T LOunge for May 5th 2026

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PinLazy Lion Cocktail Bar- Budapest, Hungary

No time for talk, kittens! While we encourage you to spend this TUESDAY hunkered down in a bunker in Hungary, we have much to do and plenty to show you. Settle in for a day of eye-popping Met Gala looks and our accompanying opinions of them.

The 20 Best- and Worst-Dressed Celebs at the 2026 Met Gala
Tom + Lorenzo are here to dissect the highs (and lows) of fashion’s big night out.
It’s the biggest night in fashion, aka the Met Gala! We say it’s the number one red carpet night on the yearly calendar because it’s held in the heart of the U.S. fashion industry (New York, of course), and unlike so many other red carpet events, it’s literally all about the fashion. That ensures a sort of unofficial competition among the celebrity attendees to see who can show up in the most viral look. But this year, the Costume Institute exhibit that inspired the evening is “Costume Art” and the dress code for the evening was the rather broad “Fashion Is Art,” which left the looks wide open to interpretation. The vibe was significantly toned down from recent years, but for some reason, a lot of people settled on feathers as the trend of the night. Here are the dazzlers and the flops, according to a committee of two (us).

First Look: See What’s Inside the Met Gala’s “Costume Art” Exhibition
VF art and style correspondents Nate Freeman and José Criales-Unzueta went to check out the exhibition—and the star-studded press conference.
“Costume Art,” the spring exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, has not arrived without its fair share of controversy.
The accompanying Costume Institute Benefit, known widely as the Met Gala, has this year been sponsored by Lauren Sánchez Bezos and Jeff Bezos, which has prompted some corners of the internet to dub the event the “Bezos gala” and to call for a boycott in retaliation to the couple’s connections with President Donald Trump. Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced he’d skip the gala, breaking a years-long tradition of New York mayors attending as guests.
And yet, Anna Wintour and the museum’s director, Max Hollein, announced that this year’s gala is expected to have raised $42 million for the Costume Institute, the biggest fundraising draw in history. “Costume Art” inaugurates Condé M. Nast Galleries, named after the founder of Condé Nast, in honor of a substantial gift from the company (which also owns Vanity Fair).

I Finally Stopped Asking “Does He Like Me?” — And Started Asking “Do I Like Him?” It Changed Everything
We’re taught to see male attention as validation. But what happens when you stop asking if he likes you, and start paying attention to how you feel?
I asked him for a ride home. It was late, the wedding was winding down, and Uber’s surge pricing had turned a ten-minute journey into an extortionate sum I wasn’t willing to pay. He had been avoiding me all night. At one point, he physically stopped someone from leaving us alone together.
He told me to give him a moment. A few minutes later, when he thought I wasn’t looking, I watched him run out of the venue. That was when it became clear.

38 best films on Netflix for your next movie night
Popcorn at the ready.
Searching for the best films on Netflix can be a bit of a chore when you don’t know what you’re looking for – but you can always count on the streaming giant to offer something for everyone, whatever our mood.
Most of us have pretty much worked our way through the streaming service’s extensive catalogue of films, but if you still feel like there are quite a few movies you still haven’t had the chance to catch, then fear not – because we’ve researched the best films you absolutely need to watch on Netflix UK, including cult classics like Lost In Translation and Jaws.

This Spring, Black Flip-Flops Are the Simple Way to Look Cool and in the Know
Very Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy–coded
Once reserved for beach days and off-duty moments, fashion’s latest footwear obsession isn’t what you’d expect. Combining comfort, style, and, most importantly, versatility, black flip-flops are the unexpected summer shoe that fashion insiders are already wearing non-stop.
As seen on the runways at Balenciaga, Alaïa, and Tod’s, this simple sandal was styled with evening dresses, midi skirts, and short hemlines—proving just how versatile a pair of flip-flops can be.

From Zendaya to Meryl Streep: All the celebrities not attending the 2026 Met Gala (and why)
Some celebs have been blacklisted from the annual New York event.
Every year, we turn our eagle eyes to the Met Gala red carpet – although it’s rarely red, as Miranda Priestly wouldn’t find that “groundbreaking.” (Yep, we had to shift a The Devil Wears Prada 2 reference in there, given how timely the film release is.)
So while we’re staring at the carpet, hoping to see our favourite artists, actors and models, it’s sometimes more worthwhile to take our attention off the carpet. Who didn’t attend the 2026 Met Gala? Why didn’t they go? We’ll dig in to the biggest missing stars of the glitz evening. From scheduling conflicts to subtle snubs, there are plenty of intriguing explanations behind their conspicuous absence this year alone here.

Nicola Coughlan’s Surprising Admission About Bridgerton Season Five Is Going Viral
Nicola Coughlan has confirmed that she will play a reduced role in Bridgerton season five, announcing on the Dish Podcast that she “won’t be in it very much”.
“I have it so good now ’cause I come in for a few days and I’m like, ‘Yay! How is everyone? I’ll see you in two months. Bye!’,” admitted Coughlan, who stars in the series as Penelope Featherington. “They’re working super, super hard.”
Bridgerton season five is predicted for release in 2027.

Redundancy can wreck your self-confidence — here are 8 ways to rebuild it
How to navigate the process of job loss with your happiness intact.
The reason why redundancy is so destabilising is simple: it lands as a form of rejection. Ever since I started writing in exchange for pay more than a decade ago, I have relied on my job for so much more than a salary. A sense of self-worth, a shorthand for my identity, a distraction from my depression. And so, despite having pledged to work in a healthier, less enmeshed way a few years back, it was inevitable that learning my role was up for redundancy was going to be… unsettling, to say the least.

The Original Casting Considerations for The Devil Wears Prada Have Officially Resurfaced
The Devil Wears Prada 2 is finally here, with the highly-anticipated sequel hitting cinemas this month.
And following a blockbuster press tour, everything from Anna Wintour’s surprising input to Anne Hathaway shutting down misinformation around the sequel has been going viral.
It is the star-studded cast list that has of course been making the most headlines, with The Devil Wears Prada 2 seeing Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci return to their iconic characters.
However, the original casting considerations for The Devil Wears Prada resurfaced this week, and it turns out that multiple A-list names were being considered for the three leading roles.

Fisherman Sandals Have Officially Replaced Loafers as the Best Closed-Toe Summer Shoe
The comfortable flats are the perfect transition shoe for spring to summer.
If you once loved jelly sandals, just wait until you try on a pair of their slightly more grown-up sibling: fisherman sandals.
With designs from chic brands like The Row and worn by the likes of Alexa Chung and every stylish girl in Portugal, it’s clear the fisherman sandal trend from last summer has officially stayed and become a true closet staple. In fact, we’d argue that they have replaced loafers as the perfect spring-to-summer transition shoe.

These 5 New Potatoes Were Bred for One Thing: Better Chips
Developed at Michigan State University, the varieties are engineered to resist disease and maintain low sugar levels for up to 8 months of storage.
Your next potato chip may taste a little different thanks to a new batch of spuds from a team of researchers at Michigan State University.
In late April, the team at the university announced that they had developed five new potato varieties, funded by the Michigan Potato Industry Commission, the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and Potatoes USA, to “help strengthen the U.S. chip supply by improving disease resistance, long-term storage and processing reliability.”

Dried Limes Look Bold — and Taste Even Bolder
Essential to several Middle Eastern cuisines, dried limes bring bright citrus notes and rich complexity to stews, spice rubs, and more. Here’s how to use them.
If your cooking leans on fresh lemons and limes for brightness, it might be time to meet their deeper, more complex cousin. Dried limes (also known as black limes, Persian limes, or loomi) deliver an intense hit of citrus along with an earthy, slightly bitter depth. Drop one into a simmering stew or grind it into a spice rub and you might find that it elevates your entire meal.
Used widely across Iran, Iraq, and the Gulf countries, dried limes bring a rich, sour complexity to everything from rice pilafs and grilled meats to delicate desserts. Here’s how to use them, where to buy them, and why they deserve a permanent place in your pantry.

Meet Tokaji Essencia, the Rare Hungarian Wine You Drink by the Spoonful
The ‘Wine of Kings’ is so thick you can’t drink it from a glass.
“Show me something interesting,” I said, curious about what gems might exist in the vast spectacle that is Jungle Jim’s International Market outside of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Sommelier Michael Brauninger’s eyes lit up, and moments later, he held up a beautiful red lacquered box. Opening it revealed a 375 milliliter bottle of wine, a dazzling crystal spoon, and a whole lot of questions from my end.
He’d shown me a bottle of Royal Tokaji Essencia, a sweet dessert wine you drink by the spoonful. Yes, spoonful.

11 May Aura Nail Ideas That are Perfect for the Warmer Temps—From Sherbet Sunsets to Tonal Gradients
Treat your canvases (nails) this spring.
It must be the Zara Larsson-effect—or the fact that warmer spring weather is finally on the horizon—because bright hues and eye-catch designs have made their way to the forefront. While minimal, soft manicures will always have a place in my rotation, it’s fun to spice it up sometimes, especially for a new season or special occasion. (Hi, Taurus and Gemini season!).
So far in 2026, chrome, cat-eye, and modernized French tips have dominated nail trends. But we must also give aura nails its flowers. The increasingly popular design features at least two colors airbrushed on top of each other, creating a gradient-like effect. The beauty of aura nails? They can be as simple or as intricate as you’d like.

The Right Way to Steam Clothes for Wrinkle-Free Results Without Damage
We spoke to experts to learn how to steam every type of fabric—and say goodbye to water stains forever.
A clothing steamer can be a lifesaver, especially when you’re traveling or short on time. Just hang and steam—and your wrinkled clothing will look like new in a snap. However, there are certain proper techniques to follow when steaming, lest your garment end up with water spots—or worse, damaged beyond repair.
Not all garments are created equal. Different fabrics react differently to steam, and some may not be suitable for steaming. Regardless, steaming your clothes shouldn’t leave them damp. Here’s how to do it properly for smooth, polished results every time.

How to Fold Every Type of Towel Like a Pro
Give your towels a hotel-worthy look with these easy-to-perfect folds.
If you’ve admired the perfectly folded towels in hotels and spas, you may have wondered how to achieve that look yourself. Achieving that crisp, polished appearance can make a big difference in the overall organization and feel of your bathroom or linen closet. Learning the art of towel folding isn’t just great for that spa aesthetic; neat towels are easier to keep organized and help to free up space. We spoke with experts to discover the best techniques for folding towels like a pro.

This Pennsylvania Destination Is One of the Most Underrated Places on the East Coast—With Charming Towns, 2 Castles, and Celebrity Homes
Celebrities like Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid call this Pennsylvania destination home.
When I tell people I live in Bucks County, many of them don’t know where it is. “Oh, is that near Lancaster?” “Are you close to Allentown?” Sometimes I tell them I live near Sesame Place, and only then do the gears start turning. Sesame Place—one of just two Sesame Street theme parks in the U.S.—is arguably the most popular attraction in Bucks County.
But Bucks County can’t be characterized by Elmo alone. Instead, the region is defined by its bucolic countryside landscapes, dotted with pastoral farms and storybook towns like New Hope. It’s also known for its deep historical roots. George Washington’s fearless crossing of the Delaware took place here in 1776—in the town that’s now known as Washington Crossing—and Oscar Hammerstein II composed the lyrics to some of his most famous works—from “Oklahoma!” to “The King and I”—at Highland Farm in Doylestown.

This Scottish National Park Has a Royal-favorite Castle, Famous Distilleries, and a 90-Mile Scenic Drive
Here’s everything you need to know to plan a visit to Cairngorms National Park.
You don’t enter Scotland’s Cairngorms National Park through a gate—and you don’t need a pass to visit its protected lands. In fact, the first time I drove through the Cairngorms, I didn’t even realize I had entered the park. Heading north from Edinburgh, the landscape suddenly shifted to rolling moorland, rounded peaks, and pastoral scenery so photogenic, I couldn’t help but pull over to the side of the road and take pictures every few miles.
“The tops of our mountains may not be as dramatic as some of the peaks on the west coast of Scotland, but for me, it’s the recesses that are really magical,” says Lotti Papastavrou Brooks, a herder at Cairngorm Reindeer Herd, referencing the lochs, coires (glacial bowls), and glens within the park. Annie Armstrong, the founder of Wild Braemar, has similar views, adding that the Cairngorms are a “juxtaposition between something constant, stoic, and ancient and something ever-changing, dynamic, and alive.”

[Photo Credit: lazylionbudapest.hu, astetstudio.com]

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