Latest news with #Serpentine
Telegraph
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
I paid for my husband's creative retreat – I never imagined he'd find his new girlfriend there
As far as I knew, there was no sudden trigger that led to the end of my relationship with Mike* two years ago. Instead, it was death by a thousand cuts – the way he refused to talk about why I felt so sad, or the fact that he'd arrange to go out with a friend without consulting me, leaving me eating dinner alone. When I saw the recent speculation that Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom had split and he was already with someone else, my heart went out to her, because I know how humiliating that is. And though they appeared to be friends again, visiting Jeff Bezos on his honeymoon, I wonder how much pain she was concealing with her smile for the cameras – because trust me, being instantly replaced really hurts. As far as everyone else in our lives knew, our marriage of almost eight years was fine. We'd met via online dating in our early thirties, and though it was physical attraction that initially brought us together, we discovered we had lots in common – we both loved hill-walking and live music, we had similar values and we liked each other's friends. After two years, he proposed in a rowing boat on the Serpentine and I was very happy. Mike's job as a company manager was demanding, whereas I'm a music teacher and mostly work from home. We used to make an effort to do 'date night', but gradually, life got in the way. We had ageing parents who needed regular visits, weekends with Mike's son from a previous relationship who was struggling at school, and Mike was dealing with redundancies at work. After six years, our relationship felt like fire-fighting – but not together. If I tried to talk about 'us', he'd shut down. For his fortieth, I bought him a weekend away on a creative retreat, something he'd always said he'd love to do but didn't have time to pursue. I thought it might inspire him. When he came back, he said it was helpful, but seemed less inclined than ever to engage with me. We drifted on for another few months, but by then he was sleeping in the spare room due to our different bedtimes. Eventually, I made him sit down and asked if he still loved me. When he hesitated, I knew that was my answer. He said there was no one else, but he needed time alone to work out what he wanted from life and we were both deeply sad. Mike moved out to a friend's house the following day and we agreed not to talk for a while to let the dust settle. I struggled to come to terms with what had happened and would lie awake wondering if I could have done things differently, and saved our marriage. My parents were deeply upset, but they and my friends rallied round me. Less than three weeks later, I was on Facebook, scrolling, when I saw Mike tagged in a friend's photo. Next to him was a woman I'd never seen before, and he had his arm around her. I felt faint with shock, but I calmed myself down and thought perhaps it was just a fellow guest cosying up for the camera. Later that day, I mentioned it to a mutual friend, Cathy, hoping for reassurance, and she instantly looked embarrassed. When I pressed, she admitted she'd heard they met on the retreat and had 'kept in touch'. This was her first visit to see him – when he'd barely got the sheets on to his friend's spare bed. Suddenly, all our sad-but-kind agreement that we'd 'drifted apart' was exposed as lies. Yes, things had become lacklustre, but I truly believe that with some effort, maybe counselling, we could have recovered. Now I understood that Mike had already checked out of our relationship emotionally, having met Ella months earlier. I had no idea if anything had 'happened' that weekend, but I suspect so. I think he was waiting to see if things could work with her before he left me. I was beyond hurt, and deeply angry. I felt so stupid and so betrayed. I called him, and demanded to know the truth, but he swore that while they had kept in touch, she was just visiting 'as a friend' and that he 'wouldn't do that to me.' Within a few weeks though, it was clear that Ella was a lot more than that – suddenly she was his Facebook friend, and later that month, there they were again, at his friend's birthday drinks. Six weeks after we split, they were 'out' as a couple, commenting on each other's social media posts and looking blissfully happy in photos. I had to navigate the divorce and selling the house alone, knowing that he was already madly in love with my replacement. My friends were suitably furious on my behalf, but it didn't help. I felt utterly cast aside, as though he'd just been going through the motions until he could be with her. I'd go over and over conversations we'd had and berate myself. I am certain I would have felt able to move on much faster myself if Mike hadn't moved on at warp speed. They are still together and I'm currently single. I'm retraining as a music therapist and sharing a flat with a friend, but it's not what I'd planned for my forties. I genuinely feel the end of my marriage would have been a lot easier to cope with if I hadn't felt shoved aside so fast, in favour of a better option.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
I paid for my husband's creative retreat – I never imagined he'd find his new girlfriend there
As far as I knew, there was no sudden trigger that led to the end of my relationship with Mike* two years ago. Instead, it was death by a thousand cuts – the way he refused to talk about why I felt so sad, or the fact that he'd arrange to go out with a friend without consulting me, leaving me eating dinner alone. When I saw the recent speculation that Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom had split and he was already with someone else, my heart went out to her, because I know how humiliating that is. And though they appeared to be friends again, visiting Jeff Bezos on his honeymoon, I wonder how much pain she was concealing with her smile for the cameras – because trust me, being instantly replaced really hurts. As far as everyone else in our lives knew, our marriage of almost eight years was fine. We'd met via online dating in our early thirties, and though it was physical attraction that initially brought us together, we discovered we had lots in common – we both loved hill-walking and live music, we had similar values and we liked each other's friends. After two years, he proposed in a rowing boat on the Serpentine and I was very happy. Mike's job as a company manager was demanding, whereas I'm a music teacher and mostly work from home. We used to make an effort to do 'date night', but gradually, life got in the way. We had ageing parents who needed regular visits, weekends with Mike's son from a previous relationship who was struggling at school, and Mike was dealing with redundancies at work. After six years, our relationship felt like fire-fighting – but not together. If I tried to talk about 'us', he'd shut down. For his fortieth, I bought him a weekend away on a creative retreat, something he'd always said he'd love to do but didn't have time to pursue. I thought it might inspire him. When he came back, he said it was helpful, but seemed less inclined than ever to engage with me. We drifted on for another few months, but by then he was sleeping in the spare room due to our different bedtimes. Eventually, I made him sit down and asked if he still loved me. When he hesitated, I knew that was my answer. He said there was no one else, but he needed time alone to work out what he wanted from life and we were both deeply sad. Mike moved out to a friend's house the following day and we agreed not to talk for a while to let the dust settle. I struggled to come to terms with what had happened and would lie awake wondering if I could have done things differently, and saved our marriage. My parents were deeply upset, but they and my friends rallied round me. Less than three weeks later, I was on Facebook, scrolling, when I saw Mike tagged in a friend's photo. Next to him was a woman I'd never seen before, and he had his arm around her. I felt faint with shock, but I calmed myself down and thought perhaps it was just a fellow guest cosying up for the camera. Later that day, I mentioned it to a mutual friend, Cathy, hoping for reassurance, and she instantly looked embarrassed. When I pressed, she admitted she'd heard they met on the retreat and had 'kept in touch'. This was her first visit to see him – when he'd barely got the sheets on to his friend's spare bed. Suddenly, all our sad-but-kind agreement that we'd 'drifted apart' was exposed as lies. Yes, things had become lacklustre, but I truly believe that with some effort, maybe counselling, we could have recovered. Now I understood that Mike had already checked out of our relationship emotionally, having met Ella months earlier. I had no idea if anything had 'happened' that weekend, but I suspect so. I think he was waiting to see if things could work with her before he left me. I was beyond hurt, and deeply angry. I felt so stupid and so betrayed. I called him, and demanded to know the truth, but he swore that while they had kept in touch, she was just visiting 'as a friend' and that he 'wouldn't do that to me.' Within a few weeks though, it was clear that Ella was a lot more than that – suddenly she was his Facebook friend, and later that month, there they were again, at his friend's birthday drinks. Six weeks after we split, they were 'out' as a couple, commenting on each other's social media posts and looking blissfully happy in photos. I had to navigate the divorce and selling the house alone, knowing that he was already madly in love with my replacement. My friends were suitably furious on my behalf, but it didn't help. I felt utterly cast aside, as though he'd just been going through the motions until he could be with her. I'd go over and over conversations we'd had and berate myself. I am certain I would have felt able to move on much faster myself if Mike hadn't moved on at warp speed. They are still together and I'm currently single. I'm retraining as a music therapist and sharing a flat with a friend, but it's not what I'd planned for my forties. I genuinely feel the end of my marriage would have been a lot easier to cope with if I hadn't felt shoved aside so fast, in favour of a better option. *All names and professions have been changed As told to Flic Everett Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
The Sun
09-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
‘Banker material' Aidan O'Brien horse banned from Royal Ascot backed off the boards for next race
AN Aidan O'Brien horse punters are certain is 'banker material' has been backed off the boards for his next race - after being banned from Royal Ascot. Two-year-old colt Italy is all the rage for Saturday's Superlative Stakes at Newmarket. 1 Italy was hugely impressive when overcoming inexperience to score at 4-9 on debut at Leopardstown in May. Those who watched said at the time they were confident the horse 'wins wherever he goes' next time out. The form has been boosted massively too, with 16-1 runner-up Thesecretadversary finishing second in the Chesham at Royal Ascot. Italy was blocked from running in that race because it is only for two-year-olds whose sire won over 10f. Italy, who cost 200,000 guineas and is by Wootton Basset out of a sister to O'Brien's Derby winner Serpentine, hasn't run since his awesome debut. But he is all set to tear up the Superlative - and follow in the hoofsteps of former O'Brien superstars City Of Troy and Gustav Klimt. O'Brien said Moore doesn't make his mind up on who he will ride until five minutes before the cut-off time of 1pm. But in an unusual move, Moore has already been jocked up on Italy for the 7f Group 2. It is a particularly interesting development because O'Brien also has £350,000 Dorset in the race too - although he is unlikely to run. Bookies initially went 11-10 Italy but he has been backed off the boards since and is now as short as 8-13. Italy is already 12-1 favourite for next year's Derby but that price could collapse if he demolishes rivals this weekend. Godolphin's No1 trainer Charlie Appleby has fired some good ones at the Superlative in recent years as well. Former champion two-year-old and Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Native Trail and Breeders' Cup Mile winner Master Of The Seas are among the winners. He is set to run Saba Desert this year - a winner at Sandown on debut last month. But the son of Dubawi out of a Sea The Stars mare is nowhere near as strong in the market as Italy. Speaking after his first run, O'Brien was clearly trying to temper expectations but couldn't hide his delight. He said: "He won his maiden very well at Leopardstown and he is a colt that we always liked at home. "We have been happy with him since then. 'He was green when he ran at Leopardstown, but we liked him before the race, and he will improve again from that. I was more than happy with the performance. 'The form has been given a boost as the runner-up put in a good solid run to finish second last time out in the Chesham at Ascot." . Remember to gamble responsibly
San Francisco Chronicle
08-07-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Their last S.F. restaurant earned a Michelin star. Here's what they're opening next
A trio of lauded San Francisco restaurateurs has assembled to bring an elegant new tasting menu restaurant to Dogpatch. Opening this fall, Wolfsbane will occupy the former home of brunch destination Serpentine at 2495 Third St. It's the latest from Carrie and Rupert Blease, former owners of Russian Hill bistro Lord Stanley. Joining the couple is Tommy Halvorson, previously Serpentine's operator, and head of catering company the Fire Society. The group has a long-shared history as friends and in the kitchen. Carrie Blease has known Halvorson since she cooked at his popup Phoenix Supper Club, which launched in 2009. Similarly, Rupert Blaise previously worked at Halvorson's Foxtail Catering company. Wolfsbane marks a comeback of sorts for all involved. The Bleases closed Lord Stanley in May, after 10 years at 2065 Polk St. in San Francisco's Russian Hill. The restaurant became a destination for its modern bistro tasting menus and chef residencies, and once held a Michelin star. Serpentine was the last restaurant Halvorson operated before the pandemic. It opened in 2007, and Halvorson took over in 2017, before closing it in 2020. He now focuses on his catering operation, which includes food and beverage brands, that services over 300 events a year, he said. When Wolfsbane opens, it will be among the newest arrivals to Dogpatch, which has drawn several restaurants post pandemic. Most recently, Breadbelly, among the Chronicle's Top 100 restaurants, and Standard Deviant Brewing have opened inside the massive Pier 70 development. The trio will soon begin developing the first 10-course tasting menu, which will tap into late summer and early fall produce. Expect an always-changing lineup that begins with small bites which can include onion petals and sherry vinegar, a version of a popular Lord Stanley dish, or crispy cod skins with whipped brandade, followed by fresh local shellfish served on ice. Diners may see more new takes on old Lord Stanley favorites, such as buttermilk cabbage with sea urchin. They will also be bringing back their hit sourdough baking program for bites like a 'pain au jus,' toasted loaf slices with a flavorful sauce made with red wine. 'It was our favorite thing to eat after service at Lord Stanley, so we thought about adding it,' Carrie Blaise said. Rupert Blaise is most excited to serve a heritage hen baked inside of a sourdough loaf. Diners will be able to see how the bread is cut open table-side to reveal the cooked bird, which is then carved and served with truffle and consommé. Nailing the dish, a riff on historical recipes, was a labor intensive process informed by his experience studying cooking temperature for meats. 'It's a dish that has its place in history, but can be revisited in a more beautiful, modern kind of way,' Rupert Blease said. 'The hen is beautifully steamed so it is very moist and it gets a bit of a nutty flavor from the bread.' Other poultry dishes may include squab cooked in a wood-fire oven or on a grill. There are plans to offer a few of the tasting menu dishes a la carte from the bar, which has room for six seats. Natural wines from California and beyond will be a prominent feature on the beverage menu, along with seasonal non-alcoholic drinks. There will be about six cocktails, too, and Halvorson, a Kentucky native, will stock a variety of whiskies and bourbons. 'I went home a few times to bring back bottles you'll only find here,' Halvorson said. Seth Boor, the local architect who worked with the Blaises to bring Lord Stanley to life, designed the interiors for Wolfsbane. There is a private dining room which can host special appearances or menus in the spirit of Lord Stanley's Turntable, a series of rotating guest chef residencies. Plentiful light will allow diners to appreciate the space, the food — and, of course, the company for the night. 'It will be a lot more intimate than Lord Stanley ever was,' Rupert Blaise said.
Toronto Sun
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
Lily Allen ‘can't remember' how many abortions she's had: ‘I'D GET PREGNANT ALL THE TIME'
Lily Allen attends The Serpentine Gallery Summer Party 2025 at Serpentine on June 24, 2025 in London, England. Photo by Joe Maher / Getty Images Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Lily Allen has been pregnant so many times, she can't keep track of how many abortions she's had. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The Smile singer said as much on Tuesday's episode of her Miss Me? podcast where she and co-host Miquita Oliver had a wide-ranging discussion about contraception. Allen explained that she was on what she believed was her third or fourth IUD (intrauterine device) as a means of birth control, but before that she admitted it was 'a complete disaster area.' 'I'd get pregnant all the time, all the time,' the 40-year-old revealed, as she and Oliver laughed. 'Abortions, I've had a few, but then again, I can't remember exactly how many,' Allen sings, to which a surprised Oliver replied, 'Really?' The OnlyFans star pondered how many procedures before settling on, 'I wanna say five. Four or five?' while still sounding unsure. A relieved Oliver admitted that's had 'about five, too,' adding, 'I'm so happy I can say that and you can say it and no one came to shoot us down, no judgment.' She added: 'We've had about the same amount of abortions.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Allen shared one of her experiences, though she didn't reveal the identity of her sexual partner. 'I remember once getting pregnant and the man paying for my abortion, and me thinking it was so romantic,' she said with a laugh. However, that changed once the man never messaged her again. RECOMMENDED VIDEO The popstar's opinion, however, later changed after the man didn't messaged her again. 'Fair (to be honest), I was a f—ing crazy b—, still am,' Allen joked. Read More The Somewhere Only We Know songstress shares two children — Ethel, 12, and 11-year-old Marnie — with ex-husband Sam Cooper. They married in 2011 before calling it quits seven years later. Allen tied the knot with Thunderbolts star David Harbour in 2020. The two reportedly split in February. Editorial Cartoons Money News Sports Toronto Raptors Toronto & GTA
