List of All Articles with Tag 'fest'

Jimmy Buffett died aged 76 on Friday (1 September), in hospice care, after a years-long private struggle with skin cancer. In a statement shared on his website, it was announced that the singer, who was best known for his hit song “Margaritaville”, had been fighting Merkel cell skin cancer for four years. Cancer Research UK has recently warned that skin cancer cases are set to rise by half by 2040, with rocketing diagnoses driven by the “cheap package holiday” boom of the 1960s. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Britain and kills around 2,100 people each year. It is also one of the most common cancers in the world. What is Merkel cell skin cancer? Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare type of skin cancer. According to Cancer Research UK, it starts in the Merkel cells, which are usually in the top layer of the skin. These cells are near the nerve endings and they help us respond to touch. The charity states that MCC is a “very rare” form of skin cancer, with 1,500 people diagnosed with the condition in England between 1999 and 2008. What are the causes of Merkel cell carcinoma? With most types of skin cancer, long-term exposure to sunlight can increase a person’s risk of getting MCC. Other factors that could increase a person’s risk include being exposed to ultraviolet light, having a condition that can weaken your immune system or having a virus called Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). What are the symptoms? MCC usually appears as lumps on the skin. According to Cancer Research UK, the lumps are often a blue/red colour and less than 2cm across but sometimes they can be larger. The skin over them is usually firm and they are not painful. These lumps are often found on the areas of the body that get the most direct sun, such as the head, neck, arms or legs. Unlike most common types of skin cancer, MCC can develop rapidly over weeks or months and can spread to other parts of the body such as the lungs, lymph nodes, liver or bones. The NHS advises that if you are in doubt, contact your GP. How to prevent developing skin cancer Skin cancer is not always preventable, but you can reduce your chance of developing it by avoiding overexposure to UV light. You can protect yourself from sunburn by using high-factor sunscreen, covering up your skin while in the sun, and limiting the amount of time you spend in the sun during the hottest part of the day. Sunbeds and sunlamps should also be avoided. Read More Pregnant Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker seen leaving hospital after ‘urgent family matter’ Woman adopts husband’s ex-wife’s baby after growing up in foster care herself ‘People looked at me like I was oppressed in some way’: Young Christians on life in secular Britain How to check if you have skin cancer: Symptoms and signs to look out How many times a week you need to workout to get fit Post Malone shows off 55-pound weight loss in new photos after giving up soda

Could anyone dance that horribly in real life? Yes.

A studded headboard for your dorm bed

Designing a home that feels “just right” is no small feat. It’s about achieving that delicate balance of form and function, curating an environment that shows off your personal style but is also timeless and versatile. With this endeavour in mind, I’ve scoured Google and compiled a list of the most common design and decoration queries. I then asked nine of the UK’s leading interiors experts to give their sage wisdom. Read on to see if your burning questions are finally answered. How do I discover my own design style? Your personal style is the combination of design elements that reflect your tastes, preferences, personality, and overall aesthetic. Many of us need a bit of a hand when it comes to figuring out exactly what this looks and feels like. Luxury London-based interior designer Naomi Astley Clarke explains: “From Instagram to TikTok, there’s no shortage of design inspiration at our fingertips, and as a result, we’re increasingly influenced by widely varying aesthetics. This can lead to confusion about what we really want our own living spaces to look like. To discover your own style, think first about your lifestyle and how you envision your home functioning to support and enhance that. Rather than fixating on achieving a beautiful aesthetic, ask yourself – how do I need this space to make me feel? For example, in your bedroom, you’ll want to be relaxed and well rested. Consider the colours, materials, and things that will help you achieve that feeling.” She continues, “If you are someone who has collected a lot of inspiration photos, search for common themes that standout. From there, your interior designer will be able to help you to develop those beloved motifs, colours, and styles into a cohesive, liveable space that’s entirely bespoke to you.” What kitchen mistakes should I make sure to avoid? Don’t force an island into a space that’s simply not big enough. Tom Howley, design director of the eponymous bespoke kitchen company, explains: “Kitchens need to be as functional as they are beautiful, and sacrificing floor space to fit an island will just give an awkward, uncomfortable look. The importance of walkway space should be a key consideration. When designing your layout, always leave a metre of walkway space on either one or two sides of your worktop, island, or peninsula counter.” Additionally, don’t skimp when it comes to your cabinetry – environmental and quality issues often lie behind exceptionally cheap prices. Howley adds, “Invest in high-quality cabinetry as it will last a lifetime and can be easily repaired and repainted, thus extending the life of the entire kitchen and ultimately saving you money in the long run. Solid wood always looks and holds up the best.” Which kitchen worktop material is best? Kitchens are a busy place and the work surfaces, more than any other part, really takes the brunt of this. Astley Clarke explains, “Kitchen worktops are used constantly – from unloading groceries and chopping vegetables to serving as offices and homework hubs. They’re the foundation of all activity that goes on in the heart of a busy home. Marble is one of the most elegant and luxurious worktop options, but the drawbacks, along with the high cost, are that it is a soft, porous stone, making it prone to staining and chipping, especially in high-traffic kitchens. If you want the look of marble but with more practicality, I recommend quartz as it offers a natural stone aesthetic whilst being extremely durable, virtually non-porous, and stain and scratch resistant.” Jonathan Stanley from Caesarstone, the engineered stone worktops pioneer, adds: “It’s important to prioritise low-maintenance and longevity when choosing a worktop for your kitchen. Natural stone, such as marble, is highly susceptible to staining, especially in a busy hub such as the kitchen. To avoid substantial damage, you would have to seal your marble countertops at least annually. Caesarstone, on the other hand, requires virtually no maintenance. A simple soap and water solution is enough to gently cleanse our surfaces, with no need to wax or seal them. We also offer a lifetime warranty across all our indoor surfaces, ensuring durability and cementing your worktop as a worthwhile one-off investment.” How do I make my small flat feel larger? Making a small space feel bigger is all about tricking the eye. Athina Bluff, founder and lead designer for interior design studio, Topology, advises, “Try to show as much floor space as possible. Think about how you can swap out something chunky for something wall mounted and lightweight, such as a desk on four legs for a floating one. Additionally, opt for glass and Lucite furniture. The more you can see around and through the item, the more light will travel through the room, allowing further floor space to be visible.” Sophie Clemson, director and co-founder of online interior design service, The Living House, adds: “Think big and opt for a large rug to help anchor your living room. Make sure this rug is large enough to fit under your entire sofa – if it’s too small, it will look like it’s floating in the middle, making the room feel disjointed and more cramped.” Clemson continues, “Paint your ceiling the same colour as your walls – this helps blur the edges and make the room feel more spacious. Avoid a feature wall as this can make the wall feel like it’s coming towards you, causing the space to feel especially narrow. And if you have an open plan flat, use the same flooring throughout to create a cohesive flow that makes the space feel vaster.” What is layering lighting, and why is it important? Layered lighting is the combination of multiple, varying sources of light which, when put together, cast a pleasing glow around a room. For example, these could include an ornate, Rococo-style, gilt chandelier hanging from the ceiling, combined with a couple of sconces with endearingly petite, hand-woven lampshades on either side of a mirror, and a floor lamp with a curved brass stem, which softly illuminates a dim corner. “A layered approach allows you to adapt the lighting in your home to suit your evolving moods and needs,” explains Niki Wright, co-founder of lights&lamps, an ever-evolving curation of contemporary design-led lighting. “Think of your lighting like the sun. Big and bright in the day, then gradually becoming lower and softer by night. When ceiling lights are no longer needed to see by, you can switch to more subtle table and floor lamps. Imitating the setting sun organically transitions your living space throughout the day, bringing peace and calm before bed.” How do I choose and style artwork to match my living space? Award-winning British interior designer, Matthew Williamson, tells me: “When sourcing art for your own home, it’s important to bear in mind that the only person it needs to impress, touch, or inspire is you. Never buy art to impress or pander to anyone else, any trends, or because you think something would ‘look the part’ in a room. Above all, your collection needs to resonate with you, whether it reminds you of something fundamental about the way you wish to live your life, or it simply makes you smile.” Martin Waller, founder of global design brand Andrew Martin adds, “Hang your artwork at eye level or just above, creating shapes and patterns with multiple pieces to form a cohesive gallery wall. For example, if you have two portraits, face them towards each other as if they’re having a conversation and make themes like putting all your pictures of animals together, even if they’re of different styles and eras. The important thing is to tell a story with your curation. You can also play with colour by organising a group of monochrome pieces with one vividly coloured work in the middle.” Waller continues, “Don’t be afraid to put very contemporary art in a traditional space, or vice versa – it is often the merging of seemingly incongruous styles that creates beauty through surprise. And when considering your colour scheme, pinpoint one or two of the boldest colours in the room and reflect them in your chosen artwork. Or, working inversely, pick out a hue you love in your artwork and highlight it by using the same tone in cushions and other soft furnishings. This works similarly with shapes – you can mirror a circular shape in an image with a spherical vase or sculptural lamp for example.” What are some inexpensive ways I can make my space feel more luxurious? Anne Haimes, design director and founder of Anne Haimes Interiors says, “To make your home look more high-end I always recommend framing your artwork. Inexpensive prints are a great way to introduce personality into your home without breaking the bank on costly art. But time and time again I see people neglect to frame their prints, which unfortunately creates the look of posters in a teenager’s bedroom. Second-hand shops often have beautiful but cheap vintage frames that will help uplift your existing art.” She continues, “Another trick is to swap out any branded soap bottles or washing-up liquids you may have in your kitchen and bathrooms for glass or ceramic vessels. Replacing branded plastic packaging with a dispenser of your choice will make your home appear much more cohesive. You may also be able to save some money in the long run by buying more cost-effective and sustainable refill packs.” Athina Bluff adds, “For a small but impactful detail that will make your space feel more premium, change your switches and sockets from white to brass or a sleek black. And opt for feather down cushion inserts, removing all foam cushion pads. Foam cushions often sag and don’t age well, whereas feather-filled ones feel very reminiscent of a boutique hotel. Make sure to give them a classic ‘karate’ chop for ultimate luxury.” Astley Clarke finishes, “A premium scented candle in an elegant votive instantly elevates a space. The aroma-filled flicker of a candle can be both meditative and escapist, making your space extra inviting and boosting your spirit. Hotel Costes’ ‘Brown’ candle is my favourite. Crafted with an exquisite attention to detail and quality that makes it well worth the price tag, the iconic Parisian hotel’s signature scent was inspired by an ironwood piece of furniture from the Ming dynasty that emits scents of liquor, mild tobacco, and wet stone.” Read More Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker leave hospital after ‘urgent family matter’ Harry and Meghan spotted at Beyonce’s Renaissance tour in Los Angeles ‘People looked at me like I was weird’: Young Christians on life in secular Britain How to soften city living with laidback English country design Interior designer Naomi Astley Clarke on how to add value to your home ‘I think a better word for “clean” beauty is “thoughtful” beauty’ Mediterranean muses, wild blooms and shrooms: Trends to watch from this year’s Chelsea Flower Show

All five answers to the questions below have something in common. Can you figure it out?

Five people have died from complications of a "rare but serious illness" in Virginia following a statewide outbreak of meningococcal disease, the Virginia Department of Health announced.

By Crispian Balmer and Mike Davidson VENICE The make-up artist for Bradley Cooper's Leonard Bernstein biopic "Maestro" apologised

Dozens of people are reported injured in Tel Aviv as demonstrations turn violent.

Jimmy Buffett, the all-American musician turned mogul who spun his beach bum folk-rock hits into a prolific business

Camden has long been known as the spiritual home for misfits. Come, all ye oddballs, the streets of Camden scream. All are welcome! Although nowadays it’s a little less punk haven and a little more tourist trap (yes, I’m looking at you, pastas dunked into cheese wheels), there are still pockets of Camden that have retained its unconventional charm. It’s also where punky pair and Israeli chefs Shiri Kraus and Amir Batito have set up shop for both their restaurants, The Black Cow and the newer Epicurus, just minutes away from each other. Like The Black Cow, modeled after the classic American steakhouse but infused with Middle Eastern flavours, Epicurus takes its culinary cue from across the pond. This time, Kraus and Batito decided to focus on the all-American diner and put their Israeli twist on classics like pancakes, wings and ribs. When I ask if this is because American food is a bit of a blank slate, Kraus swiftly corrects me; to her, it’s all about the excitement of infusing the character of American cuisine with Israeli flavours and seeing what’s possible. It’s a pairing that I think is unusual, but to the chefs, makes perfect sense. It’s a warm, balmy day when I make my way to Epicurus to meet my friend, as well as Kraus and Batito. The outdoor space is placed tantalisingly in the late afternoon sun, so we bask in it as our tiny table fills up with more plates than is sensible. The quirky menu features punny dish names like “Chip Chip Hooray”, “Raspoutine”, “Top Dog” and “Sloppy Yossef”, which I find immediately endearing – my love for a good (or even bad) puns knows no bounds. We are instructed to eat as many things as possible with our hands, although Kraus concedes: “You could use a fork, I’ll only judge in silence.” We find delight in the “Oof Gozal” – chicken wings coated in a yellow Amba mango and Scotch bonnet sauce. Despite the use of the fearsome chilli, these wings are barely spicy, favouring the flavour of the Scotch bonnet over the heat. They are incredibly moreish and the fact that your fingers end up being absolutely covered in sauce is only an invitation to get licking. You should also definitely get the “Papi Chulo”, a mix of crunchy deep-fried okra and soft padron peppers covered in spices that come with a lemony-garlicky-chilli aioli for dipping. It’s brilliant for snacking on in the sun. Another honourable mention goes to the Epicurus single decker burger, which is also available as a double. It contains some of the richest, fattiest ingredients I’ve ever seen between buns, like bone marrow aioli and Baron cheese, and it does border on being a bit too unctuous. The Harissa bacon jam helps pull it back a little, but only just. Would I eat it again? Definitely. But I probably would get a salad instead of chips to make myself feel slightly better about ingesting all that fat. I am usually glad when menus don’t have calorie counts – even when they do, I avert my gaze determinedly – and boy, am I really glad there’s no calorie count on this menu. Not everything hits the spot, which I’m hoping Kraus and Batito will be able to tweak until they do. The “Dakdakim”, pancakes stuffed with pulled shawarma chicken, has the trappings of something great, but the addition of both bacon jam and spiced quince make the dish too sickly sweet. Meanwhile, the rack of babyback ribs covered in a deliciously tart-yet-sweet date honey and pomegranate molasses needs a bit more fat on the bones to make it truly delectable – otherwise the mouth-puckering quality of the sauce make the too-lean ribs a bit too dry to really enjoy. But these are small gripes, and ones that I’m happy to forgive if they are improved upon. Is it worth elbowing your way through the thronging crowds of Camden Lock Market to get to Epicurus? I think it will be. Never mind the cheap tat and endless boba tea shops (most of which are simply not very good, there are better places to visit boba tea that isn’t just a sugar bomb) – head to Epicurus for a tasty escape. Epicurus, Unit 90, Camden Stables Market, Greater, London NW1 8AH | www.epicuruscamden.co.uk | 07843 199560 Read More Dorshi, Dorset: Funky Malaysian dumplings are a hit on the south coast National Burger Day 2023: The best burgers in London and where to eat them The best outdoor restaurants, terraces and rooftop bars in London to book now

Life at Sea's three-year round-the-world cruise sets sail from Istanbul in November. However, for any stragglers, the cruise will now allow newcomers to join the ship at any stage, continuing the journey indefinitely -- making it the "cruise that never ends."

Young students who were hit hardest by the pandemic are entering the upper grades of elementary school