Latest in Lifestyle
Rakyat Post
11 minutes ago
- Lifestyle
- Rakyat Post
Small Moves, Big Shifts: How I Got Unstuck Without Quitting Everything
Subscribe to our FREE There used to be a time when 'playing it safe' meant doing all the right things. Get the degree, land the job, stay on track. Follow the rules, stay in your lane, and eventually you'll arrive at 'success.' But here's the twist: in today's world, playing it safe might just be the biggest risk of all. The truth is, life isn't a straight line anymore. Industries are shifting, norms are evolving, and more people are realising that the old playbook doesn't always lead to fulfilment. In fact, sometimes it leads to the exact opposite: burnout, boredom, and the creeping feeling that you're living someone else's version of your life. Choosing Different – One Small Step at a Time (freepik) Choosing differently doesn't mean quitting your job and moving to a jungle commune (unless you want to). Sometimes, it just means listening to that tiny voice that says, 'Maybe there's more to this.' For me, I enrolled in a part-time Masters in film – something I had put off for years. I finally tried straightening my hair after thinking about it forever. Not exactly groundbreaking, but it was a shift. And it was personal. (Ayush Kumar via Unsplash) And I'm not alone. A friend of mine left her steady job as a dentist to teach Bharatnatyam because she wanted to reconnect with something that felt true to her. People like Josh Teng, who left the finance track to teach coding and launch a It's Not About Being Loud. It's About Being Real. (jcomp/freepik) You don't have to shout to stand out. You just have to show up in a way that feels true to you. That could be choosing a new path, or even just showing up a little differently than you did yesterday. That quiet courage counts more than you know. And that's exactly what drew me to Connor's. The Stout That Shakes Things Up Connor's MY Connor's MY The first time someone handed me a Connor's and said, 'You have to shake it first,' I thought they were joking. Who shakes a beer? But Connor's isn't your typical stout. It's smooth, mellow, with unique coffee notes. And the Shake Ritual is part of what makes it stand out. It's different – not because it's trying to be, but because it is . Connor's didn't follow the stout rulebook. It challenged expectations: no bitterness, no heavy aftertaste, no 'you need to acquire the taste' speech. Just bold flavour, easy-drinking, and made for everyone. And that's the kind of energy I'm trying to channel too. Here's to Doing Things Differently (Connor's MY) We're in a time where more Malaysians are redefining success in their own way. Starting a side hustle, switching fields, expressing themselves more honestly, even just saying 'no' when they used to say 'yes.' Connor's gets that. Because they did the same. They created a stout that didn't look or taste like any other. They created a ritual and built something different, not for the sake of being different, but because they believed it could be better. So if you're taking that next step – whether it's big, small, or somewhere in between – know this: you're not alone. You've got this. And Connor's is here for it. *If you drink, don't drive. For non-Muslims, aged 21 & above. #CelebrateResponsibly #ConnorsMY #ConnorsStoutPorter #MadeToBeDifferent Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
Daily Mirror
16 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'I managed to buy vintage Mulberry handbag in charity shop for startling price'
A woman called Holly, who enjoys thrift shopping, was in shock when she found what she believes to be an authentic vintage Mulberry handbag at her local charity shop for a very reasonable price The fun and excitement of going shopping is you don't know exactly what you'll find, particularly in charity shops. They are different from other kinds of stores as they're often full of wacky and wonderful unique items that you wouldn't find anywhere else. Charity shops also stand out because sometimes you can stumble upon an unexpected bargain without even hunting for one. This is what happened when one woman visited her local charity shop in Manchester. Holly, known as hollyloveslilac on TikTok, is a 38-year-old mum who enjoys thrifting and buying pre-loved products. She was in shock when she found what she believes to be a vintage Mulberry handbag squashed under a pile of other bags for a very reasonable price. Speaking in a video on TikTok she said: 'I think I just found a Mulberry handbag in my local charity shop for £4. I honestly can't believe it.' Holly admitted that she has a love for handbags and seems to 'luck out' when thrifting for designer handbags. She was overjoyed as she shared that Mulberry is one of her favourite designer handbag labels. The mum then showed the 'gorgeous' bag which she guessed was from the 1990s. She revealed that the blue suede is what caught her eye as the bag was 'squashed under loads of other very average handbags.' As she's 'really into suede at the moment' she grabbed the bag and her first thought was that it felt like good quality before looking closer and spotting what looks like the Mulberry logo on the front of the item. Initially, she wasn't sure if it was an authentic Mulberry bag but then she realised that the oldest style of Mulberry just looks a bit different to the current range. She examined other features of the bag that gave her 'telltale signs' that it really was a vintage Mulberry bag, including the tartan interior, a label on the inside that says Mulberry with the logo next to it and she later spotted a gold disc on the outside with the serial number on it. Holly remarked that the bag is 'not bad' for the low price she paid for it, especially as she knew it 'would have been hundreds of pounds brand new'. The thrifty mum also mentioned that she was 'very very excited' to add it to her 'every growing collection' of handbags and she doesn't 'have anything quite like it.' In the caption of her TikTok post she wrote: 'This has got to go down in my top 10 thrifted items!!! What a beauty! And just £4!!! 'I can't believe I nearly didn't see her, hiding, squashed in a pile of bags!' The video has attracted more than 100 comments and a number of users agreed that it looks like a genuine, older style Mulberry bag. One said: 'All the signs are good. I really don't think the fakers would bother making such an old rare design as they will stick to the more well known ones. I used to sell them and when you know you know!!' Another added: 'It's stunning and looks genuine to me ! I have a Mulberry from the 90's and it has the same tartan lining.' A third commented: 'Brilliant find Holly, worth between £300-£400. Vintage mulberry tote bag possible late 80s early 90s, a great find, love it.'
India Today
19 minutes ago
- Lifestyle
- India Today
How to make comfort food without creating kitchen waste
Comfort food, for me, goes beyond personal preference- it embodies a collective narrative within the culinary world. It is not merely a chef's expression, but a reflection of the memories, identities, and emotions of those we serve. In today's kitchens, comfort food becomes a dialogue between the guest and the plate, a thoughtful curation of flavours that resonate with familiarity while offering something refreshingly spoke with Chef Divyanshi Patel, Culinary Director – Deck 88, The Astor Goa, to get more insights in the heart of this philosophy lies our Chef's Table, a highly personalised, immersive dining experience. Here, the menu isn't pre-set; it's thoughtfully curated in direct response to each guest's preferences, personality, and nostalgic connections to food. By drawing on these personal touchpoints, we design a multi-course journey that reflects who they are, blending memory and meaning with refined technique. Every dish is more than a recipe, it becomes a story, where flavours feel like home, yet arrive with an element of surprise. This is where comfort meets creativity, and emotion meets execution. Across professional kitchens, there's a growing shift in how we view ingredients, not just for their prime cuts or obvious uses, but for their full potential. We approach every element, from root to stem, as an opportunity to discover flavour, texture, and character. From coriander roots to carrot tops, every part holds than discard stalks, peels, or skins, we integrate them into stocks, sauces, and aromatic infusions. This isn't just a sustainability trend, it's a commitment to culinary integrity. By embracing the entirety of each ingredient, we unlock deeper, more layered flavors while fostering a more mindful approach to WASTE AND REDUCING OUR FOOTPRINTSWaste in the culinary world often starts at the planning stage, when menus are developed without regard for the local context. As an industry, we are becoming more rooted in the 'here and now', aligning our practices with local ecosystems and seasonal along the Goan coast, we've made intentional choices in menu design that reflect this philosophy. For example, we've excluded paneer from our la carte offering, not out of preference, but because sourcing fresh, high-quality paneer locally isn't viable. Instead, we spotlight ingredients that thrive in our environment, kokum, coconut, raw mango, and an abundance of fresh seafood. This not only reduces our carbon footprint but results in food that is honest, regionally expressive, and in tune with its AS CREATIVE FUELIn a forward-thinking kitchen, leftovers aren't waste, they're inspiration. We treat by-products as raw materials for creativity. For instance, coconut husks become tools for grilling and smoking, infusing proteins with a distinct coastal aroma. Aubergine skins, often overlooked, are dehydrated and transformed into intense flavor accents, as seen in our signature Charcoal Baba Ganoush. Citrus peels are candied, fermented, or distilled into vibrant dressings and condiments. Through this lens, sustainability becomes innovation. Every component has potential — and it's our responsibility to find ART OF MENU CURATIONadvertisementMenu creation is a deliberate act. It's not about stacking best-sellers, it's about crafting a sensory journey that reflects the land, the season, and the people at the table. At Deck 88, we resist the pull of fleeting trends. Instead, we focus on curation with emotion, intent, and a deep connection to our environment. Each menu is a rhythm, a thoughtful composition of flavors, textures, and moods that tell a cohesive story. This is what transforms a meal into an THE NEXT GENERATIONIn our kitchens, mentorship is as important as mastery. We don't just teach techniques, we instill values. With every young chef and intern, we emphasize the 'why' behind every choice: why we cook with the seasons, why sustainability matters, and why food must be rooted in soul and purpose. The next generation of chefs must not only know how to cook, but understand how to think, feel, and lead.- Ends advertisement
India Today
19 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Indonesian boy Rayyan Arkan Dhika's boat dance video goes viral. Who is he?
Rayyan Arkan Dhika, a Class 5 student from a village in Indonesia, has made headlines worldwide after a video showing him on a racing boat with absolute swag went from Kuantan Singingi Regency, Rayyan took part in Indonesia's traditional Pacu Jalur festival for the first time this year. But it wasn't the boat race that stole the show, it was his swagger-laced dance at the front of the speeding canoe that caught global in a traditional Teluk Belanga outfit and a Malay Riau headcloth, Rayyan stood at the prow of the racing boat, arms waving, kisses flying, all while keeping a straight face. His moves were impromptu, he said, and born in the moment. 'I came up with the dance myself,' he told BBC, adding, 'It was just spontaneous.' The Pacu Jalur race, where long, narrow boats are rowed by teams of adults, includes a dancer at the front - known as the 'Togak Luan' - whose job is to motivate the crew. Rayyan balanced effortlessly, dancing with full flair as the boat sped through the water. And the internet couldn't get of Rayyan's now-iconic performance flooded TikTok, garnering millions of views under hashtags like 'aura farming kid' and 'boat race kid aura'. His nickname, 'The Reaper', took off after a comment under one of the viral videos read: 'He's known as 'The Reaper' because he never loses.'Soon, the video became the internet's latest obession. Paris Saint-Germain footballers attempted his dance. NFL star Travis Kelce, yes, Taylor Swift's boyfriend, joined in with his own version, which reportedly has clocked over 14 million views on TikTok. F1 driver Alex Albon jumped on the trend for Rayyan, the fame hasn't quite sunk in yet. He smiled shyly when asked how he felt. 'Every time my friends see me, they say 'you're viral',' he told BBC. While he doesn't know who most of these celebrities are, the impact is to a BBC report, Indonesia's culture minister praised Rayyan's skill and pointed out that dancing at the tip of a speeding canoe requires balance, confidence and training, something perhaps easier for children than adults. His mother, Rani Ridawati, admitted she worries every time he climbs on the boat. 'If he falls, there's always a rescue team in place,' she told BBC, adding, 'But it still makes me nervous.'Back home, Rayyan is already a star. He has been named a cultural ambassador by the governor of Riau and recently travelled to Jakarta to meet senior ministers and appear on national all the attention, the boy with the world's coolest dance has simple dreams. 'I want to become a police officer,' he told BBC. And for anyone hoping to channel their inner Reaper? His advice is simple: 'Stay healthy, friends, so you can become like me.'- Ends
India Today
19 minutes ago
- Business
- India Today
Can sustainable fashion in India be both affordable and eco-friendly?
The fashion industry, much like other sectors, is constantly evolving with trends, technologies, and most importantly, consumer preferences. Projected to reach a staggering USD 146.3 billion by 2032, India's fashion apparel industry is an economic powerhouse. However, this fast-growing industry has another side that adversely impacts the environment: fast spoke with Deepak Bansal, Whole time Director, Cantabil Retail India Pvt Ltd, to get more IS FASTFASHION?In the simplest terms, fast fashion is the rapid production of inexpensive, trendy clothing that mimics high-end designs, encouraging frequent purchases and quick disposal. It thrives on short production cycles and low-cost materials. Its reliance on resource-intensive production and disposable clothing has contributed to pollution, waste, and excessive carbon ENVIRONMENTAL COST According to the UN Environment Programme, it is the second-largest consumer of water and accounts for approximately 10% of global carbon emissions, surpassing the combined emissions of international flights and maritime shipping. The toll is particularly pronounced in India, where textile production is a cornerstone of the economy. Rivers near manufacturing hubs often bear the brunt of chemical dyes, while landfills overflow with discarded garments. Fast fashion's 'buy-and-discard' culture exacerbates these issues, making sustainability a a shift is underway. Driven by heightened consumer awareness and a growing demand for eco-conscious apparel, Indian brands are embracing sustainable fashion, redefining style with purpose and paving the way for a greener RISE OF SUSTAINABLE FASHIONSustainable fashion is more than a fleeting trend. With consumers increasingly leaning towards a more conscious lifestyle, sustainable fashion is here to stay. From handwoven khadi to organic cotton and recycled fabrics, brands are reimagining fashion with an eco-conscious lens. Designers are reviving traditional techniques, such as block printing and natural dyeing, which reduce environmental harm and celebrate India's rich textile heritage. Small-scale labels and larger players are investing in ethical supply chains, ensuring fair wages for artisans and minimising surge is powered by a new generation of consumers who value transparency and sustainability, demanding clothing that aligns with their environmental and social values. As awareness grows, sustainable fashion is becoming a cultural movement, blending aesthetics with AFFORDABILITY FACTOROne of the most common misconceptions among consumers is that sustainable fashion isn't affordable. On the contrary, affordability is the linchpin of sustainable fashion's success in India, where value for money is a cornerstone of consumer behaviour. Indian shoppers, known for their discerning approach, seek products that balance quality, cost, and this, brands are innovating to make eco-friendly clothing accessible. By leveraging local materials like organic cotton and bamboo, optimising production processes, and scaling operations, companies are reducing costs without sacrificing sustainability. Direct-to-consumer models and collaborations with artisans further cut expenses, passing savings to buyers. For instance, some brands offer modular designs that maximise versatility, allowing consumers to create multiple looks from a single piece, enhancing perceived value. This focus on affordability ensures sustainable fashion isn't an elite privilege but a viable choice for the masses to THE METROSadvertisementAs the demand for sustainable, affordable fashion surges, it can help brands gain a stronghold beyond India's metro cities. According to World Bank data, only 36% of India's population resides in urban areas. Therefore, brands must equally focus on tier-II, tier-III, and tier-IV rising disposable income in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, the appetite for conscious consumption is growing. Affordable, sustainable brands are tapping into these regions through e-commerce platforms and regional pop-up stores, making eco-friendly fashion accessible to diverse demographics. Social media campaigns and influencer partnerships can amplify awareness and educate consumers about the long-term benefits of sustainable choices. By aligning with local values and price sensitivities, brands are democratising green fashion, ensuring that even smaller urban centres contribute to India's sustainability revolution. This inclusivity is key to scaling impact and embedding eco-consciousness into the nation's fashion fashion in India is more than a response to the ongoing global environmental crisis; it's a reimagination of the fashion apparel industry. By balancing affordability with eco-friendliness, brands are meeting consumer demands and setting a global example. With more Indian consumers embracing brands that reflect their values, one thing becomes clear: fashion can indeed be a force for good.- EndsTrending Reel
