Latest news with #Aesop
Buzz Feed
a day ago
- Lifestyle
- Buzz Feed
39 Pieces Of Home Decor For Anyone With Expensive Taste But A Shrinking Bank Account
A gold arched bookcase you'll look at with the same expression Belle had the moment she first laid her eyes on Beast's library. And, I mean, who would blame you? It's gorgeous, has various tiers to display all your favorite odds 'n' ends, and will truly take your home decor to the next level. A luxurious faux-fur rug worthy of a spot in a grand old castle that has been carefully preserved since the 1800s. Or, ya know, next to your bed so your tootsies will be nice and warm when you finally convince yourself to get up and start your day. A statement checkered cutting board with a high-end feel to it without the cost. Hosting book club? Break this baby out and craft the most chic charcuterie board anyone has ever seen — so beautiful it might rival the too-hot-to-handle main character in the novel you're supposed to be discussing. A wavy corner bookshelf that'll ~wiggle~ its way right into your heart and home — it's so unique your mom will scold you the next time she visits, assuming you spent hundreds and hundreds of dollars on it. Jokes on you, Mom! It's less than $200! A set of dried pampas grasses for a natural look you'll never tire of — great for anyone who is a newbie to decorating and fearful of overdoing it with something bold. It'll save you some dollars in the long run since these preserved beauties last much longer than standard supermarket flowers. A plush blanket reviewers swear is *just like* Barefoot Dreams but without the extra dollar signs on the price tag. It'll look oh-so-luxurious draped across your couch and you'll feel as if you're lounging inside a cloud when you wrap yourself up in it. A breathtaking essential oil diffuser that'll make you feel like you're unwinding in a fancy spa before bed when, in reality, it's just you, your cat, and your noisy neighbors arguing upstairs again. But, hey, at least your nostrils will be nicely hydrated and filled with a soothing scent! A set of amber glass soap dispensers with Aesop vibes you can use to fool anyone lucky enough to use your guest bathroom — fill 'em with your favorite scent for a fraction of the cost but without skimping on style. A vintage-inspired wall tapestry you'll never believe costs less than 15 bucks. For the price of about two grande Starbucks drinks, you can zhuzh up the blank space on your wall with a majestic little floral number. Sounds like a no-brainer to me! An electric kettle with a Smeg-like look to it that'll look so fabulous in your kitchen — you'll want to offer anyone who visits a cup of tea or a pour-over coffee the second they set foot inside. It has a thermometer to water to the exact temperature you need for your bevs and has an automatic shutoff built into it. And a coffee syrup dispenser set complete with premade flavor labels to help you transform that little space next to your coffee machine into one that looks just like the picture-perfect coffee shop you often daydream about quitting your corporate job to work for as a barista. Best keep working on that latte art! And vintage-inspired glass mugs to help you display your freshly crafted drinks with care — your coffee will look so beautiful in them you might never want to go out and buy one again. 😉 A set of faux coffee-table books inspired by the fancy-schmancy Assouline travel series, except they're *a lot* more practical! They open with a magnetic lid to become secret storage compartments so that you can hide your stash of chocolate treats from your partner. A trendy knotted throw pillow you can hug close to your chest while watching the drama unfold during the latest season of The White Lotus (when it's not being used as fancy decor, of course). A bunch of faux tulips (with over 17,000 5-star ratings!!!) that'll ensure your home has a touch of springtime ALL the time — *and* if you go on vacation, they'll still be standing beautifully when you return. A mixed set of flower-shaped coupe glasses featuring eye-catching colors and a vintage feel to 'em that you might not even want to hand drinks out in them when guests are over in fear of one being dropped — but good news, at this price point, you *ABSOLUTELY* can (and should). And/or an elegant set of square wineglasses you'll want to raise a toast to because they're just that lovely. They have a shocking resemblance to the ones you've likely been eyeing from Crate & Barrel but haven't wanted to commit to. These will certainly do the trick and garner you tons of compliments the next time you host a girls' night. A set of stoneware bowls that are so lovely and well made they could easily be mistaken for a West Elm item — their depth makes them perfect for everything from salad to cereal *and* they're dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. Now you'll just have to learn to cook... or seamlessly transfer your takeout meal into 'em to convince your partner you worked SO hard to make them dinner. 😉 A modern pendant light to upgrade your home's lighting situation while seamlessly blending in with the lovely decor you already have. No more fumbling around in your entryway for your keys — this beauty will light your way *and* look good doing it. A stainless-steel rainfall showerhead you can count on to make you feel like you're taking a few minutes to rinse off in the fabulous bathroom of your room at The Ritz-Carlton when, in reality, you're in your 1-bedroom apartment. A cross-hatch tissue holder no one really needs but, like, maybe we actually do... just look at it! The design will bring an elevated look to the tissue box you keep on hand in your living room, where you watch all your sad movies and read your sappy romance novels. A gold decorative mirror with the style of a fancy antique piece you'd likely pick up while thrifting — place it on your dresser or vanity and use it to elegantly showcase your favorite perfume bottles and the jewelry you wear every day (so you won't lose A glass mushroom lamp because scattered lighting/creating a mood is very much having a moment right now. Don't break the bank on one Urban Outfitters and West Elm when you might just change your mind about it when trends shift again! This one is lovely, unique, and comes in a bunch of colors that'll go with your space. Or a retro-styled lamp that looks like the one from Daniel's office in Ugly Betty (if you know, you know!) and will effortlessly elevate your work-from-home space. Or! A cutesy little table lamp you'll adore whether you prefer to-may-toh or toe-mah-toe. However you phrase it, this Urban Outfitters look-a-like will hold you over until you can get back into gardening this spring. Prismatic window film to add extra privacy and pizzazz to any room while creating a burst of color that'll make you want to croon "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." A roll of geometric peel-and-stick wallpaper that'll give your walls the modern upgrade they deserve — anyone who sets foot in your home will think "WOW!" and be blown away by your chic Wes Anderson–aesthetic. You can also use it to revamp bookshelves, drawers, cabinets, and more! And/or peel-and-stick floor tiles for anyone who has a deep-rooted hatred for the bathroom floor they inherited when they moved into their house — these are water-resistant (important!) and are so gorgeous once you apply them you'll likely find yourself redecorating your entire room around 'em. And glue-on foam ceiling tiles with the ability to transform any run-of-the-mill room into a Roman retreat. No one would ever guess that your over-the-top ceiling is actually made from the same material as the styrofoam cups you used to take a bite out of as a kid. (No? Just me?) An ornate, arched mirror with gorgeous details that'll bring some profound elegance into your home and set you up to make a cheeky joke like "if it's not baroque, don't fix it" if your partner ever suggests getting a new one. A duvet set with a buttery soft cover and two shams you'll have a very hard time convincing yourself *isn't* from a pricier brand — it comes in an array of trendy colors and is so affordable you can treat yourself to a different set for each season! An upholstered headboard that'll double as an accent wall and remind you of the fabulous hotel rooms you keep seeing on your favorite travel Instagram account. A chic glass candle in a stunning jar — it'll look gorgeous no matter where you decide to place it in your home. It also has a wooden wick that'll give the roaring fireplaces you see in the cabins of movies a run for their money. And a dazzling candle warmer with a lampshade reminiscent of a high-end crystal chandelier you'd likely see in the middle of a ballroom on Bridgerton. More importantly, you won't need to keep a stash of matches on hand *and* your fave candle will last basically forever since it won't actually be burning down when you pair it with this gadget. A faux monstera plant that'll make it appear like you 1. have impeccable decorating skills and 2. you know how to take care of plants. Even if neither of these things are true, no one visiting your home has to know. Let them go on thinking you're a natural interior designer/gardener. Or an artificial olive tree for anyone who has had their eye on the pricier versions found at Pottery Barn and West Elm but can't rationalize paying all that money for a fake plant (I hear ya!). Set this beauty up in any corner of your home, then sit back, relax, and admire how fabulous it looks. A floral desk mat that'll bring warm, soothing cottage core vibes to your workspace — a must-have if you WFH, moonlight as a podcaster on the weekends, or retreat to play video games whenever you have a free moment. A hand-blocked cotton quilt you'll never tire of seeing on your bed — it's designed to be used in all seasons, has the most beautiful floral design on it, and is reversible, so it'll feel like buying two blankets for the price of one. (Sweet!) And a 100% stained-glass transom window panel that'll seriously transform any space you hang it in — and for waaaaay cheaper than it would cost you to install a new window in your home. Can't you picture it? Basking in the sun as it streams beautifully through this colored glass? *Chef's kiss*
Chicago Tribune
23-05-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Donna Vickroy: Best graduation gift's knowing you have the power to learn and not being afraid to use it
Dear young people, If you learn nothing else throughout your academic career, please learn the value of learning. Not for a grade, not for schoolwide recognition or honors, not for a potential scholarship, not to please a parent. Learn for you. Learn who you are and what your potential is. Welcome ideas. Develop your gifts. Open doors on knowledge that will make you both interested and interesting. I know that sounds like 'an old person' thing to say, but sometimes hindsight truly is eye-opening. Academically, I started poorly, receiving mostly U (unsatisfactory) marks on my first- and second-grade papers. I hated school. I was smart enough, but I was hampered by some challenges. Perhaps because they had so many other kids, my parents didn't notice my struggles. Or at least they didn't address them until the school came calling. The summer before third grade, our family moved into a slightly bigger house. The extra expense prompted my parents to take us out of the private school and enroll us in the public school, where learning challenges were readily addressed. That move literally changed my life. Within weeks, I was tested and diagnosed with vision problems and speech issues. By Christmas, I had glasses, was receiving speech therapy and was suddenly getting As on my schoolwork. More important, suddenly I loved school. I cashed in on my new abilities by reading everything I could get my hands on. Books, encyclopedias, magazines, even the TV guide. I loved Aesop's Fables, Rudyard Kipling's 'Just So Stories' and, most of all, SRA readers, a school-based reading comprehension program that introduced kids to myriad topics, including Greek mythology, geology and history. I memorized poems and recited them to my teacher, who would make me recite them for the class. 'El Dorado,' 'Richard Corey,' 'Annabelle Lee.' I know — attention hog, right? I was proud of my newfound skills and not afraid to make the most of them. I loved learning for learning's sake. And I paid absolutely no attention to my report card. But then I moved on to high school and I became skittish about taking classes that seemed academically risky. I was focused on extracurriculars and, of course, my circle of friends. I had decent grades. I was having fun. I figured, why risk that by taking classes that might be hard and result in a C, or worse? The one tenet I forgot was that the purpose of school is to absorb knowledge, not skate past it. If I could go back, knowing what I know now about myself, I would aim higher, work harder, take those challenging courses and seek help whenever I got stuck. And I would never open a report card. Because the knowledge that I missed out on is infinitely more important than being able to say, 'Hey, I had a decent GPA in high school.' Don't get stuck on the grade. Don't let marks demotivate you. Learn because you can. Take advantage of the opportunity. Over the years, I've met a lot of self-confessed former solid-C students who, because they realized permanent knowledge trumped temporary grades, went on to realize life goals and career dreams. Consider this: The kid who only retains a fourth of what is taught in physics or advanced algebra will still know a fourth more about physics or advanced algebra than the kid who never took the class at all. Grades have their purpose. But they are not necessarily a motivator. Nor are they an indicator of how smart you are or how capable you are of learning. And they certainly aren't going to help you in your 30s, 40s or 50s. My favorite high school educator of all time was my daughter's AP European history teacher. The course was tough and many of the students, including my daughter, struggled. But after each exam, the teacher held a study class, followed by a makeup test. The point, the teacher said, was for each kid to learn as much of the material as possible. Inadvertently, he also taught the students that, in real life, you don't have to learn everything the first time around, that knowledge is the real goal and if it takes longer to achieve, so be it. What a gift. I worked fairly hard in high school and in college. And the reward is that I left both with a boatload of information and a foray into lots of different areas of studies. Some of which have led to fascinating hobbies, including art, gardening and travel. As a journalist, knowing a little about a lot of things has served me well. But the most important thing I have learned from all those years of schooling is that learning is endless. It is a vast world of opportunity to grow, to help, to make a difference and to become who you are meant to be. If I could go back, I would work even harder. I would study more, party less. I would get my money's worth. My proudest moments were getting through courses that were outside my comfort zone — economics, physiology, math — because they let me prove to myself that I could learn anything. And when you believe you can learn anything, you can.
Elle
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Elle
Why Friendship Is Better Than Marriage, Even When It's Mean And Messy
If stealing from a friend's bathroom isn't a cry for help, I don't know what is. I am a fortysomething woman who, in an act of rage, rummaged through a cabinet and stole a cream from a bathroom. Reader, it wasn't even Aesop. My memories of the afternoon are hazy. I was at my oldest friend Katie's house. I'd slipped on the rug, and she had looked at me quizzically, as if to say, 'Are you OK?' It must have suddenly occurred to her how drunk I might be, how messy, how lost. And so, in shame, I pointed at the framed artworks on the walls. The art she'd just hung. The art she was proud of and had painstakingly collected all her life. 'All of your art is very… antisocial,' I said. She stared at me. 'And your cultural references are out of date.' FIND OUT MORE ON ELLE COLLECTIVE I stood, missiles launched, waiting for the comeback. Katie didn't react; she stood quietly. And, frustrated by this lack of reaction, I performed my pièce de résistance: in a final, spectacularly teenage flourish, I stole a hand cream from her and then ran home. My comments about Katie's art had been especially rude, because Katie and I are normally very sweet and loving with each other. We call each other 'darling' in messages. We are very considerate of each other's feelings. It was also bizarre. Antisocial… paintings? There was only one thing that was antisocial in that room, and it was me. As for Katie being 'out of date' with her cultural references, I can only put that down to my own fear that I, myself, might be becoming irrelevant. But there was an evil logic to these insults. As she later put it: 'It was a very niche burn.' It was specifically tailored to her. It was a little bit true, like all the best insults are, especially when hurled at a friend you know so well – too well, maybe. But it was what happened in the aftermath of that drunken outburst that has taught me the most about true love; it showed me the nuances of long-term friendship, the depth of the connection between me and my oldest friend, and how mean and messy that relationship can sometimes be. It showed me how, when you hit rock bottom, friends will always be there to pick you up. Like most unravellings, mine had started sometime before. I had been under tremendous pressures: the weight of providing for a family; burnout from work; the TV industry (from which I earned most of my money) on pause; a husband recovering from cancer, a stroke and a heart operation that had all come in fast succession. I had undiagnosed autism and ADHD, and was on double my usual dose of anti-depressants to manage the anxiety. All this, against a wider backdrop of post-pandemic exhaustion, economic crisis and geopolitical unrest. It was all way too much. I was losing the plot. Around this time, Katie was relocating from our home town of Manchester to live near me. She was moving in with her new man, and we were excited to be living close to each other. I had good friends around me, but I didn't have any friends in Brighton who I shared a long history with. I was about to appreciate the value of that. Katie and I were tight in Manchester. We had met through a boyfriend of mine, but when that boyfriend and I broke up, Katie and I stayed close. I'd never met anyone like her. We'd instantly clicked. We both loved literature and sitting up late, drinking wine, discussing books and ideas. She was exciting and inspiring, clever and deep. She became a great advisor on my work. She has long been one of my best and most honest critics. I didn't realise how much I was going to need that for my life, as well as for my work. When Katie had been in her new house a few weeks, she invited me and my family round for an afternoon barbecue. It was a good party – too good. I downed glass after glass of champagne, and quickly reached the point where I didn't really know what I was saying. Katie is a woman of exacting standards. She dresses immaculately. She speaks carefully and has high expectations. In return, she gives a lot. I realise, in saying this, that the dynamic sounds very parent-child. And even though this is partly true, as in all friendships, the power structure shifts and flips. There have been times, before and since the incident at her house, when I have given Katie what I hope is firm advice. In the best friendships, you take it in turns to be the one who needs and the one who gives. It sounds obvious, but it's worth remembering, especially when you've been the ridiculous needy one. The morning after the great heist, I woke with a deep sense of doom, along with a rotten hangover. My husband tried to laugh it off, but I knew better, knew Katie better. As the evening came back to me in horrible burning shards of memory, I pieced together a grim picture. I found the hand cream in my bag and shuddered. Who was this person, with this hand cream in her bag? This chaotic mess who treated her friend so disrespectfully? I sat on my sofa and sobbed. I felt, for the first time in my life, like I didn't know who I was – like I was a million miles away from the woman I hoped I would be. I tried to mop up the mess. I bought flowers and left them on her doorstep. I apologised profusely over text, but she wasn't satisfied with that. And not because she was being rude, but because she knew something bigger was going on. She wanted to talk. We set a time, and I felt like I was about to be dumped. 'Well,' she said calmly. 'That was very out of character.' I had to agree. And suddenly, there was a glimmer of hope – for the friendship, and for me – because the way Katie dealt with what happened was the beginning of my recovery. She didn't just say it was OK, but she didn't say our friendship was over, either. She said: 'Emma, I've seen you like this before.' This was a shocking thing to hear, not least because I wasn't aware of having been like this before. Funny, the things we miss about ourselves, the things we need a friend to see. 'You acted like this when you had post- natal depression in 2017, and also before that, when you were heartbroken in 2013. You had the same look in your eye and said the same sort of dickish things,' she elaborated. To have someone present you with evidence of your decade- spanning patterns is like receiving a wild branch of kindness, especially when you have been so hurtful towards them. It is a privilege and a gift. Katie said she could see I was stressed out, traumatised and on the verge of being very ill. And she was right. She said she wanted to support me and help me figure it out. I needed to watch the booze on those anti-depressants. I needed to restructure my work life and my financial arrangement with my husband. I realise now that she risked a lot saying those things to me. No one wants to hear they've reverted. Katie courageously put my madness into context. She picked me up off rock bottom. True friends can do that, and it won't always be in the ways you expect. But trust them, and they will pick you up and get you through. You'll have to do some work yourself, but they'll be there by your side. And so Katie and I moved forward, and life became more doable again. I've always believed that friendship is as valuable, enriching, complex and enduring as any other kind of love, but I hadn't seen it in action to this extent before. It is not unconditional. There is a deal involved – it's like marriage in that way. There can be forgiveness, but there must be bound- aries, set and reset, for that forgiveness to have any meaning. It is interesting to me now, with all the benefits of hindsight, to see how I chose to implode that day in a safe place, at Katie's house. Or rather, in a place where I knew I would be challenged, held accountable and helped; a place where I would have a mirror held up to me and be forced to look at a rather unpleasant truth. None of this done out of spite or self-righteousness, all of it done out of love. It's the kind of thing a marriage should do, but that marriage doesn't always do. For many modern women, who have had friends for longer than they have had partners, I think friendship is better than marriage – it is more useful and more important in their lives. It strikes me now that there is also something interesting in the structure of a friendship and in the unspoken expectations within them – until they are spoken, things manifest and a need for affirmation comes out. It's the difference between friendships being 100% permissive – the laissez-faire culture of 'You do you, babe' – that seems liberating on the surface, but might not be the best formula for growth. That kind of looseness feels better suited to the friendships we have when we are younger, where everyone does whatever they want. The difference as we get older is that we start having higher standards for our friendships, not in an isolated or exclusive way, but in a responsive, supportive way. It's true, and it's love. If we lean into our friendships, we'll find the support we need at the most challenging times in our lives. And let's face it, life is pretty challenging at the moment, the world generally feels tough to be part of, whatever you might be going through as an individual, too. Katie saved me from a complete breakdown. I appreciated, in real time, the power and value of a good, honest friend. Katie is a love of my life, and I am a love of hers. Thanks to her, I know so much more about what the definition of true and lasting love is. And before you ask, I did return the hand cream. Emma Jane Unsworth's latest novel 'Slags' (Borough Press) is out now. ELLE Collective is a new community of fashion, beauty and culture lovers. For access to exclusive content, events, inspiring advice from our Editors and industry experts, as well the opportunity to meet designers, thought-leaders and stylists, become a member today HERE.
Fashion United
21-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion United
Byredo expands beyond London with Victoria Leeds flagship
Moving away from the typical London-centric trajectory of luxury beauty, Swedish fragrance house Byredo is preparing to open its first standalone store outside the capital — a 2,154-square-foot boutique in the heart of Victoria Leeds. This move marks a geographic milestone for the cult label, but also reflects the broader rise of niche beauty in regional luxury retail environments. The new space, located in Victoria Quarter — already home to Aesop, Jo Malone, and Mulberry — signals Byredo's confidence in the northern market's appetite for elevated beauty and lifestyle products. It follows the brand's successful concession within Harvey Nichols Leeds, where sustained footfall and strong sales performance provided a reliable proof of concept. Best known for its minimalist bottles and conceptual scent narratives, Byredo has built a loyal global following since its founding in 2006 by Ben Gorham. Acquired in 2022 by Puig, the brand remains emblematic of the niche fragrance category — one that continues to outperform the broader beauty market. According to market research firm NPD Group, prestige niche fragrance sales in the UK grew 13 percent year-on-year in 2023, compared to 7 percent growth in mass-market fragrance. This trend is further amplified by Gen Z and Millennial consumers, who are drawn to the artisanal positioning, perceived authenticity, and layered storytelling of independent brands. The Leeds opening will see Byredo expand its physical retail experience to include not only its core fragrance line, but also cosmetics, home goods, leather accessories, and small luxuries — part of a deliberate shift toward full lifestyle branding. The move dovetails with Puig's strategy of cultivating vertical retail experiences to drive both brand equity and margin control. 'The luxury nature of Byredo means they will be a perfect fit with our leading tenant mix," commented Rachel Bradburn, leasing director at Victoria Leeds. "Yet another strategic brand decision to launch its first standalone store outside of London. Byredo's flagship further cements Victoria Quarter as the go-to premier destination for luxury brands.' Victoria Leeds has been steadily positioning itself as a regional luxury hub, with recent arrivals such as Aesop and the announcement that sustainable womenswear label Nobody's Child will also open its first northern store there. These moves reflect a growing recalibration of retail geography, as brands increasingly seek to balance London flagship dominance with broader national relevance — and direct-to-consumer economics. For Byredo, the Leeds opening is less a test case than an assertion: niche beauty has matured, and its market is no longer confined to urban centres or online exclusivity. In a post-pandemic retail environment where experience, locality, and curation are gaining renewed importance, the move underscores a simple truth — niche is no longer niche. It's the new mainstream, and it's going regional.
Times
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
David Frost Vs… Richard Nixon — how an Aesop's fable undid Tricky Dicky
I think I could watch the young David Frost all day, one arm louchely flung over the back of his chair, long-lashed bloodhound eyes locked intently on his interviewee's face. Contemplative and measured, his style is an antidote to the shouty 'gotcha' interviewing that you often see today. In Frost Vs… Richard Nixon, which kicked off the second part of Sky Documentaries' David Frost Vs… series (it started in February), we obviously saw the 'long game' strategy at its height. As we all know, over 28 hours in 1977 he cajoled, befriended, wrongfooted and finally brought to heel the defensive, circumlocutory and arrogant 'Tricky Dicky'. Frost compared it to Aesop's fable The North Wind and the Sun in which no matter how hard the
