Latest news with #summertime
Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Times
Grumpy Britain needs the Geldof treatment
America's summertime invasion is well under way. The commander-in-chief is leading from the front, touring his golf courses in Scotland. His vice-president is reportedly preparing to establish a beachhead in the Cotswolds. Protected by their entourages, the Britain they will encounter resembles the Hollywood fantasy of A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. But if they really want to understand their ally, the Britain they need to meet lives next door to the grumpy, miserable Victor Meldrew of One Foot in the Grave. That's not on anyone's schedule right now. The wedding of Eve Jobs, daughter of the late Apple boss, took place in the church of St Michael & All Angels, near Chipping Norton, on Saturday. A former vice-president, Kamala Harris, and a stream of liberal multimillionaires mingled with a Springsteen or two and at least one Kardashian. Even if we don't matter that much any more, we remain irresistibly cute to our transatlantic cousins. • Eve Jobs and Harry Charles marry in 'quaint corner' of the Cotswolds The Hollywood landscape of Merrie England, with its kings, queens, thatched cottages, rolling hills, baffling titles, jolly peasants and strolling troubadours (Elton John played the wedding party) is the stuff of countless movies. No wonder Americans are confused by the reality. As far back as 1942, US troops stationed in Britain were cautioned not to be misled by the British 'tendency to be soft-spoken and polite… the English language didn't spread across the oceans and over the mountains and jungles and swamps of the world because these people were panty-waists'. A generation of American friends whistled along to Bing Crosby, William Bendix and Cedric Hardwicke tramping along the lanes whistling Busy Doing Nothing in the film version of Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee… This, perhaps, is the Britain for which Mr Trump feels most affinity; a world of wise and virtuous monarchs, of chivalrous heroes and moustachioed villains, of valiant knights and, above all, of a deferential, complaisant people. His periodic visits to Turnberry and his other properties must feel in some way like a replay of the 1954 Gene Kelly movie Brigadoon, about a bewitched Scottish village so perfect that its inhabitants contrive to ensure it only appears to the rest of the world for one day every 100 years or so, lest its dreamy heaven be changed by cold reality. Sequestered in his own personal Brigadoon, the president is unlikely to come face to face with the true mood of our nation. Just as well. As the old saying goes, the peasants are revolting. And so are the apprentices. And the apothecaries. And the squires. Even the knights are uneasy. Britain is in a sour state: angry and disillusioned — less Camelot, more Meldrew's Tresillian Way. Living standards are declining, public service productivity plummeting, utilities unreliable and expensive. Our waterways are filthy. The public's faith in the health service is failing; and even though crime is falling, citizens say they feel no safer. A Sunday Times survey of the nation's mood published at the weekend makes unhappy reading for Sir Keir Starmer's ministers. The burning fuse of small boats in the Channel remains smouldering, with record numbers crossing this year. Six in ten of us think the French government simply isn't keeping its side of the very expensive bargain. Sixty-nine per cent share Trump's view that we, like the US, should forget about the deal and deploy our own troops to stem the tide. He sent the Marines and cut crossings by 90 per cent; both the Reform leader Nigel Farage and the Blue Labour guru Maurice Glasman want the Royal Navy to blockade the Channel. The protests against the siting of asylum hotels in Epping, Norwich and Diss have been disturbing, though not yet on the scale of those triggered by the atrocity in Southport a year ago this week. But the admission by a senior Labour MP that the Home Office and local authorities are competing for accommodation to house healthy, young, male asylum seekers and homeless single-parent families is a powder keg waiting to explode. The unrest comes against a deeper background of disillusion. The generation now leaving university is the first in perhaps 200 years who cannot expect to have a higher standard of living than their parents, even though their educational attainments are dramatically greater. The totemic British adult milestone, the purchase of your own home with a mortgage, has now become unattainable for many, even for the children of middle-class parents. In 2004, more than half of us owned our own homes by the age of 32. That age is now 36, and climbing. The decision last week to announce a pensions review signals that the actuaries have done their work and retirement age will increase for those at work. People in their twenties are now contemplating working well into their seventies. Or forever. Anger, of course, does not have to be a bad thing. It is often the catalyst for action. But that transformation demands leadership, vision and poetry. We've seen it happen before. A brilliant three-part documentary series produced by one of the great film-makers of our time, Norma Percy, recounts the way in which Bob Geldof's explosion of rage at the fate of children in Ethiopia galvanised a generation and created Band Aid and Live Aid. The old campaigner has once again entered the lists, this time on behalf of the starving children of Gaza. Interviewing him over the weekend, I was reminded that sometimes words can make a difference, especially when put together by a poet like Geldof. You do not have to take sides to be moved by his vivid evocation of 'the IDF… dangling food in front of starving, panicked, exhausted mothers' or 'children … taking a teaspoonful of salt and as much water as they can drink to fill their bellies'. It is hard to contest Geldof's dismissal of the demand by 200 MPs for recognition of a Palestinian state as virtue-signalling. I have little doubt that his sheer moral authority will have contributed to the Israeli decision to allow more aid into Gaza and to agree to 'tactical pauses' in the fighting. But Geldof's righteous anger is a rare thing in British politics. Instead we get the bluster of government which comes down to little more than noise-making in the hope that something will turn up; and the grandstanding opportunism of opposition manoeuvring to escape responsibility. And I cannot right now name the poet in our politics capable of summoning up the words to turn our nation's rage into a positive, uplifting vision. Nor, I suppose, can you.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
I tried viral shave butter, my legs have never been smoother – I'll never go back to foam
EVERY girl knows that shaving is one of the most tiresome beauty chores. When it comes to summertime you want to wear short skirts and vest tops. 2 And for many, getting the pins out means hacking away at the winter fuzz. I'm a dark-haired lass which means I don't have the luxury of just leaving it be. Usually I opt for waxing, as it lasts longer and gets a smoother result. However, it costs a fortune - and I find it really hard to fit in appointments around work. But the team at Superdrug recently urged me to try one of their new, viral products, Mallows Shave Butter. The beauty innovation is the brainchild of Laura Mallows, a Cardiff-born entrepreneur who has a background in working for skincare firms. Fed up with not having her ideas taken seriously, she started up her own firm and quickly gathered steam on social media with her bright, fun and super smelling line. Now, just six years after starting up, she's being stocked in Superdrug, and was recently in Glasgow as part of the store's Beauty Playground launch. And one of her top sellers is Shave Butter. It really does look and smell good enough to eat. I tried the 'I'm a Mallows Girl' option, packed with nourishing shea butter and grapeseed oil to help banish painful razor rash - something I often suffer from. Inside Superdrug's beauty playground in Glasgow store - even Gen Alpha will love it It's suggested you exfoliate the skin first, which I did, before wetting your legs and lathering up with the butter. It goes on like silk and the razor just glides over your legs. I was actually stunned by how close a shave I got and how smooth my legs felt afterwards. Usually my legs are spiky a couple of hours after shaving - but 24 hours on and they're still softer than a baby's backside. It's £14.95 for a tub but it really does go a long way - and is still a fraction of the price of a waxing appointment. A good deal all round!
Daily Mail
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Courtney Stodden marks one week of sobriety by posting pin-up bikini photos that flash her sunburn
Courtney Stodden has been sober for one week. The blonde bombshell said on Instagram that she is proud for how far she has come as she looks forward to 'week two.' 'Sober journey, healing, summertime, calm,' read the model's hashtags. The 30-year-old reality TV star also showed off her fresh red sunburn from a day by her swimming pool in Calabasas. 'This is your reminder to use SPF,' she added in her caption. The former child bride was modeling a skimpy light purple string bikini that left little to the imagination. This comes after she talked about how her much-older first husband Doug Hutchison - a 65-year-old actor whom she calls her former 'groomer' - got her started on drinking alcohol when she was very young. The Washington native said he would drink 'bottle and bottles of alcohol' a day and pushed her to drink too so he could 'control' her. But these days Stodden does not want to feel 'out of control,' so she is staying away from the booze even if the journey is challenging. The cover girl also noted that many of her friends are not happy that she has decided to be sober as they won't know what to do with 'healthy' Stodden, but she will stick with her plan no matter what and won't take up drinking again just to please her pals. 'If people don't get it, then maybe they shouldn't be around,' said Stodden who wore a beige bra with two Van Cleef & Arpels necklaces. The caption read: 'The painful truth.' Earlier this week the former teen bride told that she is 'very happy with the decision' as she works on her 'sobriety journey and overall health.' 'Giving up alcohol also helps with my mental health,' Courtney, who has recently signed on for a new Lifetime biopic, shared. 'I feel better without it.' The wife of movie producer Jared Safier then explained that she had reached for drinks when she felt stressed by fame. The former child bride was modeling a skimpy light purple string bikini that left little to the imagination 'Alcohol was my escape for years, but it turned into a trap,' shared Stodden to 'I used it to survive trauma, but it ended up making me feel more lost and ashamed. This breakup isn't just with a substance—it's with a version of myself I'm ready to leave behind. 'At some point, blacking out stopped being cute. I used alcohol to deal with pain, but all it did was make things messier—and make me louder in all the wrong ways. I'm finally cutting ties. Alcohol and I? Total toxic ex energy.' More Americans are abstaining from alcohol consumption. This trend is particularly noticeable among younger adults, who are increasingly embracing a 'sober curious' lifestyle, according to Time magazine. She has told that tying the knot with 65-year-old A Time To Kill actor Doug Hutchinson was a bad move and she won't pretend otherwise; seen with Doug in 2013 Stodden broke the news of her newfound sobriety on Instagram on Tuesday as she began, 'Alcohol, I'm breaking up with you. It's been a toxic relationship for years. 'Something I used to cope, to escape, to survive. But it's hurt me more than it's ever helped me—publicly and privately,' wrote the siren. 'Last night was the last time. I'm done letting it control me. I'm done feeling sick and ashamed. I want to be fully present in my life. I want to face my past, my trauma, and my current reality with clear eyes and real strength. To those who understand this battle—thank you.' Stodden also shared: 'Please respect my space as I walk this new path. It's not easy, but it's necessary.' The pinup model who resembled Marilyn Monroe also wrote: 'This is something I've gone back and forth about posting. But my life has always been so public and this is a big part of my healing.' Hugh Hefner's ex-girlfriend Crystal Hefner commented, 'I am so proud of you. I haven't drank since 2009 and it's the best thing. Life is so much brighter and happier without the poison bringing me down. You got this.' Stodden replied, 'Soul sis❤️.' Former talk show host Ricki Lake added, 'You got this.' This comes after Courtney shared her feelings on her tragic teenage bride story after her 14 year wedding anniversary. The beauty told that tying the knot with A Time To Kill actor Hutchison was a bad move and she won't pretend otherwise. She was just 16-years-old when she married Hutchison, who was 51 at the time, at a Las Vegas wedding chapel in 2011. 'It stays with me, the pain, I won't stay quiet,' she told adding Doug was 'emotionally abusive.' The model then said: 'My voice is my power and for every voice silenced, I'll shout louder. And I won't ask for permission to do what's right. Not anymore. I speak for that little girl within.'
New York Times
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Lemony Snicket's Anti-Summer Summer Reading List
It's summertime, and the living is queasy. People are sweatier, the weather is sweltering and everywhere one looks, from campfires to barbecues, the air is thick with the discomfiting patina of enforced fun. Those of us who wince at the sound of giddy laughter, who find frolicking wearisome and who desperately search picnic baskets for a cocktail know exactly what to do when June lurches into view: Hide indoors with a pile of books until the autumnal chill arrives. Here are some suggestions for this wretchedly cheerful time of year. The Bears' Famous Invasion of Sicily It is difficult for me to begin any list of books without my favorite book in the world. The best literature lives in a space of endless possibility, and this novel (in prose and verse) starts with a gallery of characters that includes a portrait of a werewolf who 'may not appear in our story … but one never knows.' If the magic wands, sea serpents and gambling dens fail to amuse you, perhaps you will find the king who allows his personal obsessions to overwhelm his civic responsibilities somehow relevant in this day and age. The moments I love most are when the author, Buzzati, takes issue with the illustrations, which are by Buzzati. (Ages 8 to 12) Leo: A Ghost Story 'This is Leo. Most people cannot see him.' The opening lines of this picture book — written by Barnett, our new national ambassador for young people's literature — give us a much-needed shiver on these unbearably hot days, and Robinson's cool-blue paintings keep the temperature just right inside, where a ghost tries his best to get along with new, living housemates. I'm not much for handing out literary prizes, but 'Leo' wins the silver medal in the Best Children's Book Containing Robbers category. (Ages 3 to 6) And the gold goes to … Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Yahoo
Burnt-Out Mom Leaves Family Vacation Early—and Sparks a Debate
Is this an unnecessary peace out, or protecting your peace? While parental stress season lasts year-round, it can really kick into high gear during the summertime. The irony is, it's often due to the very thing that's supposed to give us a recharge: family vacation. Even if you do plan the perfect trip six months in advance, the unpredictable is bound to happen—especially when young kids are in the picture. And it can cause a domino effect that sends everything spiraling. But what if you could it? Tap out. Call the game. Pull the plug. Whatever cliche you want to use to say you're leaving vacation early, you as a parent actually do have that power. One mom who was stressed out during a recent family trip with her in-laws shares how she remembered her "Eject Button" and pressed it hard. Abort Mission Kelly Hubbell, a 37-year-old mom of three (ages 6, 4, and 2), went on Instagram to explain how her family spends a few weeks at a lake house every summer with her husband's family. She writes that they love being there and spending time together, but it's "a lot to juggle." That's because they are traveling with young kids for over seven hours, including a flight, a car ride, and a ferry. But on this year's trip, Hubbell says that she was sick, which of course, depletes the energy and patience meters quickly. "Our youngest learned to crawl out of the pack + play. We were away from our usual routines. And after a 6-hour BBQ with three kids under six running in three different directions (in an extremely water safety hazard environment), I hit my limit," Hubble writes. So they left and went back home, five days early (which was on day 12 of their trip). In an interview with Today, Hubble says her husband "was disappointed and I know he felt guilty about it, but he understood.' Her in-laws? She says they're "taking it personally." Despite this, says she has no regrets about the decision, writing in the Instagram caption, "Despite what mom guilt propaganda might tell you, you ARE allowed to protect your peace." She adds that when one parent is running on empty (even during family vacation), everyone looses. "The only way your family thrives is when you do. When you are rested. When you are supported. When you have a system that actually works." Opinions Are Strong, but Mixed As for the responses in the comments, they are, of course, full of very strong opinions about this mom's decision. Granted, full context is lacking; and we don't hear any other perspectives about the trip. But it didn't stop commenters from giving their two cents. Many applaud Hubble for her agency: "12 days is about 10 days longer than I can stay with anyone. Family or Friend. You did good mom!" empathizes one responder. "On my way home now early from the same situation. Go us," writes another. "You totally did the exact right thing. Self-care then family care! If you're exhausted, then everyone else is missing out on your best you," comments someone else. But other commenters aren't so rosy about how it went down. "You're the problem," writes one commenter, bluntly. "You would never let your husband pull this stunt if it was your parents lake house," another assumes. A commenter who isn't so definitive responds in part with, "I'm on the fence. I get why you left. But from the end result I'm assuming there was no game plan between you and your husband before you left." Continue To Count the Cost As parents and as adults, we're constantly counting the cost of our actions—even when we don't necessarily have options to weigh. While it can be a really hard for some of us to put ourselves first (mentally, physically, and emotionally), the cost of not doing so will eventually catch up with us. This is especially true for those of us who feel obligated to please others. I can't say that's what this mom was feeling when on this trip, but she certainly didn't have enough in the emotional bank account to stay. So I can't blame her for wanting to leave. However, I do wonder if there could've been a more cost-effective way to handle this with her husband, either before they arrived or before they left. Not knowing exactly how the conversation went down or what other options were on the table, it's tough to draw too many conclusions like those in the comments. Twelve days is a long time, though. Was the length of stay discussed between mom and dad? Did other family members offer to ease some of the burden? Was mom accepting of help? These are answers we likely won't get. But having been in somewhat similar situations with my own family in the past, I can say there is often at least some compromises that can be made with good communication. Either way, it's absolutely true that self-care is important—for you and for your family. And getting there might require making a quick withdrawal. Read the original article on Parents Solve the daily Crossword
