Latest news with #TheSanctuary
News.com.au
21-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Beachside builders reveal affordable tricks to improve your home
With millions of views online and millions of dollars spent on their houses, influencers Corinne and Shane Wynhoven have learned how to make a home stand out from the crowd. After selling a business of theirs in 2020, the owner-occupiers left their corporate careers for the home building profession. Despite taking care of a new child and dealing with the sudden arrival of Covid, the two finished and sold their first house in Mermaid Waters for $4.35 million, making a suburb record. Now living in their second build and working on their next two projects, Mr Wynhoven said they'd have never built their dream home if they didn't put the work in themselves. 'We don't come from a construction background,' he said, 'but we just got stuck in and weren't afraid of those challenges.' 'The key is, one: having the confidence to do it, [and] two: having enthusiasm and the know-how to get into it. Because it can be a bit daunting and a bit frustrating at times, but the risk is certainly worth the reward.' Through making their houses together, the couple have gained a combined 53,000 followers across Instagram and Facebook. The two lived in their first Mermaid Waters home before they sold it, and planned to do the same with their second, named 'The Sanctuary'. However, personal touches like their hotel-style home bar and other user-friendly features made them realise they wanted to keep it as their forever home. Mrs Wynhoven said many of those features were possible on a much smaller budget. 'We really focus on the key rooms,' she said, mentioning areas like the kitchen and the laundry. 'People mentally move in when they fall in love with these spaces … we always want to bring a wow factor, but we want it to be practical as well.' One example of this was when she positioned the laundry machines and baskets to be at standing level, making chores that little bit easier during the day. 'I just wanted to seamlessly go through from one side to the other,' she said. 'That was, for me, important.' Meanwhile, Mrs Wynhoven said large artworks, no matter the price tag, could set the tone for a room by its presence alone. 'I was always scared of artwork – I thought, 'I don't know anything about art,'' she said. 'But now I just see such value in how much it brings colour; it brings a vibe.' Mr Wynhoven added that while good furniture and flooring are always valuable in a home, the fittings and handles can be underrated features. 'We use a supplier called ABI, which do these brass fittings,' he said, and added he found it shockingly affordable. 'Upgrading your fittings and handles and so on … is a really easy win in those spaces.' The number one piece of advice the couple had for people working on their own homes is to commit to the improvements. 'Don't be afraid to go big,' Mr Wynhoven said. 'You often see people skimping in areas where they could have easily had, if they'd just went with a little more effort, come up with something a lot more grand.' 'Just be bold and go for it.'
The Age
13-05-2025
- The Age
Business class at sea: Exclusive, luxury areas on big ships take off
This article is part of Traveller's Holiday Guide to ocean cruising. See all stories. For a long time, the only way for cruise passengers to differentiate themselves from the riff-raff was to upgrade their cabin or suite, have dinner in a specialty restaurant, or book themselves onto a more luxurious cruise ship. Then budget cruise lines had a lightbulb moment. If hotels can have executive lounges, sports stadiums have corporate boxes and airlines have business and first class lounges, why can't cruise ships do something similar? And so the oddly named ship-within-a-ship zone was introduced. MSC's Yacht Club and Norwegian Cruise Line's The Haven were the pioneers in the 'noughties'. Others are Celebrity Cruises' The Retreat, Princess Cruises' The Sanctuary, and Loft 19 on Carnival Cruise Line. Holland America and Royal Caribbean don't have such zones, although passengers in certain suites have access to a dedicated lounge and additional services. The ship-within-a-ship is an exclusive, cost-additional area that looks nicer, has more upscale furnishings and offers better amenities and service. It's usually located on a high deck with open views. Think boutique hotel wedged inside a large corporate hotel and you get the picture. What you get in such retreats varies between cruise lines and even between ships of the same line, but you'll probably enjoy a small swimming pool, hot tubs, sundeck with cabanas and a bar. A restaurant will offer upmarket dining, which won't require reservations. Celebrity Cruises' Luminae, for example, has a menu created by French Michelin-star chef Daniel Boulud.
Sydney Morning Herald
13-05-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Business class at sea: Exclusive, luxury areas on big ships take off
This article is part of Traveller's Holiday Guide to ocean cruising. See all stories. For a long time, the only way for cruise passengers to differentiate themselves from the riff-raff was to upgrade their cabin or suite, have dinner in a specialty restaurant, or book themselves onto a more luxurious cruise ship. Then budget cruise lines had a lightbulb moment. If hotels can have executive lounges, sports stadiums have corporate boxes and airlines have business and first class lounges, why can't cruise ships do something similar? And so the oddly named ship-within-a-ship zone was introduced. MSC's Yacht Club and Norwegian Cruise Line's The Haven were the pioneers in the 'noughties'. Others are Celebrity Cruises' The Retreat, Princess Cruises' The Sanctuary, and Loft 19 on Carnival Cruise Line. Holland America and Royal Caribbean don't have such zones, although passengers in certain suites have access to a dedicated lounge and additional services. The ship-within-a-ship is an exclusive, cost-additional area that looks nicer, has more upscale furnishings and offers better amenities and service. It's usually located on a high deck with open views. Think boutique hotel wedged inside a large corporate hotel and you get the picture. What you get in such retreats varies between cruise lines and even between ships of the same line, but you'll probably enjoy a small swimming pool, hot tubs, sundeck with cabanas and a bar. A restaurant will offer upmarket dining, which won't require reservations. Celebrity Cruises' Luminae, for example, has a menu created by French Michelin-star chef Daniel Boulud.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Things to do around Tuscaloosa for Feb. 20-26
This week in West Alabama, Feb. 20-26, tickets for Blake Shelton at the Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater go on sale; Fiddle Fest at Shelton; the Pink Box Burlesque at Nocturnal Tavern; Africana Film Festival on the UA campus; "Odd Couple" concludes; Oscar-nominated shorts at the Bama Theatre; third social justice sing-along at DCBC, and more. MUSIC FRIDAY Riff Johnson: 7-10 p.m., The Sanctuary on 25th, 1710 25th Ave., Tuscaloosa. SATURDAY Ninth Annual Fiddle Fest and Southeast Fiddle Championship: Beginning at 8 a.m., Shelton State Community College. Celebrating bluegrass and fiddle music, free admission to enter, with arts, crafts, food vendors and family activities. Rock Bottom String Band: 6 p.m., Druid City Brewing Co., 700 14th St., Parkview Plaza, Tuscaloosa. Three's Company: Roll Call, rooftop bar at the Alamite Hotel, 2321 Sixth St., downtown Tuscaloosa. Matt Prater Trio: 7-10 p.m., The Sanctuary on 25th, 1710 25th Ave., Tuscaloosa. WEDNESDAY Eli Hannon: 6 p.m., The Sanctuary on 25th, 1710 25th Ave., Tuscaloosa. LOCAL EVENTS THURSDAY E&H Silent Book Club: 6-8 p.m., Ernest and Hadley Booksellers, 1928 Seventh St., downtown Tuscaloosa. The first half-hour is for settling in, such as signing for newsletters, placing your current read on the book stack for a photo op, getting your membership card punch, grabbing a refreshment or finding a seat. The club reads in silence from 6:30-7:30, with light ambient music; last half-hour is for wrapping up and socializing. The choice is to bring your own book, any format. No assigned reading. THURSDAY-SUNDAY Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple": Performed by UA Theatre and Dance, Allen Bales Theatre, Rowand-Johnson Hall, UA campus. Tickets $15 general, seniors, UA faculty and staff; $12 students, through Performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, closing with a 2 p.m. matinee Sunday. FRIDAY Pink Box Burlesque's "Encore": Two shows, at 7 and 9 p.m., Nocturnal Tavern, 2209 Fourth St, No. 11. This spring's only Tuscaloosa performance by the PBB, with live jazz, tease and other burlesque performances, 21 and up only. Tickets are $20 general. Also available are VIP cabaret tables for two, $70, or for four, at $140. Also available is VIP lounge seating for up to 6, for $200. More: Harmony synthesizes disparate parts into a complete, beautiful whole | MARK HUGHES COBB SATURDAY Africana Film Festival: 2-7:30 p.m., UA Student Center Theater, general admission $10, students $5. For more, call Bill Foster at 334-322-0824, or Thad Ulzen at 205-561-7000, or email eaumfoundation@ Alton Brown: 7:30 p.m., BJCC Concert Hall, Birmingham. Tickets, $13 and up, through SUNDAY Third Social Justice Sing-Along, Presidents' Day, Schmesidents' Day edition: 5-6:30 p.m., Druid City Brewing Co., 700 14th St., Parkview Plaza, Tuscaloosa. Sing- and play along with folk songs such as "Turn Turn Turn," "This Land is Your Land" and "Blowing in the Wind." Lyrics and chord charts, with a music-video playlist, will be provided. Acoustic instruments are welcome. MONDAY Open-mic comedy: 8 p.m., Black Warrior Brewing Co., 2216 University Blvd., downtown Tuscaloosa. Signup at 7:30. TUESDAY Oscar-nominated short films: 7 p.m., Bama Theatre, 600 Greensboro Ave., downtown Tuscaloosa. Series of live-action films nominated for this year's Academy Awards. Tickets $11 general, $10 for students and seniors, $9 for Arts Council members and PARA employees, plus $1.50 fee. WEDNESDAY-MARCH 1 Emerging Choreographers' Showcase: Performed by the UA Department of Theatre and Dance, in the Dance Theatre inside the English building, UA campus, 428 Colonial Drive. Performances at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Feb. 27, 5:30 Feb. 28, 2 p.m. March 1. Tickets $25 general; $22 for seniors, and UA faculty and staff; $15 students, through UPCOMING APRIL 11: Theo Von, 8 p.m., Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater, 2710 Jack Warner Parkway, Tuscaloosa. Tickets for $91.50, $67, $47, $37, $27 (not including fees and taxes) on sale through Ticketmaster, or at the Amphitheater box office. JUNE 24: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band, Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater, 2710 Jack Warner Parkway, Tuscaloosa. Tickets for $128.75, $93.25, $63.25, $53.25, and $38.75 (not including fees and taxes) on sale through Ticketmaster, or at the Amphitheater box office. OCT. 17 : Blake Shelton, 7 p.m., Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, for $275, $175, $95, $75, $45, plus fees and taxes, through or at the Amphitheater box office. This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Things to do around Tuscaloosa for Feb. 20-26
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Princess Anne Pulls a Kate Middleton with Her Latest Royal Engagement
Last month, Kate Middleton made headlines after visiting the Royal Marsden Hospital in west London—the same center where she received her chemotherapy treatments following her cancer diagnosis. While there, she engaged with staff and several patients at the facility—all while donning a stellar monochromatic ensemble. Now, just a few weeks later, Princess Anne is following suit by revisiting the same hospital that nursed her back to health when she suffered a concussion. On February 6, the royal family shared a few highlights from the princess's visit on Instagram and wrote, "Today The Princess Royal returned to Southmead Hospital to thank the team who treated her following her accident in June 2024." The caption continues, "The Bristol hospital provides a range of services to a local population of 750,000, as well as being a major research center and teaching trust. During her visit, the Princess visited the intensive care unit and multi-faith space The Sanctuary, meeting staff and patients." The post includes a trio of pics, where King Charles's sister is seen speaking with doctors, nurses and health professionals. And similar to Middleton during her hospital visit, the princess was fully engaged and looked genuinely happy to reunite with the staff—as evidenced by her relaxed posture and genuine smiles. In the comments section, fans thanked the team for helping the princess recover. One follower wrote, "Well done Southmead Hospital staff for all that you do." Another said, "It's wonderful that Princess Anne has made a full recovery—such a resilient and remarkable woman!" In addition to chatting with the team, Princess Anne was given a tour of the hospital, including the Intensive Care Unit and the staff garden. She also enjoyed a live performance from the staff choir in the main public atrium. Ben Birchall -In June 2024, it was announced that Princess Anne "sustained minor injuries and concussion following an incident on the Gatcombe Park estate." The hard-working royal has since fully recovered, although she later revealed that she recalls "nothing" from the incident. Princess Anne also admitted that the events leading up to the accident are still unclear. However, per BBC, she vaguely remembers where she was headed. She said, 'I know where I thought I was going and that was to go to the chickens, no, nothing to do with horses. I don't have any idea what I was doing in the field, because I never normally went that way.' Good to have you back, Princess Anne. Stay up-to-date on every breaking story by subscribing here. Princess Anne Just Got Candid About Retirement in New Interview (& I Instantly Thought of Queen Elizabeth)
