UPDATE: Nov. 7, 2023, 11:38 a.m. EST We've updated this page with the latest early

Editors' Note: This is the most recent version of the Fire TV Stick 4K. Read

Jennifer Lopez, her husband Ben Affleck and her family were in The Hamptons over the weekend to celebrate July 4

Accessories are like the cherry on top of a delicious fashion sundae. Are they optional? Of course. But do they take things to the next level? The answer is almost always a resounding yes. And while you may have your jewelry or shoe game on lock, we’re christening this fall as the hat’s big comeback season. Yes, the humble topper that keeps you warm during brisk weather can also take an otherwise bland outfit and turn it into a veritable lewk.

Super Sale Alert: Get 20% off sitewide at Pink Moon using our promo code REFINERY29, now through October 1.

As summer draws to a close, Venice prepares to open the doors to its prestigious film festival welcoming a host of a-listers, designers, a diverse catalogue of new releases and film critics to the red carpet. Each year, the Venice Lido – a short 15-minute boat ride from the famed St Mark's Square – plays host to the Venice Film Festival. While 2023's event may experience some subtle changes due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, the show seemingly must go on from 30 August to 9 September. The festival's artistic director Alberto Barbera previously described the strike's impact as "modest," with the planned lineup – including Bradley Cooper's Maestro and Sofia Coppola's Priscilla – still in competition for the Golden Lion prize. Meanwhile, the original opener, Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers featuring Zendaya, has been pushed back to an unconfirmed premiere date next year. A-listers at the 2023 Venice Film Festival have remained tight-lipped about their attendance or absence after Barbera stated "a few stars will not be with us." However, some are still expected to attend the hotly anticipated event of the year. I managed to sneak a peek at the majestic palace-style hotel where celebrities lay their heads during the decadent affair – and it certainly was something. Nestled on the Lido resides the opulent Hotel Excelsior, which has been the protagonist and host of the festival since 1932. Excelsior has welcomed the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, George Clooney and Sandra Bullock to name a few. One of the rooms, renowned as the Stucchi room, even had its own starring role in Robert De Niro's Once Upon A Time In America. Excelsior epitomises the golden age of film, with its alluring cocktail of history, culture, laidback glamour and charm. The moment I stepped foot into the hotel lobby and strolled through the halls adorned with candid shots of classic Hollywood stars and complete with designer boutiques, I was transcended into a world of luxury beyond measure. A far cry from the dismal UK summer. Excelsior owes its success to entrepreneur Nicolò Spada, who commissioned the famed Venetian architect Giovanni Sardi to make the dream "only on paper" come to fruition. They have since welcomed over 110 years' worth of guests, with 30,000 Venetians and over 3,000 guests flocking to the grand opening for a single evening in July 1908. The unmatched hospitality and Venetian charm continue to this day, with depths of space, pools, a fitness studio and the only resort with its very own private beach complete with cabanas that provide a peaceful paradise for guests. A live piano performance of Audrey Hepburn's 'Moon River', hand-in-hand with an idyllic backdrop of the skyline, certainly set the tone for dinner at the Adriatico Terrace, where I was served a heavenly three-course meal. This included what can possibly only be described as the most exquisite dessert I've ever encountered. Interestingly, the terrace is where the official 1932 Venice Film Festival launch took place with a view of films that are considered classics to this day. These include Frank Capra's Forbidden, Grand Hotel by Edmund Goulding and the original Frankenstein by James Whale. Now, with a hotel so grand and weather we Brits have been deprived of all summer, it was rather tempting to stay on the grounds and do absolutely nothing but be a voyeur to how the other half live. As dreamy as that sounds, the push of encouragement came from a complimentary boat taxi service that runs throughout the day between Venice and Lido. A short 15 minutes across the water, I became a full-fledged tourist with gelato and a gondola ride rounded off with a Bellini at the famous Harry's Bar, the birthplace of the iconic cocktail renowned across the world. When the day was done, I headed back to my newfound comforts back at Excelsior. After 48 hours of experiencing unmatched laidback luxury, I (reluctantly) headed back to a rainy UK. As for whether I'd recommend Excelsior? Absolutely. Even if it's to stop by on your Venice travels to try out the evening menu, open to non-guests with prior booking. For more information on stays and events at Hotel Excelsior, click here. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

A good fan makes a hot-and-sticky day more bearable. Pretty much every home could do

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 16, 2023--

HONG KONG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 31, 2023--

A man who shot to worldwide fame for turning himself into a dog has opened up about his longing for companionship. The committed cosplayer, who’s known only by his canine name Toco, spent some £11,000 (2 million yen) on a hyperrealistic, custom-made costume to help him live his childhood dream of “becoming an animal”. The Japanese native began his transformation two years ago when he tasked the company Zeppet – which normally makes costumes for films – with making the full-sized collie suit. The process took weeks to complete and resulted in a jaw-dropping creation weighing around 4kg. “Toco” spent a year wearing his furry disguise in private – getting used to walking around on all fours and getting to grips with his new persona. Then, earlier this summer, he took the plunge and wore it out in public, propelling him to internet stardom. His endeavour, and the expense it entailed, may seem bewildering to most of us, but the man-cum-man’s-best-friend hopes others will follow suit. Indeed, Toco admitted in an interview with the New York Post, published on Tuesday, that he yearned to find puppy love. Asked about the prospect of romance between two people dressed up as dogs, he told the news site: “I think it would be great if something like this existed. “I would like to meet [a woman like this].” One psychologist previously told The Post that Toco is a “therian”, meaning someone who identifies with a nonhuman species, as opposed to a “furry – referring to a subculture whose members enjoy occasional cosplay in an animal costume. In a previous interview with Spanish news agency EFE, he admitted that he’s received a very mixed response to his unorthodox hobby, thanks to his YouTube and TikTok channels which have amassed millions of views between them. “I receive all kinds of messages,” he said. “Alongside the positive messages, some [people] tell me they want to do the same thing, which has made me realise that there are others like me. He did, however, admit that he had been subjected to less positive feedback, with other commentators telling him he was sick and had wasted his money. And whilst his family and closest friends know about his canine alter-ego, he has chosen to keep his human identity secret for fear of harassment. Still, none of the negativity has put him off, and he hasn’t ruled out the idea of getting other dog suits made in the future. He told EFE that although the collie is his favourite dog breed, he also loves a number of others, including the Alaskan malamute, the Siberian husky and the golden retriever – all of which, given their relatively large size, should be pretty easy for him to emulate. He also likes cats, foxes and other animals which would present a whole new challenge. In his interview with The Post, Toco admitted that spending much of his day on all fours was often draining, but he stressed it was worth the pain for the sense of fulfilment it brings him. “Rather than being tough or physically uncomfortable, the feelings of excitement and fun I receive from this experience are stronger,” he said. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

If you’re on the hunt for a new gaming mouse, chances are a trackball isn’t

After more than a year of organizing, a group of Los Angeles dancers is on