Notions and Necessities: From a coffee festival to a summer solstice morning retreat, a unisex scent and spicy crisps, it's all here
The weekend roast
For father-types who enjoy their caffeine hit, consider a ticket to the Birdhill Coffee Festival, which runs from June 27-29 in Co Tipperary. This year's event has The Roasting Village, an outdoor tent with guest roasters, tastings and live sessions, as well as a Boozy Brew Bar, where tips on the perfect espresso martini will be shared, plus there will be demos, a wellness area and a chocolate bar. SC Tickets, €20pp, theoldbarracks.ie
Hopepunk and science
The unique We Built This City on Rock and Coal hopepunk theatre experience is now in its second year of touring, taking place in Co Donegal this week (June 16, 18 and 19) and Co Cork next month in arts centres, ancient ringforts, and island communities. Each free show is co-created with the local community, and combines comedy, science and music, with a focus on how we care for the environment. Each performance is teamed with sustainability workshops and citizen science sessions. LH For more, see rockandcoal.weebly.com
NOTION
Map of the heart
Pinpoint a place that's personal to someone you love with one of these framed 3D wooden Outcrop maps from Sligo-based husband-and-wife team, Aran and Maeve Pudney. Provide an Eircode and the map can include a brass pin marking somewhere special (an extra €20), and they can now engrave personalised messages on the back of the map. SC €99, outcrop.ie
An American in Ireland
IMMA (Irish Museum of Modern Art) is currently presenting for the first time in Ireland a solo exhibition by Sam Gilliam (1933-2022), one of the innovators in post-war American painting. 'Sewing Fields' draws on a period in the early 1990s when Gilliam visited Ireland and began a sequence of abstract paintings in reaction to the Irish landscape. LH The exhibition runs until January 25, 2026; see imma.ie
NECESSITY
City break
Cork's Metropole Hotel has just launched a new partnership with local cycle tour guides, Beyond The Glass Tours. Cork Unrushed is a package for two people sharing, which includes two nights B&B, a two-course dinner on one evening in The Met Restaurant and a two-and-a-half hour bike tour of Cork city including Shandon Bells and St Finn Barre's Cathedral. LH For more information, see themetropolehotel.ie
NECESSITY
Spice up your life
The ghost chilli pepper is one of the spiciest around, ranking third-hottest on the Scoville scale of heat. For comparison, where a jalapeno has around 8,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), the ghost logs in at one million. Thankfully, the people at Keogh's crisps have paired this heat bomb with a healthy dose of sour cream for their latest limited-edition launch and the result is a tasty smoothness with a spice that sneaks up on you. SC Keogh's Ghost Chilli & Sour Cream sharing bags, €2.89, available nationwide, keoghs.ie
NOTION
Summer loving
Co Clare's Dromoland Castle is hosting a morning retreat on summer solstice, June 21, beginning with a gentle, sun-inspired yoga flow focused on harmony with nature, followed by a sound bath offering a moment of rest and reflection. LH €40 per person, Dromoland Castle, Brian Ború Hall & Walled Gardens (weather dependent) Saturday, June 21, 9am; see dromoland.ie
NECESSITY
Scent for his senses
Unisex but ideal for any father-type in your life, La Bougie recently launched its Cedar Atlas fragrance, which has cedarwood at its heart, a base line of exotic oudh and a top note of lively thyme. As well as an eau de parfum, it also comes as a travel-friendly oil rollerball (€25), candle (€30) and diffuser (€39). SC La Bougie Cedar Atlas Eau de Parfum 50ml, €60, Brown Thomas; Avoca; Meadows & Byrne and independent retailers nationwide, labougie.com
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The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
How glam lawyer turned lawless ‘Lady Mafia' scammer swindled $10m from pals and clients – and blew it all in Las Vegas
SARA King – AKA Lady Mafia – had the designer clothes, pink champagne and a husband descended from royalty – but her addiction to excitement turned this glam American lawyer into a lawless criminal. Dressed in head-to-toe 8 Sara King – AKA Lady Mafia – had the designer clothes, pink champagne and a husband descended from royalty Credit: Instagram 8 Her addiction to excitement turned this glam American lawyer into a lawless criminal Credit: United States District Court, central District of California Southern Division 8 Her ex-husband, Kamran Pahlav, was the grandson of Iranian Princess Ashraf Credit: Linkedin Her hair extensions were pulled back into a sleek bun and she was ready to do business. But she wasn't there to defend a client. It was the summer of 2023 and the 41-year-old attorney was facing charges of financial fraud and money laundering. It was part of a criminal career that saw her swindle an estimated $10million from friends and business associates to fund a lavish lifestyle that included designer clothes, jewellery, a suite at the In a case that both baffled and gripped America, King was dubbed 'the Anna Delvey of the OC', 'the Slot Whisperer' and – her favourite nickname – 'Lady Mafia.' After pleading guilty to her crimes, she was sentenced on May 5 this year by an Orange County federal judge to 21 months in prison, and ordered to pay more than $8million in restitution. Her shocking story has been laid bare in podcast The Binge Crimes: Lady Mafia, in which investigative journalist Michele McPhee spends hours with the glamorous scammer trying to unpick her tall tales. 'Her charisma pulls people in. She's obviously very attractive – she's not just pretty, she's glamorous – so I'm sure that helped her navigate her way around the shady underbelly," Michele tells Fabulous. 'I think she spent most of the money on clothes. She's one of those people who has to be head-to-toe in designer labels,' says Michele, who believes that King doesn't quite comprehend the damage she has done, and points out that she changes her story many times during the podcast. 'It's very unusual that somebody would participate in anything like this podcast before they've faced a judge [for sentencing]. But I think she was motivated by wanting people to think she's innocent and that it was all a big mistake.' King grew up in Newport Beach, Orange County, home to sprawling mansions, golf courses and Ferraris. Anna Delvey dons neon prison suit on video call from ICE custody Money wasn't tight, and her parents enjoyed a happy marriage and were successful insurance brokers. She wanted what they had – and more. Before embarking on a life of dodgy deals, King built a successful career in law, fuelled by her burning ambition to be a badass businesswoman instead of a trophy wife. 'I wanted to be the 'It' girl. I wanted to have a seat at the boys' table, without sleeping around,' she said in the podcast. 'I can sell anything. I can sell fire to the devil.' With a million-dollar home in Newport Beach, and an ambitious husband, Gerar Jamal – a consultant in the environmental industry, who she married in 2014 – King soon had everything she'd dreamed of. But she didn't stop there. I wanted to have a seat at the boys' table. I can sell anything – I can sell fire to the devil Sara King Describing her high-flying job at a law firm as 'a lot of work and not a lot of money,' by 2017 King was looking for new opportunities to fund her pink-champagne lifestyle. She and Gerar began to invest in different ventures, including money lending, where they would rake in high interest for funding short-term loans. King – who hung out in Orange County's hottest spots, where she met men who'd offer her more chances to invest in their dodgy deals – said: 'I was looking for a way out of law. It was so miserable and I needed to make money.' She soon earned a reputation as a 'fixer' who could help rich people get anything they wanted, from prostitutes to puppies. In May 2018, after her marriage had broken down, a mutual friend introduced her to Kamran Pahlavi, the handsome grandson of Iranian Princess Ashraf, who apparently invested in real estate. After a two-hour dinner in 'I was just taken aback by the pizzazz of it all,' said King. 'I felt a connection, and to this day I wish I never did. 'He told me, 'I have no money, all my watches are fake, I have nothing to my name, so if that's what you're interested in, please walk.' He came clean about everything, saying, 'I have a lot of baggage, I have three ex-wives, I have kids. But I want to make something of myself'.' Fixer for the rich Besotted, King suggested they start a business together – but the pressure to make more money led her to take more risks. 'I think they genuinely had love for each other,' says Michele. 'She was the female Bernie Madoff [the US fraudster who was jailed for operating a dodgy 'pyramid' investment scheme] and he was the real housewife of Orange County, who got to sit around and not do much.' In January 2022, business was booming for her company, King Family Lending. She established herself as someone who could supply short-term loans to celebrities and professional athletes – as long as they were happy to pay the 30% interest. Hobnobbing with NFL stars, including Tom Brady, bragging about her high-profile connections and shopping for designer clothes were all in a day's work for her. 8 King lived a lavish lifestyle with fast cars and a wardrobe full of designer labels Credit: United States District Court, central District of California Southern Division 8 She regularly went on shopping sprees at high-end boutiques Credit: Instagram 8 Sara posing with NFL stars Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, and Josh Allen at The Match golf event She also reportedly harboured ambitions of going into politics. She and Kamran married in February 2022 – but behind the facade, King was doing less lending and more spending. She was using her investors' money – which was intended to fund high-interest loans – to splash out on her own lavish lifestyle and gambling habit. And the collateral she claimed she had collected to guarantee them didn't exist. By November 2022, Kamran had called time on their relationship – later claiming it was due to all her lies – and moved to Morocco. By the end of the year, they were divorced, after Kamran cited 'irreconcilable differences'. Meanwhile, King moved into a $6,000-a-night suite at the Wynn in Vegas, which she'd been gifted because she was such a 'good customer' – complete with marble counters, a private infinity pool and a butler. 8 Crime podcast host Michele McPhee Credit: Catherien SaintLouis @sony music 8 Phony socialite Anna Delvey on trial for fraud in New York City Credit: John Marshall Mantel/ZUMA Wire/Alamy Live News In the casinos, where she was once known as The Slot Whisperer for her winning streaks, King's luck was starting to run out. At one point, she was gambling away $20,000 a day. 'I always had that kind of money, so 20 grand a day is no big deal,' she said. 'It got scarier when I was dropping $50,000 to $100,000 a day.' On November 11, 2022, it all fell apart. King was lying in the bath of her suite when hotel staff burst into her room and ordered her to leave. Gambling $20k a day A He also set about shutting her gambling down by making sure she was barred from casinos. 'As she got kicked out of each one, I'd call her and say, 'How was your escort today?' because I wanted her to know I was on to her,' Ronald told Michele in the podcast. 'Sometimes she was mad, because she was embarrassed. I told her, 'I'm going to cut off everything you like to do. Your days of gambling are over and we'll make sure no casino allows you to ever wager a dollar'.' On February 11, 2023, he filed a lawsuit against King on behalf of the man named 'Laurent R', just one of the investors in King Family Lending who'd lost millions, and the federal prosecutor drew up a criminal complaint of wire (financial) fraud and money laundering charges. Ronald also tipped off the media, and King hit the headlines for being a scammer. That's when she realised she'd reached the end of the road. In March 2023, she checked herself into rehab – then checked out again, heading to her LA apartment, where eviction notices were waiting for her. Betrayal, lies and theft Her parents took her home to Orange County, then her mum drove her to the FBI headquarters in Los Angeles. There was no warrant for her arrest, so she claims she wrote to the Attorney General to get a meeting about her case. In June 2023, King appeared in federal court and pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and money laundering, admitting she'd caused five investors to lose more than $8million. Three of them – all former close friends – were watching from the gallery, including trauma surgeon Amal Obaid-Schmid, who'd lost her family's life savings of $400,000. While King agreed to pay restitution of at least $8,785,045, the real total of her scamming has been estimated to be nearer to $10million, with more possible victims who, as yet, haven't come forward. Before King's sentencing, which was postponed twice, she was lying low in a small apartment with her parents back in Orange County and joking that she was taking Prozac to get through it all. Kamran is still in Morocco, a non-extradition country, and hasn't faced any charges. 'She betrayed me. Lied to me. Stole from me. Embarrassed me. Humiliated me. That's not bad for a reason to break up,' he has said. He added: 'When I realised what she had done, I left and never looked back. To tell you the truth, it kills me to do this, but she is sick and she needs to be stopped before she scams the wrong person and she gets in real trouble.' He also claimed that King had sent him threatening messages following their split, including one that warned: 'Just wait and see, your time is coming.' 'Obviously, he's going to want to separate himself from all this,' says Michele. Anna Delvey comparisons While awaiting her sentencing, King tried to find employment. 'Everybody recognised her, so she couldn't work,' reveals Michele, who says she forged a genuine friendship with King over the course of making the podcast. 'She got a job at Nordstrom [the department store], but got fired once they realised who she was, so ended up working as a home helper for the elderly, which was a huge step down. 'People have compared her to Anna Delvey, but Sara herself points out she's not a total fraud because she had money, she was an attorney and she's savvy,' says Michele. 'I have respect for her work ethic. She was definitely a hustler and that's what's so mesmerising. She could have easily lived that Real Housewives life and gone to Pilates at the country club all day long, but she wanted to work. 'She's a smart woman, but she had such a facade, and she told so many little white lies.' Live News The Binge Crimes: Lady Mafia is out now on all podcast providers
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Gwyneth Paltrow puts on a very cheeky display as she cooks topless and serves up a ‘boyfriend breakfast'
GWYNETH Paltrow has put on a very cheeky display while cooking topless, to serve up a 'boyfriend breakfast.' The Hollywood actress, 52, penned to fans: 'This was a Tuscan inspired high protein 4 Gwyneth Paltrow has put on a very cheeky display while cooking topless, to serve up a 'boyfriend breakfast' Credit: Instagram 4 She showed off her cooking skills - and fans were loving it Credit: Instagram 4 The star cooked up a storm while enjoying a cup of coffee Credit: Instagram And she could be seen in the clip without her top on cooking over the stove, while in some white pyjama shorts and slippers. Gwyneth had her hair pulled back into a plait, and she cooked to the soundtrack of Starfish And Coffee. The rest of the clip saw the star showing off the various ingredients she was using for her breakfast. As she continues cooking and enjoying a coffee, Gwyneth decides to put her pyjama top back on. Fans were loving the clip, as one person penned: 'love it! thanks for your light,' while another said: 'Very cheeky, love it.' Someone else penned: 'Yum! Food looks good too.' But not everyone was impressed with the topless scene, with some of the star's followers saying it was 'dangerous' to be cooking like that. 'Lil dangerous to be cooking with no shirt on, wow 😮this is rich people faking life,' one person wrote. Most read in Celebrity Someone else said: 'Anything for attention.' Meghan Markle and Gwyneth Paltrow appear TOGETHER in Insta video as pair deny rivalry & 'war to be US lifestyle queen' But Gwyneth is In 2021 she celebrated her 49th birthday by sharing a picture of herself in the bath, and the year before, she ran free and showed off her naturist tendencies, prancing around in the woods. Never missing an opportunity to plug her own brand, She wrote: "In nothing but my birthday suit today... thank you all so much for the birthday wishes and thank you to @goop's insanely amazing brand new body butter for making me think I can still get my kit off." Then in 2022, Gwyneth marked her 50th by spraying herself in metallic gold body paint for a Her cooking clip comes after the 52-year-old admitted to having 'a lot of sex' with Timothee Chalamet, in an upcoming movie she stars in. Marty Supreme is the movie that the pair star in, with the film due out this December. The flick is an upcoming American sports adventure comedy-drama, that sees Marty Mauser, a young man with a dream no one respects, as he "goes to hell and back in pursuit of greatness." Speaking to "I mean, we have a lot of sex in this movie … there's a lot — a lot," she spilled. Read more on the Irish Sun The interviewer then presse,: "So… you're in a lot of vulnerable positions with him?" Gwyneth then responded, "Beyond." 4 The Hollywood actress, 52, has 'lots of sex' with Timothee Chalamet in an upcoming film Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Meet the glamorous Soccer Aid WAGs… from Emmerdale star to lads mag legend and boxer's wife who terrifies her husband
IT'S one of the most anticipated - and entertaining - matches in the football calendar. This weekend England takes on the World XI in this year's Soccer Aid for UNICEF. 20 Gary Cahill, Paddy McGuinness and Samantha Quek of England pose for a photo with the trophy following victory in Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2024 at Stamford Bridge Credit: Getty 20 TV presenter Zara will be on the sidelines supporting new love Louis Tomlinson Credit: Instagram 20 Louis is on the same team as her ex, Sam Thompson Credit: PA 20 Sam competed a gruelling challenge to raise money for UNICEF ahead of Soccer Aid and has since pulled out of the match with an injury Credit: Splash The annual charity event, which kicks off at 7:30pm on Sunday at Harry Redknapp's England squad is hoping to claim a seventh win against their opponents - coached by And as is customary, both teams will be cheered on from the sidelines by their glamorous other halves. Here we take a look at the line-up of wives and girlfriends. Zara McDermott Former Love Island star Zara is expected to attend the match to support new love Louis Tomlinson. READ MORE FEATURES And she might be relieved to hear there won't be any awkward run-ins with her ex She was first linked to the One Direction singer, 33, in March and they've since been spotted cosying up on dates. The couple recently enjoyed a Most read in Football In March Zara's friends voiced their concerns about Sam, who they claimed was a "loose cannon" who "never wanted to let her go" following their break-up. But Sam - by running and biking 260 miles from Chelsea's Stamford Bridge ground to Old Trafford - has also moved on and is reportedly dating another former Love Island stunner, Sam Thompson reveals Soccer Aid appearance is hanging by a thread - and horrifying after-effects of 260 mile bike ride Tianna Chanel Flynn 20 Stunning Tiana will also be on the sideline supporting husband Martin Compston Credit: Alamy 20 The couple have been married since 2016 and share a son Credit: Instagram Stunning American real estate agent Tianna is the wife of Line Of Duty actor She also has several acting credits to her name, having appeared in How to Get Away with Murder and Secret Diary of an American Cheerleader. The couple Martin opened up about meeting his wife at a bar during happy hour, when she was working there as a hostess. He admitted she didn't have a clue who he was, while he was "a right few [drinks] in". "She was kind of forced to put up with me and my pal for several hours," he told the Scottish Daily Express. "It's just amazing that we walked into that bar on that day and I think about it and go, 'If I didn't, then...' You know, she's my wife and we have a kid together now." Martin had a promising football career before he took up acting, having played for Aberdeen as a teenager. Danniella Carraturo 20 Danniella is married to singer Tom Grennan Credit: Instagram/dannipilates 20 They tied the knot last year and keep their personal life quite private Credit: Getty Singer Tom Grennan, 30, will be supported by his wife of a year, Danniella. The brunette beauty, from Ireland, is a Pilates instructor who regularly shows off her stunning physique on Instagram. Danniella and Tom tend to keep their personal life pretty private, but during his tour of Australia he revealed how the couple met. He told the Kyle & Jackie O Show they initially met in a lift before bumping into each other again in a hotel smoking area. But the Little Bit of Love crooner wasn't particularly smooth when it came to making his move. He said: 'I leant in for a kiss, and she was like, 'What the hell are you doing?'' But he clearly upped his game as they tied the knot in Majorca last year. Rachael Bellew 20 Former boxer Tony Bellew met his wife when they were children Credit: Instagram 20 They didn't have a romantic spark until years later when they reconnected Credit: Instagram Former boxer Tony Bellew will be supported by his childhood sweetheart and wife-of-seven-years Rachael. The couple first met when Tony was just nine years old, but their relationship turned romantic when they reconnected while the boxer was working in a nightclub aged 18. They share three sons - Corey, Cobey and Carter. Strong-willed Tony, 42, revealed that she was fed up with him always looking for his next fight - and was furious that he watched boxing during their honeymoon. He recalled: "If I don't stop after this then she is going to divorce me and I have only been married four or five months." Thankfully, he headed his wife's warning and the couple are still happily married. But he did admit before matches that the only person he is scared of is Rachael, joking: 'I'm more frightened of my missus than you. I wouldn't f***ing dare cross her. I wouldn't mess with her." Rachael headed to Australia to support him in I'm A Celeb in 2023 and will be pitch side this weekend. Melanie Vaz Lopez 20 Stunning Melanie has been described by boyfriend Steven Bartlett as his greatest achievement Credit: Instagram 20 Steven flew across the world to win her back after they split Credit: Instagram Dragon's Den star She too is a businesswoman and has built brands in the beauty and wellbeing sectors, as well as being trained in Reiki healing. Stunning Melanie has also published a recipe book of vegan dishes and runs nutrition guide Booty Academy. The couple first got together in 2016 but split after a year because Steven was too focused on work to commit. But he realised his mistake and in 2022 he jetted to Bali to win her back. 'Getting myself into a loving relationship with a wonderful woman has totally been my greatest achievement,' he 'I wasn't sure if that was going to be possible for me, because what I learned about love at a young age was not very good. It was quite toxic.' Janine Viljoen 20 South African rugby legend Bryan Habana often posts tributes to his wife Janine Credit: instagram/bryanhabana_ 20 He refers to Janine as his lioness for keeping their family together Credit: Getty South African rugby star The couple have been married since 2009 - and while he was playing all over the world, she doggedly built up her own fitness business. And 14 years of marriage haven't dulled the Springbok's love for his wife. He posted in May: "To the Lioness of our tribe… The real MVP… The one that makes our house a home… Thank you for being the most incredible mother to our two boys. "For carrying the load when I'm not around.. for always putting us first." Janine is reported to have a degree in Sports Science which has bolstered her reputation in the fitness business. The couple share an 11-year-old son, Timothy Jacob. Kimberly Crew 20 Kimberly has been married to goalie Joe Hart for 10 years Credit: BackGrid 20 Over the years she has been reguarly seen in the stand supporting her husband Credit: Getty Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart will be watched from the sidelines by his wife Kimberly. The couple began dating in 2009 but like to keep their private life out of the spotlight. In 2015 they married in a stunning ceremony in Florence, Italy. In 2014 the couple welcomed their son, Harlow, who they don't share photos of on social media. Joe is sure to be looking for his wife on the sidelines when back on the pitch this weekend. He told The Telegraph back in 2013: "I notice everything. It's weird. I notice the fans, the banners, where my family and friends are sitting. I feel very aware and involved." Sheree Murphy 20 Sheree is famous in her own right as an actress and TV presenter Credit: Getty 20 Sheree met ex Leeds United player Harry Kewell in 2009 in a chance encounter Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Australian footballer Brit Sheree is known for her acting roles in soaps Emmerdale and Hollyoaks, and for presenting Yes Chef! on BBC1. The couple met in 2009 after they ran into each other at Majestyk nightclub in Leeds while Harry was playing for After two years together they had a spontaneous wedding in Las Vegas and have since welcomed four children - son Taylor, 24, and daughters, Ruby, 22, Matilda, 17, and Dolly, 13. But his high profile hasn't made things easy for their marriage, as he has been the target of other women's amorous attentions. 'It's not nice when any girl comes up to your fella and comes on to them, whether they're in the public eye or not,' 'My husband has never been the sort to go out and live it large, so I've always been quite lucky and haven't had that many bad experiences. 'But I've had a few rows with a few girls who have hit on him right in front of me, although that was more back in the day." Gemma Atkinson 20 Gemma Atkinson has been in the spotlight for decades thanks to her acting and presenting work Credit: Instsagram 20 Gemma met Gorka while on Strictly Come Dancing back in 2017 Credit: Instsagram Gorka Marquez, 34, is swapping his dancing shoes for football boots - and his gorgeous fiancée The actress, 40, met the Spaniard while competing on Strictly Come Dancing and the couple started dating in 2018. They share two children - Mia, five, and one-year-old Thiago - and have been engaged since 2021. Gemma is known for her work in Hollyoaks and Emmerdale, and was a lad's mag favourite in the early 2000s. The couple are waiting to tie the knot until their children are older and can be fully present. Gemma said: 'We'd like Thiago to be involved now so we're going to have to wait another year or so. 'When we first got engaged we said we'll get Mia walking down the aisle and then Thiago came along… and there's no time!'
