Category: Beauty and Fashion

We finally know Jackie O’s exact skincare routine

Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, Jackie Onassis, or just Jackie O — we know her by many names, but we all know her. She was the queen of Camelot, a veritable goddess of mid-century style, and most likely the most glamorous FLOTUS the U.S. has ever had. Well, Jackie O may possibly have had a little 21st-century competition from the equally lovely Michelle Obama, but while Michelle’s fashion choices often tended toward the relatable (T-shirts and off-the-rack J. Crew), the Kennedys seemed to fill the role of American royalty, and Jackie was seldom seen looking anything other than elegant.

Countless women at the time tried their hardest to emulate her look — those smart little suits, that sleek bouffant, the pillbox hat, white gloves, and pearls. Even though it’s been nearly 60 years since her husband so tragically left office, the timeless chic impression she left during that time still has countless imitators. People even devoted a special commemorative edition to showing how Jackie Kennedy Onassis is still the ultimate influencer, having inspired such A-listers as J.Lo, Angelina Jolie, and even queen-to-be Kate Middleton.

If you want to go beyond styling your hair a la Jackie and emulating her classic clothing style, you can now even adopt a beauty routine similar to the one followed by the former first lady. A document released by New York’s Makeup Museum lists certain of her favorite skincare products, which are luckily still available today.

Jackie O's 1963 skincare prescription, revealed

Refinery 29 published a prescription written for Jackie by Dr. Ernst Laszlo, the same man who acted as a consultant for Marilyn Monroe’s own skin care routine. The Laszlo letter relating to Jackie O’s skin care was written in May 1963 and suggests she keep her summertime skin free of heavy oils and creams, lest these lead to a recurrence of the blackheads and pimples to which she was evidently prone (who knew?). Instead, he prescribes just two products, Erno Laszlo Light Controlling Lotion (an exfoliating, pore-tightening toner) and Erno Laszlo Phelityl Oil. Each of these products was multi-use since she was also told to apply the lotion to her underarms and the oil to her arms and legs. She was even instructed as to how to use these or similar products to help her husband (you know, JFK) control his bacne (which is simultaneously TMI and also nice to know the he’s just a regular guy with breakouts like the rest of us).

The really fun part of Jackie’s beauty routine, however, comes in the meal plan Dr. Laszlo also prescribed. It seems the secret to beautiful skin circa 1963 was lots of meat and champagne. So much for suffering in the name of beauty — the beef and bubbly diet is something we can all get behind.

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Ainsley Harriott shares his best barbecue recipes along with cheats and tricks – The Sun

BRITAIN has been grilling up a storm during lockdown – with backyard ­barbies one of the few simple pleasures millions can still enjoy.

This week top TV chef Ainsley Harriott is bringing you his best barbecue recipes along with cheats and tricks.

From ribs and burgers to slaws and side ­salads, the telly favourite serves up everything you need in order to barbecue like a boss.

Ainsley said: “Of course we all love a sausage or a burger.

“But vegetables are another great option — I love chargrilling marinated peppers, aubergines and squash and serving with yoghurt and pomegranate molasses.

“You can also enjoy fruit on the barbecue — chargrilled watermelon is really quite special, and kids love strawberry kebabs and barbecued bananas.

“Barbecuing is pretty healthy, too, because you don’t need to use a lot of fat.

“Most often the unhealthiest part of the barbecue is the side dishes.

“Skip the creamy potato-and-pasta salads and use low-fat yoghurt and olive oil rather than mayonnaise, or serve fresh, vibrant vegetable salads or couscous.”

Here are some more of Ainsley’s great barbecue recipes for you to try.

  • Recipes extracted from Ainsley’s Mediterranean ­Cookbook, (Ebury Press, £20 – available from Amazon now ), Ainsley’s Caribbean Kitchen: Delicious Feelgood Cooking From The ­Sunshine Islands (Ebury Press, £20 ) and ­Ultimate ­Barbecue Bible (BBC Books, £20 ) – all by Ainsley Harriott.

Ainsley's ultimate jerk chicken

“JERKING” is all about maximising flavour.

The great thing about jerk- cooking is that you can use either a dry rub or a wet marinade, which means you can use the wonderful flavours in such a variety of dishes, from meat and fish to vegetables and grains.

Traditionally, the mix will include allspice and Scotch bonnet chillies, but the spices can be adapted according to taste.

Here’s my ultimate jerk marinade with spatchcocked chicken.

If you prefer, you can use four chicken breasts, with the skin on, and cook on the barbecue for 15–20 minutes.

(Serves 4)

YOU NEED:

  • 1 x 1.5kg chicken, backbone removed and spatchcocked (ask a butcher to do this); mixed salad or coleslaw to serve.

For the jerk marinade:

  • 225g onions, peeled and quartered
  • 2 small Scotch bonnet chillies, halved and de-seeded
  • 50g fresh root ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 3cm piece of fresh turmeric root, peeled and roughly chopped (or use 1 tbsp ground turmeric)
  • 1⁄2 tsp ground allspice
  • 15g fresh thyme leaves
  • 120ml white wine vinegar
  • 120ml dark soy sauce
  • Sea salt and ground black pepper

METHOD:

  • First, make the marinade. Place all the ingredients, except the seasoning, into a food processor and pulse until smooth.
  • Season with a little salt and a generous grinding of black pepper. Cut slashes into the smooth side of the spatchcocked chicken so that the marinade can penetrate the flesh, then place the chicken in a shallow dish.
  • Pour over the marinade and rub well into the meat. Cover and chill for at least two to three hours, or preferably over-night, turning every now and then.
  • Preheat a barbecue with a lid and take the chicken out of the fridge to bring it up to room temperature.
  • Cook the chicken on the hot barbecue, with the lid down, for 40–50 minutes, turning occasionally and basting with any leftover marinade until the juices run clear when the thickest part of the thigh is pierced with a thin metal skewer.
  • Remove the chicken from the heat and rest for a few minutes, then serve with a simple mixed salad or a traditional crunchy coleslaw.

Caprese beefburgers with pesto mayo

THESE Italian-style burgers are inspired by the wonderful ingredients in an Italian Caprese salad – fresh tomatoes, basil and creamy mozzarella.

(Serves 4)

YOU NEED:

  • 4 heaped tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1 heaped tbsp good-quality basil pesto
  • Zest of half a lemon
  • 750g good quality minced beef
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp chopped and fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for brushing
  • 2 vine tomatoes, sliced
  • 1 avocado, stone removed, thinly sliced (optional)
  • 1 x 125g mozzarella ball, thinly sliced
  • 4 ciabatta buns, lightly toasted
  • A handful of rocket leaves
  • Sea salt and ground black pepper

METHOD:

  • In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise with the pesto and lemon zest. Cover and chill until ready to serve.
  • Combine the beef, onion and parsley in a bowl and season well.
  • Use your hands to mix until the meat starts to hold together well.
  • Divide the mixture into four and shape each piece into a 10cm-wide flat disc, either by hand or by pressing the mixture into a metal pastry-cutter.
  • Brush each burger with oil, put on to a plate, then cover and chill for at least 20 minutes.
  • Brush the burgers with a little oil and barbecue over medium-hot coals for about five minutes on each side for medium.
  • To serve, spread a little of the pesto mayonnaise on the bottom half of each bun, then top with a few rocket leaves.
  • Top with the burgers then add the slices of mozzarella.
  • Finish with slices of avocado and tomato and a good dollop of the pesto mayonnaise before putting on the top half of the bun.
  • Enjoy with a side salad or fries.

The best traditional garlic butter bread

IT is best to use long or thin crusty breads such as French sticks or ciabatta so that the heat can get through to the middle and melt the butter before they burn on the outside.

(Serves 6-8)

YOU NEED:

  • 1 long, fat French stick
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 75g (3oz) slightly salted butter, softened
  • 3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

METHOD:

  • Cut the bread diagonally into 2.5cm (1in) slices without cutting right through, keeping the loaf in shape as you go. Peel the garlic, place it on a chopping board and lightly crush cloves with the blade of a large knife.
  • Sprinkle them with a little salt and continue to crush using the side of the knife until they form a smooth paste.
  • Mix butter with garlic, parsley and some pepper.
  • Spread both sides of each bread slice with a thin layer of garlic butter and reassemble the loaf on a sheet or two of extra-thick foil.
  • Pleat the edges of the foil together well and leave the parcel on the side of BBQ for ten to 12 minutes, turning regularly.

How to clean a grill

WITH a charcoal barbecue, remove the cooking rack once cold, and scrub off as much residue as you can with a wire brush or crumpled sheet of foil.

Then wash it with an abrasive, soap-filled ­scouring pad. If you look after the rack, it will give you better service and last for much longer.

Remove the cold ashes and brush out the dust. Occasionally, clean the rest of the barbecue with an oven cleaner to get rid of accumulated grease and dirt.

With a gas barbecue, always clean the rack, lid, any drip trays, gas burners, etc.
before putting away.

Lava rocks can be cleaned a couple of times during their life to get rid of cooking fat and ­juices. Wash them in hot soapy water then rinse.

Watercress, cashew and coconut salad

THIS is such a simple salad to make, yet it’s so tasty with a lovely crunch.

If you like, you can use a combination of rocket and watercress – both are readily available in salad bags and both have a wonderful peppery flavour that goes perfectly with the sweet dressing.

(Serves 4)

  • 200g fresh coconut
  • 100g (about 1 large bag) watercress, washed
  • 75g cashew nuts, roughly chopped
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 3 tbsp sherry vinegar
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • A pinch of salt

METHOD:

  • Coarsely grate the fresh coconut into a large bowl, add the watercress and cashews and set aside.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, sherry vinegar, olive oil and salt.
  • Drizzle the dressing over the watercress, coconut and cashews, toss together and place in a serving bowl.

Boss barbecue bangers

HERE is a simple but very tasty way of turning barbecued sausages into something different.

The sausages are started off under the grill before they are stuffed so that they only take a few minutes to cook through when you are ready.

(Serves 8)

YOU NEED:

  • 900g (2lb) good quality, meaty pork sausages or jumbo frankfurters
  • 75g (3oz) cheese such as Cheddar, Gouda or Gruyere
  • 8 no-need-to-soak prunes
  • 225g (8oz) rindless streaky bacon

METHOD:

  • Lightly brown the sausages under the grill, turning now and then, for about five minutes until half-cooked. Set aside and leave to go cold.
  • Cut a slit in each sausage and stuff half of them with the cheese and the other half with the prunes. The frankfurters taste best with just the cheese.
  • Stretch the rashers of bacon on a chopping board with the back of a knife then wind one rasher around each sausage, leaving gaps in between so that the filling shows through.
  • These can now be set aside until you are ready to cook them. Barbecue the bangers over medium-hot coals for about seven minutes, turning now and then, until the bacon is crisp and the cheese has melted.

Fried strawberries and cream

They’re delicious, especially served with a good dollop of clotted cream.

Go on, fire up those tastebuds.

(Serves 4)

YOU NEED:

  • 450g strawberries
  • 4 tbsp white rum, Cointreau or Kirsch
  • 4 tbsp light muscovado sugar
  • 2 cinnamon sticks, broken into short pieces
  • 225g tub of clotted cream or 300ml extra-thick double cream to serve

METHOD:

  • Hull the strawberries, cut them in half and place into a large bowl.
  • Mix the rum, Cointreau or Kirsch with the sugar until the sugar has dissolved, then stir it into the strawberries.
  • Shape 4x30cm squares of extra-thick foil into little bowls and divide the strawberries and the juice between them.
  • Add a piece of cinnamon stick to each one, bring the edges of the foil together and scrunch the edges together to seal.
  • Place the parcels on to the side of the barbecue and cook over medium-hot coals for
    four to five minutes until heated through.
  • Lift them on to serving plates, open them up and serve with a spoonful of clotted or thick double cream.

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Mum-of-quintuplets says it’s ‘impossible to raise eight kids and not lose each other’ as she reveals marriage split

A MUM-OF-QUINTUPLETS has opened up about the end of her marriage, admitting it's "impossible to raise eight kids and not lose each other".

Writing for Mamamia, Kim Tucci said her relationship with Vaughn, dad to seven of her kids, was put under strain by the pressure of raising eight kids.

The 31-year-old, from Perth, Australia, was a mum-of-three when she and Vaughn decided to try for "one more kid" – and ended up with surprise quintuplets.

Born in January 2016, the quintuplets are one boy, Keith, and four girls – Ali, Penelope, Tiffany and Beatrix.

Kim is also mum to Kurt, 13, from a previous relationship and daughters Ava, nine, and Indiana, seven, with Vaughn.

Opening up about their split to Mamamia, Kim said: "It’s impossible to raise eight kids and not lose each other in the process…

"Vaughn and I were passing ships in the night. We shared a home but we lost each other over the years through the tears and stress of raising so many little people."

Kim, who was 19 when their relationship began, added: "The dynamic in a household changes when children are brought into the equation. It takes so much more effort to meet in the middle."

Kim announced the split on Instagram a week ago, admitting: "The last couple of months have been one of the most difficult times I have ever endured.

"I have had to learn to put my happiness first and that was a really hard lesson to learn."


She added: "Marriage is hard when children come along, it’s hard not to lose each other in-process and at times two people can really outgrow a relationship and the only way forward is in separate directions.

"Yes, it’s sad to close this chapter in our life but in all honesty I’m looking forward to the unknown element of my future.

"I really lost myself over the last few years, I didn’t know my own place in life and I was so uncertain about who I was…

"I put way too much pressure on myself to be a good mum, wife and keep an immaculate home.

"I wanted everyone around me to be happy but inside I was crumbling and the cracks where certainly starting to show."

Writing for Mamamia, Kim said she and Vaughn will continue to co-parent their brood and insists she has nothing but love and respect for him.

Earlier today, a heartbroken mum revealed her daughter, five, survived 800 rounds of chemo, lost her hair – then was bullied for ‘looking like a boy’.

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Melania Trump appears at White House after anti-aging hair colour trick is revealed

Melania Trump welcomed graduates to the White House to honour their achievement in graduating. The First Lady wore a champagne coloured dress with bright yellow heels.

READ MORE

  • Melania Trump faces backlash after disregarding social distancing

Pictures showed Melania in a large room in the historic building, with students, spaced two metres apart.

The First Lady gave a speech during the event, standing at a podium with her husband by her side.

Images of the event were posted to the FLOTUS Instagram account.

The caption read: “It was an honor [sic] to address the class of 2020 at the @WhiteHouse yesterday.

“These students have proven to the entire world that they possess the strength & resilience of the American spirit. Congratulations class of 2020!”

It then went on: “Graduation is a pivotal moment for students of all education levels.

“@POTUS & I were proud to recognize & celebrate the class of 2020 with a few graduates at the @WhiteHouse yesterday.

“Keep chasing your dreams & striving to be your best self!”

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Melania Trump has refused to follow these First Lady rules [REBEL]
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Melania Trump and Donald use surprisingly unique parenting style [BARRON]

The First Lady supported the graduates, rallying to prove life goes on despite the grip of the coronavirus internationally.

Many praised the moved. One said: “These kids (high school & college) DESERVE a full, traditional, 100 percent normal the old way, #Graduation2020.”

Another wrote: “That’s beautiful. It’s so sad that these wonderful students around the US are missing graduation.”

Melania Trump’s hair colour trick for an anti-ageing effect has been revealed. 

READ MORE

  • Melania Trump body language shows why she feels ‘no threat’

The wife of Donald has long hair, in a brown and caramel blonde hue.

An expert and hair colourist told Express.co.uk: “Melania’s colour began very dark at the roots, which dragged down into lighter mid lengths and ends. Over time Melania’s colour has definitely changed little by little.”

Francesca Dixon, HARI’s Creative Colourist, went on: “The colour of her base root drag gradually became lighter and lighter, which can be spotted in pictures.

“These small colour changes over a long period of time are far better for the hair, as it maintains the hair’s wellbeing and health, and looks much better than a drastic, big colour change shock.”

“Having the contrast of the light and dark means Melania has the best of both,” explained Francesca.

“The base to add depth, and the brightness to soften her features, which has definitely had an anti-ageing effect for her.”

It has been claimed Melania Trump uses a trick to “stand out” in public. 

When she accompanies Donald on state business, she will attract attention with her fashion choices.

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The 6 Best Black Hair Dyes

Whether you want a soft shade of black or a dramatic raven mane, the best black hair dyes will complement your skin tone with dark, vibrant color while minimizing potential damage.

When choosing the perfect at-home hair color, there are a few things to keep in mind. First off, a dye can sometimes turn out darker on your head than it appears on the box, so you might want to start with a shade that’s closer to your natural hair color and keep going progressively darker until you get the look you want. This will help you avoid any makeover regret — especially since it’s much harder to go lighter than it is to go dark (read: often requires the use of bleach — something best left to professional stylists).

Choosing a color that complements your skin tone is another way to guarantee you love your new look. Cool shades like true black and blueish black look great on those with warm or neutral skin tones, but if you’re fair and cool toned, you might want to consider a more chocolatey black instead. And if you have deeper skin, you’re in luck: Just about any shade of black will look stunning on you.

Last but not least, you’ll have to weigh fade resistance against potential damage. The most intense and long-lasting colors contain ammonia — an ingredient that can be hard on your hair. But ammonia-free formulas tend to fade faster and may provide less gray coverage

Whichever shade and formula you choose, these are the best black hair dyes on Amazon that are packed with conditioners to leave your midnight-colored locks shiny and soft.

We only recommend products we love and that we think you will, too. We may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was written by our Commerce team.

1. The Best Permanent Color

With six radiant black shades to choose from — including a mulberry blue-black and a warmer "black tea" — this black hair dye by Garnier is a fan favorite with over 3,000 five-star ratings. The non-drip cream formula contains moisturizing avocado oil and comes with a conditioning grape seed oil ampoule that you add into the mix for extra hydration during the coloring process. There’s also an after-color conditioner infused with avocado, olive, and shea oils to leave hair soft and shiny.

This permanent hair color contains ammonia for long-lasting color, so be sure to treat hair with extra care. Reviewers are pleased with its fade resistance, though.

According to a home stylist: “Love this color, stays longer than other blacks, plus makes your hair look really shiny after drying your hair and adding your oils. This is my fourth time using this, love it."

2. The Best Semi-Permanent Color

If you’re not quite ready to commit to a raven-haired look or just want an ammonia-free option, opt for this semi-permanent black hair dye by Clairol that lasts through about 28 washes. Available in blue-black for warm skin tones and espresso black for cooler tones, this cream formula is boosted by protein-rich keratin to strengthen hair and prevent breakage. The kit also comes with an after-treatment made with moisturizing coconut oil. However, you won’t get quite as much coverage as you would a permanent dye.

According to a home stylist: “I used the espresso black on dark brown hair color, and my hair transformed into a beautiful, natural-looking and subtle black that even the hairdresser admired.”

3. The Best For Natural Or Relaxed Hair

Made without ammonia, this highly-rated black hair dye is formulated for textured and low-porosity hair and is packed with ultra-moisturizing jojoba oil and botanical extracts to deeply hydrate and defend against breakage. This option is available in two black shades plus more dark browns. However, since it’s made without ammonia, this gentle formula may fade faster than ammonia formulas.

According to a home stylist: “After using, my hair was soft and did not feel weighed down. The color was spot on. Will definitely purchase again.”

4. The Best For Gray Coverage

Hair dyes have a harder time penetrating gray hair, making it tricky to get full coverage, if that’s what you’re looking for, but this permanent hair color from L’Oréal is a well-reviewed pick for covering even stubborn silver strands. The dye comes in six black shades that run the gamut from a cool velvet black to a warmer soft black, and comes with a pre-color treatment made with moisturizing ceramides, a non-drip color cream made with strengthening keratin, and a weekly collagen conditioning treatment to help protect your hair between colorings. To optimize gray coverage, this formula includes ammonia.

According to a home stylist: “This is the only over the counter brand that covers my stubborn grays. Easy application with this creme mix so there is no drippage. I get vibrant black color on my medium brown and white gray hair.”

5. The Best Natural & Vegan Dye

This semi-permanent vegan and natural hair dye is available in two shades of black — a cool ebony black and a warmer brownish black —and contains no ammonia, artificial fragrance, parabens, or other potentially harsh ingredients. To help make your hair soft and shiny and protect your scalp while coloring, the formula is enriched with nourishing ingredients like oleic acid derived from olives and meadowfoam seed oil. However, since it’s ammonia-free, it may fade faster and provide less gray coverage.

According to a home stylist: “I really like this brand and I have used it before for red hair so I trusted it again when I decided to go black. It definitely made it a vivid ebony black color and I have had it in for a month and some now without any fading or discoloration with ordinary hair products.”

6. The Best For Root Touch-Ups

To refresh your roots in as little as five minutes, reach for this easy-to-use root touch-up kit from Revlon. The semi-permanent formula comes in a can that doubles as a bowl for easy mixing, and comes with an applicator brush that makes it easy to distribute the dye through your roots. The best part? This kit comes with enough dye and supplies for three root-dying sessions. The formula does contain ammonia and — the biggest down side — is only available in one shade of black.

According to a home stylist: “This product worked well for very fast growing black hair. I was able to "erase" the white ring around the tops and sides of my face with ease. Worked well and as easy as regular dye.”

Also Great: A Green Shampoo That Neutralizes Red Tones

To neutralize any potential red undertones and keep your dark hair looking vibrant, consider using this color-depositing green shampoo once or twice a week. Just apply to wet hair, leave on for three to five minutes, and rinse. You can also follow it up with a conditioner formulated for black hair for maximum results.

According to a home stylist: “I have dark hair and dye it maybe once every 6 months. My regrowth is never super obvious other than a few grays here and there. My hair color itself tends to get a little dull after so many washes though. This shampoo has added a lot of color, vibrance and dimension to my otherwise lifeless drab hair color.”

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Find out the dark secret nosy neighbour Anna uncovers in this exclusive short story from bestselling author Adele Parks – The Sun

GETTING sick of being stuck inside? Time to escape by sinking your teeth into a great read.

Today, bestselling author Adele Parks shares an exclusive story of the dark secrets in suburbia. Read on to find out what nosy neighbour Anna uncovers when she takes too much interest in a new resident on her street . . .

ANNA pulled her chair near to the window. She planned to spend the whole afternoon ­watching her new neighbour move in next door. Nigel, Anna’s husband, often grumbled about her sitting near the window. He said she was nosy. She preferred to be called interested or responsible.

Anna felt responsible for the safety of the street. Last winter there had been a break-in at No16. A TV and a computer were stolen. Disgraceful! The police knocked at everyone’s door. Anna was disappointed that she had been at her sister’s house at the time. If she had been home, she might have been a witness.

Anna did not want to miss an opportunity like that again and so had not visited her sister since. She spent a lot of time in the large, comfortable chair that just happened to give a great view of the street. Anna knew a lot about the comings and goings on her street.

The young couple at No4 were lazy. They were always the last to take in their empty bins after the rubbish had been collected. Bin day was on a Tuesday. Sometimes their bins were still on the path on Thursday! They made the street look untidy.

Anna lived in the sort of street where most people repainted their fences every couple of years. The best neighbours clipped their hedges, cut their grass and washed their cars regularly. They took pride in their homes. Nigel said they were snobs, too concerned with appearances. He wished they would take more time to stop for a chat. Anna did not agree.

Her neighbours were the right sort. The street was a good one. Everything was neat, clean and proper. She liked that. Anna wanted to check the new neighbour was also the right sort. She had heard from Judy, who lived at No5, that the lady moving in was divorced and had no children.

Judy commented that the big house seemed far too much for one person. A bit flash. Judy said she didn’t trust single women. “They always have an eye on your husband.” Anna did not agree with Judy. She rarely did since Judy had put a Sky dish on her roof. It was so ugly!

Anna would have preferred it if all her neighbours listened to the radio, particularly the news. Nigel was always around at Judy’s house. Supposedly to watch the football with Judy’s husband. Anna had her doubts. She didn’t think divorcees were the ones to watch when it came to seducing husbands. She thought it was women with Sky Sports.

'A PEACEFUL DAY'

The two women used to be friends but were a bit cool with one another now. Nigel said Anna had to stop falling out with all the neighbours. Anna didn’t know what he was talking about. She hadn’t fallen out with all the neighbours. The old bloke at No9 was unreasonable. Anna had not really shouted at his grandson who visited every Sunday. She had simply asked him not to kick his ball up against the fence over and over again.

Sunday should be a peaceful day. True she had called the boy a pest. People were so sensitive! “Kids have to play somewhere, you know,” the grandad had argued. “You have said in the past that you don’t like him playing on the green. I don’t. There is a sign that says NO BALL GAMES. Only because you put it there.”

Perhaps it was a good thing someone new was moving into the street. Anna could do with a new friend. She really hoped this neighbour was suitable. Anna watched as the removal men carried furniture off the lorry. It was classy stuff. The men trailed backwards and forwards with an endless stream of tables, chairs, sofas.

Some of it looked brand new. The only thing that looked a bit scruffy and battered was an old-fashioned chest freezer. It took four men to lift it. Her new neighbour must be a good cook. In Anna’s experience only good cooks bothered with big freezers. Most people depended on convenience food.

Anna was excited to think she and her neighbour could swap recipes. Anna had the window open. It was quite a cool day. Nigel said he was going to Judy’s to watch football. “I’ll freeze if I stay here. Can’t you close the window? No, I like the fresh air. Really? I’d say you like listening in to private conversations.”

Because the window was open Anna heard one of the removal men grumble. “This weighs a tonne! I think it’s still full.” He was red in the face, huffing and puffing. A second removal man tried to open the lid. “There’s a padlock on it,” he com-mented. “She probably thinks we’re going to pinch her lamb chops,” laughed another man.

It was at this point that Anna caught her first glimpse of the new neighbour. A tall, elegant, blonde woman suddenly appeared from nowhere. She was a vision of loveliness, as Anna’s mother might say. She was wearing white jeans, a blue jumper and trendy trainers. Not flash but certainly stylish and expensive-looking. She was all smiles and apologies.

“Oh, sorry chaps, silly me. What a pain for you. Just put this in the garage. That’s not too far.” The woman then seemed to sense Anna was watching her because she suddenly looked right in the window and waved. Anna wanted to duck but it was too late, she’d been spotted spying. She gave a small, embarrassed wave back.

'ELLIE HAD SUFFERED'

The next moment Anna’s doorbell rang. “Hello, I’m your new neighbour. My name is Ellie.” Ellie held out her hand for Anna to shake. Her nails were painted a pretty pale pink. Nothing obvious. “I wondered whether you might fancy a cup of tea. I’m already exhausted. This moving business is such hard work. I’ve unpacked the kettle and tea bags.”

Anna did not need to be asked twice. It was only later that she wondered whether it might have been more polite to offer tea in her own home but she was keen to see inside Ellie’s house. The old neighbour had never invited her in. Ellie had a warm, open way about her. She didn’t hide the fact she was divorced.

“I’ve done very well out of the divorce. I suppose he had a very guilty conscience,” Ellie admitted. “It has been awful. Really awful.” Anna leaned closer to her new friend, hoping she would give details but Ellie just sighed, looked down and sniffed.

Anna had to admire Ellie’s bravery and tact. It was clear that Ellie had suffered but she was not one for name-calling or gossip. “All I can say is the man must be a fool to have cheated on you,” Anna commented. Ellie hadn’t said her ex-husband had cheated but it was a good guess. Ellie smiled gratefully.

'ANNA WAS A FRUMP'

Anna and Ellie quickly became friends. They were always popping in and out of one another’s homes. They were not an obvious match. Anna had two children, both at university. Ellie didn’t have any kids. Ellie was also glamorous, Anna was not. Anna did not diet, wear fashionable clothes nor dye her hair like Ellie did. Basically, Anna was a frump.

But Ellie seemed to see past that. She respected Anna. Took her advice and recommendations as Anna knew everyone in the street so well. “Mostly, they are good sorts but you should watch out for Mr Willis at No9. He has a temper. And the couple at No4 are lazy. Judy at No5 has let the street down by getting a satellite dish. They are unsightly.”

That was another good thing about Ellie, she kept her place very smart. In fact, her home improvements were non-stop. There was constant painting, plumbing and rewiring. Ellie often asked for Anna’s advice on which colour to choose or if she knew of any reliable tradesmen.

“David at No18 is an electrician. He does a discount for friends but you have to make about a hundred cups of tea so I’m not sure he’s worth the bother,” advised Anna. Ellie obviously had cash to splash. She employed someone to clear the gutters, someone to walk her dog, someone else to come and shampoo the dog. She even had a cleaner.

Privately Anna thought Ellie could probably have managed to clean up after herself as she lived alone, but Ellie said she preferred to spend her spare time in the garden. Indeed, that was the only chore Ellie liked to do on her own. She would not hear of getting a gardener.

She cut the front lawn, she weeded and planted. She dug a vegetable patch in the back garden. She was so keen that she sometimes dug until after dark. It was a very large patch. Anna couldn’t imagine what vegetables she must be planting.

“How can she see what she’s doing?” Nigel asked. "I don’t know. But you have to admire her. If it was anyone else you would be complaining about the noise at this time of night.” As Anna lay in bed, watching the hands on the clock move towards midnight, she worried about poor Ellie gardening so late.

The next day someone took away the empty big chest freezer. Anna began to wonder if Ellie had a secret. Had she thrown a dinner party and failed to invite her? The thought was upsetting! A betrayal! Anna decided to get the subject out in the open.

“I noticed that you have had the freezer taken away. Yes. I don’t need it any more,” Ellie smiled. "How did you manage to eat your way through everything in there? Did you have a party?” Ellie laughed and squeezed her friend’s hand. “I’d never throw a party without inviting you.

“A more likely explanation would be that I killed my ex, chopped him up and put him in the freezer. I’ve buried him now, so I don’t need the freezer.” Anna nearly dropped her tea cup. Then Ellie laughed. “I’m joking! You should have seen your face! As if I could have buried my ex.”

She winked. “You never miss a thing.”

  • This short story, A Fresh Start, first appeared in The Reading Agency’s Quick Read collection of stories. Lies Lies Lies by No1 bestseller Adele Parks (HQ, HarperCollins) is available now in ebook, hardback and audiobook.

Big-hearted Jason Manford sparks a singalong on a residential street as an 80th birthday present for an elderly neighbour
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Kim Kardashian Works Up A Sweat In Super Tiny Leopard Bikini — See Hot New Gym Pics

Kim Kardashian has drawers full of athletic wear, but chose a a little leopard print bikini for her latest ‘quarantine workout.’ She shared the sexy snaps with her fans as she posed inside her home gym.

Kim Kardashian isn’t saving her vast bikini collection to just wear by the pool or at the beach. She’s now using the swimwear to pose in sexy photos inside her home gym while in lockdown. The 39-year-old donned a tiny two-piece to flaunt her hourglass figure and amazing curves in photos she shared with her Instagram followers on May 22. Kim could be seen leaning up against a stairmaster, resting her famous rear-end on one of the steps. Her waist looked so tiny, while her the outline of her tight obliques could be seen on her killer abs.

Kim’s leopard-print top was just a small strip of fabric with two thin straps holding it up over her shoulders. Her ample bosom nearly spilled out of the bikini, as she gazed towards the camera. The reality star’s matching bikini bottoms looked as tiny as her top, with just about an inch of fabric going over each of her hips. Kim lifted up a sneaker clad foot to rest against a step, which showed off the backside of her thigh, while her other foot remained planted on the floor. At least her footwear was a solid choice for a workout!

Even though she captioned the pics, “Quarantine Workout,” it appeared that modeling was more on her photo agenda than a grueling gym session. Kim had a full face of camera-ready makeup on. It featured a golden palette for her eyes and cheeks, while leaving her lips a shiny nude glossy shade with darker liner around her perfect pout. The KKW Beauty founder is continuing to love her new light blonde locks, which she wore loose and down her back as to not obscure the view of her bikini body.

Quarantine Workout

A post shared by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on

Kim shared a second photo that was a body close up to give her fans better look at her bikini top and bottoms. It also just so happened to focused on her cleavage, as well as Kim’s bare toned hips and thighs. This wouldn’t be the first time this week Kim showed off her bikini body while stuck at home in quarantine. On May 20, she rocked a sexy white bikini along with a belted white leather pair of chaps to pose next to one of her luxury cars. Her third photo in that set was nearly the same as Kim’s second photo in her gym today, showing a tight shot of just the swimwear and her enviable curves that it hugs.

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Ariana Grande Ditched Her Ponytail & Tried Lady Gaga’s Free-Flowing Hairstyle Instead

Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga seem to be switching places — at least when it comes to their go-to beauty looks. The pair teamed up this week to release a new single “Rain on Me” and the music video has just dropped. In the visual, it seems as though they’ve morphed into different versions of one another.

The clip opens with Gaga, lying on a stage in the pouring rain in a bright pink latex bodysuit and over-the-knee boots. Her hair is pink, cascading down from a messy middle part with bangs. Grande then appears in her signature mini skirt and high ponytail. Nearly two minutes into the video, however, the tables quite literally turn.

The screen is flipped upside-down and both singers stand side-by-side, singing and dancing with their back-ups. Grande now has long, free hair, while Gaga has adapted Grande’s iconic high-ponytail.

Twitter has predictably gone wild over the transformations. One user wrote, “gaga representing ari and ari representing gaga.” Another shared, “they literally transformed into each other.”

Could this be a new partnership in the making? They surely look like sisters, so says their gigantic fan base. Watch the full video below and you be the judge.

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Meghan Markle wrote wedding speech in calligraphy – calling Harry ‘her prince’- and framed it for first anniversary

MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry have just celebrated their second wedding anniversary, and judging by last year, Harry was in for a thoughtful gift.

While it was reported that the Duke of Sussex had gifted his wife an eternity ring to mark the occasion, the Duchess’ gift had remained under wraps.

But now a source has revealed that Meghan, 38, relied on her calligraphy skills to hand craft her hubby a gift on their first anniversary.

Tying in with tradition of the first year being the paper anniversary, Meghan hand wrote out their wedding speech and had it framed for Harry, according to People.

While it is not known what was exactly said by the bride on her wedding day, she did declare "I have found my prince."

She also spoke about her "special bond" with Prince Charles and thanked the royal family for "welcoming" her.

The Duchess of Sussex has been known for her beautiful handwriting over the years and even taught calligraphy lessons when she worked at the US stationery shop, Paper Source.

Meghan received an eternity ring from Harry, and it was first spotted at trooping the colour by eagle eyed fans last year.

Harry, 35, added a very personal touch by having the Sussex family birthstones added to the piece.

According to Harper’s Bazaar the Prince worked with jewellery designer Lorraine Schwartz to create the ring to mark their first year of marriage.

The bespoke piece incorporated the birthstones of Harry, a sapphire, Meghan, peridot and their son Archie Harrison, an emerald which were placed on the underside of the piece.

A source told the magazine: “Meghan was touched. A lot of thought went into it.”

Writing for Harper's Bazaar, Royal editor Omid Scobie – who is the co-author of the upcoming biography Finding Freedom – claims the couple marked their second anniversary by spending "quality time" with their one-year-old son Archie.

Speaking ahead of the couple's anniversary this week, the source said: "They're not going to be doing any work and made sure they have no meetings or calls in the diary.

"Like everyone else, they are in lockdown at the moment, so they will just be hanging out together at home. But it will still be a lovely day."

To mark their second anniversary, Meghan and Harry have helped to provide 250,000 meals for struggling Brits during lockdown with their  £90,000 wedding donation.

The Sussexes pledged the money raised from their royal wedding TV broadcast to help the Feeding Britain charity. 

In other royal news, Meghan and Harry are "living the fairytale" according to their pal Gayle King.

And we told you how Kate and William didn't publicly congratulate Harry and Meghan on their second anniversary.

Plus Meghan Markle loved learning martial arts her former trainer has revealed – and she chatted to him in Spanish.

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If Madewell's Virtual Styling Appointments Are the Future of Online Shopping, Sign Me Up

Online shopping is the preferred method for most. As a culture, we’ve come to expect convenience, quality, and instant gratification. However, there is something lost with ecommerce. You sacrifice the interaction with shop owners and sales associates and the advice and intimate knowledge they have on the products they sell. There’s also the constant issue of fit challenges when ordering online. With stores all over the country shut down, brands have had to quickly adapt and engage with their customers in new ways. We’ve seen virtual wedding dress fittings and online sample sales, and now virtual styling sessions are beginning to emerge.

I recently tried my first one with Madewell and found it struck the perfect balance between online shopping and the in-store experience. Not to mention the pleasure of having lighthearted conversation with someone new, an experience social distancing has made challenging. Even as some states begin plans to reopen stores, shoppers may be hesitant to enter anytime soon. A simple Zoom chat with a stylist provided personalized attention from the comfort of my own home. So, what was it all like?

How Do You Make an Appointment?

It was easy! I set up a free appointment with an online Madewell stylist using this link. Then, I got an email confirming my appointment along with a questionnaire about what I was looking for and a brief description of my overall style. It took less than five minutes to answer. I also shared my Instagram handle so she could see a bit more of how I dress.

What Does the Styling Session Entail?

I (virtually) met with my stylist for a one-on-one consultation. The call lasted about 30 minutes. My stylist, Kerri Curtis, who is based in Austin, TX, works in one of Madewell’s currently closed stores but has been helping with virtual appointments during this time. She came prepared with mood boards of new shoppable products, broken down by category. She also took cues from social posts, adding in a tie-dye sweatshirt because I had posted a homemade one the day before.

Pictured above: One of the mood boards my stylist made for me ahead of our session

I took the call next to my closet so I could reference pieces and accessories I already own. It was such a pleasant experience to connect with someone new and talk about a light and fun topic like clothing! We went though each item, and I was able to ask questions about fabric, fit, comfort, even sheerness of a pair of linen pants. It takes the guesswork out of online purchasing when the person recommending the items knows the products so well. She had a rack of new arrivals at her house, so she was able to actually show me items on the video chat.

Do You Have to Buy Something?

I got a follow-up email with links to all the pieces I liked. The service is free, and there is no pressure to purchase — although I did get two things. Overall, I found the process easy and very personalized. It’s much different than chatting on messenger. This is much closer to the experience of working with a sales associate in-store. I can definitely see this becoming the new normal even after we leave our homes!

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