Latest news with #Florence
The Sun
27 minutes ago
- The Sun
We flew out for our dream holiday to Italy… only to arrive at the hotel ONE YEAR early after devastating booking mistake
FOUR British sisters have been left scrambling to find a place to stay after a booking blunder left them arriving at their hotel a year early. Nicole Collings and her siblings jetted off on a dream holiday to Italy hoping to celebrate the mum-of-three's 40th birthday in style. 6 6 6 The group rocked up at the hotel reception in Florence hoping for a smooth check-in so they could get out into the city and bask in the sun and sights. Rachel, often nicknamed the "CEO" for her organisation skills, had booked the flights and accommodation so jovially approached the staff. But Rachel's face soon turned a dark shade of red, as Nicole and her two other sisters soon realised the trip wasn't going as planned. They were told that they had booked at the hotel - but not until 2026. Despite being left without a room for night in a foreign country, the women took the embarrassing blunder in good spirits. As Rachel processed her pricey mistake, the others were left in stitches in the hotel lobby. Nicole from Essex told Luxury Travel Daily: "We all looked at each other in panic but then burst out laughing." The four had flown over to Florence from Southend, London on July 25. They had planned to stay at the Hotel Royal for three nights up until the Monday morning. Rachel had already paid £77 a night - totalling over £230 - but due to the booking mishap the foursome were now left scrambling to find another room. Holidaymaker expects breathtaking view from his hotel window… but viewers in stitches when he pulls back curtain Their original four-person suite was booked out but the girls were determined to stay at the Hotel Royal due to its great location in the city. The only issue was the last remaining option was a two-bedroom basement room which had no air conditioning. Wanting to make the most of the birthday trip, the girls dropped off their bags in the cramped room without much thought and headed out. Nicole continued: "Rachel, who we call the CEO, showed the confirmation email to the receptionist, who then pointed out that the booking was actually for 2026. "It was a real mix of panic and humour, we decided to just go with it and make the best of the bad situation. "The substitute room was really small, with a double bed and a single bed brought in. WIt had no hot water and no air con despite the boiling weather. "We even had to manage getting ready with four girls using one tiny mirror." Nicole was also full of praise for the staff who she said were just as amused by the booking blunder as the women were but remained supportive throughout their stay. "We didn't spend much time in the room due to its size and conditions," the birthday girl added. "Despite the initial hiccup, we had a wonderful time together, and it was hilarious. "We bring the vibes, we are extremely close and always have fun, our energy is electric." Nicole says they are yet to decide on if they will return for the 2026 booking to celebrate her 41st or if they'll just leave the mishap in the past. 6 6 6
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
‘Tesco's clearance sale is unreal' raves fashionista is she reveals ‘THOSE viral dresses' are all now half price
Plus, how Tesco made a major change to its site SAVVY SAVINGS 'Tesco's clearance sale is unreal' raves fashionista is she reveals 'THOSE viral dresses' are all now half price Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SHOPPERS have been raving about Tesco's viral dresses which have been slashed in their summer sale. If you are wanting to restock your wardrobe, you can pick up some stylish items from just £11. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Shoppers have been raving about Tesco's F&F sale Credit: TikTok/@graceforell 4 Their F&F Gingham Puff Sleeve Midi Dress in Navy is £11 down from £22, Credit: Florence and Fred Many of the items are now 50 per cent off, and included some gorgeous day and evening events. Included in the sale is the F&F Gingham Puff Sleeve Midi Dress in Navy, which is £11 down from £22, and comes in sizes XS to XL. It could be ideal for days out and BBQs and could be paired with sandals or trainers. Another dress available to buy is the F&F Polka Dot Ruffle Midi Dress in Ivory, which is now £12.50 down from £25. It features a ruffle trim and could be perfect for 'dressy occasions.' The website states: 'Featuring an all-over polka dot print, thin straps, and a soft V neckline, it goes with strappy sandals, wedge heels, or block heel mules.' A third dress featured in the sale is their F&F Ruffled Tiered V-Neck Midi Dress in Blue. It is £18 down from £36 and could be ideal for 'weddings and special occasions.' The F&F website recommends you add metallic heeled sandals and a bold clutch bag to finish off the look. The bargain finds were posted on TikTok by shopper Grace Forell, who shares her savvy tips on her @graceforell account. I'm 5ft3 & a size 12-14 - my 7 Tesco dresses are an absolute bargain & perfect for a last-minute wedding guest outfit She wrote: 'The Tesco F&F clearance sale is unreal. 'THOSE viral dresses (ruffle front / denim halterneck / slub sleeveless midi / Bardot palm print) are all reduced now at @F&F Clothing with a clubcard. 'Are you going to treat yourself... or let them sell out?' 4 Another dress available to buy is the F&F Polka Dot Ruffle Midi Dress in Ivory, which is now £12.50 down from £25 Credit: Florence and Fred 4 The F&F Ruffled Tiered V-Neck Midi Dress in Blue is £18 down from £36 Credit: Florence and Fred ONLINE CHANGE Tesco made a major change to F&F clothing in May. The UK's biggest supermarket has officially re-launched the clothing brand online for the first time in seven years. Shoppers were first able to buy the F&F range on a separate site from 2009 before it was moved onto Tesco Direct in 2016. However it was ditched in 2018. Customers could still buy items from the collection through Next until this January, until it stopped stocking the range. Tesco shoppers can now pick up F&F-branded clothes via and the supermarket's Grocery and Clubcard app. If you don't have the app you can download it for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play. The collection includes women's, men's and kids' clothing, as well as footwear and accessories. Shoppers looking to pick up F&F items online will have to pay a £3.99 home delivery fee on all orders.
CBC
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
What happened to Toronto's 326 moose statues? A look back at the art project, 25 years later
As people around the world welcomed a new millennium, Torontonians in the year 2000 were welcoming something even bigger — a herd of hundreds of life-size moose statues. Twenty-five years ago, Toronto launched its Moose in the City campaign, a project featuring 326 colourful moose statues decorated by artists and placed all over the city in an effort to usher in the new year with a boost for local tourism and art sectors. The project came at no cost to the city, according to council minutes from April 2000, and the statues were sponsored by various companies. The public could stumble upon the hoofed, herbivore masterpieces at locations including the CN Tower, Pearson Airport and city hall. Some of the artists involved say the project was emblematic of the city's culture and shows how municipalities can step up to support the art scene — even as some of the famed sculpted creatures have disappeared in the years since. Moose in the City was a "great collaboration with the city" for artists, said Kelly Borgers, who was commissioned to do three of the statues. There was even a launch party for the project, with music and a sculpture parade. "All the moose were all together. We pushed them on wheels down the street like a stampede," she recalled. Project symbolized fun in the city: artist Borgers said she produced three statues: Park Moose, Driving Moose Daisy and Florence Moosingale. She's not sure what happened to the first two — decorated with nature scenes and granny glasses, respectively — but Florence lives in the city's midtown outside the headquarters of a home care agency. WATCH | New exhibit at Toronto Reference Library showcasing city's history through postcards: How Toronto's history is being celebrated through vintage postcards 3 months ago Lee Grunberg, the president and CEO of Integracare, said Florence used to get Valentine's Day cards addressed from another moose that's perched on the roof of a house in nearby Mount Pleasant neighbourhood. "The people that bought these moose, they love the camaraderie of owning these moose," Grunberg said. Borgers likes to drive by and see Florence once in a while, she said, and knowing her art is still out there 25 years later brings her joy. "She's always dressed up in all different costumes, for Valentine's Day, for Easter, for Christmas, for Canada Day," Borgers said with a laugh. "It's awesome. I'm proud of my moose. She has a better wardrobe than I have." Borgers said the project was symbolic of the fun to be had in the city, and it "lightened things up." "I just think it had a good sense of humour, that was nice," she said. "Nobody saw moose and frowned." Lindsay Davies, who is based in Aurora, Ont., said the project gave her and other artists a chance to "show their thing." Davies was commissioned by Belinda Stronach, daughter of billionaire Frank Stronach, to paint a moose statue to look like former Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Curtis Joseph. The statue was complete with a jersey, hockey socks and a detailed goalie mask covering the moose's snout. It was placed in front of the Hockey Hall of Fame. "I just felt totally honoured and absolutely thrilled where it ended up downtown on Front Street," said Davies. Alleged antler thefts reported at the time Despite reports at the time of moose vandalism — including alleged antler thefts — Davies said she'd love to see the city do a similar project again, especially given the participants' diverse art styles. "It's just wonderful, and it's very inspirational," said Davies. "I think the public in general really benefits from something like that." Davies said her moose was auctioned for $25,000 that went to charity shortly after the project. Though she said she doesn't know where Curtis Joseph Moose is today, she theorizes he's somewhere in Little Britain, Ont., after a local bakery took ownership years ago. Toronto-based artist Teri Donovan said George Cohon, the founder of McDonald's Canada, brought up the public art idea with then-mayor Mel Lastman, who became very interested in the project and stood behind it. Donovan said she got involved after a friend sent her a brochure about the campaign and she ended up creating two sculptures: the Bay Street Moose and the Strawberry Moose with Whipped Cream. "It was really an interesting thing to do. It had its challenges, of course, but in the end, it was a lot of fun," she said. She isn't sure about the fate of her two moose, although she discovered through online research that the Bay Street sculpture was missing. Some moose were auctioned off for charity There were controversies surrounding the project, she recalled. The quality of some sculptures was not very good, she said, and critics complained that the statues were not actually art. "But it wasn't supposed to be high art, it was supposed to be a fun project for the city," she said. Donovan remembers her neighbours and their kids routinely checking on the progress of one of her moose creations as she painted it in her driveway. "I live in a quiet neighbourhood in the east end of Toronto and there isn't a lot of that kind of thing that happens here," she said. Donovan said Moose in the City was a draw for tourists and it also helped raise money for charities as some of the moose were auctioned off. Laurel Brooks still has the moose her family purchased at auction and moved to their Muskoka cottage, where it stayed until 2012. She said her daughter and ex-husband initially wanted to get Tourist Moose, with a hat and a camera around her neck, but the bidding for that one was "pretty competitive." They ended up getting a moose built by Toronto District School Board students, she said. After separating from her ex-husband, Brooks brought the moose back to Toronto where it now sits on an elevated platform in her backyard. The sculpture, too big to fit through the garage or the side of the house, had to be hoisted and moved with ropes, she said. It's made of paper-mache, with layers coming off over the years, and has been repainted with red flowers that look like poppies. "I just really liked it," Brooks said with a laugh when asked if the hustle of moving the moose back and forth was worth it. "It's just a cool thing to have."
Global News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Global News
When moose took over Toronto: Artists reflect on city art project, 25 years later
As people around the world welcomed a new millennium, Torontonians in the year 2000 were welcoming something even bigger – a herd of hundreds of life-size moose statues. Twenty-five years ago, Toronto launched its Moose in the City campaign, a project featuring 326 colourful moose statues decorated by artists and placed all over the city in an effort to usher in the new year with a boost for local tourism and art sectors. The project came at no cost to the city, according to council minutes from April 2000, and the statues were sponsored by various companies. The public could stumble upon the hoofed, herbivore masterpieces at locations including the CN Tower, Pearson Airport and city hall. Some of the artists involved say the project was emblematic of the city's culture and shows how municipalities can step up to support the art scene — even as some of the famed sculpted creatures have disappeared in the years since. Story continues below advertisement Moose in the City was a 'great collaboration with the city' for artists, said Kelly Borgers, who was commissioned to do three of the statues. There was even a launch party for the project, with music and a sculpture parade. 'All the moose were all together. We pushed them on wheels down the street like a stampede,' she recalled. Borgers said she produced three statues: Park Moose, Driving Moose Daisy and Florence Moosingale. She's not sure what happened to the first two – decorated with nature scenes and granny glasses, respectively – but Florence lives in the city's midtown outside the headquarters of a home care agency. Lee Grunberg, the president and CEO of Integracare, said Florence used to get Valentine's Day cards addressed from another moose that's perched on the roof of a house in nearby Mount Pleasant neighbourhood. 'The people that bought these moose, they love the camaraderie of owning these moose,' Grunberg said. Borgers likes to drive by and see Florence once in a while, she said, and knowing her art is still out there 25 years later brings her joy. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'She's always dressed up in all different costumes, for Valentine's Day, for Easter, for Christmas, for Canada Day,' Borgers said with a laugh. 'It's awesome. I'm proud of my moose. She has a better wardrobe than I have.' Story continues below advertisement Borgers said the project was symbolic of the fun to be had in the city, and it 'lightened things up.' 'I just think it had a good sense of humour, that was nice,' she said. 'Nobody saw moose and frowned.' Lindsay Davies, who is based in Aurora, Ont., said the project gave her and other artists a chance to 'show their thing.' Davies was commissioned by Belinda Stronach, daughter of billionaire businessman Frank Stronach, to paint a moose statue to look like former Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Curtis Joseph. The statue was complete with a jersey, hockey socks and a detailed goalie mask covering the moose's snout. It was placed in front of the Hockey Hall of Fame. 'I just felt totally honoured and absolutely thrilled where it ended up downtown on Front Street,' said Davies. Despite reports at the time of moose vandalism — including alleged antler thefts — Davies said she'd love to see the city do a similar project again, especially given the participants' diverse art styles. 'It's just wonderful, and it's very inspirational,' said Davies. 'I think the public in general really benefits from something like that.' Davies said her moose was auctioned for $25,000 that went to charity shortly after the project. Though she said she doesn't know where Curtis Joseph Moose is today, she theorizes he's somewhere in Little Britain, Ont., after a local bakery took ownership years ago. Story continues below advertisement Toronto-based artist Teri Donovan said George Cohon, the founder of McDonald's Canada, brought up the public art idea with then-mayor Mel Lastman, who became very interested in the project and stood behind it. Donovan said she got involved after a friend sent her a brochure about the campaign and she ended up creating two sculptures: the Bay Street Moose and the Strawberry Moose with Whipped Cream. 'It was really an interesting thing to do. It had its challenges, of course, but in the end, it was a lot of fun,' she said. She isn't sure about the fate of her two moose, although she discovered through online research that the Bay Street sculpture was missing. There were controversies surrounding the project, she recalled. The quality of some sculptures was not very good, she said, and critics complained that the statues were not actually art. 'But it wasn't supposed to be high art, it was supposed to be a fun project for the city,' she said. Donovan remembers her neighbours and their kids routinely checking on the progress of one of her moose creations as she painted it in her driveway. 'I live in a quiet neighbourhood in the east end of Toronto and there isn't a lot of that kind of thing that happens here,' she said. Story continues below advertisement Donovan said Moose in the City was a draw for tourists and it also helped raise money for charities as some of the moose were auctioned off. Laurel Brooks still has the moose her family purchased at auction and moved to their Muskoka cottage, where it stayed until 2012. She said her daughter and ex-husband initially wanted to get Tourist Moose, with a hat and a camera around her neck, but the bidding for that one was 'pretty competitive.' They ended up getting a moose built by Toronto District School Board students, she said. After separating from her ex-husband, Brooks brought the moose back to Toronto where it now sits on an elevated platform in her backyard. The sculpture, too big to fit through the garage or the side of the house, had to be hoisted and moved with ropes, she said. It's made of paper-mache, with layers coming off over the years, and has been repainted with red flowers that look like poppies. 'I just really liked it,' Brooks said with a laugh when asked if the hustle of moving the moose back and forth was worth it. 'It's just a cool thing to have.' — With files from Fatima Raza.
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
When moose took over Toronto: Artists reflect on city art project, 25 years later
As people around the world welcomed a new millennium, Torontonians in the year 2000 were welcoming something even bigger – a herd of hundreds of life-size moose statues. Twenty-five years ago, Toronto launched its Moose in the City campaign, a project featuring 326 colourful moose statues decorated by artists and placed all over the city in an effort to usher in the new year with a boost for local tourism and art sectors. The project came at no cost to the city, according to council minutes from April 2000, and the statues were sponsored by various companies. The public could stumble upon the hoofed, herbivore masterpieces at locations including the CN Tower, Pearson Airport and city hall. Some of the artists involved say the project was emblematic of the city's culture and shows how municipalities can step up to support the art scene — even as some of the famed sculpted creatures have disappeared in the years since. Moose in the City was a 'great collaboration with the city' for artists, said Kelly Borgers, who was commissioned to do three of the statues. There was even a launch party for the project, with music and a sculpture parade. 'All the moose were all together. We pushed them on wheels down the street like a stampede,' she recalled. Borgers said she produced three statues: Park Moose, Driving Moose Daisy and Florence Moosingale. She's not sure what happened to the first two – decorated with nature scenes and granny glasses, respectively – but Florence lives in the city's midtown outside the headquarters of a home care agency. Lee Grunberg, the president and CEO of Integracare, said Florence used to get Valentine's Day cards addressed from another moose that's perched on the roof of a house in nearby Mount Pleasant neighbourhood. 'The people that bought these moose, they love the camaraderie of owning these moose,' Grunberg said. Borgers likes to drive by and see Florence once in a while, she said, and knowing her art is still out there 25 years later brings her joy. 'She's always dressed up in all different costumes, for Valentine's Day, for Easter, for Christmas, for Canada Day,' Borgers said with a laugh. 'It's awesome. I'm proud of my moose. She has a better wardrobe than I have.' Borgers said the project was symbolic of the fun to be had in the city, and it 'lightened things up.' 'I just think it had a good sense of humour, that was nice,' she said. 'Nobody saw moose and frowned.' Lindsay Davies, who is based in Aurora, Ont., said the project gave her and other artists a chance to 'show their thing.' Davies was commissioned by Belinda Stronach, daughter of billionaire businessman Frank Stronach, to paint a moose statue to look like former Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Curtis Joseph. The statue was complete with a jersey, hockey socks and a detailed goalie mask covering the moose's snout. It was placed in front of the Hockey Hall of Fame. 'I just felt totally honoured and absolutely thrilled where it ended up downtown on Front Street,' said Davies. Despite reports at the time of moose vandalism — including alleged antler thefts — Davies said she'd love to see the city do a similar project again, especially given the participants' diverse art styles. 'It's just wonderful, and it's very inspirational,' said Davies. 'I think the public in general really benefits from something like that.' Davies said her moose was auctioned for $25,000 that went to charity shortly after the project. Though she said she doesn't know where Curtis Joseph Moose is today, she theorizes he's somewhere in Little Britain, Ont., after a local bakery took ownership years ago. Toronto-based artist Teri Donovan said George Cohon, the founder of McDonald's Canada, brought up the public art idea with then-mayor Mel Lastman, who became very interested in the project and stood behind it. Donovan said she got involved after a friend sent her a brochure about the campaign and she ended up creating two sculptures: the Bay Street Moose and the Strawberry Moose with Whipped Cream. 'It was really an interesting thing to do. It had its challenges, of course, but in the end, it was a lot of fun,' she said. She isn't sure about the fate of her two moose, although she discovered through online research that the Bay Street sculpture was missing. There were controversies surrounding the project, she recalled. The quality of some sculptures was not very good, she said, and critics complained that the statues were not actually art. 'But it wasn't supposed to be high art, it was supposed to be a fun project for the city,' she said. Donovan remembers her neighbours and their kids routinely checking on the progress of one of her moose creations as she painted it in her driveway. 'I live in a quiet neighbourhood in the east end of Toronto and there isn't a lot of that kind of thing that happens here,' she said. Donovan said Moose in the City was a draw for tourists and it also helped raise money for charities as some of the moose were auctioned off. Laurel Brooks still has the moose her family purchased at auction and moved to their Muskoka cottage, where it stayed until 2012. She said her daughter and ex-husband initially wanted to get Tourist Moose, with a hat and a camera around her neck, but the bidding for that one was 'pretty competitive.' They ended up getting a moose built by Toronto District School Board students, she said. After separating from her ex-husband, Brooks brought the moose back to Toronto where it now sits on an elevated platform in her backyard. The sculpture, too big to fit through the garage or the side of the house, had to be hoisted and moved with ropes, she said. Weekly A weekly look at what's happening in Winnipeg's arts and entertainment scene. It's made of paper-mache, with layers coming off over the years, and has been repainted with red flowers that look like poppies. 'I just really liked it,' Brooks said with a laugh when asked if the hustle of moving the moose back and forth was worth it. 'It's just a cool thing to have.' — With files from Fatima Raza. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 29, 2025.
