EntertainmentThe IndependentIn Cold Blood, review: A vital look at a dark chapter in NHS history
There are no frills whatsoever to this doc about the 1970s and 1980s contaminated blood scandal – but that only makes it hit harder
- LifestyleRefinery 29 UK
The Best UK Staycation Destinations For Green Spaces
With international travel still feeling like a serious risk, 2020 has definitely become the year of the staycation. If you're keen to travel safely in the UK before the weather gets too much colder, you might find yourself craving natural beauty, fresh air and the chance to exercise in a more socially distanced environment, After all, many of us have realised during this emotionally trying year that nature is pretty much vital to our mental health. With this in mind, the folks at Daffodil Hotels have put together a list of the UK's top destinations for hiking and nature walks. It's a varied list including popular beauty spots in England, Scotland and Wales. But before planning a trip to any of these destinations, it's imperative to check whether they're currently under local lockdown – as of Monday, nearly two thirds of the Welsh population will be locked down, for example. With this in mind, enjoy your staycation planning.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?The UK's Most Beautiful Staycation DestinationsThe UK's Most Peaceful VillagesThe Best Coastal Towns To Relocate To
CelebrityRefinery 29 UKSelena Gomez Opens Up About Her Surgery Scar: “I Feel Confident In Who I Am”
It’s been three years since Selena Gomez underwent kidney transplant surgery, and she’s opening up about it in a big way for the first time. Gomez, who is fresh off the heels of celebrating the launch of Rare Beauty, shared a super-honest reflection about her post-surgery scar in a powerful Instagram caption.Gomez confidently posed wearing a sky-blue one-piece from La’Mariette, revealing that she hasn’t always felt comfortable showing off her inner-thigh scar until now. “When I got my kidney transplant, I remember it being very difficult at first showing my scar,” she wrote. “I didn’t want it to be in photos, so I wore things that would cover it up. Now, more than ever, I feel confident in who I am and what I went through, and I’m proud of that.”> View this post on Instagram> > A post shared by Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) on Sep 24, 2020 at 9:57am PDTFans quickly flooded Gomez’s comments with support, praising the star for her post. “I am also a liver transplanted girl, and I am so proud of you,” one fan wrote. Celebrity tattoo artist Bang Bang NYC, who worked with Gomez on her most recent thigh tattoo, said it looked like art. “Scar looks like just another beautiful tattoo,” he said. “We love you, Sel. Scars make us beautiful,” wrote another fan. For Selena, it’s another example of what makes her rare.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
CelebrityRefinery 29 UKI Want Lili Reinhart To Be My Reiki Master
In these stupendously surreal times, we could all use a little more healing energy in our lives, I say. And it seems that Lili Reinhart has had the same thought. She posted on her Instagram Story Thursday that she’s training to become a Reiki master.“I am proud to say I’m on my way to becoming a Reiki master!” she wrote, posting a photo of a Reiki Level I certificate from The Luminaries School of Healing. And no: This wasn’t spurred by quarantine or any other major life change, it seems. “I’m starting to take lessons to become a Reiki master,” she recently said on the podcast LGBTQ&A. “That’s something that I’ve wanted to do for a couple of years now.” In integrative medicine, Reiki is a specific form of energy healing. A practitioner usually places their hands close to your skin or lightly touches it, during the “laying on of the hands,” seeking to transmit “Universal Life Energy,” according to Johns Hopkins Integrative Medicine and Digestive Center. With roots in Japan, Reiki can also be done “long distance” through a prayer-like practice. It’s usually used to help people relax, to ease stress, and to reduce their pain. The most widely accepted version of its history is that a doctor and Tendai Buddhist Monk named Mikao Usui brought forth the method in 1922 after having an awakening spiritual experience. He starting teaching others about it as a means to help out after a major earthquake hit Japan, Johns Hopkins notes. The Luminaries course the Riverdale actress took, according to her post, was founded by two master Reiki practitioners who met 10 years ago while working at a Luluemon in Vancouver. They say their classes are a unique “blend of Reiki, spiritual development, and FUN.” They’re teaching Reiki over Zoom right now, because “there is no space and time when it comes to energy,” according to the website. In their level one course, they say they’ll certify you so you can “start practicing this tool on yourself, others, and animals!” Yes, that means even Reinhart’s dog Milo can reap the alleged benefits of what she’s learning in her courses.It’s a bit of a process to get the specific certification Reinhart got, according to the Luminaries website. There’s an attunement process that “enables you to channel Reiki energy.” It also involves receiving “a deep cleansing experience to begin to eliminate old subconscious programming,” and learning out to “powerfully protect your energy.” And, honestly, it sounds like just the ticket after the last few months. This isn’t the first time Reinhart has expressed interest the the world of healing, wellness, and spirituality. “I am 100 percent a crystal-loving bitch,” she told the LGBTQ&A podcast. “I have crystals everywhere. I very much believe in the power of [them].” She also told Self that she says a prayer most nights after she’s done checking social media, and that she’s gotten more into meditation, though it can be a struggle at times (honestly, relatable). “I do like to meditate, although I’m really bad at finding the time to do it, even though that’s the whole point,” she said. “You have to stop and take the moment to do it—I’m really bad at doing that. I learned transcendental meditation this year, and I’ve been really bad at practicing it. So that’s something I’ve been trying to do more of as well.” We do hope that Reinhart’s path towards healing does her well during this challenging year. And when she finishes off her Reiki Level II training, we’ll be the first in line for a consultation with the star. Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?Lili Reinhart Just Debuted A New Hair ColorLili Reinhart's Been Through Heartbreak.Here's The Deal With Reiki
CelebrityCosmoKim and Kanye West have a 'date night' at their friend's wedding
Kim even treated herself to a cocktail!
CelebrityCosmoAdele wishes Nicole Richie happy birthday with hilarious post on Instagram
Who knew they were besties!?
HealthThe IndependentCoronavirus: How to manage your mental health during lockdown
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LifestyleThe Telegraph15 charming hilltop towns in Italy where you won't see another tourist
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EntertainmentThe IndependentThe 10 most controversial TV moments, from Punchgate to the Tom Cruise sofa jump
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- LifestyleRefinery 29 UK
These Are The Most Popular “Lucky” Baby Names Of The Year
Even if you have no plans to start a family any time soon, there’s something strangely fascinating about baby names. Some are falling out of fashion, others have become unexpectedly popular during lockdown, and others reflect our growing understanding and awareness of non-binary gender identities. Now new research has revealed the most popular “lucky” baby names of the year. Even if you’re not entirely convinced by the idea that some names can be somehow “luckier” than others, the research is at least rooted in good old-fashioned etymology. The folks at Compare.bet trawled through the most popular baby names on a top parenting website, then picked out the girls’ and boys’ names which have the concept of “luck”, “good fortune” or “happiness” built into their meaning.Iris, which is derived from the Greek word for rainbow, and Asher, which has religious connotations of blessings in abundance, come out on top. Right behind are Evangeline, a name of Greek origin which means “bearer of good news”, and Felix, which means “happy” or “lucky” in Latin.You can check out the top 10 “lucky” boys’ and girls’ names below – it’s definitely a list that’s packed with naming inspo.The most popular “lucky” baby names for girls:1\. Iris – derived from the Greek word Iris, meaning rainbow 2\. Evangeline – has Greek origin, meaning “bearer of good news” 3\. Beatrice – means “she who brings happiness, blessed” in Latin 4\. Jade – a precious green stone said to transmit wisdom, clarity, justice and courage 5\. Kiara – means “bright” or “light” in Italian and “God’s precious gift” in Hindi 6\. Felicity – derived from the Latin word Felicitas, meaning “luck, good fortune” 7\. Winfred – means “friend of peace” 8\. Clover – a traditional symbol of good luck and prosperity, particularly when found with four leaves 9\. Octavia – means eight in Latin, and eight is a lucky number in many cultures and represents infinity 10\. Amber – derived from the Arabic word Ambar, which means jewel.The most popular “lucky” baby names for boys:1\. Asher – has strong religious connotations such as happiness and joy, or blessings in abundance 2\. Felix – derived from a Latin word meaning happy or lucky 3\. Quinn – a name of Irish Gaelic origin, meaning sense and intelligence 4\. Chance – often found in Middle English, meaning good fortune 5\. Bennett – stems from Latin and means blessed 6\. Edmund – means prosperity and riches 7\. Benedict – derives from the late Latin name Benedictus, meaning blessed 8\. Fisher – means “fisherman” and is linked with superstitions 9\. Seven – a name of English origin meaning inner wisdom 10\. Arley – rooted in American and Hebrew, meaning promiseLike what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?The Career Advice I Wish I Got Before Having A BabBlack British Motherhood & MeThe Baby Names Falling Rapidly Out Of Fashion
NewsThe Telegraph'No standing, dancing or singing' – Après-ski is off the menu as Austrian government clamps down
Skiers and snowboarders will be forced to find entertainment elsewhere this winter as bars in ski resorts have been highlighted as a breeding ground for the virus
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CelebrityRefinery 29 UKDemi Lovato & Max Ehrich Have Ended Their Engagement
After a brief engagement, Demi Lovato and Max Ehrich have split. PEOPLE first reported that the couple has made the “difficult decision” to end their engagement. A source confirmed the split to Refinery29. Lovato and Ehrich were two of the many celebrities who found romance during quarantine. Ehrich, who is an actor, first made an accidental appearance in Lovato’s Instagram Story, causing fans to speculate the two were dating. And they definitely were dating, as evidenced by their July engagement. Ehrich proposed to her on a beach in Malibu, near Lovato’s Los Angeles home.Neither Lovato nor Ehrich have spoken out about the news (Refinery29 has reached out for comment), but Lovato did share an Instagram Story today zooming in on her t-shirt, highlighting the phrase “Dogs over People.”When Lovato shared the news of her engagement, she called Ehrich her “soulmate,” and expressed her happiness at being “someone else’s partner.” Recently, Lovato defended her former fiancé after fans and trolls alike shared tweets from Ehrich about Selena Gomez that she deemed fake. “It’s really sad when people FAKE images to put women against each other,” she wrote on her Instagram story. “If women have conflict that’s between them NOT YOU.”Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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Kit Harington and Rose Leslie confirm pregnancy news with beautiful photo
The couple are expecting their first child
