List of All Articles with Tag 'life'

Japan expects the European Union to announce it is lifting import restrictions on Japanese food products imposed in

Of all the ‘core’ trends – and let’s face it they’ve been a few – Barbiecore is taking the fashion and beauty world by storm… and interiors is hot on the heels. After all, Barbie loves dream decor which sets the stage for a magnetic fusion of bubblegum pink, girly glamour and dolly mixture of clashing colours – and with Barbie hitting the big screen (in cinemas from July 21), that Malibu Dream House is closer than you think. To pull at your pink heart strings and inspire a fuchsia makeover, we’ve bagged the best Barbie-inspired homewares to up your rosy outlook… 1. Pink Asiatic Pheasants Teacup & Saucer, £48, Pink Asiatic Pheasants Plates, from £22, (17.5cm), Pink Asiatic Pheasants Small Teapot, £94, rest of items from a selection, Burleigh With sugared almonds, vanilla sponge and chiffon cake on the cards, this beautiful tableware sets the scene for afternoon teas with friends and pink prosecco parties. 2. Pink Retro Alarm Clock, £12.95, Rex London It’s easy to lose track of time in pink paradise and for some whimsy charm, you can’t beat this bakelite-style alarm clock. 3. Roxy Pink Wall Tile, £78 per square metre, Porcelain Superstore Tactile and sculptured, a statement splashback is one of the easiest ways to weave pink accents into your kitchen scheme. Go for a glossy finish and glazed design for a luxe look. 4. Bobbi Beck Gingham Wallpaper in Pink, from £75 per roll, other designs from a selection, Bobbi Beck A feature wall is fast becoming a living room essential – and the possibilities are limitless with pink gingham, candy stripes and polka dots. If you prefer something more subtle, you can always paper one corner of a room and keep everything else fresh in a bright white paint finish. 5. Trofast Storage Combination with Boxes, White/Pink, £42, IKEA, in-store Blending function with form, this plastic fantastic storage series is perfect for keeping books, photographs and general stuff when you want to clear the clutter. 6. WiZ Mobile Colour Portable Smart LED Table Lamp WiFi Smart Connected Lighting for Indoor Living Room, Bedroom, Dining, £63, Amazon Neon pink smart lighting synced to Spotify… we’re in. Colour changing lights controlled through your phone creates the perfect ambience for the best light show in town with countless colours to choose from. 7. Veeva Classic Indoor-Outdoor Bean Bag, Pink, from £46.99, Bean Bag Bazaar When it’s time to kick off those sparkly stilettos and switch them out for a pair of fluffy sliders to sit back and relax, this hot pink bean bag is where it’s at. 8. Chinoiserie Pug and Cherry Blossom On Pink Cushion, from £62, Fab Funky This precious pug will feel right at home on a pink sofa. 9. Yes Colours Joyful Pink Paint, £21, 1 Litre Matt, Yes Colours A lick of candy floss pink goes a long way, especially if you’re sprucing up the bedroom for a summer slumber party – and will certainly help bring karaoke music to life. 10. Lexington 300TC Sateen Fuchsia Pink Two Line Bed Linen Collection, from £100 (Single Duvet Cover Button Hem), to £165 (Superking), White & Fuchsia, Standard Oxford Pillowcase, £35 each, White & Fuchsia, The Fine Cotton Company The ideal thread count for hot summer nights, this lightweight bed linen with stylish satin stitch in fuchsia is a timeless staple to encourage the sweetest dreams. Spritz with rose water to set your mind at rest. 11. Pink ‘And Relax’ Tufted Cotton Bath Mat, £14.95, Rex London This cute bath mat can double up as a bed runner, boutique hotel style. 12. Vibia Campana Flower Bridge 40cm Dusty Pink, £16.19 each, Elho A quick win for patios or balconies the size of a dolls house, these sweet planters made from recycled plastic will make a star out of your sweet peas and beautiful blooms. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Why these women are – and aren’t – shaving their armpits this summer These are the summer bag trends you need to know about Children say ‘I’m bored’ 7 times a week – 7 ways to prevent it

The premiere of the highly anticipated Barbie movie, directed by Greta Gerwig, premiered in London on Wednesday evening (12 July), and the pink carpet did not disappoint. Fans queued for hours for the premiere at Cineworld Leicester Square, awaiting the chance to see their favourite celebrities bring their Barbie best to the star-studded event. There were high expectations for Margot Robbie, who plays the lead doll, to up the ante on her outfit for the night. The star has been praised for all of her Barbie-inspired looks during the global press tour, as she became known for recreating some of the world’s most famous doll’s iconic outfits. Other cast members who dazzled on the pink carpet included Ryan Gosling, who plays Ken, America Ferrera, Dua Lipa, Ncuti Gatwa, Emma Mackey, and Sharon Rooney. A flurry of UK celebrities also appeared at the premiere, including former Love Island winners Ekin-Su and Davide, who recently broke up, and Liberty Poole. Presenters including Rylan Clark and Amelia Dimoldenberg were also in attendance, with the latter replicating a truly iconic (and apt) Barbie look for her role as host on the pink carpet. Here are our favourite looks from the Barbie premiere in London. Margot Robbie The Australian actor floored fans when she stepped onto the pink carpet in a pale pink custom Vivienne Westwood gown with a white trimmed neckline and opera gloves. The look replicated that of the 1960 Enchanted Evening Barbie, continuing Robbie’s streak of emulating the doll’s most famous outfits during the film’s press tour. She accessorised with a pearl choker and barely-there glittery heels, and swept her hair in an elegant updo. Amelia Dimoldenberg The Chicken Shop Date presenter, who was hosting the pink carpet, took a leaf out of Robbie’s book and replicated another Barbie look. Dimoldenberg arrived dressed as I Can Be… News Anchor Barbie, complete with a pink tweed jacket with black trim, a satin skirt with a ruffle hem and a blonde wig with a side-swept fringe that looked exactly like the doll’s. Sharing her look, Dimoldenberg tweeted: “Never do anything by halves.” America Ferrera The Ugly Betty star looked stunning in a plunging black Roland Mouret dress encrusted in rhinestones, with sheer black opera globes and a black clutch. She completed the look with heels from Giuseppe Zanotti. Sharing her look, as well as some fun selfies with the rest of the cast, on Instagram, Ferrera said: “London Barbie premiere [black heart emoji] [disco ball emoji] Fun with some faves.” Nicola Coughlan Derry Girls star Coughlan was dripping in sparkle when she stepped onto the pink carpet in a stunning custom Wiederhoeft dress, featuring a square neckline and finger loop sleeves that created a dramatic effect. Her red hair was kept off her face and styled with low-key, but classic waves, and she wore silver heels to top off the look. Dua Lipa The “One Kiss” singer wore a colourful Versace chainmail gown from the label’s La Vacanza collection, which Lipa co-designed. The slinky dress featured a neon butterfly and floral print and gold chain straps. She continued the garden theme by accessorising with ladybug charms and butterfly brooches, as well as silver stilettos with butterfly appliques. Hari Nef The actor went against the grain on the pink carpet by appearing in a more goth-inspired look. Nef, who plays a Barbie in the film, wore a black dress by Dilara Findikoglu with a high neck and cap sleeves, and covered in… cutlery? Silver butter knives created an unusual silhouette for Nef, who completed the stand-out look with nude heels and short red hair. Simu Liu Kens aren’t meant to stand out in Barbie’s universe, but Simu Liu tossed that rule out the window with his all-black Fendi ensemble at the premiere. At first glance, his outfit might appear monotonous, but a closer look reveals a halter neck top and trousers with delicate floral embroidery and a black jumper tied casually around his shoulders. Liu also wore platform boots, a Ben Baller gold chain and an Audemars Piguet watch. Ncuti Gatwa Did someone say “hotpants”? Sex Education star Gatwa certainly heard the call, as he turned up on the pink carpet in a custom Valentino look, featuring a dramatic white cape, a very low-cut, long-sleeved top and super-short sparkly silver shorts. Never one to blend into the background, he capped off the eye-popping look with a white hat and chunky black shoes, as well as a silver necklace from Tiffany & Co. Greta Gerwig The film’s director joined the event in a Barbiecore pale pink Erdem gown and matching cape. The cape’s neckline was encrusted with silver rhinestones and she carried a small silver clutch from Jimmy Choo to match. This is only the second time Gerwig has worn pink on the Barbie press tour, with the first being a vibrant pink Valentino dress with a matching blazer, bag and studded pumps. Read More I keep forgetting my dog’s birthday – could a luxury pet party make it up to him? Fans applaud Florence Pugh’s response to Emily Blunt’s red carpet wardrobe malfunction Maya Jama reflects on 2019 breakup with Stormzy: “I used to think that sexism was dying out”

Body hair might be a concern in the summer, as you strip down to a bikini or bask on the beach. But, as new research from Dove reveals 62% of us feel insecure about our underarms, here’s why these three women are choosing to grow out or whip off their armpit hair, defying the weight of societal expectation. Content creator and author, Megan Crabbe What are you doing with your armpit hair this summer? “I won’t be shaving my armpits this summer. I spent so many years shaving my underarm hair on auto-pilot – every shower from the age of 11 onwards came with a shave. I realised there was this part of my body that grows naturally. Letting my underarms grow is another small way of reclaiming my body in the face of misogynistic beauty standards,” says content creator and Dove ambassador Crabbe. What do you think society expects? “People expect women’s underarms to be smooth, hairless, and bright – that’s all we’ve seen for so long in advertising and media. I remember seeing so many magazine covers of slim white women with their arms up and barely an indent where their armpit should be, let alone any sign of hair or discolouration. “If I’m in feminist or queer company, I know there will be less judgement, because those spaces are more understanding of bodily autonomy and letting go of societal expectations. ” How do you see your summer body? “I embrace seeing my body from all angles, in all forms, in any season, but it’s taken me a long time to get here. These days, I can see an image of myself in a bikini with visible cellulite, a stomach that isn’t flat and underarm hair flourishing and think, ‘Hey, that’s cute!’ “This particular body represents all of the battles I’ve fought – against diet culture, against anorexia, against beauty standards – and won.” Content creator and makeup artist, Shahira Allen What are you doing with your armpit hair this summer? “This summer, I will be doing whatever the mood calls for with my armpits! Sometimes, I let the hair grow and other times, I like it smooth and clean-shaven. Either way, it will be my choice and I’ll make sure I feel confident and fabulous about my underarms this summer,” the creator explains. What do you think society expects? “A long time ago, society elevated women’s insecurities and made us believe no body hair on a woman is the way to be feminine. I think society expects me to spend money ‘maintaining my body’ in the most unrealistic way possible,” she says. How do you see your summer body? “I’m still learning to see my body in my 30s and it’s been a long journey. Some days, I love what I see and other days, I struggle with a roll, lump or bump. I deserve to soak up the sun and be happy, and I know there’s a young person out there who needs to see people like me being happy and thriving in our natural bodies.” Body-positive content creator and LGBTQ+ activist, Katie Budenberg What are you doing with your armpit hair this summer?“I will be doing whatever I fancy on a day-to-day basis. Sometimes, I enjoy the feeling of smooth armpits and sometimes I think I look cool with bushes under each pit. I have been tempted to dye my armpits with the lesbian flag for Pride Month,” Budenberg laughs. What do you think society expects? “Society would rather not see me at all, and if they have to lay eyes on me, then I must be hairless from the eyebrows down – like a newborn baby, even though I’m a 25-year-old woman. “Women are constantly made to feel like they have to be small, weak and hairless, and I refuse to satisfy this anymore; I will take up space, be unapologetically me, and hairy if I want to be,” she says. How do you see your summer body? “My summer body is ready to go. It’s Fed-Girl-Summer this year, where we satisfy our hunger cues, don’t worry about looking bloated and no longer feel the need to suck in our stomachs. I will never let cellulite, body hair or insecurities dictate whether I have a fun time or not again.”

Is there an item in your wardrobe that gets more love and attention than your handbag? We carry them everywhere; they hold our key essentials, prized possessions, you name it… and one is never enough. Much more than an accessory, a handbag is at the heart of how we dress for the day, evening, dinner date, summer social, beach escape or wedding party. Here’s our pick of the pieces to see you through all of the above, and stand out from the crowd… 1. Crochet shopper A throwback to the 70s, crochet is cool again and fashionable folk have taken to the shopper which lends itself perfectly to festival fashion. Hook one in neutral and it will go with all your printed sundresses; or for the boho aesthetic, tassel hems, fringing and maxi skirts. Next Cream Crochet Beaded Tote Bag, £34 FatFace Macrame Shopper, £39 2. Woven One to weave into your summer wardrobe, the woven leather bag has been reimagined in raffia or rattan – offset with golden hardware and chain detail to take you from day to evening. Or fashioned in a summery solid for a pop of colour. Think designer refresh to polish off any outfit, especially a sharp tailored white jacket or linen cargo trousers. Oliver Bonas Weave Trim Yellow Pouch, £24.50 Ted Baker Jaynina Faux Leather and Rattan Grab Bag Ecru/White, £78 (was £130), John Lewis 3. Beach bag A holiday essential, one of the reasons we favour canvas or fabric over a beach basket is you can pack it flat. Especially if you’re flying with a budget airline who expect you to bung everything into your suitcase or carry-on, without considering the consequences of straw or wicker snagging your smalls! Hush Daytona Canvas Bag, £49 FatFace Remi Quilted Beach Bag, £49.50 4. Envelope clutch With wedding season in full swing, it’s time to usher in a clutch… so you can have a glass of fizz in one hand, canapé in the other, and tuck your handheld under your arm. This time round, blush is the new nude and most envelopes come with a dainty detachable strap so versatile and voguish. Next Clutch Bag with Cross-Body Chain in Nude, £16 L K Bennett Layla Pink Coral Suede Envelope Clutch, £119 (was £199) 5. Smart Shoulder Some may say it’s the summer of the shoulder, but this classic never goes out of style. Far more chic than the crossbody which bunches up your clothes and sits heavy on your hips, the shoulder strap hangs neatly on your side and nothing gets ruffled up. When it comes to the finer details, a metal charm lends panache… otherwise look for a bright to elevate your outfit. Oliver Bonas Meegan Green Double Buckle Shoulder Tote Bag, £49.50 Radley Hanley Close Medium Flapover Shoulder in Lavender, £219 6. Pink power Surely there hasn’t been a more eagerly anticipated movie than Barbie – and if you love Barbie, you need a bubblegum pink handbag. Fact not fiction. The go-to colour this summer, the Barbiecore craze has a cult following with all things pink, from pastel to fuchsia… especially a cute one in patent or pearl detail. River Island Pink Patent Quilted Shoulder Bag, £29 Radley Harriet Street Medium Zip-Around Cross Body in Cerise, £219

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