Latest news with #Kit
The Guardian
3 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
We decided to become a shoes-off house. It was more complicated than I thought
'Shoes off!' barked my slightly bossy friend Kit as I was about to cross her threshold. I was taken aback: was this a new habit adopted from social media or some lifestyle guru? Kit is not obsessive, but she is house proud. She lives in the country, her house surrounded by muddy lawn near a beach, so it makes sense not to drag dirt on to her beautifully polished parquetry or scratch it with sand. She goes about barefoot year-round: slippers are not her style. She keeps a pair of rubber slides at the back door for putting the bins out, or going to the veggie patch. I had no choice but to comply, relieved that I had on good clean socks and that Kit's house is well heated. I felt a bit awkward at first, slipping and sliding like a shaky beginner skater on an ice rink. But by the end of the evening, I was persuaded that we too should adopt this more hygienic approach, despite misgivings about dropping boiling water or cooking fat on my feet. Sign up for our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning Many non-Anglo-Celtic households, of course, have a long-held tradition of removing one's shoes at the door. In Japan, indoor house shoes called uwabaki are usually provided to keep tatami floors, where you sit, sleep and eat, pristine. It is actually illegal to wear outdoor shoes in rental properties and can incur a fine. In Scandinavia, felt and wool indoor slippers are stylish accessories. In Canada, where the severe cold requires heavy footwear such as snow boots, houses usually have a wet room in which to remove all waterproof gear and leave it out of the way. A bit of reading informed me that shoes carry in germs, bacteria, pesticides and a variety of other nasties such as carcinogenic asphalt sealants that are invisible but can linger in domestic dust. As just two adults at home, we weren't worried about small children crawling at ground level, nor do we have a pet, but this relatively minor adjustment sounded healthy and sensible. The decision proved to be surprisingly divisive and complicated. When I raised it with friends, some said they disliked being asked and avoided houses where it is required. Even small changes demand thought. Unforeseen decisions suddenly have to be made: how best to suggest this new approach? On the phone, when inviting people round? Or at the door? And then: where to take off the shoes? Outside, where spiders and other critters might make their home in them? Inside, where they will look messy? (Should we get a box to contain them? Or a rack?) Enthusiastically embracing our decision, we buy stylish slip-ons so as to avoid the kind of tartan woollen footwear our grandparents wore (one friend with a shoeless home told me his partner said he'd leave him if he ever adopted slippers); we try to remember not to step outside in them on any account, not even to go to the bins or pick a herb; we keep separate shoes for outside by the back door. The key is not to have to bend down or lace them up. It takes a few weeks to adapt, with a few stumbles evidenced by muddy sole tread marks on the stairs. Sign up to Saved for Later Catch up on the fun stuff with Guardian Australia's culture and lifestyle rundown of pop culture, trends and tips after newsletter promotion In the city where the risk is more likely to be dog shit, the shoes-off trend has spread for other reasons. Friends in inner-city apartments in older buildings tell me that it is common for bodies corporate to ask residents to remove their shoes out of consideration to those living below them, so that they don't have to endure the clip-clop of heels on boards as it seems no one has carpet any more. We are still in the beginning of our new shoeless lives, but already there is no turning back. In hindsight, we probably should have eased into this gradually over summer, instead of starting now, when everyone is getting back into boots. As with all change, it's one step at a time.
7NEWS
4 days ago
- Health
- 7NEWS
Viral Aussie-made organic hemp skincare brand launches epic EOFY sale: Dope Skin
EOFY sales aren't just for tax-deductible laptops and air fryers anymore. Dope Skin Co, the cult Australian skincare brand known for clean, natural formulas that actually work, is throwing their biggest end-of-financial-year event yet, with up to 40 per cent off sitewide. From now until stocks run out, you can score up to 30 per cent off their entire range, plus an exclusive 10 per cent off if you're a subscriber (just use code EOFYS at checkout). That includes the game-changing moisturiser which shoppers have said 'heals face eczema'. Whether you're restocking your bathroom shelf or trying something new, it's the perfect excuse to treat your skin. Here's what we're adding to cart: 1. Antioxidant Moisturiser was $39.95, now $31.95 This bestseller has a cult following for a reason. It's ultra-lightweight, packed with skin-loving ingredients like Kakadu plum (hello, vitamin C), green tea, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and aloe vera, and it hydrates without making your skin look like a glazed donut. Perfect for Aussie humidity and those of us who just want to glow, not shine. 2. Botanical Antioxidant Serum was $39.95, now $31.95 Think of this as a green juice for your face. It's loaded with antioxidants to fight free radicals, even out tone and deliver a fresh, youthful bounce. It absorbs fast, layers beautifully, and gives you that 'I drink water and mind my business' kind of glow. 3. Antioxidant Gel Cleanser was $39.95, now $31.95 Cleansers can be harsh, but this one's a total softie. It's gentle, non-stripping and perfect for sensitive skin. Use it morning and night to wash away the day without upsetting your skin barrier. It's pH balanced, pregnancy-safe and made with the same antioxidant-rich goodness Dope Skin Co is famous for. 4. Botanical Antioxidant Skincare Kit was $199.75, now $149.80 Want the full glow-up? This kit has everything you need for a complete skincare routine. Think cleanser, serum, moisturiser and more – all packed with botanical antioxidants to fight fine lines, pigmentation and dullness. It's a one-stop-shop for healthy, radiant skin. All Dope Skin Co products are made fresh in Australia using natural, cruelty-free, vegan-friendly ingredients. They're free from parabens, phthalates, silicones, sulphates, synthetic fragrances and colours, so you can feel good about what you're putting on your skin. And if that wasn't enough to convince you, just know the sale is only on while stocks last. , and with prices like these, they won't stick around for long.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Safex Chemicals expands manufacturing footprint with facility in Bharuch, Gujarat
Safex Chemicals, a player in the specialty chemical sector, is proud to announce the commencement of operations at its newest and largest manufacturing facility in Bharuch, Gujarat. Commissioned in April 2025, the facility marks a major milestone in the company's ongoing expansion strategy and will play a pivotal role in enhancing its supply chain efficiency and product availability across key agricultural markets in India. The Bharuch facility will manufacture a wide range of liquid and powder crop protection formulations , significantly augmenting Safex's capacity to meet the rising demand from India's key agricultural belts. With the current capacity of 23,335 MT for liquid products and 51,395 MT of overall production including liquid, powder and granules across facilities in India, the new capacity will add an initial production capacity of 30 MT per day for liquid formulations, scalable up to 80 MT per day. This facility is poised to become a major hub for the company's operations, especially across western, central, and southern India. S K Chaudhary, Chairman at Safex Chemicals said in a statement, 'Our new Bharuch facility marks a significant step in Safex's mission to empower farmers with innovative crop protection solutions. Centrally located, it enhances our supply chain efficiency and responsiveness across key agricultural markets in India. This facility will also act as a dedicated manufacturing base for our agritech platform , Golden Farms. Overall, it represents our seventh largest in India and eighth globally, showcasing Safex's excellence in manufacturing and innovation for both domestic and international markets.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mountain Gear for Extreme Conditions Trek Kit India Learn More Undo As part of Safex's commitment to technology and innovation, the Bharuch facility will feature fully automated production lines and a state-of-the-art R&D centre focused on developing advanced formulations tailored to the evolving needs of Indian farmers. The R&D centre will be pivotal in spearheading product innovations aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability. In alignment with the company's green vision, the plant houses a 100KW solar power unit, contributing to its energy needs through renewable sources. Additionally, Safex has ensured full compliance with environmental regulations, backed by a robust Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) training program that is integral to its operations across locations. Live Events With the current workforce of over 1550 globally, Safex will add approximately 300 direct jobs to the overall workforce. The company also remains committed to fostering strong ties with the local community, for its CSR-led engagement model with transformative projects focused on holistic education, basic amenities and sports.
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Rose Leslie reveals one Game of Thrones scenes she hopes her children never see
Rose Leslie doesn't want her children to watch "the cave scene" from 'Game of Thrones'. The 38-year-old actress and her husband Kit Harington - who got married in June 2018 after meeting on the set of the fantasy series - have two young children together, and while she accepts they will probably discover the HBO show one day, there's one moment she hopes they never see. She told Tatler magazine: "I don't think it's our decision. I think if they wish to see Mum and Dad do their thing – I mean, I'm not talking about the cave scene, I'd rather not – but the other scenes and whatnot [laughs]. "You're right, there is something celebratory about it." The scene in question is the moment their characters Ygritte and Jon Snow get intimate together for the first time in a remote cave. Rose revealed she and Kit, also 38, don't actually watch each other's projects because they're usually been too involved in the creative process by that point. She said: "Oh, it's cringe! You're like, 'Why did I pull that face?' You'd rather just watch something else. "There's no lack of support from either of us, but because we've helped each other with those lines [before shooting], it's work and you park work, because you're at home." However, they recently stumbled on an old episode of 'Game of Thrones' and decided to take a trip down memory lane. Rose recalled: "There are some replays on Sky and with the birth of our daughter, we were up late, feeding and flipping through the channels, and we were like, 'Oh, I wonder what episode is on' and it happened to be one we were both in. "I'm speaking to him in a really high voice. We were so young! We struggle with watching one another, we struggle with watching ourselves." A decade after her three seasons aired, Rose admitted she's still close with "the most wonderful human being" Emilia Clarke, while she didn't make the cut for the 'Game of Thrones' WhatsApp group. She explained: "I'm not on it! It's everybody who made it to the final series, so Kit is in the group. "He speaks to several other cast members, but there's a bond that they all have, because for nearly 10 years those guys were together on the most extraordinary rollercoaster. "And I had the most brilliant time being a part of that and then stepping back and seeing it elevate to the phenomenon that it became."
Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Chennai-based embedUR bets on building small AI models
Chennai: Chennai-based embedUR has partnered with global chip vendors Infineon, ST Micron and Synaptics to build edge artificial intelligence applications. The company is building a library of small AI models for edge applications, i.e. , running AI models in smaller chips for visual applications such as factory floor cameras that can perform image recognition or audio related applications such as denoising without sending the data to the cloud. The company is building a platform called ModelNova which offers pre-trained AI models. 'We have built over 75 models for different applications and created use case stacks for product development and rapid deployment. This acts as a quick proof of concepts and helps quick integration into smart devices,' Rajesh C Subramaniam, chief executive and founder of embedUR. The US and Chennai-based company is an embedded systems company and has developed software solutions for internet of things and networking applications. It has so far invested Rs 100 crore in its Chennai facility and plans to invest 400 crore in the next few years and scale its team to 2000. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trekking pants for mountain sports and adventure travel Trek Kit India Shop Now Undo 'The role in the partnership is to work very closely with the chipset vendors. If you think of the chipset vendors, they are capable of building chips and they need to support their customers in software and models. So they need strong software partners who understand their chip, understand their AI, work with their customers, understand their application,' he said. Subramaniam believes the edge AI business stream will start generating revenue in 2026. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
