The most iconic Hermès Birkin bags inspired by Jane Birkin
Following the passing of actor and singer Jane Birkin, fans are remembering the iconic Hermès bag which drew inspiration from her need for practical style - and quickly grew to be one of the rarest and most expensive styles in the fashion world. The Hermès Birkin starts at around £8,000, but can only be purchased new by invitation from the brand personally. However, those keen to get their hands on one of these exclusive pieces can expect to pay upward of £20,000 on resale items. The Diamond Himalaya Birkin gained notoriety for being the most expensive bag ever to be sold at auction, going for $450,000 USD (£343,700) in 2022, and is crafted from Niloticus crocodile skin featuring 40 brilliant white diamonds. Birkin's passing will likely drive demand up even further for such bags. Read More Jane Birkin: Singer, actor and inspiration behind iconic Birkin bag dies aged 76 Cillian Murphy says it ‘took a toll’ playing scientist J Robert Oppenheimer Fan grabs Bryan Adams’ microphone after invading stage to sing Summer of ‘69
2023-07-17 19:59
F1 Juniors broadcast an admirable idea – but a reminder that all kids want to be is grown up
“Now it’s time to cross over to our F1 Juniors,” said Sky’s lead presenter Simon Lazenby, in a feel which became familiar throughout the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend. Often the broadcaster striving for new avenues, never afraid of the status quo, Sky Sports took their television trials to a different avenue this weekend with the first-ever Formula 1 broadcast for children. An admirable experiment, it gave three teenagers a few days to savour as they started their summer holidays in Budapest alongside broadcasters Radzi Chinyanganya and Harry Benjamin. For Braydon, Scarlett and Zak – the latter a go-karter at junior level, the former duo presenters on Sky’s BAFTA-winning kids show FYI – it presented opportunities of a lifetime with interviews, quizzes and predictions with the best drivers and pundits in the paddock. And it provided some indisputably heartwarming moments. Like the segment where Zak met Lewis Hamilton and spoke to his hero about how inspiring the Mercedes star has been to black kids around the world, before then sitting in his Mercedes car. Or Scarlett and Braydon quizzing the ‘terrible trio’ of George Russell, Lando Norris and Alex Albon about what ice cream they’d describe themselves as. “Vanilla,” Norris quipped, pointing at Russell. There’s something about the involvement of adolescents in a press environment which can bring some much-needed light-heartedness to what can sometimes be a sterile process for all involved. For example, who can forget the young boy, in awe of his sporting icon, who asked Roger Federer at the US Open in 2017: “Switzerland is really cool, right? There isn’t too much livestock. So why do they call you the GOAT?” Yet away from one-on-ones with drivers, the core aspect to the alternative broadcast was the informal race coverage, live on free-to-air Sky Showcase, which presented an F1 race in an entirely different format. There were bright, 3D augmented graphics throughout, with a colour-coordinated leaderboard which, frankly, seemed clearer than the usual feed at times. Explainers popped up at various points, defining key F1-focused terms for younger viewers. The use of avatars for each driver was a cute touch, though obviously best kept for this experiment. Overall, it provided something completely unique and distinctive for a 70-lap race which provided a common routine in the obligatory Max Verstappen victory. Sure, nobody was asking for an F1-kids broadcast. And inevitably, naysayers online will have been quick to roll their eyes at the initiative. It was notable that both Sky F1 and Benjamin turned off replies to their tweets involving F1 Juniors over the weekend. Less an indication of the general reaction to the initiative and more a sign of the times – and the highly-charged often-abusive nature of social media. But that is not the point. F1 has for a while been a step ahead of other sports in the intuitiveness and creativity of its product, to the stage now where it is in the midst of a period of unprecedented worldwide popularity. The most obvious is the fly-on-the-wall nature of Drive to Survive on Netflix, a format only now being followed by the professional tennis and golf tours in search of extra eyeballs. It is a fine balancing act, though. During practice and the qualifying show, there were regular interspersions on the main feed to the Juniors, a process which may well have irritated petrolheads and fans of a sterner generation. While Sky like to push boundaries, their executives will be all too aware of trying to avoid alienating their core viewership. The one-off nature of F1 Juniors, at least this season, means this is unlikely to materialise. And there were moments of awkwardness. Like cutting to Christian Horner on the pit wall, seemingly in a baffled daze, who bluntly said: “Can we come back and do this in another 10 laps or so?” Like a selfie in the commentary booth with Danica Patrick, who had earlier stated the nature of sport “is masculine and aggressive” as she spoke about the lack of female racing drivers. There were obviously a few mistakes here and there – and it wasn’t completely crisp and clear-cut. But then it wasn’t meant to be. And, frankly, nor is David Croft and Martin Brundle’s expert commentary always error-free. In a sport as technical and fast-paced as F1, perfection is near-on impossible. Of course, unless you’re Verstappen at the moment. But the underlying takeaway is this: as a child, all you want to be is treated as a grown-up. The best way of learning about the intricacies of a sport like Formula 1 is to immerse yourself in the usual feed on a regular basis, creating a curiosity gap to discover more. As a one-off, F1 Juniors was worthwhile and undoubtedly a commendable initiative. For intrigued parents, showing their children an F1 race for the first time, who knows how many may have flicked on the coverage? Who knows how many might now flick on an F1 race in the future on a Sunday afternoon? Something different is not to be something dismissed. Read More Lewis Hamilton makes damning statement about his level after Hungarian GP Daniel Ricciardo is back - and this time he wants to go out on top Max Verstappen making Red Bull rivals ‘look like F2 cars’, says Toto Wolff ‘That would be terrible’: Max Verstappen jokes about Lewis Hamilton’s car number Lewis Hamilton makes damning statement about his level after Hungarian GP
2023-07-24 20:45
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Review
Still priced at $799, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is as big as ever, but
2023-10-05 02:27
Lana Del Rey raises eyebrows by wearing white dress to Jack Antonoff and Margaret Qualley’s wedding
Lana Del Rey has raised eyebrows after wearing a white dress to Jack Antonoff and Margaret Qualley’s wedding. The music producer, 38, and The Maid star, 29, tied the knot during a wedding ceremony in New Jersey, which was attended by a number of star-studded guests. Among the guest list included Channing Tatum, Zoe Kravitz, Cara Delevingne, and Taylor Swift - who drew a large swarm of fans outside the rehearsal dinner venue in Long Beach Island. Another famous face spotted at the nuptials was Antonoff’s longtime collaborator Lana Del Rey, who wore a pink-and-white mini dress with pink platform slides to the ceremony. The white, lace dress featured small, pink flowers with a halter neckline. She paired the outfit with a white cardigan, Lemon Jelly platform sandals, and a baby blue Prada handbag. While the “Video Games” singer’s outfit choice may have been summer-ready, many fans on social media pointed out how guests should never wear white to a wedding, as the colour is strictly reserved for the bride. “Why is she wearing white???” one person asked on X, formally known as Twitter. “Now why did she wear white to a wedding,” another fan pointed out. A third person wrote: “I get these people are celebrities but like wtf you don’t wear white or anything close to white at a wedding???????” However, other fans were unbothered by Del Rey’s casual wedding fashion choice, as they jokingly tweeted: “I love Lana because she’s a hot famous person who also looks like someone who works at Target.” “Deeply obsessed with Lana’s wedding vibes,” another said. “I’d let her wear white to my wedding,” tweeted someone else. Typically, wedding guests should choose a colour other than white to a wedding as a way to avoid upstaging the bride’s white wedding dress. However, according to the Emily Post Institute, it can be acceptable to wear white, as long as it doesn’t distract from the bride or her bridesmaids’ dresses. Antonoff and Qualley tied the knot on Saturday (19 August) at Parker’s Garage and Oyster Saloon on Long Beach Island after nearly two years of dating. The two announced their engagement in May 2022, two months after making their relationship public at the AFI Awards Luncheon in March that year. For the occasion, Qualley wore a white satin halter-neck dress with a plunging neckline and crystal detailing along its hem. The Once Upon A Time in Hollywood star also wore Mary Jane flats, and a long veil as she entered the venue. Meanwhile, Antonoff wore a black tuxedo. The bride’s mother, actor Andie MacDowell, attended the ceremony in a blue gown with a palm leaf pattern. Her ex-husband and Qualley’s father - Paul Qualley - was also in attendance, as well as her siblings - sister Rainey and brother Justin. Antonoff’s sister Rachel, a fashion designer, attended the ceremony too. Swift, Antonoff’s longtime friend and collaborator, attended the nuptials in a pale blue lace dress with a corset-style bodice. The “Anti-Hero” singer was seen hanging out with Tatum and Kravitz after the ceremony. The newlywed couple announced their engagement in May 2022 when Qualley shared photos of her diamond ring to Instagram. “Oh I love him!” she captioned the post, which showed the actor hugging the Bleachers musician from behind. The slideshow also featured three selfies of the pair, with Qualley resting her head on Antonoff’s neck. In the fourth image, Qualley is seen kissing Antonoff’s cheek as he snapped a polaroid picture. Read More Inside Margaret Qualley and Jack Antonoff’s star-studded New Jersey wedding Margaret Qualley shows off diamond ring as she confirms engagement to Jack Antonoff Lana Del Rey spotted working at a waffle house in Alabama Inside Margaret Qualley and Jack Antonoff’s star-studded New Jersey wedding How to create the mermaid eyes beauty look that’s trending on TikTok Doja Cat acknowledges fan backlash to her drastic change in style
2023-08-21 23:27
Experts reveal why you keep waking up at 4am, and how you can prevent it
Ever find yourself awake, staring into space at four in the morning? Is it just a bad habit, or is there something more sinister going on? And why does it always seem to happen at 4am? “We start to experience less deep sleep after around four to five hours,” says Lisa Artis, deputy CEO of The Sleep Charity, who have partnered with Simba mattresses. And once we’re in that lighter sleep faze, we wake much more easily. If you generally fall asleep around 11pm – which is a very common bedtime, 4am wake-ups are more likely. And there are many factors leading to these inconvenient stirrings. Hormones “Sleep is guided by our internal clock or circadian rhythm. One of the most significant and well-known circadian rhythms is the sleep-wake cycle,” Artis continues. “Sleep is regulated by the levels of two hormones: melatonin and cortisol, which follow a regular 24-hour pattern. Melatonin assists you in dozing off, while cortisol helps get you up, and keeps you awake,” she explains. Keeping an eye on your hormones is important in preventing those late-night wake-ups. “Engage in calming activities before bedtime, such as reading, listening to soothing music, or practising relaxation techniques, like deep breathing or meditation,” says Dr Mariyam H. Malik, GP at Pall Mall Medical. Equally, pop your phone down for a bit. “Blue light from electronic devices can suppress melatonin production. Try to avoid screens for at least two hours before bedtime, or use blue light filters. It is best to charge them in a separate room overnight,” Malik adds. Diet Caffeine, heavy meals, alcohol, sugar, and a lack of magnesium or B vitamins could lead you to have a more disturbed night’s sleep, according to Malik. Sugar and carbohydrates may have a particular impact. “A diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates can cause blood sugar fluctuations, leading to wakefulness during the night,” she says. “It’s unlikely you’ll feel hungry in the middle of the night if your blood sugar dips,” notes Artis, “but to reduce ungodly hour awakenings, trial alternatives for your last meal or snack of the evening. Instead of carb or sweet-based snacks, opt for protein-packed and magnesium-rich foods, like hard boiled eggs, cottage cheese, pumpkin seeds, spinach, dark chocolate, cashews, chicken thighs or turkey.” Protein can take the edge off your night-time hunger, she says, while magnesium is known to support sleep. Needing a wee Do you wake up needing to wee at the same time every night? “Try not to drink excessive amounts of fluids before bedtime,” advises Malik. “It’s important to stay hydrated, but try not to drink anything for around two hours before your usual bedtime. Go to the toilet before you go to bed to empty your bladder. ” Age and life stage “Sleep tends to become more disrupted as people get older,” Malik explains. “Sleep patterns change with age, and various factors can contribute to sleep disturbances in older adults. Some common reasons for sleep disruption in the elderly include changes in your circadian rhythm, decreased melatonin production, medical conditions or medications, and potential sleep disorders.” It can also affect women during the perimenopause. “The reproductive hormones – oestrogen and progesterone – are entwined with the sleep and relaxation hormones, melatonin and serotonin,” says Artis. “When oestrogen begins to fall before and during menopause, it can create a disturbance in the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin, meaning it can’t properly balance out cortisol. When this happens, the ability to fall and stay asleep is affected.” Recurring hot flushes, night sweats, dry skin, and low libido can signal waning oestrogen. Artis advises incorporating foods with high levels of phytoestrogens into your diet throughout the day to help with this. “Phytoestrogens imitate the natural estrogens found in your body. As a consequence, they can bind to your body’s oestrogen receptors and produce similar effects.” Try lentils, kidney beans, chickpeas, tofu, edamame, spinach, cauliflower and broccoli. Worrying Stress is not good for sleep. One study by Bupa even found that 32 million Brits wake up worrying about their health at precisely 4:05 am. The report, which surveyed 4,000 British adults, revealed that more than three-fifths of us wake up in the middle of the night. If you are finding yourself awake at all hours worrying, or waking up with stressful dreams, there are a few things that may help. “Keep a journal by your bedside and write down your worries before going to bed. This practice can help get your concerns out of your mind and onto paper, making it easier to let go of them temporarily,” says Malik. You may also want to “engage in mindfulness or meditation exercises before bedtime. Mindfulness can help you focus on the present moment, reducing anxiety about the past or the future.” Read More Men have a problem – and it won’t be solved by either Andrew Tate or Caitlin Moran Elon Musk reacts to ex-wife Talulah Riley’s engagement to Thomas Brodie-Sangster Thomas Brodie-Sangster references Love Actually in sweet engagement announcement with Talulah Riley Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
2023-07-31 17:19
Crowdfunding platform Buy Me a Coffee removes far-right influencers and QAnon accounts
Buy Me a Coffee, an online crowdfunding service for creators, has immediately reacted to a
2023-05-16 06:15
Everything you need to know about Black Friday 2023: The first early deals arrive in late October
UPDATE: Oct. 18, 2023, 5:00 a.m. EDT This story has been updated with more information
2023-10-18 17:16
F1 Monaco Grand Prix LIVE: Qualifying latest updates and FP3 times
Formula 1 returns to one of its most famous races - the Monaco Grand Prix - after the unfortunate cancellation of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, with a crucial qualifying session to be held this afternoon. F1 was forced to cancel the Imola race weekend due to adverse weather and flooding in the region, with the event at this stage unlikely to be rescheduled amid the congested 2023 calendar. Yet teams and drivers will now turn their attention to the tight twists and turns of the world-renowned Circuit de Monaco for the next round of the season. PREVIEW: Monaco Grand Prix offers best chance yet of end to Red Bull supremacy Red Bull’s Sergio Perez won last year’s race in wet conditions, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz in second and Max Verstappen third. Hometown favourite Charles Leclerc has never been on the podium at his home race, while Mercedes will be eyeing improvements as they introduce upgrades to Lewis Hamilton’s and George Russell’s cars. Carlos Sainz was quickest in first practice on Friday with Max Verstappen top of the timesheets in FP2. Follow F1 qualifying live with The Independent - FP3 is at 11:30am before qualifying at 3pm (BST) Read More Monaco Grand Prix offers best chance yet of end to Red Bull supremacy Lewis Hamilton has shut the door on Ferrari – will he come to regret it? Lewis Hamilton hoped for more from Mercedes updates in Monaco
2023-05-27 18:28
Cartoon Network and Warner Bros. Animation production staff move to unionize
Production staff at Cartoon Network and Warner Bros. Animation are moving to unionize, with workers
2023-07-21 15:55
The best gaming laptop deals of Black Friday 2023: MSI, Alienware, and more
UPDATE: Nov. 8, 2023, 4:00 p.m. EST This article has been updated with the latest
2023-11-09 19:56
Hudson And The House Of LR&C Open First Airport Location For The Company
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. & SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 19, 2023--
2023-07-19 23:53
A Week In Bend, OR, On A $222,000 Joint Income
Welcome to Money Diaries where we are tackling the ever-present taboo that is money. We’re asking real people how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we’re tracking every last dollar.
2023-05-29 23:56
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