Latest news with #Marlo
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
I work full time with my husband – I know all his weaknesses so I can be brutal
Pip Dawes could never get away with pulling a sickie from work or slipping off early. Her husband, Ben is the CEO. The couple, who have been married for more than a decade, co-founded a wine business, rendering them colleagues as well as co-parents to their two small children. 'It can make your relationship very difficult at times; especially when we have big decisions to make,' she says. He annoys her; he finds her disruptive. So how have they not killed each other? 'Sometimes I schedule a meeting with him to get him to take my point seriously' Pip Dawes While my friends have to schedule time to see their husbands, I have the opposite problem – I can't escape him. My husband, Ben Dawes (Dawesey), is bringing up two children together as well as running our fine wine business, Marlo. We've known each other since school, and got together in our 20s, when I'd left university and he'd set up a wine company. I was impressed that he'd been so entrepreneurial and was already working for himself. I never planned for him to be my boss, but once we had children, financially and in terms of flexibility, it made more sense to combine forces. I was first drafted in as a debt collector at Richard Dawes Fine Wine, his original company, which wasn't my area of expertise – I'd been working for a wedding presents company, a job I adored. I found it daunting, stepping away from the independence of my own job into the wine world, which is still very male-dominated, but as we both had parents who ran their own companies, we at least knew what we were letting ourselves into. Much to our amusement, when customers saw the words 'Mrs Dawes' at the bottom of an email, they'd pay their bill immediately. In the office, though, I felt inferior. My husband has an encyclopaedic knowledge of wine, but tell me a name and I'll forget it immediately. I booked myself onto a course as I didn't like the way the boys – Dawesey included – would look at me as if I was talking nonsense. I learnt some facts, but over time I've realised that the most important thing with wine is to know what you like. These days, when Dawsey writes rambling tasting notes on social media, I'll say 'no one really cares about all that – they just want to know what to eat with it'. Just before lockdown, we launched Marlo together, a new business delivering fine wine by the bottle. It's given me my own place within the wine industry: he handles sales, trading on the phone until late into the evening, while I'm in charge of the creative side of the business. We had some hilarious arguments initially about the branding. For him, it's all about functionality, while I like pretty colours and fonts. Thankfully, he gave me a bit of leeway, and we ended up finding a new customer base. It turns out a lot of women shop for wine, and they like the way that our site is less blokey. Dawesey would say I'm quite disruptive, always coming out with ideas, when he wants to get on. He's a head-down-don't-talk kind of worker, while I desperately try to speak to everyone all the time. There have been times when I've had to schedule a meeting with him to get him to take my point seriously. I don't just want to talk about family logistics and what we're having for supper. For those types of conversation, I'll suggest we walk to M&S at lunchtime, so as not to bore the boys in the office. When Dawesey goes away on a tasting or wine tour, I have to pick up all the pieces both at home and in the office, which can seem a bit unfair. We've never had a full-on screaming match in the office, but everyone knows when there's family drama going on. It's taken us years to learn to be good colleagues to each other. We've both taken it further than we should. Dawesey is a real eye roller. When I get on my bandwagon about something, he'll roll his eyes, which only makes me worse. Meanwhile, I know all his weaknesses, so I can be brutal. When it gets heated between us in the office, we'll take it to WhatsApp, and then there might even be a surreptitious finger gesture. We've got better at pulling back, though. We know we're both on the same side. We've also learnt that when you're working and living together, you need to put extra effort into creating a third area of your life away from it all. I now go for a run with a friend at 5:45am every day to vent. Both of us remember times of high stress in our parents' businesses really impacting us as kids, so we do try not to bring office anxiety home. With a family business, if things go south, who will pay the mortgage? The business is thriving, though, so much so that we're expanding. Running your own company is stressful 80 per cent of the time, but there are huge perks: the flexibility for a start, and the sense of pride you get when it works out. Plus, I can never get fired – Dawesey likes to point out that in any other job, I'd have been sacked for constantly forgetting my computer password. I'd say that Marlo has strengthened our marriage. I get to see my husband at his best, doing what he loves, which is very attractive; meanwhile, warring with him at work has taught me how to step away from arguments at home. We've both grown up a lot. I know we probably shouldn't, but we talk about work all the time. The great thing about running a business together is that if we want to try something new, we don't have to consult anyone else. We've brainstormed some of our best new strategies on the beach on holiday. Dawesey loves working for himself, and I love throwing ideas around and watching them get put into play. Lying next to the CEO in bed each night is massively beneficial for career development! 'I sometimes give a roll of the eye and get a glare back' Ben Dawes I worried about Pip joining the company as we'd never worked together, and my office was a very quiet, concise environment. I feared my male-dominated client base would not welcome her fun and bubbly personality. She quickly proved, however, that she was able to do a job I was struggling with – debt collection. It also worked for the family, as she could scoot in late after nursery drop-off. I say late, but I'm a bit of a stickler about timing. If she's not in by 9:15am, questions will be asked. When I watch her pull up, 15 minutes late, having a chinwag with her sister on the phone, I have to remind myself that flexibility is a good thing for our family. It's great to have a female voice in our business. I don't want to be one of those corduroy-style wine merchants from the 1960s. Pip constantly proves me wrong. When we launched Marlo, she was keen to push the wrapping and packaging, and I worried that a banker from JP Morgan wouldn't be bothered with all the tissue paper and a free Tony's chocolate bar. Plus, wrapping takes time. I still don't think the bankers care for it, but our female demographic appreciates that we've taken customer service to the next level and have made fine wine so much more accessible as a gift. Her blue sky thinking and my conservative, practical manner seem to be a good combination when it comes to social media, too. I was concerned about whether, given her lack of knowledge about the product, she should be editing my posts. There might be a selling issue. Yet she comes at it with a marketing mind. She's made the effort to get to a certain level of knowledge, but is insistent that we move away from long tasting notes. Pip is like a dog with a bone once she's got an idea in her head; she won't let go. Tuesday morning, she'll wander in with a bright idea, pitch it without a word of hello, and continue to pitch it over the morning, while the rest of us are trying to get on with the job of buying and selling wine. I sometimes give a glare or roll of the eye and get a glare back, then the conversation swiftly moves to emails and WhatsApps. I quite enjoy it. It's slightly weird to say, but I enjoy the banter. It's never malicious. It's a couple bickering, professionally. It'll all be cleared up on the walk to M&S over lunch or over a glass of wine in the evening. The nature of running your own business is that it never stops; it's all-encompassing. I'm glad that Pip calls me out for being on the phone with international clients too much during the kids' bedtime. She's the voice of reason; children come first at this point. We drink a lot of wine together. I'm selling it, so I've got to try it, and it's good for Pip to know about it if we're sending out an offer. She'd argue there's not enough rosé and champagne coming home, but over a weekend, we'll open a few bottles. We don't finish them, I must add. We do try to remain healthy and make a point of not drinking Monday to Wednesday unless we've got a specific function. In the wine business, you can very quickly fall into bad habits. Pip has always given me a good leash when it comes to going to tastings and wine trips. Professionally, I felt I needed to be around. I've calmed down, though. It seemed a bit harsh, once we had children and started working together: she had to cover everything. I remember going on a week-long business class trip to Argentina and Chile a few years ago and not being as understanding as I should've been. I think my social media posts made her a bit envious. Now I say 'no' a lot more now and try to stick to the tastings that really matter to the business. I never want the children to hear when a deal hasn't worked out. Times can be tough in the wine trade, just as with any business, and of course, stress and anxiety play out. I'm currently trying to master padel to give myself something else to think about. It's great to hang out with friends; I'm a bit of a bore in that I love work and being with my family. One of the great attractions of Pip that had me chasing her around to begin with is that she lights up a room. She's my best mate and I feel incredibly proud that we can hang out together on 24/7 basis – even though she's probably keen to see less of me...
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Marlo Thomas Makes 1st Public Appearance Since Husband Phil Donahue's Death 8 Months Ago
Marlo Thomas stepped out on the red carpet at Family Equality's Night at the Pier eight months after the death of her husband, Phil Donahue. This marked the actress' first public appearance since losing her longtime spouse. At the event on Monday, May 12, Marlo, 87, walked the red carpet in a pink dress, posing for photos in front of the cameras. Once inside of the New York City-based gathering, she took the stage with Demi Moore and Debbie Harry to present the Luigi Caiola Luminary Award to Jason Weinberg and Merritt Johnson. She flashed a smile as Demi, 62, addressed the crowd. Phil died on August 18, 2024, at age 88 from a long illness. After her husband's death, Marlo opened up in an Instagram post about the loss on August 19, 2024, sharing a throwback photo with her late husband. 'Hello, Friends. I'm sure by now you've heard the very sad news that I lost my sweetheart last night, so I know you understand that I'll be stepping away from this page for a while to take care of myself and the many people who took care of Phil, and held him close to their hearts,' she captioned the post. 'But I didn't want to disappear without saying thank you for the beautiful messages of love and support that have been coming in all day, and for the wonderful and generous way that you've let Phil and me share our life adventure with you over the year,' the Friends alum continued. 'As a man who spent his career loving his audiences, Phil got such a kick out of our cozy little community here, and I know he would be very touched by the heartwarming thoughts and memories you've been sharing.' 'Until I return, I wish you good health and happy days in the company of family and friends, and I hope that you will continue to hold close those you cherish most, just as I was blessed to do with my beloved Phillip,' she concluded. 'Love, Marlo P.S. This is one of my favorite photos of Phil and me, taken on vacation.' In the months that followed, Marlo did not appear for her usual segment on Today for St. Jude's Thanks & Giving series that she does annually. The That Girl actress' brother, Tony Thomas, appeared in her place while she remained out of the public eye to grieve the loss of her husband. "For the first time in the 21 years of our series, Marlo is not with us this morning. She's taking some time off after the loss of her beloved husband, Phil Donahue,' host Savannah Guthrie told viewers at home in November 2024. Tony said that Marlo was "doing as best to be expected' in the wake of her husband's death. "She loved her guy, that was a 44-year marriage that was a true love affair," he remarked. "Everybody that called me said, 'I can't believe their marriage was such a love affair and the chemistry.' It was … they were very, very close and I believe it's going [to be] awhile before she can handle this,' Tony added of his sister's marriage to the late talk show host.
Tom's Guide
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
My mom found the perfect comedy-drama movie on Netflix for Mother's Day — and it's packed with emotional twists
Mother's Day is here, which means digging through the best streaming services in search of the perfect movie to watch. This year, my mom stumbled across a comedy-drama on Netflix that we'd never seen before. After reading the premise, I had a feeling it might be just the right pick for the two of us to sit down and enjoy. Now, my mom and I don't usually go for sentimental movies as we're both big horror fans and tend to prefer something with a little more bite. So, agreeing on 'Tully' as our Mother's Day movie was definitely unexpected. But needless to say, it did not disappoint. In fact, it turned out to be surprisingly fitting for the occasion. Charlize Theron stars as a mom of three trying to hold it together while managing the chaos of everyday life. She ends up forming an unexpected, heartfelt bond with her quirky night nanny, and the story that unfolds is funny and grounded, with moments that made us laugh out loud and others that had us glancing at each other during some emotional scenes since we're both susceptible to getting teary now and then. So if you're looking for something that's heartfelt but not cheesy, funny but not fluffy, and leaves you with a lump in your throat and a full heart, here's why you need to stream 'Tully' for Mother's Day. Directed by Jason Reitman, 'Tully' explores the emotional and psychological toll of modern adult life. The story centers on Marlo (Charlize Theron), a worn-out mother of three, including a newborn and a son with behavioral challenges. Overwhelmed and sleep-deprived, Marlo is drifting through her days in a fog of exhaustion and quiet despair. When her wealthy brother offers to pay for a night nanny to help with the baby, Marlo reluctantly agrees. Enter Tully (Mackenzie Davis), a free-spirited and enigmatic young woman who arrives in the night and brings a sense of calm, joy, and renewal into Marlo's chaotic world. As Tully tends to the baby and encourages Marlo to reconnect with herself, the two women form an unexpected bond. But as the nights go on, their relationship deepens in surprising ways, revealing truths about identity, aging, and the versions of ourselves we leave behind. I didn't expect to be wiping tears from my eyes by the time the credits rolled on 'Tully.' Since we went into this movie pretty blind, which meant avoiding the trailer, we had no idea just how emotional and heartwarming it would be. So if you're planning on watching this too, you'll probably need tissues on hand. 'Tully' is a movie that felt painfully real, deeply human and way more layered than I could've predicted. It's one of those rare comedy-dramas that manages to be emotionally rich without ever tipping into melodrama. The narrative weaves in the tiny sacrifices, the dull ache of exhaustion, and the quiet identity crisis that can sneak up on someone after years of putting everyone else first. And it handles all of this with a surprising amount of grace. Charlize Theron plays Marlo, a mother of three, whose life has become a blur of night feedings, packed lunches, and barely-contained frustration. When her brother offers to pay for a night nanny to help her cope, she reluctantly agrees. Then comes along Tully, played with infectious energy and charm by Mackenzie Davis, who seems to have boundless optimism and insight. Their connection is weird, funny, sweet, and (without giving anything away) surprisingly complex. 'Tully' ends up being incredibly compelling in how it navigates the emotional terrain without feeling forced. Diablo Cody's script is sharp, funny, and honest, and it doesn't point fingers at anyone who might be considered a 'villain' in this story. Instead, it focuses on characters who feel real, and that Marlo and her husband, Drew (Ron Livingston), are navigating parenthood in their own ways. Rather than going big or dramatic, 'Tully' finds its strength in the mundane. One of the most affecting scenes doesn't involve a meltdown or major plot twist, but just Marlo sitting on the couch scrolling through her phone while her baby naps on her chest. Nothing 'happens' in the traditional sense, but everything about the moment feels achingly real, and you can feel the weight of her isolation. At the heart of it all is Theron's performance as an exhausted mother who just needs extra support. She's both biting and vulnerable, delivering one of her most grounded (and somehow underrated) roles to date. Davis, meanwhile, brings a manic pixie dream nanny energy that could easily feel too twee in lesser hands, but here, it's used to make a sharper point about identity and escapism. And the two of them work really well together, providing comedy on screen and a heartfelt relationship that gives this story meaning. 'Tully' is very much a small-stakes story, but like the best of them, it lingers and evokes some pretty strong emotions. I won't spoil too much, but if you are seeking the drama, the movie definitely throws in some emotional surprises in the final act, which is something my mom and I did not expect. What makes 'Tully' such a great Mother's Day pick isn't just its subject matter but about its honesty. It captures those unspoken feelings so many people carry but rarely say out loud, and it does it without judgment. Whether you're watching it with your mom, by yourself, or with someone who just needs to feel seen, this is the kind of movie that opens up quiet conversations and leaves a lasting impression. If you're looking for something heartfelt but grounded, 'Tully' is a perfect choice, and you'll find it waiting for you on Netflix. Just keep in mind that 'Tully' leaves Netflix in a few days on May 15, so if you're planning on watching this soon, add it to your watchlist now. It's definitely not one to miss. For more streaming recommendations, see what's new on Netflix in May 2025, or stream "Tully" on Netflix now for the perfect Mother's Day watch.
CNN
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Look of the Week: Miley Cyrus is the latest star to embrace power dressing
Dress for the job you want? If that's the case, one might wonder what the stars are trying to tell us with their embrace of big shoulders and skirt-suits that seem more fitting for the boardroom than an off-duty afternoon. Miley Cyrus is the latest in a slew of celebs opting for power dressing outfits, defined by exaggerated shoulders and sharp tailored cuts. Among her several statement-making outfits in Paris this week, the singer was photographed wearing a Saint Laurent look that some took to be a nod to the maximalist style of the 1980s. Referencing the shoulder pads and oversized jackets embraced by the office-dwelling men and women of the era, Dazed called the outfit 'Reagan realness,' while one Instagram user asked: 'Are the trading room floors from Reagan-era America in the room with us (?)' Embrace of the power dressing style can be seen as a way of asserting confidence and coping in a turbulent world. The trend also carries a sense of nostalgia, particularly for its heyday in the 1980s, when shoulder pads and clothing with strong silhouettes became a way for women to project authority and success in the workplace. The head-to-toe Saint Laurent outfit was a far cry from Cyrus' usual aesthetic, which tends to favor lower necklines and cut-out designs. Cinched below the waist with an orange leather belt, her oversized, wide-shouldered leather jacket was the centerpiece. She completed her color-blocked ensemble with a red lambskin pencil skirt and green leather gloves, styled with sheer tights and spindly stiletto heels. Also spotted in Paris and embracing an oversized silhouette was Kendall Jenner, who — wearing a white scoop neck tunic and billowing black trousers — looked like a walking lookbook for The Row, the brand by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, whose minimalistic designs are frequently worn by the model. (In Jenner's hand was the label's $5,600 Marlo bag, which she has been toting around since the roomy style debuted last month.) 'In another universe she runs an art gallery where you trust everything she says,' was one social media user's take on the look, which was enhanced by Jenner's summer-friendly bob. The short hair has itself become a mainstay in power-dressing. It is perhaps best epitomized by Leslie Bibb's iconic cut, made famous by the latest season of 'The White Lotus'. Bibb's bob has lent itself well to power suiting, leaving her shoulders on full display to model boxy blazers and dramatic overcoats. Another advocate of the office-friendly style is Daisy Edgar-Jones who sported smart, minimalist styles during her 'On Swift Horses' press tour in April. That included a gray wool skirt-suit gray pumps and rectangular sunglasses. The monochrome look came straight off Calvin Klein's fall-winter 2025 runway, which marked creative director's Veronica Leoni debut for the label. Although gray-on-gray sounds like it ought to belong to the depths of uninspired office fashion, Edgar-Jones looked fresh and fuss-free. The actress also wore a more daring take on the trend in an ensemble from Shanghai-based label Shushu/Tong's spring-summer 2025 collection. Despite being conservative in length, the pencil skirt appeared to have its zip intentionally undone at the waist, revealing another layer of fabric underneath. It was paired with a cropped navy V-neck bustier top with a white collar. It takes a lot of confidence to show up to work in a cropped sweater and with your zipper seemingly undone. But if Cyrus, Jenner and Edgar-Jones are anything to go by in this new age of power dressing, perhaps these daring styles hold the key to getting what you want.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'I've been wearing them forever': Marlo Thomas' go-to Keds are down to $37 (35% off)
Marlo Thomas never stops inspiring us. As That Girl, she served as a role model for a generation. And her ongoing commitment to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, carrying on the work of her father, cements her status as a legend with as much heart as talent. But we also can't help fawning over her fashion choices. In an interview with New York magazine, the Emmy winner shared a collection of products she simply can't live without, including a pair of Keds Champion Sneakers. She said she owns them in a "million colors," but that she wears the simple white ones the most. Makes total sense: Of course, this elegant icon appreciates an all-time classic of streamlined simplicity. Want to copy her look? You can snap up your own pair of Keds now at Amazon for nearly 35% off. Keds Champions are a heckuva bargain — nearly 35% off at Amazon, depending on the size. This is the lowest price we've found for these classic kicks across the internet, so, uh, yeah, we definitely recommend snagging your favorite pair now. "All the cool kids wear Converse, but I love my Keds," Marlo told New York Magazine. "I've been wearing them forever and have them in a million colors. I wear my white ones the most, usually when I'm walking to the store or just loafing around. They're very comfortable and aren't cumbersome. So many shoes now have a life of their own, but I like these because they're more streamlined." Champions are the brand's iconic original sneaker, which first debuted more than a century ago, in 1916, and have been beloved ever since. This was the first rubber-soled canvas shoe of its kind — and, though there have been many imitators, Keds remains the biggest name in canvas lace-ups. They have a timeless, instantly recognizable silhouette and they pair nicely with anything you might wear. With denim? Classic look. With a flouncy dress? What a quirky twist on casual cute! With work clothes? That'll definitely work — they're simple and clean enough to complement business casual attire. Adding a pair to your wardrobe will ensure you have the perfect fallback shoe for nearly every outfit. They're available in a ton of sizes, widths and colors — but if you're going for the true classic look, you'll want to grab 'em in crisp white! Along with countless millions who have worn and loved Keds over the brand's 100+ year history, nearly 21,000 Amazon shoppers adore these sneakers. "I have been wearing Keds since grammar school," wrote a longtime fan. "These traditional white canvas Keds have not changed in all these years." "I love these shoes. I work in a hospital and wear them every day I work," said another shopper, who praised their versatility and their grippy soles. "Great with dresses. Cleans easily. Floor grip is amazing. Good fit and a fun shoe!" A Keds (and classic movie) devotee said, "Been buying these Keds for at least 20 years because of Baby from Dirty Dancing [wearing them], lol, but this was my first time buying them from Amazon, and I'm impressed! Sometimes even nice brands have noticeable imperfections on shoes when ordering off here, but not Keds!!! Amazing...!" If you deal with foot pain, these comfy sneakers might be a great option. "Every lady needs a lil' white pair of sneakers, and these are just perfect. Extremely comfortable and supportive for those who need that extra arch support that you don't find in many of these types of sneaker," said a happy customer. While shoppers generally can't stop raving about the shoes, this reviewer did note that she felt hers were "loose around the back of the heel," but added in their five-star review, "Keds are a good everyday walking sneaker, have always loved the profile." Another thing shoppers note is the flexible fabric. "It is a thin shoe, so expect some creasing when you squat and things like that," explained one shopper in their four-star review. If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.) The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
