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Should we all be wearing pasta-sourced jewelry now? Is that what you’re telling us, Meghan??

Of course, this isn’t the first time Meghan’s accessories have drawn attention this week. HRH made us weepy on day 1 of her and Harry’s tour when she stepped out in a pair of the late Princess Diana’s butterfly earrings and a matching bracelet. 

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RELATED: The Sneaky Way Meghan Markle Paid Tribute to Princess Diana on Her First Day in Australia

Meghan’s new grocery-chic bling didn’t make the cut for the swanky reception later that day, but we like to think the duchess made an impassioned argument for it with a royal consultant or two.

In a new interview this week, First Lady Melania Trump criticized comedians, journalists, performers and authors, claiming — without examples — that they take advantage of the Trump name.

When Fox News’ Sean Hannity asked her on Wednesday about the hardest part of her role, Mrs. Trump, 48, pointed her finger at “opportunists.”

“I would say the opportunists who are using my name or my family name to advance themselves, from comedians to journalists to performers, book writers,” she replied.

“Does it hurt?” Hannity asked aboard the U.S.S George H.W. Bush.

“It doesn’t hurt,” Mrs. Trump, who spent the day meeting military families, said. “The problem is they’re writing the history and it’s not correct.”

In February 2017, Mrs. Trump received criticism for what was also perceived by some as opportunism when her lawyer said in her libel lawsuit against Mail Media, the owner of the Daily Mail, that the first lady had a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity … [for] multi-million dollar business relationships.”

Hannity also brought up the “speculation about you and your family and your marriage.” Multiple women have alleged that her husband, President Donald Trump, has had affairs during his marriage, which he has repeatedly denied.

On Wednesday, Trump’s ex-lawyer Michael Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison, in part for his role in arranging payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal to keep quiet about their claims of extramarital relationships with the president.

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“They like to focus on the gossip,” Mrs. Trump — who said that she and the president, 72, “had great chemistry from day one” — said of her critics. “And I would like to they focus on the substance and what we do, not just about nonsense.”

Earlier this year, she similarly told ABC News that Trump’s alleged affairs are “not concern and focus of mine.”

“I know what is right and what is wrong and what is true and what is not true,” she stated at the time.

Of her role, Mrs. Trump insisted to Hannity that “I do what I think is right.”

RELATED: Melania Trump Is Blonde Now and People Have Thoughts

“I know I will get the criticism from the public or from the media but I will do what is right and what I feel is right for the country and for the people,” she said in the Wednesday interview. “That’s what I say: I want to say true to myself and listen myself and what to do and what is right, what is wrong, and lead meaningful life every day.”

Hannity questioned whether Mrs. Trump would like to see her husband win a second term.

“I think my husband, he’s doing an incredible job,” she responded. “The country does best ever. So yes, I want that the country continue to do well.”

This article originally appeared on People. For more stories like this, visit people.com.

The New York Times‘s Katie Rogers points out that the hat has become a symbol of the exploitation of Africans given its history as part of the uniform of colonialists in the early 19th century. 

RELATED: Melania Trump Went for a Full Sarfari Look In Kenya

“When people think of Africa, they have these standard narratives,” Kim Yi Dionne, a political science professor who specializes in African politics at the University of California, Riverside, told the Times. “Her attire is a signal of her understanding of what Africa is in 2018. It’s tired and it’s old and it’s inaccurate.”

A resident of Nairobi, Pauleen Mwalo, wrote on Twitter: “That Pith helmet you have carried was used by colonialists during the dark days. Doesn’t sit well with us Africans.” 

She added, “Who advised you?”

The First Lady’s offensive headwear choice comes just months after her explosive, “I really don’t care do u?” jacket. If her goal in Africa was to mend relationships — which may have been suffering following the President’s alleged “shithole countries” comment earlier this summer — she seems to have missed the mark completely.

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Taylor went on to discuss Tennessee’s senatorial candidates, throwing her support behind Democrat Phil Bredesen.

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“Running for Senate in the state of Tennessee is a woman named Marsha Blackburn. As much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support Marsha Blackburn. Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me. She voted against equal pay for women. She voted against the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape. She believes businesses have a right to refuse service to gay couples. She also believes they should not have the right to marry. These are not MY Tennessee values. I will be voting for Phil Bredesen for Senate and Jim Cooper for House of Representatives.”

She continues with a plea for her followers to “Please, please educate yourself on the candidates running in your state and vote based on who most closely represents your values,” and a call-to-action for those who can to register to vote. 

“October 9th is the LAST DAY to register to vote in the state of TN,” she wrote. “Go to vote.org and you can find all the info. Happy Voting!”

RELATED: Jennifer Lawrence Crashed Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn’s Rare Public Date Night

As Twilight Zone-esque as Taylor’s comment feels, it’s encouraging to hear her finally using her voice — not to mention, her massive platform — to promote her beliefs. 

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3rd Sep 2019

Almost anyone would agree that the transition from co-stars to romantic partners is as embedded in Hollywood culture as the Golden Globes, celebrity feuds or highly-publicised cheating scandals. So when we learnt of yet another on-screen duo turned potential real-life romantic couple, naturally, our ears pricked up and our eyes began scanning the web for evidence.

Case in question: the rumoured relationship between Euphoria co-stars Zendaya and Jacob Elordi, which began when the pair was spotted in Greece together on August 30. According to E! News, Zendaya and Elordi were caught out in the background of a tourist snap, captured while touring the Acropolis in Athens.

But while E! News was quick to undercut their claims—pointing out that the actress was not alone on the trip after she posted a video with her stylist, Law Roach, in addition to evidence that her fellow Disney alum Darnell Appling is also on the trip—another publication jumped in to support romance rumours.

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Us Weekly, who had a source on-site in Greece, reported via an eyewitness that “they looked like they were getting a little cozy,” and “at one point, they were walking with each other and being a little flirty”.

All other points aside, Zendaya has just celebrated her 23rd birthday on September 1. So this trip the two embarked on, along with the group of her nearest and dearest, may also have just been a big overseas birthday bash.

Meeting on the set of Euphoria—Sam Levinson’s raw and candid HBO drama which gives a perspective into high-school life today—Zendaya and Elordi play rivals Rue and Nate, respectively, on-screen rivals who are both vying for the character of Jules (played by Hunter Schafer), creating quite a big deal of tension between the two.

So with evidence for, and countering, we can’t exactly purport to make this real-life relationship official. But considering that romance rumours followed Zendaya and her Spider-Man: Homecoming co-star Tom Holland following the film’s release in 2017—and until very recently—we can deduce two things: one; the actress most-likely keeps mum on her relationships and their statuses, and two; considering her privacy, there’s all the chance in the world that her and Elordi could definitely be an item.

But if there’s one member of the rumoured pair that is most likely to give us the confirmation we’re all waiting for, we’re calling it and saying that Elordi would be first up to the plate. Having publicly confirmed and debuted his relationship with now ex-girlfriend, and The Kissing Booth co-star, Joey King in the past, the actor seems to be a little less shy to publicise his romances.

8 interior trends to embrace this spring

September 4, 2019 | News | No Comments

Spring has sprung for another year, bringing with it beautifully blooming gardens, warmer weather and the urge to clean out, start again and take charge. It’s a season of revitalisation, new growth and renewal, which as cliché as it might sound is exactly how most of us feel once the sun peeks out from beneath wintery clouds and it’s finally warm enough to show our toes again. 

While spring cleaning might not always happen in spring (let’s be honest, there’s nothing quite like a Queen’s long weekend winter spruce), the season does evoke a serious desire to start fresh, making it the perfect time to embrace new design themes and update your interiors for the months ahead. And as with every year, there’s plenty of new styles, shapes and materials to try out. 

In order to stay ahead of the masses, we quizzed Lauren Keenan, a Sydney interior stylist and founder of Lauren Keenan Home
, about exactly which new-season trends we should all be trying out. Her answers are enlightening, with Keenan picking out eight must-have styles to try now. From dark marble to the return of boucle cottons — yes, boucle is making a comeback — the below themes are likely to be everywhere in the next few years, joining the millennial pink-hued ranks of design’s most-lauded moving into the 2020s.

Embracing maximalism
We’ll be seeing more and more of this fun trend over the coming months. Maximalism is all about indulgence and hedonism, with a cheeky sense of humour. Rather than having one hero piece in the room, every item makes a statement. Look for sofas in bold hues and accessorise with metallics and large-scale plants.

Boucle
Boucle is a popular trend for upholstery fabrics this spring. The irregular loop style of this fabric provides an interesting texture to cushioning. Use as accent texture in scatter cushions, or make a bold statement by using on a sofa or occasional chair.

Curves and circles
Curves are back in a big way this spring. We’re seeing them in everything throughout interior architecture – they are a great way to break up all the rectangles in a space. And the good news is that you can easily embrace this trend in your own home. Look out for arched mirrors, rounded bed heads and accessories with semi-circle elements.

Statement tiles
Inspired by the beautiful bathrooms in traditional Italian and Spanish design, statement tiles will make a big comeback this spring. Escape the cookie cutter white and grey aesthetic and embrace a tile with colour and pattern. Look for tiles in shades of sage, terracotta and smokey blue to create a spa-like experience at home.

Mustard hues
Mustard yellow is spring’s It colour for interiors. It has an uncanny ability to work with most palettes. A fan of pale pink? Mustard gives it depth. Smokey grey sofa? Mustard provides the pop. It’s also the perfect foil to a largely white room, providing an often needed focal point. It can be as simple as a throw on the sofa or an artwork featuring some mustard tones.

Dark marble
Marble is an enduring favourite for interiors, but this spring sees a departure from the milky white and pale pink versions that have been popular for the last couple of years. For a fresh take on an old favourite, make a statement with much darker tones like black, deep red and bottle green. This season you’ll see coffee tables and accessories in these bold marble colours.

Biophilia
With spring here, we all feel the need to reconnect with nature. And as the weather warms up, the trend is to invite the natural world into your home through green life, botanical artworks and objects and a nature-inspired colour palette. Better yet, merge your indoor and outdoor spaces by using similar styling items like pots and cushions.

Modern Art Deco
A new interpretation of Art Deco will make its way into our homes this spring. We see decorative rounded patterns alongside more angular and geometric forms. The overall look is fresh and playful, but a slightly more pared-back and modern version of Art Deco. While the colour palette still features some jewel tones, like sapphire blue, they’re tempered by more minimal sandy tones. Metallics are less high shine, more matte.

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Prince Harry wants to help you travel greener

September 4, 2019 | News | No Comments

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4th Sep 2019

Prince Harry wants you to travel smarter—and more sustainably.

Over the past decade, travel across borders has ballooned: Last year, people worldwide took more than 1.4 billion international trips, and come 2030, that number will hit 1.8 billion. And while trip-taking is fantastic on an individual level—it’s educational, it’s eye-opening, and most of all, it’s fun—it can take a toll on its surroundings: see, the overcrowding of historic cities like Dubrovnik, the “public safety crisis” of the California poppy fields, or the damage caused to Machu Picchu.

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To address this, the Duke of Sussex just launched a new travel initiative, Travalyst. Travalyst aims to make travel more eco-friendly, beneficial to local communities, and low-impact. (The meaning behind the name? Travel plus catalyst equals Travalyst.)

“Travel has the unparalleled power to open people’s minds to different cultures, new experiences, and to have a profound appreciation for what our world has to offer,” he said in a statement. “As tourism inevitably grows, it is critically important to accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices worldwide; and to balance this growth with the needs of the environment and the local population.” And it’s not just the palace backing him up—corporate heavyweights TripAdvisor, Booking.com, Visa, Ctrip, and Skyscanner are all partners in the program.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in London in 2018. Image credit: Getty Images

Although Buckingham Palace said further details about specific initiatives will be announced later, we do have an idea of the agenda Travalyst will promote. In a press release, it stated “supporting local people, protecting wildlife, tackling climate change and environmental damage, and alleviating over-tourism,” as its main goals.

It’s a natural fit for the noted conservationist, who has taken a stand against elephant poaching, and counts the African Parks Foundation and Rhino Conservation Botswana as some of his patronages.

While meeting with reporters on Tuesday, Prince Harry also addressed the recent controversy over his private jet use, noting that he does travel “99 per cent” commercial, while admitting, “We can all do better. And while no one is perfect, we are all responsible for our individual impact. The question is what we do to balance it out.”

Plus, with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s tour of Southern Africa coming up, perhaps some of these green travel tips will be on full display.

This story originally appeared on American Vogue

5 reasons to visit Pitt Street Mall this VAEFNO

September 4, 2019 | News | No Comments

As the city of Sydney gears up to welcome Vogue American Express Fashion’s Night Out, which is set to take over the CBD with its 10th anniversary celebrations on September 5, Vogue has assembled a list of reasons why we can guarantee you’re going to want to visit Pitt Street Mall – the hub of the shopping extravaganza’s activity.

From live performances, DJ entertainment and exclusive offers, to an American Express lounge and the first-ever Vogue VIP Members’ Lounge, Pitt Street Mall is set to be busier than ever. So, to ensure you don’t miss a thing, start planning your way around the one-day-only shopping event now and be sure to take note of its top attractions, listed below. 

The launch moment

Be sure to join Vogue Australia editor-in-chief Edwina McCann and Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore, at the Vogue stage in Pitt Street Mall for the official VAEFNO launch moment at 12.30pm, and kick off the festivities in style.

Cxloe and Thandi Phoenix are performing

Accomplished Australian musicians Cxloe and Thandi Phoenix will be performing their most-loved hits for VAEFNO attendees atop the Vogue stage throughout the course of the event. Joining the singer-songwriters in Pitt Street Mall will be the Vogue DJ and must-see dance crews, who we promise you won’t want to miss.

Exclusive offers and Vogue’s Spin-to-Win Wheel 

While shopping the countless exclusive offers available in Pitt Street Mall on the day, don’t forget to stop by Vogue’s Spin-to-Win Wheel, located just outside the Vogue VIP Members’ Lounge, for your chance to win must-have prizes. All you have to do try your luck is spend $100 or more at the event, have your receipts verified by the Vogue team, and step up and spin the wheel – it’s that easy. 

The Vogue VIP Members’ Lounge 

Following the launch of Vogue VIP – Vogue’s exciting new subscribers-only loyalty program – VAEFNO Sydney is welcoming its very first Vogue VIP Members’ Lounge to Pitt Street Mall. Vogue subscribers who pre-register to attend, or those who subscribe on the night, are invited to stop by the luxe lounge for live entertainment, New York City-inspired street food and beverages, and the chance to rub shoulders with Vogue editors, celebrities and insiders alike. 

The American Express lounge 

American Express is welcoming all Amex Card Members into its much-loved American Express Lounge in Pitt Street Mall. Open from 4.30pm, the lounge is one you’re going to want to visit for a glass of Mumm Champagne and the opportunity to mingle with special guests.

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Bianca Andreescu turned nineteen in June. A few months before that, in March, she surprised the tennis world by winning the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. Then, in August, after playing no tennis for months as she nursed a shoulder injury, she won the Rogers Cup in front of her home-town fans, in Toronto—she was born, to Romanian-immigrant parents, in the city of Mississauga, a half-hour drive to the southwest. She defeated Serena Williams in the final, after Williams was forced to retire halfway through the first set, suffering from back spasms. Andreescu, who was leading the match, did not celebrate. She walked slowly toward Williams, as she sat on her chair courtside, fighting back tears. Andreescu embraced her, then knelt and complimented her in the way teen-age athletes do. “You’re a fucking beast,” she said.

Andreescu was something of a beast herself as the night of Labor Day gave way to Tuesday morning inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. She was playing the American Taylor Townsend in the fourth round at the U.S. Open, and she scuffled and snarled—battling with herself as much as with Townsend—and finally struggled to a patchy but wildly entertaining victory, 6–1, 4–6, 6–2. The win earns Andreescu a spot in the women’s quarter-finals. In recent years, only two teen-age players have advanced as far: Ana Konjuh, of Croatia, and Belinda Bencic, of Switzerland. (Bencic, who is now twenty-two, upset the No. 1 seed, Naomi Osaka, earlier on Monday, to move on to the quarter-finals.) Andreescu had never played in the main draw at the U.S. Open before this year; last August, she was ranked No. 178 in the world and lost in the first round of qualifying. But she has played and beaten the kinds of players who tend to go deep at Grand Slams. Her record this year against players ranked in the Top 10 is 7–0.

Townsend arrived in Flushing ranked No. 116, and had to play a week of qualifying matches to get into the main draw. In 2012, when she was sixteen, she was the top-ranked junior player in the world, but her transition to the top-tier has been bumpy. That same year, the United States Tennis Association notoriously declined to cover her travel expenses for tournaments unless she lost weight. The decision was criticized by Serena Williams and Lindsay Davenport, among others, and the U.S.T.A. eventually reimbursed Townsend’s family for those costs. But she struggled to beat the best players in the world with her old-school serve-and-volley game—Townsend plays the kind of tennis that Martina Navratilova more or less took with her when she retired from the singles tour, twenty-five years ago. And yet she entered Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday night on a thrilling ride. She had been net-charging to wins—including one over Simona Halep—and gathering raucous fan support for her rare attacking style and the warm sense of humor she displayed in the on-court interviews that followed win after win.

Andreescu, who is in the Top 20 despite missing many tournaments, arrived prepared for Townsend’s net-rushing. She situated herself on the baseline—even, at times, a step inside the court—to return serves; in the first games of the opening set, she took balls early and passed Townsend down the line a number of times with clean winners. She lobbed against Townsend, too, and won a couple of points on delicately brushed drop shots. Andreescu is one of the young players in women’s tennis embracing an all-court game: varying pace, probing an opponent, searching for angles, coming forward when the opportunity is there. She has the potential to be among the very best, a Martina Hingis with size and power.

She took the first set quickly, but not as easily as the scoreline suggests. Her first serve was off: she double-faulted five times in the first set, and the double faults continued into the second set. Then Andreescu started making more errors on her groundstrokes. During the first set, when Townsend pressed forward, Andreescu kept her forehands and backhands flat and hard, the better to pass. But, in the second set, Townsend chose to stay back and rally with Andreescu, and she managed to absorb Andreescu’s pace and fuel lengthier rallies—and win them, as Andreescu’s hard, flat strokes flew long or found the net. Townsend’s tactical shift appeared to unsettle Andreescu, who muttered and fidgeted and stomped. She tossed her racquet, incurring a warning from the umpire. Serving at 4–5, and facing a break point that was also set point, Andreescu double-faulted. She then took a long bathroom break. Townsend stayed loose by jumping rope. Most of the seats in Ashe were empty, but fans here and there jumped in place along with her. It was after midnight.

It was Andreescu who shifted tactics in the third set, dialing back her pace, lofting more looped balls deep, and slicing short and low. Townsend had no answer. Her tennis is not baseline tennis. After saving four match points on her serve, to hold at 2–5, she tried coming in a couple of times with Andreescu serving, to no avail. Today, at the élite level of tennis, with racquets strung with spin-inducing polyester, and women able to hit groundstrokes that approach ninety miles per hour, serve-and-volley and chip-and-charge will always be at a disadvantage. Townsend netted one last short backhand, and the match was over. Andreescu seemed relieved as she hugged Townsend at the net, but, as she turned to what was left of the crowd, the look on her young face was one of assurance.

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