In our culture, adultery is often seen as the ultimate betrayal. Most of put monogamous relationships on a pedestal and hope (at least deep down) that we'll eventually find a nice one for ourselves one day.
However, this coupled-up approach to love isn't necessarily how we're meant to live, at least not according to new research on heterosexual relationships.
Women have been genetically programmed to have affairs as a "backup" plan in case their relationship fails, said scientists in the US cited by The Sunday Times.
David Buss, Cari Goetz and colleagues suggest humans aren't meant to be monogamous and have put forward an alternative theory of human relationships. According to the “mate-switching hypothesis”, we have evolved to continually test our romantic relationships and seek out better options. How romantic.
The theory particularly applies to childless women because their choice of partner can greatly affect how capable they are of eventually raising children, the researchers said.
“Lifelong monogamy does not characterise the primary mating pattern of humans,” the scientists said. “Breaking up with one partner and remating with another — mate switching — may more accurately characterise the common, perhaps the primary, mating strategy of humans.”
For early humans, who would mostly not live beyond 30 years old, picking a suitable partner was crucial for ensuring long-term survival, and it was good planning to have someone else in the pipeline in case that person died, the researchers said.
These days, women apparently go through a complex set of calculations when they're in a relationship. They compare their partner's "mate value" with that of other single men, and weigh up the “relationship load”, or "the costs imposed by partners who behave badly or fail to provide," reported The Sunday Times.
Controversially, the researchers also claimed affairs were even beneficial for women in strong long-term relationships. “A regular mate may cheat, defect, die, or decline in mate value. Ancestral women lacking a backup mate would have suffered a lapse in protection, and resources,” they said.
Somehow, we don't think this excuse will wash when your long-term SO catches you on Tinder. So it's best to exercise some caution.
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Maybe you wore them in 2001 but think of clogs now and what springs to mind? Gnomes. Old people. Gardeners. Pippi Longstocking... Those clunky, backless wooden little shoes don't get a fabulous rap, do they?
They did have a fleeting renaissance circa 2011 when Alexa Chung wore some sling-back tan versions in a kind of Ali MacGraw, down-on-the-farm kind of a way, and we all totally ate it up.
Well folks, you might have noticed folk is back as one of the biggest trends of the year. In fact it's largely down to Gucci's flamboyant creative director Alessandro Michele, who's single handedly dressing the red-carpet in his geek chic Wes Anderson-esque designs that owe more than the odd kick flare and pussy-bow tie to the '70s.
In fact, we should have seen (or rather heard) clogs coming when Michele made them over with the addition of a cheeky fur lining and Gucci's signature horse bit buckle. Fancy, huh? Then cult Parisian shoe designers Robert Clergerie and Amelie Pichard gave clogs the once over in calfskin and patent flame embossed styles and we had to start re-thinking the garden gnome shoe of choice.
Photo: Alo Ceballos/Getty Images.
Then Fashion East's favourite dress-maker, Molly Goddard paired up with Penelope Chilvers and hatched some peach-haired heeled clogs to die for, and we all but kissed goodbye to our ankles.
This time keep things super '70s (if it ain't broke) and take tips from the queen of funky dressing, Florence Welch who, in Gucci top-to-toe shows us how to style a clog best, now. Wear with lots of denim and say a little prayer before you walk down the tube steps for your balance. Otherwise, may the clog be with you in 2016.
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Do you know how hard it is to rock up to a meeting 25 minutes late with eyebrows this carefully crafted? Yeah, erm, the tube was delayed guys, total nightmare. *Awkward straight smile*. And don’t even ask about what happens when it rains; I once lost an eyebrow to a power shower.
I love makeup. Everything about it. From buying it, to applying it, to how it makes me feel. I find it therapeutic. And I don’t feel like I’m covering up or masquerading as someone more exciting or badass but like I’m celebrating exactly who I am on the inside.
Like clothes, makeup is an immediate platform to show the world your creativity. And while for many women, using makeup is about the subtle enhancement of features and skin, I use it to be bold – to peacock!
The painter Lucian Freud reportedly hated cosmetics; he said nothing was as "attractive as an interesting mind." And I couldn't agree more – except I also believe that makeup can be used as a tool to depict the mind.
Look at Marc Jacobs' enigmatic goths last season (copying my swag but whatever), those Givenchy studded cheeks and nose rings; look at people like [makeup artist] Isamaya Ffrench changing the game. Makeup has evolved and it's not about looking pretty anymore; I'd much rather be memorable.
Granted, from time to time I get strange looks. Once, a guy approached me in Pret, said "You look like an alien", then walked off. I took great pleasure in this interaction.
Here's my guide to beauty, gone bad.
This article was first published June 15th 2016.
This is my daily face. I start off by cleansing, toning, and applying a foundation base by Dermablend because it lets my skin breathe. I used to use setting powder as well, but I prefer a dewy finish these days. Then I start the brows...
Using an angled brush and black powder, I begin in the corners and bottom of the brow and shade up; I find it easier to draw up the face so that I don’t accidentally start a brow off too high and realise I'm rocking a one-incher and a permanent frown. I use a dried liquid eyeliner brush to create a sharp point.
Then I use a fine pointed liquid eyeliner to draw my eye flicks, starting at the point and working towards the centre of the eye – I don’t stretch my eyelid while I do it because I find that once I let it spring back, it looks too much, so I like to go with the natural shape of the lid.
Then I might whack on a bit of mascara if I’m feeling fruity but my eyelashes are so small and Asian ones tend to grow down, so they’re not really my thing.
Then I start my lips by powdering them so they’re nice and dry, using liquid eyeliner (again) to line the shape and my cupid's bow, right into the corners. I fill the lips in with matte setting black lipstick by Kat Von Dee (a recent obsession since moving to the U.S.) – I hardly have to retouch it; once it’s on, IT’S ON! And then I spend the day drinking through a straw, but whatever.
Photographed by Ekua King
Believe it or not, this is me on a chilled day. For a bit of fun, I’ll draw on a mole with a black pencil (see cheek, right) and I have a habit of moving it to suit my mood (read: spot situation). I used to draw on moles at school and felt like a movie star sat in my grey maths class. I pair this look with hoops and slick hair, tucked behind my big ears.
Photographed by Ekua King
Party Pang! I’m a big Star Wars fan and I remember the moment Padmé Amidala walked out rocking a white powder face and a smudge of red on her bottom lip, like some amazing intergalactic Geisha. I loved how she was powerful (she has her own planet FYI) and a peacock. So sometimes when I’m going out, I’ll try something new and smudge black in the centre of my lips with my finger and powder the edges. I usually pair this with a slick pony tail and keep everything else very classic and simple.
Photographed by Ekua King
On days when I fancy mixing it up and not wearing my staple black lip, I like to do thicker eyeliner, starting thin in the centre and thickening out at the flick. And I lather on the mascara and separate my bottom eyelashes with tweezers, pulling them into even little shapes. And I add a little central dot; my bestie does this a lot and I think it’s so cute. I usually use concealer on my lips during these days so they’re super pale and I also powder them so they have a matte finish.
I like this look with simple outfits and natural hair which I’ve recently started tucking into neck pieces like leather chokers. These days are the only days that I am able to eat an apple in its entirety sans lippy.
Photographed by Ekua King
Pat McGrath for Margiela SS16 with all that gloopy slick and shiny eye paint bolded right up to the eyebrow and nose bone. Yes, I loved that. So I bought this cheap extra-shiny liquid eyeliner which is one of those weird ones you put on and then peel off like rubber, so when you apply it heavily, it builds up like thick acrylic paint, giving a cool effect. I start in the centre of the eyelid and create the shape on both (gotta be even babe) and then I fill it in super rough, letting the liquid flick out, and create texture strokes from the brush to give it that painterly look.
The shinier the better, in my mind, for this look. So I pair it with wet look oiled hair, slicked back.
Photographed by Ekua King
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Housemates are good for a lot of things, from saving on rent to helping with zips you can’t reach. But it’s not all easy: shared spaces, conflicting schedules, and different definitions of what “clean” means can make home-sweet-home anything but.
It doesn’t matter if your roomie is your best friend since childhood or a Gumtree random; at some point, you’re going to have to deal with one of these all-too-common housemate disputes. It can feel uncomfortable to tackle things head-on, but more often than not, being up-front is the best solution. Plus, having these conversations now can be good practice for moving in with an S.O. down the road (or so my married editor promises me). While I have yet to bunk up with a boyfriend, I’ve certainly had my share of roommates: 24 in just under 10 years. And I’ve navigated every issue and fight out there, with varying levels of grace.
To learn from my mistakes (and do better in the future), I spoke with Lizzie Post, great-great granddaughter of Emily Post and host of the Awesome Etiquette podcast, to get her advice on dealing with cohabitation problems productively. Spoiler alert: A lot of it comes down to what Post calls the three C's: communication, compromise, and commitment.
Living with a housemate can save you money…if you actually split the bills. But if you’re always the one stocking the TP and filling up the fridge, it can feel like you’re throwing cash out the window. Before you accuse your roommate of trying to bankrupt you, however, remember that they're probably unaware that your idea of what’s fair runs counter to theirs.
When talking about a more equitable way to share finances, Post emphasises that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, so be willing to compromise. If you feel like you’re always the one buying staples, maybe you can offer to make that your job — provided your housemate agrees to pay you back once a month. Or maybe make a list of what’s shared and what each person is responsible for. It may seem obvious to you that you’ve never once touched the communal groceries, but your roomie could be totally oblivious.
The thing to avoid is preemptively deciding something should be split and just presenting your housemate with a bill. It will only lay groundwork for resentment. Conversely, if they decide that twinkle lights or £100 of dry goods are communal property and asks for your half, consider the benefits of swallowing the cost this one time and setting a policy going forward. When it comes to an unexpected expense, I remember what a friend once told me: You’re saving money in your current living arrangement, so chalk it up to an occasional “happy housemate” tax and move on.
Illustrated by Tristan Offit.
Here’s something I’ve actually had no experience with: a housemate who suddenly gets a permanent shadow around when they start dating someone. While I haven’t had to deal with it myself, I’ve heard it all from friends: boyfriends or girlfriends who steal coffee and toothpaste, dominate common areas, and/or basically move in rent-free. While the lovebirds are lost in each other’s eyes, you're eyeing the water bill wondering how much the creeping cost is due to new boo’s very long daily showers.
Post, unlike me, has dealt with this in the past, and she says it’s important to bring things up early. Let your housemate know, gently but firmly, that you’re not signing up to live with a couple. It’s completely reasonable to ask that the significant other chip in, whether it’s with actual cash or doing the dishes. It’s also within your rights to ask to renegotiate the rent so the couple is paying more than 50% of the share — should you eventually decide, as a group, that it’s okay for the S.O. to move in full-time.
Illustrated by Tristan Offit.
Oh, the chore wheel. I think every year of uni, whatever set of housemates I was living with came up with some kind of list of rotating chores. And then we did it…exactly never. Cleaning can be a sensitive issue, and an easy way to cause fights, since someone else’s mess can feel like a personal insult to you. Sometimes, you might not even agree on what a "mess" is. Once, my housemate and I were tidying after a party and, since it was late, we both knew we’d save some of the clean-up for the next day. I started immediately shoving every dish into the sink so at least the counters would be cleared. She looked at me like I was crazy and said that, to her, an over-full sink is worse than cluttered counters. I was gobsmacked!
If you keep in mind that a person’s cleaning habits have much more to do with their personal preferences than with any disrespect for you, you can again approach the conversation with a willingness to compromise. What’s a reasonable standard for apartment cleanliness you can both live with? Once you decide what a workable solution is for both of you, Post says the dreaded chore wheel can actually be a good solution. “It’s a third party that dictates what’s going on, so the other person can feel less personally attacked” when you remind them of their duties.
That said, if the cleaning plan doesn’t work, revisit the initial conversation and see what can be changed. Are you and your roommate willing to nag each other to get things done, or is there another option that hasn’t been tried yet? Sometimes, throwing in cash for a cleaning service will go a long way in making everyone happy.
Illustrated by Tristan Offit.
Slamming doors and heavy footsteps might only disturb you for a few seconds of the entire time you’re home, but that can be enough to ruin your day if it disrupts your sleep. Post once again emphasises that it’s highly unlikely your housemate knows her noise is bothering you, so approach it as a friendly ask, saying something like, “I don’t think you have any way to know this, but when you close the cabinets, it wakes me up.”
And, again, big shocker: Be ready to compromise. If your roommate is an early riser, you can’t expect her to silently teleport out of the apartment every morning. Post’s own life is a good example here: She once asked a roommate to leave the kitchen cabinets open in the morning so the slamming wouldn't wake her. It meant Post would have to come through afterwards and do more tidying in the kitchen, but it also meant she got a lot more sleep.
For my own part, I once had a roommate who would come home late and turn on every light in a hopes of being able to tiptoe around as quietly as possible. But the light would wake me up immediately. I would have far preferred a bit of noise in exchange for minimizing the light. Had I just let her know, I would have gotten a lot better sleep that year.
If the problem is TV or music, offer to set quiet hours during which the two of you can still enjoy entertainment, but in your rooms, with headphones on. Also, you can suggest your own compromises: Offer to try solutions on your end, such as earplugs or a white-noise machine.
Illustrated by Tristan Offit.
If you’re having friends over, Post counsels notification. “It’s not about asking permission; it’s about keeping people informed,” she explains. It’s amazing how much a little heads-up can change someone’s outlook when they come home to find guests.
If you’re the one continually caught unawares by guests, Post suggests saying something like “I’d love to get some advance notice when other people are going to be in the house.” This is also a good time to talk about closing time for get-togethers. If you’re worried about noise on a weeknight, it’s perfectly reasonable to make a rule that people should be out by 10 or 11 p.m., or ask that they retreat quietly to a private space after that.
Sometimes, though, clueless guests can overstay their welcome. Hosts might not always feel comfortable giving them the boot, so you can use my tried-and-true method: Get up and say it’s time to put on your PJs, or find an excuse to tiptoe through the common space dressed for bed. Do it with a smile on your face, and it sends the message loud and clear regardless: It’s lights-out at your casa.
Illustrated by Tristan Offit.
If you and your housemate's bedrooms are each your own individual kingdom, common areas like kitchens and bathrooms can turn into a no-man’s land. Most spaces are big enough to share, but bathrooms in particular can become hotly contested turf. Post proposes creating a schedule, especially if one or both of you has a set time to be at work in the morning. If this hasn’t been something you’ve talked about, your housemate might not be aware that this is a problem, so, once again, approach it with the “There’s no way for you to know this, but…” method.
However, if you’re both dashing for the bathroom every morning, be the bigger person and bring it up first — with kindness. After all, for every day she’s edged you out to do her 12-step Korean beauty routine, there’s another day you dove in first to have a nice long soak in the shower. Just try to bring it up it with the same grace, as if she didn't know there was a shower-related Cold War going on, and you’ll have a less defensive conversation — and happier results.
Illustrated by Tristan Offit.
This one is short and sweet: If you long for a cat or dog but your roommate doesn’t want one, there’s nothing you can do. Pets are a serious commitment. They're something both parties should agree on — and something you should discuss, especially regarding who gets custody should you part ways. I hate to admit it, but when I was 20, I brought home a stray cat I named Pickles without asking my housemate's permission. Seven years later, Pickles is still with me (and my current housemate, who hates cats and is very patient with her), and we make it work. But any dependent creature you bring into the space should be something you’re both enthusiastic about.
And, if you have a pet, be sure you’re conscious not only of the messes you make, but pet messes as well. The general rule in my house is that if Pickles leaves a "surprise" and I’m not there to deal with it, my housemate gets a small gift on behalf of the cat.
Illustrated by Tristan Offit.
Whether it’s cat vomit or a broken lamp, owning up to your "mistakes" is vital to keeping the peace. As Post puts it, “You really need to offer to fix, replace, or manage the damage.” If you (or your pet) have damaged something and can’t afford to replace it right now, offer to pay in instalments. Just ignoring it is only going to make things worse.
Meanwhile, if you have something truly irreplaceable in a common area, consider moving it somewhere else. Sure, you’re living with another adult, not a toddler, but accidents happen, and you can’t babysit Grandma’s vase 100% of the time.
If the damage is related to trust rather than material possessions — like hosting five out-of-town friends the night before your roomie’s LSATs — do whatever it takes to apologise. Otherwise, smaller issues could grow into big grudges that blow up under stress.
Illustrated by Tristan Offit.
Of course, you could do everything suggested in this list (and then some!) and still not be able to make it work. Or maybe it’s time to move on to a new living situation or city. Once again, Post recommends being up-front from the beginning. When you sign your lease, just let your roommate know you’d like as much notice as possible, so you’re prepared. If they do give notice, it’s fair to ask if there’s anything you could do to change their mind, or ask why they are moving on. But after that, don’t try to convince him — he's already given it a lot of thought if it’s come to this.
If you’re the one moving out, Post says in-person is best. No one wants to hear over text that he might need to find a new roommate. It might be a little awkward, especially if you’re friends, so it’s fine to give each other space. Post says that, in her experience, it can take up to six months for former housemates to become friends again.
Illustrated by Tristan Offit.
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How the eff do models manage to look fresh-faced after jetting around the world nonstop? There are plenty of approaches to battling the exhaustion that comes with zipping across time zones, but we just found our favourite. Queen of cool Bella Hadid talks us through her jet-lagged beauty routine, giving us a quick step-by-step plan for how to not look exhausted. The tutorial, filmed for Vogue, not only reveals Hadid’s secret to looking awake and fresh — just-like-us alert: she gets dark circles, too — it shows a just-go-with-it attitude that’s serving as our early-week motivation.
Of course, the face of Dior wields a pretty pricey arsenal of products to get ready. (This low-key look uses £118 worth of Dior products alone.) But ultimately, Bella’s on-the-go beauty secrets aren’t about fancy products, they're about a laissez-faire approach, something we can definitely get behind. Adopt it for yourself, along with her other top tips for beauty on the run:
Embrace Imperfections: Bella’s first big reveal? Dark undereye circles, which we can all relate to. She attributes hers to “travelling for two months straight.” Like us, she stamps ‘em out with concealer and her finger. Unlike us, she’s not precious about it. “See, you just, like, wing it, you know? Put it, like, everywhere,” she says nonchalantly. “Imperfections are still beautiful, right?” Yes. A million times, yes.
Go For Definition: We thought people born with killer cheekbones skip contouring. Not so. Hadid stripes Dior Diorblush Light & Contour Stick Duo along her cheekbones and jawline. “I like to put some here for a little definition,” she says, while buffing with a Beautyblender. “Definition’s always good,” she says. On a budget? Use her tips with this pro-approved stick from Maybelline.
Forget Getting Lit, Go For Soft Light: As much as shimmery, look-at-me highlighters hold a place in our hearts, we’re feeling Hadid’s softer version, which gives skin a fresh, no-makeup makeup glow, courtesy of Dior Diorskin Nude Air Tan Healthy Glow Powder. Go ahead and throw that highlighter on your lid, too. It doubles as a chill-ass eyeshadow. Again, if you're not making model money, simply try Nyx Wonder Sticks.
Which brush does she employ? None. (Not even the little applicators that come with the palette.) Instead, she uses her fingers to hit her lids and add a touch to the inner corners to “open up the eyes a little bit.”
Adopt A Five-Second Hair Strategy: Getting hair to look perfectly undone can be a major time suck. But Hadid brilliantly bypasses the trap by simply brushing damp hair and pulling it into a tight topknot — no heat tools or elastics required. “I don’t have any hair ties, so it turned out to be a bun,” she shrugs. Long live air-dried hair!
The final look? Quintessential off-duty model and everything we plan to cop on our next marathon trip — even if it’s just to work, the gym, drinks, home, and work again.
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On Friday, Marie Stopes International halted hundreds of abortions because of safety concerns, sending women to other clinics instead. The UK's leading abortion provider is being urged to explain exactly why it has suspended some of its services for under-18s and vulnerable women.
The suspension came after the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which inspects health and social care services in England, said teenagers may not be giving proper consent and that medical staff carrying out anaesthetics may not be sufficiently trained.
However, the inspectors said they are unable to elaborate further until their full report can be made public, The Times reported.
Those affected include girls under 18 and women who are more than 12 weeks pregnant, whose abortions require surgery rather than pills.
The suspension means around 250 women will be sent elsewhere for terminations each week until the issues have been resolved, reported The Guardian. Marie Stopes treats around 70,000 women each year – around a third of all abortions in England and Wales.
Until the CQC's concerns have been allayed, The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) said it was working to provide services for the women affected. The charity said it was "a significant undertaking", especially because some women will be asking for late abortions, reported The Guardian.
The lack of clarity about what exactly has happened at Marie Stopes could scare vulnerable women, BPAS also said. “It would be better if people were clear on what exactly has happened. Abortion is a very stigmatised thing. This may add to that anxiety,” a BPAS spokeswoman told The Times.
Responding to the concerns over the suspension, Simon Cooke, Chief Executive of Marie Stopes International, said: "[The suspension] is to allow Marie Stopes UK to resolve areas of concern in its training and governance procedures. We are working urgently with the CQC on these areas and intend to regain full assurance within a few days."
Cooke said the organisation's "immediate priority" is to make sure women affected are booked into alternative local services. "We are working closely with NHS England to ensure that this happens," he said. Marie Stopes's other services remain unaffected.
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Famous for providing the inspirational backdrop for J.M.W. Turner and being the hometown of Tracey Emin, Margate has become a beacon for creative Londoners.
Whether it’s cracking open a magazine and finding yet another article on it (hello, easyJetTraveller magazine last month) or Topman models walking down the catwalk with it emblazoned across their T-shirts, Margate seems to be on everyone’s lips at the moment.
Long known as a bit of a dishevelled seaside town, the slice of Kent coast is bouncing back, thanks to the reopening of amusement park Dreamland (although this has since been embroiled in controversy) and the birth of an interesting mix of businesses such as Margate Arts Club, natural food store The Grain Grocer, and pop-up restaurant Xiringuito, run by a former Bistrotheque chef.
Not only a popular weekend destination for city dwellers, the seaside town is attracting a wave of Londoners bringing more than just their holdalls. Frustrated by rising rents and yearning for a better quality of life, many Londoners – myself included – are waving goodbye to London and buying homes and establishing businesses in Margate.
“Now is an interesting time for young people as most of us start to realise we will never be able to afford to live in big cities,” says Amy Redmond, the founder of club night Sink The Pink, who moved to Margate two years ago after 15 years in London. “So where do we go next? The nature of artist-led regeneration is that we find places we can practice our art, be creative, put on parties and be ourselves, and Margate provides such a welcoming platform to do this. It has a stunning coastline, fresh air, culture, art, history; the town is filled with magic.”
Many are spurred to move to Margate by the opportunity to finally get on the property ladder – something that’s become just a distant dream for many Londoners. “Last year, we received an email from our letting agency telling us the rent would be going up again,” recalls blogger and freelance content creator Kirsty Merrett of Fashion For Lunch. “That same week, a friend of mine mentioned that everyone was moving to Margate. I laughed it off and told her she was crazy.” But Merrett kept hearing continuous references to Margate. “It felt like a sign,” she says. “I spoke to my boyfriend, he told me I was crazy and then he met up with his friend, who lives in Broadstairs [also on the Kent coast]. He also mentioned how much he loved Margate and my boyfriend told me we should drive down there that weekend and see what's going on.” Intrigued, they booked some house viewings and headed down for the day. “That afternoon we made an offer on a house,” laughs Merrett, who is in the process of refurbishing their 1860s house just off the seafront, which they paid a fraction of the cost of what it would have been in London.
Cecily MullinsPhoto: Courtesy of Suzanne Bearne.
Cecily Mullins is in the process of buying a one-bedroom flat in Margate’s Old Town. “I came down to visit and thought I'd rather buy a home somewhere that I enjoy living, with a proper sense of community rather than on the outskirts of London, where I'd be able to afford,” says the corporate music agent. “It's far enough away from London to feel like you've escaped the smoke but still connected to allow a commute if need be.” Incidentally a train from the seaside town to London's King's Cross station will take you an hour-and-a-half.
In the past year, the seaside town has witnessed the rise of a number of eclectic new businesses, many of them started by ex-Londoners. “It’s wonderful,” says Redmond. “DIY business owners are finally able to afford to start the community-focused businesses they've always dreamed of.”
With Londoners forking out an average of £1280 in rent every month, according to Metro, it’s difficult for people to pursue their dreams while living in the capital. In Margate you can rent an entire two bedroom property for £600. To buy a one bedroom flat with a garden and sea view will set you back about £160,000.
Moving to the seaside helped freelance copywriter Clare Freeman fulfil her dreams of starting her own magazine, Margate Mercury, and buying her own place. “I used to live on my own in Berlin and after returning back to the UK, I knew I didn’t want to flatshare; I wanted my own place again.” Freeman looked into locations just outside of London and felt drawn to Margate. “It was by far the most friendly and welcoming, and there’s the opportunity here to do things and there’s a nice community.” Freeman bought a one bedroom flat – something she’d never have been able to do in London – and set up a magazine for the community. “There’s really the opportunity and freedom to achieve things here. It’s really tricky to launch your own thing in London. In Margate, rent and house prices are lower, and there’s support from everyone.”
As for myself, as a huge fan of outdoor swimming, I’m massively excited by the prospect of having Margate’s tidal pool on my doorstep. When I call Freeman, she’s on her way there. “Me and my friends go everyday at 6pm. It’s a nice way to end the day. I love it here – it’s easily the best place I’ve ever lived. Just the quality of life, and everything is within 10 to 15 minutes walk. I didn’t know anyone here before but there’s a really strong community and I’ve made friends.”
Redmond says her life has been transformed since she made Margate her home. Not only has she bought a home with her husband, the artist Luke Vandenberg, but they’ve established a new business, Margate Arts Club. “In terms of fresh air, friends, time, and space, moving has changed my life,” she says. “It’s about prioritising your happiness and Margate has allowed me to do that in a way London no longer could.”
For those wishing to follow the crowds, Redmond shares this piece of advice: “Bring an open heart and mind and add to the town. Anyone coming to buy property to rent and not add to the town is not adding anything to this ethos.”
Catch you at the tidal pool.
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In an article published on his LinkedIn profile in mid-August, Bruce Hurwitz, an executive recruiter, offers some unsolicited advice to women on the job hunt: Don’t wear your engagement ring to an interview.
Wait, what?
There are several reasons, he agues, but the most baffling of all is that, supposedly, a diamond ring (especially a big one) indicates that a woman is high-maintenance. Well, supposedly the men in the office will see you that way, whereas the women in the office will see your diamond as a threat to their diamond (if they have one, that is, and if it's smaller than yours, that is) thus reducing their place in the pecking order of workplace hierarchy. Huh?
In a follow-up essay, Hurwitz defends his thinking: Men who are proposing to women are going to buy the smallest possible diamond that will still "ensure" their proposal is accepted. Therefore, wearing a big diamond signals that you wouldn’t agree to marriage unless you got a really expensive rock, which therefore means you must be high-maintenance. Not only that, but Hurwitz argues that the ring is basically collateral; it’s still the proposer's ring until the propose-ee is officially hitched. While I’m no expert, I’m not sure that thinking would hold up in a court of law.
I’ve also never been proposed to, but I do know lots of married and engaged couples. The sense I get from their proposal stories is that it's less about a transaction where a lifetime of fidelity is traded for a piece of flashy jewellery and more about a romantic declaration of love between two people who respect and care for each other. In other words, I don’t know anyone who had to be bribed to walk down the aisle — or who only stayed around for the wedding in order to keep the ring.
Of course, no one should have to apologise for wanting or receiving a large engagement ring. A lot of factors, not just aesthetic preference, might go into the ring choice. Maybe it’s a family heirloom. Or maybe the woman did just want a big ring — so what?
So yes, Hurwitz's advice is super sexist. But we still have to wonder: Do hiring managers notice engagement rings? Hurwitz claims that the half-dozen women he’s counselled not to wear their rings have gotten jobs when they left the bling at home. Of course, that’s far from a scientific study — and we're always a little skeptical of anecdotal evidence. Isn't it just as likely that these women finally landed a job not because they weren't wearing their engagement rings, but because they finally found companies that were the right fit?
Unfortunately, we can easily dismiss Hurwitz's bad advice and bad science, but it's not so easy to overlook the huge problem at the heart of this story: Women are always held to different standards than men. And we can be labeled "high-maintenance" for doing something as seemingly innocuous as wearing an engagement ring. Is Hurwitz's next post going to be advising women not to speak up for themselves in meetings, lest they get labeled "bitchy" or "difficult"?
We have to deal with the reality of these double standards on a daily basis, and it sucks. The deck often feels stacked against women — and minorities, and LGBTQ individuals, and the list goes on — and navigating workplace politics can be a minefield. But can we all agree on one thing? We have a lot to worry about; let’s strike our jewellery from that list.
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Anyone who has sat in on a mehndi session knows how long the beautiful, delicate art form can take. So when BuzzFeed created a hyperlapse video of celebrity mehndi artist Neha Assar in action, the results were nothing short of hypnotic.
In the video (which features seven hours of artwork condensed into 95 seconds), Assar adorns a woman’s hands and feet with henna paste. She swirls on dots, loops, lines, and other patterns traditional to the 5,000-year-old art form. It’s a specialty of Assar’s, who also modernises the customary practice for Indian brides by doing unexpected designs — like the one below that integrates hip-hop hand signs. "When the bride and groom are major hip-hop heads," she explains in her caption.
A photo posted by Neha Assar Henna Artistry (@nehaassar) on
Assar shows the real-time process through other snaps and Facebook videos. But watching her handiwork sped up has a completely different effect — one that’s both soothing and entrancing. Watch it above and let us know what you think in the comments below.
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Just when you think you've seen all of Chloë Sevigny's finest fashion moments, you stumble across a deep-sunken outfit oddity of rarefied Tumblr value. Perhaps Sevigny sporting a shaved head in a Fila tracksuit or legs akimbo in some denim hot-pants on a scruffy old sofa or scantily clad in thrift-store T-shirts with little else but red lippie on. One little look at these sartorial gems and you're dragged right back to all those feelings you felt, when like us, you realised for the first time, that Chloë Sevigny might be the coolest woman on planet earth.
And breathe. Which particular Chloë era you prefer says a lot about you. Maybe you screenshot snaps of her in Larry Clarks' Kids. Maybe you're more a Jarvis Cocker-epoch kind of a gal. Or, you might just be down for her skater-girl '90s period.
Whatever your preference, we'd like to attest that 2000-2010 was the most marvellous of decades for Chloë's wardrobe. It marks the most hallowed of her bad-taste-is-good-taste years. It's a decade laden with ribbons-for hair-ties, mini-everything, band T-shirts, vintage velvet, chokers and top-knots. It's a bottomless well of sartorial schooling, heavy with the maxim "money cannot buy your style".
Before the Kardashians, there was Chloë.
Here in no particular order, is fashion's first lady's best looks for the noughties...
The Creative Arts Emmy Awards 2008
We'd have severed a limb for a sparkly bandeau dress like this back in the day. The ribbon choker and kholed eyes mean she manages to look punk even on the red carpet.
Photo: REX.
Shattered Glass Film Prem 2003
Wearing red lipstick like it ain't no thing. Monochrome and a dash of red lipstick never looked so fresh.
Photo: REX.
Zodiac Film Cannes 2007
There's a reason Chloë's legs are famous. Exhibit A. Again with the ruffles and the monochrome. We see a trend forming.
Photo: REX.
Seabiscuit Film Prem 2003
We're quite sure Chloë singlehandedly brought the bleached brow from the fashion mags to the mainstream – over 10 years ago. Here doing so with aplomb in a strappy white dress.
Photo: REX.
Golden Globes 2000
Monochrome, anyone? We love her flapper hair and chandelier earrings. She somehow does mother-of-the-bride, well... Know what we mean?
Photo: REX.
Women in Hollywood Luncheon 2002
Stop the press. This look is so now it aches. The double breasted blazer and those mules, with scraped back hair. This is how to own a blazer.
Photo: REX.
2004
Half Glasto, a little pinch of Heidi and then the white Wayfarer style sunglasses, worn over her hair. Mad, but genius.
Photo: REX.
Academy Awards 2000
Again, wearing scarlet lipstick like it's Vaseline with hot-rollered hair and a plunging neckline. Digging the chunky metal additions, too.
Photo: REX.
2002
She loves a flapper dress does our Chlo. Take tips and pair a fringed dress with Mary-Janes for '90s cool.
Photo: REX.
Charity Polo party 2009
The scalloped short-suit deserves a Twitter account alone – but, legs, legs, legs.
Photo: REX.
2009
No one nails a shorts and shirt combo like Chloë. Just pair with heels and shades and show everyone in an LBD up.
From the cardboard cup that carries our morning java, to the disposable cutlery we use at lunchtime, and even the pasta left over after dinner (because we still overestimate how much we need); most of us produce a lot of waste in our daily lives.
But many young people these days are embracing a zero-waste lifestyle. Just as we're increasingly mindful of what we're putting into our bodies, we're increasingly conscious of what we're putting out into the world and environmental impact.
And the movement is huge on social media. Young female bloggers such as Kathryn Kellogg, Celia Ristow and Lauren Singer are spearheading the conversation. Instagrammers like ZeroWasteHome, TheZeroWasteGirl and ZeroWasteNerd have thousands of followers and the hashtag #zerowaste offers up an endless reel of tips for cutting down landfill waste.
Businesses are getting involved, too. Silo in Brighton was the UK's first zero-waste restaurant. In a bid to produce as little waste as possible, it trades with farmers directly, uses local ingredients that themselves generate no waste and uses reusable delivery vessels. Wine bottles can easily be refilled, for example.
Silo even mills its own flour, churns butter, rolls oats and brews its own drinks to avoid packaging. It turns food scraps into compost, which is then used to grow more food. "Waste is just a failure of the imagination... Everything is productive, some things just need a bit more love," says Douglas McMaster, founder and chef at Silo.
Illustrated by Anna Sudit.
"We hope to be a big part in the shift from disposable to reusable culture, and have just swapped our compostable straws to stainless steel straws that can be infinitely reused."
So, how can we all get involved in the #zerowaste movement? Even if we don't go the whole hog (it's debatable whether it's possible to be truly zero waste), there are easy ways to reduce the sheer amount of stuff we get through each day.
Shop smart
Remember to take your own reusable tote bags to the supermarket, advises Singer. And if you're going to a farmers' market or Whole Foods-type store where produce, such as nuts and olive oil, is sold without packaging, take Mason jars. Find out where the nearest stores are that allow you to buy in bulk.
Leftovers are your friends
Most foods can be given a second life with the help of a freezer. Freeze wine (to use in future recipes), freeze cheese in sandwich bags, freeze brown bananas for smoothies and ice cream. Even eggs can be frozen (just not in their shells). Don't overlook the frying pan, either – turn stale bread into croutons and sauté soggy spinach. Check out the Love Food Hate Waste website for more ideas.
A photo posted by Little Green Hacks (@littlegreenhacks) on
Reuse before you recycle
"Always reuse before recycling," says McMaster. "Our furniture and fittings are created from a desire to re-use, tables and chairs made from materials that would otherwise have been wasted, innovative, functional and beautiful." Keep your breakfast in a used jam jar.
A photo posted by Kaycee || Utah 🌵 (@thezerowastegirl) on
Wear secondhand
Buying vintage clothes and clothes from thrift shops, i.e. items that were made a long time ago, means you're not creating a demand for companies to produce more clothes, says Singer. All the cool kids are doing it, too.
The Huffington Post has now produced a film exploring how today's young people are getting involved in the zero-waste movement as part of its #PowerShift original documentary series. Silo features alongside zero-waste blogger Lauren Singer. Watch the film here:
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Thinking about a city break but still weighing up your options? Let us narrow it down to the one city you need to tick off your bucket list: Copenhagen. We’re dubbing it the be-all and end-all of city breaks, the one that you can easily squeeze into a weekend, or alternatively eke out to a four-dayer, what with its banging selection of things to do, eat, see and shop. A melting pot of all things Scandi cool, prepare to come back seriously inspired. From postcard-pretty streets to irritatingly cool neighbourhoods, slick hotels and coffee shops you’ll want to linger in for days, let us count the ways and all the reasons we have nothing but love for Copenhagen...
Short flight
The first big tick from us has to be the fact that Copenhagen is crazy quick and easy to get to. Norwegian flies multiple times a day from Gatwick for less than £30 each way. The flight is under 2 hours AND there’s wifi on board. No complaints from us. When you get there, you’re out of the terminal, straight on the train, and in the city centre in 15 minutes flat.
A Danish speciality that should definitely go global, smørrebrød are open-faced sandwiches, usually made with rye bread and elaborate meat and fish toppings. One for a mid-morning snack or a couple for lunch and you’re golden. They’re so moreish, so tasty, and cheap too. Try them at Torvehallerne, the city’s biggest and best indoor food market.
And for something a little fancier, there are options. First and foremost, Noma, the 5th best restaurant in the WORLD, and the one which stuck Copenhagen and New Nordic cuisine on the gastronomic world map. Next up, there’s Amass, another beaut with a seriously strong tasting menu, and Relae, another contender in the World’s 50 Best, this one coming in at #40.
As for hotels, you don’t have to search hard before you find a good’un. In fact, you’ll probably struggle to pick one. While they ain’t the cheapest, they ARE the chicest. Hotel Kong Arthur and Ibsens are part of the same hotel group, and both master that minimalist Scandi aesthetic without forgetting about comfort. Elsewhere, Skt Petri is a total dream, and for something cheaper, Copenhagen’s Generator Hostel gets a lot of love as one of the best in Europe.
Can we not just move into Nørrebro already? That and foodie-filled Kobenhavn are easily the coolest ‘hoods in the city, all hip boutiques, local craft beer bars, underground clubs and painfully perfect coffee stores – only without any of the pretentiousness you’d anticipate in some cities. WarPigs is the best beer bar in town with 22 taps and plenty of Mikkeller; mother pizza is damn delicious; and Kødbyens Fiskebar is simple, fresh seafood. Kobenhavn is also home to the Acne Studios Archive, which as you’d imagine, is pure joy.
Photo: Via @jonnoleigh.
Happy hours!
OK, there's no denying that Copenhagen isn’t cheap but they sure do Happy Hours well — they’re the secret to coming home with some money left. The Bird & Churchkey is an excellent gin and tonic bar, which has a great selection of gins and an even better daily 4-hour Happy Hour. #Winning.
Prepare to get snap happy in Copenhagen, it’s beautiful. From the minimalist interiors to the colourful and iconic Nyhavn waterfront, the whole city is a photographer’s dream – an amateur Instagrammer’s too! Apologise in advance for #Copenhagen spam on your feed.
Photo: Via @visitcopenhagen.
Great shopping
ALL the shops. Go with an empty suitcase and don’t expect to come back with much money. There’s a reason that all the Scandi babes dress so well: it’s because the local labels are excellent. All simple shapes, sharp tailoring, muted palettes. So good. Malene Birger, Henrik Vibskov and Wood Wood are a few names to start you off with.
Photo: Via @w00dw00d.
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At less than 5mm in size, microbeads, the tiny plastic balls often found in face scrubs and shower gels, might look harmless, but they wreak havoc on the environment and have been the subject of controversy for a little while now.
The government will consider banning them from being used in cosmetics if the EU doesn't pass a law against them, the BBC reported. But the Environmental Audit Committee said the beads should be banned completely to protect marine wildlife and the human food chain.
“Cosmetic companies’ voluntary approach to phasing out plastic microbeads simply won’t wash. We need a full legal ban," said Mary Creagh MP, the committee chair. Unilever has taken steps to phase them out and L'Oreal has said it will do so by next year.
So why are these little balls controversial? And is that extra level of exfoliation in your morning shower worth it? (A single shower can lead to 100,000 microbeads entering the ocean, said Creagh.)
Microbeads are small enough to make their way into lakes and rivers through the water system and because of their size, they're easily ingested by wildlife and mistaken for food. They can then get stuck in marine creatures' stomachs.
There could be up to 50 plastic particles in a plate of oysters, Professor Tamara Galloway from Exeter University told the BBC. “We don’t have any evidence yet for the harm this might cause but most people would probably prefer not to be eating microbeads with their food.”
However, a global microbead ban won't solve the problem of microplastic pollution. Microbeads from cosmetics make up a tiny proportion – just 0.01% to 4.1% – of plastics in the ocean, reported the BBC.
Read the label when buying beauty products. "Microbeads" probably won't be on the ingredients list, so look out for the names of the petrochemical plastics they're made from, such as polyethylene and polypropylene.
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Alexandra ShulmanPhoto: BBC/Lightbox Entertainment/Linda Brownlee.
Earlier this summer, we were offered a glimpse into the glamorous world of fashion with the satirical film Absolutely Fabulous, but now British Vogue has trumped Patsy and Eddie's comedic duo with Absolutely Fashion, a BBC2 documentary that will give us access inside the hallowed halls of the 100-year-old magazine.
For the first time in British Vogue ’s history, the magazine has allowed TV cameras to film behind closed doors, as documentary filmmaker Richard Macer spent nine months inside Vogue House and beyond while the publication prepared for, and began celebrating, its 100th birthday.
Speaking about the filming process of the candid two-part documentary, Alexandra Shulman, Editor-in-Chief explained: “At Vogue we are more used to being behind the lens than in front of it. The process of being filmed over such a long period of time was intriguing although at times, testing.”
We meet Shulman who has edited the magazine for the past 24 years, in the first episode, having just returned from the SS16 shows. Macer follows Shulman and several of the magazine’s senior team, including Fashion Director Lucinda Chambers, who has worked at the magazine for almost 40 years, Creative Director Jaime Perlman, and Fashion Features Director Sarah Harris.
As well as introducing the team, the documentary also casts a spotlight on some of fashion’s most recognised and popular faces, including Edie Campbell, Mario Testino and Kate Moss who has covered more issues of British Vogue than anyone else.
This year marks many momentous occasions for British Vogue with countless celebrations to commemorate the centenary. There was, of course, an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, a big birthday bash in May, attended by the biggest names in the business, a cover with the Duchess of Cambridge and now this documentary as the chic cherry on the glistening birthday cake.
If you liked The September Issue, the now cult 2009 film which followed the making of the sacred September issue of American Vogue or even the fly-on-the-wall documentary Posh People: Inside Tatler, which aired in 2014, we can only assume you're going to love this.
Episode 1 of Absolutely Fashion: Inside British Vogue airs Thursday 8th September at 9pm on BBC 2.
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A powerful earthquake hit central Myanmar on Wednesday, just hours after another major quake devastated central Italy.
The 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit the Southeast Asian country in the Bagan region near the town of Chauk, according to Reuters. Reports of fatalities have varied, but appear to be low. Local officials told the news agency that there had been three deaths, including two children who were killed when a riverbank collapsed.
The U.S. Geological Survey said that the quake was relatively deep, hitting at about 52 miles below the earth’s surface. Deep earthquakes generally cause less damage.
The Associated Press reported that the epicentre of the earthquake was in an area where quakes are common, but don’t usually cause high casualties because there are no densely populated cities. Though reports of casualties are minimal, the Ministry of Religious and Cultural Affairs told the AP that more than 65 ancient Buddhist pagodas had been damaged in the quake. The Bagan region is a major tourist attraction for the country.
Tremors from the quake were felt as far as Bangladesh, Thailand, and India, according to the BBC, but no international fatalities have been reported.
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There’s no disputing that Blake Lively has one of the best hair games in town — any town. Her sun-drenched strands seem to look right at home in every environment, whether she's kicking back in a beachside bungalow or channeling Grace Kelly in a string of pearls. That's because the actress isn't married to a single style — or era. Yes, her hair is always golden and lush, but she alternates between new and vintage trends, taking classic silhouettes and injecting them with modern touches. The results are head-turning.
Read on to glean style secrets from the girl who never makes a misstep when it comes to hair (even on gym days) — and how to raise your own #hairgoals game.
What’s not to love about the bronde colour and classic, '40s-inspired styling on this vintage version of Blake (seen here in 2007)?
Photo: Chad Buchanan/Getty Images.
The only thing we love more than Blake’s long-running IRL friendship with her The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants co-stars? The gorgeous Grecian-inspired plaits she wore at the movie’s premiere in 2008.
Proof that Blake has never had a bad hair day: These enviable loose waves from 2009 are a look that we still want to emulate.
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage.
This low chignon looks pretty straightforward from the front, but a textured maze of intricate plaits and strategic pinning in back equals a look that we’d love to cop for ourselves.
Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images. Photo: Jim Spellman/Getty Images.
Offset by an aquamarine gown and rosy cheeks, 2011’s strawberry-blonde dye job gives Blake's standard flaxen hue a run for its money.
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images.
Damn. This girl even makes a simple pony look lust-worthy! It's all about position. The hair is gathered smack in-between the crown and the nape. The result is effortless, sleek, and anything but basic.
Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images.
Does this messy-but-modern side-plait, worn at the Green Lantern premiere, look too complicated to replicate? Yep. But that won't stop us from trying. When we do, we’ll keep it from merging into bed-head territory by maintaining clean lines around the face.
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.
Blake seldom turns to the flat iron for public appearances. But when she does, she knocks it out of the park. Notice how she deftly avoids the stick-straight trap by creating lift at the roots and pulling her hair off of her face.
Photo: Gregg DeGuire/PictureGroup.
It’s hard to choose a favorite of Blake absolutely owning Old Hollywood barrel curls. But this look rises above the rest for its sheer shine, volume, and tumbling softness.
Photo: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.
An Insta-worthy half updo that will look classic in years to come? Blake has got it on lock. Key styling elements: tease to create a little volume at the crown, pin back the hair low on the head, and let loose tendrils fly.
Photo: Ray Tamarra/FilmMagic.
Beach waves have been trending for years, so now the style has us all "meh." But a brushed-out version that perfectly frames the face and still looks effortless? Sign us up.
Photo: Alo Ceballos/FilmMagic.
We’ve waxed poetic about this loose fishtail plait that Blake wore to The Savages premiere before. Nearly five years later, it still gives us perfect summer-hair vibes. Even better? The tricky-looking plait is deceptively easy to pull off.
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images.
The 2013 Met Gala’s Punk theme confounded Hollywood and fashion people. But Blake’s fauxhawk pony makes the grade as a style we’re stoked to replicate for any occasion.
Photo: James Devaney/WireImage.
To keep her flat-ironed hair from looking too ‘90s, Lively employs a deep side part and face-skimming bend.
Photo: Jacopo Raule/Getty Images.
This updo may be perfectly coiffed in back, but up front, it's tightly-pulled sides and faux-hawk top creates a look that’s not only a dead ringer for ScarJo but delivers a tough-as-nails vibe.
Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images.
In a nod to ‘40s glamour, Blake’s hair for the 2014 Met Gala combined a deep side part, victory rolls, and loose finger waves for a look that’s enviable in any decade.
Photo: George Pimentel/WireImage.
Like many of Blake’s trademark hairstyles, this high pony looks flawless in front, but boasts a slightly off-kilter braid in back, softening the look.
Photo: Jean Catuffe/FilmMagic.
Lively's signature rumpled waves keep this cool, '60s mod style from looking too retro.
Photo: Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic.
When a pregnant Blake lays off the peroxide, she emerges with an enviable ombré effect. Necessity truly is the mother of invention.
Photo: Rob Kim/Getty Images.
The deep side part looks emphatically elegant when paired with tightlined eyes and rosy pink lips.
Photo: Alessio Botticelli/GC Images.
This style may read pure Veronica Lake in front, but it’s pure punk party in the back, thanks to a couple of french braids that sweep everything to the side.
Photo: Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic.
Leave it to Lively to turn a simple low pony into a bombshell look. Loose barrel curls create volume, while face-framing bends add effortless appeal.
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images.
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Police Scotland is not the first police force to do this. About a decade ago, the London Metropolitan Police approved the hijab as part of the officers' uniforms, as well.
The move to officially include the hijab was done in hopes that more Muslim women will be encouraged to join the force, the BBC reported.
"This is a positive step in the right direction, and I am delighted that Police Scotland is taking productive steps in order to ensure that our organisation is seen to be inclusive and represents the diverse communities that we serve across Scotland," Fahad Bashir, the chair of the Scottish Police Muslim Association, said in a statement. "No doubt this will encourage more women from Muslim and minority ethnic backgrounds to join Police Scotland."
So far, Police Scotland only has six female Muslim officers in their ranks. However, none of the women wear the hijab either on or off duty, according to the BBC.
All the luxury yachts you’ve ever seen featured on any of the Real Housewives seasons look like dinky little canoes compared to this luxurious 108M Mega Yacht concept from Hareide Design Norway. The name "108M" refers to its classic 108M mono hull design. According to the Huffington Post, it's all still just a concept until a potential buyer shows interest. When and if that happens, Hareide Design will work with the buyer to bring the ship to life.
Besides its massive size, what makes this ship so special? On most yachts, passengers simply observe nature from the deck. That’s not the case with this one. The inspiration for the boat's design came from the desire to allow passengers to gain an immersive experience of nature. To achieve this, the yacht features elements like an elevated dining and viewing area, gorgeous gardens, and a 65-foot pool that transitions into the ocean.
This feat of engineering would also come equipped with over 3,000 square feet of solar panels. Of course, the innovative and highly efficient design won't come cheap. According to Lonely Planet, it'll have a price tag of approximately £150 million. Yikes. Better start saving now.
Photo: Courtesy of Hareide Design Norway.Photo: Courtesy of Hareide Design Norway.
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Recently, on the Viceland show Party Legends, Dennis Rodman revealed — it's not too late to click through to another story if you're squeamish — that he has broken his penis no fewer than three times. Rodman recounts that, on one of these three occasions, his member apparently began bleeding so profusely that his partner "was screaming, 'Oh, my God! He’s dead! I killed him!'" "No, honey," Rodman responded, "I just broke my dick." But what does "breaking a dick" even mean?
There aren’t any bones in the penis, so you can’t break it, per se, but you canfracture it — and it isn't pretty. During arousal, blood rushes into two tube-like bodies inside the penis called the corpora cavernosa. That’s how an erection happens. If a penis experiences a lot of force when erect, the skin that covers these blood-filled tubes can tear, causing a popping or cracking sound (I know, awful) followed by immediate loss of the erection, plus swelling, bruising, and intense pain.
Penile fractures are rare, but during penetrative intercourse, they’re most likely to happen when the person being penetrated is on top. One way to reduce the risk is to make sure a penis is fully erect before penetration, since the less hard it is, the more likely it is to twist too far in one direction after penetration. In the event of a penile fracture, do not stop. Do not pass go. Go directly to the ER. It’s a serious injury that could require surgery, but if you get the care you need right away, your prognosis is good.
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Astronomers have long combed the galaxy with telescopes and other instruments to answer the age old question, "Are we alone in the universe?" While we seem to be alone in our solar system, now researchers have found a place where life really could exist — and it's not that far away. A planet orbiting Proxima Centauri, one of the nearest stars to Earth, could be another Earth, the scientific journal Nature reports.
In recent years, NASA has discovered a number of possible exoplanets and Earth-like planets in the cosmos, but this one is very exciting. Why? Because, astronomers say, it is far closer and easier to reach. It's "only" 4.2 lightyears away (25 trillion miles), as the New York Times reported.
The astronomers, who published their findings in Nature, emphasise that thus far much of their understanding of the planet, nicknamed Proxima b, remains speculative. But, it could be more similar to our climate and ecosystem than any other planet we've discovered, which means that it could hypothetically support life. It's far closer to its star than we are (five million miles compared to 93 million miles), but its star is very different, and much weaker, than our sun. The planet could be Venus-like, volcanic and toxic, or even cold and dry like Mars. It's very possible it could have water.
Confirmation of the planet's existence has taken over 18 years of research, The New York Times reported, as astronomers had to rule out that it wasn't just another star. No photographs have been captured of it yet, as the planet can't be seen through its star's glare (and we can't even see Proxima Centauri from Earth with the naked eye). But from what scientists have observed, Proxima b is 1.3 times larger than Earth, and orbits its sun once every 11 days.
It's conceivable that we could send robotic probes to explore this planet in the coming decades. Then we'll learn a lot more about our potentially life-supporting distant neighbour.
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