It’s the sixth episode of series 9!
In the sixth episode of The Great British Sewing Bee series 9, seven contestants are challenged with making a children’s dragon dressing gown, personalising denim and sewing special occasion made-to-measure outfits to fit a child model. For episode six we have put our detective hats on to discover the sewing patterns from independent designers and commercial pattern houses used in Sewing Bee TV show. The patterns below are all matches or inspired by the designs used in the sixth episode of the Great British Sewing bee series 9. If you haven’t already seen our ultimate guide to the Sewing Bee do take a look.
The theme was ‘Kid’s Week’ and all seven contestants had to make three garments. The challenges included making a children’s dragon dressing gown with thick towelling fabric to create dragon spikes, google eyes and spiky teeth, personalising denim with appliqué and sewing special occasion made-to-measure outfits to fit a child model. Take a look at our sewing pattern suggestions below, we’ve tried to find the exact patterns used but where we haven’t been able to we have plenty of suggestions so that you can recreate these looks at home for your handmade wardrobe. Kate also talks through her favourite pattern options from the episode on YouTube in our special mid-week sewing bee vlog.
If you want to chat about the episode and the challenges then do join us each week in our Facebook group event.
The first challenge of the sixth episode was to make a children’s dragon dressing gown with thick towelling fabric. The pattern comprises of nine dragon spikes, google eyes, spiky teeth, a hood, belt loops and waist tie. Here is a dinosaur fancy dress pattern and children’s dressing gown pattern you could combined to try at home.
Simplicity S1765
Child’s dinosaur and dragon costumes in sizes 3 to 8 plus dog dinosaur costumes in three sizes S (13″), M(15″), L(17″).
Available in the shop: No, unfortunately not.
Toddlers’ and child’s sleep shirt, shorts or trousers, robe, and footed onesie.
Sizing: AA (1/2 -1- 2) BB (3-4-5-6). Available in the shop: Yes, paper pattern.
In the upcycling challenge contestants had to upcycle secondhand denim with appliqué. Here are some children’s jacket patterns that would be ideal to make in denim before appliquéing.
Style ARC Children’s Charlie Jacket
This panelled denim jacket has front in-seam pockets and a detachable hood or collar.
Sizing: 2 – 8 years. Please check the designer’s size chart.. Available in the shop: Yes, paper pattern.
Ready to Sew Child/Teen Prosper Bleu De Travail Jacket
Prosper has all of the attributes of a traditional work jacket (bleu de travail in French): unlined with a straight fit, four patch pockets, and topstitched seams for increased durability. By making Prosper, you are not only sewing for your children, but for your grandchildren and great-grandchildren because this work jacket can be passed on from generation to generation.
Sizing: Approx. 4 – 14 years (girls) or 4 – 12 years (boys). Please check the designer’s size chart. Available in the shop: Yes, PDF or PDF + printed copy shop.
Fibre Mood Child/Teen Legend Jacket
Twinning is winning! The Legend Jacket for kids is an adorable mini version of the Drew Jacket. You can brave the autumn weather together in trendy corduroy jackets! The Legend is a cropped jacket and features two chest pockets, a cool collar and practical snaps or jeans buttons. Line the collar with a cosy wool fabric, and it’s perfect for the winter too!
Sizing: 2 – 14 years. Please check the size chart and finished garment measurements. Available in the shop: Yes, PDF or PDF + printed copy shop.
In the last challenge of episode six, all the contestants had to sew a special occasion made-to-measure outfits to fit a child model. Here are our pattern picks for the contestants and where sewing patterns have been self drafted or hacked we have suggested an alternative.
Mia’s Christmas Party Dress
Features: Bias cut, buttons and large bow sash.
Pattern: Little Lizard King Bremen Dress.
Sizing: 12 months – 14 years. Available in the shop: No, unfortunately not.
Tony’s Neoprene Party Dress
Features: Large bow, rhinestones and pleats.
Pattern: Mingo and Grace Blake Girls.
Sizing: 12 months to 14 years. Available in the shop: No, unfortunately not.
Lizzie’s waistcoat and tiered skirt
Features: velvet waistcoat, welt pocket, rabbit print lining and taffeta tiered skirt.
Skirt Pattern: McCalls Skort M8316. Ruffled skorts have elastic waistband. View A is asymmetric with ruffle. View B is a double ruffle skirt. View C has lower ruffle. View D has tacked ribbon and longer pants that hit below mid knee.
Sizing: A (2-3-4-5-6) approx. UK sizes (children’s 2-6 yrs.) Available in the shop: Yes, paper pattern.
Top Pattern: Simplicity Waistcoat S1506. Husky boy’s and big and tall men’s vest pattern includes button down and zippered vest with pockets. Button down vest has adjustable back buckle. Also includes neck-tie and bow tie with back closure.
Sizing: A (S – L/1XL – 5XL). Please check the size chart and finished garment measurements. Available in the shop: Yes, paper pattern.
Vicki’s Princess Party Dress
Features: Gathers, pin tucks and shirring.
Pattern:.Simplicity S9454. Over-the-head dress has round bias neckline, dropped shoulder, puffed three-quarter sleeves and calf length tiered skirt. The tunic top has above elbow, soft pleated sleeves; both have single button back closure. Create a co-ordinated dress or top for adult or child with this Easy To Sew Simplicity Pattern.
Sizing: A (3-8 / XS-XL) which is approx. UK sizes A (3-8yrs / 4/6 – 20). based on our standardised size chart. Available in the shop: Yes, paper pattern.
Asmara’s Birthday Party Dress
Features: Silk lined bodice, criss-cross ribbon and hanky organza skirt.
Pattern: New Look N6278. Child’s full skirted dress with side zipper can be made with a contrast ruffle and trim variations. Make it a day dress with a bow or add feminine trims and a ruffle for a special occasion.
Sizing: A (3-4-5-6-7-8) which is approx. Ages 3 – 8 years. Available in the shop: Yes, paper pattern.
Lauren’s Sunday Best Dress
Features: Peter Pan collar, slubby linen and floral fabric.
Pattern: Little Lizard King Liberty Dress.
Sizing: 12 months to 14 years. Available in the shop: No, unfortunately not.
Fauve’s Floral Jumpsuit
Features: Turn ups, ruffle sleeves and cotton lawn.
Pattern: Simplicity S8850. Create the perfect wardrobe for your little one with this pattern for toddlers’ sizes 1/2 – 4. Pack includes faux wrap dress, jumpsuit with oversized bow detail, basket/bag, and stuffed toy.
Sizing: A (1/2-1-2-3-4). Please check the size chart and finished garment measurements. Available in the shop: Yes, .
The post Great British Sewing Bee 2023 – Sewing Patterns S9 Ep6 appeared first on The Fold Line.
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You can learn a lot about a woman by looking at her closet. Some closet spaces are tidy and arranged by color while others are in disarray with heaps of clothes that didn’t quite make it onto a hangar.
I think that the way we feel about our aging bodies has an impact on how we view the smallest room in the house. It might be small, and hidden but the emotions stored there are immense.
Once upon a time opening your closet was an exciting, self-esteem-building way to start your day. Now, approaching the same door in your comfy oversized robe is out of necessity and is not necessarily a joyful experience.
Facing our selection of clothes is a stark reminder of our age and the limited options that it brings. Long gone are the sleeveless frocks, skinny jeans, short skirts, and high heels. We stopped wearing anything sleeveless due to the combination of underarm wobble and skin as dry as the Sahara.
We can’t get the low-waist skinny jeans over the belly that has replaced our boobs. And the thought of exposing our road-mapped bare legs to the world is out of the question. Whatever happened to pantyhose? What a fabulous invention… cellulite remover, instant tan, and firmness sheath all in one.
Women of all ages have weight problems and poor body image. Some women fluctuate in weight so much that they have three different sizes of clothes at their disposal.
A great motivator/guilt enhancer is to have the smallest-sized group up front and center. Seeing your tiny-sized wardrobe from 1997 first thing can keep the dream alive that you will lose weight and fit in them again. Although it’s been 24 years, you WILL squeeze back into your ideal size and wardrobe.
Another sign of our age is that the once sexy shoe collection has been replaced by a lovely assortment of orthopedic shoes and “going out to lunch” flats. You know you’re in trouble when your arches hurt in a pair of one-inch block heals.
We tell ourselves it’s okay since we no longer wear dresses and shorts so who needs leg-elongating shoes? Even younger women are wearing flats; the only difference is their ankles are still cute. We don’t ask for much, just shoes that are ankle minimizing, bunion covering and have steel support arches that can still pass for fashionable.
Let’s not forget accessories. Have you noticed that older women take to wearing huge, bold jewelry? Regardless of the reason, the emphasis of the outfit has become the accessories. I think there are a couple of reasons for this. Unlike clothes, accessories are guaranteed to fit, and hopefully, they will draw attention away from the shapeless outfit with matching sensible shoes.
As the options of what actually looks good on us dissipate, we are left with some extreme choices. We can resort to high, elastic waist pants featuring wide legs that, above all, hide any lumps, or as the British say, “wobbly bits.”
And there are plenty of long-sleeved, high-necked tunics from the same “mature woman” department at your local mall. For resort and casual wear, a good old-fashioned moo moo or what they now refer to as a caftan will suffice.
I do have images of myself in a gorgeous, exotic print caftan looking both chic and effortless. The key to this look is that the fabric is nowhere near my body. Which eliminates the need for body smoothing, hip reducing, and anti-gravity lifting undergarment restraints.
For many of us, it is time to face the reality of our age and our closet. I have put off doing this for far too long. It’s time to spend the better part of a weekend cleaning it out and in the process mourn the past.
Theoretically, purging clothes that no longer fit or are NOT age-appropriate should be an empowering experience. This is just another right of passage in an attempt to accept my age. I know I need to toss out the sleeveless section, donate the skinny jeans and have a ceremonial backyard burn for the short skirts that once turned heads.
I would like to tell you that I feel better but to be honest, this process has been bittersweet. If I had gotten rid of half of my wardrobe 15 years ago, I would be excited at the prospect of going shopping and replacing them.
But instead, the thought of trying on clothes that don’t fit, are yet another size bigger and frankly make me look old… I think I can live with what I’ve got.
Have you faced your closet? Did you have trouble letting go of clothes and memories? Have you accepted what no longer looks good on you? Are you happy with how you look? Let’s have an honest discussion in the comments.
]]>But before you try to squeeze in a pricey beach week or an upstate wellness retreat, consider this: You can turn your bathroom into a swoon-worthy summer spa with minimal effort (and maximal Zen). According to Heather Taylor, design expert and founder of Heather Taylor Home, the at-home spa of your dreams is just a few simple essentials away.
Her three-step formula for achieving this state of oasis? First, declutter your space as much as you can. “Keeping clutter to a minimum is the first step to creating a spa-like bathroom environment,” she says. “I’m constantly sorting through my products and trying to recycle empty bottles to keep [a minimalist space].” Next, focus on the ambiance. “Lighting is really important [when it comes to] creating a relaxing vibe. I have dimmers, [but] I also keep some of my favorite candles on hand.”
Last but definitely not least, Taylor relies on soft, breathable cotton (from her beloved robe and a plush rug to a collection of the coziest bath towels) to give her space the ultimate soothe factor. She sticks to the natural fabric whenever she can because it’s high-quality, durable, and absorbent. Not to mention, its sustainable benefits are a very welcome bonus: Because the fiber is plant-based, it doesn’t contribute to microplastic pollution in waterways when you wash it.
Carve out just a few minutes to put Taylor’s three-step guide into practice. Aim for minimalism, strike a match or two, and then snag one of these cotton mats or a couple bath towels to turn your bathroom into a summertime sanctuary.
If you’re following Taylor’s recommendation to keep things minimalist in the bathroom, start by refreshing—and neutralizing—your towel collection. Stick to subtle tones (can you name a more soothing shade than sage?) in fluffy, super-absorbent cotton, and lean into the vibe by pouring yourself a glass of icy cucumber water as you dry off.
If summertime has you dreaming of farmers’ market peaches and bouquets of peonies, opt for this blush-toned, mid-weight set. Wrap up in a large bath towel and set your timer for 10 minutes—plenty long enough to dip your feet into a salt soak and slather on a simple DIY facial. Complete the routine with a few deep breaths and a eucalyptus-spritzed cotton washcloth for your face.
To keep things cozy in the bathroom—and avoid any bathtub drips—roll out a plush and absorbent bath rug, made with moisture-wicking cotton. From cozy white to moody sea, choose a color palette that makes you (and your toes) feel the most at ease.
Whether you’re all about a late-night spa moment or more into early-morning self care, you can stay cool on the hottest days of the season in a wrap-up, snap-in towel. With a secure elastic back and a roomy pocket to hold your phone, your gua sha stones, or both, you might be tempted to enjoy a never-getting-dressed summer day at home.
Picture this: You’re spending a summer weekend at an indoor-outdoor spa, complete with a warm breeze and all the Mediterranean blues. Now recreate it under your own roof with lightweight, cotton towels that are perfect for any post-shower lounging or simple salt-sprayed hair routine.
Keep the Mediterranean mode going with a textured, tasseled rug that gives your bathroom an equal dose of function and comfort. If ever this woven mat gets dirty (it is barefoot season, after all), no stress—it’s machine-washable and easily releases stains because it’s made with 100-percent cotton.
Nothing says summer quite like boho print and pops of pastels. This colorful towel set is a welcome complement to a monochrome and minimalist bathroom aesthetic—and it might just bring on the kind of endorphins you feel from a deep-tissue massage and a pair of spa slippers.
This lightweight, quick-dry mat was designed with the sun-baked Arizona desert (as in, the promised land of summer spas) in mind. The modern shapes are meant to inspire humans to coexist with nature in a low-impact and sustainable way. Feel it under your feet and breathe deeply knowing that, just by choosing cotton, you’re headed in that direction.
Earlier this week, archaeologists unveiled the facial reconstruction of the remains of a 7th-century CE Anglo-Saxon teenage girl found in a rare "bed burial" back in 2012. It's part of a new exhibit at the University of Cambridge's Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology called "Beneath Our Feet: Archaeology of the Cambridge Region." In addition to the reconstruction, scientists also analyzed the young woman's bones and teeth to learn more about her diet and geographical region of origin.
The girl is believed to have been about 16 years old when she died. The grave was discovered at a site near a village called Trumpington just outside Cambridge. It is one of only 18 so-called "bed burials"—a rare Anglo-Saxon practice, usually reserved for high-status women, in which the deceased was buried on an ornamental bed—discovered thus far in the United Kingdom. Nearby were three other graves holding two younger women and an older person. This particular bed had a wooden frame held together by metal brackets and looped metal to fix the cross-slats, most likely topped with a straw mattress.
Among the grave goods buried with the girl were an iron knife, a chatelaine (decorative belt), glass beads, gold and garnet pins, and most significantly, an ornate gold pectoral cross inlaid with garnets, now known as the Trumpington Cross. Archaeologists believe it may have been sewn onto the robe she was wearing when she died. Such crosses are very rare, and its presence indicated the young woman was likely a member of Anglo-Saxon nobility, particularly when combined with the evidence of the bed burial. The cross indicates she was a Christian, but the grave goods are a pagan practice, so archaeologists view the find as representative of a pivotal period in British history when Christianity had just begun to spread through the land.
]]>Mama, does your heart ache for an adult child who has wandered off and chosen not to follow the Lord?
I am offering words of hope today, not as an empathetic mom, but from one who was the source of such grief for many years. How I deeply regret the choices that caused my parents to fear, to hurt and to worry.
Here are four things that helped me (even when I didn’t want them to) in those lost years.
I remembered –The verses, truths and standards I was taught stayed with me. I remembered them when they were least convenient. He would not leave me.
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6
I knew – No matter the decision I made, I always knew the difference between right and wrong. The wrong choices wove a cloak of shame and guilt around my shoulders. It was such a heavy burden to bear.
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life - is not from the Father but is from the world.” 1 John 2:15,16
I heard – My parents spoke hard truths even when I shut them down. But I still heard. Our children can become an idol when they are elevated to the place that only belongs to the Lord. Looking back, it was vitally important that I knew they loved me, but would not compromise their faith for me. They lived out the greatest commandment by fearing and loving God more. And as a parent now, I can truly appreciate how difficult that must have been for them.
“The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.“ Luke 15:12,13
I have carefully considered these two verses lately. The father could have said no. He probably knew, or at the very least suspected, what his son was planning to do. Why did he say yes? Was the fail necessary for the save? Are we trusting in our own abilities to make a way for our children instead of His?
The Still, Small Voice – Our Father loves our prodigals. He calls His own and they hear Him. One day, He gently called this little wanderer out of the pigpen, “I created you for more”. Isn’t there such beauty in the simplicity of that moment where He began to change my heart?
Precious mama, He’s waiting for them too. Never stop praying, never stop trusting His timing. Never lose hope and never give up on them. Always be prepared for the celebration feast, with arms wide open! I pray that those arms are filled by your returning prodigals - and soon!
In 2012, after more than fifteen wayward years, this prodigal surrendered her life to Jesus. In November of 2019, I was baptized. Recently, these verses made sense in a way they never had before.
“Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. Luke 7:41-43
Jesus removed the cloak of shame from around my neck and replaced it with a robe of righteousness. Forgiveness set me free and what remains is love, awe and gratitude for all He has done for me.
For those who need to hear it, He has not forgotten you, nor has He lost sight of your lost one.
Let’s pray.
Heavenly Father, we know that you love our prodigals even more than we do. Help us to be patient while you do the work in them. Help us to remain faithful. Help us to know how to best love them where they are at. We thank you for your mercy and grace. How deep your love for us. Draw them nearer to you, Father, and please bring them home. We know that only you can do this so we ask it in the precious name of your Son, Jesus, Amen.
Blessings, Heidi
]]>Better yet for my sweet, sweet Splenda, whose name is a play on the fact that both her human dads are Type 1 diabetics, she’s often tasked with testing out new hotel offerings for our four-legged friends — and that’s exactly what happened earlier this year when The Plaza, New York City’s most iconic hotel, invited her to experience the “Pampered Pup Package” on an overnight stay.
Luckily for me and my fiance, we were invited as Splenda’s plus-ones (mainly because we wanted this stay to be more “Eloise at the Plaza” than “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York”).
Though the Plaza has played a significant role in the history of New York since it first opened in 1907 at a dreamy location on Fifth Avenue at the corner of Central Park, the Pampered Pup Package didn’t roll out until National Dog Day in August of last year. The package, which costs $195 as an add-on for guests traveling with pets, is designed to make your pooch feel like royalty.
The package includes a special dog bed waiting in the room, Plaza-embellished food and water bowls alongside a bottle of Evian and even a Plaza dog robe to match the human-size ones hanging in the room. Even better, if you request the package more than 30 days before arrival, you can have the dog robe, which has the Plaza crest on the back, custom fitted for your furry friend.
But the real highlight — and Splenda’s favorite part, by far — is the tiered tray of dog-friendly macarons (made from oat flour, honey, coconut oil and all-natural yogurt filings) waiting to be devoured.
We live in Brooklyn, so it’s always a treat to head uptown, especially for a staycation that gets us out of our small apartment. Splenda, the diva she is, packed her overnight bag with various outfits to look the part of a sophisticated socialite determined to channel her inner Blair Waldorf.
Unfortunately for us, though, it was absolutely pouring out. Despite our Upper East Side state of mind, our Brooklyn budget meant we opted (read: were forced) to take the subway, so after schlepping through the deluge, we arrived, unglamorously, at The Plaza soaking wet — the corgi most of all.
But walking up the literal red carpet through the gold-clad revolving doors and past one of the most immaculate floral arrangements north of 14th Street, Splenda immediately knew she was a star, no matter how wet.
“Welcome, Ms. Splenda,” a doorman announced, the attention immediately going to her fluffy head a mere 6 inches off the marbled lobby floor.
After checking in, we went up to our absolutely palatial Junior King Suite where, the staff had informed us, a special Plaza dog towel was waiting, along with her robe, to help clean up after the storm. From that moment, after getting acquainted with our room (which featured two ornate armchairs, a couch, a beautiful writing desk, a TV with streaming capabilities, a king-size bed, a walk-in closet and a spa-like bathroom), we leaned into our temporary dignified life.
To start, Splenda got a bath, a blowout and time in her robe. She’s a spa girlie — so is her dad — so the luxe bathroom with its deep soaking tub was a dream, even though Splenda got more of a power wash than a soak.
After spa hour, Splenda hit the walk-in closet where, magically, she found her numerous outfit options for her evening walk down Fifth Avenue hanging up (thanks, other dad!).
Landing on a powder blue, nautical-inspired dress with white stripes, Splenda decided the look was perfect for the walk down one of the world’s most famous shopping streets, but not before trying out the furniture and taste-testing her macarons. Safe to say, it all met her very high standards.
In the lobby, Splenda and her infectious puppy smile stopped people in their tracks — even more so when kind staff members greeted her by name, making guests sipping cocktails at The Champagne Bar think we were much more important than we’ll ever be. But that’s the great thing about Splenda; she brings so much joy to the people she encounters and makes everyone feel like a VIP. The service at The Plaza is a reflection of Splenda herself — and she felt like the most important person dog in the entire world.
After our walk past Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Bergdorf Goodman and the picturesque Gothic Revival-style St. Patrick’s Cathedral, we were all tuckered out, so we slipped into our bathrobes, streamed our family-favorite reality show (“The Real Housewives of Miami”) and ordered lobster rolls from room service for the humans to enjoy while Splenda snacked on her macarons and ate her dinner, which we had brought from home (albeit in a much fancier dog bowl).
Splenda made herself comfortable in her Plaza dog bed — and it was lights out in the City that Never Sleeps.
The next morning, famished from an incredible night’s sleep (what a hard life!), it was time for breakfast, so in true Tinsley Mortimer fashion, we ordered room service. The Plaza Continental was classic, with an assortment of pastries, bread, juice and coffee — plus a side of bacon to share. Splenda, the refined canine she is, joined us in her robe — and maybe even stole a piece of bacon (we’ll never tell!).
To wrap up our stay, we used the morning to take advantage of some of the pet-friendly places near The Plaza: Central Park and Chanel. Just across the street, Central Park is a wonderland for dogs of all sizes. It’s a place where Splenda loves to go for walks, look at the turtles at The Pond on the southwest corner right by the hotel, run away panicked by passing rollerbladers and climb up on all the rocks. For dogs that need some time sans leash, the Central Park Conservancy has a full guide with times and locations for running around.
Next, we made our way back down Fifth Avenue for a cheeky stop at NYC’s flagship Chanel store, which is not only pet-friendly but is where Splenda tends to be a star. Let’s just say that Splenda didn’t quite leave with a Boy Bag, but she did pick up a bottle of Le Vernis to remember the experience.
It was hard to say goodbye to The Plaza, partly because we had to defeat Splenda’s big head and remind her that regular life awaited us back in Brooklyn, but also because the actual process of leaving meant saying goodbye to all her new friends, including waiters at the bar, the receptionist, guests we’d met along the way and some tourists in the lobby.
Pet-friendly accommodations are on the rise, and hotels around the world are catering to people who travel with their pups, but few do it as luxuriously as The Plaza. While $195 for this package is certainly not cheap, I’ve paid $100 to bring Splenda with me in much less substantial hotels where the perks were nonexistent.
All-in-all, we had the most magical time at this iconic hotel in the Big Apple. If you want your best friend to be treated like the upper crust of NYC’s complex social fabric, take them to The Plaza to enjoy the finer things in life.
]]>Warner Brothers Studio Tokyo Making of Harry Potter lets you visit everything from the Great Hall of Hogwarts to the closet Harry lived in at the Dursley’s.
June 16 was the grand opening of the brand-new Warner Brothers Studio Tokyo Making of Harry Potter. Located in Tokyo’s Nerima Ward on part of the former grounds of the now-closed Toshimaen amusement park, the facility is a museum featuring walk-through recreations of famous sets from the film franchise, prop displays, and multiple photo spots.
Standing in front of the doors to the Great Hall of Hogwarts creates an atmosphere similar to what young wizards must have felt on their first day at the school. Once the doors open, guests make their way inside, where the instantly recognizable stone-floor, high-ceiling room serves as home for mannequin versions of Dumbledore, Professor Snape, and other members of the Hogwarts faculty, as well as different versions of the students’ uniforms.
The great hall isn’t the only part of Hogwarts that’s receiving visitors, as you can also stop by the Gryffindor Dormitory.
In addition to the fireplace-adjacent common area where Harry, Ron, and Hermione would chat, scheme, and occasionally receive words of warning from heads of relatives made out of embers, you can also stroll around the boys’ sleeping area. The set designers put a lot of thought into making the space really feel lived-in, with Ron’s bed looking characteristically unkept and surrounded with merch from the Chudley Cannons, his favorite quidditch team.
Over at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, you can see both the outside and inside of the trains that take students and teacher to and from Hogwarts.
▼ Even Professor Lupin is here, with a bar of chocolate dropped on the seat next to him.
▼ Though the mannequins have the power to do so, we don’t recommend trying to run through the walls yourself.
The Ministry of Magic has an atmosphere both intimidating and impressive, with its dark tilework.
This is also where you can find one of the coolest photo spots in the Warner Brothers Studio Tokyo Making of Harry Potter, where your snapshot is enhanced with a Floo Powder-effect.
Heading to more Muggle-oriented environments, you can barge into the Dursleys’ house.
Actually walking around a physical space, as opposed to seeing it on a flat movie screen, really drives home just how cramped the under-the-stairs storage closet that Harry slept in was.
The house isn’t completely devoid of magical elements, though.
In the living room you can see the aftermath of Harry’s disagreement with his Aunt Marjorie.
Parked outside of the Dursley home are some other modes of transportation from the series…
…and other open-air attractions include the Hogwarts Bridge and stone chessboard.
Tickets for the Warner Brothers Studio Tokyo Making of Harry Potter start at 3,800 yen (US$28) for children ages 4-11, with admission for those 12-17 5,200 yen and adults 6,300 yen. You’ll probably want to make a little extra room in your budget for things like a butterbeer (served in a souvenir glass you can take home)…
…or a personalized wand or robe.
One last thing to keep in mind if you’re planning to visit is that tickets must be reserved in advance, and can be purchased online through the official Warner Brothers Studio Tokyo Making of Harry Potter website here.
Related: Warner Brothers Studio Tokyo Making of Harry Potter website
Photos © SoraNews24
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MIAMI — The NBA and the Miami Heat are investigating an allegation that former UFC champion Conor McGregor sexually assaulted a woman inside an arena bathroom after Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
The woman’s attorney, Ariel Mitchell, said her client has provided Miami police with the clothing she was wearing that night and that a report was filed.
McGregor’s attorney said the fighter denied any wrongdoing. “Mr. McGregor will not be intimidated,” said the attorney, Barbara Llanes.
In letters sent to the NBA, the Heat and McGregor’s representatives, Mitchell detailed her client’s allegations and said the client would discuss “reasonable settlement offers” before June 12 or else proceed with litigation.
“We are aware of the allegations and are conducting a full investigation,” read a statement from the Heat. “Pending the outcome of the investigation, we will withhold further comment.”
The NBA had a similar statement, saying it was working with the Heat to gather information.
The alleged incident happened on the same night McGregor knocked out the Heat mascot in a midgame bit that went wrong.
Burnie — more specifically, the man who occupies Burnie’s costume — briefly sought medical attention Friday night after taking two punches from McGregor during a third-quarter stoppage of Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the Heat and the Denver Nuggets.
The employee, who was not identified, received pain medication and was recovering, the team said.
McGregor was there as a promotional gimmick for a pain-relief spray — and was booed by many in the Miami crowd even before the bit started. The flame mascot was wearing oversized boxing gloves and a robe akin to what a fighter would wear entering the ring for a bout. McGregor hit Burnie with a left hook, knocking him down, then punched the mascot again after he hit the floor.
McGregor then tried to “spray” the mascot with the pain-relief product, while several members of the Heat’s in-game promotional team dragged Burnie off the court.
McGregor hasn’t fought since injuring his left leg in a loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. His last win came in January 2020.
]]>Scheduling an exercise date with a friend adds fun and accountability to your fitness plan. Three ways I put this tip into action in my own life:
In my life, if it’s not on my calendar, it’s not happening. In fact, I’m spinning so many plates between my coaching clients, workshops, retreat, family time, home upkeep, etc… There’s no way I’d make a coffee date with a friend and not write it on my calendar pronto! Can you relate? So why would you decide to work out and not write it on your calendar?
Sometimes I work out in honor of someone in my life who cannot enjoy the activity I’m about to do with me. For example, when I play tennis, I might think to myself, “This one’s for Mom.” Back when I was a kid, my mom loved playing tennis but hasn’t been able to for a year between shoulder pain and now her worsening dementia. So I play for her.
What is your why when it comes to working out? What was your original fitness motivation? Knowing your why is so much more motivating and meaningful that just thinking that you “have to,” “need to,” or “should” for some nebulous, unnamed reason.
Sometimes if I don’t feel like getting out for my walk or run, I’ll go ahead and put on my leggings, sports bra, top, jacket, and running shoes. It certainly works better than hanging out in my pjs, robe, and slippers waiting for motivation to strike! It’s a little Pavlovian. My brain thinks, Hey! We’re wearing workout clothes. Shouldn’t we at least take the dog for a walk or something?
Creating a fitness plan and working to be the healthiest, happiest version of yourself that you can be is fantastic! That being said, remember to not push yourself past the point of healthy. Listen to your body.
Your mind can be your best friend or your worst enemy when it comes to exercise. For example, by simply telling 44 hotel maids that the work they did each day involved some serious exercise, the Harvard psychologists Ellen Langer and Alia J. Crum were apparently able to lower the women’s blood pressure, shave pounds off their bodies, and improve their body-fat ratios. Each time I take the stairs in my home, I think to myself, “This counts as exercise!”
Giving yourself small, healthy rewards for your workout efforts makes for a fun way to keep up your motivation. For example, you might celebrate making it to yoga class with a nice bubble bath or picking up a healthy pre-made dinner rather than cooking that night. To celebrate a larger goal, you might treat yourself to a deluxe pedicure, massage, or a new piece of workout wear.
While I’m generally not a fan of multitasking, when doubling up on fitness time, I’m all in! Look for ways to weave simple exercises into your day while accomplishing other tasks.
Do you ever feel stuck or resistant when it comes to some part of your workout routine? One of my magic action questions I have my coaching clients ask themselves when they feel stuck or resistant is, “How can I make this easier or more doable?”
Recently my client, Jen, who had resistance to using her treadmill, decided she’d try hopping on first thing in the morning while barefoot and still wearing her pajamas for just ten minutes. It worked! Sometimes eliminating even the smallest of barriers, in this case, putting on workout clothes and walking shoes, is all you need to help you get started!
One of the top five predictors of whether or not someone will stick with their fitness routine is accountability. Here are a few ideas to help you get started:
How do you talk about your fitness routines? Do you routinely say things such as, I need to exercise more, I have to get to the gym this week, or I should be better about working out? Using the phrases ‘need to,’ ‘have to,’ and ‘should’ can unintentionally add pressure, shame, and resistance to your workout plan. They can even start to make experiences you’d normally look forward to feel like a chore. Practice intentionally and use phrases like I get to, I choose to, and I am.
Do you remember L’oreal’s slogan, “…because I’m worth it,” from the 1970s? It’s a great example of an empowering mantra. It did a great job of empowering women to spend money on their hair color needs with a brand that was seen as the most expensive of do-it-yourself at the time. Creating your own workout mantra can empower you to stick with your exercise goals. If you need help choosing a fitness motivation mantra, try one of these:
Read Next:
How To Get Fit When You Hate Diet and Exercise
5 Exercises To Get A Smaller Waist
Targeting Back Fat with Exercise
The post 13 Simple Tips to Make Fitness a Priority appeared first on Prime Women | An Online Magazine.
]]>From bespoke shooting wear and accessories to wine, art and more, The Field’s birthday giveaway has something for everyone with 27 prizes on offer worth over £5,000.
Scroll down to the bottom to find out how to enter.
Bakerboy tweed cap
RRP: £85
A traditional eight-piece bakerboy cap made in Yorkshire from Acre & Holt’s own range of Scottish tweeds. Designed for both men and women, it is lined with a fetching Dutch wax cotton print and is ideal for outdoor country living.
Fernley ladies’ cape
RRP: £165
Being both stylish and waterproof, this contemporary cape is the perfect lightweight throw-on. Adjustable side studs give it a flattering shape, and it has a handy hood and waterproof zip. Ideal for all your country pursuits, it can be popped in a tote bag for when rain strikes.
Moresby boot
RRP: £165
A versatile and waterproof men’s boot with a full-grain leather and suede upper, and recycled rubber sole. Comfort is at the heart of the design, which features a lightweight EVA shock-absorbing sole and removable cushioning insole.
Bespoke tweed plus-fours and cap
RRP: £500
The master tailor and holder of two Royal Warrants is offering made-to-measure plus-fours and a cap in a tweed of your choice.
Gift voucher
Worth £200
Cordings has been kitting out rock stars and royalty for nearly 200 years. Here is your chance to win a £200 gift voucher to spend on understated British field clothing or classic country style. Spend your voucher either in Cordings’ iconic store in Piccadilly or online.
Helmsley Tweed cartridge bag
RRP: £195
This cartridge bag can hold up to 100 cartridges and has a hinged speed-load design allowing easy access. Features a cotton webbing shoulder sling for comfort.
Waterproof rucksack
RRP: £89
A multifunctional rucksack made from durable, waterproof, recyclable TPU. It can be worn rolled for extra water protection or unrolled for more storage. Spacious enough to accommodate your outdoor essentials and heavyduty enough to haul around the countryside.
One-hour shooting lesson
RRP: £180
An all-inclusive one-hour shooting lesson at either High Wycombe or the Swinton estate in North Yorkshire. This is a perfect opportunity to hone your skills, whatever your experience and ability level. The lesson includes everything you may need, from gun hire, cartridges and clays to safety equipment.
Linen Rudham Nehru vest
RRP: £355
Marked, cut and hand-sewn in Britain using 240g/m linen, providing just enough fabric weight to feel substantial but light enough for summer weather. Features include an internal zipped chest pocket, rear vents, real horn buttons, tonal military twill lining and large lower patch pockets lined in cotton.
Luggage tags
RRP: £45
Identifying your suitcase on the airport carousel is made simple with these stylish and functional luggage tags. They fix to your bag with a strap and buckle fastening and can be made to match your cartridge bag straps if desired.
LotusGrill barbecue
RRP: £165
The LotusGrill is an ingenious barbecue that heats up in just four minutes, giving you that authentic charcoal-cooked flavour in a fraction of the usual time. Safe and convenient to transport, the LotusGrill weighs 4kg and is available in a selection of colours.
Gunfitting
RRP: £200
Holland & Holland gunfittings have been honed over generations, providing the ultimate service today. A good gunfit is essential for sportsmen and women looking to make the most of their gun and their time in the field.
Hand-rolled silk scarf
RRP: £149
A hand-rolled scarf made in England from the finest pure silk with a flowing, lightweight feel that ensures it can be knotted and styled with ease. Made by skilled craftsmen and women, it is brightly decorated with Holland Cooper signature artwork.
Sumac hat
RRP: £249
Lacorine offers elegant, high-quality alpaca clothing and accessories handcrafted by artisans in Peru. To mark The Field’s 170th birthday the company is giving away a magnificent Sumac hat in chestnut brown, size medium.
Pair of VIP tickets to LAPADA Fair
RRP: £200
The LAPADA Fair in Berkeley Square is London’s premiere event for art, antiques and design. More than 100 leading dealers and galleries will present works of art spanning continents, cultures and centuries. This year the LAPADA Fair runs from 27 September to 1 October.
Coniston watch
RRP: £299
This classic watch is an exercise in streamlined simplicity. It weighs just 55g (excluding the strap) and is water resistant up to 100 metres. It also features polished, lume-filled skeleton hands and an exhibition caseback with perimeter engraving.
Fieldsports canvas pouch
RRP: £45
The belt-mounted double-pocket Fieldsports pouch is a new addition to Melvill & Moon’s range of canvas products. A useful piece of kit in which to keep your dog training items or to hold some cartridges with easy top access. A great alternative to the traditional shoulder cartridge bag.
Magnum bottle of rosé
RRP: £84
A delicious magnum bottle of Elégance Rosé du Clos Cantenac, Bordeaux, Magnum 2021. Described by Private Cellar as “the finest Merlotbased rosé on the planet”.
Dog coat
RRP: from £52
This super-absorbent, quick-drying coat is a must-have for all working dogs and those that are active outdoors. Trimmed in corduroy and made from the highest-quality cotton, the coat wicks away moisture efficiently, leaving your dog dry and comfortable in minutes. Sizes XXXS to GSD (special sizes also available).
PRO-G40 solid-state drive
RRP: £298
The PRO-G40 solid-state drive is the ultimate device for outdoor photographers. It offers up to two terabytes of storage for long days spent on location when users need added portable storage to capture and keep footage from throughout the day.
Cartridge-shaped bottle of sloe gin
RRP: £85
Shots & Company’s shotgun cartridge-shaped bottle is the ultimate shooting gift. From firing cap to crimping, the heavyweight 70cl bottle is a luxury replica of a shotgun cartridge. Shots & Company’s sloe gin offers an elegant taste of autumn, with a double-barrelled hit of crisp, dry sloes.
Charcoal and bronze pigment drawing
RRP: £110
A fantastic original drawing by artist Skye Holland has been faithfully reproduced in this signed, limited-edition Giclée print. Holland is a contemporary fine artist based in Wiltshire. Inspired by her environment and her passion for animals, particularly horses, Holland communicates her inspirations and ideas through a mixture of drawings, paintings and prints, using mixed media – often on paper but also on canvas and wood.
Shooting stockings and garters
RRP: £299
Royal Warrant holder Wendy Keith hand-knits all her bespoke shooting stockings. This pair is made from 100% baby alpaca yarn – in forest green with contrasting houndstooth detailing in antique gold – sustainably sourced from Peru.
Gun cleaning mat
RRP: £295
This gun cleaning mat gives a level of water repellence for use inside or out. It provides a full-length bed of fleece on which to lay your gun or rifle during the cleaning process. The mat rolls up after use for easy storage.
Case of wine
RRP: £180
Blended and bottled more than two years ago, this English sparkling wine is a brand-new release for Whitehall. Offering delicate notes of summer berries, this delicate and dry rosé is the perfect summer wine.
Gun-care bundle
RRP: £27
This new gun-care range includes a choke and barrel cleaner that has received outstanding customer reviews. The bundle also includes quality gun oil to complete a great giveaway.
Terra ED 8×25 pocket binoculars
RRP: £325
Robust and reliable, these binoculars boast a sleek design that makes them not only light but also comfortably compact. High optical precision guarantees brilliant images and is protected by a waterproof casing and reinforced with glass fibres.
VISIT: SURVEYMONKEY.CO.UK/R/QF589LT
Simply tick the boxes next to the prizes you would like to win. Choose your favourite or pick them all. The giveaway opens on 15 June and closes on 12 July. UK residents only. Winners will be picked at random.
For full terms and conditions, visit: surveymonkey.co.uk/r/QF589LT
]]>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.
The thrill of landing the perfect arched storage cabinet, slipcovered sofa, hand-thrown planter, or rippled glassware set on sale is second to none. But the hunt takes hustle. As our editors already spend hours combing the Internet for scores like this, we decided to compile the worthiest for your carts. The criteria? Sales on Domino readers’ most-loved brands and markdowns on quality products with rave reviews. Below, discover our chosen best deals of the week. (And check back in seven days for a fresh or updated batch.)
Deep discounts are once again popping off over at Wayfair as the giant home e-tailer hosts yet another gargantuan, sitewide sale—this time with a focus on furniture. Everything from sectional sofas to bar stools are up to 50% off now through June 20, including one of our favorite outdoor-friendly side tables that’s actually an even greater 54% off. Made with metal and powder-coated in a creamy finish, this three-legged cutie will have you taking advantage of every available square inch on your porch or patio. And it’s cute enough to bring indoors by season’s end—the reviews can confirm.
Our shopping team did a collective double take when we came across this Turkish towel at Huckberry—yet, it’s really only $19. Only the Mediterranean blue stripes of this premium cotton pick with tasseled edges remains. Its lightweight and packable to bring along as a picnic or beach blanket, but still plenty absorbent to use as an everyday bath towel, too. Shoppers share in the reviews it’s also quick-drying and feels even softer after the first wash.
Swapping out your bunk for a more comfy, sustainable option just got easier. Avocado’s Summer Sale is happening now through June 19. And while you’ll only save a couple hundred bucks on our editor-favorite, hybrid mattress, we found the biggest savings could be had for a final sale item: the latex mattress. Made with all-foam, this spring-less foundation is all 9 inches of organic latex that is $810 off for a full (but the savings can be as great as $1,499!). If you prefer your mattress to be a little on the firm side or happen to suffer from allergies or back pain, we recommend grabbing this one before it’s gone. The only caveat? It’s final sale, so you won’t be able to take advantage of the brand’s typical 365-night, risk-free sleep trial.
Our photo director Brit Ashcraft considered herself a diehard H&M’s linen bathrobe gal—until she tried The Citizenry’s elevated take on the breathable material. Now, Ashcraft can personally vouch it’s a luxury item worth the full price, but at half off, she’s tempted to pick up another. This particular piece is loomed in Portugal with 100% French flax and every earth-toned colorway is now just $65. While you’re here, we also recommend perusing the brand’s Archive Sale, where limited-edition designs and items are up to 30% off.
It’s no secret that Domino editors love Baggu. From the uber-practical crescent bags to puffy laptop protectors, what’s not to love? And while it’s sale section at the moment skews on the smaller side, we quickly spotted more than a few favorites, including this puffy cooler bag that we envision being the perfect companion for picnicking in the park or keeping your frozen treats chilled after a grocery run. Another deal-worthy grab: the brand’s signature smiley adorning two-pack of pillowcases for just $15.
Everything from Apt2B is made to order, meaning it takes a minute for your chosen goods to arrive—that is, unless you are currently shopping the brand’s Blockbuster Savings event. Now until supplies last, you can save up to 50% off select pieces that are already in stock and ready to ship (for free). After combing through the 60-plus discounted items, it looks like the biggest bang for you buck would come in the form of scooping up a love seat or sofa—like the Espada, which is actually 51% off and features hidden, built-in power footrests.
Urban Outfitters’s Summer Kickoff sale—where select home items are 30% off—is still going strong, in addition to the retailer’s up to 70% off sale on apparel. While most of the items sporting discounts lean kitschy (it’s sorta the brand’s thing) and would make for great gifts, we did spy a few fun tabletop finds worth adding to your cart. We love these blue Lil Chunk mugs, for instance, complete with imperfect dimpling that gives them a handmade look without the up-charge. They’re also safe to stick in the dishwasher after you’ve polished off that morning cup of coffee. Our stye editor Julia Stevens also spotted the structural, statement vase that she likened to an Ingo Maurer pendant. Just don’t fill this with flowers that need water—it’s designed to show off dried stems only.
Many of us downwind of the wildfires in Canada have had air purifiers on the brain this week. Luckily a few models have popped up on sale. In addition to discovering discounts across a few favorite Coway offerings, we also spotted LG’s HEPA filter–equipped Air Tower for $150 less. But the best part is that the company is currently offering free next-day delivery through June 20, so you can get to breathing easy even sooner. Better yet, once the smoky haze has blown through, you can rely on this unit’s built-in LED technology to destroy 99.9% of bacteria on its fan blades and filter up to 818 square feet of space on the daily.
A lingering summer sun may mean it’s harder to convince your kiddos to get to asleep by their 8 p.m. bedtime, but a new set of supersoft sheets (or a pillow that masquerades as a toy) from Crate & Kids might help you coax them a little easier. Right now, the brand is hosting its Big Bedding Clearance event, where you can save up to 60% on comforters, sheets, shams, and even crib and baby bedding. Top picks include Leanne Ford’s Pioneertown sets and this reversible duvet made with 100% organic brushed cotton.
There are a series of sales planned for a few Dyson products worth keeping an eye on, starting with $150 off the Purifier Cool fan June 11–24 (plus the TP01 version is now $100 off for just $330). It’s equipped with the most advanced filtration system the brand offers, with a formaldehyde sensor and HEPA filter designed to capture micro-particulates in the air that aren’t visible to the naked eye. But in addition to purifying, you also get to enjoy a cooling breeze. Then, through July 1, you can save either $200 on the Cyclone V10 Absolute or $120 on the classic V8 cordless stick vacuum.
Our go-to outdoor furniture brand for aluminum frames, Outer is currently hosting a Summer Spend and Save event—if you spend $6,500 you can take 10% off your order; spend $9,500 or more for 15% off; or really splurge and save 25% on orders of $12,500 or more. So why not go for a full matching set? The all-weather pieces come equipped with comfy memory foam cushions held down with Velcro. A built-in handle and cover allows for easy carrying and storage, so they’ll look good as new for decades. It’s a bold statement one 5-star reviewer can attest to—they’ve owned theirs for four years without any trouble: “The wicker style is timeless and looks the same as the day we received it.”
It hasn’t been too long since Serena & Lily last hosted a sale, but we’re taking note of the fact that its entire outdoor assortment—chairs, sofas, stools, pillows, even towels—is up to 30% off (you can also shop the clearance section for up to 70% off steals, too.) And of all the rattan, handwoven details, and beachy stripes, we can’t help but recommend the Eastport umbrella. Tested by Domino’s very own Kate Berry, the pagoda-style shade provider has withstood many a storm and strong gusts of wind atop a New York City terrace—and honestly? We can’t think of a better endorsement of durability than that. And sure, it’s definitely a splurge, but right now it’s priced at an under-$1,000 steal.
Father’s Day is right around the corner, so consider gifting Dad a smokeless firepit from Solo Stove while its backyard bundles are 45% off (or more). It comes with everything he needs to deal with ash removal and keep it protected from the elements when not in use. Plus we recommend adding on the brand’s new Father’s Day Fire Starter Cards—instead of ending up in the trash, this heartfelt card can be used to get his first flames roaring.
After combing through Lulu and Georgia’s sale section—where 300-plus items are up to 70% off—this woven pendant lamp caught our eye. Now 49% off, the open-weave design made with real jute offers a natural statement. Shoppers have placed it above kitchen islands, dining room tables, and even as the main fixture in a nursery. Our favorite part is that the bulb attached to the fabric-covered cord is totally dimmable, so you can control just how much light is cast. Plus there are a few tabletop styles for 30% off for a limited time, too.
Indisputable fact: Our readers love Outdoor Fellow candles, so we’re totally expecting them to scoop up top-selling scents by the dozens while they’re marked down to $25 from $36. Its reed diffusers are also discounted, priced at $27 versus $39, and all orders of $40 or more will ship for free. And with summer on the brain, we’re eyeing the herbal Tomato Vine blend of lemon zest, orange, basil leaf, and (of course) juicy ripe tomato to add to our personal collection at home.
Have we mentioned Father’s Day is right around the corner (June 18!)? In honor of the upcoming celebration, Tangerine is hosting a 15% off sale. Pick up the pickleball paddle of your choice (or bundle with a bag), then pop in the code DAD15 before checking out. If he has yet to jump on the game—it’s America’s fastest-growing sport three years and counting—he’ll be hitching a ride immediately after opening up this gift.
From slipcovered sofas to pleated lampshades, we turn to OKA for reasonably priced British-inspired homewares. And right now, the more you spend, the more you save during its presummer sale. If you spend anywhere from $500 to $999, you can take 20% off your order; purchases of $1,000 or more gets you 25% off; and $2,500-plus means you can take a whopping $750 off. For ideas, we always recommend perusing the brand’s well-stocked sale section, too. It’s where we spotted this fantastic 80% off steal: a curvy ceramic table lamp with a cherry red crackled finish.
Of all the linen sheets our editors have taken for a test-drive over the years, none are as soft as Cultiver’s Belgian and French flax. And right now you can save $50 on a full set during the Australian-based brand’s limited-time promotion on purchases of $250 or more. While linen is already considered a pricey investment, the savings paired up with the fact that these get better after every wash and the subtly rich color choices make it hard to not put this sale at the top of our weekly deals list.
For those of us not lucky enough to live somewhere with central air, window units are the only respite during summer heat waves. But most on the market are big, bulky, and a total eyesore. If you couldn’t agree more, you’ll be happy to know that Windmill’s clean, aesthetic-minded upgrade (and also one of our favorite window ACs overall) is $40 off, no matter which size you go with—anywhere from a small 6,000 BTU to a brand-new, bigger 10,000 BTU solution (that claims to cool spaces up to 450 square feet). All are now equipped with WhisperTech technology that promises to operate even quieter than before.
Ssense’s sale is back. For a limited time, you can score homewares up to 60% off. Of course, we can’t recommend the designer tabletop enough, from Bombac’s Splatterware to Ekua Ceramics‘s stoneware mugs. Go for the buttery yellow clay (an exclusive color that’s now just $26) to provide the dose of cheer we all need first thing in the morning, coupled with a caffeinated beverage, of course.
The post 20 Deals of the Week Domino Editors Are Adding to Their Carts appeared first on domino.
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Whether he has done the Ph.D. in bad dad jokes or is the one who says ‘Humare zamaane mai‘ dialogue hundred times a day – he is indeed one of a kind. And while you feel you have figured him all out, the real struggle begins while finding the perfect Father’s Day gift for him. So, if you are stumped about what to give, we have done all the legwork for you. Whether he’s a grill master, a travel buff or has any other special interests, listed below are the tailored presents that are sure to honor your dad’s passion. So, go ahead and get shopping already to make this Father’s Day the best one yet.
Wanderlust-Inspired Gifts for the Traveling Dad
For the dad who loves to explore new places, consider a personalized travel map where he can mark all the destinations he has visited. A scratch-off world map or a stylish travel journal will also make great companions for his future adventures. Other thoughtful gifts include a durable travel backpack, a portable coffee maker for those early morning hikes, a personalized passport cover or noise-canceling headphones for a peaceful journey.
Fitness Gear for the Gym Enthusiast Dad
If he cannot bear staying out of shape, there are plenty of tailored gifts to fuel his passion for fitness. Upgrade his workout gear with a high-quality fitness tracker, Bluetooth headphones for his gym sessions or a smart water bottle that reminds him to stay hydrated. Personalized gym towels or a stylish gym bag with compartments for his essentials is also guaranteed to make his workouts fun and enjoyable. Additionally, you can also team them up with a membership from cult or HealthifyMe.
Culinary Delights for the Foodie Dad
If your dad is passionate about cooking, surprise him with a gourmet cooking class or a subscription to a meal kit service. These experiences will allow him to spice up his culinary skills with new recipes, techniques & flavors and take them to new heights. You can also pair them up with sweet treats like cakes, cupcakes, cookies and gourmet treat hampers that can be ordered & delivered anywhere across the world via FNP which has years of experience in doing so effortlessly. While you are at it, you can also check out their specially-curated best gift for Father’s Day that are sure to enhance his cooking adventures.
Books for the Bibliophile Dad
For people in search of an award-winning gift for Father’s Day, you cannot beat the gift of books. Whether he enjoys gripping thrillers, inspiring biographies or thought-provoking non-fiction, select a few books from his favorite genre or introduce him to a new author. For a personalized touch, consider getting the books signed or adding a heartfelt hand-addressed note inside.
Music & Entertainment Gadgets for the Audiophile Dad
For the dad who appreciates good music and enjoys immersive entertainment experiences, there are several Father’s Day gift options available. Gift him a high-quality Bluetooth speaker for his favorite tunes, noise-canceling headphones for his private listening sessions or a subscription to a music streaming service. Additionally, if he’s a movie buff, a home theatre sound system or a movie projector will elevate his cinematic experiences.
Creative Tools for the Artistic Dad
If your dad has a creative side (or is an aspiring artist), tailor your gift to his artistic interests. Consider a complete painting set with high-quality brushes, paints and canvases. For the photography enthusiast, a new lens for his camera or a photography workshop will help him capture even more breathtaking shots. You can also gift him something that enhances his other artistic hobbies such as carpentry, pottery or calligraphy.
Relaxation and Self-Care Gifts for the Busy Dad
Every dad deserves some relaxation and self-care. Help your dad unwind with a spa gift set, a luxurious robe or a comfortable massage chair. A luxurious spa gift basket with bath bombs, scented candles, essential oils and body wash will provide a much-needed escape. You can also share a subscription to a meditation or mindfulness app to help him find moments of peace and tranquillity. Additionally, a personalized grooming kit or a stylish shaving set will make him feel pampered and rejuvenated.
Advanced Devices for the Tech-Enthusiast Dad
For the tech-savvy dad who’s always on the lookout for the latest advancements, impress him with a cutting-edge gadget. This Father’s Day, go beyond traditional gifts and explore the realm of innovative technology. Whether he’s a fitness enthusiast, a gaming aficionado, or simply loves staying up-to-date with the latest trends, go with gifts like a smartwatch, V/R headset or Xbox.
Father’s Day will be here in no time. Make it a memorable affair by surprising him with gifts that will fuel his interests and passions. So, get going already by ordering gifts tailored to his hobbies!
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The post Gifts to Honor Dad’s Hobbies: Tailoring Presents to His Passions appeared first on The Good Men Project.
]]>From jaw-dropping outback retreats to island escapes, get all swept up in each other’s irresistibleness at one of our top picks for best romantic holidays around Australia.
If you're wanting mountain views, national parks, fire pits and a deck pool putting you in prime real estate to watch the sun go down, Hillview Dairy is the romantic getaway for you. Built on top of a small ridge line, this magical little place is located ona horse and cattle property but rest assured, you'll have all the privacy you need here.
Jaws will drop as you enter the majestic 12km driveway of Spicers Peak Lodge. Located 1100 metres above sea-level in South East Queensland, Spicers Peak offers the height of luxury via its all-inclusive holiday styling. Melt into a treatment at Spa Anise, dine at award-winning restaurant, The Peak, explore the surrounds with a gourmet picnic hamper in hand, or alternate between the pool and tennis court for some localised fun.
Treat your honey to a Euro summer getaway (minus that exxy airfare) at gram-worthy The Calile. From the stunning rooms styled in marble and shades of mint and pale pink to the vibing pool—complete with sun lounges, private cabanas and a bar slinging tasty tipples and eats from greek restaurant Hellenika—it's an absolute dream. Once you’re done sunning yourself, you can pick up some presents for your lover at The Calile’s chic boutiques, grab a drink from the Lobby Bar and settle in for a feast at their epic restaurant, SK Steak & Oyster.
Blow your date away with a stay at this luxury B&B, where you’ll take in stunning vistas of the Glass House Mountains through sleek floor-to-ceiling glass walls of your cottage. Romance is in the eye of the beholder, but with a freestanding double spa bath, fire (for those chilly winter nights) and a sky full of stars beyond your deck, we’re pretty sure Glass On Glasshouse has got the wow-factor covered for even the toughest nut.
Stays in the Blue Mountains just reached new heights with the opening of Chalets at Blackheath, Australia's latest high-end eco-resort perfect for your next romantic getaway in NSW. Boasting all the luxury, Chalets at Blackheath is a boutique retreat that sits on 17 acres of bushland immediately adjacent to the UNESCO World-Heritage listed Blue Mountains National Park, in the pretty alpine village of Blackheath. On arrival, guests can expect glasses of Moët & Chandon champagne in the resort library or by the native edible garden, hosted by resort ambassadors who are at their exclusive service for the entire stay. Like we said, it boasts all the luxury. Book your stay here.
Okay, if money is absolutely no option, Crane Lodge is a no-brainer. Tucked away in the Sydney’s Northern Beaches, this romantic getaway with a private spa and pool is everything you could need for a secluded stay filled with all the quality. This lodge combines the creme de la creme of luxury featuring an in-house concierge service, masseuse, beautician, onsite chef or even a private sunset yoga and meditation class on the deck. Book your stay here.
This boutique bed and breakfast, set on 28 acres, is the ultimate romantic getaway just an hour’s drive from the Gold Coast. The sprawling property, beautifully framed in acres of lush rainforest, comprises of three private pavilions, perfect for a cosy retreat. Each is thoughtfully fitted out with the latest environmentally sustainable energy saving 20kW solar system as well as modern luxuries, designed to ensure you unwind and zen out. Wake up with a dip in the 10-metre mineral magnesium infinity pool, then warm up in the sauna before sipping a glass of red while taking in the view of the Byron coastline—dreamy!
For Australian bush escape meets Euro-summer vibes, your riverside dream will be brought to life at La Riveraine. This classic 1950s cottage is packed with all the charm and tranquillity you could need for a dreamy romantic escape not too far from Sydney. It is beautifully restored and contains a crystal clear plunge pool for summer, multiple terraces, a private jetty, ample views of the Hawkesbury, and a pontoon.
The charming seaside town of Cabarita is just a 30 minute drive from the Gold Coast and it's multi-award winning boutique hotel, Halcyon House is a sure fire way to charm the pants off of your honey. Lap up ocean views then hire a surfboard onsite and hit the waves. Or, stay in because rooms are fit with 24 hour room service, a complimentary mini bar and even a pillow menu. Zen out at the spa and finish off the night at Halcyon’s hatted Paper Daisy restaurant.
For a romantic getaway in Australia like no other, you’ll want to make your way to Bilpin (Blue Mountains way) for what has to be one of NSW's most special retreats. This clifftop property is built into a natural rock platform and has a small front door opening (Hobbit-style), which means you’ll score front seats to the best damn view anyone could ever lay eyes on and a pretty nifty spa. Honestly, this place just screams romance.
Located two-and-a-half hours south of Sydney, Paperbark Camp is a glorious, eco-friendly glamping set up in the heart of idyllic Jervis Bay. Peppered across 100 hectares of beautiful bushland, Paperbark Camp has four different kinds of canvas safari tents (depending on how all-out you want to go). If you want to really up the ante on your weekend away, hit the King Parrot Deluxe Safari Tent. It sports two king beds, outdoor lounges, an indoor ensuite with a sunken bath and a separate outdoor bush shower. If you're after extra brownie points, Paperbark also throws down some of the best massages and beauty treatments around.
If you’re looking for ultimate seclusion and indulgent luxury, this is the one. The Woodlands Retreat is deep in the heart of Victoria’s Black Spur rainforest. There are several self-contained cottages available, each one decked out with a sunken spa overlooking the gully and hidden in its own separate nook of the rainforest. Feast your lovey-dovey eyes on beautiful views of fern gullies and a private bush lake, with nothing but the sound of the babbling Hermitage Creek. It's almost cliche how good this place is.
Here's a spot where the accommodation is just as good as the name. The Milk and Honey cottage is located in Daylesford, about a two-hour drive out of Melbourne. Access the property via a gorgeous winding stairway with epic views over the surrounding countryside. Milk and Honey is only a few minutes’ walk from the Daylesford shops, and it's perfect if you're after that lazy getaway (with civilisation within arm's reach). Two light-filled bedrooms, an open fireplace, slick bathrooms and a full kitchen complete the picture.
Overlooking a picturesque vineyard that will transport you straight to Tuscany, it’s not hard to understand why Jackalope has bagged a slew of awards. With a sleek palette of charcoal, dark timber and ornate lighting, this hotel is packed with a seriously impressive art collection. During the day, soak up the sunshine by the pool with bae, indulge in a decadent dinner at their fine dining restaurant Doot Doot Doot and retire to your room for a movie marathon complete with complimentary popcorn delivered to your door.
The name says it all, literally. Loves Lane is tucked away behind Leongatha and overlooks the rolling hills of South Gippsland, Victoria from the comfort of several cosy cottages complete with fireplace and luxe modcons. You may choose to while away the days taking in the scenery with that special someone, and that’s perfectly okay, but you could also take off to the Grand Ridge Brewery for a beer or two before retreating back to the spas in each cottage.
For a truly bucket list experience, book you and your love a night or two at Longitude 131°. Nestled among ancient dunes are sixteen tented pavilions, offering unparalleled views of Uluru’s changing lights play out from the end of your bed. Each tent is kitted out with a king-size bed, spacious bathroom and private balcony with a fireplace. Once you tear yourself away from your luxury accommodation, stroll to the restaurant serving up drool-worthy contemporary Australian eats. Finish the night with cocktails under the stars at the Dune-top Bar—it’s pure bliss.
Located on the south west coast of Bathurst Island, the retreat is made up of 18 private rooms—the perfect place to escape the crowds and soak up those holiday vibes. Boasting a 12-metre pool fringed by palm trees, white sand and a sparkling ocean (that is home to resident croc Claudia), you’ll feel like you’ve peaked in life while sipping on a mojito. For those extra romantic vibes, treat yourself to a sunset helicopter ride over the island.
“Where the outback meets the reef” is the perfect tagline for this unique romantic retreat. You’ll find no stone unturned when it comes to creature comforts at Sal Salis. Gaze out and watch the sunset turn to a sky blazing with stars from your own private beach safari tent. With just 15 tents on-site, you’ll feel like it’s only you and your love here to explore the magic of Exmouth.
Discovery Rottnest Island is the prime position for a relaxing getaway with your squeeze. Jump on the ferry in Perth and in 30 minutes you’ll be whisked off to another world where life slows down. Eco tents provide access to one of the islands most picturesque spots for a stroll hand in hand. Pick a deluxe tent and you’ll enjoy a king bed, private ensuite, spacious deck and even a walk-in robe for the ultimate glamping experience. Of course, if you don’t fancy using the kitchen you can always relax and let the pros look after you at Pinky’s Beach Club right next door.
This is one of the best-kept secrets in WA's South West for romantics. La Forêt Enchantée is a dreamy destination filled with magic on the banks of the Margaret River. Set within 10 acres of native bush and renaissance inspired gardens; you’ll feel like you have been whisked off in a fairy-tale among the lush greenery, bubbling fountains, and sweeping terraces. The icing on the cake is the two secluded cabins to choose from, resplendent with luxurious furnishings and marble bathrooms. Want even more romance? Why not add on a private chef for the evening, or you could fly in by helicopter—they have a love heart shaped helipad ready for you.
For a secluded romantic getaway like no other, we’re going to need you to steer your ship over to Felons Boutique Wilderness Stay. The entire place is like something out of a movie, from the aged timber floors to the Icelandic sheepskins. There’s upcycled, exposed beams, expansive French doors and of course, a wood-fire for all the post sundown wine times. On the east wing of the cabin, you’ll find a clawfoot bath however, there’s also a built-in outdoor deck-bath because one tub is never enough when it comes to romancin’. Book your stay here.
These romantic Tasmanian digs are the epitome of living your best life. Pumphouse Point, an intimate haven in the heart of World Heritage wilderness. You can choose to stay in either the Shorehouse, the Pumphouse, or the Retreat (which is a whole new level of self-contained luxe). Plus the backdrop to your stay is often referred to as the most spectacular landscape on the planet. The best part though, is that there is bread on call 24/7 here—it's served warm with butter and it's out of this world delicious. If that’s not romance, we don’t know what is.
A stay at Lenna involves time travelling to 1874 when this gorgeous sandstone mansion was built. Listed by the National Trust and carefully restored, its 52 rooms have a range of stunning views—mountain, harbour or parkland—and it’s close to even more juicy history at Salamanca Place and Battery Point. At night, curl up in the Chandelier Lounge Bar and sip on smooth Tassie whiskey—sure to warm your cockles on even the coldest winter night.
If your idea of a luxury stay leans towards timeless charm rather than modern minimalist, you’re about to fall in love with this elegant mountain retreat. Nestled on the edge of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge places you in the heart of the alpine wilderness—with luxurious perks, of course. Soak in your spa bath, as you overlook the Tasmanian hinterland of ancient forest and thundering streams, with your private fireplace roaring and a vino in hand. That’s what we call dreamy.
If you're wanting to impress your love, then check into this beauty which was previously voted the World’s Best Boutique Hotel and World’s Best Luxury Hotel. Featuring 20 private suites, a luxury day spa, and an unforgettable culinary offering, Saffire Freycinet, will create (free) personalised itineraries for you and your honey ensuring you’re exploring all the beauty this part of the world has to offer. Think: hiking Wineglass Bay, tasting fresh oysters at their marine oyster farm, and cocktail masterclasses. Or just relax in your suite, soeaking up those stunning views thanks to the floor to ceiling glass.
If you and your love like your getaways colourful and aesthetically pleasing (and good for the ‘gram), then Adelaide’s Hotel Indigo is for you. The colourful rooms with copper fixtures are seriously stunning, and the hotel is conveniently right in the heart of the city (and right by Adelaide Markets, might we add). On the ground floor, you’ll find the gorgeous Market & Meander Bar and Eatery, while up on the roof is the vibrant Merrymaker, a raw food and cocktail bar—perfect for a sunset tipple. Oh, there’s also a heated rooftop pool for when you and your SO want some relaxation.
If you’re looking for a romantic getaway or a luxury escape to experience the Australian outback, The Frames is the perfect place. Just a three-hour drive from Adelaide, The Frames are perfectly designed for couples looking to unwind while dialling up the romance. The six-star accommodation is comprised of three opulent villas all boasting unobstructed views of the Murray River. With your own private pool, sauna and chef, there's really no need to leave... unless you want to go for a sunset cruise on an 100 year old wooden gondola along the Murray River—yep, they offer that too!
If you’re after old-world charm, nothing touches Mount Lofty House. Built in 1852, the heritage boutique hotel oozes timeless elegance, with its beautifully restored period rooms and gorgeous cottages. Nestled in the famous Adelaide Hills wine region, the hotel is surrounded by botanic gardens and boutique wineries. Speaking of vino, indulge in fine dining at Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant, a three-hatted eatery that specialises in valley-to-verandah degustation delicacies. Boasting one of the best wine lists in the country, this is one culinary journey you can’t miss and secures Mount Lofty House’s spot as one of Adelaide’s best hotels.
Need more inspo? Bliss out at these epic wellness retreats.
Image Credit: Urban List, Hillview Dairy, Longitude 131°, Paperbark Camp, Lilypad, Blackbird, Brooke Darling, Amy Higg, Discovery Rottnest Island
Editor's note: Urban List editors independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. Urban List has affiliate partnerships, so we get revenue from your purchases.
]]>Marica. Maricón. Mariconada.
Fag. Faggot. Faggotry.
Even written out like that, I can’t help but prefer the English versions. With their swishy f ’s and plunging g’s, there’s a typeset flourish to them.
In contrast, those Spanish variations, with their hardened c’s, have always felt like tiny pebbles thrown my way, their hurtful impact always dulled and amplified by how carelessly they were deployed in everyday speech. To this day, members of my family continue to use them interchangeably to mean “silly” or “stupid” or “useless.” In that sense, a word like marica is closer to how gay is sometimes used in the United States as a casual (and, to some, simply inadvertent) homophobic put-down.
Even in professional settings, I’ve been told, without a hint of irony or self-awareness, that the use of marica in Colombian slang is not really a slur. Not an actual curse word. Just a linguistic tic not worth translating as fag lest English speakers reading subtitles get mistakenly offended by what’s nothing more than a word casually peppered through otherwise banal dialogue. No worse than, say, damn or jeez or, yes, man.
For years this is how I experienced homophobia at home. Not with any one instance of openly hurtful provocation (though there were plenty of those as well) but with the insistent and incessant monotony of linguistic crutches that eroded any ability to claim those words, let alone those identities, as my own. It’s why I found refuge in the English language. It may be an illusory oasis whose own linguistic biases feel, in their foreignness, easier to parse out, discard, or ignore accordingly, but it’s nevertheless given me the tools with which to see myself anew.
In shedding Spanish, I could shed the shame instilled in me.When I came out to my mother, the words “Soy gay” felt awkward, the expression leaving a chalky taste in my mouth. What was odd in that moment, especially as the world seemed to stand still as my mom’s reaction slowly turned from shock and panic to anger and frustration (“What did I do wrong?” she asked herself out loud), was how ill-equipped I felt to handle it in the first place. Not just emotionally but linguistically.
I steered clear of words like marica (which had always felt like a slur) and homosexual (which remains all too clinical), but in grasping for gay, I found myself caught between the two languages, one serving as the makeshift bridge I needed to cross this particular hurdle. For, by the time I’d come out in our family’s kitchen on a listless Sunday afternoon, I’d had plenty of practice making my sexuality known, in ways explicit and implicit, to friends and colleagues at university in Vancouver.
It wasn’t just that I was thousands of miles away from anyone who’d known me growing up—I’d given myself the cleanest of slates with which to refashion myself—but that, in shedding Spanish (and the affected lower register my voice instinctively reaches for when I speak it), I could shed the shame instilled in me by those childhood taunts.
I am the first to admit I might not have been as successful as I first thought. Languages have a way of cleaving you in half. Looking back, what I accomplished by owning English labels as liberatory gestures was to ignore the root of the problem altogether; I only found a much more fitting garb for it. But perhaps, as James Baldwin writes, what I have always needed is a less constricting one. “Identity would seem to be the garment with which one covers the nakedness of the self,” he writes in The Devil Finds Work, “in which case, it is best that the garment be loose, a little like the robes of the desert, through which one’s nakedness can always be felt, and, sometimes, discerned. This trust in one’s nakedness is all that gives one the power to change one’s robes.”
Put simply, Baldwin reminds us that any identity you may claim (or that may be imposed on you) is layered on yourself. Or rather, on your “self.” Think of the labels you use to introduce yourself (gay, for example) or the garments you don to make those labels intelligible (a rainbow sweatband, say); they may feel innate, and may very well rub up against your sense of self, but there is, Baldwin cautions and comforts us, a nakedness underneath. One that cannot, of course, be made visible lest you wish to be made vulnerable to the elements (or, if you follow the metaphor far enough, to ogling bystanders).
This isn’t an outright rebuke of the work identity does, or a mere refusal to acknowledge the way identity makes knowable something about ourselves—after all, tight-fitting garments accentuate different bodies differently while loose-fitting robes have ways of shaping curves and muscles in decidedly varied ways.
There’s a call here to think of identity as a robe you cannot only discard and change but can loosen and tighten at will. A fluidity, in fact, that’s proffered as not only necessary but unavoidable. But, more intriguingly, I’m always fascinated by the latent eroticism Baldwin calls up, especially when you try to tease out who else may be feeling and discerning your own nakedness. Self-fashioning, it seems, can never stray too far from desire.
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Excerpted from The Male Gazed: On Hunks, Heartthrobs, and What Pop Culture Taught Me About (Desiring) Men by Manuel Betancourt. Copyright © 2023. Reprinted by permission of Catapult.
]]>It happened!!! The Real Simple team came to the farmhouse, got a ton of beautiful shots, and now it’s all done. We couldn’t be more excited about it! Ok, Emily might be the most excited/relieved but we are really pumped too:) That means we can really start publishing the reveals of whatever rooms aren’t being held for the September issue. See? EXCITING!!! So as we wait for August to roll around (when the magazine comes out) let’s link…
This week’s house tour might be one of our favorites…which makes sense since it belongs to the owner of one of our favorite fashion brands, Sezane. This vintage-filled, mint green French paradise is about to make your Sunday a whole lot better. ENJOY!
From Emily: I found this super cute striped shirt dress at Target last week for the Real Simple shoot. The thicker stripes make it look expensive and there’s a cute shoulder detail. When I want to give myself a little more shape, my new thing is to just tie a sweatshirt around my waist. Also, it’s not thin like poplin, it holds its shape well. But the shape is definitely oversized so don’t size up! Such a good spring/summer dress!
From Ryann: I needed some new throw pillows for my sofa and was delighted when I spotted this one in Target a few days ago. I love the olive green color and subtle stripe pattern. They have it in other colors too and it’s such a solid, affordable pillow that’s timeless and looks more expensive than it is.
From Caitlin: I’ve finally found it: the little white dress that’s PERFECT for all summer outings. It’s that dreamy mix of summer silhouette-meets-structured execution – it really highlights your waist but the skirt construction is SO flattering. (It’s actually the shorter version of the blue and white dress that Em wore in this post, so you can get an idea of the shape – just imagine that one shorter!) I put a lot of time and energy into finding my go-to white dress every summer and am SUPER jazzed about this one – it’s perfect for picnics, beach days, grocery shopping, antiquing, walking around the neighborhood…you name it:) (PS. It also comes in black and coral if white isn’t your go-to color!)
Also From Caitlin: As a side note, I literally would not be able to wear any dresses/skirts/shorts in the summer without my trusty anti-chafe stick. I am not joking when I say that this thing is transformative: it’s made being outside and walking around SO much more comfortable and manageable. One stick lasts me all year and it’s literally been life-changing – it’s so much easier to say “yes” to things when your thighs don’t feel like they’re sporting a pair of open wounds! (That’s not just me being hyperbolic, either – you can read the same sentiment in every review on their site! Best $14 I’ve ever spent).
From Jess: My dear friend is having a Baby Sprinkle next month so I want to get on top of my gift before I procrastinate and it’s way too late. While she isn’t really asking for gifts, diapers and onesies never hurt (and they said were ok to bring). Looking for baby clothes might be one of my favorite things to do. Look at this sweet little summertime set! But for a newborn, onesies are great to get because you know babies go through those things fast (one burp and it’s game over). I really love this set of three but I think my friend likes a bit more color, so this set is a very cute option too. I am tempted to buy this one because Emily (and all of you) have raved about the quality of this brand! Plus it’s super cute and on sale. Any thoughts or suggestions??
Also From Jess: I like movies as much as the next person but when I saw the trailer (which is above) for Past Lives (an A24 film:)) I was counting down the days until I could finally see it (which I did last Sunday). Here’s the official description but do yourself a favor and watch the trailer above because it’ll be at the top of your must-see movie list: “Nora and Hae Sung, two deeply connected childhood friends, are wrest apart after Nora’s family emigrates from South Korea. Two decades later, they are reunited in New York for one fateful week as they confront notions of destiny, love, and the choices that make a life, in this heartrending modern romance.” From what I’ve read it’s now in select theatres but will be available nationwide by June 23. If you’re in the UK it says you have to wait until Sept. 8th. It’s such a beautiful film and I hope y’all love it too.
From Mallory: Imagine buying a chair for $50 and selling it for $85k. WELL, THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO JUSTIN, YOU GUYS. The story is so wild, if you haven’t been following along, it’s time. His Instagram is here and his TikTok is here (he’s so entertaining and so fun!!!) Be prepared for this to be one of your favorite follows. xx
Also From Mallory: I’m on a quest to have better pajamas (the janky t-shirts aren’t cutting it anymore), but I’m also a very hot sleeper (so no flannel button-downs for me). My main struggle was finding something that was sexy without being full-blown lingerie, but also comfortable. I found this set for $25 (originally $60) and it’s so comfortable but also sexy which I love. Highly recommend if you’re in the market for some steamy but comfy PJs 🙂
From Arlyn: They said it couldn’t be done (no one said it) but I found the perfect summer robe. Lightweight, cooling, and soft on the skin, mid-length so you still feel covered in all the right places but aren’t sweating by 8 am, and it’s nearly half off. I’ll accept my award in the form of comments of gratitude. But for real, I LOVE the WonderKnit Mid-Length Robe from ThirdLove and glad I took the chance on a print I wouldn’t normally buy. The colors are very cute in person and it’s a pleasure to wrap around myself in the morning and after a hot shower at night. I opted for the XL because I wanted to make sure it had enough fabric to fully close around my goods, and sadly the larger sizes are sold out, but if you’re looking for a tiny nugget of self-care in the form of a lightweight robe, this is it.
Hope that you have a wonderful rest of your weekend and see you tomorrow. xx
Opening Image Credits: Design by Jess Bunge | Styled by Emily Bowser | Photos by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Jess’ Communal Patio Reveal – Beautiful Outdoor Furniture, Some Great Flea Finds, And Of Course… A DIY Dad Project
The post The Link Up: Em’s $28 Striped Shirt Dress, Caitlin’s #1 Summer Must Have, And The Craziest Vintage-Related Craigslist Story appeared first on Emily Henderson.
]]>Father’s Day is right around the corner (it’s June 18 this year), and we Americans will collectively spend about $22.9 billion on our dear old dads. Here are several gift ideas to help you put your money towards a present he’ll love. This list has budget-friendly options and splurges, digital finds (like a smart thermometer) and analog pleasures (like an actual, tactile book).
Fathers are important, so use this gift as an opportunity to celebrate the father figure in your life!
If your dad follows the news, he probably knows that air pollution has become increasingly (and in some places alarmingly) common, no matter where you live. And researchers are now finding that the air inside our homes can be more polluted than the outdoor air.
For $178.90 on Amazon, you can buy him the 2930 Wave Plus radon and air quality monitor, which will let him know how much pollution is in his immediate surroundings.
It can also alert him to the times when he ought to wear a mask outside because of a nearby wildfire or smog alerts. This monitor (which has won awards for consumer electronics and innovation) will give him the information he needs about six indoor air factors: radon, airborne chemicals, carbon dioxide, temperature, air pressure and humidity.
Out of more than 2,200 Amazon ratings, this monitor receives an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars.
A reviewer named Samantha wrote, “I love that I can wave my hand over the unit and it flashes green for ‘good’, yellow for ‘pay attention’ and red for ‘take action now or gtfo!’. I feel like a Jedi from Star Trek!”
Does your dad have a pinched nerve in his back, a sore shoulder from pickleball or a bad case of text neck? The rechargeable TENS unit muscle stimulator, which is selling on Amazon for $30.95, is a massager that offers professional-grade relief for aches and pain throughout your body.
It comes with adhesive pads that he’ll attach to the pain area and a TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit that he can set to various modes of pulsing massage, like Shiatsu/Deep Tissue, Low Intensity with Kneading/Knocking, Cupping, Acupuncture and Tapping.
Out of more than 15,700 global ratings, this product receives an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars. Reviewer Laura Traud tried it after injuring her shoulder last summer.
“WHAT A DIFFERENCE!” she wrote in her 5-star review. “After one use, I was able to raise my arm higher than I have since July. And after the second use, I could put on my shirt without having extreme pain. “
Do you have an outdoorsy dad who likes to tailgate, camp or just hang out with friends in the backyard? He might appreciate this pop-up canopy tent, which is now $248.86 on Amazon.
It’s made of a durable, fire-retardant fabric that blocks about 99% of UV rays (not to mention rain), and it folds up easily into a portable wheel bag when he’s ready to go home. It comes in six sizes and about 17 colors, so prepare to spend some time figuring out which one he’d like best!
Out of more than 4,700 Amazon ratings, this tent scores an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars.
Some dads like to tinker; some enjoy golfing. And some would rather just … relax. For that last dad type, some comfy, zero-gravity chairs are the way to go. This set of two adjustable steel mesh zero-gravity lounge chairs, which are on sale for $100 on Amazon, are lightweight enough to fold up and carry to the beach, the pool or a kid’s soccer game. But it’s the ergonomic design that seems to have won it a 4.5 out of 5 stars among its more than 52,000 ratings.
“The real magic of these chairs was in their zero gravity reclining feature,” wrote reviewer Fadi Shamaan. “With a simple push back, we were able to lay completely flat and feel weightless. It was like floating on a cloud!”
Some people enjoy the sound of a fan, which is why it’s a typical setting in sound machines. (The LectroFan High Fidelity White Noise Machine has 10 different “fan settings,” for example.) But your father might prefer a quiet fan. In that case, consider gifting him the 42-inch Dreo tower fan from Amazon for $89.99.
This energy-efficient, ultra-quiet, bladeless fan has six speeds and oscillates 90 degrees to cool the whole room. Out of more than 20,000 Amazon ratings, it receives an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
Reviewer Retired_marine_307 admired the intuitive and user-friendly mobile app that comes with this fan. “Whether you’re lounging on the couch or lying in bed, you can effortlessly adjust the fan settings without having to get up,” he wrote.
Is your dad watching his health? Black seed oil, or black cumin, is an herbal supplement that’s been consumed for its healing properties for centuries. Full of antioxidants and bioactive compounds, people take it to alleviate inflammation, reduce blood sugar levels, manage their weight and boost skin and hair health.
Horbaach’s quick-release black seed oil softgel capsules, which are $15.49 on Amazon, are also a good source of omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids. Out of almost 7,700 ratings, it receives an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars.
Wayne from Philly titled his review “Easier to take gel caps rather than oil itself” and wrote that it cures “almost anything but death.”
Who says adults can’t enjoy a nice kick scooter? If you think your dad would like a quick and planet-friendly way to zip around, buy him his very own LaScoota professional scooter for $99.99 on Amazon. There are some nice safety features, too — including an extra-wide, non-slip deck, heat-treated brakes and high-impact shock absorption.
Out of more than 15,700 global ratings, this scooter averages 4.7 out of 5 stars.
Reviewer Jessica wrote, “Parking at my work is extremely expensive, so I find free street parking and ride the scooter the rest of the way to the office. It easily folds and fits in my trunk and can stand up and slide in right next to my desk at work.”
You could offer to wash your dad’s car for Father’s Day. Or, you could buy him a tool he can use to do it himself. This pressure washer gun has five different nozzles for different uses, with the gentlest one suitable for watering flowers and plants.
While the list price is $39.99, this pressure washer gun with an extension wand is currently on sale on Amazon for $31.49. Out of over 6,700 ratings, this washer gun has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars.
About 36.5 million people played pickleball at least once in 2021-2022, and at least 8.9 million have been doing it regularly. Is your dad one of them? Consider buying him a set of two Gonex Pickleball Paddles, which Amazon has on sale for $56.99 (down from $69.99).
The paddles come with two outdoor balls, two indoor balls and a carry bag. These paddles received more than 4,900 ratings and received an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
WebMD says water flossers are a good option for people with arthritis or other problems using their hands. If that sounds like your dad (or if you know he’s pretty fastidious about cleaning his teeth), the Waterpik water flosser, which is selling for $37.97 on Amazon, could be a great gift.
Out of over 40,400 ratings on Amazon, this product averages 4.3 out of 5 stars.
Dwayne H calls it “a fantastic device that has taken my oral hygiene routine to the next level … One thing that really impressed me was how compact and easy to use it is.”
If your dad needs a new lawn mower, now is the time to buy this 21-inch LM2142SP electric dual-port walk-behind self-propelled version. It’s on sale for $699 at Amazon (down from the original $799.99). It comes with two lithium batteries and runs for up to 80 minutes on a single charge.
This mower had more than global ratings with an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
A reviewer named Chris wrote, “Much lighter than a gas mower so maneuvering around tree trunks and other yard obstacles was much easier and climbed gentle hills with no issues. Mower makes very little noise so you will make your neighbors happy also.”
Imagine how much fun you’ll have at your Father’s Day brunch when Dad rips open the wrapping of his gift and finds … this rechargeable laser tag set! It’s $199.99 at Amazon right now, which is 20% off the original price.
This set comes with its own charging station, and the guns have four modes (Pistol, Automatic, Laser, and Rocket) and a 150-foot range. They also have a flashlight and child-safe infrared emissions.
With over 5,000 ratings, this set averages 4.7 out of 5 stars. You get four guns, four vests, and the charging station.
“Easy to use,” wrote 5-star reviewer Guy. “We could play in 15 minutes from opening the package. Guns are accurate and playable both outdoors and inside.”
If your dad is a technophile, he’d probably love to control his home’s heating and cooling system with a smart thermostat. The Mysa smart thermostat for electric baseboard and in-wall heaters is $149 on Amazon, and it will integrate with whatever other tech he’s got going on in his home, including Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. In less than a minute, he can also use the app to put his thermostat on a schedule.
Out of almost 760 ratings, this thermostat averages 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Would Dad like a glider bench for the porch or patio? Here’s the one to buy: The Lifetime 60276 glider bench looks like wood, but it’s made of much more durable polystyrene that will not warp, chip, crack or peel. It’s on Amazon for $223.99, where it’s received more than 460 ratings that average 4.3 out of 5.
In general, the reviewers loved the heavy-duty sturdiness of this bench, though some complained that it wasn’t easy to put together.
“Not so simple to assemble, but overall very pleased with the quality of the materials and how sturdy it is,” wrote reviewer Christoper Dillman.
For a dad who struggles to fall or stay asleep, this non-drug method of relaxation might do the trick. The Dodow Sleep Aid, which costs $59.99 on its official website, projects a soft, pulsing light on the ceiling. The effect is hypnotic and is meant to soothe anxious thoughts and slow breathing.
Now, your father may be skeptical. But there’s no risk involved here since Dodow offers a money-back guarantee if this machine doesn’t help you sleep within 100 days. Out of more than 230 reviews on Google Shopping, the Dodow averages 4 out of 5 stars.
Does your dad just want to chill with a beer? Then serve it to him in a double-walled beer glass, which you can get in a set of two at Wayfair for $25.89 (30% off).
Dad can put these tumblers, which hold a pint of any drink, in the freezer for two hours. Then, the gel-filled plastic walls will keep his beer, ale, stout, pilsner or hard cider cold for much longer than an average glass would. He can also use the silicone band to easily grip the cup.
Reviewers say the glasses look great and really work to keep beverages cold even in summer heat.
If your dad’s used to grocery store beef jerky, you’ll blow his mind by getting him the real deal. Sign him up for a beef jerky subscription from Craft Jerky Co, and he’ll receive a monthly selection of various flavors from the “finest artisan jerky” makers across the country. The cost ranges from $30 to $33 per month, depending on how many months you commit to at a time.
Reviewer Aaron G gave the service five stars and wrote, “I got it for my dad (who is impossible to shop for) and he loved it!”
Kelsey M wrote, “Such good flavors! Not that processed stuff you get from the stores. This is REAL beef jerky.”
If your dad likes to travel and hike, then he needs to read “100 Hikes of a Lifetime: The World’s Ultimate Scenic Trails” by Kate Siber. This guide from Barnes & Noble on sale for $27.99 breaks down the must-hike trails from all over the world, based on length and difficulty level. It also includes wildlife-spotting tips, essential travel tidbits about the surrounding areas and a helpful gear guide.
Out of more than 130 ratings on Goodreads, this averages 4.27 out of 5 stars.
“This book gave me a serious case of wanderlust,” wrote reviewer Stacey. “I can’t believe how lucky we are to live in such an incredible world to explore. I have completed one hike in this book. Only 99 more to go!”
Got a dad who loves history? Between trips to Gettysburg Battlefield and Colonial Williamsburg, he needs something to read. Here’s the solution: Buy him a History by Mail Subscription from Ari Siegel, which ranges in cost from $40 for a six-month collection to $76 for 12 months.
This isn’t like reading a history book. He’ll be perusing detailed replicas of historical documents like Albert Einstein’s mail correspondence with Franklin Roosevelt or Rosa Parks’ police report after she wouldn’t give up her seat on the bus. Archivists unearthed the actual, fascinating documents, and a team of graphic designers has recreated them.
Based on more than 120 reviews on the site, who give the subscription 4.78 out of 5 stars, 95% of respondents would recommend the subscription to a friend.
“My dad is a huge history buff, and, he’s also very hard to shop for,” reviewer Jessica wrote. “His face lit up when he opened this gift and he was genuinely happy to receive it!”
For the brand-new dad, here is a perfect gift: The Dad Hoodie. The designers of this comfy clothing item set out to help dads who don’t like carting around unwieldy diaper bags. But they need somewhere to keep all the baby gear.
Enter this hoodie, which is equipped with numerous baby gear-sized compartments. See the photo below? The hoodie can hold all those things so dad’s hands are free to hold the baby. The hoodie sells for $108, but there is a 15% off coupon on the site and free shipping for Father’s Day.
More than 130 reviewers gave the Dad hoodie a 4.9 out of 5-star rating, so it’s a safe bet for a great gift!
If your father doesn’t have a home security system already, he could probably benefit from a wireless camera. Not only does it deter burglars, but it can help him to keep tabs on pets or kids, too. And right now this 2K Wi-Fi camera with outdoor night vision is selling at Walmart for a steeply reduced price of $39.99 (down from $129.99). The 130-degree surveillance range works inside and outside, and it includes a two-way audio feature.
Out of more than 750 Walmart reviewers, the average rating is 4.5 out of 5 stars.
“We have a fenced in area but our dogs are little houdinis that like to escape,” wrote a verified purchaser. “This camera is perfect for monitoring them — you can see in real time with crystal clear photo quality, and talk to them if they’re digging or misbehaving.”
As Father’s Day approaches, it’s possible that your dad already has a lot of stuff. Maybe he actually needs somewhere to put his stuff. If so, this storage shed is steeply discounted right now at Walmart. Originally $699.99, this 6-by-4-foot galvanized steel shed is selling for $289.99.
He can store whatever he likes inside it; there’s enough room for items like ladders, snow shovels, bikes, lawnmowers, gardening supplies or even a grill. Out of more than 160 reviews, this shed has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.
“Have been using this shed for almost 3 months, during which time the shed has been subjected to winds of over 100 mph for several hours and it is still standing,” wrote reviewer Ryan. “The fact that it survived the hurricane relatively well speaks a lot about its structure.”
If the idea of spending time around a campfire and roasting s’mores is your father’s idea of a good time, this table top fire pit may be right up his alley. If you’re tight on space in your backyard or just want to have a more intimate gathering around the table, the Mesa table top fire pit from Solo Stove is the perfect gift for dad this Father’s Day.
Our product-testing experts reviewed the Solo Stove and loved the fact that it required zero setup and could be used straight out of the box. They also loved how quickly the flames get going once lit, as well as the large size of the flames. The quick burn time means you won’t have to worry about the fire taking forever to die out once you head inside.
The stove comes in five colors and includes a nylon carrying case, making it easy to store and transport. One of the biggest bonuses of the Mesa Table is that it is smokeless, which makes it even better for smaller spaces. You can pick one up in several hues on Amazon or direct from Solo Stove in five chic colors.
Birkenstocks hold a special place in many people’s hearts for a reason. In the last few years, the traditionally hippie sandal often worn by crunchy-granola types has seen a massive shift in popularity, and is now being paired with, dare we say, chic, outfits. In a way you get the best of both worlds with Birkenstocks: comfort and practicality combined with a fashion-forward edge.
If you want to give your dad the gift of style this Father’s Day, these super-comfortable Arizona sandals from Birkenstock for sale at Zappos will do just the trick. The sandal showcases the brand’s classic silhouette, but is made out of a lightweight, flexible, waterproof material. The sandals are also washable, which means your dad can trek them in the mud without having to worry about ruining his new favorite pair of shoes. What’s not to love?
Nothing signals “It’s time to wind down and relax” to the body more than putting on an oversized plush robe. This find from Brooklinen will have your dad feeling like every day is spa day with its super-soft and plush Turkish cotton. The idea for the robe was taken from the brand’s best-selling Super-Plush towels and gives you the chance to swathe yourself in oversized luxury whenever you want.
The robe comes in five colors, including striped flamingo (pink and white), white, smoke, graphite and ocean. It’s also currently available in a limited edition eucalyptus shade of green which is only around until supplies last. The Turkish cotton is super durable, so there’s no need to worry about it wearing down over time due to wash and dry cycles. It’s a no brainer!
It’s safe to say there probably isn’t a dad out there who wouldn’t benefit from this shave collection from the skincare geniuses at Kiehl’s. The four-piece kit contains an energizing cleanser, a brushless shave cream, a razor burn relief salve and a vitamin-enriched moisturizer. The kit is valued at $83, is normally priced at $58, and is currently on a limited-time sale for $49.30. That means if you act soon you’ll snag a deal for almost $34 less than the full-value price.
All of the products contain great-for-your skin natural ingredients, as well as vitamin C, caffeine and menthol for extra perkiness.
If you want to snag this gift and have it sent straight to your dad, Nordstrom offers some great free add-ons including a free email gift message or a free printed note upon delivery.
Happy Father’s Day!
Lauren Alexander contributed to this report.
]]>As someone who tosses a t-shirt on top of my two piece, I decided it was time to level up my pool-side style this year! I window-shopped all over the world wide web to find swimsuit cover-ups that are mature, chic, and totally on-trend. From crochet sets to button down shirt dresses, here are the 25 swimsuit cover-ups I would happily wear all summer long!
The stretchy, gauzy material on this bathing suit coverup is so light and simple. Throw it over your suit to grab a post-swim glass of rosé!
This blue and white striped cover-up is classic coastal chic. The little fringe on the bottom adds enough detail without detracting from the overall look.
Your coastal grandmother would be oh-so proud of this linen-cotton blend cover-up. It's light, airy, and crisp for all your breezy beach days.
You'll be pretty in pink with the Lightspun Cover-Up Mini Shirtdress from Madewell. I love how this isn't quite a short sleeve or a long sleeve, giving it a modern gen-z feel.
The embroidery on this buttondown cover-up is everything, elevating your vacation style without being too flashy.
I just bought this crochet cover-up from Target, and it's so adorable. It's a nice, cheeky way to throw something on and still show a little skin. ;)
Sticking with the crochet style, this sheer maxi is a more mature take on the trend.
Flowers are always more fun, IMO! This crochet cover-up has a quality-looking weave, bold colors, and an unfortunately higher price tag. Definitely planning to save up for this one!
Mesh isn't exactly crochet, but it'll do. Simplicity is elegance with this cover-up dress from Anthropologie!
I love a square neckline, and this crochet bathing suit cover-up is no exception to that. So cute!
You had us at "Fauxchet." Aside from a fun pun, this takes that same cute crochet pattern from the cover-up dress and puts it in robe form. Nice!
Again, mesh is mostly like crochet, right? The t-shirt mini dress from Target is sleek, simple, and a tad playful.
All the beach vibes should be laid back, and this slouchy sundress is perfect for that!
Mykonos is in the name, so you know this cover-up is vacay-ready. It's casual enough for a stroll by the sea, but cute enough to toss on for an outdoor dinner!
This no-frills dress is a perfect cover-up for the person who doesn't wanna overthink it too much.
Pom-poms aren't just for cheerleaders anymore! Evidently, they're for adorable caftan cover-ups, too!
If you thought I was done with crochet, you thought wrong. This is one trend I honestly can't get enough of, especially with this shorts + hoodie duo!
Add a dash of color to your cover-ups this year with this set from Madewell. I love the dainty cutout details and the sunshine yellow hue!
Gauzy material is a great choice for hot summer days, and this set from Gap proves it. The cool girl vibes of this 'fit easily go from sea to shore.
Wanna feel free and breezy like Daisy Jones? This '70's tie top and high-waisted pants are the perfect option!
I'm obsessed with this pastel green sarong! Something about this whole look screams quiet luxury...or whispers it? You get the point.
Simple, sweet, and to the point — this sarong is great to pack for when you just wanna throw something on that goes with anything.
Farm Rio has the most fun patterns, featuring bold and beautiful colors, so I'm not surprised they pulled out all the stops with this sarong. Catch me wearing this with a piña colada in-hand!
This sweet little skirt is flirty and fun! I would totally toss it on for my pre-beach brunch!
You can still make the whole place shimmer while you're having fun in the sun this summer!
Looking for other summer style ideas? Sign up for our email newsletter!
Brit + Co. may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
Header image via Free People
]]>The intricately woven Chilkat robe, made of mountain goat wool and yellow cedar bark, was purchased by the Taku River Tlingit First Nation in northwestern B.C. for almost $40,000 after it went up for sale online by a Toronto-based auction house last year.
The robe arrived in Whitehorse Wednesday (June 7) and will travel 175 kilometres south to the First Nation’s traditional territory in Atlin, B.C., where it’s expected to go on display and may be used in future ceremonies.
While the community celebrates the return of a piece of its heritage, the First Nation said Indigenous people should not be forced to buy back regalia that was stolen from them.
It’s calling on the federal government to take action to prevent similar situations in the future.
Tlingit elder and master carver Wayne Carlick said his heart “probably exploded” when the robe’s close connection to his community was confirmed after he saw it online.
As an artist and residential school survivor, Carlick said looking at the robe and understanding the history it represents makes him emotional.
“I think about when I got home from residential school, I didn’t see any art, I didn’t see any language, I didn’t see any dancing or singing. People were suffering and really hurting and there was no art,” he said in an interview from the airport in Vancouver.
“It took a long time before I started seeing First Nation’s art, West Coast First Nation’s art, and so it took a long time to get to this point.”
Carlick said getting the robe back is a chance for the younger generation to see art in a way he couldn’t at their age, and to learn about the nation’s history and resilience.
It was late last year when a friend of Carlick’s first spotted the robe up for auction and sent him the online link.
Carlick said he’s seen many similar items but this was the first one he’s come across with wolves, an animal common in Taku River Tlingit culture.
The pair started doing research, calling museums around North America, before coming to the realization the robe was from a well-known Taku River Tlingit family.
Carlick’s friend, an Atlin local named Peter Wright, agreed to step in and bid for the robe, with the understanding that the First Nation would pay him back.
The Taku River Tlingit said in a statement in December that the piece was originally expected to sell for an estimated $15,000 to $20,000 but came in at a staggering $38,000.
It’s unclear how the item came to be part of a private collection in Ontario.
The First Nation’s spokesperson said in a statement Wednesday that they are overjoyed that a piece of their heritage is being returned.
“This long-awaited homecoming fills our hearts with happiness and strengthens our spiritual connection to our ancestors. However, we must acknowledge that repairing our First Nation relationships with the federal government is equally crucial,” the statement said.
“It is unacceptable that any First Nation should have to purchase their stolen property back, and we urge the government to take responsibility for this issue. In accordance with (The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples), the government must prioritize truth and reconciliation efforts, including addressing these types of injustices.”
The First Nation has said there are currently hundreds of pieces of Tlingit art in distant museums and private art collections, meaning community members rarely have opportunities to see them.
Ben Louter, a heritage archaeologist with the Taku River Tlingit, said a special display case for the robe is being built by experts in New York and it will be installed at the First Nation government’s office in Atlin.
The glass protects the delicate fibres from UV rays and the case is humidity controlled.
An official repatriation ceremony is scheduled for July as part of a three-day event involving all Canadian Inland Tlingit communities.
Ashley Joannou, The Canadian Press
]]>
It’s the third episode of series 9!
In the third episode of The Great British Sewing Bee series 9, 10 contestants are challenged with making a Ghanaian batakari or fugu tunic, transform adore fabric into a dress and sew a made-to-measure boubou robe for a model. For episode three we have put our detective hats on to discover the sewing patterns from independent designers and commercial pattern houses used in Sewing Bee TV show. This week a special guest judge joins Patrick and Esme, Nigerian fashion designer Banke Kuku. The patterns below are all matches or inspired by the designs used in the third episode of the Great British Sewing bee series 9. If you haven’t already seen our ultimate guide to the Sewing Bee do take a look.
The theme was ‘celebrating west Africa’ and all 10 contestants had to make three garments. The challenges included making a Ghanaian batakari or fugu tunic, upcycling hand-dyed adore fabric into a dress, and a made-to-measure boubou (dramatic flowing wide-sleeved robe worn by men and women) to fit a model. Take a look at our sewing pattern suggestions below, we’ve tried to find the exact patterns used but where we haven’t been able to we have plenty of suggestions so that you can recreate these looks at home for your handmade wardrobe. Kate also talks through her favourite pattern options from the episode on YouTube in our special mid-week sewing bee vlog.
If you want to chat about the episode and the challenges then do join us each week in our Facebook group event.
The first challenge of the third episode was to make a Ghanaian batakari or fugu tunic, which first involves sewing strips of handwoven deboya fabric. Sewers must also choose a facing material. This pattern is a simplified version of the batakari tunic for men. Contestants must sew six godets giving the garment an a-line shape and also create a neckline opening. Here is a Unisex Ghanaian smock sewing patterns you could try to recreate this garment.
Folkwear 158 Unisex Ghanaian smock
This loose-fitting top originated in northern Ghana, but is now worn in many areas of West Africa, and has become popular around the world. It is called fugu or batakari, among other terms, in Ghana, and is generally made from hand-woven strips of fabric with wedge-shaped godets inserted below the chest to give it a flared shape. This pattern is great for fabric artists, weavers, and fabric lovers, as almost any fabric will do, from your own woven strips to regular yardage – just tear or cut it into strips and sew the strips together.
A striking top, the Ghanaian Smock is worn by men and women (the women’s version has elastic at the waist). Men often wear the smock over trousers or shorts, and it can be worn by women over trousers, leggings, or when made longer, as a dress on its own. Long or short sleeved shirts can be worn underneath the smock. A kufi cap completes the outfit and is included in the pattern. Embroidery motifs for the smock are also included.
Sizing: S – XL. Please check the finished garment measurements.. Available in the shop: Yes, PDF or PDF + printed copy shop.
In the upcycling challenge contestants had to upcycle beautiful hand dyed Nigerian adire fabric into a dress by draping on the stand. Specific patterns weren’t used for these tasks as contestants had to create a garment from existing materials in a fixed time so it’s a bit tricky for us to make sewing pattern suggestions based on these design ideas.
In the last challenge of episode three, all the contestants had to make a boubou, a dramatic and flowing wide-sleeved robe worn by men and women across west Africa, for their model. Here are our pattern picks for the contestants and where sewing patterns have been self drafted or hacked we have suggested an alternative.
Lizzie’s colour block Boubou
Features: Drawstring ruche and French seams.
Pattern: Self drafted.
Asmaa’s Jellabiya Boubou
Features: Sequinned lace, hood and silk chiffon.
Pattern: Vogue Patterns V8551 (vintage circa 1973).
Sizing: Individual. Available in the shop: No, out of print. Check reselling sites such as Etsy and Ebay.
Lauren’s Fans Boubou
Features: Diamante trim, Feather trim.
Pattern: Simplicity 8657 hacking pattern.
Available in the shop: Out of print, try reselling sites including Etsy and Ebay.
Fauve’s Fringed Boubou
Features: Fringing, feathers.
Pattern: Vintage Simplicity S5900 (circa 1973).
Sizing: One size. Available in the shop: Out of print, try reselling sites including Etsy and Ebay.
Maria’s Chiffon Boubou
Features: Gold ribbon, sequin trim.
Pattern: Simplicity Vintage Caftans S8505. The ankle-length caftan V. A with back zipper closing has high round neckline, kimono type sleeves, front slit opening and novelty braid trim. Ankle-length caftan V. B with back loop and button closing and “V” shaped neckline has yoke and skirt area gathered to midriff, and inside ties. Simplicity authentic vintage sewing pattern 1970’s.
Sizing: A (S-M-L) approx. UK sizes A (8-14/16) Please check the size chart and finished garment measurements.. Available in the shop: Yes, paper pattern.
Vicki’s Midi Boubou
Features: Pattern matched with a belt.
Tony’s Billowing Boubous
Features: Feather lace overlay, rounded neckline.
Pattern: Vogue Patterns V1886. This is a reissue of a pattern from 1979. Very loose-fitting, pullover, evening length caftan has front oval and back scooped neckline, side front and side back seams (no side seams), side panels with square armhole, slightly above-elbow length shaped cape sleeves extending to hemline, and narrow hem. Front buttonhole openings at waistline are for purchased cording holding in front fullness. Topstitching. (Note: shading will occur with nap fabrics).
Sizing: A (XS-S-M-L-XL-XXL), approx. UK sizes A (4– 22/24). based on our standardised size chart. Available in the shop: Yes, paper pattern.
Matthew’s Man’s Boubou
Features: Balloon sleeves, Harness, Ankara wax print.
Pattern: Self-drafted.
Mia’s Puffy Ruffly Boubou
Features: Taffeta ruffles, off the shoulder, tiered skirt.
Pattern: Butterick B6451. Very loose-fitting pullover dress has elastic at neckline, and sleeve/hem variations. A, B: Elastic at waist.
Sizing: Y (XS-S-M) ZZ (L-XL-XXL), which is approx. UK sizes Y (4/6 – 8/10), ZZ (12/14– 22/24). based on our standardised size chart. Available in the shop: Yes, paper pattern.
Tony’s Flounce Boubou
Features: Psychedelic print, flounce.
Pattern: We are sure about this one, it’s been tricky to find anything similar! If you have a good idea, please let us know.
The post Great British Sewing Bee 2023 – Sewing Patterns S9 Ep3 appeared first on The Fold Line.
]]>Sam Levinson's work is not easy to write about. The writer and director has in the course of just a few, prolific years done what takes many other artists much longer. He's gone from small productions to big ones, massively increased his budget cap, with this most recent project, "The Idol," he's been invited to the Cannes Film Festival, and he's become a household name, a harder feat for behind the camera personnel than those whom the camera trains on.
The fact that Levinson has become a known quantity outside of film-sophisticate circles has to do with the provocative nature of most of the stories he tells, sure, and the attendant scandals they often produce, and the buzzy young actors implicated in those scandals too. But more than these reasons, I think Levinson's ability to break the below-the-line barrier comes down to the fact that his work now evinces a highly recognizable style.
Ask a handful of critics who the most important filmmakers of the 21st century are. A fair number are going to name Quentin Tarantino and Wes Anderson, but a fair number aren't. Ask the average, non-film-obsessed person the same question and these two will absolutely come up, and for the same reason behind Levinson's rise. There is a distinct glint to the casting, lighting design, music cues and overall sound design, execution of narrative climax and denouement, and especially to the editing in all his work from "Assassination Nation" (2018) onward.
Levinson is in pure form in "The Idol." It is easy in a critical culture fixated on versatility as the defining quality of artistic excellence to write the series off as more empty Levinsonian provocation, no better or worse than "Euphoria." But that's not what I'm going to do, even if it's true.
"The Idol" centers on Jocelyn, a shining young pop starlet played by Lily-Rose Depp. We actually don't hear much of the music that made Jocelyn famous before "The Idol" catches up with her, nor do we get much of a sense of the image she and her team have presented to the world. But Depp's extreme beauty, the fragility conveyed by her slenderness and china doll face, her ruddy fitness and sturdiness demonstrated in the show's many demanding choreography scenes that counterbalances the fragility, Depp's aloofness, and her core of achingly simple sincerity most closely resemble Britney Spears, specifically in her "I'm a Slave 4 U" era.
Britney, of course, being the 21st century's ultimate pop star as public victim, should clue you in on where Levinson's interests lie here. Depp's primary co-star, Abel Tesfaye (aka The Weeknd) has spoken about bringing the idea of a series about the music industry to Levinson. But "The Idol" is really a show about celebrity. In specific terms, "The Idol" is about the experience of managed personhood that the fame industry requires, in which vulnerable, yet highly magnetic young women are systematically deprived of their autonomy, their integrity, and even their ability to speak. Each of those faculties are replaced by cynical handlers that make decisions on the artist's behalf, and often in their worst interest.
The extraordinary opening sequence of the first episode lays this dynamic out in diagnostic detail.
In "The Idol" opening scene, Jocelyn poses for professional photos in a skimpy robe on her bed. Depp rapidly cycles through convincing emotional states in close-up: sadness, desire, playful anger. The camera pulls back to reveal that behind the scenes, Jocelyn's entire team is engaged in a fight over which poses she can assume, which she can't assume, and whether she can even move without their explicit permission.
Managers, agents, PR spinners, intimacy coordinators, journalists, and industry executives played by the likes of Jane Adams, Hank Azaria, Eli Roth, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Dan Levy, Rachel Sennott, Hari Nef, and Troye Sivan have come to a deadlock over whether or not Jocelyn has the ability to go topless in her own bedroom. Jocelyn herself expressing that she'd actually like to doesn't move the needle an inch. "The Idol" shows that the demands of public personhood require the person in question to be bifurcated: there is Jocelyn the star, a billboard-sized goddess built to cultivate desire, envy, and resentment to the highest degree in her audience, and then there is Jocelyn the person, whose limited human body becomes the site of extraction to pay all of Jocelyn the star's tolls.
As so often happens in stories like these, Jocelyn meets a man who seems different from the goons in her phony entourage. That's Tesfaye's Tedros, a sort of DJ/nightclub hype beast who encounters Jocelyn on a night out. Predictably, Jocelyn's profound desperation to be truly seen and heard blinds her to Tedros' barely hidden ulterior motives, which point to a Phil Spector/Ike Turner-esque desire to use her even more ruthlessly. But Jocelyn's almost inhuman control over her affect, clear from the very first scene, suggests she may not be the only one entering blindly into a deal with the devil.
I said that "The Idol" is no better or worse than "Euphoria." That was a lie. It's definitely worse than "Euphoria," at least so far, but only because the world Levinson has turned his attention to is filled with so many people hiding behind dense masks. The world of celebrity is a world of illusion, where manipulation and deception are like blinking and breathing, where every mirror is a trick mirror, and where the personalities one encounters are so highly processed, such complex mixtures of authenticity and insincerity that one is often indistinguishable from the other. Simply put, it's hard to depict this world well. It's very easy to slide off the edge of representation into cliche, morally superior judgment, and pathetic fawning. And "The Idol" often does.
But when I implied that "The Idol" is merely one more "empty Levinsonian provocation," that was also a lie. I understand what attracted Levinson to the world of celebrity, besides the fact that he now moves through it and has likely gleaned some unique insights about it. Being a celebrity has a lot in common with being a teenager, as does the fame industry with high school. But teenagers are simply incapable of the kind of high-level schadenfreude and slick maneuvering that are common among the rich and powerful. As a consequence, "Euphoria" processed a channel of extraordinarily raw emotions and experiences, which, filtered through Levinson's liquidy, sinewy, glittering, and broken formal kaleidoscope, created something awe-inspiring. And something very honest.
"The Idol" is honest too, but it's honest about very fake people that we've already been told many times are fake. Levinson and his DP's ingenious camera placements, his editors' vertiginous cutting and splicing, and his seductive use of music still hit, but the impact is greatly diminished.
"Euphoria" was composed with some false notes, but the overriding music was so potent and original that it ultimately nullified them. Anchored by Zendaya's Herculean performance as a death-driven young addict with a golden heart, the show was greatly aided by its supporting cast of relative nobodies. Talented nobodies, but the fact of their inability to be mentally placed elsewhere allowed viewers to feel immersed in "Euphoria" in the way one does in classic melodramas -- everything is heightened to a pitch that practically forces you to submit to seduction.
Depp and Tesfaye are doing wonderful jobs so far. Depp gracefully swerves around easy cliches, guided by calmness, comfort with herself, and charming shyness that rarely shows up in tragic starlet types like hers. Tesfaye is her perfect foil, duping critics who lambast his macho, malevolent performance as unconvincing -- it's supposed to be!
But Levinson has relented to the trend of cameo casting, where even throwaway characters have highly recognizable faces. He also greatly overloaded the cast with character actors and performers with very limited ranges. Jane Adams and Hank Azaria are great, their rough-edged inability to meld with an ensemble could have added something really interesting if they weren't surrounded by Dan Levy, Eli Roth, and Da'Vine Joy Randolph, who, surrendering to broad types, completely throw off immersion into the world of the show.
As for what actually happens, did we need to be led with thematic cues like a "Darling Nikki" needle-drop or Jocelyn watching "Basic Instinct"? Levinson hasn't completely circled back to his "Assassination Nation"-level of non-confidence in himself or his audience. But again, "Euphoria" this is not. It is, I strongly think, worth watching, and for all its weaknesses, "The Idol" is still more original, interesting, and pleasurable than most series ordered out of the TV boom of the past half-decade.
Read this next: The Best And Worst TV Couples Of 2022
The post The Idol Review: The Series Might Be Insecure and Miscast, But Sam Levinson is Still Making Vital Television appeared first on /Film.
]]>This man is your North Star, your guiding light, your port in a storm – the man who helped shape you into the very fine person you are today. Trying to sum that up in gift form is never easy. So, as someone who typically wants or needs for nothing – or at least pretends to – let’s assume that something practical, indulgent or drinkable (or a winning combination of all three) is the way to go.
Or perhaps, you’re the daddy now – and those sleepless nights deserve some form of consolation prize? Fret no more, we’ve got the best ‘one-for-him, one-for-me’ Father’s Day gift list going.
Replacing his tatty bathrobe is a good place to start – and not with just any old white dressing gown that will turn an unappealing shade of greige in the wash.
Casamera make superior, 100% cotton robes in a generous waffle fabric in sizes S through to XXXL. Available in a palette of cool shades such as denim, an aged washed out blue, and pistachio, a subtle light green hue, this hooded, belted style features an eyewear loop on the lapel to keep specs and sunnies within easy reach, while the roomy pockets will safely prevent the elusive TV remote from being swallowed by the couch.
The pure cotton material makes it the perfect post-shower or post-swim attire; it’s absorbent, odour resistant and breathable, with colour fade protection.
And, if you really want to spoil him, Casamera also make slippers in matching fabric with a wide fit, and a comfort cushioned suede sole.
Father’s Day is the ideal excuse to buy him something he’d never treat himself to. If premium leather goods sit on his side of needless extravagance, that doesn’t mean he’ll have any issues accepting yours.
Founded by French-Argentinian Guillermo Boyle, his namesake line of leather accessories is hand made in Italy using the finest quality calf leather from one of the most sustainable Italian tanneries, and presented in FSC paper boxes with branded dust bags for safe-keeping. Here are three foolproof items from the range.
Whose dad wouldn’t benefit from upping their style game for those face-to-face meetings? Prospective clients will surely approve of this well-organised leather receptacle.
Available in black, brown, or two tone with contrast handles, the GB briefcase has top handles and an optional shoulder strap that can be stowed in a bespoke Alcantara pouch.
With full length interior pockets and compartments for essential documents, an outer pocket to house smaller essentials, plus a leather key ring with a handy magnetic tab so there’s less painful rummaging in the depths to locate them, it’s the promotion his wardrobe is looking for.
This classic wallet features an aluminium interior card case with thoroughly modern RFID blocking technology to keep your data secure. It holds up to seven credit cards, and has slots for receipts and folded bills, while allowing quick access at the push of a button.
Super slim, it won’t ruin the line of his suit, plus Boyle make two special editions: one with the embossed lettering picked out in gold, and one with a stainless steel interior card case – just to be that little bit extra.
Furnish his wrist with a contemporary leather bracelet crafted from cross-hatched leather. The Bompard bracelet features an asymmetric stainless steel buckle and comes in four shades of leather, which magically cover most formal to casual outfits.
Shop now at guillermoboyle.com
Is pops a whisky connoisseur? Hazelwood House in Dufftown is the family seat of the Gordon family, which has spent many generations casking Scotch whiskies to produce a fine, rare aged stock under the House of Hazelwood banner.
Mature stock is only released when it’s ready, and in very limited batches. Break the bank – or club together with relatives – to gift him 70cl of this liquid gold and anoint the new star of his drinks cabinet.
A hand labelled, individually-numbered decanter houses the amber nectar of this 39 year aged Speyside blended scotch whisky, which has notes of fresh pineapple, charred fruit and old-fashioned sweet shops.
Congrats if he can recall what he was doing in the early 1980s, when it was bottled.
Matured in American white oak casks, The Lowlander spotlights the craft of the unsung lowland distilleries with an exceptional, unusual blend that opens with freshly cut grass, a sweet note of spun sugar and fading to dry star fruit.
The youngest, and most pricey whisky in our edit, The Tops is a 33-year-old blend of the best of the best. Rich and decadent, with dark notes of treacle and a strong cask influence, experienced palates may detect maraschino cherries, crystallised rose petals and coffee beans.
Served similarly in a hand labelled, individually-numbered decanter.
Shop now at houseofhazelwood.com
A quality timepiece is always a prospective heirloom for the next generation, so add a considered edition to his horological collection.
Fraser Hart is a trusted destination for luxury timepieces. As one of the nation’s leading jewellers, with 25 shops located around the UK, it carries designs from top watchmakers like Omega, Breitling, TAG Heuer, Tudor and Panerai, plus diamonds and other keepsakes that help celebrate life’s special moments with items that speak to his interests or hobbies.
The watch of pilots, astronauts and presidents, the Omega Speedmaster is on every watch lovers list.
How can you improve a classic? Inspired by the 4th generation style worn on a lunar landing, the Speedmaster Moonwatch has an asymmetrical case, black step dial, the famous dot above the 90 on the anodised aluminium bezel ring, and a higher standard of precision and anti-magnetism than ever before.
Looking for a sportier vibe? The Breitling Endurance Pro combines an ultra-lightweight 44mm case with a thermo-compensated SuperQuartz movement that is 10 times more accurate than conventional quartz.
The hour and minute hands are coated in Super-LumiNova so he’ll be able to read the time even in limited light. And, it’s ready for action – it’s water-resistant to 100 metres and served with a Diver Pro rubber strap to match the fire engine red of the inner bezel ring.
For the motorsports enthusiast who loves the thrill of burning rubber, we suggest this stunning TAG Heuer Formula 1 with a black ceramic tachymeter bezel, grey textured dial and bold lime yellow accents.
A precision instrument for perfect lap timing, the Formula 1 dial is enhanced by the flat sapphire crystal and Super-LumiNova hands.
For the die-hard Bond fan, this black and grey sailing bracelet is inspired by the NATO strap worn in Spectre, and features a moveable silver ring with the 007 logo.
Elevate his best suited-and-booted look with this pair of elegant Montblanc cufflinks in steel and blue goldstone. The midnight blue stone centrepiece is flecked with tiny copper pieces.
Like a starry night sky, it will add just the right amount of sparkle for any special occasion.
Fraser Hart also carry a wide selection from Dutch wallet makers, Secrid. The ultra-safe Miniwallet offers generous storage in a compact, pocket-sized format, holding 4-6 RFID protected cards with space for four additional cards.
It’s all wrapped up in a variety of saffiano, vintage and plain leather exteriors complete with snap closure.
For the man who’s always on the move, CuirĒlixir handcraft all manner of luxury accessory cases using the finest vegetable-tanned Vachetta leather. Exclusively sourced from Tuscany, it is chosen for its soft touch and excellent recovery against light marks, and will give a patina that ages gracefully over time.
New home for his sunglasses? Check. Tie sleeve for a wrinkle-free engagement? Check. Special watch box for his favourite time-piece? All these items are here, plus our top picks, below.
This wash bag strikes a flawless balance of softness, durability and aesthetics, making it a real investment piece. Made from full-grain, vegetable-tanned Vachetta leather, it has a distinctive aroma of sumptuous leather.
Generously proportioned, it features snap buttons for extra storage capacity, interior compartments for his toothbrush and razor, two mesh pockets and a secure zipped pocket for small items.
It’s a first class ticket, however he’s travelling.
Made from gleaming Vachetta leather, this iPad/MacBook Air sleeve is made to fit your device to perfection. With a soft curved design and a navy blue nubuck leather lining, it will protect the precious cargo from bumps and knocks.
It’s a must-have addition to his professional and personal life.
He’ll never lose an earbud again with this dedicated AirPod pouch. Made from full grain, double tanned calfskin from France, the Stahl edge paint and saddle-stitched finish lend a masculine appearance adding strength and durability to this AirPod Case, which keeps the white twins happily ensconced together.
About as far from rubbish novelty socks as you can get, Peper Harow socks are British made, use quality materials such as organic and recycled cotton, and come in myriad designs and colourways with a one-year guarantee.
Replenish his smalls drawer with a trove of hand finished socks with seamless toes in complimentary designs for work and leisure.
Made with 35% Global Recycled Standard cotton and a blend of polyester and polyamide, the Dashing Men’s Gift Box features a running dash design with a contrasting toe, heel and cuff in the following colour combinations: black/blue, blue/yellow, navy/ red and grey/navy.
For the more adventurous dresser, the Elegant Gift Box presents a trio of geometric patterns and subtle colour combinations in premium cotton.
Equilibrium is styled with a white flash along the edge of the foot. Symmetry features a striped pattern in aqua, navy and black, and the Ouse design is inspired by the Ouse Valley viaduct in a pattern of mustard, black and navy semi circles.
Cotton rich, this set is made with 75% – 88% GOTS certified organic cotton, 16% – 23% polyamide and 2% spandex.
For the colourful dresser, the Spot Gift Box presents a quartet of spotty socks made from 80% Supima cotton and 20% polyamide in a vibrant display of pin-polka dots in vivid colour combinations.
Get ready for him to flash some ankle in tasty shades of midnight, teal, apple and mint.
Shop now at peperharowengland.com
If directional footwear and cross-body bags are his thing, the fresh new styles from Pedro are definitely on-trend. The global fashion brand is an incubator for new design talent and offers something for all tastes with its men’s lines: Hybrix, Pedro Icon and Altitude.
With a leather upper and an elastic heel, these chunky lace up boots have a sneaker-inspired sole and will inject a fresh look into his outfits.
A menswear classic with a chunky lugged sole to give formal looks a touch of rock and roll.
Water resistant, these urban action sandals can go from beach to bar in one easy stride.
An easy, everyday casual shoe available in beige, black and olive green with a neon flash.
Balençiaga on a budget? These dazzling white, cushioned trainers give the expensive designer versions a run for the money.
Box-fresh kicks in an evocative Air Jordan shape will win the affections of any sneaker head.
With a commute-friendly, narrow profile and a sleek look, this minimal back pack can easily house a laptop and other daily essentials for everyday use.
Strong, stylish and durable, this plush weekend bag comes in taupe with a contrasting dark brown detachable strap and has ample packing space for a short trip.
Available in black, taupe and a denim effect, the Taper Sling is a cross body bag with a point of difference, boasting a boxy shape with an angular silhouette, a top handle, detachable strap, interior and exterior pockets.
This luxe zipped rectangular cross-body bag comes in taupe or brown, and comes with a smaller, detachable wallet-sized mini bag to house credit card sized items and adjustable straps.
With strong roots in sailing, Swedish tailors Stenströms has a reputation for high-quality shirting in a range of specialist styles, such as super slim and (hard-to-find) extra long sleeves, to flatter all body types.
The 1899 is Stenströms Heritage Shirt, and the year the founder, August Stenström, turned his tailors shop into a modern shirt factory. The 1899 represents the height of the label’s craftsmanship.
This is a slim-fit style, with two darts in the back, a split yoke, handcrafted mother of pearl buttons, a denser stitch length and a mouche to strengthen the bottom and side seams.
The indigo twill version is a summer staple made with the softest denim, featuring a full spread collar and single cuff.
For the dad who likes to express his personal style, he’ll enjoy transforming every outfit with the neck detail of this printed bandana.
Style it up with a Cuban collared shirt, a T-shirt or, if he’s really down with the kids, as a head scarf a la A$AP Rocky.
Are his swimming trunks long past best? Upgrade his poolside style with these blue striped drawstring swim shorts with back pocket, made with a cotton blend for faster drying.
Smart-casual wardrobe in need of a refresh? Summer wedding on the cards? You can’t go wrong with gifting him top-to-toe linen for his default summer look.
L’Estrange London was created by two designers on a mission to simplify men’s wardrobes. This honed collection of elevated basics for everyday life is made in a conscious way using responsible fabrics and traceable supply chains.
The following three items work perfectly as a full outfit or as work- horse separates that can handle any social occasion.
The Linen 24 Blazer is made in Portugal from a blend of premium Italian cotton and linen with 3% stretch to maintain shape. Unstructured, it features a narrower waist with a deeper hem and no cuff detailing for easier tailoring.
Available in navy (for the practical) and ivory (for the indulgent), it’s a go-to blazer for summer and beyond.
Made using a blend of organic cotton and linen with 3% stretch, this silky-soft collarless shirt comes in white, off-white, olive and navy – so you can match with the Linen 24 Blazer or create a contrast with another colour.
Unlike classic linen which creases easily, the blended material is less sheer and less prone to wrinkling for a smoother, pressed look.
Unlike regular linen trousers, the 24 trouser is made with a specific blend of organic linen, organic cotton, and a tiny amount of elastane for a silky-soft, crease-resistant finish that’s good for year-round wear.
Designed without belt loops, the hidden elastic waistband and inner cord fastening stretch for the perfect fit, and extra length hidden in the hem to accommodate a longer inseam.
Choose the matching shade to coordinate with the blazer and shirt, or style it up with a contrast.
Shop now at lestrangelondon.com
Men’s jewellery is having a bit of a renaissance with plenty of red carpet inspiration from the recent awards season, which saw a fair smattering of pearls, diamonds and lapel brooch displays.
At Jaxxon, you can get the look for less, with a wide range of fine fashion jewellery including Cuban link chains, pearl necklaces, iced neck chains, religious pendants and rings, all at a sizeable reduction from typical designer alternatives.
Missed the hype around Paul Mescal’s breakout performance as Connell in Normal People? A sizeable chunk of coverage was devoted to his character’s silver neck chain.
In a clear case of ‘best supporting role by a piece of jewellery’ who could deny the appeal of such a sixth form style move? And, who wouldn’t want a slice of that aphrodisiac for Father’s Day?
Make like Connell and rekindle that connection, using this fine 3mm, 20-inch Cuban Link chain. It’s made in Italy from quality 925 sterling silver and coated in rhodium to give it a lasting shine and durability.
Harry Styles single-handedly put pearls back on the map for men (OK, Pharrell Williams was on it first with Chanel, but Harry really brought it home with cult brand Éliou).
This 6mm pearl necklace with silver accents (also available in gold) is the perfect gift for the fashion-forward dad.
A contemporary take on a classic design, this solid gold signet ring has tapered edges in a brush finished satin textured lustre, along with a blank flattened top just waiting for your personal engraving.
Go for broke in timeless 14k gold, or get the look for (a lot) less with a plated finish.
Made in very limited, crowd-funded batches, the CODE41 T360 Tourbillon has a rigorously tested movement that is 100% Swiss designed and produced, with a beating heart turning at one revolution per minute.
The exclusive skeleton design comes in both traditional and contemporary finishes, especially the eye-catching titanium rainbow. With two case finishes, NativeDNA or Stratom, and interchangeable leather, rubber or titanium straps, there are 200 possible combinations of the CODE41, so you’ll be safe in the knowledge that the Tourbillon you pick for your dad will be as rare and special as the man himself.
Online retailer Very carry a huge range of men’s fashion, lifestyle and grooming products from well-known brands and designer labels at prices to suit every pocket.
Keep him kitted out with long lasting basics with this triple pack of pure cotton crew neck T-Shirts in darker, neutral shades that go with everything.
Take a size up to ensure the best fit.
British shoe brand Clarks make the most comfortable shoes ever, so he’ll never complain about these impact absorbing sandals. This slip-on style is made from responsibly sourced leather, with a cushioning foam footbed to protect his feet and with a textile lining and microfibre sock to boost breathability.
Please note, the pedicure is sold separately, so if he’s unleashing those toenails on an unsuspecting public, introduce him to a nail bar as part of the reveal.
A new scent always goes down well on Father’s Day, so indulge him with the latest summer splash, BOSS Bottled Pacific: a woody, aquatic fragrance with uplifting notes of citrus, salted accord, cypress essence, soft cashmeran, sandalwood, Indonesian Patchouli and coconut accord for that full west coast beach vibe.
For the practical, outdoorsy dad or keen cyclist, this Adidas Terrex Multi Insulated gilet offers some space-saving and seasonal weather-proofing.
Made from 100% recycled polyester, it’s a lightweight core warming layer, packs into its own pocket, has a backpack-compatible shoulder construction, an essential hood with chin guard and a PFC free water-repellent finish with reflective details.
Boost his audio experience of his favourite tunes, podcasts, radio shows, gaming and more with a classic pair of wireless headphones from Beats.
Instant set-up (so you won’t have to spend hours doing his home IT), Apple compatible so it will sync with all his devices, and no wires or earbuds to lose or misplace – just hours of cushioned, comfortable listening.
If your dad spends most of his working week in boardrooms and business meetings, he will appreciate a fine pair of cufflinks. After all, with corporate dress codes often stiff (read: boring), there isn’t much place for personal expression when donning the same charcoal two-piece and Oxfords every day.
However, where he can inject a bit of flair is with his choice of accessories, and this is where Mystic Magic comes in. Offering quirky yet stylish men’s jewellery in classic metals such as silver, gold and copper, your old man can let his personality shine while staying the right side of professional.
Here’s our top picks to finish off his perfectly pressed shirts.
Part of the brand’s Animal Heritage range, these exquisitely detailed Stag cufflinks are sure to set the right impression when stepping into any negotiation (hopefully there will be no rutting, though).
Cast in bronze and silver plated with an antique-style finish, then come in a beautiful velvet-lined presentation box to make them feel all the more special.
Coming in an antique copper finish, these Fox cufflinks are sure to break the ice with an y new prospective client. They would look superb set against a charcoal or black suit, with the dark matte finish ensuring they stay understated and the right side of professional.
Come complete with swivel back fastening and presentation box.
If you dad is always on the go from 9-5, then perhaps the Hare best represents his spirit animal. For the man that likes to get things done quickly and efficiently, these silver cufflinks are sure to be well received.
The post The Most Stylish Gifts For Father’s Day 2023 appeared first on Ape to Gentleman.
]]>But with the huge variety available online, it can be difficult to find the right one. Towelling, waffle, silk; to hood or not to hood; the choices are endless. Yet fear not, as we’ve curated a list of the finest bathrobe brands that you can buy right now.
Casamera can lay claim to producing the most funded bathrobe in Kickstarter history. This might seem a bit of an unusual flex, until you try one on. And the brand has just announced the second iteration, which is said to improve on the original in every way.
Made from a seriously soft, textured honeycomb cotton, it’s uniquely breathable and quick-drying, offering extraordinary comfort. Meanwhile the generous design comes with a large hood, handy side pockets and an eyewear loop for securing your glasses in between reading the morning newspaper.
If you’re after the ultimate dressing gown, look no further.
A classic design with its dark blue shade and white piping around the shawl collar and cuffs, this Wellwear gown is seriously soft and built to last.
Made from 100% cotton, it’s been treated with aloe vera extract, which is known for its anti-inflammatory and moisturising properties. Your skin will thank you later.
Shop now at David Gandy Wellwear
An update on the traditional silk gown, this M&S design is made from a cotton tencel blend, which is both lightweight and drapes beautifully.
It comes with a distinctive geometric pattern for a vintage look that works well with the matching pyjamas or a pair of boxer shorts and a white tee.
The likes of Noel Coward would have surely approved.
Texture can make all the difference when it comes to gowns. This Bedfolk take is made from 100% cotton, but comes with a crumpled hand feel that has the appearance of the softest bed linen.
Finished in a light green shade, it’s ideal for wearing on a lazy weekend around the house. Wear it if you want to feel like you’ve got your duvet draped around you.
Charles Tyrwhitt has applied the tailoring prowess of its shirt range to this stylish gown. It’s got a textured, almost pique-like look to its cotton fabric, and the deep navy tone is about as classic as it gets.
The fit is also spot on, while the chunky belt and large patch pockets are expertly designed with the same attention to detail the brand gives its tailoring.
If you’ve been lucky enough to stay in a Soho House, you might have encountered a robe similar to this one. The brand’s ‘House Robe’, it’s made from a fluffy recycled polyester and comes with the Soho House logo on the chest.
The rich bordeaux red shade is a vibrant option, but it’s also available in classic white, grey, beige or navy.
The post Home Comforts: 6 Of The Best Bathrobes For Men appeared first on Ape to Gentleman.
]]>In my seventh winter, when my head only reached my Appe’s rib, a White Man came into camp. Bare trees scratched Sky. Cold was endless. He moved through trees like strikes of Sunlight. My Bia said He came with bad intentions like a Water Baby’s cry.
Old Ones said this Man was the craziest White Man they had seen. Young Ones said this was the only White Man they had seen. Our wise One, Flatbird, asked Agai River if this was the very White Man sent from our Old Stories, but River did not answer.
See. He does not come with Horses, People said. He does not have pelts to trade.
In that black winter, His clothes were tattered, brittle-cold; they fell from Him in pieces like leaves fall from Trees. Snow had scraped His feet to bones.
At first, People were afraid of Him. How did He survive? People asked. Only a crazy One could survive with no covering and no food.
He is no Man, some said. Look at His skin.
His skin was frail pond ice when Moon lifts day. He shook like a dog shakes water. Crazy shaking. Day and night He shook. My Appe fed Him and covered Him with our best robes.
For many days, White Man sat beside our cook fire rubbing His palms together. He was like a hunk of frozen Buffalo; He stole the fire heat. And after many days, He became like the white Trees that line the Turtle marsh. His bark peeled. We saw bone shine, His back bared to wings. His fingers thawed, slushed, then stank. His penis turned to ash.
Our People came to look before He died. Touched His head. Prayed.
Flatbird said, I have no Medicine for this crazy Man. His eyes are washed of color.
See. He is already turning to Sky.
I sat with the dying Man. I watched over Him, as my Appe asked.
White Man lived to see tall grass return, lived to welcome Agai—Agai so thick in River we heard them speak. White Man lived to see us dance and watched us with His lowered head like an Elk with swivel eyes.
White Man lived to fool us.
He lived.
Follow Him, my Appe told me. Learn His tongue. Find out what He knows.
My Bia did not like White Man. She chewed Deer hides soft, made many baskets, all the while her scout eye perched on me, on Him, on His hands’ pale flutter around everything I touched, and did.
This Man spoke a strange tongue. All day long He spoke. On and on He spoke. His words made no sense.
What do you think He is saying? my Appe asked. He is all the time talking.
Fa Ra Siss Huck Ja Ja Ta To Eat Pa Ra, I said.
Appe took me to River to fish. Alone. He hid me from Bia.
I will teach you to fish, Appe said, so that you will know. Far off you will know to fish to stay alive. You must know how to speak to Water, but it is All to know how to listen. Listen like River listens to Agai.
When we netted enough to feast, Appe prayed. For a long time, he prayed. And then Appe struck River bushes with two sticks. He tossed head-sized rocks into tall grasses and grass Birds beat their wings like drums and flapped around us and away.
Appe cupped his ears. He looked to see if White Man followed me, if Bia was near. From all signs we were alone. He took off his moccasins and signaled me to follow. He took hold of my hand and together we stepped into the strong current of Debai-lit Water. We hid deep in shadowy scratch where bramble roots become one with River. Water was cold. Agai trembled close to our feet and held to us. I crouched beside Appe in hiss-speak of Water. I listened. I watched.
Appe looked down into Water and hooped his arms. Currents cracked over smooth stones and shivered around us. He waited until a round seam of Water appeared. Waves rushed past his circled arms. He waited until his breath no longer puffed.
Appe pulled me into the center of River, a still circle. I hold you here, my Baide. I ask River keep you as safe as I do now. As long as you are near River Water, I send my spine, my string gut, my blood to protect you.
I had a trouble dream, my Baide, Appe told me. In my dream, my own Baide spoke many tongues. Water chose her to be Long Spirit who remains after all are no more. A strong Baide who must speak with Monsters.
I was Appe’s only Baide. He was speaking about me, but did not wish his dream to fall over me.
I peered down into the clear River spot, but saw only Agai, their long snouts, their red fins flutter, their round round eyes.
Our Old Ways protect you, he said. Give me your hand. Can you feel it, Baide? River shakes tiny shakes now. No-longer-living is here. Feel it in your gut, my Baide. Earth changing, moving away from us. Little by little it goes.
Do not let Monsters know you understand. Hold to yourself and you will be safe, Appe said.
I opened my hands and held them over River and felt shaking in me. Outside me.
Sickness is near, Appe said.
We heard People of Sagebrush were struck by sudden Sickness. Black circles boiled up from deep in their bodies, burst, and robed them in antler velvet. The People died like rotten plums, split open, their skin fizzing stink. Their faces turned the color of Mountains before dark. Whole Villages rotted. Their angry Spirits plague Rivers now. Villages of Spirits searching for what was taken.
Appe knew what others did not know. Not Flatbird. Not Bia. Not Camehawait.
Can you hear Them? Appe asked. Trees scream with wind at night. Fury spits from Debai-lit skies and breaks branches in darkened woods. Their anger rattles rocks along River edge. Seething. Chittering. Close and All Around. So many lost. The Sickness they carry jickles like dry seedpods. Like Bad Medicine crouches in bone. Soon we will all be touched by Sickness we cannot heal.
Listen to me Baide. One day you will be far from me. But what we have taught will not leave you. Learn all you can and you will go on. From here now, and for many generations, far far into where I cannot see—you will be. I cannot tell you how, he said.
My Appe’s words trembled in me. All day my knees shook.
White Man looked at clouds. Slept like a baby in a bundle cradle.
Bia and I gathered Tree nuts, brown grass seeds. You look like trouble coming, Bia said to me. You are too young to be broken-mouthed. Your face is tatter-poled as an old Woman teepee carrier.
It is the wind, all night, I said.
Puh, Bia said. It is you drag White Man around like pull dog. I see. I see it is no good for you.
Listen. Learn from Him, Appe told me when we were alone.
How come Bia does not wish me to learn from White Man? I asked.
I think you ask why she does not believe me. Appe laughed. No People live long without One-Who-Challenges. We fall asleep in our tasks. Your Bia is like the dog that yaps at Weta. Weta growls and sniffs and digs with big claws. But Bia keeps her push. She is not afraid of sharp teeth or Weta snarls. Maybe she is right. You decide.
Bia saw what Appe did not see and Appe saw what Bia did not see.
You must hear the White Man’s voice, Baide, Bia said. You must hear Him differently than our Men hear. We Women hold our People’s language, and our language. Your own language is here, she said. She patted my chest.
Bia held my face and whispered, Men do not know Woman carries a voice inside her to help her live. When you stop hearing your voice you are nothing more than snare bait. You are bone crackles in Weta’s teeth.
Bia and Appe followed me. Buzzed around me.
Listen, Appe said. Listen to the steady tap of bees as they butt their tails against flowers.
Listen, Bia said, to the heavy smack of Wetas’ tongues against their teeth.
Listen, Appe said, to wind as it catches in Land dips.
Listen, Bia said, to the slather-drool in a hungry Wolf’s mouth. And in a Man’s mouth, she said. Puh.
Bia listened with the backs of her hands and the back of head. She listened with her rumble gut.
All things have their own way of being in this World, Bia said, a pattern, a footprint, sounds to make babies laugh, sounds to make children see trouble. Hear this, my Baide, in the gristle chew around campfires, in the laughter and mean jokes All Around, listen close. Stay awake. All speak carries warning—the tight-foot tread of Coyote around camp Water, the yowl of Fox throwing his voice, the scary titter of Agai when Water bowls in shallows. Listen to the White Man to survive. Let his voice set up in your head like coagulated blood along the ridges of scalps.
I listened as I made moccasins for White Man. I listened as I made Him Deer shirt and leggings. He wobbled like a fawn behind me. He talked and talked. He talked every bush, every blossom, every seed. I came to understand my own voice through His voice. Every tongue tap. Every voice Song. And then, slowly, White Man’s sounds became words and His words held meaning.
This I learned from Him: He came from Civilization.
His people came from across
big Water.
His Medicine Spirit was Jesus + He had seen the Devil.
His people have many many words for the World.
He tried to teach me all of them.
When White Man could not walk far He used me as His walking stick. He gripped my shoulders and stumbled behind me. Bia slapped His hands if He fell me. She stayed as close to Him as a suck bug. He watched me as I picked berries, plucked grasses, kept cook fires, dried Agai, played games.
You work as hard as a Man, He told me. But you are a little girl.
I did not understand and He pointed to young Men and cradled His cheek in His hand and closed His eyes. He put His arms around a large rock, grunted, and pointed at me. He smiled.
I looked away. He smiled too much. He smiled at everything like He knew something we did not know. He could not know our ways. The way Men work. The way Women work. Women hands are stained with blood, childbirth, and Men’s blood. Ripe berries. Butcher blood. He could not know I work harder than Men because I am learning All Ways to survive.
Women carry childbirth and Death, blister snow and suckling babies, Weta growls and Weta attacks in berry bushes, Enemy sneak-ups, War parties return, and War parties not return. Women survive carry-work every day. All year. Year upon year. Across Prairies. Across Rivers. Across Mountains. In All Ways, Women carry Men in all their ways. Women carry Men to survive.
White Man was as lazy as a lazy Bird plucking lice from a Horse butt.
Appe told me to keep listening.
White Man drew scratches in soft River edges. This line means the beginning of a word. This is the word for SUN. He lifted His hand to Debai and drew a circle with spikes and pointed to His scratching, then pointed up to Debai. The round white circle in the Sky, SUN, He said.
When Weta snuffled in the willows, He pointed. Bear, He said. Dangerous Bear. He made his hands curl like Weta claws and clawed Sky. He named all the Fish. He named Everything.
There are four Seasons, He said. Winter brings cold and snow. The opposite of Winter is Summer. Summer brings heat, days of plenty. Spring brings renewal, new leaves, new hope, new Life. Autumn brings frost and shimmers with golden leaves. He lifted his palm toward River and pulled his fingers together as if He sprinkled fat over soup. Shimmer, He said. Glitter. His eyes watered. Light over Water is beautiful. Autumn is beautiful, He said.
You are beautiful, He said.
When I asked what beautiful means, He swept his open hand across the Landsight from Earth to Sky to Earth.
Beautiful, He said. He touched small red-speckled leaves. Beautiful, He said again, lifting tiny rosebuds to my face. Beautiful.
Puh, Beautiful means He has come to destroy us, Bia said. He is foolish. Pay no attention to His petting words. Only what He does. Petting words will fool you. What He does is what matters. Remember our long-ago stories. He is only one of many Enemies to come.
I listened to Bia and tried to understand the many ways she told me to listen and not listen. I became as watchful as Coyote blinking in the underbrush.
White Man ways of living are strange to our ways. If all White Men live in blind Seasons, they are like a Man with one foot snared. They are asleep to the changing Moons. I was born in the Season of Budding Moon. Bia said I was born to understand plants and to use them to their best. I was born to gather, to see the World around me, to listen, to tend. Appe was born in the Season of Coyote Moon. He was born to track, to watch, to pay attention. He sees things we cannot. Bia was born in the Season of Rutting Moon. No one has to be told this. It is clear she is always toothed with anger, bubbling steam, loud. No body, no animal, no change gets in her way. I did not ask White Man what Season He was born in or what His name was. He told me He wished to live free from the Life He once lived. Free from the People He once knew.
When White Man spotted Pop Pank swimming, He dove under River ice to grab her and she dipped her head, and disappeared. He dove down, again and again. He dove into River where only Water Spirits go. He tried until His belly turned blue and His white skin shook like a blanket of mice. He rose empty-handed every try.
He held my shoulders, and Bia looked up from her cook fire. Crows flapped, clawed smoke, grasped and flittered and squawked away.
I heard of your People’s Medicine, White Man said. But I have never witnessed it before now. His eyes were bluster blue. His eyes were ruptured eyes spilling blue beads. He clapped. His spittle silver beads. If I could have plucked His eyes, I would have made a necklace. His eyes were beautiful. I would have sewn His eyes on to my robe.
Pop Pank is not like ordinary People, He said. Do you understand? White Man was Crow at first feeding. Crow laughing at a broken gut spilling maggots. ă’-rah
Ordinary, He said again. Like you and me. He pointed to me and then to Himself.
He squatted low and then pointed to Pop Pank wrapped in a blanket beside her Gagu, Mud Squatter.
Pop Pank has what my People call magic, He said. He made a fist and opened His fingers to Sky. She can do the impossible. She can breathe underwater. White Man made the sign for Fish and then pointed again to Pop Pank. He shook His head and smiled like an old Man who returns from battle with more scalps than wounds. He looked at Pop Pank like a baby looks at what-cannot-be-seen.
What did He see? Pop Pank was a runt among runts. She had lived through five turns of Seasons. Her knees were knobbly as Moose legs. Her hair did not grow. She could run as fast as any Woman, and faster than any Man, but she had a thin, broken look. She did not work like Women worked. She learned her ways from her Gagu. All day they swam together through Seasons. I looked and looked until I saw what He saw.
Pop Pank was sinew and bone, small as a Trout. Her eyes were the color of marsh Water—murky, muddy, and come together like a teardrop at the center. Fish eyes.
She is different, White Man said. She is special among all others.
I learned Pop Pank would be special among White People. I learned White Man was no longer related to animals.
When seed grasses rattled and second summer came blue-Mooned and hazy, White Man wrapped Himself in grass blankets I taught Him to weave. He took Appe’s Horse and rode into the Trees where He had come from. He rode away at first rising when mice skitter beneath dry grass shells and Buffalo flowers lift their heads.
Puh, Bia said to gathered Women. He was no good. I told you. I told all of you. We should have killed Him when He was pitiful. Now He steals our Horse and laughs. He was not crazy. Puh. He was all along Enemy. He was all along worthless thief.
White Man promised He would come back. I waited for Him. I stood beside River and listened. I stepped into knee-deep Water where slippery roots catch ankles to hear the Faraway. I dreamt of Agai crying, breaking their long bodies on rocks as they leapt up and over Water falls and Ogres, to return Long Spirit to us. I watched the edge-of-dark-woods where He had first shown His self and Bia grabbed me and told me to be awake to what was.
White Man will return, Bia said. There will be no good Medicine in His comeback. He will curse us with His many Brothers. He will return like lice.
I did not see White Man again.
Flatbird said, this White Man was bad Spirit come to tell what is to come. All Around us, Flatbird said, All Around.
Puh, Bia whispered. What do I not know?
__________________________________
From The Lost Journals of Sacajewea by Debra Magpie Earling (Minneapolis: Milkweed Editions, 2023). Copyright © 2023 by Debra Magpie Earling. Reprinted with permission from Milkweed Editions. milkweed.org
]]>Your father has enough grill tools and novelty aprons. Get him something unexpected, instead!
Some of us are tasked with shopping for the tight-lipped parent who wouldn’t dare come out and ask for a Father’s Day present. Meanwhile other gift-seekers nervously scour all the available offerings for dads who start dropping major hints months in advance. Shopping parameters (read: pressures) aside, we’ve curated a list of unique Father’s Day gift ideas for all types: the grillers, the loungers, the campers, the smokers, the ones who misplace their keys and refuse to buy new cutlery, and everyone in between.
This keyring translates simple line drawings of animals into a trusty keeper of your keys. Turn its eye-like screw lock to open and close it. Tote your favorite creature with you wherever you go and your keys will follow. Includes a split metal keyring.
Choose from three Karl Zahn-designed silhouettes: a bird, croc, or snake.
Finished in modern matte black, this display-worthy set of knives brings edgy style to your kitchen counter. Forged stainless steel holds an ultra-sharp edge, and the well-balanced and carefully weighted knives offer comfortable, ergonomic handles. A fabulous graduation, housewarming or wedding gift, our exclusive 12-piece set includes an 8-inch chef knife, 8.5-inch bread knife, 7-inch santoku knife, 5-inch serrated utility knife, 4-inch paring knife and six 5-inch steak knives in a white oak and stainless steel block that shows off the blades behind panels of clear acrylic.
Elevate dad’s cutlery collection and countertop style with this modern matte black finish paired with an acrylic, white oak, and stainless steel block.
Dusen Dusen's signature super-soft terry composes this comfy robe, which is accented with precise stripes and a charming touch of contrast trim.
For maximizing comfort during lounge sessions and looking particularly peppy while doing so.
With up to 27 dB of noise reduction, there’s nothing that can stop your flow. And thanks to Loop Quiet’s soft-touch silicone design, you can manage your volume morning ‘til night in comfort and style.
These earplugs can be put to good use by dads who snagged front row seats to a concert or those who prefer to drown out the sound of the riding lawn mower or loudly chattering housemates. Each pair comes with 4 sets of silicone ear tips (sizes extra small through large) and a black keychain carry case.
For the globetrotter on the move, our dopp kit is one that you can hold on to forever. Handmade in waxed canvas in an ethical factory in León, Mexico.
Stow toiletries and other grooming essentials in this ethically made, cotton-lined, waxed canvas kit with leather details.
The Small Transparent Speaker - a compact yet powerful device that delivers exceptional sound quality with its unique Transparent sound technology. This sleek and stylish speaker made of tempered glass and aluminum is the perfect addition to any music lover's collection. This speaker is designed to be as much an interior object as a great sounding piece of technology. It comes with Bluetooth 5.0, but it is also ready for whatever tech that might be useful in coming years.
A tempered glass and aluminum speaker with a display-worthy design and pristine audio output.
You can use not only photos and cards but also thick ones. It can also be used as a press for pressed flowers. Sandwich flowers and leaves between the paper, sandwich the front and rear of it in cardboard, set it in the main body, and fix it with screws.
Encourage dad to showcase family photos or mementos in this minimalist acrylic and brass frame.
Meet the better tool bag that combines the best of all worlds: visibility and easy-access to your tools with inside-and-out organization. With 9 useful pockets, a spacious inner cavity that fits more than a full set of tools, and a pass-through grommet for your power drill charger, this will be your favorite portable storage system.
Nine pockets and a slip-through grommet should make for a seamless box-to-bag transition for all dad’s tools.
A hefty happy hour bucket built for wild get togethers. Ice Scoop not included. Rubber grip handle Non-slip rubber bottom Stackable
Fans of this tough-as-nails container claim it "keeps ice frozen for hours" and is practically unbreakable, so scoop up one for transporting and chilling a few bottles of wine, beer, or both.
The Palmer packs all the functionality of the classic utility knife in a refined design that sits comfortably in your hand and pocket. The patent-pending (our first!) mechanism enables tool-free blade changes and a buttery smooth action. Featuring anodized aluminum handles, a lanyard for easy deployment and six great colors, the Palmer bridges the gap between traditional everyday carry, lifestyle accessory and pure utilitarian object.
An elegant cutter with a slim profile and a design that allows for simple blade changes.
Have you ever dreamed of eliminating single-use plastic seedling trays from your gardening set-up? With Redecker's Paper Pot Press, you can create instead biodegradable pots for your plant nursery using yesterday's newspaper. First, cut a strip approximately 3.5 inches wide x 20 inches long. Roll it around the press, leaving an overhang at the bottom, then fold in the bottom edges and press into the forming tray.When the seedlings are sprouted and ready to plant, simply put the entire pot into the ground—the roots will easily push through the broken-down newspaper once in the ground.
Use this untreated beechwood tool to create biodegradable planters for an eco-friendly gardening experience.
TheraCup combines traditional cupping with our cutting-edge ThermaVibration Technology. We're bringing suction, heat, and vibration together to create an easy-to-use digitized cupping experience that optimizes localized relief and recovery. With built-in safety sensors and on-device controls, TheraCup safely brings professional-level therapy to the comfort of home.
Invite dad to partake in some post-workout, in-home trigger point therapy with Therabody’s portable cupping device, programmed to provide suction, heat, and vibration therapy.
Think of the Molino Grinder as a functional sculpture for your tabletop. This super-sized, hand-painted utensil is efficient at granulating salt, pepper and spices, but its blown-up stripy form is a graphic monument for your dinner table, too. Molino is a characteristically exuberant design from Fabien Cappello whose work reflects the energy and vivacity of Mexico, where he lives and works. Each Molino grinder is made from turned solid beech wood and is individually hand-painted by skilled decorators, giving every object a unique character. Molino is finished in a high gloss lacquer.
This graphic grinder has all the makings of statement tableware: glossy, hand-painted stripes, an eye-catching color palette, and an easy-to-grip handle.
The Griddle System is a modular, transportable, and fully customizable toolkit for elevating live-fire cooking.Made in Sweden. Naturally Non Stick. Superior Heat Control Up to 1200F. 8.5" x 17.5" Cooking Surface Area .Solid Cooking Surface.
Don’t host a barbecue without this carbon steel griddle: it works on the stovetop and on the grill, plus it comes seasoned with vegetable oil.
We never thought we’d see the words "pizzeria" and "candle" right next to each other, but here we are and oh, are we pleased. These hand-poured lovelies came to be thanks to a collaboration with chef Mark Iacono—founder of Lucali, a Brooklyn institution in Carroll Gardens that’s famous for its thin-crust pies. There are four scents here, each one inspired by Mark’s legendary pizzeria. (It’s the garlic one for us.)
Grab a few of these hand-poured accessories for the foodie, candle-loving father who doesn’t mind a pizza-scented aroma floating around at all times.
Here are two oils that we recommend adding to your weekly rotation, both packed with phytonutrients and deep botanical flavor. These oils are cold pressed by a one-hundred-year-old pressery, using pneumatic pressure to extract the perfect flavor and mouthfeel. Black Sesame Oil is a lesser known counterpart to the more popular White Sesame Oil. It's richer and deeper in flavor and reddish black in color. It's used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and is best used in richer, heartier dishes—most famously three cup chicken and sesame oil chicken soup. Camellia Seed Oil is Taiwan's Olive Oil, a light, bright, nearly neutral oil with a high smoke point and nutritional benefits similar to (and in some ways exceeding) olive oil. We love to pan fry our scallion pancakes in this or toss a few tablespoons into a weeknight noodle dish for an extra nutritional boost.
Drizzle spoonfuls of Black Sesame Oil or Camellia Seed Oil over your favorite dish, or use the flavorful condiments to pan fry meals to perfection.
A campfire you can carry. Inside the steel tin, there’s a clever blend of peat moss and 100% natural soy wax. Take it outside, set it inside the metal fire pit, and light it up for a scentless, safe campfire that burns for up to 4 hours.
With a US-made kit with four-hour burn time on hand, you’ll at least remain cozy while dad tells classic campfire stories (for the millionth time).
Recess is honored to partner with beloved designer India Hicks on four limited-edition pickleball paddles."Pickle is my passion. And I’ve found my Pickle family here at Recess - who invited me to fuel the addiction and design four paddles for them. Always sharing a little of my British past and Bahamian present, 'Man Island' is a David Hicks geometric in chocolate and cream." - India HicksMan Island is a composite paddle with a durable fiberglass surface and a honeycomb polypropylene core. Includes an embroidered canvas case with leather detailing.Same design on both sides of the paddle.
Perfect your serve with this chocolate and cream-hue paddle complete with British and Bahamian-inspired motif.
I'll be there for you. When the light around you begins to dim, look to this perfectly portable lantern from Balmuda. It’s got an LED inside that’s bright enough for kicking back with a good book, but dim enough to cue the calm atmosphere. (Turn the knob to take it anywhere from low candlelight to warm white light.) Plus, thanks to its clever design, it’ll never shine directly in your eye. It’s lightweight and water resistant, not to mention rechargeable. We’re bringing ours to the dinner table, the nightstand, the great outdoors, and, oh, about a zillion other places.
We prefer this water-resistant lantern in black, but it also comes in white. But if you’re crossed up between which color to choose, both models have LED bulbs, three light settings, and up to 50 hours of battery life.
Give the gift of discovery with a personalized digital coffee subscription. They’ll try coffees from the nation’s top roasters chosen just for them, delivered at a frequency of their choosing
A single subscription includes six bags of coffee, with the option to choose among 450+ coffees from 55 independent roasters.
Lightweight, collapsible, and just plain tough. Break up bulky weeds, dig trenches for irrigation, or cover up campfire coals with our newly updated Folding Shovel. Manganese steel 3-position head stays sharp and accurate through hard and soft soil and allows for multiple working positions.
Perfect for completing that landscaping project or building out a fire pit, this collapsible shovel features a Manganese steel blade, a beechwood handle, and a three-position collar that locks into place.
When you want to lay back and enjoy a good book or a siesta, the Maraca Hammock by Ames is the closest thing to being on vacation in your own home. Inspired by traditional Colombian hammocks, this colorful piece is the fruit of a remarkable collaboration with German designer Sebastian Herkner — and a feast for the eyes. The vibrant stripes and elegant weave are produced by women artisans in Colombia’s Bolívar region using time-honored techniques. Whether you hang it on your patio or in a cozy corner of your home, this hammock will bring joy to your space.
We envision the dad who receives this Ames Maraca hammock putting it to good use: curled up with a dog-eared novel and drink in hand on a breezy evening.
Set of 6 shot glasses designed by Forti E Di Loreto for Ichendorf Milano. Hand made and flame worked glasses. Unique set of 6 so each guest knows which glass is theirs. Dishwasher safe at low temperatures. 3" H x 2" DIA.
Forti E Di Loreto created this set of flame-worked, handmade glasses for Ichendorf Milano. We love that they’re each markedly different in appearance, which means choosing a new favorite to sip from with every use.
Smithey's No. 12 Flat top griddle is your new everyday essential. Not only will this become your daily use griddle, but it is also sized perfectly to fit on top of your No. 12 skillet highlighting its use as a custom fit lid. Featuring Smithey's signature polished cook surface, the No. 12 Flat Top is naturally non-stick and free of chemical coatings. Designed and made in the USA, each piece is Engineered to maintain even and consistent heat. This flat top will become your go to for everything from pancakes to pizzas. Use it well.
Quick fried egg or lightly toasted tortilla, anyone? Smithey’s non-stick griddle is lauded as a premium piece of cookware suitable for everyday use by 5-star reviewers who appreciate its even heat distribution, high quality, and smooth finish.
100% Tencel. 1 Chest Pocket. Split Side Seams. Fabric From Turkey. Garment Made in Mauritius. Machine Wash Warm. Style Number SH802999.
Make sure your dad owns at least one cool casual shirt, namely this 100% tencel option with a single chest pocket from Todd Snyder.
Fuse Cap is headwear that references Rains’ Fuse transitional wear concept. The design reinterprets the iconic 5-panel snapback, with visible taped seams, and an adjustable elastic string for a secure fit. The design is finished with ventilation eyelets. Fuse Cap is cut from Rains’ crisp nylon with a luxe reverse side coating and soft matte finish.
Here’s an ideal replacement for your father’s go-to tattered baseball that should’ve been replaced ages ago.
Bookman Curve Light is a bright, USB rechargeable bike light. The front light has a maximum brightness of 220 lumens and the the rear light has a maximum brightness of 37 lumen. Both lights have a very long run time of up to 70 hours for the front light and 32 hours for the rear light. More information about different modes can run-times can be found under Thec. spec. tab.The design of the glass, which spills over the sides, ensures a wide range of light, not only in front and to the rear of the cyclist but also off to the sides. This results in cyclist peace of mind that the light provides them with clear visibility of the roads as well as being visible to other travelers at 360 degrees around them.The completely weather resistant light (IP44) will show you the way through rain, hail or snow.
Guaranteed to increase your visibility in the bike lane, the Curve Light Set is a must-have for cyclers. The duo includes rechargeable front and rear lights with up to 70 and 32 hours of run time, respectively.
Product Dimensions : 12.44 x 12.28 x 0.55 inches; 10.72 OuncesManufacturer : Luaka BopOriginal Release Date : 2021Date First Available : February 15, 2021Label : Luaka BopASIN : B08WQ999Z3Country of Origin : USANumber of discs : 1
Fans of this jazzy compilation refer to it as "brilliant" and "a magical music experience," so grab a copy for dad’s personal vinyl collection.
The originality of Home Line 200 lies in its innovative design: essential and rounded lines define almost futurist contours, exalted by unmistakable Berkel red. Designed to amaze, captivate and above all to be exhibited, its extraordinarily compact size successfully concentrates materials and features for safety and quality cutting.
Designed to produce evenly sliced food while reducing waste in the process, ergonomic controls and a foldable food plate make this slicer a prized possession for anyone who receives it.
The Cone is made with the same patent-pending, double helix design for filtering and cooling. The ergonomically designed conical shape provides a more lightweight feel and hold, while creating more resistance and tighter pull. The Cone pays homage to the classic joint and is made to enhance your dry herb experience.
According to fans of Vessel’s cone, it’s easier to fill than other models, handles easily, is lightweight, and easy to clean. We’re also pretty impressed with the cool color options of rose gold, onyx, gunmetal, and maritime, a brilliant, sea-like blue.
Unlock your world with the flick of a thumb, and get out of jams in a pinch, with the made-for-each-other Key Case and Key Tool.
Here’s a multi-purposing mechanism sure to win dad’s approval: a key combined with a 4-in-1 multi-tool that includes a large and small flathead screwdriver, a box cutter, and bottle opener in a stainless steel case.
Wera's 'Joker' range of wrenches are beloved and trusted by the cycling, automotive and construction industries, the high quality craftsmanship and design of this ratcheting combination set is second to none. Features include: double-hex geometry, 30° wrench return angle and practical bolt holding functions, all of which increase productivity and reduce the risk of injury whilst in use. Practical holding function thanks to the metal plate in the jaw Limit stop prevents any slipping
Dad may not need a tool set made in the Czech Republic, but adding this to the gift list will prevent any future complaints of not owning a high-quality set.
The genesis of Solios’ watches, the Solar Classic is the undeniable proof that it is possible to combine elegance, green technology, and durable materials altogether. Our 8mm thin recycled stainless steel case is topped with the most minimalist look a solar watch can offer. The hardened mineral glass is covered with a robust sapphire crystal coating to limit scratches. At the heart, a solar cell allows the watch to recharge by itself and offers a 6-month energy reserve. In addition to promoting slow fashion with style, you'll never have to change your battery.
Use natural or artificial light to operate this attractive timepiece, which has a six-month power reserve, and comes in a certified recycled stainless steel case and a strap with two customizable options: eco-vegan leather or metal mesh.
The Handyaid has been around for over 80 years and in that time has amassed a cult following worldwide. It's still made by the daughter of the former owners, as she wants to continue their legacy and keep it available for devotees. Originally patented as a jar and bottle opener, the Handyaid can be used as a multi-purpose tool "wherever a hand needs help gripping." Loosen, tighten, pull, push, it protects your hand and the object you're handling. It also makes a good non-skid surface and can be used as a coaster or as a pad for vases, bowls, and other items. Details: Made of heavy duty natural latex rubber in the USA. Measurements: 5 inches in diameter and 1/8 inch thick.
Skip the straining and get straight to the contents with this rubber-made tool that purports to protect your hand and whatever object you’re attempting to loosen, pull, push, or tighten.
Noble Macmillan brings its ‘unashamedly traditional approach' to contemporary leather goods. Bring the outside in with this Boules set, artisan-made in the firm’s workshop in Andalucia and designed for indoor use. The blue calfskin leather box has a contrast suede interior and contains six boules and a wooden jack.
Stay game-ready with Noble Macmillan’s blue calfskin leather box with contrasting suede interior, which holds six boules and a wooden jack.
The ultimate vintage inspired Boxing & Fitness suite in our Legacy Brown & Cream Leather and save up to 15% on the RRP by purchasing this package deal*. This beautiful Leather Punching Bag & Gloves are made for heavy training, perfect for any home gym, boxing gym, hotel gym or even as a decorative item. Includes;Legacy Brown / Cream Leather Heavy Punching Bag (un-filled). Available in 3x sizes.PRO Cream / Brown Leather Boxing Gloves (Strap Up). Available in 12oz, 14oz / Hand Size (Small-Medium) / (Large-XL)Please note the Punching Bag is shipped without filling and will require stuffing (bag and chains only).
Recreate the intensity of a trainer-led gym workout with this durable, vintage-inspired glove and punching bag duo.
The Takibi Fire and Grill is made of durable stainless steel and designed in Japan for a lifetime of use. Packable, portable and modular, use the Takibi Fire and Grill to create a gathering anywhere. The five-piece set includes Grill Net, Grill Bridge, Pack & Carry Fireplace L, Baseplate, and Carrying Case. To cook with charcoal, add on the Fireplace Coal Bed (L). The Takibi Fire and Grill is the heart of an expansive product collection, including Snow Peak’s FR & Takibi apparel, Fire Tool Set, and Jikaro Firering Table.
Modular in nature and designed in Japan, Snow & Peaks’ 5-piece stainless steel is an undeniable patio star. Each set includes a grill net, grill bridge, pack and carry fireplace, baseplate, and carrying case.
Our version of the classic A-Frame tent. Pick your base and then choose your fly. 24 combinations to choose your own adventure. Remove the fly to expose the full mesh walls for a night under the stars without the bugs. Doors on each end with secondary mesh zipper doors. The tent bag doubles as an adventure duffle and can be worn as a backpack. Our most lightweight and portable option, this tent is ideal for camping trips, beach days, the park or even your own backyard.
Outdoorsy dads appreciate anything that makes setup go smoother and quicker, like this classic A-Frame structure with full mesh walls, zipper doors, and accompanying tent duffel bag-turned-backpack.
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Q: Summer pajamas!
A: I love a fresh pair of Lake shorties for summer, and I’ve been eyeing one of Lunya’s washable silk sets for awhile now. I also like some of the styles from Cozyland, like this set, and these Eberjeys are ultra soft and classic. Also love this whipstitch set! And how cute is this set from J. Crew? If you’re a nightgown gal, check out the dreamy options from If Only If and Lenora.
Q: Casual beach cover-ups.
A: I love this Tuckernuck, this Kule, this Lake, this Hill House, this La Veste, this Tuckernuck, this 9Seed, this Emerson Fry, this VV, this Marysia, these terry shorts from Gap.
Q: Maternity jeans. Tried DLs and Hatch and am at a loss.
A: I lived in a few pairs of the Mama J side panel skinny jeans from J. Brand, which has now gone out of business, but you can still find a few pairs here and here. They were so comfortable and I know I turned a lot of Magpies onto that style! I also had good luck with Gap’s maternity jeans. Take your true (pre-maternity) size in both.
I didn’t try them while pregnant, but I think Madewell’s denim is generally excellent – you might check their maternity options out, too! Finally, Spanx has some maternity styles worth a check. I’ve been really impressed with everything I’ve tried of theirs — I truly think they contemplate fit, design, function.
Q: Outfits to wear out to dinner this summer.
A: I love an easy-chic dress like…
THIS MATTEAU (BROWN IS SO UNDERRATED)
Q: Midwest nighttime tailgate party with clients.
A: Oo, this is a tricky one. I would wear a dress like this or this with polished sandals like these or these, or — if it’s at, like, a football stadium and you feel a dress will be out of place, white jeans and a shirt like this (look for less with this), this, or this tucked in, or white jeans with a polished tee and a big necklace. I like the idea of the jeans with a pair of Vibi Venezias or Ancient Greek sandals. Basically looking for pieces that have a bit of polish/structure/sophistication to them but aren’t too uptight.
Q: Have friends who host us 4x a year. Would love new ideas for local DC gifts we can bring.
A: Appointed paper products! I actually just bought one of their notebooks for a girlfriend of mine. Who doesn’t love beautiful paper products? I use them exclusively at my desk, and they’re a D.C. business. Another idea would be to go to Bread Furst and stock up on some of their pantry items — they have such wonderful items, and many of them are made by Bread Furst so they have a local vibe. Alternately, a bag of the exquisite coffee from Grace Street Roasters or the latest must-read from Politics & Prose, tucked into a Politics & Prose bag.
Q: A showstopping wedding guest dress. No budget.
Q: Did you buy anything from the Doen summer launch?
A: I did not – I am so bummed I didn’t act more quickly on this gingham dress. I saw it the day it launched and had it open in my browser tabs but it sold out before I scooped it up. I love so many of the pieces, though — this patterned dress is so chic, my ultra-chic sister bought this skirt, and how gorgeous is the pattern on this dress?
Q: Casual summer tops.
A: Love the options from Emerson Fry and Mille tucked into shorts/jeans. I also have a major soft spot for gauze (no pun intended), and love this Xirena (own it and adore it), this J. Crew and this Gap (in rainbow stripe or pink especially). If you’re a tee gal, try Ayr’s Sno Cone tee. The fit is perfect.
Q: 40th birthday gift for a girlfriend.
A: My first thought was Goop Glow — this exfoliator I am OBSESSED WITH. I love to gift luxury beauty items to my sisters/mom/friends. My second thought was an Alice Walk sweatshirt — an elevated basic she’ll live in.
Other options, at different price points: an FRP Collection bag, a journal from Appointed, a caftan from SZ Blockprints, a Kule tee, Olio e Osso body oil, a Calpak jewelry case (really substantial and elegant — I have one!), or my beloved Weezie robe.
Q: Cross body small bag / fanny pack that isn’t the Lululemon.
A: I love my belt bag from State. Perfect size and has a bit more polish than the Lulu one. Also think this inexpensive cane style one is adorable, and this Away one in the fun hot pink would be great for a color contrast.
If you’re after a crossbody, I use this FRP ALL the time in the summer months. Perfect size for just the essentials. And I’m totally in love with Mansur’s new woven bucket bag, which can be worn as a crossbody. SO CHIC. A girlfriend of mine has one of the Bembien ones, and it’s SO chic, too.
Splurges: this Bottega or this Loewe.
Q: Wedding reception dress. Under $1000 ideally.
A: WOW. Congratulations! This is over budget, but it’s on sale and is a timeless classic knockout stunner. So elegant. Anything Emilia Wickstead will make you feel and look like a million bucks — this one is on sale for under the budget you’ve specified. Doen also just released a stunning boho bride piece — wowza. For a more casual affair, I love the eyelet pieces from Loretta Caponi — so romantic — or this fabulous Farm Rio. This paneled slip dress or this 1960s-inspired shift would be fantastic minimalist-chic choices, and this sequined panel screams CELEBRATE.
Q: Niche, but any top sale recs from Matches or Net-A-Porter?
A: My kind of question. I’m such a bargain hunter. From Net, this Loretta Caponi is currently in my cart, and you must snag this Hunza G suit while it’s 40% off! I love it! From Matches, take a look at the Thierry Colson pieces. I’m so sad I missed their Venetia dresses — I’ve been eyeing them for seasons and seasons now and keep wanting to snag when they drop in price but they’re now sold out in my size. This black top is fab, too.
The post Ask Magpie: Summer PJs, Cover-Ups, and More. appeared first on Magpie by Jen Shoop.
]]>The room where I’m set to meet Usher is glowing. I don’t mean that in a figurative sense, though the megastar certainly does luminesce in his own way. The space itself, a storefront-size chamber tucked away from the Las Vegas stage where he would perform that night, is awash in an almost eerie, LED blue. Along the far wall, light strips flank the liquor-covered bar, illuminating a step-and-repeat covered with $100 bills bearing Usher’s likeness. “The teal room,” as Usher and his team call it, is where the artist will later celebrate the spring kickoff of his new residency. I waited for him on a couch in the middle of the afternoon, leaning back against gold-lamé throw pillows, feeling as though I’d stumbled into a therapist’s office decorated to look like a strip club.
Into this uncanny scene walked Usher, the veteran R&B musician with a discography so obviously peerless that his only viable Verzuz competitor is himself. He strode into the room diamonds first, a thick chain around his neck sparkling against an all-black backdrop of sweatsuit, sunglasses, and durag. It wasn’t until he removed his sunglasses midway through our interview that I felt the weight of his celebrity, his innate sense that any room he walks into is distorted by his magnetism.
That night was a big night for Usher, an unveiling of sorts: the first official performance of the new leg of My Way, his residency at the Park MGM hotel and casino in Las Vegas. Much of his own family would be in the sold-out audience, along with fans who’d traveled from around the world to see him break into the infamous “U Remind Me” shadow choreography, sway his way through “You Make Me Wanna …” in a satin robe and leather pants, and strip the set bare to let his “Can U Handle It?” falsettos float.
Usher was fresh from a full-body workout when we met. He grew more animated as we talked. This is his second Vegas residency. In July of 2021, he became the first Black male singer to hold court at the famed Colosseum at Caesars Palace. This time around, he would have an even larger venue, and he wanted to do more than a standard concert. I asked him what to expect. He told me that without the burden of packing up a set, hopping onto a tour bus, and assembling it all over again across the country, he could run wild with My Way. He reminisced about the early days of planning the show. “We’re getting ready to light this bitch up,” he said.
A few hours after our conversation, in the giddy run-up to the show, I watched the crowd swell into the Dolby Live. The venue seats just over 5,000 people, a far cry from the 20,000-plus fans who have piled into a sold-out Madison Square Garden to see Usher over the years. To my left, standing nearly within reach of the stage, a woman in an silver monochrome outfit—sequined dress, metallic sneakers, princess tiara, and all—danced to Trap Beckham’s twerk-inducing “Birthday Bitch,” before pausing briefly to adjust the pageant sash draped across her chest, which proudly identified her as USHER’S #1 FAN.
Without giving away too much, Usher’s grand entrance hinges on a sly, crowd-centric interpretation of the song for which the residency is named. Just before he walks out to ear-piercing screams, in an all-white outfit set off by the same diamond chain he wore earlier that day, the last lines of the “My Way” chorus blare from the speakers. The lyrics set the tone for the rest of the show: “What I say goes / And I’m in control.”
Over the next two hours, he will skip across albums and eras, slipping into songs like costumes: One minute he is a sexed-up heartthrob, the next a wounded lover. He will push himself beyond traditional choreography into riskier stage work, including a few different set pieces on roller skates. During one, Usher and his dancers take to a medley of other artists’ hits—among them “Get Your Roll On” and “Drop It Like It’s Hot”—with the energy and precision of a college step team. Their moves are impressive, terrifying, fun. (Notably, the choreography involves none of the violence that reportedly broke out at an actual Las Vegas roller rink earlier this month, when Usher was allegedly assaulted by Chris Brown or a member of his crew before both singers performed at the seemingly jinxed Lovers & Friends Festival.)
Roller skates are an Atlanta thing—and not just in the movies. Cascade Family Skating, the real-life setting of T.I.’s 2006 classic, ATL, is one of more than a dozen rinks throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area where Black patrons have congregated for decades to dance and commune. After he unlaces his skates, Usher transports the audience to a decidedly less family-friendly Atlanta hallmark: Pole dancers descend from their elaborately designed perches with exhilarating speed. In one scene, a dancer approaches the stage to the sound of fight music. By the time she vaults herself onto the pole to begin her routine, the drum rolls have given way to the first notes of Usher’s timeless bad-bitch hype anthem, “Bad Girl.” Suspended upside down, the dancer claps her legs on beat as Usher sings the opening line that has supercharged women’s pregame primping for more than 20 years: What y’all know about a supermodel?
Later in the show, the same $100 “Ush bucks” I first saw in the teal room rain down from the ceiling. (What a delight it would’ve been for the bespoke currency to have cameoed alongside him in Hustlers.) Usher told me that, amid all the spectacle, he wants to make sure to situate the show within Atlanta’s larger cultural tradition. “I want you to always see that,” Usher said of the funk, the soul, the Blackness that makes the city a source of constant creative regeneration. “There is sophistication; there is a technical side to it that people should understand on the same level [as] Cirque du Soleil or any of the other kinds of theatrical things that come to Las Vegas. Atlanta has that, and we had that opportunity to be able to introduce it to the world here.”
Usher’s supporting cast hails largely from Atlanta and other parts of the South (including the show’s DJ, who has been a fixture in Usher’s performances for decades). In the teal room, Usher and his creative director Aakomon Jones, also the singer’s longtime choreographer, talked about the joy of channeling the city where they both got their artistic start as children. Jones told me that students would race out of their classrooms to share different moves “in between class, in the restroom, going over a routine before the bell rings, and you show up late,” he said with a smile, referencing a sense of childhood mischief that was deliberately built into My Way. “We cast for the legacy and the maturity, but then we also cast for the ‘dangerous’ youth energy,” Jones said of the performers onstage with Usher. “We build connective tissue between those generations.”
The show’s audience was intergenerational too. Parents brought their children; couples of all ages grooved together. Whether you were a toddler, a teen, or firmly into grown-n-sexy territory when “Nice & Slow” was first released, the opening chords entranced you all the same. The only time that mattered was 7 o’clock on the dot. For concertgoers such as myself, Usher has been creating an R&B canon since we’ve been forming memories. Thinking back on the pantheon of celebrity posters that graced teenagers’ bedroom walls in the aughts, I can’t remember many cover images that elicited as much libidinal adolescent fervor as that of Usher’s 8701. For fans who’d perhaps already swooned over the likes of Marvin Gaye, Teddy Pendergrass, and the Temptations well before Usher, the teenager boldly singing lyrics written by Babyface in the late ’90s didn’t exactly break the R&B sex-symbol mold. To them, the strikingly good-looking middle-aged man who now performed slow jams with generation-spanning charisma was once just such a handsome young man. One of the more unnerving things about Usher is that he’s arguably the only music-industry heartthrob who could still draw compliments like these from aunties.
After performing some of his highest-octane hits, Usher pared down the show for a mesmerizing stretch. No dancers, no elaborate set pieces. Just that voice and its acrobatics. Usher told me that he’d modeled his career path after athletes, not musicians. “Not many people know this, but my father was a basketball player and my mother was a basketball player,” he said. Watching them channel their energy into the sport, he figured that he could use that same focus to build something lasting for himself as a performer. In addition to ensuring that his body would always be in spotlight-friendly shape, that push toward athleticism also cultivated the agility he’d need to pull off signature flourishes such as his handstand choreography. “I didn’t look at myself like a dancer. I didn’t look at myself like a singer.” He saw himself more as Allen Iverson than Al B. Sure.
Watching the sheer exertion required of him in Vegas does feel a little like catching a glimpse of an athletic prodigy. Getting to that level takes diligent, unsexy work. “Mama Jan” Smith, an Atlanta-based vocal coach, has been training Usher for more than two decades. When he was first referred to her as a teenager (by Elton John, she believes), the industry veteran was struck by Usher’s clear talent: “He could dance with his voice,” she recalled. “And I don’t mean just dancing physically at the same time while he was singing. His voice also danced—it was his riffs and his runs, it was his tone.”
When Usher finishes singing “Climax,” the vocally taxing 2012 ode to a slowly dying relationship, the lights change. The artist is enveloped in a telltale haze of flame-colored smoke. “Burn” is coming, and the wait for it is deliciously agonizing. It is this emotional space that most distinguishes Usher. The sex appeal is always self-evident; the studied sentimentality is not. Across the My Way survey of his discography, he told me the three songs he considers quintessentially his are “Confessions” (no surprises there), “Burn,” and “Climax.”
Of the three, “Climax” admittedly gave me pause when he first named it. But during My Way, the song primes the crowd for “Burn” with its own dramatic flourish. With his tank top pulled up over his neck to reveal a still-statuesque upper body, Usher drops to his knees as he sings—“We’re going nowhere fast”—then falls to the floor as he lets the audience take over: “Come together, now we’re undone.”
By showcasing Usher’s willingness to come undone, “Burn” quickly became one of modern American music’s most enduring breakup records. The song was Usher’s initial choice for the Confessions lead single, which would ultimately be the inescapable Lil’ Jon– and Ludacris-assisted club banger “Yeah!” But along with that track, “Burn” was one of the key records keeping Usher at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for nearly half of 2004. The ballad is undeniable, elemental R&B—romance refracted through the lens of grief. Any selection of lines from the song telegraphs anguish and depth, but the internal conflict of its bridge is Usher at his most exposed: “I’m twisted ’cause one side of me is tellin’ me that I need to move on / On the other side, I wanna break down and cry, ooh.”
Usher co-wrote “Burn” with the super-producer Jermaine Dupri, who has worked with him since 1997’s My Way, and the fellow producer Bryan-Michael Cox. On a recent call, Dupri told me that “Burn” is one of their collaborations on which Usher was most heavily involved in the conceptual process. He titled the song and gave Dupri the map before the producer ever sat down to write. Dupri anticipated “Burn” being a hit with women. After all, he figured, what woman doesn’t want to hear a man be vulnerable? But he never predicted how intensely it would resonate with men. Looking back on it now, Dupri happily acknowledges that he was wrong: “I think that’s the true secret to his success—that you have a man that actually is saying something that other men want to say.”
Usher sees songs like “Burn” as the centerpiece of his artistic legacy because they capture the devastation of heartbreak for men specifically. Since the song’s release, “Burn” has served as a lingua franca for a fragile kind of masculine pain. “It’s a very important role that I think I played in young men’s lives. And I obsess over it because I’m always trying to find the best way to articulate that emotion without making them feel uncomfortable,” he told me. “These are things that I think men need as tools.”
Given that it was released in the early aughts, when hip-hop and R&B were closely entwined but firmly distinct, “Burn” feels all the more poignant. Usher’s vocals in the song mirror its lyrics: He unravels, slowly and methodically creating a sound that feels cracked open. Just as the narrative doesn’t end with a neat resolution, his voice doesn’t rise with linear intensity. He remains raw. Exercising that kind of control, what Mama Jan referred to as “attaching emotional inference” to how one sings, is a deceptively difficult task. Doing so within a cultural climate that prioritized suave, swaggering braggadocio would have been all the more challenging.
It’s not altogether surprising, then, that “Burn” immediately broke through—or that it’s the song that draws the most impassioned response from concertgoers at the Vegas show. Every night, Jones said, he looks out into the audience and sees “the hardest of the hard still singing the lyrics to the love ballad.”
As Usher nears the end of “Burn,” he invites the audience to sing the falsetto-filled bridge with him. No one in the room matches his tone, but our shared sense of release fills in where our harmonies do not. The crowd cools down, the beat drops, and Usher issues the now-memefied directive “Watch this” before beginning a song that sends the energy in the room skyrocketing. When we spoke a few weeks later, Dupri pointed out a statistic that “sounds like a dinosaur to me”: Almost 20 years later, Confessions is still the last R&B album to ever be certified diamond.
For many musicians, producing a genre-defining work like Confessions at just 25 could lead to some real complacency. But after that album, Usher kept grinding. In 2008, he released Here I Stand, a ballad-heavy record that trades the debauchery of Confessions for declarations of love inspired by his relationship with his then-wife, Tameka Foster. Two years later, after they’d parted ways, he put out the aptly named divorce manifesto Raymond v. Raymond. Both albums debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. As the R&B star solidified his standing in the music industry, he also dipped his toe into other genres. The dance-pop single “OMG,” an Auto-Tune-heavy will.i.am collaboration, clinched the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 for four weeks in 2010. And the years that followed saw him collaborating with an eclectic array of popular artists including Pitbull, Enrique Iglesias, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, Young Thug, and Diplo. The hits rolled in.
In the lead-up to Usher’s residency at Caesars Palace, the musician was still massively popular but creatively adrift. It had been almost five years since he’d released a solo album, 2016’s thematically incohesive Hard II Love, also his first LP since My Way without a massive hit. On the path to becoming a megastar, to selling out arenas and courting crossover appeal, he’d lost his passion for creating music and felt less connected to his fans than in the past. “I had stopped caring, because I had done it for so long and just obsessed over success,” he told me. He found himself constantly “trying to figure out how to create something that everybody is going to love, because my audience had grown so much.”
The beautiful thing about being able to slow down in Vegas, he says, is that it made him care about the music again. When Usher performs now, he sees an audience respond with rapturous enthusiasm to the R&B that first catapulted him to fame—before the EDM chart-toppers, the Justin Bieber career coaching, or the “revolutionary pop” that earned him a wider fan base and the ire of some early fans who felt abandoned by his moves outside the genre. Onstage and in his new music, Usher is channeling the glory of an earlier R&B era. In March, he even released “GLU,” a sexy, falsetto-filled teaser for the forthcoming album that fans have anticipated as a kind of Confessions 2. (The full record is slated for release later this year.) As Usher told me, “I needed to come to Las Vegas to just get to the place where I was having fun again.”
As My Way wound down, I observed the faces around me. Overwhelmingly, the audience seemed united in feeling, not thought. People danced in the aisles and serenaded one another from their seats. Back in the teal room, Usher had recalled a scene almost like this one, which had brought the meaning of his career—and the immensity of this residency—into sharp relief. While performing, he said, he saw his son, his mother, and his grandmother all reveling in the audience. His son, now a teenager, had recently experienced something that made “Burn” feel like more than just one of his dad’s old songs. That night, he understood. “It was a tender moment for me,” Usher said. “I could see him singing it, and he’s really singing it.”
]]>Italian Tales of love, betrayal, longing, desire – and hope
Italy serves as the backdrop for stories of Italian women and expatriate women living in Italy.
A freak snowstorm in Rome changes the travel plans of two women, touching their lives in ways they could never have imagined. An ambitious Italian professional working in Brussels rails inwardly at her privileged boss, until fate presents her with a rare opportunity. A long desired trip to Bali, Indonesia serves as a needed chance for introspection. A cautious housewife in Rome thinks back to a fateful missed connection in Florence. A first-time mother feels debilitating guilt for not bonding with her newborn, until an elderly neighbor provides her with a new perspective.
The twenty-one stories in this collection follow women’s lives as they confront betrayal and love, alienation and community, despair and-ultimately-hope.
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EXCERPT:
Snake Charmers and Donkey Carts
Marrakech
THE HAWKERS’ CRIES FILLED THE SQUARE, the guttural sounds of Arabic throbbing in Manuela’s ears. All around her, men yelled out in that strange language. Men were everywhere. They brushed past her in the marketplace crowds, and she shrank back. Unfamiliar smells filled the air.
She clung to Adriano’s hand as they walked through the Jemaa el-Fna square, willing herself not to cry. A cobra reared up his ugly head, its black tongue flickering, only a few feet from where she stood. She bit her tongue to keep herself from screaming. The snake swayed from side to side as the snake charmer played music on his pipe. A fat man in dirty robes approached her with another snake, trying to wrap it around her neck.
She stumbled backward, afraid she might faint, but thankfully Adriano was pulling her away, toward the dark, labyrinthine streets of the souk. Here she would do battle with the scooters and the donkey carts, but at least there were no snake charmers poised to place a slimy, wriggling serpent around her neck in exchange for coins.
Manuela breathed in deeply. It was all too much. The blood coursed through her veins at double-speed. Her heart pounded in fear and revulsion. She leaned in closer to Adriano, his comforting solidity managing to calm her and provide her with the courage she lacked in this odd city.
“Min fadlak,” said a robed man, indicating his wares.
Manuela instinctively shrunk from his attentions, but Adriano stepped closer, examining the delicate lamps shining in the dark marketplace. Their intricate patterns cast colorful, elaborate illuminations through inky night sky. Even she could recognize its mystic beauty.
“Kam else’er?” said Adriano.
The two men began haggling over the price, and Manuela stood silently, a spectator to the show. Life was a spectacle here, but one she took no pleasure in observing.
Three days into her holiday in Marrakech, Manuela felt only anxious and confused. The streets were too narrow. She had to remain vigilant not to step in the droppings left behind after the donkey carts passed. There were too many people pressed too closely together. People stood so close when they spoke to you. Adriano told her it was rude to step back, but she couldn’t help herself. The yells in Arabic sounded harsh and threatening to her ears. The sights and sounds, the colors and smells were too exotic.
Manuela could only relax when they returned to their riad in the evening, though even there she could not completely escape the lingering sense of foreignness. The wooden keyhole doors were too small, and she kept bumping her head on their frame. The sweet smell of spices filled the apartment with a cloying scent she was unable to banish, even after opening the windows for long periods of time in the hopes of airing the room.
She would step into the shower and rinse the city’s dirt and grime from her body, before enveloping her skin in a soft robe. When Adriano pushed her gently down to the bed, a sense of familiarity would calm her, and she could temporarily forget all about the stresses of this chaotic city.
Yet each morning she felt drained and exhausted once again, unable to face another day, desperate to return home, where things were safe and familiar. She longed to hear Italian spoken in the squares, to enter a restaurant and know that familiar foods were on the menu, to be capable of conversing with the shopkeepers.
To belong.
But what could she do? Adriano seemed to thrive in this new environment. He craved exotic places. Where had he learned to count in Arabic? He and the hawker were aggressively shouting figures back and forth, and she saw the spark of excitement in Adriano’s eyes. For her, this city was hell on earth. For him, an exotic tale out of Arabian Nights.
She breathed in deeply once again, attempting to quell the panic attack she could feel working its way through her body. The hawkers came closer with their oils and their soaps and their leather slippers. She closed her eyes and suppressed the desire to scream.
Back home, her days were spent cutting through the red tape of property purchases in Tivoli and placating demanding clients. Her hard-earned vacation was supposed to relax her, not cause greater stress.
She’d begged Adriano to go back to the Sardinian resort they’d visited this past spring, with its well-designed bungalows, soft, white sand beaches, perfectly ordered rows of umbrellas and beach chairs, and crystalline waters beckoning just before them.
Just smelling the salt air caused a sense of well-being to wash over her body. She’d thought Adriano would book the tickets for the resort, as they discussed. It was charged to her account, after all. Instead, he stopped off at her house with two tickets to Marrakech.
“You’re going to love it,” he said, kissing her on the neck. “It will be an adventure. I swear, you’ll never want to come back to Italy.”
She sighed. Not wanting to return to Italy wasn’t the problem. It was Morocco where she never wished to set foot again.
Author Bio:
Kimberly grew up in the suburbs of Boston and in Saratoga Springs, New York, although she now calls the Harlem neighborhood of New York City home when she’s back in the US. She studied political science and history at Cornell University and earned her MBA, with a concentration in strategy and marketing, from Bocconi University in Milan.
Afflicted with a severe case of Wanderlust, she worked in journalism and government in the US, Czech Republic and Austria, before settling down in Rome, where she works in international development, and writes fiction any chance she gets.
She is a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association (WFWA) and The Historical Novel Society and has published several short stories and three novels: Three Coins, Dark Blue Waves and In The Shadow of The Apennines.
After years spent living in Italy with her Italian husband and sons, she’s fluent in speaking with her hands, and she loves setting her stories in her beautiful, adoptive country.
Do you have memories of visiting the cemetery as a child on Memorial Day or other special days? My maternal grandparents are both buried in my hometown, and we decorated their graves every Memorial Day without fail. We would pick the May flowers and make beautiful baskets of iris and lilacs to fasten to the ground in front of the headstones. This tradition cemented in my child’s mind the importance of remembering those who have gone before. In this 52 Ancestors post, I revisit my Kelsey grandparents,
Who were my maternal grandparents, and how did they end up in the small town of Declo, Idaho, for the majority of their lives? Ed and Florence were about as different in their interests and hobbies as two people could be. They hardly knew each other before marrying in 1916, but like so many couples of that era, they worked hard, raised a family, and made a go of it.
I only knew Grandpa Kelsey as an elderly man, but like all people, he was once young. Born on 12 November 1886 to English emigrants Selina Beddoes and William Henry Kelsey, Jr., he grew up in Springville, Utah. His father began building the Victorian-style red-brick home with gingerbread trim in 1889 and completed it in 1891. Ed would have been about five years old when the family moved into this grand home. I visited the Kelsey home as a child and still love seeing it. I wrote about the home in Family History Serendipity: Revisiting the House That William H. Kelsey Built.
Edward completed his eighth-grade education when he was 18 and spent the next several years as a fireman on the railroad and then as a hobo traveling in the northwest. When he tired of riding the rails, he purchased forty acres of land in southern Idaho. His father, William Henry Kelsey, Jr., had purchased the land in 1907, and Ed sold the land in 1914, sight unseen. That fall of 1914, Ed went to Burley and bought forty acres of land in a different location with the ambition to get into the livestock business.1
On February 16, 1915, Ed left Springville with a team and wagon and traveled alone north to the Declo/Burley area, arriving on February 25th.
My Grandma Kelsey grew up in Spanish Fork, Utah, about 5 miles south of Springville, where Ed lived. She was six years younger, born on 12 December 1892 to Mary Margaret Peterson and Charles Cannon Creer. Florence was the oldest of nine children and helped out at home considerably, especially after her mother had an accident and could no longer walk. At the time, Florence was 15. She wrote about this time.2
I attended schools at Spanish Fork. After I had completed my junior year in high school, Uncle John Creer, who was the County Superintendent, asked me to go to Castella (a little town in the mountains above Spanish Fork) to teach school. It was a most unpleasant experience as there was real deep snow and it was difficult for the pupil to attend regularly. Each weekend I would catch the train and go home. After one year, I came back to Spanish Fork and was a Librarian in the new high school. I was glad for the job so I could help out at home. I ordered all the books for the library. I kept this job for four years, then went to the LDS Business College in Salt Lake to learn how to type. I lived at the Hotel Utah with Ellen Anderson. I was offered a raise and a change of jobs if I would learn how to teach typing. I also took training at the Salt Lake Library under Joanna Sprague. I spent every weekend during that summer at Saltaire with a group of teachers. That fall, I returned to Spanish Fork and began teaching typing at the high school.
While I taught at Castella, I lived with the Southworth family. Mrs. Southworth was a sister to the sculpturer, Siris Dallen, who lived at Springville.With my first paycheck, I bought a fur neckpiece and muff – I had my picture taken with it on. I also bought several things for my parent’s house, such as curtains, a bedspread, etc. I enjoyed the pink and black willow plum I bought for myself.
How did Ed and Florence meet? The Creer home was located across the street from the park, where dances were held regularly. Florence met Ed at a dance, and they occasionally went out, mainly to dances, for about three years.” Florence wrote:
I received a letter from Edd saying he was tired of living alone and that he wanted to get married. I remembered how “dashing” he was so I decided to marry him. On November 12, 1916, I took a train to Minidoka where he met me and we went to Rupert where we were married by a judge. I wore a black suit and a pink blouse. After the wedding, we came directly by horse and buggy (of course) to this place. The neighborhood girls thought my pink nightgown and blue robe were formals.
Like any couple starting out with new land, there was much to be done in planting, building sheds and corrals for the animals, and of course, building a home to accommodate the growing family. When Florence arrived in Idaho as a new bride, Ed welcomed her into his one-room “squatters shack” where he had been living for the previous year. Although he had fixed it up with a red carpet, round oak table, cot, dresser, kitchen cabinet, rocking chair, and small stove – it would have been a far cry from what Florence was used to. Her childhood home in Spanish Fork had two stories, indoor plumbing, and many rooms.
Florence had her first child, Helen, in the one-room home, but by the time the next three children were born, they had purchased forty more acres that had a long narrow building on it. They moved it next to the little house. In time they moved a nicer home onto the property and eventually added on to it. They lived the remainder of their years in this home.
How did Ed and Florence spend their time when not working or taking care of children? They danced and associated with their neighbors. Florence remembered:
Declo was the center of activity, in the wintertime especially. The sheep men and the cattlemen usually had a dance and they were held in a barn at the Mackey place. The women would wear their pretty dresses – Edd would bring me a special dress for these occasions. Of course, everyone took their children; they’d sleep on the benches. The Elk’s club had lovely dances too. When Helen was twelve or thirteen, she would go with us – Edd would dance with her. Now and then we’d go to the Jenkin’s, some close neighbors, to eat supper – we’d put Helen to sleep in a little red wagon.
The family grew to include six children, three girls and three boys: Helen, Ted, Bill, Bob, Erma, and my mother, Anna. As the youngest, Anna came of age during the Depression and World War II years when her three brothers were off to war on the Pacific front. She talked of working hard on the farm, but also the good times they had playing card games, riding horses, listening to radio programs, and dancing. When she was well into her 80s, Florence remembered with fondness those years of raising children.
Edd came home one day saying there was a new invention out – a box with talking coming out of it. We were one of the first to get a radio. It sat on a table, had a round top; we had to have an arial attached to it which went outside in order to hear the stations. Everyone would crowd around it and listen to the programs, music, news, etc.
Every Saturday night, we’d all get into the car and go to Burley. The children and I would shop for groceries then see a show while Edd would go to the Elk’s Club. We’d stop by the icehouse and bring home pounds of ice for our icebox. It was about the only night during the week we’d leave the house. Of course, everyone had to have baths in the tin tub.
Throughout their marriage and especially once the children left home, Ed and Florence pursued their own interests. Ed continued to build his livestock business and enjoyed hunting and camping with his sons. His daughter Anna wrote:
From the time he was a young man he was always interested in horses. He spent many hours at a time in the saddle carrying out the operation, maintenance and development of his grassland and taking care of his livestock. He was a member of the Cassia County Sheriff’s Posse for many years.
Dad had many interests; he was always interested in politics – he kept up with all the local and world affairs. He served as Precinct Committeeman in Declo for twenty-two years. He was instrumental in organizing the Declo Light and Power and was president of the company for many years. When asked about retiring when he was interviewed for the Livestock Hall of Fame, he said, “I get too much out of life to think about it.” A highlight of his life was when he was selected Grassman of the Year Award in 1963. He was seventy-eight at the time.
Florence, in the meantime, kept busy with her own activities. She was active in the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, War Mothers during World War II, and church activities. She sewed all of her girl’s clothing – creating the patterns herself. She kept a large garden, supported her six children in all their activities, and loved to read. She also kept scrapbooks of the important happenings in her family’s life. I have loved pouring through those scrapbooks and learning more about her. I shared what I learned about her involvement in the War Mothers and Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.
In later years, she enjoyed traveling to California and Indiana to visit her oldest daughters and their families. Florence enjoyed music and art – filling her home with beautiful paintings and books. She treasured her rose garden and her grandchildren. Any extended family driving through the Burley/Declo area knew they would find hospitality at the Kelsey home with a fine meal prepared by Florence.
Grandpa Kelsey died in a car accident on 9 March 1972. He was 86 1/2 years old and still rode his horse every day. Grandma Kelsey was a widow for the next five years, then died on 12 November 1977 at the age of 85. She sewed and read up until the end of her life – continuing to serve and learn.
Both are buried in the Pleasant View Cemetery in Burley, Idaho. I love that their headstones have an image of something they loved in life – a rose for my grandmother and a horse for my grandfather.
Although my grandparents have been gone for over 40 years now, I still think of their unique contributions. Their fortitude and courage in building a home, raising a family, and continuing to lead full lives until the very end is an inspiration to me.
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