Latest news with #craving
North Wales Live
7 hours ago
- Health
- North Wales Live
Macdonald Hotels offering Elemis spa treatment with free beauty gift worth over £100
For those seeking a spa retreat that won't break the bank, a lavish staycation at a Macdonald Hotels and Resorts property may be the answer. The luxury hotel group is offering an affordable yet luxurious spa experience this summer for those craving some much-needed self-care. The company's new Timeless Summer Spa Day is on offer at 16 of its spa locations across the UK, providing flexibility to either travel afar or stay local for that essential relaxing break. Imagine a delightful hotel tucked away in the most picturesque parts of the UK, equipped with everything necessary to disconnect, unwind, and recharge from the hustle and bustle of work, family commitments, and the daily pressures of modern life. The day of pampering includes a sumptuous 55-minute ELEMIS 'Couture Touch' Spa Treatment, which pairs a customised facial with a deep-tissue massage. A comprehensive skin consultation is also part of the package, along with professional skincare advice to maintain that radiant glow. The spa indulgence doesn't have to conclude when the day ends. The special free gift of the ELEMIS Refine and Rebalance Kit in a chic wash bag, valued at £101, allows the rejuvenation and relaxation to extend to the comfort of one's home. As reported by the Mirror, the gift bag comprises the ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF30, ELEMIS Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash and Facial Pads, and ELEMIS Ultra Smart Pro-Collagen Complex Serum, all neatly packed in a handy wash bag that can be reused time after time. All 16 spa locations of Macdonald Hotels and Resorts are offering this experience. Among these is the Bath Spa Hotel in Bath, a splendid historic site nestled in a tranquil corner of Bath with landscaped gardens and 2AA Rosette food, where visitors can immerse themselves in the ambiance of the Roman spa town. For those seeking a retreat into nature, the Forest Hills Resort in Scotland's Trossachs National Park is another option. Surrounded by shimmering lochs, towering mountains and stunning landscapes, it's the perfect spot to take a breather from everyday life and savour the beauty of Scotland. While there's an array of locations to select from, Macdonald Hotels and Resorts isn't the sole provider of spa services. For instance, Center Parcs offers its Aqua Sana Forest Spas, which provide nature-inspired spa experiences amidst forest surroundings. Visitors have the option to drop in for the day to utilise the spa facilities, or extend their stay to an overnight break with two full days of luxurious relaxation. There are also numerous spa day deals available from Wowcher. This includes an overnight stay for two at the 4* Thornton Hall Hotel with breakfast, dinner and spa use included, plus Prosecco upgrade options. Macdonald Hotels and Resorts have been showered with positive feedback on TripAdvisor. A guest at the Bath Spa Hotel shared: "My massage was amazing... The spa facilities were great, as it was sunny we loved having lots of space in the outdoor lounge area. The pool temperature was HOT! So nice." Another guest at Bath Spa was full of praise, saying: "The hotel is beautiful and very well maintained, our rooms were bright, airy and very clean, the bed was also extremely comfy. The food was delicious and the staff throughout the hotel were so friendly and attentive, nothing was too much trouble and they made us feel so welcome. They were all exceptional. You can walk into the city centre from the hotel as well which is a bonus." A different visitor recounted an experience that had its highs and lows: "After getting changed we went to the pool areas which were clean but inside did lack seating for everyone but luckily it was a sunny day so we sat outside. Both pools were clean and lovely, heated outdoor pool was a nice touch." And a visitor to the Trossachs facility left a glowing review: "The spa was great. The massage was really good, Caroline was kneading bread with my muscles, amazing. The room was excellent, the bed very comfy and the service was great too. I'll definitely come back if I have the chance."
Metro
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
TV fans can't stop watching controversial show's new season despite 'hating it'
Fans of a controversial reboot of one of the biggest shows of the Y2K era can't stop watching its new season despite it driving them mad. And Just Like That – which is available on Sky, NOW and Apple TV Plus in the UK and has just returned for season 3 – is a continuation of the iconic 90s series Sex and the City, starring Sarah Jessica Parker. Revolutionary for its time and inspired by a real-life relationship column, the groundbreaking show followed the love lives of four women living in New York City. As well as starring Sarah as Carrie Bradshaw, it also made TV legends of Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall, and Kristin Davis, who played main characters Miranda, Samantha, and Charlotte respectively. Sex and the City came to an end in 2004 after six seasons, but two films (in 2008 and 2010) provided what fans thought would be the final chapter. However, in 2021, And Just Like That gave fans more of the Sex and the City content they'd been craving – but maybe not always in the way they'd hoped for. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Since its first episode, And Just Like That has received a mixed reception from fans and critics, with some slamming the writing and plot decisions along the way. Two popular characters from Sex and the City – Chris Noth's John 'Big' Preston and the late Willie Garson's Stanford Blatch – were written off instantly in ways that upset fans. And the big kicker for fans of the HBO series was that Kim wouldn't reprise her role as Samantha, only appearing as a guest star in a single episode of season two. However, the new series has developed a reputation for its serious and unwavering commitment to camp, and for really leaning into its melodramatic elements, which some fans can't get enough of. And Just Like That returned with season three on Thursday night, picking up after Carrie and Aidan (John Corbett) agree to put their relationship on hold for five years . On X, @CaseyLeeMoore summed up fans' irrational attachment to the show by jokingly recalling an interaction they'd had with their roommate earlier that night. '[My roommate asked] 'I thought you hated this show – why do you keep watching it?' [and I said] 'You just don't get it…'' using a clip of Carrie from the show to explain why they couldn't tear themselves away. @DramaBananna commented: 'Carrie is the friend that got completely annoying and you can't stand anymore, but you keep meeting her because you used to love and will always love her.' Though she's insufferable and sadly, nothing attaches you to her no more.' @Key9481 complained, 'Poor Charlotte and Miranda, their storyline keep getting worse and worse,' after asking earlier, 'Why is everybody singing? What is going on?' However, some Sex and the City fans are happily along for the zany ride, with @CanIScreamNow saying: 'I've just watched the first episode of series 3 and didn't want it to end! From SATC to AJLT, it never ever disappoints.' @RankedReal was excited too, despite being unable to love the show: 'Unbelievably excited that my favourite hate watch is back, hello lover!' On Reddit, user Cityofooo said that watching a scene that depicted Miranda kissing another character while Carrie sat nearby was 'like being held hostage'. Viewers are also addicted to dissecting the fashion disasters some of the characters are put through, with last night's episode providing a comically large hat and a necklace made entirely of large wicker balls. Upon seeing the necklace in question, @D1g1cxlt asked: 'What the hell is that woman wearing? Like girl, this is the one thing Anna Wintour told you to take off!' More Trending And Just Like That also features actors who made their names in Sex and the City and have reprised their roles years later to remain a part of Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda's stories. Evan Handler has returned as Charlotte's husband Harry Goldenblatt, while David Eigenberg has returned as Steve Brady, Miranda's love interest during parts of Sex and the City. In terms of new members of the main cast, Sarita Choudhury plays Seema Patel, a realtor who becomes friends with Carrie after she sells Carrie's old apartment. View More » And Just Like That is available to watch on Sky, NOW and Apple TV Plus in the UK. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: The White Lotus fans terrified season 4 will be delayed after major announcement MORE: WWE champion Lyra Valkyria reveals star's horror injury was 'worst she's ever seen' MORE: The new Harry Potter child stars have confirmed my worst fears
New York Post
20-05-2025
- Science
- New York Post
Here's the wild way NASA astronaut made a makeshift version of popular food item in space: ‘This hits the spot in its own way'
A NASA astronaut recently revealed what a makeshift cheeseburger in space looks like — and nothing about it looks appetizing. When you're in space and don't have easy access to much, let alone a fast food restaurant — you have to make do with what you have. That's exactly what Jonny Kim, who is currently on the International Space Station (ISS), had to do when he was recently craving a burger. He took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his 'ranger burger' creation — which consisted of 'beef steak, wheat snack bread, cheese spread as both topping and glue, potatoes au gratin layered in the middle, and a generous slather of gochujang red pepper paste from a care package on the SpX-32 Cargo Dragon.' 'I miss cooking for my family, but this hits the spot in its own way,' he wrote in his tweet. Kim has been on the spacecraft since early April and will spend eight months there, according to the Daily Mail. 'I miss cooking for my family, but this hits the spot in its own way,' Kim wrote in his tweet. ISS/NASA / SWNS While it's easy for people on Earth to judge Kim's creation — astronauts are not only forced to get creative with what they have access to, they have to make sure they're consuming enough calories while in outer space. Two NASA astronauts that were stranded on the ISS for five months chowed down on pizza, roast chicken and shrimp cocktail. Unfortunately, processed food is what many in their position have to eat because the Space Food Systems Laboratory at the Johnson Space Center in Houston has limited fresh fruit and veggies. 'There's fresh fruit at first,' a specialist told The Post, 'but as the three months continues, that goes away — and their fruits and vegetables are packaged or freeze-dried.' All meat products — like the beef steak used in Kim's burger — and eggs are originally cooked on Earth and are then reheated in space for consumption. Food aside — even making a cup of coffee is quite the task while in space. Supposedly, astronauts use a Zero-G cup, or capillary cup, to guide the coffee liquid from the cup's base to their lips to sip it as if they were on Earth. 'We take gravity for granted. Generally, we are unaware of the weight of our hands, or how easily we pour coffee into a cup. We don't stop to think, 'Will the coffee rise up and pour out?' or 'Can we pour the coffee?' We just do it,' said spaceman Don Pettit.
BBC News
06-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Missing watch floats 150 miles from Tenby to Irish coast
A sports watch lost by a swimmer off the coast of west Wales has reappeared 150 miles away in an Irish Morgan, originally from South Africa, was swimming with her friends in Tenby in early April when she noticed her Garmin watch, secured to a flotation device, had come she considered swimming after it as it drifted out to sea, her friends persuaded her to let it her surprise, three weeks later she received a call from beach artist Sean Corcoran, who had discovered the watch in a small bay called Ladies Cove near Waterford, in south east Ireland. At first, Ms Morgan noticed "something bobbing away" in the water, but assumed it was another then realised the belt holding her watch around her waist had come Morgan said: "It was a Christmas present from my husband so I was pretty annoyed. "But it was too far out for me, so I just had to wave goodbye to it." Ms Morgan and her husband, Ed, did not expect to see it again, but received a call from an Irish number three weeks later. Environmental artist Mr Corcoran, who "spends a lot of time on the shore", said he had to climb down a cliff to reach the beach where he found the Corcoran said: "I was curious as to where it had come from, it was like a message in a bottle."When I got it home I pressed a button on the watch and the recharge symbol came up so I knew it worked."I was surprised it had only been in the water three weeks, it looked like it had spent several months in the sun." Mr Corcoran asked for help tracking the owner on a local Facebook page called "I am Waterford" and was soon inundated with calls - he had not realised the watch also had Ed's mobile number on said: "As soon as I posted it online hundreds of people replied saying it was a UK number, it took just 20 minutes to make contact with Ed and Martina."I wondered if it belonged to a swimmer who was lost and there was a moment of trepidation until Ed clarified that everything was fine and Martina was ok."I was very relieved." Mr Corcoran later updated his post to say the owner of the watch had been found. The post racked up more than 250,000 views in less than 24 said: "If a quarter of a million people are looking at it, it shows people are craving good news."The story has also been shared by the RNLI teams in Tenby and Waterford to highlight the importance of buoyancy aids for Corcoran said the watch will be posted back to Ms Morgan on Tuesday."I am very grateful to the Irish people and especially to Sean," Ms Morgan said."I will carry on swimming with it, it's the easiest way to record where you have been and what distance you have done."
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Podcast hosts should feel like friends with good gossip. Do Meghan Markle and Michelle Obama pass the test?
There's no shortage of podcasts right now, especially celebrity-hosted ones, but being famous alone does not guarantee a show's success. Kylie Kelce turning on her mic in December — to discuss 'mom stuff' and 'set the record straight' about her famous family — is a great example of what listeners are craving right now: real talk, revelations and authenticity. Not Gonna Lie With Kylie Kelce shot to the top of the charts when it debuted, briefly surpassing Spotify's perennial No. 1, The Joe Rogan Experience. More recently, Michelle Obama and Meghan Markle (who now goes by Meghan Sussex) — two of the most-talked-about women in the world, who are relentlessly covered in the press and have strong followings — have both returned to the podcast space with new shows. IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson, the former first lady's chat fest with her brother, debuted March 12. Markle's Confessions of a Female Founder, about the launch of her As Ever brand, dropped its first episode on April 8. As podcast hosts, Obama and Meghan are more buttoned-up. Despite their massive star power, their shows seem to make less of a ripple in the cultural conversation. In fact, the conversations they have on other shows seem to get more traction. In Obama's case, her Higher Ground production company promised she'll be 'at her most relaxed and honest' discussing life's challenges, including relationships and parenting, with her only sibling and their A-list guests. While that sounds like exactly what audiences are into, it's taken a while to find that sweet spot. Instead of using IMO to address those relentless divorce rumors, which would be ratings gold, Obama talked about it on someone else's podcast. While that was great for Sophia Bush's Work in Progress, with the conversation spreading across social media, it did make listeners tune into Obama's own show. Perhaps learning from that, two weeks later, she wisely used the show with her name on it to discuss her much-buzzed-about decision to skip President Trump's inauguration. Despite a reported slow start, Obama's fans are tuning in. Podchaser, which tracks podcast popularity, estimates that IMO has had between 920,000 and 1.4 million listens in the last 30 days, a spokesperson told Yahoo Entertainment. As of press time, it's No. 13 on Apple's chart and No. 29 on Spotify's. 'We just want someone to show up as they are,' Michelle Glogovac, aka the Podcast Matchmaker, told Yahoo about podcast hosts. 'I think with Michelle Obama, we're getting some of her that we haven't seen before. She's becoming more herself now that she can because for so long she really couldn't.' Glogovac likes that Obama — who previously hosted The Michelle Obama Podcast (2020) and Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast (2023) — chose to pair up with her brother this time. 'If you've read [Becoming], you know that her family is a huge part,' says Glovovac. 'Her late mother lived in the White House. So having her brother be with her for this and having these conversations helps bring out who she is. It's an extra layer that's really cool. … We get to see her as a sister.' Markle also has the opportunity to speak her mind, which she said she wasn't allowed to do as a senior member of the royal family. However, the Suits alum is struggling with her public image — specifically what she shares about Prince Harry and their family — and that is reflected in her listenership. Of course, Confessions of a Female Founder was created to promote her brand, As Ever, and not delve into her personal life. But on other forums she has made some interesting revelations about her family. Meghan went makeup-free for her first-ever podcast interview on April 28's The Jamie Kern Lima Show, getting emotional discussing the 'trenches' of royal life and feeling she had to 'prove' she's a good wife. She talked about Archie having a cold and how he and Lilbet attend different schools. She got candid about early career challenges, her last name, and whether she plans to write another book (yes) or run for office (no). She also chatted about her family on stage for Time 100 on April 23. Yet on COAFF, she's made few personal revelations. While we know she's a good friend, she doesn't bring that friend with tea vibe to the show. It's largely brand-centric, with guests the average person has to Google to know who they are. You have to be a committed fan — of which there are many, dating back to her Suits and The Tig days — to connect with it, not to mention be a woman interested in starting her own business on the brink of an economic crisis. 'I think with Megan, as just a regular person — putting the podcast and her Netflix show aside — she wants to gain recognition and to be known without giving away any of her personal details,' Glogovac said. 'I don't think that's going to work for a podcast.' So far, it isn't. Podchaser estimates that COAFF has had between 36,000 and 46,000 listens since launch — which is, in As Ever terms, hundreds of thousands of flower sprinkles less than Obama's show. It's No. 158 on the Apple chart and didn't crack on Spotify's Top 100. For someone who generates as much press as she does, that figure suggests a disconnect. (It's important to note that Meghan has fewer episodes than Obama, debuting nearly one month later.) 'Human beings love to hear the stories of other human beings,' Glogovac said. 'That's why we eavesdrop at the coffee shop. I want to hear what's going on in that person's life, even if I don't know them… I think that's what people want [on podcasts] — to get to know these human beings … and Meghan's not giving us that.' People want a real glimpse into her life. They don't seem to want business advice from someone who has resources the average person never will. 'Everything's so scrutinized for her,' Glogovac said. 'Having the show is her opportunity to really show up as herself. I don't know if she's able to do it, or if she's just got this wall up... But you can see that the others are doing it and it's working.' There's podcast success, however, that's not measured by listens. COAFF — her second podcast after Archetypes failed to resonate, according to Spotify's CEO — could purely be a branding move to sell more jam. However, if that's driving it, you'd expect she would have stocked up on product first. As Ever sold out on day one and has been unavailable for the duration of her new podcast, a marketing miss. People see celebrities on screen everywhere these days. What they want from a podcast is the real person. 'Giving us something that we don't already know is really what makes a show,' Glogovac said. 'The behind-the-scenes [access], the secrets, spilling the tea so that we get to know the host on a personal level.' That's what Not Gonna Lie With Kylie Kelce has been for a lot of people. The host is on maternity leave after having her fourth child, but a typical episode sees her pulling back the curtain on life with her shirt-ripping, ex-NFL star husband, Jason Kelce. The field hockey coach, who loathes the 'WAG' label, talks about their relationship and why, for example, she lets him sleep through night feedings, which spread across social media. The 33-year-old's observations about motherhood and pregnancy are honest and funny. She'll point out the boogers on her on-camera outfit, talk about her effort not to urinate while watching comedy at 39 weeks pregnant and share original parenting hacks — like how she calls bathwater 'butt soup' to discourage her daughters from drinking it. Kelce also debuted a sleeping baby Finn on the show at two days old. 'Kylie does spill the tea,' said Glogovac. 'She's honest. I hate the word 'authentic' — but she's being herself. She's just showing up and being herself.' It continues to pay off. Despite releasing three episodes this month, approximately one less than usual, Podchaser estimates that Kelce's podcast has had between 1.7 million and 2.5 million listens over the last 30 days. Another example of a celebrity podcast connecting with an audience is Good Hang With Amy Poehler, which debuted March 18 and, at press time, is the No. 1 show on Apple Podcasts and No. 27 on Spotify. The Saturday Night Live and Parks and Recreation alum promised the show would be 'good dumb fun' and it is. Poehler's debut included an interview with the Lucy to her Ethel, Tina Fey, and it was like old times as they mocked rich people with side hustles, being sure to take the piss out of themselves along the way. The episode started with a comical few minutes of Poehler laugh-crying at another guest, Rachel Dratch, who navigated numerous interruptions, including a food delivery, during a mini SNL reunion. The whole thing was 'hilarious and natural,' Glogovac observed. 'Amy could barely sit in her seat when she's talking because she's laughing so hard. We want to see that realness of who [hosts] are — not something that's scripted and trying to appease an audience.' The realness extended to conversation with guest Jack Black bonding over their CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines , which treat sleep apnea. Also, there was some real talk with guest Kathryn Hahn about her prep for an upcoming Hot Ones — which sees celebs ripping into progressively spicier chicken wings — to a colonoscopy cleanse. The women also laughed for about a minute when Hahn accidentally burped — and we laughed too. The 'dumb fun' has brought in between an estimated 868,000 and 1.3 million listens to Poehler's show over the last 30 days, according to Podchaser data. Ultimately, podcasts shouldn't feel like an obligation or a checkmark that a celebrity must earn for their Hollywood career climb. A good one can really elevate a star's status by connecting them to their fans. A bad one can generate more negative press that an already beleaguered celebrity can do without.
