Category: Life Style

Gypsy Rose Blanchard has admitted she’s devastated that her late mother, Clauddine “Dee Dee” Blanchard, will never meet her baby.

Speaking to Nick Viall on his podcast, The Viall Files, the 33-year-old convicted felon – who was served eight years in prison for the role she played in her mother’s murder – confessed she wished her mom could experience being a grandmother to her unborn daughter.

“I mean, for me, it is heartbreaking because I do, from time to time, think about what could have been, and it makes me sad,” the soon-to-be parent told Viall during the October 16 episode.

According to Blanchard, she’s tried not to dwell on the line of thinking because she knows nothing can be done about it. As a result, Blanchard pushed the thoughts of her mother never meeting her baby to the back of her mind. Still, critics have continuously questioned Blanchard about how she plans to handle conversations with her child about what happened to her mother.

“I mean, there has been questions on social media. Everybody asked the question, you know, ‘What are you gonna tell your daughter whenever grandma isn’t around?’” she recounted.

“My response to them is that Kristy has become more of a mother to me than my own mother was,” Blanchard said, referring to her stepmother Kristy Blanchard. “Kristy is going to be grandma.”

As for the social media users that have questioned her mothering abilities ever since she announced her pregnancy on YouTube in July, Blanchard doesn’t believe the public should have any opinion or comment at all.

“I mean, finding out that I’m going to be a new mother, you know, that is not something that I don’t think anybody could honestly say I’m ready for. Maybe a few are, but when it happens, you’re kind of like, ‘Am I really ready for this right now?’” she explained, adding: “I don’t have concern of any kind that my trauma from the past will affect my ability to parent.”

Blanchard also credited all the women she has in her life – including Kristy and the mother of her boyfriend, Ken Urker – as her role models.

Elsewhere in the episode, Urker – who reignited his romance with Blanchard in April – admitted he moved to Louisiana to be with Blanchard when he found out she was pregnant. However, because of her parole, the couple isn’t able to live together.

Blanchard is on parole until June 2025, meaning Urker won’t be moving in with Blanchard until after she gives birth. When asked if there are exceptions to the rule, Blanchard explained they would have to get married in order to live together while she was on parole. But because Blanchard’s divorce from Ryan Anderson hasn’t been finalized, she has apprehensions about moving too quickly into that relationship stage with Urker.

“I’m not the person to say just because we’re having a child you have to marry me. I’m not the type of person to tell you how to your live your life, like I don’t want to be that person to say, ‘You have to marry me,’” she said.

Blanchard was released from prison in December 2023 after serving eight years at the Chillicothe Correctional Center in Missouri. She had pleaded guilty in 2016 to the second-degree murder of her mother, after her then-boyfriend Nicholas Godejohn stabbed her mother at least 17 times at her home while Blanchard hid in a bathroom during the assault.

An investigation later found that Blanchard was abused by her mother, who had Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Blanchard testified in court that Dee Dee had falsely claimed she suffered from conditions such as leukemia, muscular dystrophy, and other serious illnesses.

The robot artist Ai-Da, a humanoid powered by artificial intelligence, will be the first of its kind to have a painting sold at a major auction house, organisers said Wednesday.

The work, due to go under the hammer at Sotheby’s in London next month, is described as a “haunting” portrait of the English mathematician Alan Turing, considered one of the fathers of modern computing.

Entitled “AI God”, the 2.2 metre high portrait is expected to fetch between $130,000 and $196,000.

The online sale, featuring a range of digital art forms, would explore the intersection between art and technology, according to Sotheby’s.

The ultra-realistic robot is designed to resemble a human female with a face, large eyes and a brown wig and is one of the most advanced in the world.

It works by using AI algorithms and has cameras in its eyes and bionic hands.

Aidan Meller, gallery owner and founder of Ai-Da Robot studio, led the team that created it with artificial intelligence specialists at the universities of Oxford and Birmingham in England.

Meller said Turing, who made his name as a World War II codebreaker, mathematician and early computer scientist, had raised concerns about the use of AI in the 1950s.

The artwork’s “muted tones and broken facial planes” seemingly suggested “the struggles Turing warned we will face when it comes to managing AI”, he said.

Ai-Da’s works were “ethereal and haunting” and “continue to question where the power of AI will take us, and the global race to harness its power”, he added.

In 2022, Ai-Da painted portraits of the acts headlining Glastonbury Festival including Billie Eilish, Diana Ross, Kendrick Lamar and Paul McCartney.

Sotheby’s Digital Art Sale runs from October 31 to November 7.

A woman in the United States showcased a heroic act as she safely landed a small turboprop aircraft after her multi-millionaire husband suffered a stroke and collapsed during a California-bound flight.

Yvonne Kinane-Wells, who is a Las Vegas-based real estate agent, does not have any prior experience in flying aeroplanes but still managed to safely touch down on a runway after her husband, Eliot Alper, collapsed mid-air, recently.

According to the New York Post, the 69-year-old woman’s 78-year-old husband was operating their two-engine Beechcraft King Air 90 plane as the couple took off from Henderson Executive Airport in Las Vegas for Monterey, California, last week.

However, seeing Eliot passed out beside her after suffering a heart attack, Yvonne immediately contacted air traffic control, took command of the plane and relayed the situation to them.

The air traffic agents helped her redirect the plane, which was flying at an altitude of around 5,900 feet, to the nearest airport in Meadows Field, Bakersfield, after advising her to add more power.

After the plane landed in Bakersfield, emergency crews used their vehicles to intercept the plane and medical personnel rushed to the scene to help the couple.

Yvonne exceeded the entirety of the 11,000-foot runway, skirting a little off-road before coming to a halt.

Unfortunately, medical personnel were unable to save Eliot. However, Yvonne left many stunned at her ability to handle the plane, despite no flying experience.

Kern County’s director of airports, Ron Brewster, told Daily Mail: “It’s to my knowledge unprecedented. I’ve never seen it in my entire career.”

A new DNA study on the 500-year-old remains of Christopher Columbus has found that the controversial explorer was actually a Sephardic Jew from western Europe.

Spanish researchers announced their findings in a new documentary, titled Columbus DNA: The true origin, which aired on Spain’s national broadcaster TVE. Since 2003, scientists have ​​tested samples of remains buried at Seville Cathedral in Spain, believed to be the final resting place of the 15th-century explorer.

In the documentary, Jose Antonio Lorente, a professor of forensic medicine, who led the research at the University of Granada, said his analysis revealed that Columbus’s DNA was “compatible” with his being of Jewish origin.

Throughout the 21-year investigation, DNA experts compared samples of the remains with those of Columbus’s known relatives and descendants. “We have DNA from Christopher Columbus, very partial, but sufficient. We have DNA from Fernando Colon, his son,” Professor Lorente said, per CNN. “And both in the Y chromosome (male) and in the mitochondrial DNA (transmitted by the mother) of Fernando, there are traits compatible with Jewish origin.”

Columbus was previously believed to be an Italian from Genoa, born in 1451 to a family of wool weavers. Over the years, historians have suggested that the explorer could have been Greek, Basque, Portuguese, or British. While researchers were unable to pinpoint Columbus’s place of birth, they acknowledged after analysing 25 possible locations that he was likely to have come from the Spanish Mediterranean region.

“The DNA indicates that Christopher Columbus’s origin lay in the western Mediterranean,” Prof Lorente said. “If there weren’t Jews in Genoa in the 15th century, the likelihood that he was from there is minimal. Neither was there a big Jewish presence in the rest of the Italian peninsula, which makes things very tenuous.”

An estimated 300,000 Jews were living in Spain before the era of the “Reyes Catolicos”, during which Catholic monarchs King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella ordered Jews and Muslims to convert to Christianity or face exile. The expulsion of Jews from Spain occurred in 1492, the same year that Columbus made his first voyage to the Americas.

Now, researchers believe Columbus either concealed his Jewish identity or converted to Catholicism to escape religious persecution. The term “Sephardic” is derived from Sepharad, a Hebrew word that refers to the Iberian peninsula, which includes modern-day Spain and Portugal.

As a result of the study, Prof Lorente also confirmed theories that the remains in Seville Cathedral belonged to Columbus. “The outcome is almost absolutely reliable,” he said.

Columbus died in the Spanish city of Valladolid in 1506. He had wished to be buried on Hispaniola, which is now divided into Haiti and the Dominican Republic. His remains were brought there in 1542 and were then moved to Cuba in 1795, and finally to Seville in 1898.

Sponsored by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, Columbus completed four voyages for Spain across the Atlantic Ocean. However, his conquests – and the subsequent genocide and colonisation of Indigenous people in the Americas – have been widely condemned. As a result, many states and cities in the United States have decided to rename Columbus Day, the holiday in honour of the explorer, to recognise the violence committed against Native Americans since Columbus and his crews arrived on shore.

An online store has jumped on the Ozempic craze by releasing a “sexy” semaglutide injection costume just in time for Halloween.

Yandy, an American online retailer, is offering the “Sooo Snatched Costume” on its website, inspired by the rising popularity of weight loss injections. “Everyone is doing it,” the costume description reads. “Jump on that semaglutide bandwagon in Yandy’s Sooo Snatched Costume.”

The blue and red tank-style dress, printed with the words “Snatched: Semaglutide Injection,” comes with a pillbox hat meant to resemble a semaglutide injector syringe.

“Remember consult your doctor before you head outside wearing this costume side effects could be humorous,” read the listing.

The “Sooo Snatched Costume” was originally listed on the Yandy site for $39.95, but is currently on sale for $23.97.

The unconventional Halloween costume comes amid the growing use of once-weekly semaglutide injections, which have become widely popular for their “off-label” weight loss side effects. Ozempic, an FDA-approved medication for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, works by mimicking the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) hormone to regulate blood sugar levels and slow down the rate at which food leaves the stomach – often creating the feeling of fullness.

In addition to Ozempic, prescription medications Wegovy and Mounjaro have also risen in popularity for their weight loss side effects. Wegovy is another semaglutide injection specifically approved for the treatment of obesity and weight loss, while Mounjaro is the first diabetes drug to target a second hormone, GIP.

Many celebrities have since admitted to using weight loss medication, such as Oprah Winfrey and Kelly Clarkson. However, as Ozempic has risen in popularity, it’s also created a global shortage of the drug needed for people with Type 2 diabetes – so much so that some semaglutide injections cost up to $1,500 per month.

This isn’t the first time that Yandy has raised eyebrows with its topical Halloween costumes. In 2018, the online retailer faced backlash for selling a sexualized Handmaid’s Tale outfit for Halloween. Yandy had dubbed the Handmaid’s Tale-inspired costume the “Brave Red Maiden,” selling it for $65 before removing the costume from its website.

“Yandy always has stood, and will continue to stand, at the forefront of encouraging our customers to ‘own your sexy,’” the brand said in its apology. “Over the last few hours, it has become obvious that our ‘Yandy Brave Red Maiden Costume’ is being seen as a symbol of women’s oppression, rather than an expression of women’s empowerment.”

“This is unfortunate, as it was not our intention on any level. Our initial inspiration to create the piece was through witnessing its use in recent months as a powerful protest image,” they said. “Given the sincere, heartfelt response, supported by numerous personal stories we’ve received, we are removing the costume from our site.”

In 2020, the online retailer also released a “sexy hand sanitizer” costume amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The outfit simply consisted of a mint green bodysuit printed with a fake hand sanitizer logo that read, ‘Yandy hand sanitizer. Kills 99.99 percent of germs,’ and a bottle of hand sanitizer for a total of $69.95.

Pilar Quintana-Williams – Yandy’s vice president of merchandising – told Business Insider at the time that the brand simply aimed to bring “humor” and “lightheartedness” to Halloween.

Bath & Body Works apologized after being slammed for its new candle design, which bore a resemblance to the white hoods of the Ku Klux Klan.

The popular beauty care company, known for its fresh fragrances, issued a formal statement to The Independent amid backlash from internet users and consumers who found the artwork on their “Snowed In” candle offensive.

“We are committed to listening to our teams and customers and committed to fixing any mistakes we make—even those that are unintentional like this one,” a representative on behalf of the company said. “We apologize to anyone we’ve offended and are swiftly working to have this item removed and [are] evaluating our process [going] forward.”

On the outside label of the holiday-scented candle, a snowflake is printed with crystals that look similar to the hoods worn by the KKK, the white supremacist group that terrorized the South throughout the latter half of the 19^th century. Their trademark white hoods feature a tip with cutouts for their eyes – two attributes utilized in the crystal design.

“Bath & Body Works needs to fire all the people who approved this candle artwork,” one person wrote on X alongside an image of the candles.

“How did they not see that coming? Glad they took it down though. Sometimes companies really need to double-check their designs before dropping them,” another said.

“Bath & Body Works removing that candle was a necessary move. How did that design even make it to shelves?” asked a third. “This isn’t just a branding mistake; it’s a reminder of how sensitive cultural symbols can be. Let’s hope they take this as a lesson in awareness and responsibility.”

A fourth noted: “I Can’t Unsee the KKK in This Bath & Body Works Candle Design.”

“How would you not know that the image and the design does not reflect that amongst the worst of hatred ‘Klu Klux Klan?’ Accountability,” one frustrated viewer demanded.

The Independent has contacted Bath & Body Works for comment.

Bath & Body Works faced scrutiny two years prior when they released a “limited-edition” collection of care products in honor of Black History Month. However, the products weren’t new, they were only repackaged in prints resembling Kente cloths.

While summer is technically over, we’re still being treated to some sunshine here in the UK (we like to do things out our own pace, it seems, over here), there’s no better time to book a reservation or two at your favourite restaurants with outside space in London.

There’s nothing better than getting some of that much-needed vitamin D as you tuck into a delicious meal and whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch, dinner with friends or your date is going al fresco, there are plenty of options to choose from.

While some pubs and restaurants have permanent outdoor seating areas, others actively create their own in the summer so that its patrons can enjoy a delicious meal al fresco as soon as the sun decides to come out.

From pub gardens to rooftop terraces, there’s a number of spaces to soak up the sunshine with your favourite dish and a glass of something refreshing – and we’re here to help you find all the best places in the city to do just that.

London is a foodie capital and at times dining options can be overwhelming. If you’re in need of some guidance for your next al fresco booking, look no further than our list below.

Aqua Kyoto and Nueva

If you fancy chancing your luck with some Great British sunshine – or just enjoy dining al fresco, the terraces at both Aqua Kyoto and Aqua Nueva in central London certainly have something to offer. Whether you prefer Spanish cuisine or fancy going Japanese for your meal, both restaurants will have you leaving stuffed but satisfied.

Summer collaborations included Patron and Porte Noire – but the cocktails at Aqua Kyoto and Nueva are both creative and carefully curated, meaning you are sure to have something fun with which to wash down all the food. Guests can sit back, sip and relax – or gear up for the night or weekend as both spots are packed full of fun and atmosphere.

Boca a Boca

Nestled in the heart or Fitzrovia is Boca Boca – a charming Spanish eatery that amps up the ambience – and serves up good grub, too. Start off with sangria (white was our preference) and some padrón peppers, pan con tomate and other delightful snacks.

We were delighted to see our favourite chiperones (crispy baby squid) on the menu – not every Spanish spot in London serves them – while the octopus, monkfish and paella were all thoroughly tasty and left us rolling out onto the terrace for a digestif cocktail. Whether you’re dining inside or outside, watching the passersby on Charlotte Street, cosy up for a slice of Spain.

Netil 360

I’m not sure if “hidden gem” quite works here, or more just a place I hadn’t got round to visiting in my local area and felt like an idiot for missing out on. Netil 360, just off Mare Street and by London Fields in Hackney is everything you could want from a vibey summer terrace. It’s absolutely massive, with large picnic bench tables and great views of east London and beyond. There are plenty of tasty cocktails and they also do Neapolitan pizzas which hit the spot and help soak up the booze. A DJ spins housey tunes and there’s plenty of room to dance; it’s just an all-around fun place to hang out. Netil is definitely more on the casual side – plastic cups, pizza served out of boxes etc, but this is all part of the charm. By 6pm on a Friday it was already rammed so get down early to reserve your spot in the sun.

Claridge’s

Claridge’s terrace is less of a sprawling sun trap and more of a narrow corridor where you’re intermittently hit with the fumes of supercars idling out the front, but it’s certainly got a lot going for it; namely its terrace menu. You can order everything from the usual restaurant, plus some added extras, such as a trio of savoury crumpets – crab and apple, lobster cocktail, sauce vierge and crispy lemon, and lardo with truffled honey, or the wonderful Wye smoked salmon with sour cream, capers and soda bread. As ever with Claridge’s, the food is utterly impeccable (the roast chicken was so perfect it nearly brought a tear to my eye) and the service transports you to another era of old-fashioned politeness. I will say that the terrace isn’t quite as magical as the restaurant, but a room like that is hard to beat. Round off the meal with the cookie ice cream sandwich to give your inner child a squeal of delight.

Joia

We’ll never say no to a new Portuguese restaurant opening up in London and new spot Joia does seem to be drawing in all the crowds. While its rooftop (complete with that swimming pool) has certainly nailed the Instagram aesthetic on the head, we can’t credit Joia’s success solely to this, having dined on its delectable menu ourselves. An excellent pan con tomate set the meal off to a great start (it can really go the other way, you see), followed by the classic Iberico ham croquettes – once again, it’s like a rite of passage with this type of cuisine. The classic tortilla secured a solid spot in our good books, while the grilled leeks and beef pica pau (a highly popular Portuguese snack dish) were also crowd-pleasers. The salted cod worked a charm. We loved the Josper-grilled prawns and recommend you definitely leave space for the arroz con leche (in this case, passionfruit cream rice pudding).

joiabattersea.co.uk

Luca

Stepping into the terrace at Luca is like stepping straight foot in Italy. With exposed brick walls, plenty of shrubbery and a retractable roof, the one-Michelin-starred spot is the perfect way to while away the hours in true al fresco style. Enjoy everything the restaurant has to offer in this secluded oasis, from the must-get parmesan fries (cheese lovers will want several portions of these gooey churros) to the pasta made fresh every day in The Pasta Room (shouldn’t everyone have one of those?). During the summer, seasonal delights include Orkney scallops, Cornish lobster and Hebridean lamb. Wash that down with a house cocktail such as the Luca Martini or the Gold Negroni, or consult with head sommelier Enzo for something from their excellent wine list – the bone-dry Soave Classico Calvarino Pieropan gets our vote.

luca.restaurant

Florattica

A newcomer to the terrace scene in London, Florattica sits above the Canopy by Hilton in East London. A hidden gem if you’re looking for understated luxury, the decor is full of floral designs and bold colours – accompanied by equally strong cocktails. Come rain or shine this little oasis is a great hideaway from the busy city, with both indoor and outdoor seating, where you can enjoy a variety of premium drinks from the bar and sharing snacks. The sourdough flatbread with whipped feta, peppers and rosemary jam was a particular standout, but there’s also oysters, a selection of sushi, teriyaki chicken skewers and more.

floratticalondon.co.uk

Sabine

If you’re looking to soak up a great summer vibe alongside sipping signature cocktails, Sabine is the place for you. Offering a stunning view of St Paul’s Cathedral, as well as gorgeous sunset scenes and the Shard on the other side, Sabine is a great terrace for kicking back after a long day at work. With Sabina Coladas and dangerously good daiquiris on the menu (among other favourites, of course), it was only too easy to sit back, sip and snack on delicious bar bites such as pulled lamb or barbecue jackfruit tacos; tandoori prawn skewers; mac n cheese bon bons and much more.

sabinelondon.co.uk

Outcrop X AngloThai

You have just over a month to catch the excellent collaboration between Outcrop and AngloThai at 180 The Strand – and it’s one that should not be missed. The leafy courtyard at the heart of London’s West end offers John Chantarasak’s signature (and spicy) Thai-British food, featuring oysters dressed in sea buckthorn and fermented chilli, curried flatbreads, zephyr squash tempura, som tam salad, vine leaf-wrapped hake, and much more. Wines are of the low-intervention, natural, barrelled variety and the cocktails pack a punch. Dine in dappled sunlight under the canopy to bops from DJs, selectors and collectors, then venture inside to take in the immersive art installation. No spoilers here. It’s worth seeing for yourself.

outcrop.social

Nobu Hotel London Shoreditch

Tucked away in the heart of Shoreditch is the Nobu Hotel London Shoreditch. While the full menu is served in the main restaurant, a revised, smaller offering is just as delicious at the bar or on the terrace and serves up the same stellar dishes we all know and love: crispy rice with either salmon or tuna; salmon, chicken or beef mini tacos and that yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno and ponzu. Next time we might just take 10 plates of that, to be honest with you. But on a serious note, the sushi is delicious and a refreshing light bite to enjoy al fresco, with some tables set down below from street level to offer an escape from the hubbub of the city. The bar menu also offers a newer Nobu offering: the monaka – your choice of salmon, tuna or avocado tartare sandwiched between two thin crisp wafers made from mochi.

London-shoreditch.nobuhotels.com

Maene

From oysters with pickled cucumber and sorrel to whipped ricotta, pickled beetroot, lemon thyme, there are plenty of delicious dishes to enjoy alongside a cocktail or two, while basking in the (occasional spot of) sun that graces this city. Other items from the menu that caught our eye include the Cornish mussels in smoked cider and butter sauce and we’d never say no to almond ice cream with poached rhubarb and black pepper sable. We can confirm the cocktails went down a treat but now it seems you’ll see us back for dinner, too.

maenerestaurant.co.uk

Kapara

The little sister of Israeli eater Bala Baya, Kapara is the latest offering from chef Eran Tibi who has brought a taste of Tel Aviv to the streets of Soho. In addition to a variety of cocktails to be enjoyed on the terrace, we’d also recommend you not leave before trying the baklava prawns – one of our top favourite dishes in London – as well as the likes of the romano carpaccio, braised aubergine and tomato hummus and oxtail in pearls.

kapara.co.uk

Jurema at The Mandrake

Simultaneously sultry and seasonal, Jurema at the Mandrake stays true to the hotel’s moody on-trend decor, while also making bringing a spot of summer to the terrace – courtesy of a hanging garden of suspended jasmine and passionflower. A main feature throughout the hotel (with all floors looking out onto it), it’s a great space to enjoy a drink (should you be tempted away from Waeska downstairs). Food-wise, it’s all from Yopo below so we knew it would be great and the terrace also offers a beautiful Sunday brunch where you can tailor your experience from free-flowing cocktails to unlimited Veuve Cliquot, alongside crab tostadas, wild mushroom buckwheat crepes and chorizo eggs benedict dishes. Coupled with a DJ and tarot reading, you’ll find yourself checking into a room (should there be availability) afterwards, never wanting to leave.

themandrake.com

Hotel AMANO

Hotel AMANO is another secret terrace in the heart of central London – and it comes with a beautiful view of the city. Sip on chamapgne or choose one of the cocktails expertly created by the bar staff at the rooftop bar. The seventh floor is a true highlight of the London hotel. With dishes making their way up from the kitchen at Penelope’s (the hotel’s Israeli-Spanish restaurant downstairs), we’d say bar snacks have certainly stepped up in the form of salmon tiradito, black challah calamari (possibly our favourite in London), pan con tomate and much more.

amanogroup.de

The Landmark London

It’s one of London’s most well known hotels and for good reason. While the Landmark London has no traditional terrace as such, its Winter Garden still makes for a magical sun spot – and is perhaps not such a bad idea when the city’s weather is so unpredictable. Whether you’re there to dine on the modern European menu or opt for a classic or seafood-themed afternoon tea, there’s plenty to feast upon at the Landmark London and, if we do say so ourselves, the most elegant setting in which to do so.

landmarklondon.co.uk

Sanderson London

While the Sanderson London normally draws people in for its iconic Long Bar and Mad Hatter’s afternoon tea, we’re here to tell you that you shouldn’t be quick to overlook the terrace either. The current pop-up in the garden is with The Uncommon, where you can enjoy a slice of escapism from central London alongside a mint and jasmine rosé wine spritzer. Known for its eco-friendly bubbly wine in a can, The Uncommon drinks are being used to create cool and carefully-crafted cocktails, perfect for summer.

ennismore.com

Madison

Perhaps the OG when it comes to a view of St Paul’s, Madison is most known for its buzzing bar but its restaurant has long been on our radar, too. Whether you’re enjoying a bottle of rosé in the sunshine as you watch people taking photos of the impressive monument or you’re feasting upon dishes such as prawn linguine, swordfish steak or a mixed mezze plate, nothing quite says summer than this terrace.

madisonlondon.net

St Martins Lane

While boasting a variety of dining concepts within the hotel, come summer we’re most interested in the outdoor terrace for some after work drinks. Currently home to TRIP, the terrace offers a quaint oasis just moments from the hustle and bustle of Leicester Square. Sip on refreshing cocktails which have all been inspired by the CBD drinks brand. St Martins Lane’s mixologists have expertly crafted such beverages, featuring the peach and ginger, elderflower and mint, and lemon and basil drinks. To be enjoyed best alongisde small plates such as spiced gazpacho, octopus carpaccio and much more on the main menu.

ennismore.com

Coq d’Argent

Iconic London rooftop restuarant Coq d’Argent is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, so all the more reason to check out the city’s unparalleld views, alongside some delicious French cuisine. For the final week of September, to mark such an occasion, the restuarant and bar is serving up timeless dishes from Coq d’Argent’s inaugural menu. From traditional plates such as escargots with garlic and parsley butter to the classic coq au vin, to sweet treats in the form of the tarte tatin with crème fraîche, all dishes have been curated in honour of the quarter century anniversary. Other dishes that have caught our eye include the venison tartare, tuna carpaccio, roasted halibut and veal cutlet – but we do recommend you leave space for dessert as there’s a chocolate tart with prailine mousse with any chocolate-lover’s name on it. There’s also a hefty bar menu to work your way through, featuring everything from mocktails to gin serves; carefully curated cocktails and much more.

coqdargent.co.uk

Mama Shelter

Forever a favourite in East London and across the globe, Mama Shelter is always a good time – and now that good time can be had on its terrace. Whether you’re making the most of the seasonal drinks pop up at the bar or simply enjoying your brunch (we love the chicken schnitzel and the pulled beef bao), this sun trap is a great spot to unwind come the weekend.

mamashelter.com

Bantof

Blink and you’ll miss it – we’ll get onto the food and drink in a second but Bantof might just win the award for “secret terrace in the centre of London”. In the heart of Soho sits this tiny terrace, which offers the perfect escape to the hustle and bustle of the city – plus some good grub. Sit back with a great martini (though we did have our eye on the almond sour as a virgin digestif, too) and enjoy some seriously good padron peppers, one of the most tender-cooked octopus we’ve tried and an absolutely stunning sea bream tartare. Mains of lamb chops and sea bass certainly did not disappoint and if you’ve got room, there’s a chocolate mousse with your name on it.

bantof.com

The Hari

Secret terraces do seem to be all the rage right now (or in this round up, at least) with even The Hari getting in on the action. This quaint little terrace is perfect for hotel guests or passerbys to sit back with a cocktail and enjoy some sun in a more relaxed environment. While you won’t find DJ beats and dancing, you can enjoy a delicious all-day dining menu featuring everything from oysters to beef brisket croquettes to a tagliata. Currently Malfy Gin has taken over the terrace so you can experience a little bit of Amalfi lifestyle in the heart of London.

thehari.com

A woman has decided to not pay for her sister’s therapy sessions after she ended up “ruining” her wedding.

In a recent Reddit post shared to the popular “Am I The A**hole?” subreddit, she explained that her 25-year-old sister – who served as her maid of honor for the ceremony – is known for being dramatic, but it was assumed she would keep it under control on the big day.

The bride wrote in her post that there were no disturbances until the reception. “My sister gets wasted, like, falling over, crying, causing-a-scene wasted. She starts ranting about how I ‘always get everything’ and how my wedding is just another example of me being the ‘golden child.’ In front of all my guests. Including my in-laws,” she wrote.

Then during the speeches, her sister ended up grabbing the microphone to start talking about her own “struggles” and how unfair it was for her to still be single while her older sister is married.

“The whole vibe turned awkward, and my husband’s family was just… shocked. People started leaving early, and I spent the rest of the night trying to put out fires instead of enjoying what was supposed to be our special day,” the Reddit post continued.

A few weeks after the wedding, the woman was contacted by her parents explaining that her little sister is struggling with her mental health and they needed her to pay for her therapy sessions. “Their reasoning is that since I’m the ‘successful’ one, I should help out, and it would show that I’m a good sister,” the woman clarified. “I don’t think I should have to foot the bill for her meltdown. I’m still angry about the whole thing, and honestly, I feel like she owes me an apology first.”

Despite her reluctance, her parents thought she was being “cold-hearted” by not helping out her sister. However, she didn’t view any contribution on her part as fair without her sister taking responsibility for her actions.

Since posting, many people haven taken to the comments section to agree with her decision to not pay for her sister’s therapy sessions. Some commenters claimed that it was her parents’ behavior that allowed her sister to create such a scene at her wedding.

“NTA [not the a**hole], your parents should have grabbed the mic off her and escorted her out,” one comment began. “You are the successful one because your parents clearly have favored your sister and you had to learn to manage. Your parents can sort out this self-inflicted dumpster fire. I wish you and your husband the best in all of your future endeavors, you deserve better than this kind of nonsense.”

Another commenter agreed, writing: “While it’s understandable that your parents want to support your sister, it’s completely unfair to expect you to pay for her therapy after she deliberately sabotaged your wedding. Her actions were inexcusable, and it’s reasonable for you to expect an apology and accountability from her before even considering helping out financially. It’s not your responsibility to fix her problems, especially when she caused such a significant amount of damage and hurt.”

“NTA and definitely not your responsibility,” a third commenter pointed out. “You could blame it on their parenting and they are the ones who need to pay for it. Although why can’t she pay for it herself?

“Could play the reverse Uno card and say your sister needs to pay for your marriage counseling — due to her meltdown at the wedding it has already caused issues with you and your husband that you need help fixing. I would be curious to see how that plays out…”

Influencer Nara Smith has gained more than nine million followers on TikTok for her DIY recipes, in which she makes traditionally store-bought items like cereal or sunscreen from scratch. However, in a recent interview with The Sunday Times, the TikToker explained why she always narrates her videos with a soft and quiet voice.

In the article published on Saturday, October 5, Smith revealed that she’s a “huge fan” of ASMR – which stands for autonomous sensory meridian response. Online ASMR content typically depicts people whispering and making various noises that are meant to be satisfying. While Smith admitted that she does use an ASMR style in her videos, her voice didn’t start that way.

“The voice started because my kids were asleep on me or next to me, so I needed to talk very quietly not to wake them up,” she told the Sunday Times. “Then I got a few comments of people loving it, and I was like, ‘Okay, let’s stick with it.’”

“I listen to ASMR a lot, so if I can tap into that, why not?” she added.

Smith also opened up about why she makes so many items from scratch, explaining that because she grew up in Germany, she isn’t used to the amount of processed foods in the US. The model noted that she wants to ensure her children – who she shares with husband Lucky Blue Smith – are eating healthy foods.

“I still feel a little foreign in America,” she said. “The food culture there is insane, everything’s so processed. I grew up going with my grandma and dad to the grocery store every single day. It was normal to make fresh bread, sometimes fresh pasta.”

“Food in Germany goes bad in two or three days, whereas in America… We bought a lettuce in Costco once and three weeks later it was still as good as new. I didn’t want to go anywhere near it, wondering what might make it last so long,” she recalled.

However, Smith did reveal the one item that she hasn’t completely mastered making from scratch. “The only thing I struggle with making from scratch is sourdough. It’s quite a science: my starter is great – it’s the proving time in the heat of my kitchen that’s the problem,” Smith said.

The TikToker also discussed the criticism she’s received for having children young and being labeled a “trad wife.” A trad wife is short for the term traditional wife, meaning a woman who embraces roles such as cooking, cleaning, and caregiving for children while the man works.

“I’m not a trad wife. I’m a working mom,” Smith said, discussing the amount of work that goes into creating her TikTok videos. “I’ve addressed it several times, but people still want to run with that narrative. I wanted kids, but I did not want to compromise my career. I do work that allows me also to be home with the kids. I know that’s a privilege.”

“Taking care of my family makes me happy but I can do that and work – it doesn’t have to be one or the other,” she added.

She explained that both she and Lucky split up taking care of their children and household chores, with her working in the afternoons and her husband working in the mornings. “It took us five years to get to this point but now we make sure his needs are met and my needs are met by splitting our days,” Smith said.

“I’m in the kitchen filming for at least five hours, sometimes nine, every day. Once the kids go to bed, I edit.”