Latest news with #Sophie
Express Tribune
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Ditch AI filters, consume real art
If you're an artist or just someone who admires the effort that goes into drawing and animation, you must have strong feelings about the heaps of AI-generated art that's been plaguing social media for a long time now. The recent trend of AI-generated images that has beguiled netizens recreates the visual style of Studio Ghibli's signature 2D animation. And if there are any doubts as to where the studio's founder — Hayao Miyazaki — would stand, here are his views on machine-created art that resurfaced after OpenAI launched its update: "I strongly feel that this is an insult to life itself." In case you're not aware of what Studio Ghibli films are, I — first and foremost - express my deepest sympathies that you had to learn through this trend, but I am also happy to inform you that you've come to the right place. If your curiosity is pushing you to find out what life looks like through the Ghibli lens, you need not wait any longer. Here are four of the studio's films to introduce you to the painstakingly hand-drawn and remarkably emotive world of animation — or, if you're a fan, to trick you into a binge watch. 'Howl's Moving Castle' It has become culturally imperative to begin your Ghibli journey with this one. Howl's Moving Castle follows Sophie, a young woman cursed by a jealous witch to transform into an old lady due to the witch's affection for Howl, a vagabond wizard who crosses paths with Sophie in the beginning. As the curse makes our protagonist forget her identity, she accidentally moves in with Howl's motley crew and helps them out with domestic duties, oblivious to the fact that the solution to her problem is nearby. If the found-family trope is an easy way to your heart, this film will win you over no sweat while serving you an extra slice of tender romance. Although a stunningly serene film, it strikes a fine balance between wholesome moments and gut-wrenching reality that'll have you aching for more. 'Kiki's Delivery Service' If you like witchcraft in your media and are looking for more magic after Howl's Moving Castle, you'll find it all in Kiki's Delivery Service. This coming-of-age fantasy story follows Kiki, a young witch who heads out of home to fulfill her desire for self-exploration. Aside from flaunting the picturesque world of Studio Ghibli, this film is your reassurance that hardships are a necessary part of growing up on your own. From introducing animal companions to unexpected friends, it reminds you that every step out of your comfort zone is worth the anticipation. 'The Secret World of Arrietty' If you grew up adoring Thumbelina or illustrated tales of a similar nature, it might be time to indulge your inner child with this heartwarming film. The Secret World of Arrietty follows its titular character in a miniature world as she "borrows" from the world of the much-larger humans for a living. Everything seems to be working in her family's favour until they are discovered by the humans and must fend for themselves. Packing compelling visuals that every Ghibli film is decked with, this feature stands out for its immersive look into the world that exists around us, just much bigger. If you're in the mood of a story that champions hope and courage, you wouldn't want to miss this one. 'Spirited Away' Ever wondered what your most inexplicable dreams would look like onscreen? Spirited Away is your answer. It focuses on Chihiro, a ten-year-old girl who visits an amusement park with her family but soon realises that something is off, though her protests are dismissed by her parents. After a mysterious meal turns them into pigs, it is up to Chihiro to bring them back by stepping into the world of uncanny supernatural beings. Released at a time when animation was seen as a form of entertainment reserved only for children, Spirited Away would sooner be a kid's nightmare than a fond core memory to look back on. But for grownups who don't mind being unnerved, the film's appeal lies in its unsettling elements and melancholic storyline. Does hope prevail in the end? Find out for yourself.
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
'Every child will have contact with a stranger online'
Sophie was just 17 when she was contacted online by someone she believed to be a boy of her own age. Having just split from her boyfriend, Sophie - not her real name - admits she was feeling low and lacking self-confidence, so welcomed his attention. "He told me I was pretty and we chatted on and off for about a month or so on various social media platforms," she says. He asked her to send him some pictures, which she did. "I didn't think much of it," she says. He then told her she could make money from the pictures, and asked for more, including sexually explicit shots. "So I began sending him pictures of what he asked for. Before too long, it was videos and I was in way too deep," she says. Sophie realised something was amiss when people began to contact her to say they had seen the videos. The "boy" asked her for more photos and video, this time of her with others, and she never received any money. "I felt like I was in a mess and it was all too much," she says. Sophie is one of hundreds of people who have been helped by Bedford-based charity Link to Change. It offers help, support and guidance to young people aged from seven to 26 in four areas of exploitation: sexual, criminal, online and financial. Operating for 20 years, its clients are referred by organisations including police and schools, as well as parents. "At some point, every child will have contact with a stranger online," warns Hayley Brown, its chief executive. "Find me a young person that doesn't have a phone or a tablet, and if a young person has a phone or tablet, there is a way and means they can be contacted," she says. What is crucial, she adds, are the decisions made after that contact. "It's about being able to have those conversations with young people and make them aware of what's happening." "There needs to be more around what we are doing in society," says Ms Brown. "We can blame the social media companies; however, what we have is a generational gap, around young people, technology that they are using and parents' knowledge and understanding around that." Parents, she says, have a "fine line" to negotiate as young people's critical thinking will not be fully developed. "What they think might be a wise decision might not be a wise decision," she warns. Everyone, she says, needs to be aware of grooming "as it's a natural process" that builds trust. The groomer could be an older male, she says, but "could be their best friend, someone in their class, someone the same age as them". As the mother of a 13-year-old herself, she says: "There's an element of needing to trust my child but also being able to know and monitor what they are doing. "So many young people are scared to report something that's happened to them as they're scared of the trouble they'll get in. It's not the young person's fault. "They're not asked to be groomed. In society, we put the blame on children, but this is abuse; this child has been abused." If you have been affected by the issues raised in this article, help and support is available via BBC Action Line. Demand for the charity's services are up: its referrals have increased by 233% in four years. "We are at a point where our waiting list is so high, we're having a battle with our capacity," Ms Brown says. But she says it is worth it, because the charity has a 98% success rate in helping people exit exploitation. "We will not close a young person's case until all aspects of their life are on track," she says. While it is still unclear who Sophie's groomer was, she says the support she received "helped change my life". "They helped me to understand what had happened to me - it wasn't my fault," she says. "I had one-to-one support for about eight months in total. "They helped not only with the exploitation, but to be able to build my confidence and self-esteem and my mental health struggles." James Simmonds-Read, national programme manager for The Children's Society, says online spaces can be "hugely positive" for young people. They can be places to learn, to connect and have fun, but can also be used by abusers to "exploit and groom". "That's why it is so important for adults to build open, trusting relationships where children can tell them anything without fear of judgement while also staying alert to signs of potential harm, and speaking up if something doesn't feel right," he says. "Children won't always realise they're being groomed - that's why adults need to stay switched on to the signs." These can include: Sudden changes in behaviour, particularly after time online Mentioning or meeting new friends they met on gaming or social apps Talking about offers of making "easy money" Being secretive or withdrawn about online activities He advises anyone with concerns to report them to the police and to contact the platform where any incidents of grooming, exploitation, or abuse are taking place. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. 'I was groomed and exploited at parties aged 14' Child sex abuse survivors demand ring-fenced funding New exploitation hub builds 'team around a child' Bedfordshire Violence and Exploitation Reduction The Children's Society Link To Change
BBC News
a day ago
- Health
- BBC News
'Every child will have contact with a stranger online'
Sophie was just 17 when she was contacted online by someone she believed to be a boy of her own age. Having just split from her boyfriend, Sophie - not her real name - admits she was feeling low and lacking self-confidence, so welcomed his attention."He told me I was pretty and we chatted on and off for about a month or so on various social media platforms," she asked her to send him some pictures, which she did. "I didn't think much of it," she then told her she could make money from the pictures, and asked for more, including sexually explicit shots."So I began sending him pictures of what he asked for. Before too long, it was videos and I was in way too deep," she realised something was amiss when people began to contact her to say they had seen the "boy" asked her for more photos and video, this time of her with others, and she never received any money."I felt like I was in a mess and it was all too much," she says. Sophie is one of hundreds of people who have been helped by Bedford-based charity Link to offers help, support and guidance to young people aged from seven to 26 in four areas of exploitation: sexual, criminal, online and for 20 years, its clients are referred by organisations including police and schools, as well as parents. "At some point, every child will have contact with a stranger online," warns Hayley Brown, its chief executive."Find me a young person that doesn't have a phone or a tablet, and if a young person has a phone or tablet, there is a way and means they can be contacted," she is crucial, she adds, are the decisions made after that contact."It's about being able to have those conversations with young people and make them aware of what's happening." "There needs to be more around what we are doing in society," says Ms Brown."We can blame the social media companies; however, what we have is a generational gap, around young people, technology that they are using and parents' knowledge and understanding around that."Parents, she says, have a "fine line" to negotiate as young people's critical thinking will not be fully developed."What they think might be a wise decision might not be a wise decision," she warns. Everyone, she says, needs to be aware of grooming "as it's a natural process" that builds groomer could be an older male, she says, but "could be their best friend, someone in their class, someone the same age as them". As the mother of a 13-year-old herself, she says: "There's an element of needing to trust my child but also being able to know and monitor what they are doing."So many young people are scared to report something that's happened to them as they're scared of the trouble they'll get in. It's not the young person's fault."They're not asked to be groomed. In society, we put the blame on children, but this is abuse; this child has been abused." If you have been affected by the issues raised in this article, help and support is available via BBC Action Line. Demand for the charity's services are up: its referrals have increased by 233% in four years."We are at a point where our waiting list is so high, we're having a battle with our capacity," Ms Brown she says it is worth it, because the charity has a 98% success rate in helping people exit exploitation. "We will not close a young person's case until all aspects of their life are on track," she says. While it is still unclear who Sophie's groomer was, she says the support she received "helped change my life". "They helped me to understand what had happened to me - it wasn't my fault," she says."I had one-to-one support for about eight months in total. "They helped not only with the exploitation, but to be able to build my confidence and self-esteem and my mental health struggles." James Simmonds-Read, national programme manager for The Children's Society, says online spaces can be "hugely positive" for young can be places to learn, to connect and have fun, but can also be used by abusers to "exploit and groom"."That's why it is so important for adults to build open, trusting relationships where children can tell them anything without fear of judgement while also staying alert to signs of potential harm, and speaking up if something doesn't feel right," he says."Children won't always realise they're being groomed - that's why adults need to stay switched on to the signs."These can include:Sudden changes in behaviour, particularly after time onlineMentioning or meeting new friends they met on gaming or social appsTalking about offers of making "easy money"Being secretive or withdrawn about online activitiesHe advises anyone with concerns to report them to the police and to contact the platform where any incidents of grooming, exploitation, or abuse are taking place. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
CNBC
2 days ago
- Business
- CNBC
Couple bought a homestead for $390,000, spent $13,000 on DIY renovations: Their No. 1 takeaway after a year on the land
In 2023, Sophie Hilaire Goldie, 37, and Rocky Goldie, 50, had just finished converting a friend's Home Depot shed into a tiny home and were ready to start looking for their own place together. "If it wasn't for meeting her, I probably would have ended up in a little shack," Rocky tells CNBC Make It. "I took a long way to get here but I wanted to be some type of homesteader when we met. She had the same vision and it's not common to meet somebody who does." "He also wanted to be living off the land and homesteading," Sophie adds. "But he didn't have this big grand vision of all these buildings. He just wanted something simple." The couple started their search on Zillow with a specific list of requirements that included "at least 10 acres of land" and located "deep in rural Kentucky." "We love old things and antiques, so we wanted a place with some history. We were actually looking for a fixer-upper that had some history, and we weren't really finding great stuff on Zillow," Sophie says. A local photographer connected the couple to a realtor who found them a 37.5-acre homestead for around $390,000. The property had two log cabins from the 1840s that had been combined to make one 2,200 square foot house — with four bedrooms and one bathroom — and one 200 square foot cabin and two barns. "I think I had been waiting my whole life to finally come home. There were elements of the shed that felt like that but this place, more than anything, felt right. I knew it would be the last time I was moving and where I'll spend the rest of my life," Sophie says. "I knew I wanted to put so much energy into these surrounding acres and this view. Finding home in Rocky and this home felt like I could finally let go of the burden I was carrying on trying to find a place." When the couple first visited the property, it was in pretty bad shape. There was poison ivy in the front yard, the sidewalk had cracks, and there was garbage everywhere. But Sophie felt optimistic. "I knew we were going to buy this house before we even stepped foot into it," she says. "I saw all of the promise. With me and my husband working on this place full time, in a few years we could transform this place." "I knew it looked terrible but I could see underneath all of it," she adds. Rocky was less sure but says he was swayed by his wife's enthusiasm. "I thought it was going to be a lot of work and that it was beautiful," he says. "Sophie was always talking about the pros and I was talking the cons, but she convinced me." "I think we balance each other out that way. I'm toxically optimistic and Rocky is pessimistic, but I knew there was no way we weren't going to live here," Sophie adds, laughing. Sophie and Rocky closed on the property in early 2024. The couple secured a 30-year mortgage with a minimum monthly payment of $1,790.18 and plan to pay it off in under five years. Since moving in a year ago, Sophie and Rocky have focused on doing renovations around the house and the property themselves. The couple estimates they've spent about $13,000 so far: $9,000 on tools and $4,000 on the interior of the house. That doesn't include the hundreds of hours the couple has spent doing things like clearing out old trees and bushes, getting rid of all the poison ivy on the property and getting rid of an infestation of brown recluse spiders — one of two spiders in North America with dangerous venom, the other being the Black Widow. Sophie says that when she looks back on the first year of living on the homestead, she splits it into two categories: the work and their mindset. "The first part of the year was a lot of clearing. This place was covered in trash and so it was a lot of trips to the dump. It was a lot of sorting through that stuff before we even took it to the dump. It was also the chaos of having way too many animals and that is completely my fault and I knew it, but I also couldn't stop myself," she says. "I think that first year was really hard and it's hard to even go back to that place but it was also so amazing and exciting. There was an endless amount of things to do, but it was all fun and exciting." Sophie and Rocky have also added new things to the grounds like a garden, many fruit and nut trees and over 30 animals, including chickens, a goat, guinea fowls and cats. On top of the additions to the grounds, the couple has also started renovations on the house, including redoing the kitchen, the bathroom and organizing the rooms throughout the house. The two are trying to set themselves up to be as self-sustainable as possible, too. They eat the eggs from the chickens in the barn and use the milk from the goat to make cheese, creamer, and to bake. The hope is to also use the material they get from the clearing to make their own hay. "We've got our own eggs. We've got fruit. This will be the first year that we will be canning, which I learned from one of our neighbors," Sophie says. "One of the rooms we're redoing to make it into a canning room, which is going to have who knows how many months worth of food ready to go." Now that the couple has been living on the property for a little over a year, Sophie says the most significant lesson she's learned is the impact a person can have on a piece of the planet. "We came here and now you can see how, as long as there are two people here working on this most of the time, you could take a place that was so neglected and change it," she says. "Now we see the rapid abundance of all the work we put into it. It makes you think so much more about the impact that we have on the planet, especially in stewarding this one piece of land. It's a big responsibility because you have a lot of power to do good or bad." For Rocky, the biggest lesson he's learned is who he is outside of his career. He served in the Marines for several years before transitioning to a career in maintenance, which spanned over 20 years. "He was so tied to that identity and when I told him to quit his job and homestead full-time, I saw the sirens going off in his head," Sophie says. "Since he quit, I ask every few months or so how he feels and every time his answer is the same, he forgot to even think about the fact that he quit his job." "It's ingrained into you in this culture that people identify themselves with their jobs. The job becomes your identity and even if you've got somewhat of a plan of how you want to live like we did, it was still scary to let go of that lifeline," Rocky says. "When I left, I thought I would probably sit back and think about what I would be doing at work today but it never happened. The only thought that I have now is why I didn't do it sooner." Sophie and Rocky have no plans of ever selling their property, and are excited to continue working on the homestead, growing Sophie's skincare company, Seoul + Soil, and sharing their journey on YouTube. "I look forward to the day when it's not all these huge projects and all the major stuff is one and then we're just sitting around dilly-dallying and doing our hobbies," Sophie says. "I always want to keep learning and eventually spend half of my day just sitting here doing a hobby." Similar to Sophie, Rocky looks forward to the time when he can simply enjoy his hobbies. "I love to read and learn something, so I would say my goal would be to get to the point where I could do day on, day off of reading, learn something and then go practically apply it the next day," Rocky says. "I sit and think about what my goal is but it's more of a feeling and I kind of already have that feeling where I can sit back and just feel at peace and there's nowhere else in the world I would rather be. I think I'm already at the destination." ,
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Fashion fans go wild as popular 90s trend RETURNS to Primark – the £14 buy is so ‘cool' & ‘smoothes over your figure'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FASHION fans are going wild as a popular 90s and early 2000s trend has returned to shelves in Primark. So if you're looking for fashion that's super nostalgic, then you've come to the right place. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Shoppers are going wild as an iconic trend has landed on shelves in Primark Credit: TikTok/@sostylishsoph 4 Not only are the new capri trousers super purse-friendly, but they're said to "smooth over your figure" too Credit: TikTok/@sostylishsoph 4 The Gingham Capri Pants are now available for £14 Credit: Primark 4 According to Primark bosses, they are a 'comfortable option that's perfect for everyday wear" Credit: Primark Sophie Hawkins, a size 12 fashionista from Cardiff Bay, Wales, who recently showed off the best pair of stretchy shorts from H&M, has now taken to social media to show off her latest Primark haul, leaving many totally stunned. After taking a trip to her local Primark, Sophie nabbed all things from a matching blue co-ord and an orange swimsuit, to a black mini dress and a beach cover-up. But it was Primark's new Gingham Capri Pants that left her particularly impressed. Posting online, Sophie showed off her new fashion finds and styled her new £14 capri pants with the matching £12 top. She accessorised the outfit with a pair of gold heels and a gold bag, as well as a pair of stylish sunglasses. Alongside her short clip, the high-street shopper, who is 'addicted to fashion', wrote: 'Am I trying to be Gretchen Wieners making fetch happen with a capri pant or do they need to be returned?' The capri pants, which are decorated with an all-over gingham print, are sure to turn heads this season. According to Primark bosses, shoppers will 'level up' their new season rotation and 'embrace warm weather days in style with these must-have capri pants'. The iconic trousers, which first gained popularity in the 1950s and 60s, saw a major resurgence in the late 90s and early 2000s, feature a summer-ready gingham print that instantly draws the eye. They are cut to a cropped length that's 'perfect for sun-soaked moments' and the soft fabric has a handy stretch to it. 'I need it all ASAP!' fashion fans gasp as Primark prepares to drop new summer range, including a 'beach bag of dreams' As a result, those at Primark have described these pants as a 'comfortable option that's perfect for everyday wear.' Not only this, but Primark bosses have also claimed that the cropped design 'adds to their cool and casual appeal'. Why Primark is great for looking expensive on a budget By Clemmie Feildsend, Fabulous Fashion Editor AS someone who's no stranger to grabbing a last-minute outfit from Primark for a night out, it's about time that celebrities started catching on too. For as long as I've been heading out, Primark has been my go-to for those 'I have nothing to wear' moments, rushing in at the last minute to find something perfect. And I'm definitely not alone - on any Friday or Saturday night, you'll find plenty of shoppers doing the same thing, right before closing time. But no matter what, Primark always delivers. Now, Rita Ora is leading the charge, showing that you can snag a designer-worthy look without spending a fortune at high-end stores. While Rita's not rushing in last minute for a red carpet outfit, she's proving you can achieve the same high-impact style for much less. Looking stunning in her tailored suit alongside her mum Vera, Rita fit right in among the other A-listers dripping in Prada, Dior, and Victoria Beckham - if anything, she looked even better than some of the guests at The Fashion Awards. With Myleene Klass and Roxy Horner already jumping on the Primark bandwagon, I'm sure more stars will be following suit soon enough. And that's not all, as these pants also feature a 'flattering slim fit that smoothes effortlessly over your figure.' Many will be pleased to know that sizes range from a 6 to a size 20 and these capri pants are now available to order on the website's new Click & Collect feature. Fashion fans react The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @sostylishsoph, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 156,000 views. Not only this, but it's also amassed 4,006 likes, 42 comments and 586 saves too. Absolutely gorgeous TikTok user Fashion fans were left open-mouthed by Sophie's haul and many raced to the comments to share their thoughts. One person said: 'Pedal pushers!! Used to love those back in the 90s.' Top Primark summer buys IF you're looking for more Primark summer buys, then you've come to the right place. Shoppers have recently been raving about the new Miffy PJs from Primark. Others were desperate to nab the new leopard print nightwear. If animal print is your thing, you'll want to check out the new maxi skirts. The haltnerneck tops are perfect for summer. If you're on a budget, these trousers are identical to a pair from Zara, but without the hefty price tag. There's brilliant travel essentials for less than £10. And if you plan on heading to the beach, you won't want to miss these crochet bags. Another added: 'All these outfits look amazing on you.' A third commented: 'All looks stunning!!' Meanwhile, someone else beamed: 'Absolutely gorgeous.' Not only this, but another fashionista chimed in: 'Need the little orange outfit.' Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club
