web hit counter admin – Page 360 – See The Stars

admin

What happened to eight stars who left Man Utd in summer including crocked legend and unemployed ‘Luke Shaw replacement’

MANCHESTER UNITED allowed eight players to leave on free transfers at the end of last season.

After winning the FA Cup against Manchester City, boss Erik ten Hag clung on to his job at Old Trafford.

soccer players holding up a trophy in front of a sign that says winner 2024
Rex
Manchester United won the FA Cup last term[/caption]

As he began preparations for his third season in charge, the Dutchman set about reshaping his squad.

In doing so, United did not renew the contracts of eight pro players.

These included two first-team stalwarts, as well as some promising youngsters… and one England international many may not have even realised was there.

Those to leave have experienced mixed fortunes since departing United.

Some have gone on to exciting new projects, one has retired, and others are still without a club.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at where each player to leave on a free transfer ended up.

RAPHAEL VARANE

French defender Varane suffered an injury-hit third and final season at Old Trafford.

He was limited to just 22 Premier League outings last term, but did help his side win the FA Cup in his final game for the club.

BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS

On that occasion at Wembley, it was already known that he would be leaving.

He went on to sign for Como in July, linking up with boss Cesc Fabregas – but he has so far played just 23 minutes of football for the Italian side due to further injury issues.

ANTHONY MARTIAL

Forward Martial’s nine-year Man Utd career came to an end in underwhelming fashion last season.

The last of his 317 appearances for the club came last December, as an illness followed by groin surgery prematurely ended his campaign.

Martial, 28, spent much of the summer looking for a new team.

And he was given a hero’s reception when he finally signed for one, sealing a shock move to Greek side AEK Athens this week.

a man wearing a green jacket that says tezos on it
Getty
Anthony Martial endured a low-key final season at United[/caption]

TOM HUDDLESTONE

Former Tottenham and England midfielder Huddlestone joined Man Utd as a player-academy coach in 2022.

During two seasons at United the midfielder provided invaluable guidance to the club’s youngsters, while now and then featuring alongside them.

Following nine appearances for United’s Under-21s last season, the 37-year-old retired from football in July.

He initially joined Wigan as a first team coach for the start of pre-season, but this week departed for a similar role at Birmingham after receiving what the Latics called “an offer he simply could not refuse”.

a soccer player wearing a red jersey that says teamviewer
Getty
Tom Huddlestone played for Man Utd’s Under-21s last season[/caption]

CHARLIE MCNEILL

Academy graduate McNeill left United after four years with his boyhood club.

The forward, 21, made one first team appearance for the Red Devils – coming in a Europa League clash early in Ten Hag’s first season at the club.

Having been on loan spells with Newport and Stevenage during his Man Utd stint – McNeill signed permanently for Sheffield Wednesday upon leaving Old Trafford.

He is yet to appear in the Championship for his new club, but has scored two goals in three League Cup outings to date.

a man in a blue and white striped shirt points at the camera
Getty
McNeill is congratulated by Owls team-mate Barry Bannan[/caption]

MARCUS LAWRENCE

Local lad Lawrence left United having never come close to reaching their first team.

The full-back, 19, was born in Stretford, a stone’s throw from Old Trafford.

He featured periodically for the club’s Under-18s before departing.

Lawrence is still looking for a new club.

BRANDON WILLIAMS

Full-back Williams had once been thought of as the club’s best left sided defender, even usurping England regular Luke Shaw in the eyes of former United executive Ed Woodward.

He played 51 times for United’s first team, including 36 appearances during the 2019-20 campaign under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Having previously been on loan at Norwich, Williams spent the final year of his United contract on loan at Ipswich.

He remains without a club, and is set to go on trial for dangerous driving next March, a charge he denies.

Having been working on his fitness after not playing since last December, Williams is hoping to find a club by the end of January.

a man wearing a blue umbro shirt stands in a crowd
PA
Brandon Williams spent last season on loan at Ipswich[/caption]

KIE PLUMLEY

Man Utd somewhat surprisingly signed goalkeeper Kie Plumley last September, following his release by Oxford United.

During his time at Old Trafford, Plumley played the role of No2 keeper for their Under-21 side – making one appearance in the PL2.

Following his United release, Plumley signed for eighth-tier side Hartley Wintney.

He has since debuted for his new team, helping them beat East Grinstead Town 2-1 in the FA Cup.

a soccer player wearing gloves that say com on them
Getty
Kie Plumley surprisingly joined Man Utd after being released by Oxford[/caption]

OMARI FORSON

Despite being offered a new deal to stay at United, winger Forson opted to leave on a free transfer at the end of last season.

Forson, 20, had begun to break through under Ten Hag, appearing seven times for United’s first team last season.

Despite this, he decided to move on – signing for Serie A side Monza.

After beginning the season with a muscular issue he is yet to make an appearance for his new club, but he has been named as a substitute in their last three games.

a man in a suit shakes hands with a young man wearing a motorola jersey
Rex
Omari Forson left United to sign for Monza[/caption]

Read More »

‘They’re giving joie de vivre!’ Food Editor’s top Emily In Paris foodie finds for fans of the show

IF, like us, you’ve just finished binge-watching the latest drop of Emily In Paris season four, you’re probably craving a little je ne sais quoi…

Well, Fabulous’ Food Editor Kirsty Spence is serving up an amuse-bouche of merch inspired by the chic Netflix show – including much-anticipated news of Lidl’s viral croissant bag.

a black and white drawing of a woman in a black dress
Make like Emily in Paris with these foodie finds
Supplied

Some much-loved foodie brands and supermarkets have launched lines of delicious products inspired by Emily’s love of all things Parisian.

There are ready-to-drink versions of her beloved Kir Royale cocktail, which is trending right now.

Or how about putting on a themed dinner party, complete with the perfect petits-fours and puds (no need to visit a patisserie!)?

Oh, and if you missed out on that viral croissant-shaped handbag from Lidl, you’ll be pleased to hear you’ve got another chance to get your mitts on it!

a box of emily in paris macarons sits next to two women holding wine glasses
Fans of the show will go wild for these latest launches
Chamere, Lidl

The cocktails

She fell hard for France’s kir royale cocktail in Season 3 of Emily In Paris, and now fans of the Netflix show can toast the latest episodes with their own version – a ready-to-drink Chamere, £4 per 250ml can or £7.95 per 200ml bottle.

It became an overnight hit, thanks to Emily’s seal of approval, and was even touted as the new spritz.

We reckon it makes a great party season tipple and will be a super-pretty serve over the festive season.

two cans of air royal chamiere sit next to a pink purse
These RTD cocktails will fit in your croissant handbag
Chamere

We also love, love, love, this bottle from Lillet Rose – the exclusive to Ocado Emily In Paris illustrated design is gorgeous, and what’s inside isn’t bad either!

The special-edition apéritif contains a delicate blend of ripe berries and fresh citrus, best served as a Lillet Rose Spritz with rose champagne, ice and a dash of strawberry puree – magnifique!

a bottle of lillet rose next to a glass of it
Lillet Rose is delicious in a spritz with rose champagne

You can even get Lillet Rose X Emily In Paris in French restaurant chain Côte Brasserie’s limited-edition Côte At Home box, £74.95, until tomorrow – so hurry!

In addition to the Parisian plonk, you’ll get to tuck in to a feast for two of camembert, jambon sec de Savoie, chicken liver pâté and more – everything you need for the perfect night in.

The patisserie

Nothing says #demure quite like a dainty patisserie-style treat, so it’s not surprising that searches for “French desserts” have sky-rocketed this year.

Ever on trend, Lidl has launched a timely selection of French-themed treats, including Insta-perfect macarons, luxe chocolate truffles with marc de champagne and boozy blackcurrant centres, plus mini cream-filled eclairs.

Get the fancy plates out and call in the girls for a gossip over the good stuff, from love triangles to your next career move.

three different flavors of emily in paris ice cream
How will you choose which sweet treat to have?

But if you’ve still got some episodes to catch up on, grab a tub of Haagen-Dazs Limited Edition Emily In Paris Salted Caramel ice cream, £5.40 – and a spoon.

Em would approve.

The hot reservation

The UK’s first Emily In Paris afternoon tea has arrived, and while there might not be a view of the Eiffel Tower, Michelin-starred Pavyllon restaurant in London’s chi-chi Mayfair has all the charm of a boujee bistro.

The menu comes on a specially designed script in homage to the series, plus there’s Emily In Paris trivia for diners, extravagant floral arrangements and a playlist of chic French café music to set the mood.

a woman is holding a menu that says confidential on it
The chicest afternoon tea this side of the Channel
Pavyllon

Start with dainty cucumber and whipped feta or smoked salmon and cream-cheese sandwiches, followed by intricate French patisserie such as mini chocolate coffee eclairs, crème brulée, tarte au citron and pistachio financiers.

Plus, enjoy a special beret-shaped dessert to take home.

The Emily in Paris Afternoon Tea is available Friday-Sunday, 2.30- 4:30pm, until October 27, priced at £85.

The It accessory

After selling out for the first time in just two minutes, then once more – and then attracting huge queues at London Fashion Week’s pop-up stall, Lidl is giving fans of its croissant handbag one last chance to get their mitts on it.

From absurdist designer Nikolas Bentel, the bag is a tribute to the supermarket’s bestselling bakery item, which apparently sells 122 times every minute!

a woman holding a bag with a lidl logo on it
Now you can rent the viral croissant handbag through By Rotation
Lidl

In collaboration with fashion rental app By Rotation, the leather Lidl X Nik Bentel Croissant Handbag can be yours to rent for just £5 a day (compared to its £50 RRP, if you can even get it, that is). 

Those who choose to rent will receive a crescent-shaped leather croissant purse with a golden zip and trolley coin (yes, really), encased within a soft, premium-feeling leather “bakery bag”, along with three fabulous straps to choose from.

Better still, all proceeds will be donated to Lidl’s charity partner, the NSPCC.

“It’s like wearing poetry,” as Emily would say.

How to look chic on a budget

Fashion stylist Gemma Rose Breger, and beauty journalist Samantha Silver revealed how you can make your outfits elevated without spending hundreds of pounds.

  1. Don’t ever spend on designer denim: River Island ”always has such a great selection of fashion-forward jeans that follow the current trends”. The high street retailer offers a great range of sizes to fit UK 6 – UK 18, and three leg lengths – and prices start from an affordable £25.
  2. There are no rules for jewels: ”Pick up something at a car boot sale, or charity shop, scroll on Vinted & eBay, snap up something from the clothing section in your local supermarket when doing the food shop or check out high street clothing stores.”
  3. Don’t forget the pre-loved sites: With a rising number of second-hand sites, such as Vinted and Depop, there’s no excuse for not buying – or selling – pre-loved garments. Gemma, for instance, has managed to get her hands on chic Chanel sunnies for a mere £17.

Read More »

2024’s must-have skincare ingredient promotes firmer, plumper skin – and you’ll find it in your kitchen

Magic mushrooms are rising in popularity, but not in the way you might think – they’re coming for your beauty stash.

Almost anything goes in the beauty industry. Yoni eggs? Sure! Vampire facials? We’re in!

However, unlike many recent trends, mushrooms are far more than a modern fad.

a bottle of origins mega mushroom surrounded by other bottles
Mushrooms are this year’s hottest skincare ingredient
Getty

In fact, they’ve been used in beauty and wellness practices for thousands of years.

And now, research is showing just how magic they can be when it comes to treating beauty woes.

So it’s no surprise that many well-known brands are buying into the shroom boom.

GROWTH FACTORS

a smiley face made out of white paint on a pink background
GLOW HUB
Many skincare brands are now including mushrooms in their ingredient lists[/caption]

Glow Hub Super Shroom Range, from £12

“The use of mushrooms in skincare isn’t a new thing. However, there’s definitely a boom in shroom products now, and not just in beauty – we’ve seen it in homeware, art, fashion and design, too,” explains Tiffany Salmon, founder of beauty brand Glow Hub

Dr Andrew Weil, a pioneer in the field of integrative medicine – who created a mushroom-based skincare range in collaboration with Origins – agrees.

“With the surge in mushroom-based products, we’re seeing more scientific research highlighting their benefits, while increased popularity in medicine and world cuisine has also raised the profile of mushrooms,” he says.

Consultant dermatologist Dr Alexis Granite agrees, saying: “Given the popularity of adaptogens – plants that counteract the impact of stress – and the adaptogenic properties of some mushrooms, attention on these botanical wonders has increased in recent years.”

Tiffany also points to the pandemic hangover as a factor.

“We’re still seeing the impact of that elevated anxiety and the need for a more holistic approach to health trickling down from the wellness industry, so this desire for adaptogenic skincare is only going to grow,” she says. 

Finally, as with most trending ingredients, sustainability and ease of access is a big factor, according to Dr Weil.

He says: “With more mushroom varieties being cultivated in western countries, they’re becoming more accessible and cost-effective, which is driving the trend even further.”

BREAKING THE MOULD

a green bottle of origins mega mushroom relief soothing lotion
One bottle of this lotion sells every eight seconds
Origins

Origins Mega Mushroom Soothing Treatment Lotion, £30

Dr Weil began working with Origins on his skincare range, Dr Andrew Weil For Origins Mega-Mushroom Relief & Resilience, almost 20 years ago – it’s now the brand’s bestselling line, with one bottle of Origins Mega-Mushroom Treatment Lotion bought every eight seconds.

“At that time, no one was using mushrooms in skincare products, and I knew a lot about the medicinal properties of them. 

“I gave Origins a list of a dozen species to test and some proved very beneficial – and that was the beginning of the Mega Mushroom line,” he says. 

Biggest beauty mistakes

Fabulous' Beauty Editor Tara Ledden has shared the do's and don'ts when it comes to beauty.

“No matter how much time and money you spend on your beauty routine, if you’re not getting the basics right, the rest is wasted.

“There aren’t many non-negotiables, but these are the biggest beauty mistakes sabotaging your regime.”

  • Not wearing SPF: Sun-damage is the main cause of premature skin ageing, so if you want to keep your skin looking plump and glowing, sun cream is vital. 
  • Using expired products: Best case, they’re ineffective and don’t deliver the results they promise, worst case they cause irritation and infection. The shelf life of beauty products differ – for example, mascara is usually good for 3-6 months while lipstick can last for 9-18 months. Check the ‘POA’ symbol on the packaging (it looks like a jar and will have a number inside for how many months it’s safe once opened. If you can’t remember when you opened your product, throw it away and start again, marking the month and year with a permanent marker on the packaging. 
  • Not knowing your undertones: If you’re using make-up with the wrong undertones, it’ll never look natural no matter how much you blend it! An easy trick to work out whether you have cool, warm or neutral undertones is to check the veins on your wrist – if they look blue, you have cool undertones, if they’re green, you have warm and if they’re a mix you have neutral. 
  • Skipping heat protector: It might feel unnecessary, but much like sun damage on the skin, excess heat is the most common cause of hair damage. So, if you want shiny, healthy hair, or you’re trying to grow it longer, using a heat protection product is key. 
  • Not washing your face before bed: it’s as simple as this, if you’re not washing your face before you go to sleep, everything that’s been on your skin during the day is sitting there for even longer, clogging your pores and drying out the surface. Any skincare applied on top isn’t going to be effective with a layer of dirt underneath, and you’re probably going to end up with dirty pillows too – yuck!

Fast-forward to 2024, and fungi are springing up everywhere.

Most recently, tech giant Dyson has harnessed the power of mushrooms to create the brand’s first styling product range, Dyson Chitosan.

four bottles of dyson chi to san are lined up in a row
dyson
The tech brand has expanded into haircare[/caption]

Dyson Chitosan, from £44

“In haircare, we see less use of mushrooms as an ingredient in comparison to skincare, but some areas that have been investigated include hair strength,” explains Natalie Coleman, head of product development at Dyson.

“Our hair formulas contain a polymer derived from oyster mushrooms – chitosan, our hero ingredient – known for its structural properties. When used in haircare, it can provide soft style hold.”

Tiffany explains the Glow Hub Super Shroom range, from £12, came from the skincare benefits of fungi.

“We wanted to create anti-stress formulas to relax the skin, fighting to protect it from stress damage, which causes dryness, dark spots, dullness, loss of volume, irritation and wrinkles.

“We discovered a variety of clinically tested mushrooms counteract those problems.”

a bottle of kora organics gentle cleansing oil
Kora Organics
Cleanse, soothe and hydrate with mushrooms[/caption]

Kora Organics Milks Mushroom Gentle Cleansing Oil, £43

If you need further proof of the trend, Harry Styles’ Pleasing brand launched the mushroom-inspired Shroom Bloom range nearly two years ago, while in 2021 Miranda Kerr released Kora Organics Milks Mushroom Gentle Cleansing Oil, and Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness uses tremella mushroom in JVN Complete Conditioning Hair Mist.

FUNGI WORTH FORAGING FOR

If you thought pronouncing “hyaluronic” was hard, try giving “cordyceps” and “tremella fuciformis” a go.

If that still boggles your brain, you can call them “caterpillar fungus” and “snow mushroom”, respectively.

There are an estimated 4 million types of mushrooms, but only a few have proved their beauty prowess – and you’re unlikely to find them in the fruit and veg aisle. 

Reishi

a red bottle of shiseido ultimune power infusing concentrate
Tackle hyperpigmentation and rebalance skin
Shiseido

Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate, £37

“Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, this is perfect for calming sensitive skin,” says Dr Weil.

“It can also improve hyperpigmentation and protect skin against pollution,” adds Dr Granite. 

Snow mushroom

a bottle of pure botanicals snow mushroom concentrated serum
Snow mushroom is known for its hydrating properties
botanics

Botanics Pure Botanicals Snow Mushroom Concentrated Serum, £7.99

“A hydration hero, this mushroom will help maintain your skin’s barrier and keep it moisturised,” says Dr Weil.

“It also has antimicrobial properties and can improve healing, plus it’s rich in polysaccharides for hydration, which are smaller in size than hyaluronic acid, so may be better absorbed by skin,” adds Dr Granite. And it’s much cheaper. 

Chaga

a brown bottle of pai tri-mushroom 10 %
This serum is powered by chaga mushroom
pai skincare

Pai Skincare Tri-Mushroom 10% Super-Soothing Booster, £19 

“One of the mushrooms used most in skincare, it’s rich in antioxidants, boosting skin health,” explains Tiffany.

“It also contains betulinic acid to boost collagen and elastin production, for firmer, plumper skin,” adds Dr Granite.

Dr Weil says: “Mushrooms like chaga can help even out skin tone and reduce oxidative stress.”

Songyi

a white bottle of joon byrd daydreamer body serum
joonbyrd
Joonbyrd is only a few months old, but has already reached cult status[/caption]

Joonbyrd Daydreamer Firming Body Serum, £90

“This supports collagen production, contains kojic acid for brightening, and boasts anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties,” says Dr Granite. 

Shiitake

a pink and yellow bottle of glow hub lotion
Shiitake mushrooms are packed with nutrients
glow hub

Glow Hub Skin Trip Treatment Lotion, £12

“Not only effective, this mushroom is also widely available. It’s often used for its brightening benefits, thanks to compounds like kojic acid,” explains Dr Weil.

Dr Granite adds: “It also contains selenium, vitamins D and B, and has anti-inflammatory properties.” 

Cordyceps

a white bottle of ouai scalp serum
Ouai
Hydrate and rebalance your scalp[/caption]

Ouai Scalp Serum, £48 

“This contains polysaccharides for skin hydration, antioxidants to counteract pollution and anti-inflammatory properties, and it boosts collagen production,” says Dr Granite.

It’s also great for scalp and hair. “Traditionally, this has been used in supplements for its energising properties. But when applied topically, it helps boost radiance, hydrate and soothe skin,” adds Tiffany.

The best news is, mushroom extracts are well-tolerated and beneficial to all skin and hair types (unless you’re allergic, then steer clear!). Magic, indeed. 

Read More »

The fashion detail loved by celebs that is all over the catwalks – shop 8 dupes from the high street

THEY say the devil is in the detail and this season is no exception.

From punks to premium brands, the humble stud is back in a big way for autumn

Its tough-look reputation, synonymous with ’80s fashion, has been softened by teaming it with sumptuous suede and pale denim.

a woman wearing a denim shirt with studs on the colla
ZARA.COM, MANGO.COM, STRADIVARIUS.COM, HM.COM
Studs are everywhere this season[/caption]

Designer brands from Khaite to Chloe and Miu Miu have covered their autumn/winter clothes, bags and accessories in studs. 

Be it silver or gold, the trend is now sweeping the high street with affordable buys.

Here, Fabulous’ Fashion Editor Clemmie Fieldsend brings the trend to your fingertips with her pick of the essential studded buys. 

The pumps

a pair of black shoes with silver studs on them
MARKSANDSPENCER.COM
M&S Shoes[/caption]

The dupes of £920 Alaia ballet pumps reigned supreme last year and they’re still key for this season. 

But instead of diamante, reflective stone – swap them for studs. 

Paired with barrel jeans, wide-leg trousers, dresses or skirts, they will transform an outfit you already have in your wardrobe to being on-trend. 

The skirt

a brown skirt with studs on it on a white background
hm.COM
H&M Skirt[/caption]

We’re all about minis, tights and boots for autumn, and this skirt is elevated above the rest with its embellishment. 

It will look ultra-cool with an oversized jumper, or a blazer that is long enough to hit the skirt’s hemline for an effortless, polished feel.

The bag

a brown leather bag with silver studs on it
ZARA.COM
Zara Bag[/caption]

This season is all about rich, deep colours, like burgundy and brown.

This studded bag from Zara has the look of luxury with its deep chocolate hue and will work with both shades. 

The addition of the silver hardware will also break up outfits with lots of dark, dense colour, which we tend to gravitate towards in winter. 

The clogs

a pair of black shoes with a wooden platform and gold studs
STRADIVARIUS.COM
Stradivarius Shoes[/caption]

If the footwear of A-listers at Chloe’s A/W ’24 fashion show is anything to go by, it looks like the clog has returned. 

Follow the Chloe crowd (but ditch the £990 shoes for this dupe), and soften the heaviness that comes with the clog’s colour, design and actual weight by pairing with a floaty boho dress.

PARIS, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 29: (L-R) Thomasin McKenzie, Marisa Abela, Meghann Fahy and Anne Watanabe attend the Chloé Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on February 29, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images for Chloé)
The FROW was awash with clogs at Chloe’s A/W ’24 catwalk show
GETTY

The belt

a black leather belt with gold studs and a gold buckle
MINTVELVET.COM
Mint Velvet Belt[/caption]

If you’re a fan of the Khaite studded belt, but don’t want to spend £520, look to Mint Velvet for this £55 alternative. 

It’s brilliant for tapping into this trend and transforming your trousers, while drawing attention to your waist and creating a stylish silhouette.  

The jeans

a pair of black jeans with studs on the side
MANGO.COM
Mango Jeans[/caption]

From girl group B*Witched’s denim to Y2K rhinestones, studded jeans have come in many forms throughout fashion history. 

This season, channel your inner Beyoncé cowgirl and think more subtle and Western

Pair with a matching shirt or suede jacket for optimum rodeo points.

The heels

a pair of black shoes with silver and gold studs on them
STORIES.COM
& Other Stories Shoes[/caption]

Don’t slip into your boots just yet – there’s still time for mules. 

In a mix of silver and gold, the studs will work with whatever your go-to jewellery metal is, making getting dressed that little bit easier. 

These mules sit on a wider base than the top of the shoe, similar to the design of cowboy boots, giving them a western feel but with the added height and elegance of heels.

The jacket

a black denim shirt with studs on the collar and pockets
STRADIVARIUS.com
Stradivarius Jacket[/caption]

This studded denim jacket is so versatile -wear on its own as an alternative to a shirt or as a cover-up. 

The oversized pockets are the detailing that make it look more expensive – plus, Stradivarius has also embellished the back, adding to its designer vibe.  

What’s the best style that suits everyone?

ACCORDING to the fashion pros at Fabulous, there's a new style of dress that suits all body shapes.

Low-slung, dropped-waist silhouette styles have surged, thanks to the Noughties fashion trend that has swept the catwalks, social media and, of course, the high street. 

First seen on the runways of luxury labels Molly Goddard and Jil Sander, the style typically cinches around the hip and pelvic area rather than the waist. 

Now a plethora of more affordable options of the dress that suits a number of body shapes have dropped just as the sun starts to come out. 

Clemmie Fieldsend, Fashion Editor, said: “There’s something so stylish about these dresses, and I love them. 

“The simplicity of the top half teamed with the full skirt is like a sleeker and more grown-up tutu. 

“I have a short torso so the dropped waist makes my body look longer, but, thankfully, the long skirt means your legs don’t look shorter. 

“Plus it means I can tap into the low-waist trend without baring all in a pair of low-slung jeans.

“I know I’ll be living in mine all summer, paired with black sandals and sunnies, but for now all I need is a blazer slipped over the top and a closed-toe shoe and I’m ready to go.”

Meanwhile, Fashion Director, Tracey Lea Sayer, added: “I remember dropped-waist dresses from the 80s. I loved them then and I still love them again now! 

“Forty years on from when they were first popular and I am not so sure they will be quite as flattering around my middle, because two kids and middle-aged spread later, my waist doesn’t exist any more.

“With a dress like this I can disguise my middle bit and still feel on trend for summer.”

Read More »

Mystery of eerie lead coffin found under Notre Dame SOLVED as identity of deformed body dubbed The Horseman is revealed

A MYSTERIOUS deformed body found inside a coffin underneath Notre-Dame has finally been revealed to be a famous Frenchman.

A pair of eerie lead tombs had been discovered following the harrowing cathedral fire in 2019 with researchers left puzzled over who was inside the coffins.

a brick wall with a label that says ' a ' on it
AFP
The man buried in the mysterious lead coffin discovered under Notre-Dame has been revealed by scientists[/caption]
a black and white drawing of a man with a beard wearing a hat
Researchers now believe the unknown skeleton dubbed ‘The Horseman’ belonged to famous French poet Joachim du Bellay
Alamy
a group of construction workers are working on a rocky area
AFP
Archaeologists work on the historic cathedral after the harrowing fire in 2019[/caption]

In late 2022 archaeologists linked the first tomb to Antoine de la Porte, a high priest who died in 1710 at age 83.

The second individual’s identity proved much harder to track down with the team dubbing the unknown person as “The Horseman”.

His nickname came from the fact that his deformed skeleton showed signs of him being an avid horse rider.

After years of work on restoring the tomb so the man could be finally unmasked, scientists have announced the body was likely to be one of France’s best-loved early poets.

Joachim du Bellay died in Paris in 1560 aged 37 and was reportedly buried in Notre-Dame after serving as a minor clerical official at the cathedral.

During the two-year search for an identity, the team of scientists uncovered a number of clues linking the poet to the lead coffin.

Analysis on the skeleton found it belonged to a man who was around 35 years old.

With the bone structure also showing the person had suffered from multiple health issues throughout their life.

Signs of bone tuberculosis in the neck and head were quickly spotted with the serious infection being rare in the 1500s.

Du Bellay is said to have complained of suffering from serious headaches as well as deafness in his final years – both symptoms of bone tuberculosis.

Text from around the time of the poet’s life also showed he was a regular rider who often made the journey across to Rome on horseback.

Two of his famous poems even reference his love for riding and animals.

Despite scientists knowing du Bellay was buried underneath Notre-Dame they believed he was actually laid to rest in a different burial site at the Saint-Crépin chapel.

Even though it is now widely believed that The Horseman is du Bellay some are still unsure.

At a press conference announcing the new discovery, Christophe Besnier, an archaeologist for the French National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research announced any conclusive verdict is yet to be made.

He said that they found that isotope analysis on the skeleton’s teeth showed he most likely grew up in Paris or Lyon.

Du Bellay was born in Anjou – a commune hours away from the capital and 65km from Lyon.

In response to the evidence, biological anthropologist Eric Crubezy who worked on solving the mystery, claimed du Bellay often spent time in Paris with his uncle.

Du Bellay’s legacy as a Renaissance poet has lived on still to this day after he founded a poetry group known as La Pleiade alongside Pierre de Ronsard.

The group was one of the first to specialise in purely French work rather than the traditional Latin language that was championed at the time.

French schools are even still taught about du Bellay’s poetry.

Back in 2022, the two tombs were discovered along with a 14th-century sarcophagus during repair work to rebuild Notre-Dame Cathedral following a devastating fire.

The burial sites “of remarkable scientific quality” were found by archaeologists while repairs were being made to a central spire.

Among the find was around 1,000 bits of painted and fragmented sculptures beneath the cathedral floor.

They have since been identified as parts of the original 13th-century rood screen – an architectural piece separating the altar area from the nave.

The team also carefully dug out a pair of carved hands as well as the bust of a bearded man and some sculpted vegetables.

The Notre-Dame fire shocked France, with tearful Parisians and stunned tourists watching in disbelief as the blaze sent the cathedral’s spire crashing down in April 2019.

Officials hope the historic cathedral will finally be reopened by December 2024 after five years of work.

a statue in the dirt with a label that says ' a ' on it
AFP
The lead sarcophagus which was found by researchers in 2022[/caption]
a large building with smoke coming out of it
Rex Features
Notre Dame cathedral caught fire in April 2019[/caption]

Read More »

How to Find Free Working Proxies in Spain

In today’s digital landscape, proxies have become essential tools for online privacy, security, and unrestricted access to content. Specifically, for those looking to connect through a Spanish IP address, finding reliable and free proxies can be a challenge. This article will guide you through the process of obtaining free Spanish proxies, as well as exploring …

Read More »

Shake-up in police as IG redeploys Rivers, FCT, Delta CPs

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Thursday, announced the new postings for three Commissioners of Police to other States. This is in addition to four CPs that had earlier been deployed to Abia, Lagos, Ebonyi and Akwa-Ibom State Commands respectively, following the approval of the Police Service Commission (PSC). Egbetokun, who announced the […]

Read More »

Kebakaran Pasar Sepanjang Sidoarjo, 7 Mobil Damkar Diterjunkan

Kebakaran Pasar Sepanjang Sidoarjo, 7 Mobil Damkar Diterjunkan. 👇

Kebakaran di blok kios Pasar Sepanjang, Kelurahan Wonocolo, membuat pedagang dan warga sekitar panik. Warga yang mengetahui kejadian secara

-- Ikuti kami di 👉https://bit.ly/392voLE #beritaviral #jawatimur #viral berita #beritaterkini #terpopuler #news #beritajatim #infojatim #newsupdate #FYI #fyp

Read More »

2024 presidential election live updates: Poll shows Trump and Kamala in a dead heat… but a candidate leading in a crucial swing state

2024 presidential election live updates: Poll shows Trump and Kamala in a dead heat... but a candidate leading in a crucial swing state
By Katelyn Caralle, Senior Political Reporter Published: 07:33 EDT, September 19, 2024 | Updated: 08:10 EDT, September 19, 2024 Advertisement Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are neck-and-neck in the polls with just 46 days left until Election Day. A New York Times/Siena poll released Thursday morning found both candidates supported by 47 percent of voters […]

Read More »