn’t come out of the blue, either. The show has form: it depicted Kat Fernandez (Barbie Ferreira) as an online findomme in season one, and the character Faye is played by Chloe Cherry, a former adult film star. Sam Levinson, it seems, is more than a little obsessed with sex work.
However, given that Euphoria is not written or directed by a sex worker, and it’s unclear if sex worker consultants were hired on the show, the show has some pretty obvious inaccuracies (for one, baby roleplay goes against OnlyFans’ community guidelines). This is a problem that Maedb Joy, the founder of the performing arts company Sexquisite Events, is all too familiar with. “We’re seeing the same problem happen time and time again, where stories about sex workers are told by non-sex workers. They’re inaccurately represented, and they cause harm and damage to the community,” Joy explains. “It’s like everyone profits off our stories, yet we’re never given the access to tell our own.”

The 20 longest-running scripted series in TV history (including one drama in its 63rd season)
All hail “General Hospital.”
Television has been around for nearly a century, but when Philo T. Farnsworth demonstrated the first fully functional all-electronic TV system in 1927, it’s doubtful that he or anyone else could have conceived of the impact of what he was creating — let alone that it might someday result in scripted programs still airing more than 60 years after their debut.
To explore the longest-running scripted series in TV history is to spiral down a rabbit hole of soap operas, but Entertainment Weekly has happily taken the dive to find the 20 programs that have aired more seasons than any other.

The Right Way to Use a Swiffer Mop (and the Mistakes to Avoid)
Get more from every swipe.
The floors in your home have a way of getting dirty surprisingly quickly. Just when you think you’ve given them the deep clean of the century, muddy shoes, pet hair, food crumbs, or dust appear to lay destruction to that flawless shine. The frequency with which flooring needs cleaning is why many love their trusted Swiffer mop. Its lightweight, all-in-one design makes it speedier and less cumbersome than a traditional mop. You’ve likely used one before due to its popularity, or it may be part of your current cleaning rotation.
But have you been using this popular tool correctly? After all, there’s an art to mopping floors—no matter which mop you choose. Read on to learn the most effective and efficient ways to use your Swiffer mop, according to a scientist at Swiffer and other cleaning professionals.

This Secluded Beach Was Just Named No. 1 in the World—and It Has Clear Waters, Limestone Cliffs, and Is Only Accessibly by Boat
Accessible only by boat, Entalula Beach stands out for its natural beauty and tranquility.
A day at the beach can bring a heavy dose of rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. And while any beach would be a welcoming stop to many travelers, a new report revealed some beaches are more elite than others.
Travel insiders and “beach ambassadors” combed through every grain of sand to find the ultimate list of fun in the sun, and recognize them on a list of The World’s 50 Best Beaches. At the very top was the Entalula Beach in Palawan, Philippines.
With stunning limestone cliffs, clear water, and natural palm trees throughout, the beach was a picture perfect spot to relax. Entalula Beach sees fewer visitors than the surrounding beaches, according to the list, and is accessible only by boat.

What to Do If You Don’t Like the Food (Without Offending Your Host)
An etiquette expert explains how to be a gracious guest.
We’ve all been there: You’re a guest at someone’s house, and maybe your host isn’t the world’s best cook, they were too ambitious with their menu, or perhaps you simply don’t share the same taste. Despite the exact circumstances, it doesn’t have to be a major issue. “It happens! Everyone has their own personal taste, and this is totally normal,” assures Olivia Pollock, etiquette and hosting expert at Evite. “The main thing to remember is that your host put effort and time into curating a menu, either purchasing or preparing a meal, and that deserves appreciation regardless of whether the dish is your favorite.”
What’s the best way to handle this challenging culinary scenario?

[Photo Credit: astetstudio.com]

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